A Return to the Amalfi Coast of Italy

Josh and I first traveled to Italy in 2007 in celebration of our five year wedding anniversary.  We had just come out of an incredibly difficult, tearful season of life and we both needed to be reminded of beauty.  Of deep rest.  Of the simple, meaningful things in life.

It was a whirlwind of a trip.  We saw Rome and Florence and stunning Tuscan villages and landscapes.  We explored Sorrento and the southern coast, where we first fell in love with the island of Capri.  We strolled thru Venice with it's romantic canals and dream-like qualities...

Not only was it precisely the soothing balm we needed, it was love.  Italy charmed this romantic to the soul.

Although we had both always loved traveling and exploring, this particular trip enthralled us.  Travel became more than a nice thought or occasional goal to aspire to, it became something essential to our growth and purpose.  On a final train into Rome to catch our flight home, we looked at each other with a deep knowing that this trip had changed us.  God had used it to change us, to open our eyes to possibility and potential.  To awaken in us ideas and hopes that would propel us into the future only He could set forth.  

It would mean sacrifice and creativity, but we knew innately we would never be the same again.  And we haven't been.

Though Europe has continued to draw us back year after year for all of these reasons and more, until most recently we hadn't actually traveld back to Italy.  I did meet up with a dear friend in Florence just before getting pregnant with Everyn, but Josh and I hadn't yet been back together.

With a darling girl now opening our eyes to even greater beauty in all things great and small, what better place to begin our adventures as a family than a return to the very place God began birthing this purpose in our hearts?

(sidenote: Though it deserves a post all in itself, I can't stress enough that travel is about far more than simple vacation for us.  It changes us, every single time.  It shakes out the distraction and busyness and brings incredible clarity to our truest purpose on this planet.  Plainly put, it removes us from the day to day and places us in closer proximity, metaphorically speaking, to God.  As a couple, we come together and hear Him.  See Him.  Experience Him.  It's an essential compoment to our life and marriage, and precisely the place purpose continues to grow.)

This recent trip was vivid and vibrant, almost alive.  We savored deeply and intentionally, drinking in the stunning landscape and warm culture with all it's sights, sounds, and tastes.  We moved slowly and deliberately, sleeping late, wandering long, breathing deep.  We kept our eyes and ears wide open, being certain to feel every ounce of life pulsing through our veins in any given, simple moment.

We sat long at the waves, long at the table, long on the balcony overlooking the cliffs and islands.  We let Ev chase pigeons in open piazzas among smiling passers-by and tolling bells.  We smiled as she giggled with little Italians, kicking balls in the shadow of history-soaked cathedrals and feeding fish in ancient fountains.

We delighted in steaming espresso and converastions with locals.  We indulged in pastries and gelato to our hearts content, multiple times a day.  We asked questions, offered hope, gave thanks.  We lived fully present.  Fully engaged.  Fully alive.  

It was humbling.  And beautiful.

I'll be sharing specific stories over the next few weeks as I edit thru hundreds and hundreds of photos.  Stories that touched me, encounters that wrecked me in the best possible way, travel tips and tricks that make this type of experience possible for anyone, details on the absolutely indescribable B&B where we stayed....  

Come along for the journey!  I hope you'll find your own inspiration.  <3

Nashville in Pictures

​'Free' mud pies down a quiet street.

​Sweet dreams for a worn out little lady.

​Exploring Arrington vineyards.

​Frothy Monkey morning.

​Backyard roses from my MIL.

​BFF's reunited.

​11 year anniversary picnic.

​The newly opened Barista Parlor.  Love at first sight.

​A sunset walk along the river.

​French macaroons at Barista Parlor.

​We could have left this one with grandparents and gone to dinner alone.  We didn't ;-)

​The Nashville Flea Market with rockstar buddies.

Just a handful of Nashville moments from this past week.  It's definitely a love affair.  Good thing it's our second home.  There are simply far too many things in this city we adore.  

~​

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Gypsy at Heart {Isle of Capri, Italy}

Lemon cookies.  All I can tell you is they're sold on huge platters in a particular basement bakery from a couple of women who don't speak a lick of english, and they're to die for.  I wouldn't even had tried them had I not been terrified.  I randomly bought a handful in a moment of sheer panic when a large women behind the counter locked eyes on me, pointing emphatically at a huge mounded platter.  One hand on her apron-clad hip, tapping her foot impatiently, I glanced silently at the unimpressive looking powder dusted bites, back at her, back at the cookies... and walked out with a paper bag full.

