Pear Tree Greetings Coupon

If you are looking for Halloween Invitations, you might find something you like here - with free shipping!

Where you go, I will go

I remember the day like it was yesterday.  One year ago today Whatahusband and I stood before each other in front of our friends and families and said our vows. 

 

"Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay.

Your people will be my people and your God my God."

Ruth 1:16

Little did I know then the significance of adding another person to my life.  God, in his infinite wisdom, has walked us from standing on the starting line to being on our way together - and we are so excited for what's to come. 

But God... He is so gracious and so patient with us, isn't He?  As I reflect back on the last years of my life I can honestly say that with every step, at every turn, with every move, and in every life-changing decision we have had to make so far, He has stretched and strengthened my faith, and reminded me why He chose my husband for me.  Why He made me wait for him.  Why I should continue to trust my husband and God with more and more of my heart. Because God has used every situation to show Himself faithful.  That's not to say that things have always gone my way.  On the contrary, my plans have come to a screeching halt...many times. And it's probably just as well.  He has shown me time and time again that He is dependable and trustworthy--no matter how things turn out.  With all my heart I can say that my God has never let me down.  Not once.  I knew it the most on the day I married.     

I have a God in whom I can trust.  Explicitly.

Goat Cook-off

We went to the 39th Annual World Championship Goat cook-off this weekend, and it was, as always, a GREAT time!  I have only a few pics to share.

This year was my first year camping outside. Chateau de Stone was very well protected by trucks as you can see...

We always make shirts to represent our commitment to the sport of goat cooking,  and they MUST have a wow factor.  So this year we went with a "pro smoking" shirt.  Smoking meat that is. We followed a pinterest DIY screen printing tutorial, and  I think they turned out pretty nice!

The ladies had shirts with "pro smoking" on the front, and a big black BBQ pit with smoke coming out of the stack on the back.

The boys had an....um....slightly different version.

THE COUNTRY

Blow up your TV,

Throw away your paper, 

Move to the Country,

Build you a Home,

Plant a little garden,

Eat a lot of peaches,

Try and find Jesus.

John Prine

These days

Our days lately have been great. The weather has been beautiful, so we've been spending lots of time outside enjoying the grill.  And we've both been working on keeping the house clean our projects. 

BABIES LOVE NORMAN :)

I'm sure it had everything to do with the fact that it was snack time, but Charlotte was certainly smitten with my puppy, and he with her!

I hope normy hangs on long enough to meet our babies one day :)

Change

Something happened.

A page was turned. The wind changed.

Maybe it's all the strawberry vodka spritzer's mexican food I've been consuming, but change happened. I could smell it coming when we sold my house. Something is afoot.  Have you ever felt like you were on a path, and then without even noticing, the itinerary you were just holding suddenly has something new written on it? We have been in constant prayer about the direction of our family, where we should move, what we want out life to look like in the future, but I still wasn't prepared to receive this next part.

Stop your business. Work in the studio. Do what you think you can't.

God...is that you? Cause that seems nuts. Sell a business I built myself from nothing and make art? That seems....not right. Working hard for a business is something modern, educated women do.  There are tons of people out there that make alot of "art" and I really don't want to be bunched in with those weirdos because, let's be honest, most of them are not that good. 

Making art is something I have always kept up as a hobby, and based on my education, something I am willing to invest in.  I remember the day I was accepted into the printmaking program in K-State. I had already been told that there were just 2 spots available...and one spot was already filled.  There would be no art review of my work, no panel of professors to see if I had what it takes to be in such a selective group, just a very nerve-wracking conversation with my 60 year old (highly successful, cranky, but artistically genius) professor in his cramped office.  We sat there, with his "university rules sucks" attitude and campus-banned cigarette hanging out the open window, in silence. He took a long drag on the cigarette, then he said, "You don't want to be an artist".  I didn't know what to say so I just sat there. He continued "you make no money, often get no respect, and you really have no career to speak of."  Oh boy.  I knew he was a straight shooter because of how he ran his classes, but this was unexpected. He was my idol - and taught me everything I knew up to that point.  I deeply respected his art and opinion. Sensing it was my turn to speak, I said the only thing that I knew was true. "Yes, I do. I do want to be an artist".

Well, the answer is still the same today, so I'm going for it!  My studio is full again, my first series is already in progress, and it feels great. Better than great actually...it feels right. I will commit to my artwork and see where it takes me!

Footnote: I still love paper products, and have a relationship with Pear Tree Greetings that I will be keeping! They have amazing invitations and stationery, and I will be putting coupons on this blog every month or so so we can all save on great products. Also, I will still be making some of the stationery from the Blue Door, and it's already available on Etsy. :) http://www.etsy.com/shop/MailHappy

Here's the first Pear Tree Greetings coupon: