Hummingbirds and other creatures of the earth

Living in the country has its perks.

I love the fact that I can spontaneously waste time by staring out my picture window, glazed eyes shining, mind filled with the complexities of being a duck.

A tame duck, at that.

You could pet our ducks if you wanted to. They are that tame. Because they are basically pets. (Not ours, our landlord's)... They have a hut. They walk in a straight line everywhere...But I digress.

I love the fact that I can be busy wrestling the garbage bag out of the trashcan, sweat glistening on my brow, biceps getting a workout, foot awkwardly trying to hold the container down while I heave-ho, and all of a sudden I glance out the window to see a charming flitting hummingbird peering through the window taking in my battle with waste.

(In that mili-second I realized that hummingbirds have a way of piercing the soul and seeing who you really are. This realization has perpetuated an innate desire in me to have a hummingbird feeder so I can regularly be seen for real. Maybe then my ability to talk to the animals will come to fruition and not be a figment of my imagination.)

I also love the fact that I can take any of my work or pleasure outside and do it by a pond (a green pond, but that is beside the point). I have been trying to be "productive" while simultaneously enjoying all that is around me. I regularly take Red's camping chair (his reclines--) and nestle it in our sometimes tallish grass and pretend like I'm French and incredibly genius. (Because these things are necessary in life?)

I've had a lot more time on my hands to be enjoying the outdoors. Red started up football camp this week--so our times together will forevermore be short and few. (Ok, not forevermore--but definitely most of the time...)

It's been fun returning to my bachelorette days--but challenging as well---what does one do when one has 12 hours straight of not interacting with another human being?

I'll tell you:

Nap, read, look for work, plan meals, eat snacks instead, and work-out.

This doesn't sound too bad--but human interaction is welcomed. Perhaps this is why I have taken to the animals.

What do you do when tons of alone-time is suddenly upon you?

Life Since Then

I've been avoiding my blog. Yes it's true.

I think since returning from our trip my life has taken on a lackluster that is not completely it's own. What I mean is, initially I used the excuse that we were back from this glorious trip and so now my life is blah.

Not true. I have realized that any lackluster I am experiencing is produced by the lens I am looking through, not so much what I am looking at.

As Spring comes into play I am reminded how sweet life is every day. St. Louis has been blessed to basically have summer and I have been taking full advantage of it...regularly visiting Forest Park and even running my furthest distance yet (6.5 miles)!

I just want to put forth to you, that I am no longer hiding behind the mirage that life isn't incredible because I am no longer in Morocco...or France...or Italy.

No. I am rejoining the world. And leaning into the truth that I am blessed right here, where I am...and that it is on me if I don't take advantage of it.

Cheers to all the good times--and some tough ones---and documenting them on le blog.

Crossroads

It seems that everyone comes to the crossroads of "What do I want to do with my life?"---and it casts a shadow on all they do--- No matter what they put their time and efforts in--this question colors the experience and expectation.

Perhaps that is where I am standing.

No doubt we all long for value and a sense of self---maybe even fame and affirmation for all we do. I haven't met many people with the goal of not making a difference or perhaps the goal of helping society devolve...

No. It seems that we--specifically this current generation of 20-somethings want more. We want not only to be successful and rich--but to somewhere along the line---make a difference---leave a legacy---to be known.

It's not enough to "just" be a teacher. We want to transform the educational system. It's not enough to "just" be a mom. We want to be a super-mom who happens to own a small business, speak 3 different languages, and volunteer every saturday at the local orphanage---so we can give our children a solid world view. It's not enough to write just because we enjoy writing. We want to be the next Jane Austen or J.K. Rowling.

None of these things are wrong or bad. And it is good (I would argue) to strive to thrive. There is no shame in doing your job well.

But is this perspective of "enough is never enough" realistic and/or healthy? And how is this impacting our lives? Isn't every one exhausted?

I come to this point from my desire to be creative...and my desire to one day be "successful" (a loaded term I know) in a way that glorifies the Lord.

How do you balance contentment with success/improvement?

How does one marry skills and interests to possibilities and opportunities? How do you get paid for doing what you love?---and for that matter, how do you figure out what you really love doing?

Experience. How do you get experience?

