Five Things for Your Weekend

I blinked, and without warning Monday morning turned into Friday night. Can someone please explain to me how a week during the summer can be like a single day in the middle of winter?

Life right now is moving, full and fast, and though the weather is such that if I would sit for a bit, I could probably watch the grass grow, I haven't had much time for sitting still -- we're in the midst of what I would argue is the best season of life, however I haven't had much experience with seasons of life as a mom yet, so please take whatever I'm about to say with a grain of salt. 

Carson and Brooklyn both went through a phase this summer where they started skipping naps, Carson opting for no nap at all, and Brooklyn going down to just one instead of her usual two. I mourned that loss for about five days, then realized it is actually a wonderful thing! Being away from home in the middle of the day isn't cause for a meltdown anymore. We've been taking full advantage of this new-found freedom, spending many an afternoon at the lake or pool, heading out on adventures or meeting friends at the park, just because we can. Summer in this area of the country goes by quickly, and this year we are making the most of it. 

I haven't had time to sit or write, because at the end of the day I feel spent, in the best possible way, falling asleep minutes after my head hits the pillow.

Today I'm checking in though, with a couple of things I'm eager to tell you about. You know, because that's what friends do.

Along with summer comes gardening and canning. Four years in and I still feel like a newbie at this... but I have jars upon sparkling jars of dill pickles and peaches setting on my basement shelves, and a small list of other things I would like to freeze or can. On my list for next week - blueberries and more pickles. I've made a compromise with myself -- I will can things, but only if I am willing to do it in the easiest, most quick way possible. Enter Mrs. Wages Dill Pickle mix. One packet of seasoning will make seven quarts of pickles. It's so easy, and the pickles passed the approval of my taste tester, so that was a win in my book!

If you follow me on Instagram, perhaps you saw my story this week of a beautiful cookbook that showed up at my door. The Amazon package said there was a gift inside, but there was no note or packing list -- I had no idea where it came from. The mystery was eventually solved, it was a thoughtful gift from my dear friend Kaylie. 

Tonight Herm watched the kids so I could have an evening out. I did some much needed shopping for fun things like stain remover and toilet paper and diapers, then I sat by the lake with a bagel and coffee, and I read that cookbook cover to cover. (Who am I, reading a cookbook?!) Kaylie nailed it with this one, The Forest Feast is 100% my style: simple, easy, and healthy. It's going to be a favorite, right along with my ever faithful Against All Grain.

Brooklyn has been wearing this shirt non-stop since the day it arrived in the mail. I ordered it from a shop I found via Instagram called Sew Sweet Clothing. Suz, the owner and seamstress, generously sent me a couple other pieces as well, a blue peplum top and a striped dress. I can't say enough about these. Her work is excellent and the knit fabric is quality. 

We've got some exciting travel plans this summer, and you can bet, these pieces will be packed in our luggage, for sure!

I've been really enjoying the blog Un-fancy lately. She's got me rethinking a few ways I approach my wardrobe. I'm trying to have more fun with it. My husband will agree with this statement -- I over think things way too much. I'm trying hard to loosen up a bit, to throw aside rules I've made for myself and to just relax... This week I thrifted a pair of new PONS Avarcas, which is helping me out with that. They're different and fun and comfortable. And since I discovered that they have them in childrens sizes too, I can't decided between these or Saltwater sandals for Brooklyn.

One more thing: Esther Weaver is amazing. She sketched Brooklyn.

Then end.

For the Love!

It's been a busy past couple of weeks.

No, actually make that summer; it's been a busy summer. 

We've been seeing glimpses of Autumn here in upstate New York, leaves are fringed with orange or yellow, golden rod is in full bloom, and the clouds are endless and amazing on our many cool, crisp mornings. 

I find myself eager for it, the change in seasons. Life gradually slowing down. Summer has been good, but I'm ready for more time with Herm, for less yard and garden work, for thick sweaters and long evenings and rainy days.

But like I said this summer has been good. It's been full of roadtrips and family get-togethers and time spent at the lake. And in those moments, on the roadtrips and at the get-togethers, when yard work and canning produce from my garden and running errands for Herm's business and cleaning cottages on the lake haven't been consuming my time, I've been devouring books.

The two I chose for this past weekend were For the Love, by Jen Hatmaker, and Anything: The Prayer that Unlocked My God and My Soul, by Jennie Allen.

Both were so very different and so very good.

We will start with For the Love. I had recently read 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, also by Jen Hatmaker, and had enjoyed it, so I was eager for this book to be released. It came just in time for our weekend roadtrip to Pennsylvania for the weekend. 

The subtitle is Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards. In the book Jen tackles a broad range of topics, starting with grace for yourself, grace for the people you live with, grace for your friends, strangers and enemies, and finally grace for the churched.

I will warn you; if you don't have a sense of humor and can't laugh at the hilarity of even serious matters, this book is not for you.

I'm pretty sure I was laughing out loud at some point in each chapter, and I can't wait for the opportunity to use a few of her witty remarks in real life conversations. Jen writes about serious matters, but she does so in a way that doesn't make the reader feel weighed down, and you'll probably even find yourself chuckling along with her, able to extend grace more freely to yourself and to others around you.

If you think this sounds like a book you'd enjoy, read it! 

And finally, I read Anything: The Prayer that Unlocked My God and My Soul.

In this book Jennie Allen and her husband were both longing for a deeper, truer relationship with God, so they began to pray Lord, we will do anything. Jennie heard about Katie Davis, the then 18-year-old mother of 13 girls in Uganda. (Read her story here!) Katie's story wrecked her, made her realize that she is just one person but her impact could be huge. Jennie wanted more in her life.

