I don’t comment on here a lot. Mostly read and enjoy. Am needing prayers for my dad. He is back in the hospital (was in before Easter also) for another blood transfusion and antibiotics. Can you please pray specifically for healing of his legs? He is in a lot of pain. His name is Darrell. He is the only grandparent that came to all my kids stuff (including many years of soccer that he still doesn’t understand). Thank you!
We had a big storm roll through here last night and my power was out for around 18 hours, so guess who gets to replace a whole fridge worth of food this weekend? On the plus side, I'm looking forward to getting together with some friends tomorrow, and hopefully hitting up a record store for Record Store Day on my way home.
I work for a non-profit veterinary clinic and we got news this week that we got a contract with the city that will allow us to take over a second location. I think we're hoping to get at least partially up and running in the next month-ish, so it's going to be a big change in a short amount of time, but it's also exciting to be involved in a period of growth.
My joy has been becoming a grandmother for the first time! My daughter and her husband went through fertility treatments to become pregnant so his birth has been extra emotional. I was able to stay with her for a few days and I'm so glad. They are all three doing great. My son-in-law has endeared himself to me even more by taking care of his wife and his baby in ways I didn't know men did. It's easy to focus on my little guy instead of all the craziness of the world. I don't even know how to talk about it.
The Andrew McCarthy of the Whatever the Problem, It’s Probably Solved by Walking piece is 80s teen idol Andrew McCarthy, who is now an author and travel writer!
Hello everyone!! I’ve been fighting a cold? Sinus infection? Virus? Something this week so it’s been a bit rough.
But my treasure is a grilled cheese fest I’m going to this Sunday in my hometown!! Cannot wait to feast on all different grilled cheeses made by some of my favorite local restaurants/bakeries/coffee shops!!
I studied creative writing under Wendell Berry at the University of Kentucky. Here's my FIRST DAY …
Creative Writing with Wendell Berry (part 1)
Since I was three years old and read “The Little Engine that Could,” I knew that I wanted to write stories and books that encourage people. Much later, a student at the University of Kentucky and a brand new Christian, I had just dared to follow up on my passion by switching my major from engineering to English. It was time to choose classes for my sophomore semester. I want God to confirm my decision, I thought. (Okay, I was young.) So, I opened the course catalog and put my finger at random on a page to see what came up. My finger had landed on Creative Writing, a two semester course under Wendell Berry. The class had a limit of only thirteen people! I literally ran to the registrar’s office and signed up.
On the first day of class, we thirteen students gathered in the appropriate classroom and waited to begin. Mr. Berry stood before us—with a Bible in hand. He read John 20:1-16. I’ll quote verses 15-16a from my ESV Bible:
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?
Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
A total hush filled the classroom. I was entranced, thrilled. Then Mr. Berry gave us our first assignment: “Write 300 words on any subject. Write exactly 300 words. No more, no less.”
I hurried away and filled up a paper with about 320 words, thinking, It’s just a little over … He won’t care. I made all A’s in high school. This is going to be great!
Ha! He flunked my essay. A succinct “F.”
That’s when I first humbled myself and began to learn how to write.
Is it wrong to laugh at this? That’s precisely the thinking I would have about the extra 20 words. And it’s precisely the humiliation I would feel at getting an F. What a terrific lesson, and terrific opportunity you had!
Happy Friday, friends! We made it! It isn't really a Friday for me since I'm working all weekend- I'm a little bit nervous about it, I've never worked a full weekend and everyone keeps telling me how crazy the library gets on Sundays.
🎂 My SIL is an absolute delight and made sure I had a wonderful birthday complete with cupcakes to share at work. The family I was close with in NC sent a Polo of all the kids singing happy birthday and it's precious.
😎After a couple days of 30s-40s we're back in the 50s. I can handle that for another month, but snow flurries are unacceptable. We've been going on lots of walks lately and it's getting me excited for the summer.
🌘I went to a workshop for Solar Eclipse at Libraries (SEAL) on Wednesday, and while it wasn't stellar I am excited for next years eclipse! There will be a smaller one in the fall and then the big one in April so start making your plans!!
That's all from me friends, have the best weekend!
