Savor + Cherish Blog
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A couple of years ago my book club read "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. The first time I read it, I deeply appreciated her commitment to writing down the small daily moments she was grateful for. When I finished reading, I put the book in my library- a place reserved for books that carry life nuggets I want to savor. A few months ago, I read the book again, and took away another nugget- When Ann wanted to rush through a moment, worry, overthink, or simply complete a to-do list; she learned to slow down, hit pause, and let God speak to her heart instead. With God's help, she learned to simply soak up the beauty of God's masterpiece, to appreciate the life she was blessed with, and to let God lead in the more difficult situations. She became a woman rooted in purpose and living in lightness.
Ann did not scroll through social media to find a trendy solution. She did not allow her worries and anxious thoughts to take over. She did not scramble through her to-do list day after day in hopes of a slower day tomorrow. No, she CHOSE gratitude and laid each day before God, sought the beauty of His masterpiece for the day, and asked Him to guide her steps. This is a book I will definitely read again and again, because I will never get tired of hearing the message to live fully and be led by God daily. Here are a few simple things I do (or I'm in the process of incorporating) in order to be more intentional with my days: 1. Dive into Scripture + Prayer Daily Have a conversation with God- Sharing the intricate pieces of my life and also the simple joys of the day. 2. Keep a Gratitude (Simple Joys) Journal 3. Hit Pause + Hear God's Truth in All Things (Do My Best + God Will Always Do Even Better) Especially when I have a busy day, unexpected events arise, overthinking happens, etc. Knowing I am doing the best I can and God will always do even better than any of my attempts, helps me put moments into perspective. 4. Start the Day Slowly + End the Same Carving out the time to savor the gifts God gives to me every single day. (My marriage, my family and friends, Dillbean, changes in season, simple luxuries, leisure activities, etc.) How will you slow down and savor the opportunity to live fully? I would love for you to share your thoughts with me! Also, I am going to be reading "One Thousand Gifts" again SOON, so if you would like to join in, please leave me a comment or send me a message! Brittany Pruess
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Our family had an absolutely wonderful time this past Mother's Day Weekend! Every year, my mom heads to the local greenhouses, spends hours strolling through the luscious green aisles, and hand-selects her floral arrangements for her flower baskets and beds for the summer. This year was a real treat, because my father, hubby, and I had the pleasure of going with her. It was absolutely wonderful! We decided to make our plans for Saturday and the day actually turned out to be a bit brisk, but truly, this only made the experience more enjoyable. It felt so good to leisurely wind through the green plants and vibrant hues of the flowers; the warmth of the humidity trapped inside the canopies welcoming us into the next greenhouse we entered. For the ladies living in the Black Hills' area- We visited Gage's Gardens and Beck's Nursery in Spearfish, SD. We also love Jolly Lane Greenhouse and Nachtigall's Greenhouse- both located in Rapid City, SD. We spent hours looking at all of the different options and combinations of plants, and finally found the few we loved. Even our hubbies enjoyed the experience- A big THANK YOU to them for wheeling around the wagon with our selections inside! Mom found her pairings for summer planting, and Tanner and I learned a lot about a few plants safe for our little kitty, Dill. (If you need a detailed and reliable list of toxic/non-toxic plants for cats, checkout out the ASPCA website.) It was a fabulous adventure for this plant lady!
What made the day, of course, was the time taken to cherish a mom, my mom, who brought me onto this Earth and has shown me nothing but love and care every single day. Although, I truly do believe, every day is a mother's day, don't you agree? Happy every-day-is-a-mother's-day wonderful ladies! Brittany Pruess Walking- an everyday simple pleasure that I always look forward to. Do you?
The hubby and I love a good stroll. Whether it is in the morning before church, or at the end of a long day; we cherish the simple activity of walking, talking, and cherishing the present moment before us. This season (spring/summer), we have decided to make it even more of a point to embrace this gift we love so much! So far we have incorporated walking into our Sunday mornings before church (green juice in hand), this past Saturday by taking a stroll through Canyon Lake Park (a personal favorite of ours), and an all day adventure visiting the local shops of downtown Rapid City. It felt so good to reconnect with our downtown neighbors while soaking up a little sunshine! Where are a few of your favorite places to walk? And do you have a simple pleasure you would like to incorporate into your lifestyle on a regular basis? I would love to hear what it is! Here is to celebrating life and embracing a few more simple pleasures my friends! Brittany Pruess I absolutely love this time of year, don't you?! I didn't always, but the older I get, the more I really look forward to the Autumn season. I suppose if we are getting technical Spring and Autumn are equally "my favorites", but who really is keeping track right?
With cooler days, nature preparing for hibernation, and people falling back into the routine of work and school; Autumn is the perfect reminder to slow down, hunker in, and soften our hearts. In the spirit of fall, I intend to build upon this post slowly, bringing you sweet morsels of Autumn reminders throughout the month. My hope is you will appreciate the intentional shorter posts versus some of the novels I tend to write in the form of blog posts. So, today, here are just a few reminders Autumn is sharing with me today: Embrace the Warmth- The warmth of loved ones, friends, cozy nights with blankets and warm tea, candlelit dinners, and Autumn walks all bundled up. Embrace the Slow- The slow pace of enjoying the moment, being present, of home cooked meals, walking simply to inhale the city, and of creating intentional space for meditation on Scripture and contemplation. Embrace the Inside- The inside conversation between you and our Savior, of home as you commune among friends and family, and of heart as you soak up the love given to you. Embrace the Beauty- The beauty of nature, of God's love, and of grace. What will you embrace this Autumn? Do any of these resonate with you? Happy fall my friends! Brittany Pruess |
The Sweetest of MomentsAll of the fun little details found in savoring life's simplest moments. Categories |