Happy Monday morning! I hope you had a fantastic weekend — I know we did!
We got to spend time in Kansas City with Ruth from Living Well Spending Less and her family (that’s both of us pictured above). She’s a dear friend of mine, so it was such a blessing to get to hang out together — even if our hours together seemed all too short.
Our children had a blast together at the Deanna Rose Farmstead. They got to bottle-feed goats, ride ponies, go fishing, ride on a hayride, and mine for gems. It was so much fun!
Links I Loved
I read a few great posts this morning that I had to pass along if you have a little extra time to read today. Enjoy!
Much About Doing Nothing — “When did summer vacation become so complicated? When did summer begin to feel rushed, frantic, hurried, exhausting? When did we make summer about squeezing in as much entertainment, fun, and activities as the schedule could manage?”
The First Thing You Must Do on Monday Morning — “If there is only one thing you do this Monday morning before beginning your week, it’s this: Do Nothing. Yup, you heard me. It’s not fancy advice, and it doesn’t require a set of instructions, a coach or an app on hand. Instead, it’s just a few simple words.”
She Says I’m Honest — “Can we all just exhale and be honest with each other? This is real life. This is my life, and quite frankly, it’s not always ‘pinnable’…”
How was your weekend? Have you read any great posts recently? If so, share the link in the comments!
Denise says
Best petting zoo ever! Used to go there growing up! I also used to take the kids I baby sat! So fun reading your blog as a fellow Kansan and good to know you were up further north in my old stomping grounds! Too bad I live in OH now and live so far from my favorite petting zoo!
Lana says
We got to spend time with all four of our grandchildren this weekend! That is always a good and sticky weekend! (they are all 5 and under)
Jo Lynn says
Looks like a great weekend!
This weekend was my annual decluttering extravaganza! I feel so much more at peace with less and with it more organized.
I really enjoyed this post here: http://www.sarahannrogers.com/2013/07/16/less-than-put-together/
It’s about being less than put together and that’s ok. She also talks about trying to just keep it together as a mom of a young one with one on the way and how despite what society and sometimes even church says doing what she’s doing right now in her home is very meaningful. However she says it way more eloquently than my description here! It was a great read, one that stuck with me.
Ruth says
I thought the time went way too fast too! I hope our paths lead us together again soon. Have a wonderful week, my sweet friend! xoxo
Marie says
So glad you got to have some down time with friends and your family!
I’ve really purposed to have a slower summer and at times it’s still felt busy. But the last two weeks we went on a family vacation and it provided a lot of down time and just fun!!! We were in Door County, WI. and took the kids to a place called The Farm. They too got to feed baby animals w/ baby bottles. it was a riot! My two year old was yelling, “One a time, One a time!” as the animals were bombarding her for the milk! We also did a lot of swimming. And we taught our 6 year olds how to play UNO.
Looking forward to the rest of summer.
Crystal says
So glad that you had a relaxing family vacation.
And yes, the animals sure know how to bombard the little kids for those milk bottles don’t they?! Silas got caught in a goat stampede when he first went into the pen with his milk bottle. I ran over and had to stand right with him the rest of the time lest he be completely run down by anxious and excited (and apparently very hungry!) goats!
Victoria says
Looks like you had an amazing weekend! I got a lot of writing done this weekend and also spent sometime playing in the pool with my hubby and our daughter one night and then the following night my daughter and I had a squirt gun fight . So it was a great mix of work and relaxation.
Crystal says
Oh, that DOES sound like a great mix of both hard work and good fun!
Melony says
It really doesn’t surprised me that you and Ruth are good friends….funnily enough, her blog and yours are 2 of the 5 that I read regularly. Haha!!
What a blessing to have great friends to share life with! 🙂
Crystal says
Yes, friends are such a blessing! And thank you for your kind encouragement!
Keren says
Great pictures! And great links–I’m sensing a theme of slowing down! 🙂 I think most of us need to hear that reminder again and AGAIN!
I shared my 3 “links to think” this morning, though this week’s are not extremely profound or life-changing. http://www.kerenthrelfall.com/2013/07/22/links-to-think-07-22-13/ (1. Western Cultures vs. Asian Cultures infographic, 2. “Blessed Are the Buff” [look at the tension between idolizing food and fitness within the church culture] 3. The “July Effect” in the Medical Arena)
Crystal says
Thanks so much for sharing your post and those links!
Victoria @ Creative Home Keeper says
I love the farmstead! It’s my favorite place to take the kids when it’s nice out. An added bonus is that it is free during the week and very affordable on the weekends!
Crystal says
We couldn’t believe how affordable it was!
Ruth@GraceLaced says
Crystal, thanks so much for featuring my post! Have a great week!!
Crystal says
You are so welcome! I was very inspired/challenged by it and had to share!