I am so fascinated by the solar eclipse workshop, I'm sorry it wasn't better! We're supposed to plan something at the library for the eclipses, but I have no ideas!
I want to share that I’ve had a great reading week! “Great” in that I both was able to spend a lot of time reading, AND the books were thought-provoking. This week I finished 4 Essential Studies (a book about teaching English), The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton, which I can’t stop thinking about, and The Perks of Being A Wallflower, which is the April book club pick for the student-led book club at my school.
A great reading week was a treat after reading several so-so books in a row. I’d love to know if anyone else has read anything curious or fantastic lately!
This is a busy time for us with baseball season starting up for my son and all the end of school and graduation stuff coming up, plus throwing in a short trip to Nashville to see Taylor. I keep saying one thing at a time, one event at a time to not get too overwhelmed and ahead of myself.
My oldest went to her Senior prom last weekend and it was a delightful time helping her get ready and seeing her all dressed up. Then early this week, I sent out most of her grad invitations. And, my middle turned 16 yesterday. So lots of emotions here.
For my daughter’s 16th, we’re having Alice in Wonderland style tea party tomorrow afternoon at our house. We have some really cute tea pots and decor and food/desserts we’ll be making. However, the weather has decided to take a turn so we’ll probably be moving it indoors which isn’t quite as “whimsical” but we’ll make it work.
I haven’t been in the comments as much lately. Hi everyone! Things have been crazy. BUT TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY. I am turning 25. For a long time as a teenager I wasn’t sure I would live to be 18 so this is a big milestone for me. My birthday plans are as follows:
Breakfast with one of my besties
A Small Shop Crawl where I visit my fav local businesses
This evening, my bday party where everyone has to come dressed in a Harry Styles-inspired outfit
Ending the night at Quarters, an arcade bar near my house.
If anyone has advice they wish they knew when they were 25, I would love to hear it. In the meantime I will be having a great day! 🥳
Happy birthday, Shelby!!! I want to see all the pictures of the Harry Styles outfits!
Not really advice, but I turned 25 five years ago, and from then to now is when I feel like I became so much more myself, and it is such a delight. I think you're going to love it!
Happy birthday, Shelby!!!!! I turned 25 almost 7 years ago and it’s an amazing age! You will probably change a lot over the next 5 years, so just lean into it and take the twists and turns as they come. Nothing stays terrible forever.
Thank you Eliza! It was amazing! I need to send you my birthday invite so you can see the top featured in all it's glory - I have been wearing it to work too and gotten so many compliments on it!
Happy Friday everyone! In very low stakes yet still emotional for me, the 40+ year old, 12 foot tall rhododendron in our yard sadly & suddenly died over the winter. Being feelings repressed, I think I invested a lot of my sadness over actual things into this poor tree dying. :( But in a moment of in-your-face type symbolism, the previous owners had planted a white flowering dogwood immediately behind it that is the smallest, most spindly thing you have ever seen due to not getting much light. I've never seen more than 3 flowers on it. This year, it has at least 20! I am excited to see what this little dogwood will do. And now I can pick out some fun shrubs to plant in front of it.
Continuing plant corner, and for any other plant lovers in Lancaster, I checked out the Hosta Hideaway in York Springs and got some really interesting big blue hostas I haven't seen anywhere else and am really excited about - definitely worth a visit if you also love hostas. :)
I get feeling sad about a tree. My Dad was given a gift certificate to a nursery after my mom died and he bought and planted a pear tree in his front yard. Well some ice and other things cause it to start dying and he finally had to cut it down a couple of months ago.
Oh I am so sorry to hear this! I had told my husband that I wanted a tree not a headstone when the time comes, but I hadn't considered what if the tree then dies as well?
Sorry for the downer! I do expect when planting a tree, that it will just grow and do it’s thing and live forever, forgetting that sometimes that doesn’t happen. On a positive note, I had a friend reach out about doing something with some of the wood. They have a Glow Forge machine that engraves and carves We’re still deciding what to do.
Thank you for the link to the interview with Wendell Berry. I was one of his students when he taught creative writing at UK. He especially insisted that I write from my heart—which after many years and several published novels later, I STILL have trouble doing.
Am I depressed or is my nervous system reacting accordingly? Why not both?
