the monday hum

(photo & print)

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wanderlust

i need an escape. my chiropractor actually recommended a mini-vacay so i'm in the process of planning a getaway... doctor's orders! i feel as though my light is fading. my get-up-and-go needs some diesel fuel. right now my head prefers a pillow rather than the clouds. dreams have been my main source of adventure lately. i need to get out of the house with a change of routine.

wanderlust (n.): an insatiable desire to travel and to understand one's existence

have you ever felt this need to explore both your outside world and within? i'll admit i have a case of wanderlust. i need to roam about, away from all the troubles of my world and just forget for a while. a good laugh, some great food, and even better company would just be delightful. i have a craving for some adventure... so let's travel without a map! who's coming with me?? besides, not all those who wander are lost.

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subway abc's

anyone who's ever taken the subway (or the London underground, in this case) knows it can be a bit of a maze, but this "underground alphabet" print helps make sense of the madness. i love creative fonts! they're just my type ; )

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bouquets not to toss

wedding bouquets can be anything these days, and i just love how creative brides are getting! from something edible to brooches, don't think you just have to be confined to flowers... these unique wedding bouquets showcase just that!

(1. sweet tooth / 2. fabric creations / 3. paper & fabric / 4. feathers &

rhinestones / 5. brooches & feathers / 6. brooches & birdcage veil)

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the monday hum

(photo & print)

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dark chocolate cupcakes w/ buttercream frosting

dark chocolate anything pretty much melts my heart. top that with some frosting, and we are talking money. that's why these moist little cakes with buttercream heaven on top should have your drooling... yeah, you might wanna wipe that up by the way. let's just get down to business already!


dark chocolate cupcakes


1 egg
3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon heavy cream

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/8 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, whisk egg and sugar until smooth and no lumps remain. Add milk, cream, butter and vanilla, and mix until combined. Stir in sour cream. Sift dry ingredients together and add to wet mixture. Mix until batter is smooth. Line a muffin tin with liners and using a 1/4 cup measure, add batter to each cup. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Let cool before frosting.

buttercream frosting

• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream

In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk, mix together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes. Add vanilla and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for spreading consistency.

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in God's sight

(photo)

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ten things i heart: seeing yellow

(photos)

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the monday hum

(photo & print)

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how my prayer life caught on fire

We all know the story of Moses and the burning bush. He was roaming around in a field… minding his own business… when out of nowhere, BAM! God decides to become a pyro. He had a message for Moses, but first, God had to get his attention. In a lot of ways I equate my story to Moses and his burning bush. Many of you know that I’ve been fighting cancer for almost eight years now, but you may be surprised to know that I’m glad it happened in the first place.

I was complacent for many years with a ‘King’ for a father like Moses (feel free to laugh at that little joke) and was very involved with church like any good preacher’s daughter would be. My involvement wasn’t any indication of my walk though. God had to get my attention.

Now you might think cancer is a pretty sucky burning bush, but it brought stubborn little me down to my knees. It striped things from my life that helped make room for the presence of the Holy Spirit. It made me blatantly aware that I wasn’t in control, and I needed to be in constant communication with the Lord. My new prayer life was suddenly on fire.

Learning to praise God while I am in the desert of my life where it continues to storm and flood with no sign of milk and honey has been rough, but my fire for life “does not burn up,” like it says in Exodus 3:3. I’ve learned you must start all of your prayers with a spirit of thanks and end with an “I love you too,” because the Lord never releases you from His caring grip.

Grey Street (my sunday school class at Second Baptist), as a community, has also truly blessed me by hosting numerous prayer nights to storm the gates of heaven on my behalf. I was so overwhelmed by the shear number of people supporting me that I came to feel almost guilty for not being able to really give them anything in return that would show my utmost gratitude. But the Lord reminded me that I, too, could pray for them. Being surrounded by prayer warriors that proudly dawn those turquoise or pink bracelets has helped show me how I can be just as much of a prayer warrior.

