photography | life lately...

Currently I am learning to knit with the magic loop and I am so excited to say that I know how to do this now!! 

It was easy to pick up and I am so thankful to my knitting friends for encouraging me to try it! 

Lately I have gotten a few things from Target that I really love... I bought the yellow stripe cup because I have a thing for buying too many cute mugs. I couldn't resist the round pillow, because I love the design, it was on sale & it goes perfectly with my bedding. The picture frame was also on sale and it was just what I had been wanting for a cross stitch my aunt made. Since she has passed away that simple little cross stitch is very special to me, so I wanted a better frame for it than the plain black one it was in. I love the way it looks now. All of these items are by Threshold, love that brand!!!

Current nail polish. Found this bottle buried in my nail polish drawer and it has made my nails feel stronger. 

Lately I have liked the beige/nude color... classic & pretty!

Lately, this poor dog has had it a bit rough... About a month ago, we noticed her shaking her head & scratching her ears a lot. I took her to the vet & it turned out she had a severe double ear infection... So, we had a long few weeks of giving her antibiotics for a week, then ear drops for two weeks. This morning, I took her to the vet for the third time & I am so thankful for the report that she is all better!

Lately my favorite snack has been fresh pineapple, bananas & coconut. It's like a tropical vacation! :)

Currently reading... Beth Moore's David study  +  She Reads Truth for Lent  +   Staying on track with reading the Bible in year, I just started Judges  +  I am slowly reading through Mansfield Park.

photography | through my lens lately...

(Necklace is from Two Little Doves!! I love the turquoise and that it is so simple & delicate!!)

4th of july + more from lately...

A few things...

1. On the 4th we had our usual family BBQ... lots of great food & fun! I think the highlight of the day was when my little cousin, who is 2 and a half, tried to start a water fight by spraying my mom & grandma with the hose!! We all of a sudden heard screams & laughter, looked out on the deck & little Ren had a smile on her face & the hose in her hands. It took my mom & grandma completely by surprise. Such a silly girl! Due to the drought & fires in my area, all fireworks were banned... but we were able to go watch the "big fireworks" put on for the community. Overall, it was a great day!

2. I think, my favorite thing about summer time is spending mornings on the deck! I love to be out there when there is still shade covering the swing, before it starts getting hot. The birds are always singing & the morning air always feels so refreshing!! It is a perfect way to start the day.

3. Another favorite thing about summer is wearing sandals. This summer I have been adding to my collection... Haha! 

I found such a great pair at Old Navy (the tan/yellow & tan/black ones pictured above). I love the way the straps cross over & they are super comfortable. When you find sandals that you love, you have to buy more than one pair!

4. I have an amazing chocolate cookie recipe to share soon. Best. Chocolate. Cookies. Ever!!

5. Currently I am doing Priscilla Shirer's Bible study on Gideon. This is the first study I have ever done of hers and so far it is great! I have underlined a lot! I really loved the simple quote that she shared, "A change in focus changes everything." Our situations always get better when we shift our focus from ourselves to Him. There are other things that I have really loved that I will probably share more of later! 

6. Last weekend, I had a "popcorn & root beer float night" with my family! That always takes me back to when my brother, sister & I were kids & we would have movie nights with my grandma! Those times with my grandma are priceless memories now that she is gone. And every time we have a movie night now, we always attempt to make the popcorn how she did & we eat way too many sweets... I love those happy memories!

7. Last week, I went to lunch with my mom, after her doctors apt. We went to one of her favorite places (near where she works). It is called Marigold's. They have a Spinach Salmon Salad that my mom always gets. She knew I would love it, because it has all of my favorite things... Spinach & salmon, of course, with feta cheese, bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, & mushrooms. It was possibly the best salad ever!! My mom got their Crab Cake Salad... I gave her half of my salmon & she gave me one of her crab cakes. It was all so good! Marigold's is also a bakery, with a display window of beautiful desserts. So we had to get some of those to take home... their carrot cake is the best! If you are ever in Colorado Springs, CO... Marigold's is a good place to check out! 

8. Summer evenings are great for playing cards on the front porch until it gets dark! 

And for big, bright rainbows after a summer storm! Thankfully, we have gotten a bit more rain lately!

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 57:10-11

So thankful for all of the little blessings in life.

Thank You Jesus!! :)

downtown charm // rusted poppy inn

I love going downtown, especially when it is spring & summer time! There are flowers blooming everywhere

 & the streets are lined with big, green trees! Also, there are so many beautiful old homes, with so much charm. 

Every time I see those old houses I always imagine what they look like inside...
And of course I daydream about owning one myself!! 

Well, last weekend I was able to tour a gorgeous Victorian home/mansion that was built in 1900!!!
This home has been restored to be a B&B called, The Rusted Poppy.
Each room is filled with beautiful vintage furniture, art & other beautiful pieces.
Also, there is a big beautiful garden in back for guests to enjoy! I was actually there for a "garden party"

 with my grandma's church. And it was a very beautiful space with a flowers, a pretty gazebo & a fire pit!

The whole place was so very charming...

christmas memories

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service  +  the true meaning of Christmas!

Watching "It's a Wonderful Life"  +  festive red nails

Woke up Christmas morning to a little bit of snow (yay!) & my sister got me that pretty watch!!

I got a couple of new books to add to my Jane Austen collection!! Happy!!

I love the Jane Austen Devotional... so good!!! :)

Also, my mom got me an external flash for my DSLR, so yesterday I had fun playing with it!

My sister got that cute piano for Ren! She loved it! 

I made that pink hat for my cousin for Christmas, so now her & little Ren have matching hats! Cute!

And we got my grandma a Kitchen Aid Mixer! I think she was surprised!! Yay!!

It was another beautiful Christmas! And again, I was reminded of how much I have to be thankful for! 

I hope you all had a Happy Christmas with lots of wonderful memories for you to cherish!