Sunny Saturday

We started the week in the desert in swimsuits and sunscreen and are ending the week with raincoats and chicken pot pie.  It's been a wonderful week, one I'm thankful for.  It is always good to be away, but it is always so so sweet to come back to my babies.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? 

Today I'm sharing some things that made my week a bit sunnier. 

Reading is one of the things Kevin and I love to do on a trip away.  I am currently finishing up Jamie Ivey's If You Only Knew.  If you have been around here long, you know I am a BIG Jamie Ivey fan.  Her story is real and vulnerable and I love how she tells it like it is and challenges us to tell our stories.  Friends, this book will not disappoint you.  If you are a wife, woman, mother, daughter, sister, friend...this book will inspire you to love the ones around you well, to tell your stories, and to understand nothing is unforgivable. 

Ritter chocolate.  Have you had it?  They are a German candy company and since you can't pick them up everywhere, I am easily persuaded to buy them anytime I see them.  Trader Joe's sells a few varieties, but World Market has more options.  I'm not sure I could choose a favorite, but Peppermint is high up there...and it's not one I often see.  I might be making an Easter basket for myself this year.

Many of you know I am a Rodan and Fields' girl.  Not that I sell it, but that I use it.  After being in the sun for a few days, their Soothe moisture replenishing cream is helping my skin come back from the dry heat and into the cool spring.  It makes my skin feel so good.

Grilling season is coming.  We have been grilling about once a week for a month or so now and it's one of my favorite nights.  It's easy and eliminates a lot of mess and I'm not the one manning the grill.  Burgers are our go-to, but we do fish and steaks as well.  I am hoping to add this recipe for beef tenderloin on the grill this spring.

Today Kevin and the bigs are at an event at church and I am home with our sweet Jude.  Hope you have a great weekend.

Have a Sunny Saturday all!

Decluttering Challenge Printable

Over on A Simpler Motherhood I have been talking about stuff and decluttering by category.  Today I want to share with you a simple printable to help you get started.  You can complete this challenge with a friend or go at it alone and share your journey over on A Simpler Motherhood's Facebook Page.  

When you are decluttering remember to ask yourself these three questions: 
Do I love it?
Is it beautiful or useful?
Have I used it in the last 90 days or will I use it in the next 90 days?

You can start today or wait until April 1 to get started.  Just click on the link below and you are able to print straight from your computer.  Enjoy!

Click Here: Decluttering Challenge Printable

Favorite (Simple) Blogs and Podcasts

If you have hung around here long, you know I am a blog lover and listening to podcasts is one of my favorite things to do when I'm not caring for babies.  I enjoy consuming information on simplicity from the gurus and savor listening to a good podcast in the car to and from 'the city' (that's country talk).  Today I thought I would share my favorite blogs and podcasts when it comes to simple living.

Blogs

Becoming Minimalist

Joshua Becker has been writing about minimalism for years on his blog, Becoming Minimalist.  There is a wealth of information about living with less on his site, I could spend all day clicking through the articles.  He is a Christian and I appreciate his desire to get past the stuff and be intentional about living a meaningful life.

The Art of Simple

Tsh Oxenreider is a world traveler, writer, and simple living guru.  She is a real person, too, with three kids.  She, along with other contributors, write about living a simpler life at The Art of Simple.  Tsh recently broadened her writing genre and is writing more about other things she loves, but there are tons (and tons) of articles on living a simple, intentional life.  If you scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your name and email, she will send you a list of her favorite posts and podcasts.  Speaking of podcasts, her's is on my list as well.

Design for Mankind

Erin Loechner is a sweet momma and designer who writes about life with her husband and two littles.  Her words are inspiring and lovely and she has the absolute best taste (just check out her pictures).  She has been vulnerable and real and honest with what she writes on her blog.  I know you will love it.

Podcasts

The Next Right Thing

Emily is an incredible writer and speaker, this I know for sure.  She has some bestselling books and speaks all over the country about being a soul minimalist.  She has created a podcast where she talks about 'making room for your soul to breathe'.  It's so good, friends...packed full with wisdom and practical tips.  And they are only about 10-20 minutes, so they are a quick listen.

The Simple Show

The Simple Show features my girl, Tsh, as well as three co-hosts (Erin Loechner being one of them).  They have talked in the past about saying 'yes' and 'no' to the right things and now they are diving deep into other topics such as how to consume the news, what to listen to, and travel.  I look forward to these every week.

