…her free spirit.

…the connection Matt and Lucy share. This girl is in LOVE with her Daddy.

…iced mate, Flickr, hooping, and travel (all in one photo!)

…her sense of self.

…whimsical rock art.

…tiny toes and chubby legs.

I’ve been working on some new projects, which means more time away from the RV..and I miss my little loves! I suppose it would help if I didn’t listen to sappy soundtracks while I work.

Ohh….but they are magical. They are unique. They are inspiring. They are sometimes exhausting. They are mine. I find so much joy in family.

What do you love today? What is bringing you joy?

Sometimes the internet is an amazing open road for me to wander upon. My heart skips a beat when I come across something that speaks to my soul. But it can also be completely overwhelming. So many people to catch up with and connect to…I open my Facebook page and immediately close it. It’s like walking into a huge party that has been going all night long and I just don’t have the energy to mingle If you have emailed or sent me a message on Facebook lately and I haven’t answered, please don’t take it personally. Feel free to send another message to jog my memory. It’s been hard to keep up with it all and “real life” has been much more attractive. And we’ve been busy busy busy.

I would love to start sharing more of my “real life” with you. Often times, I feel like I have to to write a “grand” topical blog post and the sheer intensity of that endeavor makes me want to run away and hide. So instead, I think I will try to share snippets. Photos, links, quotes…things that are inspiring me. I’m thinking about doing a “photo a day” project again (but with my iPhone) or perhaps some video blogs.

So I’ll start today. Here are a few things that have my affections this week, online and off:

• I’ve been making TONS of ice tea. Every morning, I make a big batch of unsweetened mango raspberry mint herbal tea and then add just a touch of Sweet Leaf Mint and Honey tea. Heaven.

• I miss my sweet Becky sooooo much and yesterday she wrote a beautiful piece on her blog about her solitary retreat for one in the woods. A must read.

• We’re living at a beautiful state park in Colorado right now and the view from our window is amazing! Trails, pelicans, lakes, and mountains, right out our front door.
• I experienced hot yoga here for the first time. I got up at 5:30am 8 times before we moved to a campground farther away and then I quit going regularly. It rocked my world. I brought my mom and she loved it too. Getting up that early is probably what threw a wrench in my online activities because I started going to bed earlier…and my prime time for browsing the web was 10pm-2am. My body is thanking me for getting out of that routine!

• How scrumptious is this swing?

• I’m in love with this print and this print. Ok, I pretty much love everything in her shop.

• I’m obsessed this this CD. Best kids music ever!

• I’m looking forward to the Boulder Farmer’s Market tomorrow morning and a little trip up the mountain to Nederland. I’m going to hoop in the mountain air.

• My mom has been staying with us for the past 2 weeks and my dad came for the last week…and they left yesterday. My heart is light with joy as I recount the amazing memories we made…but it’s also heavy with the weight of goodbyes.  Above is a photo from the balcony of our hotel room in Golden. We spent one amazing “getaway” night there during their stay…eating, drinking, laughing, and being refreshed. I love them so.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Coconut Lavender Red Tea from Tea District
I ordered this with a Groupon, and got some other amazing teas as well. Yum yum.

Ginger Peach Jam from Blue Gate Farm
I could drink this. Genius.

My HoopCircle Rainbow Hoop
The lovely Miss Laura makes a mean hoop!

My new copy of Mothering
Good stuff in there.

Beats Antique and Zap Mama
Rock it.

Sunshine.
My sweetie.
My girls.
My family.
My friends.
And just when you thought things couldn’t get any better, it’s the Des Moines Farmer’s Market tomorrow followed by a hooping class. Oh the joy!

Have a great weekend my loves…what was your favorite thing today?

I thought it was only appropriate for me to share MY favorite things with you…because I’ve so enjoyed reading yours!

1. I Love Beautiful Things, 2. I Love Farm Fresh Eggs, 3. I Love Reunions with Old Friends, 4. I Love the Mountains of Montana, 5. I Love Hot Caramel Lattes from Rockford, 6. I Love Cozy Fires, 7. I Love a Good Snow, 8. I Love Cherries, 9. I Love Fun Kitchen Towels Sent in the Mail by Best Friends, 10. I Love Handmade Mugs with Hot Drinks in Them, 11. I Love Hangy Things, 12. I Love Plants, 13. I Love Stars, 14. I Love Photos on the Fridge, 15. I Love Original Art By Bella, 16. I Love our Amazing Family, 17. I Love Unexpected Blessings, 18. I Love Memories of Our Travels, 19. I Love Dates with Deea, 20. I Love My Man, 21. I Love This Magical Being, 22. I Love Iowa Sunsets and the State Fair, 23. I Love The Lake, 24. I Love Spring Rolls, 25. I Love The Ocean, 26. I Love The Outdoors, 27. I Love Goats, 28. I Love That We Were Able to See So Much Together, 29. I Love Becky Reading To Me, 30. I Love Her Style, 31. I Love My Friends, 32. I Love The Open Road, 33. I Love (and miss!) Dear Friends, 34. I Love Red Curry with Tofu, 35. I Love Iowa (and all the people there!), 36. I Love Drinking Tea with Friends