{give thanks}

I am thankful for this season, for both the joys and the pains, the delights and the sorrows, the summery days and the wintry nights, the friendships and struggles and bonds forged with fire. I am thankful that through all the darkness there is beauty and light, that through suffering God shows His character, that through my weakness, over and over again He proves unfaltering and unfailing in love and compassion. I am so thankful for faithful friends and uplifting family and for a partner perfectly suited to all my needs. I give thanks for you, too, my internet friends both near and far who faithfully uplift me with your kind comments and thoughts and prayers. Have a happy, blessed Thanksgiving!

Images via: chocoladesigns, 1001 gardens, a little bit etc,

{abide with me}

It's a dark and cloudy Wednesday afternoon. We're expecting snow tomorrow and I'm planning to start up a roaring fire tonight. I have pumpkin pies to bake and loads and loads of laundry to do. 

As Fall teeters on the brink of Winter and we teeter on the brink of the holiday season I am swirling with ideas and possibilities for gifts and crafts and recipes and decor. I am plotting and planning away, trying to force myself to wait until after Thanksgiving to start truly embracing Christmas. Clinging somewhat idly to the last few crunching leaves and sunny afternoons. Embracing traditions and hearty stews and the last calm before the busy seasonal storm. 

Enjoy this waning Wednesday!

Images via: elfsacks, indoors/outdoors, of hearth and home, splendid sass

Amsterdam {take three}

One more quick (or not) post about my recent adventures in Europe!

I spent one day biking around the canals in Groningen, which is a University town north of Amsterdam. Pretty much every one bikes in the Netherlands. I absolutely loved it! 

This is the University, it's over 500 years old. It was so pretty! Also - see all those bikes in the distance?!

The rest of the my days were spent either working, schmoozing, or wandering around Amsterdam. 

House boats on a canal in Amsterdam.

This house had an entire garden growing up it's face! 

The Blomenmarkt!

Another beautiful church. 

Dad and I in a giant wooden shoe! 

We spent one day doing WWII things - we went to a memorial/graveyard and then went to visit the John Frost bridge.  

I could seriously post photos of canals all day long. I absolutely loved them!

See?

I had one great day wandering around the Rijksmuseum. I got to see a lot of Rembrandt and Van Gogh.

Canals. Can't help myself.

So anyway! That was my trip in a 3-post nutshell!

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Paris {take one}

I want to show you all of my pictures! But that really won't do, there are so many!

We arrived in Paris in the morning, and after a quick bite to eat we rushed off to see as many sites as we could!

 Church near our hotel. There were seriously gorgeous buildings everywhere!

 Notre Dame Cathedral was really impressive. Touring churches may be one of my very favorite activities in Europe.

 Dad napping at a cafe. I swear to you this man can sleep anywhere!

 We walked along the Seine and checked out the oldest bridge in Paris.

 Dad and I outside the Louvre. Thanks random stranger for the pic!

 Love the juxtaposition of old and new!

The one day we left our umbrellas in the hotel room was the only day it rained! We huddled under some trees for a while but then just kept trekking on. 

After darting in and out of shops along the Champ de Elysee (famous shopping, but we didn't buy anything, too pricey!) we ate dinner and went to visit the Arc de Triomphe. We climbed the stairs all the way to the top for the most phenomenal view of the city and the Eiffel Tower!

The views were seriously breathtaking. 

 The next day we returned to the Louvre. Here's the Venus di Milo.

 There was some seriously impressive Babylonian stuff. Pretty much everything was impressive, actually! We only managed to see about 1/3 of the museum, it was sooo big!

 One of my favorites, Cupid and Psyche.

 That night we went up the Eiffel Tower! We climbed stairs up the first two floors. Oof. We were climbing with a cute French couple who were all dolled up, the girl was climbing the stairs in 4 inch heels! At the top I watched them get engaged! So cute!

The next day we took the train out to visit Versailles!

 I never thought I'd see too much gold in my life, but I may have to admit it was a little...gaudy.

 This hall wasn't gold!

 Just a fancy ceiling or two...or twenty.

 Dad and I in the Hall of Mirrors.

 I believe this was Marie Antoinette's bedroom. 

 My favorite part was actually the musical gardens. There was classical music playing throughout the acres and acres of lovely hedges and grass and flowers and pools. So beautiful!

 There were lots of mazes for romantic seductions and political intrigues. I mean, I'm sure that's what they were for, right?

Fountains galore that splashed in time to the music!

And just a simple carriage house that I fell in love with. 

We rushed back from Versailles (and almost missed our train!) and were on our way to Brussels!

But I think I'll save that story for another day. Photo overload, much?

Have a fabulous weekend!

a Fall affair: muted neutrals

Today's version of a Fall affair is all about neutrals. It's about letting nature speak for itself and using nothing but pale, fading foliage in the form of whites and succulents.

I love the idea of neutral bridesmaids dresses and clear china, white flowers and wood and bits of burlap and lace. There's something so elegant about white and green that lets the event speak for itself. But by all means don't forget to have a bonfire at this wedding too! Can we all agree that the smell of a fresh fire is the very Fall-est thing of all? 

Which do you prefer, the rich or the muted version?

Images via: sacramento st, ruffled, sullivan, green wedding shoes, once wed

{wander off the edge}

Again we say goodbye to another month and embrace the next with open arms and a hint of surprise.

Have a wonderful week full of wandering thoughts and dreams!

Images via: unknown, for readheads, marley and me, tumblr