This Weekend I...

I decided to pick health care in Haiti for the topic of my semester-long project for International Research and Strategic Planning. I am so excited; I've been reading a lot about Haiti all weekend, starting with the book Mountains Beyond Mountains (which I am reading for a book review for another class. work smart not and hard). As much as I am deeply concerned with issues our own nation is facing, I can't deny that my heart beats for this stuff and the struggles of others around the world. It satisfies the anthropologist in me to learn about other cultures, and the social worker in me to figure out how we can help.

via

I made these fancy crescent rolls (adding peanut butter makes things fancy, right?).

I got a lot done this weekend! I majorly cleaned the bathroom, scrubbing down the whole shower/bath, which left my brain rattled in cleaning supply fumes (oops). But I got free Starbucks as a reward, and a super clean shower.

Kyle made a new jungle gym for the kitties and they got to play outside a lot.

I made a giant batch of curried turkey with rice, to have lots of leftovers for lunch through the week.

I also got a vine. Grew a vine? Planted a vine? I don't know why it's called vine, but I signed up. You can expect mostly videos of cats.

Not pictured: I did a bunch of homework, drank some wine, watched some TV, painted my nails, cut the kittens claws, texted with my sister a lot, watched a little Penguins hockey, enjoyed spending time with my husband, listened to this song and this song, and woke up around 4:30am both Saturday and Sunday (the cats have me trained). I have another busy week ahead, every week until maybe the second one in May will be busy, but that's how I like it. I'm having my baby teeth pulled this afternoon, volunteering at Project Homeless Connect Thursday, with lots of class, homework, internship and everything else around and in between. Have a good one!

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Sunday Social: Reintroduction

I haven't blogged in some days, though I do have some posts planned, so I thought I'd join this linkup today!

What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging?
My blog is called From the Desk, because after I got married my friends gave me custom notepads that said "From the desk of Mrs. Sarah McPherson" on the top; it was the first time I saw my new name in use. I have been blogging since April 2011; I was inspired to start after my husband had a blog for a few months!

Why do you blog?
I like to take pictures and I like to share about my life (though I don't claim it is super exciting or anything; follow on your own accord). I am very secluded and far from any good friends, so blogging helps to share goings-on with friends and family, and gives mean outlet to write whatever I want.

What is the first blog you ever followed?
It was a while after I started blogging that I was made aware of the whole blogging world, actually. I think my sister introduced me to Cupcakes and Cashmere as I was planning a wedding and so was Emily (among other things).

What is your favorite blog post you wrote in 2012?
Umm. I didn't have anything that jumped out without me having to go through and remember what all I wrote (actually my favorite posts were from when Kyle got back from deployment and we had our first Christmas together, but I always seem to forget that was December 2011, no longer last year). I guess I'll say: What I Learned From Deployment. As it's looking like we will be gearing up for another one this summer. Oy.

What are your blogging goals for 2013?
Uh. I don't really have any? I have a vague idea to write a post each week about something social work related, even if it's just an excerpt from a class reading or a rambling post on my thoughts about the state of mental health care. I guess that's as close to a "goal" as I have for this thing.

Top 3 Favorite blogs to follow?

Rebekka Seale (formerly, Dear Friend)

My husband (Seek Arete)- he doesn't post often, but it's cute when he does!

Studio DIY- I went to undergrad with Kelly's boyfriend, and she has a wonderfully crafty site! 

image via Studio DIY

- From the desk of Mrs. M

All Lacquered Up: Nail Polish Swap

I'm a little late to the posting party (I blame grad school), but I got such great nail polish from Stephanie at The Vintage Modern Wife, I had to share!

I love love love the Essie plumberry; it's a great color for fall, while still not being too too dark. I love the pink sparkles, I've put it over a couple nails here and there...it's sitting on my desk actually because I keep wanting to use it! And the blues! I needed blue added to my collection, and I'm excited to give these a try! 

Here's a look at what I sent Stephanie. I thought I'd get a nice Essie fall color, a bright festive color for the season (and I knew she liked brights but figured orange would be a change), and maybe a more unexpected aqua color to balance things out. And I threw in a sparkly pink Salon Effects; I've never used them before but I thought she'd like the pink. You can see her swap post here! Stephanie and I live only about 30 miles away, fun fact!

Thanks so much Stephanie! :) And thanks to Meghan and Angela for hosting!

- Mrs. M

Thursday Thoughts (13)

{one} Kitty picture, featuring Kyle. I think Darwin's life goal is to somehow walk on the ceiling. I don't know what she is thinking, but she tries hard to get up there. And we sometimes encourage it.

{two} I  got new glasses! With my last pair, the nose bridge pads are reflected in the lens, so it is like there is always a little smudge I can't clean away, which is super annoying. I thought this time around I'd get some larger glasses, the better to fit my large head (I figured?). I really like them!

{three}
I had to order this shirt, because it was on sale and has penguins on it (my hockey team!). Also- a little back-to-school shopping; this is grad school appropriate, right?

Maybe I will make my mark in the world of Baylor social work by being known as the lady who wears animals on her shirts, as I've already got a bird shirt and a cat shirt. Hopefully I will also be known for other things, but you've got to start somewhere! Animals on my shirts is not a bad place to start. 

{four} My Summertime Swap package from Wendy arrived! It was packaged so nicely and contained such great summery stuff! I'm wearing the tank and lip balm right now :) Thanks Wendy, and thanks to Linny for hosting!

