Earlier this Summer, I was inspired to spruce up the front porch while we were trimming up some of the landscape plants as a family. I sat on the front steps, pausing for a breather and wiping the sweat from my brow, when my eyes were drawn to a pretty pile of clementine peels left behind from an earlier snack. I loved the beautiful color contrast of the soft orange peels against the minty blue exterior of our home and new right then and there I had to somehow recreate the color scheme throughout the front porch. But how?

Kumquats. Perfect...small enough to add pops of color without overwhelming the space. 
Sure...oranges or clementines would've been the obvious choice...but a memory from my childhood pushed me in a different direction; Cheering in the Kumquat Bowl - the "Super Bowl" of middle school football way back when in my hometown of Apopka. 

Along with adding a delightful Kumquat tree to the front porch, I also added some faux kumquats to the front door wreath. A few new pots for the three existing olive trees, swapping my alyssums for some portulaca and adding a sensible solution for watering all of my pretties - the addition of a gorgeous new copper hose pot...well...it finally feels finished.

I hope you enjoy how it all turned out...sources at the bottom of the post.

I really love how it turned out and I'm so happy we get to enjoy this pretty space.

As summer is winding down and with just weeks away from school starting...I think it's going to transition into the Fall and winter months quite nicely.

PS - Let's stay cozy + connected in-between posts...find me on Instagram for daily inspiration.

Subscribe here to have new blog posts delivered right to your inbox.

LINKED SOURCES - simply click

Kumquat Tree + Pot 

Faux Kumquats

White Olive Tree Pots by front door

Large Olive Tree Pot by bench

Rosemary + White Pot

Rocking Bench

Pillow on rocking bench

Copper Hose Pot <--- easy link but found mine HERE for less

Copper Lantern next to Rosemary - mine was given to me as a gift.

Tall Lantern - found at my local Goodwill

White Bench - from a vintage market years ago

Wood Front Door Mat <--- linked something similar (mine was Smith+ Hawken from Target)

Black + White Door Mat

Grapevine Wreath + Faux Eucalyptus

Large Terra Cotta Pots

Olive Trees - I ordered mine online and the experience wasn't awesome. Plus, I realized I paid way too much after seeing them at Walmart for $15.

FUN ADDITIONAL LINKED SOURCES - just click

1. Trick for using the least amount of soil in oversized pots

2. How I'm currently keeping porch cushions mold + mildew free in the Florida heat + humidity

3. The pot my large olive tree was in before it got transplanted.

4. When the large olive tree was in my house - before I realized it wasn't thriving + moved it.

KEEPiNG it REAL

The kumquat tree is real. The kumquats are not.

Since the tree won't start producing fruit until winter and I'm not that patient, I decided to add my own for visual interest. Ha!!

This kumquat tree is a Centennial Variegated Kumquat tree.

The fruit it produces will be sweet + tangy - unlike the classic sour kumquat.

I can't wait to pick them off the tree and eat them...peel and all.

LiFE | Summer 2018 (Video)

Summer ends officially on September 22nd.
That's only two days from now and, as usual, my mind is not wanting to bend in that direction.
It's the whole one foot in the boat and one foot on the shore mindset - loving both summer and fall with the added dimension of not being well-versed in letting go or saying goodbye.

Summer was the backdrop for a few milestones for my girls. We celebrated Ema graduating high school, high-fived Clara for being on the UCF Dean's list at the completion of her Junior year, and supported Ella's choice to walk away from gymnastics.

We grew tomatoes, rode scooters in the summer rain, drew sidewalk chalk towns together, walked on the beach, ate cotton candy, lost my sunglasses in the ocean waves, made homemade strawberry shortcake, invited friends over for playdates, enjoyed BFF sleepovers, lavished in pool days, among other fun things.

There was also one thing in particular I'm so happy we made time for this year.
We enjoyed a "Girl's Camping/RVing" experience with my mom at Salt Springs this summer.
In fact, it's one of the very first things we did which helped kick off our summer on the right foot.

Here's a visual diary I created of our time together...
(and mom...if you're reading this...I'm sorry...for that one part in the video). *covering eyes*

So yes, our summer may not have been filled with lush vacations and jet-setting around the world but our days, and more importantly, our hearts, were spilling over with adventure and fun.

They say forever is made up of the nows...so perhaps we really can have a "forever summer" because we certainly filled it with a lot of "nows" I will always remember.

With that said...I think it's time for me to do some letting go...

xoxo my sweet friends!!

Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I rolled my ankle stepping out of the RV on the first day of our camping trip. *laughing*

I fell on the ground and had dirt and grass all over me while Ella and my mom looked on in disbelief. 

I laughed so hard and could NOT believe I had done that while also holding back tears from the pain.

It swelled up immediately and I thought I had broken it. 

I put on a brave face, iced it every day and medicated myself with some Advil.

Thankfully I didn't break it and was still able to enjoy the rest of our time together.

BUT...it did take a solid two months for me to feel comfortable putting full weight on my ankle again.

(which has now exacerbated into lower back + foot pain because of my body overcompensating for it). *eyeroll*

BAKING | Hummingbird Cake + Cupcakes

*Affiliate links are included in just about every blog post I share here on Pen + Paper Flowers.

 These links allow me to easily share with you the same or similar items and tools I use for recipes, crafts or projects. 
These links also provide me with a small commission should you decide to click on them and purchase something. 
The commissions, collectively, allow me to continue sharing ideas and content with you.
Thank you in advance for your ongoing support of my blog and small business.  xoxo, Jess

Hummingbird Cake is about as southern as it gets when it comes to cakes. In fact, this classic cake has been the single most popular recipe in Southern Living Magazine since it was submitted back in 1978. (Let me do the math for you on that...for 40 years!) 

So you would think this girl right here would have tasted this cake a time or two and even attempted baking it at least once by now, right? Nope.

I don't even have a good excuse for not having tried it yet. It could be that my memory just isn't the best...so maybe I actually have tried it in the past and it's just been soooo long ago it just completely slipped my mind?

Umm...yeah...I'm really not buying that excuse because now that I have actually tasted this cake, (as of this weekend), I just cannot imagine it ever "slipping my mind" because it's just really delicious.

Having officially baked it and tasted it now, I've determined the Hummingbird Cake to be the sister-cake to Carrot Cake. The crushed pineapple and bananas in the Hummingbird Cake certainly seem to give a nod to the Spring/Summer season while the shredded carrots in Carrot Cake shake hands with Fall - the peak carrot season. 

So yes...if you love Carrot Cake (imagine me throwing both arms up in the air with an emphatic "yes!" and waving them around like a crazy cake lady) then you will love this cake too! Guaranteed.

Thank goodness my oldest daughter, Clara, came to visit for the weekend.
She had one thing on her mind: baking...with me. (you know that made my mama heart happy).

So that's just what we did too. We baked.

One of the things we made was this cake.

I'd like to say we had things all planned out before Clara even arrived but that would be far from the truth. We simply sat down together once she got here and thumbed through a couple of Southern Living Magazines I'd picked up over the last couple of months: Southern Living Famous Southern Cakes + Pies and the Southern Living Special Collector's Edition Cakes + Pies - apparently I have a thing for cakes + pies. *wink*

The Hummingbird Cake caught our eye and was in BOTH of the magazines. We just couldn't say no.
I didn't have three 8-inch cake pans so we opted to do a smaller 3 layer cake and made cupcakes with the extra batter. (plus she got to take the cake home and the cupcakes stayed here with me - a win for the both of us).

We love how the cake + cupcakes turned out. So moist. So delicious. And did I mention cream cheese frosting? Ummm...hello...my very favorite.

I definitely encourage you to try it. It will not disappoint you or anyone who's lucky enough to sample it. I have an idea!! How about making it for any of those summertime potlucks and gatherings you've got on your calendar. (although be mindful that cream cheese frosting doesn't pair well with sitting outside in the heat - you'll want to make sure you have an air-conditioned space for keeping/serving).

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE

by Southern Living Magazine

INGREDIENTS

CAKE LAYERS

3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans

2 cups granulated sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

3 large eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 (8oz) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

2 cups chopped ripe bananas (about 6 bananas)

1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

vegetable shortening - for pans

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

2 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 cup salted butter or margarine, softened

2 (16oz) pkg. powdered sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

ADDITIONAL/OPTIONAL

12- 24 pecan halves, toasted - for decorating top of cake

1/2 - 3/4 cups chopped pecans, toasted - for decorating sides of cake

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare the cake layers: Preheat oven to 350ºF.

    Whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring

     just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in vanilla, pineapple, bananas, and toasted pecans.

2. Divide batter evenly among 3 well-greased (with shortening) and floured 9-inch round cake pans.

3. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. 

    Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely, 

    about 1 hour.

4. Prepare the cream cheese frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer on 

    medium-low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Increase speed to medium-high,

    and beat until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.

