2014

Josh painted, brightened and refreshed the walk-in closet for me. my first spot in OUR home but I still kept my bags on the weekend in the guest bedroom until it was officially mine.

showers + planning. hello Kitchenaid!

celebrated 14 years for my healthy kidney. same day as McCoy's baptism, too!

we became Mr. and Mrs. Black. married. God blessed us with a beautiful, slow and exciting day!

Puerto Vallarta. sunburns, blister got infected (disgusting), cards under the umbrellas with guac and drinks, earthquakes, dolphins, sun and love. It was wonderful.

New job for Josh! He was pursued for this cardiovascular position RIGHT after our wedding. God has perfect timing.

bonfires, landscaping and sunshine.

new living room furniture!

Chicago Blackhawks weekend for the third time! a weekend in Galena was the perfect end to the weekend!

State Fair. corn dogs a-plenty!

paid off my student loans on Oct 19! (over $17,000 in May 2013 and completed 17 months later) Josh surprised me a dozen white roses and a J and a B mug :)

Ryan Adams concert in Ames and late night Perkins.

Josh's 37th birthday. dinner with our families at Exile.

Garth Brooks concert on Nov. 8th! with all the Millers.

My 27th birthday. dinner at cool basil of course :)

Wisdom teeth out! Josh was so helpful and very sweet. Felt pretty good after 4 days of resting and icing. Thank you God for ice packs.

first Thanksgiving as the Blacks!

McCoys birthday party. farm animals, chewing on ribbons and pork sandwiches.

Stephen Kellogg concert at Flying Mango as our 7s birthday gift to one another!

new bedroom furniture and a fun (and challenging!) bathroom remodel!

first Christmas as the Blacks!

New Years with a puzzle and cider/beer!

Im always drawn to art that has significance. A ticket stub becomes art when viewed that way. I've been quietly open to the idea of finding a scripture verse to have painted on one of our walls in our home... preferably spanning an inside corner.

This morning, I think, I found that quote.

rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer; 
Romans 12:12.

I came across this post on A Cup of Jo today. My wheels started turning...

If you had to describe yourself in five words, what would they be?

Mine are:

Faith-filled.
Happy.
In Love.

Why I Quit Facebook.

Nearly two years ago, I said good-bye to Facebook.
The reasons continue to evolve and grow...

Jealousy clouds out sunshine and I belong to the Light.

Humility is found on other pages and in other areas but not on Facebook.

Time is more precious than a lit screen and a scrolling feed.

I am blessed to spend real-time with my husband, my family, my nephews.

If I like something, I'll text you, smile at you, tell you or hug you and you'll know even more from that than my little blue thumbs up.

*Facebook is a blessing for families that live across states or oceans from their families. I get that and because of that, I understand the needs and desires Facebook fulfills. 

taking stock

Making: eta: strawberry rhubarb crisp 
Cooking: cowboy caviar. we've made 4 batches in the last 3 weeks
Drinking: iced coffee c/o Trader Joes with almond milk
Reading: Love Languages
Wanting: new dresses
Looking: forward to Chicago with my Joshel
Playing: games with McCoy tonight is what I'll be up to!
Wasting: time. arg. I long to use my minutes + hours more intentionally
Sewing: pillows 2 weeks ago with drapery remnants
Wishing: for a sunny Saturday to landscape
Enjoying: my time as Mrs. Black. I pinch myself and thank God hourly.
Waiting: for Joshel to get home and the three Millers to get here soon!
Liking: our new normal. feels so good.
Wondering: what God has in store for us.
Loving: Josh. fresh herbs. coconut oil in lieu of lotion
Hoping: to be a mama. and praying. praying hard.
Marvelling: at God's plans and forgiveness and grace
Needing: Gods grace. and breakfast
Smelling: rain
Wearing: old jeans and teeshirt. and im at work. thats awesome
Following: my heart and God's leads in turning away from gossiping and paying loans ($4300 to go!!)
Noticing: the beauty everywhere.
Knowing: how to calligraphy and watercolor is really poppin up a lot lately
Thinking: about Carm... Emily... Josh.. Jamie...Sara as she interviews
Feeling: content and excited for the weekend
Bookmarking: recipes and Intentional Questions to enrich relationships
Opening: my heart
Giggling: at Joshs silly dances and jokes
Feeling: loved. very loved.

post inspiration taken from here.

a healthy June

I'm inspired by Madison's post to keep a mental (and blogged!) checklist of

healthy goals for each month.

JUNE 2014

enjoy walks (with Josh too!)

mow our lawn.

The Balanced Life's booty burner—only 5 minutes, Bridg!

explore our weight room.

invest in the future with calcium + biotin.

take prednisone.

take time to focus on staying hydrated each day.

fiber + prunes + more fiber.

favorite verses

God is working in Josh and me...tirring our hearts and igniting our passion in Him who gives us hope and renews us for tomorrow. 

Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Jeremiah 29:11-13For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Philippians 4:6-7Don't worry about anything; instead; pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him in all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

The Blacks

JOSH & BRIDGET BLACK

APRIL 12, 2014

Stitchfix

I cant get enough of this outfit!

I signed up for stitchfix today and am so so excited!

Marcia Moran

I remember as a young girl wondering how gold jewelry was ever 'in'...

