Five for Friday on Saturday!

Today I'm joining one of my favorite linkups to talk about my five favorite things from the week!  Thanks to Natasha, Darci, April, and Christina for hosting the fun. :)  I love reading their blogs!

Okay now for the fun!

{1}  Fun with Friends and Fam

This week, I got to share meals with some pretty fun folks.  There is just something about sharing a meal and sharing life with friends and family.  I love getting to sit and hear about what is going on in our lives and if delicious food is involved, so much the better!  From meeting a new friend for lunch at one of my favorite places to meeting a friend I have journeyed through life with for a while for a delicious dinner, I am so thankful for the way God constantly is at work bringing community into my life as we seek to serve him together.  I also got to eat dinner with my in-laws this week and that was another fun treat.  I'm so thankful they are in my life!

{2}  Vanilla Bean Bake Shoppe

I have wanted to stop by this local food truck for a long time and finally I got to go this week!

All the flavors look so delicious!  I'll have to go back and try one of their Monster ice cream sandwiches. :)

For my first trip, I chose the salted caramel chocolate chip and it did not disappoint!!

{3} Book Club

My book club met this week to discuss A Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman.  

It is such a powerful book and it looks like a movie might be in the works.  I highly recommend it!!  I love meeting with the gals in my book club and catching up on life.  I also love book club because it challenges me to read books outside my comfort zone. :)

{4} Fall on the Horizon

I love fall and with Labor Day this weekend, heralding the end of summer, I'm thrilled that fall is on it's way.  Certainly in Texas it does not signal the end of oppressive heat, but at least we can enjoy Pumpkin Spice Lattes in the air conditioning.

I've loved lighting this candle to get a little smell of the season to come!  Bring it!! :)

{5} Hubby is Home!!

Last night my favorite thing of the week happened -- my hubby returned from a work trip to Chicago!  It was so great to see him.  I know he was only gone for four days, but I missed him so much!!  

He even brought me a fun treat of Garrett's Chicago Blend popcorn!

Hope you enjoy your weekend!  We're so happy about the start of football season!!  Go Bears! :)

Five for Friday on Saturday!

Today I'm joining one of my favorite linkups to talk about my five favorite things from the week!  Thanks to Natasha, Darci, April, and Christina for hosting the fun. :)  I love reading their blogs!

Okay now for the fun!

{1}  Fun with Friends and Fam

This week, I got to share meals with some pretty fun folks.  There is just something about sharing a meal and sharing life with friends and family.  I love getting to sit and hear about what is going on in our lives and if delicious food is involved, so much the better!  From meeting a new friend for lunch at one of my favorite places to meeting a friend I have journeyed through life with for a while for a delicious dinner, I am so thankful for the way God constantly is at work bringing community into my life as we seek to serve him together.  I also got to eat dinner with my in-laws this week and that was another fun treat.  I'm so thankful they are in my life!

{2}  Vanilla Bean Bake Shoppe

I have wanted to stop by this local food truck for a long time and finally I got to go this week!

All the flavors look so delicious!  I'll have to go back and try one of their Monster ice cream sandwiches. :)

For my first trip, I chose the salted caramel chocolate chip and it did not disappoint!!

{3} Book Club

My book club met this week to discuss A Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman.  

It is such a powerful book and it looks like a movie might be in the works.  I highly recommend it!!  I love meeting with the gals in my book club and catching up on life.  I also love book club because it challenges me to read books outside my comfort zone. :)

{4} Fall on the Horizon

I love fall and with Labor Day this weekend, heralding the end of summer, I'm thrilled that fall is on it's way.  Certainly in Texas it does not signal the end of oppressive heat, but at least we can enjoy Pumpkin Spice Lattes in the air conditioning.

I've loved lighting this candle to get a little smell of the season to come!  Bring it!! :)

{5} Hubby is Home!!

Last night my favorite thing of the week happened -- my hubby returned from a work trip to Chicago!  It was so great to see him.  I know he was only gone for four days, but I missed him so much!!  

He even brought me a fun treat of Garrett's Chicago Blend popcorn!

Hope you enjoy your weekend!  We're so happy about the start of football season!!  Go Bears! :)

Five for Friday!!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I just love this linkup!  It is such a great way to wrap up the week and discover some new blogs to read. :)  Natasha, Darci, April, and Christina are so sweet to host this link up!!  Thanks, girls!