{five} Kyle and I had a little lunch date at a Mexican restaurant today. It was really tasty. More on that tomorrow!

{six} I start school sort of next week! We have two orientation days, and then a week long intro to the profession course, and then classes and internship start on the 20th! I'm excited, and nervous. This is my new big adventure for the next two years. Baylor, me and my new large glasses will be seeing you soon. I hope you like me even though I'm not Christian and am weirded out by all this Christian themed assigned reading. I'm sure we will have some interesting conversations.

{seven} I'd say I want it to be fall, but I don't know if there is much of a fall down here to look forward to. I just want it to be cold. And more northestern USA-like. I miss Pittsburgh weather, rainy and ugly as it often was. It is more of the school setting I like, if any of this makes sense.

{eight} So, Chick Fil-A. I get that this is America and you can think what you want and express it, but if you tie your controversial views to that of your company, shit is going to go down. Also if your views go against human rights in an effort to suppress the happiness of others (which seems like an entirely stupid and purposeless endeavor to me), I'm not going to like you, regardless of if you sell chicken sandwiches or cow manure. And I know it is a tricky situation when states begin banning businesses with less than ideal views, but I'd rather err on the side of equality than that of oppression. That is all.

{nine} Last chance to enter the Olympic giveaway! I'll pick and announce the winner tomorrow morning!

-Mrs. M

A Giveaway! {Closed}

Congrats, Rachel! You won! Email me your address! 

sarah.f.mcpherson@gmail.com 

Thanks for participating, everyone! :)

I don't know about you, but I love the Olympics! I'm not a big watcher of sports year round, but the Olympics draw me in and make me a fan of just about everything (so glad golf didn't make the cut, though). I love the history of the games- going back to ancient Greece, and how the Olympics bring the world together (however temporary it may be). I remember being a big fan of "the Thorpedo" back in Sydney 2000; the 2004 Athens games inspired me to write my college application essay about the Olympics, and the final hockey match in Vancouver 2010 (USA vs Canada) was simply stunning. I will probably tear up at the opening ceremonies tonight, no lie.

all photos via

I wanted to do my first ever giveaway this summer; I thought first of doing one for my birthday, but the Olympics is way more fun and a better theme to create a specific giveaway around. If you're an Olympics fan, or even not, I hope you like what I've got for you! Here's what you could win: (one winner gets all)

 (plus a t-shirt not pictured!)

1. London coin purse- to represent the host country.

2. $10 Subway gift card- to eat like a champ, like Michael Phelps or Apolo Anton Ohno in those commercials.  

3. USA 1984 mug

4. 60 Straws in the Olympic ring colors.

5. Gold and Silver nail polish.

6. Candle- representing the Olympic flame (you don't have to keep yours burning, though)

7. T-Shirt size M (on its way to me so it is not pictured above).

To Enter:

Required:
Follow From the Desk via GFC and leave a comment sharing what your favorite Olympic event is (winter or summer)!

Extra Entries (leave a comment for each):
Tweet about the giveaway (include your twitter handle in your comment and tag me @mrssmcp)

Blog about the giveaway (include link in your comment)

Winner will be randomly chosen on Friday August 3rd via Random.org. Entries must be in by midnight August 3rd, CST.  

Good luck and thank you for participating!
Enjoy the games!

-Mrs. M

Friend Feature

Today I want to introduce you to two of my favorite bloggers around, Joelle of Something Charming and Elizabeth at Love is the Adventure. Be sure to pay them both a visit!

Meet Joelle!

Tell us about you and your blog!

Something Charming is my little corner of the internet where I share the things I find lovely in life. I'm a wedding planner, so Wednesdays are always dedicated to weddings, but I also love to post about style, design, writing, and my life.

If you had to have something tattooed on your body, what would it be?

My grandparents each spoke a different language growing up (English, Swedish, Tagalog, and Spanish), so I would get something tattooed in each of their native languages. It's a thought I've had for a while now, but I am too afraid of pain to actually go through with it!

blog . twitter . facebook . 


Meet Elizabeth!

Tell us about you and your blog!

Hi, I'm Elizabeth and I blog over at Love is the Adventure. Kyle and I got married when we were really young and this blog started as a way of exploring God's hand in our marriage as we've gone through some really challenging stuff like moving far away from our families, surviving college and graduate school, and Kyle being diagnosed with PTSD. I'm a big believer that romance is in the little everyday things and that you don't have to have a lot of money or live somewhere exotic to have an adventurer's heart. So my challenge to myself is to try something new any time I have the chance. I blog about love and relationships, apartment living, grad school, road trips, books, and thrifting...and other stuff, too. Thanks so much, Sarah, for having me!

If you had to have something tattooed on your body, what would it be?

If I had to have something tattooed on my body...I've had a couple tattoo ideas for awhile but I sort of want to keep them a secret until I make up my mind! I do love tattoos of poetry...Kyle has an amazing tattoo of the constellation Orion in honor of his brother Orion who passed away.

 What is on your summer reading list?

My summer reading list: I'm reading for my candidacy exams this summer so I have literally about 200 books on that reading list but if I can somehow squeeze in some fun ones...Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs and An Abundance of Katherines by John Green.

blog. twitter. 

S. 

Check it Out

Hi friends!

I'm so happy to be featured as a sponsor for April for the beautiful Faison, along with six other lovely ladies. Head on over and check them out!
Thanks Fais!

If you're over here visiting from About Fais, welcome! Happy to get to know you!