We will return someday for the sole purpose of the lemon cookie experience.  It is truly the first thing that comes to mind when I think Capri.  (It should be noted prior to this trip I cared nothing for lemon or lemon cookies.   Clearly, these changed my life.  I live and die by lemon curd these days.  True statement.  Also lemon tarts.  Which is basically lemon curd in a pie shell with fruit.  Or basically anything involving sugar and lemon.  I love lemon.  And sugar.  That is all.) 

Yes there's the enchanting blue grotto, stunning cliffside gardens of Augustus, and the 800 Phoenician Steps offering indescribable views of the Mediterranean.  There are endless groves of lemon trees, Faraglioni rock formations, ancient royal ruins, and what Josh describes as the best pizza he's ever put in his mouth.  All noteworthy. It would even be entirely worth visiting for the short ferry ride from the mainland alone, offering breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast from the water.

But the cookies, people.  

It's all about the lemon cookies.  

If you've ever visited the Isle of Capri just off the southern coast of Italy, you already know exactly why it makes my list of favorite destinations of all time.  For one, it's Italy.  I'm convinced you cannot go wrong, ever, with Italy.  (I take that back.  Naples has the potential to offend.  People generally love it or hate it.  Depends on the person.)  But the rest, well, it is everything you've dreamed... plus life altering lemon cookies. 

{Gypsy at Heart, an ongoing feature, because when it comes to travel I'm in a constant state of either reminiscing or anticipating.  If you were to visit our yellow cottage beneath the trees we'd brew a pot of tea, bake a batch of maple muffins, and settle in to chat.  Undoubtedly, the topic of travel would come up.  These are the photos, these are the stories I'd share.  So if we can't do just that today, I'm grateful to meet up here instead for a momentary escape. Connecting with friends far and wide, old and new is half the reason to travel at all.  Cheers to adventures!}

A Weekend in Texas Hill Country

Endless vineyards, lavender fields, peach orchards.  The enchanting blue-green Guadalupe river, tree draped and meandering, dotted with kayaks, waterfalls, and bank-side fire pits.  ​Rocky cliffs and rolling pasture land, herds of white tailed deer, cactus and wildflowers stretching far and wide...

​Texas Hill Country.  Truly stunning.

​Though born and raised in Texas, I'd never explored this particular region a mere half days drive from Dallas.  I'd heard of the many vineyards and wineries in the area, and a few years ago I read the beautiful memoir of a woman who is credited with first bringing lavender to the area, something it's now well known for.  But when I got wind of the thrift and antique craze that happens in the German town of Fredericksburg, the Hill Country officially made it on my 'must explore' list.  So when a long-time friend asked me to stand in her Renaissance wedding as a bridesmaid, I was one part honored, one part stoked for a good excuse to head south.

I've always said the reason I love to travel, be it the other side of the globe or the small town a few miles over, is because it opens my eyes time and again to how equally beautiful and desperate the world is.  I stand in awe of God, the vastness and beauty that is the earth, and I see things.  I notice things I wouldn't otherwise.  Not because they aren't always there no matter where I'm at, but because I'm looking.​

​Travel rocks my perspective, in dangerous, dazzling ways.  ​

This little adventure to the Hill Country was no exception.  We rushed more than I intended, we explored less than I intended, and I loved every minute because I was present.  

When you're present you don't take small things for granted.​  Like tiny, curious fingers exploring Spring blossoms.

​Trips rarely go quite the way you envision, but that's half the fun.  That's the adventure, the unknown.  It wasn't on my agenda to stroll thru fields on a wildflower farm, or stand on an open lawn beneath a windmill while my girl toddled around, mesmerized by a breathtaking stretch of lavender fields to my right and rolling grape vineyards to my left wondering if this was really Texas rather than the French countryside.      

Those kinds of moments are best not planned, but discovered.

Despite not doing half the things we intended, we did discover a truly enchanting shop in Frederickburg so perfectly gorgeous I still can't decide whether it was a dream or not.​  Oh man, it was lovely.  I'll tell you about it in a bit and show you a few fun treasures we scored...

As to the Hill Country, if you live in Texas and are looking for a great weekend escape add it to your list!  You won't be disappointed.  We're planning to go back soon for some more antique shopping, winery exploring, and a hike up the legendary Enchanted Rock.  ​We simply ran flat out of time this weekend...

​Have you ever visited the area?  Anything else we should add to our list of must do/see next time??  Do share!

