Our first stop of the day was Monet's Garden and home - this was one of my top three favorite things we got to do while in France. It was chilly and rained off and on, but I still loved it!

You can see where the inspiration for the beautiful paintings came from!

As we were leaving Monet's home - I was struck by the brilliant colors of the flowers and wondered why all of the flowers in France seemed to have more beautiful colors even though they were many of the same flowers we have here. I realized that with the gray skies and very plain (neutral) colored houses, there was nothing competing with the flowers - they were allowed to look more beautiful because everything else appeared so muted. I've never forgotten this.

Next, we visited a beautiful church and then the location of Joan of Arc's death ~

We were all cold and wet and needed some refreshment - my Dad thought a cup of coffee sounded good! With Carrie's help we were able to order some coffee and I think he was picturing a nice big steaming cup - instead he got this and we all had a good laugh:



Next time, I'll show you our visit to Normandy! Have any of you been any of these places I've shared?

Labels: family

Five years ago, this summer, I got to go to France with my parents and Eric and Carrie! (David wasn't able to get off work and I was pregnant with Emily.) What a very fun trip this was! I love revisiting the memories and pictures!!

So, here is a day-by-day remembering of our visit and my favorite things!

This was my parents first time overseas! So, I had to capture them at the airport getting ready to board an international flight! And, one of our special reasons for going was that my mom was going to be celebrating her 50th birthday on Bastille Day - and wanted to do so in France!

I don't exactly remember how we were successful at getting a taxi once we got to Paris - but we managed to get to our hotel and get checked in. Now, it was going to be a bit until we met up with Eric and Carrie, so we went walking and exploring! Yes, we had flown all night and were jet lagged, but we could not waste time now that we were there!

Labels: culture, family

It has been a recurring desire in my heart and mind to seek simplicity. I long for life to slow down and be more simple and yet it seems to elude me. I'm not even sure what in my life can be changed to create more simplicity.

Some of this is because of the season of life I am in right now - three young children who seem to have an absolutely endless supply of energy don't leave much room for a simplified life. Yet, I still long for it.

Now, I know that simplicity means different things to different people. Simplicity to some means spending less or doing less, using less or going less.

I think that simplicity in my life means peacefulness and moments of beauty and quiet. It is being satisfied and energized in the little everyday things of life and making these moments beautiful and memorable.

Can't I create moments of simplicity in my life even in my current season? I do hope so...

While Emily was at VBS recently, Rachel wanted to swim and it seemed like an ideal time to create a simple moment. I grabbed some freshly cut flowers, a cup of icy cold water and a well loved book on simplicity.


I put my feet up and got all comfy and then the whining started. She's done already? How can it be? I was looking forward to a few peaceful moments of rejuvenating my heart and spirit.

The beauty and the simplicity were there visibly - but not physically, mentally or emotionally.

Obviously God had other plans for me that morning - yet the question persists ~ how can I cultivate a simplified and beautiful life in my current season. Embracing all that this season offers and all the challenges that come with it - but still seeking to teach my children how to slow down, lower the volume and let peace and simplicity come in to our hearts.

I'm not interested in reducing the amount of time I spend with my family or in cultivating beautiful, special memories in our times together. I want life to feel less frantic, less busy, less obligatory. More thoughts coming on this soon...

I'd love to hear your constructive thoughts!

Labels: mothering, reflections, simple pleasures

This was my first year growing potatoes in our garden, and it was so rewarding to cut up two seed potatoes and get so many in return! Here is the first half of our harvest!

We discovered this recipe through the Return to Sunday Dinner cookbook and it has quickly become a favorite!

Roasted Potatoes

1 lb. red potatoes, quartered
1-2 Tbsp. olive oil
1-2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
a sprig or two of fresh rosemary, snipped into little pieces
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in prepared baking dish and bake until potatoes are browned to your desired taste. I love that I can bake these at whatever temp I'm already using the oven on. I've baked them everywhere between 325 and 425 - obviously the hotter the oven, the faster they cook!

Labels: from my kitchen, gardening

My mom makes the *best* chocolate milk! I only drink it at her house and when she can make it for me - mmm, it is so good!

Pour a glass about 2/3 full of chocolate milk. Add white milk and two teaspoons or so of sugar and mix to combine! Delicious!!

Labels: from my kitchen, simple pleasures

The last of the pictures from our family time together in Iowa! Thanks for hanging in there for a whole week on sharing our time together!

Labels: family

As my friend, Debbie, was preparing for her wedding - she was having trouble finding a cake topper that she liked and that was not too expensive. She asked me for ideas and I headed here for some inspiration. I saw a beautiful initial topper made out of some fancy sugar and such. But, still loved the idea of the initial!

Not long after, we were in Michael's and found these pearl letters in their dollar bins! Love that - it turned out pretty, don't you think? Thrifty cake topper: $3 at Michael's!

Labels: being thrifty

After the marathon and a relaxing afternoon - we took the littles to a nearby park to get some energy out! It was beautiful -

Labels: family, simple pleasures

Labels: mothering, my walk with God, reflections