Springtime {Summer in Waiting}

{Special blurring effects. Always appropriate.} Today I was inspired to go out and cut roses from my mother's garden in order to make my room a veritable bower of springtime. Or something like that... While we're being honest, I wanted to make a beautiful flower arrangement to post on Instagram because my life is controlled by social media. I have also included a couple other pictures from this beautiful spring season, for your enjoyment.  I also included these fun bracelets and knick-knacks in my flower-shoot. I picked them up at the antique fair, yesterday downtown Petaluma! Because, let's face it. Sometimes you need to ignore homework, and photograph flowers instead.  {I have a minor obsession with cloud-photography. My Instagram is proof of this. But who could resist such a sight?!} {Antique fair! I love my little town} {I call this arrangement: "The Lone Rose"} {"Smoosh the Flowers into a Vase and Let Them Look Gorgeous"} {"The Afterthought"} Because I actually thought of this picture after spending about ten minutes on the other arrangement, and I ended up liking this at least as much.... The problem with my blog posts is that I have all of these important issues to talk about, and then I forget them. So. I hope you enjoy flowers. Happy Springtime!! XOXO -k

Post-Lent Results

{Baguette time!! Take me back to Paris, please.}

Just a quick mention on the things I gave up for Lent, since I do believe that I talked about sugar, at least, in a previous post. Unfortunately, I still can't eat bread (with gluten), that was not a Lent fast, but I just think this little boy running with the giant baguette is adorable.

{Snapchat}

The thing I gave up from the beginning of Lent (March 5th), was the smartphone app called Snapchat. In case you don't know--basically you take pictures of yourself or random objects and send these pictures to your Snapchat contacts. The pictures have a lifespan of up to 10 seconds before they disappear forever into the void. I'm just mildly concerned that the cookie monster fills this void, and he's laughing at my mirror selfies...

I was using Snapchat WAY too much, and it seemed like the appropriate thing to give up for Lent. I made it! It honestly was not too hard to delete the app from my phone and just not think about it after the first couple days. It's definitely a bit embarrassing that this is actually something I could give up for Lent as a "sacrifice." But hey, you've got to do what you've got to do.

{Sugar}

I decided to give up sugar about halfway through Lent. This was something that I had considered before, but never really had the wherewithal to go through with. Apparently, the time was right, this April. So, I did not eat any foods with added sugars for three weeks! (Until yesterday, of course...)

 Last year before I went gluten-free, this would have seemed crazy. To give up sugar for even a week would have been a huge mental struggle. However, after having lived without gluten for over eight months, even though I spent almost seventeen years of my life eating food with gluten in it, my mental state has definitely changed. Giving up sugar for three weeks was tough, but not impossible.

Yes, I had a stomach-ache after eating some maple syrup on breakfast foods yesterday. But you will be pleased to hear that I am not back to my chocolate consuming, normal self. 

Did you choose to fast from anything for the Lenten season (or part of it, like I did with sugar)? I'd love to know what you chose!

Xx,

Easter Whirlwind

{Selah Ranch, 7:26AM}

  The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

It's definitely a wonderful feeling to burst forth with our "Alleluia's," on Easter morning, after forty days of restraint. I always feel such amazing unity with the congregation of believers, as we lift our voices in unadulterated rejoicing at the resurrection of our Savior.

This morning began for me at 5:15AM, as I got up to leave for a "Sunrise Service" out at Selah Ranch, about twenty minutes from my house. The service was stunning! The weather this year was the most beautiful weather we've had at the sunrise service for as many years as I can remember going--which is a few...

My family and I drove to breakfast at a friend's house (she invites the entire church, every year, and lots of us do make it ;), where we enjoyed copious amounts of bacon.

Our main church service began at 10:30AM, and as you can see, I was not special enough to get someone to take a traditional picture of my Easter outfit. I definitely took a selfie instead. #noregrets #okaymaybeliketwo

After resting at home for about an hour, my family went over to yet another friend's house for a share-a-dish meal with our church family. We lasted from 1:30pm until about 5:30pm.

THEN my dad, three brothers, and I made our way over to Coldstone to celebrate a brother's 22nd birthday. Obviously, we had to eat some Panda Express as an evening snack since it was immediately next door.

After shopping for some beverages at Sprout's, we are finally back home, enjoying drinks and relaxing before two of my brothers have to drive back to their various cities for work, tomorrow morning.

I hope you had a lovely and blessed Easter, filled with His joy!!

Alleluia, Christ is Risen!

"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the 

place where the Lord lay." Matthew 28:6

Bliss {Out in the Sun}

{4/9/14 and also perfection} 

I'm having a difficult time deciding my favorite type of weather. Like extremely difficult time. I love rain because I can snuggle indoors with a fire in my woodstove, a mug of delicious tea, perhaps some dark chocolate, and a favorite book. But then this weather we've been having in California... I really don't think the weather could look or feel more perfect. The shining sun, the absolutely stunning clouds, the balmy weather {*mostly* perfect temperature, although it has gotten a bit hot at times}, did I mention the clouds?!

On Sunday I was feeling too lazy to do productive things. So I went outside, climbed onto the trampoline with a giant bag of air-popped popcorn and my phone {which has my current reading: Anna Karenina}, plopped onto my back, and munched contentedly whilst staring at the sky. I was planning to read for a few minutes, but the weather was actually perfect. And I mean that. So I just lay there, letting the day roll by, feeling like the world could go on without me because I was much too comfortable to move.

{I took a picture, but then I actually did this for real. My trusty popcorn by my side.}

{And then I sat up because SKY!}

{Blue sky just barely streaked with white clouds. Too lovely.}

{My walnut tree wanted in on the photoshoot}

{Doesn't the sky look peaceful?}

{Sun-kissed cheeks and pretend sleep. Just for the camera.}

I hope you get a chance to take a break from the world and soak in the sun, this week! Xoxo