5. Assemble cake: Place 1 cake layer on a serving platter; spread top with 1 cup of frosting. Top with

    second layer, and spread with 1 cup frosting. top with third layer, and spread remaining frosting over 

    top and sides of cake. Optional decorating: Arrange pecan halves on top of cake. For a more "fancy"

    finish, gently press chopped pecans around the sides of frosted cake using your hand.

Tip: For cupcakes, bake for 18-20 minutes. Once frosted, roll edges in chopped pecans. 

(Thought you might also enjoy this step-by-step video for Southern Living Hummingbird Cake I found while typing up this blog post). 

Enjoy my sweet friends!!
I hope you'll try it and report back.

PS - Let me know if you'd like a cute printable Hummingbird Cake Recipe Card. I'm not really sure if you all prefer just reading the recipe right off the blog or if you love the free recipe cards I've created and shared before? Or maybe you want both? I'd love your feedback.

xoxo,
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL

THREE THINGS...

1. I prefer my cream cheese frosting to be a tad tangier than this version but it's still delicious. (And until I find the recipe I want to share with you this one will have to do). Ha! And by all means, if you already have a fave cream cheese frosting recipe...use it!!

2. Clara and I didn't realize I only had a bag of pecan halves instead of the whole pecans we needed to to decorate the top of the cake. So, we did what any good OCD baker would do and we painstakingly took time to try to match up pecan halves to make them look whole. I think we did a dang good job. I can hardly tell when I look closely at the photos. Ha!!

3. These photos turned out surprisingly well despite the immense pressure I was under to "hurry up". Clara was trying to head back home and she was behind schedule so with each push of the shutter button on my camera and every rearranged shot of the cake I made in an attempt to capture the perfect image,  I could feel her hot eye balls glaring at me while she stood impatiently nearby waiting to drive off with the cake.  Some things never change - she's never been very patient when it came to me + my photo-taking. I still love her though. And besides, this cake wouldn't have happened this weekend without her. Thanks Clara!! *wink*

INSTA SNAPSHOTS | Summer Collapsed into Fall

If you don't follow me on Instagram you've been missing out on lots of pictures of how the new house is coming along.

And I get it...some of you just don't want to add one more app or social media commitment to your life! I completely understand.

Hence...my decision to start sharing periodic "Insta Snapshots" of my Instagram feed so I can keep you in the loop with things you may be missing out on.

I'll simply post a square image containing 9 different photos I've posted on IG recently and do a little breakdown below of each pic. Simple, right?

Top to bottom, left to right
1. Ella's room - wallpaper by Anewall - WOW! We love it.
2. Love me some Magnolia Journal
3. "Gratitude...when what you have is enough" - instant download sign in my shoppe
4. View of our dining table looking into the living room
5. View of my hutch
6. "And All At Once Summer Collapsed Into Fall" - instant download sign in my shoppe
7. Guest Bedroom (using a World Market runner on bed - see it on my table in pic #9)
8. Same sign as #6 but with white background
9. Dining table - pretty runner from World Market (also used on guest bed - see #7)


That was easy...and now I feel like you are caught up a little bit.
I've been decorating for Fall using leaves and branches I've collected from around the neighborhood and I'm loving it. Keeping things simple you guys. My life. My decor. My schedule.

It feels awesome.

xoxo,
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Finally starting to feel normal again after having bronchitis since right after Hurricane Irma blew threw. It feels nice to feel normal, doesn't it?
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BOOKS | Summer Reading

So before we kick off our beach sandals and tip toe into the Fall season, I just had to share with you the books I collected this summer.

You may want one (or two), for yourself...OR...you may want to add them to your ongoing "Gift Ideas" list. You have one of those too, don't you? You know, in the "notes" section on your phone? A list of names of the people you love and shop for throughout the year with links or descriptions to things you find randomly throughout the year? I know I'm not the only one who does this, am I? Well if you don't already do this...then I just gave you the best idea! *wink*

Anyway, I'm listing the books below with affiliate links to Amazon just in case:

Cut Flower Garden - I bought this one to inspire me to create a small cutting garden in my
                                  backyard. I follow Floret Farms on IG and really respect their story + growing
                                  process. I wasn't able to dive into this book yet, unfortunately, and a cutting
                                  garden was not in the cards for me this Summer but I will be using the Fall +
                                  Winter months to map out a plan for next spring.
                               

