Coffee Tasting Date

 Ryan and I have been on a couple of fun dates lately, and I thought I'd tell you about one of them today!

I think I mentioned here on the blog that earlier in September, Ryan and I went to a networking luncheon to represent Love INC. While we were there, we met a sweet lady who runs an art gallery/event center in the same town. She had some flyers with her advertising an upcoming coffee tasting.

YES PLEASE!!!

We purchased tickets that would allow us to sample different kinds of coffee - and there was also an art show for a local artist.

So Ryan and I headed over after work that Thursday evening, ready to learn about coffee!

The first table we visited was from the Alpine Rose Coffee Shoppe in Berne, Indiana. We haven't been there yet, but we need to remedy that! The lady staffing the table was super nice and treated us to a sample of coffee. Then she gave us each a sample bag of coffee beans AND a signature snickerdoodle. (Bonus: I couldn't decide between two coffee bean flavors, so she gave me one of each!) This was a perfect start to the night! 

Then we stopped by the table of the Wake the Land Coffee Roasters. This husband and wife duo roast coffee to sell. They don't have a storefront, but they showed us their scrapbook of their roasting building, and it was REALLY fun to look at that. (I mean really...coffee and scrapbooks. Could life be better?) At their table, I tried a cold brew, and it was really delicious. We talked to them for a while about what it's like to roast coffee, and we had a great time learning from them!

Next, we stopped by the table for the Java Bean. This shop is in Decatur, and we've gone there several times since moving here. Ryan often gets me a treat from there when I work in the office rather than from home. It's a cute shop with good coffee. Their owner spent quite a bit of time with us, showing us some different brewing methods and explaining how the same roast of a bean can taste completely different depending on how it's brewed. Fascinating!

Our last table was the Shaka Shack! This shop was our official coffee shop for Adams County when we visited it back at the very beginning of our county tours! (Who knew we would one day live/work in this area?) It is under new ownership now, and we enjoyed talking to the gentleman who runs the shop now! (And we enjoyed our coffee sample!)

And scattered among our table visits, we were also able to spend some time talking to the lady who owns the venue, and we checked out the art on display. The artist shared a bit of his story with us, too! We also had the chance to meet some Ukrainian people who are living in our community for the foreseeable future. There are a number of families in our area hosting Ukrainian families, so some of them were there together. 

Of course we enjoyed a date night that included coffee. Of course! But we also appreciated the chance to meet new people, make connections, and learn a few things along the way! Coffee tasting for the win!

Sunday Sentiments

 

Sometime this week, I'll be wrapping up my study of Jacob's life and moving on to read in-depth about Joseph. 

I told Ryan that while I have learned much about Jacob that I hadn't focused on before, this hasn't been my favorite stretch of study. Maybe Abraham set the bar too high! (I actually cried when I read about his death, because I felt like I had just lost a dear friend.)

To be completely transparent, I felt a little guilty about how much I haven't connected with the account of Jacob, because I've actually found quite a bit of common ground with him. I mean, I don't have two spouses or any concubines, and I haven't deceived my sisters regarding any inheritance. Not everything is a match! But I have found that some of our fears and struggles are surprisingly similar. 

Even so, I have found myself plodding through the end of this study, rather than eagerly absorbing it all. Some days I even told myself I should go back and redo a part I'd done before, because I hadn't tried hard enough.

Then I read something that helped me, so I thought I would pass it along to you in case you need to hear it too!

I read (probably on Instagram) that it is okay if every single day isn't the best and most profound time of learning you've ever had in your life. It doesn't mean you're failing at your study. It just means that not every day is the most profound.

I needed that. I needed to know that not every study will be an Abraham study for me. I can still learn lessons that matter. I can still say I did my study for that day. It all still counts. And the days of deep, profound study will come again. 

So with that, I encourage you to keep moving forward if you're feeling stuck. Just keep going. Not every day will be the best. But show up anyway. Learn anyway. And one of these days, the mind-blowing, profound lessons will come again! 

The Saturday Six

 

Today is a special and exciting day (and no, it's not a Shafferland "versary") that I will tell you about early next week - complete with lots of pictures! But here in blogland today, let's have a little fun, shall we? I've been working lately on my gift wish lists, because Christmas is coming! It brings about the time the family always asks for gift ideas. (Yes. I'm 44. Yes, I still make wish lists. I figure it's better to know what you need and really desire than to just throw out random ideas!) It's fun to dream, isn't it?

