The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more. {John Adams}
Good gracious. I haven’t quit the blog. I promise. I’ve just been running like a chicken with my head cut off (no surprise there). Things have been great, though, and I am excited about some new things that have come my way…
I haven’t been just working, though. I’ve been playing some, too.
My honey and I got to make a long weekend out of a business trip of his that just so happened to be in our nation’s capital. We were thrilled to get to spend some time in D.C. We were enamored—it completely tickled our history buff fancy. I have another post coming about it with lots of fun photos…
…after I re-download them from my online back-up system. My computer crashed last week. That was a change that I could have lived without for sure. But, life happens.
In the meantime, I just wanted to say hi. I hope you are having a perfect summer. And, I hope you have a fan close by at all times if you live in the South. This summer is a hot one.
Alabama and Mississippi have had an emotional couple of weeks to say the least. Tornadoes of epic proportions ripped through the South at the end of April and destroyed most everything in their paths. I’ve heard of towns that have nothing left but 1 business, entire communities gone forever, and too many people to count that have been injured or killed by the fury of the storm.
Wednesday, April 27, was a strange day in Birmingham. You could feel the storm brewing all day long. I’ve never seen wind blow at the same speed for 5 hours straight. But I saw it happen on that day, leading up to one of the largest tornados this state has ever seen. You literally could feel it coming.
As a girl who has seen much severe weather during her day, I can promise you that it’s rare that a storm can be predicted in the way that this one was. My sister, the new college graduate and future meteorologist for Terra Haute, Indiana, explained it in more scientific terms than I am able to remember or repeat accurately, but essentially, everything lined up to create “the perfect storm.” I called her before it hit, and she said something like “this storm system has the potential to be as large as it wants to be.” You don’t hear meteorologists say things like that often.
It definitely grew into a monster and created more devastation than I have ever witnessed before in my life. It wasn’t just one area that looked as if it had been bombed—the damage just kept going and going.
We were blessed. We didn’t lose anyone or have damage to our home, other than a couple of shingles that blew off the roof. But it could have just as easily been us. And now it’s time to help those who have been affected. There is much to be done, and the relief efforts that started two weeks ago will need to be maintained for a very long time. The damage was extensive, but people are coming together to take care of others.
My agency, Holland+Holland Advertising, took a day off from work and headed to Tuscaloosa to pitch in last week. As we drove around and looked at everything, I was overwhelmed with just how much work there is to be done. The exciting thing is that there are many ways to get involved, and I have been so impressed by the assertiveness of Alabamaians. My boss, @she-conomy, has been particularly impressed by Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa, a group that has used social media to speed the efforts and to reach the masses more effectively. Go check them out.
Doree, a local store in Homewood, is selling necklaces where 100% of the proceeds will go to tornado relief. Sweet home Alabama. Pre-order yours now.
I also found a great page of links to volunteer resources from my blogger friend over at BeautyGirlMag.com. Check them out here to get involved.
My heart is heavy as I think of my friend who lost his grandmother, the devastated town of Smithville, MS where I played softball in the summertime as a girl, and the many stories that have surfaced over the last couple of weeks from both of these states that I love. My prayers are with all of those affected—I pray that the Lord would overwhelm them with peace and hope and that the church, the hands and feet of God, would serve tirelessly.
My honey and I traveled to Cabos for (almost) a full week of relaxation and fun in the sun. I have dreamed of my honeymoon for so long—the moment when you are finally married and get to have one week with no cares in the world but each other! It was absolutely wonderful, and my sweet husband planned the most lovely trip for us.
It started in Birmingham. We stayed at Ross Bridge for the first two nights, and it was so nice to relax and eat tons of wedding cake! The hotel was fabulous, and they even have a bagpiper that comes out on the golf course greens at dusk to alert the golfers that it’s time for dinner, so we got to stand on our balcony and listen before we went to eat. It was a great way to start our honeymoon, and I hope to go back for another retreat-away-from-home sometime!
We then headed to the airport first thing Monday morning and almost missed our flight. We were running late…eek. I begged the woman checking us in to let us get on the plane and she finally said yes…after informing me that the only reason we were getting to board was that it was our honeymoon. Oh, goodness…it was a close call.
