A few bits and pieces of things happening around here this week, totally candid and unedited. I've decided I need more candid and unedited in my life.

my sweet friend Stefanie and her UH-dorable little guy Charlie visited this week from Virginia. Everyn was in heaven. She barely slept she was so happily wound up. It's always so bittersweet saying goodbye to friends who live far away, but it definitely makes every visit that much more treasured. And tomorrow I'm headed to meet the fam at a new flea market nearby. Stoked to check it out. And is it seriously Friday already?!
I've been giving a ton of thought to the necessity of planning lately. Meals, trips, afternoons, grocery shopping, blogging. I'm so free spirited planning is simply not my strength, but I'm finding it makes life more pleasant during these sacred 'little' years of raising a family. Not that I'm a stick-to-the-plan-no-matter-what type at all, but a rough outline is so helpful. I can't quietly wander and gaze and dream with a toddler endlessly hanging on my leg. She's a bit distracting (albeit in the most amazing way). The grand revelation hit me after I made a trip to the grocery store a few days ago after meal planning and actually organizing my list, and it pretty much rocked my world. There's a place for wandering and dreaming certainly, but my family also has to eat. Balance is good. ;-)
speaking of rocking my world, I also started reading Captivating over the weekend. I know, I know, I'm like 8 years late to the party. I mean there's late, and then there's late. Yikes. I never wanted any part of reading it (long story-I'm a rebel like that) but I randomly picked it up at a thrift store with a pile of vintage books recently just, well, I'm not sure why. A couple weeks later I came across this quote on Pinterest or somewhere I thought was so beautiful. Made me want to read the book. I went online to order it and thought wait... is that the random book I picked up last week?? Walked downstairs to check and yep! There it was. Weird, huh? Nah. Not at all. But anyway, what an amazing read!! I'm loving every single paragraph. It's so beautiful it leaves me speechless.
it's also insanely hot in Texas at the moment. All of you complain-y complainersons who whined back in the Spring because you were under a thousand feet of snow while we frolicked in 70 degree weather, live it up! It's now 4 million degrees here. (that's what happens when you start at 70 degrees in JANUARY) We essentially hibernate this time of year. Between the heat and hoards of mosquitoes there's no way I'm going outside more than once a week unless we're playing in the water hose or sprinkler. I took Ev out for 10 minutes this afternoon and no joke, at least a dozen bites. :-/
intense planning is under way for a long delayed escape! (it's distracting us from the heat) We've done minimal traveling since Ev was born. Colorado, Texas Hill Country, Gulf Shores, several trips to Nashville. But nothing overseas. Generally we try to go international 2-3 times a year, but with a baby and getting settled at the cottage we just haven't been able to wrap our brains around it. Now, we're ready. There's still plenty to do here but we need a break and fresh inspiration. Cue, the Amalfi Coast. Our first trip abroad as a couple was a whirl-wind tour of Italy, so it seems fitting our first trip as a family be there as well. It will not however, be the insane itinerary that exhausted us last time: Rome, Sorrento, Pompeii, Capri, Florence, Venice, Murano, Rome again and dozens of small towns and villages along the way. We don't have the energy. And now we're old. Ish. But a little b&b in Positano and slow exploration of villages along the coast like Ravello and Amalfi will do just fine. Ev will love all the lemons. And we have cookies to eat. It's important people. I'm trying to tell you.
in other news, I have such a fun project coming up! I cannot wait to share it with you. I've been dreaming it up for months now. It involves pretty things. And treasure hunting. And responding to a question I'm asked a hundred times a day. I think you'll love it ;-) Consider this my first official teaser.
And lastly, I hope your weekend is rich and restful! Steeped in rest and play and as much delicious food as you can manage. I'm signing off to dig into a pan of gooey flourless brownies courtesy of Shauna Niequist's latest book. And seriously, I've yet to find a recipe in there that isn't both easy breezy and insanely delicious. It's a must read if only for the recipes.