Making it [life] count

Everything new blossoms in summer; we renew old aspirations, embrace new ideas and hobbies, and try to make room for what's coming -- which for us, in Florida, pretty much consists of sweaty walks to the farmer's market, afternoon rain storms, and travel plans. I have an ever growing TBR list and Aaron's fiddling with the mandolin; we are experimenting with fun new cocktail drinks and summer pasta salads. Despite the heat, I want summer to be a time for exploration and returning to a place of peace and curiosity. 

I find myself caught between two (strong) emotions: fear of plunging into the unknown -- which truly is just around the corner -- and excitement for all of the changes and growth, particularly entrepreneurial growth. When I was dreaming up my freelance business last year, I knew there was so much to learn and do. It's overwhelming at times, but I'm learning to stop and appreciate each little moment as it comes, no matter how terrifying it can seem at first. I still feel like a middle schooler with a serious crush when I get editing inquiries: nervous butterflies in the best way. And when it all feels like too much, I stop, take a deep breath, and remember to cry out, God, come get me. 

On my mental health journey these past few months, I finally discovered a name for one of the monsters I've been battling: Anxiety. The anxiety I struggle with reveals so much about my heart. I understand my need for emotional boundaries to protect my own health and Aaron's health, and my need to stop grasping after this illusion of control. There's still a lot I need to dive into on this road to healing and freedom, and unfortunately, naming my anxiety doesn't make it go away. Some days I'm convinced I have all the answers I'll ever need, and other days I'm slapped in the face with the reality that my mental health story isn't about finding solutions as much as it is about going through the process and grieving or dealing with certain things along the way; my journey has more to do with allowing myself to sit in this space and becoming self-aware. 

If I had known I would be thinking this way or writing these words about "healing" and "self-actualization" a few months ago, I probably would have responded with cynicism. It's not that I necessarily bought into the negative stigma of mental illness, but I can be very self-critical and, admittedly, it all seemed kind of hoax-y on the surface.  I think that's partly why God put us where we are now, in Orlando, surrounded by all of these awesome RTS students and counselors. The things I've learned from people here -- about myself, family, and community -- are things I will never forget.

That said, right now, I'm in the business of making life count. I'm tired of anxiety owning me, of fearing what's around the corner. Sure, a lot of what I feel on a day to day basis is a healthy dose of nervousness mixed with excitement and feeling my way through the dark; but it's time to start enjoying moments in life. I don't want to be absent all the time because I'm consumed with work or thoughts about the future. So here's what I plan to focus on this summer -- a challenge, really -- to be present and generally enjoy life more:

Reading (Together): I already mentioned my personal TBR list is growing, but what I'm most excited about as a reader is the nerdiness of reading with Aaron. Gah. I know, it's so geeky, but I don't care. We decided to tackle a series together, and I'm going to go ahead and say it: It's probably going to be The Lord of the Rings. Go ahead and judge me, but Aaron reading to me? It's dreamy, folks. DREAMY. I'm so looking forward to putting our phones away and getting lost in a good book together. We're already such an old couple; the next thing you know, I'll be telling you we like to play board games together (I mean . . .  because we totally don't like board games or anything. . . . ahem.)

Limiting screen-time: This goal totally ties in to the first on my list, but I am convinced that getting away from the computer, phone, and T.V. screens will help me to be present, especially in the evenings. When I am intentional about this, it totally frees up my time for reading, cooking, or spending quality time with A or friends. It's so hard to get me away from the screen, but once I unplug, it feels amazing. I already deactivated my Facebook and guess what? It helped me take that busy feeling down a notch. 

Repeating my new biz motto: Lately, my biggest temptation to be absent throughout my day/evenings is being consumed or overwhelmed by client-relationships and freelance projects. I'm constantly learning and there's always more I feel like I should be doing. That anxiety perpetuates, and I've realized I don't actually relax, even when I think I'm relaxing, because my mind is elsewhere. If I want to have a healthy work and life balance, this has to end. For me, the best approach to nip this in the bud is to adopt confidence and genuine enthusiasm for new editing projects. 