Work has been rough the past couple of weeks with being short-staffed and trying to plan our summer reading kick-off. It's just a lot and I'm starting to feel overwhelmed.
My treasure this week is that I got to see Taylor Swift on Saturday! It was a dream, the show was incredible, I am obsessed. My highlights were Cruel Summer, Champagne Problems, All Too Well, and the staging for Tolerate It. At one point during the night, she said this tour had become her entire personality, and honestly, same.
Guys this has been a week. Like, where did it go? Why do I feel pulled in 25 different directions, even though my kids play 0 sports? Make it stop. On the other hand, times like these make me realize how much I numb out when I feel this way, and I am getting quicker at recognizing that. So, bright side, I guess.
🎸 The Steven Curtis Chapman concert was a DELIGHT. He’s still got it, which is a feat at 60 some years old and having been singing for the past 40 or so years. Highlight: his band was 3 guys, 2 of which were the dudes who wrote the song “I want to write a banger like Steven Curtis Chapman” and they were a hoot.
🚫 I deleted both my Facebook and my Bookstagram IG account and it is helping my temptation to numb out in stressful times so much.
🗣️ I was asked to speak at my church’s women’s weekend this weekend, so The Bible Binge’s “Nos of Sermons” couldn’t have come at a better time! 😂 Prepping for this talk has been fun and made my mind work in ways that have been dormant for a long time. Ts and Ps appreciated.
📚 I finished the most recent VanderBeekers book and loved it. If you need a heart warming series with a fun family where things wrap up nicely (not nearly, but nicely) by the end of each book, I cannot recommend this series enough.
🥘 I am on a Half Baked Harvest kick and have been loving it. Her honey mustard salmon with Caesar veggies was a hit, even with my kids.
🐰 We had a belated Easter celebration with friends last weekend and I made strawberry pretzel salad for the first time (it was a staple on my childhood Easter tables) and it brought back so many memories, plus tasted amazing.
I will be happily living vicariously through all of your Eras adventures, so please keep those thoughts and recaps of the concerts coming! ❤️
I deleted the Meta apps off my phone ... so I can only check on my computer, and I don’t make that time very often. It’s been a switch though FOR SURE. My phone is so boring now because I deleted my game apps for Lent and haven’t put them back on and now this. 🤣
I’ve never seen SCC, but I’ve seen his son’s band Colony House live and he can write and play some bangers! Good on you for deleting your social media accounts because I’m in that same boat (Facebook in 2021, Instagram like two weeks ago). Maybe it’s different for you, but it adds so much fuel to my anxiety fire and life for me is so much better now. Congrats on speaking at your church too!
😭 That James Baldwin quote. I need to read his books, but where should I start? Anyone have any ideas?
❤️🩹 The Tuesday thread about Devotionals That Aren’t Dumb & Studies That Don’t Suck was so nice, and totally in my wheelhouse as my own personal life is still as messy as all get out. If you want devotional recs and Eras tour recaps, I’m your girl. Vulnerable personal essays on my life...eh, I’m cooling on that. But this non personal stuff is where I’m currently shining!
✨ The Eras tour was absolutely fabulous and I wish I could go back! I feel like I struck a good balance between taking pictures and some videos while staying present in the moment. Taylor absolutely loves her fans and it shows. Share your favorite moments with me if you’ve gone! I am personally an All Too Well and Champagne Problems and Bejeweled girlie. I am also willing to discuss the shiny wristbands we got at the door.
💃🏻 This week was the first week post Instagram account purge where I wasn’t constantly reaching for that button and constantly longing to log in, and it’s still a little hard, but I know that just like Facebook, eventually in a few weeks or months, I won’t reach for it anymore at all. I also found a great habit tracker app called Way of Life that is helping me keep track of my goals. Not only can I track healthy habits, I can track unhealthy habits, and once it goes on a while, the app will create charts to track my progress, and I am so excited!
The best thing I ever did was curate IG accounts; if it’s not a personal connection, a beautiful or thought-provoking educational account, or creative inspiration, I don’t see it. Life is better when I go deep on what matters.
Oooooooh I never thought of it that way! I did unfollow a ton of accounts when I was trying to manage my time better there, but I think in this season, it’s best for me to stay away. Maybe one day in a few years, I can start from scratch and be more thoughtful about it.
