Birthday and Encouragement

We had a great time yesterday celebrating Caleb's birthday and it reminded me how thankful I am for my family and how blessed I am to have 2 brothers that I'm close to and who I enjoy every moment spent with. I love those boys and would do anything in the world for them!

I read this in my daily devotion this morning and thought it was refreshing and comforting.

" Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be. You will get through today one step, one moment at a time. Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway.

This sounds like an easy assignment, but it is not. Your desire to live in My presence goes against the grain of "the world, the flesh, and the devil." Much of your weariness results from your constant battle against these opponents. However, you are on the path of my choosing, so do not give up! Hope in Me, for you will again praise Me for the help of My presence."

Hope you have a wonderful day; I have another great, easy recipe coming so stay tuned!

Bookworm Wednesday

I know they (who is "they" and what do "they" really know anyways) say "don't judge a book by its cover", but I must be truthful and admit that sometimes I do just that. I am only human (in case you were wondering) and I tend to be consistently drawn to those books that portray a fun, lively color or a neat picture or even an interesting name; who cares what's on the inside right? Kidding, slightly, but in all honesty, how could you not j'adore this book cover featured above with it's cool, mint green color, the simplistic drawing of a chic woman with oversize sunnies and a pop of red lips, and then her name, Bernadette, is just so mysterious and unusual that I immediately want to read this book and find out where the heck she is...don't you??

Just to clear the air and assuage the thoughts that may be running through your head right now as you think how shallow I am, this book is apparently just as beautiful on the inside as it is the out (just ask the New York Times or my mom, who finished it recently). This just may be my next jaunt in the book realm!

Do y'all judge a book by it's cover, literally? Or am I the only one who is like a child and sometimes (not always) succumbs to outrageous color or an eye catching picture?

Happy Hump Day! I'm off to work and then celebrating the birth of my youngest brother who was born 16 years ago today! Also counting down to Friday when my Mr. returns from his vacation work trip (he's living the dream right now, apparently fishing on a 61 foot sport fisher that belongs to Jack Nicklaus...lucky duck, but he does work very hard so I'm happy that he enjoys his job and is able to take part in some nice perks).

P.S. Promise this is the last thing...if you like my mom's nail polish that matches oh so perfectly to Bernadette's book cover, it's called Mint Candy Apple by Essie!

Hopeful

This past weekend wore me out (in a good way), causing me to be extra lazy yesterday morning, lay in bed til the last minute, and not prepare a blog post; shame on me! That being said, the weekend was super fun, beginning with dinner in Thomasville Friday night at a new (that is, new to myself and MAC) restaurant called George and Louies; we both ordered grouper po boys and split baskets of fried green tomatoes and sweet potato fries...seriously delicious, finger lickin' delicious. Saturday was spent running a few errands and cleaning up around the house for our out of town guests. Shout out to Nate and Hannah: We seriously had the best time with y'all and were thrilled that you came to visit us at our humble abode! Please come back soon for another visit and we look forward to the Shamrock tournament, your wedding and planning for the beach! Sunday was filled with golf, football and pizza (no surprise there) and Monday morning just came too darn soon (especially since the Mr. is away on business ALL week, insert mopey face from yours truly).

I don't know about you, but the weather is quite dreary here in the sunshine state today and I just needed a little eye candy to brighten up my morning and remind me that spring is SO close (at least I hope it is)! I picked out my favorite looks from the new 2013 Lilly Pulitzer spring collection, and one pair of JCrew shoes that I  have to own! Hope you have a delightful day y'all!

P.S. Here is some food for thought/words of wisdom for the day:

You can have as much of Me and My Peace as you want, through thousands of correct choices each day. The most persistent choice you face is whether to trust Me or to worry. You will never run out of things to worry about, but you can choose to trust Me no matter what. I am an ever present help in trouble. 

Just Around the Corner

Go check out Ashley Brooke's giveaway on her blog! Such adorable stuff!!!

Today is February 1, which in my hopeful mind, means that Spring time is bound to be just around the corner, bringing along with it, Lilly sun dresses, cookouts, longggggg days, Jack Rogers, lounging outdoors with a book in hand, and much time spent at the beach and on the water. I'm giddy just thinking about it and I hope this mild winter weather is an indication that these things are to come sooner rather than later!

As much as I anticipate Spring time, I can appreciate and revel in the "here and now". My husband asked me out on a hot date tonight in Thomasville, tomorrow entails hanging out with some friends from the Georgia area (and hopefully some in Tally), and Sunday will be spent eating those addict ing Super Bowl goodies...oh, and watching the game :)! Hope your weekend is just wonderful!

Here are a few items makin' me smile and strikin' my fancy.

The Mr. catching some nice Grouper last weekend...can't wait for days when we can grill these babies!

Bear is already "sunning" himself and ready for the warm weather!