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way back when… in july

October 9, 2013

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.

zoo
these flowers were ginormous!

my kids went in the building to see the animals and i stayed outside dying over the gorgeous flowers!

it was extremely hot that day so the misting fans were appreciated… and FUN!
mist sun

Annie tried her first burrito of her life at chipotle in st. louis. 🙂
she must have been feeling brave that day.
floats
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.
fitz
annie claims she was fake sleeping but i haven’t seen her sit that still for…. never.
she was out.

we picked up scott and stopped at the arch on our way out of town.
arch st.lou sky
we drove to Indiana to meet up with our friends.
we spent four days doing this…
water

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. 🙂

scott was taking a hundred close up pictures of people so i moved in for a few….

bowl
bowl2
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!
gun
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….

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.

coffee
there was also a water balloon fight… wiffle ball…Despicable Me 2… dave’s birthday… kayaking with lola…

sunkissed and a camera flash… crazy combo.

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

fireworks… duerksen kids love language.

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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this week.

October 5, 2013

my birthday week was wonderful.
my girls made me sweet cards and picked some cute kitchen utensils for me and a candle and lotion. 🙂
my cake caught on fire from all the candles that were lit… oh my.

one

sean found a snake while taking out the trash.
everyone came running to see it.
i am so glad none of my kids are scared of things like bugs or snakes.

spiders don’t count.
everyone should be afraid of spiders.
everyone.

two three

we found some pumpkins at our garden center.
i think picking them out is so fun… i like to see ALL the choices.
six ten
check out the big brown and orange pumpkin!
she is pretty.
and the weirdo green/black gourd? odd.

THANK YOU for so many orders in THE SHOP this week!!
i have so much fun playing with all that fabric and so glad you like it too!
there are still pillows to choose from and the canvases are on sale until October 15.
Use the code FPFG15 for 15% off canvases.
photo-2 (fyi… that peony fabric is G O R G E O U S )

a few weeks ago i hurt a muscle in my back.
i haven’t done any kind of exercise since.
so i was going to head back out for a run on wednesday… i thought i would take a selfie to document this big occasion.
i have a self timer app and it takes four in a row with three seconds in between.
the left picture is pic number one… the right is pic number two, etc.
our kitty leapt up onto my shoulder and scared me so bad!
four five

mr. duerksen and i are away for a long weekend celebrating our 19th anniversary a month late.
our mothers are watching our kids so we could do this… thanks Moms!

we started off with the Lumineers concert.
we met friends for dinner before too… so much fun.

trying to get a group photo in the dark with a flash and the phone turned around was almost as bad as a cat jumping on your head.
so funny… great memories.

Lumineers are still new… still fresh.
they came out IN TO the crowd and played IN the crowd.
that was pretty sweet.

mr and i are having the best time.
we may or may not have already watched 6 episodes of Homeland… we are WILD like that.
and we are eating good food.
and smiling a lot.
AND finishing conversations!!!
that is a big deal… talking it out till we want to move onto a different topic. with all those kids at home this never happens.

ok… i want to hear who your favorite concert has been.
cause i decided yesterday i want lots more concerts in my future.

WHO do i need to go to?!

happy weekend.

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Heather - The. Polyphonic. Spree. Enough said.

The lovely one - Rascal Flatts. Best concert EVER.

Kim - Could you send me the self-timer app that you use? I would love to have something like that, as I use my phone for almost all my pictures now….thanks!

jennifer - First of all I love that final photo of you and Mr. Duerksen. You both look so happy and relaxed!

Second… concerts. I saw Charity and Josiah from the Head and the Heart in a tiny venue in Seattle last year (The Tractor Tavern). AMAZING. I would love to see the whole band play sometime if just those two were that good! I have heard their shows are super awesome.

Lori - Sounds like you had a great birthday celebration.
One problem…..you HAVE to put a warning at the beginning of any blog post that contains snakes. EEEEKKK!!!

Melissa - You NEEd to see U2. Hands down the best concerts ever. Bruce Springsteen was pure fun too

j - Last summer my husband and I went to Austin for his work. We went to a place called Stubbs BBQ. There were a couple of bands playing that night. We stood in the crowd of mostly college students, listened to music and had maybe, one beer. It was one of the best nights I have ever had.

FLWendy - Happy Birthday Meg!! I think you’re next concert should be Michael Buble! Such a wonderful show! I love the pic of you and the Mr.

Darcie Perrin - Hi Meg! I would LOVE someone to give me anything from Red letter words! I thinks Dees shop is so beautiful and having the words from scripture on my wall keeps me aware of where my priorities are!
I actually think I may be giving some of her work for gifts this year! ( and yours too. The farm girl in me is loving the cow canvas)

Kate - I love Kid Rock in concert – he is my very favorite bad boy!

Rochelle - Taylor Swift is the best entertainer! Lots of costume changes and different types of dancing and acrobats. And she does a third of her concert from a revolving stage at the back of the theater for the cheap seats. I’ve been to two of her tours and they both beat every other concert I’ve ever been to for best ever! Almost worth the money!!

