contentedsparrow

on why you'll see this same post here for a while

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:31:00 +0000

OK, it's a bit random today but I had just a few things I wanted to share before I leave this space for three weeks. I'm not going to type out a big long explanation other than to say that I'm just taking a Sabbath break from the Internet alongside a fast from some other things until the end of January. It's something God laid on my heart. A time to still and quiet and listen and pray and connect with Him and those in my home. And, you know what? It's painful.....leaving y'all, my friends! But it's 21 days, just 3 weeks really and I know it will be beyond worth it and I'm truly excited. That said, on to my bumbling post....

Ohhh, these days.... this winter sun. It seems too warm to call it winter. I wonder if there's a name for it? You know, like Indian Summer. Indian fall?

There would normally be two feet of snow on that grass by now!

Friday I sat on the front porch, bare feet happy on the warm wooden boards, and marveled that the kids were running around, the boys shirtless nonetheless, in JANUARY in MICHIGAN. Needless to say, the math books waited patiently until the clouds came out.

I smiled at the big Carolina pinecone (from my too-short but blissful visit with her last April) and said a prayer of thanks for the gift of friendship.

After not really having left the house all week, I had been looking forward to getting my favorite latte (quad venti, please) on Saturday morning. We were fresh out of coffee at home so it was going to be my perfect excuse to mosey on over to the Starbucks at the grocery store. Well, my Mr. Man was rabbit hunting (yes, he occasionally hunts whilst I adore all animals....it's a gift I give him but that's a long story for another time) and I came to find out that the battery in my truck was dead as a doornail. Aargh! If you're my friend on Facebook or follow my Instagram photos, this will be old news to you, but I decided to hoof it to the store. It's only 1.5 miles away, thus TOTALLY no big deal but I had already run on the treadmill early that morning. At least I was still in my workout clothes. I got the kids squared away (and locked in...yep, we're that kind of family, don't judge) and made my little trek to Starbucks through the field, along the deer paths (sigh, beautiful!), down the big hill, around Costco, past the mall (yuck), across the 6-lane road to the store. And, you know what? It was exhilarating! Absolutely glorious! I thought, "Why do I not do this EVERY day?!" I'm thinking it wouldn't be as much fun with a couple gallons of milk in my hands, but otherwise, I'll be doing that more often from now on!

I hate to belabor the point, but cropped pants in January?! Get outta here!

-the mall-

-the road-

-the destination-

-the pink lady for me-

-the doughnuts for the waiting kids and SO NOT for me-

-the trip back-

-the point where my phone died-

-the point where the Costco gas guy gave me a weird look as i climbed the hill behind the station and clambered over the fence-

-the point where i was going to take an artistic photo of my (just about empty already) coffee cup in the deer field-

-that right there is about how i felt-

-woo-hoo!-

-is it wrong that I love coffee so much?-

The kids survived my absence (for all you ~~worry-worts~~ play-by-the-rules people). Actually, my husband pulled into the driveway right when I was walking up behind the house. He was unsuccessful in the rabbit hunt (score 1 for the bunnies) but he did rid the land owner of a big nuisance, a coyote! I'd post the picture but thought I'd spare you squeamish friends. :) We all hopped into the truck and took a quick trip to see it. The kids proclaimed it cool (yes, even Lucy) and if I didn't focus on it's tongue hanging out, I could appreciate how beautiful it was.....such a bushy tail. Sorry Mr. Coyote (score 2 for the bunnies). We came home, played Uno, and all blood was forgotten.

I wanted to share pics of the cuckoo clock I told you about....that my parents bought me for Christmas. Actually, I picked it out at the German Market and then my Mom wrapped it up and surprise, Merry Christmas!

Isn't she cute with her little deer and bird and tree? She doesn't cuckoo. I was afraid it would drive us crazy and also there wasn't one that cuckooed AND had a little deer. As I type this in the dark, quiet house, I can hear it ticking away, the little German couple endlessly swinging back and forth. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Well, that's it until January 30 or so. I'll miss you but am very excited to see what God has up His sleeve for me during this break away, this time with wide margins. *By the way, a woman I've long given thanks for has just written her last blog post and I, per usual, love, love what she had to say about slowing down and margin in one's life. If you have a few minutes, you'll be blessed by her words, I know it.

May you see His grace in all today.

Much love,

Megan

P.S. I almost forgot I wanted to make it clear that if you follow me on Instagram, you'll still see my photos pop up there. It's my favorite camera with its awesome filters and all. I'll NEVER take a break from capturing His daily gifts, grace to me!!! Also, I'll be checking my email once a day but I won't be popping into Facebook at all.

