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today is my birthday.

September 30, 2013

a list of a few things about me right now on my 38th birthday.

* these are my new favorite jeans…. Legging Jean at the GAP
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i probably won’t wear them with heels too often…. but occasionally maybe.
* talby wants me to learn how to do hair like this video. i promised i would try.

* the best book i read this summer was Tattoos on the Heart.
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it has a little bit of foul language but i still LOVED this book… SO MUCH. It changed my heart. i saw some things differently.

* i prefer to eat cake cold out of the refrigerator… frosting that is cold? YES!

* i absolutely LOVE to take a hot bath… in a BIG deep tub.

* coconut is top of the list for smells & taste. it love coconut dessert! and the smell… YUM.
the best lotions, shampoos & soaps are coconut.

* i want to see Gravity (clooney… duh) and i am scared to see Prisoners. Are you going to see either?

* i think of my dad every time i hear the song Werewolves of London (which is surprisingly often!) because he used to play it for us when i was little.

* i am hooked on the series Homeland

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* my most used app on my phone (besides Instagram of course) is Afterlight. i use it 90% of the time as a photo brightener.

* the top 30 played songs on my iTunes right now

songs

* i am going to the Lumineers with Mr. Duerksen this week!!

* i like this bedding.

but i would probably lean towards this style if i was actually buying new bedding. and i would buy it from target…not Anthro.

* i want to go to a party like this. someone do this and invite me to it ok?

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* this movie is going to be so good.

* after i watched that trailer i got sucked into watching movie trailers 30 minutes!

* these are some pretty sweet running shoes….

* i don’t like to eat breakfast. i would prefer two cups of coffee and nothing till lunch. i know i am supposed to eat breakfast… and i do. but i don’t want to.

* i dream about painting. about being “a painter”. i do. but i never ever make time for it. i should change that. (someday…)

* my favorite drink at Starbucks in the warm months is a Trenta (XL) ice coffee/4 pumps SF vanilla/extra skim milk/no sweetener

* my favorite drink in the cooler months is a grande skinny peppermint latte (or caramel)

* all of this fabric just came to my door. (I ordered from Hawthorne Threads.) they are ALL so beautiful!

* i am going to buy some pumpkins & mums with my little girlies today.

* this list has become too long.

🙂

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shirin - today is my bruthday!
🙂

Shellie - If you love coconut, you’ll love almond too. Everything almond smells yummy!
Prisoners is scary, I didn’t sleep after I saw it and my kids are 20 and 15. It was too real. It was a really good movie though.

Mindy - Happy belated Birthday! What fun favorites in this post – I share many of them and there are a few I need to check out. Hope your special day was great : )

amelia - it’s my birthday today

tracy fisher - i love cake out of the fridge too!!!!!! i can’t wait to meet you one day. 🙂 -tracy

Breeanna - Happy birthday! Mine is coming up too! I’ll be hitting the new decade of 30. I’m really looking forward to my 30’s. Hope you had a great birthday!

Wendy - Happy birthday! I love your list. I am always writing down books from blogs and I now have some of your playlist playing. I promise I am not a stalker. just like to “hang” out with those I want to be like. You rock! happy birthday!

-Wendy

Lemonade Makin' Mama - Happy Birthday sweet thing! I turned 38 earlier this month. GOod month.. better year! 🙂

Love so many of these same things. And coconut? LOVE!!

Hope your day is extra sweet.

Ana - Megan, you are such a blessed person that I admire so much.
God was really inspired when He created you.
I wish someday I really can meet you in person.
HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!

Lindsey - Happy Birthday! I love the list!

Sarah - Happy Birthday!!

Katrina - Hope you had a fabulous b’day. I did leave you a message on facebook 🙂
What did you do to celebrate?
Love your list.
Wait till you hit the fab 40’s in a couple of years. It’s a great place to be.

Alicia @ La Famille - oh so much to say here….gravity?? maybe. prisoners? i’m too scared. my worst nightmare actually. (making the sign of the cross)

I love your play list….somebody likes the Avett Bros 🙂

happy birthday!!!

love those shoes.

And those sheets.

jodie - i like you meg.
i think we will be friends in heaven, because unless you come to canada, or i go to kansas, i might not meet you in this life time except through your blog….and blogs aren’t really real exactly true meetings, are they?

Melody - Happy belated birthday! We are the same age but I see how much you’ve accomplished and am amazed at all you do… I know you visit Sonic for their happy hour quite often – I was just in Colorado for a visit and stopped at Sonic to try a ‘Dirty Dr. Pepper’ – something I’d seen on-line and was curious to try – it’s Dr. Pepper with the white coconut syrup added…have you ever tried one? It would be my new drink of choice if I had easier access so I think it’s a good thing they don’t have Sonic where I live! If you love coconut, I bet you’d love a Dirty Dr. Pepper!! 🙂

Marli - love these random bits posts. they are such fun to read. thanks for keeping up such a bright and cheery blog. i enjoy reading it.

Mia - Happy Birthday! May the year ahead be full of all those colorful moments that make our lives full.

tonya - hope your birthday was fantastic, meg!

Laura - well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY my dear sweet friend.
I am older than you.

that book has me intrigued…looks like Our Lady of Guadalupe on the cover, she is dear to my heart……AND foul language??? Perfect!

love you
love that you were born
you are wonderfully made!!!!

