a simple white sunday

I know I've been silent a long while...life has just gotten so busy! It's like I'm on fast forward. So lately I've just been trying to learn to balance my life and work. I work endless hours on the clock and at home. And realized at the start of 2016 that I needed time of doing absolutely nothing. Doing this is actually more difficult than working for this girl=) 

Sunday we got our first snow, here in Indiana. It was a lovely, wet, damp snow...sticking to everything in sight as it floated downward. After church I came home to a cozy afternoon of just me. After tramping around outdoors in my lovely white world and taking a mini photo session of myself in the blissful wonderland. I settled to an afternoon of reading and drinking tea.

I sat quiet and concentrated on how my drink smelled, tasted and felt. This may sound dumb, but I don't think I've just enjoyed the simple act of drinking, in - well I can't remember when.

I sat in front of my window and did nothing except watch the snow fall and marvel at all God's beauty around me.

I let go of the guilt of doing absolutely nothing, for an hour on Sunday. I've decided that by doing nothing on Sunday I was actually giving myself a chance to be more productive and mindful in the future. 

Until next time,

Cheers!

my love<3

When I can’t deal with the stress of the busy corporate world I just escape to a place that’s familiar to me. Filled with quiet and love. A place where I know God is. Because here I can feel and hear Him.

The freezing wind biting at my nose. The cold, wet snow fogging my camera lens. And me soaking in the most beautiful of sceneries, with numb fingers and toes. Totally happy…because I’m here;

alone.

Alone in the world that make complete sense, where life is only about instinct. Not rules.

"Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle ... a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl.  And the anticipation nurtures our dream."
-  Barbara Winkler

“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.” -
Martin Luther

“The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.” – Psalm 24:1

“In wilderness I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia.”
 -Charles A. Lindbergh

”Reading about nature is fine, but if a person walks in the woods and listens carefully, he can learn more than what is in books, for they speak with the voice of God.” -George Washington Carver

I’m only two months into the year…2015 looked so promising at the beginning. And so far hasn’t let my expectations for it, down.

Just since the start of the year, God has been opening doors…resulting in me having to make some huge life decisions…I mean crazy big ones! But even though it’s been a tough emotional roller coaster, for me, the last few weeks, I’m happy to say I’m through the bulk of it and now strictly onto finalizing each one of them.  What I planned for myself the beginning of the year isn’t all holding together…like maybe jumping ahead a few years…I have to be okay with it. God’s plans are better anyway=) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer. 29:11 Being flexible and resting in the knowledge that God knows what He’s doing. I can’t wait to share more details about these things but I need to wait until everything is completely set in stone.

Happy Friday!!!

Source:  99 outdoor quotes

cranberry pie with thick pecan crumble

Mom had this bag of cranberries in the fridge, a few weeks ago that were beginning to spoil. And she mentioned to the wrong person (myself…haha) that she didn’t have time to do anything with them. So that Saturday evening when most of my family was at one of Isaac’s basketball game I decided to give it a go…

…and I actually did it, I made cranberry pie!!!!! (I used this recipe) I made the pie crust! and it turned out wonderful, (in that my dad actually liked it=) I did the entire cold butter and water method…And this time instead of cutting off the extra around the edge I folded it back in over itself just like the recipe encouraged. And the visual effects of following this tip, after it baked, were so rewarding. Of course I substituted some of the ingredients…sugar with honey (the typical Atherton practice) But mostly I it was made according to the recipe used=) And my family loved the slightly tart, yet sweet taste of it.Only Victoria and Christina were home when I made this pie…so having the rest of the kids guess what kind of berry it was was so fun=) Mainly they thought it was cherry and dad was the only one who said after awhile of guessing, “it’s not cranberry, no it can’t be cranberry pie”….haha that was so worth it! So they all agreed it tasted more like cherry pie…I loved the pecan crumble on top. So that’s the part I ate of my piece, gave the rest to Isaac…haha poor guy, he really has a hard time in a house full of girls. My mom – just walked into my room and sitting on my sister’s bed proceeded to watch as I put this post together…she commented again on how good this pie was. While walking out my door, just a moment ago she said, “you should really make that pie again, sometime….soon.”

Happy Monday! I hope your week is wonderful!

~Photo-a-day~ May 21-May 27

 

10 things I learned about myself this week

1. Pennies the best smelling flower to me

2. When my mom’s sick or hurt the house literally stops revolving

3. If I’d slow down in the kitchen I wouldn’t cut myself near as often

4. If I stop tasting the tea right after pouring it, I wouldn’t burn my tongue

5. Chicago’s Pizza has the best pizza ever! I’m literally in love…

6. I have to run at least a mile a day to feel good emotionally

7. If I’m the least bit depressed ride my bike, sure cure

8. The movie Pollyanna makes me glad    PERIOD.

9. Some bugs gross me out so bad I almost start crying…and could if I let myself

10. I absolutely love late night talks with Christina in the dark

 

Day 141

~up high~

Day 142

~fragile~

I got this ornament from one of my best friends…it’s absolutely lovely

Day 143

~scary~

I was so scared to go to this meeting with my investment consultant…but it actually wasn’t half that bad.

Day 144

~square~

it took me forever to figure out how to do this square again…

Day 145

~a tool I used~

on Sunday dad and the boys left for their memorial day weekend fishing trip. I decided to grill some deer stake and potatoes and onions. I burnt the potatoes, but the girls seemed to enjoy it….anyway=)

Day 146

~sunshine~

Day 147

~cheerful~

riding my bike is the happiest thing in the world for me to do…I feel so cheerful when I get back=)

What’s something you do that just makes you happy?

Happy Wednesday=)

The most beautiful woman to me…

My mama<3

^“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life…She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

 

This was a spontaneous photo shoot. I love how well my mom posed and just enjoyed the entire shoot.

She is a true Proverbs 31 woman=)

I love her so much.

 

Emma’s Greenhouse

One of the many benefits that come with living in the middle of an Amish community would have to be, being close to all their many businesses. They have furniture stores, leather shops, bulk food stores, aannnnnndddd

GREENHOUSES!

This dear lady’s greenhouse is perfectly lovely! I love just walking in and looking around. She’s the most happy person to be around (who wouldn’t be, when you plant plants for a living=) At least I’d switch jobs with her=) Last Saturday mom and I stopped by for a quick look and to price out the veggie plants we will be buying soon.

Surrounded with flowers all their smells and colors, I couldn’t help but smile. We had a wonderful time together.

I’m warning you these are really beautiful!!!!

I could never decide on just one…I want them all!

Her veggie greenhouse is where she starts all her plants, it was especially warm in there.

So do you all buy your plants from a greenhouse?

Have a wonderful week…what better way to start it than with all these lovely pictures?!?!?