Check It: An End of Weekend Update for the Blog-Obsessed, Apple-Loving Yogis Out There

Aurajoon's blog is one of my favorites out there. She takes the best photos, too!

Hey friends. Happy end of weekend! Are you cozied up in your home? Spending time with your loved ones before the work week launches off?

I hope so.

I have a few little things from around the Web to share. In case you're bored, watching your husband sleep on the couch (or your little one, maybe?), or just taking a moment for yourself to catch up on the blogosphere. Here you are!

Blogs, Baby
So I've found a couple new ones I'm loving, plus there are old favorites I highly recommend you check out. 

• Aurajoon, I'm gushing over your newest developments at home. This lady writes one of the most gorgeous blogs around and she's about to have a little babe! I felt silly, but I literally squealed upon reading the news (I know, crazy, cuz I haven't even met her). I've been following her posts about beautiful homegrown garden produce, lazy afternoons with her family, and the tasty cooking she does often. I highly recommend taking a glance at her posts, especially if you have a passion for gardening and homegrown food. She's wonderful. Congrats, lady, on your newest life journey! I will pray for the little one and that your pregnancy goes smoothly.

A pretty, pretty baby is on the way: news from Aurajoon.

• Enjoy Small Notebook if you want ideas on how to live simply, gracefully, and peacefully in your home. And, as the site's bio reads, it's a great spot for those who believe that "you don't need to buy more storage containers to get organized." Amen to that! And thanks, Ash, for sharing this lovely gem and for your constant inspiration when it comes to homemaking, cooking & the art of marriage.
• Have you ever glanced through Darling Dexter? It's a creation by Whitney Deal, graphic designer, photographer & awesome wife who is working on developing her own fashion line. She often shares stunning photos like this one of her lovely cacti:

Yay succulents.

• For Once, Then, Something is a blog about, well, everything and nothing at all, it seems. I really enjoy the well-orchestrated chaos that this site brings together. Beautiful juxtapositions. Images that burn. Words with gusto. (Like today's post? A Rwandan proverb: "You can out-distance that which is running after you, but not what is running inside you." Good stuff!) All in all, it's art worth remembering...and sharing, I say.
• My good friend Veronica Roth is a writer with a sweet book deal with Harper Collins (three YA fiction novels -- dystopian thrillers, oh yeah! Her first is called Divergent and it looks brilliant). Anyway, we recently caught up and talked all things weddings cuz, um, I'm pretty much still obsessed even though our Big Day came and went, and she's engaged at the moment. But anyway, Veronica is one heck of a talented writer, a compassionate Christian friend, and really just one of the coolest and funniest people I know. I love her sense of style, humility & sarcasm. Like this post. Pretty much the best. Thanks, V, for swinging by and hope I see you again soon!
• Last but not least up, a new friend who I recently encountered and discovered is a soulmate-to-be: we are both huge health freaks, we love art, we dig great coffee, and we believe in saving run-over pigeons who have a fighting chance (she actually did this recently, so I give HUGE props! And the bird lived! Just goes to show what a little faith can do for you, friends. And research skills when you need to find Chicago's Pigeon Guy!). Anyway, Cate with a C is a beautiful lady and a unique artist with a vision for the world unlike most. Her gentle speech, down-to-earth style, and laid-back demeanor just make me happy. I can't wait to hang out more soon and hopefully have Cate over to paint a little mural on our dining room wall (the Chicago skyline, oh yeah). Here's one of her art pieces, and be sure to check out the rest about her exuberant work!

Art is property of Cate Fhionnain, a caring lady with some big talent. Hire her today for a commissioned piece!

The Big Apples
Alright, we've all been blabbering about fall and how lovely it is for quite a few weeks now. And not to discount the autumn season, my favorite time of year, and its crunchy leaf piles, cozy sweaters, pumpkin patches, and chance to harvest everything wonderful in the world...but dudes, there is something else you need to take advantage of here. I mean, get in the car and enjoy before it's too late...


That's right: apple orchards! Namely the ones where you can run through corn mazes too! Oh man, oh boy, next weekend the Hubs and the Best Man and I are GOING! I am so stoked. Like, jumping up and down, pee your pants like a little kid laughing excited. It's pretty silly, actually. We have the bags on our counter and I wiggle whenever I walk by.


I've already made an apple crisp just using leftover apples and ones on sale at the market and I'm still pretty darn enthusiastic about this trip. We're accompanying friends from Brella, where my sexy man works, and I can just tell it's going to be a great time. I'm hoping I can wear orange plaid, cowboy boots, and my big grin around all day. And I will have pictures (and new pies, and cider, and probably apple butter) afterward, believe it. 


What are you baking lately? Done any apple picking?

Easy recipe for calm and success: DO YOUR YOGA.

Back on the Mat
OK dudes, last update of the evening. Today I hit the heat like a real yogi and it felt so amazingly fantastic even though I hadn't been in almost a week. I was feeling The Yoga Truck after the chiropractic news and all the busy-ness I've had with work lately, but this was just getting sad! 


No yoga = very sad me. Generally just twitchier, more tired, distracted, unable to remember little details. And since I've got tons of details going on lately, it makes for a rough day/ week! I'm so glad to be back on track and enjoying time in the studio.


I felt beautiful in front of the mirror today. Centered on the postures. Welcoming, open, warm. Not distracted by those around me, or the silly remarks by my instructor as he first walked in: "Alright, yogis. We're trying to fix this. The new policy is: when you see the lights in the front of the studio go out, get your ASS in the room! No exceptions!" 


I love moments like this and it was a great start to class. Reminded me that there are no excuses for not being there to get your Bikram on. We all need it. Make it happen!


Here's to a blissful week filled with yoga, readers! Keep me posted on your adventures, and I will do the same. Namaste.

The time for romping in the woods is now. Photo via Aurajoon.