Links for 2012-01-06 [del.icio.us]

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00:00 PST

print it yourself: airmail thank you notes
:) pretty @how about orange

city

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:58:00 +0000

the windy one.

as a child, the windows at Marshall Field's along State Street were magical to me. all glittery and nutcracker-y, ballerinas twirling, giant pretend candy. the city all dressed up in it's finest. michigan avenue all strung up with twinkling lights.

we brought the kids down there right before Christmas along with our neighbor friends (Lucy's little best friend, the most adorable little 4-year-old boy who lives across the street), my parents who took the train in from the suburbs to meet us, and two German exchange students from my husband's high school and soccer team (he's a teacher/coach, fyi). we wanted the German boys to experience the big city and the German Christmas market. they headed straight for the curried sausage, a taste of home for them, but steered clear of the sauerkraut which they both despise, by the way. :) our boys love hanging around Daddy's soccer player boys. teenagers are cool, ya' know.

my parents bought me a little cuckoo clock for Christmas. eeeek! ever since i was little in my adopted grandparents' den with their cuckoo clock that was magical to me, where i'd sit patiently waiting for that little bird to pop his head out and sing his song, i've wanted a cuckoo clock. thanks, Mom and Dad! wait 'til you see pictures of it's colorful adorableness! (note: it's NOT one of these below...they're just pretty, aren't they?)

my Dad.

what would be our one purchase of the day, my husband bought me two ornaments from the little German glass ornament cottage at the market. i chose a sleeping fawn and a tiny white chicken but forgot to take pictures of them! there were tons of pretty ones......so many gorgeous birds!

of course, we had to stop and refuel at the Magnolia Bakery that just opened up. you know how I'm a bit bakery-obsessed, right? but, you know what? shock of all shocks, i actually didn't get anything....nothing struck my fancy. everyone else enjoyed what they chose, though.

the city all lit up at night is a breathtaking....

but it can't hold a candle to this, can it?

*night sky photo found here

was it kind of a pain driving 3 hours to get there after we had just driven the same distance the day before? a bit.

were the pre-Christmas crowds crazy-craze-crazy (did i say crazy)? you better believe it.

were we exhausted on the way home? you betcha.

did i have a long list of things to get done at home to get ready for the big day? ohhhh, yes.

BUT.....

was it worth it for our kids, for the memories made, for the looks on their faces, for the German boys to experience a city like that (we chuckled when we heard them exclaim, "Jakob, it reminds me of Munich!"), for their gratitude, for the wonder of it all?

ABSOLUTELY!

Links for 2012-01-04 [del.icio.us]

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 PST

free printable daily calendar
heather @life made lovely whipped up the most adorable calendar to scribble down your daily schedule, lists. i have this sent off to officemax to be printed already!

wednesday sunshine

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:10:00 +0000

a beautiful day.

the sun's reflecting off that bit of white outside and is shining blindingly bright through these windows.

how thankful i am for windows!

so, i realize that the comment option isn't showing up. i can't figure it out! what i think the problem may be is that i've messed with my blog template's HTML way too many times and probably obliterated the comment option altogether! i'll get it ironed out eventually (unless I feel like God's trying to tell me something, hmmmmm......) :) ***update: i'm SHOCKED but after i clicked publish on this post, i see that the place to comment is now up! what?! well, however it happened, WOO-HOO! and i can't wait to hear from y'all. :)

if you have an iphone, you should join in on the fun instagram photo a day challenge that i found over here on this blog......just clicking one pic a day according to the list....i jumped in on the action late......

day 1: morning me

day 2: breakfast

(which i had conveniently posted already the day before)

day 3: something i adore - the library!

and being the naughty rule-breaker that i am, i slipped in another thing i adore last night.....

curling up in bed at 8:15pm with a pile of books and my adorable, cozy hot water bottle. LOL, i'm such a grandma.

(1. my husband was trying to watch a Michigan football game on his computer at the time; and 2. i know you'll want to know where i found that hot water bottle.....it was a gift so i can't help you out! i've never in my life had one but, ohhhh, i love that thing!)

i pray your day is bright and beautiful,

megan

Links for 2012-01-03 [del.icio.us]

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 PST

contentedness in the new year
over @living,learning,and loving simply. my friend aimee's simple plan for the new year, "May you see His generous hand in your life in the dailiness and enjoy the moment-by-moment gifts that He gives."

Links for 2012-01-02 [del.icio.us]

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 PST

what the new year needs most
ann's words today, words my heart could have spoken but could never have put together...."Contentment is never a matter of circumstances; contentment is always a state of communion — a daily embracing of God. A thankfulness for all the gifts – and moments and life, just as He gives it. Trying harder may only bring harder trials and contentment, it won’t be be found in the resolutions, but in the revolutions – in the turning round to God." click here and keep reading!

monday

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:57:00 +0000

just popping in here at the tail end of a hard day.....needing to end it with thanks.