Maclaine - My college age son saw Prisoners. He loves suspense and horror movies and is an all-around tough guy. His review: “Mom, it’s disturbing. You should not see it.” And I pass that on to you. If you decide to see it let me know if he was right! lol

Tanya H - Happy birthday! I agree. 🙂 on a lot. And this is a fun idea! 🙂

Rachel S - Happy Birthday! Hope it’s a wonder-full day! And if you get invited to that party, I want to come too. 🙂

Charly - Now I can’t wait to see Saving Mr. Banks! Looks so good!
I clicked on your book link because I knew I had heard of it before…this is why…the author is coming to where I work!
Thought you might want to know about that… 🙂
Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J., founder of Homeboy Industries
(Special Events)
The Gerber Institute, in conjunction with Newman University’s Traditions and Transitions program, is very pleased to welcome Father Gregory Boyle, S.J., founder of Homeboy Industries – the most successful community re-entry program for gang members in the U.S.- to the Newman University campus on Thursday, October 10, at 7:00 p.m.
Father Boyle’s lecture, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Performance Hall of the De Mattias Fine Arts Center at Newman University.

Tracy - Happy Birthday (one day late)!!!!!! Hope you had a great one 🙂

I LOVE coconut too!

Jenn - I cannot wait for Saving Mr. Banks! I get chills. A good movie, no junk, just good stuff. We need good stuff right now. Hope you had the best birthday ever!

Jessica - Happy Happy Birthday!

LeeH - This list is just right!
This is a lovely insight into you, it feels like you’re a friend.
Thanks for sharing.

Kristen - Happy birthday, Meg. a) Lumineers are GREAT live. You will have a blast. b) I went to art school when I was 39. Best thing I ever did. c) I’m going to pick up the Tattoos book. Thanks for the recommendation.

lynette - Happy Birthday!!!

Lisa Q - Happy Birthday Meg! Hope it’s a great one…and that the year to follow is overflowing with God’s mercies! Thanks for all the inspiration!

april r - Happy Birthday 🙂

the list was just right

heidi maggard - Happy Birthday Meg! You are amazing!

Jen - Okay-just read my last comment, which sounded totally whiny, so I wanted to be sure to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope it was very special. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the bedding (but not Anthro prices!). A friend just sent me the link to Homeland so I need to get on that! Not a big fan of cake (give me pie!) or coconut (I prefer cinnamon!) and I don’t do baths AT ALL (don’t enjoy sitting in dirty water! HAHA) but I LOVE those running shoes and all those fabrics too! And fall is my very favorite-with mums and pumpkins and cornstalks! It doesn’t get much better! Happy day after your birthday! 🙂

Jen - Okay-this may be too personal so feel free to ignore me but how in the HECK does anyone buy clothes at GAP anymore? First, their sizes are crazy (once I found the signs that helped a bit!) And, anyone that’s had FOUR (me) (or, in your case, FIVE!) babies isn’t welcome there anymore! I was just there on Saturday and it was DE. PRESS. ING! None of the jeans had zippers longer than 1 inch and they were all so short! Now, granted I’m tall (5.10″) but I’m thin and I’ve had four BIG babies! And some of that tummy ain’t ever going away! Now, I was looking for cords, not jeans, but I was really bummed. Gap used to be my “go to” store and now it’s not cuttin’ the mustard! 🙁

alexis - Prisoners was beyond scary and disturbing for me. BUT I still really liked it…the story, the acting, the twists, the suspense.
Probably the scariest movie i’ve seen ever. But i don’t see many.

I want to see Gravity so badly!!

Michelle from Australia - Oops. I messed up. I meant YESTERDAY was your birthday in Australia. I knew what I meant even if my fingers didn’t type it properly!

Michelle from Australia - Happy Birthday Meg. Today was your birthday in Australia 🙂 But you can have it again in America today. Don’t you love the craziness of time zones like that??

Call Me Maybe? I love, love, love that song. No matter how many times I hear it or how many times I hear a take off of it, I still love it.

And coconut. YES PLEASE. In any shape, way or form. When we were in the USA in 2012, I wasn’t able to eat a piece of coconut cream pie. And Australia doesn’t have coconut cream pie. So I’m hoping for a Stateside trip in 2014 (all on my own – NO FAMILY COMING WITH ME – TAKE ABOUT A DREAM COME TRUE FOR THIS MAMMA!!!!!!) ….that will include a pie of coconut cream pie somewhere on my travels.

Kirsten J - Happy Birthday Missy!

Melissa Lewis - Happy Birthday Ms. Meg! Love your list, if you get invited to that party I wanna come!

Karen Gerstenberger - Happy Birthday!

Rach - You will love Lumineers. Just saw them on Saturday. The opening bands are pretty fun too. Enjoy!!

Tamra - Oh. My. Goodness. I commented before I watched the trailer. Had never heard of the movie and wasn’t sure if it would be about mary poppins which was my first thought when I read the title. Watched the trailer and am IN LOVE!! Can’t wait until I can see it! Thanks for sharing..

p.s. Happy Birthday!

Tracey - Happy Birthday to you!!!! Today is my birthday too. I turned 34. I had a less than subpar birthday today (dropped my sweet 3 year old in the tub on accident and spent way too much $ on food that wasn’t even good to name a few…) Do you think all of 34 will be this way? I sure hope not. I’m looking forward to 37. I’ve been reading your blog for the last year and I have to say you’re one of my absolute favorites. I just love you, your family and the way you “do” life – Such an inspiration! Thanks for being awesome! 🙂

Tamra - I’ve tried the hairstyle on my girls. so easy!! You’ll rock it! Love lists like these because I always find new things to buy or try. =)

Paula - Go see Prisoners. I was afraid to see it but something made me go. It is not scary as much as it is INTENSE. I do not like scary movies at all so did not think I would like Prisoners…but I must say it is good and I do recommend it.

Happy Birthday!!!!!!! Have a great day!

ashley - happy birthday!
i’m looking for your website almost tiwo years.
however i’m writing down first time now.
i always want to say thank to you.
when i read your website you’re inspired me and let me know God’s love.
sometimes life is very hard.
but we still live our lives because God is loving us and with us.
thank you.
and God bless you!