Most of you know I live in Winter Park, home of the beloved Rifle Paper Company. I watched a talk on Creative Mornings featuring Anna Rifle Bond, the creative director and co-owner of Rifle, on how the husband-and-wife duo started their stationary business. Something she said really resonated with me: They never said no to an opportunity. "One of Nathan's biggest things is never say that we're not ready," she said. Anna admitted that this motto often put them in tricky situations, but that ultimately it was worth it. 

Rather than freaking out about new things in my own business, I find myself repeating something Aaron said to me lately: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." I want to leave the work anxiety behind and remember that there's no harm in striving after something, even if you fail. In a similar vein, when confronted with challenges in my personal life, my counselor recently reminded me of a quote by G.K. Chesterton: "Anything worth doing is worth doing badly." Now, I can't completely translate this particular advice to my professional life because I do want to uphold a standard of excellence as a freelancer, but Aaron's sentiment of what do you have to lose? is a push toward optimism and chasing worthwhile efforts.If it matters to me, it's worth pursuing. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take!

Drink coffee with two hands: One of my favorite bloggers (who happens to be a fabulous foster mama) recently directed me toward another blogger's challenge to "drink coffee with two hands." The idea is simple: when we drink coffee with two hands, we slow down and savor the moment more. (Just another reason why coffee saves lives here, people.) We reflect; we take the time to talk and think about what's going on around us. What a wonderful challenge to be intentional in the every day, small moments!

Making the Dream: Sarah of 'Les Petites Mains'

all photos via Sarah from Les petites mains

It's been a while, but I am finally featuring another talented creator who is "making the dream." This drawn out series started with a desire to explore the histories and goals of those who are making their dreams through handmade goods and crafts. I became interested in seeking out artisans, creative entrepreneurs,and makers -- all to share more about their creative process and to inspire other aspiring makers.

One thing I've learned during this new series is that makers and creative small biz owners are busy, busy, busy . . . and that makes it really difficult to put the spotlight on them; they are always behind the scenes, creating. I love capturing different artisans fulfilling their creative, imaginative goals! 

I discovered Sarah's Etsy shop, "Les petites mains" while living in Houston -- where I was a professional day dreamer. :) I was beginning to learn how to sew, and I was fascinated by the handmade dolls niche and the detail that went into every creation. Because so many goods are manufactured in today's modern world, people tend to take many things for granted, especially products like dolls and toys. That's why I wanted to bring light to Sarah's shop. 

On her About page, Sarah mentions that her shop started with a desire to "slow the world we are living in." She needed to rediscover the pleasure of working with her hands at her own pace. Sarah has a passion for textiles and loves diving in to the richness and authenticity of colorful fabrics. "I decided to create beautiful, poetic objects for adults and children, to make them dream, play, and use their imagination," she writes.

It was a pleasure to tap into Sarah's creative process and learn more about how her business started. I'm humbled that she took the time to answer some of my questions; Sarah is French, so she really went the distance to make this happen. :) Thanks, Sarah! So, without further ado: Meet Sarah of Les petites mains!

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1. How did you develop an interest in doll making, and how did your business come about?

I’ve always sewn; my mother started me at a young age. I think it really started when my cousin had her baby, a little boy named Paco.  He was one of the first babies around me and I wanted to spoil him. I’ve looked around on the Internet and saw the creativity and the craze around handmade toys. It fascinated me.  The little girl in me got me into making dolls, one [process] that I would have liked as a kid but with my new vision as a young woman. I loved the format, as I have a small workshop and a real obsession with fabrics; I keep a lot of them without being able to stop! I search for the prettiest, the softest, the richest…so dolls are ideal because I can use a whole variety without even doing the same thing twice.  

2. On your Etsy page you mention your passion for textiles: the fabrics, colors, softness, authenticity, richness…. Can you tell us a little more about that? Where do you draw your inspiration behind your materials and creations?

