For now, this.

See those beautiful, enchanting circles of light?  

They have my full attention.  What is it about autumn that makes the sun feel and look more rich?

Not necessarily brighter, but calmer.  A little more sleepy....

a summer sun seems to scream sometimes-bright and glaring, as if to say "LOOK AT ME!" 

And then along comes the autumn sun......

it lets us ease into our days,

and leaves us early enough to curl up by the fire in the evenings.

 Autumn sun invites us out to play and not give a single drop of sweat a single thought.

Autumn afternoons are for adventures,  library trips, and leaf-spotting.

The water, a little bluer. The geese-flying higher.

The smiles-a little toothier, and that goes for jack-o-lanterns and baby girls both.

Autumn has been about settling in, tucking in for the evening with my thoughts.

I'm excited about some new ideas for the blog coming soon, little mini series.

But for now, this.

A Homemade Year (book review and a giveaway!)

Grab a cup of coffee or hot tea and settle in friends. I'm happy to be doing a book review today that I know will bless you.  Can I first say something?  Anytime I do a review, or promote someone's business or blog it's because I've asked, not the other way around.  I've thought long and hard about sponsored posts and they're just not for me.  So each person or product I bring to the blog is because I really want you to know about it! Not because I'm getting something in return.

Although A Homemade Year has definitely brought something in return to me, just not money-wise.  It's blessed my life in a way beyond what money can buy.

A Homemade Year: The Blessings of Cooking, Crafting, and Coming Together (found here!) is one of my top favorite books. Ever.  And that is definitely saying a lot.   Amazon.com describes the book as-"This gorgeously-designed book is a guide to celebrating the rhythm of life's calendar of events, as well as the Christian liturgical year, focusing on God's love in our lives.  Greer weaves her own faith story with original recipes, crafts, and entertaining ideas, creating a vibrant, personal narrative that is a modern take on timeless traditions." 

I stumbled upon this book before it was released, on Amazon.com and was captivated by the gorgeous photography. It's colorful (which I love) and looked like a fun read.  I mean, I live for crafting and coming together!  I also thought it was neat that the author was from Arkansas.

Fast forward to receiving the book.....I was right, the photography and styling of the book are gorgeous.  But if you only notice that-you're missing the best part........the writing.  Jerusalem's writing gets to me.  Here's how I know when I've stumbled upon a gem, whether it be music or writing.  If tears pool in my eyes-I've struck gold.  I like things, people, books, and music that make me feel.  Isn't it wonderful to be human and feel?  A lot of times with "christian" books the same 'ol cliche phrases are used and real honesty-passed over.  This is not one of those books.

More than anything, Jerusalem is a story-teller.  She tells in vivid detail struggles, pain, and loss she's dealt with.  She also recounts the thread of grace that's held the story of her entire life together.  She writes passionately about the immense beauty our lives are made of.  There is truly beauty to be found in brokenness.   As you read you find yourself feeling like you're chatting with a best friend, able to let your real self show also.  Jerusalem's writing is a safe place.  She weaves stories of God's beautiful grace in all parts of our lives within the explanations of the liturgical year.  Prior to reading A Homemade Year I  wasn't familiar with the liturgical year.  After reading I have a stack of ideas on how I can incorporate true, meaningful experiences with my family and friends into my life while keeping the main focus on Christ.

A Homemade Year is creative without being a cliche,
it's like settling in with a favorite colorful quilt,
it teaches how to embrace meaningful gatherings and crafts, without glorifying the busy,
and most importantly it's about gathering.  Gathering our broken pieces and beautiful ones, friends. Gathering courage, healing, hope.

I so hope you'll read this book.  I think you'll find you have pages you go back to time and time again.  I know I sure do. So much so it lives on my dining room table.  

Here's the exciting part!! I asked Jerusalem if I could write about her book,

and after saying yes-she asked if I wanted to give a copy away (uhhh-yeah!!)