I cannot wait for all of those songs and more! Two weeks from Sunday is when we see her. Still working on an outfit. I have a couple of sparkly jackets on the way to try.
I don’t comment on here a lot. Mostly read and enjoy. Am needing prayers for my dad. He is back in the hospital (was in before Easter also) for another blood transfusion and antibiotics. Can you please pray specifically for healing of his legs? He is in a lot of pain. His name is Darrell. He is the only grandparent that came to all my kids stuff (including many years of soccer that he still doesn’t understand). Thank you!
Praying!
We had a big storm roll through here last night and my power was out for around 18 hours, so guess who gets to replace a whole fridge worth of food this weekend? On the plus side, I'm looking forward to getting together with some friends tomorrow, and hopefully hitting up a record store for Record Store Day on my way home.
I work for a non-profit veterinary clinic and we got news this week that we got a contract with the city that will allow us to take over a second location. I think we're hoping to get at least partially up and running in the next month-ish, so it's going to be a big change in a short amount of time, but it's also exciting to be involved in a period of growth.
If you're actually in the market for a robust shoe, these are a little pricey but worth it: https://www.salomon.com/en-us/shop/product/outpulse-gore-tex-lg8182.html#color=67471
Oh no, that's too bad about the food!
My joy has been becoming a grandmother for the first time! My daughter and her husband went through fertility treatments to become pregnant so his birth has been extra emotional. I was able to stay with her for a few days and I'm so glad. They are all three doing great. My son-in-law has endeared himself to me even more by taking care of his wife and his baby in ways I didn't know men did. It's easy to focus on my little guy instead of all the craziness of the world. I don't even know how to talk about it.
Congratulations! How exciting!
Such a precious gift to have a new little one in your life and to see your own child being well cared for. There’s nothing greater!
Congratulations!!
The Andrew McCarthy of the Whatever the Problem, It’s Probably Solved by Walking piece is 80s teen idol Andrew McCarthy, who is now an author and travel writer!
Hasn’t it been cool to see him remake himself in middle age? And especially after his role in St Elmo‘s Fire. It’s fun to watch!
It is! I really miss National Geographic Traveler.
Hello everyone!! I’ve been fighting a cold? Sinus infection? Virus? Something this week so it’s been a bit rough.
But my treasure is a grilled cheese fest I’m going to this Sunday in my hometown!! Cannot wait to feast on all different grilled cheeses made by some of my favorite local restaurants/bakeries/coffee shops!!
Grilled cheese fest! What a delight!
Cheese is my love language. I’m jealous!
I studied creative writing under Wendell Berry at the University of Kentucky. Here's my FIRST DAY …
Creative Writing with Wendell Berry (part 1)
Since I was three years old and read “The Little Engine that Could,” I knew that I wanted to write stories and books that encourage people. Much later, a student at the University of Kentucky and a brand new Christian, I had just dared to follow up on my passion by switching my major from engineering to English. It was time to choose classes for my sophomore semester. I want God to confirm my decision, I thought. (Okay, I was young.) So, I opened the course catalog and put my finger at random on a page to see what came up. My finger had landed on Creative Writing, a two semester course under Wendell Berry. The class had a limit of only thirteen people! I literally ran to the registrar’s office and signed up.
On the first day of class, we thirteen students gathered in the appropriate classroom and waited to begin. Mr. Berry stood before us—with a Bible in hand. He read John 20:1-16. I’ll quote verses 15-16a from my ESV Bible:
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?
Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
A total hush filled the classroom. I was entranced, thrilled. Then Mr. Berry gave us our first assignment: “Write 300 words on any subject. Write exactly 300 words. No more, no less.”
I hurried away and filled up a paper with about 320 words, thinking, It’s just a little over … He won’t care. I made all A’s in high school. This is going to be great!
Ha! He flunked my essay. A succinct “F.”
That’s when I first humbled myself and began to learn how to write.
I love it!
Thank you so much! I have a few more “classes with Wendell Berry” stories to write yet.
Your Lil Treasures newsletter makes me happy with its upbeat and fun language plus your steadiness in devotion to God.