Networking.

How do you network for experiences you'd like to have--and how do you expose yourself to people who have the discernment and insight to help you towards a future?

So sort of in the same vein--but in a different direction....

Here is a video from TED--a lovely source of food for thought. One of my grad school professors shared this with us--and it hit me in an interesting way.

 It is Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love) discussing creativity. She suggests that a person can not be a genius but rather has an inner genius...though I do not agree with her entire perspective--it is an interesting concept to consider when one is struggling with creativity.




How have you dealt with these issues of career and creativity--or enjoyment? And what are some conclusions you have drawn?

Living with Natural Light

Red had a novel idea while taking a shower yesterday.

"Let's go the whole day with out turning on any lights."

And this, my friends, we did.

We managed to go the whole day--including at night--without any power lights.

This experience stems from our evening before-- we managed to go to bed at 9:30 and wake up at 7am feeling incredibly refreshed and rejuvenated...

And so--having sort of gone to bed and awaking with the sun ( I said sort of!!)..we figured why not try it for real last night..

Though we stayed up way past the sun's bed-time watching a movie-- it was amazing how easy it was to fall asleep by not turning on our lights at any point in the evening!

Our bodies were following the circadian rhythm of nature--allowing our bodies to gradually relax and rest in a less stimulated fashion.

It was an interesting experiment--we both fell asleep easily and slept through the night (which doesn't happen that often)...

So perhaps you should try this experiment..try your best to not turn on any lights at night--maybe use your phone or flashlight in emergencies--but candles are quite nice and should not be forsaken...

Soft, romantic, functional...

(Oh! And plan to cook your dinner when the kitchen has the most light! We had to eat earlier than usual so we could see what we were cooking!)

What a fun way to surround your home with candles--and have to get things done in the day so you can..enjoy the night.

Picnic with Shakespeare

St. Louis is such a sweet place to be in the summer. There are so many free places to go and things to do.

Last night, Red and I decided to take advantage of one of these opportunities: St. Charles Shakespeare in the Park.

We saw Much Ado about Nothing...a fabulous comedy, and enjoyed a delicious picnic.

Check out our super cool picnic basket!! (Thanks Jackie--we were the only ones with a basket!)

The play was set by the Missouri River in downtown St. Charles. They had simple props, but did a great job of making the characters fill the stage and come to life.

It was so relaxing laying on our picnic blanket, talking, and taking in the people around us. It was a mixed crowd but definitely lent itself to the more senior end of things. (I'm always interested in who shows up at these free events...so many types of people there for the same reason...)

Red and I have been struggling some with balancing our alone time with our social life. It was such a nice time to be with each other but around others.

Poor Red, he is so big, that it was difficult for him to get comfortable on the blanket (we couldn't find a normal camping chair for him to use!!)...so we ended up leaving at intermission (Hey, no judgement)...it's as he pointed out: it's difficult to pay attention when you're really uncomfortable..)

So we left. But, I was still so satisfied. I love being outside...and I love supporting the local arts...and I love picnics (which we've established before...)...and I love free things...and I love my Husband....

So it was a great night.

Well, and it also ended with a spectacular sunset:

What free things does your community offer? Leave a comment, and let us know!

Texas in the morning, Texas in the evening, Texas in the afternoon...

Could you guess it? I may or may not be in Texas.

Ok, so I'm in Texas...and I'm loving it.

My dear friend Vanessa is getting married this weekend--and I am here to support her and help her and love her. So things are good.

Yesterday, we spent the day finishing up last minute details, and today, we get to be rewarded by a day at the spa... (Look, I would give a spa day to each of you if I could...)

With all of this wedding hulu going on around me, I've taken some time to reflect on my own marriage.

I praise the Lord daily for how my marriage has already shaped me.

It really is amazing how hard marriage is, but also how sweet it is.

I am grateful to realize that though my marriage is a huge part of my happiness it is not the whole of the joy in my life...and that it is used to heighten my other experiences.

I am incredibly blessed to have a husband who encourages me in the Lord, and challenges me to grow and become a better person.

I am in awe of the amount of grace extended to me by the Lord through my husband, my picture of grace. I am humbled every day.

