Lazy W Marie

Carpeing all the diems in semi-rural Oklahoma...xoxo

You are here: Home / Archives for literary saturdays

friday 5 at the farm: some great internet finds

Hello, happy Friday! TGIF!! What a week it’s been here. It’s been one of those solid, smooth running, list-conquering weeks, fairly unremarkable but very satisfying, you know? And all the spaces in between have been happily filled with Love and prayer and strong running and great food. Also, we finally found a few comedies to watch, so hallelujah for that!

The “big stuff” in life, the traumas and temporarily unanswered questions, are either staying the same or being worked on by God in the unseen background, however you choose to see things. I think you know where I stand with that. He is so generous and steadfast, so faithful with His promises. Trusting Him is the only way, really, that we get any sleep. And it’s only by His assurances and grace that we can move through our daily lives while waiting for answers about our Girl.

Thank you, by the way, for your continued prayers and love notes.

.

 

Anyway. It’s Friday!! We have almost made it through another incredible work week, and before the weekend kicks up I thought I’d share a handful of internet treasures with you guys, Friday 5 style. Please feel free to send me links to excellent articles or ideas you’ve found, too! I love good brain and body and soul stuff. 

Sandy the Reluctant Entertainer shares gorgeous, approachable recipes all the time, and they always accompany some much-needed life advice. So I hope you follow her somewhere for your own sake. But this recipe for stuffed poblano peppers jumped out at me thanks to my current craving for hot and spicy food, and her story about family bonds and seizing the moment is well received. Also! Poblano pepper seeds are on my garden ordering list. It’s going to be a fun food growing year at the farm!

I found this article on marriage over at Ann Voskamp’s blog. It’s a guest post by Barbara Rainey, and it is beautiful. I hope you give it a few minutes of your day. Handsome and I are big believers in the small stuff. 

When the small stuff of marriage isn’t diligently attended to, then big-stuff crises provide plenty of reasons to quit an already muddy marriage. ~Barbara Rainey

Some Very Necessary Writing Quotes by Marisa Mohi. I am pretty crazy about Marisa for lots of reasons, not the least of which is her prolificity. How she manages to write thorough and engaging blog posts on top of a full-time job and the needs of a well attached Rosie Puppins is kind of amazing to me. I love her posts. This one is like a delicious appetizer menu for people who need to prime the writing pump. (Raises hand in shame…)

What Journaling Actually Does to Your Brain, at mindbodygreen. Yes. How lovely that a scientific study is provided. I recently revamped my pen-and-paper gratitude and journal practice and am loving it. Whether it has made me more altruistic, I don’t know; but I do feel calmer and more peaceful toward people and situations that normally wind me up pretty hard. If mindfulness and open-heartedness are feelings you crave in the new year, then journaling could be an excellent start.

Are you following Adriene? Are you doing her TRUE yoga series? It is, no surprise at all, luscious!! Luscious in every way. My body feels incredibly loose and strong, spacious, which makes running even more fun. And every day she offers these beautiful little pep talks that are just soothing. Each session has a theme word, and often they line right up with my private journal focus and Bible devotion for that day. Isn’t that cool? This daily yoga practice has really helped slow down the January rush. I feel like I am squeezing more good stuff, more nutrients, out of each day, and I plan to keep at it after this series ends. If you’re looking for some regular doses of yoga, consider this one. Start it anytime.

We tried this homemade bread recipe to make little scooped-out bread bowls for serving homemade broccoli-cheese soup. Handsome and I both loved it! It had an almost old sourdough flavor, was easy to make with basic pantry ingredients, and baked up very fragrantly. I love any recipe that makes the house feel cozy like that. The bread finishes crusty and hollow-sounding with a soft, fluffy middle, perfect for scooping out. (I twice-baked the scooped bits with olive oil for really great croutons.) We’ll keep this on our regular menu rotation, at least during the cool months.

Pacino and Klaus enduring our weird Thursday afternoon sense of humor.

Okay, that was a list of six, ha! Bonus points, ok, because that bread bowl recipe is not to be skipped. Make it and be happy!

Happiest of Fridays to you, friends! Feed yourselves well, nourish each other, do everything you can do, and then trust God. It’s going to be okay.

“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.”
~Henry David Thoreau
XOXOXOXO

literary saturday may 27, 2017

Hello, and good Saturday morning to you! I am up extra early, caffienating and foam rolling before a little group run with friends in Midwest City. I have another running meet-up planned for early Sunday morning, too. Twice in one weekend? Who am I?