Jennifer - Avett Brothers!! Best concert ever! Of course, if you ever come to Nashville in December, Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb concert at the Ryman is pretty amazing too. 🙂

Heidi DeGroot - You all absolutely need to go see P!nk !!!! I went to see her last Feb in St Paul MN at the Excel Center and she was amazing! I loved it so much I would love to go see her again and again. She definitely puts on a good show. Oh, and the gal who commented about no tickets under 100 bucks—it is worth all the money in the world. I think that’s about what I paid and I was toward a back corner of the arena about 26 rows up and the view was just fine. Plus, she does some awesome things that may let you see her a bit closer;) But, I won’t give it away you will have to go see for yourself.

Rachel S - Hands down, the best concert I’ve been to was Chris Tomlin. Saw him in Minneapolis in April. Amazing!

Rachel - definitely NeedtoBreathe.

Lisa - Please tell Talby that I really like her hand-drawn font on your birthday card, and I may be copying it for a poster I need to make for Sunday School this week. The brown and orange pumpkin – so cool! As are the pictures of kitty jumping onto your shoulder 🙂

Mary - Needtobreathe and Coldplay were my absolute faves – MUST see live shows 🙂 happy birthday and happy anniversary!

beth larson - well…concerts I’ve LOVED in the last few years have included, Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town. OH and my girl —MIRANDA!

Karen S. - What a generous giveaway ~ I’d love to win! Thanks……

Alice H - I cannot believe I forgot to mention Dierks Bentley and Gary Allan. I have seen them 4 times each and they always put on the best show.

Alice H - Dave Matthews Band has been my favorite so far!! He played at the ballpark in downtown OKC. I enjoy any outdoor concert that doesn’t assign seats. I like to be able to get up and move!!

Cindy McAllister - TRAIN….Loved their concert !!!!!

Heather S. - This summer my girlfriends and I went to Starlight Theater in KC to see Train with Michael Franti and Spearhead as their opening act. We LOVE Train, but honestly, the show Michael Franti put on was the best I’ve ever had with a concert. He was all over that auditorium and dancing with people. It was a blast!!! Very interactive and his songs are so fun and upbeat – some of my fave running music!

Necole@seriouslysassymama - Back in 2009 I went to a ACL music fest in Austin. It was awesome! My favorite concert to date was back in 1995 when I saw the Ramones and Pearl Jam. The Ramones are my favorite band, and I had no idea they were playing. It was one of my best days ever up by the stage with 30000 other people singing Ramones music. I would love to see Ray Lamontagne in concert.

NS - Michael Buble! I saw him on your playlist last week. Good choice. He is wonderful in concert! He was just in St. Louis 3 weeks ago (my birthday present 🙂 ).

jen - Philip Phillips. He was SO good!
And I really want to see Pink, she’ll be in my area in a week. Can’t find tickets under $100, so… not happening. But I think that would be a crazy fun concert!

Caroline R. - I’ve only been to a few concerts my self, but the ones I went to were super great- Michael Buble and Coldplay! Coldplay is on a break, but Buble is on tour now… Happy Belated bday!

Tiffany - I thought I didn’t have a comment but as I scrolled down I realized Adele was in the list. I think I would consider camping out for her tickets, she got me through a rough time in my life, and she doesn’t even know, music is good like that. C’mon Adele, bring baby (I’ll watch baby!) double my pleasure, get that message to her would ya? Oh, Happy Anniversary!!! Best Wishes for Many More!

Kate B. - We saw The Lumineers in Lincoln, NE this past May-great concert! When they came out into the crowd, my husband and I were seriously about 4 feet away from them. Yay for 10 minutes of being close to celebrities! The best concert I have EVER been to was Mumford and Sons! They came to the Pinewood Bowl in Lincoln, which is an outdoor theater. The setting was beautiful and the concert was a solid 2 hours of great music. Another great concert is the Avett Brothers! Really cool brothers and I love the messages the share in their songs.

Jennifer - Your hair looks FABULOUS in that last picture!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - 1. I am TERRIFIED of snakes. But not spiders. Still love me, please.
2. Pretty hair!
3. SO excited for this new season of Homeland.
4. Now I just want to know about the good food..you know me, I like hearing about it. Sue me.
5. PCD! Duh.

katygirl - celine dion’s heart of the ocean tour in 1997.
there was even a titanic boat replica.

Dusti - The hubs and I have seen sugarland twice in okc at the zoo and LOVE Jennifer nettles! I’m surprising him in December with zac brown tickets for December 28th!

Jen - You and Craig look so very happy and in love. Love that you make time for each other and nourish our marriage. That is food for the marriage soul.

Concerts??? I was never a Lyle Lovett fan AT ALL until I met my hubby. He hooked me. Saw Lyle in concert a few years ago and he and his big band played for almost three hours straight and sounded great. Lyle has a great sense of humor, too. Have a great week, Meg!

Mindy - That last picture of you and your hubby is SO cute! And your pumpkins on the porch with the chicken – where is BH&G’s photographer?! The last concert I went to was a Steven Curtis Chapman/Michael W. Smith combination at our State Fair and I loved it. Getting lost in a huge crowd of worshippers is good for my soul…

Valerie @ chateau a la mode - Happy anniversary and birthday! All time favorites Paul Mc Cartney, Elton John and Mercy Me. Get to see Bon Jovi next Friday….so excited! I love concerts. So much fun.

