Hey O

We got back Monday evening, but it just wasn't time to post yet. I needed rest, relaxation, real food, a beer & a few hours to upload all of our pictures! My heart was also a little low for our sweet Summer Brown...I couldn't seem to find anything upbeat to post about.

I'm ready to share a few pictures today though & also,
kind of already ready to go back to Chicago!
[lucky ducks, we'll be back there in July]
As to not overload you with photos,
I'll share day 1/2 with you today & the rest next week.

Day 1 was spent exploring a bit & playing around the city

Self portrait on the trolley

A few sights we took in on the way to dinner at The Walnut Room in Macy's
[Marshall Fields]

I like to take pics of our feet... especially when you can tell just where we're at :)

I wish we had a metro system in New Orleans
We spent the 2nd day in Beecher, IL.
We hung with family, met friends & went to a nature preserve.
It was a lovely day!

Handsome & I take in the sights together

My MR pointing out some wildlife to his niece and nephew

Deer Crossing
It was back to Chicago for us on Day 3
We grabbed lunch in Millenium park, saw the bean,
went shopping & then went to MR's cousin's rehearsal dinner.

pretty pretty

bahaha

That's me down there :)

I hope you have an amazing weekend!
See you all next week!

Pass It On

Please send your love to Summer B.
She needs it now more than ever.

Popping in!

Hi friends!

I am popping in for the first time since being on vacation to say hello & wish you all well.

Some of my guest posting got a little wonky... so some days there will be something, some days there will not. No big deal!

I just got word today that Summer Brown needs prayers & I hope you're giving it all you've got in that department. My heart aches for my sweet friend.

The weather is gloomy here in Chicago today, but we're going to try to keep on keepin on & see what there is to see.

I'll be back on Tuesday with pictures & such.

Love to you all!

xo

"you may say that i'm a dreamer..."

Hey guys!  It's City Girl from over at Skyscrapers and Stargazers.  I have to thank the fabulous Lacey for the opportunity to guest post on her awesome blog today.  Hope she and the boy are having the greatest time in Chicago!  While they're living it up in that gorgeous city, I'm here in New York, gearing up for another fun weekend.  There's always so much to do and see here, that things can get hectic.  I never want to miss anything, so it's always go, go, go.  Running uptown and downtown, from the upper west side to the lower east.  This truly is the city that never sleeps.

The key to living in New York though, is taking the time to slow down.  You have to, or you'll burn out quickly.  As much hustle and bustle as there is here, there are also lots of little nooks and crannies full of peaceful beauty and serene landscapes.  My favorite?  Strawberry Fields in Central Park.  I'm a huge Beatles fan, and have always loved how John Lennon truly embraced the city.  The tiny garden in Central Park, named in his honor, is a designated quiet zone.  There are a few benches surrounding the gorgeous "Imagine" mosaic, the smell of wildflowers fills the air, and you can hear violinists in the distance.  People often place flowers, letters and pictures on the memorial, to pay their respects and reflect on life.

It's truly one of the most peaceful, serene and gorgeous places in the city, and you should definitely check it out when you visit New York.  The Dakota, the apartment building where John and Yoko lived for years (Yoko still does), is right across the street, and really hits home John's message.   Let's all be nice to each other for once, shall we?  Let's celebrate (or at least respect) each other's differences.  Love really is louder than hate.

Have a great weekend!

unexpected news & unpacking bags

hey lovlies! it's kenli from isn't that just peachy filling in for miss lacey while her and her mr are off in chicago!

i'm sure they're having a fantabulous time and i can't wait to see all of her pictures.

(by typing "fantabulous" above, i just learned that it is, indeed, a real word. love it!)

i opened up blogger this morning to some news that made my heart very sad.

miss summer b's daddy is back in the hospital and his cancer has spread.

she is in NOLA staying with him until he goes to heaven.

please send your prayers to summer, she has gone through so much lately.

such wonderful people shouldn't have to experience such horrible pain.

we love you summer and daddy butch!

i'm currently surrounded by an absolute mess that i don't want to even spend a minute on.

i just returned home from a 5 day trip to see my best friend in kansas.

is it weird that it makes me sad to have to start unpacking it?

i promised my mom i wouldn't live out of it, but it's so much more convenient.

everything is still folded nicely and there's already pre-planned outfits.

maybe i should pack suitcases for the week each weekend.

hmmm..