SO, leave a comment below for your chance to win a copy of A Homemade Year! I'll pick the winner Friday night! :) 

Also, you can find Jerusalem's blog here!
AND, if you're in the Little Rock area (arkansas) she's started a new crafting community with gatherings and all, that you can find more about here. Blog: Camp Lovely, Facebook: Camp Lovely Facebook

K, now enter the giveaway for your own copy of A Homemade Year

Short-Hair Sara (way back when)

My blog friend Jen asked what I looked like when I had short hair, so I dug around to find this picture.  And tears just leaped in my eyes...

Look at all that sweetness. 

And you know what, our family has only gotten sweeter, closer, more confident, and stronger since this photo.  Through trial and error, challenges, and the stuff of life. 

So Jen, this is for you! 

A Porch Party

 We had a little porch party.  A breakfast for dinner sort of shindig. 

"Let's celebrate just because" is my motto around here and we rocked this party.

 Almond milk, banana muffins (no sugar or butter-woooot), eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and bananas.

Can you celebrate today, just because?

Go on,

you can do it. :)

(I keep thinking my gals will grow up, look back, and either think mama was the most fun in the world, or will roll their eyes and think I was loony, lol)

Tulsa Girls Weekend

I was blessed, lucky, honored, thrilled, tickled pink, and ecstatic to get a girls weekend away recently.  My twin sis and best friend since college drove to Tulsa for the weekend.  

Can't you feel my excitement?! :) 

We got to stay at my friend's brother's house, which was amazing.  He was traveling/busy for the weekend and was kind enough to let us use his house.  Such generosity!  His home looked like a historic one. It was awesome (living in a historic home still sounds so charming to me) 

This is my beautiful TWIN sis.  Did you know I'm a twin?  It's always strange to me when I meet people now who didn't know me then.  And who have no idea that I'm a twin.  Then, when I was creative but less confident, had terribly short hair, and worked at Wal-Mart.  It's so nice having people who've known you for the long haul.  There's just something about good, enduring friends.  And a bonus if they're family. :) 

The girls were mortified that I made them pose in front of the Anthropologie wall but look how great their pictures are! :)  Such beauties. 

The charming house we stayed in.  We watched t.v. (one of the strangest/funniest episodes of What Not to Wear EVER), played Heads UP (an app that's like charades), ate treats, and painted our nails.  

We also shopped, shopped, shopped.  I was most proud of finding some super cute clothes at the Goodwill in Tulsa. And getting to visit Anthropologie and buying a new mug and dish towel. I sound like a contradiction-putting Goodwill and Anthro in the same sentence. 

I almost fell over from the sheer joy of the creativity in Anthro......My eyes almost couldn't take it all in. I even saw a shelf there made from a board stacked on top of two large Mason jars.  Totally just like in my kitchen.  

This weekend was just what I needed.  It was time away, clothes obsessing, food eating, picture-taking, coffee drinking, laughing, spying, shopping, fried avocado, cheesecake, 

grace.  Just the "oomph" I needed......

my energy's been recharged! 

{What do you do to recharge?}

Anna's Restaurant (pretend play)

Am I the only one who really gets into playtime with their kiddos?  It feels like a totally good reason to get to re-live childhood all over again.  I've read some of the popular posts on Pinterest or blogs that talk about the importance of playing with your child and I'm always kind of left scratching my head.  What else would I be doing? 

Anna Ruth's at the ridiculously fun age where her imagination is enormous.  We can literally make something from nothing all day long.  Which means I get to let my imagination run wild too.   Makes me think of the Beverly Clearly book, Emily's Runaway Imagination. 

We have this tree stump in our yard that Brett hinted at getting rid of one day and I said no way.  Anna Ruth loves using it as a little table, and it's almost always found topped with sticks, berries, or acorns.  One afternoon I decided we'd have a little restaurant party.  My clearance cupcake toppers came in especially handy, as did the Rice Krispy treat I'd grabbed at the store. 

We dined on a fancy meal of banana slices and Rice Krispy treats, served by the lovely waitress-Anna Ruth. 

She got really into the waitress role.  This little moment was so sweet.  I asked if if I could have another treat and she said "Sure!" and tore her Rice Krispy treat in half to share with me.  

