Slow Day at the Zoo

Our sweet friends invited us to join them at the zoo on Friday! Days like that take a lot of pre-planning but it was really worth it for the day outside spent chatting with a dear friend and watching our children enjoy each other as well.

I loved that we were not in any rush, just wandered through the nature walk and around to see the animals, sat and ate a picnic lunch together and just generally took our time. We walked over six miles yet it was restorative in so many ways. Feeling grateful for this gift!

Two sayings I want to remember from today -

Sitting at the picnic area eating our lunch, Samuel said, "this is peaceful!" Melissa noted how few 8 year-old-boys would even notice or mention that. Warms my heart.

Emily read a sign and announced, "No Presbyterians on this path!" That would be no pedestrians my dear, smile.

Open Tabs

Some reads that I enjoyed for your weekend ahead:

Being Theirs: Squiggly Lines and All

This is a unique idea - get a recipe kit in the mail every month for purposely making memories together in the kitchen with your kids.

There isn't always something profound for me to share here and I've been feeling that lately. Loved this read from Shannan!

Give a donation to Children's Miracle Network this Tuesday and get free pancakes - I think I know what we're having for dinner Tuesday!

I love this article about Writing for Christ's Glory - on my heart for sure as I ponder how to get the word out about my book - wanting to make sure it is for the furtherance of His name and Kingdom.

My mind keeps coming back to this print and the truth of its message during the mundane of ordinary days.

A Prayer for the Writer

Right now I'm reading:
The Life-Giving Home
An Amish Christmas Gift

Words I can't get out of my head:
"Choose obedience over outcome." ~ Jenn Sprinkle

Dreaming about: our future farm house in the mountains

What are you reading, enjoying, cooking, planning, dreaming about right now?

Slow Day: Reality Version

 

Some days are just downright hard and messy. This was one of the hardest days we've had in a while and I'll be honest, not every Slow Day is picturesque and lovely! Rooms get messy, laundry piles up, trash needs cleaned out and there are piles {those are my fault!} to take care of.

On these hard days, perhaps it is best to focus on things we did right! We started with time in the Word together {love that all three can read now when we read aloud!}, we blessed our home and hearts by taking care of the messes and piles, we finished with chocolate cake and we ended the day in a better place than where we started.

Chocolate Cake in a Mug: lightened up from this PW recipe!

3 Tbsp. whole wheat flour
2 Tbsp sucanat
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. baking powder
3 Tbsp. skim milk
1 1/2 Tbsp. applesauce
1 Tbsp. softened butter
little splash of vanilla
1 Tbsp. choc chips
whipped cream and sprinkles

Rachel also helped me make homemade deodorant refills!