Being Open to Life: Tangents and Watermelon

Perfect day to regurgitate an uninterrupted stream of random thoughts of my exciting morning.

And to enjoy this baby on the brink of manhood:

Gosh. He is just the cutest.

Mr Baby and I are spending a few hours upstairs this morning as I enjoy the one room of our house that currently has nice curtains and avidly daydream about the colors I want to paint it with.

[Incidentally... am I the only homeowner who finds herself spending 80% of her time in 2 rooms of her relatively spacious abode? Seriously. I have to spice it up more. The corner table in my kitchen and the left hand side of the living room couch are getting a bit old.]

I actually just bought all the paint supplies to get started... My plan is to paint in the evenings, just a little bit at a time, while Jason is at school and Mr. Baby is done for the day. I want to order a few Ralph Martin talks on CD to listen to - it'll remind me of the evenings I spent painting with my Dad, listening to Ralph's "Introduction to the Devout Life". (Best talk ever!).

Random Tangent #2: Another reason I love the occasional cool rainy day in the summer is the slim chance to wear my boots.

We just got back from a Costco trip in which I charged around joyfully in my gorgeous, still-stiff, real-leather Frye boots.

But its not just the style I found so totally appealing... its the fact that they're "bench-crafted" in Texas, and they are one of the few fashionable boots left in America that are nice enough to be taken to a real cobbler when they get beat up.

My philosophy with things like shoes and nice jeans, is: if the style is classic and the quality is real, then its better to save up over time for one great pair that will last you for years,
and become a staple in your closet,
than to buy 10 cheap knock-off versions season after season.

So I saved up my pennies, and I kid you not, the day I went to the mall, cash in hand, intending to buy, I stumbled on this gorgeous pair at Belk that were marked down %40.

[Presumably because I am the only person who wants to buy and wear thick heavy leather boots in April.]

The book, which the delightful Hallie Lord signed and gave to my husband for me when he was at the RBTE tradeshow in Chicago, is an incredibly inspiring one. I have been so refreshed and encouraged by the beautifully balanced perspective of modern, Christian womanhood. Honestly, even for non-Catholics, I think this book would be just as encouraging and enjoyable for you as "Captivating" was for me in highschool.

Both books center on helping a woman develop a true peace and confidence in her identity that can only come from a deep and thriving relationship with Christ.

Its the first book I've read in ages that I immediately started making an invisible list in my head of all the women in my life I'd like to send a copy to.

[The watermelon is courtesy of Trader Joe's, and I am embarrassed to confess, I think I ate 3/4 of it - yes of the entire watermelon - in one sitting.]

Random Tangent #4: did anyone else laugh at the dude in the Bachelorette this week on the 2-on-1 who tried to sound all health-conscious and know-it-all-y with his overly-excited,

I, on the other hand, am rightfully health-conscious, know-it-all-y and overly-excited about finding this 4 lb bag of it at Costco today. I think it's the best deal I've found for organic quinoa. If you're looking to stretch an organic menu on a budget, quinoa

I love making a big batch and adding some sauteed garlic, olive oil, fresh basil, frozen corn, carrots, onions, and whatever other odd veggies I have on hand.