Happy hellos from a rainy, stormy day here in the Ozarks.
Current obsession: This owl wallpaper (above). The colors, the vintage feel, the hidden details… I could stare at it for hours. Tell me I’m not the only one who stops to admire wallpaper.
Miscellany:
1. I saw my first firefly this week and I was so excited, you could even say I was a little giddy. I have so many fond childhood memories chasing fireflies during the summer months in our backyard, at church barbecues, and more.
My sister and I recently read somewhere that many specific species are highly threatened and overall populations are rapidly declining. That made me sad.
2. This week I tried out a new spot for my pedicure — Venus Nails Bar. I loved that it was smaller and quieter. Emma did a great job and I learned that I could stay at a hotel in Vietnam for $500 per month. Wow!
3. Yesterday morning I had brunch with a childhood friend, her mom and my mom. Our moms went to college together. It’s crazy cool that we’ve all stayed close over the years. We tried a new coffee/breakfast spot called the Sleepy O’Possum. It was a very whimsical, eclectic spot and my Purrito (not Burrito) was very good.
We had such a fun time catching up and laughing until our cheeks hurt. Oh how the years go by.
4. In case you missed it, I posted about our Road Trip to South Dakota this week. Woo-hoo! From Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial to Needles Highway and the Badlands, discover highlights from our unforgettable trip.
5. I saw this on Instagram this week and thought I had to share it here — it was so good, and while it’s from the husbands perspective, I think it can certainly go both ways within a marriage. Life changes all of us in different ways. Enjoy.
My grandparent were married for 60 years.
One day I asked my grandfather:
“What’s the secret to loving the same woman for a lifetime?”
I expected him to say — Communication. Trust. Date Nights.
Instead, he looked at my grandmother and said:
“You don’t love the same woman.”
That answer stopped me.
Then he said: “She changes every few years. And if you don’t update the way you love her, you lose her. The woman I married at 22 wasn’t the same woman at 30. Motherhood changed her. Hardships changed her. Time changed her.”
“At 40, she needed respect more than romance.”
“At 50, she needed partnership more than passion.”
“At 60, she needed presence more than promises.”
He paused for a moment and added:
“Everytime she changed, I had a choice.”
“I could complain that she wasn’t the woman I fell in love with…”
“Or I could fall in love with the woman she was becoming.”
Then he said something I’ll never forget:
“The biggest mistake people make is thinking love stays the same.”
“They fall in love once…then stop paying attention.”
“Loving someone for a lifetime means staying curious about them.”
“Keep learning them.”
“Keep noticing them.”
“Keep choosing them.”
“Because the moment you stop discovering the person beside you…”
“Someone else eventually will.”
60 years.
Not because love was easy.
Because they never stopped getting to know each other.
Instagram: @millionivation
6. Bentley turned TWO last weekend. I got him this adorable little Highland Cow and this Lemon Dog Rope Plush Toy, along with a bag of treats. We’re actually celebrating it this weekend — and I’ll be making him this super easy dog birthday cake again.
7. I’m currently reading Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez. I really enjoy her writing and this book has had me laughing a lot. If you’re looking for some contemporary romance novels — she’s your girl! (wink-wink).
Around the Web:
These Feather Pencils are a fun summer craft idea for kids.
How to Make Pipe Cleaner Dogs.
This Patriotic I Spy Printable.
This America 250 Stamp Coloring Sheet Printable.
This Lemon Cake Mix Biscotti Recipe.
These Simple Patriotic Cake Batter Cookies.
This Hugo Cocktail is great for the summer months.
This Copycat Chick-Fil-A Frosted Lemonade.
The middle sticker pictured here made me laugh out loud! 😆 Honk!
How cute is this bag charm that can also serve as a coin pouch?
These Summer Laundry Mistakes. Some were surprising to me!
One Last Hoorah:
Membership in the Slow Morning Club doesn’t require an application, a membership fee, or even a matching mug. The only requirement is a willingness to linger over your coffee for a few extra minutes and pretend the laundry doesn’t exist. As a self-employed gal, I’ve become quite good at this. Highly recommend. Five stars. ☕️
Brenda says
Good morning ☀️
I always enjoy your lil blogs! Your trips, getting together w friends & having coffee, lil tips, crafts, just enjoying life as best one can. I recently lost a dear friend to a drowning & decided life is too short, so I’m wanting to connect more w friends & family. Note to self, “connect w loved ones more” When I got home from the funeral, I wrote a letter to my niece (couldn’t remember when I wrote a letter last!). Thank you for sharing your thoughts, time, & experiences! ☀️
Kelly Rowe says
Hi Brenda! Thank you so much for your kind words. You made my day! I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. The older I get, I find that every loss of life is a reminder of my own mortality. Life is short. Writing letters is such a lost art, and yet such a thoughtful and beautiful one. Ya know? Thanks for sticking around and being part of this little online community. I appreciate you. Have a blessed day.
Susan says
I may have to buy the goose stickers. You see, a goose flew in front of my granddaughters car this week and shatterd the windshield. She calmly texted her dad, went on to work, and drove home. I think the stickers would just be fun for her.
Windshield all fixed, everyone happy.
Kelly Rowe says
Oh my! That had to be scary. Glad to hear that she was calm through and there were no injuries. All thing “goose” seems to be trending, so the stickers seemed like an approriate share. Have a blessed week, Susan.