Giant Pumpkins, Mutant Chickens and Pronto Pups

Sounds like the State Fair to me... except there are other fun things there as well.

Like the "Do Art" building that's set up with all kinds of art supplies, artsy helpers and a fun fishy project.

I ended up doing most of the decorating, Evie was a bit distracted by all the cool fish on the walls. (Why didn't I take a picture of that?!)

This pure delight was brought on by the presence (sights and sounds) of many chickens and other various poultry.

Aren't these some handsome roosters?

And what happened to this guy?

Is he truly a mutant chicken like I think he is, or is this a variety of chicken that isn't printed on wallpaper or dishtowels? 

Hello pink-eyed bunny.

Evie has developed an early interest and desire to ride ferris wheels.

And despite how enormous this must have looked to little her, there was no hesitation at all!

She led the way to the ticket counter...

and took it all in during our ride.

We also got to see some new babies!

This sweet calf must have been a bit intimidating eye-to-eye.

We passed on the donut burger...

in favor of a Pronto Pup, Evie's very first!

She liked it very much until she got down to the pokey stick.

I'm guessing the "Pronto Pup" is a regional thing, but it's a fair favorite.

One of my favorite things is to see these beautiful quilts.

The one below is a pattern I'd like to use by Kaffe Fassett (made completely with his fabrics).

There is something about this display that I find appealing...

And we just had to visit the giant pumpkins!

771 pounds!!! I remember seeing a documentary about growing these record breaking fruits (is it a fruit?) and being fascinated at how care-intensive and competitive it was.

It was a pretty day, hot, but pretty.

We were entertained by our loopy/tired little girl all the way home.

Here is the finished fish, kinda cute. But I would've found him cuter if Evie had done more of it. Because, you know... everything she does is a work of art. :)

And after an already full and fun morning, we came home to a package from LaLa and PaJoe for Evie!

They sent her these super cute Piglet and Roo! She loves them, Piglet even went to church with us this morning!

Serendipitous Roadtrip

Serendipity: the gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for

This trip with my momma, Lesa, was one that we "planned" in such a way that some might have said we didn't have a plan... our only parameters were:

• 
  
  exploring the beautiful corner where Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma meet
• 
  
  stopping whenever possible to take pictures
• 
  
  taking scenic routes and staying away from major highways
• 
  
  going to lots of little antique shops and flea markets
• 
  
  a stop at Ozark Christian College, (where mom went for her freshman year of college)
• 
  
  and visiting my brother-in-law Patrick at John Brown University

 My intentions behind visiting Ozark Christian College (which used to be called Ozark Bible College), were to become more familiar with that part of my momma's life, and it might be fun for her to be back on campus too. She was agreeable with this idea, but I started to wonder if she might just be humoring me...

So along the road to Joplin, Missouri I asked her to share about her college years and part of her telling recalled a favorite professor named Seth Wilson that taught a class on the book of John.

It was pretty cool to see that the college had since named their library after him.

There on the wall is a quote of his,

"Who we teach you to love is more important than what we teach you to know."

Neither of us knew how very much it would mean to return to this special place.

And this was the view from a new favorite antique store near Eureka Springs, Arkansas, along with a neat stone house next to it.

A beautiful garden awaiting a wedding, outside the historic Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs.

A visit to the "Candy Man" as the locals call him. YUM. His sons waited on us while their father wrapped taffy and their grandmother dipped chocolates, how sweet is that!

Then down to visit Patrick in Siloam Springs who showed us wonderful hospitality, we got to talk and pray together... we were blessed. 

We found it quite funny that his students like to decorate his car. The night before we arrived they made it look like a stegosaurus.

What a beautiful campus!

This lake was on our way back through Oklahoma.

I think I squealed when we saw this charming spot in Chetopa, Kansas. It had the best finds and we just so happened to be there on their first day of business! And I found the Beatles Sgt. Pepper album unopened in it's shrink-wrap for a buck. Yah.

Hail, Look At Those Clouds

This was our weather tonight, how was yours?

I took these after the hail, rain and wind had stopped...

Doh!

There were a few ping-pong-ball sized hailstones... and this deck cover is not quite a year old, so is the roof, but we haven't looked up there yet.

Apologizing to Carrots

Every now and then Evie will do this at a meal, but I hadn't been able to catch it on video until now...

So thankful for this funny, little girl... and for laughter.

How Can I Sink When God Is Perpetually Throwing Me Lifelines?

Whatever it is that calls out my self-doubt and strokes my thoughts of inadequacy, (be it hormonal or spiritual, most likely both) it has been speaking with a loud voice lately.

And when I have responded to those feelings with defensiveness or defeat, neither has been helpful or healing... yet that is my natural response.

Out of that place I need to be drawn, away from dwelling on who-what-and-how-I-am.

Because I am insufficient and weak.

I need gentle (and sometimes persistent) reminders in my life of who is always sufficient.

My thoughts turn away from those that hold me down when I turn my ear to the one whispering sweetness, grace. 

Grace. Some in whispers, some not so subtle have been pouring in all around me...

A dear friend's letter of encouragement and building up, written and sent on a day when I most needed it. 

A retreat/roadtrip= decadent time with my momma, (more on that later).

Photography business opportunities that affirm me to keep going.

Bits of daily domestic progress: weeding and watering our garden, much needed organization and making homemade applesauce and peach jam.

And small but profound scenes of joy with Evie: using watercolors for the first time, imaginative play, dress-up, and keeping me company while working outside.

All these blessings help me to find the grace that I've been shown.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Hebrews 4:15-16