friday kisses

 I was downloading pictures from my 

camera this morning, and found this 

happy shot from our trip to the mansions 

over the summer.  Because it made me

feel smiley, you get to see it too.

In other happy news, Mark's sweet

sister is getting married this weekend,

so we get to celebrate with them!

 

Hope your weekend has lots of

love & happiness in it too.

cutest. thing. ever.

 I came home last night to find these adorable 

letters spelled out across our bed.  

The hubs (who was looking all pleased with 

himself for obviously surprising me), simply 

said "I was making copies at school, and 

I thought it would be cool to cut out some 

letters and write you a message."

I'm the luckiest.  :)

cookies

The hubs has a new-found love for Nutella, 

so you can only imagine his excitement when

I found this recipe for no-bake cookies.

We made them last night, and they were 

definitely as fudgy and delicious as promised!

Let's hope our small group feels the same

way tonight...and I guess if they don't,

it's just more for me later this week.  :)

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a good stuff list

 1. PB&J.
It's not often, but sometimes the
old stand by hits the spot.  Today
was one of those days.  :)

2.  This article.
I love #4 and #7.
Such good reminders.

3. Chocolate Mud Facemasks.
 Yep.  We were the cool kids who
smeared chocolate mud on their
faces this weekend. (The hubs
is such a good sport!)

4.  New Hillsong Music. 
We picked up the new album
over the weekend, and I've been
listening on repeat all day at work.
This one is my favorite right now. 

Hope you find something good
in your day today too!

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peace

A little reminder for your Monday...just

in case it's starting off anything like mine.

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Slam Poetry

  In honor of attending my first Poetry Slam

last night, I thought I'd share the incredible 

piece written & performed by our dear friend

Josh for our wedding back in April.

WEDDING SLAM FOR MARK & AMANDA
I never thought I'd be a spectator at this art show.
I didn't know that Mark's Head Coach's playbook was painted Amanda.
That when God blended her husband's hues his heart bled Boston green.
His lean physique was lost in play-making on the Pulse court, 

scoring fruit by the basket.
He was asking for co-captain and got a work of art.
Her eyes dart across a room and like the Painter 

she envisions what loveliness could be.
She sees a star who serves like a Living Waterboy.
He sees a palette of passion reds and fashion threads,
A yellow curled ardent girl who heads blue soirees

and white middays at the yard sale.
I failed to predict the oneness of the artist and the athlete.
But now I see the kinetic beauty of this one flesh.
One sets the pick SL the other can roll.
One stays unseen so relief is more bold.
The odds favor this rookie masterpiece.
I think you'll play fine.
Just color your dreams inside parallel lines.
Find creative ways to keep smiles indelible despite uncertainty.
Frame your lives with eternity.
Permit each other to brighten your black with Jesus' pigment.
The perfect spouse is a figment of idle imaginations.
So after today's congratulations,
You must never question this decision.
Doing so is sinful derision and your commitment is already made.
Don't let it fade in the direct UV of "me" and "my way."
Ball hogs don't get a lot of play.
Pass the rock as often as you can 

and demand only face time with the Portrait-er.
Remember that you were commissioned for a purpose.
Together pound the hardwood surface 

until the roaring cloud of witnesses resounds with,
"Well done good and faithful forwards."
All your fans from courtside seats to nice box suites begin to scream.
The Painter-Coach enjoins his technicolor dreamteam.
Today the whistle blows.
Game on.

*photo by Matthew Lomanno

dress indecision

 I've been lazily shopping around for

a new dress for a few upcoming weddings,

but haven't found the right one yet.  I bought

this cutie, but ended up returning it.  This 

week I've been eying a couple of others 

(here and here), but still can't decide...

The hubs and I have a shopping day 

planned for this weekend, so hopefully

I'll find something fabulous then.  

Any ideas?  Recommendations? 

*inspiration image

 

pets on funiture

 I always get a kick out of the weekly

"Pets on Furniture" posts over at

Desire to Inspire.  There's something

comical and endearing about the furry

faces posing for the camera.  

