Beautiful scenes and things..

Something I've been pondering a lot, especially since attending the Arkansas Women Blogger's Conference is-What is the purpose of my blog?  I'll be sharing more on this heart question later, but I could easily sum it up in a simple tagline-Finding the Rosy in the Routine. 

I say the "routine" because we all get up, get dressed, shower (most days), do laundry, cook, sweep, clean, teach kids or co-workers, eat, clean some more, pray, pray, pray............

my life isn't all bunting and banners, photos and parties.  It's real, it's messy, it's full of the same tasks, over and over.  That's routine in real life. So, my constant question to myself and others is-if we're going to live on this earth and have routines and things we have to get done, could we not find a little bit of rosy-ness in the middle of it? 

I think so.  I know so.  I know that on the days when the sight of another Cheerio on the floor literally makes me want to cry and hide I can glance up at a special bouquet of farm wildflowers and be calmed.  

When I'm tired and a nap, rather than running, is calling my name I can take a minute to stand still and read a scripture posted in my home.....tuck it in my mind and go run.  Finding the rosy in the routine. 

 These pictures are all beautiful to me.  They weren't taken on a lavish vacation, or on a day "off".  As moms, we never have days off!  Instead they were found here and there, during my normal daily routines.  They jumped out at me and filled my mind with gladness, rather than grumpiness. 

I love the verse that says "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. "

I think the truth for me is..I often get too caught up in the tasks that seem to "get in my way", when really they are just what's required for living.  The truth is God has created us for a special purpose and reason, not to torture us.  The truth is we will have struggles, sadness, and frustration on this earth but it doesn't have to overcome us.  The truth is God, beauty, and rosy-ness can be found in most days.  The other days God can place memories of rosy things, or people in our lives at just the right time to carry us through. 

I hope you find the rosy in your routine today. 

a rosy list.

 1. Green summer grass

2. books that make me think, laugh, and cry in equal parts

3. "I like you mama"

4. morning and evening coffee

5. chickens, baby calves, and cats

6. pastels (my mind can't get enough lately)

7. singing. lots and lots of singing.

8. folk music.  clapping hands in the backseat while I drive over the lake.

 9. Brett's twinkle in his eye

10. pep talk from Brett

11. feathers, acorns, heart rocks, branches, leaves....gathering

12. vintage flashcards

13. Isaiah 49

14. the many references to food, dining together, and gathering found in scripture

15. "my sweet dreamer".........spoken by Brett

16. new friends through blogging (hi)

17. the sound of the mower

 18. nice, nice neighbors who check on us, love on us

19. the apple tree

20. knowing Heaven is waiting

21. on the other hand-a dream list so long I'll need to live to be 120

22. Betsy's chubby rolls

23. Betsy's eyes

24. the way Anna runs, arms and legs flailing

25. Anna's piercing eyes

26. "I need maaamaaaa"-Anna

27. Anna Ruth singing "Doe a deer"

28. staying up late

 29. a gentle, cool breeze

30. my bro-in-law getting engaged

31. gaining a new friend in the family

32. being silly

33. holding Brett's hand

34. a bowl of dry cheerios

35. collecting fiction books for winter

36. exercising

37. grandparents who love on my gals

38. "Where we going today"

39. checking the mail

40. waffles

41. hearts-rocks, paper ones, real ones. Hearts matter.

42. challenging myself at photography

43. the sound of cows eating

44. chalk and bubbles on the front porch

45. the smell of the floors after they've been mopped

46. butter

47. 17 cent notebooks-stocking up, just waiting to fill them up

48. "this looks like fun to me!"

49. doilies

50. anything chippy

51. farm fresh eggs

52. my sweet neighbor friend

53. quiet

54. honesty

55. helping in the nursery

56. autumn list

57. hearing Anna Ruth pray

58. twinkle lights

59. barn metal

60. anticipating autumn

61. old-school Hillsong

62. thrifting

63. the concept of art journaling

64. painting

65. glasses

66. playgroup

67. being a twin

68. etsy orders

69. fresh basil

70. candles

71. a mini green grill

72. bread, always bread

73. a wish to wander

74. instagram

75. grilled food

{you?}

the post that got (carried) away.

Oh boy. I do believe this is the post that got away....a little carried away that is.  My little bundle of thoughts, all tied up with string.  Gathered from here and there.....some deep, most probably not. I do love a good ramble, just as much as a hearty conversation. You?

And let the jumbledness begin.

I heard a speaker on christian radio today.  They said something about we need to "seek His face" and my immediate reaction was- What if I don't want to seek His face? What if God wants me to seek his ears, or feet instead today? lol.  I guess it got me thinking about how many christian catch-phrases we have that wouldn't make sense to me at all if I hadn't grown up around it.

