The Kitchen Sink

As in, this is a blog post about absolutely everything.  

In the past week, I ran a half marathon (my first ever race), the new website launched, and Bittersweet released officially. Also I used a teleprompter for the first time and did my first signing for the book, we ran 20 miles, and some dear friends were married. 

Yeah, that’s a week.  Phew.  

First, the half marathon—we did it! My friend Deirdre and I ran our first ever race of any kind.  And we even had fun.  It was hard and good and nerve-wracking and when it was all over, we felt like absolute rock-stars….until we realized that we’re going to do that distance TWICE in October.  We put that out of our minds for the day.

People had encouraged us to definitely enter some kind of race before the actual marathon, so that we knew what to expect—registration, corrals, the start process, the water stations.  I’m so glad we did it.  That night, my dad and Aaron and I sat on the patio and celebrated with takeout from Bistro Wasabi. 

And then, of course, a few days later, the Summit —I love the Summit.  It’s totally old home week at Willow.  Practically everyone I’ve ever worked with or met, it seems, comes into town, and if I’m not careful, I miss really great speakers because I’m chatting away backstage, happy as can be.  This year’s highlights:  well, come on.  Blake Mycoskie was fantastic.  Jeff Manion was amazing.  Jim Collins and his eyebrows were unbelievable.  Christine Caine is practically my new best friend.  So super fun.

I had one teeny-tiny role: I introduced Jeff Manion for his session Friday morning.  5 minutes…but about 80,000 people.  You better believe I begged my dear friend Rachel to do my makeup that morning—I’m fairly low-maintenance most of the time, but have you seen those screens? You can count pores! You can see straight into someone’s soul!

I was nervous, even with all my lovely fake eyelashes.  After rehearsal, they said—super-nicely, of course-- “You’re doing fine. It’s totally no problem that you keep looking down at your notes every five seconds.  But would you like to try the teleprompter?”  Loud and clear. So I did.  First time for everything.

And when it was over, I was super-relaxed and relieved…for about five seconds, until I realized that the next day was a 20 mile training run.  Something brand new to be nervous about.

I was really worried that morning…and by morning, I mean 5:30 in the morning, because we start running at six.  I’ll be totally honest: there were some dry heaves.  But then we started. And ran and ran and ran.  And we did it.  No migraine, no injuries.  I came home and took an ice bath and absolutely collapsed on the couch for a few hours before Chrissie and Steyn’s wedding.

You know that I love weddings, and this one was just the sweetest: a backyard party thrown by an Italian family—darling lanterns in poppy, gray, and mint hung in the tent, brick-oven pizzas and gelato served in the backyard, Grandma Isabelle joining the bride and her father to dance to “That’s Amore.”  So many familiar faces—my brother, my cousin, families I’ve known forever, friends I grew up with who now have four little ones of their own tumbling around the lawn.  Congratulations and much love to Chrissie and Steyn.

Yesterday the Cooking Club got together to let the kids run around Casey’s backyard for a while.  We got out our calendars and planned the next few months—on the docket: Southern food, possibly Italian, maybe Greek, thinking about a Thanksgiving dinner in November and gingerbread houses for Christmas.  All of a sudden, we were talking about December. 

I know that summer’s still in full bloom, but at the same time, I can feel the turn toward fall—calendars becoming filled, lists being made.  The last this, the last that of summer.

There are a few summer things I’d still like to do: 

More summer reading: The Help, Little Bee, Frank Bruni’s Born Round

Margaritas on the patio at Bien Trucha

Berries. More berries—by the handful, baked into a crisp, sprinkled over yogurt.

Dinner party on our patio—we have a new patio table, and I’d love one good dinner party around that table before the weather turns—maybe with the (Mar-a-lago turkey burgers) (http://www.oprah.com/food/Mar-a-Lago-Turkey-Burger) on the grill.  Mmm.

What’s on your “must-do-before-summer’s-over” list?

Comments

[Suzanne]

My list, learning how to deep breathe and learn to be in the moment, you know nothing big, but this really is my goal.

Suzanne @babeigotanidea.com

[Tara]

Shauna... I also ran the 1/2... and watched you breeze by me. Under other conditions I may have gushed how much I adore your writing and attitude about life. As I hobbled over the finish line and fond my boyfriend- I told him that I saw you (he knows I follow your blog and, again, that I adore you) and said that I can't wait to read your blog about the race. He said "you ran 13 miles and all you can think about is reading what someone wrote about it?". Thank you for keeping my mind off the aches and pains. =)

On another note, I love Donald Miller. And your excerpt from Bittersweet on his blog. I will be buying several copies for gifts.

Thanks for brightening many of my days with your words.

[Joy Tanksley]

Hey Shauna! Just wanted you to know that I'm nearly finished with Bittersweet and it's come at a perfect time in my life. I devoured Cold Tangerines last summer and was in awe throughout the entire book - it hit on so many things that were bubbling inside of me and comforted my soul deeply. I pre-ordered Bittersweet, and it arrived three days ago, on the doorstep of a home I had only been in for two days. My husband and I have had major transitions this past year - it's been bittersweet for sure - and to have your new book as a housewarming present was beyond perfect. Thank you for writing, even when it's not easy. What you create matters. And I can't wait to give this book as a gift to many special women in my life.

[Dana Underwood]

oh my gosh shauna you are freaking amazing!! I may have to stop reading anything you post anymore.... It's becoming bad for my self-esteem! You're just too much!!

