one of my favorite companies out there is 31Bits. they make beautiful jewelry that gives women in Uganda the ability to overcome poverty. it's awesome.
————————————————————————————————————————————- ———————————————————————————————————————————— i love going through their website and reading about the women who design the jewelry. all those smiles….sigh. it's a beautiful thing.
they launched their fall/winter line yesterday. it's really cool stuff….lots of different and unique designs. they are works of art. the new line has cool new colors too!
i am a bracelet kind of girl…i almost always wear three or four at a time. so this new page or two of bracelets made me very happy.
and guess what my dear sweet blog readers….
you can enter the code MEG20 and get 20% your order!!!
woo-hoo!!! and i know that it works because i placed my order last night! :)
Karen -Just shared this on Facebook and off to do a little shopping! Thanks Meg!
Dawn Eshnaur -Thank you for the code! It saved me shipping plus more! I love 31 Bits! Have ordered many of their designs. I Love Them!
trade plumbing supplies-I really admire those people that doing their best not only for self but also for helping other people specially when it comes to economic needs. We are aware that although there are abundant countries but still there are less fortunate people. These people needs our support. And giving them a source of income is a good idea.
ko. s-I just did a WHOLE LOTTA shopping!! Thanks lady 🙂 All the girls in our families will be rocking some gorgeous bracelets this Christmas and I love that there is a wonderful story behind each piece 🙂
Jocelyn Pascall-Wow – how cool is this??!?! I am going to have to check them out as I think these would make some great birthday gifts for my friends!
Sheri Flatt -Awesome, I am going to have to check this out. I work with a small non profit. We help in Uganda in a small village north of Kampala. Our core belief is sustainability. We try to put programs in place for hunger, medical, education, and clean water that will hopefully thrive on their own and our role will lessen till they don’t need us at all anymore. Please check us out http://www.project-restore.org
p.s. on a personal note. I have been to Uganda 4 times. I totally feel you when you talk about missing it there and wanting to go back and feeling part of your heart is there. I totally connected the first time I went and I can’t imagine my life without Africa in it.
Cheryl E. -Me, too! Just placed an order for a friend for her birthday! Thanks for the code!!!!!!!
Molly-Thank you I just placed an order, very nice jewelry.
Alexandra Marie-Just made my first purchases!
&&& It is about time I did so, a good friend of mine lives on the compound with these beautiful women.
Sharla-Thanks! I’ve been thinking about giving all the women something from here for XMAS this year – one stop shopping!
Stephanie -Reading about companies like this brings tears to my eyes. Reminds me to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God.
Christy K-LOVE 31 Bits! I gave my Mom the necklace I bought when I was down for Craft Weekend and it is her favourite! I was thinking of picking up a few more to give out as Christmas gifts, I think this blog post (and coupon code!) is a sign that I should! Thank you! : )
Lindsay-i love all of it! do you know how long your code is good for? i want to order some things but can’t do it today.
tiffany gardner-YAY! So excited… I was just going to order something yesterday and thought I better wait! So thankful for this code!!
it was the opposite of everything we have told them before. which made it hard to accept your brother throwing paint right in your face. or your mom!
but they caught on quickly. and it got fun. and super messy.
why do boys always have to tackle?
annie was overwhelmed. she was probably about two years too young for this. she had a really hard time with paint on her face, on her mouth and near her eyes. it was a lot for a seven year old…she did great for what we put her through.
fyi….it was non-toxic washable tempra paint from hobby lobby.
tyler threw the last jar of paint on us all at the same time.
she hit her limit.
oh my goodness i sure do like that guy.
i told wendy i have always wanted pictures in the sunflowers. 🙂
i got my wish. even better covered in paint.
we went to pick up pizza afterwards and annie was suddenly happy again. she ran into the restaurant and pointed to herself and said "oh yeah!!!! OH YEAH!" she is such a goofy little girl. cracks me up ALL. DAY. LONG. i chose to wait in the car for our pizza.
thank you Blue Lily for a super FUN way to do family pictures. my kids will always remember it.
and i doubt we will ever do normal pictures again. this was too fun.
have you gotten on the Blue Lily photo schedule? they go all over the world. seriously. asia, coasta rica, new zealand, australia, holland, canada, london, NYC and all over the united states. they even came through KANSAS!!!
yeah…it was only for an hour but still…they were here.
family pictures are a way to freeze time. a special treasure of your kids staying that size in your mind forever. because you never know what a gift those pictures will be….your family right now….just as we are.
what if it's the only ones you have? that sounds a little dramatic but it's the truth. capturing your family together is important. even if it's in a field of weeds throwing paint on each other.
Danielle-After seeing your post about the paint fight at the retreat I had my friend take pics of my family doing it! It was so much fun! They are actually younger 4&6 but it went really well, maybe because they are boys? I also did clear ketchup bottles intead so we could squirt each other! It worked great! Thanks for sharing a great idea!
betsy-Best. Family. Pictures. Ever!
Why did I tear up seeing all of your happy faces? That’s weird, right? Right.
Love the sunflowers & sun flare & all the bright colors.
Oh, and just for the record … I’d totally be crying with Annie. I won’t even carve pumpkins because I don’t like to get messy 🙂
Barbara (WA) -The coolest family portrait I’ve ever seen!!!
stacie bowers-you are an amazing and beautiful woman, meg!
i’m so glad i know you.
i hope our paths cross again someday.
these family pics are incredible!!
all seven of you will treasure them forever.
i totally agree with you in doing family pictures because life changes quickly.
much love, stacie
Courtney-I think this would be a DARLING Christmas card. We all need bright colors in the Winter 🙂 This would brighten anyones day! How fun!
Katey Deasy-Yes why do boys always have to tackle. Even my husband still gets in on the action. I don’t think they EVER grow out of it. Great photos. Thanks for sharing. Glad to see your older daughter. Been missing seeing her. She is so pretty.
Michelle -Your blog makes me smile 🙂
Lori -Oh my goodness, your eyes have always been so stunning. I remember Shane D. and I talking about them in the cafeteria in 2nd grade. (Weird that I have that memory but true!) And here they are still so stunning in a sunflower field. Beautiful photos! 🙂
April R -thanks for sharing these 🙂 how fun!
<3 the sunflowers and beautiful smiles and Annie's "oh Yeah!"
sarah j -I. LOVE. THIS.
your kids all look so tall and leggy!
Stacey -Love these pictures! Your family is so awesome! I especially love the pic of you & your husband…..looks like he’s looking at you saying, “I love you know matter what you look like!” this reminds me of my families experience at the color me rad run in Columbus, Ohio….so fun & great memories!
Valerie @ Chateau Ala Mode-I would so be just like Annie even though I’m just a little older than seven 😉 What great memories and they are captured forever. Such a blessing.
Angela A-Wonderful pictures of everyone together. Maybe next time everyone of the kids are going crazy you need to drag them all outside with the paint again and let them work it out. I guess that could get ugly (keep Annie inside) but maybe it would work?
Kristin S-As challenging as this was (I’m sure) to meet all ages and personalities, you’ll be so glad to have this memory and these photos!
I love it when all 7 of you are together. I’m sure you do too as they all get older.
Sabrina L-Awesome!! I love these…one day maybe I’ll be able to convince my family to do something similar! We had our first ever family photos taken about a week ago by Blue Lily in Detroit…I CANNOT wait to see them!
Amber D. McNabb-That was awesome! Too bad the paint was washable. Your hubby’s shirt turned out great. I would have wanted to keep it and wear it for the memories.
Verna Lantz-That is fantastic! What a special memory for all of your guys, not just the kids. It’s the moments like these that make our lives wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
rebekah-Your photos are wonderful! We had the pleasure of shooting with Wendy just a week and a half ago. Waiting on the pictures is so hard!
