i love a pretty book...

So if you are ever trying to find the perfect gift for me...

 I can tell you exactly what I want...

(My birthday is 42 days away, so it's not to soon to put this out there.. 

 Annie, you agree with me, right?)

(image found here)

I have decided that these beauties are my newest favorite thing to collect! 

The days of Mary Engelbreit calendars have come to an end...

(Mom, I know M.E. had become a Christmas tradition, but I think this is a good replacement!) 

It is now all about the Penguin Classics!

I have officially started this new collection with the purchase of this lovely little thing:

I'm not gonna lie..

I definitely judge a book by it's cover.

But I think that's acceptable... as long as you are judging only books like that, not people.

a new favorite...

Yes, it is true that I made a few "informal" New Years Resolutions. 

(They were probably considered informal in my mind because I figured I wouldn't actually do them.)

 Blogging more often, like I used to do, was definitely one of those resolutions. 

As you can tell, my follow-through on that is severely lacking.

Though I'm not writing much, I still keep up with my favorite blogs. 

I've even added a few more favs to the list!  

Today I would like to introduce you guys to Em & Tim of Today's Letters!

No, I can't really introduce you to them, but I can point you to their blog! 

Check out their story, their marriage advice, and their daily posts of precious letters to each other! 

You might also get a little giggle out of their Fist Pump Friday posts! 

(The most recent one just so happens to include yours truly. I know. I felt so famous!)

Hope you enjoy! 

And maybe, just maybe, I will get around to writing a more personal post. Sometime soon. Maybe. :)

be still and recognize...

Addison Road - What Do I Know Of Holy

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven

But I talked the whole time

I think I made You too small

I never feared You at all No

If You touched my face would I know You?

Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)

What do I know of You

Who spoke me into motion?

Where have I even stood

But the shore along Your ocean?

Are You fire? Are You fury?

Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?

What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out

I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about

How You were mighty to save

Those were only empty words on a page

Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be

The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

(CHORUS)

What do I know of You

Who spoke me into motion?

Where have I even stood

But the shore along Your ocean?

Are You fire? Are You fury?

Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?

What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

(CHORUS 2)

What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?

And a God who gave life "its" name?

What do I know of Holy?

Of the One who the angels praise?

All creation knows Your name

On earth and heaven above

What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)

What do I know of You

Who spoke me into motion?

Where have I even stood

But the shore along Your ocean?

Are You fire? Are You fury?

Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?

What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?

_______________________________________

This song has been the soundtrack playing in my mind for several days now.  

Such beautiful, powerful, honest, reflective words...

The melody points me again and again in the direction of the Holy.

I've also been reading this book:  An Altar in the World, by Barbara Brown Taylor.  I have only finished the first two chapters and have already been blessed tremendously by the message Taylor is sharing with me.  I highly recommend this book if you are looking for ways to dive more deeply into the divine...