But, I'll keep on reading - I love your posts and you inspire :)

Huge congrats on it all to you!!

[Kristin]

You must read 'The Help' - it was my first summer read and is so beautifully written! I'm also running the Houston half marathon in January--so my summer has been filled with a lot of making myself go run. Congrats on finishing the Half!

[Katie Ann]

Congrats on finishing such a race!
Before I go back to school

-Journal more, try to briefly capture what thoughts and feelings and insight that are traveling through my head and heart.

-People- tell them i think they are wonderful, ask them questions. spend quality time with my loved ones at home.

-make a couple more collages

-train hard and get ready for the new school year and season.

[bex m]

Good for you running 20 whole miles. I cannot even fathom running that far! When is the marathon?!

August is a month of rest for us. We are in Central Oregon at Sunriver with my side of the family now. We'll ride bikes, make delicious dinners to eat on the deck, play board games and drinking loads of coffee.

Next we we celebrate the completion of 4 months waiting to be matched with our baby from Ethiopia.

Hopefully my husband and I can sneak off for a night to go camping and hiking....or if not, a weekend trip to Seattle will do. :-)

In Oregon, the summer usually extends through September and oh, it's so sweet! Kind of makes up for the 7 months of rain that begin in October.

[Jessica]

I loved your new book, Shauna! And I loved Christine Caine too. So jealous you got to speak/meet with her in person. She. was. AMAZING. tears in my eyes.I was at the Willow conference (at a satelite campus--Holland, MI) and bought two of your books. One for me and one for a friend. And I will be giving them as gifts for Christmas too. I was so excited to read it I--er--might have tuned out Mr. Welch a bit. Thank you! Please continue to write!

I just read The Help. You'll read it in a day. wonderful book. I am still thinking about it frequently.

On my list?
date night with my husband to Green Well
clean out the garage (not so fun)
visit Ada Bible Church and hear Jeff Manion preach in person.

Oh and by the way, loved the chapter on Aurora. I live a street over. Wish I knew you when you were here!

[Jenners]

Hey Shauna! I haven't posted here before but plan on making more of a point to read your blog more regularly. You have helped bring perspective to my life and much needed "presence". Anyway, great question- what's on my "list". Well, for sure I'm excited to help my aunt and uncle with their garage sale in Eugene, OR. My aunt and I want to start a lil' business selling other people's used stuff, so I'm expecting to find a few good things for myself! I'm also looking forward to taking my baby girl (who's one on the 25th) out to North Fork river, in Oregon, to experience one of my favorite summer pastimes- swimming with a whole bunch of other people in the middle of nature. I do like the picnic aspect of it, too. It's one of the times I let myself drink regular Coke.

So that's it! Thanks so much for "creating", as another person commented before me. I can't wait to read Bittersweet! I'm excited to hear you speak in September in your "Tour de Oregon".

[Chelsea Salomone]

Hi Shauna. I actually discovered your book bc I read Donald Miller's blog. I needed a new book to read and thought, what the heck? when he blogged about Bittersweet. I don't even know what to say. Your book came in the mail just yesterday and it has touched me so deeply. I have smiled, laughed, cried. Your words are real, fresh, clean and beautiful. I typed up the alameda chapter and sent it to my college girlfriends. I read the blue house and south bend chapter to my husband. I have read and reread again learning to swim and the closer you get. So thank you.

[Erin]

Hi Shauna. I picked up your book last week at Barnes and Noble. (I think it was because of the chocolate on the front.) It has refreshed my soul. I, like other commentors, have transitioned quite a lot this year. We moved between countries and I have also lost a couple of pregnancies. I have been meditating quite a lot on brokenness and the beauty in it. The term "bittersweet" is, of course, perfect. It encompasses much of what I have felt.

I love your nuggets of wisdom and your love of food and wine. I am a fellow "foodie" and find much comfort in food and friends. And the two of them together are unbeatable!

I am so thankful to have found Bittersweet, the book, and to be experiencing the effects of bittersweetness in my own life. I feel the Lord led me straight to your book the other night as I perused the bookstore with no agenda. (one of my other favorite things to do!) Bless you and your ministry.

[Glynnis Whitwer]

Hi Shauna,

I just stopped by to say hello. I'm the editor of the magazine at Proverbs 31 Ministries and I've been working with Robin on an excerpt from Bittersweet. It's going to run in our January issue and I wanted to make sure I said thank you, and told you how much I love the book. I'm not sure if Robin will send me your mailing address, but in case you want a copy, send me a private email at editor@proverbs31.org.

Blessings,
Glynnis Whitwer
www.Proverbs31.org

[Mya]

To be honest, I just want to go on a trip before summer ends altogether. I didn't get to travel much and I need to get in a good trip for Labor Day weekend. i was thinking Chicago. I miss it alot...

[Jane Graham]

Shauna--LOVE the new website! Also, I second Suzanne's comment-- trying to balance the weeds and flowers in my life. A tall order, but one I'm trying to do...better. :)

[Lynette]

I wish I could say I've read ∫Bittersweet, but I'm still waiting to get it from the library (kind of a new "Personal Sustainability Plan" way of approaching things to life). Anyway - I just wanted to know if you planned the blue and orange shirts in the picture to match the blue and orange of Bittersweet and Tangerines? Intentional or subconscious or totally coincidental - I appreciate it!