Martha -This just makes me smile
Laura -Nov 5 with Blue Lily-Can’t wait! Thanks Meg and your paint pictures are amazing!
donna -I LOVE it. those pictures are priceless. You have such a beautiful family. I was lucky enough to get Tyler and Wendy to photograph my daughter for her senior pictures while they were in Michigan. I was hoping for a family photo session, but 3 of my kids are away at college 🙁 Anyhow, Wendy and Tyler are not only wonderful at what they do, they are wonderful people – we Loved them.
Jocelyn Pascall-Uhm…I love this SO. MUCH. You have a beautiful family and I love all of the colors. What a fun way to capture a moment in time.
christy -LOVE,love the photos! I was just thinking the other day that I have next to NO pictures of me & my son together, let alone one with my husband, son & I. I need to get over my body image issues & just.do.it. Thank you!
Shelley -The most beautiful family pictures ever, seriously looove them! Your smile is as lovely in person as it is in photos! I Sooo enjoyed craft weekend with you, Kimberly and all the others. Can’t wait to do it again!! xo Shelley C
Kate-i’m seeing them in nov and I can’t wait! You are so beautiful Meg. love your face.
Karen Gerstenberger-I love this idea…and I believe that Annie will love these photos in a few years.
What a great batch of photos you have there.
I finished my thrift-shop table – the first thing I have spray-painted, due to your inspiration. I put beach glass on the top, and would love it if you would hop on over and take a look. It’s on my new blog: http://www.abundantlivingaftercatastrophe.wordpress.com
Thanks for inspiring me, Meg!
-Karen
Jenna@CallHerHappy-It reminds me of that Modern Family episode with the muddy family picture. It’s the messy moments we remember most 🙂
Trysha-Fun!! I love your family. 🙂 It’s so awesome to look at your kids and see which one looks like you or Craig.
We’re having family photos done this November. We’re definitely not a “sit Dad on the ground and everyone crowd around him” in our matchy-matchy outfits family. We’ve picked out our super hero shirts and have us a Big Bang Themed shoot ready to go. I really think picking the right photographer is a HUGE deal. It’s more than “that person takes pretty pictures”. Those are the photos that you look at everyday in your own home.
Helen Wall -Love this. And love your family. When did sean get so darned big?!
Helen Wall -Love this. And love your family. When did sean get so darned big?!
happygirl-It is so good to see your WHOLE family together. Sweet Annie and your compassion and understanding for her inspire me to be kinder to people. Great pics and it looked like a lot of fun. Cool that you can convince your family to do these things.
craft weekend was wonderful. i am so happy about it. can i just say….how awesome is the internet? i know that it can have really awful stuff but for me it has been AMAZING! God has blessed me with SO many friends, so many ideas, so much inspiration, so much FUN through the internet the past few years. I get to connect with and meet women that are so completely awesome that i never would have met otherwise because of the internet! i love LOVELOVE that God is in the details of everything…even the internet.
(these are instagram pics from the past few days.) michelle allen from close2myart was my blogger/teacher/helper this craft weekend. i don't even know who found who as far as blogs and how we connected. we have been emails friends for a few years now and we finally got to meet. she is a life long friend now i can guarantee. i loved her. (and her hair was soooo rad) she was even better than i imagined and i had made her pretty great in my mind already! 🙂
so yeah….i love the internet and i am not afraid to say it.
this is my loot from the barn on saturday. an old RC crate that is really rough (which is why i like it), a old metal box that seems like maybe it was a breadbox, a Super Nutro Hog feed bag, an embroidered runner with horses, a little quilt to make into pillows, a small candy jar and some doilies. i love the internet AND i love old junk. :)
these three books arrived for me this week. i am starting with A Million Miles in a Thousand Years tonight. i have basically been told by God in about 10 different ways that i am supposed to read this book. seriously. He couldn't have been more clear. so i will let you know how it goes….
i read Interuppted and my world has been ROCKED. so i am equal parts nervous and excited to read this one. because i knew i was supposed to read Interrupted too.
was i just too open right there? i feel a little vulnerable about those two paragraphs.
here is my front seat on my way to craft weekend. my backseat looked the same. happy car!
right now i am sitting at the craft house (because i came to town for paint & the internet is so slow at the farm) i stopped by the thrift store this morning and picked up a few dishes, some fabric and a globe. i can't NOT buy a globe when it's at a thrift shop because they are so much cheaper than at an antique shop. i made mini bunting here last night while my husband attempted to fix the dryer we got on craigslist. it's a bummer when people are dishonest on craigslist don't ya think? i guess ANYTIME people are dishonest it is sad but when they take your money….ugh. (so that would be a down side to the internet…) i picked up a gallon of Kilz to start a big paint project this week. and i have now finished off the candy corn we had left from CW….for lunch
i need to get working. i have stuff to paint.
are you on instagram? i am @megduerksen if you aren't following me yet. it's so fun. i am….addicted.
Kate -Meg! I have really enjoyed reading your blog after finding it a few months ago. I’ve bought several books because of your recommendations! Don’t ever feel afraid to share where God is leading you!! Can’t wait to hear what you get out of the most recent ones.
Sarah -i just had the same problem. just type her name without the @ symbol and with a space between first and last. that finds her!
Tracie -I just got “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” to read. Did you read “Blue Like Jazz?” That is a beautiful book too. “Radical” was a tough read, but a wonderfully convicting book. And Happy Monday!
Shannon Phillips-A million miles in a thousand years is absolutely one of the most life changing books I have ever read!!! It is going to rock your face off!
Marla -Donald Miller is totally awesome I loved Blue Like Jazz…didn’t know he had another book out…I’ll check it out on my nook….The Irresistible Revolution is very interesting…I was upset at times reading it…it’s been a few years but I remember not being sure about the whole thing…be interested to see what you think
Amy -Don Miller is an amazing writer and you’ll love the book. I reread it immediately after finishing it just so I could soak in his words. It’s a great book to hand to a nonbeliever in hopes that they might consider the gospel as they choose a new story. He speaks about a man named Bob Goff and I’m currently reading his book, Love Does. Try it next.
Angela -Vulnerable, sure. But we were made to live in community (…and the internet community totally counts), and vulnerability is just a part of living in community. Too open, never. YOU just might be one of the thousand ways God is leading OTHERS to read a book that will drive them closer to Him. So sure, feel vulnerable, but never ever feel sorry for opening your life and your faith to the world.
Lisa -I started Irresistible Revolution last week. Oh. my. Haven’t read A Million Miles…guess I need to check into that one! Looks like a happy couple of days at your house. 🙂
Heather Crawford-For some reason, I can’t find you in Instagram? Weird…
beth -Hey Meg….
Just wanted to say not to feel vulnerable about the books. I wish to hear more about your faith walk on this blog. ….and picking up tips on good books at the same time is just bonus!
Terrie G-Not too vulnerable…I love how authentic you are!
I <3 instagram too! so much fun!
looking for a washer/dryer for our son...think I'll stay away from craigslist...
sorry you got swindled...makes me frustrated when people are dishonest.
gorgeous flowers and so happy you had a great craft weekend!!
Julie Kittredge-I just finished “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.” It was good! An easy read. 🙂 Plenty of earmarks … in the book that belongs to the library. Maybe I’ll pick up “Inturrupted.” 🙂 Sounds like a winner!
Christy -Irresistible revolution is pretty intense as well! I have radical on my list, but my husband read it first. Irresistible is a tough read, but I feel God used it to change my perspective on a lot of things! Good for you for listening to the still, small voice even when it makes you uncomfortable!
Kara -Curious where you heard about Jen Hatmaker? I was able to meet her and hear her in person this spring at a women’s retreat. (The one Nicole Quiring headed up!) Jen was AMAZING! She has challenged me more than anyone else in how I’m living my life. I have loved reading Seven and Interrupted and am leading the Interrupted book study at church. I am hopeful the church as a whole is turning around and more people are getting on board with her message!