Here again, I believe my mom has a lot to do with it. When we go out together, we don’t shop for clothes, but for textiles…. I have been raised to touch, admire and appreciate the richest textiles, the natural fibers.  In my professional life, I am a make-up artist, so you can see that in all aspects of my life, the harmony of colors and textures are essential to me.

My inspiration comes from the textile itself, the ribbons or other materials that I find. I mix them up; I get creative. I do look at blogs and pictures of children’s fashion. Certain details, a cut, or even some accessories on my dolls inspire me.

3. Can you talk a little bit about your creative process and your workspace? What is a typical day like for you?

There was a time when I only did the bodies of the dolls: I trace, cut, sew, and pad them all. This period isn’t the most creative and can be a little bit repetitive, but it lets me imagine and draw what I will do next.  I draw a lot, some quick sketches. I often imagine some series of 4 to 5 dolls who will work well together, in harmony under some theme, like a season, a color, or a motif.  And then comes the time when I give them a color, a style and a soul! I like to think that I’m making a gift for a special person everytime.

My workplace is very small, in my own home, so I need to be very organised and clean. I am lucky to have very good natural light throughout the day, which is essential for my morale and for the pictures after the whole process J. I accumulate a lot of cute baskets, pincushions, and some small vintage luggages. I take a lot of time to make my workshop pretty and a nice place to live.

An ideal day for me is a day when I have nothing else to do except sew and create. It’s a luxury when this happens, when I have some time on my hands and I can create. I feel like everything is possible.

Another thing I appreciate is that I work alone, which is for me another luxury. I can choose what I create; I can start doing some blankets if I want to, than go back to my dolls. For example, these days, I do a lot of small dolls because I have tons of ideas for this format, but I will get back to the other size later. I have so many ideas; there is not limit! 

4. What are some of the rewards and challenges of owning your own shop?

I believe that I am very lucky to own my shop. I can sell my creations and deliver some love for unique objects, handmade toys, all over the world.

We are drowning in industrial objects, without any soul, and they are all looking alike and made in questionable industries.  Even though we know all of this, we have to remember the good sides of technology, like the Internet, and how it allows people to choose some handmade products, all over the world! I feel like an old lady saying this, but none the less, it’s magic! In a past not so far behind, this wasn’t possible!

We could imagine that selling on the Internet is a little bit sterile and lacking in human contact, but I am very surprised to see the support and the gratification that I receive from my clients.  I think that the fact that my dolls are handmade automatically brings that closeness, even on the Internet.

Of course, there are some challenges: fixing prices, managing my expenses, being organised, thinking of all the aspects of my business. My biggest challenge would be finding the time, because handmade is time consuming, so you have to love what you are doing without counting the time that you put into it, like we do in these modern days! 

5. Any advice for aspiring business owners or anyone interested in selling their handmade creations?

Me, I really wanted to have everything perfect before opening my business, I wanted to control and anticipate everything.  It’s a good thing to be a perfectionnist and be well organised but with this experience, what I have learned it that you need to be accept freedom and creativity and you can’t control it. You need to have some freedom to create and sometimes, it takes a different way than what you were planning. It’s fun to see yourself grow.  There is risk when you create objects : you tend to start thinking like a businessman. We want to be profitable, efficient, strategic… It’s our world today who impose that stress on us and it’s important to stay focus on the essential : having fun while making something, on our own rythm. That’s what handmade is : the fun, slow and quality process which is impose by our hands J. That does not mean giving away our creations. If we want to offer quality materials, quality work and respect our time schedule, the prices need to be proportional.  

One last thing, it’s true that you need a good dose of passion to put all these hours creating, but you need to take some time to go out, take a break, and close the door to the workshop so you can come back later. If you don’t, there is a chance that you can lose the passion and that is exhausting! It all depends on your personality. When you know your limits, you need to work around it and it’s like that around your life! It’s a balancing act!