{1} Album
We met with our AMAZING wedding photographer this week and got a beautiful box filled with all of our proofs and discussed our wedding album. :) Our photographer has been so amazing through the entire process and I could not recommend her more.  I had narrowed down photos for our album to 150, so this weekend I will be whittling that number down to between 60 and 70.  I think getting to look through the prints will make it easier for me. :)  It is so fun to reminisce about that so so special day!!

{2} Wreath
I saw the cutest wreath on one of my favorite blogs, Blue-Eyed Bride, and thought with her wonderful instructions (see tutorial post here), I would like to create one of my very own.  I cannot tell you how long I have had all of these materials sitting in storage, but they did miraculously make the move this Spring, so last weekend, I gathered my gumption and got to work!

It was a lot of fun to make and now I feel completely prepared to cheer on the Baylor Bears this season!!  My next project is a fall wreath for our front door.  I've seen some cute ones on Pinterest and am leaning toward a deco mesh one.  Let me know if you have any ideas!! :)

{3} Dinners

This week, the Mr. and I have had some yummy dinners with recipes from our favorite -- Pinterest!  We made a delicious crockpot chicken taco bowl early in the week and it was wonderful!  My favorite crockpot meals are those that don't require any prep before putting it into the slowcooker and this recipe fit the bill.  I love Chipotle's burrito bowls and thought this was a great substitute at home.  You can make it even more to your liking by adding other toppings.  I bought some of those precooked packs of rice that you heat up in the microwave and dinner was basically done right when we walked in the door!  Get the link to the pin here. 

Later in the week, we put together a skillet sensation that Mr. G remembers having as a child. :)  It was so easy to whip up and made enough servings for us to enjoy it several times last week.

{4} Next Issue

I LOVE magazines!!  It is been my treat at the grocery check out for years to pick up the latest issue of whatever magazine appeals to me at the time.  Unfortunately, sometimes I would not have enough time to read all the magazines I treated myself to and they eventually began to pile up -- NO LONGER!   I recently discovered the Next Issue App for my iPad and it has completely changed my magazine reading life.  You pay a monthly fee (around $15) and are given access to tons of great titles.  Oh, and I forgot, but there is a free month trial!  Here is a link to the website if you are interested.  I honestly cannot think of a single magazine I love that is not listed.  You can download issues as they become available and also have access to previous issues.  Enjoy!  What are your fave magazines?

{5} 2 Ingredient Wonders!!

I've seen a similar recipes on pinterest for some delicious bar cookies and I still want to make the layered cookies with brownie, chocolate chip cookie and Reese's peanut butter cups, but when i saw a 2 ingredient version, I decided to give it a whirl.  Be warned, these are just as delicious as they look and oh so easy!

We had guests over last night for dinner and this dessert treat was a hit!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Five for Friday!!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I just love this linkup!  It is such a great way to wrap up the week and discover some new blogs to read. :)  Natasha, Darci, April, and Christina are so sweet to host this link up!!  Thanks, girls!

{1} Album
We met with our AMAZING wedding photographer this week and got a beautiful box filled with all of our proofs and discussed our wedding album. :) Our photographer has been so amazing through the entire process and I could not recommend her more.  I had narrowed down photos for our album to 150, so this weekend I will be whittling that number down to between 60 and 70.  I think getting to look through the prints will make it easier for me. :)  It is so fun to reminisce about that so so special day!!

{2} Wreath
I saw the cutest wreath on one of my favorite blogs, Blue-Eyed Bride, and thought with her wonderful instructions (see tutorial post here), I would like to create one of my very own.  I cannot tell you how long I have had all of these materials sitting in storage, but they did miraculously make the move this Spring, so last weekend, I gathered my gumption and got to work!

It was a lot of fun to make and now I feel completely prepared to cheer on the Baylor Bears this season!!  My next project is a fall wreath for our front door.  I've seen some cute ones on Pinterest and am leaning toward a deco mesh one.  Let me know if you have any ideas!! :)

{3} Dinners

This week, the Mr. and I have had some yummy dinners with recipes from our favorite -- Pinterest!  We made a delicious crockpot chicken taco bowl early in the week and it was wonderful!  My favorite crockpot meals are those that don't require any prep before putting it into the slowcooker and this recipe fit the bill.  I love Chipotle's burrito bowls and thought this was a great substitute at home.  You can make it even more to your liking by adding other toppings.  I bought some of those precooked packs of rice that you heat up in the microwave and dinner was basically done right when we walked in the door!  Get the link to the pin here. 

