My {new} Etsy shop

I believe the time has come to open an Etsy shop and I'm super excited about it! This gives me even MORE of a reason to visit antique stores and wake up early saturday mornings for estate sales! Geez, the exhausting life I lead... ;)

No but really, here it is! Please check it out! Click HERE to visit the shop and remember I've only recently opened it (like yesterday) so it only holds a few vintage treasures but its a big ship! and I'm a pretty good sailor (Hmm not the right metaphor, but you know what I mean) there'll be more treasures listed very soon!!

Thanks!

A treasure in a dull shell

My husband is snoozing, our little one is breathing softly in a deep sleep in between us and I'm wide awake thinking. (I had a cup of Jo at a friends house this evening for a lovely little get together with girl friends.) 

We had some house guests this past weekend. Friends from a small town that came through St. Louis for a homeschoolling Christmas event for their son. They stayed with us and we were so happy to have them. I added ear plugs to the guest room "stash" in case the city noise kept them up. It didn't, thank goodness. The night they stayed, there was a incident of domestic violence one block from our home, right outside on the street around midnight. It was horrific and sad and slightly embarrassing but reality. 

Living here for 6 months now, I've seen so much joy and life and goodness that dwells here in our neighborhood. Driving home to find kids playing with water hoses in the street in the summer, teenagers always shooting hoops in the park across from our house in the autumn, and children getting off the school bus and chasing each other with snow balls while they wait for their mothers. Neighbors walking over to visit with each other, checking out each other's Christmas decorations, lending hands. Our neighbor Marlin asking if we need help raking leaves (they always take such good care of their property, I feel bad when we slack off) Our other neighbor Dorothy, walking over to take a look at the redbuds we planted, letting us have some of her miracle grow to help. The interracial couple that lives behind us waving and cooing to Cora as we walk out our back door. And yet in the midst of the kindness, the goodness, the life, evil breaks in, and a women is beat up on our street corner. Violence is present and it reminds me of where I am. 

In a sermon a few weeks ago, our pastor mentioned a comment one theologian (I forget who, Luther I believe) who when asked what he would do if he knew The Lord was coming back tomorrow, what he would do. He replied "plant a tree". Point being, let's help bring bits of heaven to earth NOW. I was encouraged by this. it reminds me that the restoration of all things, yes is coming! But that we, by his MERCY, are apart of his work now, today. Sometimes when I get overwhelmed with the sadness in our neighborhood, the unloved and vacant homes, the overgrown lots, the stray cat across the street, I dream about what this place will look like when He comes back. I can't wait for that day. I see glimmers of it here and there and it makes me smile. His kingdom IS coming. 

When I look back on my life, I want to know that we were loving the poor and the estranged, seeking the outcast, following Jesus and not the American dream. It's hard cause the world markets that dream to us everywhere we go. And Jesus, he's like a treasure in a dull shell, such subtleties so easy to miss. And yet, he is our only hope of happiness, of life. 

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former thin have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4) 

He is coming. Next week, he was born into this crazy world, to live in it, to love it, to die for it, to save it, to restore it back to how it's suppose to be. Hallelujah! When that day comes, what JOY shall fill our hearts. 

Thanksgiving and into Advent

This year we spent our thanksgiving with dear friends (and neighbors now) and her family. They decided to purchase a happy turkey from a local farm. So 24 pounds and a big chunk of change later, we did NOT complain. Mmm, it was divine, especially alongside homemade noodles (family tradition) and all the other yummies. 

Since we weren't traveling home for the holidays this year, we were so grateful to dine with our friends! Later I think I felt bad because this was their family thanksgiving and their family time and we kind of bombarded with little ones (other friends and their littles were invited too) but, in the end, everyone had a good time and once it quiet down (Coco fell asleep upstairs and other littles went home to bed) we all enjoyed coffee and dessert and formal conversation around the table (sigh) and games after that. 

 God has blessed us with abundant gifts and there is so much to be thankful for! One we are most grateful for is our dear friends. And our sweet little Coco. 

So Christmas card-y! 

Since then, we are getting very excited for Coco's first winter and Christmas. Although I wish we were in Salt Lake City for winter, despite the crazy "winter warnings" and hazardous driving conditions, we love it. I wish Coco could see what real snow is all about but she is pretty little still and doesn't understand. So until we get a real winter wonderland for Christmas, we will make due with our ice storms and sleet (blah) and what they call "snow" here. :)

All of our Christmas shopping is complete! (has been in fact for about a week) It's advent season and we are looking forward to a time of meditation on Christ and his coming into the world so humbly as a little baby. How absolutely amazing it all is. Without Him, we are all lost and forever in shadow, but the Light has come! and only because of Him, we can live without fear.

Every Sunday evening we have supper with our old neighbors and dear friends, (Cora's godparents now) Our time is usually spent catching up, talking about whatever, and usually ends with a masterpiece classic on t.v. But this past Sunday, our conversation was directed another way. Thinking of advent has prompted us to ponder the second advent as well and got me thinking more about different views on the "millennialism's". (I'm a postmillennialist I believe) Whatever your view, we pray for the second advent to come soon! :)

Oh, aaaaand this sort of happened recently. My dream fridge, given to me for Christmas from my loving husband. I told him his christmas gift was the cooking inside (ha!) no just kidding. But it was a very happy day indeed to get rid of that old, ugly, monstrosity of a fridge we had before (it came with the house) So there you have it!