We got on the plane and a few hours later arrived at the most beautiful resort, Casa Del Mar. It was a little slice of heaven. The staff was so accommodating, we ate amazing food the entire time, and we even saw whales coming out of the ocean water as we were laying out. It was whale-watching season—how lucky were we? Here are some pics of our resort:
We had romantic dinners on the beach at night…
And they even gave me a Mexican shawl to wear while we ate (it was a little chilly when the sun went down).
Our view from the room…
Sunset in Cabos…sigh…
And beautiful views on our strolls to dinner…
We even did a zip line tour across some canyons. I had some pictures posted from that, but my honey made me take them down. We did look pretty ridiculous in the helmets and zip-lining gear…
Oh so thankful for our time in Cabos. I’m even more thankful for the man that I got to spend it with.
Am I getting nobler, better, more helpful, more humble, as I get older? Am I exhibiting the life that men take knowledge of as having been with Jesus, or am I getting more self-assertive, more deliberately determined to have my own way? It is a great thing to tell yourself the truth. The Place of Help
I’ve been so crazy busy lately that I haven’t even had time to compile all of my latest Nimblee work. It’s coming, though. :) For now, here’s a preview…
Sara Beth Cobb is a designer, Southern girl, and lover of all things beautiful, currently writing of her journey with art, design, and life on this blog, “My Latest Buzz.”
I hate email. It’s true. I love what it can do for my life, and it’s an obvious form of communication these days, but it stresses me out sometimes. Much like cell phones and all-things technology. I have a love/hate relationship with it all.
However, sometimes I get a treat in my inbox —buried among the 32 pieces of junk mail that I habitually unsubscribe to but that always seem to return.
Here’s a little treat for the eye that I received this week:
and another treat:
Do you see why I love these? I want a ‘Farm Fresh’ poster.
You realize that this is an EMAIL BLAST, right? That’s what I call “attention to detail.” That’s what Anthropologie does best. It shouldn’t surprise me that their email blasts would be any different.
The colors and the type are so clean and understated. I want that dress, too. And those doors.
This is one of my favorite shades of blue, and I use it any chance I can in design and decor.
A designer must look for inspiration anywhere and everywhere. I’m glad that I can find some in my email among the “BUY THIS NOW” reminders. Kudos to Anthropologie and their beautiful email newsletters. It’s actually one of the few extra emails I don’t mind opening.
Daylight Savings has come. THANK YOU, Lord. Seriously. I am so thankful for the extra hours of sunlight. It’s still in the baby stages, but I am exuberant. I can’t wait to get outside and play in the yard.
As newlyweds, we are in home improvement mode. We are figuring out what we like, what is feasible, what to do if you have an old house with no outside electrical wiring…those types of things. :) We do have one outside outlet on our back porch, and I fully intend to use it for string lights. I’m ready for some good, Southern back porch sittin’ this Spring and Summer.
I dream of a trellis in our back yard over a large table where we can have lots of summer dinners…
How cool is this Home Plate sign? My husband is excited about the fire pit…
I love string lights. They are so fun and happy.
I’m ready to get my hands dirty, plant some pretty blooming things, grab a couple of large hanging ferns, and turn up the Bob Marley. Warm weather and cookouts…here we come.
It’s been soo long since I’ve given you the latest buzz from the life of a simple girl. So many things have happened in the last month…we’ve had great joy and mourned losses as well. The comforting thing in the midst of all of it is that we have been joined by our Maker, and we are grateful for that.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. {Romans 15:13}
I’ll share my greatest joy with you—marrying the love of my life. It was definitely the best thing I’ve ever done. February 5, 2011 will always be burned into my memory as the most special day I’ve ever been given. It’s hard to put into words how significant everything was to me and Jonathan. We were moved in a way that changes you. Our family and friends surrounded us with such love, happiness, and encouragement and to celebrate with them was one of the greatest gifts we could have ever hoped for.
The day was a beautiful whirlwind, but there were a few key moments that are particularly burned into my mind. I hope they stay there forever, just as vividly as I see them now.
