The Great Outdoors

Summer is irreplaceable. We all somehow feel a little lighter, a bit of relief before the chaos that ensues once fall commences. I really enjoyed these outdoor living spaces. The first image from Smith & Hawken feels so “late night” friendly. Can’t you just see all your friends lounging in lake clothes, some guy strumming on his guitar, others turned towards each other having a private conversation and maybe a rowdy card game happening on the table? Clearly, I can. I think there is something really, dare I say… sexy, about a sophisticated outdoor living space. The perfect spot for falling in love and deep conversation that lingers into the wee hours of the morning. It is the best host for a much needed girl's night full of overdue catching up. And the last image is from Coastal Living. Baths generally always sound like a good idea to me, but take the bath outside and well, why don’t we all have one of these (with a quality fence of course.)







The only contribution to our great outdoors we’ve made so far is an antique rocking chair that my granny gave us. I adore it. As for the lounge area and bath tub, something to work towards I suppose.
*keep on hand: nice smelling bug repellent, citronella candles, lightning bugs and maybe a chilled pinot grigio.

some red, white & blue thoughts

"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of the nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."

-Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931-2005

My hubby and I had long chats in the car this weekend about America. I am not foolish enough to think that the American dream is really a dream for all people in all socioeconomic classes; however, I do think that people fall through the cracks regardless of whether your jersey has a donkey or an elephant on it. Furthermore, in terms of many social needs that are country legitimately is inundated with, I want the church and all of humanity (myself included) to adopt a new responsibility for the homeless and hurting on a personal level, not merely making it a higher government issue. I believe that union workers, social security and many other helpful hands from the government served great purposes and were born out of vision and love when they were introduced. When a child stumbles, falling down, and a mom helps pick them back up, eventually it is in the best interest of the child for them to be set back down to brave walking alone again. I know we are in a mess right now and the government must intercede and help do damage control, but will they be able to loosen that grip when things look more stable? I am not so sure. It doesn’t seem like the reigns were pulled back very well in the past and it only created less responsibility for the American people and more collateral damage in the aftermath. I have more questions and thoughts than real answers.

Praying for our leaders and for all of us.

thoughts?

lime time

Summer seems to go hand in hand with hues of green to me. I think of limeade from Sonic, fresh cut grass and watermelons for sale in this tiny wood shack located in my hometown. Today is absolutely beautiful! While I am not trekking across Italy like some of my American friends, I will be spending part of the day outside. Close enough.


Hoping for Happy Weekends for EVERYone... KP