Besides starting two of our long-weekend days with running, my guy and I have some fun stuff coming up. Lots of sunshine-related fun stuff. Hopefully fewer wasp stings than we had yesterday (because can we all agree than one is enough). A sushi group date. A bonfire party. Some movie watching, to be sure. More sunshine. Less cerebral books than I have chosen lately.

The gardens are lush and making progress. I could be very happy spending several hours out there, “puttering” as my grandparents used to say, and adding another block of seed to the Three Sisters market garden.

In case you are up on Saturday morning with some great coffee and an appetite for reading, here are a few sweet spots on the internet:

This mini modern bohemian space in Philly, via Apartment Therapy. So nice. Plants like a jungle. Natural light. Colorful artwork. Did you see that tiny kitchen, but so neat and tidy? And the blue velvet sofa? And the interior brick wall? And the iron bracket, open shelving? It’s all a small version of my favorite aesthetics here in the farmhouse Apartment. And the smallness and coziness remind me so much of my daughter’s cabin in Colorado. Nice.

(( she has added a fridge & made some cool changes since this photo was taken ))

I am a sucker for research into and advice on how diet affects us, inside and out, physically and otherwise. This article at The Chalkboard shines some light on Omega fats and how they could impact our moods.

Nester shared a guest post by her friend Tsh titled, “When You Love to Travel & You Love Being at Home.” I thought it was written directly to me, ha. Then I read the article and was entranced by this woman’s life story. So fascinating! As different as our lives have been, she offers lots of relatable insight. I happened to read this close to some travels of our own, which was nice.

Travel is the one thing you can buy that makes you richer.

(( oh new orleans… xoxo ))

I love the Bon Appetit network of media. They pack both their website and magazine full of great ideas and gorgeous photography. And so upbeat! This article, though, especially got to me. The woman’s smile first caught my attention, then the title: “Transplanting Traditions Farm, a Place Where Refugees can Grow a Bit of Home.” Oh man. This is amazing. And inspiring. And humbling.

Have you noticed that inspiration almost always comes as a package deal with humility?

I have a still very long list of good reading to share, but the skies are brightening up a bit. Time to move on. Can we talk about S-Town, soon? Also a book called Lincoln in the Bardo? And Kite Runner? Okay thanks. I am a mess over them all.

Happy Saturday!! Tell me something you’ve been reading!

XOXOXOXO

early november saturday reading links

As I offer you these links to browse, and I hope you do so at a leisurely pace while drinking your favorite Saturday morning hot beverage, I am on a mandatory rest thanks to strep throat. After sleeping eleven hours last night I don’t feel like resting; I feel like being up doing stuff. Buy my husband insists. So at least I have more time for reading at a leisurely pace and sipping my favorite coffee and later gulping homemade soup, right?

Okay then let’s make that soup filled with chicken and kale and ginger and garlic. Because I forgot to buy more acorn squash, again. Oh! Maybe some pumpkin or lentils in the soup? Maybe. For now, this morning, perfect dark coffee. Maybe some cream. And antibiotics.

Shall we?

Over at Hither and Thither we find a succinct and elegant commentary on a New York Times Magazine article about the freedom that comes with minimalism, sort of. The author of Narrow Down Your Sense of Need draws a distinction between sailing around the world (physically) and sailing through it (spiritually). I loved this so much. Maybe it’s a lesson we all need to refresh once in a while, and of course it grooves me these days as Handsome and I strive make the farm literally less cluttered.

But it occurs to me that narrowing down one’s sense of need for external validations and affirmations could be another way to think about how to access freedom.

Somehow while sewing aprons on Thursday I stumbled onto a series of lectures by a group called Healthcare Triage. I listened to maybe twenty in a row, of varying lengths, and became smitten by their pairing of process-heavy research, casual but helpful explanations, and some pretty funny skepticism. In a world noisy with buzzwords, this information source was a breath of fresh air. Rather than point you to a specific article or video, I just want to introduce you to the whole shebang. If you are a wellness junkie like me but crave more fact-backing and less corporate sponsorship, then this might be worth your time.

The next link was brought to my attention on Facebook when a dear friend posted it and I unwittingly entered a barely heated exchange. I have been thinking of both the article and the fallout ever since and would love to hear more people’s opinions. The 30-Day Relationship Revitalization Plan. I will resist framing it too much and just let you read it for yourself. Please feel free to email me if you’d rather keep your opinions private.