Later in the week, we put together a skillet sensation that Mr. G remembers having as a child. :)  It was so easy to whip up and made enough servings for us to enjoy it several times last week.

{4} Next Issue

I LOVE magazines!!  It is been my treat at the grocery check out for years to pick up the latest issue of whatever magazine appeals to me at the time.  Unfortunately, sometimes I would not have enough time to read all the magazines I treated myself to and they eventually began to pile up -- NO LONGER!   I recently discovered the Next Issue App for my iPad and it has completely changed my magazine reading life.  You pay a monthly fee (around $15) and are given access to tons of great titles.  Oh, and I forgot, but there is a free month trial!  Here is a link to the website if you are interested.  I honestly cannot think of a single magazine I love that is not listed.  You can download issues as they become available and also have access to previous issues.  Enjoy!  What are your fave magazines?

{5} 2 Ingredient Wonders!!

I've seen a similar recipes on pinterest for some delicious bar cookies and I still want to make the layered cookies with brownie, chocolate chip cookie and Reese's peanut butter cups, but when i saw a 2 ingredient version, I decided to give it a whirl.  Be warned, these are just as delicious as they look and oh so easy!

We had guests over last night for dinner and this dessert treat was a hit!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Gifts Red, Read and Written

(1) Red

I love my red "Keep Calm" mug.  Not only for its timely reminder, which I'm afraid is always something I need to remember, but also because it reminds me of the precious friend who gave it to me.  She loves all things British and so it is the perfect way to remember her.

(2) Read
I have been reading Jesus Calling each morning lately and I love it.  I think I have mentioned it on here before, but each morning the words speak to my soul and convict my heart.  I have also enjoyed reading so many blogs lately!  The linkups I have joined have been a fun way to find new blogs to read, too. :)

(3) Written

Yesterday, Mr. G and I went to Target and I bought a new planner.  My old one was about to run out and I have enjoyed some time this evening filling in the new events I know so far for the upcoming months.  There is something about writing by hand that just thrills my soul!  I think I would love to take a hand lettering or calligraphy class.

Hope you all have had wonderful weekends!

Gifts Red, Read and Written

(1) Red

I love my red "Keep Calm" mug.  Not only for its timely reminder, which I'm afraid is always something I need to remember, but also because it reminds me of the precious friend who gave it to me.  She loves all things British and so it is the perfect way to remember her.

(2) Read
I have been reading Jesus Calling each morning lately and I love it.  I think I have mentioned it on here before, but each morning the words speak to my soul and convict my heart.  I have also enjoyed reading so many blogs lately!  The linkups I have joined have been a fun way to find new blogs to read, too. :)

(3) Written

Yesterday, Mr. G and I went to Target and I bought a new planner.  My old one was about to run out and I have enjoyed some time this evening filling in the new events I know so far for the upcoming months.  There is something about writing by hand that just thrills my soul!  I think I would love to take a hand lettering or calligraphy class.

Hope you all have had wonderful weekends!

Morning GIfts

I would have never believed this several years ago, but I am a morning person, especially when I awake to a day that is free from a schedule and filled with possibility.  These mornings are rare I will admit, but I find getting up early is not a chore on days like these because my mind begins brimming with all the fun things I would like to do with the day and I can't wait to begin!  Here are three gifts I have found this morning:

(1) Truth

Spending time in God's Word, nourishing my relationship with Him is so important and I can tell a huge difference in my day if I do not begin with intentional time spent with Him.  I've been using the Jesus Calling daily devotional lately and have found it be an immense source of encouragement, conviction and renewal.

(2) Watching the sun as it begins to peek over the trees.

I love the opportunity to savor the way God renews the world each morning with His gift of light.

(3) Coffee with my husband

I love when a morning allows for savoring that first cup of coffee in a large happy mug.  It's especially nice when I get to share that time with my favorite friend. :)

Happy Weekend!!

