Thanks to Mother’s Day and the sweet people in my life, my container herb garden has grown again. I am now growing oregano, lavender, thyme, rosemary, spearmint, lemon balm, bee balm, chamomile, echinacea (aka cone flower), orange mint (aka citrus mint) and a few plants of basil. Hopefully I won’t have a problem finding a place in the car to move them to Charleston with us.

Last time I promised to share a culinary recipe with you, but I’m putting another first. I hope you don’t mind. I came up with my first herbal tea blend using clippings from my own plants. This is the first time I’ever ever made a tea using 100% from-my-garden herbs. You have no idea how pleased I am.

Iced Citrus Mint Tea:
spearmint {leaves}
lemon balm {leaves}
orange mint {leaves}
honeysuckle {flowers}

I used even amounts of each, except for the honeysuckle. I just threw about 6-8 small flowers in for taste and appeal (ok, busted, I just thought they were pretty.) I used my porcelain teapot because I read somewhere earlier this week that metal teapots weren’t best because they can taint the flavor of herbal tea. I boiled the water, dropped in my herbs and let steep for about 10-15 minutes before adding some honey.

It was a hot day and I spent most of it packing, so I was in the mood for something cold and refreshing. I chilled my tea and added ice for a very refreshing, light, iced herbal tea blend. It was prefect. After downing my first tall glass, I got myself a refill before heading into work for the night.

What is making you smile, lately?

For an Owensboro, Kentucky native, the second weekend of May does not just mean Mother’s Day weekend. It also means BBQ Festival and rain. Why rain? Because everyone knows it always rains during the BBQ Festival. Always. This past weekend, of course, did not disappoint.

It was all rain, though. We went up Friday night, to meet up with some friends, and then took Lil Saturday to eat, browse venders and ride some carnival rides. Even if you don’t like BBQ, you still go to the festival. Everyone does. Actually people from all over do. In case you didn’t know, Owensboro is the BBQ Capital of the World. Supposedly we’re the burgoo capital, now, too? So, its a chance to see lots of people you haven’t in a long time.

The festival is held down by the river and hosts a plethora of food and craft venders. There are car shows, pageants, carnival rides and so. many. people. Churches, restaurants and other organizations compete for cooking competitions. Mostly BBQ but I think probably burgoo along with who knows what else. You can find fried anything, corncob on a stick, foot-long corn dogs, the best philly cheesesteak, mutton, pulled pork, chicken, carnival food and so much more to stuff your face with.

Since we’re moving, though, this could be our last time attending for a while. Unless we’re able to sneak home for a Mother’s Day visit, sometime.

I used to strongly dislike Owensboro. It felt like a cage. Even when I was only visiting I felt like it was some sort of walled city that let people in, but few out. Closed off the the world and refusing to really evolve much. Owensboro isn’t a small town, per-say  maybe a small city, though. None the less, I was relieved to get out when we managed to break away to Bowling Green.

As we drove to, from, and around Owensboro this weekend, though, I think we made peace with each other.  Though I have no desire to move back there {right now} its home. And I find that it really does have beauty to be seen. I’ve always loved the historic district with its big old Victorian houses. Its yellow fields of what I assume to be golden rods. The big blue bridge to Indiana, which I hear they are closing for fresh paint. Riding around town with the sun down and the radio up. And though the people there drive me crazy, some of them aren’t so bad. Some of them actually hold a very dear place in my heart.

I’m not ready to say goodbye to Owensboro, just yet, though. I actually plan to spend a week or two doing so before Lil and I head south.

Isn’t it funny how life is. One minute things aren’t really going how you’d like and all your plans are falling through–again–and then-Bam! He puts it all at your feet. It was all for a reason.

Remember when I had to drop to part time classes, at WKU, to take a full time job? I was happy about the job–at first–a little put out about taking a step backwards away from my degree. Then over Christmas break, I had to make the decision to drop school completely. That was a real bummer. To know that I would have been graduating right now if I had not taken this job, and now here I am disliking the job and still without my degree. Not to mention, I wouldn’t have had time for classes, lately, because of work, anyway.

Stay with me, this post is not all about not getting what I want.

As all these things happend and I kept asking God “Where are we going here? Wait a minute, I thought…..” And the whole while God was saying “Be patient. Just wait. I have something for you.”

