around the interwebs this week

I used to write and edit for the Burnside Writer’s Collective (RIP, but remnants of the blog part here). Back then, I did a weekly post with faith-ish related reads from the internets each week. I thought maybe I would try to bring it back SBTS-style. I’m not promising any regularity to it, but that shouldn’t surprise you. Feel free to send your best finds from the week my way (sara at sarabytheseason dot com).

Reads

• The intentional summer. This, and not just in the summer: “A sense of autonomy — of making active decisions about how we spend our time — is one of the elements that helps us enjoy our free time…make ordinary evenings and weekends more memorable. Research also suggests that people appreciate their leisure most when it includes elements of challenge, connects us with the people we care about, or helps us to feel a sense of purpose, she said.” We took up the author’s challenge to walk or ride somewhere you’d normally drive to this week to ride bikes for a kids-eat-free night out, and it was really fun. I’m excited to see what other challenges they come up with throughout the summer.
• The ministry of funfetti: This is an oldie, but I just found it this week. It’s a must-read. “And I feel like God said: you keep baking cakes.” I am now seeking my own version of the funfetti cake.  Any suggestions?
• The World Has Need of You. Poetry makes every day a bit better.

To do/try

• Bourbon peach milkshakes. If you need to ask why this is on the list, we probably shouldn’t be friends.
• 12 spots in Indiana to kayak/canoe. Grant and I got hooked on kayaking last year, so we’re hoping to branch out a bit from our normal White River trips using some of the suggestions on this list. If you’re not local, check out a outfitter in your area. I think you’ll love it!
• The best free yoga online. I love Adrienne, but I might try some of these to spice things up.
• Sun-dried tomato pesto (aka: genius). I can’t wait to try these with some oven roasted cherries that are about to pop in the garden.

To watch/listen

• I looove John Green (let me count the ways: he’s a Hoosier who stayed/came back, NerdFighters, his soccer Twitter feed, and his brilliant YA writing doesn’t hurt either), and I love commencement speeches done well…so finding this pretty much made my week.
• I have a love/hate relationship with makeup. Mostly hate, in that I would prefer to be au naturel 99 percent of the time. However, sometimes my skin is looking particularly sad, or I’m just in the mood to amp it up a bit. My friend Maya has some amazingly easy makeup tutorials that have inspired me to try new things. She sells Younique products, but you don’t need to buy from her to get the benefits of her tips (although I have bought and loved some of the products she sells). It is a closed group, which means I can ask stupid questions, and Maya (nor anyone else) will laugh at me. I still save most of the tips for dates night out because that feels more like me, but Maya has challenged me to try new things just for fun.
• Nerd alert: I was a political science major in college because I was (past tense) obsessed with all things politics. The 2008 election season pretty much ruined that for me (that’s a post all on its own), and I’ve largely intentionally tried to ignore politics for the last few years. BUT! I just found (via MMD) a new politics podcast that I really like: Pantsuit Politics. I started with the Brexit episiode and got hooked, but I’ve since delved down into several past episodes. It’s two women – one from the right and one from the left – who thoughtfully discuss the issues of the day. “Nuance” is stressed in their introduction, which piqued my interest right away. I have a feeling this one will be getting tons of play in the upcoming election cycle (please, someone, take me to Canada until January 2017!).
• I’ve recently discovered The Liturgist podcast and have felt at home because they’re asking many of the same questions I am when it comes to faith. You should listen. I started with the episode on race, which I need to listen to at least three more times, and I need several someones to discuss it with me over dinner soon (hint, hint).

Oldies on the blog

• Do yourself a favor at some point this long weekend and whip up some of my mom’s barbecue sauce (recipe at the end of this post). It’s the best!
• I’m making a huge batch of “Saree Beans” today to eat all weekend since it is the cookout weekend of the year.

Send your suggestions my way, and let me know what you think about any of the above mentions! Happy (LONG) weekend!