Friday Faves - 5.21.21

I'm back!  Last week, I was in the midst of cleaning and packing in a house without internet.  I think I'm still recovering from it--both physically and emotionally.  I finally unpacked my suitcase yesterday, so I'm counting that as a win--it took less than a week.  

Here are a few of my favorite things from the past couple of weeks:

Plants

I am ashamed to admit I live on a farm, but have a black thumb.  I'm trying to turn over a new leaf, but the jury is still out to see if it will stick.  I got several plants for mothers day/birthday/anniversary (when you celebrate all 3 in the same week, you never know what gift was for which occasion).  They have all been successfully planted into the flowerbeds and pots.  Granny "bossed" me on the ones in the ground so hopefully I'll get just a little of her gardening ability.  The lady can grow anything!  

Anyway, I have a new lime tree (yay for margaritas and key lime pie), a couple of dahlias, and 2 pretty lavender plants.  I'm taking Granny out today to find 2 more rose bushes for her and am hoping to get a gardenia for me to put on our front porch.  

Cross your fingers that I can keep everything alive--if they come back next year, you might even catch me dancing!

Wiseman House Chocolates

I love a good chocolate, but I'm not a conneseuier.  I settle for Dove and Godiva and think that's pretty good. When Brian's cousin sends Granny some Kilwins, I feel like I hit the jackpot. Y'ALL!  Have you ever had Wiseman House chocolates?  We visited a little town called Hico last week on our anniversary and picked up some to bring back to the girls.  I, of course, grabbed a couple of truffles for myself and a caramel.  YUM is an understatement.  The town itself wasn't that exciting, but it is worth the drive just for the chocolate!

Cricut Maker

I'm adding my Maker to my list of faves because I have wanted one for several years.  But, as you can see from the pic, I'm a little overwhelmed.  I've tried to watch the beginning video a couple of times, but have been interrupted.  And now that I finally have this machine, I don't know what to make.  I feel like I'm in over my head.  I never hooked my old Cricut to my computer.

Do you have a Cricut?  What's your favorite thing you've made with yours?  Do you sell anything you make?  If so, drop your link in the comments.

Depression/Anxiety Meds

You may have heard me joke about this one, but I really am thankful for the difference these have made for me.  Growing up, I attended 6 different elementary schools and I vividly remember the question, "Is there anything else we need to know about your child?"  My mom's answer was always "overly-emotional."  UGH!  

I've cried a lot in my life, but I just thought I was an emotional person (my mom said so, right?).   I've been on medication a few times over the years, but always went off them after I started feeling better.  I've been taking Lexapro for a couple of years now and it has made a huge difference.  I still cry, but it's not every day anymore.  I still feel things deeply.  I still overthink.  But I'm also able to process a little more clearly than I was 2 years ago.  I'm thankful for my friends who openly talked--without shame--about their mental illnesses.  

May is mental health awareness month and you may be tired of hearing about it if you don't suffer from any misfiring neurons.  Or maybe you're trying to avoid the fact that you DO and everywhere you turn this month someone is talking about it.  But, I am thankful to live in a time when we can be honest about what's going on inside our head and get the help we need.  

Until next week, here are some of my favorite #farmcharm pics:

Caroline had a box turtle for a day...until it escaped

Granny has finally gotten into watching the chickens with us

Cauliflower from the garden--did you know it can get sunburned???

Flynn was enamored with my birthday cupcake

How now brown cow

Gotta take at least one windmill pic every week

I'm trying to admire how pretty this little snake is, but EWWWW!!!

Just a few of the geese

Pretty in pink

This bird had me laughing as he kept bugging the cow

Cantaloupe is a chicken favorite (also a natural de-wormer)

One of the hydrangeas is starting to bloom and I couldn't be happier!

Royal Reads 5.19.21 - Lilac Girls

I love stories about WW2 and the Holocaust.  I'm especially fascinated by the life of those in concentration camps.  Their strength in the midst of such a horrendous experience amazes me and the atrocities committed against them horrifies me.

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly is one of my faves in this genre.  It tells the story of 3 different women: an American socialite/fundraiser, a German doctor and a Polish teenager.  It's almost like 3 books in one.  Their stories are not only fascinating, the author does a great job of winding them together in a believable fashion.  She does not romanticize the bad choices some of them made which I also loved.  I was left wondering throughout the book if all the characters would redeem themselves in the end.  Writing this review makes me want to go back and read it again (if I were further ahead on my book challenge--reading 60 books before the end of 2021, I totally would!).