Heather S. - Happy Birthday! I personally adore Bux, but can’t handle the SF syrups. I’m all non-fat milk and no whip….but if I’m having a sweetener, it has sugar. I’ve tried before and blech – give me my money back! My hat is off to all who can order a skinny drink! LOL

Saving Mr. Banks looks great – what’s up with being PG-13? Sure would be nice to have a family film come out about Disney around Christmas. Oh well – that’s Hollywood!

Hope you had an awesome birthday!

Amy - Happy birthday to you!! You and the blog are such an inspiration. Wishing you many more joy filled years!

Magnolia Mom - WOW!! So I was surfing through pinterest and came across someone who pinned your blog. I decided to stop by and was surprised to see your post from today. Happy birthday! It’s my 38th birthday today, too!

Kristin S - Not too long at all.

Happy Birthday!

Those jeans scare me. I have “athletic” calves. I love that new name for those of us with heavy extremities no matter how hard we work out. Sigh.

Carrie - Happy Birthday. My birthday is on Saturday, I will be 37! I guess I need to make a list like that.

The bed has the headboard I have been looking for, for my oldest daughter- except I want it in white!

Carol S. - Enjoy your special day. Enjoyed your fun facts. Thank you for entertaining us all!!!

Kathy - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! OK you are one of my fave bloggers and now I know why, I love so many of the SAME THINGS! woohoo …. have an awesome birthday!!!

Caroline - Happy birthday!! Today is my birthday too:) It’s a great day!

Maria - Happy Birthday!!!

Hope you have a great day!

Linda - Happy Birthday! I hope you have had a wonderful day!

katey deasy - Happy Birthday. I love your list. Have a great day!!!!!!

Lora - happy*happy birthday.

Go see Prisoners. It’s SO good!!

Southern Gal - Happy Birthday, Meg! I can’t wait to see that movie. Movie trailers drag me in, too, especially Thor 2. 😉

Dana - That fabric!! Oh my….does fabric make you happy like it does me?!? Sometimes i just walk through fabric stores when I’m in a bad mood…it always brightens my day! (Weird…I know!) Hope you had an awesome, blessed Birthday!

Patty - Happy Birthday, Meg! Love your list…I can identify with almost every single one.
Enjoy your day and I hope you get to eat coconut birthday cake.

a-m - Happy birthday Meg! I’ve been reading your blog for years and it’s made me so happy, I thought it was about time I gave you a big wave on your big day! Hope you have great fun! a-m x

Amanda - I absolutely love posts like this. I’ve been reading your blog for a couple years now. Realistically, I’ll probably never meet you. But I feel like I know you from reading your blog. These are such fun little tidbits of Meg information that i’d probably never know if you hadn’t shared it. So fun!

Rachel B. - Birthday Blessings to YOU!

kimmie - My daughter Haleigh and I wish you a most awesome BiRtHdAy EVER!!

Kristin - Not too long, and happy birthday!!

Amanda - A very happy birthday to you! May all of your wishes come true.

Tracy - Happy Birthday!! Today is MY birthday, too!! (except I’m 7 years older than you. boo.)
I adore the scent and smell of coconut, too (coconut lime is a fabulous combination!) LOVE coffee (with real cream and sweetened with xylitol. yum!) and long for a nice hot bath (this house has a crappy tub. Sometimes I think all of my troubles will disappear when I finally have a comfy bathtub again 😉
I’m far too fat to wear those awesome jeans ~ but I am working hard to lose weight, so, maybe on our NEXT birthday? and you can just go on ahead and forward that package of fabric right to my door 🙂

I hope your day is fabulous and filled with color!!

stephany - HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!

Welcome to the 38 club!!

xo!

Jen - Happy birthday!!!

Stacy P. - Happy Birthday! You make 38 look fabulous!

stephanie - Happy birthday to you! Yours and Anna Maria Horner’s are about the only blogs I read. I am glad to see that you seem happy about the day. I turned 38 this year too. It’s almost surreal as I still see myself as a new high school graduate. Now with teenagers of my own, its as if life is repeating itself. Have a happy and blessed day!

Laura H - Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day filled with family and friends!
I just checked out season one and two of Homeland from my library. I can’t stop watching it!!!! I am completely HOOKED!
Love that Claire Danes! Love every episode! Staying up very late at night because I need to know what happens next….totally addicted!
Love your blog! Enjoy YOUR day!

Tiffany - Happy Birthday!! Listen to the Stevie Wonder version of that song, it’s fantastic. And I LOVE the GAP, been loving them since I was a teen, they make jeans/pants for Moms like me, not too flashy, not too Mom-like. Regular everyday jeans;) Hope you eNjoY yOuR dAy!!!

Jill - Happy Birthday to a favorite blogger! Make sure to have some wonderful coconut treats for your special day. 🙂
I bet you look awesome in those Gap legging jeans. I’m excited for the Tom Hanks movie too.
Thanks for sharing this fun list!

Colleen - Happy, happy day to you! Hope you get coconut cake! I, too, read Tattoos on My Heart this summer. Great book! I recommend it to anyone who is looking for an inspirational read. Can’t wait to see your mums and pumpkins.

Cindy - Happy Birthday! It’s my birthday today too!
On coconut…have you tried the Chobani greek yogurt Flips? They have a coconut flavored one that you flip dark chocolate and almonds into it…YUM!
Hope you have a great day! Love to read your blog!

Lisa - Happy birthday! OMG. I adore the Lumineers! Enjoy and tell us about it, please. I’m going to see Pink in December with my daughter. Can’t wait.

Random, but the other new Tom Hank’s movie, “Captain Phillips,” is a true story about a ship captain who is highjacked by Somali pirates. The real Captain Phillips lives down the road from us. It looks so scary, but amazing.