My girls make me laugh.  I like their conversation.  They are just now starting to play together.  It's magic every time.  It's little unrecognizable sounds and giggles, conversation, gazes galore. Magic.

I have a whole slew of shops and people I want to feature on the blog.  People who inspire me, are crazy talented, and work hard.

I'm reading The Artful Parent and wanting to plan a very intentional season of learning, playing, and celebrating for the girls in autumn/winter.

Anna Ruth starts a Mom's Day Out half-day program soon.  No, we're not homeschooling.  God continues to fill our minds, hearts, and bodies with the mission of public school.

The post I wrote about food and emotional eating has gone a bit crazy on pinterest. For a small blogger like me at least.  People love it.  Hmmm.....maybe I hit a nerve there? I should post more on this topic soon. I'm still brutally honest on the topic and needing God more than ever.

I like to pick up feathers and heart rocks. And treasures.

When driving over the lake I have little thoughts of a lake house, or a fun campout on the shore with some friends.  Does this make me a gypsy?

I'm still trying to figure this Etsy shop stuff out.  I get great feedback galore.  But also comments that people just don't know what to do with photos, or don't hang them up.  I can't compute.  We have happy things hung all over our home. How to bridge this gap with my future customers...I just don't know.

I have a big birthday coming up.

An author (I won't say who) came to my house this week. A real life author. (hi friend) I had a delightful time but became a nervous mess. She was talking about bloggers/authors I've read or followed for years, but would never even dream of meeting.  She's met them!
I was so, so super shy about talking about my dreams.
I get so silly feeling when I say I want to sell photos and host art retreats in a Rosy Retreat building.
This little voice asks me who do I think I am, and that it's selfish or silly to want these things.
The truth is-the dreams and thoughts are there for a reason.  And lonely, depressed, anxious people are needing a solution.  I think art, beauty, and creating can be part of that solution.

Rice crackers from Walgreens are my fave.

Couch 2 5 K says I should be able to run 3 miles straight by now. I can't. I can run 15 or 20 minutes straight. I can complete 3 miles in 38 minutes.  I still walk at least 5 days a week, between 1 and 3 miles.

I can't wait for the new season of Parenthood to come on. And-I've officially made it 3 months straight with no t.v. watching (other than Curious George, and a night of America's Got Talent, waste of time)

I'm thankful for playgroup friends.  A handful of gals who have known me since Anna was teeny-tiny.

Brett and I are going to start volunteering in the church nursery. Woohoo! Bring on the 1-year olds.

I'm looking forward to autumn. We're making an Autumn List. :)

When other children gather around Betsy and Anna's there too she'll run over, place her hands around Betsy, scowl, and say "This is Detsy. My sister." LOL.

I love, love, love, love, love being a mama. I love marching to the beat of my own drum.  I feel weird and out there a lot of days. but happy. And peace-filled.

My first blogger conference is coming up soon. Bring on the nice Arkansas gals.

and goodnight for now.  See you lovely folks tomorrow! (p.s.-what are your rambling thoughts? Please oh please share below. I just love hearing from you)

The ones that (almost) got away....

The leftovers, last bits, the ones that got away, the "nah, I won't post it" pics.....

the real, nitty-gritty images of life, as seen through my viewfinder. 

A tapestry of time,

quintessential quilt of the here and now. 

{Isn't it beautiful?}

Pull up a chair (this is your brain on Sara)

(Anybody remember that weird commercial that showed an egg frying, saying "This is your brain on drugs?  Now I love eggs. Kind of weirds me out. Ewwwwwww....anyway, today-this is your brain on Sara.) :)

Pull up a chair and let's visit.

Wouldn't that be lovely?

I'd hand you a cup of almost black coffee (just a little bit of cream to take the edge off), preferably a bite of something sweet and we'd gaze at the sky, chatting the night away. 

My side of the conversation would be random,

my thoughts coming in bits and pieces, strung together  piece by piece. 

It would sound a little something like this:

*Almost every single day Brett or I, out of the blue, looks at each other and says "Aren't our girls the sweetest?"  We are in love with them.  They are sassy, smart, sweet, precious, passionate, serious.  And more.  They are our world, our first and last part to our day, our wonderful middle.  Despite what other jobs or hobbies we're pursuing-these girls are it.  The top of the list. 

*On that note-Brett and I whole-heartedly agree in making our marriage a priority also. Like when we stayed the night in Eureka Springs last weekend. Not an ounce of guilt was had, but good food, hand-holding, talking and laughing were. Our girls were fine, our marriage invested in. 

*I'm still running.  I'm the type of gal that follows discipline, almost to a fault.  I'm a recovering perfectionist I'm afraid.  That means I strive to run 6 or 7 days a week. I'm learning that the heart of the matter should matter more than following rigorous schedules and insane checklists.  This is life we're living, not one giant to do list.

*I could eat bruschetta every. single. day. 

