Smooth as the hickory wind that blows from Memphis down to Apalachicola...

Matty and I went on a quick, but much needed little getaway to the forgotten coast. We've been to Apalachicola before, but only to grab something that we'd forgetten when taking a day trip to St. George Island. The cute downtown area around Water Street instantly attracted me. It looked like a beachy Thomasville to me. So, we planned on spending the majority of Saturday in Apalach, and then finish our mini-weekend trip on SGI. The weather was gorgeous, but it was super windy!

We ate lunch at Up the Creek. It is dog friendly on the outside deck. Made us wish we had Blakely with us. Fresh gulf seafood in early March, yes please! We were going to get a slice of Hole in the Wall and Raw Bar's famous buttermilk pie to share, but they sold their last slice minutes before we made it there. So, we opted for gelato instead.









I was inspired by all the pretty greenery and blooms everywhere, as well as the bright colors that everything was painted. Gorgeous!!! My favorite stop was the Grady Market, because they have our "Happy Together" pottery. I always get excited when I find places that sell it...even 6 years later! I took a lot of pictures...prepare yourself.































Hope you enjoyed a little tour of Apalachicola!

A little bit of green...

There has been a request for me to post my decorations more often, so here are my St. Patty's decorations so far. I haven't gotten anything new for a few years, but I'm going to Hobby Lobby soon, so I have a feeling I might feel the urge to spruce up my green! I can't believe that I don't have a Dublin sign. I think I might have to make one or Mama might have to find me one to use in the near future. I am very proud to be from my little Irish town.

I love my shamrock screen! Sorry for the picture quality, it was so rainy and dark out!


I have really moved away from all of the glittery, feathery St. Patrick's decorations that I used to use. I'm way more into the mossy, natural look these days. I have a lot of green in my house, so I basically just moved some of it around.


My breakfast room has the most in it. It is a fun, bright room that I always decorate with polka dots and fun little knick knacks! I need a picture for my frame still. I also have ended up with lots of little kitchen towels. I just chose three to display for now.







I felt like I wanted to incorporate some fruit, as I'm feeling really Springy. So, I went upstairs to my "decorations closet" and pulled out some lemons, apples, pears, and pineapples. I changed out our cannister lids from roosters to pineapples as well. I'll switch them back in September.






I was in a re-arranging mood. So I also moved around some pillows and frames. :)

Learning

I feel like I have been gaining so much knowledge lately. Between my favorite morning devotional that I read before I even get in the shower, Jesus Calling, my James Mercy Triumphs Bible Study HW, Marty's sermons on James on Sundays, and the book that I read whenever I can, Priscilla Shirer's Resolution for women, I have a lot of thoughts going on in my head! :) I just want to share a few of my favorite things that I've been learning or favorite quotes that I've read or heard. Somehow, they really all fit together.

First up, Sarah Young's Jesus Calling
"Your future looks uncertain and feels flimsy-even precarious. That is how it should be. SECRET THINGS BELONG TO THE LORD, and furture things are secret things..." Oh my, I needed to read that, especially lately. I can't get it out of my head.

"If you try to carry tomorrow's burdens today, you will stagger under the load and eventually fall flat. You must discipline yourself to live within the boundaries of today. It is in the present moment that I walk close to you, helping you carry your burdens. Keep your focus on My Presence in the present."

"Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her."

"You are on the right path. Listen more to Me, and less to your doubts. I am leading you along the way designed just for you. Therefore, it is a lonely way, humanly speaking. But I go before you as well as alongside you, so you are never alone."

"When something in your life or thoughts makes you anxious, come to Me and talk about it. Bring Me your prayer and petition with thanksgiving, saying: "Thank you, Jesus, for this opportunity to trust You more." Though the lessons of trust that I send to you come wrapped in difficulties, the benefits far outweigh the cost."

And I could go on and on and on.

Next, Beth. Oh how I love her!

"The message of James can be captured in two words: LIVE IT"

"Blessed are all who NEED Him. Blessed are those who need Him enough to know Him enough to love Him enough to know He's enough." Did you get that? :)

"Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger."