Kristin F. - Happy Birthday! I’m going to see the Lumineers in 10 days and I can’t wait. Such a fun birthday surprise :).

Bethany - Happy Birthday!!! Hope it’s a wonderful day!

It’s always fun to read random bits about favorite bloggers. I want to go a party like that too! So cute! The Tom Hanks movie looks great-hadn’t heard about it. I love the fabric…now I’m going to head to Hawthorne Threads to “window shop”.

Melissa - Happy Birthday!!!!!

beth ann - happy birthday!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - After seeing this list….I feel like we should be friends.

🙂

I have a million things I want to comment on, but mostly, I DID throw that party…and it was inspired by “that” exact photo…It was for Sarah’s wedding shower, back at the farm. Everything was great until Ralph (the cat) jumped on the cake table THEN killed a baby bird. Some girls cried.

I’m terrified of that space movie.

I like those jeans. (Still mad that G discontinued my size…)
And love the bedding. And coconut.

But not coffee. Or baths.

This comment better post. It’s THAT important.

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eighteen.

September 26, 2013

Craft Weekend brings the best ladies together!
i don’t have a lot of words for this post.
the pictures speak for themselves… awesome women… awesome weekend!

col5 col7 col6 col4 col3
kimberlee and i were given handmade slippers and we were pretty giddy about it.
aren’t they SO sweet?!

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col11
DSC_0666-1 such a crafty bunch of ladies!
they just kept adding beauty to everything they made.

group2

just as we were about to take our group picture Amy injured her ankle.
we got ice and water and she was soaking it to keep the swelling down.
it was a little crazy! We thought it would help us all remember if we kept the bucket in the shot.
Amy you are a trooper!

col1CR18 col2CW18 Kim??? (a CW girl not Kimberlee)
how did you skip the headshot time on sunday morning?!
i can’t believe we missed you!

jess and heather were our helpers.
online friends becoming real life friends is the best!

GREAT GROUP!!!

kimberlee and i are loving the women who come. we love being able to help them have some creative time for themselves. loving to feed them crazy good food! and of course we love taking them to the barn… it’s an experience!

if you would like to get on the Craft Weekend Wait List… Click above on the button the says About Craft Weekend.

thanks ladies for being awesome.
i truly enjoyed my time with you!

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Brenda Wohlscheid - I found this site because I love the slippers you posted. I have been looking for a pattern for slippers like those and have been unable to find it. Where are you located? Your week-ends sound like a lot of fun.

Brenda

31 Days of Getting to Know Me {again} Day 2 | - […] Wooden print is a new gift from Barn Owl Primitives that I received at my Whatever Craft Weekend in Kansas. I love the yellow, it makes me happy and is the perfect size for this little […]

Kim - HELP!!! Where can I find those adorable slippers? I would love to order some somewhere…….

Our Vintage Life - Oh! That looks like so much fun, and the results of your handiwork and heart work are beautiful!

tara - look at you in that red/white polkadot dress and cowboy boots.
skinny minny.
hard work and all those logged miles has paid off.

i hope you can tell me that you still eat pam’s cheesecake.

Jessica - I. DIE. over all those Coca-Cola crates!! Man, oh MAN do I want to go to that barn!! We have NOTHING like that here in New Jersey!

Breeanna - Another great Craft Weekend! I would love to come someday, but I need to save up for it!

Jeremie Shaffer - Amy-I was thinking the SAME thing!!! oh my goodness they favor!!!!!

Amy - Looks like so much fun! Are you sure Lisa isn’t your sister?!

Tiffany - Eighteen, WOW! Still looking just as colorful and fantastic as the first. These are my favorite posts to visit when I need to get the creative juices going. Well done Ladies!

Katie - Loved reading about eighteen. Thanks for letting me live it through pics. Oh ya. That vintage fisher price barn….tell me she got it. 🙂

Necole@seriouslysassymama - These are the best apron ever!

Julie - Another wonderful collection of colour for us to drool over. Would love to visit that antiquey place you go to. Your red spotty dress looks great.

Jill - Look how skinny you are! All your hard work is paying off!

AWeSoMe!!!
xo~Jill

Amanda - What a beautiful weekend! I wish whomever made your slippers was selling them. I’m a tad jealous. =)

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Be Excellent to Each Other…

September 24, 2013

have you ever heard of the etsy shop called Spunky Fluff?

i love this shop!
i hung this sign from Spunky Fluff up in our little stairway at the farm house.
col1

Bill & Ted had it right.
i think those are good words for my children to read over & over as they walk up the stairs to their bedrooms.

and this one… i adore it!

how fabulous is that font?!

Kristen’s shop is full of great colors, pretty fonts and really good quotes.

col2

i also have the Good Morning Sunshine sign hanging up at the Craft house and the Missing Socks sign in my laundry room!

go over to her shop and see which one is your favorite!

You can use the code MEGBLOG for a 20% discount on everything at spunkyfluff.etsy.com.

AWESOME!

(think ahead… christmas is coming. wouldn’t it feel great to have a great gift like this already done?!)

thanks Kristen!

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Jenn - My Choose Happiness sign arrived last week and I LOVE IT! I hung it at the bottom of the stairs so my family can see it every time they come downstairs. Kristen helped me pick the color and was wonderful. Thanks, Meg!

tracy fisher - love these signs. one day i WILL order one for myself. just trying to find the right saying. thanks for sharing. -tracy

Melissa - Oh my gosh I love those – they are super fun!

Gemma - Love these ! I am so amazed at what some people create on etsy. So clever!

Gemma x

http://musings-of-a-gem.blogspot.co.uk/

Jeremie Shaffer - Oh my goodness! Is that curtain made from a sheet? Growing up, my mom had sheets that looked just like that!!! Such awesome memories!!!