One.

Now that we live in the land of friends-with-chickens, we buy our eggs from them, rather than from the store. We've been recycling old disposable egg containers, but there's something extra pretty about these storage containers that allow you to see the pretty eggs. Recycled store-bought egg containers don't allow for that! I also find it hilarious that refrigerators used to come with built-in egg storage, and I always found it annoying, and now I want to purchase said storage. ;) 

Two.

One of our essential oil diffusers died, which made me very sad. It was not only functional, but pretty! While I do still have a functional one, I would like another pretty one. (Vain, party of one!) This one is not like the one that died, but I think it has some character, and I like it. 

Three.

This guide to planning a Route 66 road trip is definitely on my wish list. I have been working so hard at planning our someday trip (and I have not forgotten this on my list of things to talk to you about soon) - and this would help me with some of the polishing details. I've looked at some previews of it, and it seems very thorough. You all know my adoration for all things thorough!

Four.

In my recent wardrobe dreaming, I realized I don't have many true pajama sets. I usually just wear random, ill-fitting shorts and an old t-shirt that shouldn't be worn outside the house anymore. I was convicted that I really should try to look cuter at home, since Ryan is the one who matters most! So I marked some jammie sets for my wish list, including this one! (The set with the pink and green duo.) They look so comfy!

Five.

It has taken me over a year to crawl slowly through the book of Genesis. I have loved it. I've been using workbooks from Precept Ministries, and there were actually five different workbooks that covered the book of Genesis. If everything goes as I think it will, I should finally finish the book right around the end of the year, which means I'll be ready to begin Exodus! They actually only have one workbook to cover all of Exodus. (No idea if that means I will spend a whole year in ONE book or if I'll move faster!) Anyway. The Exodus workbook from Precept is on my wish list! 

Six.

And finally, I found this piece of wall art that has significance to us. (No, we are not having a baby.) God has been taking us on a journey, and this really speaks into the faith He has been growing in us. So I put it on the wish list. 

So there you have it! Part of my Christmas wish list! :) 

Sweet Memories...Round 6

Over the last few Fridays, I've been reminiscing about some of my favorite memories from the almost ten years of marriage we have shared. Today's recap begins with our fifth anniversary trip and carries on through the year that followed. There were some super sweet memories tucked in this year and also some very hard ones. My favorite thing about being married to Ryan is that regardless of whether the moment is a hard one or a fun one, it's a great one because it's spent with him. Doing this life TOGETHER with him is the very best.  

Month 61: Friendtastic Fifth Anniversary

I know that ALL our trips are my favorite, and this one was no exception. This was the month we celebrated our fifth anniversary, and we did so by taking a really long and fun trip that included meeting up with a bunch of friends along the way! We drove back to Florida (where we saw my college roommate and Ryan's high school wrestling coach) and then we came up through South Carolina, where we saw one of my former coworkers, and North Carolina, where we saw some friends. This trip was FULL of fun adventures: lunch cruise, kayaking, our first visit to Duck Donuts, seeing Mayberry, and visiting the Biltmore in the snow! So many great memories on this trip! And what a way to kick off our second five years of marriage!

Month 62: Ski Slopes!

This was the month that started a tradition that kept going for a few years! Ryan and his friend Shawn decided to go skiing, and I tagged along because that is how Ryan and I do life. I sat in the lodge all day and watched their gear (and wrote) while they hit the slopes. They had the best time, and I enjoyed my day until evening when the youth groups seemed to multiply and none of them had any concept of personal space. I ended up getting really, really sick from the germ fest of the lodge. (Last bout of the flu I've had!) But it was still a fun day and the closest thing to skiing I'll ever do!

Month 63: Speaking Together

One of my favorite things from this month was that Ryan and I were invited to speak at a Valentine's banquet for his uncle's church. This was the first time we ever tried speaking TOGETHER, and we loved it. We had no idea we would get to do it several more times in the foreseeable future. Want to know a few more fun foreshadowing facts? Our friends Jonathan and Julie came to hear us - and now we go to their church. And the place where we spoke is now in the same county where Ryan works. We had no clue that in just a few years, we would live right here in this community! Aren't God's stories the BEST????

