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Meg’s week of summer – part one!

if your friend has a beach house & she invites you to come stay with her… GO!
make all the arrangements… find places for your kids… take off work and just get there.
and if you can find friends who are hilarious, loud and bring all the fun… then you are going to be GUARANTEED a good time!

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look at how crazy adorable this beach house is?!!
it was too much goodness!

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we laughed till 4 in the morning.
and then again.
and again.

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i can’t say enough that i loved every single detail.
everything was SO pretty!

i know everyone is going to ask if this is a rental (because it’s awesome!) but it is not.

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and we got to take showers outside if we wanted!
i totally loved that!
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if i am correct… we were in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
i thought i was in florida for several days so don’t call me if you have any geography questions ok?
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the beach is my favorite place for a million reasons.
and if i get girlfriend time AT THE BEACH?
it doesn’t get too much better than that.
we were soaking it in… breathing deep… it was the best.
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we ordered the mexican garbage because Tommy told us too.
and does a pina colada taste any better than when you’re at the beach?
nope.

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this was Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding?  oh my goodness.

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and then just like that it was time to go home.
sad face.

i love these girls.
so grateful to have the chance to be truly AWAY.
no craft house.  no guests.  no work.  no speaking.  no kiddos.  not even wifi!
total rest.
while laughing till i cried.

the best kind of rest.

 

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#pitchperfect #sitkaalaska #seaandsuds #florabama #pitchercatcher #ryry #ramón #palmettobug #twohourwait #kimmyjen #frenchmarie #mrsroper #itsapeninsula #oliver #cody #fakemirror #windowstothewalls #buffaloquesadilla #pterodactylattack #target2012

Tiffany - That looks like perfection!

Deana - I think it’s so great to truly unplug (no wifi) and decompress with other women! So glad you got this opportunity! and PS that house is amazing!

Kelly - I don’t know what all the hashtags are but my guess is maybe inside jokes? BUT Sitka AK is one of my very most favorite places in the world. 🙂 Kelly

Stephanie - Come back Meg! We miss you!

sharon / theprincipledtype.blogspot.com - I am sooo happy for you!

Patti Mullican - Sad face this is not a rental. Gulf Shores, AL is one of my fav places of all time! Glad you had a fantastic trip! Now, I want to go back there!

stephanie - but what if you don’t have a friend that owns a beach house? Can you buy one? If you bought one than you could invite me except I get up at 4 am so it would be hard for me to laugh until 4 am but if you bought a beach house and invited me to come, I would try.

Becky - I hope you got to eat at The Original Oyster House! If not, GO BACK!! You missed something!!! Gulf Shores/Orange Beach are the beaches of my state and are so beautiful! Your friend’s home is beautiful!!

Jenny B. - That looks like SO much fun!! And, how is it that you just keep looking younger?? Seriously, I don’t know if it’s the long hair, or what! 🙂 You look great! So glad you had fun! I have to admit I’m just a tad bit jealous. 😉

Debby Graber - We vacation at Dauphin Island, which is fairly close by. We’ve thought about purchasing a vacation home down there…. Wouldn’t that be awesome!! Just a dream. I grew up looking out my bedroom window at the ocean and I would love to live there again!
So I saw in one of the pictures that I have the same dress you have, Meg. I think we must both love that French store in Wichita!

Amy Woods - Just awesome! I have a Fall retreat each year with my sisters, an Aunt, and a cousin – who are also my BFFs. Nothing like it. NOTHING.

So happy for you getting the time away!

beth larson - Hey Meg!
This looks like such a fun getaway that I can’t hardly stand it~ if each of us had a friend with a beach house like that I don’t think there would be any world wars…lol

Laughing with good girlfriends is the most healing balm in the whole world…man I’m missing mine as I type this. : )

xo, Beth

Kelly W. - Gulf Shores is our favorite place to vacation! Since we’re only about 4 hours North of there, it’s not too hard to get to. So glad you enjoyed yourself on our sandy shores!

Stephanie - You WERE basically in Florida. Lol. I live about an hour and a half east from where you were. Glad you enjoyed yourself so much in our area!

Kimberlee - Seeing all of these ladies together in this post made me miss them even more. So glad you all were able to get away together!

Heather E. - Ahhhh! You were in my neck of the woods, I live about 30 minutes from Gulf Shores! It is THE BEST and it looks like you had a blast! Beautiful beach house your friend has there!