This guy really cracks me up.  He's so

dignified and goofy all at the same time :)

*via

 

sunday afternoon

Ever since the weather has started feeling cool

and crisp, I've been craving a good cup of

hot cocoa.  Yesterday the hubs taught me how

to make it from scratch on the stove, then

we happily enjoyed sitting outside in the sun

sipping away.  Hurray for Sunday afternoons!

In other lazy Sunday afternoon news, we have 

discovered this show...and are wasting hours

snuggled up on the couch being weirded 

out / fascinated by the wacky plot lines.

Anyone else out there watching it too?

red sox

 Last night I went to Fenway with my lovely Sister 

to cheer on her beloved Red Sox.  We had a

great time and some fun adventures together!

It's always such a happy treat to spend time with

each other, and I very much enjoyed my first

game...rowdy drunk fans and all! :)

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sweet illustrations

 I'm smitten with these darling

illustrations by Caitlin McGauley, 

spotted yesterday at A Cup of Jo.  

There's something so cheerful about

her sweet style that makes me smile!

living in harmony

I was just reading these verses the other

day and thinking about how practical God is. 

He doesn't just tell us to do something as 

difficult as "live in harmony" without giving 

us specific ways to make it happen.

Think about it - when we encounter 

bad drivers, rude co-workers, or hurtful 

gossip, God has given us the keys to 

responding in ways that foster harmony:

1.  Show sympathy and be understanding.

2.  Love fiercely - like they are your own family.

3.  Demonstrate compassion by actively caring.

4.  Practice humility and think of others first.

Thoughts?

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yum

 We tried these little potato cuties last

night and loved them.  Not only were they

insanely easy, they were delicious and 

looked pretty on our dinner plates.  Win!

How to make the magic happen:

1.  Scrub or peel your potatoes.  

 2.  Make thin, careful slices without

actually cutting through the potato.

3.  Drizzle with olive oil & butter.  

(I melted them together, then used my

fingers to get it between the slices.)

4.  Shake on some salt & pepper.

(Or whatever spices you love.)

5.  Bake at 425 for 30-40 minutes.

Enjoy!

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quiet nights

 This last week & weekend has been very busy

for us, so tonight I'm excited to get home to

the hubs and enjoy a quiet evening together. 

I'm going to try a couple of fun new recipes

(if they go well, perhaps I'll report back), 

we might take a long meandering walk, 

and to end the night, we'll cozy up on the 

couch to watch the big football game.  Bliss!

Hope you find something to enjoy 

for your Monday night!

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little notes

 I am a total sucker for awesome papergoods.

Just like a good pair of shoes, I have a tough time

passing up sweet stationary, cute cards, and

pretty wrapping paper. And this shop - 

Red Letter Paper Company - definitely makes

me want to splurge.  Often.

 I love surprising the hubs with a sweet

note in his lunchbox, or sending a pretty 

card to a friend to say hello.  

 Oh - and if you're old fashioned like me 

and love sending out Christmas cards, 

make sure you check out 

their lovely selection of designs!

*etsy, of course

rain

 A few reasons why I love a good rainy day...

1.  The cozy factor.

Rainy days make me feel gloriously domestic 

and cozy. Things like cooking and cleaning 

suddenly hold an amazing amount of appeal!

2.  Contemplative moods:

The rain usually helps me focus in on

the more important things...especially prayer

and worship times.  (This morning it 

the words to this song that got me...)

3. The sounds:

I love how normal noises get muffled,

but you can hear every splash of passing

cars and trucks.  Lovely!

4.  Rain Is A Good Thing.

Enough said.  :)

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hitting the road

 The hubs and I are heading north this weekend

to see my lovely parentals.  We're super excited 

for a visit and the chance to get away.  

Hope your long weekend is happy too!

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reminder

 Who is wise and understanding 

among you?  Let them show it by their 

good life, by deeds done in the humility 

that comes from wisdom... 

...wisdom that comes from heaven

is first of all pure; then peace-loving,

considerate, submissive, full of 

mercy and good fruit, impartial 

and sincere.  (James 3:13, 17)

It's been a weirdly nutty day today,

and it's been a struggle to keep

hanging on to these verses.  I was

reading them this morning, but some 

days just seem to require a second 

(or third) look to keep on track.

 

How do you manage these

sorts of days?

 

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