Now that I think about it, there was actually some downfall to being in school full time. Finances were weak and we were stuck in Kentucky, still, until I finished.

Without the job to strengthen our finances and the school schedule out of the way, we couldn’t be going down the path He is leading us now. And with that, I have some big news:

We are moving to Charleston, South Carolina!

With guidance from my Dad and faith in God, Billy has gotten a great job with an energy company in Charleston. He means to make this a career and I couldn’t be more proud or thankful. This man has never held me back or told me ‘no.’ He’s always pushed me and/or been right there beside me to weather the storm. And now here he is making a dream come true. This wouldn’t have happened without his courage and determination.

The move is bitter sweet, though. During our stay in Bowling Green, we accidentally got attached. Go figure. We couldn’t wait to get out of the state and then once we actually start to settle, its time to leave.  We have so many wonderful memories, experiences and friends here. So, in memory of our life in BG, I’m going to do a series of posts over the next few weeks to say goodbye to my favorite things about Bowling Green, Kentucky.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Fuzzy Little Wishballs is definitely coming with us and you’re invited to come along for the ride. I plan to keep you abreast of all the excitement along the way, as well as introduce you to the beauty of Charleston, which awaits.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a sunny weekend. The past couple of weeks, here in southern Kentucky, we’ve had sunny, beautiful weekdays and rainy, chilly weekends. This is not conductive for our attempts to have a yard sale.  We’ve been on another minimalistic-living kick, lately, so its time to clear some stuff out.

However, my herb garden is not complaining. My mint and oregano went berserk this season {oregano is actually in the mint family}. My oregano grew through the drain holes and into the ground under the container. My plant grew so big, I was able to divide it into three healthy portioned plants and share with friends. My mint–do you know about mint?–yeah. Mint is very aggressive and grows like a weed with no help.

That’s not a complaint.

I already made a first harvest this past week. I reaped a quite the helping of mint. So much so that I covered a tea towel with leaves to dry, for myself, and filled eight bags to pass out to friends. I was surprised, though, by how many people asked what they could do with it. Other than lightly sprinkling it into summer desserts, I have two ways I use it most often.

To make my own natural air freshener, I like to put a pot of water on to boil and add some citrus fruit, a splash of vanilla and several fresh mint leaves. I lay a wooden spoon over the pot to keep from boiling over and periodically add water to keep from scorching the goods.

Mint also adds an extra refreshing touch to my iced tea.My favorite sweet tea recipe is:

4 tea bag regular black tea
1 tea bag Ear Grey
1 tea ball infuser full of fresh or dried mint leaves
3/4 cup of sugar

We use a regular size tea pot filled with boiling water to steep the tea. Then we pour the steeped tea into a gallon tea pitcher and stir in the sugar. Once the sugar is melted we fill the pitcher the rest of the way with cold water. Sometimes I like to add a little lemon juice to my glass.

Though I’m growing spearmint, any kind of mint can be used. I’ve also harvested some oregano, basil and thyme already. I’ll save that for another time, though.

Are you growing anything this year?

Lately, work has been piling on the stress and raising the yuck-factor. We’re very short handed and I’m struggling to cover the hours myself as well as cover my regular duties. The hardest part isn’t the amount time working, rather the amount of time not working. The salon is stealing more and more hours away from my family. Stealing time from my little girl, whom won’t be little forever.

When I don’t have to be concentrating on work, I’m trying to keep only lovely things in mind. Digging in the dirt and climbing trees with Lil. Getting lost in a doodle. Escaping to a faraway land in a novel. Drinking margaritas with my main squeeze. Also, I’m just trying to enjoy being home, in this haven of ours.

Another source of relief is resting in the fact that I don’t have to do it alone. I know its hard right now for a reason. This wall has not been set here to stop or discourage me, rather make me stronger. I know I will benefit from this hard time somehow. This past Sunday’s message has proven to be right on time, I suppose, now that I think about it. I am an overcomer.

Also, I’m keeping this verse in mind:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

 -Romans 8:18

1 banana • 1cup oatmeal • 4 egg whites • 2tsp vanilla • 1tsp honey

I’ve been really curious about a pancake recipe I saw on Pinterest. This morning, I tried it. It was super easy, delicious and mega healthy. Lil loved it, too, which is a huge plus. I used this pancake recipe but doubled the ingredients and added a teaspoon of honey. It made five small/medium cakes.

