If you've been around a runner, or are a runner yourself, you've most likely heard this saying. If you haven't, eh, chalk it up to "one of those runner things". I found this type treatment when I was researching subway signs the other day and thought it was pretty cool. While there are no speed contests in my training lately, I do find myself up before the sun quite often. I hate, HATE getting out of bed in the mornings, but it tends to grow on a person after a while. Compared to Dallas, this place is so quiet; that early morning time is a really great way to start the day. Peaceful. Sunrise. All the newspapers are out. "Good morning" exchanges with the elderly folks coming out to retrieve said newspaper. Time to reflect on the day ahead. And/or write my "to-do" list!

So this morning I have welcomed the sun (and the wind, surprisingly), consumed my peanut butter toast, turned on some chill music, and am ready to tackle the day.

Music of the day: Gungor... really liking the song Beautiful Things. Some of their other stuff is whiny.

You make beautiful things,

You make beautiful things out of dust.

You make beautiful things,

You make beautiful things out of us.

All around,

Hope is springing up from this old ground.

Out of chaos, life is being found in You.

You make me new,

You are making me new,

You make me new,

You are making me new.

Here's to Friday.

Today I am thankful for peanut butter, foam rollers, Skype, t-shirt sheets, and John Denver.

***

Really trying to be mindful of the season of Lent this year and lean into that time. A great paraphrasing I've been mulling over today, via a friend's site:

"Trust me enough to spend ample time with Me, pushing back the demands of the day. You will find that you can accomplish more in less time, after you have given yourself to me ... As you align yourself with my perspective, you can sort out what is important with what is not. Don't fall into the trap of being constantly on the go. Many, many things people do in My Name have no value in My Kingdom. To avoid doing meaningless work, stay in constant communication with Me. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you."

(Luke 10:41-42, Psalm 32:8)  --Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

***

This little gem arrived in the mail today, Mammut's S-Lite. I get really excited when packages arrive – even more so when it's something this cool. May have to do a little night running to test it out. Here's to hoping there's a good ending to the one that shattered on the tile floor...

Next up, Mercy Project and BCS happenings.

Time for massive updating. Here's the family news as of late. Or more accurately, the last 3 months...

Gila joined the ranks at the 4N Ranch.

Wyatt turned 5! Birthday time was complete with a treasure map, dinosaur fossil dig, and an orange T-Rex birthday cake made by GT. Oh, and football. Lots and lots of football.

We changed things up for Christmas this year. Amber and I headed to a little cabin for some peace and quiet for the weekend. I had a picture... emphasis on the "had". Then we all gathered at the Ranch over New Year's weekend.

"Christmas morning"...

... plenty of coffee ...

... painting with M ...

... and Emme downing some homemade whipped cream.

And then more recently, DM & Julianna tied the knot in Canada!

Never short on Nickson adventure!

I was a pretty terrible sculpture student. Unfortunately, the class was a requirement for all art degrees, and while the professor was one of my favorites, my 3D abilities were quite lacking. My projects usually went like this: don't know what to do... don't have any ideas... can't think of anything... 48 hours til the due date... GREAT IDEA!... execution... class critique.... epic fail. All my "brilliancy" down the drain as I looked over the other student's work and realized that my piece better fit an elementary school art project. Bronze was my only saving grace – and even that was a stretch.

And so, I appreciate great sculpture. I think it takes a very unique mind to come up with some of the amazing and innovative pieces we see today. I came across this really creative sculptor via this really great illustrator's site earlier today. Pretty incredible. 

This clever piece, titled Scarp, uses 5,000 articles of clothing – on loan from Goodwill. It's a comment on American consumerism and the overflow of landfills. More info here.

And this one – Military Carving By the Book – is an army man replica made out of books that were written on the subject of war. War opinions aside, it's pretty ingenious. Oh, and it's hollow so that transportation would be easier. Found here.

A little Friday inspiration. Cheers!

... looked at every art book in Half Price

... walked out of Half Price having bought only one book

... got backed into in the Target parking lot
... managed to cause a "small" fire in the microwave (darn butter wrapper)
... perfected a sugar cookie recipe
... hung shelves in my room
... braved Hobby Lobby on a Saturday before V-day
... read and journaled over coffee
... explored a new running route in the neighborhood
... talked to some folks in Canada :)
... worked on a church logo
... took a power nap
... made white chicken chili
... worked on a sweet mobile – yes, a mobile – for the corner of my room (think artsy, not baby crib-ish)
... ate pretzels for lunch
... watched The Firm
... drank hot tea
... learned a new song

... and, decided to crank the 'ole blog up again.

Welcome back.

Bring in the bulldozers and cranes; it's time for a little remodel! Hopefully I'll be back to posting soon. Once I figure out the code in this new template. And turn the red text into something not red. And make the columns wider. And get the stars to align exactly how I want them to. Stay tuned.