We also fashioned an apron out of a fabric scrap and bunting.

Betsy Grace is always up for a good party, especially if it includes sweet treats!  She happily played on the blanket at "the restaurant". 

As the play went on "we" decided Anna Ruth needed a hat.  Ok, so I offered that suggestion up and Anna Ruth readily agreed.  Fun for all. My favorite is the leaf stuck in front :) Someday Anna Ruth will either think her mama was the most fun or the most ridiculous.  

After the restaurant closed down for the day we did chalk on the front porch.  I traced Anna Ruth's body. Doesn't this look just like her?

The funniest part was when I laid down and let her trace me too.  

Anna's restaurant was one of our most fun afternoons of play. I believe we'll return again! 

Painted Bunting

Here's a bold statement for you:

Painting recycled boxes just might be one of my most favorite things to do. EVER.  Like seriously......

it started with constantly being inspired by Pam Garrison's blog and instagram feed.  I don't know her, but boy does she have a grasp on creating for pleasure.  It's fun to see what she's always coming up with!  One day she posted a picture of cardboard triangles she had been painting.  I looked at the scraps left over from the new art journal pages I've been making from cardboard food boxes and thought I might as well use them. 

After making leaves with some, I decided to take the rest of the scraps and paint bunting.  Ya'll-this is so fun! Just writing about it makes me want to go paint something else.  There's just something so therapeutic about using this little sliver of my brain that is far under-used......to look at these cardboard bunting pieces and try to make each one just a little different from the rest. FUN!  

T

So that's just what I did.  I cut out a bunch of bunting shapes (no pattern needed, just cut away!) and then painted them with regular acrylic craft paint, the cheapest kind found at Wal-Mart or a craft supply store.  I first painted them a solid color and let it dry.  Then later that night I went back and doodled on the top with a different color.  I tried to think of basic shapes when painting the top layer-like lines, triangles, arrows, circles, squares, etc.

Last I strung them up on brightly colored string and wrapped it around a piece of cardboard.

These made fabulous gifts for two of my best friends. :) 

You should give this a try.  I promise, it's great fun and easy!  

Fall and Creativity.

This fall feels so different than last.  Last year I was, admittedly, a bit on the side of crazy.  I can't even tell you how many lists, plans, schedules, and calendars I had going at once.  I was just so insistent on everything being perfect before Betsy Grace arrived.  And she arrived and things weren't perfect and I spent far too much time being bent out of shape about it. 

And then came spring...and summer.....and as the months went along and Miss Perfect tried to inhabit my body I found myself firmly saying "no thank-you" to her insistent demands and wishes.  The sun felt brighter, the play-more fun.  The lists-still there, but shorter.  And more meaningful.  

And then along came autumn.  This precious, gift of autumn. 

Something I've been teaching the girls over and over about the last few months is how the seasons change.  It's a fascinating lesson and I've never realized it more than now.  We've been fully embracing the fact that different times of the year bring different foods, activities, clothes, scents, sights, and sounds.  How creative is that? What a rich life we are served.  

And so, just like the changing of seasons our family has weathered the winter.  We've been through the chilled to the bone, barely making it but still hanging on months.  We've been sad and frightened when Betsy Grace was so teeny tiny.  We've adjusted to two and watched as Anna Ruth discovered what it was like to have a sister in the family.   We've juggled things harder than we thought we could balance.  

But now, we've come through on the other side.  A year later, a lot lighter.  

This particular afternoon I taught Anna Ruth how the leaves on the trees change colors, and then fall off the tree, leaving the tree bare during winter.  We have changed tremendously as a family, seen old thoughts, visions, dreams, and routines fall to the ground, much like these leaves.

This year I'm happy to see the vibrant colors showing up outside our window and in our hearts.  To be ready and willing for God to paint the leaves of our lives a beautiful shade, to share the goodness of God with others. 

Dear autumn, you are heaven on earth this year.  You are tummies full, hearts fuller.  Colorful sights, testimonies of God's goodness.