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q&a

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i guess i am feeling talkative…
and i am wondering
do you have any questions that you have been dying to ask me?

ask away.
i will post tomorrow with the answers (if i have any).  

ps…the happy rainbow cake was featured on the blog for Urban Outfitters!  yeah…the store!
woo-hoo!  
even my 14 year old agreed that it was very cool.
and that is saying A LOT!

AND…that's enough questions.  :)  thanks.
comments are closed…i will do this again soon.  

Erin Mercado - I would like to know if your have decided on what to do with the 3rd floor?
And goodness, how much do you spend on groceries?! Kidding….but it must be crazy because you have 5 kids and always seem to have something yummy in your kitchen. Can you tell I’m hungry? Hehe…

se7en - I guess this has nothing to do with talking but I really wish you would pop over to my house (just round the corner – Cape Town on the far side of the world!!!) and take about a million bazillion photographs of our house and kids – now that would be lovely!!! So cool about your cake link… have a great weekend, even if it isn’t in sunny South Africa!!!

Keri ~ Forever Folding Laundry - You’re a brave girl. πŸ™‚
Ok, so…what Bible study are you doing right now?
Are you dressing up for Halloween?
What is your dream job?
And, yes…the Urban Outfitters mention is cool!

Diana - Why don’t you just adopt all of us here? That would take care of everything! :p Haha, but really… my one question for you is:
Are you and/or Craig related to me? I have sooooooooo many Deurksen entries in my genealogy database. We are probably related *somehow.* I’m about related to most of this town anyway, LOL! My maiden name was Buller.
If I do nothing else and am not down with a migraine, I read your blog each day that I can for all the happiness it exudes and the uplifting moments in life. And hey, the photos are always AWESOME! Don’t stop blogging… we will be lost without you!

Jennifer - 1.) Can I set up a photo session with you!?
2.) I would also like to know about the camera stuff. I need a new one and love your pics…what do you suggest!?
Thanks for sharing your life with the world! I love looking at your blog!

erica - i was wondering if you always wanted a big family and if you want any more kids? what’s it like to have a wide range of ages from a teenager to a preschooler?
are you a scheduled person? how do you find the time to take care of your kids, keep your house looking amazing, craft, and do photography? i am a photographer w/ 2 small kids & am going to school and often feel like i can’t get it all done.

Kelly - Can I move in with you? You have the coolest house ever!

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - yes. i would like to know how craig feels about your chippendale obsession.
also, do you have plans the weekend of 12/11?

meaghan - i want to know about talby’s name too! also…how are your pics so bright even when you shoot indoors? and…what does craig do? sorry, that’s prob too personal πŸ˜‰

Heather - Oh I have sooooooooo many questions I want to ask but I will keep it short. πŸ˜‰
1. What kind of lense do you have on your camera and what setting/s do you use? I just got a Canon Rebel Xsi (two weeks ago)and my pictures are just as bad as with my old point and shoot! Urgh! Does a lense really make that much of a difference? Or is it just the hopeless wanna-be photographer?
2. How do you make your pictures SO big on your blog? I know I have probably read it in one of your posts but haven’t been able to find it again.
3. Would you ever sell your pictures, perhaps, in your Etsy store? (Specifically the one of the bubble gum machine?- my fav!)
You are a daily destination. My first blog stop of the day(usually before coffee which is saying a lot!!) Always inspiring, fun, and encouraging. Whatever you are doing- keep it up! (but no pressure) πŸ™‚

Cassie - have you figured out how to cook pork yet?

sara - i am one of your biggest fans, too! your posts always bring a smile to my face. i’d be interested in how you chose your children’s names as well. still trying to pick out our next ones name (that isn’t even on the way yet)

Abby - I want to know where the name Talby came from? I guess while you are at it, how did you choose your other kids names as well?
We have a hard time picking out names and we are only on our second!

Mindy - How about some organizing tips — like how do you stay on top of the kids and photography and the crafts and scrapbooking … I have 4 kids (almost 5 year old triplets and one almost 2 years). Most days I feel like I am going crazy and nothing gets done and that with 3 of them in preschool full time, 5 days a week.

sara graham - I love your blog. I went to preschool in your home. Brings back memories!
What is your favorite room in your house?
What is your favorite restaurant?
Do you love the Breadbasket’s cinnamon rolls as much as I do?

misty - i want to know lots of things =)
do you just use iphoto to edit your pics? I know your lens has a lot to do with the photos, but the colors always seem to POP. & did you teach yourself photography, or did you take classes?
I also want to know how you get so many people to follow your blog. I know they continue to read it because its amazing, fun & inspiring, but how did you get it out there in the 1st place?
will you do a tutorial on how to tie dye? I would LOVE that. I have practiced but I have yet to successfully make a shirt that looks ‘tie dye’
and last, how did you learn to sew? My husbands grandmother gave me a sewing machine and I have no idea what to do with it. Did you just go for it, or did someone teach you?

hannahdevries.blogspot.com - My friend Kara and I are two of your biggest fans.
Would you go on over to her blog (karasinchina.blogspot.com) and leave a little comment? I think she just might die if she knew you were reading:)

Cindy/ clickhappy - I have ?’s!
I enjoy your blog and live a couple miles from Kansas in Missouri and always wonder about where you are.?
What advice do you have for getting started in the photography business?
Will you take me to U2, next time?