This Grace that has ruined my flesh driven life has marked me with the sign of Christ and enabled me to see the world with a new perspective that my marriage broadens and stretches daily.

I am filled with wonder as I look around. Nature, art, music, literature, traditions, languages, foods, dance, humor, science, intelligence in general: it all feeds this curiosity to know the world more, and inevitably experience Yaweh more. A curiosity that my husband fully supports.

(Even when it's a little different, or uncomfortable..or is with bad-timing...)

As I sit here in Vanessas' kitchen---preparing for this wonderful day---I am blown away.

Thank the Lord for Texas; and Thank the Lord for His Grace.

Update on Life

1. Our "pet" bird (Aida) had her baby(ies)...we're not sure if there is only 1 or if there is 2...

Perfect timing for Mother's Day, eh?

2. Today is yet another gorgeous day...and I'm celebrating by going on my 3rd picnic of the week.

Is that over the top?  I didn't think so either.

3. Red has some boys in town, so I get some time to read all the books I have had waiting for me. Meaning, I finished one...and it was awesome:

The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty

It is officially added to the book list.

4. I have a huge itch to buy a house...in Kirkwood, MO. I got lost there (meaning, I meaningfully wandered) for an hour yesterday and decided we need to move there.

Let's put it this way: It has its own farmers market; it's quaint; it's historic; it has a Frank Lloyd Wright designed home.

What more is there to say? It is suburban paradise.

5. I don't really have a number five, but the list feels more complete.

Go experience your sunday!

Sweet Solitude

Sometimes there is nothing sweeter, more refreshing, or more needed then a moment alone.

Or perhaps a few hours alone, as in my case.

Today is a glorious day. The sky fills each picture your eyes take in, and the sun is radiating in every place...if not warming everything it touches.

It's one of those days that looks the perfect 75 degrees but is actually closer to 60.

It's one of those days that needs to be enjoyed...

...by having a personal picnic.

I'm a firm believer in picnics. I feel like I'm always more grounded (no pun intended) after taking the time to prepare and enjoy this delight.

Here are a few of my fondest picnic memories:

1. The English Garden in Munich with my friend Allison. (Sometimes it's worth missing a train, when you get to loll about in a mystical place with a delicious German smorgasborg of expensive groceries that you bought because you couldn't find a more reasonable option....and you get to play with dandelions...and do interpretive movement...)                        hey. don't judge.

We joked that after you blew the dandelion,
whatever was left was how many children you would have.
Wow.

That's overwhelming.

2. Under the Eiffel Tower with Allie in 11th grade, when we were so grandly approached by a midget and his two brothers and told we could be jewelry models..haha...The pizza (Speedy Rabbit) and the ice-cream (Haa-gan Daaz) was awesome. The friendship...and story...is even better.

This is not under the Eiffel Tower.
But it is taken by Allie
And it is at the Trocadero in Paris across from the Eiffel Tower.

Oh to be 17. In Paris.

3. The September 11th memorial in Hattiesburg with Red when we were dating...playing tag and taking some ridiculously cool "action" shots.

Don't even think about asking for a close-up.

3. At my first real concert with Chrissy and her Mom...The Temptations at Wolftrap...where I discovered my love for guacamole.

4. The Blueberry Festival with Rose...where we each bought sun-dried tomato pesto and bread...and couldn't make it home before we had to eat it...so we sat down in the dirt...and got ant bites...but it was worth it because that pesto was out of this world.

5. Every pretty day that I worked in Laurel...I would go to the park and read and eat for my lunch hour...a way to rejuvenate and be energized the rest of the day...

6. And now, today... alone by the Missouri River. Just me, my books, my food, my blanket...

Life is good.

Hello Good Friday

4 Things that make me smile on this Good Friday:

1. Christ died for us so that we may have Life.

2. We have a dove who made a nest outside of our apartment window...and she has 1 egg she is busy keeping warm.

3. We are dog-sitting the most precious little Beagle ever. Meet Hunter:

He's happy to meet you too.

4. We have a beautiful arrangement of flowers to greet us each time we walk through the door.

Go enjoy this Friday that the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it!

Magical Dining Experience

Do you ever imagine yourself eating a delicious meal in a place sort of like these places?