(hint, hint, lace.. don't unpack when you get home!)

is it just me or is this week absolutely flying?

enjoy your thursday!

xoxo

& They're Off

The MR. & I got home from our weekend away, took a deep breath and began to pack
for our next adventure.
First thing in the morning we'll be on a plane to Chicago to explore,
spend time with his family & attend a wedding!

Don't worry... I won't leave you hanging all lonely over here...
I have a couple of guests who will be occupying my space while I'm away!

Meghan, Melissa, Kenli & Summer B.

I'll be seeing you soon... with pictures & stories, I'm sure! :)
xo

Hot Air, Cool Nights & Mint Julips

The MR & I hopped in the car Friday evening, picked up some friends & headed to Natchez, MS
for The Great Mississippi Hot Air Balloon Races.
The entire sleepy town wakes up & parties for 3 days... it's great!

We strolled through downtown Natchez, had BBQ & Mint Julips, shopped a little, watched balloons pop up into the clear blue sky, saw the Gin Blossoms perform, danced, ate fried fair goodies & laughed. Lots & lots of laughing.
It was a perfect weekend!

Weekends are for Lovers

The Mr. & I are heading out for the weekend!

It's going to be a good one :)

Can you guess where we're going?

I will tell you all about it when we get back!

See you Monday!

What are you doing this weekend?

Blessing Counting

Oh, Hello Friends!

I am up bright and early with the sun today.
I have a bit of a cold & medicine and long bouts of sleep just don't mix well in my world.
Soooo, here I sit.
My window is open and I have a cup of coffee letting off steam next to me.
It's a nice morning & I'm reflecting and counting my blessings.
That's something I've found myself doing lately...
Blessing counting.
I went and had a facial yesterday
& as I lay there letting the lady scrub my face & massage oils on my neck,
I found myself counting my blessings.
Of course, there were the obvious:
My health, my family, MR, MR's family, my friends, and so on.
But also the not so obvious:
being exactly who I want to be, exactly who God wants me to be... & also being the girl that MR wants to spend all of his days and nights with. I have finally found the right mix.having a sister who is my best friendbeing able to find inspiration in unlikely sourceshaving the ability to come up with an idea in my head & then make it with my own two hands
being able to pick up the phone at any time of the day & knowing that I could dial 10+ numbers and each of the people on the end of the line would care about whatever I had to say.
My blessings are endless, aren't yours?
I find that it helps me relax, because for just a few moments in my day,
I am thinking of nothing but happy things.
No to do lists, no bad news, no hatred, no worries...
just blessings.

I'm Just Sayin'

[Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas & Amber of Teen Mom]

I mean, am I right?

I've Got A List Makin' Habit

I've been busy lately.

I find myself making lots of lists.
Sometimes lists make me feel better
and sometimes they just overwhelm me & make me feel worse.
But even in those overwhelmed moments, I think lists are a necessary evil.
Sometimes I like an old school list(like if I need to get a bunch of things done in one day)[who wouldn't want to check off everything on that list? I usually add something fun to my lists too.)
& sometimes I like a modern list via the world wide web. I use tadalist.com :)
Look closely & you'll see I have making 3 other lists on my list of things to do.
IT'S A SICKNESS, I TELL YOU!
[However, I also added kissing my boyfriend to the list to offset all of the list making & boring tasks:)]

For all you other list makers out there...
do you have any tips or tricks to make life and lists a little easier?

Your prayers are needed

My long time bloggy friend Jessica got some news yesterday that is tough to swallow.
Her youngest son Cameron has been diagnosed with a genetic disease called Leukodystrophy. It is fatal and there is no cure or treatment. My heart is so heavy for Jess & her sweet family.
If you're the praying kind, would you please take a minute to say a prayer for this family?
Maybe tell your friends? Add them to the prayer list at your church?
I believe in the power of The Lord & am hoping that with the support of their family, friends and sweet strangers that prayers are heard.

You can read more about Jessica's family here
& grab a button here

Sew much cuteness

Lacey in the Sky will be closed October 18-25,
so I'm urging everyone to get any orders in now!
You can email me at lacey_inthesky[at]yahoo[dot]com
or message me on facebook
to have me set up a listing for you!

Pssst... you'll get free shipping if you make the subject of your email or message
"Blog Reader"