Dawn - Love that last shot. You are SO adorable. I can call you adorable since I am old enough to be your mother.
Just sayin.

Breeanna - Happy Happy birthday! This next week is my birthday week! The best concert I ever went to was Mumford and Sons. It was last minute too. My friend texted me on a Monday night and said she got two tickets from one of her student’s parents. 2 hours later we were at the concert! They were the best live performance I’ve ever seen.

Michelle M - I don’t know what you think of country music, but Kenny Chesney puts on a great show! My DH who is not a big country fan loved it.
Glad you are having a great b-day weekend-you are looking hot girl!

Kimberlee - If Adele would go on tour I might die.

Alicia @ La Famille - Girl, I love concerts so much. We’ve been to a lot but hands down favorite? Mumford. And. Sons.

Amazing! Other good ones: John Mayer, Edward sharpe, Brandi carlile (have seen her 3 times), David grey, and joe purdy. We’re going to see The Head and the Heart in a couple weeks. They’re pretty new, not very popular yet but you should check them out. They’re good stuff. New album coming out in a week or so.

On my list: the Lumineers, Adele, Florence and the machine, Mumford forty more times, and the avett bros

Is this the longest comment ever? I love concerts. You hit a big conversation starter here for me 🙂

Wendy - My hubby and I just celebrated our birthdays in August with Depeche Mode concert during a long weekend in Chicago. The concert was fantastic but I loved the down time with my favorite guy even more. I love reconnecting with him away from the daily chaos. So much so that we are scheduled to see Jimmy Fallon in St Louis this month for our anniversary. Can’t wait!

Katie M - Glad you are having fun! We only have one little one and I can totally relate to not getting to finish convos. We recently saw Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and they were AMAZING!!!

Sarah K - Seriously so fun!!! Happy birthday sweet Meg! If you can ever catch an Avett Bros concert, you won’t regret it!

Amanda - Small Home Big Start - Happy Birthday!!!! Sounds like you had an absolutely lovely birthday week.

What app do you use with the timer?

Margaret - Sounds fun!! Have been to 7 Avett Brothers concerts with my hubs..they have this energy…fantastic every time.
Love your blog and reading your chicken posts!

Debbie S - My husband and I flew to Chicago FOUR days after we met to see Dave Matthews Band play at Soldiers Field. Four kids later and we still love to see them play 🙂 And….every woman really needs to go to a Bon Jovi concert at least once. Meow.

Janel - I have seen Fitz and the Tantrums and Neko Case recently. I loved both very very much. I am seeing Gary Clark Jr next week….this year I decided to see all new artists. So far it’s been working out great!

Happy belated Anniversary and Happy Birthday!

lisa - We saw the Avett Brothers this summer and they were amazing! Loved them. Happy Anniversary!

Tara - Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary! My husband and I saw The Avett Brothers last fall….we LOVED it. I hope we get a chance to see The Lumineers!

Dana Marshall - NEEDTOBREATHE!!! oh my goodness, BEST concert of my life.

Angela A - Oh, you were in OKC! I was wondering how you guys were posting pics of the concert on the same day as a friend here!

Kathy - Ok so the pic of you and the Mr … you are simply GORGEOUS! Do you think you might share what you do/use for skincare and makeup in a future post? Pretty please? =)
Kathy

Angie P - We saw the Lumineers open for Old Crow Medicine Show at the Fox Theatre in ATL last August – such an AMAZING show!!! Old Crow is a fun one to see if they’re ever in your neck of the woods. 🙂 (and it was our anniversary date too!)

Jenn - Needtobreathe for sure. You’ll thank me later 🙂

Meghan - Happy belated birthday

lacy - if you’re from Houston,bring afraid of snakes is ok. bring afraid of snakes can save your life here! Dave Matthews puts on an amazing show, everytime! he’s so great!

Anne G. - I haven’t been to any concerts since high school, almost 20 years ago, but want to see Maroon 5 or Dave Matthews. Congrats on 19 years and Happy Birthday to you. How did your run go after a few weeks off. I have a hard time after not running for three days straight. By the way, your top in the last pic, where did you get it?

Margaret - I had never seen Homeland.. Until 2 days ago. I watched seasons 1 and 2 at once. (Got nothing else done) That show rocks!
Miranda Lambert is a great show!,

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eighteen.

September 26, 2013

Craft Weekend brings the best ladies together!
i don’t have a lot of words for this post.
the pictures speak for themselves… awesome women… awesome weekend!

col5 col7 col6 col4 col3
kimberlee and i were given handmade slippers and we were pretty giddy about it.
aren’t they SO sweet?!

col8

col11
DSC_0666-1 such a crafty bunch of ladies!
they just kept adding beauty to everything they made.

group2

just as we were about to take our group picture Amy injured her ankle.
we got ice and water and she was soaking it to keep the swelling down.
it was a little crazy! We thought it would help us all remember if we kept the bucket in the shot.
Amy you are a trooper!

col1CR18 col2CW18 Kim??? (a CW girl not Kimberlee)
how did you skip the headshot time on sunday morning?!
i can’t believe we missed you!

jess and heather were our helpers.
online friends becoming real life friends is the best!