Or maybe somewhere like this...

I do. All the time. 

When I was studying in France my sophomore year in college, some of my fondest memories were created with my French family down in Nice, FR.

My French parents had a home down on the coast and we met there to spend a week together. It was incredible...we went hiking...exploring through the local markets...ate Moroccan food in a Medieval village...and laid around.

It was wonderful. 

One afternoon I had been attempting to read a French novel they had laying around while wallowing in bed...and well, in reality I just got lost staring out the open window.

When I returned to reality, I could smell the fish cooking that we had bought earlier that morning at the market...I sauntered to the kitchen, my eyes gazing around the room and taking in everything. Ma mere was cooking at the stove and ma pere had just moved the kitchen table outside.

I remember thinking--huh..why not just buy an outdoors table? But what's the point...they aren't there year round and the kitchen table works just fine...so French.

So I wandered outside and sat down with him. He continued to eat his cheese and fruit, and I sat there gazing over the foothills to the glimmer of the sea. It was a dream; truly. I feel blessed to have memories of such an experience...

Years later, eating outside has a magical feel for me. Perhaps not the normal bbq setting, but some others I imagine. 

I hope to one day have a wonderful garden that would readily embrace all al fresco diners or picnickers...I want some magic in my life all the time...

So, imagine my delight when I discovered Outstanding in the Field. 

In turns out dreams can come true...in places like this:

These photos are from outstandinginthefield

.

Outstanding in the Field basically travels all over the world (including, probably driving distance from where you live); sets up tables in beautiful places; brings in world-renowned chefs; feeds you divinely; and satisfies your soul.

To me, this is an experience of a lifetime. Too expensive to do regularly (for most of us), I think that this would be an exceptional gift for celebration.

Dining al fresco is a way to induce freshness into your eating experience...Perhaps you should consider it for this weekend...

Ooo! And perhaps you would like to share with me one of your dreamy al fresco experiences? Please leave it under comments.

Enjoy my dear friends!

April brings showers, pranks, and Spring

As a kid, I was always fond of April. And, well, I'm not really sure why.

There was always the saying "April Showers bring May Flowers"...which is true, so surely it wasn't because of the rain...

http://pixdaus.com/single.php?id=151205&from=email

Perhaps it was because April is the unofficial start of Spring;  or that Spring break was typically right around the corner; or that I was busy preparing for the church's Easter pageant; or that I got to wear bright colors...

Neither here nor there, I love April.

And in turn, today is April Fools' Day and unfortunately I stink at April Fools'.

April's most famous day stumps me.

I've always had friends that come up with clever ways to trick me or their loved ones...and I, with all my gusto, can not come up with a believable joke to play on anyone.

The whole "I'm pregnant" thing has no appeal, and, really, I don't want to have too much shock value...

No. I long to create an April Fools' Day joke that is subtle enough to be believable and not easily detected...one that slips under the radar...until..

BAM. They are slayed by the humor of it all.

Well, I have nothing figured out so far, but I'll let you know if I pull one of these ideal pranks. And in the   meantime, if you happen to pull an awesome prank, let me know! Maybe you can help me out of my prankster pit.

Also, if you are interested in the history of April Fools' check out this site. I had no idea that it was first recorded in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales!

Happy April Fools'!!

10 Things you can do when you don't have a car and you're stuck in your apartment

1. Plan a bachelorette party for your DG little sister.

2. Fantasize about delicious meals you will create because you have a lot of free time.

3. Organize that area in your guest room that you have been avoiding like the plague for at least the past 2 weeks.

4. Take online French tests to see how "proficient" you are...then be sad and realize how "proficient" you aren't.

5. Look up the lyrics to that Adele song that you can't quite figure out.

6. Wish you were shopping for all of those Spring basics your heart desires.

7. Consider working out, but then decide against it.

8. Set aside some time to read the book you just started and hopefully will finish in the next month or so.

9. Come up with a creative activity to surprise your hubby with...too bad picnics are a no-go in 40 degree weather.

10. Be content with where you are, what you have, and what you're doing.

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."- Epicurus

What does your to-do list look like today?

P.S. I'm really excited about my new signature. If you are interested in creating one, go to: MyLiveSignature and create one for free.