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jonathon’s senior pics

senior pictures…

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he is proud of his car….it IS pretty sweet.

he parks it on the other side of the high school parking lot.  
i pointed that out to the 4 youngest kids one morning and said "he is smart to protect it".
and now every morning…literally…annie asks "wheras smote jonafon's cawar?"  
(where's smart jonathon's car?)
and then when she finds it shouts "THERE IT IS!!!"

thanks jonathon.
hope your senior year is the best.

amy d - those turned out SO good…i can’t wait to tell him what annie does…that’s too cute. i remember when he got that car and i just kept thinking as i was looking at it…not fair, it has more gizmos than mine!!

kasey - so cute !!
xo

Mother Runner - Those are great!
And he’s such a cutie…never seen his hair so flat – adorable.

susie whyte - i just took my husband’s picture on those steps when we were in town last week! i keep calling them justin’s senior pics(except his is halfway to senior citizen). ha ha.
that annie is one smart cookie!

Tracy - Awww.. what a doll – he’s SO CUTE and the car is pretty sweet! :o) Great pictures as usual, Meg!

Sharla - I loved those stairs the last time I saw them and I love them this time too.

Renee Khan - What great pictures.
You have a fantastic blog and it is a real treat to come here.
Renee xoxo

Dana Banana - Remember my blue Monte Carlo?? Fun times.

Jeannine - Beautiful photos, as always =)
My first car was an ’89 Caprice.
Just sold it last month to help pay for another year of school, heh.

Stephanie Carroll - I want to babysit Annie.

Sarah @ Clover Lane - So so good…love them all…my favorite is the one on the steps too…something about that color really pops. You are awesome.

traci - that is a sweet car!! my son parks at the far end of the parking lot too and he has an old truck. i think it’s cute. great photos meg.

Michelle - Hi Meg! I so enjoy all your photos. You are super talented!
Would you please share some photo tips such as lens, camera settings, etc.?
Thanks so much!

Gratsia - I’ve just discovered your blog and its amazing, such beautiful pictures. Really your great at photography you really have an eye for it.
I’ve been trying to find your etsy page as well but havent been able to.
Have a good week
xx

Kathy - Great pictures he is a cutie!

Diana - I’m gonna sound like the oldie here… oh wait, I AM! LOL! My first car was a *ahem* used 1971 Ford Maverick, in that awful shade of green they used to have back then. But I loved that car, for sure!
Really love the fifth photo down, the closeup of his car with him leaning on the front of it.
Have a great year, Smart Jonathon! πŸ™‚

Heather - I love the antiqued one on the stairs!! I parked on the other side of my high school parking lot too, but my reasons were a little different. My car was sooo big -1985 Caprice Classic- that I had to park in the back where there was enough room!

Staci - What a cutie πŸ™‚ and NIIIIICE car πŸ˜‰ And of course….I love your Annie!!!!! I’ve never even met her…yet I can just HEAR her saying that πŸ™‚

Julia - all the pics are great – the third from the top is really creative – did you mess around with the image or did it come out like that?
hmmm..would he have been as excited about a 1979 powder blue Monte Carlo??? that’s right…you have a right to be jealous.

amy - the third pic, on the steps, is pretty amazing.
why didn’t we have cool senior pics like this? mine were the typical, black wrap/faux off the shoulder dress thingy.
100% pure UG!
anyways, i digress.
great job!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Wow that is a nice car. My first car was a cranberry colored Buick Somerset…sweet ride. Those were great pics Meg.

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water4christmas

the etsy shop is OPEN!  

not my etsy shop….the WATER4CHRISTMAS etsy shop.
it's full of all kinds of fun stuff!
all of the money goes to build wells with CLEAN WATER in liberia.
ALL OF IT.

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in the shop you will find…these bracelets are simple and sweet and only $15.00!
i have one and i really like it. 
it has a little hand made water droplet charm hanging off of it.
 they would be great stocking stuffers.
(fyi…i heard these are not in the store until thursday?  maybe?)

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coffe cozys..
 almost everyone likes coffee.
or hot chocolate.
 with these cozies you can enjoy your hot drink and be GREEN at the same time.


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 dish towels…

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burp cloths…

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really cute Africa shirts in lots of sizes and patterns…i may be partial…but i LOVE these.

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and this is my favorite!
a water drop christmas ornament….it's so perfect.
everyone on your christmas list needs one.
think of all the water you supply for buying an ornament!

and there is a lot more. 

water4christmas is awesome!

here is the write up on their profile page…

"There are two primary choices in life; to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them." (Denis Waitley)

At Water for Christmas, we've allowed the existing conditions to break our hearts and spur us to action. 

* We want to join others in solving the world's water crisis, where 1.1 billion people on the planet don't have access to safe, clean drinking water. 
* We don't want to accept the conditions where unclean water and the lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. 
* It doesn't make sense that 4500 children should die every day from the lack of access to clean water.

Water for Christmas is partnering with charity: water (www.charitywater.org) to build wells in Africa. All proceeds from items sold in this shop will go directly to building fresh water wells in Liberia, West Africa. We believe that a small group of people can work together to change the world. Visit us at http://water4christmas.com

*If you would like to donate a hand-crafted item to Water for Christmas, to be listed on this site, please send us a message. As with everything else, all proceeds will go directly to building fresh water wells in Liberia.

