Mr. A-Z and Beach Bums

We had the pleasure of going to see Jason Mraz with our dear friends, Erin and Brandon. Man, that girl has a pretty name, wink. We had a blast and heard some great music.

The beach trip was, as always, perfection. The most beautiful beach, friends, hilarious family, and did I mention beach. What could be better? More summer pictures to come...

Carthage

Since I'm still blog illiterate, I put the photos in backwards. Please look at the photos from top to bottom to get the beginning to end effect.

This trip was for 4th of July weekend. It was a ton of fun and we're going back this weekend!! Hopefully there will be lots of laying around and doing nothing. I will miss my husband (see picture of him below having way too much fun spraying everyone with freezing cold water) as he will be home, studying. I love you baby, stay focused. Oh, and clean the guest bathroom please!!!

Holden Onto Summer!

These are some of the few photos I took while we visited Laura, Caleb, and Grace Elizabeth at Holden Beach.  This was early in June, but I'm just now getting around to posting them.  I have a couple more Posts coming after this one, so stay tuned!

RIP John Cicada

Just because my yard is mostly concrete doesn't mean that Erin and I don't get to experience nature. This morning I walked out of my building to the smell of fresh air and the sound of a cicada in distress. Don't be alarmed, my overwhelming concern for insects, especially insects big enough to be culinary delights in some countries, spiked my senses and I spotted the giant bug across the parking lot. What I also scoped was the source of the Whisky Drinker's (that's Australian for Cicada) anguish: a freaking Mockingbird. Ah, nature, so peaceful and relaxing. I'm so glad I got to start my morning witnessing a war between a bird and a bird-sized bug. This bird must have been hungry too because he was going at it. Except, in typical Mockingbird fashion, he let the cicada bounce all over the ground making a distorted buzzing sound. Not the normal sound that these bugs make, but one much deeper in tone...I'm pretty sure I saw that bird laugh too. Soon the sound was no more, and Mr. John Cicada (clever, huh?) met his maker...or something like that.

That reminds me...last night after I took Foster for a walk, during which the two of us had to dodge dive-bombing bats...again, isn't nature wonderful..., I came back to the condo and there was a dark, shadowy figure perched on the overhang/balcony of the front entrance of my building. Hmmm, I wondered, what could that be? I'll tell you what it was...it was a hunter. Not a hunter like Billy Bob who wears camo and shoots squirrels for dinner, but a hunter of souls, a demon you might say. It's true! There was a cat sitting on the overhang to the building. How did he get there? Magic...I'm pretty sure this cat was a sorcerer. What was he doing up there? Stalking. Yes, he was stalking prey. Looking for weak souls to gobble up at his every desire. This cat glared, I mean GLARED, at Foster and me as we walked under him to get inside to safety. Again, not to worry, I was more than ready to punt the sucker if he came flying down from his pinnacle of doom.

Which also reminds me...last year, when Erin and I lived downtown, I was walking to work and saw a hawk swoop down from the sky and snatch a squirrel right off the sidewalk. What!? Where am I living? Wild Alaska? I just want to get to work without stepping in squirrel guts. Can I?

-An Ode to the Wild, by Jeremy Morin

Juices Flowing

Things that are inspiring me right now:

• Woodstock's 40th anniversary: The music, the spirit, and yes, the "fashions"; I wish I could've been there.
  
• The roaring 20's
• Southern Summer: the smell of honeysuckle that catches you off guard as you're driving down Creedmoor with the windows open, the gorgeous light that flows into our condo each evening at this time, meals and time with friends and family outdoors; is there anything I don't like about summer?  Nope. 
• My new hairstyle is forcing me to experiment with short hair, and I'm diggin' it.  
• The Bud (Foster the dog, for those of you who don't know the nickname yet)
• Dresses and cowboy boots; every Southern girl should at least try it, you'll be hooked.

Find what gets your creative juices going and savor it...

Grocery Game

Following my frugal friend Kelsi, I joined the Grocery Game!  It's so easy and after reading through the rules once, you'll get it in no time!  

Last week I signed up for a trial (4 weeks for $1) and after that it's $10 for eight weeks.  I've already paid for my next round!  The first trip I saved $11 which I was so happy about.  However, tonight I saved $33!!  I'm so excited!  With my VIC card and the coupons from the paper, along with the Grocery Game list, I saved so much money.  Everyone should get on the ban wagon!

Visit the site www.thegrocerygame.com.  

Happy shopping!

Faith Like a Child, Rest Like a Dog...