6. What do you want people to ultimately take away from your beautiful dolls and unique process?

I do hope that my dolls are like a personal therapy against stress and the urgency of our world. Every doll I make requires some time and meticulousness, and it reminds me that I need to take things slow. I remind myself every time that the doll is not for me and it will be received or given to a person somewhere in the world and I find myself lucky to have that chance. I put in some extra care so that it shows in my final product; and I send some joy, some beauty and a whole lot of imagination. It’s an exchange between the maker and the receiver, a wonderful exchange! 

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Et Voila! Thank you again, Sarah, for your dedication to the craft and for sharing your dreams with us! Friends, hop on over to Les petites mains and fall in love.

The Gap by Ira Glass -- And Why I Can't Doubt Myself

Currently? I am resurfacing --feeling my way through the night and finding my grip. I am hiding, or perhaps knocked off my feet, waiting for the sun to rise, and I know it will. When it does, I will surprise myself and take a breath because I am waiting at the edge of something beautiful. This is a growing season -- a learning season. I take it all in, along with the insecurities and the doubts, and I am ready to create. So far, this year is exhausting because I am desperately trying to cling to what I know and expand those walls a little more. Learning something can be both exciting and disheartening, especially if you are relentless at making what you are learning your identity. I'm trying to find the boundaries here. I'm ready to hold my ground and take in this view, because I have climbed and fallen. It's time to trudge on, to move forward. In need of inspiration, these words from Ira Glass found me at the perfect time. I hope they encourage you as well.

Happy Monday. xo

The Stampede of Resolutions

Our lovely neighborhood

I hope your Christmas was merry + bright <3. The Turbevilles had a full December dressed in travel and Christmas cheer with loved ones. It was hard to say goodbye to our loves, but I am gearing up for 2014 in the nerdiest ways possible. To be honest, I was never a "resolutions" kind of gal, but over the years -- and I blame this on my goal-driven hubby -- I've come to embrace the tradition, acknowledging that short-term and long-term goals can be very good. Actually, I feel that 2014 is "my year" in a lot of ways (who am I?) and I have to check myself to make sure I don't get carried away. It's easy to consume thoughts of the New Year + new beginnings, putting more important and present things on the back burner. In that sense, I need to tread lightly, but honestly, I feel ready to run like my girl Katniss Everdeen... except out of giddiness and not terror? Here's to another failed Hunger Games reference. 

Anyway, I was hesitant to say my resolutions or even write them down, because they are all so monumentally huge. I didn't want to be the goon who resolves to 1,000 dramatic life-change commitments and then goes on a Pinterest-killing spree, but guess what? I felt like the biggest sucker of them all. But once I defined my goals and charted my course to accomplish them, (really, who am I?) I realized that while my goals are big, they are not lofty; my resolutions are measurable and realistic. In fact, I feel like they are necessary somehow, as if I had no choice in the matter because life throws you some winding roads now and then. Rather than dragging my feet to dig up some goals, I am welcoming a stampede of changes that will be here come hell or high water. My motivations are merging with life's obstacles and opportunities, and I can either move pitifully to barely keep afloat or say "cheers!" and ride the waves. 

One of my reluctantly made (short-term) goals is to complete Whole30 -- a "short-term nutritional reset program" designed to help you restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, calm systemic inflammation and put an end to unhealthy cravings, habits, and relationships with food. I love the concept of Whole30, which is based on the Paleo diet, because it evaluates the psychological component and discourages people from obsessing over the number on the scale. My mom, sister and her fiance talked Aaron and me into the program and we successfully talked two or three of our couple friends into it to add to our awesome support system. Now we can all geek out together and share recipes on Google docs! A and I are not concerned with weight loss, but we have been increasingly frustrated with what we learn about processed foods and how certain foods make us feel. 

