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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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July 9, 2019

Summer Book Bundle Giveaway!

*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*

 

One of the things I love to do most in the summertime is to sit outside on our deck with a tall glass of iced tea and a good book. It’s those really simple moments that are the most relaxing to me this time of the year and I find myself getting lost in the pages while the sunshine warms my skin and my spirit.

As an author, I’ve had so many awesome opportunities to support other authors and friends and one of the big perks of this is that I get A LOT of books sent my way!

I noticed recently that my stack of books was getting bigger and bigger and that I even had duplicates of some of them. So I decided that the only reasonable thing to do would be to have a GIVEAWAY!!!

One winner will receive six, count ’em SIX fabulous books perfect for enjoying on a warm summer day or really any time of the year for that matter.

Included in this bundle will be:

My book ‘Life in Season‘

Devotions for a Healthier You by Katie Farrell

More for Mom by Kristin Funston

Memory Making Mom by Jessica Smartt

The DIY Home Planner and The DIY Style Finder by Karianne Wood

 

Here’s how to enter to win:

LEAVE A COMMENT ANSWERING THIS QUESTION:

What is your favorite summertime activity?

*US residents only. Giveaway closed on July, 17 2019*

 

Happy summer friends!

90 Comments Filed Under: Giveaways, Good Ideas

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelly Boggs says

    July 9, 2019 at 7:55 PM

    Picking fresh fruit…strawberries, blueberries cherries.

    Reply
  2. Laura Harrie says

    July 9, 2019 at 8:02 PM

    I have always loved to read. I was able to read for 4 hours last week at the lake shore, while my husband sat next to me fishing. I enjoy accompanying him and watching him fish and encouraging him while I read on and on!

    Reply
  3. Brianna Richards says

    July 9, 2019 at 8:12 PM

    Swimming for sure! My toddler is definitely a water baby and loves it as much as I do!

    Reply
  4. elle says

    July 9, 2019 at 8:15 PM

    Love to read but don’t grab a book very often any more. I am looking forward to some reading time in the next month. Some introspective, spiritually encouraging titles would be great and I always enjoy lifestyle/decorating reads!

    Reply
  5. Stephanie Brown says

    July 9, 2019 at 8:23 PM

    Love soaking up sunshine in the pool!

    Reply
  6. JoAnn McM says

    July 9, 2019 at 8:23 PM

    My favorite summertime activity is picking vegetables from our garden then sharing the harvest with others in our community. We have several elderly members at our church who can no longer garden. I love stopping by and dropping off fresh tomatoes, summer squash, blackberries, cantaloupes, corn and butternut squash.

    Reply
  7. Holly Mock says

    July 9, 2019 at 8:29 PM

    My favorite summertime activity is going on picnics in the mountains. We always try to choose a spot with a nice, cool river to wade around in with our kids. I try to bring home a small river rock from each one we visit.

    Reply
  8. Rebekah says

    July 9, 2019 at 8:31 PM

    What a nice giveaway! Summer is when life slows down a bit for me and one of the leisure activities I enjoy is reading. I would love to read these!

    Reply
  9. Helena Dias says

    July 9, 2019 at 8:32 PM

    I love the slower pace and the ability to read more.

    Reply
  10. Sandra Endress says

    July 9, 2019 at 8:33 PM

    I enjoy so much spending time with my youngest granddaughters, Bella and Remy. They live in Newport NC and I’m in Miramar Beach, FL .. so our play dates are mostly on Face Time. Definitely not as fulfilling as being together in the same room, backyard or swimming pool. We deal with it though .. for now. My alone time is usually spent thinking about them .. and surprises and what we can talk about next time. I used to read .. but recently haven’t .. I’d go through book after book .. enjoying every new author and story. Life brings us challenges and our time is pushed to other things that seem more important. Reading a new book, no matter the subject, whisks you away and peacefully
    allows your mind to clean itself out for a while and visit another place for a happy while. I have missed this reading time .. I must return, hopefully soon.

    Reply
  11. Mia White says

    July 9, 2019 at 8:34 PM

    So fun! My fave summer activity is right up this alley— sitting poolside with a seltzer and a good book while my kiddos splash about. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Debbie says

    July 9, 2019 at 8:42 PM

    My favorite summertime activity is being outdoors. Fresh air, sunshine, flowers, birds and most of all the people I share it with.