So today at church my friend, Smooth, spoke in place of our lead pastor.  I love hearing Smooth speak.  He always tells the best stories that tie into the scripture that he's using at that time. Today he spoke of rest.  We as sinners and ignorant people think that rest is simply sitting around watching re-runs of America's Next Top Model.  And while that is relaxing, it doesn't give us the peace that we so desperately need.  God wants us to rest in Him.  If we are faithful and loving toward God he will provide the peace our soul needs.  I, as I always am, was convicted.  I need to stop thinking about cutting things out of my life to provide peace.  I need to invite the One who will bring me rest into my life.  I need more of Him, not less of other things.  Don't get me wrong, you have to take care of your physical health and rest.   But that doesn't mean that you can drop service projects or volunteer responsibilities just because you need a break.  Ask God for the rest and He will provide when the time is right.  

I thank you God for the rest and peace that you give.  I don't deserve it, but I welcome it with open arms.  I apologize for not trusting You and Your plan for me.  I'm a fool to think that I've got it figured out.  

So, I'm sure you heard to have faith like a child.  Well, have rest and peace like a dog.  Take Foster for example.  He doesn't worry about food, he trusts that we will feed him.  He doesn't worry about his weight, he trusts that we will walk him and take him outside.  Foster doesn't cry when we leave, he knows and trusts that we will come back.  I wish I could trust as much as my pup because my Father has proved himself time and time again.  I have no reason not to. My prayer for all my friends and family is that they may find peace and rest knowing the Lord has our best interest in His heart and hands.  

Peace be with you...

Custom Design Work

So as some of you may know, I have a shop on esty.com.  It called foster&stella and it's where I sell all my hand printed cards and stationery.  I also do custom work for weddings, parties, shower invitations, social stationery, anything!!  The sky is the limit and if you're interested in anything please visit my page www.fosterandstella.etsy.com and contact me.  Here are some photos of invitations I've done recently.

Please do not re-create any of my hand drawn images as your own.  Respect and peace.  

Sunday Nap

Jeremy and I have been going non-stop for the past week.  With Jeremy's last classes before an 8 week break, studying, cooking, cleaning, seeing friends, selling my first custom order, working, we've been busy.  This weekend has also been packed full of fun stuff to do.  Friday was spent apart with me helping my sister-in-law decorate for Stacy's shower and Jeremy going to church with his dad (getting ready for the service project the following morning).  We each arrived home Friday night tired and cranky.  Saturday morning arrived all too early and we again went our separate ways.  I attended the shower honoring my sister-in-law, Stacy.  It was beautiful.  I had done all the flowers in a blue/purple and ivory theme.  They turned out perfect. The food was wonderful and the decor was planned down to the last detail by my other sister-in-law, Holly.  It was so much fun, and Stacy really racked up in the present department. Jeremy joined the rest of our church in a service project that helped hand out groceries to families in need.  He loved spending time with his dad and some of our close friends, but more than that, he left feeling like his hard work had glorified God and His will for how we should live.  After all that, we packed into my parent's car and headed to Greensboro for an engagement party honoring a close family friend and his fiance.  That was a blast.  Carolina BBQ (as if there's any other kind), all the fixin's, good company, and a bedtime of about 2:30am.  We arrived back home around 1:30pm this afternoon and I demanded that Jeremy take a nap, since we are headed to his parent's house in a couple of hours for his birthday dinner.  I mean, could we have planned more things for this little weekend?  Needless to say, he conked right out.  I got some laundry done, checked email, folded laundry, then decided to join my beloved in our bed. Foster followed suit as he nimbly jumped up on the bed with his sleepy parents.  With Jeremy at one end, his head on his pillow, me at the other end, my head on my dog's warm belly, we napped.  My husband held my feet like a teddy bear and I snuggled my dog like, well a teddy bear.  That was the sweetest time I've had in a couple of weeks.  I'm so grateful for everything and everyone we got to see this weekend.  But I'm also thankful for those quiet moments as a family that we can unwind.  God is good and He provides us with rest time, we just have to take advantage.  

Thank you Lord for my family, for my friends and the wonderful time had this weekend.  As Jeremy still sleeps let him dream of the birthday supper that awaits us in a few hours and the love that he'll soak up.  I thank you for my better half and the chance for him to drool on his pillow in a deep sleep.  I love you Lord, your blessings are abundant.  

Jerry

His name was Jerry. He didn't have much with him, just a backpack, a small red water jug, and a mangled cardboard sign that read, "Hungry, please help." As Erin and I drove past him, I began to imagine myself in his position. He had nothing. He looked exhausted...utterly exhausted and completely humbled. Who knows how long he had been standing there waiting for generosity to flow from North Raleigh's plentiful wealth. Who knows how many cars he watched pass without even acknowledging his existence, if you could even call it that. Who knows the depth of the hopelessness this man must feel with every fleeting glance. My heart broke for him.