Tanya - Just had the convo with my kids last night about being excellent to each other…especially in the morning before school, lol 😉
I need that sign! 😀

Mindy - Be excellent to each other – Love it! Want to live it… On my way to check out the site. Thank you for the discount code.

Kerri Clark - AWESOME stuff. Def. will purchase one

Taryn - Oh my!!!! bookmarked the one i love…”Be more you”…awesome!

Lasso the Moon - I love Bill and Ted.
::
Thanks for the discount code!
Anna

Billy - Those designs are amazing! As we try to decorate our new house I’ve been dismayed by the cheesy designs of many wall hangings. Thanks for sharing such a great find. Now the only problem is which ones to get first!

lacy brauner - oh no. why’d you show me her stuff?! So many if those signs are too awesome!

Kari - Wow! These are so cute! I took a look at the shop and there are so many that I really like. These would make such a nice Christmas gift for a few people on my list. Thanks for sharing and for the discount code.

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what a great weekend!

September 23, 2013

we had the best time this weekend with my mom, my sister & nieces and family friends.

we filled each day full till we laid down to sleep.
it was great.

sean had a football game but it was cancelled in the middle because of lightning.
those clouds were creepy!

talby had a volleyball game… it’s going to be SO FUN watching her play these next few years!

COL1

my mom and i did several hours of antique shopping.
I found all kinds of treasures!
a little red bedside table… a teal tackle box (i can’t walk away from away a good colored box)… linens…milk glass batter bowl… flour sacks… and cute dishes.
but then my Mom found this big gallon size Santa Fe Pears can.
SCORE!!!! COL2
This was the brand that my grandpa sold in his grocery business! My grandpa was a “Ranney” of Ranney-Davis.
my parents have all kinds of things they have found at antique shops from his store over the years.
but i don’t have any and this can is so perfectly ME!
i said “this looks like it should be at Anthropologie!” i was in love.
my mom bought for me for my birthday.
thank you mom!

we went to my home town’s craft fair and i ran into several old friends i grew up with.
i treated the girls to a giant lemonade from the lemon shaped lemonade stand. (yummmmmm)
then we headed out to our family friend’s home for the night.
it was a total blast.

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my girls were loving these little boys!
they were so giggly & cute… they all had hours and hours of FUN!

the girls put all the frogs they caught under the fire pit screened lid for awhile to observe them.
i thought that was a pretty great idea.
scott got in for one minute i think but it was pretty cold with the sun almost down.
that water trampoline was too tempting to not try it at least once!

COL3 in the morning we got to do a little fishing.
it was windy so we only caught three.

my mom caught the biggest one!

PicMonkey Collage

this is the good stuff.
family… life long friends… catching up… making memories… catching frogs… floppy fish…. 3 am wake up calls. 🙂

thankful for all of it!

how was your weekend?

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Leslie - Yes, please share about your adorable sweater/blouse!!!!!! Thanks 🙂

jill - Meg, you capture the best times in photos! Looks like a lot of fun. I love your gray cardigan too! the shirt you have under it is darling. Where did you find it?

Kate - Would you mind sharing where you got your cute polka dot/stripes cardigan? I loooooooove it! You have a beautiful family. 🙂

Kathi - Sounds wonderful, memories for sure.

Carol S. - Looks like you grabbed the last bits of summer. Nice! So glad you’ve got another volleyball player coming up. One of my fav sports to spectate, after basketball. Cute peaches can, curious if its empty and hope to see where you put it in your home. Anthro finds are great.

Gemma - Looks like a great weekend! I love the frog pictures…although I don’t think I would be brave enough to hold one!

Gemma

http://musings-of-a-gem.blogspot.co.uk/

Breeanna - Looks like such a fun weekend with family and friends! I want that trampoline!

Alicia @ La Famille - so so fun, meg. love weekends like this.

Lori H - Your weekend looks fun! Our weekend was pretty great, too. We went to see my son, a freshman in college, the first we have seen of him in a month! I wanted to hug on him all day, but of course I am not allowed to do that 🙂 At least now I know he is happy, and that is the most important thing.

Tara - It looks like you had a wonderful weekend! I love that your girls caught the frogs. My girlie-girl would run away squealing!

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family fun & capri sun

September 20, 2013

I was asked by Capri Sun to share some of my thoughts on spending family time together.
That is an easy one! It is the best thing! They are my favorite people to spend my time with. It is when I feel the most comfortable, loved, and content.

After my little girls got off the bus from school I asked them to help me come up with some of our best ideas for fun family time.

I try to have snacks and drinks available for them when they get home from school. They are always so hungry & thirsty after all that learning.

Capri Sun 100% Juice is a popular choice at our house.
They love the taste and I love that it’s not just sugar water or soda.
With all of our family’s sports activities that go on year round we have Capri Sun Juice Drinks all the time. We fill our coolers up for the kids playing sports and for the ones who are just watching on the sidelines. Capri Sun Juice drinks are great for packing into school lunch boxes too.

My girls enjoyed their Capri Sun Juice Drink and some fruit while we made a list to work from.

(fyi… Annie got a black eye at school bumping heads with someone in PE class)

We had chicken photo-bomber.
Seriously.
I guess she just wanted to see what was going on up on the table.
Then Annie tossed a blueberry her direction….

She loves blueberries!
Oh my goodness we laughed so hard.

Ok… back to list writing.

We tried to think of ideas that involved being active and if it wasn’t active then at least we were learning.
But sometimes it is good to cuddle up and just relax too.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun as a family.

You just need each other.

