This is my new Archer Farms mug. It is tall, simple and easy to hold. It came with a bag of grounds at Super Target. Archer Farms is their house brand. Decent coffee. I bought a second mug on clearance so it can have a partner. I think it would be nice if I actually shopped at a place called Archer Farms. I have to hand it to Target Corp. for their marketing group – Generic never looked so good.
So what brand am I? God created me. Do I have a logo? What do I represent when people interact with me?
Can I be spotted for my house brand flavor? Like the house of the Lord is my logo. Peter always gives me a friendly sneer for my close-but-not-close enough analogies. So forgive my stretch to compare a mug brand to myself.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.
-Bible, Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 6, Verses 5-8
So I am challenged today to teach my kids about how to love God and wear my faith like a God logo. I strive to love God with all my soul, heart and strength in my home and beyond.
Look for giveaway below!
Today’s artist, 3 year old Ryan McWilliams, is still in his formative years. McWilliams has been toying around with several types of art media such as: charcoal, pastels, watercolor and crayon. He is often found at his kitchen table studio doing “projects” with tape. Lots of tape. He prides himself with a rotating art gallery found at the coolest art gallery around, El Refrigerator.
His current collection features 3-D paint also known as fabric or puffy paint
Flower, Caterpillar and Friend, Spider by Ryan McWilliams
Here is an inside look at McWilliams at work in his studio.
Everyone please join in! Make a comment on this post to enter a chance to win one small painting from today’s On the 6 artist.
I was the last one to eat. Not all that unusual for a mom I guess. However, I had an opportunity to eat sooner if I were to settle for cold cuts. But no, not I. I chose to broil my provolone cheese and tomato on wheat bread in the oven. Yum. It was totally worth the wait.
I was just recalling a great story about Ryan and it’s worth sharing.
I was in the bathroom this morning about to get in the shower before work. I heard the kids’ door open and in wonders a sleepy Ryan. He quietly greets me:
Hey Dad.
He drops “Blue & Baby”, his blanket and stuffed bear, on the floor and prepped himself for his morning pee. As he starts to relieve himself, he casually notices the elastic mark around his waist and says:
Whoa, Dad, see where my underware was?
“Yeah, you have a mark” I responded. Still going potty, he slowly looks over at the tub and finished up. He pulled his jammies up and states:
I had a bath last night and slip-ed in the tub. I feel it today!
He then grabbed his “guys”, the blanket and bear, turns around and slowly walks back into his room and shut the door. Meanwhile, I am just staring at the closed door wondering if I actually just experienced this conversation with my THREE year old! He is growing up fast.
Today was coolish and cloudy. I wore my heavy denim jacket and the kids were both in long sleeves and pants. I always shake my head at myself for thinking it is cold when it is only 68 degrees. Here in Minnesota 68 degrees would be celebrated with shorts and windbreaker if only it were say, April. Now however in September after coming off humid, humid 80s we all freak out like we will need to go out and start our cars to warm them up or something.
Here are some delightful images from less than a week ago that are infused with warmness. So I say “Nee-ner-Nee-ner” to today’s weather!
Ryan running the 'surf' on Prior Lake.
Molly went tubing with Mommy in Big Bertha.
Molly's favorite hobby is rock picking.
Ryan and Mom at the Swing Bar at Captain Jack's lakeside restaurant.
Peter and Ryan watching the lake.
A great way to end a boat day! Fresh corn and Davanni's Pizza.
The kids are back! Where did they go? Well nowhere physically. However I can feel their sweetness return again. I go in and out of cycles with my kids of joy and frustration. I just spent the last few days joining the cycle of joy again. I hope to stay there too it is way more fun! Though I know there will be days…
The TV bit the dust (figuratively). It was very nice to have simplicity on the forefront of my mind as I unplugged the TV. Two whole days. Well it was a start anyway. I spent two days detoxing my almost four year old from morning cartoons (while Mommy gets ready for the day) and mid-morning cartoon (while Mommy puts Molly down for a nap) and an afternoon movie (while Mommy gets quiet time during Molly’s second nap).
The hardest part was admitting I was getting sucked back into a TV = Babysitter mode that I used while Molly was a newborn (last summer). Back then I really was okay with that lifestyle because I needed to do what ever it took to function and I knew it would be short lived.
So to break in down. I sought TSP out to help gear my motives in child-rearing, life-learning and house-keeping into a healthy and happy direction.
3 Steps in Keeping it Real, Real Simple.
Just A Blink journals my ups and downs in creating thrifty home decor, spending time with my family, and finding simplicity. I write about everything from my garage sale addiction to my faith in God.
Read along as time flies!
And the Winner Is…
My On the Six category features a guest artist each month. September’s artist was my son Ryan. He helped me do a giveaway for one of his paintings. We had four entries to win so…everybody wins! Why just pick one? Thank you to Elizabeth M., Grammy Lu, Mags and Lisa for commenting on our blog. You will each receive a token painting from Ryan.
Ryan is still working on how to pretend to smile. He is truly pleased with his giveaway.
We always love to hear from new and old friends alike. Keep the comments coming! Feel free to leave your blog address if you’d like. I like to network aka blog stalk! wink.