Morning GIfts

I would have never believed this several years ago, but I am a morning person, especially when I awake to a day that is free from a schedule and filled with possibility.  These mornings are rare I will admit, but I find getting up early is not a chore on days like these because my mind begins brimming with all the fun things I would like to do with the day and I can't wait to begin!  Here are three gifts I have found this morning:

(1) Truth

Spending time in God's Word, nourishing my relationship with Him is so important and I can tell a huge difference in my day if I do not begin with intentional time spent with Him.  I've been using the Jesus Calling daily devotional lately and have found it be an immense source of encouragement, conviction and renewal.

(2) Watching the sun as it begins to peek over the trees.

I love the opportunity to savor the way God renews the world each morning with His gift of light.

(3) Coffee with my husband

I love when a morning allows for savoring that first cup of coffee in a large happy mug.  It's especially nice when I get to share that time with my favorite friend. :)

Happy Weekend!!

Three Gifts of Family

Today's Joy Dare is difficult to limit to 3!  I am so thankful for that.  I recognize the incredible, unimaginable blessing my family is and this year I've gotten to add a whole new part!

1. My husband

photo courtesy Kelly Hosch Photography

I could never imagine the man that God had in store for me and I will never be able to to express my thanks to Him for bringing such a kind and loving man into my life.  He's beyond my wildest dreams and I'm loving each day with him!

2. My in-laws
Nothing makes me "happy happy happy" like time with my in-laws.  And yes, we did get to watch the season premiere of "Duck Dynasty" with them this week!  It was so much fun.  I'm so thankful for the generous love they have shown me since the first day I met them.

3.  My nuclear family
The ones who have been with me from the beginning and continue to walk with me and support me each and every day.  We've added to our merry band over the years and with each addition comes more and more joy.  I'm so grateful for their love and support.

Three Gifts of Family

Today's Joy Dare is difficult to limit to 3!  I am so thankful for that.  I recognize the incredible, unimaginable blessing my family is and this year I've gotten to add a whole new part!

1. My husband

photo courtesy Kelly Hosch Photography

I could never imagine the man that God had in store for me and I will never be able to to express my thanks to Him for bringing such a kind and loving man into my life.  He's beyond my wildest dreams and I'm loving each day with him!

2. My in-laws
Nothing makes me "happy happy happy" like time with my in-laws.  And yes, we did get to watch the season premiere of "Duck Dynasty" with them this week!  It was so much fun.  I'm so thankful for the generous love they have shown me since the first day I met them.

3.  My nuclear family
The ones who have been with me from the beginning and continue to walk with me and support me each and every day.  We've added to our merry band over the years and with each addition comes more and more joy.  I'm so grateful for their love and support.

Five for Friday!

We made it -- it's Friday!!  This week was full of activities.  I think I'm getting a taste of what the fall will be like.  In the summer so many of our activities and groups take breaks from meeting that it was a bit of a surprise to see my calendar start to fill with after work meetings.  :)  Today, I'm linking up again with these fabulous ladies to talk about 5 fun things that happened over the week.

(1) Lunch Prep

I've seen so many great Pinterest links talking about having snack drawers or lunch drawers all ready to go for the week with fresh fruits and veggies washed and prepacked in ziploc bags.  Stephanie at The Vintage Modern Wife has a great post about this very thing!  Mr. G did a great job of getting us all ready for the week ahead by prepping grapes and baby carrots plus crackers and pretzels in the pantry.  It definitely made getting our lunches together in the morning much easier!  

(2) Breakfast Muffins

Another way to make mornings easier at our house is to have a delicious grab and go breakfast option.  I found this recipe for the Pioneer Woman's  "My Mom's Muffins" and they are fantastic!!!  I made up a batch Sunday night and we enjoyed them all week long.  They are the perfect accompaniment with your morning cup of java!

(3) Special Wedding Gift

When I was trying to decide on a wedding present to give my groom, I wanted to find just the right thing.  Several years before we met, he had bought this adorable cottage built in the 1920's.  Since he had just sold it, I thought asking my grandmother's best friend to paint a watercolor of his house would be the perfect remembrance.  We were overwhelmed at the beauty of her work and her perfect rendering of this special place.  She was so precious to give it to us as a wedding gift.  Not only are we so thankful for this beautiful art, but for the precious friend who painted it.