Big vacations are great, expensive amusement parks are cool, but the real stuff that builds memories for life is consistently spending quality time together. Being engaged in the activity, making eye contact… no phones or internet distractions… that is the GOOD STUFF. Your kids will remember that. They may not remember the activity but they will remember the love & focused attention you gave them in that moment. It builds… one experience on top of the next.

Time together is important. You might as well make it fun too.

What is one of your favorite ways to be together with your family?

Learn more about Capri Sun Juice Drinks at their website and also visit their Facebook Page.

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Liz - Love this. So true!

Carolyn - I know this comment does not have anything to do with this last post, but, I made your Roasted Veggies this past Sunday for a Dinner in the park with my wonderful family!!! What a delicious way to fix these veggies!! YUMMY! They are also very beautiful to serve!! Thanks for sharing your recipe. I wish I would have taken a picture of our table of food!! We grilled steaks, baked potatoes and Roasted Veggies!!! My sister brought the most wonderful Opera Cream cake also. What a wonderful day to spend with the family!!!

jo - couldn’t agree with donna more.

Mindy - I love how you celebrate each day! And the chicken photo bomber. I love that too : )

Gina in Louisville - They are growing up too stinking fast.

Jennifer - Love the chicken photo bomber. Also the orange kitty and sweet girls. Your family always looks like fun!

Donna - I love your blog and I understand why you do sponsored posts, but those little Capri Suns have more sugar than soda. Juice IS essentially sugar water. To each his/her own, but to present juice as healthy is irresponsible. Juice consumption is linked to a whole host of childhood illnesses.

Tiffany - Perfect! We all need reminders to unplug and engage! We like going for walks on our country road and hunting for “treasures”. 🙂 PS-I thought Annie was wearing eye makeup before I read about her black eye.

Martha - “you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun as a family…..you just need each other”. Perfectly put!

meredith - stroller rides! simple fun with my 6 month old. I point out objects all around and just talk to her. when all three of us walk after dinner it’s perfect family time. my mom walks with us a lot too, when she’s over. she points out the same objects and says them in french.

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cheesecake, africa and you

September 19, 2013

i have a friend named Pam.

i have talked about her a lot over the years on this little space.
she took me all the way to africa for a week and changed my life.
then she sold everything she owned…car, furniture…everything.
and then she moved there with her family!

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(pam….how do we have NO photos of just the two of us??)

(and boy do we look…HOT. literally. very sweaty)

her family has been back in the states again this past few months and are almost ready to return to Liberia.
selfishly… i want her to stay.
i want to have her around for long lunches and late night talks. (very late)
i want to spend time with her. i want to learn about faith and life from her.
i want to hear that laugh! (she has a fabulously loud, awesome laugh!)
but as much as i want that for me… i know it’s wrong.
she and her family have been called to go and share the gospel in Liberia.
and that is so obviously right.
they are meant to be there! it is THE PERFECT fit for them.
their hearts are alive for africa.
when you talk with them for five minutes you already know that they have servant hearts for africa.

God has called them and they are going.

this was part of their newsletter:

“We have a Clear Call to work with the people in Liberia. We will soon be returning to Liberia and make the big move to the interior of Liberia. God has broken our hearts for the people there – more than 98% of them are without the Gospel and with little chance of ever hearing of our Savior’s love. We are excited about God opening doors for us to work in Liberia. We have much to learn in the coming months and years, but our goal is to obey the Holy Spirit and love the people around us.”

Pam is an amazing cook.
i mean….she is absolutely A M A Z I N G!!

a few years ago she was sweet to me and let me share her cheesecake recipe on my blog.
she didn’t have to do that.
that was probably a pretty hard thing to do actually… she CREATED the recipe over several years!
it took her a long time to figure out all the perfect ingredients to make it just right.
and oh. my. goodness…. did she ever get it just right?!! YES!

WOW!

if you haven’t made it yet…. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!!
it is a user friendly recipe and it is by far the best cheesecake i have ever had.

EVER.

and tons of people agree with me.

***********************************************************************************

AND… this won’t be the last you see of Pam.
no way.
because i can’t wait to go visit, help, share, learn and GROW in Liberia too.
so really…this is just the beginning.

GO PAM!
i am so proud to be your friend.
you are such an incredible inspiration to me.
what a gift God gave me in YOU.

if you love pam’s cheesecake let me know in the comments!
i would love to know what you have made it for… birthdays, holidays or just because!

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Lisa - What a great idea to help raise money!!!

Tiffany - I’ve made it a few times now… For Thanksgiving and Easter. It is hands down, THE BEST! I want to propose to our craft weekend group that we need to do a virtual reunion through IG. That would be a good reason to make it again!

Skim - What an amazing family! Being on the other side of the world in Aus, how many ounces is in a packet of cream cheese in the US? Would love to make this cheesecake.

Terrie - You’ve convinced me…
I have like 3 different tried and true recipes…
But, I just HAVE to try Pam’s!
Making it for our K-State watch party tomorrow!
Can’t wait to let you know how much we LOVE it…
’cause…I KNOW we will!
You’ve never let me down yet!
🙂

Flower Patch Farmgirl - I WISH I could have met Pam! One day… 🙂
Pam – Your cheesecake rocked my knee socks off.
I love your heart and your willingness to GO.

Johnsie Buller - I am Pam’s mother-in-law and I have eaten some of her cheese cake. It is wonderful, like everything else she makes. I have never made her cheese cake but I will now. Johnsie

Susan - Best ten dollars I have spent. Meg you are indeed a good friend. I only wished you lived near me. Take Care.

Sandy - I had to buy a springform pan to make Pam’s Cheesecake!! Thanks to her and you for sharing it on your blog. I made it for my daughter before she left for Chile to study and do mission work last semester. She made a wonderful Chilean friend while there who will be visiting our family here in the states in December. Pam’s Cheesecake will definitely be on the menu again!!

