Paige's Picks and Weekend Links

Thought I'd share a few recommendations to get you through this final weekend of February!  If you are looking for a good read I cannot recommend this book fast enough: Wild in the Hollow by Amber C. Haines!  Her writing is very poetic (it honestly took me a couple of chapters to get into the rhythm of it), but once I adjusted I was swept away.  Her story is so different from my own and yet so often I felt like she was writing my own journey.

Speaking of reading,  I'm currently devouring 4 books (so happy my love for reading has returned), and my go-to blog for all things books related is The Modern Mrs. Darcy.  Please go read her blog and if you read via kindle sign up for her Kindle sale recommendations that she emails to you each day.  I've gotten great deals on books like Scary Close by Donald Miller, Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman, and Liane Moriarty novels all because I get her daily email that let's me know when great books are having a Kindle sale!

And speaking of blog love, I need all of my Bachelor fans to go read Pinterest Told Me To Blog.  Her weekly Bachelor updates keep me laughing and I also love her fashion advice & clothing specials.  Trust me, this may be a new favorite blog for you!  Oh, and yes, I love Jesus and watch The Bachelor.

My other favorites lately include Amanda Cook's album Brave New World.  It's basically on repeat in my house right now.  Do yourself a favor and listen to it.

I'm also trying to cook through the Pioneer Woman's new cookbook.  It's going slowly, but I'm enjoying the process and it's giving me some guidance when I just don't know what to cook.  My family is big on breakfast for dinner, and we LOVED this recipe for Veggie Scramble.

Last but not least, did you hear that Noonday Collection just launched their new spring jewelry line?  I'm a big Noonday fan (Fashion plus empowering artisans worldwide is the winning combo for this girl), and I was invited to a special preview of the line - and oh my goodness!  Such gorgeous and beautiful pieces.  Currently, I basically wear these Metallic Pearl Earrings all day every day!  They go with just about everything!  And I have on my wish list the new Cityscape Necklace!

All right!  That's my round up for this week.  What is catching  your eye this week?  Or what would you like to know for next week?

Paige's Picks and Weekend Links

THOUGHTS FROM THIS WEEK
I have been meditating on Psalm 45 this week after a friend showed me her new tattoo that references this chapter.  And as I read this, I'm drawn to verse 11 - do I really believe that HE, the king is enthralled with me?  If I'm honest, most days this scripture feels miles away from my reality... and yet, when I get quiet in the morning and listen for His whispers, I'm reminded of the TRUTH that I was created by Him.  Yes, He knows my shortcomings- when I yelled at my girls or got snarky with Josh...but He also knows the hidden dreams, the desires to be more like Him...and He knows things about me that I'm only now discovering for myself.  He knows me fully, completely, and He knows the me that is still to come...and He loves me.  He is enthralled with me - the me that He is working on to bring to a beautiful reality (Philippians 1:4)




Here is a round up of what's caught my eyes and moved my heart this week.

Do You Lose Yourself When You Have Kids? by Heather Avis on the Story Line Blog
And while everyday my selfish desires try to shout at and consume me, I find God’s grace, given me through my children, is so much louder and all consuming.

Decorating with Your Other Half by A Beautiful Mess
It's important to represent each member of your family/household in the decor. The best way to do this is to imagine how the house would look if each person had it 100% in their style, then mix those different elements together. 

Making Room by Leslie Rich
Making room is not just about setting a place at the table for a friend, but it’s also about clearing space in our lives and our minds for whatever God wants to do.  When He speaks, is there room in my head to hear it?

Every Book Starts with a Sentence by Lysa TeuKeurst
 It’s a process, this book writing thing. It’s hard and messy and crazy time-consuming. But what a wondrous thing to have words that live on beyond us. Sentences that linger and continue to inspire. 

A Voice for the Voiceless by Sarah Bessey
I want women to be safe and I want babies to be born. I want all of the reasons why women abort to cease, to be healed, to be legislated right out.

And if you didn't see this on my facebook page...here is a video that made me laugh so hard I was crying.  I'm dedicating it to short-term missionaries that I've worked with for over 15 years who are a bit dramatic when asked to try something new.  Enjoy!