(4) Friday Morning Treat

This morning a hot glazed donut was the perfect way to start the day!

(5) Our Wedding Photos

photo courtesy Kelly Hosch Photography

I know I've mentioned our wedding photos before on this link up, but we received the flash drive this week!!  We get to meet with our amazing photographer next week to put together our wedding album!  I can't wait. :)

Enjoy your weekend!!

Five for Friday!

We made it -- it's Friday!!  This week was full of activities.  I think I'm getting a taste of what the fall will be like.  In the summer so many of our activities and groups take breaks from meeting that it was a bit of a surprise to see my calendar start to fill with after work meetings.  :)  Today, I'm linking up again with these fabulous ladies to talk about 5 fun things that happened over the week.

(1) Lunch Prep

I've seen so many great Pinterest links talking about having snack drawers or lunch drawers all ready to go for the week with fresh fruits and veggies washed and prepacked in ziploc bags.  Stephanie at The Vintage Modern Wife has a great post about this very thing!  Mr. G did a great job of getting us all ready for the week ahead by prepping grapes and baby carrots plus crackers and pretzels in the pantry.  It definitely made getting our lunches together in the morning much easier!  

(2) Breakfast Muffins

Another way to make mornings easier at our house is to have a delicious grab and go breakfast option.  I found this recipe for the Pioneer Woman's  "My Mom's Muffins" and they are fantastic!!!  I made up a batch Sunday night and we enjoyed them all week long.  They are the perfect accompaniment with your morning cup of java!

(3) Special Wedding Gift

When I was trying to decide on a wedding present to give my groom, I wanted to find just the right thing.  Several years before we met, he had bought this adorable cottage built in the 1920's.  Since he had just sold it, I thought asking my grandmother's best friend to paint a watercolor of his house would be the perfect remembrance.  We were overwhelmed at the beauty of her work and her perfect rendering of this special place.  She was so precious to give it to us as a wedding gift.  Not only are we so thankful for this beautiful art, but for the precious friend who painted it.

(4) Friday Morning Treat

This morning a hot glazed donut was the perfect way to start the day!

(5) Our Wedding Photos

photo courtesy Kelly Hosch Photography

I know I've mentioned our wedding photos before on this link up, but we received the flash drive this week!!  We get to meet with our amazing photographer next week to put together our wedding album!  I can't wait. :)

Enjoy your weekend!!

Green

Today's gifts are three green ones and I have to admit for awhile I was in a bit of a quandary, but then I remembered:

(1) the perfectly ripe avocados purchased at HEB and our latest obsession with making homemade guacamole to accompany almost any dinner creation whether it really makes sense or not.  Mr. G is in charge of mix the guacamole to his perfect consistency and I dart in and out of stirs with a little lime juice, garlic, garlic salt and regular salt.  (I kinda like my guacamole salty) :)

(2) the green grass that encircles our home due to the more than typically abundant rainfall we have enjoyed this summer.  Savoring the green hue of the grass rather than its usual August brown is an extra special treat.

(3) my grandmother's favorite color was green and her birthday was in August.  Mr. G asked me the other day what a peridot was and he told me it was the birthstone for August.  I felt like it was a little nod to Muvie who we will still remember and celebrate on her birthday, but for the first time without her present with us.

Green

Today's gifts are three green ones and I have to admit for awhile I was in a bit of a quandary, but then I remembered:

(1) the perfectly ripe avocados purchased at HEB and our latest obsession with making homemade guacamole to accompany almost any dinner creation whether it really makes sense or not.  Mr. G is in charge of mix the guacamole to his perfect consistency and I dart in and out of stirs with a little lime juice, garlic, garlic salt and regular salt.  (I kinda like my guacamole salty) :)

(2) the green grass that encircles our home due to the more than typically abundant rainfall we have enjoyed this summer.  Savoring the green hue of the grass rather than its usual August brown is an extra special treat.

(3) my grandmother's favorite color was green and her birthday was in August.  Mr. G asked me the other day what a peridot was and he told me it was the birthstone for August.  I felt like it was a little nod to Muvie who we will still remember and celebrate on her birthday, but for the first time without her present with us.