(and this is added by me….) 
  *if you'd like to sell products in YOUR etsy shop…tag it with water4christmas 
 and contact them about your donation money.

NOW LET'S GO SHOPPING!

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for them.

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they are worth it. 

"For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat,
I WAS THIRSTY and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in."
 Matthew 25:35

feel free to blog this…promote it…tell everyone you know…shout it from your rooftop…
you know, the usual thing you do when you hear about something amazing.
πŸ™‚
 

Kasey - Just got my beautiful bracelets in the mail! I bought a bunch to give to my nieces for Christmas. And one for myself, of course. : )

elizabeth - I’ve blogged about it! Thanks, again, for letting us know about this wonderful group. (I also ordered the water ornaments!)

Ruth - love this! you go meg πŸ™‚

elizabeth - The theme for Corner View, which is a worldwide blogging thing tomorrow is WATER. I am going to use this for my post! I hope that’s all right!

Caron - My order has already shipped, apparently. How in the world will I wait until Christmas to give these things to their recipients!?!

Alysa Clark - Bought two tear drop ornaments yesterday! Thanks for telling us about this GREAT gift of HOPE and JOY … i’ll be blogging about it, too.

Caron - I also wondered if there was any chance to get bigger tshirts. I bought some things already.

Elizabeth Highsmith - i don’t see the dish towels on the site, did they sell out? and i thought i saw a journal, but it’s gone? and i adore those shirts, are they only in kid’s sizes. i would wear an adult small, i have long arms, think a kid’s would fit? sorry for the barrage of questions. heartwarming, project!

Anna - Is there any chance you take orders for shirt sizes? love love love the shirts!

www.visart-dali.com - Great cost, definitely gonna buy one of these bracelets!

Christina - I first heard of this on Amy’s blog a few months ago. It looks wonderful, especially with Christmas coming up. I love meaningful gifts. (and there are a lot of people-who-have-everything-and-can-get-what-they-want in our family, so this might be a great option!!) Thanks for the info!

Lori - I think this is fantastic. I think that you are fantastic for spreading the word to others. I needed to be reminded today of how blessed I truly am. Thank you πŸ™‚

Caron - Meg,
My favorite children (don’t tell anyone else) are my kids from Liberia. Aaron, Prince, Feta and Ernest along with sisters Benth and Nioh and their parents Norah and Augustus. They live here in Des Moines and I am so privileged to be one of the two “white mothers” as their mom calls us. The Liberians have fluid family lines, not at all like we Americans and they liberally share their children with me. Thank you, thank you for doing this. I can’t wait to buy some things for Christmas.

Mandi - Awesome! I will have to check it out!
Oh–by the way, I am starting to blog and linked to you!

Roxie's Mom - Lovely. Wonderful cause, beautiful gifts, generous hearts. Just did some shopping!

susie whyte - thanks for posting this!! i’ve been waiting to hear when things were going to go on sale!!

Stephanie Carroll - Blogged it!
You share my heart for the less fortunate πŸ™‚ Love it
Check out my post on Rahab’s rope!
http://devinandstephcarroll.blogspot.com/2009/10/perfect-present-2.html

duchess.of.reel - I’ve posted a short summary on my blog to promote the cause! Wanted to let you know. Let me know if you’d like me to change anything. You ladies are going to heaven for sure!
*duchess*

misty - I am so happy to see this! I have showed this to our pastor at church to see if we can help! I would write more, but I have to go shopping πŸ˜‰ yay!

gina - Oh, I love this! i had linked to this charity’s homepage last year at Christmas time but I locve the idea of raising funds through etsy sales- it’s win-win in an economy where just making a straight out donation may not be an option!

Nancy-The Goat and The Kid - Beautiful… Christmas is so excessive now a days. Love the idea of giving something we take for granted to those who desperately need it. Fabulous…

Liana - Done and done! You’ve jump started my Christmas shopping!

Lee Ann Willis - thanks meg!!
i am sharing w/ lots of others…
love etsy!
are the multicolored braclets available thursday, is this the item you were referring to?
thanks!!!!! love your blog! you are so inspiring..your love of finding joy in our daily walk of life. you are awesome.
lee ann willis
atlanta, ga.

Jennifer Whitcombb - I’ll be taking a look today!

Toni :O) - Thank you for spreading the word. I can’t wait to do my Christmas shopping there, I had NO idea and such a terrific cause! I heart your blog SO much, it makes me happy to visit here, thank you for blogging! :O)

Amber - β™₯ β™₯ β™₯ πŸ˜€ β™₯ β™₯ β™₯

meghan - Oh what a great store and what a great purpose.
You inspire me!

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foggy

my brain feels foggy.
can't really complete a thought…blog post…get things done. 
blah. 

it will pass…i need some sleep.
soon soon.

i found some more random pics for you.

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i am looking forward to this week…some exciting stuff going on.
and hopefully more sleep.
and a cleaning fairy will stop by and clean my house from top to bottom for me.  
  
 
 wouldn't that be AWESOME?!!

Gratsia - I’ve just discovered your blog and its amazing, such beautiful pictures. Really your great at photography you really have an eye for it.
I’ve been trying to find your etsy page as well but havent been able to.
Have a good week
xx

Lisa - I love looking at your pictures, it sure helps my fog! πŸ™‚

aubrey - I love all your random photos. I scroll through them so fast, just see what’s in them, and then I have to go back and slow down actually look and enjoy.