#1,227 - #1,237

a fellow homeschooling friend who dropped everything to encourage this homeschool burn-out mama at Starbucks for a couple of hours

friends who rally and reassure

how He uses community to refresh my heart

citrus smoothie in the sunshine

a dusting of white outside

kids swoosh-swooshing in snowpants

a husband who goes to the grocery store

the roll of the dryer

the warmth of the pellet burner

a revitalized spirit straight from the Holy Spirit

tomorrow's a new day

mercies new every single morning

i think i'll do this more often this year....

pop in here without any sort of polished post. journal my real, my hard eucharisteo and not just the lovely. sound ok?

thanks for journeying with me.

you're part of the community i talk about.

with that in mind,

i've decided to quietly creak open the door to the comments box and

see how it goes.

because He really does use you!

one more thing, if you'd like.... you can visit me over here at Elizabeth's place today. i'm honored to be guest posting.

Links for 2012-01-01 [del.icio.us]

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:00:00 PST

the perfect orange julius smoothie
i also used to love these as a kid at the mall. a rare special treat! just made these and yuuuuum!

hey there 2012

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:55:00 +0000

i've got to be honest.
i'm not feeling ready for you.
not ready to dive into homeschooling again.
not ready for my firstborn baby to turn ten this month.
not ready to take the twinkling lights down.
not ready to clean up the mess.
including me. {i.e. not ready for resolutions}

what am i looking forward to?
leaning hard on Him.
looking to Him for strength.
taking each day as He gives it.
i'm ready to open my ears to what He's whispering.
i'm ready to hunker down into hard work and conversely, let go of my own expectations.
i'm ready to really believe all is grace.

it's january 1 and snow is finally falling onto the green,
ushering in a clean slate.

Links for 2011-12-30 [del.icio.us]

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:00:00 PST

i have a voice
yes, you said it, ashley ann @under the sycamore. <3 this.

snapshots

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:42:00 +0000

We're out of town making more memories but I wanted to post some Christmas Eve and Day memories before it was too weird to still do so. :) I told my husband that it felt more like Christmas in the Carolinas than Michigan this year, so warm and sunny and green it was. Which was JUST FINE by me!!!

Our celebration of Christ's birth was laid-back, quiet and joyful,

our hearts truly bursting with thankfulness to Him.

My grandma's Lemon Fluff is a much-anticipated holiday tradition.

No more waiting!

Squeal, a gift in the mail is always a special treat! An Amazima necklace from my cousin. Love, love, L.O.V.E. it!

Too many treats.
{I smell sugar detox in the air.}

A gift for he and I.

When these cracked me up at the antique mall, I knew they'd found a home with us.

Yikes. I know, embarrassing, huh? SOMEbody was enjoying the candles too much to blow them out and turned her head to make the morning's monkey bread and had a near disastrous fire. It's all good. Just another memory to chuckle over. {I am sick about marring Caleb Voskamp's fine craftsmanship, though! Cringe.}

Making neighbor gifts.

The idea courtesy of Pinterest and Bakerella.

This is my 2am, Christmas Eve photo. Katy Kitty FINALLY finished! {Huge sigh of relief.} Isn't she cute?

Bird bean bags also courtesy of Pinterest and, loosely, here.

Silly boy courtesy of his father.

Packing up and heading out to revel in the good gift of memories in the making.

Waterpark+family+fast slides=unforgettable glee=gift.

I pray your Christmas was overflowing with the sweetness of Christ.

Love,

Megan

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

James 1:17

love to you on the eve of it all

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:22:00 +0000

"By the tender mercy of our God,

the dawn from on high will break upon us,

to give light to those who sit in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Luke 1:78-79

I send you all the love these black and white letters can hold, my friends.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

7 days and counting

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:56:00 +0000

Our home joins yours in the counting down with good cheer.

"O come, O come, Emmanuel!"

*all vintage Christmas card images found here

Links for 2011-12-16 [del.icio.us]

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:00:00 PST

need some fun gift tags???
CHEERY free printable gift tags @orange you lucky. just copied them to my desktop and sent them off to be printed at the officemax around the corner. truly less expensive than using all that printer ink.
snowhearts
utterly lovely cookies to make @posie gets cozy. i'd love to receive a plate of alicia's pretty chocolate sugar cookies.
diy: monogram mugs
@design mom. cool mugs....great gift idea.
give water and a giveaway
meg@whatever's shedding light on a way we can share the love of Christ this season. 100% of monies given go towards FRESH WATER wells. and the giveaway of "meg's favorite things"? well, it's what i would like to give all of you, too!

nifty thrifty wrapping

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:27:00 +0000

Much of my creativity is born of necessity to be so. Does that make sense? For me, making things pretty on a very, very limited budget means I have to either use what I have on hand or dig up what I need from thrift stores or discounted somewhere. It takes more time and thought but is a good thing in the long run. While I LOVE all the colorful and cute wrapping paper from Target and World Market this year, I knew I could find something cute for less $ somewhere. Also, I wanted to do something different than the brown kraft paper I usually use.