Whole9Life

We're excited to do Whole30 so we can wake up energized, sleep better and potentially target some food allergies or sensitivities. I am reading through "It Starts With Food" to sustain motivation and it is already blowing my mind. Overall, we want to improve our health and this seems like a great way to do it. I'm sure I will share some recipes on the blog. Are you doing Whole30 or do you participate in the "Paleo lifestyle?" If so, keep me in the loop and share some of your meals, won't you?

Oh, and while you're here, you might enjoy my 2011 New Year's resolution. It is still (very much so) my top resolution this year and a wonderful reminder to keep me in check.

In light of the stampede of trials and blessings, cheers! Happy New Year!

Writing + Composting

Did you know writing requires composting? I smiled when I read this little excerpt from Natalie Goldberg's book, because we have recently started composting for the first time. I like to think the decisions we make to cultivate something good in our lives inspire other decisions and other areas of life. Composting is new to us, but we are inspired by the beautiful idea of turning what's thrown away into something rich. And guess what? Now I can use this concept in my writing.

"Our senses by themselves are dumb. They take in experience, but they need the richness of sifting for a while through our consciousness and through our whole bodies. I call this ‘composting.’ Our bodies are garbage heaps: we collect experience, and from the decomposition of the thrown-out eggshells, spinach leaves, coffee grinds, and old steak bones of our minds come nitrogen, heat and very fertile soil. Out of this fertile soil bloom our poems and stories. But this does not come all at once. It takes time. Continue to turn over and over the organic details of your life until some of them fall through the garbage of discursive thoughts to the solid ground of black soil.” [Excerpt from Natalie Goldberg's "Writing Down The Bones"]

Some of you writers may know that this month is #NaNoWriMo, or in other words, National Novel Writing Month. Hundreds of thousands of people on all parts of the writing spectrum commit to make themselves creative and miserable at the same time, writing 50,000 words in 30 days. It's a commitment that stems from the idea that the world needs your novel, and that you can - and should - get your ideas on paper for that story you've been turning over in your head for months or even years. Most people who write a novel in a month will tell you that the 50,000 words are pretty awful by the time you finish, and that your first draft is much more of a skeleton of a manuscript than an actual novel. Nevertheless, there are inspiring stories of people who publish their NaNo novels 15 or so drafts later, or several years later. A big chunk of the writer community celebrates this initiative because it gets people writing; it teaches the value of creative writing every day, and it inspires people to get better at their writing through daily practice. How inspired would you be to continue working on a 250 page manuscript, even if the writing was pretty "eh." I'd like to think that no matter how your manuscript turns out, 50,000 words is something to be proud of. Then the revisions come!

Anyway, I thought about starting this month for like a nano second (see what I did there?) but decided that powering through this month was not the best idea. It was hard to say no, especially when there are so many inspiring accountability partners out there (writing buddies), but there are countless things going on this month that need to be a priority, including lots of travel. Sometimes you have to learn how to say no for your own health, marriage, sanity and whatever else is important to you. That being said, I still think it's an excellent idea and it has definitely motivated me to make my own writing deadlines. As a writer by trade, I can pump out 7,000 words a day, so I know it's possible. 

Even though I'm not participating this month, there's something magical about November and I thoroughly enjoy the daily word counts popping up all over the Internet. Even though I will not be writing a 50,000 word manuscript this month, I'm excited to at least have a story in the mix for the future and I plan to push myself a little harder with my creative writing (even if it's not 1,667 words a day), cheering on my other writer friends at the side lines!

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this month? If so, you're my hero and you can do it! 

Stories We Claim

A snapshot: part of my family tree. The Anholt family, 1891. 

Stories we claim + stories that claim us. I love when nostalgic moments kind of bump into you and then you realize it's more than a little love tap. I read inspiring words about family stories right after I discovered a pile of old poems and papers from my college days. This old poem I wrote went hand-in-hand with Christina's words, sprouting an interest in story telling and how family history unravels. 

