Friday favourites: a mash-up

Happy Friday, everybody!

I am back from vacation and ready to blog. I had so much fun reading Molly's posts while I was away; I can't wait to have another guest blogger!

Today I feel too full of great things to just write about one favourite. I'm gonna share some things that have been either really fun or really meaningful to me lately. First of all, let me say that the beach is extremely calming. I am not a beach girl, I much prefer trees and mountains or cities and foreign languages to sun bathing on a beach, but I do love how the ocean makes you feel so small. Both evenings on our little vacation, Spencer and I walked down to the beach to watch the sun set and talk. O, to end every day that way, no cares, walking with the one I love, drinking in the sound of the waves and watching the opalescent colors on the wet sand.

Nothing in nature makes me realized how Big God Is and how tiny I am by comparison. It helps to get a little perspective for life's problems when you see how insignificant you are in the grand scheme of things. And yet, this God who made these incredible oceans loves us and cares for us.

That brings me to my next favourite: Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Sigh. I am drinking this book in like a good Cab- slowly and thoughtfully. And it is kicking my butt! I feel raw and torn apart, but it is sooo good.  It is exactly what I need right now. I wonder if I have ever been living all out for my Savior. If you haven't read it, go buy it right now. I am so thankful for how open and honest Francis Chan had to be to write this, and I want everyone I know to read it.

Molly spoke about the whole salted caramel thing in her post on Wednesday, but let me echo a hearty 'amen!' to that one. Fall is the best time of year to work at Starbucks- I think I ate two and half pumpkin scones and muffins in sample pieces today.

Rubber Factory by The Black Keys. I know, I know. Where have you been, tara? I can't get enough of their heavy, scratchy guitars, gruff vocals and bluesy beats. It's the kind of music that makes you think you are sexy just by singing along while you clean the house (which is what I need to do today, post vacation).

John Mark McMillan. If you have heard of him, I apologize for pulling your awesome unheard of artist out from obscurity, but it needs to be shared. He is amazing. His lyrics bring me to my knees, and to tears. Think John Hiatt/Marc Cohn meets Kings of Leon,  but Christian. This North Carolinian is quickly becoming one of my favourite artists ever.

On a totally shallow note, this blog makes me laugh. People find and post library books that are either totally outdated, totally un-PC, or totally disturbing. It's hilarious and a little bit sad for our society.

I just bought this little guy yesterday and can't wait to use him! I bought it mainly because of the green olive colour, but it's cool that it's earth friendly, too. I am getting pretty good at making french press coffee, and it's a 'single serving' size if you are like me and think your quad americano was just the start of your day.

How long is this post? I think I should stop. Go check out my new infinity scarves that I am about to list on etsy (or to see the amazing beach shots from our vacation)

I am going to be emboldened by Molly and try to get leave some comment fodder at the end of this. What is one thing that is totally making your day right now? 

Have a great holiday weekend everyone, I'm off to the chiropractor (ahhhh) and then to make meatloaf, asiago with rosemary mashed potatoes and baby broccoli for dinner. Mmmmm....