You might have seen me post on Facebook or Twitter recently about Green by USA, a new website which offers green, American-made products from a variety of vendors. Well, when Tina — an old family friend, miltary wife, and babywearing, cloth-diapering mama of 3 — asked me if I wanted to sell a line of natural-fiber hats on the site, of course I said yes! (This new line is in addition to my Etsy shop).
So check out Green by USA, and be sure to leave them some love on Facebook.
“The disciple living by grace rather than law has undergone a decisive conversion–a turning from mistrust to trust. The foremost characteristic of living by grace is to trust in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.
To believe deeply, as Jesus did, that God is alive and present and at work in human life is to understand that I am a beloved child of this Father, and hence, free to trust. That makes a profound difference in the way I relate to myself and others; it makes an enormous difference in the way I live. To trust Abba, both in prayer and life, is to stand in childlike openness before a mystery of gracious love and acceptance. […]
To be alive is to be broken. And to be broken is to stand in need of grace…There is a beautiful transparency to honest disciples who never wear a false face and do not pretend to be anything but who they are.
When a man or woman is truly honest (not just working at it), it is virtually impossible to insult them personally. There is nothing to insult. Those who were truly ready for the kingdom were just such people. Their inner poverty of spirit and rigorous honesty had set them free. They had nothing to be proud of.”
-Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel
See this? It’s my seester(in-law). As you can tell from this picture (taken in San Diego last year at cousin Julie’s wedding), we’re always perfectly behaved, and of course, we never goof around.
Especially in public.
She’s coming tomorrow, all the way from California. I. CAN. NOT. WAIT. I mean, a year ago, she and I lived just a mile apart in the same pretty little California town. Today, she lives in my old house (what?!) and I’m 3,000 miles away. And last time she saw Aveline? The wee miss looked like this.
So yeah. I’ve missed her. This week is going to be all kinds of wonderful!
It’s a brand-new week; a new dawn, with new mercies. I need that reminder this morning. I need to remember that right here, in Florida, is exactly where we are supposed to be.
I need to remember — “You saw how the Lord your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place.” (Deut 1:31)
And I need to remember that He never stops leading us. This is not the end of the story (it never is!) He leads us to the green pastures, by the still waters, through shadowy valleys…
Florida feels surreal, sometimes. It feels like another dimension, like there’s no point of reference for me to really grasp the passage of time. I think I feel this especially acutely this time of year, when I the seasons begin to turn every place except here.
I know Fall is descending gently upon the California coast, like it does every September. I know the nights are slowly getting cooler, and I know a leaf or two is now tinged crimson around the edges. I know what it’s like to watch the first raindrops dance down across the dusty Sacramento valley.
I know this, but here, the southern sky has not changed in months. September’s sky sweeps across the canvas above the same now as it did in April, and every day in between the air has been swollen with moisture, spilled over from rain-soaked clouds. Always it’s hot, always it’s humid, and always the temperature of dusk and dawn are indistinguishable from day.
Last night, as a wave of homesickness washed over me and I just wanted to be home, I asked God for peace. God reminded me of Abraham’s sojourning life. God reminded me that no matter what — Egypt, the Red Sea, the wilderness, the promised land, no matter what — He’s always there, in that pillar of fire.
And so here, now, in this new (humid, hot) morning, I know. He’s here. And I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Photos: Aveline learning about a very important Fall tradition. She wore the hat & jersey just so I could snap a photo of her wearing it…then she started to sweat, so I took it off ;-)
Ain’t she a dream?
Hi, lovelies! It’s been a busy couple of weeks around here. I’ve been filling orders for my Etsy shop, getting ready to become a vendor on GreenByUSA, and prepping for the Fall line coming to the Nakate website this weekend. And, rumor has it I’ll have an article in the next issue of Babiekins Magazine!
The most exhausting thing lately has been getting back into the swing of two wake-ups per night with Aveline. She’s decided two bottom teeth aren’t enough, and put in an order for two more. But there’s a silver lining. I’ve upped my cuppa intake from 1/3 coffee + 2/3 decaf to straight-up half-caff. What a cute little chomper Aveline will be with four bottom teeth and none on top ;-)
I also wanted to stop in today to share a fun vintage find with you — the Etsy shop Pomp and Pride. My new friend Ariel (a fellow displaced Northern Californian!) has been selling pretty vintage dresses from her DC home for 6 months now. In celebration of this “half-iversary”, she’s offering 50% off all orders between $20 and $150.
Here are a couple of pretties from her shop…
Vintage 1950s Lace Dress with Full Skirt
Aren’t they fun? There are lots more in her shop. (All dress images via Pomp and Pride.)
Let’s Go Anywhere via Emily O Photography on Flickr
It’s our motto.
Wherever We Are via vol.25
I love this. Have you seen vol.25’s other prints? Such fun illustrations!
Wooden Yellow House via MerrittHyde on Etsy
I seem to have a theme going on this week. I love how that happens without me even realizing it or planning it out ahead of time.
Felted Acorns via Fairyfolk on Etsy
I miss acorns. Florida is severely lacking in the towering oak department.
House facade at Old Kastro village in Sifnos island, Western Cyclades, Greece via Gargaro on Flickr
This Mediterranean house is so very bright and sunshine-y!
Citrus Baby Blanket via The Purl Bee
I really like the fun, bold stripes on this baby blanket. There are other great striped color combos over at The Purl Bee.
Alright, back to Monday chores! The house looks like it’s enjoyed the weekend a little too much…
Meanwhile, while I’m cleaning up, you might like to read Monday’s Pretty Things from previous weeks.
You guys. Seriously. Little Reader Vintage is my favorite Etsy store for little people’s vintage clothes. How amazing is this for just $7? All you mamas need to check out her shop; almost all the items are under $10.
Vintage White Pleated Dress $7 – view listing here
And this tiny little shirt? Oh my. Too cute.
Vintage Red Floral Calico $6 – view listing here
You should also follow Whitney on Twitter @littlereader. Because I said so. ;-)
The Oaxacaborn Blog 