I have always been intrigued by the passing of memories and how they can change shape, even for those who did not live them. Christina expounds on this craving for family stories in a fierce and lovely way, writing that, perhaps, it is "proof that artists live some part of their lives circling the secret of their calling before their way." She is also bewildered by the stories her mother tells, "like lost stitches in the tapestry of her lineage." Her words were sweet to me today, and they inspired me to reflect on one of my old wrinkled-paper poems: little vignettes and family stitches. I hope -- like Christina's stories -- they inspire you to reflect on your own family's memoir-moments. 

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Family History (And Words Sometimes Told)

I want to be there,
Where the weeds grow long
and the fields are gray;
listening to you teaching
to the cattle, driving through the Badlands, 
where the grasshoppers don't stop growing. 
I want to be there,
when she bought that teapot in Vienna; 
once not so rusted and
beautiful in its time

like she was when she fed the hobos
chicken dumplings on fourth of July
on that front step.
I want to be there, 
when you cut off all of your hair 
to remind yourself it did not matter
and then spent 20 years alone 
on an airplane with napkin notes
and old phone numbers. 

I want to be there, 
when you sold what you had
to pump gas in Wisconsin --
living with that Jewish girl, Mutta, 
who always looked pretty in pictures. 
Or when you hitchhiked through wherever 
or when your father fell asleep
under that bridge; 

when you learned to paint in jail;
when you heard we landed on the moon in some bar
in Milwaukee.
I want to be there, 
Where ancient past weaves through your veins
and names make up your DNA 
and memories are more than ripped pages, 
cassette tapes and
faces you don't remember.

Making The Dream: The Comfy Times

I'm thrilled to start a new series where I'll be exploring the histories and goals of those who are 'making the dream' through handmade goods and crafts. Seeking out artisans, creative entrepreneurs and makers is inspiring, and I'm so excited to kick off this 'making the dream' series with my sweet friend, Bethany Morgan. Bethany started her handmade dream biz during a job hunting season as a way to make some extra cash. She never dreamed The Comfy Times would grow into what it has, and it has been such a joy to watch her Etsy shop thrive. 

I love Bethany's enthusiasm and her heart for the Lord. No matter where her entrepreneurial spirit takes her, she recognizes her purpose and value as a daughter of the King. I know you will be inspired by her journey (and her creations!) just as I am. I also know if you are a budding crafter or entrepreneur you will find her advice wise. 

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1. How did The Comfy Times come about?

I started The Comfy Times when finding a job seemed like an impossible challenge.  I was hoping to make some extra cash to help pay some of the bills while looking for a "real" job.  I had no idea that when the Christmas season hit I would be crocheting nearly 80 hours a week! 

2. What are the most surprising rewards and challenges with owning your shop?

Finding success in something I love doing has been one of the most rewarding experiences. The Comfy Times helped restore confidence in myself creatively, as an entrepreneur (I majored in entrepreneurship at NC State), and as a dreamer.  

A major challenge I face with The Comfy Times is a fear of rejection.  I'm afraid people aren't going to like my items, that customers will leave a negative review, or that I will get a nasty message from a customer.  Dealing with negative customers, complaints, and criticism can be emotionally draining.  The Comfy Times has forced me to know when to take a stand for the shop, when to ignore petty arguers, and when to accept criticism and blame to make a change.  

3. What does a typical day in the life of Bethany look like? How do you juggle it all?

Thankfully I was able to spend the off-season building an inventory for this season, so I'm not nearly as busy this year (so far)!

I juggle The Comfy Times with my part-time job at a local non-profit.  On my days set aside for Etsy I usually spend my time:

- managing the shop: communicating with customers, monitoring shop stats, packaging/shipping orders, handling the finances

- crocheting  the goal is to make one inventory item per day and one new item each week for the future

- planning: big awesome plans for the future along with daily/weekly planning 

- running errands:  I spend a lot of time in craft stores :)

I find my Etsy/work life is a lot easier and I am much happier when I do two things: 1. make time for the Lord in the morning when I wake up  2. stay life-concious.  By that I mean making time for my husband, my church, and socially helps keep Etsy from taking over my life.

