beauty

Saturday, August 3

{kev and I in paris} 

this post will be short and sweet, as we are in Europe now, and a girls gotta soak up all she can:) 

but honestly, i've been so saturated in beauty the last week it's been overwhelming. 
we've been in Paris
stayed in a 300 year old farmhouse in northern france
lived in an 800 year old monastery in Belgium for two days
and are now playing house in a 400 year old quaint little dutch abode in Delft, Holland

every where I look, there is so much beauty. 
the house we are staying in now literally has a view of a church from every window you look our of! 

one idea that has given me so much inspiration lately is that 

Beauty is important to God

for,

Beauty was created by God in the first place

{an idea inspired by Edith Schaeffer} 

she says 
"creativity is God's gift to you" 

isn't that a marvelous idea? 

we were made to cultivate and enjoy beauty,
even in the small things. 
a flower on your table, 
a lovely postcard taped to your wall, 
a walk through the park,
or even the smile of a loved one. 

here is a random assorted collage at the beauty I am viewing, 
that is burning a fire deep within my heart. 

enjoy your weekend,
love Katie 
 {walking through fields of wild flowers}
 {flowers growing at the 300 year old farmhouse}
 {home made meals cooked at the monastery}
 {spending time with God at the monastery}
 {the adorable town of Boullion in Belgium}
{handcrafted belgium chocolate...need I say more?}
 {laughter and conversation at an outdoor cafe in Holland}
 {blue skies and striking architecture in Delft, Holland}
 {good food in the plaza}
{or good food on a boat in the canal!}
{secret gardens}
{the night skyline of Mont St. Michel}

happy weekend,
love Katie 

33 comments :

  1. beautiful, absolutely beautiful. you and kevin are so sweet together :) keep living it up!

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  2. Katie, these are gorgeous photos! I hope you continue to enjoy your time in Europe and I can't wait to hear more about it!

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  3. girl...this spoke directly to my heart. I love beauty and creativity...but lately have been feeling like these creative things I find joy in aren't important and are temporal. They aren't though...Jesus has made me to love beauty, like Him...thank you for the reminder.

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  4. Yes yes to everything in this post! Thank you for capturing these moments and sharing with us, Katie. Keep on squeezing the beauty and joy out of every single moment!

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  5. that last picture... reminds me of heaven, seriously.

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  6. So beautiful! I love, love, love the photos!! What a blessing to e among so much history and beauty! And you're right... It's obvious how much our Creator God values beauty by just looking outside at the sounds of rustling trees in the fall, the buzzing of bees upon vibrant flowers, the gentle masterful strokes of hazy purples and oranges during a sunset, and the white-capped peaks of mountains. We are created in his image, and with that, created to enjoy and recreate beauty.

    Enjoy the rest of your trip!

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  7. So beautiful Katie! I can't wait to visit Paris!

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  8. *happy sigh* simply beautiful. TRULY the Lord is creative isn't He? I LOVE how he has made such a beautiful beautiful earth where we see that beauty reflected!
    Have a wonderful day friend!
    :) Rebecca

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  9. Ah, how glorious! Love the top image of you and your husband by the tower. These photos capture such beautiful moments. :)

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  10. Girl soak up all you can. Make great memories. Take loads of pictures. Cant wait to read about it when you get back girl. Have a blast. I know you need it. Everyone does.

    http://pinkowl07.blogspot.com/2013/08/runaway.html

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  11. Looks like your having fun my friend!! Love you :) I bet that chocolate was AMAZING!!

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  12. Looks like you are having a fantastic time! Those pictures are stunning!!! Hope you have an equally wonderful time on the rest of your trip :)

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  13. Wow your trip looks amazing! I love what you said here about beauty. Lately I've been doing my devotions outside in our yard, and I love to just sit and appreciate the blue skies, green leaves, and the birds chirping! God's creation is so amazing... :-)

    xoxo Miss ALK

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  14. Wow, Katie - everywhere you are going looks So beautiful! Blessings to you and Kevin - stay dafe on your travels!

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  15. Wow, Katie! Everywhere you are going is So beautiful! Looks like this trip is one to remember:)Stay safe!

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  16. Beautiful, friend! Looks like you're having an amazing time. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

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  17. So incredible! Enjoy!

    Love, Amanda

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  18. Loving these pictures!! Especially that first one. Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

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  19. !!!! Oh my goodness! That first shot!! I just love it! So romantic! I am so happy for you guys that you are getting to travel together! All of these shots convey so much beauty. I just love it. Glad you are having a great time! :)

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  20. Katie it looks like you are having a wonderful time!

    How did you find all those cool places to stay?

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  21. oh my gosh, i love old farmhouses. and 300 years old? fabulous! i'm sure the views are breathtaking. soak it all in Katie, hope you guys enjoy every bit of it!

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  22. wow these are beautiful! so glad to see you two are having such a great time!

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  23. Hope you're enjoying your trip! Enjoy and soak in all that beauty!

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  24. Sounds and looks like you are having an amazing time! My husband and I were just in Europe in May, but I'm already itching to go back. Enjoy your time!

    ~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
    http://acutelifestyle.blogspot.com

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  25. I love that first picture of you two!! Ah!! You got the picture you wanted! Yay! Enjoy every second and keep soaking up all that beauty.

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  26. I love this so much, absolutely inspiring {AND I love you and find YOU inspiring (:}

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  27. love this post!! and that picture of u and kevin? swoon! so romantic! this post is beautiful, just like your heart. xox

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  28. Oh my gosh, what a gorgeousgorgeous post! I love all these photographs, and it looks like you're having an amazing time :) Enjoy Europe!!

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  29. Beautiful pictures! You always do such a a great job capturing His creations!

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  30. Ahhhh I love Edith, love that book, love this post, love YOU. Wasn't that such an inspirational read!? I don't know how many times now I've re-read it but I always want to read it again because she sparks something that exists in each of us - the need to be creative and see and appreciate beauty.

    Cant wait to hear more about your trip, BEAUTIFUL!

    Also, thanks for switching ads with me the past month. Want to do it again in the future? I'm trying to make a little money for the babe but after that, let me know!! Love you!

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  31. I just stumbled across your blog and I'm falling in love with all of your travels already! Can't wait to read more and follow :)

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  32. Your blog is so lovely! and I'm so jealous you're in Holland, I (s, there's two of us that run our site) was born in Holland and can't wait to go back home :)

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  33. These photos... sigh... BEYOND beautiful.

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