I went to Joplin yesterday. What I was expecting, I wasn't sure, but I knew that it would be an experience I'd never forget.

Spawled in the backseat, I passed the time reading and photographed the Oklahoma farmland that whizzed by. I tried, unsuccessfully, to mentally prepare myself for what I was about to see, but my heart just pounded in a mixture of anticipation and dread instead.

For the exception of a few downed tree limbs, the town looked normal as we drove up to the church to drop off the trailer of supplies we brought. But then, peering down the road, we saw a different sight. The trees, leafy and green, that lined the road suddenly changed into gnarled, twisted messes, void of leaves and bark. Transformed from tall and majestic to broken and barren, they stood out against the rubble. 

We switched to an ATV and drove around the neighborhoods, offering Gatorade to thirsty workers sifting through the destruction. Address were spray painted on homes and street names were on the asphalt as all the street signs were gone.

Houses and buildings were just unrecognizable twisted piles of metal and wood. Lone closets rose out of the debris, clothes still hanging perfectly on their hangers. 

I wasn't prepared for how severe the damage still was three weeks later. The tornado wreaked such havoc, transforming people's lives in a mere fifteen minutes. While watching this video, recorded in the heart of the storm, my stomach churned and my breath came in short puffs.

While watching the tornado destroy and take lives, seeing the aftermath with my own eyes, I had no words, but I was incredible humbled. I was so acutely aware of all I've been blessed with, things that I take for granted every day. A home. A bed. Family. Life.

Please, please, please pray for all the tornado victims -- they need it so very badly. And let us never forget how richly we're blessed.

-carlotta

PS guest posting over here today!

 My mood is usually set by the music I wake up to. This morning, it was soft folk, which translated into a rustic, vintage, full-of-fresh-flowers kind of day. Fresh, warm cinnamon rolls for breakfast — even though planning ahead is necessary, as well as a bit of work, they're so worth it — following my morning Bible time and I was in heaven.

This morning I became lost in thought, dreaming of country brunches, white farmhouses, fragrant fields of wildflowers, and drinking sweet tea from mason jars.

While I'd already known I loved food photography, this morning I realized my passion for it. I mean, getting to use pretty antique silverware, arranging flowers in jars, food, and a camera? Yes please.

After my refreshing morning, I felt a little daring and courageous while I was picking out my outfit. Thus, I mixed stripes and florals together today. Gasp. But really, it didn't look as awful as I thought it would. I was rather fond of the combination, actually. Thoughts?

tank top: target / watch/bracelet: american eagle / owl necklace (which is unfortunately flipped over): new fashioned whispers / belt: thrifted / skirt: thrifted / shoes: target

Sometimes stepping out of one's comfort zone is nice.

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I'm repicking winners of the giveaway, since some didn't respond. The new winners are...

The winner of the twenty five dollar gift certificate to New Fashioned Whispers is C!
The winner of the rosette bobby pins from Blythe is Michaela!
The winner of the four 4x6 prints from my etsy shop/blog is Mia Helen!


Congratulations winners! Please email me and we'll get your prizes to you as soon as possible. (note: If I don't hear from you within forty eight hours of this post being published, I will have to pick new winners.)


I've also "restarted" my project 365 blog, embrace. It has a fresh look and is now more of a visual journal than just a project. I'm excited, y'all, I'm not going to lie. I'd love if you'd stop by!


Happy Wednesday!


-carlotta

PS I'd love your thoughts on the new header...love it? Hate it? Do tell!

I stayed up late last night. The book I was reading, The Help, held me spellbound, captivating me with a rapidly unfolding plot and mesmerizing characters. The minutes ticked by, a dog howled distant in the night, the wind whispered through the trees, yet still I lay there in my bed, the sheets in an inadvertent tangled mess, lost in the world of the nineteen sixties.

I've been slipping little notes for the next reader in library books and then returning them. Sometimes it's the small, unexpected things that brighten someone's day.

It seems that every time a new month rolls around this time of year, I claim that it's my favorite. When May arrived, I declared a hopeless, never-ending love for it. And then June came along. With its warm, long days, plenty of free time, and traveling, it's rapidly stealing May's place. Life has never felt so full and sublime.

June is fresh flowers, snipped from the garden and transferred to pretty vases. This shade of periwinkle seems to be everywhere, from lilacs to sage blossoms to lavender itself, and it's quickly becoming one of my favorite colors.

June is bars of chocolate studded with almonds, becoming soft and flexible in the warm sun. I'm a firm believer in the fact that chocolate is the best and only thing to snack on while reading, blogging, or heck, even photographing.

June is softball games, and, except for inquiring what the score is every now and then, not really focusing on the game and instead catching up with friends. After all, isn't that what sports are for? ;)

June is buzzing bees, drunk with nectar, flitting back and forth. Their soft hum, interrupted in intervals to pause on flowers, fills the air.

June is slices of tomato and bacon quiche for lunch, perfectly salty and delicious.

June has treated me well so far, and it's only going to get better.

How has your June been, friend?

-carlotta

alternatively titled: miscellaneous ramblings. (giveaway winners announced below!) 

(view from the balcony of my dorm room at camp)

home. The Civil War's Barton Hollow album is playing on replay, a soundtrack to confirm there's nothing quite so sweet as arriving home from a week away. While the time I was gone was all kinds of amazing, I missed my family and coming home to the joyous squeals of MeMe and Lilly warmed my heart so much. Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder. 

Where did I go? Worldview Academy. After the week I spent there, I am refreshed, renewed, and restored in my faith. I've grown so much as a Christian and the people I met there are truly amazing.
Also, shall we give a round of applause to the lovely bloggers that posted while I was away? Y'all were wonderful -- thank you, thank you, thank you!

"sorry, this blog has been removed." These words greeted me as sat down at my computer for the first time in six days and, consequently, a panic attack, tears, and sadness ensued. Was pastor's girl's ponderings, the blog I nursed and nurtured from metaphorical newborn, really gone? Just like that? 

My mother and I worked feverishly to discover the problem and, hopefully, to restore my blog with everything intact. We discovered that I was hacked by someone in China and Blogger temporarily suspended my account to prevent the intruder from doing further damage. Thank you for all your sweet facebook messages, emails, and tweets inquiring what happened -- everything is, thankfully, under control now and my password has been changed.



But though the outcome was okay, this scare made me realize how fragile everything is. After this past week of deep thoughts, questioning, and learning at Worldview, when faced with this dilemma, I was suddenly conscious of the meaning of Job 1:21 ("The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”). The Lord has blessed me with this blog and all of you, and it's ultimately in His hands, not mine.

infatuated with the farmer's market. I'm so in love with it, y'all. It radiates such a happy, full-of-life aura I get giddy from. Early Saturday mornings are best spent there. 

giveaway winners. I'm so happy y'all loved the giveaway last week -- and welcome to all my new readers! I'm delighted you're here.
email me

The winner of the headband from Natalie: Abbey!
The winner of the twenty five dollar gift certificate from New Fashioned Whispers: Emily!
The winner of the rosette bobby pins from Blythe: Bella Skye!
The winner of the turquoise cameo earrings from Rachel: Jennifer!
The winner of the four 4x6 prints from my etsy shop/blog: Lucia!


Congratulations winners! Please email me and we'll get your prizes to you as soon as possible. (note: If I don't hear from you within forty eight hours of this post being published, I will have to pick new winners)


also, i want a piglet. Really, really want a piglet. 

All together, now: aww. Seriously, though, I think piglets might just be the cutest things on earth.

And I wouldn't have mind having my own lake, complete with a dock either. Ahem.

Happy Saturday!

-carlotta