You can imagine my glee {can't you?} when I found this faux woodgrain contact paper at the thrift store yesterday. $ .50 total for both rolls. That's $ .50 wrapping paper! CUTE $ .50 wrapping paper, at that! And, it's already sticky.....bonus!

Also, I discovered that white, ruffled coffee filters from the nearby dollar store make great wrapping for stocking stuffers, ornaments, any little thing. Woot-woot.

hi-ho, hi-ho.....

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 04:18:00 +0000

My Saturdays lately have looked like this.......

Out the door early, Starbucks, over the river and through the city, down the florist's basement steps, schlep boxes, schelp arrangements, schlep tool kits out to the trucks, up and down the steps over and over, drive, drive, drive, heave-ho flowers into the church, part of a team of busy bees, everyone with their own duties to perform, mine is to fluff up the big arrangements, add in roses, add in hydrangea, shine up the leaves, all perfect?, clean up, pack up, drive, lunch!, drive, hoof the water-logged beauties into the reception, elevators, loading docks, add in sticks, add in orchids, add in lilies, place on tables, balance the hanging candles, everything perfect?, clean up, pack up, drive, drive, drive, unload, drive home, "Hey Kiddos!", phew.

Can I whisper something I found sad about this wedding? It was beautiful and I'm not judging here but their flowers cost $6,000 MORE than my entire wedding cost. {Cringe.}

One of the best things about this floral work is getting to see inside all the churches around town. This church below is perfect for a Christmas wedding with its red velvet seat cushions and carpet and the light pouring in all colored through the Tiffany windows.

My floral work photos are always taken on the fly (rush, rush) so that's my excuse why they're always dark and blurry!

And, sometimes working for the florist means decorating other people's homes for Christmas like this amazing home we trim out every year.

I literally risked my life to decorate the tippy-top of that tree. Dangling dangerously over the balcony edge!!!!

The boss lady is a foodie and knows that I am, too, so when we had a gap in between the ceremony and reception last Saturday, she brought us to this new fresh pasta shop on the way back to her house. Ohhh, it smelled so good in there. The owner man was rolling out noodles and chatting with the customers. I bought the Smoked Blue Cheese and Black Walnut noodles. :)

The window brought me right back to Italy, where my hubbie and I were blessed to travel through back in 2000. I couldn't eat pasta with pesto for a loooong time after that trip. TOO much pesto! :)

And, speaking of that Italy trip, a favored memory is of my man making me fresh-squeezed lemonade in the mornings....the juicy lemon plucked right from the tree in the courtyard that the little old lady swept every day. So, this Saturday after work, after play, after getting the kids into bed, he and I enjoyed a late meal of that pasta with tall glasses of fresh lemonade and ice.

Bliss.

Now, no more working until New Year's Eve. "What??!!," you say. Yes, someone is getting married ON New Year's Eve.

Not that we ever do anything anyways.

'Cuz we don't.

We're party people like that.

time well spent

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Out and about in the crisp air last week. The field and woods behind our house. A beautiful sunny, snowless December day.

The kids are out there all the time but it's a sad but true fact that, sometimes, this Mommy has to purposefully make time to enjoy creation with them amongst her everyday duties. The things she thinks are "so important" to get done. It's too easy to think that getting the laundry folded or this or that done is more important than hiking outside with the kids for an hour. And it's S.O. not!

What a gorgeous day! What an amazing Creator!

Oliver was over-the-moon excited about the discovery of this nest stockpiled with berries. :)

He continues to open my eyes to what His love is for me. I continue to list out my thanks.....
#1,206 - 1,226

crunchy brown grasses, brown bark, bright red berries, brilliant blue sky
books upon books, satisfying and feeding our curiosity
documentaries that do the same and grip my heart, the human story
melty marshmallows
freshly shorn boys
opportunities to work
opportunities to serve You
camera's lens to capture moments
my good fresh-lemonade-making man
Advent-waiting
lights twinkling
my limits recognized, handing over control
fresh food in the fridge
the surprise of amazingly kind words
friends that love well
sympathy given
anticipation
a newly cozy basement and the faint smell of woodsmoke
grace, grace, Your grace

days to remember

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:18:00 +0000

This is the first year in forever that we didn't get our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. That was because I was hard at work getting those cupboards painted before the bloggy home tour. Nothing like a firm deadline to get me going. I shouldn't need that but it's shamefully true, I work best under pressure!