Lisa -Not too vulnerable. I think God is using your blog to tell ME to read Interrupted. I keep hearing about it and you keep mentioning it. I’m addicted to instagram too. Like seriously addicted. 🙂
ko. s-I love that you can put it all out there in your posts! The way you give glory to God, be you, be honest, be vulnerable, it’s why I keep coming back to read! You ROCK my dear! Thanks for being a huge light 🙂
Flower Patch Farmgirl-Can flip phones do Instagram? Haha.
Your stack of books pretty much seals the deal: We must debrief. M to the U to the S to the T.
Martha-Finding a globe at the thrift store is a major score! I’m interested in how the book turns out. 🙂
DanaD@BoysMyJoys-Not too open at all!
It was HONEST!
That’s why we love you!
And, I love it when God shows me things clearly, sometimes my ADHD-self truly needs Him to be crystal clear!
Katie-Isn’t it crazy when you know that it’s God leading you to do something? The results can be mind-blowing. Happy Monday!
Ashlyn@Pinecone-Michelle’s chalkboard art looked so great – wish I had the skills on the chalkboard!
Too bad about the Craigslist dryer – I don’t know why people want to do stuff like that?! Weird 🙁
Happy Monday ; ) xo
April R -<3 instagram
and I'm glad to see you there now too
Siobhan -Your awesome everything about you. Your transperancy makes me love you more. Thankyou for trusting us with your vulnerbility.
Brooke-I love that you said you were a little too open in those two paragraphs. BAH! Let’s get real. Tell them about your cw devotionals. That might be too open. I love when God is CLEAR about what to do. So often, I’m left waiting and asking, so I’ll take clear (slap me in the face) answers any day. I am in a craft fog today, so tired. I didn’t get to nap yesterday! LOVE the internet, love that we got to hang out. You were super fun. If I lived in Newton, KS, I believe I would force myself into your friendship circle. Or just show up at the farm. with chickens. You would be so happy.
My new globe just found a new place in globe city at my house. Snuck the wire baskets in so my hubby wouldn’t complain about the massive amount of things he hauled to storage while I was gone this weekend (while I proceed to haul new stuff in!). Good times. Happy Monday!
Cheryl E. -Just finished reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years thank to your friend, Kimberlee! I read her blog, too and once she posted about that book, I knew I had to read it.
LOVE the new finds, by the way. Such fun!!
Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails}-Totally weird, random comment but your mums? Love em. I got the biggest one Ive ever seen over the weekend at Sams Club. Its burgundy and I cant wait to put it out on the front porch to welcome fall.
Have a great day! (Boo to dishonest Craigslisters)
Cori-A Million Miles in a Thousand Years may just be my favorite non-fiction book of all time. Radical was amazing, too! Enjoy 🙂
Trysha-I’ll have to look up those books! I’m looking forward to Joel Osteen’s “I Declare”.
I was reminded of God’s love this weekend as I photographed a wedding. We didn’t have pens to sign the Marriage Certificate, there was a mad scramble and I sought out a guest who had a purse. She managed to find two pens at the bottom of her purse, matching from a random local church. The Bride looked at her and said “See, The Lord will always provide. Always.” 🙂
Amy-InterRupted….AMAZING!! Radical will be a good follow up….
I may have to go pick up the one you just mentioned! Don’t you just love it when the Spirit leads you….you just HAVE to do it….Enjoy the quiet time on Monday!!
Suzanne-Happy Monday! I hope you enjoy your books, and I hope God rocks your world. I love it when He does that ~ and hate it… but mostly love it! Have a great week!
i know these look like the same pictures of that sunflower patch i posted about in july….but they are different. i promise. i went back a week later with no kids, my cowboy boots and my camera.
i was so happy out there clickin' away on an overcast morning with no one asking me "how much longer mom?" "can we go now?" "are you almost finished?" i just clicked and clicked and clicked until i decided i was done. that is an awesome feeling.
this time they were ALL open and smiling at the sun.
spider playing hide-and-seek at the bottom…
i love the water droplets and pollen all over the leaves. :)
this one just needed another hour probably and all its petals would be open.
that was the whole patch. not a field but just enough and all about 5 feet tall.
and this one is my most favorite. i love it.
i think i should just become a flower farmer. i could just grow fields of flowers and take pictures all day long. zinnias, black eyed susans, coneflowers, daisies and of course sunflowers. wouldn't that be a completely dreamy job?
Jen H.-Hi Meg,
You have probably answered this question a bazillion and one times, but can you please tell me the type of camera you use? What is your favorite, everyday-type lens?
Because I dream of being a photographer! 🙂
Thanks so much!
Love,
Jen Honeycutt
Littleton, CO jmcutt4@gmail.com
Tiffany -Ice cream taste-tester. 🙂
Heather R. -Bee one=my favorite! 🙂
April R -we lived in Europe for a short time and they had flower fields with a little stand or post with a box and you could pick them and then put some money in the box. honor system. It is a little sad that I’m still like, really? they just trust people? wow…
Kat’s reply made me think of Peter Pan. It’s longish but I love it.
[Mrs. Darling speaking quietly with Wendy, John, and Michael just before putting them to bed and going out with Mr. Darling to an important business party…]
Mrs. Darling: Your Father is a brave man, but he will need a special kiss before he can face his colleagues tonight.
John: Father? Brave?
Mrs. Darling: There are different kinds of bravery, John. There is the bravery of a thinking of others before oneself. Your father has never brandished a sword or fired a pistol – thank heavens – but he has made many sacrifices for his family and put away many dreams.
Michael: Where did he put them?
Mrs. Darling: (with a smile) He put them in a drawer. And sometimes late at night we take them out and admire them.
Michael: Are they pretty?
Mrs. Darling: Oh, yes. A put-away dream grows prettier every day. So pretty, it is harder and harder to close the drawer. But he does. And that is why he is brave.
karen gerstenberger-I would love to help those in the medical field by sharing what I’ve learned as the mother of a patient, so that they can empathize (without getting hurt) as they care for families. I would love to do more writing on all kinds of topics, and help others who have been through catastrophes to have hope; would love to grow in faith and service. I guess my dream job is writer/artist, and I am doing it part-time now…but it would help A LOT to get paid for it!
Also want to let you know that you inspired me to get some spray paint and get started! Thank you, Meg. Check out the table – it’s nearly done: http://www.karengberger.blogspot.com/2012/09/goodbye-august-hello-september.html
lisa-That last picture is amazing! Wow.
I dream of owning a stationery/paper store. Stationery, notecards, notepads…I love it and can’t have enough!
Dani -Beautiful! I saw a sunflower field this weekend and begged my husband to stop so I could take pictures. But, we were right in the last parts of the hurricane.
What do I want to be? I want to be a psychologist for the hearing impaired. Sounds strange? Yes, but I’m sure they need to have their thoughts heard too!
Maybe someday, I will do this!!
Rachel -All lovely photos but that last one is just excellent!
Angela A-You need to print some of those pics to sell when you open your Etsy shop. Please.
I am still working on my dreams–just now getting to where I can mentally do that. My right now dream is to keep working part time to have time to make quilts and other stuff and just to have space in my days so I’m a better mom and wife.
Natasha-I dream about running a bar in Key West that opens onto the sand and faces the sea. Some haunt that the locals hang out in, where I can live in flipflops and serve beer.
jenni@talkinghairdryer-I love the barn in this patch. It really adds to the character. Great pics!
Clare Heuer -Oh.my.goodness…absolutely LOVE the sunflowers!! They are my favorite flower and you just have to be happy around them!!
The real reason for my message is that I saw a quick preview for PARENTHOOD last night and it’s back on Sept. 11. I love, love, love that show and I know you do too. Tuesday nights just haven’t been the same lately without the Braverman family. 🙂
Blessings – Clare
jen-dreams are so amazing aren’t they? i have tucked my dreams away in a drawer and peek at them sometimes but know they are not possible for me right now. they include running a farm, being a photographer, learning graphic design, honing my sewing skills and opening my party/wedding planning business. those are mine. i hold them close.
