ah, paper goods.

Wouldn't it make your day to

get this sweet card from a friend?

I'm not entirely sure how, but found myself

browsing Kathryn Whyte's perfectly delightful 

shop today, and instantly started a wishlist 

that includes pretty much every item there.

Go take a peek - I bet you'll find the

perfect thing for your best friend

or sweetheart.  (or both!)

*via

why i do my job

I know that to most people, working at 

an art gallery is one of those mysterious jobs

that only people in movies do...but to me, 

working in a gallery is as real as it gets. 

It's not always glamorous like you might

assume (I can assure you that I do my fair
share of mundane tasks and don't drink
nearly as much wine as everyone seems
to assume), but I love my job.

That being said - I'm human. Sometimes 

I get tired and grumpy, and it's hard to
remember how good I've got it. Thankfully,
God is faithful to give me happy little
reminders of why I do my job.

Yesterday, an adorable little family came

in to look around, and were quite shy

about how they were "just looking."  

(which is embarrassed code for
"I can't afford this stuff.") 

These are my favorite kind of visitors,
because I believe that everyone should
enjoy and own some art that makes
them happy.  Everyone.

We spent about half an hour looking
around together and talking.  The chatty
little girl - decked head to toe in many
shades of pink - was amazing, offering
opinions and comparisons and plenty of
enthusiasm.  By the end of their visit,
they were all relaxed and smiling -
and planning a return visit soon.

But best of all, was the excited parting
comment of my new friend in pink:

"That was REALLY fun!!!!"

I agree. :)

*my favorite painting

by John Bonner

thank goodness.

This week has been crazy for me at work,

and I'm feeling extra grateful for my sweet 

hubs and how kind he is to his tired girl. 

No matter how late I get home from the

office or how overwhelmed I feel about all

the unfinished projects, he's endlessly patient

with his love, encouragement and hugs.  

So despite the tiredness and busyness,

I am feeling pretty blessed.  Because at

the end of the day - and thankfully there's 

always an end, no matter how long the day - 

I get to go home to my wonderful man.  

And then it's all ok.  :)

bliss

After a busy week, we enjoyed a perfectly 

mellow weekend.  It was nice to have some 

down time to rest and catch up a bit.

Hope your Monday is happy!

*via

true story

This cracks me up...but mainly

because it's true!  Don't we all go

through those phases of conforming,

and usually find out that it's ok to

just be ourselves?  

Or maybe that's just me? 

*via

visiting

The hubs and I had the opportunity 

to host my grandparents last night, 

and we had a wonderful time catching

up and chatting about all sorts of things.  

Since most of my family lives several

hours away, it's such a luxury to enjoy a

meal and evening together in our home.

Hurray for sweet family!

small things

We've been studying these verses at 

church lately, and I'm feeling challenged 

to practice loving others more fully.  

I think this is a good way to do that -

do the little things with lots of love.

Then they're not so little anymore,

are they?  :)

*via

saturday happiness list

1.  Extra weekend.

Today is the start of a 3-day

weekend for us, and I'm looking

forward to some fun friends events

and some much needed rest with

the hubs.  Busy week = tired girl!

2.  This sweet website.

I love love.  Yes, I know that this 

entire site is a marketing tool, but

it's pretty wonderful.  The photos are

beautiful, the stories are sweet, and 

the whole thing makes me smile.

 

3.  This hysterical blog.

I'm not really a big pop culture girl, 

but easily spent an hour looking through 

these snarky posts and laughing my 

head off.  Perfect weekend reading. :)

 

 4.  The Design*Sponge book.

Sister gave me this most exciting of

Christmas presents, and I've been

enjoying flipping through the beautiful

pictures and fun ideas.  Thanks again!

5.  This food blog.

Oh. my. word.  I have spent tons

of time pouring over her luscious

pictures and drool-worthy recipes.

(and half of them are pinned here...)

Makes me want to spend the 

next year in the kitchen!

Wishing you a very happy weekend,

whatever goodies it holds!

*image

everyday beauty

In the spirit of cherishing all of

the little things, I am loving this pretty
picture of organized kitchen utensils. 

Shortly after discovering the wonder
of Etsy, I bought a beautiful pottery utensil
jar - and while mine isn't nearly as organized
as this one - it still makes me smile every
time I grab a spatula or wooden spoon.

It really is the little things.  :)

*via

Papa Bear

My wonderful & handsome Daddy

is having some surgery today, so we're

praying for skilled hands, a good outcome 

and a speedy recovery.  (And plenty of 

peace for my Momma...because no one 

likes to see their hubby be miserable!)

*photo by Matthew Lomanno Photography

my kind of resolutions.

Wouldn't the world be nicer

if we all tried to be silly, honest

and kind more often?  

*via

sweet wedding video

I love a good wedding video, don't you? 
I found this one this morning, and it is
just too lovely not to share.  Enjoy!

Oh...and if you're like me, you'll 

want to have some tissues handy...

*via

empowered love

 Do you ever just know God put something

in your path?  It might be a song, a book, a 

verse, a beautiful picture...but in that moment, 

something just clicks.  It's like that thing you've 

been rolling around in your head just crystallizes, 

and it's like God reached out and squeezed your 

hand, reassuring you that He's right there.

  I had one of those moments this morning 

when I picked up a book that the hubs & I 

have been slowly working through:  

"The Holy Spirit is the one who fills believers 

with God's love and the one who enables us 

to love one another.  Paul describes this

beautifully in his prayer to the Ephesians:

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may

strengthen you with power through his Spirit

in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell

in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you,

being rooted and established in love, may have

power, together with all the saints, to grasp

how wide and long and high and deep is the love

of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses

knowledge - that you may be filled to the 

measure of all the fullness of God.  (3:16-19)

May we know this love that surpasses 

knowledge - the mystery of this great love - 

by the strengthening power of the Spirit."

*excerpt from Forgotten God,

image via etsy

contentment

I have found the one whom my soul loves.

(Song of Solomon 3:4)

Best feeling in the world!  :)

*via

my thoughts exactly.

Because really, 

isn't it all about the 

little things? 

*via