Anyways, we headed out to our favorite tree farm Sunday after church with my in-laws. In spite of the misty rain and the deep mud, it was as captivating as usual. The scent of all those pines, the fire for roasting marshmallows, the scalding hot chocolate in styrofoam cups, and, of course, the search for T.H.E. tree.

What a good man I have who, every year, patiently indulges my tree search. "Yes, that one's nice but could we go check out those ones in the field way over there?" Because you never know if there's a cuter tree just around the corner!

We finally settled upon this one, perky and petite, and Daddy let Oliver try his hand with the saw.

It's our tradition. Something the kids can remember in years to come. "Remember how we always would get our tree right after Thanksgiving and the hot chocolate would burn our tongues and Mom would take forever to decide on which one and Dad would carry the tree on his back?"

These are the days to remember.

home made lovely

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Please come over and visit with me here today. I wish you could come to my home for real. I'd make strong coffee and buttery baked goods and we could snuggle into the couch and chitchat. BUT, since that may not be possible, won't you visit with me over at Heather's Life Made Lovely?

It's a whole home tour, part of Heather's Home Made Lovely series, and you'll get to see what all my crazed rearranging, remaking, redecorating and remodeling has been about....i.e. kitchen reveal.

Here's the tiniest teaser......

goodbye, old friend

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:38:00 +0000

In memory of our beloved Gatsby.

We'll be ever thankful to You, Lord, for the 13 years of his unconditional love and companionship that You gave.

Never was there a sweeter dog.
He was our baby before our babies.

We're going to miss his pleading eyes, his gentle spirit, his soft ears, his happy tail, his "welcome home" greetings, his listening ear and just simply, his presence.

You were a good one, big fella.
Love you.

Thanksgiving thanks

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 03:18:00 +0000

Did you have a lovely Thanksgiving?
We did. Thanks was given. A day of food and family and knitting. I'm not sure why her face is so sour but she had a good day, too. She didn't want to leave her cousins' house.

Do you know one of the things I love, love about Thanksgiving? Gravy. Turkey gravy. That once-a-year joy of joys covering my plate. Mmmmm.

I'm going to just cut to the chase and jump right into my never-ending gratitude list.

#1,183 - 1,205

"They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness."

Psalm 145:7

drumstick chomping boy

thick & cozy socks

visiting parents

pecans & chocolate

chunky yarn, quick knitting

still warm(ish) outside

Your sun pouring through the windows, striped light

firstborn engrossed

little one's morning cheeriness

him warming up leftovers

late night sustenance for late night projects

paint on my skin.....progress

music from my phone coming with everywhere, worship close by....a reminder

ability and availability to help out the needy florist during a panicky emergency for her

plans change but never for You, Lord

You go before.......always

Your whisper, grace to heed

You reminding that their pleas are fleeting

cinnamon's fragrance in our noses

a quiet day

a toasty home

real things made

Advent.....starting the glorious countdown

Yes, He is a good God.

hello & hosanna {free printable}

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:21:00 +0000

Good day to you.
I don't know about where you are but it's gloriously sunny here today. Very cold but shining bright. Gorgeous! Rays of sunlight pouring onto the walls and floors makes me supremely happy! Thank You, Lord!

I'm just popping in here for a quick hello. Quick because I've just finished school with the kids and am now off to continue the seemingly never-ending work of painting my kitchen {among all the other crafty and daily living things swirling about here).

You know of my love of this song, right? I do believe I've mentioned it many, {many} times before. I've got it goin' in the background right now.

Well, I wanted to be reminded of the words {SUCH a visual girl, I am!!!) and thus made a printable that I wanted to share with y'all. So, here it is.

*Download the print here.*

{*Note: DON'T click in the box with the cd-looking thing, that's an ad. Scroll down just a little bit and ONLY click in the blue box that says, "Start download now from Sendspace".}

I hope your day is lovely and light-filled,

Megan

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said,

"I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life."

John 8:12

HE's my home

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:44:00 +0000

The florist I work for sometimes called me from her vacation out of state yesterday with a frantic request,

"Hello? Oh, hi, Beth. What? You need me to come in to make an arrangement for a funeral? For your best client, huh? I think I can work that out. You're welcome."

Drive, drive, drive.....20 minutes through downtown and over to the east side of town.

Where I grew up.

Well, we moved there from another state when I was 10 but it's the place I think of as my "hometown".

Flowers, done. "Yep, I'd like to receive that."

"Oh, boy....since I'm over here already, I can go get my favorite bruschetta from my favorite take-out place for dinner! Wahoo!!"