Magchunk - I so wish you would sell prints of your photos! I would buy some in a heart-beat.
BTW can’t find the link to your etsy shop… is it on hiatus or am I not looking hard enough???
I am so buying a new camera. You are an inspiration!

www.visart-dali.com - Lovely pictures, so calm and peaceful.
B.W. I want that cleaning lady at my house too, does she fly all the way to Israel?

Rach - I can’t wait for the random snow pictures. Not that I wish a snow storm on you guys because hell, that would require shoveling and it’s not like you don’t have enough to do right? But I love your snow pictures. πŸ™‚ Fall is good for now though since we don’t really have a Fall here, so keep those coming too.

Kate - So cute! Hang in there! Send that cleaning fairy over to my house πŸ™‚

susie whyte - ha ha, megan. nice comment. here i am sending you an e-mail about stalker’ish people…good grief. i felt like i was one of them for a minute. oh, well.
the cleaning fairy was at MY house today.
if you are thinking it’s a woman, you’re wrong.
it’s a man.
in the navy.
my husband’s military mode kicked in. best day ever.

Roxie's Mom - Wow. Death and destruction among the sunflowers and pumpkins. You do need some sleep! Let Waffle do the week’s blog posts — he’s clearly auditioning for the spot.

Candace - Steps with leaves…..I just want to sit there with a cup of warm cider and watch the leaves dance.
My husband has turned into a pretty good cleaning fairy since I started working full time this past week….want me to send him your way? πŸ™‚

Heather - I LOVE that little clock!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Send her to my house when she’s done with yours. Lovely photos as always:)

Melanie - The photos are so pretty. I need to see things more creatively. Right now all I can see is moving 800 miles from my house:(
Hope your fog disappears this week.

Jane - I heart Waffle! He is the cutest dog in all of blogland!

Sara Cameli - Speaking of cleaning fairies, this woman I work with has a mother who comes into her house while she is at work and totally cleans everything, does her laundry, EVERYTHING! How crazy is that?

lora - love the pics. i love how because nothing is perfect, it’s all so beautiful!

The Countess of Nassau County - Your loveliest post yet. I think I just found my Sunday Stunner for the week.

Sarah @ Clover Lane - You are such a good and faithful photographer…my camera sometimes goes weeks without me picking it up!

Sandy - If you see him, please send him to Ohio! (I’m still holding out faith that the cleaning fairy is a MAN!)
Love your random pictures, as always. Thanks for thinking of us even when you are so tired.

Julia - I love the typewriter pic. Have you seen the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency dvd? In the show the assistant has to use two typewriters to type anything because she doesn’t have all the letters on one. It’s so funny….really…I guess you had to be there…

Stephanie - Waffle has a tough life

Courtney Cloud - What kind of camera do you use?
My email is courtney.cloud@gmail.com
Love your blog!

purejoy - oh, waffle. i knew you were a mac guy!!
surely there is more than ONE cleaning fairy, right??
maybe your fairy can put a good word in with the fairies in my hood. . . sure could use a drive by!!

Betsy - Waffle looks so tiny with his head resting on your MacBook! Love the picture post … as always!

Scrappy Girl - Now I know where the cleaning fairy is! LOL! I wish my cleaning fairy would call…

your cool friend Cheryl - I’d like a visit from the cleaning fairy πŸ™‚

jennifer - When the cleaning fairy is done at your house, please give her my address. Waffle helping at the computer..too cute!

amy d - i’ll be your cleaning fairy, if you’ll be my laundry & cooking fairy πŸ™‚

susie whyte - oh, i like that clock!
there’s a picture that you may recognize on my blog post, out and about. i laughed when i saw what was next to it. πŸ™‚

Cate O'Malley - Love the pic with Waffle on the keyboard – too cute!

Keri ~ ForeverFoldingLaundry - Wow – good stuff in those photos. Love them.
Wishing you a week of sleep and magic cleaning fairies. (And if you do figure out how to conjure up those fairies you’d better share the secret!!)

Brooke - Please send your cleaning fairy my way after she’s done at your house πŸ˜‰
I love the pic of your dog with his head on your computer…too cute!

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twitter


saw this the other night…had to rewind it and make craig watch it.

hillarious!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Good times, indeed.
Just watched w/ Cory. Thanks for the laugh.

Scrappy Girl - LOL…too funny!

Christina - Oh my word, that was so funny…how on earth did he get through that without falling out?!
“Good times, indeed!”
I’m crying.
What’s sad is that it’s probably not too far off the mark…yikes!

Christina - This isn’t related to your post, but I had to say, Duh! when I realized that the baby you were talking about was Amy’s baby (I read her blog too). Great pictures. They made me cry! And I don’t even know them in real life. It’s such a miracle, though, and after the last few years I don’t take the beginning of a life for granted. It’s great that you were able to experience that with them!

alice - what a hoot! and to think i used to be such a miley fan. not anymore – sadly – i had to email this video to a couple people – thanks for posting it :O)

DreamGirlLisa - Too funny, thanks for a good laugh to start my Saturday morning!