Southern Gal - Nothing in this world like a beach and good girlfriends to share it with.

Jackie - Amazing! My husband says even a rainy day at the beach is a good one. Looks like you had fun!

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this week

i will say it again… i don’t like when shows end.
i don’t mind if it’s like “Full House” or something but when it’s MY show that i go to every week for down time… UGH!
and i keep getting told “all good things come to an end”
umm… NO.  No they don’t.  they don’t HAVE to.
blah.
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so it’s over.
and I’m sad about it.
i loved every single episode.
in the beginning, i tried really hard to not like this show but i just could not!
it’s too well done!
you can’t NOT like Madmen if you start from episode one and watch… it’s impossible.

and i could never pick a favorite character because i love how they all work together.
i will miss this show.

 

and then ON THE SAME WEEK David Letterman retires.
i mean really.
he has been in my life forever.
since before i knew what late night tv was!
and he has ALWAYS reminded me of my dad… the way they speak… deliver a joke.
there wasn’t a single show where i didn’t think “sounds like my dad” and i almost always said it to craig.
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we didn’t watch much anymore… but i liked knowing it was there.
and then this week with all its farewells i loved Tina Fey’s honest and hilarious and brave goodbye.
i loved seeing REALITY of what it takes to wear those dresses…. she’s a riot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tKhr5Ujbd4

and let’s see….what else could end this week?
oh yeah, SCHOOL!

my Annie ended her elementary school career!!!
she is now a middle schooler!
WHAT?!
like as in… i don’t have ANY children who go to the elementary school anymore?!
bittersweet in every way.
the whole school & the parents line the halls of the school and clap for the fourth graders as they leave on their last day.  it’s a fun way to celebrate them.  Annie thought it was embarrassing.  ha ha haannie

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and Sean is now ending his middle school years and is moving onto high school in the fall!
our school does a promotion ceremony for eighth graders that is casual and fun.
since it’s my third i managed to make it through without crying…. knowing it’s just another step in the journey.

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i didn’t cry because i know he is going to do great!
he was SO HAPPY to be there with his friends and having such a fun day.
he’s really looking forward to football in the fall.
i will have a senior and a freshman in the high school and an 8th grader and a 5th grader in the middle school.
kinda funny.

AND one of my BFFs moved away this week too!!!!
my exercise buddy.
my thought processor.
my organized genius.
my calming presence.
dianna
it’s only two hours away but it will never be the same.
boo-hoo.
i am going to miss her so much.
she is truly the kindest person i have ever met.
EVER.
sighhhhhhh.

so… yeah.
don draper, david letterman and my children’s youth AND my bestie left me – ALL in one week?!!

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i earned my margarita last night.
all three of them.

 

tracy fisher - i’m just getting back to reading blogs… took some time off. oh boy do I miss reading yours. have the best summer ever!!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Grumpy frog suddenly makes sense.

Wendy - We are going to watch the entire series of MadMen for the third time. I LOVE this show so much and really can’t get over that it is over. I thought the end was pretty good but I was just so sad that it was over. I really liked what they did with Peggy. That was my favorite.

I love the stairs so much and I am so glad you shared. I have an odd stairwell that I seriously am considering doing this to. Right now it is pine treads with unfinished fronts because I haven’t touched it since we removed the ugly carpet. i have painted the walls but that is all. You always inspire me! I love your blog and really how you share. You are still my first blog to check on. Long time reader! You have such courage, faith, and honesty. Thanks!

-Wendy

Debi Meyers - i love ya Meg. I hope we meet someday. Best photo of Dave. I love his little caramel-colored glasses.

At a crossroads, I chose The Walking Dead over MadMen. Can’t say I’m sorry. But you make it look worth my time.

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Carrie - I have also never heard of middle school starting in 5th grade. In our area most middle schools start in 6th grade. A few districts start it in 7th grade and some have 6th grade centers.

Eugenia from Southern California - Woweeee. Middle school doesn’t start until 7th grade here. I have two boys in their twenties and another two traveling the journey.
A boy starting middle school and a girl starting 3rd grade in the fall. School doesn’t get out until the middle of June and starts again at the end of August. My kids are counting the days until they get to swim nearly every day.

I love the time without homework and longer fun days.