Is it wrong to laugh at this? That’s precisely the thinking I would have about the extra 20 words. And it’s precisely the humiliation I would feel at getting an F. What a terrific lesson, and terrific opportunity you had!
Thank you! That F was a healthy dent in my pride. Please do laugh at and with me.
Happy Friday, friends! We made it! It isn't really a Friday for me since I'm working all weekend- I'm a little bit nervous about it, I've never worked a full weekend and everyone keeps telling me how crazy the library gets on Sundays.
🎂 My SIL is an absolute delight and made sure I had a wonderful birthday complete with cupcakes to share at work. The family I was close with in NC sent a Polo of all the kids singing happy birthday and it's precious.
😎After a couple days of 30s-40s we're back in the 50s. I can handle that for another month, but snow flurries are unacceptable. We've been going on lots of walks lately and it's getting me excited for the summer.
🌘I went to a workshop for Solar Eclipse at Libraries (SEAL) on Wednesday, and while it wasn't stellar I am excited for next years eclipse! There will be a smaller one in the fall and then the big one in April so start making your plans!!
That's all from me friends, have the best weekend!
I am so fascinated by the solar eclipse workshop, I'm sorry it wasn't better! We're supposed to plan something at the library for the eclipses, but I have no ideas!
The info they shared was great, but the presenter was too chaotic for me. Here are some good websites to check out, and it's all free!!
https://www.starnetlibraries.org/about/our-projects/solar-eclipse-activities-libraries-seal/ and https://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/180-solar-eclipse-activities-for-libraries
Ahh, thank you!!
Happy birthday week! I’m glad the day was lovely. I hoped to send a card but didn’t know the new address. ☹️ Would you update here?
http://bit.ly/lil-swipes-birthdays
It's updated! Thanks for the reminder ❤
I want to share that I’ve had a great reading week! “Great” in that I both was able to spend a lot of time reading, AND the books were thought-provoking. This week I finished 4 Essential Studies (a book about teaching English), The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton, which I can’t stop thinking about, and The Perks of Being A Wallflower, which is the April book club pick for the student-led book club at my school.
A great reading week was a treat after reading several so-so books in a row. I’d love to know if anyone else has read anything curious or fantastic lately!
Ooh, the Light Pirate looks fascinating!
This is a busy time for us with baseball season starting up for my son and all the end of school and graduation stuff coming up, plus throwing in a short trip to Nashville to see Taylor. I keep saying one thing at a time, one event at a time to not get too overwhelmed and ahead of myself.
My oldest went to her Senior prom last weekend and it was a delightful time helping her get ready and seeing her all dressed up. Then early this week, I sent out most of her grad invitations. And, my middle turned 16 yesterday. So lots of emotions here.
For my daughter’s 16th, we’re having Alice in Wonderland style tea party tomorrow afternoon at our house. We have some really cute tea pots and decor and food/desserts we’ll be making. However, the weather has decided to take a turn so we’ll probably be moving it indoors which isn’t quite as “whimsical” but we’ll make it work.
A tea party sounds so fun!
What a fun idea for a party! I hope the weather decides to play nice.
I haven’t been in the comments as much lately. Hi everyone! Things have been crazy. BUT TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY. I am turning 25. For a long time as a teenager I wasn’t sure I would live to be 18 so this is a big milestone for me. My birthday plans are as follows:
Breakfast with one of my besties
A Small Shop Crawl where I visit my fav local businesses
This evening, my bday party where everyone has to come dressed in a Harry Styles-inspired outfit
Ending the night at Quarters, an arcade bar near my house.
If anyone has advice they wish they knew when they were 25, I would love to hear it. In the meantime I will be having a great day! 🥳
Happy birthday, Shelby!!! I want to see all the pictures of the Harry Styles outfits!
Not really advice, but I turned 25 five years ago, and from then to now is when I feel like I became so much more myself, and it is such a delight. I think you're going to love it!
I wish I took more pics, Mel! I should have documented everyone!!!! I can't wait for this next season.
Happy happy! Your planned celebrations inspire me. ☺️
Thank you! 🥳
Happy happy birthday! I’m glad you’re here. Your plans sound so fun, I may have to steal them for my own 😆
Thank you! Definitely steal them - it was maybe the best birthday I have ever had.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
THANK YOUU!