Three Gifts Half-Hidden

Happy Monday!  We made it.  :)

Today's gifts were a little more cryptic for me to think about, but here's what I've got:

1.  Sunrises and Sunsets
One of the things I love most about driving early in the morning and later in the afternoon, especially along great open spaces, is getting to take in the beautiful sky and the sun half-peeking over the horizon either as it's rising or setting.

2.  Mysterious Plotlines
I love to read a book and gather hints of clues that add to the mystery of the plot, but are only partially revealed along the way until all the pieces of the puzzle come together at the perfect time.

3.  And finally, a most welcome half-hidden gift...

This yummy gift was hiding in the oven when I got home, so maybe it wasn't half-hidden, but I certainly was thrilled when I called my sweet hubby after a Junior League committee meeting and he let me know that he had already prepared dinner and put it in the oven!  It was so delicious, but how can you go wrong with ingredients like Fritos, Velveeta, and Rotel. :)  See the pin here.

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Three Gifts Half-Hidden

Happy Monday!  We made it.  :)

Today's gifts were a little more cryptic for me to think about, but here's what I've got:

1.  Sunrises and Sunsets
One of the things I love most about driving early in the morning and later in the afternoon, especially along great open spaces, is getting to take in the beautiful sky and the sun half-peeking over the horizon either as it's rising or setting.

2.  Mysterious Plotlines
I love to read a book and gather hints of clues that add to the mystery of the plot, but are only partially revealed along the way until all the pieces of the puzzle come together at the perfect time.

3.  And finally, a most welcome half-hidden gift...

This yummy gift was hiding in the oven when I got home, so maybe it wasn't half-hidden, but I certainly was thrilled when I called my sweet hubby after a Junior League committee meeting and he let me know that he had already prepared dinner and put it in the oven!  It was so delicious, but how can you go wrong with ingredients like Fritos, Velveeta, and Rotel. :)  See the pin here.

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Getting Behind

Does anyone else struggle with this?  Sometimes I start something with the most wonderful intentions and then life happens and then I'm three days behind and then and then...

Ok, so I realized today that I was two days behind on my Joy Dare.  Oops!  So thankful for grace.  I had hoped that putting these posts on my blog would help me stay accountable, but anyway, here we are.  And I found these three days to be kind of difficult to think about, too...

Day 9: a gift hole, whole, and half

Is it bad that the first thing I thought of was a donut hole?!  We did receive a donut hole/cake ball maker for our wedding anniversary and I'm kind of excited to use that, but then I thought a little more and perhaps the holes in my life that are difficult to cope with and the losses that I don't enjoy experiencing may be the very thing that God is using to bring me more and more closely to wholeness in Him.  I reread chapter 1 of One Thousand Gifts this morning and that is what Ann Voskamp speaks to about how the holes that pierce through our soul, the difficulties we experience, so often are things God can use to help us see Him more and more.  I thought about my week and challenges I have faced, things I have been convicted of and the unloveliness I have found grafted too close to my heart and though the pain is great as God is cleansing and removing these pieces from my life, I know that it is only in their removal that true wholeness in Him can begin.

For a gift half, I am very thankful that my husband and I were able to divide the cleaning chores in half. The work was done quickly and efficiently and we have both been able to enjoy the afternoon.  I'm very thankful for the helper he is in my life.

Day 10: 3 hard eucharisteo
I looked up "eucharisteo" and it means "to be grateful; to give thanks".  So day 10 is about the difficult things to be thankful for.  I think some of that difficult thankfulness I spoke to in my day 9 hole and wholeness, but I suppose another area I struggle with is disappointment, which is always difficult for me to be thankful for.  Disappointment from unmet expectations has been a hallmark challenge of my entire life, but I am thankful for the way it reminds me to always seek God first.  When I put all my trust in Him and seek His guidance, I am aware that though life may not follow my prescribed idea, God is guiding me and I can always trust God's plan.  So many times I will not understand why my plan didn't work, but I have learned also to be thankful for God's protection, though at the time perhaps it was difficult to be thankful for it because I didn't understand why, but when He reveals a glimpse of His plan and even if He doesn't, God's protection and plan is always the best.

Day 11: 3 gifts of metal (now for something a little lighter!) I hope :)

1.  Curtain rod
Since we moved into our home, we have had these lace window coverings kindly left by the previous owner, covering our front door.  And though these lace curtains are certainly lovely, the mister and I thought of a different design idea through the wonderful world of Pinterest that we put into place last night.
Here is the before:

And here is the after!

