Colorado Challenge

A week of camp as leaders with our church's Senior High! 

My cabin

We combatted our fears...

Kicked up our heels…

Rode white water...

Pulled ourselves up, and then hopped down, red rocks...

Learned about, and experienced, how God displays His power through us ordinary folks…. 

Balanced treetop to treetop…

Didn't see bears (boo)...

Grew in affection for each other…

Thanks to God for this time of refreshment! 

The Fourth

 Up to celebrate with Zade's side in Fort Wayne, IN. 

Sparklers…grilled veggies…

fresh fruit tarts

…baseball.

An all-American kind of shindig. 

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Our weeklong stay in Puerto Vallarta...

Bien.

The Ocean

"What are heavy?

Sea-sand and sorrow:

What are brief?

To-day and to-morrow:

What are frail?

Spring blossoms and youth:

What are deep?

The ocean and truth."

- What are Heavy? Sea-sand and Sorrow by Christina Georgina Rossetti

A favorite poem.

Photos of our week by the sea in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. 

Atomic Bowl Duckpin

Bowling doesn't make my world go round. I'm snubbing it shamefully these days. 

But, even my hard heart was charmed by this retro duckpin bowling alley.

It's got promise. 

Not going to bedazzle my jersey quite yet, though.

{Gutter ball!}

Tulip Time Festival

 A drive up to Holland, Michigan for Tulip Time and a visit to Veldheer tulip farm / De Klomp Wooden Shoe and Delft Factory with my Dutch friend Lora. I can pretty much pass as Dutch now. I know all the words: klomp, Delft, and oiliebollen.  I visited the festival when young…all I recall is the sing-song tune "tulips are blooming in Holland, Michigan…tulips bright colored and gay…dance on the scrubbed streets of Holland, Michigan…when tulips bloom in May!"We were a little early for full-bloomed tulips. But, were able to capture a few timid petals peeping vibrantly from their buds.

Charming. 

Fresh Flower Necklaces

 “I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,

Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,

Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,

With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.” 

- William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

 Dreamy….

Fresh flower necklace tutorial on U lala to follow. 

{U lala} Spontaneous Celebration DIY

My Spontaneous Celebration DIY is live on U lala today! 

After these early morning pictures, we spent the rest of the day with rogue confetti peeking from our tresses. 

Wherever I paused was left a golden flower or ruby butterfly.

I didn't altogether mind. 

Maybe that's how we should live life. Something of beauty, through Christ, left everywhere we rest.

Cincinnati Weekend

Spring flirted with us this weekend on my visit to see friends in Cincinnati. 

We browsed the fruits, veggies, and meats of Findlay Market and happened upon the most amazing gelato from Dojo (my flavor was Howard the Duck, a delish creamy mix of duck fat...bourbon…cinnamon).

The visit was specially planned to meet this serene beauty. 

And hug this man, recovering formidably from a stroke thanks be to God. 

This impromptu photo shoot happened. Gorgeous.

And what's a trip to Cincinnati without a pair of these? 

I miss you already Cincy friends!!!!

Lafayette Magazine Feature

Do you remember my brother's Movie Premiere Graduation Party? 

It got some press this month in Lafayette Magazine's Spring 2014 feature on graduation party planning. My momma was interviewed and there's a picture of her all dolled up serving a flute of Martinelli's sparkling cider.  

She knows how to throw a bash that one.