You are a brave brave woman. xxooo

Jen - I feel the same way about Mad Men. I loved every minute of it, and I thought the finale was absolutely brilliant. And I have a senior who graduates on 6/1 and heads off to college (four hours away) in August. I think I’ll go have a bottle of Moscato! 🙂

Debbie H - I meant 5 to 8. I’m in shock and can’t type, apparently.

Debbie H - HOW is that possible!??? Annie JUST began kindergarten! Have I been honestly reading your blog THAT LONG? You MOURNED the day she left for school (kinder) hahaha. And Kansas does middle school from 4 to 8? California is really out of it, I guess. I learn a lot here. . . I might need a marg. wow.

Lisa - That IS a lot to happen in one week! The friend moving? The hardest I would think. Good friends are the biggest blessings in life. And I have never heard of 5th grade being in middle school? Is that the norm in Kansas?

Lpro - What a week! I think you should have 3 more this weekend 🙂

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way back when… in july

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i have lots of pictures still that i never shared from our family vacation.
as time goes by i just forget about them.
as we have started bundling up in jeans & sweatshirts & i was longing for summer already.

scott played in a basketball tournament in st. louis with a travel team.
we joined him there and he left with us as we continued on our trip.
we spent two nights in st. louis…if i remember correctly.
the first day we went to the City Museum which i posted about a month ago.

we also did some exploring, shopping and went to the St. Louis Zoo.
it is FREE to get in and it was BEAUTIFUL!!!
Seriously… it was an awesome place to spend a few hours.
if you are going to st. louis you should put this on your list.

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these flowers were ginormous!

my kids went in the building to see the animals and i stayed outside dying over the gorgeous flowers!
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it was extremely hot that day so the misting fans were appreciated… and FUN!
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Annie tried her first burrito of her life at chipotle in st. louis.  🙂
she must have been feeling brave that day.
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we went to Fitz’s afterwards for root beer floats.
umm…. this was more than they could’ve even imagined?!
we let them each get their own!
AND THEY ATE THEM ALL!

after they finished we sat at our table for a long time drawing in our art journals.
me included.
they didn’t want to stop… and i am not going to argue about art time.
so we drew and drew and drew.
it was dreamy.
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annie claims she was fake sleeping but i haven’t seen her sit that still for…. never.
she was out.
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we picked up scott and stopped at the arch on our way out of town.
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we drove to Indiana to meet up with our friends.
we spent four days doing this…
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we almost always go bowling when we are with the Hills.
it’s tradition.
and we are quite a scene in any bowling alley.
no one has ever accused our group of being quiet.  🙂
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scott was taking a hundred close up pictures of people so i moved in for a few….
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bowl
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jenny beat everyone.
that girl has got skills!!!

there was no place to set my camera for a timer pic so we did this to get us all in one shot.
it might be my favorite from the trip!
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jake and abby had their own bb guns that they shared with us.
the kids set up a tower of solo cups to use for target practice.
sean took his birthday money and bough his own bb gun that week too.
i think i hit something once.
i didn’t have my glasses on….
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bday
sean had his 13th birthday during this trip.
he got to pick where we ate dinner and since he only wanted money this year it was pretty low key.
we picked up a few goodies for him too… joke book, x-men dvd & candy.
i used a few hours of our driving time to make him a card.
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there was also a water balloon fight… wiffle ball…Despicable Me 2… dave’s birthday… kayaking with lola…

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sunkissed and a camera flash… crazy combo.

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Duerksen tribe – 2013
lauren chose to stay home this year to work at her job.
we missed being a family of seven.

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fireworks… duerksen kids love language.

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every year when our vacation is over & we are driving away we say, “Those Hills are good people”

true story.
we love spending time together no matter where we are.

hey…. maybe i am on a roll and i will post our chicago leg of the trip tomorrow?!
🙂

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Tiffany - It is rainy and seriously Fall here in PA today. The leaves are changing and ppl are stoked for it. I am already longing for sweet sweet Summer again. No thank you Pumpkin anything. Can you post sun-kissed pics all Fall/Winter, I think that will help keep the Winter Blues away. Great photos, Great memories, I am sure.

Kimberly Dial - Awww, how much fun was that?! Loads! Thanks for sharing your summer fun 🙂

Martha - Hi Meg, I love your blog, it’s my favorite! Your vacation pictures are amazing! Did you happen to come to Plymouth , indiana on your vacation? That’s my town, and I can’t believe it, you were here and didn’t come to see me! It’s such a small world, right?

