FRIDAY RAMBLES

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image via death to the stock photo

Happy Friday everyone! Because last week had a holiday and I worked only three days, this week felt extra looooong. Anyone with me? So that being said, I am so excited that IT'S FRIDAY!

So is it weird that I'm already craving fall clothes? Especially after seeing Cupcakes & Cashmere's fall line (which I will highlight my fave pieces next week!)

My fall/winter coat from Zara is three years old so it's about time I get a new one hey? I'm feeling like a sweet wool coat this year...like this one....or this one...or this one... James wants me to look second hand first but ahhhh, I haaate thrifting. He always finds the best things, and I always find NOTHING and just get tired and annoyed I'm not finding anything...anyone with me on that one??

Got any big plans for the weekend? Tonight we're celebrating James' brother's bday and then tomorrow I'm doing Courtney and her mama's makeup for her brother's wedding...and going to the wedding...yaaaay! 

Hope you have an amazing weekend!

over & out,

s.s.♥︎.

SUMMER GOALS

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Back in June, James and I ate pizza in Beacon Hill Park and then talked summer goals over Beacon ice cream (THE BEST!) Usually I'm soooo game for making a billion crazy goals but this season things are different.

This is the first summer in years where I'm not doing something HUGE like speaking at camp, road tripping, going on a missions trip, GETTING MARRIED! The past summers were absolutely wonderful but this year I really feel God is telling me to rest. Soak in the gorgeous island summer. Eat cherries. Go to the beach. Read a book (or ten.) Put up art on the walls. Nap in the hammock. And don't feel guilty.

This may sound really wonderful but I'm a girl who really enjoys doing those big things. I like having a full schedule. I like serving at camps. I like going across the world. I like doing a billion big things.

But that's not what God has called me to this summer. Slowing down is hard for me. I'm used to the quick pace. But right now He's calling me to be content with a blank page in my agenda. (GASP!)

But I have a feeling. I have a feeling something is up His sleeve...all this slowing down, all this rest...maybe what it really is, is an invitation to rest in Him.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
-Matthew 11 MSG

Unforced rhythms of grace? Live freely and lightly? Count me in.

I'm sabbathing this summer. I'm going to read books. I'm going to the beach. I'm going to put my feet in the ocean. And through all that, I'm going to spend time with my God who's whispering in my ear, "let's rest." 

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

BLACK BEAN QUINOA SALAD

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I've been getting my meal planning on like donkey kong this week. #BOOYAH 

On most weeks, I'm not so organized...aka "Smoothie for dinner love?" But as I told you on Monday, we got a homestay student on Sunday and we need to feed her! I'm good eating peanut butter toast for dinner, but I don't think that will fly with the homestay program :p

So as I was meal planning I came across this recipe for a black bean quinoa salad and YOU GUYS...it was delish! With orange zest and jalapenos, this salad is basically a party in your mouth.

BLACK BEAN QUINOA SALAD

Makes a very large salad

Ingredients:

     -2 cups quinoa (cooked to your liking)
     -3 large oranges cut into bite size segments
     -2 red peppers, diced
     -2 jalapeños, seeded and diced
     -1/2 cup red onion, diced
     -1 can black beans, rinsed
     - 1 can corn kernels
     -3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

For the dressing:

     -1/2 cup olive oil
     -1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
     -1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
     -orange zest from 2 oranges
     -2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:

     1. Mix together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
     2. In a large bowl, mix together the quinoa, orange segments, peppers, onion, beans, corn and      cilantro.
     3. Pour dressing over and give it a good mix.
     4. Enjoy!!

Happy Wednesday!

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

BAND WIFE LIFE // TALL TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL

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Well it's summer music festival time and I've been band wife life-ing it up. Two weeks ago I got to see James play at Tall Tree Music Festival!

The Festival ran from Friday to Sunday. Towers & Trees played Friday afternoon. It was a really sweet set-up in some ways. The whole festival was on top of a mountain in Port Renfrew. The stage's backdrop was just STUNNING. Trees, ocean, mountains #swoon. But the practicality of holding a festival ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN..... Camping was all over the place and we ended up camping on a dirt road with golf carts speeding by making humungous dust clouds. 

The festival was also a bit cray cray for my liking 😳 so we only ended up staying one night and went to bed at 10pm...#proudgrandma...BUT we got to see Yukon Blonde on Friday night and that was amazing!! And it was also fun hanging with the Towers & Trees Famjam. 

How stunning was that backdrop!!!!

Hope you had a great weekend! So yesterday James & I became parents....HOMESTAY PARENTS! We now have a wonderful 20 year old student from Mexico here on a one month ESL program...so fun!

Happy Monday everyone :)

xo,

s.s.♥︎.

PRINTABLE JULY CALENDAR

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Well hello there! Can you believe today is THE LAST DAY OF JUNE!!! Seriously...was it not just March??? Well anyhoo...today I have a printable calendar for all you who like planning out your month!  

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD JULY CALENDAR

Today I'm off to Tofino! James & I are going camping for two nights. He has a couple shows with Towers & Trees and we're making a mini vaycay of it! Stoked to camp in a nice campsite...especially after last weekend at Tall Tree (camping on a dirt road....no thanks...). We've planned out some delicious meals and he went all out in the planning to make it as comfortable for me as possible (awwwe!!) Excited to get my s'more on.

See you in a couple days xoxoxo!!

s.s.♥︎.