The title of this Minnesota Public Radio article caught my attention, then its short content just raised more interesting questions. The statistics just made me want to read more, but more of what I already read. Not so much poetry. Literature Reading Rates Down.

You know by now that I have the biggest girl crush on Joy the Baker, and it’s not not because she lives in the most magical city ever. Really, the two just fit each other to my thinking. I am excited for her new cookbook to release, and I am really excited about her Bakehouse announcement! The interior decor here is spot on, and how amazing to open your home to students and readers. Very cool. Very cool indeed.

forever new orleans

Have you seen this documentary yet? Sugarcoated. A lot of it will feel familiar, but many of the statistics are new and get extra credit for being disturbing. (All eyes on liver disease in kids who never drink alcohol.) I am paying close attention to my sugar intake not just for fat loss but also because eating it so often makes me feel weird. My mom was diagnosed with diabetes just a few years ago, so it has my attention. I mean I still want a perfect, steaming, complicated homemade cookie now and then. Please make sure it’s oatmeal-chocolate-chip with crushed walnuts or pecans, and please bring me cold milk. Otherwise, yeah let’s pay attention to our sugar intake for many good reasons.

Speaking of sweet stuff…

At a recent beekeepers’ club meeting in Noble, OK, I heard some folks talking about the winter forecast, about how mild it promises to be, and how that’s more or less good news for our fuzzy little ladies-not-of-leisure. The Farmers’ Almanac agrees, and so far Oklahoma weather is holding steady. I just yesterday bought a few fall plants on clearance (what few they had left), and it still feels too early. This does make being outside nice, though.

30 Thoughts Runners Have at the Grocery Store. “I’m so virtuous!” Ha. Yep. Also, bring on the kale.

Side note: I had approximately nine more running article to share with you guys but decided to have mercy.

Okay, Klaus’ brother Lincoln has spent a couple of nights with us at the farm, and those two big German Shepherds plus one husband are beckoning for a cuddle. I hope you have a wonderful Saturday filled with great reading and zero strep throat germs. Send me a link or a new book title!

“Rest and be thankful.”
~William Wadsworth
XOXOXO

 

 

 

a week’s worth of links worth sharing

Before we read, let’s laugh:

If that doesn’t work, let’s try apple cider vinegar. Or maybe some essential oils.

How to be a Morning Person by Marisa Mohi. Marisa is another member of Oklahoma Women Bloggers, and she and I are becoming fast friends. At least in my mind. She might be reading this and weaving her head slowly left and right in a freaked-out, hey back off lady kind of way. Whatever. We are both quite good at Snapchat and she writes smart, interesting stuff weekly. This is just one example. 

Farro-Apple-Mozzarella Salad by Sandy the Reluctant Entertainer. As always, Sandy offers a mouth-watering recipe right alongside some deep, relatable emotions and a healthy dose of wisdom. I love her spirit. Sandy and her husband have recently moved to a small mountain cabin (remind you of anyone?) and are focusing on downsizing their material world so they can maximize their life. This has been a huge motivation for me here at the farm. Beautiful stuff.

Holly’s Farmhouse Tour by Allison at Refunk My Junk. YOU GUYS. Love. Just when I abandon all the crazy colors here and dive deep into charcoal and gold. But still.

Secrets of People Who are Always Full of Energy by Apartment Therapy. As someone who is normally bursting with energy (not this week, it has been a sickly week for me) I wholly support each of the suggestions here. Seven great daily commitments to make to your own well-being. 

Six Month Novel Writing Plan Maybe one of the reasons I feel such joy with marathon training is that it teaches the power of a structured, long-term plan. It changes an impossible-seeming dream into a realistic, even an appetizing goal. Now to get this book out of my head and onto paper.

Lactate Threshold What it is and how it can make you faster. Yes, a running article. The author explains tempo runs in a way that really clicked for me, and she explains the science behind that deeply cleansing sensation of a long, slow run. Our bodies are amazing. 

Speaking of amazing, let’s try this soon! Coffee Granola Clusters. Okay.

This cute slide show 18 Lessons You Learn When Dating a Girl Who Loves Her Dog made me think of our beautiful baby in Colorado. She is devoted to her pup Bridget and Bridget is devoted to her, and dating boys never interferes with that, ha. 

best hiking buddies ever
best hiking buddies ever

Thank you for checking in, friends! What have you been reading?