Martha - This is so funny Meg, your blog is absolutely one of my favorites! This morning I was reading your blog about how fun your vacation was, I kept reading along and notice you went to indiana, I thought to myself I live in indiana, I want to meet meg! kept reading! saw that you went bowling, and saw the name of the bowling alley! Quicks we have a bowling alley named that in Plymouth. Did you come to my town and not stop in to see me. How fun! It’s such a small world after all.

Kori - Annie chose an awesome place to brave her first burrito….I hope she loved it!!

tara - love seeing these pictures….
I remember seeing several of them on IG back when you guys travelled.

great memories!

Lori - Nothing like time with family and good friends.
And I want to know how long it took you to fill and tie all of those water balloons?! Oy!

Jennifer - what do you keep in the pencil boxes for art journaling? my kids want vibrant colors to create with and i want to keep the mess to a minimum 😉

Craig - Jenny, I let you win!

danielle - That looks like so much fun!

Taryn - Seeing your face and then seeing Jenny’s face makes me sigh…how lovely would it be to be able to run out and grab a coffee together for the afternoon?!? Loved my time with both of you!!!

kimberly oyler - pictures of you and your kids make me want to cry a little. i love how you always have an arm wrapped around them. such a good mama.

Julie - What a wonderful holiday – you all look so happy, relaxed and pleased to be together. I love seeing your family photos – thank you for sharing them.

Amanda - It looks like you guys had an amazing time! A nice balance between activities and relaxation.
I have to say that there is something very kind and gentle shining through in Sean. He looks like a real beautiful, sweet soul. =)

Lora - Looks like fun. I wish I had done art journals with my girls. They’re in college now so they probably (for sure) don’t have time for them now.

I want that pink car!

meredith - Loved it all! Thanks for sharing. Excited to know about the Zoo. Might be in St L next year. 🙂 I’ve only experienced the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago (for Free) and it was amazing.

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what a great weekend!

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we had the best time this weekend with my mom, my sister & nieces and family friends.

we filled each day full till we laid down to sleep.
it was great.

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sean had a football game but it was cancelled in the middle because of lightning.
those clouds were creepy!

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talby had a volleyball game… it’s going to be SO FUN watching her play these next few years!

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my mom and i did several hours of antique shopping.
I found all kinds of treasures!
a little red bedside table… a teal tackle box (i can’t walk away from away a good colored box)… linens…milk glass batter bowl… flour sacks… and cute dishes.
but then my Mom found this big gallon size Santa Fe Pears can.
SCORE!!!!COL2
This was the brand that my grandpa sold in his grocery business!  My grandpa was a “Ranney” of Ranney-Davis.
my parents have all kinds of things they have found at antique shops from his store over the years.
but i don’t have any and this can is so perfectly ME!
i said “this looks like it should be at Anthropologie!”  i was in love.
my mom bought for me for my birthday.
thank you mom!

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we went to my home town’s craft fair and i ran into several old friends i grew up with.
i treated the girls to a giant lemonade from the lemon shaped lemonade stand.  (yummmmmm)
then we headed out to our family friend’s home for the night.
it was a total blast.

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my girls were loving these little boys!
they were so giggly & cute… they all had hours and hours of FUN!

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IMG_0419IMG_0488IMG_0482the girls put all the frogs they caught under the fire pit screened lid for awhile to observe them.
i thought that was a pretty great idea.
IMG_0478scott got in for one minute i think but it was pretty cold with the sun almost down.
that water trampoline was too tempting to not try it at least once!

IMG_0489COL3IMG_0518in the morning we got to do a little fishing.
it was windy so we only caught three.

IMG_0528IMG_0543IMG_0554IMG_0563my mom caught the biggest one!

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this is the good stuff.
family… life long friends… catching up… making memories… catching frogs… floppy fish…. 3 am wake up calls.  🙂

thankful for all of it!

 

how was your weekend?

 

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Leslie - Yes, please share about your adorable sweater/blouse!!!!!! Thanks 🙂

jill - Meg, you capture the best times in photos! Looks like a lot of fun. I love your gray cardigan too! the shirt you have under it is darling. Where did you find it?