GREAT GROUP!!!

kimberlee and i are loving the women who come. we love being able to help them have some creative time for themselves. loving to feed them crazy good food! and of course we love taking them to the barn… it’s an experience!

if you would like to get on the Craft Weekend Wait List… Click above on the button the says About Craft Weekend.

thanks ladies for being awesome.
i truly enjoyed my time with you!

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Brenda Wohlscheid - I found this site because I love the slippers you posted. I have been looking for a pattern for slippers like those and have been unable to find it. Where are you located? Your week-ends sound like a lot of fun.

Brenda

31 Days of Getting to Know Me {again} Day 2 | - […] Wooden print is a new gift from Barn Owl Primitives that I received at my Whatever Craft Weekend in Kansas. I love the yellow, it makes me happy and is the perfect size for this little […]

Kim - HELP!!! Where can I find those adorable slippers? I would love to order some somewhere…….

Our Vintage Life - Oh! That looks like so much fun, and the results of your handiwork and heart work are beautiful!

tara - look at you in that red/white polkadot dress and cowboy boots.
skinny minny.
hard work and all those logged miles has paid off.

i hope you can tell me that you still eat pam’s cheesecake.

Jessica - I. DIE. over all those Coca-Cola crates!! Man, oh MAN do I want to go to that barn!! We have NOTHING like that here in New Jersey!

Breeanna - Another great Craft Weekend! I would love to come someday, but I need to save up for it!

Jeremie Shaffer - Amy-I was thinking the SAME thing!!! oh my goodness they favor!!!!!

Amy - Looks like so much fun! Are you sure Lisa isn’t your sister?!

Tiffany - Eighteen, WOW! Still looking just as colorful and fantastic as the first. These are my favorite posts to visit when I need to get the creative juices going. Well done Ladies!

Katie - Loved reading about eighteen. Thanks for letting me live it through pics. Oh ya. That vintage fisher price barn….tell me she got it. 🙂

Necole@seriouslysassymama - These are the best apron ever!

Julie - Another wonderful collection of colour for us to drool over. Would love to visit that antiquey place you go to. Your red spotty dress looks great.

Jill - Look how skinny you are! All your hard work is paying off!

AWeSoMe!!!
xo~Jill

Amanda - What a beautiful weekend! I wish whomever made your slippers was selling them. I’m a tad jealous. =)

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what a great weekend!

September 23, 2013

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.

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

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

COL1

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!

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.

col4

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

the 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.
scott 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!

COL3 in the morning we got to do a little fishing.
it was windy so we only caught three.

my mom caught the biggest one!

PicMonkey Collage

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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cheesecake, africa and you

September 19, 2013

i have a friend named Pam.

i have talked about her a lot over the years on this little space.
she took me all the way to africa for a week and changed my life.
then she sold everything she owned…car, furniture…everything.
and then she moved there with her family!

6a00d8341c469c53ef01310f9e88a6970c-640wi
(pam….how do we have NO photos of just the two of us??)

(and boy do we look…HOT. literally. very sweaty)

her family has been back in the states again this past few months and are almost ready to return to Liberia.
selfishly… i want her to stay.
i want to have her around for long lunches and late night talks. (very late)
i want to spend time with her. i want to learn about faith and life from her.
i want to hear that laugh! (she has a fabulously loud, awesome laugh!)
but as much as i want that for me… i know it’s wrong.
she and her family have been called to go and share the gospel in Liberia.
and that is so obviously right.
they are meant to be there! it is THE PERFECT fit for them.
their hearts are alive for africa.
when you talk with them for five minutes you already know that they have servant hearts for africa.

God has called them and they are going.

this was part of their newsletter:

“We have a Clear Call to work with the people in Liberia. We will soon be returning to Liberia and make the big move to the interior of Liberia. God has broken our hearts for the people there – more than 98% of them are without the Gospel and with little chance of ever hearing of our Savior’s love. We are excited about God opening doors for us to work in Liberia. We have much to learn in the coming months and years, but our goal is to obey the Holy Spirit and love the people around us.”

Pam is an amazing cook.
i mean….she is absolutely A M A Z I N G!!

a few years ago she was sweet to me and let me share her cheesecake recipe on my blog.
she didn’t have to do that.
that was probably a pretty hard thing to do actually… she CREATED the recipe over several years!
it took her a long time to figure out all the perfect ingredients to make it just right.
and oh. my. goodness…. did she ever get it just right?!! YES!

WOW!

if you haven’t made it yet…. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!!
it is a user friendly recipe and it is by far the best cheesecake i have ever had.

EVER.

and tons of people agree with me.

***********************************************************************************

AND… this won’t be the last you see of Pam.
no way.
because i can’t wait to go visit, help, share, learn and GROW in Liberia too.
so really…this is just the beginning.

GO PAM!
i am so proud to be your friend.
you are such an incredible inspiration to me.
what a gift God gave me in YOU.

if you love pam’s cheesecake let me know in the comments!
i would love to know what you have made it for… birthdays, holidays or just because!

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Lisa - What a great idea to help raise money!!!

Tiffany - I’ve made it a few times now… For Thanksgiving and Easter. It is hands down, THE BEST! I want to propose to our craft weekend group that we need to do a virtual reunion through IG. That would be a good reason to make it again!