The Making of a Rag Doll - First, I do NOT sew. Regardless, I had high hopes of making a rag
                                  doll with Ella over the summer, using a glue gun or the iron-on fabric adhesive
                                  technique I've yet to try. lol But nope. Did not happen. But I love this book and
                                  the adorable dolls in it and I may just end up making this a secret project and
                                  making one for Ella for Christmas this year. *wink* (She has one that her sister, 
                                  Ema, made for her years ago. It's the funniest looking doll and yet the sweetest 
                                  doll I've ever seen since Em made it using scraps of fabric, yarn + buttons from
                                  around the house.  I should totally share it here on the blog. (see book on Insta)

The Wellness Project - This has been a fun + interesting book to read. I'm still not done with it but
                                  Phoebe takes us along on her year-long "wellness journey" she started in an
                                  attempt to heal her autoimmune disease. What I love about this book is she
                                  chose 12 different health-related topics to implement, try, research each month.
                                  So this book is not just about food - although there's a yummy smoothie recipe 
                                  she shares that I've been LOVING. She also touches on topics including "green
                                  makeup", posture, hormones, sleep and more. I shared it on Insta!

100 Days of Real Food - Really been loving this book. I've used it to cook many a meal over the
                                  summer. Ella's favorite recipe was the Mac + Peas. Very yummy. It's just a
                                  really great book of recipes for making the process of cooking REAL food easy
                                 + fun. The No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Bars are YUM and approved by us all.
                                 No one liked the Lime + Cilantro Coleslaw though. *wink*

The Magnolia Story - Need I say more? No, but seriously, I bought this book right before we moved
                                  and I haven't even cracked it open yet. Ha!! But I know it's good because so
                                  many people have said so. *wink* And it's Chip + Joanna. You've already read
                                  it, haven't you?

A Touch of Farmhouse Charm - I've only looked at the pictures. I got this before we
                                   moved too. I follow Liz, from Love Grows Wild on Instagram and love her
                                   charming style. And even though I'm moving away from the "farmhouse" style
                                   home decor, (I mentioned why on my Insta and will expand on it more
                                   here at some point), there are fun DIY projects in this book! It's the whole
                                   reason I bought it in the first place.  A lot of the projects can easily be adapted
                                   to fit a lot of different home decor styles. (like the simple greenery wreath,
                                   printed book page art, monogrammed doormat, etc.)

Hand lettering for Relaxation - Haven't even popped this one open yet, just so many other books
                                   things fighting for my attention. But it's a pretty book. And I love hand lettering
                                   and I love to relax so it seemed like a no-brainer to get this one. Ha!!

The 4-Hour Work Week - Have not even looked at this one yet. It's thick. So maybe I'm
                                   intimidated? But it came highly recommended by Emily Ley so....I bought it.
                                   And the title sounded very promising. Although truth be told, I'm not a fan of
                                   the cover.  It'll never make it onto the coffee table - which I don't even have yet.
                                 
The Turquoise Table - "Finding Community and Connection in your Own Front
                                     Yard." That pretty much sounded exactly like the book I needed having just
                                      moved into a new neighborhood who's tagline is "front porch living". Truth?
                                      Haven't opened it yet. *frown* I'm still excited to read it because it goes
                                      hand-in-hand with my search for simple + authentic living. It'll get read.

Chasing Slow - The only book I read from cover to cover this Summer. It's SO good you guys.
                          I will be reading this one again. Not even kidding. I already posted about it here
                          but it's worth saying again...this book gives such a fresh perspective to this crazy,
                          fast, chaotic world we live in...through a true story, from a real person. LOVE!!

Devotions from the Front Porch - Truth? I bought it because I loved the front cover. And it went
                                       right along with my desire to start my day off by reading something
                                       inspirational by the morning light on my front porch.

So there you go. If you've read any of these I'd love to know what you thought.
Better yet, do you have any must-have reads you'd like to share with me? Let me know!!

xoxo,
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Notice in my opening paragraph I used the word "collected" and not "read" when referencing my summer books. *wink*
If anything, my list of books may point to a possible addiction?
And that I apparently have a real problem with actually starting and finishing them. Hmmm? I should look into that.                             
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iNSPiRE | Slow Down

CLICK HERE to Watch this video...

It's for all the mamas out there feeling their heartstrings being tugged on as we say goodbye to the Summer of 2016 with our kiddos and hello to a new school year! Or for any mama out there feeling the feels only us mamas feel. *wink*

Love you all...
Jessica

P.S. Thanks for sharing this with me Allison!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I never want Summer to end...and of course, it always does. *frown*
P.S. The song is "Slow Down" by Nichole Norman

STYLING | Lemonade and Lollipop Stand Party Idea

It's mid July friends, which means those of us in Florida have been enduring the sweltering heat.