The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

Now, Jamie doesn't talk about simple living, but I couldn't not have her on the list.  She is so good, friends.  Jamie interviews women from different arenas. They talk about big things and small things and you feel like you're right there with them, hanging with some girlfriends.  I couldn't suggest this podcast anymore.  Also, she just released her first book, If You Only Knew.  I devoured it on my trip.  Check her out, you won't be disappointed.  

There they are...my favorites!  I hope you find something in there you love. What are your favorite blogs and podcasts?  

Secure your Mask

Secure your own mask before securing others.  We have all heard this analogy before.  If you don't secure your mask first, you might not be able to get your mask on in time.  I know I am in need of a break when I am securing everyone else's masks except for my own.  Sound familiar?

As mommas, we get the incredible privilege of serving our families day in and day out.  We get to love them, make them meals, read the same book thirteen times in an hour, kiss imaginary 'owies', and give of ourselves all day long. And it's good, really good...most days.  But it's also hard and exhausting and sometimes it can make us weary.  Whenever I get that weary feeling deep in my bones and I've let a deep sigh slip for the fifth time during lunch, I know it's time to secure my mask.

Securing my own mask looks like a coffee date alone.  It looks like a good book in my hands and a hot cup of coffee by my side.  It looks like moving my body in the early mornings before my babies wake.  It looks like a date with my husband.  It looks like writing at a coffee shop.  It looks like meeting a friend to chat.  I feel reenergized and ready to love my people when I take a little time to secure my mask.

This week I am going to do something big to secure my mask.  My sweet husband and I are taking a trip, just the two of us, to have some fun and spend a load of time together.  To be us and to connect so our marriage can continue to thrive.  We are the kind of people who like to be together and to travel, so that's what we do.  We have great grandparents who love to watch our kids, so it is a win-win-win for everyone.

How do you need to secure your mask?  Take time to write down or think about three things that make you feel happy, refreshed, or calm.  Write them down or put them in your notes app.  Try and do one of those things each week for yourself.  Even if it's getting up five minutes earlier to have a cup of coffee before you have children to feed.  Think about it, write it down, and then do it.  It's worth it, friends.  Secure your mask so you can secure those cute, wonderful little humans' masks.  It's worth it. 

Sunny Saturday: Girl-y Things

Happy Saturday, all!  Today we are spending a family day watching Kevin run a 5K and then doing some fun things around town before we head home for the day.  
Last weekend I was able to meet some high school girlfriends for a night away. We browsed shops, talked about great big things like gun control and itty bitty things like what podcasts we are listening to and books we are reading, and had the absolute best time.  It was good for my soul to be with two friends that have known me my entire life.  

And, as girls do, we exchanged gifts with one another.  We are only all together about once a year, so it's a great time to bring each other a little gift.  I LOVE all the gifts I received, so I thought I would share them with you today.

First up, this simple, beautiful mug.  We own eight mugs at the moment and I think one is going to be donated, because this one is a keeper.  My friend introduced me to Rae Dunn pottery and I really, really love it.  They are pricey online, but I was told they are sold at Home Goods, so I might have to check them out there.  My friend, Paige, had a funny story of going to Home Goods with a die hard Rae Dunn fan and waiting by the warehouse door for the truck to come in because I guess people love this stuff.  I am behind on the trend, but I sure am into it now.

Paige also gave me a tea towel with the image of a drawing from her son, Cooper.  He is my godson and I love him dearly.  This is a brilliant idea, isn't it?  This towel is hanging in my kitchen right now.  I am thinking these towels would make great gifts for grandparents, friends, or extended family for Mother's Day or Christmas. 

My sweet friend, Anne, brought some fun gifts for us from World Market.  She lives in Chicago and has an eye for classic, cool things.  (She's maybe my hippest friend.)  This hand soap smells so good. Lily was the first one to use it and she kept sniffing her hands after she had washed them.  And the bottle is just so dainty and pretty.

Last is this vintage looking candle.  It's teeny tiny and perfect for right behind my kitchen sink.  It's the scent of spring and will be burning all weekend long.  Give me all the smelly things.

I hope you enjoy this (almost) spring day!  Have a Sunny Saturday, all!

Five Favorite Simplicity Books

Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light. —Vera Nazarian

We are a family of readers, so far anyway.  Kevin and I spend the early morning quiet hours engrossed in books and Luke and Lily like to make a stack of books on the couch and read book after book after book.  It is yet to be seen if Jude will join us.  His interest in books includes carrying them around and throwing them.  #thirdchild

Recently I had a pile of simplicity books on my nightstand in my bedroom and on the end table in my living room.  I reread my favorite simplicity book and found a new favorite.  Today I'm going to share my top five simplicity books along with a runner up.