Skim - What an amazing family! Being on the other side of the world in Aus, how many ounces is in a packet of cream cheese in the US? Would love to make this cheesecake.

Terrie - You’ve convinced me…
I have like 3 different tried and true recipes…
But, I just HAVE to try Pam’s!
Making it for our K-State watch party tomorrow!
Can’t wait to let you know how much we LOVE it…
’cause…I KNOW we will!
You’ve never let me down yet!
🙂

Flower Patch Farmgirl - I WISH I could have met Pam! One day… 🙂
Pam – Your cheesecake rocked my knee socks off.
I love your heart and your willingness to GO.

Johnsie Buller - I am Pam’s mother-in-law and I have eaten some of her cheese cake. It is wonderful, like everything else she makes. I have never made her cheese cake but I will now. Johnsie

Susan - Best ten dollars I have spent. Meg you are indeed a good friend. I only wished you lived near me. Take Care.

Sandy - I had to buy a springform pan to make Pam’s Cheesecake!! Thanks to her and you for sharing it on your blog. I made it for my daughter before she left for Chile to study and do mission work last semester. She made a wonderful Chilean friend while there who will be visiting our family here in the states in December. Pam’s Cheesecake will definitely be on the menu again!!

Lisa - What a wonderful way to support Pam and her sweet family! I treasure my time spent with her at Craft Weekend 16. Making her cheesecake will always be a special way to remember her and the beautiful work she is doing in Africa. Thanks Meg!

Lisa - What a wonderful way to help Pam and her sweet family! I treasure my time spent with her at Craft Weekend 16. Making her cheesecake will always be a special way to remember her and the beautiful work she is doing in Africa. Thanks so much Meg!

Stephanie - I am SO gonna make this cheesecake. Thank you Pam! Thank you, Meg!

Cassie - Of course I had my first amazing slice at craft weekend and I knew being a cheesecake lover I had to make it! The first time I made it was for Easter and then Christmas and then Valentines day…I was finding any reason to make this and there was never a slice left over! Love love love! Thanks Pam for sharing this amazing dessert and good luck on your next journey to Africa!

Tina Wuthnow - LOVE PAM
LOVE PAM’S FAMILY
LOVE PAM’S HEART FOR LIBERIA
LOVE PAM’S CHEESECAKE
LOVE PAM

Thanks for doing this Meg!!!!

CathyC - What an awesome friend you have Meg. What a calling!!!
I have made Pam’s cheesecake and it is amazing!!!!!!! I absolutely LOVE it. (thank you Pam).

Kimberlee Jost - Love that Pam.
🙂

Amy Gubser - I am tearing up reading this. So blessed to know The Buller’s. I am definitely getting a print and hanging Pam’s cheesecake recipe in my kitchen so I can think of them and pray every time I see it. 🙂

Michelle Whitlow - I have made Pam’s cheesecake several timed and you’re right, it’s so easy. And OH MAN is it good!!!! Seriously, my family gobbles it up. Ok, I gobble up more than my fair share, too 😉

Jessica Johnson - We LOOOOVE that cheesecake. And we LOVE Africa more. You are a good friend, Meg.

Darcie - Uhhh… if this is the cheesecake that Kimberlee made at the last Craft Weekend too, then YES. It is the best I’ve had! Someone in our group said, “I don’t like cheesecake.” Someone else said, “This isn’t like cheesecake.” She said, “I won’t like it anyway.” I said, “YESS. You will.” She tried it… “This is NOT like regular cheesecake!” Agreed. I have yet to make it, but now I certainly will!

Lisa - I met Pam and her family a few weeks ago here in Oklahoma! What a wonderful family! They shared in church and it was awesome to see her passion, even from the short amount of time they had to share. I asked her afterwards if she was the Pam that knows you and the Pam that makes the cheesecake…small world!!

Dee Dee Burson - Hi Meg ! Some of our very good friends we go to church with started an orphanage in Liberia several years ago. He went there on a mission trip and fell hard for the precious children there. So he came home and downsized his whole life here and started Orphan Aid Liberia, You can find them on FB. Every month he feeds, clothes, educates 115 children there. It has been amazing to watch his ministry grow ! Best of luck to Pam and her family !

Jenny - Wanted to share a funny story about Pam’s Cheesecake….I had never made a cheesecake before in my 33 years and decided to give this recipe a try! I stayed up super late making it and it came out of the oven looking practically perfect. We were going to a friend’s house for dinner and I took the cheesecake to share. My husband carried it in and while he was walking in he tripped and dropped the cheesecake on the ground! My heart sank and if we hadn’t been around friends I would have had some ugly choice words for him! He knelt down, carefully saved as much of the cheesecake as possible and later that night, the 4 of us sat around and ate Pam’s Cheesecake for dessert, complete with some green grass garnish. I’ve made it several times since this first time and it’s just as delicious every time. Best wishes, Pam and may God Bless You and your family.

Tonya Upton - My sister-in-law was called to be a single missionary in Africa, and while she was there earlier this year, she met a hot missionary boy. They are getting married in one month – Yay! And I’m making Pam’s Cheesecake for their wedding. God’s plan is so awesome.

stephany - I am so thrilled to be able to help Pam and her family!
It was such a blessing to meet her at Craft Weekend 16…and eat the cheesecake that SHE made for us!
Thank you!

