Why I Love Where I Live

Today was a super fun day.  I got to go to Town and get all kinds of goodies for this weekend (my grandma's 80th birthday party) and get things for the house (Though there's totally going to be more of that happening next week!) with Sheena.  We had the best lunch that included dessert like this...

Seriously, one of the best things I have ever tasted.  When I look back and wonder why I'm not losing any weight, this will be to blame.  Today was a bad day.  (Sorry, Taylor!) 

But this is really meant to be about why I love where I live.  While not quite the real south, it certainly has its charms.  I mean, what are the chances you'll drive through your neighborhood and see this...

In case you can't tell, that's a pygmy goat on top of its goat house.  What you can't see is that there is also a baby goat in this pin who I couldn't get in the picture.  It's the tiniest, cutest thing ever!  But this is right in the middle of town, right next to the highway.  Seriously people, it doesn't get much better than this.  I live far enough north that people still ask if you want your tea sweet or unsweet (another hundred miles south and your only option is sweettea, all one word and your only beverage option).   I live far enough south that not only do I know what muddin' is, I know that you don't dare put the "g" on the end.  And, of course, that this is actually a dessert option at the local greasy spoon...

Deep Fried Oreos.  Rest assured I didn't order them, however.  I do have some standards.  And after the cheddar bacon ranch fries, I thought it might be overkill.  Life where I grew up...it just doesn't get any better than this! 

Antique Shopping (The Official Update)

Here's the painting!  I love it, but you can't tell how big it is in the picture.  It's four feet by four feet.  My next decorating challenge is to come up with something to put on the table to accent it!  This amazing, magical, looks-like- I-picked-the-decor store just took my breath away.  I think I could have spent all day in there and still found things I was in love with.  The prices were reasonable and the owner was fantastic!  I just can't say enough great things about it!  Besides, look at the ceiling in one of the rooms...

And you have to love a place that has a great sense of humor about things!  I hate stodgy antique shops!

Amber bought a couple of cute things too!  The lion was Laurie's but the bowling pin is all Amber's!  Seriously, they had old bowling pins for sale.  You've gotta love that!

So, the question is, blog friends, what should I put on the table to make my painting look even better?  Let me know in the comments...

So About That Update...

Umm, so I was totally planning on updating everything this afternoon, really I was.  But plans changed.  Everything is fine, thank God, but my car is in the shop for a little longer than I had intended.  So there's that.  But I am totally excited about how God goes before us and knows exactly what we will need long before we ever do.  Which is good because if I was in charge of the planning we would be in really big trouble around these parts. 

While I can't give you pictures and stories from my weekend yet because I am at the studio, I can give you a quick book review of what has fast become my favorite book, In A Heartbeat by Sean and Leigh Ann Tuohy.  It's partly about fleshing out their story, which you may be familiar with if you saw The Blind Side (and if you haven't you should!).  But the rest of it really focuses on being a cheerful giver and what they feel God means by that.  The Tuohy's do have financial means, and they give as freely as God allows, but they are also stewards of their time.  In the book, they discuss what they call the Popcorn Theory.  They believe that you don't necessarily have to set out to save the world, but it's your job to do something about the people or situations that pop up right in front of you.  I really like that idea.  I think that Christian action can seem very overwhelming sometimes and I don't operate well if I am overwhelmed.  But doing something where I am with how God sees fit to dole it out to me?  That I can deal with.  It's a great read, and I highly recommend it, but even more it makes you really think about what you are doing and how you can do more for the Kingdom of Heaven and for your world and community in general.

So there's that, too.  I promise I will let you see the big painting I bought and tell you all about the awesome, magical wonderland of a store I bought it in and all of that.  But, for now, you are just going to have to practice patience.  And if you are anything like me, you can probably use all the practice you can get.

OH MY GOODNESS!

Do I have some things to tell you!!  My internet has been down for a couple of days and I am just brimming with stories to tell.  I have a book review, a little house decor news, and a recap of shopping dates with Lulu and with Amber!  I don't even know where to start!  I promise that I will be back here tonight (or tomorrow afternoon at the latest!) to give you all the dish about all you've missed!  What did I do before the internet, people?

Who Doesn't Love A Kitchen Appliance?

Guess who bought an Air Popper and Tea Maker tonight?  And guess who then ended up, in the inaugural run, sending popcorn all over the table and floor because she didn't seem to understand that 3/4 a cup of popcorn is more than a Tupperware bowl full?  Yeah, I don't know who it would be either...

Warning: This Post Is A Hot Mess!

First thing first.  Delilah wanted to make sure I posted a nice picture of her since I posted all the bath ones.  She has almost forgiven me for all of that.  Here she is perched on my chest first thing in the morning, looking like the diva she is.

This is my new book.  I'm barely into it.  I read her first book and really liked it.  It's just a big switch from the fast pace of Jen Lancaster.  Marisa de los Santos loves to write with an almost poetic nature, very descriptive and image-heavy, which is beautiful to read, but you have to focus and we all know that isn't something I'm great at.  I've also been watching lot of old movies recently, Easter Parade and Singing In the Rain, which just make me more convinced I was alive during the wrong era.  I think I would have made a kick butt singer at a USO or dance hall.  I love the hair and the clothes and handsome dancing men like Gene Kelly.  Ah, be still my heart!  The only thing better is young Marlon Brando in Guys and Dolls.

On Saturday, Sheena and I did a little antique shopping while we were in town.  This cutie belonged to the owner of the shop and he was SO sweet! 

Pretty much everything else about this place didn't work for me though.  The prices were a little out of joint with the quality of most of the stuff.  Plus I don't really like shops where everything is just crammed together.  I'm all about the treasure hunt, but I don't want to sift through junk to only find more expensive junk.

Luckily, the trip was redeemed by a stop at the ice cream shop.  This ice cream was so good it made you want to hug a cow!  When I look back and wonder why I didn't lose any weight this summer, I will blame my ice cream obsession.  The Rocky Road is mine, Sheena had something with cherries...I don't remember what it was called. 

I'm just all over the place today.  I know, but if you come here often you know that's not really all that odd. What happened the rest of the weekend/week?  Crys has already talked about how great prayer group was on Sunday!  God showed up and showed out!  And you have to love that.  We are banning unbelief, knowing that God will answer our prayers in the way that is best for us!  The sweetness of the Spirit blesses my heart, even three days removed from that time. 

I went to my parents on Monday and that's getting to be one of my favorite times, just hanging around watching TV and chatting with my parents.  We watch Antiques Roadshow, CBS sitcoms, and Rizzoli and Isles (which I really like!).  I will always take a free meal and some good conversation!

Oh, and my new favorite photographer is this girl.  She's young, but she totally has the eye!  And I like her work more than I like many "professionals".  So if you get a chance, check her out.  She would love the Facebook "like."  Who doesn't love encouragement?!

Revelations

Things I have discovered in the time we have been apart:

• I went to a couple of antique stores around town and discovered that some people smoke crack while pricing their items
• Ice cream truly is the love of my life
• Four kids in the nursery sounds easy, but it only takes a moment for things to spin wildly out of control.
• I love the ladies of our prayer group!  I can't wait to see what God has in store for us!
• Aleve Sinus D can cure most of life's problems
• I'm a little obsessed with YouTube
• Monday nights watching TV at my parents has quickly become one of my favorite things
• There is always someone right around the corner who will do what you do, but better.  Encourage them!

I promise I will fill give you the unabridged version soon!