I’ve been a bit quiet lately. I needed to take a hiatus from writing. I set my book aside and my blog and spent some time living.
In the latter part of June, I packed up my youngest kids for a trip to Virginia, to see my family where we counted the deer at night, puttered around historic towns, and meandered down country roads.
By mid-July, it was off to Muir Beach a bit north of San Francisco, California, where we rented a quaint cottage overlooking the Pacific. Every night we slept with the curtains open and a full moon slipped between the California mountains sprinkling its diamonds over the ocean; yet like clockwork each night the fingers of fog curled around the mountain peaks, before tucking us in a hazy cocoon.
We wore sweatshirts during the day and built fires at night. We listened to the stories of Alcatraz and slopped through bowls of Cioppino, (If you’ve never had it, you have to try it).
We checked the Redwoods off our bucket list…
And our little one Bella hung in there with us like a champ.

She didn’t make it past dinner this night.
Because this guy makes her the toughest five year old around…

They have wrestled and fought every day of the summer. Calgon take me away!
Once we returned home we packed my boys up for college. We moved Nick and Christian into their apartment in Tally, where they are attending college. Not wanting their momma to get bored, they left me tons of junk to clear out and rooms to refurnish.
By mid- July, I was itching to paint. I picked up the brush and went to work on a large canvas, I titled “God’s Grace.” I painted my niece Aubri, curled in a nest, while butterflies are creating a blanket over her to keep her warm. I am so happy with this one. Writing is a job for me, while painting is my vacation.
Once the painting was completed—check, and bedrooms done—check, my brother Brandon came for a visit. We took him to the farmhouse and enjoyed a weekend together.
The farm is good for getting dirty and riding ATV’s through the woods.
I thought today, I would get you caught up on where I’ve been and discuss where we’re going. I’d like to change things up a bit on the blog. I want to hear from you. What do you enjoy reading about? I have so many interest such as homesteading, decorating, refurbishing furniture, the cultural climate, history… I would still keep writing what God puts on my heart through it. I’d just like to mix things up a bit. So, what blogs do you enjoy or what would you like to learn? Speak to me privately via email or leave a message here.
I will enjoy reading your responses.
I smell a change in the air. Catch you next week!