Kate - Would you mind sharing where you got your cute polka dot/stripes cardigan? I loooooooove it! You have a beautiful family. 🙂

Kathi - Sounds wonderful, memories for sure.

Carol S. - Looks like you grabbed the last bits of summer. Nice! So glad you’ve got another volleyball player coming up. One of my fav sports to spectate, after basketball. Cute peaches can, curious if its empty and hope to see where you put it in your home. Anthro finds are great.

Gemma - Looks like a great weekend! I love the frog pictures…although I don’t think I would be brave enough to hold one!

Gemma

http://musings-of-a-gem.blogspot.co.uk/

Breeanna - Looks like such a fun weekend with family and friends! I want that trampoline!

Alicia @ La Famille - so so fun, meg. love weekends like this.

Lori H - Your weekend looks fun! Our weekend was pretty great, too. We went to see my son, a freshman in college, the first we have seen of him in a month! I wanted to hug on him all day, but of course I am not allowed to do that 🙂 At least now I know he is happy, and that is the most important thing.

Tara - It looks like you had a wonderful weekend! I love that your girls caught the frogs. My girlie-girl would run away squealing!

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ashley is awesome.

(be sure to read the comments for this post.  🙂

this is my friend Ashley  
(i know you aren’t supposed to cut arms out of a picture but mine looked fat so i did it. i am a rule breaker!)

she has amazing talent in so many different ways!
her decorating style is way cool, she can take pictures like a boss, and she writes with beauty & depth.

i am sure you already follow her blog Under the Sycamore & on Instagram at underthesycamore.
if you don’t… ummm…. get on that!!
where have you been?

one of the AWESOME ways that ashley shares her gifts is through her online photography classes.
her classes are called Snap Shops.
she offers one for your DSLR camera and now she is teaching a Phone Photography Course!

honestly… that is brilliant!

she is the perfect person to teach you about photography.
her pictures capture so much in one frame.
there is always emotion and story and background.
even if it’s simple.
she has an ability to see what most people don’t and catch it in her photo.

and you could have her teach you!

so rad!

 

how many times a day do you reach for your phone to take a picture?
for me… it is A LOT.
it is just what we do now in 2013.
even my 8 year old takes pictures on the iPod daily.
we are living in a world of photos and instant sharing.
so a course on how to do it well… how to take GREAT pictures with your phone… fabulous!
i bet even your teenagers would even love this fun course.

in the phone course ashley teaches on photography basics, the elements of composition, storytelling and shares information about apps, editing, printing your photos and more.

i think there may be one or two spots left for the phone course and the DLSR course registration opens up on Monday.

both start on Sept. 15 and run through Oct. 6.

you should do it.

🙂

 

 

 

 

Jess - Whatever Craft Weekend– check! Ashley’s Photo class– double check!! I totally signed up for this session. I’ve just put on my big girl panties and started to check out manual so her class came at such a good time. Heather M. spoke highly of it so I was all over it. Had to set my CA alarm EARLY to make sure I snagged a spot! 😉

amber - Yes! She is awesome! I took her dslr course in May & loved it. Everything is so easy to understand & it really has transformed not only my pictures, but also the things I choose to capture. Such a great class…& lady!

Mindy - Wow, now I can put a blog with her Pinterest pins! Thank you for sharing your friend. PS: My sister just told me this year about cutting your arms out of pictures and I am all in favor of it : )

Amber - I just took the first Snapshop for phones and it was…. GRRRREAT!!!(Say that like Tony the Tiger) : ) Thoughtfully and precisely written, with examples throughout! Take it, you will be glad you did!

Renee - p.s. i LOVE the new website look.

Renee - These courses sound awesome.
I am debating which one.
I reach for my phone a lot & end up with bad pictures that I wish were better 🙁
As for dslr – I mostly shoot in Manual or AV. I’m definitely not a pro, but I feel pretty comfortable in those modes thanks to the little meter in my view finder. I’d love to understand more about using different types of lighting to my advantage & playing with the ISO. I’m not quick enough to capture a great moment when it comes to lighting and ISO. Do you think I should take DSLR or phone?

yikes!! hard to choose!