Jen -Gorgeous, happy pictures! Thank you, Meg.
When I grow up, I’m either going to be one of Janet Jackson’s back-up dancers or Pink.
Su@TheIntentionalHome-love reading your readers’ dreams. . .makes me smile. Mine. . to speak at women’s conferences, retreats, etc on following God with reckless abandon. I feel alive. . I feel God’s pleasure when I speak. I’d also like to run parenting workshops, speak on parenting. . encourage young mothers. Your blog makes me smile. . .
Courtney-This flower farm is about an hour down the road from me, and it’s AMAZING http://www.wildseedfarms.com/
Funny you should ask about a dream job, my husband and I have been talking about it lately too – big crazy audacious goals if you had no restrictions what would you do type things.
I want to start a ministry and write a book for women and families dealing with pregnancy loss
I want to run a children’s ranch for anyone who needs a place to live and be loved
I want to be a farmer and run a CSA
I want to own and run a bed and breakfast
In the mean time I just want to work hard at whatever God tells me to.
Kat -I wish I knew what my dream was.
ten years at home with four gorgeous kids and the baby starts part time school next year, which I am partly dreading. sigh.
Maybe then I will rediscover what my dream is.
It was to be a Mum to four and that happened, so now I need a new dream…
Audrey -the sunflowers are gorgeous 🙂 I dream of owning my own bakery
Kate-I dream of opening a home photography studio…. specializing in kiddos. I dream of recording a CD one day. I dream of teaching other women how to start a photography business. I dream of adoption and wonder if God has that in store for me.
Flower Patch Farmgirl-Have you ever heard of those farms of U-Pick flowers??? I have read about them… It’s my dream to show up at a place like that with shears and some Mason jars. Give me zinnias or give me death.
I know I didn’t answer your question, but this seemed more pressing.
Amber-Have you ever read Harvey potter’s balloon farm to your kids? It just all of a sudden made me think of you when you mentioned being a flower farmer (which does sound dreamy:)…). http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0688158455/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1346815084&sr=8-1
It’s a fun book & a little odd…but my daughter loves the pictures:). And I think you might too…
Katie Beth-These are gorgeous. Hard to pick a favorite, but the last one is fun! I hope you print I sent arrived safely…if not, please let me know!
happygirl-I would love to learn how to take pictures and add them to my blog. Or, I’d like to learn how to be a wonderful cook and make wonderful food. A girl can dream. Oh yeah, and move to Daytona Beach, FL or SD, CA. 🙂
Amanda Kay-Meg! I found your dream school (would have emailed but it wasn’t working with my computer). http://www.veetje.be/kleur-op-school/
You’re so great and I LOVE the sunflower photo with the little honeybee! Makes my heart sing!
Amy Lynne-I would love to have my own fabric shop and be able to create all day long! I guess that is what I do on my summers off, minus owning the fabric shop 😉
Stephanie -A lottery winner.
Tracy Fisher -ps… i dream of living on the water one day and having a little art studio next to my home. tracy
Tracy Fisher -I think you should make a copy of one of those photos and put a bible verse in the center of the flowers. Just thinking. And would love one. 🙂 tracy
Amanda -I’ve always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. Or host my own craft weekends.:-)
Tanya-a writer…and own a bakery.
I believe both will happen 🙂
lovely pics ~ I’d be running from the bees 😉
Valerie @ Chateau a La Mode-I wish I could design wedding dresses. Wouldn’t that be a romantic job? I would love that. Loving your sunny sunflowers!
the domestic fringe-Gorgeous, gorgeous photos! I love sunflowers.
~FringeGirl
thedomesticfringe.com
Tina I -I always dreamt of being a stay-at-home mom….some dreams do come true:-) My next dream is to find an old house, fix it up without killing its charm and sell it, then find another and another and another…..
Liesl -I dream of fields and fields of sunflowers like you have! They are hard to come by in Northern New Jersey! I just satisfy my desire to take pictures of sunflowers by heading to my sister’s patch of 6 🙂
Jessica -I dream of seeing those sunflowers in person!!
Jenny Joy-I love those photos. Sunflowers are my favorite… by a mile.
I want to become a professional cake decorator. The kind that has worker bees to actually BAKE the cake (it takes forever, and isn’t really my forte.) But I would spend most of my waking moments decorating. Fondant and gum paste and buttercream, OH MY! Cakes that fool the eye. Cakes that make people squeal. Cakes that people don’t want to cut into because they are just too darn pretty. It’s a nice thought. 🙂
sandee prince -a hip hop dancer. no joke.
gorgeous pics Meg.
Lisa -I particularly love the fifth picture from the top.
I dream about being a photographer. 🙂
amy cornwell-I love the sunflowers…I’d love to have a whole backyard full of flowers like you said: sunflowers, purple cone flowers, lavender, zinnias…all of the pretty ones to photograph. They’d call me the crazy flower lady, but I wouldn’t care. Love your shots, they brighten the day!
Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails}-I love that last one too…b/c hubby is a beekeeper on the side. Most people hate “bees”(they classify all kinds under one title)but our honeybees are pretty darned amazing and the honey is a really good natural combatant for allergies and such.
Alicia @ La Famille-i think a new fall header is in order with one of these babies!
Erica Haude -Where is this?!?! I really want to take Christmas pictures in sunflowers, as we just moved back to Kansas. I live close to you…so, if you could kindly point me in the direction of some sunflowers, I’d be much obliged to ya 🙂
oh, and I dream of being an Equine Therapist for abused children.
Molly-Owning my own jewelry business. You should sell these on Etsy. Love sunflowers. I’d love to grow them but don’t really have a place for them. Trying to see if I could grow them in my backyard somewhere.
Tiffany-Dreams…I’ve always dreamed of owning my own business. And I’m all over dat. Hellooo etsy. P.S. I saw a sunflower calendar at bn a week or so ago and thought of your blog, whatever!
Tracy-Gorgeous photos as always, Meg. The last one is awesome!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Lisa M. -Beautiful pictures, thank you! Sadly, no dreams. Isn’t that horrible? I’m a wife, mom, and I stay at home running a business. Life is busy and it just seems hard to dream sometimes, ya know? Being a wife and mother are two of the most gratifying things I have ever done in my life, but the business end of life isn’t something I’d choose to do again (the actual business I’m in, not actually being in business for myself. That part of it is great and has allowed me to be home with my son. Something I thank God for.). But it’s where I’m at now and just pray that God will help me through it and that I will eventually discover His will. I know He puts each one of us on this earth with special gifts and a plan for our lives and I’m hoping to discover what that is. I know He has something great planned and I know He will reveal it to me when the time is right. Anyhow, enough of that. I have an awesome life and a wonderful family. God has already blessed me in countless ways!
Maria -Simply beautiful photos! Would love to take a road trip to Kansas for the blooming sunflowers!
when I grow up I would love to be a photographer and fiber artist….
Terrie G-I wasn’t able to get super pics of sunflowers this summer. The field just didn’t cooperate. Not enough rain… 🙁
I’m with you! I would come and take pics of flowers in your fields all day long.
I’ve been blessed to live the best dream of my life…momma and now grandma.
But, a year ago…I knew I needed something else.
My dream is to learn photography…
And I’ve had so much fun learning all facets the past year.
I have a lot to learn…but it’s why I took it up.
There will always be something new to learn and
never a shortage of pictures to take!
Thanks for all your pics…you always inspire me!!
Beth McClintock-Love this post and I actually borrowed a picture and made it my screen saver on my phone 🙂
Southern Gal-Lovely shots. The last is my favorite, too.
My dream is to grow in my photography. I’d like to take some courses to help me get there. I want to take beautiful portraits of my children and granddaughters just for me and my family.
Lori H -Secretly I would love to be a photographer, but as I don’t even own a working camera at the moment (point and shoot died) that isn’t really possible. Also want to be a reading tutor for elementary kids. Reading is soooo important!!