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full heart.

September 16, 2013

we had a REALLY great Craft Weekend!
such a wonderful group of women… God brings us the best people to craft with!
i am so happy that i know each one of them now.
i think it’s so cool that with the lottery system we really do just let God be the one who puts it all together.
He knows who should be in each group. He knows who needs to meet. He know who needs encouragement.
it’s just the best.

i brought home some pretty fabulous treasures from the barn on saturday… in the form of two giant shortening barrels.
how great is that color?!!

i may use them for flower pots.

this September Craft Weekend was our SECOND anniversary!!!
18 groups so far…
over 250 ruffled aprons…
at least 35 cheesecakes…
over 40 different sponsors…
almost every state represented….
and two foreign countries…
a wait list a mile long…

i would say we are loving having the best job ever.

this is our “selfie face” to celebrate our anniversary.

(i am not sure it’s working for us…)

after CW was over and the Craft House was completely empty, i took a looooong nap.
it is so much easier to re-enter life at home sunday night when i have caught up on some quiet time.

check out the sky i got to enjoy as i drove home tonight….

i am going to sleep like a rock tonight.

and hug on my kids all day tomorrow…. they have no school.

i hope they sleep late.

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mandy - I’ll echo the others. where did you get that dress??? amazing~

tara - she’s got legs…..she knows how to use them! could NOT resist singing a little zz top tonight!

you have worked hard and it has paid off.
thinking you need to post about your total body makeover.

Tiffany - i hope they sleep late – crack me up!

Kat - Meg, you are looking amazingly fit and healthy and a slimmer version of yourself.
That picture of you in the red and white spotty dress (love that dress!) compared to the one above when you were in Africa, wow what a transformation!
You are inspiring me, as I have been going to the gym for 7 months and getting fitter and more toned, but I am still sabotaging my efforts by eating too much chocolate, cake, sugar etc.
Seeing your picture and your healthy snacks has inspired me to be more disciplined with my eating.
I just wanted to say well done and keep up the great work!
I love your sunset pics of Kansas, just beautiful.
You take THE best photos.

Loni - Meg, that dress looks great on you! You’re tiny! All that running must do a body good! I love you, been reading for a long time. I wanna be you!

Michelle B. - Wowza! Great group shot – good lard tubs – selfies XO – Kansas sky 🙂

But another big wowza! All of the hard work you are doing is showing up in the photos big time! I may have just put down the cookies I was eating. I’m 44 this week and a good 40 pounds heavier than I’m used to. Been having a bit of a pity party that it’s just too hard, blah, blah, blah.

I am inspired to talk to get back to running and eating the way my body needs.

Thanks for the motivation – keep up the awesome work!!

Diane Baucke - Your blog is one of my absolute favorites. Never fails to make me smile! I love your sense of humor, your faith, your “craftiness”, your beautiful family, and so much more. Hope to someday make a craft weekend!!! Hope you have a wonderful week 🙂

Gwennie - Where did Kimberlee get her daisy necklace? It is so cute!

Tosha Duckworth - Fitness and healthy eating are doing you good. Seriously Meg you look AMAZING!!! I had to do a double take in the first photo…you look ten years younger. Keep up the good work!!

Tiffini - oh…can i please have your knees? i have such grandma legs. never had good legs for dresses…i even pinned this picture is is so crazy cute…xo

Tiffini - you two ROCK…such big hearts..BOLD hearts
loving on all of us
sharing your gift…sharing your story
all so beautiful…xo

Jaime ♥ Raising up Rubies - duck face selfies are the best.
i will wait patiently for the boots to be a print. ♥

Jen - Looking good, Meg!!

AshleyAnn - WOAH!!! Hottie in the red dress and boots at the barn!!

Tiffany - A) You look amazeballs(using your word) 🙂
B) You are so right about how amazing God works, to pull the right ladies together and at the right time, AND how he works through you! You and Kimberlee are such a blessing to so many! I miss you two!
C) Glad it was such a successful weekend, and hopefully you had a great day with your kids!

Tami C. - Ok, I just have to say this – I love the red dress with the boots! So very stinking cute.

april R - that red dotted dress!!! <3

and the selfie-face photo XD

gale - So glad ya’ll had fun! I love seeing every weekend as it posts on Instagram and would love to meet all the helpers! So glad I got to come in January 🙂 Still one of my best weekends ever!

Necole@seriouslysassymama - I saw that belt cinched on that dress. Someone is getting skinny!

Breeanna - I’m so happy for you that craft weekend is such a success!

Chris - Meg…you look fantastic!! Love your dress and you look so skinny!! Nice work!!

Heather S. - Oh dear – I want your dress AND your belt! So cute! I adore those photos of the Kansas sky! We just returned home (Topeka) from a disastrous week in Colorado (have you seen that flooding?) and I don’t think the Kansas sky ever looked so beautiful to me!

Tere Canas - Fun times, fun times. Meg and Kimberlee, you are a blessing to those who attend, such fond memories of CW. xoxo

Rachel - Meg, you are glowing! You look absolutely beautiful in that red dress! Holy legs! I’d say those miles on the pavement and roasted veggies have paid off! Love the photo of the ladies with the old truck and you with your finds! Can’t wait to see the rest of craft weekend!