There are actually 2 other books in this series: Lost Roses, somewhat of a prequel and Sunflower Sisters.  I loved Lost Roses but did not realize there was a 3rd book until today, so I haven't read Sunflower Sisters yet.  I just put it on hold at the library and can't wait!  Isn't it the best feeling--when you find another book from an author you love that you were unaware of?  I'm almost giddy at the thought (even though it will be a long time before my hold is ready)

Do you enjoy the WW2/Holocaust genre?  What's your favorite book/author about that time?  

Friday Faves...5.7.21

 

YAY for Friday!  Are you as glad for this weekend as I am? It's been quiet here on the farm the last few days.  Granny has been in a pleasant mood and other than her waking up several nights @2am and thinking it was morning, it's been somewhat easy.  Brian and I are heading to Texas tomorrow for a week.  I'm a little overwhelmed by all we have to get done while we are there, but I won't deny that I'm looking forward to sleeping through the night without being woken by cats or Granny's. 

Here are a few of the things that have brought a smile to my face this week:

Sloggers

I have wanted a pair of Sloggers for a while now and finally bought myself a pair.  I've always bought the cheap vinyl boots at Tractor Supply, but they are a pain to put on sometimes.  I can slide into my sloggers and don't look as redneck when I wear them with shorts.  Granny likes them too, but thankfully they are a size too small or she told me she would take them from me.  Aren't these the cutest?  I have worn them in the chicken coop, to the pond and just traipsing around the backyard.  You can thank me for not posting the pic of them on my feet--my white legs would have blinded you the rest of the day!

Decorating our Porch

I started decorating Granny's porch last fall when I found an old wagon in the barn.  I have been changing out the decor every season and find myself looking forward to it!  It helps that I saved these fun boards from the barn demo because I can add something to it each season/month as well.  After Easter, I went with a lemon and lavender theme and lots of flowers.  When we get back from Texas, I will be changing it out for a patriotic theme with watermelons.  I'm going to bring the wagon back out and hopefully paint some stumps to look like watermelons.  We'll see how much I actually do--my eyes are bigger than my crafting ability these days.  Do you decorate your porch for each season?  Also, where have you seen cute watermelon stuff?  I've got the patriotic covered, but need to find some more watermelon things for my tiered tray.

Writer's Group

Y'ALL!  Last summer, I messaged my friend Patty to ask her to pray for me because I was looking for a job.  I told her that I might actually make the time now to write the book I told her I wanted to write several years before.  She invited me to a writer's group she started that met via zoom a few times a month.  I was hooked the first time I attended, but fall was a bit crazy with Gran so I wasn't able to be consistent until the beginning of this year.  

The way it works is that a couple of people share each time and everyone else gives feedback.  I have not only gained a ton of confidence in my writing, I have learned SO much about giving a valuable critique.  And the best part of this group?  Everyone is FOR each other!  There's not any competition--we are all genuinely excited when something good happens to another.  I am reading a children's story I wrote this weekend and can't wait to hear their thoughts!  

Sunrises and Sunsets

I know y'all are going to ask me to stop posting pics soon--I feel like I flood my social media with them.  But I just can't get enough!  This morning, I was exhausted, but when I opened my eyes and saw the pink sky, I hopped up out of bed to race out and snap some photos.  Seeing a sunrise or a sunset reminds me of God's love--I can't look at them without seeing His artist's hand all over it.  The song Wonderful Maker goes through my head every time I see one:  

You made the world and saw that it was good.

You sent your only Son for you are good.

What a wonderful Maker, what a wonderful Savior

How majestic your whisper, how humble your love

What a wonderful God

I love this swing SO much (and the sky behind it isn't half bad either)

Country Roads take me home...

Is there such a thing as too many swing pics?  I think not.

Matty is such a pretty boy!

I'm not sure how Charlene felt about sharing her food with this turtle, but she tolerated it.

This man is ALWAYS working hard, y'all (and will kill me if he ever sees how many pics I post of him without his knowledge)

The first broccoli!!!

And cauliflower!!