Paula S. -Good for you for going back without the kids! I would love to be a stay at home mom most of all. A bonus would be to have time for a flower garden, money to redo my house and the chance to do small photography jobs from time to time.
Stacy -Current dream is to work, and be paid, to do curriculum development. Specifically, arts for children’s education & camp. Performing arts, visual arts – including wicked projects. I feel like I’ve been working towards this place for a few years. I’m good at it. Now, to find employment in this area that will still allow me to pick my kiddo up when school is over and to stay home with her during school breaks. So, big dream with those requirements….Thanks for the safe place to dream.
elma -Love these pictures!!!
Janelle -I dream of becoming a professional newborn baby rocker 😉
amy jupin-i am so glad i clicked over just as you were posting these.
(in my mind anyways, no scheduling posts!)
i just wrote about owning a shop, a little piece of beauty, with a striped awning and big flower boxes and vintage goodies stacked tall, chippy hutches and pretty candles and, and, and…
it’s all there.
my dream.
and you can come take pictures of it for me!
and kimberlee will bring cinnamon rolls and we’ll have lovely lattes and oh my, it will be wonderful!
🙂
so happy to have this dream.
Heather Hendrick of the Mercy Project wrote these words about the group and their mission:
There’s an estimated 7,000 children who work in the Ghana fishing industry. Some of these children are as young as 5 and 6 years old. All of these children are slaves.
Today many in our country will take a day off from our jobs to celebrate the social and economic achievements of American workers. No matter if we’re celebrating at home or at the beach, we’re entering into a tradition that has largely been shaped by Labor Unions – organizations that are dedicated to protecting workers’ interests and improving their wages, hours, and working conditions. Today as we lounge around or hang out with friends and family, we’re not only celebrating hard work, we’re honoring fair, ethical working practices and the laws that prevent discrimination, abuse, and child labor in our country. Without these laws in place (and enforced), the most vulnerable members of society suffer.
Who are the most vulnerable? Children.
Today as we’re celebrating the systems in our own country that strive to prevent injustices like child trafficking and child labor, we’re mindful of the many child slaves around the world who are unprotected and the organizations, like Mercy Project, who are working to free them.
As a mother, it’s difficult for me to imagine my children working 14 hours a day, 7 days a week. I’m unable to wrap my brain around the thought of my children engaged in long, hard days of physical labor, eating one meal a day, and then falling asleep at night on a dirt floor filled with other slave children.
Yet this is the daily reality for kids who have been trafficked into the fishing industry in Ghana, Africa.
As with much of Africa, there is a great deal of poverty in Ghana.
Unfortunately, this leaves many mothers in an unimaginable position: sell their children to someone who can take better care of them or watch them starve to death.
Most of the mothers are told their children will be given food, housing, and an education. Instead, the kids are often taken to Lake Volta where they become child slaves and their mothers never see them again.
Thankfully, Mercy Project is working to break the cycles of trafficking around Lake Volta by providing alternate, more efficient, sustainable, fishing methods for villagers – ultimately eliminating the need for child slaves.
Because of the work Mercy Project is doing in Ghana, the first group of children will be freed this month from Lake Volta.
*******please watch this documentary about the issues in Ghana and the HOPE Mercy Project is bringing! *******
Mercy Project is the only NGO working on Lake Volta addressing the injustice of child labor and child trafficking at its root – by strengthening the Ghanaian economy and eliminating the structures that cause the demand for trafficked children.
Whether these ideas of child labor, child trafficking, and modern-day slavery are new to you or you’re aware of these injustices, but need to hear some good news every once in awhile, we invite you to become a part of what Mercy Project is doing in Ghana.
When Mercy Project frees their first group of children this month, we can all celebrate together.
………………………………………………..
thank you Heather….
i don't know about you, but when i hear about another kind of injustice i get to where i think about those children constantly. i worry for them. i hurt for them. but i am so excited when i hear about REAL programs that are trying to fix things one step at a time. one step at a time is better than no steps!
what would you do if this was happening HERE to our children? these are children just like ours. no different. everyone deserves a chance!
let's support Mercy Project today. can you donate today? i would LOVE, love, looooove if ALL of my readers donated something today. any amount is worth it. i would love to say "WE support you Mercy Project"
$5.00 can buy you a fancy coffee or make a difference to a child in Ghana. that is pretty amazing when you think about the impact your money can have! you really do count in making a change!
i can't wait to see what can be done through these awesome willing servants!
Mercy Project Facebook and Twitter can you keep you up to date on what's going on daily.
“When the lives and the rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses.” – Carol Bellamy
Mike Cornelia-The Mercy Project sounds like a great organization. I have been reviewing human trafficking statistics and it is truly sickening to see how prevalent it has gotten around the world. I am even more discouraged with the fact that it has reached it’s way into the United States. It is so infuriating that people engage in this practice to make a living. My hope is that, if enough people find out about child trafficking it will slowly be brought to an end.
sara @ it's good to be queen-this is good stuff. thank you so much for sharing. i so needed to get out of my own head and own space today. thank you.
Carla -It’s a noble cause no doubt and it’s heartbreaking to think of these families broken up in such a horrendous way but it would be wrong to think that child slavery only happens in poor countries like Ghana. Check out Human RIghts Watch new campaign against the abuse of child labor (especially migrant child labor) in the US (hope this link works but if not just google migrant child labor US) http://www.hrw.org/news/2010/05/05/us-child-farmworkers-dangerous-lives
So perhaps while you and your readers support the children in Ghana, you would also take time to read about the plight of migrant children in the US, also victims of poor circumstances, whose parents have also had to make unimaginable decisions. It doesnt even merd to cost you a dime, just try to ensure the food you buy is properly and ethically sourced from
Farms that use properly paid workers whose human and legal rights are respected, ttell your politicians this issue matters to you, small actions add up!!
Katy-i found out about mercy project last december when i ran a local half marathon that benefitted them. i’ve been following them closely on Facebook ever since and was so excited to post about the work they are doing today! this is great- thanks for sharing! 🙂
Lisa -I love the day to day stuff you share and what you shared today. God is using you. Through the computer I can see your hearts desire to glorify Him. Some people may not hear about human trafficking and child slavery except from your blog. And others like me who are striving to make a difference needs to be reminded on days like today. Thank you!
i was working on some projects over at the craft house yesterday. i love being in my sunny craft room.
i have been hoarding embroidery hoops.
that is my favorite photo of craig. when i make him laugh that is the face i see. i love that face.
a rainbow gift from craft weekenders.
you've got mail…again. because why not? sometimes its better than music. thift store birds spray painted yellow. i need to find a place to hang them up.
i love my glass star from Piggie&Dirt. i want to buy them all and hang them all over the ceiling!
hello new fabric i ordered from Hawthorne Threads. please tell me you smiled really big with that combo like i did!
my grandma's flower frogs.
hankies.
more hoarding.
mr. duerksen….i love your shirt.
ummm….yeah. this is… by far… the best fabric ever to exist in all of time…past….present….future. the farm will get curtains with BIG rainbow chevron. and if i could i would just wrap up everything around me in the other. my furniture, my kids, my dog..all wrapped up in rainbow chevron.
it's by riley blake and i ordered it from hawthorne threads also.
a lot of it. :)
doiles.
sparkles.
happy maps from elizabeth st.
wire rack from the barn….i love rust.
i need to start decorating my gloves! ha.
and whatever i can't drape with rainbow chevron….i will cover in vintage quilts.
vintage sparkles. here is the other fabric i ordered….
i am determined to create more now that the kids are in school all day. i NEED to be using my hands. i need to work my mind that way much more often than i am. it's calming and helps me think clearly. so i am making a schedule and at least one day i AM creating. no matter what.
do you make time for something like that in your life? what is that important part of you that you don't want to miss out on?