Month 64: Serving Together

We served together at a couple of women's retreats during this month - and one of them was over in Ohio. It was held in a hotel, so it was like a mini-vacation for us! It was one of the biggest retreats I've ever served, and Ryan debuted as a game show host during this adventure. We had so much fun! (He commented once that this was one of his favorite places we ever stayed for speaking.) Also - three cheers for still fitting into your show choir clothes, Ryan!

Month 65: All the Routine

When I looked back over this month, I saw how beautifully ordinary it was. We haven't had a ton of months like that in our marriage, so whenever they pop up, I appreciate them a little extra. (I had no idea that behind all the beautifully ordinary, Ryan was planning the surprise party of a lifetime!) And here I thought we were going through a boring phase! :) 

Month 66: Turning 40 in Style!

This was a BIG month! Ryan threw me that magnificent Beauty and the Beast themed surprise party, which was one of the greatest surprises and joys of my entire life. And then I celebrated my actual birthday, which he also made very special. (We did a scavenger hunt all day and it was so fun!) And then our annual birthday trip took us to southern Indiana, where we hiked in a state park and saw all kinds of fun things! I loved this month so much. 

Month 67: Kidney Walk!

We have done lots of unique things in our marriage, and this month held one of them. We participated in a kidney walk to support our friend Pat, who has had not one, but two kidney transplants in his life. We raised funds, but we also participated in the actual walk. It was in Indianapolis, and a whole group of us walked. We had the greatest time! I'm so glad we did this! 

Month 68: Patriotic Program!

This month brought about something new for us that ended up becoming a sweet tradition for a few years! We had finally found a church home in Kokomo, and they did big musical programs twice a year: a patriotic one in the summer, and a Christmas one in December. This was the year we participated in that for the first time! Ryan sang in the choir, and I served as a narrator. We loved getting to be in something together, even if our gifts were different!

Month 69: Vacations and Babies!

During this month, we had a whole bunch of firsts! We stayed in our first Airbnb and completely fell in love with using those instead of hotels when we traveled. We made our way out west, stopping to visit Lincoln's grave in Illinois, Kansas City's downtown area, Schlitterbahn Water Park, our entire wedding party (who all lived in Joplin, Missouri, at the time) and last but not least: my family! We had a brand new great-niece to meet, and it was so wonderful to spend time with her and everyone in the Kansas crew!

Month 70: Leadership Encounter Speakers

Remember how the year started with us speaking together for the first time? It escalated quickly! At the end of the year, we were the keynote speakers at our church's annual Leadership Encounter. We shared multiple times in the weekend-long event, and I think this is still my favorite event we've done together! The church did an amazing job of putting on this event, and it was an honor to speak!

Month 71: Facing Hard

This was the month in which our lives took a turn we didn't expect, and even though it would certainly be unfair to say that all of life has been hard since this moment, it would be fair to say that life turned a corner in month 71. In some ways, we feel like we are still in a version of the hard that started here. This was the month we learned that Ryan's mom had a brain tumor. The diagnosis and surgery happened back-to-back right in this month. The picture above was taken just a couple of days after the diagnosis and just a couple of days before the surgery. She was so sad and scared this night. (It was Ryan's sister's surprise birthday party for her 40th.) 

Month 72: Connecting

In our final month of this year of marriage, Ryan's mom came to live with us for a couple of weeks, and we learned I am a terrible nurse. (Great intentions, but terrible skills.) We also had to face hard realities about the truth of her future. As we grappled with all of that, we tried so hard to nurture our own relationship. This picture was taken on one of our impromptu dates to the Christkindlmarkt in Carmel! It was such a fun day and so needed!

Stretching and Exercising

A few days ago, Paula asked if I could write more about the exercises I've been doing, and I've also had some questions about the stretching I've done for a few months now. So today I'm going to write about all that!

Some of you, who have read here for a while, will remember that several years ago, I did a number of rounds of BeachBody workouts. I did the 21 Day Fix, Hammer and Chisel, and a couple of others. I really liked them, but I also got tired of doing the same rotations of workouts day after day. That's a personal boredom issue, not a problem with the program. 

In our current season of life, paying for workouts or gym memberships doesn't feel like the best use of our funds, so I've tried to get creative with free online workouts that allow me to use the weights and tools I already own. Free is our friend right now!

So first, let me talk about the stretching. A few months ago now, I looked up some different stretching sets on Pinterest and then ended up putting together my own list of stretches based on what I needed to stretch most. My back is my tightest area, so most of my stretches focus on that. If you need to work on legs/arms/shoulders for stretching, you could easily switch out some of what I have listed below.

