::spring break::

Last week was absolutely magnaminous. The weather was beautiful beyond belief.  Last Wednesday, the kids I nanny went on spring break leaving me free as a bird for a week. 

Before I picked up the kids from their last day of school, I decided to stay in town and eat at a little hot dog stand.

I got their advertised "coney dog."  I wanted to compare it to the coney dogs that I've eaten since I was a kid.

It was pleasant enough.  But see that sauce on the dog?  A glob made its way to my favorite skirt and this picture is the last time you'll ever see that skirt.  Ugh. 

And it was also warm enough to plant pansies in our front pots. 

This has been the most delightful spring.

My spring break ends today.  It was pleasant enough while it lasted.

Spring break for you?  What's the best thing you've done with this beautiful weather?

::this blog supports::

Often, I feel like a very, very small part of the blog world.  No matter how hard I try or care, I will never be a "big" blog.  Ever.  Which is fine.

I think my sporadic blog posts lately have lent a certain message that I've been busy.  As in, I have a life outside of my blog.  [Disclaimer:  If you post a lot, I don't think that your life is consumed by your blog.  Necessarily.  But I digress.]

Anyways.  I read a thoughtful post on Jones Design Company several weeks ago about supporting charities through our blogs.  Which is a wonderful idea.  I think that is awesome!

And actually, some of the biggest blogs support charities.

But what cause do I support?  What heart-wrenching social change do I want to be a part of?

Well, let me tell you!

I support my local church!

Here are a few areas that my church touches:

Internationally:

Through my local church, I support missionaries in Chicago, Lusaka, Siem Riep, Mexico City, Ulaanbaatar, and Belize City.  And those are just missionaries directly sent from my church...not including many others who also receive monthly support sent out from other churches from across the nation.

Locally:

Weekly visits to area nursing homes to provide a church service for the elderly who cannot get out
Food pantry
Bus routes provide transportation to morning services for hundreds weekly
Ministering to those in the state penitentiary
Youth group trips
Free English classes to equip Spanish speaking people with the knowledge to live a better life in America

...And these are just a few of the ideas that popped into my head.  I know there are many more areas that my church touches.

So while I'd love to have a compelling, soul-stretching video about the cause that my blog supports, I'll just say.......


Fairhaven Baptist Church





 

::because this is about all I have to say::

Birthday. Birthday. Read all about it! 

Use code BDAY for 50% off the entire shop.

Today only. Ready? Set? Goooo >>>>>


 

::new::

When I woke up this morning, the word on my mind was NEW.

I went to bed early and woke up so refreshed this morning.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are NEW every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Here are some NEW things in my life from the past week.

a new baby -- our dear friends' baby -- we cannot stop gushing -- she is simply adorable

new buds on the trees -- many, many trees are popping out buds because of this delightful weather

new cabinets -- new organization -- hallelujah

Anything new in your life these days?
Happy Monday!!








ps....40% off your entire fabric order with code SPRING40....lasts until March 31st!

::beautiful day::

The weather has been so blessedly beautiful, I barely know what to do with myself.  That is one of the loveliest things about living in the Midwest.  I do believe we appreciate spring + summer so much after a cold, dark winter.

Anyways.  I woke up an absolute grump this morning, despite the fact that I fell dead asleep at 7:30pm last night.  My parents remodeled their office and I helped my Mom downsize and put everything left over back in the room.  It's been quite the task.

As I was working this morning, I was grumbling in my heart about this, that, and the other thing and I thought, "Well, if you can't find joy in this situation, you're for sure not going to find joy in the situation that you deem "perfect".  Because, guess what, no situation is perfect."  Within moments, God turned my heart to joy.

So, with a new heart attitude, I'm determined to make the most of today.

New products coming sooooooooon to the shop.  pinky promise.


 

::endless gifts 666-675::

 

666.  the Holy Spirit calming and changing my heart about an issue
667.  a really great talk with a lady in my church
668.  another lady being an encouragement to a friend of mine
669.  longsuffering and patience of others towards me
670.  beautiful, breezy days
671.  a fun day with the family
672.  laughter...."a cheerful heart doeth good like a medicine."
673.  a new sweater [on sale!!]
674.  halfway through
675.  a good doctor's appt.



[Disclaimer:  Sorry I'm having to be super vague with my thankfulness list.  I have pretty specific things written in my journal.]




 

::the best breakfast blend smoothie::

I found a recipe years ago [I guess] and I'm sorry I cannot remember the source.  It's been scribbled on a piece of purple paper and stuffed in my paper drawer.  I finally resurrected it at the end of 2011.  Greatest decision ever.

This is the best smoothie recipe known to mankind especially if you want to kick a cold or overall feeling of yuck and crum.

Trust me, I don't think I've ever eaten kale but it's in the smoothie.  Yes, the final product will look greenish but you just have got to take the plunge and take a sip.  And you will understand that I would never tell you to make a disgusting-tasting smoothie.  Ever.  Never.  

The details:

1 banana
1/2 cup frozen [or non-frozen] peaches
1 apple, peeled and cored
1 cup spinach
1 cup kale
1/2 cup yogurt [I use vanilla]
1 cup cranberry juice
1 spoonful of orange juice concentrate

Put all this in the blender and blend very well. 

It's delicious straight out of the blender but it's even better if you put it in the fridge to chill a bit.

I never eat this many fruits in one day so this is an excellent blend to combat that.

I'd love to hear if you try it and what you think of it!!

::endless gifts 646-665::

Today is positively sparkling.  There is [was] a beautiful covering of snow this morning along with brilliant sunshine and blue, blue skies -- my favorite kind of winter, Midwestern day.

What a perfect day for remembering His blessings from this past week.

[...And ps...literally as I type this, there's a happy song playing called This Is the Day [which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice, be glad....]...a version of the song I've never heard.]







646.  spending time with my friend, Carol
647.  conviction from the Holy Spirit
648.  extra hours at work
649.  safety
650.  the hope of spring
651.  a forgotten check received in the mail
652.  better health for Opa
653.  a mini vacay for Mom and Dad in FL with Oma and Opa
654.  blue, blue skies
655.  a yellow kilanchoe
656.  health
657.  cello practice
658.  a call from my friend, Amy
659.  the ability to exercise
660.  the Holy Spirit using one of the Master's Club lessons to stick in the heart of one of my students
661.  fruit in the life of new Christians
662.  a happy, happy Sunday morning
663.  A sprinting towards me to give me a hug and telling me she won the quiet seat prize in Sunday school
664.  sunshine streaming
665.  fluffy white sheets



 


OH MY GOODNESS. I keep forgetting to tell you all about the giveaway from Cotton+Wood going on over at Kim's blog. Check it out here!