Colorado Lovin'

Colorado is such a stunning state.  In light of all the tragedy occurring as we speak, this post is a tad bittersweet.  My heart goes out to all of those affected by the on-going fires.  God be with them.

On a more positive note, I'm proud to report that Everyn did incredibly well on both flights!  She essentially slept, thankfully.  I only had to sneer at one flight attendant when she demanded we take our sleeping infant out of her sling for take-off because "she can't be in the seat belt with you."  Um, riiight.  First of all she wasn't in the seat belt with me, the sling and she were both over top of it, and secondly she'd be safer where exactly??  And let's be real, if this plane were to crash we all know that seat belt isn't saving anyone.

For the record, we did not remove her from the sling and she slept peacefully the entire flight.  I was ready to fight had the flight attendant made an issue of it, but she seemed to turn a blind eye following my incredulous expression.  Smart move, lady...

But back to lovely Colorado.  Here's a few glimpses for ya:

We took long drives.  We hiked, we laughed, we frolicked. (as brilliantly captured in that one particular photo above)  We explored.  We talked.  We cooked and snacked and took tons and tons of photos.  We even had one big blow up that ended in all of us being better, as a family, understanding each other a bit more and vowing again to keep fighting for one another, with one another, always until we understand.  Fighting for means fighting with, you know.

It was glorious.  

As to testing out the Everyn plus travel theory, despite all sorts of hiccups along the way we came home with new found confidence, evoking late night whispers of, "St. Thomas?  We can totally do it.  Lake Como, Italy?  Absolutely!  We've got this..."

We're home now and moving right along.  I'm packing box after box, selling stuff on craigslist, getting more excited by the day about moving!  Can't wait to settle into our little cottage.  It's a dream come true in it's own right, the birth of a family, the birth of a ministry.

Happy 4th to everyone!  Be safe.  Enjoy it.  And don't take a minute of it for granted!

What Makes an Escape Even Better

Waves, salty breeze, long talks about what matters.  Rockin' newborns on the balcony, blue-green sea stretched to the horizon.  Devouring homemade salsa and fresh pinapple to the tune of challenging conversation, the kind that provokes change and fulfillment of dreams.  Laughing endlessly, lounging on the beach, praying together thru fears, hard questions, tangible excitement about the future...

Did I mention our escape to the sea included these guys??

No, I didn't.  It was too much goodness for a single post.

(the babies were clearly so over photo taking ;-)

12 years of amazing friendship, the kind only God could have orchestrated.

I also failed to mention that Josh and I celebrated 10 years of marriage on the 25th!  And Ryan and Ivana 9 years on the 31st.  We both welcomed new babies in recent weeks as well, so meeting half way between Texas and South Carolina seemed the perfect way to celebrate!

We made it a point to savor our days... Laughing a lot.  Cooking a lot.  We even cried a little.  (the good kind ;-)

We held each other's babies and marveled at how perfect they are, how much we love them.

Sweet Vera Joy.  

Her Moma's newest love.  She's #3 for Ryan and Ivana.  3 little girls. Bliss.

(And no she isn't named after me, although I secretly pretend she is.  ;-)  Ivana and I share a middle name among a million other things.)

And she may literally be the new kid on the block at only 4 weeks, but she's a smart one, that Vera.  Ev is so much more mature, ya know.  (as evidenced by her much chunkier thighs)  She's a whole 10 weeks old.  So Vera was a tiny bit nervous upon meeting for the first time that Ev might not want to play with her or think she's just a silly baby, so she told her a joke right off the bat to break the ice.

  Win 'em over with humor.  Smart move,  Vera.  Smart move.

And that was that.  Their bff fate was sealed.

But hey, given their moma's forever friendship they didn't have much choice in the matter anyway.

And then of course there's these two...

...leave them alone together for long and they start plotting how to take over the world.  I'm not kidding.

Guns blazin', babies-in-hand, do not underestimate their powers.  No, seriously.

As is always the case when we get together, we all left refreshed, challenged, inspired, grateful for the kind of friends who not only see you through it all, but walk with you through it all.  They're the kind of friendships you know innately God ordained with purpose.  You know because of the fruit they bear, the way they celebrate you right where you are while simultaneously provoking you to more.  They're the kind of friendships that won't let you settle for good when they know you're called to great.  They're the kind of friendships where the Holy Spirit is always present, always welcome, never requiring a formal invitation.

We openely thanked God for one another, as is also always the case, and we left different than we arrived.  We left changed, knowing full well we'll all look back someday and say, "Remember that amazing weekend at the Gulf..."

Aren't you so thankful for life-giving relationships??