    Reply
  13. Mandy says

    July 9, 2019 at 8:52 PM

    Awe…summertime! My favorite activities would include time with my family. -camping, a day at the beach, a backyard fire roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, heading to my parents’ and getting to spend time on the lake…and watermelon!
    -summer must include watermelon! 😉

    Reply
  14. Penny Baker says

    July 9, 2019 at 8:53 PM

    Relaxing on the back porch swing.

    Reply
  15. carlanda williamson says

    July 9, 2019 at 9:18 PM

    I love working in my garden and tending my bees! southern oregon is so beautiful this year. thank you for this opportunity!!

    Reply
  16. Cindy says

    July 9, 2019 at 10:08 PM

    I love Summer! I love the sun, warm weather and all the fun family activities…games, trips, barbecues, and anything that involves water. I love that the kids are home and no school. So fun! But my favorite thing is being with my friends and family!

    Reply
  17. Judy says

    July 9, 2019 at 10:09 PM

    Relaxing by the shores of Lake Superior on a warm summer day listening to the waves splashing against the rocks is a fine way to spend a day. I also enjoy picking wild strawberries or raspberries with my grandchildren as we chat and make memories. And eating our lunch out on the deck.

    Reply
  18. Teri Offield says

    July 9, 2019 at 10:47 PM

    I love books. Since I am in AZ any activity involving water is my favorite . But year round my favorite activity is feeding my feral coĺony.. Since its so hot, they need lots of water and shelter. Thank you for such a nice giveaway.

    Reply
  19. Michele M. / Finch Rest says

    July 9, 2019 at 10:59 PM

    Oh, WOW! What a fabulous and generous giveaway! Thank you so much for this opportunity!

    My VERY favorite thing is when it isn’t too hot to sit in what I call my “zen room,” which is my private covered patio in the back looking at magazines, or reading while sipping iced tea or lemonade.

    A NEW favorite is sitting in our large blow up kiddie pool with my almost 3 year old grand daughter. We play fishing for fishes, and make her Little Ponies dive, and just laugh and love and enjoy one another,

    My very favorite OLD thing to do is to go back to my home town, on Lake Erie and watch the sunset with my little sister.

    Again, thank you – I would put these books to very good use. I would really love to win.

    God bless!

    Reply
  20. Kathie Hood says

    July 9, 2019 at 11:34 PM

    I love playing corn hole on A sunny.day with a gentle breeze. Or I love to read on our deck and enjoy the beautiful views around me but I admit unless is a page turner I often fall asleep.

    Reply
  21. Paula Podmore says

    July 10, 2019 at 3:25 AM

    I love the beach, sun and wster, alo g with a great book. Thanks

    Reply
  22. Jill Nelson says

    July 10, 2019 at 3:34 AM

    Gardening…at least until the humidity chases me inside

    Reply
  23. Ashleigh Hall says

    July 10, 2019 at 3:45 AM

    My favorite summer time activity is either boating on the water with family and friends or laying in a hammock reading!

    Reply
  24. Savhannah says

    July 10, 2019 at 4:22 AM

    The sprinkler! I love to sit and watch, and run through it with the kiddos.

    Reply
  25. Nancy says

    July 10, 2019 at 4:30 AM

    If the weather allows my favorite summer spot is my front porch with whatever I am reading at the moment; magazine, book, newspaper. No cell phones allowed…

    Reply
  26. Debbie says

    July 10, 2019 at 4:51 AM

    We have a little lake cabin on Table Rock Lake in Missouri and I love to go there to relax and read, as well as boating!!

    Reply
  27. Susan Homeroad Stevenson says

    July 10, 2019 at 5:04 AM

    My favorite summer activity is kayaking. We just bought 2 small kayaks and it is the most relaxing thing I’ve ever done!

    Reply
  28. Shelley says

    July 10, 2019 at 5:20 AM

    My favorite summertime activity is being a gatherer. I know that sounds like a funny way to put it, but my family is spread out, and it seems I am the one who enjoys planning the activities that keep us in touch with each other. Holidays, picnics, birthday parties- I am the one who enjoys planning, decorating, cooking – and most importantly, being the one that will pick up the phone and call everyone to gather.
    At the end of the summer, my sister and cousin share the same birthday month. My zennias will be at full bloom, all ready to become a centerpiece of Mason jars so each guest can take one home, the summer vegetables and fruit will be perfect to incorporate into a menu, and everyone will enjoy coming together on the farm. So in the summer I enjoy being a gatherer of many things- but mainly of the people I love!

