1) #TogetherWeLetter Handlettering Challenge
I’m just loving the #TogetherWeLetter Handlettering challenge! I’m posting my handlettering for each day’s prompt on my Instagram account.
2) Tulips & “Just Because” Gifts
We aren’t big on celebrating Hallmark holidays. Instead, we like to show our love in little and big ways on the everyday days. I much prefer gifts and notes and flowers that are given “just because” instead of “because it’s what’s expected”.
This week, I came home to these tulips — a “just because” purchase from Jesse who knows I adore tulips. And they make me smile so much — not only because they are so bright and cheery, but because they remind me how blessed I am to be married to a man who loves me well, in spite of our hard days, disagreements, and differences.
Marriage isn’t just a one-time commitment at the altar. It’s a daily living out of that commitment. A daily choice to say and show through my words and actions that “I still do.”
3) A Stack of Good Books
I’m loving the books I’m reading this week. I’m finding that only reading 3 books at a time is the perfect number for me right now. It feels like it allows me to savor the books while providing enough variety to keep me really engaged with them. (See what I’m reading right now here.)
4) A Yummy Crockpot Meatball Recipe
We were SO impressed with how this recipe for Slow Cooker Meatballs turned out and it was so delicious and easy that I put it back on our menu again this coming week!
5) A Funny Quote
Isn’t that the truth?! Anyone else feel this way, too?
What are YOU loving this week?
Rebecca @ everydaytreks says
I love seeing your hand lettering progress!
5 things I’m loving right now:
1. Taking the ferry to Seattle. Exploring Seattle is fun. But the ferry ride itself is always my favorite.
2. Loose leaf raspberry black tea.
3. Living in a tiny house (~150sqft). Besides how quickly it gets messy. It feels like I’m living in a fort.
4. Experimenting in wordpress. Posting regularly is finally starting to become a habit, and I am learning so much!
5. Making progress towards my goals. (MakeOverYourYear shout out!) I had a friend spend the weekend with me, I think I talked her ear off sharing how excited I was accomplishing small steps towards big goals.
Crystal Paine says
SO THRILLED about your goal progress!!
Kim says
I love the hand lettering! I bought the book for my daughter for valentine’s day and was wondering if you had any suggestions for pens to use with it?
Thanks!
Crystal Paine says
I LOVE the Tombow pens!
lynn m. says
@Crystal,
I know this is super off topic, but I’d love to see your family’s grocery shopping food/items for meals each week. You all eat closer to how my family eats and I’d love to compare how I’m doing and get some ideas for my meals. Thanks!
Martina says
Me too!!
Niki Roberts says
Just a little food for thought. Saint Valentine, a Christian saint made martyr for marrying Roman soldiers and preforming Christian communion, both punishable offenses in fifth century ad is actually the patron saint of marriage, not romance. Valentine’s Day was not seen as a romantic holiday until the Canterbury tales in the thirteenth century, and the creation of commercialized valentines in the Victorian era. Personally, I find Saint Valentine’s story a very compelling testimony as to the sanctity of marriage, and not a just because, commercial holiday too! Thanks for a great post!
Jamie @ Medium Sized Family says
Tulips are some of my favorites, too! And inside flowers in the wintertime are always a big plus for me.
1. I’m loving doctors and meds that help my poor son with migraines to feel a bit better.
2. We got to go on a rare date while my Mom stayed with the kids. It made me realize that we really need to carve out more one on one time together.
3. A kind dentist who made me feel less nervous about my appointment.
4. Hot donuts!
5. Being able to hang with our BHAG for January.
Hope you have a great week!
Crystal Paine says
I love #4… doughnuts are always worth celebrating!!
Victoria says
Love the tulips!
5 Things I am Loving This Week
1. An afternoon in Fort Wayne with my eldest.
2. A thrifty bread score: .89 cents a loaf for organic multigrain.
3. Coffee with a friend Saturday morning.
4. Homemade pizza night made entirely by my son.
5. Swimming: I have been adding is exercise that is suppose to be safe for my foot injury very slowly and was please to find out that swimming doesn’t seem to make it worse.
Crystal Paine says
I love that your son made the homemade pizza!! That inspires me to teach my kids how to make pizza!
Victoria says
My eldest has been making your recipe by himself since he was 12!
Alicia @ Turquoise Grace says
I like these posts and seeing other people’s responses, so I figure it’s only fair to share mine!
5 things I’m loving this week :
1. I FINALLY got up the courage to launch my blog, after 5 years of this idea percolating in my mind. I’m still really nervous , but overall happy that I took the leap of faith. BIG week for me!
2. After launching my blog, I got some really encouraging and touching feedback from a couple of my dear friends, which has been very motivating and uplifting.
3. My husband actually agreed to start a marriage bible study with me (as he’s not someone who’s typically into this sort of thing), and so far it’s been really great for us!
4. Starbucks coffee! Enough said.
5. My parents coming over on Thursday afternoons to help with the kiddos so I can get some laundry done and run a few errands. It’s been SO helpful!
I’m looking foreward to another great week! 🙂
Crystal Paine says
YAY for launching your blog!!!
Davonne @ The Tidy Mom says
I always enjoy your five things posts! Here are mine:
1) Being settled into our new office – Monday was our first day open in our new location & this week has been so much fun. We have twice as much space and everyone has their own office – it’s so incredible to see the fruits of our labor, and to watch God’s blessings pour down from Heaven.
2) Friends who are supportive of me & check in to offer love and encouragement without expecting much in return because our office manager left unexpectedly just days before our big move so I’m suddenly working 50+ hours a week again until we find and train a replacement.
3) My crockpot, for the above reasons. Coming home to dinner after a 12 hour shift is a huge gift!
4) Amazing homeschool curricula. Through all of these crazy transitions, our kids are getting a ton of real life experiences, and having a huge choice of curricula has made it so we can continue to homeschool well in a way that fits our current needs.
5) My cozy bed. Because, after numbers 1-4 are done each day, zzzzzzzz…… 🙂
Thank you for encouraging me to focus on positive things, this is always a gift to think about each week!
Crystal Paine says
Wow! Sounds like life is FULL for you right now!! Yay for the new office!!