"You know what, my little hometown is really cute. Idyllic even. The lake setting and all. It's really changed a lot in the past few years. So many great restaurants! And, sniff, I sure do miss my grocery store and my library overlooking the sailboats."

"Mmmmmmmm, it smells soooo good in here." Salivating.

"Maybe I'l drive by the house I grew up in."

"Wow, it looks and feels SO different with that big maple tree missing from the front yard."

"Heehee, how I loved to climb out my window onto the roof of the garage and stare up at the stars."

"Now I'll just zip by my first home.....the one he and I bought when we were newlyweds, the one we brought our newborn boys home to." Memories so sweet.

"Why in the world they tore down our white picket fence and ripped out the landscaping is beyond me. And, whoa.....our one-year anniversary gift, that birch tree, is HUGE now!"

And on the winding way back home, my thoughts turned to prayer....

"Lord, although it was seemingly idyllic over there in my little hometown, I know the truth is it was simply a shiny veneer like everywhere else. I'm so thankful for where You've brought us, for how You've grown us like that tree. I'm grateful for where you have us n.o.w. Home is truly wherever You are."

P.S. Look at these cute little felt houses to make that I found via Heather's blog. Aren't they adorable all lit up with their little LED votives inside? Here's the blog post with tutorial.

{book love}: a couple colorful ones

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:31:00 +0000

Sharing picture books that have put smiles on our faces!

Because....who doesn't love picture books??!

This book, The Chicken-Chasing Queen of Lamar County by Janice Harrington and illustrated by Shelley Jackson, had me at "Hello". A grandmother's farm and chickens! Those mixed media illustrations.....oh, my! Fabric, graph paper, paint, and is that a doily I see?!

The first-person storytelling is smart and sassy,
"I always do three things, eat breakfast, tell stories to Big Mama, and--when Big Mama isn't looking--chase chickens!"
"The chickens watch me, and I watch them. I think all kinds of chicken thoughts so they will not know I am up to something... Worms, slurms, swishy-mishy, ickly-tickly worms!"

The kids thoroughly enjoyed the story and studying the artist's techniques but, honestly, probably not half as much as I did! I love this book. It's one of those library books that I go on to purchase to enjoy again and again.

And another book that tickled our fancy was this one, Apples to Oregon by Deborah Hopkinson and Nancy Carpenter. The crazy long subtitle sums it up nicely, "Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (and Children) Across the Plains".

Most any story that I can read aloud with a Western twang is a good one in my book. :) The story centers on a little girl named Delicious and her apple-loving Daddy who fancies to take his family and their entire orchard over the wild frontier to Oregon.

The cheerful illustrations and lively language amuse right from the start, even if Good Ole Daddy is a mite bit overly-obsessed with his fruit. This fun tall tale had us grinnin' ear to ear.

My quick visit to the library today had me limping out to the car, my bagful of books bruising my leg. I've said it before but I must say again, I'm SO very thankful for the library! Have you read anything smart and sassy and colorful lately?

knitting, painting, rising, listening, and thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:20:00 +0000

After another Saturday spent doing this,

it felt all-the-more blissful to put my feet up last night and attempt this,

my annual, this-is-the-year-I-learn-to-knit attempt. Although I long to have a real-life person teach me how to knit (a-hem all you knitters out there), I'm resigned to learning via video until a human shows up. So, thanks to Pinterest, I found these simple videos and I actually, unbelievably made great progress on what apparently will be a scarf, simply knitted, no purling, no anything fancy, no pattern.....just, knit, knit, and knit again. So soothing. I had to be pried off my in-law's couch when it was time to go. "Just one more row?!"

And then when we got home and got the kids tucked into their beds, I f.e.l.l. into our bed and it was only 9:00! Yes, I went to bed at 9:00 last night and you know what? I'm feeling GREAT this morning. Recently, I had fallen off my rising-early-train but know I remember how calming and perfectly wonderful it is to be up in the wee hours of the morning in the quiet, just me and God, my cup of coffee (with the peppermint-mocha creamer that turned out to actually be good), every candle lit and did I say, quiet? This early-to-bed, early-to-rise thing really is the way to go for me at this stage of my life. I don't know why I trick myself into thinking I need to get things done in the evening. Thanks for the gentle reminder, Lord!

And, I'm thankful for so much more today......