    Reply
  29. Terri says

    July 10, 2019 at 5:22 AM

    I love taking summer getaways with my husband!

    Reply
  30. Carolyn says

    July 10, 2019 at 5:49 AM

    My favorite summer activity is simply to be with my husband and two boys playing golf. It is such a great bonding experience! We get to enjoy the outdoors, enjoy the weather, enjoy some exercise and especially enjoy each other.🏌️‍♀️❤️

    Reply
  31. Annette says

    July 10, 2019 at 5:52 AM

    Napping! Oh wait that’s my favorite year-round activity. Hmmm let’s see.

    During summer I like cooking in the toaster oven (not the regular oven) , so I don’t heat up the house. I also love using seasonal produce and trying new recipes with it.

    What can I say, I am into eating and sleeping.

    Reply
  32. Angela says

    July 10, 2019 at 5:53 AM

    My favorite summertime activity is camping with my husband and teen daughters. It’s a wonderful way to spend quality, uninterrupted time together. We try to go at least 4 times during the summer. While camping, I love to read. These books would make wonderful reading after a day of hiking and swimming.

    Reply
  33. Cece says

    July 10, 2019 at 5:59 AM

    I love to can in the summer. Southern Utah has many fruit orchards and it is easy to grow your own fruit tree. It is lovely to be able to gift fresh apricot jam at the holidays.

    Reply
  34. Rebecca says

    July 10, 2019 at 6:21 AM

    My favorite summertime activities is being outside with family and enjoying the sunshine. Can’t wait to see you at Becoming in a few weeks!

    Reply
  35. Darla Burnett says

    July 10, 2019 at 6:28 AM

    My favorite summertime “Activity”? I love to sit on my carport/makeshift porch and listen to music and do little crafty things while taking in the morning sun & nice breeze before it gets too hot to sit out there anymore. Love looking at Pinterest and find little DIY things I can do whether its crafts or a redo project. That’s my favorite summertime activity along with just trying to stay cool.

    Reply
  36. Linda says

    July 10, 2019 at 6:28 AM

    My favorite summer time activity is swimming with my 4 grandchildren during their visit to MN each summer.

    Reply
  37. Loy Jones says

    July 10, 2019 at 6:37 AM

    Road trips are my favorite! I love taking photographs of nature along the way.

    Reply
  38. Anita says

    July 10, 2019 at 6:40 AM

    I love to take an iced coffee out onto the from porch, sit in my swing and read. I read a lot, usually a book a week. I keep my local library busy. Would love to read all the books in your give-away. Thanks for being willing to share with others.

    Reply
  39. Sharon Colburn says

    July 10, 2019 at 6:51 AM

    I look forward to camping in my 5th wheel. Can hardly wait for good weather to enjoy traveling to State Parks and National Parks by ourselves or with friends. My favorite is camping at the Oregon beaches with a shelf full of books and, of course, my quilting projects. I could use some new books for my shelf.

    Reply
  40. Sherri says

    July 10, 2019 at 6:57 AM

    My favorite thing to do in the summer is finding a nice comfy float and relaxing in the pool. After a long work week I just love the peacefulness and feeling the warm sun on my face.

    Reply
  41. Cindy Berry says

    July 10, 2019 at 6:58 AM

    My favorite summertime activity is a road trip with my family or girlfriends….

    Reply
  42. Martha says

    July 10, 2019 at 7:07 AM

    My favorite summertime activities are working in my flower gardens and relaxing on my patio.

    Reply
  43. Nicci Ramirez says

    July 10, 2019 at 7:22 AM

    My favorite summertime activity is hiking while listening to Charles Stanley sermons or Tony Evans sermons!!!! Vitamin D and some great preachin’ – 2 of my FAVORITE things!!!!!

    Reply
  44. Nancy says

    July 10, 2019 at 7:34 AM

    Summer drives. My husband and I take a drive on Sundays and its always so peaceful.

    Reply
  45. Sandy Mcallister says

    July 10, 2019 at 7:51 AM

    Never can get enough of reading

    Reply
  46. Tami says

    July 10, 2019 at 8:05 AM

    One of my favorite summertime activities is sitting on the porch at the end of the day with my husband, talking about our day, our family, and our plans for the future.