4. Anything exciting on the horizon for The Comfy Times? What does the future hold for your shop?

In 2014 I'm hoping to throw seasonality out the window and keep The Comfy Times going year-round!  I'm still wrapping my head around how it will all unfold but ONE idea (out of a million) I'd love to see come to fruition in 2014 is "The Comfy Home!"

In addition, I'd really love to continue to get more involved in marketing this year.  The Pinterest Repin Giveaway in September was a huge success and I'd love to continue to have flash sales, giveaways, and other fun stuff this year.  Liking The Comfy Times on Facebook is the easiest way to stay "in the know" about these types of events.  

5. Any advice for aspiring business owners or anyone interested in selling their handmade creations?

There's always so much advice to give but I think most importantly if there is anything you set out to achieve, these are good guidelines to follow:

1.  Envision your dream. 2. Write your vision down / Make a plan 3. Believe in yourself. 4. Believe in your dream.  5. Act / Do / Go 

"I love to use a wide variety of colors - my favorite is to combine really bold colors with muted colors. I love to use unexpected color patterns-- I hate to feel limited by tradition colorways so this year with my scarves I just went all out!" 

"An unexpected large expenditure of my time has been packaging!  This year I am using hand-polka-dotted brown baggies with fun tags I made with scrapbook paper-- and of course, tied off with yarn."

"I draw inspiration every day in everything I see.  I love color, nature, fun patterns, and anything vintage. I try to remember that not everyone has the same taste as me-- so as I play around with color palettes I always try to picture who my customers are and what THEY want, not always what I want."

"On my crocheting days, this is where you'll find me in full 'comfy times' mode wearing sweatpants, hair a mess, and wrapped up in a blanket - watching netflix or listening to music."

"I've started experimenting with patterns to make for The Comfy Home.  I made this garland here to add some autumn decor to my house and would really love to make a wide variety of garlands to sell! Of course with other home decor fun goodies." 

 

"I am so grateful to have a community that supports The Comfy Times. A message that I want to communicate through Etsy is a joyous and mirthful life-- my models were so great at staying true to my vision and message."

"Yarn is sooo mobile which is one thing I love about crocheting. I try to keep things somewhat tidy by using the bin under the table to keep current projects and my trusty pitcher of crochet hooks/scissors, but honestly you can find yarn and scraps throughout my house."

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If you love all-things cozy and crafty, definitely check out Bethany's shop. Every time I see these warm scarves I curse the eternal summer weather in Florida; but it's okay -- she's done some expanding so even this gal can relish in her own comfy times creations, 80 degrees and all. :) You can follow The Comfy Times on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

Coffee Dreaming

I've had coffee on the mind recently. Obviously it's my first thought in the morning and a source of inspiration for poetry written on napkins. But sometimes it's more than that -- it stirs the familiar and makes music sound better; it is the taste and smell that life is being lived here. And sometimes, it teaches us more than life, stirring a spirit-led life, drawing community and grinding out the fear. Coffee brews while we prepare our hearts, it wakes us up -- in more ways than one. And sometimes, coffee is just for tasting; it is about learning to taste the bitter with the sweet. 

We've been waking up with a sweet aroma around here and we attribute those mornings to Aaron's new obsession with the AeroPress. If you have not heard about this goodness, it's like a French Press on steroids -- and you need one. 

The AeroPress is amazing because a.) It makes really good coffee, b.) it provides even, full extraction of the coffee grounds, c.) it's more flavorful than your average coffee pot because of reasons mentioned above, d.) it's portable, e.) it's easy to clean and f.) It's fun! 

It's worth noting that people will sometimes measure out specific grams of coffee beans and the temperature of the water, but we're not that fancy because we don't have all the equipment. But I assure you, it makes a mighty good cup. 

