I have some good news for you.

Night Owl Paper goods has offered you a discount of 10% off your entire order. All you need to do is use the coupon code "spoonful" when checking out. The offer only lasts until August 15th. This is exclusively to me and anyone who reads my blog, so take advantage of it!


Please visit their website and order something. How great is it that you can get discounts just because you are my blog followers? I am excited. I will be ordering my list making notepads asap.

CLICK HERE

Woah radiator

This is nuts.Giant paper clip radiator.

lists.

I am a true list maker.
There is something about making a list and then crossing each item off that gives me a true feeling of accomplishment.

I have missed using my daily planner at school and organizing my day with lists. It sounds pathetic I know. But I can't help it.

Night Owl Paper Goods has the most adorable journals specifically for list making. These mini note pads are creatively designed and small enough to keep in a purse or a pocket.

You can find them on sale right here.

house fun


I want to cook in this kitchen...




sip tea at this table...



and eat on these cute dishes.

Picnic by the pond


Yesterday was one of the most beautiful days of summer. It was actually bearable to be outside for over ten minutes. Jordan and I took advantage of the weather and made ourselves some sandwiches for a picnic. I forgot how much I love picnics. They are so relaxing! I think we need to make more of a habit of eating outside during the summer.

We found some geese and we attempted to feed them pretzels. They wanted nothing to do with those pretzels.

































After our meal Jordan read a passage from Romans 5

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."

so we left feeling encouraged. We spent Sunday afternoon soaking up the Lord's beautiful creation. And we knew that we were loved.

We ate at Payne's. And this time we did not have homework to bring along.

I associate Payne's with evening study sessions. We usually go there during the school year and camp out with our books and assignments. Payne's has the perfect environment to do work in peace, but also get some socializing in. Plus the food is delicious and they have the best custard and coffee drinks. A little cafe like Payne's was exactly where I wanted to be after Jordan, Gabby, and I climbed the rock wall at IWU. The best part of it all was that I could go there without a heavy backpack.












After we ate our meals (pulled pork sandwich for Jordan, apple walnut & brie panini for me) and drank our beverages (Irish cream latte for Jordan, Passion plum tea for me), it was time to pull out the wallets.

Jordan said "our wallets sum up our entire relationship. They perfectly explain our personalities."



I thought it was hilarious. He was so right. After that he continued to describe my wallet and all the ways it shouted Allison. He did the same for himself. It was a fun little game.

Maybe I am just easily amused.

Summer bucket list

Jordan and I have been going through some of the things on our list for this summer, and we are almost done!

BK Root Beer stand. I have been wanting to go there all year and we finally did it yesterday. The lady probably thought we were odd for going there just to order root beer and nothing else, but I think it was worth the trip.







We also have been doing well accomplishing our goal of cooking meals together on a regular basis. We made seasoned chicken and pasta with salad. I am so thankful to have a boyfriend who loves to cook and who can get creative in the kitchen with me.








Now all we have left is the drive-in movie theater, a picnic, and camping with friends! I hope we can do it all before the summer ends.

Vegas Vegas Vegas

We made the drive through the dessert heat towards Vegas. My Uncle John knew that a stop for classic Root Beer would help us to feel refreshed. Right next door to the gas station with tasty root beer, we were able to see the famous Roy's cafe. The cafe is located in the ghost town of Amboy, California. Most people recognize it from its appearances in many horror films. The cafe is empty and left for tourists, but it does have somewhat of a creepy element.









And Vegas was just as I had expected...full of flashy and tacky tourists.


My only complaint about Vegas is the environment and lifestyle that comes along with the city. Obviously there are plenty of family oriented things to do, but there is no escape from all of the evil and that Vegas has. The sinful culture is depressing, and it's everywhere. It was hard not to feel sick to my stomach from the men and woman handing out pornography on the street. The city revolves around sex and sin. Greed and materialism cover the street. People are so lost there, and they go to Vegas thinking they can escape their real lives. But what they don't realize is that what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas. God is needed there. I could see that Vegas is far from anything that is good, pure, authentic, and holy.




But on a more positive note....


We spent two days seeing the sights and walking the strip. My personal favorites were the Bellagio water show, going to Paris Paris, and the bright lights of the city. We saved the best for last, and ended our trip with Cirque du Soleil. "Ka" was the most dazzling thing I have ever experienced. I recommend the show to anyone who has a chance to see it. I can tell you that it is well worth the money.























WATCH THIS! Amazing. I just bought the music from the show today. And I will be listening to it just imagining I am there again watching this beautiful show.