Karen -I know that lamp well and am glad you enjoy it 🙂 love, love, love the chevron fabric….just made the Hello Sunshine from the kit that was a weekend craft and the painted peacocks….love all your ideas…thanks for sharing your gift of crafting…
Natalie-While ths post made me happy it also made me so so jealous 🙂 gorgeous fabric. Where do you find all those fantastic quilts
I swear I have the worst luck in that department, yours are fab.
teresa-I love all your colorful piles….
Happy day! Love the name of your blog ;}
Julie Tiu-Oh my gosh. Just found your blog through Pinterest… so lovely “meeting” crafty, artful people… so much happiness here. Thank you for sharing!
Doris-I don’t know if you read comments you get here, but I wonder if you ever see my blog? Since year and few months ago I’m checking your blog and loving it 🙂
“You’ve got mail” is one of my all time favorites. 🙂
and I can’t live without being creative, it’s always something about pictures, or editing music videos, making stuff for family, making photo albums/scrapbooks… and-making music (I’m a singer-songwriter, engineer.)
Lisa Perry-Love when you post your creative stuff! I am aching to find the time to create, I have been so busy the past couple months, I’ve barely had time and my hands are itching for it too…hoping next weekend I will find the time! My soul needs it!
Lauren-I feel exactly the same. Posted something similar just the other day! The artist in me is sad to see summer go…but I gotta keep creating. LOVE the hankies by the way…and that children’s book. *gulp* What a lovely studio…enjoy it!
Sarah Russell-This post is the epitome of eye candy. I love your blog so much and look forward to seeing the lastest scoop in my inbox each morning. God bless ya sistah!
Tracy -Where did you find the glass star? Is Piggie&Dirt on Etsy?
Lindsey -I saw the squirrel fabric on Hawthorne also! LOVE IT! Everything in this post is wonderful! Can’t wait to see what you made!!!!
Sharilyn -Your photos make me smile so BIG! I love the happiness that oozes from them. 🙂
Randi-Dukes and Duchesses-Love all those photos! This summer I set aside some creative time – an hour a week to sew, an hour a week to scrapbook, and an hour a week to knit. Sometimes I did more but it’s amazing what you can do in one hour. I even scheduled it in my planner. I’m definitely keeping it up during the school year.
Su@TheIntentionalHome-oh what fun inspiration. I pinned the embroidery hoop art from the Craft Weekend post and now love to see more in this post. . that will be a fun craft for me to do with my girls. I love the Chevron rainbow fabric. . love that they skipped out on purple (my least favorite color). . .all the others make me happy but not purple for some reason. I have all the colors in my house. . but purple. Happy Post. . love it. . .such inspirataion. And yes, one day a week. . I make time to read, blog, create, shop fun stores. . rest and inspire my soul. . but I tell you 9am-2pm goes very quickly.
Allison -Love your blog!
What is the title of the children’s book with the beautiful illustrations?
Thanks!
Bernice-Thank you for this post! I am so jealous of all your fabric purchases!! Man I’d love to be able to sit and make stuff all day. But for now an active toddler occupies my days. Enjoy your time!!
Mandy Draper -your post made me smile today 🙂 will you be making more pillows for your etsy shop again this year? i missed it last yr, and was super bummed.
Donna R-Love all the happy fabric, but especially the rainbow chevron. B U tiful! Now to come up with a project so I can order some.
Totally relate to needing to make time for creative projects. I have a million projects pinned and don’t nearly take the time I need to have fun with them!
Jenna@CallHerHappy-I love this post. It is really what I have been feeling lately. I have been in such a rut and I need to create! It is easier for me to create when I am with people I love. That is what makes living far away from home so hard 🙁 One day, I will have lots of time, but my baby will be grown by then. So I am enjoying her now!
Carolyn-That is FABULOUS fabric! And yes- I’ve been thinking that I MUST set aside time to be creative. I love to make things but I’m also a musician and did some acting in high school and I MISS performing. That creative outlet has been pretty dead for me since college. I signed up for an adult tap class for this year and I’m pretty excited about it! Now to find time to play my instruments…:)
Tracey-I need help!! I have been hoarding vintage napkins and hankies with embroidery that I want to make something with but I am struggling with what to make. I was thinking about a valance/curtain for the window above my kitchen sink but I am skeered to do anything to them until I have a plan. What have you made out of your vintage hankies in the past?
Brittany McKenna-Meg- I was at a thrift store in Colorado just yesterday and I saw the EXACT SAME thrift store birds (just one though) and thought about what they would look like spray painted! I had never seen anything like it until yesterday! I didn’t end up getting it, but I love how yours looks! I also love flower frogs! This whole post also made me happy!!
shannon-Your posts are always so bright and happy!
School started for us as well and I was really looking forward to crafting up a storm but instead I’ve been fighting ants daily 🙁
Hoping next week I have more time to craft and create!!!
Ashley E -Firstly, let me tell you what I would GIVE for that pile of doilies….I am so envious! 🙂 I’m on a mission to find all of Tulsa’s doilies for a project. I always try to make time for reading or crafting, which is probably once every two weeks due to being a working mama of two! Whew! LOOOOOVE your craft room and want to have Scotty “Beam me up!” to it!
Angela Atkins-I love your craft room and those stacks of fabric. I’ve been making my own Fall List, now that my big part time job is almost over and I’ll have two whole days to work on stuff while the kids are in school. I make time to do quilts now and will also add in some updating around the house–some furniture painting, new lampshades, that kind of stuff. And just some inspiration trips that I couldn’t do this summer with my kids.
rachel-i think we could be twinsies….my craft closet very closely resembles your craft room, i adore your yellow owl, i, too, seem to hoard embroidery hoops and i drool over vintage fabrics and quilts. 🙂 if i don’t have a project to work on i get anxious. happy crafting! 🙂
Jodi -Antique shopping, You’ve Got Mail, painted yellow birds, lovely fabric, antique quilts, thread spools, and the hankie collection…..we love so many of the same things! I’ve read your blog for the past 3 years, but never really commented. But today I felt like you were reading my mind. I can just imagine how you feel when you walk into your craft/sewing room…pure happiness.
Jenny B.-I saw those too! I have boys, so they wouldn’t go for it. I briefly considered getting one for myself. 🙂
Jenny B.-Oh, such a happy post! That rainbow chevron makes me giddy! Giddy, I tell you! 🙂 I see ball fringe… are you planning to make more pillows? The one I bought last year is the star of my sofa, and I’m thinking he needs a friend. Hint, hint. 🙂 Also – LOVE the rainbow button lamp shade. I think I might need to do that. So many ideas… so little time… 🙂 Thanks for brightening my day!
Lisa B -I LOVE that rainbow chevron! I think my son needs that for curtains in his new room when we move.
Jennifer wood-My boys are ages 11, 7, and 4, so I kind of feel like I have recently stepped out of a fog of diapers, potty training, etc. Because of that (and because I’ve been intentional about creating time for it), I’ve been creating more for our home…making something out of nothing, making fun things out of ordinary things. My oldest son recently said, “I love how you decorate our house with things most people give away to the Food and Clothing Bank (our town’s “goodwill”)” This was such a compliment to me! haha!! 😉 LOVE your blog…it inspires me.
melissa lorenz -Completely inspiring post today Meg! BTW – Lands End has rainbow chevron backpacks for kids this year!
Gina-Love all your beautiful photos! Especially the quilts…hope I can score some one day. I love to make things, too, whether it is a paper craft or sewing. Have a great week!
Jacci in Ohio-I just LOVED all these pictures from your craft room. Craft Weekend pics are fun, but I love these even more. More personal, maybe? Happy fun.
Time in the Word. And in prayer. My five kids are home all day, everyday… that time has to be protected like mad. Or it slips away. And it’s not something I can just give up on.
beth-You are absolutely right about creating and I have decided to follow in your footsteps and create while the kids are in school–yea for school! ha!
How do you clean your vintage quilts? I have a beautiful old quilt I just got from my mom that my grandma made and I’m not sure how to go about getting it clean. It’s not stained, but just that old musty smell from being in my parents basement. Any ideas?
