kicking off twenty-fifteen with...

one good deed a day

be the change . 2015 . kindness is contagious

an ongoing journal of a few good deeds throughout this year

1. jan 1. line dry your laundry instead of using the dryer » Glad it was a small load, since we are experiencing freezing rain right now, which means I had to use my laundry room to hang dry… but can't wait to do this again with a little sunshine.  I just love the smell of a line-dried blanket!
2. jan 2. schedule your annual physical » done.
3. jan 3. bag your own groceries » this one's kinda easy for me, because I've been doing this since we lived in Germany.  It still makes me smile when the cashier looks at me like I've lost my mind when I tell her- don't worry, I'll do the bagging… teamwork.
4. jan 4. bring your neighbor's newspaper to her doorstep » perfect for today since it's only 25 degrees out… will hopefully be a nice little surprise when they open their door & discover their paper on their doormat!
5. jan 5. start a update your birthday calendar to help you remember to mail cards » I actually started my calendar a long time ago & I used to be so good with mailing cards… however I really do try to wish everyone in my calendar a happy birthday or anniversary- whether it's in person, by phone call, social media, or in a text.  Hopefully this year I can get out a few more wishes via snail mail!
6. jan 6. wish your cashier a good day » & with a smile too!  Everyone should do this.  All the time.
7. jan 7. carry a safety pin in your bag- someone will be so grateful you have one » good reminder!  I used to always carry one, but pretty sure it was passed on to someone in need & I forgot to throw another one in my bag… so now it's there for the next person!

I'm looking forward to watching this list grow as the year progresses, along with a few of my thoughts & daily reflections.  I believe even a small act of kindness can turn someone's day around, hopefully causing a happy little chain reaction…  It's my wish that you will join me & that this will also inspire you to be the change you want to see in the world.  Just one good deed a day.  

home sweet home...

I must say… I am REALLY loving me a few front porch shots lately… like ALOT.

There's just something so nostalgic about a family all crowded together on their front porch sharing a moment & a smile.

 

I even decided I needed one for myself… 

AND… it was while I was setting up the self-timer, that this happened… be still my heart.

loving autumn...

A cold front just blew through Oklahoma overnight… leaving us with a major temp drop!!  We've been slowly awaiting the arrival of fall and all its pretties for awhile now, but of course it feels like we are skipping straight to winter!  So before the snow decides to start swirling in the skies, I thought I'd share a few of my favorites from our fairly warm autumn… easy to see why this time of year kicks off my happy place!  Lots of color, falling leaves, plus a few crisp days mixed in- perfect for walks with my Gracie girl!

hello october...

Oh beautiful, wonderful, happy October!  You are finally here, yippee!!!  I am loving the phrase October is my favorite color by the way… -no really, it's pretty dang appropriate.  Living in Oklahoma has its weather challenges… for instance, the summers here are just WAY too hot.  So as a friend put it, I do lovingly look forward to the "ber" months the most.  But I mean come on Oklahoma, 90s in September?  It's gross.  Can we just get past this already?  Because fall is just that pretty time of year when I like to hop on my pumpkin obsession train, and deck out my home in all those gorgeous autumn colors, and let's face it… I am SO ready.  (side note: people may get confused when they come over in summer, because I tend to prefer these warmer, richer hues year round! -minus the pumpkins, I suppose)  Another fun fact I've recently learned… when it comes to fall, I've discovered I'm a basic white girl, and honestly… you guessed it, I'm perfectly okay with that.  Here's just a few of my favorite things that point out specifically why:

pumpkin spice lattes

well basically anything pumpkin spice

decorating for fall, inside & out

plaid flannels & leggings & chunky knit scarves

boots on fallen leaves #fromwhereistand

taking entirely too long to search for the perfect pumpkin

black friday shopping

layer upon layer of colorful turning leaves

So hello, October.  Glad you are back.  You are my very favorite.