Pretty, Artistic Things

I really like pretty, artistic things...

Art can be messy. Art can be organized. Art is great.

This is possibly the cutest idea for a 70th birthday party.  How fun would that be created into an artwork?

The design of this dollhouse is simply precious and artistic. 

Crayola Wild Fire Tribute. Super cute and creative.

Loving this watercolor. The biggest problem? Choosing the perfect quote.

White room + stickers + kids = me wondering why I wasn't there.

Sleeping beauty.

Volkswagon beetles, how beautiful.

Pothole gardener? Fantastic.

This may be a repeat, but can I stress how much I love this artist?

I love art made from nature. I can't decide which is better: the moose or the bear?

Beautiful finger paintings.

12 for 12 Summer Update (June, July & August)

Let's just go ahead and say that with the school year comes a fresh start for everyone, including those of us that aren't going to school anymore. I'm going to couple June, July & August into one big 12 for 12 Summer Update because let's just say these past few months have been crazy, hectic, fun, frustrating, and the list goes on and on. I'm hoping this fresh start will get me back on the blogging track for sure.

Need a flashback to the 12 for 12 May Update?

Twelve for Twelve

1. Books.

My slight hiatus on the To Read List turned into me practically quitting reading completely. I know that I tried to read a few chapters of When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric Ludy but never finished it. Over the last week, I picked up Julia Duin's Quitting Church. That doesn't really constitute as much though. Going into the fall, we've got three months left and I've read six out of twenty four books completely read. That is ridiculous. I've got to start reading.

2. 5K.

I think the most I ran all summer was when I was playing volleyball with the youth group. I did a couple of Pinterest work out videos. They're actually pretty good. This running thing is going to have to change for this fall for sure. If I don't get the 5K goal down by December, I'm hoping to run the Color Run with my friends again in February. Hopefully, I'll get to run this time.

3. Quotes.

I have pinned and pinned more and more quotes. I have yet to fill up my quote notebook though.

4. Blog.

Can we just not even talk about this one?

5. Create.

Y'all. I've found the salsa, guacamole and queso recipes to satisfy me for a lifetime. No joke. I've made this so many times over the past few weeks that I may or may not have memorized the ingredients to the guacamole recipe. For a baby shower back in July though, I along with some friends also made these really cute little fruit pizza appetizers. We also tried to make Avalanche Rice Krispie Treats. Those didn't turn out that well though. Shoutout to my friend Matt who taught me to make iced coffee.

6. Learn.

Oh wow. What have I learned over these past few months? True vulnerable friendships are hard to find and shouldn't be let go easily. Goodbyes are and will always be hard to say. No matter how much time you think you have, you don't have it. Putting your whole heart into everything is completely worth it even if it becomes frustrating and painful. As long as you have people who truly love you, life will be good.

7. Minimize.

I went through everything. I gave some stuff away to friends and Goodwill got some. I've got a long way to go still, but by the end of this year I want less stuff in general.

8. Gratefulness.

I sent out two rounds of thank you notes. I'm hoping this really steps it up with this final stretch of the year.

9. Handmade.

I had a hiatus on handmade gifts because those don't work so well for things like weddings. Who wants a handmade blender? That just sounds awful. I started on some completely non-wedding related gifts but still haven't finished them.

10. Intentionality.

These last few months went by so incredibly fast. I was definitely intentional with several of my friendships, but I know in some of them that I should have and could have been a lot better.

11. No.

I've said yes and I've said no. I think saying no is becoming a bit easier.

12. Word.

There's a certain verse that has stood out for some time now that I can't get out of my head.


Here's to the last three months of the year and for this 12 for 12 challenge to really come into be! Bring it September!

12 for 12 May Update

You know that embarrassing moment when you sign on to your blog in August and realize you never wrote a 12 for 12 May Update, let alone blogged at all in the past few months? Yeah... that just happened. Good news is that I did write a May update, I just never published it. Let's play a little May catch up, shall we?


Need a flashback to the 12 for 12 April Update? (I kinda did...)

Twelve for Twelve

1. Books.

I took a slight hiatus on the To Read List. I turned to the Hunger Games series. I read it and really thoroughly enjoyed it. I wasn't sure that was going to happen. Thank you junior high girls! Unfortunately, that was it for the month as things got crazy after that.

2. 5K.

I went running once and decided that it wasn't worth it to listen to a sermon and do my running app at the same time. My running is on a hiatus until I have more time in my schedule and there's music on my iphone. Also, instead of having 2 gym memberships, I'm down to 1 but the membership is on hold so that may really mean zero.

3. Quotes.

I at least knew where my notebook was in April. I have a general idea of where I think my notebook could be here in May.

4. Blog.

Other than TWR posts, I don't think I posted much at all. It's been really hectic and I've been extremely exhausted these last couple of weeks so blogging hasn't been a priority whatsoever. 

5. Create.

I made Reese's Popcorn. It was better than I expected. I bought supplies to do some crafting and cooking experimentation. I have been way too tired to really try either.

6. Learn.

Can my learning for the month be that it's okay to rest?

7. Minimize.

I organized my Pinterest boards? Success? YES!

8. Gratefulness.

I'm beginning to think that if I make it through a small box of thank you cards for the entire year that I will be doing good on this one. I haven't sent out any. It's June. It's a shame.

9. Handmade.

I have homemade gift supplies bought. The making of those gifts will hopefully be in progress soon.

10. Intentionality.

It's been great investing in my relationship with Elley before she left for Kentucky and my relationship with my roommates especially. I feel like this month went by way too fast though.

11. No.

I've done better. It's been good.

12. Word.

Working to get back in the game on The Grand Sweep. Tons of catching up to still do!


This is a short and sweet update, but there's a ton of things going on right now and I don't have much time to really get everything done. Pray for clarity, fun, direction and relaxation for the next few weeks if you think about it.