We drove back to Jerry's post with a turkey sandwich, fries, and a drink. Expecting him to be overjoyed with receiving an entire meal, I excitedly rolled down my window and hung out of the passenger side of the car. As we pulled up, Jerry's eyes grew bigger; filling with what little life he could muster. We stopped and as Jerry shuffled closer, his eyes seemed to retreat, and his demeanor became apprehensive. He reluctantly took the meal with an unsteady hand and mumbled what I consider valuable advice for the future: "A gift card would have been better." God must have opened my heart even more because rather than being put off by his seemingly cold response, I was intrigued. Erin prodded him to explain. Now that I am retelling the story, I am again sickened and infuriated by what we learned.

Jerry went on to tell us that gift cards are better because recently, people have been messing with him; he spoke of how he has found glass and spit in food that people have "generously" offered him. I could see the honesty in him, especially since he explicitly mentioned gift cards rather than money. To say that I was speechless would be an understatement.

Glass? How or why would anyone think of that? His face remained weary of our gift. We assured him that we had just bought it and that it was still warm. We also apologized for the actions of others, to which he responded, "God bless you." I know Jerry enjoyed that meal and I pray that hope was somewhat restored in him.

As soon as I begin to think that I understand the evils of this world, I am quickly reminded of how horrible people actually are. There is nothing in us that is inherently good; we have no power to make constructive or positive decisions. I have taken for granted what it means to be fallen, and I am reminded of the evil that comes out of Godlessness. I will be vigilant of the dark forces that drive human nature. I will watch for vile and diabolical powers that come out of our black hearts. Praise God for His mercy and grace that allows us to be free from our wretchedness; that allows us to overcome our bondage to evil.

I also began to ponder why, when our hearts broke for Jerry, others would endeavor to humiliate the humble. This man had nothing and all he wanted was to eat. His sign didn't request money or alcohol or anything substantial. He wanted to sustain himself. To be completely honest, part of me envies him. He has nothing, but he may have more than most. He has been completely humbled, and only then are you able to see the power of Christ.

Appropriately, today's devotion through journeydevotionals.com speaks of Jesus' humility and the symbolism of His arrival to Jerusalem on a donkey. Jesus' victory came by way of humility, although the journey was not easy. Jerry's journey, like Christ's, has not been easy, and he too has been mistreated, even in his lowly state. Let us make every effort to humble ourselves. Let us struggle for those who struggle and let us give to those who lack.

Spring: Has it sprung?

Ok, so I'm stoked about warm weather, wearing my Rainbows everywhere, cute flow-y blouses with short shorts, bright colors, grilled corn, and generally anything having to do with spring. However, my home and wardrobe do not match this enthusiasm.  Those of you that know me know that my style (fashion and home) is very eclectic.  Jeremy and I have a lot of hand-me-downs when it comes to furniture which, mixed with our more simple modern style, makes for an interesting mix.  And while I love those gifted pieces, they're not really my style.  I'm really just now getting a handle on what my style is, and I'm loving it.  Here are some amazing photos that inspire me to get creative with my fashion and home decor style.  I hope you get a little inspiration as well! Enjoy!

FAVORITE! The floors, crisp white, chocolate wall, all of it!

This just screams Spring to me.

So sleek and simple.  A little too modern for me, but I love the calm color palette and wood.

Grey and Robin's Egg Blue are my favorite color combo.

Love the high waisted shorts and blouse.  So mello.

I am in love with this girl's romper.  It seems so effortless. 

Happy Spring and Get Outside!!

Artsy Fartsy

More artsy than fartsy, I hope.  I have been inspired recently to really start up my stationary line. The line will include all kinds of cards, invitations, notes, and other lovely paper goods.  I can't wait to get started and thanks to the support of family (both through gifts and love) I've gained the tools to begin this dream of mine.  I already have an Etsy shop (if you don't know what Etsy is, you must stop right now and click on the link below and browse to your heart's content) and it's only filled with art from college that I'm trying to get rid of, but soon it will be the home of my complete line of notes and things.  

The link to my Etsy store is www.fosterandstella.etsy.com.  

When you're done oogling at what I have to offer (ha) please browse this amazing website.  It is dedicated to handmade everything.  Independent artists, crafters, and vintage lovers come together to create a site that I now buy almost all gifts from.  A lot of fun things to find and admire, so have fun!

On top of all of that, I would like to also say that I love doing makeup.  I have done three weddings so far (friends) and I've loved every minute of it!!  I will provide photos once I can wrangle up some from all my beautiful clients.  So, if you're in need of a fabulous face for your wedding, prom, date, night out, night in, or just because (and you live in the Raleigh area) please contact me and I'd be more than honored to help you out.  You may contact me through my Etsy shop linked above.  

This is a lot of information.  However, I've been thinking and praying about a lot of this stuff for so long that it was bound to come out!  I can't wait to see what God has in store for my talents.  

So, for now, I sketch.