“I get sad every time I hear a person say I don’t read.
It’s like saying I don’t learn or
I don’t laugh or
I don’t live.”
~Unknown
XOXOXOXO

slow rainy saturday reading & a bee wish

We were promised a dark and stormy start to the weekend, moody perhaps and perfect for cocooning a little longer than usual. While we did wake up a little late and to a grey sky and well soaked farm, the rain seems to be past us already. Handsome and I enjoyed Hot Tub Summit with roosters and baby peeps providing the soundtrack. Klaus romped with his llama friend. We resisted most reflexes to plan work and projects and more work. (Sometimes it’s really hard to resist.) And now we are inside, continuing the slow easy Saturday pace. How luxurious after a concrete-heavy week. My guy is dealing with a sub-par drone purchase while watching reruns of Rifleman. I am draining another mug of perfect coffee while reading and writing to you. 

It’s Saturday, so how about a list of articles worth exploring?

Bon Appetit magazine always offers great, worthwhile stuff, and this post about fragrance is no exception. In this house we are careful about candles and have recently outlawed melty wax gadgets, so employing natural scents is often the name of the game. Love it. How to Make Your Kitchen Smell Amazing Before Dinner Guests Arrive. Side note? I recently tried simmering warm season herbs and citrus, and it was lovely. Try filling your stock pot with mint, lemon wedges, and basil. Really nice. Clean and cool. 

I love just about everything Ashley Hackshaw does. Her interests are a lot like mine, sure, but it’s more than that. She is indomitable and magnetic. She lives the “Choose Joy” mantra her dad left her, and it’s contagious. She sucks all the marrow out of everything she attempts, big and small, and I think it’s really beautiful. Here is a simple craft that I will be doing here at the farm pronto. Hugs to this big-hearted woman. DIY Embroidery Hoop Loom.

My good friend Rose shared an article that feels like the author is in my head. 10 Things I Want My Daughter to Know When Things Get Real is so much of what I am always thinking about for Jocelyn. Joc will be 21 in a few weeks, a strong and tender age. Terrifying and exciting. She is off on her own in another state, far removed yet so close. She is experiencing life in ways I doubt she expected to when she first left Oklahoma for that little temporary job adventure. I am so proud of her, and I pray for her heart and soul as hard as I do for her physical safety and financial security. Read this, folks. In a culture where we worry so much about structure and convention and what kids should be doing when, this is a balm that lets us pay attention to their deep emotional well-being. Thank you for posting this Rose!

My friend Marci has just sent her oldest to a wonderful residential high school, and she is fairly heartbroken. This is a difficult enough transition for any parent, but she is experiencing it a few years early. That makes it harder, I think. This post about why moms cry when they drop their kids off at college is so perfect. Marci read it and affirmed every word. Grown and Flown.

Okay, switching gears!

Maybe it’s all the mileage I’m racking up, but my body is craving dense, chewy carbs like it hasn’t craved in months. I am okay with that. So what perfect timing for another round of the King Arthur Flour bake-along. First up in this series is a gorgeous braided yeast bread called pane bianco. It has basil, okay, and cheese and roasted tomatoes. Watch my Instagram soon for some carb-heavy loveliness. I will aim for a day preceding another long run, ha. Bake it with me! Then run with me? We will be so happy.

Gardening is so good for us; this should be zero surprise. I loved this article a lot. It’s not even a new article, but I ran across it recently and it’s definitely worth reading. Friends, as summer slows down, get your hands in the dirt. Breath in the fresh air. Let nature heal and inspire you in all kinds of ways. Nature loves you. The Curious Case of the Antidepressant, Anti-Anxiety Backyard Garden.

Constant learners live better lives, and some form of meditation and routine is really smart. Also no surprise, but the breakdown to a five-hour rule is pretty cool. Additionally a string of Ted talks I listened to this week supported the idea that adding an hour of daily study of a particular topic can grow you into an expert in that field within a year. Or something like that, ha. Anyway I am a devoted morning person, and my days always go best when I spend some time getting mentally geared up, ruminating on creative projects and organizing my goals. Coffee and sweat help, too. Fun read by Inc.com.

Okay sweet smart friends, what have you read lately?

Oh- Just for the sake of record keeping, I will share that the photo above is of our swarm hive. It appears to be thriving, the bee population truly exploded and the uppermost frames dripping with honey. But a couple of days ago I discovered a few Small Hive Beetles scurrying around the grass at the base of the hive. This could be nothing if the bees are strong and plentiful enough to ward them off, but a thorough inspection is probably in order. Please wish me luck. Send all of your healthy bee thoughts this way, okay, because I really want this colony to thrive. Thank you!

Happiest of lazy, fun, restorative Saturdays to you!
XOXOXOXO