#1,169 - 1,182

what He showed her, what He's teaching me, achingly painful but needed

feeling useless and helpless but knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that He will guide

"For You are my rock and my fortress; and for Your name’s sake You lead me and guide me;" Psalm 31:3

wisdom and a reminder from Him through her over here including this quote that strikes at my heart,

“On every level of life, from housework to heights of prayer, in all judgement and effort to get things done, hurry and impatience are sure marks of the amateur.”-Underhill

piping hot coffee, steam rising up
the satisfaction of progress made and a job accomplished
flock of geese, wind rushing through wings, honking on their way
chickens roosting, snuggled together for warmth
little boy haircut, a clear path to his hazel browns again
her baby teeth, "Lucy, you may NOT lose any of those teeth....ever."
books to read, hands to knit, mouth to taste, and the my prayer, "Lord, may I not be too comfortable in my comfort."
assured in His promise...He will show me how to love like He's loved me....(this song running on autoplay in my head)

May you have eyes to see His grace in your life today, my friend.

Megan

instagram friday

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:36:00 +0000

*our first snow*

just a powdered sugar dusting of it.

i have to admit, it was beautiful.

*little hands embroidering*

trying.so.hard.

*not one but two lovely little surprises in my actual mailbox this week*

like sunshine on a rainy day.

*what's kept me chugging along*

making room for a new addition to our home.

thank you, craigslist.

firstborn perfecting his DoReMi.

*decided the entire room needed a makeover*

painted.

using what i have.

digging through the vintage linen stashes.

unearthing treasures from the basement.

will be at it through the weekend.

and now, friday, working for the florist.
then,

reading and welling up.

cooking.

baking.

playing.

rest.

“My presence will go with you,
and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14

He goes with, friend.
Megan

{remake} pillows on a budget

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:02:00 +0000

A good friend of mine recently replaced her tired couches with new neutral ones. She asked me for advice on pillows, as in, how to get cute ones without breaking the bank. {Her style is very warm, very Pottery Barn.)

I told her, "Do you know what I do? Where I find fabric for super cheap? The thrift store. Think of it, all those clothes are made of fabric (duh)! You go pick out a bunch of fabric you like and I'll make the pillows for you."

She did that (all from Goodwill, I think), dropped off to me the clothes and the pillow forms, reusing the loose pillows that came with the couches and 2 small new ones. Besides shirts and a sweater, she also brought me a couple of dishtowels from Target and those (the linen+red ones) turned out so cute.

Gustily, I chopped up the clothes, wonkily sewed them back together, and, voila, new pillows on the cheap! I hope she doesn't mind the artistic liberties I took. I know she adores all things British, thus the Union Jack pillow. Here's a peek for you (and her) (on my couch in my living room which is undergoing it's own "remake" right now) Hope you like 'em, Jen!

on my heart

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:27:00 +0000

Hey there. I pray this finds you well! Ready for another week?

So, I'm going to be engrossed in the Compassion trip to Ecuador this week. Engrossed, absorbed, immersed, consumed, obsessed....all those thesaurus words that mean "to hold one's attention". When Ann was in Guatemala and she and the other bloggers wrote and posted photos, my heart cracked and I padded around my house with a heaviness all week (and beyond). Though it was best kind of heaviness. The kind that "breaks my heart for what breaks His". The kind that spurs one on to action. I'm excited to open my eyes, heart, and ears to what God has for me to learn this time.....for how He'll surely show me how to use my burning, aching-to-go for His purposes.

(concert was this)

Friday night, 72 lives were changed through Compassion sponsorships. 72 kids who will taste and see the love of Christ at work. The best thing about advocating for Compassion at events like this is watching the people carefully consider which child to pick as they pore over the photos of waiting kids. One lady said, "Just hand me one without looking. It's like picking out my child. I don't love one more than the other. The one you hand me is the one I'm supposed to have!" Other people search for certain birthdays, someone wants a little girl from Haiti, another, a boy from Kenya who is a "priority", which means he's been waiting more than 9 months for a sponsor. The hardest thing about volunteering? All those faces, all those kids waiting and wanting to sponsor each and every one of them. I dare you to take a look and not feel the same way.

Sigh. It's late and I really want to be up early tomorrow, so I'll leave it at that tonight.
Much love, M

2 to bake {printable recipe}

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 05:46:00 +0000

Although I do a lot of baking even in the dog days of summer, the oven really gets busy when the days turn cooler. I can't remember the last time I made lasagna but this version had me wondering why I don't make it more often. My lasagna of choice would normally be vegetable (eggplant, yummm) but I thought I'd give meat a try (which the rest of the family prefers). Now, I don't eat beef but I do eat turkey so I called this, Lasagna with Mini Turkey Meatballs.

Hmmm, it looks a little yuck in that picture but it was goood. I know it isn't very tall but it certainly was tasty and a huge hit for two reasons, I think: smoked mozzerella & tender meatballs.
Sorry but I'm not going to type out a recipe for you because I didn't use one and I'm too ~~lazy~~ tired to think up measurements. It was pretty much your average lasagna recipe but with meatballs (duh) and smoked mozzerella instead of regular.