During this process their lives came unraveled, radically changed. God called them to bigger platforms in ministry, He told them to welcome another member to their family of five, a young boy from Rwanda, to fill the empty bedroom in their home. 

Jennie writes about how her friends lives were influenced too, how giving your whole life to God is daily sacrifice, but how you end up filled and overflowing with more than you ever imagined possible. She shares about how their prayer for anything impacted their marriage and family. 

This book inspired me to more, to realize the impact one life can make. I had downloaded the ebook version, so I plan to reread it soon, and this time to have a notepad and pen handy. There were so many good words I want to highlight and go back to again and again.

Read this book, I highly recommend it!

What about you: Are you ready for the change of seasons? What books have you been reading lately? I'd love to hear in the comments below!

Please note: Both books were given to me by www.booklookbloggers.com in exchange for an honest review.

What's in my Bag (beauty edition)

Simplicity. 

I love the sound of that. 

It's something that I strive for in most areas of my life, including my beauty routine. 

I used to have a pretty large collection of cosmetics, but I found that I was using a select few on a regular basis and the rest were, for the most part, neglected. This has been especially true since becoming a mom. 

I still want to look put together and put thought into my hair and makeup, but I want it to be basic, versatile, practical. I decided to start the process of elimination by paying attention to whatever I would pack when we were traveling. If the item didn't come along with me that was a good indication that I could let it go. 

I've gravitated toward natural/organic products, and will continue to do so.  My skin is sensitive and prone to outbreak, but since I've cut back on chemicals, I've noticed drastic improvement. 

Every night I wash my face with homemade bar soap, which I made using herbs from my garden, then I use this toner my friend Alicia shared. Finally I hydrate with Shea Moisture baby lotion or coconut oil, paying close attention to my eye area where remains of mascara might be lingering, as coconut also works as a makeup remover too.

In the morning I'll splash cold water on my face before applying the following:

Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel, by Bare Minerals  //  I use this instead of foundation. It is a light coverage moisturizer, that evens out skin tone without feeling heavy or looking cakey. 

Lash Domination, by Bare Minerals  //  Talk about WOW. This mascara is easy to apply with a light hand, but if you're wanting the look of falsies, try three coats. It's pretty fun.

Brow Powder  //  This I use to fill in my arches. My brows are already thick and full, so I don't need a lot. However, it adds definition which I like.

Burt's Bees lipstick  //  And finally, lipstick. I only wear this on special occasions, like date night or to church. I'm not going to lie, it took me a long time to work up the nerve to wear it, but I sort of like it now, and think it'll be staying in my makeup bag for a good long time. 

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And that's it folk. This whole routine takes less than 5 minutes. Totally doable, even on the craziest of days. (And the plus side to not wearing a lot of makeup? I am now asked for ID whenever I'm purchasing beverages, no one believes me when I tell them I'm no longer in school, AND if I don't take time to put on makeup, I still look like the same person.)

FYI - I love Bare Minerals products, but they are kind of pricey. I got color matched at a boutique when I was purchasing a few items, but now that I know what shades to get, I've been ordering from Amazon. It's often cheaper, and if you're a prime member you will most likely get free shipping.

What about you: What are your favorite cosmetics?

What's In My Bag

When I was pregnant with Carson, I was determined to do this baby thing with the basics and not a lot more.

I am a minimalist at heart. I look at homes with open spaces and white walls and next to nothing in them, and I feel inspired and relaxed. Clutter literally makes me feel like I am suffocating.

I approached motherhood with that in mind. If you read parenting magazines or blog posts on the baby must-have's, the lists are long and overwhelming. No wonder people think that starting a family is so expensive! Our house is small, and I wasn't willing to give up every nook and cranny to store those must-have's -- so, for the most part, we just did without.

A few of the things that were important to me, other than the obvious of diapers and clothes, were: A good stroller for running, an infant wrap or carrier, a car seat, natural baby soap and oil, and a diaper bag.

A diaper bag, that is, until I started shopping around for one and saw the options. I could either spend a small fortune on a beautiful leather designer bag, or I could carry around something that had stripes and chevron and small bows on it. Not happening.

Herm's sister, Lyd, knew that I had my eye on a certain bag at a shop in Lancaster, so she convinced his family to go together and purchase it for me.

It was perfect.

It wasn't overly large, but it was filled with pockets, which I was able to organize well, and it had a cross-body strap, which I loved. But as Carson grew, and I started taking snacks and water and toys along for him, that bag just wasn't big enough any more.

Which is when I discovered this bag.

The price was high, but behind the price was a story of a lady in Ethiopia who was working hard to support her family. She had created this bag, and with every purchase, she, along with others who helped make the bags, got a percentage of that money. I knew this was the one. I started to save up for it, but before I purchased it, my birthday came along, and with it came the bag -- a gift from Herm! When I opened the box, I kissed him with delight and told him I would never purchase another bag again. He laughed and said, Yeah, not until next year. He doesn't realize that I mean what I say. This bag is a classic, it'll never go out of style, and it is very durable. I'm sure if I care for it well, it will last me for many, many years.

The bag doesn't have any pockets inside, so I bought a purse organizer on Amazon to keep everything neat and clean. The cool thing about this, compared to a traditional diaper bag, is that when I drop Carson off at my mom's for the day, or when I get the rare chance to go for groceries by myself, I can pull out the organizer, which holds all of Carson's stuff, and still have my wallet and personal necessities with me. And when I'm ready to turn it in to a diaper bag again, all I do is set the organizer inside and tada! Done.

So, if you are like me and don't like what is available for mainstream diaper bags, shop around for a bit. You might just be delighted with what you find!

What about you: What is on your list of baby must-have's?