Caroline R - I found your beautiful blog through Ashley’s, and was so happy to see her featured here! I just finished the phone snap shop class- and it was amazing! The course is very thorough and the three weeks really just flew by. I would recommend it to anyone. I printed some things out for reference later, and saved everything- because she covers so much.. Take the course if you can! 🙂

stephany - I agree, Meg, Ashley IS awesome!
I am so blessed to have met BOTH of you during the same awesome weekend 3 months ago (it seems like forever ago, I remember it like yesterday…and would come to Kansas again in a minute)!
And, I plan to take her DLSR course!
I cannot wait!!
xo to you both!!

Terrie - Anyone thinking about it…totally should!
I was so blessed 2 years ago when you suggested that I take her SnapShop course.
I didn’t know anything about shooting in manual…2 weeks after I got my 1st dslr camera (that I knew NOTHING about) and going through the class…
I began shooting in manual – Full time!
I finally understood ISO, aperture, shutter speed…
LOVED Ashley’s course!!
And I was doubly blessed because I got to help her raise funds for her adoption!
BONUS!! And now, I get to follow this lovely little girl blossom in the family she was destined for! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Meg!

kimberly oyler - i just adore you both.

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wowza!

well…. how awesome are you?

i was not sure i could meet my goal of 50 stoves…$1000.

and as of NOW we have raised $4230 and sponsored 211 stoves.

THAT IS SO AWESOME!!!

 

let's keep this momentum going! 

🙂

we have five more days…. let's hit $5000!!!!!  i bet we can!!

thank you to everyone who gave so far!
the adventure project thinks you are so cool. 

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this fake commercial was on Saturday Night Live last week.
i thought it was very funny….

 

also The Lumineers were on!!!!
they were so so SO goooooooood!
did you see it?
you should go over here and watch  and then watch this one too!
they are pretty dreamy to listen to. 

 

i meant to have my craft weekend post up and ready today.
but it's not gonna happen.
i have been so busy….very happily busy… all good stuff.

how about some instagrams from the past week-ish?  

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annie loves to go to the thrift store with me.
i told her she could pick one thing only….. i wish she would have chosen that couch!
instead we came home with that valentines bear from 2006.
i know it's 2006 because that is what is on the bear's foot.

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my favorite mug.

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kimberlee's coffee cake….it was totally delicious.

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many monrings look like this over here.

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i went back to the mall last week and the gold shoes
that were completely covered in gold glitter were 70% off!  
score. 

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annie shouted "MOM pleeeeeease can i get one of these?! They are only $39.99!!"

only???

 

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ran five miles by myself…. well, me and the avett brothers and mumford & sons.

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tulips.
they are so nice on the eyes.

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talby found these in the bathroom and wanted to know WHY? 
Why do we have them? Whose are they? What are they for? Where did they come from?

(they are a mold of craig's teeth…fascinating right?)

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a vase of dr.seussy flowers were sunny and nice during this FREEZING week we have had.
 
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so cold.
going running in this cold weather is quite something.
frozen thighs no matter how far we go.
but the reward will be endurance when the weather improves…. right?
i hope so.

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i love this breakfast.
cutie…greek yogurt… granola… coffee with LOTS of half & half.

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cleaning at the craft house is always pretty decent because it's all so pretty to see.

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i steal my husband's socks for cold running…. they are just better.

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on friday we did our run and then gathered at my friend's house and helped her prepare 25 meals for her freezer as a birthday gift to her.  :)
the gift was helping it get accomplished.
she is super organized so we did what we were told and it all worked out great!
that is my favorite way to cook… "just tell me what to do"

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i chopped and chopped and chopped.

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then i put together calzones.
it was a lot of work but so worth it!  it's a GENIUS way to cook meals.

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saturday morning i snuck in some time under a blanket with coffee and my book.
the sun came up and became too much for me sit there anymore.
but i will take that sunshine anytime!
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i took sean to his basketball tournament for the day… just the two of us.
he had three games and i really enjoyed it all.
it has been SO MUCH fun to watch my kids improve in their sports this year.

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after sean's three games we went to scott's game at our old high school gym!
it was very surreal to be there as a grown up… as a parent… of a HIGH SCHOOLER?!
so weird.
and lots of the same people sitting or standing in the same place they did when i was in high school?!!

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i am reading The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out.  

it's wordy but so far it's reeeeeally good.

"for grace proclaims the awesome truth that all is gift"


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sunday night swimming…. yes please.
craig and sean spent almost the whole time wrestling.
why do boys do that so much?

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talby organized all annie's babies for her so annie had to feed them all before going to bed herself.