Lisa - What a wonderful way to support Pam and her sweet family! I treasure my time spent with her at Craft Weekend 16. Making her cheesecake will always be a special way to remember her and the beautiful work she is doing in Africa. Thanks Meg!

Lisa - What a wonderful way to help Pam and her sweet family! I treasure my time spent with her at Craft Weekend 16. Making her cheesecake will always be a special way to remember her and the beautiful work she is doing in Africa. Thanks so much Meg!

Stephanie - I am SO gonna make this cheesecake. Thank you Pam! Thank you, Meg!

Cassie - Of course I had my first amazing slice at craft weekend and I knew being a cheesecake lover I had to make it! The first time I made it was for Easter and then Christmas and then Valentines day…I was finding any reason to make this and there was never a slice left over! Love love love! Thanks Pam for sharing this amazing dessert and good luck on your next journey to Africa!

Tina Wuthnow - LOVE PAM
LOVE PAM’S FAMILY
LOVE PAM’S HEART FOR LIBERIA
LOVE PAM’S CHEESECAKE
LOVE PAM

Thanks for doing this Meg!!!!

CathyC - What an awesome friend you have Meg. What a calling!!!
I have made Pam’s cheesecake and it is amazing!!!!!!! I absolutely LOVE it. (thank you Pam).

Kimberlee Jost - Love that Pam.
🙂

Amy Gubser - I am tearing up reading this. So blessed to know The Buller’s. I am definitely getting a print and hanging Pam’s cheesecake recipe in my kitchen so I can think of them and pray every time I see it. 🙂

Michelle Whitlow - I have made Pam’s cheesecake several timed and you’re right, it’s so easy. And OH MAN is it good!!!! Seriously, my family gobbles it up. Ok, I gobble up more than my fair share, too 😉

Jessica Johnson - We LOOOOVE that cheesecake. And we LOVE Africa more. You are a good friend, Meg.

Darcie - Uhhh… if this is the cheesecake that Kimberlee made at the last Craft Weekend too, then YES. It is the best I’ve had! Someone in our group said, “I don’t like cheesecake.” Someone else said, “This isn’t like cheesecake.” She said, “I won’t like it anyway.” I said, “YESS. You will.” She tried it… “This is NOT like regular cheesecake!” Agreed. I have yet to make it, but now I certainly will!

Lisa - I met Pam and her family a few weeks ago here in Oklahoma! What a wonderful family! They shared in church and it was awesome to see her passion, even from the short amount of time they had to share. I asked her afterwards if she was the Pam that knows you and the Pam that makes the cheesecake…small world!!

Dee Dee Burson - Hi Meg ! Some of our very good friends we go to church with started an orphanage in Liberia several years ago. He went there on a mission trip and fell hard for the precious children there. So he came home and downsized his whole life here and started Orphan Aid Liberia, You can find them on FB. Every month he feeds, clothes, educates 115 children there. It has been amazing to watch his ministry grow ! Best of luck to Pam and her family !

Jenny - Wanted to share a funny story about Pam’s Cheesecake….I had never made a cheesecake before in my 33 years and decided to give this recipe a try! I stayed up super late making it and it came out of the oven looking practically perfect. We were going to a friend’s house for dinner and I took the cheesecake to share. My husband carried it in and while he was walking in he tripped and dropped the cheesecake on the ground! My heart sank and if we hadn’t been around friends I would have had some ugly choice words for him! He knelt down, carefully saved as much of the cheesecake as possible and later that night, the 4 of us sat around and ate Pam’s Cheesecake for dessert, complete with some green grass garnish. I’ve made it several times since this first time and it’s just as delicious every time. Best wishes, Pam and may God Bless You and your family.

Tonya Upton - My sister-in-law was called to be a single missionary in Africa, and while she was there earlier this year, she met a hot missionary boy. They are getting married in one month – Yay! And I’m making Pam’s Cheesecake for their wedding. God’s plan is so awesome.

stephany - I am so thrilled to be able to help Pam and her family!
It was such a blessing to meet her at Craft Weekend 16…and eat the cheesecake that SHE made for us!
Thank you!

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full heart.

September 16, 2013

we had a REALLY great Craft Weekend!
such a wonderful group of women… God brings us the best people to craft with!
i am so happy that i know each one of them now.
i think it’s so cool that with the lottery system we really do just let God be the one who puts it all together.
He knows who should be in each group. He knows who needs to meet. He know who needs encouragement.
it’s just the best.

i brought home some pretty fabulous treasures from the barn on saturday… in the form of two giant shortening barrels.
how great is that color?!!

i may use them for flower pots.

this September Craft Weekend was our SECOND anniversary!!!
18 groups so far…
over 250 ruffled aprons…
at least 35 cheesecakes…
over 40 different sponsors…
almost every state represented….
and two foreign countries…
a wait list a mile long…

i would say we are loving having the best job ever.

this is our “selfie face” to celebrate our anniversary.

(i am not sure it’s working for us…)

after CW was over and the Craft House was completely empty, i took a looooong nap.
it is so much easier to re-enter life at home sunday night when i have caught up on some quiet time.

check out the sky i got to enjoy as i drove home tonight….

i am going to sleep like a rock tonight.

and hug on my kids all day tomorrow…. they have no school.

i hope they sleep late.

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mandy - I’ll echo the others. where did you get that dress??? amazing~

tara - she’s got legs…..she knows how to use them! could NOT resist singing a little zz top tonight!

you have worked hard and it has paid off.
thinking you need to post about your total body makeover.

Tiffany - i hope they sleep late – crack me up!

