Find Joy >> right here

"Someone once told me to always live for 

the little things in life. ..."

"... Live for 5am sunrises and 5pm sunsets where you'll see colours in the sky that don't usually belong. ..."

"... Live for road trips and bike rides with music in your ears and the wind in your hair. ..."

"... Live for days when you're surrounded by your favourite people who make you realise that the world is not a cold, harsh place. ..."

"... Live for the little things because they will make you realise that 

this is what life is about... "

"... this is what it means to be alive." // a.y.

Bikes and boards. A steady stream of people migrating to the river with tubes in hand. Hot sun, soft blanket, shady hat and a good book. Something about afternoon shadows on concrete in the summer. Slow days at the Farmer's Market. Alone time, people watching. Family time, doing life together. Frisbees, dogs, sandals on my feet, tan-lines that tell stories of time well spent. #thisissummer #thelittlethings

// check out little sister's YouTube channel and watch the video she made on the 4th //

Around Here...

NELSON CHEESE HAUS >> Eau Claire, WI
Drive down Brackett you'll probably see it but you've probably never though to stop. Inside this little shop on the corner you will find local cheeses and meats for sale, but in the summer they also have ice cream. They don't give samples but you're bound to find a flavor that sounds good and for less than $2 for a {generous} scoop, you can't go wrong!

/// /// ///

TEMPO >> Eau Claire, WI
Fair trade and Organic coffee shop, right down the hill from my Little House and just around the corner from Phoenix Park and the Farmer's Market. I had never gone in before because I'm usually traveling deeper into downtown but after sunning myself for a few hours at the park I wanted to find something cool and refreshing that was only a short walk away. So glad I stopped in! The barista was so sweet and being able to get an iced chai and the local "goings-on" was just what I needed. Prices are a bit steep ($4.50 for a 16oz chai), but justifiable because it's fair trade and organic!

Around here... #musicinthepark

In the six years we have lived here -- which just struck me as being a long time! -- we have never made it to Music in the Park. All summer, every Thursday, local artists perform down by the river in the park. It's always sounded lovely to me. And such a true taste of Eau Claire.

Tonight was my first time. "And it was real, and it was great, and it was really great." It's wonderful how the city unloads, there's not a single parking space for a mile in any direction, and everyone just comes together to soak in summer. 

Kids dance and play and hula hoop near the band. Bikes and dogs and lawn chairs. Families, friends, people just walking by... Enjoying a June evening on the grass wrapped up in melodies.

I pride myself on being a tidy eater but when handed a drippy ice cream cone I had no chance. And I didn't sweat it. Childhood summers at the pool, walking down the hot sidewalk, catching fireflies.. All of this seemed kin to that drippy ice cream cone and it made the mess sweet.

I just don't know how it gets better than this -- sharing a blanket with precious friends, feet bare, sticky fingers, new favorite sundress, and a fiddle ringing out over the river valley. #thisissummer

Find Joy >> right here

Every summer has a story.

At least once every summer we load up the pick-up, grab our pillows and sweatshirts, and go to the drive-in theater. Sometimes it is just us, sometimes we meet friends. Getting there before the sunsets is the best... catching that golden hour light, listening to the radio, watching kids throw around a football. Some people can't see the joy in sitting outside with the bugs, getting covered in dew as the night goes on, staying up late and having to drive home after... but I love it!

 The small-town feel of all those trunk doors open, people sitting and sipping cool drinks, soaking in the sunset, cuddling under blankets in the trunk. Getting to watch a movie on the biggest screen ever and, at any moment, being able to look up and see the sky brimming with stars up above it. It's true that you're damp, cold, tired, itchy from bug bites and a bit sore, but that's all part of the experience. All of those things are just reminders to me of a marvelous night.

Around Here...

Summer around here means long walks, 

shady streets, clear blue rivers, thrift sales, 

buying books from the library, and iced mint tea.

Find Joy >> right here

Time wasted at the lake is time well spent.

Slow-paced Sunday. Sleeping in, standing in the sunshine, reading in the back seat while driving north, forgetting time as you sit on the dock at the lake. #thisissummer

It wasn't anything fancy, our day at the lake. Dad just wanted to "road trip" up to the Cabin for the afternoon/evening. Hammock time, picnic tables, sharing a beach towel with Gabi's little dog, reading "My Antonia"...

Lane playing Gameboy, Gabi drawing, Aidan exploring the beach... paddle-boats, sunglasses, feet splashing, sun-glares in the corners of my photos and reflecting on the pages of my book.

Just being content to sit, silent, in the open air. Finding joy in summer and family time. Praying that the Cabin is a place of rest and peace, joy and glory for many years to come.