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and this morning…. we ran 6.17 miles in 17 degrees.
it was HARD.
but it's done. THANK GOODNESS!

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then we met AGAIN but this time at the craft house and we made freezer to crock pot meals!
we made 6 recipes all together and bagged them in freezer ziploc bags!
awesome.

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touching all that raw meat all day was kinda gross but i think we will all happily eat it.

i will definitely blog the recipes we tried and show more pics of that soon!
i honestly can't wait to do it again!

and now i am stinkin' tired.

i am going to bed.

 

thanks again for the stove sponsors!!!

Securedownload

you are RAD!

if you haven't given yet and you want to… CLICK HERE  and it will tell you how.
it couldn't be easier.

 

Jaime Melcher - Will you share the 25 meals for the freezer with us? I would love to do something like this… just tell me what to do! 🙂 Smiles!

tinaehb3 - the commercial is hysterical!!!!!!

jennibell - Your Annie and my Margaret would get along so well!!! She always picks out stuffed animals or some other gross thing like that at thrift stores but I say “no”. . .it has to be something that can be washed without falling apart — ha! And she would completely want to help Annie feed all those babies too 🙂 Yea on the stoves and double-yea on the running in 17 degrees. . .I.could.never.
And we’ll have our first high-schooler next year. . .wow.

Angie - How in the world do you manage to accomplish so much? There are so many awesome things in this post I don’t even know what to comment on. What I do know is that Freezer Cooking is awesome. I wish I could find the time & dedication to do it!!!

Lennie Jackson - Love the couch also! I bought a stove :). Hope you surpass your goal!!! Way to carry out God’s work a little at a time.

denise@victory rd. - snl clip is hilarious.
want your polka dotted.
it’s too cold to run (and i live in cali. wimp).
ragmauffin words, so so good. i don’t deserve Him and His love either.

Tracy - Congrats on the stove donations!!
Can’t wait to hear about the crockpot meals!!!

amanda - Woot! It’s amazing what people with a purpose can accomplish!

Lisa - Freezer to crockpot meals sound awesome – totally what this working-outside-the-home mama needs. Can’t wait to hear more about it! 🙂

Erika - I LOVE your blog and look forward to reading it every day!!!! This is my first time posting. I am amazed and so proud of you for running in the cold…brrr!!! I also would love to know the freezer to crockpot meals and what the other meals your friend organized for you guys to make for her birthday. What a fantastic idea!!!!
Erika
essvedy@aol.com

susan - Love all the pictures, Meg! I have to tell you that I went to Ikea this weekend and saw that tray and thought of you! I almost bought it, but got the long rectangle with rainbow dots instead.

Lisa M. - That’s awesome about the stoves! Great job!
And you ran in 17 degree weather?? I’ve stopped running outside at the moment cuz it’s reeeeaaallly cold (1 degree today) and I don’t know if I’d make it. My problem is clothing. I always start out really cold then half way through I’m taking off gloves, my hat and wishing I could shed some clothes! I think I might have just been inspired to go out (no, not in 1 degree). Maybe when it gets above 20 🙂

Lisa - Wowza is right!!! So awesome how many stoves were bought!

Jenny B. - So fun! One random question… Do you like your new rainbow knives? 🙂

Janna - CONGRATS!! AWESOME!!! On the stoves AND the running;) Had to comment and say hey! that’s my fav mug too;) Is it a RE mug from Target? I just got one at Goodwill a few weeks ago, same color, and it’s my new fav! Your flowers look so yum. Makes me wanna go buy some. And I just printed off 19 recipes to double and a groc list from pinterest to do freezer to crockpot meals. Can’t wait. I LOVE your idea of doing it with friends for their bday.Genius! Also I am so in love with the Craft House and CW I can hardly stand it. I am 34 now and told my best friend that is what we are gonna be doin in ten years. Sounds like the BEYOND DREAM JOB!! I hope her and I can come to a CW before ten years tho. YOU ROCK!!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - I am blown straight away that you ran 6.something miles in 17 degrees. I mean…Superwoman. I ran 1.1 mile in the warmth of my basement and thought I might die. And I walked half of it.
Also: The stoves!!!!!!!!!!!!! woop woop!

Tiffany - I’m so happy for you with the success of the stoves! See the difference you make?! Amazing! YOU rock!

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it’s a good monday.