And strawberries!

Blue skies smiling at me...

This is what farm life is REALLY like some days

P.S.  I now have affiliate links!  If you click on an item I link and purchase it, I have the opportunity to earn a little bit.  I feel like I'm a tech guru now (just don't ask me how I actually GET the money-LOL)!

Royal Reads 5.5.21--Floating Twigs

Do you know how you read some books and it feels like you just finished them--even though it was ages ago?  I read Floating Twigs by Charles Tabb last summer, but it has still stuck with me.  I loved this story and couldn't believe it had been that long since I devoured it.  

When I first saw the description, I thought it would be about Jack, a middle schooler, and his dog Bones.  It was SO much more than that!  

Jack was born into a hard life.  And when I say hard, I don't just mean his parents didn't buy him designer jeans.  As much as I adored Jack and wanted to adopt him, I fell in love with the adults in this book who cared for him when they didn't have to.  They weren't related to him and didn't gain anything but trouble by befriending and mentoring and looking out for him.  

But they did it anyway.

It reminds me of a quote by Josh Shipp:

"Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story."

Think about it...was there one person who believed in you growing up that inspired you to do something?  

I think of my 3rd grade teacher who allowed me to read the books behind her desk--her personal stash--because the school library was closed.  I have no idea if she knew how hard life was for me at home, but books were my escape--the thing that brought me utter joy.  By giving me permission to read her books, she cultivated a love of all things books and writing in me that is still with me today.  

I hope you pick up this book and enjoy it as much as I did.  And I hope that it changes you a bit--like it did me--and reminds you of the power you have to change the life of people around you by noticing them.

Let me know if you read it!

Friday Faves...4.30.21

Whew!  It's been a hard week around here. Anyone else glad to see it end?  Gran decided to not sleep a few nights ago and I pulled my first all-nighter in a long time.  I was pretty cranky the next day--even though Brian let me take a several hour nap.  If you have ever had newborns in your house, you will understand my cranky-ness.  That feeling of being so overwhelmedly tired is something you never forget.  

BUT, she slept last night so I got more than 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep making the world look MUCH brighter today.  

Do you get enough sleep?  Any tricks you have when you have a lack of it (btw--I don't do any kind of caffeine--the horror!)?  Help a sister out with your tips.  

Something I'm learning here at the farm is that there is ALWAYS good around us.  Sometimes we have to look a little harder, but beauty is definitely there.  While taking pics of the same things in the yard every day, I have found myself thinking, "If I could just get over to the other side of the farm, I would have so many more photo-worthy sights." (I guess "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" is still alive and well here in OK).  But then I stop and REALLY look around me and amazingly enough, I usually find more than one thing of beauty.  Kinda like life, huh?  

So, here are the things that have brought me joy in the midst of the chaos here this week:

I have a Logo!

A few months ago, I got the idea in my head that I needed a logo.  Now, mind you, I don't have a business or even thoughts on what kind of business I would want, but I still wanted a logo.  So I commissioned Emma at Jackson Studios.

Y'all!  She was sooooo patient with me.  I thought I was a lot more low maintenance than I turned out to be, but she continued to work and perfect it, changing colors, adding pics, etc.  It turned out totally different than I first thought I wanted, but I am in love.  If you are thinking of re-branding or need a facelift on your current graphic design, contact Emma.  I think she's the best!!! (btw--if you are in the Phoenix area, she also takes amazing photos)

So, now I gotta figure out what to use it for...got any ideas for me?  

Subscription Boxes

I have gotten hooked on trying all these subscription boxes.  And Y'ALL!  It's not just beauty products anymore--there is a box for EVERYTHING!!!  Like to fish?  There's a box with different lures each month.  Interested in social justice?  There are several free trade boxes out there.  Want barn wood to create crafts?  There's even a box for that!  For Christmas, I got each of the girls one for their animals.  Hope gets the Stable Box every month and Caroline receives Kitnip.  

My recent favorites are the Chicken Bawk--which comes with a t-shirt each month--and Creative Indulgence--a brand new one this month.  Look at how beautifully she packaged everything!  (And you can admire Granny's lovely lace cafe curtains in the background)

I usually subscribe for a few months and then cancel and find another.  Subscription boxes are for me what LOL Surprise Dolls are for an 8 year old.  I love the anticipation of opening them up and seeing what's in them--and I'm not usually a fan of surprises.