Happy birthday, Shelby!!!!! I turned 25 almost 7 years ago and it’s an amazing age! You will probably change a lot over the next 5 years, so just lean into it and take the twists and turns as they come. Nothing stays terrible forever.
Thank you, Lauren! I will keep that in mind!
Happy birthday!!!! I hope your day will be everything you hoped and more. Your plans sound like so much fun!
Thank you! I think it was the best birthday I have ever had!
Yay! 😀
Happy birthday! I hope all the plans go smoothly and it's a wonderful day!
Thank you Eliza! It was amazing! I need to send you my birthday invite so you can see the top featured in all it's glory - I have been wearing it to work too and gotten so many compliments on it!
Happy birthday!! Sounds like a wonderful celebration!
Thank you! It was amazing!
Happy birthday!! I hope you have a special day!
Thank you! It was lovely!
Happy Birthday, Shelby! Sounds like you have some great plans and I hope it’s a fabulous day!
Thank you! It WAS fabulous!
Happy Friday everyone! In very low stakes yet still emotional for me, the 40+ year old, 12 foot tall rhododendron in our yard sadly & suddenly died over the winter. Being feelings repressed, I think I invested a lot of my sadness over actual things into this poor tree dying. :( But in a moment of in-your-face type symbolism, the previous owners had planted a white flowering dogwood immediately behind it that is the smallest, most spindly thing you have ever seen due to not getting much light. I've never seen more than 3 flowers on it. This year, it has at least 20! I am excited to see what this little dogwood will do. And now I can pick out some fun shrubs to plant in front of it.
Continuing plant corner, and for any other plant lovers in Lancaster, I checked out the Hosta Hideaway in York Springs and got some really interesting big blue hostas I haven't seen anywhere else and am really excited about - definitely worth a visit if you also love hostas. :)
I get feeling sad about a tree. My Dad was given a gift certificate to a nursery after my mom died and he bought and planted a pear tree in his front yard. Well some ice and other things cause it to start dying and he finally had to cut it down a couple of months ago.
Oh I am so sorry to hear this! I had told my husband that I wanted a tree not a headstone when the time comes, but I hadn't considered what if the tree then dies as well?
Sorry for the downer! I do expect when planting a tree, that it will just grow and do it’s thing and live forever, forgetting that sometimes that doesn’t happen. On a positive note, I had a friend reach out about doing something with some of the wood. They have a Glow Forge machine that engraves and carves We’re still deciding what to do.
Oh, those glow forge machines can make some really interesting beautiful things! What a great idea.
Oof. I feel that dogwood sadness!
Thank you for the link to the interview with Wendell Berry. I was one of his students when he taught creative writing at UK. He especially insisted that I write from my heart—which after many years and several published novels later, I STILL have trouble doing.
Rosemary this is so cool! I want to hear about every minute!
I’ll write about it today.
I wrote about my first day in Mr. Berry's class and pasted it into a comment.
Am I depressed or is my nervous system reacting accordingly? Why not both?
Work has been rough the past couple of weeks with being short-staffed and trying to plan our summer reading kick-off. It's just a lot and I'm starting to feel overwhelmed.
My treasure this week is that I got to see Taylor Swift on Saturday! It was a dream, the show was incredible, I am obsessed. My highlights were Cruel Summer, Champagne Problems, All Too Well, and the staging for Tolerate It. At one point during the night, she said this tour had become her entire personality, and honestly, same.
I started listening to the set list in prep for next weekend and I am so excited! Cannot wait to belt Cruel Summer!
Ahh, it's the best!
I feel the same way about your first question. And you know I’m still reeling about the Eras tour! 🥰
Can't get over it!
Guys this has been a week. Like, where did it go? Why do I feel pulled in 25 different directions, even though my kids play 0 sports? Make it stop. On the other hand, times like these make me realize how much I numb out when I feel this way, and I am getting quicker at recognizing that. So, bright side, I guess.
🎸 The Steven Curtis Chapman concert was a DELIGHT. He’s still got it, which is a feat at 60 some years old and having been singing for the past 40 or so years. Highlight: his band was 3 guys, 2 of which were the dudes who wrote the song “I want to write a banger like Steven Curtis Chapman” and they were a hoot.