Sometimes just a little switch up can make such a difference. :)

2.  Fork

This morning as I ate scrambled eggs for breakfast, I took a moment to look at the fork that carried the eggs from the plate to my mouth and my eyes misted over with tears.  The forks and knives and spoons in the set we use for our meals belonged to my beautiful grandmother who passed away last year.  I thought of the countless number of eggs she had prepared and enjoyed using these same forks and was filled with gratitude that they help me remember her again and again each time we use them.  I'm so thankful for the memories and the sometimes tangible things we can carry with us to remind us of loved ones who have gone before.

3.  Ring
It's three months old today, my wedding ring that is perched on my finger.  I'm thankful for the commitment to love that it represents and especially for the one who gave it to me and placed it on my finger the very first time.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!! :)

Getting Behind

Does anyone else struggle with this?  Sometimes I start something with the most wonderful intentions and then life happens and then I'm three days behind and then and then...

Ok, so I realized today that I was two days behind on my Joy Dare.  Oops!  So thankful for grace.  I had hoped that putting these posts on my blog would help me stay accountable, but anyway, here we are.  And I found these three days to be kind of difficult to think about, too...

Day 9: a gift hole, whole, and half

Is it bad that the first thing I thought of was a donut hole?!  We did receive a donut hole/cake ball maker for our wedding anniversary and I'm kind of excited to use that, but then I thought a little more and perhaps the holes in my life that are difficult to cope with and the losses that I don't enjoy experiencing may be the very thing that God is using to bring me more and more closely to wholeness in Him.  I reread chapter 1 of One Thousand Gifts this morning and that is what Ann Voskamp speaks to about how the holes that pierce through our soul, the difficulties we experience, so often are things God can use to help us see Him more and more.  I thought about my week and challenges I have faced, things I have been convicted of and the unloveliness I have found grafted too close to my heart and though the pain is great as God is cleansing and removing these pieces from my life, I know that it is only in their removal that true wholeness in Him can begin.

For a gift half, I am very thankful that my husband and I were able to divide the cleaning chores in half. The work was done quickly and efficiently and we have both been able to enjoy the afternoon.  I'm very thankful for the helper he is in my life.

Day 10: 3 hard eucharisteo
I looked up "eucharisteo" and it means "to be grateful; to give thanks".  So day 10 is about the difficult things to be thankful for.  I think some of that difficult thankfulness I spoke to in my day 9 hole and wholeness, but I suppose another area I struggle with is disappointment, which is always difficult for me to be thankful for.  Disappointment from unmet expectations has been a hallmark challenge of my entire life, but I am thankful for the way it reminds me to always seek God first.  When I put all my trust in Him and seek His guidance, I am aware that though life may not follow my prescribed idea, God is guiding me and I can always trust God's plan.  So many times I will not understand why my plan didn't work, but I have learned also to be thankful for God's protection, though at the time perhaps it was difficult to be thankful for it because I didn't understand why, but when He reveals a glimpse of His plan and even if He doesn't, God's protection and plan is always the best.

Day 11: 3 gifts of metal (now for something a little lighter!) I hope :)

1.  Curtain rod
Since we moved into our home, we have had these lace window coverings kindly left by the previous owner, covering our front door.  And though these lace curtains are certainly lovely, the mister and I thought of a different design idea through the wonderful world of Pinterest that we put into place last night.
Here is the before:

And here is the after!

Sometimes just a little switch up can make such a difference. :)

2.  Fork

This morning as I ate scrambled eggs for breakfast, I took a moment to look at the fork that carried the eggs from the plate to my mouth and my eyes misted over with tears.  The forks and knives and spoons in the set we use for our meals belonged to my beautiful grandmother who passed away last year.  I thought of the countless number of eggs she had prepared and enjoyed using these same forks and was filled with gratitude that they help me remember her again and again each time we use them.  I'm so thankful for the memories and the sometimes tangible things we can carry with us to remind us of loved ones who have gone before.

3.  Ring
It's three months old today, my wedding ring that is perched on my finger.  I'm thankful for the commitment to love that it represents and especially for the one who gave it to me and placed it on my finger the very first time.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!! :)