My Arkansas Loot

1. New Patagonia coat that I'm in love with that was half-off at Ozark Outdoors
2. A Royal Robbins jacket that is super cute
3. Cropped tan chinos from JCrew
4. A chambray shirt from JCrew
5. Collared black blouse from Anthropologie
6. Striped top from JCrew
7. A beautiful cutting board made by a friend- it's my new favorite thing, Kerry!
8. Old family photos and a mirror from my grandparent's house
9. A fur coat from my grandmother
10. Multiple jars of Mexican Villa Sweet Sauce
11. Earrings from The Box Turtle

Right Now

1. Stayed up too late with my parents making heart shaped crayons and talking doomsday (what's new?)
2. Although my parents have three guest rooms, I'm sleeping in the same bedroom as both of my teeth-grinding children.
3. My belly is churning a bit still from my weird mix of a dinner- 2 slices of leftover ZaZa's pizza, a bowl of avocado and sweet potato chunks, and a bowl of apple cinnamon instant oatmeal. And peach cobbler.
4. My back hurts from sleeping on a extra firm mattress for 8 days and being bent over most of the evening party crafting with my sister.
5. I am feeling guilty for not posting a list every day this week. I've just not been feeling it.
6. I can't remember my dream last night, but I remember it was beautiful. I hope I dream a beautiful dream tonight.
7. Tomorrow I have a Stoby's breakfast date with my dad.
8. W is sleeping right now holding a handful of my hair. Too precious, and a little uncomfortable.

Today

1. Woke up at my parent's house around 7:00 to drive to Crane with my dad, little sister, and R.

2. Stopped in Harrison for a little grocery shopping

3. Took the scenic route to Crane to visit some of my vague childhood memories

4. Visited with my grandparents at the nursing home- I felt like I was valuable there because I found my grandpa's missing hearing aid

5. My son will do ANYTHING for a few peanut M&Ms, so I was able to get him to give hugs to my grandparents and snuggle with grandpa (which I'm sure made grandpa's week).

6. Drove over to my dad's farm so he could haul off some manure dirt. He and my sister shoveled about 18 buckets while R and I walked around and tried to win over the cows. R really wanted to ride one, but they did not oblige.

7. Went over to my grandpa's house to check on the fence and look at a Civil War burial marker

8. Drove to Branson to eat dinner with my brother and his family- "Branson Melts" and guacamole.

9. A quick stop at the gas station and the Harter House to stock up on some Mexican Villa taco sauce.

10. Back to my parents house by 10:30.

Our Purchases At The Natural Grocer in Harrison

1. An oatmeal raisin Luna bar

2. Hint water- pomegranate tangerine

3. Package of GoGo applesauce

4. Stacy's pita chips

5. Athena hummus

6. Tofurky slices

7. Rice cheese slices

8. Serenity Farms Ezekiel bread

9. Sing Buri cashews

10. An Amy's enchilada

My Own Little Personal Hygge Last Night

1. Squeaky-clean washed face and my hair pulled back in a high pony

2. Fleecy pajama pants and a long-sleeved tissue tee

3. Cuddled up in our leather recliner under my fleece Kanakuk blanket

4. Watching Project Runway and Parks & Recreation

5. Drinking a hot chai tea latte with a little squirt of chocolate syrup for good measure

6. My little dog curled up next to me

7. Kids sleeping quietly in their beds

Nice Day Morning Errands With R Yesterday

1. To OK Hatchery in Kirkwood to get a multitude of heirloom seeds for my dad

2. Since we were already on Argonne, we HAD to stop in at Great Harvest and pick up a loaf of cinnamon chip bread for french toast. And a blackberry peach Savannah Bar.

3. Over to Penzey's for freeze-dried shallots, cinnamon sugar, Italian Herb mix, fajita seasoning, and Arizona Dreaming

4. Since we were already in Maplewood, we HAD to stop in at Kakao for vegan truffles to take to my sisters this weekend

5. To Bare Escentuals for makeup for me

6. To Whole Foods for a couple items- yogurt, tortilla shells, broccoli, sweet potatoes, grapes, and salsa

7. Schnucks for groceries- last night was fajitas with friends and we had to load up

8. To W's school for pickup

For My Brother-In-Law Ryan On His Birthday

1. I like to call him Rhino.

2. Once he and I and my little sister Tracy (not his wife, that's my other sister) went to a Counting Crows concert and some people offered us a hit off what they were smoking. His declining their offer was as casual cool as it comes.

3. My son loves him and remembers often a fun day he spent with Ryan and his two sons just doing boy stuff.

4. He really loves our family, not just because he has to. He seems to genuinely enjoy our crazy bunch.

5. I think his Diet Coke addiction paired with his strict veganism is just too hilarious.

6. He is a huge Illini fan. I am a huge Razorbacks fan. My brother's a huge Mizzou fan. I like that.

7. He once had a strange interaction with a Tia & Tamara commercial that just killed me.

8. When the Lord of the Rings trilogy was coming out in theaters at Christmastimes, we'd go see them and for a time, and calling each other Orcs was a huge insult.

9. He's been around our family for like 18 years. That is crazy to me. I do feel like he's been a part of our family forever.

10. When my sister was pregnant with her firstborn, I rode back from Florida in their car with them. She slept the ENTIRE way home in the back seat. He and I talked the whole time and listened to the new Matchbox 20 CD on repeat.

11. He is my favorite person to watch get tickled and laugh. It's a riot!

12. He is very talented and good at everything he does.

13. Back before he was a big-shot in the wireless communications field, he was a third grade teacher. One year, I helped him set up his classroom.

14. He always drove the saddest grandpa-type cars, but now he has a cool car that suits him, and that makes me really happy.

15. I just asked W what she likes about Uncle Ryan, and she said, "I like that he's big and strong."

16. He indulges my sister in what the world might consider her craziness- her diet, her flamboyant parties...he loves it all and thinks it's great fun.

17. He is one of the hardest workers I know.

18. He is a good and patient and kind father. My husband and I often have "What Would Ryan Do?" moments in our parenting discussions.

19. My sister has a vegan blog and whenever she posts photos of him, strangers always comment on how hot he is, often to the point of inappropriateness. It's about the food, people!

20. I just asked R what he likes about Uncle Ryan, and he said, "Him's a fun man!" Perfect.