Thirty Simple Joys
1. Cotton candy sunsets
2. Pups waiting in the window when I arrive home from work
3. Walks and talks with Mom
4. Notifications from Marco Polo with new chats from the girls
5. A week worth of meal prepping in the fridge
6. Willow learning to successfully play fetch
7. A slower pace of life and new rhythms
8. The flickering of candles
9. Blog posts in the queue and the thought of many years of words and photos in this space
10. Reviewing photos after a great shoot
11. New teammates, 1:1 meetings, and the best place to work
12. Trips to Helmi’s and bringing home new little plants
13. Late night brainstorming sessions with Kevin in his office
14. Cracking open a brand new book
15. The first run through of Taylor Swifts new album
16. A brand new pair of kicks
17. When someone says that something I do, say, or wear is “on brand”
18. A beautiful IG feed
19. Conversations that make you forget about your phone
20. Chloe’s nose boops in the morning when it’s time for me to get up
21. Coke Freestyle Machines
22. King sized beds and cozy new comforters, for us and both the dogs
23. Bike ride pick ups
24. Fields full of sunflowers
25. The sweetest and most thoughtful gifts and words of encouragement
26. Setting goals and crushing them
27. Home grown fruits and veggies
28. Feet photos that remind me to be in the moment
29. Printed photos
30. Blankets fresh out of the dryer
Sunflower Fields
I’ve had “visit a sunflower field” on my bucket list and 101 in 1001 list for as long as I can remember and I finally got to see one in person last Monday. Ironically, it was right here in town, and only about a mile from where I lived in college. It’s been open the last two years, but this was my first time getting to go out. This patch seems to have about week-long timeframe where they are in full bloom until when they start to droop, which can definitely be tricky to plan around. Here are a couple photos from our visit. We were lucky enough to make it during golden hour and get to see a bright but beautiful sunset which perfectly set off the the color of the flowers.
When we hunt for beauty, we learn to pay attention. – Try Softer, Aundi Kolber
11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Psalm 96:11-12
What I’m Pinning – August 2020
There are some definite unintentional fall vibes showing up in my recent pins! Summer has always been my favorite season in terms of a slower pace of life, summer vacations, and less on the to-do list. Even though that will probably always be true, the colors and cozy of fall are definitely worth looking forward to. I almost added football season to that list, but who knows what that will look like this year.
These summer months have been paramount to the progress and growth I’ve made this year, and it’s definitely bittersweet to thing that it will be coming to an end soon but I’m looking forward to all that autumn has to offer.
Little Letters
Dear paper planner, welp, this is awkward. Thanks for holding all of the plans we’ve had to cancel this year. Dear workout shoes, who knew that this would be our year? Thanks for 270 hours, 17 minutes, and 7 seconds of your time so far in 2020. Dear Kev, thanks for the belly laughs, silly dances in the kitchen, new projects, recorded adventures, and meaningful hugs that this year has been filled with. There’s not a person in the world I would rather be stuck in a house with for weeks on end. Dear 52 Book Challenge Goal, I’m surprised we’ve never met. Quarantine loves you and so do I. Dear face masks, the last 44 days has been a love and hate relationship between the two of us. You’ve been my excuse not to get more put together before leaving the house (love) and the reason for less friendly smiles exchanged (hate). I won’t be sad to ditch you when this is all over with. Dear sunsets, is it me or are you prettier this year? Dear Chloe and Willow, thanks for being best sisters and best friends. When you sleep with your heads together or drink water from the bowl at the same time it just melts my heart. Dear IRL and virtual friends, I’m so thankful that you stopped by.
Helmi’s Gardens
Helmi’s Gardens is one of my favorite places in Columbia, and we took a little stop by this weekend for a little eye candy. The nursery is chock-full of outdoor plants, trees, succulents, indoor plants, pots and all kinds of plant related goodies. I’m huge on shopping local when we can, and it’s also a great place for all the photo ops.
This is the Chinese Elm Bonsai tree that we brought home (along with his two friends who are hanging out underneath). The tree is 8 years old, so please send us all the good vibes that we can continue to keep it alive.
About
Hi, I'm Jacqueline - believer, learner, and all around hobby enthusiast. I'm married to my highschool sweetheart, Kevin, and we live in the midwest with our sweet pup.
On this blog I share all kinds of things about my life - from my faith journey to the garden in my neighbors backyard. I've been blogging for almost eight years and use this space as a way to document my daily life.
Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the internet.