women of god...

 Well now, that sure packs a punch.  I'm in this 

crazy busy season at work right now, and it's not easy

to remember things like tenderness when you're 

running at a million miles an hour just to keep your

head above water.  Or, if you're at all like me, isn't it

easy to get into superwoman mode and forget all about 

the importance of faith and purity? 

Anyone else out there like me?

Thoughts?

*via

some family love

We had a great Thanksgiving.  Getting to see both

of our families was amazing, and we had a completely

jam-packed weekend of friends and fun stuff.  

Sister just put this picture up, and I thought it was

too happy not to share.  Hurray for cute family!

Happy Monday, friends.

*stolen from sister

cute video

One of my artists posted this video the other day,

and I loved it too much not to share!

The concept is incredible, but I think the music

totally makes the emotion of it come alive.

Happy black Friday!  

*thanks, sid

thanksgiving...times two!

Sorry for being so absent this last week, friends.  

Work has gotten wonderfully busy, and my head has been

jammed full of spaces and inspiration for my clients. 

(Just ask the hubs - if I get quiet lately, he knows that

I've probably started walking through plans in my head 

and am mentally writing up proposals or brainstorming 

solutions for some tricky space or needy client.)

 But no work can compare to the excitement of this 

weekend, as we will celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow

up in Maine with my family, and then we get to have a

second Thanksgiving on Friday with hubs' family!

Yippie for double the family fun :)

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I've been loving these 

sweet gratitude posts (I & II), and want to encourage 

you to take a few minutes and list some of the 

things you're grateful for this year.  We live such

blessed lives, and have so much to say thanks for.

Hope your Thanksgiving is filled with love, 

joy, gratitude and lots of pie!  

*image

stay cool.

It's been a nutty, busy day around these parts, 

so I figured this was a good reminder.   

 

Hope your Wednesday is cool :)

 

 

*via

good call.

Well there's a question that makes me squirm a little bit.

I think I have some praying to do...you?

*via

little adventure

 The sun was shining, we had the day off 

and no real plans to speak of.  So why not

climb the giant rock on the west side?  

It seemed like a good idea to me, 

so up we went...

I was wearing my most practical climbing 

shoes (ballet flats) since our morning started 

off with errands, but the hubs very sweetly 

helped me whenever the leaves were 

slippery and I had to scramble.

The pretty views were worth the little climb!  

(Check out this great photo for an idea 

of what we saw.)  Parts of our little city 

looked like those collectable ceramic villages, 

and it was great fun trying to identify which

street and building were what. 

Definitely a fun little Friday adventure!  :)

*vintage postcard,  

what to wear

We did some shopping this weekend,

but I can't help but think that these

qualities would make for a better work

wardrobe then anything I purchased...

*via

where are you from?

I get a kick out of this map.  Yes, I know 

that it's one giant stereotype - and frankly  - 

kind of insulting, but it cracks me up.

(Plus the typography rocks!)

What do you think...funny or not?

Either way - happy weekend!

*via

coffee time

Maybe you're not an addict like me, 

but in my world, morning doesn't really start 

until I've had those first sips of coffee. 

Hubs & I have today off, and I'm looking

forward to some lazy morning time together with 

plenty of coffee-drinking and snuggling.

Who knows what the rest of our day will hold, 

but I'm sure it will be a fun adventure! 

Once we've had the coffee, that is...

*via

quiet

Ever notice how quiet it is on a foggy morning?

It's like the world wakes up a little more slowly, 

and everything takes longer to get up to normal speed.  

Or maybe that's just my brain.  Hard to tell.:)

*via

mmm bacon

I made this fun little appetizer for the hubs the

other night, and we both loved it.  Try it soon, 

and I promise you will be a hero to the 

bacon lovers in your life.  :)

WARNING:  This recipe involves a vegetable,

but is definitely a danger to your arteries!

 

you'll  need:

1 lb. fresh green beans

5 strips of bacon

3 tbsp melted butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 clove garlic (or garlic powder)

1/8 tsp soy sauce

Cook halved green beans until tender,

then drain and set aside.  (Add a pat of 

butter if you like, because if you're like

me, you'll have extra & will eat them later.) 

 

Cut bacon slices in half, fry over med-low 

heat until soft, then cool on a paper towel.

 

Wrap the little bean bundles in bacon

and place in a 13x9 pan.  (You can use a

toothpick to hold them together, or just

wrap tightly and place carefully.)

Melt the 3 tbsp of butter on med-high, 

then stir in brown sugar, garlic and soy sauce.

Once everything is melted together, brush 

or spoon the mixture over the bundles.

Bake for 10-15 mins at 400 degrees...

or until it smells so good that you 

cannot resist pulling them out to try!

 

*found, recipe

little moments

I was walking across a grocery store

parking lot the other day, when a perky 

jingle started playing.  As I looked around

trying to figure out where the tinny music

was coming from, I spotted a young

dad standing next to the tiny carousel in

front of the store - and a very happy little

one going round and round.  

It totally melted my heart to see this dad 

love his kiddo in such a sweet way,

despite whatever inconvenience or 

awkwardness it might have caused him.

And that kind of love just makes me 

smile - even in complete strangers.

*image

initial necklace

 How sweet is this husband & wife

initial necklace?  I love the pretty, loopy

letters and the idea of wearing your

initials for the world to see!

*from Etsy, of course.

happy things

Because it's Friday and the sun is shining,

a happy list seems appropriate...

1. Apple Streusel French Toast.

Oh my lands, this stuff was good! 

Thank you, Cracker Barrel for clogging

my arteries & making my morning.

2. New Friendships.

I've been enjoying getting to know some

pretty fabulous ladies over these last few

months.  New friends are the best!

3.  Dark Nails.

I'm loving dramatic dark tones for 

fall nails...right now, a luscious purple.

(Or how about this lovely deep red?)

4. Maine + Family = Happiness.

We're heading home to visit my family

for the weekend, which is always lovely.

I love relaxing and catching up on all

the good stuff happening at home!

*image

52 Things...

 

Even though it feels like we just got married 

yesterday, the hubs and I celebrated our 

6 month anniversary a couple of weeks ago.

(And yes, we actually celebrated,
which was totally dorky but really fun!)

I wanted to do something sweet to love on 

my handsome guy, so I decided to tackle 

this project I saw on Pinterest.  

I used these more detailed directions 

to start, but mostly just figured it out 

as I went along, which was fine. 

I was really excited with how it came out, 

but more importantly, he loved it.  He seemed

pleased that I took time to express some of 

the little things I adore about him.  And that

makes me a happy girl - mission accomplished!

*Want to see more cool Pinterest inspired projects?

Check out others from the Pinterest Challenge!

 This is so true.  (and so sweet!)

Who do you love to see smile?

*via