Sue - Just want to be another person to tell you how fantastic you look! I, too, wish I had your legs!

beth larson - Meg… these were my thoughts too— you have TO DIE FOR legs—long and strong! Love the dress on you too. I sat here and thought “and this girl has birthed 5 babies”. Way to go- all that running pays off right?

Can’t wait for the rest of the pictures from the weekend!
xo

p.s. I took a screen shot of you to my stylist and asked for a haircut like yours! : )
(I do not look as cute as you- haha)

Melyssa - I can’t wait to meet you, Kimberlee, and a bunch of lovely ladies in November! I am so excited for my turn at the craft table and the barn. EEEEEEK! It is so soon I can barely contain myself.

Kristin S - Meg, you are itty bitty! In a good way. 🙂

Alice H - I need to start praying harder/more that I get picked! And yes…amazing legs! Cute polka-dot dress. Congrats on 2 years!!

Heidi - Meg, I love your dress and cowboy boots!!!!

Sarah K - You are simply ADORABLE…and that Kimberly, she’s one of a kind. So thankful for the memories made at CW!!!!

becky - i had so much fun. thank you. xoxoxox.

Amanda - Cutest dress!!!!! Please share where you found it…pretty please!?!?

Andrea - Meg, that polka dot dress looks fabulous on you! You look so happy!

Hannah - I agree with Gemma! AMAZING LEGS!!! that dress and the boots…so stinkin cute!! 🙂

CathyC - Meg, you look GREAT!!!! So happy CW leaves you happy every time!

Carol s. - Fun. Your face is very slim in your Arlie. Happy to hear you are enjoying what I know is hard work at times. I think I’m on the list from way back lol. Someday!

Gemma - First of all…you have amazing legs meg!! So jealous.

Secondly..I love your CW updates. 2 years! That has flown by. Hopefully you will share some more pictures

Gemma xxx

Lisa - After the day I had today, I am wishing I was looking at those beautiful sunsets and could have spent the weekend learning how to sew! Happy two year craft weekend anniversary! That’s pretty exciting! ANNNND that outfit you are wearing in the picture? Could not love it more!!!! SO stinkin’ adorable!

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life is good… don’t ya think?

September 9, 2013

somedays i just feel so full of joy in the everyday little things of life.
i am super busy… you are super busy.
but looking around at the everyday stuff is when the busy-ness falls away and you can SEE the goodness.
the stuff that brings a peaceful and content heart.

some pictures from this last week…. starting with scott’s first high school football game.
he didn’t play last year. i am SO happy he is playing this year.
he is #6 on the sidelines.

this view… it doesn’t get much better on a friday night at 10:30.

mm6

getting up early to run on the weekend has made for great weekend DAYS for me.
i am not as tired as before… i spend my morning waking up with God and this beauty all around me
instead of people talking to me right away and hearing sponge bob in the background… and cranky kids.

i dare you to try it.
it took me 37 years to figure it out…. but i am loving it.

mm5
as soon as i took that corn picture… it started to rain.
what can you do when you are out for a run at 7 AM on a sunday in the rain?
finish.
in the rain.

mm1
annie made chocolate chip cookies on her own. 🙂
my friend and i ran a different route last week and i really loved it… i think i loved the shade!

mm3
we tried to see if cows like watermelon. they are so skittish that they took off running… big dorks.
this is one of my most favorite snacks: greek non-fat vanilla yogurt (high protein & no fat), blueberries and just a little bit of low fat granola

mm2
these are two very spoiled kitties.
if chickens would poop about 1/3 of the amount that they do… they would even more awesome.
on IG i asked what song she might be singing in that picture on the right. SO MANY funny responses! i loved it.

mm7
“you wouldn’t believe what i heard Libby say about Oreo just now….”
“Oh no she didn’t”
it appears that our chicks are quite the gossipers.
mm4
best mornings.

this is so worth getting out of bed for!

oh kansas…. you don’t know how much i love you.

mm8

are you singing now?

i have been belting it out all morning alone in my house.

i continued on in the series of sermons i listened to last week.
i am going to check into the pastors you shared with me.
i have already downloaded several!

how was your weekend?

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Country Mouse vs. City Mouse | The Blue Tulip - […] And so when I get nostalgic about country living, I just hang out with these online friends. Ree and Myquillyn and Meg. […]

Amber Campbell Hibbs - Yay for morning runs and for Kansas. And I think you should add that picture of the sunrise and the road to your canvas prints. I know i would buy one. 🙂

Carolyn Ruth - I appreciate everything you share with us! And I wanted to share another podcast with you of one of my favorite pastors to listen to.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/denver-united-church-audio/id294459009

Kathy - Hey there! I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now, maybe a little longer. I never realized you were in Kansas until you said in this last post how much you love Kansas. I am in Kansas also. Serving a mission for 18 months, in Dodge City. HI CUTE NEIGHBOR!

katie - As a girl from Kansas that has been permanently transplanted to Texas I would love to have that corn picture on a canvas. Reminds me of my Dad and growing up on the farm outside of Lawrence. Anyway you could make that happen?