Happy school days to you, Meg!
Beth
Darcie L.-Kindred spirits. We were doing premarital counseling with some younger friends of ours. Hubby asked the guy, “What are your fiancee’s needs? Like, for my wife, she NEEDS to be creative. She NEEDS to make things.” He was totally right. 🙂
Ami -This happy post is exactly why you are the first blog I check everyday! Love, love, love all that color!
Jen Brandt -I so love your pictures. What an awesome rainbow button lamp shade. So happy! I need time to exercise and thank God I have a husband who understands that. 🙂
Jolene (Homespun Heritage)-I miss quilting, to be honest. My sewing machine (dumb Brother) finally gave up the ghost and it will be months before I can replace it and months before my life settles down enough to even consider crafting/sewing. We’re going from 4 to 7 children and that’s going to be a bit chaotic around here.
Christy K-This is, by far, THE happiest blog post I have read in, well… EVER. All of the bright, beautiful colours make my heart SO very happy! Thank you for inspiring me today and happy creating!! : )
stephany-Happy photos.
Creating makes me happy, too!
I have tons of cleaning to do before my in-laws get to town and I have been creating, moving furniture, and changing things around in our house instead.
You’ve Got Mail is one of my favorites, too. Really, anything with Meg Ryan.
And, I have a table full of thrifted embroidery hoops and fabric right at this moment.
I think we would get along well. 🙂
becky-i thought you’d appreciate this – we were doing a cross country road trip with the kids (well, to ohio and back) and i had this big binder with all the things we were going to do at every stop. and on the way home we had an over-nighter in salina and my one and only goal was to go out to the barn and shop and i had it all marked and the address in the gps and everything…AND…the one day we were there – was the day they were closed. sigh. and to think i passed up one amazing antique shop after another with the mantra going through my head, “just make it to kansas…just make it to kansas…” hah! that’ll teach me. hopefully next time i’m in your neck of the woods – i will make it to the barn.
thanks for all the wonderful pics today. it’s funny – i see rainbow things all the time and think of you – which is weird, i know…but funny at the same time. oh, this funny blogging world.
Lennie Jackson-My kids are small 1 yr and almost 3 so it is very hard for me to get any craft-mommy-I need it to keep my sanity time, but I try really hard to do that. It is all a juggle and you seem to do so well. Thanks for the pretty post!!! Someday I’ll get to that craft house!!
Juli-So funny! I just ordered the rainbow chevron from Hawthorne after they sent their e-mail! I told my husband I’m just going to wrap the outside of the house with it :)! I haven’t received mine yet. Do you think its heavy enough for a shower curtain? (there would be a plastic liner too). Love your blog so much. Hoping to meet you in sometime at a craft weekend!
-Julie
Kate-What inspiration this morning! My oldest is just starting preschool this fall, and I am hoping to spend more time in my craft room. I also just signed up on the CW waiting list, so I’m hoping to see your craft room sometime soon, too. 😉 Happy Wednesday!
kelly -I stayed home from work today and was feeling kinda blah… your post lifted my spirits and made me want to create. I have a not so craft room that has been in the making since we built the house 2 years ago–bot as big as yours but I would love for it ot have the same feel of yours… Thanks for the inspiration–I can tell yours has all the things you love…. THanks Meg!!!
annie-Can I just come and LIVE at the craft house?!?!?!?!!? HOLY COW! I LOVE EVERYTHING!!!!!
Han-You’ve Got Mail is one of my favourites! I adore Nora Ephron films – I watched YGM most recently the day that she passed away – I watched in like memory of her.
I even quoted YGM on my blog today (here)
“Don’t you just love New York in the fall. It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bunch of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address. On the other hand this not knowing has it’s charms”
Jen -What a fun place Craft House is!! I love the color, the mix of patterns. It’s all so happy and creative. Mission accomplished.
Verna Lantz-This entire post made me happy. What happy colors and patterns. Now, I believe I need my own craft room to fill it with color and happy. Thanks!!
i hunt for sunflowers. every summer. i am a sunflower addict.
i mean really….just try to tell me what is happier than that?!! nothing. it is the best site to see.
every detail amazes me. LOOK at that! it's about 8 inches across and hasn't even opened yet….it is B E A U T I F U L !!!
sean held annie up to see a bug inside that one. they had a blast running around this old farm.
this brings me joy.
{{{{ sigh }}}}
three of my favorite people in one of my favorite places….it's enough to make me cry.
GRASSHOPPER!!!
i didn't see that in my lens….or when it uploaded….i noticed it when put it on the blog. i absolutely LOVE that picture!
only about half of the flowers were open when we came by. which made me giddy just thinking about coming back.
my kids asked if we could build a house right here so we could see the flowers and climb that tree.
talby took this picture of the lady bug! amazing.
i am not prejudiced….i love dead sunflowers too!
one of the things i love about sunflowers is that they are solid and study. they have big leaves….they have layers and layers of seeds and petals. God creates each one so intricitly. His creation is so detailed.
she found her twinsie in size. 🙂
thank you Lord for reminding me of how detailed You are in the world. every seed. every petal. Thank you God for caring about every hair on my head….every tear…every hurt….every joy in my life.
Mary-LOVE all of these pictures(the grasshopper one totally blows me away), and i love even more the fact that God IS so awesome! how humbling to know that He’s all about the details, in each of our lives.
super awesome, great, wonderful post. 🙂
katey-Your grasshopper picture is totally my favorite. I think you could have that published!!!! Love it!!!
elizabeth highsmith-He sure is! Thank you for passing on a beautiful reminder!
Chrissy-Gorgeous pictures (and children!)!
Thankfully, someone pinned something from your blog and I have found you. 🙂 ReadWriteSing
Natalie-the grasshopper… AWESOME!!! Since you love sunflowers, I knew I had to share… The tornado that drove thru the state of Alabama, “April’s Fury 2011” missed my home by about a mile. It was devastating. At least TEN families in my church lost everything. It was life changing, physically and spiritually for our state. Months after as families still tried to make sense of the disaster and families searched, rebuilt… The coolest thing EVER happened~ all over, in the most random spots, popped up the most beautiful SUNFLOWERS! Apparently seed from different bird feeders were scattered EVERYWHERE! To me, it was this great sign of HOPE, growth! IT was BEAUTIFUL! You would have loved it!! GOD IS AWESOME! 😉
Enjoy your stories!!! Blessing to you and your family!
Natalie
Sarah H.-God is awesome! You don’t know me from Adam, but we planted sunflowers in our garden this year and every time I look at them I think of you and your love for sunflowers! My sweet 5 year old daughter and I love our’s too. I love, love that grasshopper. That is print worthy for sure!
Lisa -I’m blessed to drive by a sunflower field every morning as I take my son to day care. A big field of big happy sunflowers, basking in the rising sun, every one of them facing the east like lines of sunflower soldiers. So beautiful. Must remember to take my camera one day soon.
ira lee -i love sunflowers too. i meant to plant some with my kids this spring but i forgot. ive heard they are easy to grow!!!
Robin-Thank you for this post! Your photography is unbelievable – truly magical – especially the grasshopper – the best photo I have seen! I am always so inspired when I read your blog – it is one of three that I MUST visit EVERY day! That grasshopper picture belongs in National Geographic, or the National Gallery of Art!!!! It is truly spectacular!
What kind of lens do you use? Your pictures are always so clear and vibrant.
Thank you for the joy you bring us every day. Yes, God is amazing.
cath w -Good grief.
Jenn B-I Love this post! Sunflowers bring me joy too. We have one growing in our yard that is taller (by almost a foot) that my husband and he is 6’2″! They are huge and truly God’s amazing work. My favorite picture is the grasshopper one. I love that you didn’t even know you got it. Awesome!
the.mrs -indeeeeed! i feel the same giddy feeling looking at bananas. I know, weird, right?! But next time you open a banana look closely, they’re glittery. 🙂 I mean seriously, God loves glitter as much as I do. And they break into 3 right down the middle. Unless you’re lucky and get one that breaks into 2. God’s creation rocks.