Starting the day out with my favorite girls was the way to go. We had a fabulous brunch at The Fox and Pheasant Bed and Breakfast in Montevallo. The food was amazing, the spread was beautiful, and it was so relaxing to start breakfast and the day off surrounded by such wonderful women! Thank you to everyone who put this on! It was one of my very favorite parts of the weekend.
I think of getting dressed, surrounded by my best girls, and putting on my mother’s veil—the finishing touch and the most special part of my ensemble.
Did I mention that these are my two favorite women in the world? They always make me look my best, and the dress-to-wedding process was so much fun with them. I couldn’t have made any of the plans happen without their help and advice.
And on that note, I must thank the best Maid of Honor EVER for standing beside me, holding my flowers, fluffing my dress, putting on my jewelry, and running around like a crazy person for me. She planned the best bachelorette party for me, as well, with surprises galore and was the photographer throughout our engagement. Thanks is not enough, Annie! I’m forever grateful for all that you did.
I think of seeing Jonathan for the first time on a bridge overlooking the most perfect little pond and knowing that God’s timing is absolutely perfect.
I remember the doors opening to the church with my dad on my arm while the strings played “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” and seeing my prize at the end of the aisle, both of us full of more joy than we could bare and tears being the result of the best overwhelm I’ve ever known.
I remember taking communion with my groom during the ceremony and feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit so greatly that I was scared to breathe too deeply for fear that I would miss one moment of it.
Our first dance was sweet…and hilarious. We laughed a lot, and people probably didn’t know why. It’s because the song didn’t sound one thing like the version we gave them. It is a great memory now, and we still laugh about it. Check out the real version at the end of this post. It’s much cooler. :) I have to add that they were a great band, though, and very talented. They played mostly jazz, fitting our venue perfectly, and their rendition of “New York, New York” gave me chills.
Cutting the cake with my new husband was definitely a highlight…man, was that cake tasty!
Jonathan’s cake was Mississippi State themed and was the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had in my life. HAIL STATE!!
Dancing with my father, the man who brought me up, was so special…. I can’t say much more, or I might get emotional again, but dancing with him to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was something that I had dreamed of for a very long time.
I LOVED seeing all of my Delta Gammas there and celebrating with them! They all sang to me, and it was quite beautiful. I’m so proud of all of your voices…Mrs. Slaughter would definitely approve.
Oh, the garter…always an awkward moment. :) I think I’m telling Jonathan that he’s being awkward, too. I feel the need to say awkward again. Awkward…
Moving on…since you are now feeling…well, you know.
Leaving our reception and running out to the most beautiful sound in the world (cowbells, of course) was absolutely incredible!
I pulled these pics off of Facebook, so I am missing some shots with my in-laws and all of my sweet flower girls, but I will post more as I get them. Thanks to everyone who snapped pictures for me, especially my sister and Jenny Duncan for all of the many shots you took! It means so much to a girl who loves to be behind the camera.
I could write a book on the weekend and what it meant to us, but it still wouldn’t do it justice. We are thankful to everyone who was there for us, for those who lifted us up in prayer and for those who continue to do so. We are blessed beyond measure by what the Lord has done for us, and we are excited as we begin our journey together with Him.
And now, for the real version of “My Little Girl…” :)
Paint, that is. You won’t hear me say that a lot. While I enjoyed my oil painting class with the brilliant Brent Funderburk at Mississippi State, it was definitely more of a challenge for me. I have a true love for watercolor, and I’ve always enjoyed arcylics, but oil painting takes a special patience and a different kind of attention. The end results are so worth it, but it’s not a medium that should be rushed.
I found this painting on another blog, Design for Mankind, and I just fell in love. I want to touch the highlights of it, as I can tell that it’s coming off the canvas. This is one of my favorite attributes of oil painting, by the way. The medium literally comes off the canvas and interacts with you.
This looks like water. And ballet. And calm, but passionate, too. What does it look like to you, or what does it make you think of?
(pic nabbed from our younger years…can you tell, ha?)
(recipe courtesy of Real Simple)
(Painting of Jasper Johns’. Beautiful.)
