Book Birthdays!

Today is an exciting day! Slow Lane turns three today and now she has a sister! I'll be telling you more next week and showing you inside - but for now, I just wanted to celebrate the goodness of God in allowing both of these good things to be accomplished.

1 Chronicles 29:13, "And now our God we give You thanks and praise Your glorious name!"

I would be so grateful if you would be willing to help spread the word - it is all in God's hands, but you can have a part in this ministry by sharing! Feel free to grab the image above and share or choose from one below!

Order a copy of either book: Slow Lane here and Beauty Maker here!

Shareable images for Instagram:

Shareable images for Facebook:

Slow Morning

The rest of the day was slow too - but I got to working on my book and didn't take any more pictures!

Loving both of these books right now:
* Dear Mama study from Well-Watered Women
* The Next Right Thing by Emily Freeman (affiliate link)

Slow Lane!

I'm excited and thankful to announce that my book is now available again! Yippee! I'm also sharing a group study guide for the first time - so hop on over here to find out all the details! Thank you for your support and prayers!

An Invitation: Heart of Slow Prayer Group!

Recently, I've mentioned doing an update on where things are with my book and maybe a look at what the next step is. As for the next step: I wish I knew - keep reading ...

Two years ago, with your help {t-shirt orders!!} I was able to self-publish my first book Slow Lane.

I have never been very public with all of the difficulties that we encountered in this process but I will sum it up by saying that the publisher I used is no longer in business and that is a good thing.

That leaves me here now again wondering what is next? Should I just let it be? Should I pursue self-publishing again or continue to look for a traditional publishing option? And on top of all that, I'd love to continue writing and publish a second book.

So, now what? Well, as I have been thinking and praying about that - God pressed on my heart the idea of a prayer team. Inviting those of you who have been personal friends, friends of slow through my blog, faithful readers here, etc. If you are on my newsletter list {you can subscribe on the right} you already know this and some of you have joined me in praying already - thank you!!

I'm inviting you, yes each and every one of you, to join me in praying about the future of Slow Lane and any other writing that may come. I want to be diligent and purposeful about seeking what God has and not just what is my mind or thoughts about this or any other project.

Would you be willing to join my prayer team? I'd be honored and humbled if you did and would also love the opportunity to pray for you at the same time.

There are two options so you can pick your pace:
- subscribe to my newsletter; this was initially set up to be a way of sending free Slow goodies that came out with my book and you will still get those! I am planning to send a monthly prayer update via this option. The next newsletter update will go out on July 15 including a bookmark that you can print and tuck in your Bible or prayer journal.
- join my Heart of Slow prayer group on Facebook; I anticipate this being active more often so again, choose the method that fits your life best! All printables included in the newsletter will also be available in the Facebook group!

Thank you for considering joining me in prayer about this - I have seen over and over how God provides when we pray and how often I think of this last when I should think of it first.

I still very much live and believe the message of slowing - Your will be done Lord!

Here is a free printable with Colossians 4:2-6 on it - enjoy!

Slow Lane Photo Index: Part 2

Continuing with our walk through the photos in my book!

Page 57:
Candles: Another peek into that 2012 First-Day-of-School breakfast!
Leaves: A collection of finds during a nature walk one Slow Day morning.

Page 60:
Living Room: Just a cozy corner of our home featuring a $5 thrifted typewriter {one of my best thrifted finds of all time}, hydrangea bloom from our yard and warm lighting! {lamp is from Home Goods}
Sunflowers: A series two years ago on Quieting Fall featured photos of these cheery flowers!

Page 65:
Thermos: From one of our first apple picking picnics!
Goldenrod: Slow Day breakfast picnic at the boat landing near our house in Fall yielded some free weeds for decorating our table!

Page 68:
Apples: Making applesauce one year and wanting it to look pretty too!
Canning Jar: Same day as the goldenrod collecting above! A picnic on our driveway at lunchtime!

Page 71:
Rainbow Straws: the gift of an Etsy gift card yielded these fun straws!
Candles and Leaves: Nature walk turned table decorations!

Page 74:
Sunset: One of our favorite evening slow choices - chasing a beautiful sunset!
Fall table:  From the nature walk creativity shown above!

Page 77:
Slow Saturday morning breakfast
Vintage Linens: A fun craft with some dreamy soft linens given to me.

Page 78:
Hummingbird: One slow Saturday morning while I was sitting on my porch having breakfast, this hummingbird posed beautifully for me!
Cozy Layers: it is no surprise how much I love layering - I guess this is an example of a day it was actually cool enough to endure layers here!

Page 81:
Beach Picnic: When David brings home leftover sandwiches we make a memory out of it!
Writing Scene: One of my Sunday afternoon writing sessions - working on Slow Lane!

Page 83:
Church: After seeing this church on our way to my parents house so many times, I finally stopped to take a picture of it! It looks more run down every time we pass so I'm glad to have captured it, I love old buildings and would love to see inside it!! Matheson, CO.
Paper Wreath: a fun diy!

Page 86:
Slippers: I've had fun participating in the December Photo Project for several years. Waking up to snow is always photo worthy in my book! And I miss these slippers which I wore completely out!
Thanksgiving Snacky Lunch: Our favorite snacky lunch sandwiched in between a big Thanksgiving breakfast and dinner!

 

Page 89:
Sunrise: Winter sky watching the sun come up through the skeleton of the crabapple tree in my parents backyard.
JOY lights: one year at Target I thought I'd buy these on the after-Christmas clearance and then they were all gone! I was so sad until the next year when I spotted them again and promptly bought them right then! A fun bright spot on our piano each year!

Page 90:
Paper ornament: a little paper Christmas crafting!
Cozy Living Room

Page 93:
Daffodils
Christmas Tea Party: part of the December Photo Project and a cozy scene in our home one day at lunch time. Also a favorite Christmas book: Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree.

Page 94:
Crayon Heart Valentines
Christmas Mason Jar: One of my favorite Christmas decorations of all time!

Page 97:
Pink blooms: I call this a Tulip Tree but I'm not sure it really is - it is a member of the Magnolia family and is always one of the first things in our neighborhood to bloom in early Spring.
Chicken Noodle Soup: heart shaped carrots compliments of Rachel's industry and creativity for a fun Slow Day lunch!

Page 98:
Watercolors: A little crafting to send love and prayers when my sister was in the hospital with their youngest daughter for an extended time.
Christmas Studying
 

Page 101:
Prayer Mobile: another peek at the crafting shown in the watercolor photo on page 98.
Candle Jar: just adding a little bit of slow to the end of our day.
 

Page 102:
Moss and Leaves: nature beauty feeds the soul
Neighborhood Walk in Slippers

Page 105:
Paper Project
Sliced Strawberries: ready to top choc chip pancakes!
 

Page 106:
Emily reading in sunlight: one of my favorite things about homeschooling.
Slow Lunch

I can see why I didn't get this done in time to include in my book! It's a big job! But I am glad that I'm getting it done now!!