* I start by sitting on the floor with my legs out in front of me (flat) and reach as far forward toward my toes as I can get. I hold that for fifteen seconds and then repeat that stretch twice, each time trying to get closer to my toes. 

* Then I get on my knees and crouch down with my arms out in front of me as far as I can reach. (Basically a child's pose if you're familiar with that.) This one is REALLY helpful for stretching my back. Sometimes I will also stretch left and right with my arms, while in this pose, in addition to stretching out in front. I do this one for 15-30 seconds, depending on how tight I feel.

* Next, I stretch out fully on my stomach, with my legs out straight and push up with my palms (upward dog, if you're familiar) as far as I can to stretch my lower back. This one is one of my favorites in terms of how it feels. I do this for about 15 seconds.

* Then I pop up and stand with my feet flat and my palms flat on the floor - bent in half. (Downward dog.) I do that one for about 15 seconds also. 

* I repeat the last two at least once for 15 seconds, and sometimes I repeat them one more time as well.

* Then I stand up straight and bend over, letting my arms hang close to the floor. You could touch the floor if you want (and can) but I just let me arms hang. I stand there, loosely, for about 45 seconds.

* Then I stand up straight and raise both arms over my head and stretch as far as I can for about 15 seconds. After that, I stretch left and right (still with arms outstretched) for about 15 seconds each.

* I finish by linking my arms behind my back, down low, pushing out as far as I can. I do that for about 15 seconds as well.

That's my stretching routine! I do this one every day! 

Now...for the workouts!

I've tried SO MANY DIFFERENT workouts in recent months. I'll mention a few of them here in case what I've landed on doesn't fit you very well, but maybe one of these others might!

* Back when I was at WillowBridge, I had an annual subscription to Walk at Home by Leslie Sansone. I first learned about Leslie probably 20 years ago, when I was first out on my own. I had a couple of her VHS tapes (!!!!) and liked them. Now she has a website to replace all those bulky VHS tapes (ha!) and the annual subscription is actually really affordable. Leslie focuses on walking in place, basically, which means you can walk in your own living room. It's not just in-place marching. You do go up and back and from side to side, but the point is that it's low-impact, easy to do in a small space, and that girl has some ENTHUSIASM! It was the easiest kind of workout for me to do in those days, but it's not big on strength training or anything very intense. At my age, I still need to increase intensity beyond what that offered. 

* I've tried a number of workout lists that I found on Pinterest, too. By that, I mean there isn't an accompanying video, but there are just lists of things you can do for so many reps or a specific amount of time. While I can do that, it's not my favorite. Sometimes I don't remember what an exercise is called, and I spend half my time looking up how to do the move. But if you are good at knowing the names of exercises and don't need the accountability of a video leader, you can find all kinds of workout lists online.

* Earlier this year, I was using the website called Nourish, Move, Love, which is run by a really sweet lady. She has a ton of free videos, and she also has a lot of videos for pregnant and postpartum women, so if that's you, this might be a great fit! (Side note: those two sets of workouts are also good for beginners in general.) I liked her and am not saying I will never do these workouts again, but I wanted to keep looking to see if I could find something that fit me better. 

* That is when I found Faithful Workouts. Apparently this lady also used to have the VHS tapes, and now she has moved on to website format as well. I think she has a paid version of things you can do, but for free, you can go to her calendar every day and access an encouraging verse or quote, a Christian song to listen to, some healthy recipes for each meal, and four workouts to choose from. The workouts range in time and difficulty, so you can choose what works for you. She has a lot of workouts that are all about stretching. She has some that can be done from a chair. She has some that don't require any equipment. Lots of options! :) 

In the foreseeable future, I imagine I will toggle between Nourish, Move, Love and Faithful Workouts, depending on what I need most. Nourish, Move, Love is a little bit more intense and uses more equipment. Both are great, in my opinion. 

Hope this helps give you some ideas if you're looking to move more!

Tenth Engagementversary

Yesterday marked ten years since Ryan proposed to me. Our wedding anniversary, which is in December, is very special to me, but the proposal anniversary is just as special to my heart. We had talked about getting married, and I knew he intended to propose. I had no idea he would do it so soon, so it was the most beautiful surprise. It was also a poignant reminder to me that I was completely chosen and loved, and that did such a healing work in my heart!