How to Use This Coffee Goodness: 

1. Get the water boiling while you grind up the coffee beans.

2. Grind the coffee beans up to the two-point mark on the grinder in the Hario Mini Mill. 

3. Set up the AeroPress using the inverted method.

4. Pour your grounds in, y'all. 

5. Pour enough water, slowly, to get all the grounds wet and stir them up.

6. Continue pouring until almost full. Aaron typically stops along the one-point mark.

7. Give it another quick stir.

8. Let it sit for a little over a minute to let the grounds steep in the water.

9. Take in that beautiful light brown color that emerges. No really, take it in. This is A's favorite part. 

10. Put the paper filter in the filter cap, lock it into place and when the time is right, flip it and give it a nice firm, slow press into your mug of choice. 

For those who like an espresso strength, drink as is. For those who want a regular cup of joe, add water to your liking. And then take off your filter cap and plunge your used grounds into your compost. 

Don't compost? :) That's okay. You can start today. See! Look! Coffee! It's changing the world!

Mindfulness on My Morning Run

Today I realized something that has been buzzing around in the back of my mind for a few days now, only to become one of those 'aha!' moments that wakes you up and reminds you of the skin you live in.

I should run life. Life shouldn't run me. 

Let me preface this [seemingly] simple epiphany by pointing out that Aaron and I have been extremely blessed. We are always blessed by God's goodness and His grace, but there are times in life when those blessings seem to pour sweetly - sweeter than you could ever imagine. We've been in Winter Park for a little over a month (!!!!) and I am increasingly surprised by our smooth transition. Sure, it's taken a while to get physically settled, and we traveled here and there in the beginning, but we're putting roots down. 

I could not have asked more for what God has done in getting us connected quickly. Even in the midst of my doubt and unfaithfulness, He is faithful. I didn't think we would find our church home so quickly, but we have. The first Sunday we walked into the church, I was overwhelmed with joy that this is where God has us. It felt strange to know so quickly - to have something so certain after a long period of uncertainty. 

Since that Sunday, we took the membership class and dove head first into some wonderful relationships that we hope to cultivate over the years. We learned how our unique gifts could best serve the church, and we are preparing for that sweet time when we can truly give of our time and resources according to our spiritual gifts. We started attending a small group that renews the heart and mind, and I know we have both been so hungry for this community. 

I like to joke about it, but the small group we have been attending is full of counselors. One of the perks for "geeked out" reformed Christians living in Orlando is that it is home to Reformed Theological Seminary. Our church is blessed to have many gifted students enrolled in RTS and the counseling program, so of course they bring such wisdom and insight to the group. Our small group has five counselors (maybe six?) and it was a little intimidating at first, but Aaron and I both feel immensely blessed by this group and what they bring to the community. They are deeply compassionate and introspective, and the way they look at life and the Christian faith is truly enlightening; I find myself viewing life through a more reflective lens, and it is so refreshing. 

One of the counselors in the group mentioned what we were all thinking - that sometimes, life can feel like it is running you, not that you are running life. This resonates with me lately in so many ways. In this small group we all talked about our metaphorical "landscape" to describe our weeks with a little more color (like I said, they're counselors y'all). It took me a while to come up with a landscape to describe my week because I realized I had been completely non-observant; I have let days come and pass, simply going through the motions without paying attention to what the Lord has placed on my heart and in my life. I described a generic field that was unidentifiable in a lot of ways, mainly because I haven't taken the time to stop and look around. This wise group of counselors pointed out that a field was an interesting choice for a landscape, because being in a field means that you can see in any direction or go in any direction - if you decide to look up. Seriously, guys, it's like I'm getting free therapy over here. 

Anyway, this week, I am trying to be more mindful. Aaron has been really great about asking more intentional questions, and I really am starting to see a pattern of mindfulness that is abundant and sweet. 

This morning, I discovered that if I start my run just five minutes earlier than I normally do, I get to see this:

It's amazing to me that five minutes can change everything. This sunrise made me weepy, not just because it is beautiful, but because God gave me a desire for mindfulness to leave the house five minutes earlier just so I could enjoy it. 

{Also, this song randomly came on Pandora. Mornin' Jesus - you're too good.}