weekend grace

Happy Weekend, y’all! Here’s what we’re reading and loving this week……

But, first, let me make your day.  I’m telling you this because I love you and you need to have this treat at least once this year.  This is what we have for Saturday morning breakfast at least once a month. Stevie introduced this deliciousness to me years ago and then I found this awesome homemade waffle mix that cannot be beat.  And now? We reside in breakfast heaven.  Making the waffle mix is a labor of love, but it’s so worth it.  Once your waffles are done, spread a little butter, some homemade jam,  and then drizzle with  heavy cream.  You’ll thank me or hate me later.

As many of you know, I’ve been thinking about/working on a redesign for my blog for a few months. That led me on a search for some new ideas/new blogs whose designs (or content) I loved.  Here’s the list of what I wanted:  something gold, a cross, a circle, deep pink, color, white space, not scrapbook-y, not cluttered.  Not hard at all, right?  Well, after several amateur attempts at logo and header making from yours truly, we finally have a winner, thanks to my friend, Heather, who takes me ideas and makes them pretty.  If you’re reading in a reader or in email, click on over to see all the new whitespace and the new header and logo.  We’re still adding things and tweaking details, so stay tuned.

As I was searching around for new blogs to read/new blog designs, I found a few gems, and some, with your help, from a little Facebook survey.

I love everything about Emily Henderson’s blog.  She just had a baby, so I’m pretty much stalking her Instagram feed and her blog because I have serious Baby Love in my heart. For all babies.  Oh, to be pregnant again!  She did this beautiful redesign last year and I love it so much.  Her style is probably closer to what I love than anyone else.

Hannah Brencher is new to me over the past few months.  She’s young and fun and has such a unique writing style.  I feel like she’s my little sister and I love her.   I think you will, too.  Her blog design is clean and simple and easy to read.

Mavis Butterfield grows enough food in her garden to feed her family for a little more than $100 per month.  I’ve been planning a bigger garden for the past few years and I haven’t done it yet. Maybe this year?  Check out her post on free seed catalogues and enjoy Ryan.  Side note:  One of the best ways to learn more about something you’re interested in is to read blogs on the topic.  So, I subscribed to several new gardening blogs this year.

I realized that as much as I cook and love food, I didn’t really read food blogs.  So, I subscribed to about ten or so and I’m loving the photography and recipes of Joy the Baker.  She’s headed to Uganda with Compassion  in a couple weeks,  with some of my favorite people, so keep them in your prayers.

I think Nester linked to this blog, Gracelaced,  and I love it.  The content is wonderful and so is the design. And look at all those babies!!  Enjoy!

Many of you probably read Mandy at Vintage Revivals, but I love her quirky style and her living room makeover last year was amazing.  Also, I love her blog design.

And a confession?  I read a few man blogs.  I occasionally read Tim Challies’ blog and thought this article on the new book Circles was definitely worth consideration.

I also like Matt Walsh a lot and thought this post on monogamy was so full of truth.  Also, very interesting post about music in the modern church, by Pastor Peters, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Clarksville.

If you didn’t catch my posts, this week, this one on Finding God’s Will for Your Life  is quickly becoming my most read post ever.  It will comfort and encourage you in the good work you are doing for the people in your life. If you need some help in meal planning, check out my January calendar!

Okay, hunker down, read some good books, cook some good food, and enjoy your day!

(And tell me any new-to-you blogs that you’ve been inspired by lately!)

 

 

Hope you are enjoying the gorgeousness of the season.  I’m working on a few fun projects for you and can’t wait to share.

Here were some of my favorite finds from around the web.

Jenny’s Faux Iron Painted Bust.

I got the most wonderful gift from Gretchen. Check out her shop, she is talented artist!

Shaun Groves wrote a beautiful new hymn.  Enjoy on repeat!

I love everything about Traci—her mad dancing skills (which I learned of when rooming with her in Nicaragua), her love for her boys, her faith, and now her awesome kitchen makeover/coffee station.  Now, you can go and love her, too.

I love this cookie log idea for gift giving! So PERFECT!

Check out this darling blog by a a girl I’ve watched blossom into a beautiful young lady.  She’s a fashionista and trained in fashion and marketing.  So glad to have you in blog world, Ashleigh!

I got my 3rd Stitch Fix this week.  Despite the fact that I LOVE this concept and find it to be fun and exciting, I  still don’t think they’ve quite figured me out, yet.  While at Allume, I saw SO many beautiful ladies with Stitch Fix pieces on that I LOVED.    But I’ve heard, the longer you stay with them, the better they are able to find clothing that suits your style, etc.  Stitch Fix is a styling service that sends you five pieces of clothing per month.  If you choose not to keep any of them, there’s  a $20 styling fee, but they waive the styling fee if you purchase any of the pieces.  You can earn credit by referring others to the program.

Here’s what I sent back and what I kept.

1. Gray and White Striped layered shirt—Not my style, too much material on the top half of my body.

2. Thick cardigan—Not my style, too thick and hot for TN weather.

3. Animal print cardigan—No.  I wouldn’t mind animal print skinnies or animal print shoes.  This sweater just wasn’t right.  I don’t know what else to say.

4. Blue brocade tunic/dress—Fit well and looks good with the skinny jeans they sent.

5. Kaine Floral print skinny jeans—same photo.  I wouldn’t have paid that much for them in the store ($88) but I had credit and I really like them.

If you’re interested, you can sign up here!

Don’t forget my November meal plan, full of seasonal delicious food that makes your 5:00 happier!

 

 

 

 

Happy first day of fall!  I woke up this morning, just north of Nashville at my sister’s new farm house, to this beautiful sunrise. It was so fun to see her new place and hug on the kiddos. The directions to her house go something like this:  Turn left at the wheat field and then right at the soybeans.   If you get to the life size Jesus, you’ve gone too far.  Not a word of a lie.  It’s like miniature Texas where she lives—old men in boots and cowboy hats and lots of horses. I’m only slightly jealous!

Fall has greeted us in the most glorious way!

We’re home now and I may or may not be lying comatose on the sofa watching football.  We had so much fun, but it’s gonna be a few days before I’m functional and coherent.  I’ve always had a love affair with Nashville and every trip confirms the charm of the music city.  More on our trip in my newsletter (going out tonight, I hope!), so if you haven’t subscribed, do so now at this link!

In other news, I love this post by my friend, Patty on the waves of change.  A great pattern for a knitted scarf, too.

An incredible master bedroom makeover at Layla’s place.  The before and after photos are amazing!

I’ve got apples on the brain and NEED to go the apple farm with my friend, Tammy, soon. Love this caramel recipe from HowDoesShe!

You can now preorder my friend, Emily’s brand new book, A Million Little Ways!  I can’t wait to read it.

Emily’s armoire makeover is so fabulous!

 

This post by Pastor Peterson, Why Does the Liturgy Feel Unnatural?, would have helped me so much when I was transitioning to a historical, liturgical church.  So worth the read.

Okay, friends, I can no longer hold my head up to type!

Sending you lots of love,

edie

p.s.  Link to your favorite posts from the week, from your blog or someone else’s!

p.p.s.  I LOVED catching up with my friends, Kelly and Sibi, while I was away.  Good friends are like healing balm for the soul!