The Word: Deuteronomy 33:26-29

26“There is no one like the God of Israel.ⁱ

He rides across the heavens to help you,

across the skies in majestic splendor.

27The eternal God is your refuge,

and his everlasting arms are under you.

He drives out the enemy before you;

he cries out, ‘Destroy them!’

28So Israel will live in safety,

prosperous Jacob in security,

in a land of grain and new wine,

while the heavens drop down dew.

29How blessed you are, O Israel!

Who else is like you, a people saved by the Lord?

He is your protecting shield

and your triumphant sword!

Your enemies will cringe before you,

and you will stomp on their backs!”

Summer lovin': Seabrook with the Blotter Sisters

If you've never heard of this place Google it right now! Seabrook, WA is charming. It's nostalgic. It's the kind of place where you can live simply by the ocean for a few days. I've lost track of time...yeah - I have no real concept of what time it is, and that's fantastic. Don't we all need to unplug every once in awhile?

This is a Morgan Family trip. I'm here with Grandma, Mom, Kathy, Patty, Cami and Mitch. That's 4 generations. 90 years old to 3 years old. A few of my favorite things about this beautiful place?

1. Riding bikes through the neighborhood.
2. Roasting marshmallows in the backyard.
3. Walking to the ocean and jumping over waves.
4.  Margaritas and pizza.
5. Manicures from Cami.
6. Hide and seek with Mitch.

I am SO sunburnt.

In my dreams: Burien Press

In my dreams, I would have the time to start my day with a jog and a peanut butter and banana sandwhich. In my dreams, I drink my coffee over blogs in a cafe down the street. In my dreams, I would only work 30 hours a week and have dinner on the table for my husband when he gets home. In my dreams, I would see friends and family wherever I go.

Just thinking about a few things this lovely Saturday afternoon. 


<3 

Thanx Lotz: July 10

Today I am thankful for:

1. Quiet evenings with a book on my deck.
2. Running errands with my husband.
3. Friends from every corner of the nation.
4. I am forgiven.
5. Wishlists.
6. A clean house - even if I was the one who cleaned it.
7. The chance to sleep in.
8. A big glass of wine.

Words to live by

Starve the flesh, feed the spirit.

Summer Lovin: Taco Truck

You probably don't know this about me, but...

I have an antique horseshoe that I took from my dad's shop, that came from my Grandpa's shop, that he brought with him from my great grandparent's house in Montana. I always hang it above my bedroom door - as long as it's there it feels like home.

Well Read: New Day New You

An excerpt from today's devotional, courtesy of Joyce Meyer:

I want you to face the mountain
so that you can see, 
when the mountain is out of the way
all there is left is Me.
Only I can move the mountain, 
only I can push it away, 
only I can conquer the problems
that you face today.
Your only job is to believe, to list
to My voice,
and when you hear what I command, 
obedience is your choice.
But I will not make it too difficult for the 
victory is already Mine,
and I will fill you with My Spirit and through
you My grace will shine.
Not when you are perfect, 
like you think you need to be, 
but when your heart is willing to become more 
and more like me.

Hot Bodz: Hippie Bowls

I've just discovered a new-healthy-easy-fast lunch recipe. You might call them something else, but to me they are hippie bowls. I was first introduced to the concept by K.M. with her brown rice, black beans, and frozen vegetable medley bowls. A few weeks ago I found Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe just a few blocks from my office - there I've had brown rice, spinach & peanut sauce bowls and quinoa, carrots & tahini bowls.

Today - I decided to make my own version.

Val's Hippie Bowl
1/4 c Brown Rice
1/4 c Lentils
1/3 c Steamers Vegetable Medley
1tb Peanut satay sauce

216 calories = not too shabby

Once I had the brown rice and lentils cooked, it took all of 3 minutes to make lunch. And since I cooked brown rice and lentils in bulk, I'm stocked for the rest of the week.

Another man's treasure: Bainbridge Island Rotary Auction

This last weekend was the Annual Bainbridge Island Rotary Auction. I went with my mom and aunt's - this has been a family tradition for the Morgan's since they were just kids growing up on the island. The Rotary takes donations of all kind through out the year and then takes over a middle school campus with a giant yard sale, silent auction and live auction. People start lining up at 6am to make sure their first to run in when they drop the rope. We arrived at about 7am with gatorade and toast in hand. Momentum in the crowed started to build at about 7:45am when the Rotarians started to make announcements over their bullhorn. After the Star Spangled Banner and the mad dash inside I was totally overwhelmed. Despite the crowds and sheer volume of stuff I managed to leave with a couple of fun vintage finds - thanks to my aunt's. They're the pros. I still have so much to learn. Isn't this daisy print tote killer? And the leopard trench?! Straight out of the 70's my friends!

The Word: 2 Corinthians 10:5

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

All in the family: Things I learned from the Blotter sisters

My mom has two sisters. Together, Kathy, Brenda and Patty are hilarious! On Friday evening we all had a sleep over of sorts at Grandma's house so we could make it to the Annual Bainbridge Island Rotary Auction bright and early. These ladies tell the best stories about growing up, tell me about who my Grandpa was, and give me a better understanding of where I come from. That's why I love them. 

A few thing's they've taught me over the years:

1. There's always time for a margarita, or two. :)

2. The best things in life come from garage sales, estate sales, auctions and thrift stores.

3. Always be there for family - always. 

4. Work isn't supposed to be fun - that's why they call it work. 

5. It's ok to ask for help.

6. When in doubt, repaint the bathroom. 

7. Keep your boundaries. 

8. Don't waste time on regrets. 

9. Be confident in who you are. And just be that.

10. Go to the beach often.