*I have a secret-I've started writing all the thoughts I've had for an ecourse down. It's getting real people!  I have more ideas than I know what to do with. I want it to be a quality course so I'll work, write, and photograph things for the course until I feel it's top-notch.  This is something that will probably debut in the spring. Maybe in the winter (when everyone needs a boost) 

*I have a muscle that shows on my leg now that I've probably never seen before. Running rocks.

*I like my hair longer and wavy. And slightly out of control. 

*Neutrogena lip crayons are wonderful. They smell good and look pretty.

*I want to dress cuter.  After shopping for a date dress last weekend I'm reminded why I dress how I do most days. It takes so much time and $$!

*I love reading.  I'm reading this book right now.

*The gals and I listen to music a lot and for sure at nap/night time. I need new suggestions-help me?

*I want to change how I post on the blog.....I can feel a change coming at least.  I like having posts scheduled but sometimes that feels less authentic. I love blogging but am getting a bit bored by how I usually post.  Maybe this is just a feeling for today. But maybe I'll have some new blog ideas for the fall. We'll see.

*God richly, richly blesses us.  I wanted to attend the Arkansas Women Blogger's Conference that is taking place here but knew we didn't have the $$$ for me to attend a weekend thing right now.

Long story short-I won a full-paid scholarship to attend.  The generosity of this blows my mind. 

* Instagram, blogs, and Facebook have shown me lately how connected we can truly be to authentic, real, kind and creative people across the world.  Use it for good.

*I call, text, or e-mail my twin sis at least once or twice a day with random questions and/or thoughts. She has yet to turn me down and instead always offers calm, wise advice.  She's heaven-sent.

*I'm thinking of what t.v. shows I'll let back in my life in the fall. I'm going to make it at least 3 months with no t.v. (except for that 3 minutes of Lord of the Rings Brett made me watch in Eureka-haha)

*I'm always curious what gets people interested in Etsy shops (specifically mine) or not. I want to advertise mindfully and well but don't want to drive people crazy. Thoughts?

*I'm going to be posting more info. soon about scheduling families/ groups of friends/individual photo shoots at the farm!  Prices, props, all that good stuff. (think: barns, woods, dreamy trees, globes, quilts, old crates....)

*I like the sound of crickets and saltines that are toasty brown. I look for heart rocks everywhere.

*my top of the list babies are up. 

See ya tomorrow! 

This heart of mine: Happy Hodgepodge

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine. Local love for Windy Valley Farm and their gorgeous hair barrettes and headbands at the Farmer’s Market, rain…….sweet, steady summer rain.  Coolest kids room. Ever.  Dreamy art.  Dreamy garden produce. Dreamy husband.  So much color in the garden.  Bellies full, tongues bursting with flavor.  Jam face.  Messy hair.  The perfect still-life, normal routine now…..sweet memories for later.  

Another edition of Happy Hodgepodge:

I used to do these kinds of random posts on the blog and call them a Rosy List.  But I guess Happy Hodgepodge resonates better with me now.  That's totally what my life is.....and what these captured moments are. Don't worry-we have our two-year old moments where Anna requires a lot of discipline, or moments where Betsy fusses but.........this is called a happy hodgepodge, remember?  

Let's get this party started.

Anna Ruth adores wearing her daddy's shoes. Or my shoes.  I think it's cute every. single. time. 

Anna also loves a good dress-up session!  I used these hats as a prop at her party and then she wanted to play with them.  It is so hard to get her to pose or be still for a photo these days (I don't blame her).  So that means I have to find a perfect moment where she's happily playing and doesn't mind me catching her at it.  This was one of those moments.  

We had dinner plans with one of my favorite friends and they got cancelled (I can't even remember why now! Probably my fault...maybe a sick baby or something?!) Anyhow, we rescheduled again and had dinner recently!  It was bliss.  They also have two kids so the normal kid routine/stopping in the middle of conversation to discipline was no big deal.  Their home is lovely!  

and the food-heavenly.  Brett said it was like eating at a 5-star restaurant. No kidding!  

These two know how to cook in the most excellent way! 

This was one of my favorite nights I've had in a long time. 

Friends, food, and community matter.

Now isn't that sweet?  Again, another moment I saw happening and ran to get my camera for.  And it ends up this is one of my favorite photos in the world.  It's sweetness, love, and quality time all in one.  It's my heart sitting on that railroad tie! 

:)

Betsy Grace turned seven months lately!  She is getting sillier by the day. I just love it! 

If you tickle her bare tummy or leg rolls (all two of them!) she just cackles and laughs the jolliest laugh.  

I'm hoping we'll have some good apples from the apple tree at my mom-in-law's this year...

I just never get tired of looking at flowers.  They're just so unique and colorful and cheerful. 

{What's been on your happy hodgepodge list lately? Please share!}