    Reply
  47. Melanie Hardacker says

    July 10, 2019 at 8:11 AM

    Anything at the lake. Boating, swimming, sitting and staring at it, listening to the waves come ashore. eating next to it. We have a small place near Lake Superior (one of the 10,000+ lakes in MN) and I love to hike up the superior hiking trail to a high spot that overlooks the lake and the adjacent little town we are part of and just take in the overwhelming view of God’s creation.

    Reply
  48. GAYLE DAVIS says

    July 10, 2019 at 8:22 AM

    Reading is my favorite thing to do year round, but during the summer, I enjoy doing anything with my granddaughter!!! She is the joy of my life!!!

    Reply
  49. lee says

    July 10, 2019 at 8:31 AM

    Favorite summer activity- walking on the beach and watching the sunset over the water

    Reply
  50. Rosebuddy says

    July 10, 2019 at 8:47 AM

    Floating in the lake makes me so happy.

    Reply
  51. Adalia Sawyer says

    July 10, 2019 at 8:58 AM

    Spending time with grands!

    Reply
  52. Barbara Warner says

    July 10, 2019 at 9:04 AM

    Summer is all about gardening – flowers and vegetables! I also love feeding birds, bees, and butterflies.

    Reply
  53. Lalena Carter says

    July 10, 2019 at 9:10 AM

    Laying in a field of tall grass with an raspberry iced tea, a colorful blanket and a good book.

    Reply
  54. Fran Ferrari says

    July 10, 2019 at 9:16 AM

    Oh, my favorite summer activity is to sit comfortably in the shade with a breeze as I’m reading or simply staring at the greenery surrounding me. I’ll listen to the sounds surrounding me, my own “zenphony” of sounds.

    Reply
  55. edith says

    July 10, 2019 at 9:20 AM

    Reading! Enjoying the seasonal fruits and the casual-ness of the season

    Reply
  56. Kim Harkey says

    July 10, 2019 at 9:24 AM

    Picking! It’s my therapy!

    Reply
  57. Janeen Knippel says

    July 10, 2019 at 9:55 AM

    Floating on the lake. Also creating and stamping cards!

    Reply
  58. Vanessa Sterling says

    July 10, 2019 at 10:00 AM

    I love reading on the porch.

    Reply
  59. Nancy Robinson says

    July 10, 2019 at 10:08 AM

    Sounds lazy but I enjoy lounging at the community pool with other adults. I am raising 3 grandchildren ages 6-14 and fall, winter and spring are sooooo busy. I truly relish some down time at the pool!

    Reply
  60. Mary says

    July 10, 2019 at 10:15 AM

    My favorite summer activity is sitting in my double porch glider swing and watching the birds at the feeders, and enjoying the flower bed full of butterflies,bees, and hummingbirds coming to feed.

    Reply
  61. Beverly says

    July 10, 2019 at 10:25 AM

    Working in my garden and later sitting on the porch watching the birds on the bird feeder with an iced tea.

    Reply
  62. Kay says

    July 10, 2019 at 10:48 AM

    One of my summertime pleasures is sipping a strong cup of coffee while watching the sun rise as I sit on my back porch.

    Reply
  63. Barbara says

    July 10, 2019 at 11:22 AM

    Taking a long weekend with the kids and going to the beach. The sound of the waves can take me away from any where I don’t want to be.

    Reply
  64. Kristen Shields says

    July 10, 2019 at 11:39 AM

    My favorite summertime activity is enjoying the sunshine, eating outside and relishing the staying up late with my kiddo’s watching movies, playing games and not having to worry about homework and wake up times!!

    Reply
  65. Julie Fisk says

    July 10, 2019 at 11:53 AM

    I love to sit on the patio first thing in the morning while sipping my tea and gazing at the flower bed. When I get home from work the front porch is another place to settle down and unwind from the day. Often grabbing a quick read to escape the world for a bit.

    Reply
  66. Gigi says

    July 10, 2019 at 11:57 AM

    My favorite summertime activity is spending time with family & friends outdoors. Enjoying God’s creation & the long days & starry nights 😊

    Reply
  67. Margaret says

    July 10, 2019 at 12:35 PM

    My husband and I enjoy sitting on our screened porch late in the evening, listening
    to the birds and watching for deer that come into our yard. Thank you for your give away.

    Reply
  68. Peggy says

    July 10, 2019 at 12:51 PM

    The gift of summertime gives me a chance to catch up. In my garden, time with friends and family, in my home and with my preventative health screenings.

    Reply
  69. Bethany says

    July 10, 2019 at 1:10 PM

    Pool time with my kids and good book!