I keep thinking I want to start a subscription box business.  

But I have no product to put in it.  

And no creativity to come up with something new that hasn't already been done. 

So for now, I'll just enjoy the creativity of others.  *SIGH* 

What boxes do you subscribe to?  Do you have a fave?

Sitting outside with the Chickens

I know it doesn't sound peaceful, but sitting outside at night, watching the chickens hunt for bugs is my current happy place.  It's not loud, except for the occasional rustle of leaves when a few are fighting over the same space.  There's no stress--it's just sitting and BEING instead of doing.  Sometimes I read.  Sometimes I Marco Polo my friends.  Sometimes I take pics.  But I always walk back in the house with a weight lifted off my shoulders.  I never considered myself an outdoorsy kind of girl--I like my AC and ceiling fans a little too much--but I really love getting outside for a half hour or more every evening--no matter the weather.  

What do you do to unwind?  How do you work it into your day?

We've had a ton of rain lately, so the farm is looking very green--another of my faves!  Here are a few #farmcharm pics from around here this week:

your token peaceful farm scene--complete with barn and #maynameiswillow

beautiful sunrise this morning

the sun going down last night

look how artsy I am

Hunter is always in motion (this was right before he jumped on me to give me kisses)

I obviously don't think there is a such thing as too many sunsets

the sky was on fire

yummy strawberry cheesecake cookies (I'm not a fan of cheesecake, but I sure do love these cookies!)

caught Flynn spying on me as I pulled the trash bin back in

one of these days I'm going to invest in a camera that shoots long distances so I can capture these sweet cardinals better before they fly off

 

Royal Reads 4.28.21...Dream Big by Bob Goff

If you've heard of Bob Goff, you probably think "Love Does"--his first book that is just plain delightful.  His second book "Everybody Always" is very similar in scope to the first.  They are books you could read over and over again because the chapters are short and they leave you feeling inspired and just plain happy.  

Last summer, I picked up his newest book "Dream Big."  I knew it was time for me to get out of the  complacent, yet unfulfilling place I was in and needed a boost.  What's ironic is that when I was not quite halfway through the book, I lost my job.  Talk about perfect timing!

This book is a bit different than Bob's others.  At the end of every chapter, there are questions to ask yourself.  My recommendation is to grab a notebook and write down your answers.  As I was thinking about posting "Dream Big" this week, I pulled my spiral out and started reading my answers.  It was amazing to see some of my dreams which have already come to life!  Of course, there are things I wrote that are no longer my dreams and others that are still there, untouched, but it was encouraging to see it all on paper.

I'm a sucker for a good "Who did God create you to be" kind of book.  The subtitle to this one says, "Know what you want, why you want it and what you're going to do about it."  And it's not just a tag line on the cover--it really did deliver the questions that inspired me to evaluate my current reality vs. my dreams.  

Here are a couple of my favorite lines:

"You'll know you are moving toward beautiful ambitions in your live if you find yourself wanting beautiful things for the people around you.  Your greatest sense of fulfillment will come in the service of others, not yourself...You don't need to choose between ambitions that help others or inspire you.  Find things that do both at the same time."

"Just because it's an opportunity doesn't mean it's the right one.  Just because it's a job you've had in the past doesn't mean it's the job for your future."

"Don't be who you were; be who you're becoming."

"The bad jobs can get us ready for the better ones and the better ones can prepare us for the best ones.  Don't lament your bad ones; just don't stay in them.  Our legacy will be the amount of love and hope and engagement we release in the world, our self-awareness and other-awareness, and our willingness to adopt and adapt new approaches as we evolve."

Typically I read these types of books and find myself discontent and a bit self-depreciating afterward.  That was not the case this time.  In a time when I should have felt really down on myself (being let go from my job was a huge blow to my ego), I actually felt the opposite when I finished "Dream Big."  I could see the gifts I have and bring to the table every day--not only in my work, but in my friendships and family.  I was able to embrace the truth about what makes me unique in a way I had never done before.  

Needless to say, I loved this book and may make it one I read every year or so--just to help me evaluate where I am and where I want to be in life.  

Have you read it?  If so, what stuck out to YOU in it?  Have you made any course corrections as a result of it?