Kat - Meg, you are looking amazingly fit and healthy and a slimmer version of yourself.
That picture of you in the red and white spotty dress (love that dress!) compared to the one above when you were in Africa, wow what a transformation!
You are inspiring me, as I have been going to the gym for 7 months and getting fitter and more toned, but I am still sabotaging my efforts by eating too much chocolate, cake, sugar etc.
Seeing your picture and your healthy snacks has inspired me to be more disciplined with my eating.
I just wanted to say well done and keep up the great work!
I love your sunset pics of Kansas, just beautiful.
You take THE best photos.

Loni - Meg, that dress looks great on you! You’re tiny! All that running must do a body good! I love you, been reading for a long time. I wanna be you!

Michelle B. - Wowza! Great group shot – good lard tubs – selfies XO – Kansas sky 🙂

But another big wowza! All of the hard work you are doing is showing up in the photos big time! I may have just put down the cookies I was eating. I’m 44 this week and a good 40 pounds heavier than I’m used to. Been having a bit of a pity party that it’s just too hard, blah, blah, blah.

I am inspired to talk to get back to running and eating the way my body needs.

Thanks for the motivation – keep up the awesome work!!

Diane Baucke - Your blog is one of my absolute favorites. Never fails to make me smile! I love your sense of humor, your faith, your “craftiness”, your beautiful family, and so much more. Hope to someday make a craft weekend!!! Hope you have a wonderful week 🙂

Gwennie - Where did Kimberlee get her daisy necklace? It is so cute!

Tosha Duckworth - Fitness and healthy eating are doing you good. Seriously Meg you look AMAZING!!! I had to do a double take in the first photo…you look ten years younger. Keep up the good work!!

Tiffini - oh…can i please have your knees? i have such grandma legs. never had good legs for dresses…i even pinned this picture is is so crazy cute…xo

Tiffini - you two ROCK…such big hearts..BOLD hearts
loving on all of us
sharing your gift…sharing your story
all so beautiful…xo

Jaime ♥ Raising up Rubies - duck face selfies are the best.
i will wait patiently for the boots to be a print. ♥

Jen - Looking good, Meg!!

AshleyAnn - WOAH!!! Hottie in the red dress and boots at the barn!!

Tiffany - A) You look amazeballs(using your word) 🙂
B) You are so right about how amazing God works, to pull the right ladies together and at the right time, AND how he works through you! You and Kimberlee are such a blessing to so many! I miss you two!
C) Glad it was such a successful weekend, and hopefully you had a great day with your kids!

Tami C. - Ok, I just have to say this – I love the red dress with the boots! So very stinking cute.

april R - that red dotted dress!!! <3

and the selfie-face photo XD

gale - So glad ya’ll had fun! I love seeing every weekend as it posts on Instagram and would love to meet all the helpers! So glad I got to come in January 🙂 Still one of my best weekends ever!

Necole@seriouslysassymama - I saw that belt cinched on that dress. Someone is getting skinny!

Breeanna - I’m so happy for you that craft weekend is such a success!

Chris - Meg…you look fantastic!! Love your dress and you look so skinny!! Nice work!!

Heather S. - Oh dear – I want your dress AND your belt! So cute! I adore those photos of the Kansas sky! We just returned home (Topeka) from a disastrous week in Colorado (have you seen that flooding?) and I don’t think the Kansas sky ever looked so beautiful to me!

Tere Canas - Fun times, fun times. Meg and Kimberlee, you are a blessing to those who attend, such fond memories of CW. xoxo

Rachel - Meg, you are glowing! You look absolutely beautiful in that red dress! Holy legs! I’d say those miles on the pavement and roasted veggies have paid off! Love the photo of the ladies with the old truck and you with your finds! Can’t wait to see the rest of craft weekend!

Sue - Just want to be another person to tell you how fantastic you look! I, too, wish I had your legs!

beth larson - Meg… these were my thoughts too— you have TO DIE FOR legs—long and strong! Love the dress on you too. I sat here and thought “and this girl has birthed 5 babies”. Way to go- all that running pays off right?

Can’t wait for the rest of the pictures from the weekend!
xo

p.s. I took a screen shot of you to my stylist and asked for a haircut like yours! : )
(I do not look as cute as you- haha)

Melyssa - I can’t wait to meet you, Kimberlee, and a bunch of lovely ladies in November! I am so excited for my turn at the craft table and the barn. EEEEEEK! It is so soon I can barely contain myself.

Kristin S - Meg, you are itty bitty! In a good way. 🙂

Alice H - I need to start praying harder/more that I get picked! And yes…amazing legs! Cute polka-dot dress. Congrats on 2 years!!

Heidi - Meg, I love your dress and cowboy boots!!!!

Sarah K - You are simply ADORABLE…and that Kimberly, she’s one of a kind. So thankful for the memories made at CW!!!!

becky - i had so much fun. thank you. xoxoxox.

Amanda - Cutest dress!!!!! Please share where you found it…pretty please!?!?

Andrea - Meg, that polka dot dress looks fabulous on you! You look so happy!

Hannah - I agree with Gemma! AMAZING LEGS!!! that dress and the boots…so stinkin cute!! 🙂

CathyC - Meg, you look GREAT!!!! So happy CW leaves you happy every time!

Carol s. - Fun. Your face is very slim in your Arlie. Happy to hear you are enjoying what I know is hard work at times. I think I’m on the list from way back lol. Someday!

Gemma - First of all…you have amazing legs meg!! So jealous.

Secondly..I love your CW updates. 2 years! That has flown by. Hopefully you will share some more pictures

Gemma xxx

Lisa - After the day I had today, I am wishing I was looking at those beautiful sunsets and could have spent the weekend learning how to sew! Happy two year craft weekend anniversary! That’s pretty exciting! ANNNND that outfit you are wearing in the picture? Could not love it more!!!! SO stinkin’ adorable!

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