Recently, using Pinterest, I’ve also made my own whipped body butter lotion using plain ole coconut oil. I love the way my skin feels because of it.

We made fried eggplant sandwiches with a little help from this recipe.  I’ve actually made that twice now and the family loves ‘em. I love when they like the healthy stuff!

This “stained glass” craft is something I’d like to try with Lilie Jo this summer.

And I sent this bag tutorial to my sister-in-law hoping she might like me enough to make one for me. Not just for a yoga mat {bc I have two bags} but just for a bag in general. A girl can never have too many, right?

Have you attempted recreating any Pins lately??

I have never been one to bash public schools. As a matter of fact, I grew up with a public school teacher and have quite the appreciation for them. Its a job I might not survive. However, I have a growing discontentment with sending my own child to public schools. Now, if we lived in the very school district my stepmother teaches in, I would happily send her to that school in a heartbeat. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things and love the training the teachers get there. It truly sounds like a wonderful place to work and attend.

I want my child to be open-minded and able to survive in the real world. However, I’m not crazy about my 5yo being around other 5yo’s kissing and no one’s doing anything about it. Or when little boys pull up her dress and the teachers just brush it off with little to know discipline. Or the random substitute that has a class for one day and has no problem telling them she’s “tired of their crap.” Also, my child is no angel and I know how limited teachers can be on disciplining. Sometimes you have to play hardball, though. Instant consequences and added responsibilities that aren’t always possible in the moment at shcool. Not to mention this whole bullying epidemic. I’m not even sure how much I really buy into that. Is it the teachers? Is it the parenting {both bully/victim}? {let the comments ensue on that one.}

Mostly, though, I don’t like complaining. And I don’t want to be the parent constantly calling or going up to the school with a problem. I’ve always said, “if you’re not going to try to do something about it, don’t complain about it either.”

I’ll be honest, I’ve never been a fan of the idea of homeschooling. I heard stories about social problems and fear of the real world. Kids that just ended up awkward and sheltered, sometimes behind and/or over-judgmental.

More and more, though, I feel a growing interest in homeschooling. I’ve seen, read and heard a lot of great feedback from it lately. There is a wonderful woman in my life, right now, that I greatly admire, whom home-schools six children. They are all wonderfully well-behaved, respectful and sociable. They are all involved in activities AND she and her family completely run the kids’ program at our church, planning and running Sunday morning, evening, wednesday night club and occasional events. Did I mention they do a fabulous job of it?? Putting aside the fact that she might secretly be supermom, I think it comes a lot from homeschooling.

I read a great article about a doctor who decided to tackle homeschooling with her IT husband by her side. She talks about the flexibility, personalized education, and {my favorite part} the way it has changed their parenting. I admire this family’s way of living. They share all responsibilities and sound like they all appreciate each other more and run smoother because of it.

I’m not saying I’m about to quit my job tomorrow and jump into it. My family is definitely not financially able to do that, yet. But it is definitely something to think about. Besides, I am trying to get into a field where its perfectly acceptable to telecommute or completely freelance from home.

What are your thoughts on homeschooling? Do you or anyone you know do it? I’ve love to hear from you.

Trees are budding, flowers are blooming, temperatures are rising and Spring is in full swing. Change is in the air and I can’t quite figure out if its just the seasons or something in me, too. This girl just can’t sit still, huh? Whether its inspiration, eating habits, routines, or profession related, I feel like I’m constantly itching for something fresh and new. Funny considering my fear of change. But hey, I’m a woman, after all. I like to call it growth.

I’m antsy in my career, itching in my location and absolutely starving creatively. My mind feels stale and unfulfilled, like part of me is missing. I finally promised myself to intentionally pull out my pencil and paper to doodle and draw more with plans of pulling my ink and brushes back out. I’ve been wantint to experiement with watercolor for several months now, anyway. Why not start with the basics of technique with black and white only, which I already have {and save money}. I’ve been playing more with lines and patterns than illustrations. Also, I took my camera everywhere this weekend, as I’ve missed playing with the natural light.

I think what I really need is a getaway. A change of scenery to get away from the repetition which has me in such a rut. My mind needs renewed and refreshed. Alas, it will be at least Summer ’til we can get away like that. I foresee a day trip to Nashville in the very near future, at least, though.

