whatever is lovely

This started as a tiny Instagram post. I was going to tell you about what a weirdo I am that I'm super excited to be drinking this pretty bottle of wine, painting this old corkboard, and making extravagant plans to cook brussels sprouts on a Friday night. But God gave me a different story to tell. And Instagram told me my caption was too long. And then someone brought home pizza and the brussels sprouts plan flew out the window too.  Monday was a sleepy day, because Nashville was a whir and I got home at 12:30 am. That night I went for dinner (it was free because thanks Aunt and Uncle for doing Crossfit) and was ready for about a 7:30 bedtime. But my car didn't want to start. Didn't even want to sputter to start. It was pulled in to a parking spot and even jumping it was looking hard. Aunt Dana and I were jumping ahead to what car repair would look like for my 45 minute commute the next day... trading cars? taking time off? Thankfully, when ...

I'm going to let my crazy show a little.  My sister and I are headed to Nashville tonight.  Why you ask? We're obsessed with a singer named Ben Rector. I could try to say it in a more dignified way, but it's the truth and I have accepted it. I've seen him in concert several times, approximately every time he came to Waco while I was at Baylor, and once in grad school. But Alizah never has, and at the time the tour dates were released we realized that he would be in Dallas the weekend of Baylor Homecoming. So we looked into other cities. And College Station, or even Tulsa, would've been closer. But Nashville... We both are a little starry-eyed about this city we've never visited. So with more notice than this summer's Hawaii trip, but in the same spirit of spontaneity, we booked flights. We'll be there less than 48 hours, but I'm excited for adventures with my sweet (and hilarious) sis.  In the spirit of our weekend getaway,for this week's Friday ...

This weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to go the the final year of the Women of Faith conference.  The tour is entitled "Loved," but for me three things stuck out: beautifully strung together words (you should've seen me scramble to write down the perfectly constructed prose verbatim), anxiety, and dreams. To me, those things became the weekend's theme.  I of course got swept into stories and inspiration. I laughed a lot. I sang praises in a room of 20,000, united in lifting our voices the day after people were shot for professing the same faith to which we cling. I somehow walked away not sponsoring a child through  World Vision , despite the tear-inducing REAL stories. I will soon, surely.  But I really clung to those three aforementioned things, because they're what's relevant for me.  Here's the thing: I haven't ever felt like I have a "thing."  You know, like a hobby. Passion. Obsession. Ridiculous natural inclination or t...

This week we're talking about traditions. I started typing on my phone at 11:56, so I doubt this will be finished on Friday. But I kept thinking about fall things I love so I simply had to make it happen.  1. Baylor Football  The truth is that I really only have figured football out in the past few years. But oh, to wear green and gold and get swept up in the excitement and now, finally, kind of appropriately independently cheer without waiting to watch others' reactions!!  2. Pumpkins and Peanuts  Just trust me on this one .  3. Warty Pumpkins  I didn't get my mom's love for fall decor growing up. And I sure liked my pumpkins orange, round, and smooth. I have learned to see the beauty in the quirky punkins!!  4. Fall Scents  Anything warm and spicy. The signature candle from my favorite Waco boutique is the happiest fall smell. I also love diffusing "fall" oils like Thieves or a combination of Orange and Clove to both smell and keep myself well e...