So, the meatballs were made of ground turkey, a LOT of chopped sweet onion, 3 HUGE cloves of fresh garlic (pressed), chives, a bit of fresh sourdough breadcrumbs, sea salt, smoked paprika (very important, have come to rely on it heavily in my cooking, love, love), a bit of shredded parmesan, and an egg. Sauteed them in a pan with olive oil until brown on all sides and just cooked through.

Then layered everything up like regular lasagna. By the way, I never precook my noodles, I only ever use the Barilla No-Cook kind and have never had any problem with them. You just need to make sure there's plenty of liquid in the pan for those noodles to soak up.

Late that evening, the girlie and I made Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins which the kids love. I love that helper girl!

I made up a little recipe card for you to print if you'd like to try them. Just click on the image and right-click/control-click to save to your computer and print.

Enjoy!

road trip {instagram}

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:56:00 +0000

We were away last, you know, and as usual, we stopped in the beach town on the way to get our treats, Mommy's favorite mocha and the kid's favorite bakery. I've spoken of it before but I must once again profess my love of old-timey, small town, family-owned and run bakeries. If I come to your town, sniffing out your local bakeries will be high on my list of things to do. Is it weird do you think, that when planning a trip, one of the first things I do is look up all the bakeries online? When Hubby and I had to go to Las Vegas, I had my bakery map with, yep, I did.

Whenever we visit Papa & Mormor (as the kids call my parents), we hit our favorite parks and the coffee shop and eateries in town. It's so lovely there....having a thriving, old-fashioned yet modern little town on a river within walking distance. Something I miss in my area...being able to walk to a town center.

Visiting public farms is always also on our list. This one was a working farm......meaning there were animals for us to pet.....woo-hoo!

Oh, Black-Faced Lambie, how I love you. Even though your eyes do freak me out a little.

But, you, Mr. Biggest Hog EVER, you took the cake with your snoring, sleepy smiling face. Sorry that you heard us talking about how much bacon you'd make.

Mrs. Jersey Cow, I wanted to take you home with me. You were such a sweetheart. And you'd make the BEST butter for us!

We also discovered a new-to-us peaceful nature preserve with winding trails that lead to the Fox River and back. Beautiful.

Does anyone know what these blue berries are?

Do you know what I know? When these kids are grown, I'm going to treasure these photos of our days just as I treasure the days themselves now. Precious reminders, they are.

saturday thanks and a {free printable}

noreply@blogger.com (contentedsparrow) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:54:00 +0000

sheepish grin.
sorry this place has been quiet for the week.
after being away, i've been playing catch-up around here, unpacking, doing laundry.
and resting.

honestly, i'm feeling a bit sapped and quite pensive after that much-anticipated trip.
it was the loveliest of visits in which i was able to connect with two friends. one brand new, a bright-eyed, creative, Christ-following cutie. and one old {friendship, that is}, a soulful, Spirit-led, huge-hearted & monumentally-loving beauty. meals and conversation and laughter and ideas and prayer shared with both. what a GIFT that was! truly, God is overwhelmingly good to me.

while driving, i scribbled lyrics down on my hand that i didn't want to forget. truth that i want to grab hold of and let sink deep down in.....

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;

Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—

Truths unchanged from the dawn of time

That will echo down through eternity.

And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,

And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.

-Getty - from Speak, O Lord

whatever His plans for us, i know this.....they are good.

and i do give thanks today.
going against the grain and adding onto my list on a saturday, oooo, shocking. but every day is made for thanks, yes?
#1,159 - 1,168
parents that welcome our rowdy bunch with love
her humility, her heart, her generosity, her
her ears for God, her creative hands, her smile, her
by the way, Lord, these 3 women are gifts, too
really, Lord, you've placed so many women who love You in my life, thanks
sunshine and puffy clouds through the windshield
CPK thai chicken pizza, oh my
home and his bear hugs
your whispers about contentment
craving You

and because i'm thankful for y'all, i created my first freebie printable with one of my favorite verses! woo-hoo!

so, here's the technical stuff. instead of clicking on the image above click down below and that will download the version suitable for printing. save it to your computer and send it off to your favorite printer for a shiny, colorful reminder of how our soul longs for God. i usually just have my things printed at a nearby OfficeMax onto cover stock for something like $ .64. :) i'm obviously new to this printable game thing but i think i'm supposed to say, personal use only please.

just click here to download*
{*note: don't click in the box with the cd-looking thing, that's an ad. scroll down just a little bit and ONLY click in the blue box that says, "start download now from sendspace".}

have a lovely weekend,

megan

And because this was really a Monday-ish post for me, I'm linking up with my Monday friends.....