1. i made a new header. You like? It's basically the same header...I just swapped out four of the five photos to make it a little more "fallish". I really like how versatile these types of headers are. I can keep the same design but change up the look of my blog a little bit by switching the photos every once in awhile.


2. i won't keep you in suspense. If you entered the Organic Bloom giveaway, you probably just want to know who's the winner, right? Well, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. The winner of the giveaway is...Polka Dot! Congrats, Polka Dot! Shoot me an email and we'll get you all set up :)


3. hot chocolate. I've really been loving it lately. There's nothing better than a warm mug of steaming hot chocolate on my favorite blue polka dotted coffee cup set. Actually, it's my mom's blue polka dotted coffee cup set. I went so far as to say that when she died, I wanted that set. Is that bad? I mean, I don't want her to be dead. I just really like it.

I digress. On to the photos.

See? Don't you understand why I envy it now? ;)

4. could life be a little less crazy, please? Man, this last past week has been an absolute whirlwind. Full of the unexpected. Many, many ups and downs. I wish life had a pause button. In the midst of all this, I really need some time to just think and pray. Some time to get away from it all. Sigh.


5. photo challenge & project 365. My photo challenge is still open if you want to enter! You have until Sunday. I've looked at every single one of the photos submitted so far, but haven't gotten around to commenting on all of them. So, if you entered, and I haven't said anything, don't worry. I will try my best to get around to it!
And Project 365. Well, many of you know about the blog that I reserve specifically for posting a photo everyday. I'm closing it. I have all the photos, but I'm two and a half months behind. It's just too much work to catch up. But I'll still be posting recent photos on here everyday! :)

5. oh dear. I'm becoming rather obsessed with knitting. Knitting?! Yes. It's true. Feel free to slap an old lady sticker on me and get the heck of here. Or, you know, not. I sincerely hope I'm not skipping most of my life and turning into an old lady...please tell me I'm not the only one suffering from EKS*.
But there's something so soothing about knitting, especially with everything that's been going on lately. It's so nice to know that when you hold the needles in your hands and wrap the yarn around them, the yarn will grow. Soon you'll have a long piece of wool (or cotton, or whatever material you use). I love being able to do something that's so predictable in this unpredictable thing we call life.


*Extreme knitting syndrome. It's real, you know. Okay, fine, it's not.


6. six hundred and one. Blog posts, that is. That kind of scares me, actually. I've filled the internet with six hundred and one crazy posts?! Wow. I hope you forgive me ;)

7. i love anthropologie. The first store in the state opened in a shopping center literally a ten minute walk from our house. It was love at first sight. I've seen their items on the website, but that's nothing like seeing it in real life. And the decoration of the store! Oh.my.gosh. J'adore. Now if only I could do something about the prices... ;)

8. real quick. I need to tell you something. It's a secret that comes from the deepest, darkest parts of my heart.

I love chocolate.

Okay, sorry to disappoint you. I just thought I'd let you know - again! ;)

-carlotta

PS This post was a bit longer than I meant it to be. Sorry. I just had a lot to say. And now I'm making it even longer. Have a great day!

It's Wednesday, which means it's time for another edition of On Cloud Nine! Is there a photo that makes you happy? One that warms your heart or tells a funny story? One that puts you on cloud nine? Here's your chance to share it! 

<a href="http://pastorsgirlsponderings.com/"><img src="http://imgur.com/AS92y.jpg"/></a>
Just put up a post on your blog containing one photo. You can add as much or as little text along with the photo as you would like. After writing your post, come back here to link up - you have until Thursday at 11:59pm CST to do so. Don't forget to link back to me, whether it be via the above button or a link. :) And remember to visit others' photos as well! 
Now for my On Cloud Nine shot...



Our sweet neighbors had us over for s'mores last night - they were delicious. (The s'mores were delicious. Not the neighbors. Ahem.) The fire was crackling, providing lovely warmth. The little ones were bouncing on the trampoline, shrieking with laughter. And me? I listened to the conversation while snapping contentedly away at the fire. It was a wonderful way to end a very busy day. Hey, that rhymed! ;)


-carlotta

PS If you haven't done so yet, this is your last chance to enter in my giveaway, which ends at 11:59pm tonight!

Today I'm thinking.

Thinking about how delightful the sound of rain steadily drumming on the roof is.



Thinking about pink. (My entry for the I Heart Faces pink photo challenge)

Thinking about photography. Things are really falling into place right now, everything paving the way to hopefully someday being a professional. I'll share more about everything that's opening up at some point... :)

Thinking about how glad I am to have my biology project over with.




Thinking about fall and all its beauty.

Thinking about how I really need to get more sleep at night. Which means going to bed earlier, but I always have so much to do in the evening! I need to spread things around better...

Thinking about my siblings. They seriously crack me up. Jeremiah told me recently that I "express myself too much". What is that supposed to mean? Ha.

Thinking about Taylor Swift. Her new album, Speak Now, came out yesterday and I'm smitten. While I readily admit she's not the greatest singer in the world, I still adore her. And I admire that she writes all her own songs.




Thinking that self portraits aren't all that bad. I really don't like having my picture taken/taking pictures of myself. I prefer hiding behind the camera ;) But I like my eyes in this one.

Thinking about my blog design. I like it how it is now, but do you think I should change it up a bit to make it more fallish?

Thinking about all the wonderful entries in my photo challenge. I don't ever know how I'm going to pick a winner! You still have plenty of time to submit a photo if you'd like to.

What are you thinking about? I'd love to hear all the random tidbits floating around in your brain :)

-carlotta

Yes, there is a part three of my trip to Paris. Three weeks later. Oh well. Today is crazy busy - seriously, it's not even funny how much I need to accomplish in twenty four hours - so I thought why not start off this Monday morning with a little Parisian spirit?

Paris is, without a doubt, my favorite city that I've been to. I know I've gushed about it time and again, but I really can't help myself. I'd give anything to be back there right now. Really. I am a very firm believer in the fact that everyone should go there at least once in their life time. Even if you're not super crazy about Paris to begin with! It's so worth it. I'm so thankful to have such wonderful parents that would give me such an amazing birthday gift. Never in a million years would I have thought I would get a trip to Paris for my birthday! I'll never, ever forget the two and a half days I spent there with my mom. It will always be one of my fondest memories. And I sincerely hope that I'll be able to make more memories there again sometime!

What is your favorite city?

-carlotta

Psst...don't forget to enter in my giveaway if you haven't already!