Heidi Jo the Artist - Too funny! Finally got twitter a couple of weeks ago. I already hate the fact that I can’t write my usual long winded statements like on FB.
Heidi Jo the Artist
http://swirlsofcreativity.etsy.com
http://twitter.com/SwirlCreativity

mary - billy dee makes me want to actually buy these for all my family members for christmas …that would be a hoot!

Julia - That.Was.Funny.

Kelly - That’s great! Thanks for sharing!

Lisa Liddell - Girl that is too funny

Liz - Yes. Just yes.

Maria - too funny! I had to share on twitter of course…

Angela - BAAAAHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You always post the best links. I am still cracking up about the one you posted months ago w/Justin Timberlake on SNL. “He’ll bring sexy back.” “What? Bring sexy back? What does that mean?” “I don’t know! But it will be gone, and he’ll bring it back!” I even made my husband watch it, and we still use that quote at home. Yeah, we’re strange. πŸ™‚

Nancy-The Goat and The Kid - That was so funny. Billy Dee Williams…. such a guy! He is so smooth…

carissa... brown eyed fox - SO needed that… SO flipping funny!
every time i “tweet” something… which is every OTHER blue moon…
i think WHO in the world really cares about my nonsense… i was just telling someone…
i don’t GET it… the point!
thanks for the laughs!!!!

maria - oh my! I will be passing that one around, thanks!

Jill J - HA HA HA!!!!! I think that made my morning even more than the dirty dishes in the last post!

robyn - Stephen Colbert did a bit on it calling it a “Twadgedy” πŸ™‚

Heather - That was hilarious! Thanks for a fun way to start my Friday!!

Darby - Meg, These are my thoughts exactly about Twitter! πŸ™‚ Hilarious!!! Happy Weekend to you and YOURS!!!

Julie - That was great! Thanks!

Dana Banana - DOO DA DOO too funny!!

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so glad it’s friday

are you?  
i like having craig home with me on saturdays and i think fall sports are over…
so we can relax tomorrow.
i hope.

i really don't have much to say.
i have lots of random pictures to share though….enjoy!

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totally random.

happy friday!  

gina - lots of random goodness going on over in your neck of the woods. you can even make dirty dishes look like art. πŸ˜‰ Have a great week…

vika sl - Beautiful pictures, I love Fridays too

pve - thanks for the sink full of dirty dishes. I love it!

tami reed - Fun pics have a relaxing weekend!

widge - Beautiful pictures. And I absolutely love your header too. Inspired!! thanks πŸ™‚

julie - sugar sisters. taunting me.
not fair.

Laura Phelps - um…so very curious..exactly WHAT FALL sports does your hubby enjoy, because as far as I can tell, the football and baseball games are FAR from over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In fact, I believe we have MONTHS to go…….

andrea - my fav is the kitchen sink, because it makes you real

Rebecca - I love all of your random pictures that you take. It’s such an inspiration to take more pictures of everyday life…because someday when you look back you’ll be able to remember all the small details and little things that made us happy. πŸ™‚ Love all these pics! πŸ™‚

Cate O'Malley - So many fun pictures, hard to pick a favorite … it’s either the pic of Annie happily eating something yummy, the swingset daredevil pic or the sunset on the farm – too fun!

Heidi Jo the Artist - Awesome photos! Especially love all the photos of the pumpkins!! Halloween is only a week away!?
Btw, I love the water video on charity waters website, they did an awesome job on it! Thanks for letting us know about the charity. After hearing about Water4Christmas through your blog I wanted to do something too! Will be adding something NEW to my shop at the end of next week and the money from those sales will go to Water4Christmas, Yah!! πŸ™‚
Have a great weekend!
Heidi Jo the Artist
http://swirlsofcreativity.etsy.com

susie whyte - mmmm, ravioli. last night’s meal.
LOVE the trampoline picture. i laughed so hard. could be worse…he could be jumping from the roof to the trampoline. our sgt. buddy’s boys use to do that. ha ha. the frosting on the cupcakes reminds me of sugar sister’s work. so yummy.

Deborah Clark - Luv your photo’s you have the same drinking glasses as us. Following your blog has made me realise how important it is to spend time with the kids, have just played backyard soccer with 8 yr old son and I won. Thanks for all the inspiration.

Anne - Ah! So my heart jumped in my throat when I saw the jumping off the playscape onto the trampoline(!!!) picture. That is my future. I know it. Bracing myself:0)

Diana - I knew it! You live in that house down there… you know where I mean πŸ˜‰ I so LOVE your photos… this bunch, the one I like best is the pile of dishes! Have an AWESOME weekend!

Christina - Love them all, but do you know which one I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE?
the dishes in the sink!! Ha! Life…made up of so many different kinds of pictures.
Love it! Only you could make a sinkful of dirty dishes look pretty. πŸ™‚

sarah - Fun Random pictures!! Love the rainboots and the sink piled high… ours looks like that all the time and we don’t even come close to having how many people you do… I hate to think what ours will look like if and when we do πŸ˜‰

Drea - I love your sink picture. Mine looks the same today!

Sandy - love the dirty dishes – reminds me of my childhood when mom always cooked a big dinner and my sister and I had to do all the dishes for a family of 6 kids and 2 adults. still doesn’t seem fair!

