Joy Dare: Day 8

A Gift Sweet, Salty, Sipped

1) Peanut ~ the sweetest pea in my life

2) That incredible Jalapeno Tuna sammich I had at Madd Hatter's yesterday... mmmmm

3) The 5ish glasses of Cabernet I drank last night while screaming and jumping with my friends (playing Catch Phrase) last night

I am

Olli

Joy Dare: Day 7

3 Gifts From Your Window

1) The tree I can hear the Barred Owl hoot from many of these autumn nights.

2) Streams of delicious light in the mornings. 

3) A small bird feeder my neighbor downstairs has where sparrows flock to eat, chatter and make merry.

I am

Olli

Joy Dare: Day 6

3 Gifts Government

(this one was kind of hard given what our country is going through)

1) The Armed Forces fighting overseas, so that I may remain safe at home.

2) I think it's exciting what has happened with Texas' new abortion laws. Some babies born from here on will have an interesting story and a curious role in history.

3) I'm thankful for a mostly non-corrupt Security and Police Force. It's crazy hearing stories of officials in the same position in other countries... 

WE ARE BLESSED.

I am

Olli

Joy Dare: Day 5

3 Gifts Acorn-Small

1) My antique button ring that I wear every single day. Except for when I lose it... which is almost every single day.

2) Babe's lil hard ears! Obviously they aren't as small as an acorn...(maybe 5 acorns?)... but they are small and cute and always cold. And I call them hard because they are just more compact than mine and feel harder. I like kissing them to em' warm. Eeek! ~ love those lil hard ears!

3) Acorns themselves and the way they scatter everywhere in central Texas.

I am

Olli

Joy Dare: Day 4

A Gift Gathered, Given, Good

1) All the pumpkins Peanut & I snagged! My patio looks like it's own pumpkin patch now...

2) The copy of Blue Like Jazz babe found for our new friend, Thanya, at the library book sale. 

It was perfect and totally from God.

3) The crisp and refreshing fall air... it is so, SO good.

I am

Olli

Joy Dare: Day 3

3 Gifts That Start With "N"

1) Nature... especially this time of year

2) Naps with my love ~ the only kind of nap I'll agree to

3) Naomi Rose: Corey & Amy's sweet baby girl on the way :)


I am
Olli

Joy Dare: Day 2

3 Gifts Worn

1) Tunsis (toon-sis), the stuffed cat I've had since I was 4 years old

2) My multi-colored beanie that everyone loves. A Fall staple!

3) My tribal backpack I use as a purse - to carry my money, books & food for adventures :)

I am

Olli

Joy Dare: Day 1

Well, I tried doing this challenge last Januray and didn't even make it through the first couple of months. I wanted to do the year-long  Joy Dare from Ann Voskamp's blog, A Holy Experience. However, in light of it being the month of Thanksgiving, I thought I'd give it the old try once more and give myself the much lower goal of doing it for 30 days. The daily guideline for November is in her last blog post, but if you just want a quick reference for the list ~ go here. 

3 Gifts Eaten

1. The sandwiches babe & I shared for lunch today. I love sandwiches. And babe.

2. The KitKat bar I munched on my way home from work - since I didn't get any Halloween candy!

3. The Pumpkin Tea Latte I drank while drawing this morning.

Join me this November?

I am

Olli

in which: it is 12/12/12

Forgive me dear friends! I have neglected you too long. The Christmas season is in full swing and if I'm not working, I'm either shopping for gifts or cleaning. I must say that the shopping feels a little easier this year and I think I have Pinterest to thank. Also, I'm trying to do more handmade gifts as well. Yay!

I've a candlestick burning a pair of cozy, striped socks on finally. A cold front blew in last night and I am oh so thankful. About time Texas!! I'm hoping it lasts through till Christmas. Usually "Winter" occurs about the time of New Years and through January. Sure wish we had snow though...

~

Thanksgiving with the Etheredges (babe's family) was so fun! Black Friday was my favorite part. Yes there was shopping, but mostly for the fun time I spent with Vanessa & Hannah, Peanut's sisters. Lots of laughing, hunting & coffee. We literally shopped for like 12 hours. Vanessa & I spent 3 hours at World Market alone! We also got to see some precious friends, like Shaffer, Travis, Jim & his daughters.

I love the people in Mobile.

~

As far getting to see AW during our stop in Houston... well, once again, it just didn't work out. Waa! She was planning on leaving that weekend to go be with her family in Pasadena for Thanksgiving. But as we were driving there, she had to leave rather suddenly for Pasadena right then. We were sad. But the letters continue and our friendship remains strong. Oh how I would love to see her though!

~

As for Christmas, it looks like I shall be spending it here between the A's and my grandparents. Perhaps even the Hernandez's. Peanutty will be driving back to Bama... is it terrible that it makes me a tiny bit happy he'll be sad without me? I may even be able to fit in a letter while he's away! I so love writing to him :) 

~

Well, it's off to dreamland for me. Need to be up early for coffee with Renata. PLUS - the date is 12/12/12! So many people are going to get married today. This day will never happen again... but then I guess everyday is like that. 

~

GOD, YOU ARE SO GOOD TO US!! WE LOVE YOU & PRAISE YOU FOR THE WORK ARE DOING IN US, FOR THE LIFE YOU GAVE FOR US & FOR THE REMINDER OF ALL WE'VE BEEN GIVEN... YOU ARE PRECIOUS & HOLY & LOVED. THANK YOU THAT WE ARE THAT IMAGE TO YOU AS WELL. MAY YOUR JOY ABOUND IN THIS SEASON & THROUGH ALL SEASONS!! HELP US TO SEE BEYOND OURSELVES & OUR OWN DESIRES. SHOW US HOW TO SEEK FIRST YOUR KINGDOM IN ALL WE DO, THROUGHOUT THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES. WE LOVE YOU, ABBA.

amen.

I am

Olli