Sparks of Joy {Links that Make me smile}

Happy Easter everybody!  

Whew!  It got super busy there for a bit!  Sorry about that.  Here's kind of a quick catch up of the past 6 weeks: Kitchen remodel part got finished // new kitchen table came. . . damaged. . . ugh. . . have to wait til July to get a new one // Weston started track // Ethan made the Jr. High Varsity Volleyball team // I organized and purged (yes, again!) my kitchen cabinets and drawers // lead a group of ladies through Ezekiel // and probably a lot more happened . . . I blinked and it was gone. ha ha!  

Before things got crazy, I did a 3 part series on creativity and why it matters.  Let me be real honest with you. . . I haven't gotten to do a whole lot of creative things because it's been so busy, but I have missed it.  Last week, the kids and I pulled out the paints and  these painted wooden cutouts from Target and it was so good for my soul! I think it was good for the boys, too!  Even my 13 year old kind of dug it.  

Things got so busy that I forgot to make time for reading.  Ouch.  Just the simple act of slowing down for a few minutes each day got forgotten. . . it feels good to be in a slower pace right now.  Currently I am reading:

                :: Find your People, by Jennie Allen

                :: And slowly working my way through the O'malley series for the 5th or 6th time!  They are                 just so good!  I am on this one. 

 Speaking of reading. . . Several months ago, I felt like God was nudging me to start something this summer at our church. .. So. . . If you're local. . . there's a summer book club coming soon!  We've spent so much time isolating because of Covid and loneliness and depression is at a high!  This is a great way to get connected, read a good book and maybe make a new friend.  Please join me in praying for this event. . . I am dreaming that God is going to do some really great things as women gather.  

I checked out this book at the library and it's definitely going to be purchased!  So many delicious cookie recipes.  I'm baking a batch of the peanut butter marshmallow brownies tonight!  

This quilt block. . . well, really all of them are the cutest!  

My sister in law made this recipe a few weeks ago and it was amazing! 

I made these and currently have a stash of frozen dough balls in the freezer.  They are so good! 

My family is obsessed with this black pepper chicken!  It is soo delicious! 

I wore this for Easter and it is so comfortable! 

Beauty Counter was out of Skin Tint and I can't live without sunscreen, so I tried this one and after trying different ways of applying it (fingers!!!) I think I like it!  Plus, it's a higher SPF and it's still pretty clean!  

Well, that's about it!  Time to go relax and read my book!   Have a wonderful weekend!