Tracy - I love all of your random pictures today, Meg. The one of Lauren and Waffle is adorable – especially since she’s a typical teen (who doesn’t want to be seen with her family – lol) and one we don’t get to see often enough. The one of Annie with the chocolate mustache is so cute and the fall photos are just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend! Big hugs, Trac~ :o)

pam - happy friday, meggie! i love your realness (is that a word?) πŸ™‚ in your pictures. you are truly one of the most authentic people i know.

Stacie - random and real and honest and so so cool. i don’t know you but love to follow you. i wish ohio and kansas were closer so i could get to know you in person. keep up the great work. you inspire many!! tgif.

Sarah @ Clover Lane - LOVE the dishes. And I mean LOVE!

Aby - Love it. All of it. Lauren is gorgeous! Like her Momma!!! Have a great weekend girl!!

Janine - Thank you for posting that picture of the overflowing sink. It’s normal and somewhat comforting to know that my sink isn’t the only one in America that ends up like that! Thanks for the pretty pics too.

robyn - your daughter is so pretty. does she know she’s so pretty? she’s so pretty.
(Lauren. They are all beautiful, but I remember what it’s like to be her age, and I wonder if she knows how beautiful she is. Just beautiful.)

Heather - I love random pictures! And I always love a good chocolate beard on a kid. I just don’t think it gets much better then that!

misty - love these. I have been meaning to ask you about your photo editing. we also have a mac & we have iphoto… is that what you use to edit your pictures? I thought you were using photoshop but then i saw your list where you want to get and learn how to use photoshop… How do you make the sun so bright in your pics and how do you focus on one object and blur out the background? I LOVE IT!

Jill J - Oh Man! You just had to share that cupcake picture, didn’t you?! Good thing I made brownies last night… Anyway, your son is NUTS! πŸ™‚ You couldn’t get my kids to do that for anything, they are the biggest chickens.
Thanks for the great post, today! It totally made my morning, because my sink looks just like that right now. ugh. I guess misery loves company! HAPPY WEEKEND!

Kelly - Love it!
Happy Friday!

DreamGirlLisa - Beautiful pictures, especially of the pumpkins, I am crazy for pumpkins. Enjoy your weekend, I’m so happy it’s Friday too, especially since I took the day off to be with my youngest daughter who turned 14 yesteray. Love 3-day weekends!

purejoy - love the pictures. and i was going to have to go all. . . her house is amazing, her photos are amazing, she has adorable pumpkins everywhere. . .amazing. . . and precious kids and dog. . . amazing.
and she makes her own flippin pie crust.
of course she does.
but then i saw the box and i sighed.
you’re normal. what a reilef!

jody - simply beautiful!
especially the sink full of dirty dishes.
love it!

Jessica - My kitchen sink looks strikingly similar to yours!

Staci - This Friday AND THIS FRIDAY ONLY…I am actually sad it’s Friday….because my hubby has been home ALLLLL week on vacation and it’s been so super nice having him here πŸ™‚ I don’t want it to end πŸ™ But normally, I am sooooo ready for Fridays πŸ™‚ I bet it’s been a lonnng week…what with driving to OK and all for the U2 concert!!!! I still can’t believe THE MEG DUERKSON was right above me!!!!!!! Happy weekend to you!

Stephanie Carroll - Gorgeous

Kristine - yaay! you found a use for your wood thing (the mini pumpkins inside)! sooo cute!
i love/hate the dishes in the sink pic. love that you’re real. hate that my sink looks the same. πŸ™‚ have a great weekend!

Jill - Thank you for sharing your life with us. It makes me happy.

adrienneK - such pretty pictures! hmm i think football is still going on?! but i could be wrong lol

Nancy-The Goat and The Kid - i can’t even tell you how glad i am that it is Friday. what a week… it just seems so hectic. today i am celebrating friday with a pumpkin spice latte. oh yeah! Yippee for me.. I made it! i love your kitchen. so full of love. good food. dishes in the sink. real stuff. love it. happy weekend!

Dina - Not only do we have the EXACT same outdoor playset, my kitchen looks EXACTLY like yours does:-)
LOVE LOVE LOVE your pictures!

sara - Oh dear! the picture of your dirty dishes…well…it completes me! thanks so much for sharing that one! your kitchen sink is my kitchen sinks BFF!

jennifer - I love the picture with your daughter and Waffle! Randomness is good.

Angela - Oh, wow. I thoroughly enjoy all your pictures, especially your random. It refreshes me. πŸ™‚

lora - Keep the random coming! And, yes, LOVING Friday!

Liz M - you do the best “random”
Love it

callie grayson - happy friday to you! i am so glad it is friday:)
your random photos are an amazing collection of Autumn!
love them all.

the wild raspberry - pumpkins in the cubbies…very cute.

Lisa Liddell - Your photography is just beautiful. Really beautiful!
Please come to Australia and photograph my family/my world. πŸ™‚

Julia - I love that truck picture…such beautiful pictures of Fall..this is the time of year when I really miss not having seasons.

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wednesday

it is gloomy and DARK this morning.
i overslept and scott woke me up at 8:00…the time the bell rings at school.
so our morning did not start off well.

annie didn't seem to mind at all.
we got the big kids dropped off…i changed out of my pjs and we walked to her preschool.

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can you believe the fall goodness around us?

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she had on her brand new Cora dress…and her mac n' cheese for F week (food).
she couldn't wait to get there.