With record high temperatures, I figured there's no better time than right now to share this adorable Lemonade and Lollipop stand I created in collaboration with Hershey's.

We all immediately think of chocolate when we think of Hershey's, right?  But did you know Hershey's is also the maker of Jolly Ranchers® (not to mention about 35 other candies which include mints and gum). That's right. I personally didn't realize that myself and when I discovered these Jolly Rancher® Lollipops, well I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them!!

My idea behind creating the Lemonade and Lollipop stand was to inspire it's use for a variety of celebrations.  The obvious party idea would be to create this for a Lemonade and Lollipop themed birthday party OR set this up in your neighborhood for your young entrepreneur as a new and improved spin on the classic lemonade stand - like Ella did with her friend.

But what's even better is that this stand would be perfect for any Summertime celebration...pool party, baby shower, family reunion, and how about a back-to-school neighborhood party? 

You could even spike the lemonade and invite your girlfriends over for an afternoon of poolside fun. 

All you really need is some lemonade, Jolly Rancher® lollipops, napkins and some cups and you've got yourself a lemonade and lollipop stand.

However, in order to make things super cute there were a few special little details I incorporated to make the stand extra adorable for guests and to really showcase the Pink Lemonade flavored Jolly Rancher® Lollipops:  a two-tier lollipop cake, lollipop topped cupcakes,  crushed lollipop rimmed lemonade glasses, and lollipop stir sticks.

Do you love the Chalkboard Lemonade + Lollipops Sign? FREE DOWNLOAD HERE!

(dimensions are 21.5" x 9.5")

Of course the tiny bows used on the Jolly Rancher® lollipops were a cute way to finish off the cupcakes and tie in the color scheme of the lemonade and lollipop stand.

Tip: I  found it easier to tie the ribbons separately and then hot glue them onto the lollipop sticks.

This was a really "sweet" and fun concept to put together and is such a timeless theme.

If you are considering it for your next celebration, stay tuned for the DIY for the Jolly Rancher® Pink Lemonade Lollipop Cake as well as the how-to on the sugar- rimmed glasses.

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THIS IS A SPONSORED POST BY HERSHEY'S.

PEN + PAPER FLOWERS HAS RECEIVED COMPENSATION AND/OR PRODUCTS 

IN EXCHANGE FOR CREATING CONTENT AND SHARING PRODUCTS.
  AS ALWAYS, FRIENDS + READERS, I ONLY WORK WITH BRANDS 
AND SHARE CONTENT I'M PERSONALLY INSPIRED BY 

AND ESSENTIALLY FEEL WILL INSPIRE YOU TOO!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Sending you all a cyber "clink" as I pretend to sip a glass of ice cold lemonade with you! Cheers!

xoxo,
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL
This is the first Summer ever where I am completely without kids for a small period of time.
Ella is in Illinois with her dad for the next 5 days as they visit her grandparents.
Ema is leaving for Tennessee today with a friend and will be gone for 10 days.
Clara is 20 years old and has her own life and schedule.
So basically...it's just Hamilton and I at home together.
Kind of weird to have such an empty house.
But kind of nice to have some absolute quite time to myself.
Things might get a little crazy on Snap Chat with all of this free-time! *wink*
Not that things aren't already crazy at times over there.
Curious about the "crazy" side of me and my silly sense of humor?
Find me at: pnpflowers
#nojudgezone *wink*

GIVEAWAY | Cricut® Explore One Machine + $100 Gift Card

It's Christmas in July you guys!!
I just got word that Cricut is giving away a NEW Cricut Explore One machine!
If you've been eyeing this amazing cutting tool I highly encourage you to enter the giveaway they have going on this week!!

Not only do you win a Cricut Explore One but you'll also receive a $100 gift card to Jo-Ann's and an awesome prize pack filled with all sorts of Cricut tools and goodies!!

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
Click on the "Summer Love" tab on the Official Cricut Facebook page !!
You have until Friday at noon MST to enter.

There are SO many fun things you can create using a Cricut Explore One! The lower price point makes it even more accessible to all of the DIYer's out there!!

I hope you'll ENTER TO WIN - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!

I know the people at Cricut® LOVE seeing the projects you've created using their awesome cutting machine so when you post on social media be sure to tag @officialcricut and use the hashtag #CricutSummer to get their attention!!