    Reply
  70. Lynn Czap says

    July 10, 2019 at 1:30 PM

    I love vacations, not having as many obligations in the summer, and swimming/relaxing by our pool.

    Reply
  71. Nancy S Schmitt says

    July 10, 2019 at 1:31 PM

    My favorite summertime activity are inside crafts, sewing, and outside gardening (weather permitting)! Our family enjoys grilling outside too!

    Reply
  72. vicky davis says

    July 10, 2019 at 2:11 PM

    I love Summer. Love it all. Working in my flowers and local Garden Walks, especially South Haven, Michigan.

    Reply
  73. lesley says

    July 10, 2019 at 2:57 PM

    we live in florida so definitely the beach

    Reply
  74. Marilyn says

    July 10, 2019 at 5:01 PM

    Reading and relaxing as much as I can in air-condition.
    Marilyn

    Reply
  75. Barb Zahler says

    July 10, 2019 at 5:07 PM

    Spending time with grandkids. Making memories

    Reply
  76. Hilary says

    July 10, 2019 at 5:19 PM

    I’m a teacher, so I love sleeping in, enjoying my cup of coffee slowly, watching the world go by as I sit in my pajamas as long as I want to! I also love reading, having extra time with and for family, and tackling projects around the house.

    Reply
  77. wen budro says

    July 10, 2019 at 10:33 PM

    My favorite Summertime activity is enjoying outdoor barbecues with my family. It’s a lot of fun and the food is super delicious.

    Reply
  78. Debra says

    July 11, 2019 at 7:37 AM

    I enjoy walking by the lake to watch the osprey and their nest, the sandhill cranes, the egrets… In the evening I snuggle with my dachshund and read until we both drift into sleep.

    Reply
  79. Margaret says

    July 11, 2019 at 10:38 AM

    Sitting on the screened porch with my husband and spending time with my grandchildren.

    Reply
  80. Karen says

    July 11, 2019 at 2:20 PM

    Where to start ! Hard assignment but going with s great book , glass of wine on the deck says relaxing summer to me.

    Reply
  81. Pamela says

    July 12, 2019 at 4:22 AM

    My favorite summertime activity is having our grandchildren visit. That is the highlight of our summer when we swim in the pool, go to the beach and work jigsaw puzzles.

    Reply
  82. Char says

    July 12, 2019 at 11:40 AM

    Going to our family cabin in the mountains. Such a nice time away from the hustle of the City & our jobs!

    Reply
  83. Terie Karaus says

    July 12, 2019 at 2:23 PM

    I love working out in my flower gardens

    Reply
  84. Karen says

    July 12, 2019 at 8:12 PM

    Spending time in Sisters, too! We live 20 minutes away. So many fun things to do in the area.

    Reply
  85. Carolyn Palmer says

    July 13, 2019 at 2:39 PM

    We live in a lakefront community and have a boat.. I love to take a thermos of coffee and some muffins and go out on the lake in the morning. Sometimes we take the newspaper and a book and just float. It’s quiet and very, very peaceful. It’s nice to be able to commune with nature and God.

    Reply
  86. Susie Fix says

    July 13, 2019 at 5:42 PM

    Hiking to the mountain lakes near me.

    Reply
  87. Shelly says

    July 13, 2019 at 5:59 PM

    My favorite activity is sitting on the front porch with a cool drink watching the hummingbirds come to my feeder.

    Reply
  88. Mary Pickett says

    July 15, 2019 at 9:05 AM

    I love getting together with my family for summer cookouts. Watching my college-aged grandkids play games in the back yard and catching up on their lives makes this grandmother very happy. Happy summer!

    Reply
  89. Belinda Richardson says

    July 15, 2019 at 9:52 AM

    What is my favorite summertime activity? Oh, I would definitely have to say my favorite summertime activity is swimming. I could stay n the water all day long if it weren’t for hunger. LOL But I also love sunflowers and lemonade and sitting in the shade of an old tree on a swing. Nothing beats the simple pure pleasure of summertime.

    Reply
  90. Sandy says

    July 16, 2019 at 6:21 AM

    As a retired teacher, I eagerly await the produce from my husband’s summer gardens. I record the garden’s first planting to its bounty and share the pictures with relatives and friends in other states. Each year there has been a new friend added to a garden: cantaloupes, pumpkins, snap peas, and corn. Our grandchildren are delighted to take part in the harvest.

    Reply

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I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
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What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
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…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
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