🚫 I deleted both my Facebook and my Bookstagram IG account and it is helping my temptation to numb out in stressful times so much.
🗣️ I was asked to speak at my church’s women’s weekend this weekend, so The Bible Binge’s “Nos of Sermons” couldn’t have come at a better time! 😂 Prepping for this talk has been fun and made my mind work in ways that have been dormant for a long time. Ts and Ps appreciated.
📚 I finished the most recent VanderBeekers book and loved it. If you need a heart warming series with a fun family where things wrap up nicely (not nearly, but nicely) by the end of each book, I cannot recommend this series enough.
🥘 I am on a Half Baked Harvest kick and have been loving it. Her honey mustard salmon with Caesar veggies was a hit, even with my kids.
🐰 We had a belated Easter celebration with friends last weekend and I made strawberry pretzel salad for the first time (it was a staple on my childhood Easter tables) and it brought back so many memories, plus tasted amazing.
I will be happily living vicariously through all of your Eras adventures, so please keep those thoughts and recaps of the concerts coming! ❤️
Love the Vanderbeekers! I haven't had a strawberry pretzel salad in a minute, and I need to make this now!
So glad you loved SCC!
StrawbPretSal for LIFE!
I deleted the Meta apps off my phone ... so I can only check on my computer, and I don’t make that time very often. It’s been a switch though FOR SURE. My phone is so boring now because I deleted my game apps for Lent and haven’t put them back on and now this. 🤣
I’ve never seen SCC, but I’ve seen his son’s band Colony House live and he can write and play some bangers! Good on you for deleting your social media accounts because I’m in that same boat (Facebook in 2021, Instagram like two weeks ago). Maybe it’s different for you, but it adds so much fuel to my anxiety fire and life for me is so much better now. Congrats on speaking at your church too!
😭 That James Baldwin quote. I need to read his books, but where should I start? Anyone have any ideas?
❤️🩹 The Tuesday thread about Devotionals That Aren’t Dumb & Studies That Don’t Suck was so nice, and totally in my wheelhouse as my own personal life is still as messy as all get out. If you want devotional recs and Eras tour recaps, I’m your girl. Vulnerable personal essays on my life...eh, I’m cooling on that. But this non personal stuff is where I’m currently shining!
✨ The Eras tour was absolutely fabulous and I wish I could go back! I feel like I struck a good balance between taking pictures and some videos while staying present in the moment. Taylor absolutely loves her fans and it shows. Share your favorite moments with me if you’ve gone! I am personally an All Too Well and Champagne Problems and Bejeweled girlie. I am also willing to discuss the shiny wristbands we got at the door.
💃🏻 This week was the first week post Instagram account purge where I wasn’t constantly reaching for that button and constantly longing to log in, and it’s still a little hard, but I know that just like Facebook, eventually in a few weeks or months, I won’t reach for it anymore at all. I also found a great habit tracker app called Way of Life that is helping me keep track of my goals. Not only can I track healthy habits, I can track unhealthy habits, and once it goes on a while, the app will create charts to track my progress, and I am so excited!
💕 Happy Friday to all!
Gaahh, the wristbands! So freaking fun!
Also, I've only read The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, but I did feel like it was a really good introduction to his writing.
I’ve heard good things about that book!
The best thing I ever did was curate IG accounts; if it’s not a personal connection, a beautiful or thought-provoking educational account, or creative inspiration, I don’t see it. Life is better when I go deep on what matters.
Oooooooh I never thought of it that way! I did unfollow a ton of accounts when I was trying to manage my time better there, but I think in this season, it’s best for me to stay away. Maybe one day in a few years, I can start from scratch and be more thoughtful about it.
I cannot wait for all of those songs and more! Two weeks from Sunday is when we see her. Still working on an outfit. I have a couple of sparkly jackets on the way to try.
I live in Florida so the sparkly jackets would have killed me lol but I hope it all works out!
I’m sure! I’ve kind of been waiting to see what the weather will be like but also need to have some things available.
Oooo, that habit tracker app sounds like something I need. Thanks for the rec!
FYI the free version only allows you three habits but I paid $30 for the full version because Lord knows I need the help right now. 😅