For that reason, the engagementversary matters as much to me as the anniversary, and I always pause to celebrate what it represents!

It was a sunny day here in Indiana, with a slight frost covering the rooftops when we awakened. Ryan had to leave early for a work breakfast, but he woke me up by wishing me a happy engagementversary, which was the grandest way to start the day.

While he got ready, I packed his lunch, complete with a special love note, and then it was time to part ways for the day. 

I watched our engagement video, which I am SO GLAD the station made. They documented the day so very well, and my scrapbook loving heart is happy. 

Ryan spent the day at work, and I had errands to run. When Ryan came home, he suggested we go out for a walk on the river greenway. The weather was absolutely perfect. We didn't need coats, the sun was shining, and Lexi was as happy as she could be out there prancing down the sidewalk. Ryan and I had great talks along the way. We reminisced about ten years ago and the joy of getting engaged!

On our way home, we picked up Blizzards for dinner (the delight of adulthood) and came home to rest and watch some of our favorite shows. 

It was a perfect little day of remembering, and I am grateful. Thank you for these ten years, Ryan! I've loved them so!

118 Months!

Today is a big day in Shafferland. Today marks TEN YEARS since Ryan proposed to me, and I am excited to relive that beautiful day in my mind, minute-by-minute throughout this day. I'll tell you more about it tomorrow.

But today I want to tell you about Sunday, which was our 118th monthiversary.

We had such a busy day on Saturday. We went "to the big city" to get groceries and then scurried to a birthday party for our friend's little boy, who is turning one this week. We left the party early to get our groceries home before the frozen stuff thawed, to let Lexi have a little break, and then we rushed off to small group for the evening.

So when that alarm went off early Sunday morning...whew. I was not ready. I mean, in all fairness, I'm never ready. But I really wasn't ready. 

Ryan was on the worship team Sunday morning, so we had to get there early for him to practice. I sat in the back pew of the church, doing my devotions while the team sang worship songs at the front of the sanctuary. It was pretty perfect.

Sunday was World Communion Sunday and our church combined that with a celebration service, and I have to tell you...it was one very special service.

That table at the front of the church was completely full of communion breads that represented countries around the world. Some were from countries of the missionaries we support. Some represented the home countries of foreign exchange students in our church. Others were from countries where people in our church used to live and/or serve. 

The service itself included people reading and praying in languages from their home countries or countries where they had lived at some point. A group sang Revelation Song and took turns singing the chorus in other languages. 

All of it was so incredibly powerful.

And then for the celebration part of the service, we had the freedom to move about the sanctuary to take communion, wash someone's feet if we wanted, or pray for people around the world.

Ryan and I had such a sweet time of prayer and communion together, and then at the very end, our pastor (who is also our good friend) came over to pray for us. That finished off the last of my makeup for the day. I came home with a splotchy face and a full heart.

And this, my friends, is why you take the monthiversary picture EARLY in the day. Noted for next time.

We rested all afternoon. Football and naps for Ryan. Scrapbooking and naps for me. Just naps for Lexi. 

We took a walk later in the day, and I made chicken stir fry for dinner. Ryan went out to get us some Blizzards for celebration, but alas, the only thing open at DQ was the drive-thru, and he said when he hadn't moved in line in ten minutes, he gave up. Walmart and pre-packaged ice cream for the win!

Excellent choice, by the way.

I loved everything about the day. It was a true joy. 

And I am excited that we have today to celebrate a whole decade of life promised to each other.

Thanks for asking me to be yours, Ryan. 118 months in, and I love it even more than I did in 2012!

Goals for October 2022

I know we are a couple of days into October already, but I did set some goals for the month! I wanted to share them with you today.

1. Do our fall family photo shoot.

We have a photographer booked. We have a date on the calendar. I've purchased my outfit (unless I change my mind). Lexi has a fall-appropriate bandana, thanks to her last visit to the groomer. Ryan is still figuring out what he's going to wear. I've chosen the pictures we want to recreate. And we have to hope for good weather on the day of the shoot. (I have been known to resort to praying over the weather, but I do recognize it is such a first-world problem!) But we are looking forward to completing this annual tradition this year!