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her choice.
what a happy sight to see.

if i got to go to her preschool…i'd be running there everyday too.
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there was a Feast set up with doll babies….
 
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and pumpkins everywhere.

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such a happy place.

i didn't want to leave today.  i should have just sat down and played too.
oh well.

i am going to go walk in the gloomy weather…and suck in all the fresh air i can.
i need it.

on a different subject…
yesterday i got to photograph my youngest model yet.
gretchen jane came in to the world at 1:28 PM and i was there to see it.
a pure blessing straight from God to my lovely neighbors.
it was a true honor to be there…i can't even describe it.

who could possibly feel gloomy after that?

kbbryant.wordpress.com - Oh I so miss teaching preschool. I took a deep breath and immersed myself in the classroom photos and pretended I was back. This time of year is so fun when you work/live with preschool age kiddos.
Thanks for the making my day.
Kathy b

paige - oh to wear cute pink tights & a cora dress
that’d cheer me up any gloomy day
πŸ™‚

valerie+madigan - Greatest post!!
Where can I find a Cora Dress for my peach?
And those funky tights are a dream paired with the dress….
LOVE it!!
Valerie+Madigan

Jerri - Aren’t you glad that even when you oversleep the day doesn’t have to remain gloomy and bad?!?! I like to think that these are the times God allows us to get the rest we needed! πŸ™‚ I love the beauty of Fall and Annie looks adorable in her Cora dress!

Lucy Buller - Cute………………………………………………….. we have such cooooooooool leaves! πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚

kristin - oh, this makes my heart swell.
i love seeing this place through someone else’s eyes…and heart.
it is a happy place.
thanks for being part of it….what will i do next year? you could get on that…

jennifer - OMGosh… I want a Cora dress! For big grown up me! :o) So cute! As is the little peanut wearing it! And those fall colors.. to die for! We skipped fall here and went straight to snow and winter. The leaves fell green… I’ve never seen that before. So sad! Oh well…

Toni :O) - I LOVED this post and that Cora dress…this post made me SO happy and I smiled, smiled big…now I can go and tackle my huge workload…thank you. You’re awesome and I wish you were my neighbor! Hugs and blessings to you on this Fall day! :O)

Sarah @ Clover Lane - What’s funny Megan is that her preschool classroom reminds me of the photos of your house! All colorful and fun and creative and imaginative and bright and cheery!

Ruth - those are the happiest pictures ever! beautiful cora dress, and adding the striped tights was just perfection… go annie!

Pineapple Princess - I would stay there, too! What a lovely place to learn and grow! πŸ™‚

julie - annie’s preschool is so magical. wow. magic.

Sarah - love all the pink!

Lori - No, I cannot believe the fall goodness! I’m jealous. It’s beautiful! Enjoy it πŸ™‚

Christina - Those pictures are fabulous. What amazing colors. And that dress is precious, as is the girl!
Her class does look great.
Can’t wait to see your baby pics. I felt that way today…kind of blah (our house really gets me down, my life feels out of control, blah, blah, blah) and I was walking through our church (which has a school where my son attends) and the child care person was taking the babies for a stroller ride in one of those really big buggies that seats six little ones. They were all strapped in like a roller coaster ride. The baby girl in front had on those little socks that look like shoes (so cute!) and her feet were sticking straight out and she was twirling them around at the ankles, like only babies can. None of them were crying, most of them were smiling and watched me walk by. I cheered up in a half-second. There was no way around it!

Debra - I love how your little girls wear such bright and cheerful clothes! The preschool looks like a fun place too.

Rachel / cREaTe - i ADORE that shot of annie’s striped legs, red patent leathers, apple dress & the red hedge. BEβ€’Aβ€’Uβ€’TIβ€’FUL. just gorgeous.

melissa~afamiliarpath - what a fantastic preschool! the colors of the trees there are just gorgeous!

the wild raspberry - love how annie coordinated with autumn so well…adorable.
your list this week inspired me to make one myself. i just got it posted. it was a lot of fun and brain~stretching as well. thanks for your endless sources of inspiration!
chas

Lora - Oh, I mean, seriously, how much fun to paint a big orange pumpkin hanging from the ceiling! Wow! I’d run there too….all the way from here!

Miranda - Those pictures of your daughter by the trees are gorgeous Meg! Just GORGEOUS!

elizabeth - This just looks like a dream — are you sure it isn’t a stage set? So beautiful and happy.

Melanie - I have to say that down here in Florida, we don’t get leaves like that. That red tree was beautiful. I wonder if northern Kentucky has leaves like that? I will know in a couple of weeks.

Meredith - Oh Meg, these photos gave me goosebumps. The leaves, Annie’s stockings and shoes and her Cora dress….your gorgeous pre-school…beautiful, beautiful. Hope you enjoyed your day with a full heart. Meredith xo.

Julia - wow, I love your daughter’s preschool classroom.
I love her style too!

susie whyte - very jealous of the red beautifulness in your area. i just posted my fall pics, but there’s hardly any red. tear.
her classroom is so cute. almost makes me miss teaching pre-k. almost. πŸ™‚ ha ha.

Becky Brown Strahle - Those are amazing. Love the red fall colors and her outfit is just adorable. What a fun classroom she gets to learn in. Great pics Meg!