"Don't forget what the word says...listen, then do it!"

"You and I may be considered by some of our neighbors, co-workers, or friends to be one of the most relgious people they've ever met. Scary, isn't it?"

When you're struggling with an unment desire, Psalm 38:9 is your best friend...All my longings lie open before you, O LORD; my sighing is not hidden from you." "Let's have the guts to ask Him what's in our hearts and, when He reveals it, die to the self-gratification and live for the greater glory."

"One of the signs of deep friendship is that we tell each other secrets. Things that aren't posted on status updates. Christ tells secrets to His intimate friends, too: "The secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them" Matthew 13:11"

"But he gives greater grace...simply receive. Let Jesus lighten you burden until you float to the top, youth renewed, heart restored. HE IS ENOUGH."

"If it's under GOD, it's in order"

"Mercy triumphs over judgment."

"We live because the Lord wills. He is the only day-timer based on certainty."

And this is primarily from this week alone. :)

If you're still reading, you can take a big sigh of relief, I'm not going to quote anything else. I am just so glad that I have all of this wisdom in one place, where I can re-read it if I need to. Lucky for you, my Bible is in the car, so no notes from the sermon will be added at this time! Haha!

I want to have Joy Whenever...
James 1:2-3
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."

Stormy Prom Closet Fun

We held our Junior Service League Annual Prom Closet in the Community Room at our downtown YMCA. I had the greatest time, as always.


There were just 5 of us working it today. It was a cozy room, with Adele playing on an iPod, pretty dresses, and sweet girls and ladies coming to find prom dresses for a steal! It is heartwarming!


Good conversations were had on this rainy morning. It was rainy and dreary, and then it got scary and stormy, so we decided to box up all the dresses and take down the racks about 45 minutes early.


The rain let up just long enough for us to load everything onto the trailer. Then as we were walking to our Tahoe's (funny that it is so common in League) the bottom fell out! We screamed and ran! And got soaked! My hair went from straight to wavy in a matter of minutes...lol!

I have a few rainy day projects that I'm going to tackle. I hope to get in some snuggle time too though. But for awhile, I'm going to be glued to the weather channel. I get so scared in bad weather! I'm praying safety over all of our friends and family.


Stay safe, y'all!

Merry March!

March and this 80 degree weather has me dreaming of nautical clothing, southern beaches, and little coastal towns. Specifically, Seaside, Rosemary, St. George, Apalach, St. Simons, Charleston, Isle of Palms, and Daufuskie Island. But instead I'll settle for some rainbows and shamrocks as we celebrate in green all month long!



I read a Southern Living article this afternoon about paint colors. The title read: "Charleston Green, Creole Pink, or Williamsburg Blue? We’ve rounded up the iconic colors most closely associated with our region’s architecture. " I love paint, names of paint, and the South, so reading this just made me EVEN more ready for some fun little trips that we're "planning." We planned some last year, and all of our plans fell through due to Matt's job change. My whole family (especially me and Mama) are obsessed with Benjamin Moore Historical Colored paint. Everything that we paint is one of the HC colors! Everything.


Today was Read Across America Day/Dr. Seuss's birthday. Our day at school was PACKED with reading, reading, and more reading...plays, green eggs and ham, and fun! Kindergarten made me tired today! :) I was thrilled to get to tie my red scarf in a bow. Something that I've been wanting to do for awhile. :) I practiced last night before bed as I was laying out my clothes...haha!



I painted a simple little boys monogram for a friend today. And my sweet kindergarten artists finished their ceiling tiles that we sell as a Relay for Life fundraiser each year. They make great little bulletin boards or artwork in their bedrooms or playrooms. They were hung today in our front lobby!!!! We were all proud! Aren't they amazing?





I can't wait for Matt to get home from work tonight. We are having breakfast for supper and watching Netflix all night long. I might set out our St. Patty's Day decor too.

Have a great Friday night y'all!