2. Do three "fall fun" things. 

We have one on the calendar already: visit the pumpkin patch and corn maze. I'm super excited for it! I also feel like there should be a pumpkin flavored drink or ice cream in there somewhere. OOOH! Or maybe apple dumplings at Cracker Barrel. (Do they still have those on the menu in the fall? We had them a few years ago, and they were SO GOOD.) And I'm not sure on the third one. Maybe go enjoy the leaves somewhere - once they turn, of course. Whatever we end up doing, I want to be purposeful in doing at least three fun fall-related things!

3. Complete another round of training for Love INC.

This one is on the schedule toward the end of the month. There is a two-day, online intensive that Ryan already took a few weeks ago, but I need to also take it so we can both attend some additional training later. I've seen his notes and know there is a lot of good information to be presented in the trainings. I'm looking forward to it! (Hopefully Lexi is looking forward to a couple of days of learning, too!) 

4. Figure out a Christmas card and letter theme.

We may have to scale back on how many cards we send out this year, but we will be sending something! :) I can't skip making a card. It's tradition! But I always have a theme, and right now, I don't know what my theme is going to be. Need to work on that this month and nail it down, so I can get busy creating and ordeirng.

5.  Order Ryan's anniversary gift.

I know exactly what I'm getting him, but I can't tell you, because he'll see it too! But I need to actually order it. I'm super excited about it and can't wait to give it to him!

6. Host Ryan's grandma for a week.

Ryan's grandma is going to stay with us for a week later this month, and that will be a first for us! I have no idea how good I am at grandma-hosting, but I am hoping it goes very well! 

* I have a few other goals for this month, but they pertain to other stories I'm still sitting with, so I can't talk about it yet. But maybe by the end of the month, it will all be resolved, and I can tell you how those goals went! 

Sunday Sentiments

 

 

Today is our 118th monthiversary, and I have to brag on Ryan a little bit today.

118 months ago, in his vows to me, Ryan said these words: "I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, my tenderest care."

And though he always lives those words, he has really lived them in this past week.

One night this week, we sat curled up on the couch and had a really deep and wonderful talk. Life stuff. Dream stuff. Struggle stuff. And in every bit of that conversation, he loved me well, proved his devotion, and tenderly cared for my heart.

I had some disappointing news come my way this week, and when he heard it, he didn't try to fix it. He let me feel all the feelings, cry all the tears, and he loved and cared well. 

We had to reevaluate some of our dreams this week, and that was hard and exciting all rolled into one. And in that, he loved and cared well.

I wrestled with hurts thrown my way from people who should be more about love than hurt, and in that, he loved and cared well.

I received some really exciting and affirming news this week, and he was the first one I wanted to tell. He celebrated with me and in that, he loved and cared well.

This is teamwork. This is deepest love, fullest devotion, and tenderest care.

I'm so thankful that for the last 118 months, he has been the best teammate. I am thankful that he is always quick to celebrate every victory and stand by to support in every heartbreak. I am thankful he is not only willing to talk through every feeling and dream, but he is eager to do so. 

Thank you, Ryan, for fulfilling your vows so very well. Thank you for supporting me so very fully this week and for allowing me to support you right back. 

I love you! Happy 118 months!

The Saturday Six

I've been so intrigued lately by using baskets in practical ways in home decor. In my searches for how to do it well, I found a lot of fun ideas, so I'm sharing them with you!

One.

Here are some creative ways to use baskets around the house. My favorite one is the last one - to use baskets as a disguise. If there are things you don't want to have sitting out in plain view, put them in a basket and enjoy a win-win! And if you also employ the first tip of using a basket as a side table (by turning it upside down) you can also disguise something underneath it!

Two.

Lots of great ideas in this post too, but what I love about it is the reminder that not all baskets have to have a wicker look to them. While I like that look personally, I know not everyone does. Baskets come in many forms, and they all work well! 

Three.

Many more ideas here, but I particularly love using baskets in fall scenes - like for photo shoots! So pretty! 

Four.

So many ideas here for thrifted baskets. One of my friends does a bunch of thrifting and she finds the BEST baskets at thrift stores. They're a great place to look - and garage sales too, though the season for that is winding down around here!

Five.

If brown isn't your thing, check out how these baskets look after they've been painted! I love how bright they are! 

Six.

You've probably seen the current trend of hanging shallow or flat baskets on walls. I haven't personally climbed on board with this idea (yet), but this is a great tutorial on how to do it if you want to give it a try!