...

I take it back.

I get it now. 

And now, I want it.

Marcia Moran, your work is beautiful.

paint a book!

1. Buy 2. Paint 3. Enjoy

TJMaxx has some of the neatest paper goods.
Sometimes they are a bit marred or not exactly my taste,
but when I saw this 5yr-a-day journal I squealed!
Even though the cover was less than squeal-worthy,
I knew it could be helped!

The paint dries quickly and the tape is very forgiving!

bed's headboard

And all your future lies beneath your hat.

 John Oldham

Women look chic with fascinators (think Kate Middleton.) and men look so attractive with fedoras. 

oo lala.

Beds need that 'cap' too! I'd like to build/make/nail a headboard for my bed when I move in two short months! Here are my two favorite looks...

Liking the extra glam look of the mirrors.  Perhaps its a long narrow (2 rows instead of 4) that tuck neatly behind the pillows? 

The polished and classic look is and has been so appealing. Tweed, herringbone, velvet.... mmm loving this.

a standard.

a standard in everything we do, participate in, and make a priority.

coral + blue

I love this outfit.

Kendi nailed this one.

Three Things Im into [April]

three things Im really into lately...

 

spending time with this guy.

playing UNO, enjoying live music, eating Orange Leaf...

anything with him is better!

 cheese.

fresh mozzarella can really turn a day around, ya know?!

walking. 

My legs are staying busy lately! I walk to and from work, to the grocery store, around greys lake, at the mall...;)

What are you loving?

Prayer for a Little Home

I find myself reading Josh's books when I have a few moments of downtime and I'm at his place. I found an old weathered book of poems a few weeks ago and have loved exploring its pages.

This poem of home and simplicity stood out.

Prayer for a Little Home

God send us a little home

To come back to when we roam—

Low walls and fluted tiles

Wide windows, a view for miles;

Red firelight and deep chairs;

Small white beds upstairs;

Great talk in little nooks;

Dim colors, rows of books;

One picture on each wall;

Not many things at all.

God send us a little ground—

Tall trees standing round,

Homely flowers in brown sod,

Overhead Thy stars, O God!

God bless when winds blow

Our home and all we know.

By Florence Bone

buds

buds are springtime's snow.

Warmth

Christmastime. 

a time of warmth.

one's family, loved ones nearby, freshly baked cookies,

twinkling lights, homemade soup, cozy blankets,

finding that perfect gift,

roaring fireplace, new special traditions...

I hope everyone felt their own version of warmth during Christmastime.

I know I did. My heart is full.

My parents have always been exceptional gift givers.

My fossil watch and kitchen gadgets top my list this year!

"santa must be facing outward at all times"

josh and i attending one of the christmas parties

our sweets at home in nevada!

thee cutest little trees. they are all of 1 inch high.

my mom is the best cookie decorator there is.

the peanut blossoms needed a close-up. gorg.

and other sweet options at home to accompany our christmas brunch.

Christy, Katie, and I at our work party.

Tony, Taylor, and Josh joined too.

such a fun night at the Kirkwood Lounge!!

christmas cookie decorating content at work.

chresten, janet, joel and me.

I spent most of my time cuddling handsome three-week-old Henry at the Miller Christmas.

Shelly planned awesome Minute-to-Win-It games too.

this was before I dominated in wii bowling at the Black Townhouse.

i adore him.

if you know me, you know I love paper.

combine paper and christmas and this girl is really happy!

i used old posters (gift from an image stockhouse at work) as gift wrap.

josh's christmas letter slid in and out from under this old page from a book. 

im obsessed with this masking tape!

my awesome parents.

they are thee best.

little Maggie

our family christmas celebrated on December 26th.

it was wonderful spending the entire day together.

the day consisted of eating, unwrapping, playing with Maggie, laughing, eating more, and playing cards.

it was a very warm christmas.

tape you'll love

I grocery shop with a list.
Do you?
And if you do, wouldn't you agree that some of the most fun buys and bites are the ones thrown in along the way that never made the cut to be on your list?


the twix that hopped into your basket? loved them!
the hard cider that fell into your cart? really loved that!
the avocado that inspired the salsa and tortilla chips? yep, downed that.


The same thing happened with this masking tape. it caught my eye and hopped into my bag at the east village shop known as Ephemera. 

I used it as part of my Christmas wrapping and plan to make a framed graphic wall hanging with it! Check out all of the fun colors and prints here!

twenty twelve

You won't find the words 'more' or 'stop' in my resolutions. When those words, or words similar to those, are used in creating personal goals, or in contrast with concepts, they shine negatively. Too negatively. Negativity will not allow room for positivity, growth, or appreciation, so my "resolutions" are written in a different way.

...A handful of them have short additions that I only know of. A rough goal, number, or level to attain. But, overall, I am building a better 2012 based on the strong foundation of 2011...

Building. Adding to. Contributing. Fighting for. And growing.

Which is exactly why there is only room for something positive here.

Spend time in prayer
Reflect in writing
Walk
Find 3 great organizations to support
Bake cinnamon rolls from scratch
Get a skin check
Get Sealed on etsy
Write letters often
Find a good book...or 3
Pay myself first
Take my own lunch to work each day