Logan - I just love your Annie. She reminds me of my “baby” when she was a little girl (same hair, same eyes). My baby is now almost 19. Enjoy the little sweetheart.

Anne - That preschool looks so stinkin’ cute- You’d expect the Wonder Pets to live in there! How fun! I love Arthur’s HUGE cupcake!

Laura Phelps - if this is what YOUR gloomy looks like, so God help me! Colorful, smiles, rainbows, dolls…looks beautiful! MY gloomy??? Well, THAT is another stpry….
love the dress tights and shoes more than anything right now

Stephanie Carroll - I so wish trees turned that color down here in Houston.

Cate O'Malley - Love Annie’s dress, particularly with the tights – so much happy color! My daughter has a few dresses similar to that that I found on Etsy. Love those rainbow flags in the preschool – am currently obsessed with tracking them down – any ideas?

Keri ~ Forever Folding Laundry - So lovely. I don’t blame her for being happy to be at school! Hope you enjoyed your time outside.

Kate - Hi! Thank you so much for the beautiful fall pics… I am really missing fall here in the desert πŸ™‚
Beautiful colors! And beautiful daughter! Have a great day!

Sophie - what gorgeous photos of your little girl – stunning autumn foliage!

jody - beautiful leaves
beautiful dress
beautiful preschool
beautiful baby…
true blessing.

Nancy - who wouldn’t want to start their day at that school with friends? looks like tons of fun.

Jaimie - Nothing better than a new baby!
That preschool looks amazing. I can only pray to find one so full of fun for my son when he is ready. : )
And the dress. Great print! I want one!

Jennifer - Thanks for sharing the fall pictures. We had an early freeze (ahem, snowstorm) the weekend before last, and all of our leaves fell and froze! Without ever turning any colors. πŸ™ It was the dreariest saddest fall ever (followed by a weekend of 80 I might add).
Anyway. Thanks for sharing the gorgeous color! I love your daughter’s outfit too.

your cool friend Cheryl - What beautiful colors in your pics! You are so talented!

Christy - love the fall pictures. Amazing colors! And the feast w/the baby dolls cracks me up!

Trina McNeilly - OMG that dress…so cute..and that does look like a fun preschool!!!!

Summer - I love the pictures, and what a great preschool!

Jenn Thomas - Those are the red bushes Russ wants a picture in front of for fall – he has been waiting for them to turn the last month. His facial hair is back – so it is okay πŸ™‚

Courtney - I’m in love with Annie’s preschool too, do they offer adult classes, I’d be there in a heartbeat!
I also love her outfit – as usual – Annie’s sense of style is right up my alley!

Dianne Avery - Wow, beautiful foliage. Great fall pics too! πŸ™‚

Notesfromthegrove - She is DARLING! Love that photo of her with the red leaves and her big, brown eyes.

amy d - funny, i just took pictures of those same bushes yesterday…i didn’t have a super cute model though…just a little squirrel following me around them. those pictures of annie are soooo sweet!!! i love her outfit…very annie!

aubrey - I need some of Annie’s preschool today too. Waking up in the night with a baby and sick kids is getting to me. Maybe I’ll just keep pictures of Annie in her cute tights up all day to keep me slightly more cheerful. πŸ˜‰

Starnes Fam - A new life…..yes……exactly the recipe for brightened spirits.
Love the tights……after two boys, my love is funky tights…..I can’t seem to buy enough of them.

adrienneK - lol i stayed all day at my daughters school yesterday for her birthday:) it’s a neat place but no where near as awesome as annie’s little school! i keep telling you about my in-laws living in newton i swear one day we will pack up and move there just for the pretty homes,shopping and this cool school lol (and maybe to meet you!!) oh and annie’s outfit is the cutest!! all those colors (be still my heart!!)

mel - Oh, I LOVE the fall colors you have on your street. Gorgeous! We don’t get fall color like that here in California. Can’t wait to see the pictures from the birth you photographed. I photographed a birth last year for my friend & you are right…there are no words to describe it. such an honor!

Amanda - oh wow. so fun and colorful! and i love that annie’s wearing her cora dress, and that she matches in her own little style! where is that preschool? i went to zion, and i don’t remember my classroom looking that colorful.

misty - love these photos today! its gloomy here in oklahoma also~ do you know what kind of trees those are? I love the red!

Sarah @ Dream In Domestic - Annie has such style!! She looks perfect out there with all the reds of fall. Her preschool looks so fun, I wouldn’t want to leave either.

angela - LOVE how colorful the preschool is. You should get a job there.Seriously. You could do art for them. seriously.
Oh, and Gretchen, that’s my daughter’s name. And, I love it!

Anna Marie - Megan please tell me where you got those tights at. My Addie is crazy over pink and I know she would love those. Gorgeous pictures πŸ˜‰

Tracy - So COOL! Love the preschool and the photos of Annie and all the beautiful colors around are just GORGEOUS! Great job on capturing them all, Meg! :o)

Kristine Robb - her school looks awesome.
aren’t our fall days GORGEOUS?!?!?
i wish i could freeze yesterday with all the fall foliage AND sunshine. today is overcast and windy. but right out my front window is a HUGE orange, red and yellow tree (with a couple green branches too!) beautiful view! enjoy your day!!

Sara @ Queen of the House - I want to go to that preschool too.

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