life lately (according to instagram)

Spring is here, and it feels like life is picking up...

like we're coming out of hibernation!

 

We've had lots of chances to hang out

with the hubs' family lately, which is a treat.

We've had some silly fun...playtime with our little niece

and a very relaxed night with our small group.

The longer we look for a house, the more I want 

to get a dog...which is a little dangerous.  :)

Lots of little joys lately too...like pretty fresh flowers 

& frivolous magazines about princesses.  (thanks, babe!)

Life's not perfect, but we certainly have 

plenty to be thankful for!

*instagram

oh happy day!

You might remember me whining 

about flowers for the wedding...well

I'm sure not whining any more!  

I had breakfast yesterday morning with the 

fabulous lady who's going to be helping 

us with flowers, and now I'm feeling 

confident and excited about how great 

they're going to look.  Another 

thing off the list - yippie!

*image

a sweet arrangement

 How's this for an adorable - and yes,

sweet, centerpiece?  (I know, it's

a terrible pun...I can't help it.) 

DIY instructions here!

*via

fragrance

There are fresh flowers everywhere in

our gallery these days.  During this season,

one of my bosses receives a bouquet

every week from her sweet man - a 

pretty promise of color, warmth 

and new growth to come.  

 

 The first few times I walk by them, 

I usually stop to enjoy how lovely they 

are - but after I get busy and the novelty

wears off (they aren't mine, after all) -

I don't pay too much attention to them.  

 

Well, not to how they look, anyway.

How they smell is a completely different

story.  Even when I cease to look closely, 

I can't escape their sweet fragrance,which 

permeates my workspace. I think it's

the same idea as this passage from 

II Corinthians 14. (from The Message)

"In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us 

from place to place in one perpetual 

victory parade. Through us, he brings

knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, 

people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. 

Because of Christ, we give off a sweet

scent rising to God, which is recognized 

by those on the way of salvation -

an aroma redolent with life."

 

Huh.  How often do you ever think about 

this...because of Christ in us, there 

ought to be a permeating quality about our 

lives that others can't get away from?

*image

flowers?

Love these colors and all those textures!

I find myself obsessively looking at

any flowers I see these days

in the vain hope that I'll start to

figure out what the heck I want for

pretty blooms at the wedding.

I have no problem pulling ideas 

together for other parts of our big 

celebration, but something about the 

flowers is intimidating me to no end...

I think it probably has something

to do with the fact that there are just

so many gorgeous options out there.

Oh the hardships of planning a wedding.

(insert lame-o dramatic sigh here.)

Ha.

*image

purdy

How gorgeous are these flowers?



I love the mason jar look!


*images

bright!

I'm loving these bright poppies.

They're so bold and loud
and yet so delicate and dainty.

Aren't the colors lovely?


*via tumblr

spoiled

Look what I got yesterday!

(Mom & Sister: you should know
they were cut, not arranged)

I'm such a lucky girl.
Thanks, babe!

purple

Lately, I find myself being drawn to
any images with purple - especially flowers!

Aren't they stunning?
And what are you infatuated with
these days?

itty bitty

Did you ever pick tiny little flowers like these when you were a kid?

I would always spend loads of time picking bunches of these little gems, and then proudly present them to Momma.

(who put them in water and treasured them like a champ...even though they probably did nothing but wreck havoc on her pollen allergies.)

What are you favorite itty bitty signs of spring?


*via tumblr

purdy.

I love these.

All those purples are so rich and luscious - and that background texture and color is just gorgeous!

The bf and I are off for the weekend to visit my folks, and I'm so looking forward to seeing them. (I haven't seen them since Christmas!) Plus we are doing lunch with sister on the way up, so that will be fun too!

Happy weekend, friends. Hope it's lovely!


*via the bride's cafe

some pretty

Just a little something pretty for this dreary Wednesday morning!

(I'm not much on roses, but how sweet are these darlings?!)


*image via I am Style-ish

Totally Random

This past weekend, as Twin and I were rushing through the grocery store, I felt an urgent need for beauty and impulsively bought 5 kinds of flowers. I'm pretty sure the woman at the checkout through either (a) someone had just had a baby, (b) someone had just died, or (c) I was some kind of a crazy, flower lady.

(Definitely option c, by the way.)

Anyway, I had a great time putting together these great bouquets - 2 for our apartment and 1 for our sweet landlady downstairs. And every single time I walk by them, I'm glad I did. The colors and textures are just stunning, and our house is much more cheerful because of them!



Also, look how cute those little pumpkins are...



Anyone remember my excited blathering about finding this book?

I finished it, and while I didn't love it as much as Flying Changes, it was good. Definitely a little more intense than its sequel, but still an enjoyable read.

You probably shouldn't read it if you're going through any significant life issues, since the entire book is about difficult life issues. Unless you like to feel better by seeing how other people's lives are worse than yours, it might push you over the edge.



So then I immediately picked up her other book, which was completely different in tone, subject matter, and character development. (So um, pretty much everything.)

The writing is a little tricky at the beginning and it took me a little while to get acclimated to what time period things were happening in (there is lots of switching between past & present) but overall I think it was enjoyable.

If you have a tender heart towards animals, this book makes you fiercely love some characters and really hate others...not to mention that you learn lots of pretty sketchy stuff about the old-school circus circuits.


Twin and I are starting to get creative in our food storage...aren't these little mason jars pretty with the dried beans and peas inside?

It very much makes me want to start making more warm and cozy cold-weather meals. Pea soup anyone?

(I'm impressed if you're still reading right now...although I did warn you that this post was totally random, in my defense.)


Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about how lovely Twin was all weekend. It was a super busy grading weekend for her (which you can see above) and yet she was endlessly sweet and patient with me.

I was fighting a nasty cold, trying to work on the message I was teaching at my church, and just generally tired and overwhelmed. She, despite being more than busy enough on her own, took lots of time away from her grading to make me food and listen to my many rough drafts.

Even though I'm sure someone would want to debate this, I would like to assert that I have the best friend out there. Plus she makes a mean cup of hot cocoa...so top that!