Katie

elizabeth - Maybe I am a scaredy cat but I don’t know about running at 7am on a long deserted road. Abduction comes to my head…but the scenery is beautiful none the less.

tara - love these pictures…so much to smile about.
life is good.

i need to get out and capture some of the beauty around me…it’s been a little too long.

Lee Ann - Beautiful morning pictures on your runs. And don’t EVER forget – “Once you’re wet, you’re wet.” Even in the rain – just keep running 🙂

Samantha - Such a great week! If God wasn’t so amazing ehat on earth would we do with ourselves? Glad you had a wonderful week! Thank you for the reminder to be grateful and cheerful in our gladness! Lioking forward to more weeks ahead!

Emily - I love this picture! How do you get the web to show up so well? It’s amazing!
-Emily

Tere - Hello Meg! My favorite picture is your 10:30pm outside, love, love it. And then there is the cows. But tell me, dumb question, what happens with all those sunflowers? Are they harvested for bouquets or seeds or ??

Jenny B. - Beautiful! Your face is looking skinny, too! Not that it hasn’t always… Do you feel weird when you compliment someone on their weight? Like, what if they’re actually offended? Anywho… 🙂

I missed the post about listening to sermons. My husband keeps telling me I need to listen to a recent sermon I missed about the Trinity by our Sunday night pastor (He’s actually our collegiate minister, and is really good.). Here’s the link:

http://fbcfayetteville.org/media.php?pageID=17

To hear the one on The Trinity, you have to scroll down to 7/21/13. Maybe I’ll finally go listen to it now too! 🙂

Sarah H. - I often feel overwhelmed with gratitude about the mundane daily things of my life. It’s not that my life is so fabulous, but it really is, you know? Compared to what it could be, I am so thankful. Love your pictures.

Mj - You want to hear powerful sermons? Check out the podcasts from Venture Christian Church on iTunes. Pastor Chip Ingram and Pastor Tim Lundy. Both are down to earth and preach truth like no other Pastor I’ve ever heard.

Tiffany - Love your positive attitude! I should have read it earlier today. My kids got me cranky this evening. Tomorrow is a new day. Also, I wish we had sunflowers like that in MN! Stunning!

Mary - Your pictures make me miss Kansas so much! Born and raised there, for 23 years. Now have lived in Colorado for 22 years, beautiful here, however Kansas is still home…

amy jupin - you have such a gift…to see and capture the stunning beauty all around us.
you inspire me!
just thought you might want to know that!
🙂

Tanya - I love reading about people figuring things out. It makes me feel like I’m not the only mid-30’s gal still figuring things out. I love this post. Life is good indeed 🙂

Sarah Wolfe - I love this post. And I agree. Life is sweet, and I always need reminders to turn my mind to the things that are good and sweet and lovely. And to turn my mind off of ALL the clutter!

Julie {CalleLillyCafe} - Wow!! Those sunflowers! I would HAVE to walk or ride my bike past those beauties every day! #notarunner =)

Mindi - What are you listening to on your runs? I would love to change it up!

happygirl - You running girls are amazing. I just want to become a walking girl again. You are GREAT!!

Lori H - Life IS good! But I wish I lived where there are sunflower fields!

beth larson - morning Meg!
so, as always I loveddddddd your photos…the one of you close up- you look 14 in. : ) the last one of the sky is simply AMAZING!

(I may have asked you this before- but are most of these pics from your phone? when I try upload my camera pics to my blog they have to be super small or they are blurry) : (

Would love to know how you do it!
thanks and have a blessed day,
beth

Necole@seriosulysassymama - I prefer music when I exercise. I am already talking in my head, so someone else talking would just make things crowded. I love Texas like you love Kansas.

Southern Gal - Morning runs are the best. I love clearing my mind and then focusing on what God has for me. It’s a lovely way to start the day. Now if you ask me to run in the afternoons I’m toast. Can’t hit a lick with a stick in the afternoons. Love your chickens. My daughter’s family has goats, chickens and honeybees. We love visiting and watching the three-year-old boss all the animals around, except for the bees. 😉

Alicia @ La Famille - this IS a whole lotta happy stuff right here. love that you’re getting up early. I LOVE getting up early before my kids…it just doesn’t happen right now and I hate that. yuck. you make me want to run.

Tracy - I’m almost 10 years ahead of you on early mornings….I have been loving them for several years now. Bliss.

We had our 10th grader’s first football game last week, too. Like Scott, he didn’t play last year and we are so so glad he decided to play. He’s trying to be like his older varsity playing 12th grade brother 🙂 His bro is a good role model, thank goodness!!

Terrie - I loved all the answers on your instagram photo too!
Sooooo funny!!
The hubs was wondering what I was laughing at…
Great pics!
I Love living in Kansas…so much beauty.
And I’m wishing we had some sunflowers close to us…
looks like I need to go stalk some country roads!
Love taking sunflower pics!

Amanda - These posts always make me miss Kansas something fierce! I was born and raised there but am a Georgia transplant now. I always say I have half my heart in Georgia and half in Kansas! I love them both! But miss my beautiful home state. Thanks for the pictures!

stephany - life IS good.
have a great week, Meg!

Melissa - Jealous of those sunflower fields. Gorgeous

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