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. 

"Old West" Bowl for Kids' Sake 2014

{A Big and Little Sister match handing out t's}

{Our team name: Bloodthirsty Western Dinosaurs.......maybe that explains things?}

"Old West" Bowl for Kids' Sake 2014! 

BFKS is our annual, primary fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters and it is always a whirlwind of a day. Envision hosting a twelve hour party. By the end of it, we're all popping chocolate kisses to keep up our strength and limping round the alley. 

I dressed as Annie Oakley and fitted her nickname "Little Sure Shot" as my job was to document the occasion by camera! 

I was also able to bowl a session with a team from my church's youth ministry and it was - hilarious.

Our agency subsists off the generosity of those who believe in our mission. Thank you to those who gave so that the youth in our program can be given role models. 

A whole lot of effort, but worth it all. 

And now, I'm gonna see if I can rustle up a foot massage. 

Zade's 33rd Birthday

{lemon ice cream cake with a gingersnap crust}

Happy 33rd birthday to the tenderest man I know. 

Here's to another year of devouring gummy bears until we moan, swing dancing after a long day, reading adventure stories aloud, texting kissy faces, and lifting hands together in worship. 

I <3 you!

Snowbirds

We're the kind of snowbirds that fly north for winter. 

A MLK weekend family getaway in Michigan treated by my always too generous auntie and uncle. 

My little cousin with eyes bright, perched in his tube like a chickadee in nest, eager for every flight downhill. 

We on cross country skis like a procession of waterfowl...some swans smoothly gliding upon the icy grooved snow...others ducklings, contentedly waddling aback. 

As birds of prey, clawing our warm bounty of chili, Grand Traverse cherry crumble pie, and bratwurst, satisfying our voracious, chilled appetites. 

So passed a snowy weekend with my gregarious family flock.