The More of Less by Joshua Becker

Joshua Becker is one of my favorite minimalists to read.  He has two kids and loves Jesus.  This book is completely practical, but gets down to the why on simplifying and getting rid of the stuff.  You can find more of his work over at: becoming minimalist.com.

Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver

Courtney Carver is the creator of Project 333, a movement to live with less clothing, 33 pieces for 3 months to be exact.  In her book she writes about her multiple sclerosis diagnosis and her need to eliminate stress and her desire to live a more intentional, more love focused life.  I am newer to her writing, but I loved this book.  I love how she integrated storytelling into practical ways to live with less so you can have more time for the good stuff.

Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne

I have read and reread this book so many times.  I am in love with the simplistic approach to parenting.  I know not everyone would agree with my thoughts and ideas and that's okay!  Being different is good!  However, I do think every parent could take away something from this book.  It's insightful and backed by research.  I make it a point to reread this book every year.

Clutterfree with Kids by Joshua Becker

Another book by Becker and it hits all the highlights of decluttering and purging with kids.  If you're looking to pare down and you have kids, this is a must read.

Notes from a Blue Bike by Tsh Oxenreider

Tsh is a favorite author of mine.  She doesn't know it, but I view her kind of as my simplicity coach.  Notes from a Blue Bike is laid out storytelling style and I couldn't love it more.  Tsh has lived around the world and she uses her experience to craft a book full of wisdom and practical tips and tricks to live a more intentional life.  She discusses food, work, travel, entertainment, and education.  And it's all good.    

Seven by Jen Hatmaker

Seven is my runner up.  Not because I don't absolutely love it, because I do. I love Seven and Jen.  I just borrowed the book from a friend awhile back, so it's not in the picture or my library (I might have to change that).  In Seven, Jen introduces us to her experiment to get rid of the excess.  One of her experiments included only eating seven types of food for a month. Another experiment she only wore seven pieces of clothing.  (Can you imagine??) She turns the 'American dream' upside down and it's a bit shocking, highly motivational, and super enjoyable and witty.  Classic Jen.

If you're looking for a simplicity book, these are some good ones to start with...there isn't a bad one in the bunch.  What are your favorites?  

  

Sunny Saturday

A beautiful Saturday I have ahead of me.  I am spending today with two girlfriends and we have 24 hours to ourselves, sans kids.  

This week was the right amount of slow and full.  We had days at home and days with friends.  We had easy mornings and dinners that lingered and then some early mornings and crescent rolls for dinner on our way out the door to church. I really like when I can balance our week out that way with easy days and full days.

Today I'm sharing some things that made my week a bit sunnier.

I can't not mention these tulips.  They have been bringing me joy every single morning with their vibrant pink blooms and the way they stand taller each and every day gives me a little something to look forward to when I walk into the kitchen.  I picked them up at Trader Joe's (shocker) and they were worth every penny.

Last week, I spoke to one of my MOPS groups about simplicity.  It's a subject I am passionate about and if you've been around here long you already know all about my journey towards simplicity.  I'm talking more about it over at A Simpler Motherhood.  When preparing for this talk, I did a big purge and it felt good.  I love decluttering and refocusing on what is important, which is not my stuff.  Last week I included Soulful Simplicity in my Sunny Saturday post and as I finished it this week, I couldn't help but want to dive in to a more simple lifestyle. She talks about her journey over at bemorewithless.com.  Check it out.

The Life Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson has been a book I read a bit out of every morning.  It's an incredibly well written book about creating a loving atmosphere at home.  I love homemaking so much and it's a good balance to my want-to-get-rid-of-anything minimalism persona.  This book touches on how to create space in your home for connection and love and practical ways to do just that.  It is broken up into months and while I know I should be waiting for May to read the May chapter, it's a library book so I must return it soon. However, I think this is one I could go back to again, so it might end up on my book wishlist.  

My last item is a silly one.  Dips.  Vegetable dips.  Kevin and I have been trying to squeeze more raw veggies in our diets and dips are helping me get there.  I heard on a podcast to use dips to start eating more raw vegetables and it's working for us.  I have been buying them, but I am going to try and make one here one of these days.

I hope you have a splendid weekend wherever you may be today.

Happy Sunny Saturday, all!