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i slept until noon today.
i did get up from 6:45 to 7:30 to see my kids off to school but then straight back to bed.
sleep is a good thing.

craft weekend was pretty excellent this past weekend.

lindsey and joy came as helpers and were nothing less than amazing at that job.

we did not plan our wardrobe… we just happened to all match perfectly!

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wendy came too!!  (blurry picture is better than no picture? maybe 😉

she took a bajillion photos for us doing all the things we do at Craft Weekend and i got to spend time with her which was super happy for me.  

i hope you loved being here as much as i loved having you here wendy!
maybe you should ditch your world tour and just come to craft weekend every month???
there will be cinnamon rolls…. 

i know you are tempted.

 

kimberlee pampered us all with food that tastes so much better than anything i could ever make.

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and our crafty guests were awesome.
so kind.
so happy.
so lovely.
such a treat to have them and get to create alongside them.

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tulips are so cheerful in the freezing cold of january.
 
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we made a really cool painting!!

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and these were the treasures i brought home from the antique store on saturday.
a quilt…some vintage trims… salt shakers for holding tiny craft supplies…sugar shakers for twine…and a pencil sharpener for the craft house because we are always looking for pencils!

i can't wait to share about the actual weekend.
and tell you about our awesome sponsors we had this month.
it was just a really great time.

now… i guess i have to go run off the cheesecake & cinnamon rolls i stuffed myself with this weekend.
or at least i should go.
but… i would have to get out of my jammies.
and it is 25 degrees out.

we'll see what happens….

 

happy monday to you! 

 

Heidi Jo the Artist - Love the craft weekend posts! 🙂

Kate - AAGH! You saw Wendy?! Guess what, guess what?! I am finally going to Go Pro this weekend – I am beyond nervous and my stomach is insane! I soooooo wish you were gonna be there.

Corinne - Meg – YOUR BOOTS!!!! Where did you get your boots!!! They are super amazingly cute and a must have, please share!!

Ashley - Those paintings are so fun…looks like you guys had a really great weekend!!

Gale - CW was the best weekend ever – would go again in a minute! It was the happiest place on earth – sorry Mickey! 🙂

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Eeeeeeeeek!
(Loving those paintings!)
PS – is it a requirement to do one’s hair for craft weekend attendance?

Crystal - One of these days I AM gonna go to craft weekend. Looks like SO much fun! Hey, I just started selling Scentsy and am trying to get my business up and running. I’m giving away a warmer on my blog. No entries yet so there are very good odds you could win! 🙂

Tiffany - I’m so glad you had such a nice weekend! No doubt every one of those ladies had the time of their life! Do you know the song by Mandisa called “Good Morning”? Your blog post title made me think of that. I love that song. 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnmWwudeqfM

Sara - I love your outfit with the gray boots. WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE FABULOUS BOOTS? I live in Michigan, so you don’t need to worry about me wearing them the same time as you do. 🙂

Jenny B. - Oh, how I love those paintings!! I just bought some canvasses (sp?) on a whim at Hobby Lobby. I had no idea what I wanted to paint on them… now I do! Would love a tutorial when you get a chance! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Linda - I love your post. They always make me so happy! Thanks the craft week end sounds AMAZING!!! Maybe someday I’ll get there!

elma - OH I just LOVE seeing pictures of craft weekend. The more pictures the better!!! I wish I could go but I am sooo not crafty~~:(

Stephanie Talty - Thanks for sharing the sneek peek into Craft Weekend-the pictures look amazing and the canvas paintings look like eye candy!! Can’t wait to see more!!!

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Cant wait to hear all about it:)

Jill - I love EVERY photo! WONDERFUL and what FUN.
NOW. let’s get SERIOUS about you fabulous gray boots! I! LOVE! THEM!

Heather Simnitt - Glad you had such a great weekend! They look so fun!

Georgia - Awwww it looks like so much fun. I want to put myself on the list, but i cant afford to fly from the UK. 🙁 maybe one day. x

Tonya - Looks like such a great weekend!

Courtney Walsh - Sleeping till noon just became my #1 goal for 2013!!
Looks like an amazing time. 🙂
(Sorry for the previous deleted post…I was logged in on my work email!) 🙂

Melissa - So fun! Love your craft weekends. I so need to talk my mom aunt and cousins into trying to sign up. We would have a blast and don’t live far from you.

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