But for now, I’ll just have to keep trucking along, knocking on every potential door of opportunity I come to. Eventually someone will answer the right one. The sooner, the better.

Its been a while since I’ve posted anything in the Locks and Ringlets category. Surprising, I know, since I’m in a salon every day.

With Spring–and therefore transformation–just around the corner, I wanted to highlight some up and coming trends. Though not entirely new, they’re a new way of doing something we already love.

First off, casual looks. You’ll see styles that are less polished and perfected move more and more to something a little more loose and relaxed. Think boho/hippie chic type looks. You will not hear this happy bed-head complain. More natural means less time spent getting ready in the morning. Maybe now I can go back to the way I was wearing my hair before I went back to the professional world.

Taylor Swift / Jessica Biel

The next trend to look to change is ombre. No, it won’t be disappearing anytime soon, rather transforming. Instead of having all of the ends lightened, you’ll see ombre highlights. What was already a subtle yet striking look is becoming more subtle. My favorite part is the low maintenance of the style. This is a great style for someone looking for something a little different but little upkeep. Plus, its not too drastic.

Miley Cyrus / Jessica Biel

If you were hoping for something a little more dramatic and eye catching, I have another color trend up my sleeve for you: dip dye. You can make it as bold as you like.

dip dye

As for formal styles though, things will have a more polished retro feel. We’ll be moving away from the messy, undone looks–which hurts my unkempt heart–and more towards clean and traditional. Think beehives and twists, as well has down with soft waves. Perhaps finger waves? Me next!! Traditional elegance is very much in.

Julianne Moore / Jessica Chastain / Right

 Since I generally start adding some highlights this time of year anyway, I think I’ll be trying the ombre highlights really soon. I’m already wearing the messy waves. That’s just what I needed: an excuse for unkemptness in the salon. Messy hair equals happy hair, if you ask me. But I do love the polished look of Jessica Chastain’s red locks.

Which look will you be seen in first? There appears to be a little something in there for everyone. Will you be changing things up?

I have a confession to make. All my life I have been scared of rejection. So much so that I used to beg my siblings to ask for permission anytime we needed it. I know, I know: the worst that could happen was them say ‘no.’ Yeah, but in my head it felt/feels like more than that. I can’t even describe it accurately. Its not just rejection I fear now, though, but also change.

Lately, I’m coming to the realization that getting a job in the creative field will be no easy task for me.  Just achieving my degree seems so far out, still. Much less getting an actual job. And what could a career move, right now, mean for my family? For our lives? What other changes might it require? Its terrifying and scary, to think about.

Over the past month or so, a recurring theme seems to exist in my observations: have courage and go for it. Whether it be about taking risks, chasing after your dreams or having faith that God will see me through it. Its constant. Even my stepmom said these words to me in an email just this morning: Take a deep breath and jump. The strange part was the effect those words seemed to have on me. I instantly felt emotional and I can’t even tell you why.

The job I have now is a good one that gives me management experience and a good paycheck. Its not fulfilling for me, though. Its just a stepping stone. I’ve been praying and begging for signs as to what I should do with my career for months. Lately, I started seeing lots of design opportunities on Craigslist. And then a former peer contacted me with some design work to have done. My designs skills being needed felt great after several months with no classes/projects.

Today, though, my train of thought was ambushed. My dream company posted a link with a job opening. I was excited at first, and then the thoughts of rejection and change took over. Me? They wouldn’t hire me. They are so awesome its intimidating. And change? Holy cow, that would be a big change for us.

I’ve been praying for signs, asking God to scream the answers at me so I don’t miss them. But maybe they’re already there. Maybe I’ve already been seeing them, just not with the right perspective. Maybe all those messages weren’t just coincidence. Maybe those were the signs.

Maybe that’s why my stepmom’s words were so moving. It wasn’t the words, rather the realization. Maybe He’s telling me to go for it. Don’t be scared, He’ll take care of us. My dream career isn’t something I’m going to bump into. Its something I’m going to have to chase after. That might require me running and getting a little out of breath. I might trip and fall. It might even turn around and stick its tongue out at me when I’m lagging just out of reach.

Maybe it will require me to take a deep breath and jump.