All of these projects you see here were created using images from the Summer Love Cricut® cartridge which you can have free access to when you sign up for a Cricut® Subscription.

And did you know there's a Cricut® Design Space™ App now too for using with with the Cricut Explore Air - another version of the Cricut Explore with built-in Bluetooth® for wireless cutting.

I hope you're excited and will take the time to ENTER!
If this isn't for you but you have a friend or two that would be head-over-heels to win...be sure to share this with them.

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I didn't even tell you about all of the new cutting materials Cricut® has released -  distressed craft foam too, Washi Sheets, and lots of fun bright vinyl colors - like this lime green color you see in all of the projects in this post!!

BOOK CLUB | July Selection :: One Good Deed A Day

Have you all been waiting on pins and needles for the July book pick?

With all of the life lemons I've been dealing with in these first 3 weeks of Summer, I'm even more grateful for the One Good Deed A Day book I picked out for the PNPF Book Club selection for July! I think it's going to be the perfect way to shift my focus from my own struggles + challenges to instead finding ways to add some sunshine to someone else's life.

I actually shared this book on my blog a couple of years ago and even did a giveaway.
Well...a couple of months ago I had a reader, who had won a copy, mention how much she and her daughter still love the book! My heart was touched and also a LIGHTBULB went off in my head!! It was then I was inspired to add it to the PNPF Book Club this year.

It's a darling book filled with daily prompts + ideas for how to do something nice for someone else.
They are super easy things like "holding the door for someone" or there are things that take a little more thought + planning  but all in all you just pick and choose what you want to do and then journal a little something about how it made you feel or even just a jot down the date you did your kind deed.

Ella doesn't know it yet but it's going to be our little Summer project.
Some things will be focused on our own little family.
Other things will involve neighhbors, friends and even a few strangers.
Looking forward to spreading a little light + love to others this Summer.
Will you join me?

You can order the One Good Deed A Day book from Amazon 
or you can win one by simply leaving a comment here on the blog.

Just tell me what one of your very favorite kind deeds is that you enjoy doing or have done for someone in the past that really left you feeling light on your feet and joy in your heart.

I'll pick a winner on Friday, July 3rd and announce it here on the blog so as to send you off into your long holiday weekend celebrating!! *wink*

If you have trouble leaving a comment please email me at pnpflowersinc AT gmail DOT com
Some readers have had issues with leaving blog comments and I've not been able to get down to the bottom or WHY...so maybe you all can help me figure that at!

If you've missed the previous PNPF Book Club Selections and are curious as to what we've been reading, you can click on THIS LINK or tap the link at the top of the page that says BOOK CLUB.
Love to you all!!
xoxo


KEEPiNG iT REAL
Although I'm late on announcing my pick - I typically try to give you all a heads-up by the 15th of each month, this book is actually intended to be used the entire rest of the Summer months. (or maybe for you it'll be for the rest of the year. - it's your call because that's how the whole guilt-free PNPF Book Club thing works. Read more here if you'd like to join in on the fun each month!!

INSPIRE | A Fruitful Summer :: Lara Casey

 

I'm participating in something really beautiful this Summer...
something uplifting...
something inspiring...
and frankly, something I NEED!

I'm thinking there are some of you out there who just might benefit from participating in this too!

A Fruitful Summer - by Lara Casey

Do you remember me mentioning Lara Casey before...
when I introduced you to the Lara Casey Power Sheets?

Well, Lara Casey's "A Fruitful Summer" series is a 5-week guide to "stronger friendships, joyful connections + new adventures!" 

It's FREE and all you do is sign-up online (BEFORE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10TH) and you'll receive a beautiful .pdf guide, cute printable checklists + FREE Summer Art Prints.

Read more about the purpose + inspiration behind this Fruitful Summer Series RIGHT HERE!

So what do you say?
Are you ready to make your Summer fruitful?
I really hope you'll join me.
There's nothing to lose and so very much to gain!!

xoxo,
Jessica

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I'm excited about doing this...
and a little uncomfortable at the same time.
I'm sad to say it's been YEARS since I've focused on friendships.
Some of the reasons stem from the busyness of life, a small business + kids.
But truthfully, much of the reason includes pain + hurt from past friendships
AND not having the energy or desire to cultivate friendships due to
my own insecurities with regards to how messy my life has been through the years.
One thing I've come to know...
It's by pushing past fear and awkwardness that REAL transformation occurs.
And I'm ready.