Best Donut I've Ever Had

Dear Krispy Kreme,

I had the best donut of my entire life today. Sorry, it wasn't a Krispy Kreme. It was from Mama's Donuts. It's not you, it's me. I'm moving on.

You maybe wouldn't believe it unless you tried it, but this donut is easily the best I've EVER had. And I've had a lot of donuts. I'm a big fan. Mama's Donuts operates out of a little mobile trailer on Friday mornings in Temple View. Why Temple View, I'm not sure. It's almost in the middle of nowhere. However, if you're ever even remotely in the area on a Friday morning, do yourself a favor and stop by Foster Rd in Temple View and pick yourself up a couple donuts. I say a couple because you'll kick yourself if you only buy one.

These are soft, warm when you buy them, and generously sized. The glaze is thin and crackly when you bite into it. My mouth is literally watering again just thinking about it.

It's a beautiful thing.

xo
Talia Christine

Light Gives Heat Giveaway WINNER

Congratulations, megangrindle!!! We will be contacting you shortly about sending you your new bracelet!

A big thank you to all who entered and supported Light Gives Heat!

xo
Talia Christine

One Year In New Zealand

A year ago yesterday, I walked off the plane into New Zealand. I held Phil's hand and held my breath as they looked over my visa and stamped my passport. It was the second time I'd been to New Zealand, but it would be the first time I could call New Zealand home.

After lots of traveling it was incredible to put away the suitcases and begin to settle down! I discovered meat pies, new friends, and pukekos.

I fell in love with the New Zealand countryside and scenery. I'm still madly in love with it. I hope one day to move out to the countryside and I hope I never take this beautiful scenery for granted.





The Mister shaved off the moustache.
He regrew the moustache.
He grew a beard.
I think he's super handsome with or without facial hair. But he DOES grow an incredible moustache and beard. He has moustache and beard growing super powers.




We bought a house. We made a home.




We made an announcement. We watched my belly grow.



Phil quit work on the orchard and started a new job.




Our friends threw us a baby shower and we got ready for the arrival of Baby vdW.






We waited. I knitted this and that. We waited some more.


Then finally the day came. She changed our lives forever.




We watched Audrey grow so much in the last 6 weeks.


A lot has happened in a year. We have been blessed so richly. We have so much to be thankful for. We have so much to look forward to.

I love you, Phil. Thanks for being my husband. Thanks for introducing New Zealand to me. I love our life together.

This Texas girl has settled in quite nicely.

xo
Talia Christine

Though I do miss Texas BBQ. And cheap Mexican food.

6 Weeks Old

Dear Audrey Eleanor,

You are six weeks old. It's a milestone in your young life. You've just started smiling and using your voice to talk to me and your Papa. The first time you really smiled I thought I might die. It was the most precious thing I've ever seen. You melted my heart. You continually melt my heart.

Your favorite thing is your Papa's voice. You light up when he says your name. You sometimes like to play with his beard and I secretly take mental photos to capture the memory in my mind. You looove to cuddle. You are the cuddliest baby I've ever met. I love your cuddles, so I don't mind. You love smiling and you love the morning. I don't really love the morning, so this is a worry for me for when you are older.

Me and your Papa are truly amazed by you. You've only been in our lives 6 short weeks but I couldn't imagine life without you! You're our Darlin'. My Sweets. Our Funny Thing!

Being your Mama is a joy. I thank God for blessing us with you.

Love,
Mama


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5 Weeks Old

Our little Darlin' is 5 weeks old!

I wanted to share a few photos of what my day to day looks like from my perspective. The days are filled with lots of cuddles and caring for this wee one. Most times it feels like I don't have much time for anything else, and you know what?

I really don't mind.











xo

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Giveaway: Light Gives Heat

I am super excited to share a beautiful bracelet giveaway
with you today from Light Gives Heat!

One lucky winner will receive the Anchored Red Bracelet. The bracelet is made by the Suubi women in Uganda with 100% unique handcrafted beads made from recycled paper. These beads are gorgeous! The bracelet is made with memory wire and can wrap around the wrist 4 times leaving so much room for versatility!

This is one bracelet I seriously love.




Light Gives Heat is a non-profit organization that fuses fashion with hope. They work to provide consistent and sustainable incomes for a bit over 100 women in Jinja, Uganda through the making of the Suubi® Jewelry line and the Epoh™ handbag line, both of which are produced using up-cycled materials.

LGH MISSION

Empowering Africans through the encouragement of economic sustainability and creative endeavors. Motivating people in the west to "be the change they want to see in the world."

LGH VISION

To See Africa rebuilt and renewed from the inside out and to see people in the West living with Hope!

Check out their site to learn more about what they do and how you can help!


To enter:

• For one entry, be a follower of the blog, and leave a comment with your name and email address.

• For a second entry, tweet about this giveaway using the tweet below and then leave another comment with a link to that tweet, and your name and email:

Enter to win an Anchored Red bracelet from Light Gives Heat via @TaliaChristine! http://bit.ly/c6NPBy

• For a third entry, blog about this giveaway, leaving a comment with that link, and your name and email. Feel free to use the images above!
  
•  And for a fourth entry, like Light Gives Heat on Facebook and leave a comment saying you did so with your name and email.

Note: The giveaway is open to international readers!

So, that's FOUR ways to win, via four separate comments! The giveaway closes on July 26th and I will choose a winner randomly. Be sure to check back for the announcement of the winner!

Good luck to all who enter!

xoxo
Talia Christine

4 Weeks Old

My tiny girl is 4 weeks old today! Where has the month gone?

I'm honestly shocked at how fast time is flying by! I am in denial with how fast she is growing. I am dressing her in as many outfits I can before she grows out of them! Things feel more natural now. We are starting to develop a better sleep pattern and I've picked up a few tricks with getting back to bed easier once we're awake in the middle of the night.

Baby girl is growing like a weed! Last week she gained 14 ounces (400 grams)! Her cheeks are starting to get a little bit chubby and her lips are filling out. I could just kiss on those cheeks all day long. And I do.

Oh yes I do.

Audrey's Outfit:
Dress: Vintage (Phil's Sunday outfit* as a baby! AW!)
Leggings: Wee Babes c/o Jess
Headband: Handmade by me

xoxo
Talia Christine

*It's really a shirt with a matching diaper cover... but it's too big and fits more like a dress. Haha!

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