Happy advent!

Mi {Cora}zon 8 months

Happy 8 months Coco!

Mi {Cora}zon 7 months

Autumn chills and gray skies

Maybe it's these rainy days, but I'm having a hard time keeping it together this week. Plans with friends have been falling through and every time I get on some form of social media I am reminded of home with pictures of the Wasatch mountains in Salt Lake City and they call to me. I miss home *so very much* and I can't wait until I can return. Even when gray clouds seem to follow me, Cora brings in the sunshine to warm my heart. We are always together and we never seem to tire of it. For naps, she falls asleep to the gentle touch of us holding and tickling hands. And as we bird watch together in the mornings she plays with my hair at the nape of my neck. She is pulling herself up on coffee tables and laps, it's so amazing to see her develop and learn her strength. Along with independence she also exhibits her complete dependence at times. I don't think I will be leaving her in nursery during church or bible study Wednesday mornings any longer. Her time of contentment gets shorter and shorter and I usually end up having to run up there to console her frantic tears. It's fine, she will just play near me during bible study until she is a little older.

Well thanksgiving is next week and we are looking forward to time to share a big yummy meal with friends. Hooray! Speaking of, I need to roast that sugar pumpkin we picked for homemade pumpkin pie. Mmm, it so much better when the pumpkin doesn't come from a can. (but its okay if it does too!) ... but its the best when its not :) Anyway, getting excited for the festivities and holidays this year especially since its the first for our little mouse! We have a little wooden nativity set for coco given to her from her godparents that I've been dying to put out. It's so sweet! I'll definitely be posting pics of that when the time comes. 

We love having a wood burning stove. Its hypnotic light spreads cozy all throughout the house and the smell of the fire outside is simply delightful. I'm happy to raise Cora up with the happiness of a real fire in the home. Something special we had growing up too. and I think she really likes it!

First little pony! (Had to throw this one in there) :)

{Home}

Well I guess we all get a little homesick from time to time. Mine never seems to go away ;) but that's alright I guess. Every new day is filled with more beauty and wonder than I can take in most the time so I really shouldn't be complaining. (but thanks for letting me) I think now I'll bake a big fat chocolate cake for dessert tonight. a quiet evening on a chilly gray night, with a warm fire, a hot drink and cake after supper sounds like a plan to me! :) 

First Halloween

So she may not even get a taste of candy til she's two but we're still going to dress her up and roam the streets of South City with friends, knocking on doors screaming "Trick or treat!". So thats what we did. It was thee *perfect* night to trick or treating. Winds blew yellow leaves all around, rain sprinkled the entire time, and the street lights gave off this eery green-yellow glow over all the kiddos and their parents. Jennie was a cheese to go with our little mouse, it was so cute!!

Coco got loads of chocolately goodness in her little bag and of course shared it all with us when we got home. We'll have to pay her back one day. :) We had a blast and we cant wait 'til next year to do it again!

That TAIL! :)

Hickory Dickory Dock ;)

Happy Halloween!!

{Home} is where the heart is

So Coco and I are FINALLY in Salt Lake City, UT visiting my family and in-laws. Ugh, it's been SO wonderful being back home seeing my dear sisters and my mum and pop and my sweet sweet in-laws and other friends! and of course everyone has fallen in love with Cora if they weren't already ;)

we went to a friends house today to pick up some eggs from her chickens. (Raw egg yolks from pastured chickens (only) are one of the best first foods for babies.) and then we went up big cottonwood canyon near our house to see the changing leaves. Cora really enjoyed the fresh air and the silver lake. It was absolutely beautiful out. oh and afterwards, we discovered coco loves to dance to disco. random but super cute!! :)

Happy Autumn!!

A Country Getaway

Every year, we have a tradition of spending a long weekend in the beautiful countryside with our good friends (and Cora's godparents) at a B&B on a working farm. This weekend is also the "Pecan Festival" for the town, which we really enjoy. It was a special little vaca because it was the first time getting to take the wee little one, and she loved it!

The countryside was, as always, so relaxing. It was warm with cool breezes (as you can see from the photo above) and the milky way and all the millions of stars were *breathtaking*. Jonathan got to herd the cattle with Matt (a friend and farmer of the estate) which was fun. We dined out, and ate plenty of sweets at Katilynn's (Matt's daughter and owner of the deli and ice cream shop) and simply enjoyed all the quaint festivities of the small town.

Of course we took advantage of the photo op in front of the worlds largest pecan just for kicks and giggles. Oh and we may have entered Cora into the cutest baby contest. (What?!?) The real surprise is that she didn't win!! How is THAT possible? We think the judges were biased against big city babies cause she was clearly the cutest baby in town :)

Our other friends we visit while we are there are the Harpers and they set up a face painting booth at the festival (along with selling apples, raw honey, and organic popcorn with brewers yeast) We always love getting to play with their 7 children, they are so incredibly sweet.

We are already looking forward to next year when Cora is a bit older and able to run around in the fields and play more interactively with the other children. However we had such a relaxing time and were so blessed by all our friendships and company there. so until next year, we are back to the sirens and the busy streets, the big city we love and that we call home. Thanks for reading!