Now I still don’t know what God is calling me to do with this challenge in my life, but what I do know is that He has my attention and I’ve said, “Here I am, Lord.” Because you see, I was roaming around… minding my own business… when out of nowhere, BAM! God decided to become a pyro.

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oh you...

(photo)

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big red

my first big purchase out of college was a comfy red, suede-like sectional that instantly became my favorite place to lounge, eat, play on my mac, you name it... but now i'm wanting to restyle it with maybe an accent wall or new accessories. what do you think of these choices??

 a blush wall always adds a nice feminine touch...

 turquoise and red is my new favorite color palette though!

 teal brings a certain warmth to the red...

 animal print is also a fun way to add some sass...

or i could go with vintage pillows for a homey feel

help! what are your suggestions on how to update big red and bring new life to my living room?? it's definitely the focal point of the room (hello, it's firetruck red! haha) so it sets the tone of our living space. i'd love to hear your feedback!

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passing a message

"we chose the in-between" 

"creature gestures" 

 "gilbertville public library"

 "trajectory"

"passing a message"

sometimes skillful inspiration finds you, and you can't help but sit and stare at it, wondering the hidden meaning. i find that with a lot of collages simply because there are literally layers and layers of different media intertwined with one another. i hope you find these collages by hollie chastain as intriguing as i do!

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zuppa toscana

thanks to my wacked out medicines, i tend to have crazy cravings for very particular foods. i'll go from sushi to oreos to pickles in a span of thirty minutes (and no, i'm not pregnant). one of my go-to restaurants that i tend to crave a lot is olive garden... now some of you foodies might turn up your noses to this chain restaurant, but i happen to have fallen in love with one of their soups, zuppa toscana. it's like the italian version of chicken soup - need i say more?

it's creamy goodness always makes me feel better, and ever since my mom found this recipe, i've been making it quite often. and girl, if there is bacon in anything you know i'm down.


zuppa toscana


1 lb. ground italian sausage (half spicy, half sweet)
1 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 large diced white onion
4 tbsp. bacon pieces
2 tbsp. garlic puree
10 cups water
5 cubes of chicken bouillon
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb. diced russet potatoes
1/4 bunch of kale
3 tbsp. kosher salt
parmigiano reggiano cheese


1. sauté italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot. drain excess fat, refrigerate while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. in the same pan, sauté bacon, onions, and garlic over low-medium heat for approximately 15 minutes or until the onions are soft.
3. add chicken bouillon and water to the pot and heat until it starts to boil.
4. add the diced potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.
5. add the heavy cream and just cook until thoroughly heated.
6. stir in the sausage, kale, and salt. let all heat through, top with cheese, and serve! buon appetito!

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the tutu project

i have a thing for pink tutus. i'm 5'2" though with a background as a dancer so it makes sense. i have to give this guy made props though for sporting the bubblegum-colored tulle even with a beer belly, because he's doing it all for a good cause. in support of his wife's fight, bob carey is raising money for breast cancer research with these funny images. check out "the tutu project!"

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day at the art museum

you can still visit the age of impressionism exhibit at the kimbell art museum through june 17 so make the trek to fort worth if you can! totally worth it! and check out the tiny nonna tata for a tasty italian lunch... my dad and i had really had a great time! it's so great to be able to share the love of art with him :)

:: xoxo ::

the monday hum

(photo & print)

:: xoxo ::

fire in the hole

men in uniform are just my type ; )

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get outside

how can you not appreciate this ad campaign and its humor?? point made, stihl.

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glory glory glory

love this hand-drawn reminder of some great scripture! the neat part too is that this is part of a project called 'year 27,' and here's how the designer explains her mission in having each doodled verse sponsored:

"I want to translate a book of the Bible into another language. Through OneVerse.org, I’d like YOU to help me raise the funds to translate the equivalent of the book of John into the language of the Ehty people in South Asia. That’s 879 verses at $26/verse." 

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