Casual Fridays

Strawberry season is in full swing down here, and is there anything as yummy as a big bowl of sweet Florida strawberries?? We have an entire festival dedicated to strawberries where you can get strawberry pie, strawberry shortcake, strawberries on a stick, chocolate covered strawberries: strawberries, strawberries, strawberries! My favorite way to eat strawberries is to cut them up, pour a copious amount of sugar over them, let them sit in the fridge overnight, and then sit and eat 'em with a spoon. Heaven. This is also the way to prepare them for strawberry shortcake if anyone was wondering.

I've been jamming to Nichole Nordeman's Woven & Spun album for the past couple days. 

She's one of my favorite artists and Woven & Spun is my favorite of all her albums. 

It's one of those that I can sing every word of every song, you know?

So our backyard is like a bird sanctuary. Seriously, you can't look out there without seeing sand hill cranes, ducks, geese, the occasional bald eagle, and a multitude of other types of water fowl. I think this is due in part to the fact that our next door neighbor goes out and feeds them daily. One time, we counted at least 23 pelicans swimming across the lake. Pelicans! This week there has been a mama duck hanging out in our part of the lake with her sweet little brood of ducklings. There are at least 6 of the little guys, and they are adorable. I tried to go out yesterday and snap a photo, but if I venture off the porch, they swim out too far away for me to get a good shot.

Link Love

Cheerful Insecurity : Can you relate to the need to turn your panic list back into your prayer list? I can.

Charity Has Power : This is a great review of the new live action Cinderella movie. To be honest, I haven't been interested in seeing this movie, but my brother texted me and told me I have to watch it, and then I read this review. Now I can't wait to see it.

The Bionic Arm : Stop it.   Just. Stop. It.   You have to watch this video.

#lisaleonard

20 Years of Faithfulness : Late entry, but I'm so proud of my parents and so very thankful for Faith Baptist Church!

And now I'd like to introduce a new segment of Casual Fridays that I've decided to call Colonel's Corner. This puppy, y'all. He is too much. He doesn't just lay down, he flops down. Hard. You can hear him no matter where you are in the house. I cannot tell you how much this cracks me up. He's such a drama queen. He also likes to growl and bark at his own reflection. Sometimes it's funny, sometimes he will not shut up. We think he's the greatest. 

Apparently, I will be giving weekly reports of my thoughts on The Voice. And it's official, y'all. Forget Paul Pfau, I am so on the Sawyer Fredericks train. I mean, really?! How is this guy only 15 years old?? He is amazing. He is my official Season 8 pick. If this kid goes home, there is no justice. Check out his duet in the battle round. I like this version of Have You Ever Seen The Rain better than CCR's. And make no mistake, I am a fan of CCR. 

What about you? Who's your favorite on The Voice? (I have yet to hear anyone speak up in the comments about this show. Am I the only one watching?) Do you have a favorite artist or album that you know every song? What's your favorite way to eat strawberries or what is your favorite summertime treat?

I hope you've had a stupendous week, and I hope your weekend is even better! Check back Monday for my recap on Vanity Fair. I finished!