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a little bit of this and that

    I’m a self-professed Instagram-lover. I love challenging myself to take interesting/pretty/story-telling photos with my phone, I love the wittiness and encouragement and smiles that come through the captions and comments and I really love seeing behind-the-scenes look at real life photos of the talented ladies I follow.  You won’t find me tweeting much or regularly updating my facebook status because instagram has my whole social-media heart.  My IG friend Mary Beth has a fun and informative series on her pretty blog called The Everyday Project that focuses on phone photography. I just did a little interview with her professing my love for instagram if you’d like to hear some more.

    Today, I thought I’d feature a few of my most recent ig photos and share some random thoughts about them …

    First up, Paperwhites.

    paperwhite

    They are so pretty. They are fun to watch grow. They are wintery and Christmasy and fresh. But they stink.  We endure it because of their beauty and the tradition, but goodness, I sure wish they would lose their smell.

    Now let’s talk about this foamy cup of deliciousness.

    foamy-latte

    My darling husband bought me a milk frother last year for valentine’s day and it is the best gift ever.  I don’t drink coffee in the morning, but an afternoon decaf eggnog latte or mocha is often part of my days. Here’s how I make mine at home.

    At night, I prefer a cozy cup of tea. My best friend introduced me to this most enjoyable cinnamon tea.

    tea

    It’s spicy and flavorful and makes the perfect late night cup of tea.

    And with that cup of tea, a fresh molasses cookie sounds great.

    molasses-cookie

    My good friend Dee is an expert baker and she called me over this week to share these fresh-from-the-oven cookies. I’ll have to get her recipe, because they were so good. Tis the season for holiday baking and decorating and I’ve been pinning ideas like crazy lately. Kinda getting excited for the Christmas season.

    Totally off the subject, but let’s discuss:

    target-carts

    These monstrous carts at target.

    My kids call them ‘fun carts’ but I find them to be very un-fun. I bang into end-caps, it corners like a boat and the kids never stay seated in them. BUT, they do have fun and so every once in a while {when I’m feeling particularly kind and generous}, I say yes to the fun cart.  The conversation about these carts on IG was pretty entertaining. Always fun to know I’m not alone in my mothering madness.

    Okay, one last thing to share. Last saturday morning, my No.2 asked to do watercolor-decoding art. It was one of those moments when all of us sat around the table peacefully creating and smiling and all was good.

    decoding-watercolors

    It’s a super easy project – just write a secret message with white crayon on white paper and then pass it to your friend {or brother or mom} to decode by watercoloring over top and revealing the secret message.  Perhaps a craft to try this weekend?

    I’m off today to help move my grandparents into their new assisted living home. It’s been a long and emotional process to get to this point and so if you think about it, say a little prayer for our family. I’m excited for this new phase for my grandparents, but transitions are always hard and we’re all hoping they get settled and feel at home quickly.

    So there you go. Randomness for today. As always, I am so thankful for fun blog reader-friends like you. xo.

    {come hang out with me on instagram!}

    15 thoughts on “a little bit of this and that”

    1. I’m with Shawna, any chance of your posting the Molasses Cookie recipe? I’d love to give them and the Tea as Christmas gifts :)

    2. I just stumbled across your blog. Lovely. Question – what is the magic trick to the white crayon resist? We tried it before and the crayon barely stood up to the paint. Any tips?

    3. That is my most favorite Harney & Sons tea! I’ve been looking for it. Target now carries Harney & Sons, but I didn’t find the hot cinnamon spice tea yet.

    4. Emily,
      I, too, enjoy the Harney & Sons tea. I highly recommend their “Hot Cinnamon Sunset” tea. It’s Ah.mazing!!!
      Enjoy…
      Shara

    5. Great pictures! I will definitely offer a prayer for your family and your grandparents during this transition time. I have a grandma in assisted living and my grandpa has now had to move on to an actual nursing home facility. I have been so thankful to all the staff at both places for their care and concern for my granparents and pray the same for yours.

    6. I’ll be off to make a mocha in a moment, thanks to your tantalizing picture!
      And I’m excited to try the watercolor project with my students.
      I believe this is the first time I’ve commented on your blog, which I’ve just recently started following. I enjoy your lovely posts. I’ll be looking you up on Instagram, too!

    7. I’m on Instagram too. It’s not as much fun as FB because it’s hard getting followers. It’s more fun to have “conversations” through comments but if you have no followers then there are no conversations:( that’s why I’m in FB more. How do you get followers? And I totally agree with the stinky thing. How can something so pretty smell so bad. And I can actually grow them. I’m hoping all goes well with your grandparents. Been there before.:)

    8. Instagram has my whole heart as well! Facebook a little.. Twitter, not at all. That was a funny fact that paper whites stink, I didn’t have a clue, I’ve never grown them. Anyways, I love following your IG and I will definitely be praying for your grandparents transition, that made me a little teary eyed.
      God Bless!

    9. I have Harney and Sons Paris tea in my mug right now. :) And the tins make great pen cups afterward. Grace Rare Teas are also wonderful.
      Our kids call those Target carts “monkey carts” – you can guess why!
      Praying for your grandparents’ move this weekend.

    10. I’m so with you on the paperwhites and “fun” carts, but don’t know a thing about instagram. Love your photos and your blog is (partially) to blame for many of the fun creative moments I’ve had lately. Thank you so much for your inspiration! Sending a little thought of love up for your grandparents.

    11. This post made me smile and reminded me that we can all find happiness is in the little moments in life. Thank you for that. I pray that your grandparents have a smooth transition and that your family will have peace and reassurance from this decision. Take care!

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