here we are again.

Am I the only one who questions my purpose and identity on a monthly basis? Honestly - I can't tell you how much time I spend researching careers and projects - reading Etsy sellers success stories and trying to figure out how I can make my crafting dreams come true. Because I DO want to use my time well and be industrious. I DO want to have a creative outlet and find fulfillment in my work. But I'm reminded of Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." 'These things' that this verse is talking about we find in the previous verses - food, drink, clothing - essentially: provision. God knows my desires and needs - and he's already made provision for me. He knows that what is going to satisfy my need for purpose and meaning is Him. He has given me all I need in Him!
Ephesians 3:17-20 says: "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you maybe filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
I am loved by my Creator - truly he has withheld no good thing from me!
 So I'm going to keep my heart and mind busy seeking him - and trust that all things will be added to me!

Jean Jackets

I was about to post this on facebook...but then I figured I'd offend too many people on there. Since only a few people read this blog this seemed the better route to go. :)
(No one likes a facebook rant anyway).

Here goes...

I wish jean jackets didn't exist. I just don't dig 'em.

And I wish Gap would stop featuring them in sales emails like they're awesome. Cause Gap, they're not. But I still love you, Gap. For always.

Whew, good to get that said.

p.s. - if you wear a jean jacket - you're awesome. I'll just never ask to borrow it. Win, win really!

spring, spring, spring

“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"...
"It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

Connor is 7.

I took a trip down to Lake Erie with my nephew, Connor (and siblings), a few weeks ago.

This is what I learned about Connor (and probably most 7 year old boys) while taking his picture.

• Smiling often looks like grimacing.
• It's hard to look RIGHT at the camera. (I have SO many shots of him smiling at me, while his eyes are looking to the side. ha!)
• Goofy pictures are much more fun.
• Shots right by the water are really cool.

I love this kid. And his siblings.

San Francisco

With winter feeling endless I am longing very much for a view like this. The travel bug usually bites about this time of year and boy oh boy does CA sound divine.

via pinterest

shameless plug

I've been working on my Etsy shop. Check it out and support my life. (Since I don't have April Ludgate to be my marketing rep I gotta just copy her style. Andy is so lucky.)

And listen to this while you're at it:

It's a happy, encouraging reminder. :)

year 2

This year for our anniversary Craig and I decided to spend a day in Cleveland celebrating. After all, we live in a great city - no need to travel anywhere else to do something out of the ordinary!

We started out the day having brunch at a place called Luxe in Ohio City. Tasty food can be had in really interesting and lovely surroundings.
This photo of our coffee cups makes me smile. Craig doesn't usually drink coffee (he tries to stay away from caffeine) but he did that morning because he knows how much I love drinking coffee with him. It's such a simple joy to drink a cup of coffee with someone and I loved that he ordered it just to bless me. :)

After brunch we headed out to the art museum, taking a quick stop at Rockefeller Greenhouse. It's free and open to the public every day, 10-4. Such a refreshing spot, especially in chilly winter!

From there we headed to the Cleveland Museum of Art. They've been doing some serious renovating and I haven't been in ages so it felt like visiting the museum for the first time. Wandering around all that beautiful art is such a re-fueling exercise.
There's a bright, expansive indoor courtyard in the middle of the museum. Shows the connection between the original building and the newer buildings. 

I love this chair. Someday I'll own one.

After leaving the museum we stopped at Edison's Pub in Tremont for drinks and to play pool (one of Craig's favorite pastimes). Lots of fun!

 

The day ended with this ridiculously tasty chocolate cake from Giant Eagle, Mario Kart and pizza ordered in. 

  

I love my husband.

I love my city.

I love having fun in your neck of the woods.