Jessica at Me Sew Crazy-wow. Just wow. Amazing photos, amazing praise, and amazing grasshopper. I am pretty sure you found Jimini Cricket.
jeannett-sigh…
love it.
all of it.
missing you.
owen said he needs you to cuddle him.
Lisa -Love everything you said
Heather -“Thank you God for caring about every hair on my head….every tear…every hurt….every joy in my life.
and for showing me that in a field of sunflowers.
God is awesome.”
Thank you for a beautiful post and an important reminder. I needed that today. So Much!
Rachel Spin-Love your pictures. Do you have a flickr account? My fave is the grasshopper photo as well as many above. I also love that the sunlight is composed right at the face of the flower. Awesome light and cute little bug.
God’s creation always inspires me and to grab my camera. His glory surrounds us every day.
karen gerstenberger-God is awesome; I agree. Your grasshopper photo reminds me of the books by Eric Carle, especially “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Did your kids have that one? It’s adorable, like you and your family.
Flower Patch Farmgirl-That grasshopper pic is the What-What! I fell in love and didn’t notice the grasshopper until I scrolled down. Tricky dude.
Lori H -Thanks for sharing these photos. I love sunflowers too, but usually have to find mine in Trader Joe’s 🙂 I love love the photo of the grasshopper…he looks like he is at home in his apartment, looking out!
Angie -Absolutely beautiful photos!
A gentleman down the road used to have a field of sunflowers and I always smiled as I drove by. They are a very cheerful flower!
Suz -great photos! God is a creative GENIUS! And weird to think that we live in a fallen world that is not even perfected yet…really something to look forward to…I can’t even imagine!! xoxo
shannon-Pretty sunflower pics. They are perfect Summer and Fall flowers. Great pic with the three of your cuties standing infront of them.
Kirsten W-I feel the same way as you do about sunflowers! They are really awesome!! And your photos are just fantastic – love, love the one of the grasshopper!
colleen from alabama -I needed that today. I have sunflowers on my table and i need to be reminded that God is in the details… especially the painful ones right now. Thanks for helping me to see things a little differently!
Amanda-I love sunflowers! Your pictures are so beautiful, and you are correct, God is awesome! 🙂
Carla TV-Amen! Thank you for sharing the beauty. 🙂
sara @ it's good to be queen-i love how you notice and appreciate God’s creation as His expression of love for us. what a gift.
Beth K. -Just the reminder I needed today – God is awesome!! I just lost my job today of 15 years with no forewarning – devastating! Trying to stay positive and find something new to help support our family of six. Thanks for providing this wonderful post for me today! Just what I needed! God Bless You Meg!
Jen Brandt -Beautiful flowers. Beautiful children. Beautiful God.
Jodi -The Grashopper picture is SERIOUSLY AWESOME! Love it!
Cathy-So beautiful! God really is so awesome…always!
Laura-Love the hiding Grasshopper!!! Fabulous pic!
Trish @TheOldPostRoad-Nature makes me feel sorry for all of those who think everything just ‘evolved’ without God. Honestly! This beauty around us just could not ‘appear’ out of no where without our amazing God! Thanks for the reminder!
-Trish
melodee-I love them, too! your pix are amazing and just ooze summer:) and so true…God IS so awesome!
Robin Canter -Makes me want to bust out singing “I’m walking on sunshine, whoa… and it makes me feel GOOD!”
Dani -Love this post!
This past weekend we were driving home from a conference and I saw a field of sunflowers. Immediately I thought of you! Your pictures are amazing. I felt like I could reach out and touch the flower!
Alisa-With the gift of the little grasshopper peeping out…..it was kind of like God was saying, “Thank you for enjoying what I have made.” Love.
stephany-Sunflowers are my favorite!
When we got married the florist asked me what I wanted for flowers and I said, “There HAVE to be sunflowers. I don’t care about the rest.”
My husband calls me “Sunny”.
Sarah Syhakhoun-Gorgeous post! Every summer I look forward to your miraculous sunflower photos. They pull at my heart – each and every one of them!
I have to admit that I’m a little creeped out when up close to a sunflower, but they sure are beautiful!
seriously sassy mama-So what I needed to read today. I love sunflowers. I almost changed my whole wedding after seeing sunflowers in a Martha Stewart Wedding mag. I love how earthy and yellow they are.
Ruth Elder -I would love to be able to get a copy of your 7th. picture blown up through that picture-to-canvas service you post about. Is there a way to do that?
Kelly Henderson-Thank you for such wonderful morning inspiration… I’m heading out on a walk with a happy heart (I’ll look for sunflowers;)
Casey-Wow, simply gorgeous. God is, indeed, awesome 🙂 I love that grasshopper shot – how amazing!
Kristin S-Love, love, love!
Also love Annie’s sweet pose in the threesome pic.
Love a sweet big brother giving sister a boost.
Love taking time to enjoy the little (big) things.
Thank you Meg!
Kimberly Dial-Meg, your pics are always awesome, your kiddos adorable & your words inspirational … thank you for sharing! (Sunflowers are pretty wonderful!)
Terrie G-Sunflowers make me weak in the knees!
I hunt for fields of them!
They are one of my favorite things to photograph…
besides the grandson! LOL!!
Well Done!
Niki-Amen and amen!! I am so taken with how deeply God knows His creations…be it flowers or people! I love that He KNOWS me inside and out! I have nothing unknown and He loves me anyway! 🙂
Heather F.-Thank you for the beautiful pictures. I love the surprise grasshopper! That would be a great tree to build a house by. Your kids have a great eye.
Karen - Just shared this on Facebook and off to do a little shopping! Thanks Meg!
Dawn Eshnaur - Thank you for the code! It saved me shipping plus more! I love 31 Bits! Have ordered many of their designs. I Love Them!
trade plumbing supplies - I really admire those people that doing their best not only for self but also for helping other people specially when it comes to economic needs. We are aware that although there are abundant countries but still there are less fortunate people. These people needs our support. And giving them a source of income is a good idea.
ko. s - I just did a WHOLE LOTTA shopping!! Thanks lady 🙂 All the girls in our families will be rocking some gorgeous bracelets this Christmas and I love that there is a wonderful story behind each piece 🙂
Jocelyn Pascall - Wow – how cool is this??!?! I am going to have to check them out as I think these would make some great birthday gifts for my friends!
Sheri Flatt - Awesome, I am going to have to check this out. I work with a small non profit. We help in Uganda in a small village north of Kampala. Our core belief is sustainability. We try to put programs in place for hunger, medical, education, and clean water that will hopefully thrive on their own and our role will lessen till they don’t need us at all anymore. Please check us out http://www.project-restore.org
p.s. on a personal note. I have been to Uganda 4 times. I totally feel you when you talk about missing it there and wanting to go back and feeling part of your heart is there. I totally connected the first time I went and I can’t imagine my life without Africa in it.
Cheryl E. - Me, too! Just placed an order for a friend for her birthday! Thanks for the code!!!!!!!
Molly - Thank you I just placed an order, very nice jewelry.
Alexandra Marie - Just made my first purchases!
&&& It is about time I did so, a good friend of mine lives on the compound with these beautiful women.
Sharla - Thanks! I’ve been thinking about giving all the women something from here for XMAS this year – one stop shopping!
Stephanie - Reading about companies like this brings tears to my eyes. Reminds me to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God.
Christy K - LOVE 31 Bits! I gave my Mom the necklace I bought when I was down for Craft Weekend and it is her favourite! I was thinking of picking up a few more to give out as Christmas gifts, I think this blog post (and coupon code!) is a sign that I should! Thank you! : )
Lindsay - i love all of it! do you know how long your code is good for? i want to order some things but can’t do it today.
tiffany gardner - YAY! So excited… I was just going to order something yesterday and thought I better wait! So thankful for this code!!