how we spend a warm autumn afternoon

 cool autumn temps are here in the high desert, but the strong new mexico sun can still mightily warm an afternoon.  and our midwestern roots show when we throw on bathing suits in october.  no need to waste the weather, right?  plus the van needed cleaning and their new towels are too fun for just bath time.  can i just say, having kiddos old enough to wash a vehicle is nice.  it was one of my favorite childhood jobs. 

and then it rained the next day.  you can thank luca.

Kids Name Micro-Fiber Beach Towel c/o Personal Creations

i am joining the nester and will be blogging every single day in october! 

full list of posts here.

november sponsor - the letter 4

please welcome the sisters of the letter 4

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When did I not choose joy this month? Just kidding. But it has been a month full of laughing at myself and trying to see the upside of things. Being around family certainly makes it easier. Everyone has chosen to lift eachother up this month and I feel incredibly blessed to have such amazing people in my life.
         

During the fall season I always dread the inevitable cold that comes with it. I hate being cold. A week ago though, I walked around in the brisk air with snow on the ground with my new winter boots and my camera and marveled at all the amazing colors and beauty around. I forgot the cold and dived into the wonder of the changing season.

We had the crazy awesome opportunity this month to be featured on the Martha Stewart Show! We can't believe we got to talk to Martha and Google's Senior VP Vic Gundotra. And our favorite part? Google surprised us by paying our way to New York so that we could be on the show AGAIN with Martha Stewart! We still can't believe it all!

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you can find the letter 4 sisters here. . .

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november sponsor - along for the ride

please welcome laura of along for the ride.

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I chose joy this month as I reflected on all my many blessings! This year as been a tough one in many ways, and I'm so thankful for all that God continues to provide.

I found beauty in my mom's hair! She finished up her breast cancer treatment in October, and although it's still super short, her hair sure is beautiful!

I'd like to share the story about why I journal. I'm going to be continuing this series throughout the new year. 

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you can find laura here. . .

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sponsor spotlights, cyber monday, and then some

monday, monday, you always come too soon.

but man oh man was it a good four day weekend at casa hart.

except for the 6yo with a 102+ fever yesterday.  thankfully, he slept lots and we all spent the day in jammies, making cookies, laughing at enzo's goofy antics, stringing more cranberry-popcorn garland and watching movies.  

i also may be slightly obsessed with planning out gia's birthday dollhouse as i used much of my final vacation day dreaming of room plans and finding miniature furniture online.  this is going to be so fun!

in bloggy news, i will be sharing two november sponsor spotlights this morning and a book review later this afternoon.  starting the week off with a bang.

lastly, are you on the look-out for a few good cyber monday deals?

here are a few from my sponsors. . .

moriah makes: use code CYBERMONDAY20 for 20% off

pink lemonade: use code HOLIDAY40 for 40% off

just lovely things: use code CYBERMONDAY for 25% off

naptime diaries: use code BLACKFRIDAY for 30% off

along for the ride: use code CYBER40 for 40% off

and a few more from my friends. . .

deliajude: use code GIVE11 for 20% off

wild olive: use code MOLLIE29 for 29% off
la famille @ home: use code CYBERSALE for 25% off

happy shopping!

triple the winners

sorry for that short delay.  here are the winners for the october sponsor giveaway day.

if you are one the above, please email me soon with you contact info.

  

a big thank you to jessi, heather, and paige for this month's sweet treats!

october sponsor giveaway

today we have triple the treats and not a trick to be found.

do you like that halloween pun?

to begin, jessi from naptime diaries is offering a choice of three prints from her sweet shop.  and so many great choices!

she's also offering a 15% discount of any order using coupon code ANNALEA.

next up, lovely heather of just lovely things is offering a $20 shop credit.  seriously now.  

and last, but certainly not least, pretty, pretty paige is offering a $10 gift certificate to her shop pink lemonade.  how fun!

don't delay.  enter now for a chance to win one of these sweet treats and leave a happy comment below.

(because i'd love a big ol' dose of happy when i read these.)

and you can have extra entries every time you share this giveaway.

facebook, twitter, blog, calling your bff, etc . . . just leave a comment for each. 

a winner will be picked at 9pm CST on monday, october 31st.

yay for october sponsors!

xoxo,

annalea

october sponsor - GraceLaced

please welcome ruth of grace laced.

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Our family of seven were hit by a car that ran a red light. Though we may have lost our vehicle, all seven of us are safe and well. Can't help but rejoice in that!

I hate to fight with my husband. It's painful to work through disappointments, stresses, and sinful attitudes with the one you love. And yet, there is something so beautiful on the other side of repentance.

The Preacher and I finally completed our vintage-inspired bathroom remodel, complete with wall stenciling and creating a vanity from an old sewing machine base. There is nothing like trying to remodel with 5 boys running around!

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you can find ruth here. . .
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october sponsor - naptime diaries

please welcome jessi of naptime diaries.

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 I chose joy month on hilarious morning when it was pouring down rain and I was trying to get the kids into school and I'd had a horrible week and my hair was a hot mess. I realized I could have absolutely lost my junk or just laughed. Laughing was more fun.

I found beauty in our sweet little shack of a rental this month. I'm choosing to close the part of my heart that wants to live in comparison land and instead love the heck out of this sweet house.

A story I told this month is the truth about my prideful heart. My belief that I can really win at life, all on my own, as a wife, mom, blogger, shop owner, friend, and disciple.

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you can find jessi here. . .
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jessi would like to offer annalea hart readers a 15% discount at her sweet shop, naptime diaries.  Check out her fab prints and use code ANNALEA at checkout.

october sponsor goodness

 

today you'll get a closer look at two of my october sponsors.

stay tuned for their feature posts.

have you looked over on the right sidebar lately?  christmas gift lists are starting to form in my head and i will be perusing these sweet shops and (gasp!) starting in on shopping before the end of the month.

 also, if you are interested in becoming a november sponsor for annalea hart {the blog}, please see here for details or email me with questions.

happy friday, friends.

double the winners

please e-mail me with your addresses, ladies, and i will pass the info on.

thanks laura and heather!

p.s. visit their shops and get an early start on holiday gift lists.

double-the-fun giveaway

it's friday!  which, in itself, is a treat.

yay for weekends!

but there is another treat in store for y'all.

two of my lovely september sponsors have giveaways to offer.

yay for giveaways!

giveaway numero uno: $15 shop credit from along for the ride

giveaway number two: one large zippie pouch from morey girl

fun stuff, right?
be sure to visit both shops.  i think my sponsors are pretty fab.

to enter, simply leave a comment below.

this giveaway will close monday, 10/3 at 7pm.

winners will be announce sometime tuesday the 4th.

see you on the flipside.

xoxo,

annalea

september sponsor - casey wiegand art

please welcome casey of casey wiegand art.

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I chose joy when we lost our baby Addison. I want to be sad, angry, frustrated- but instead I choose joy. i choose to believe God has a purpose.

I find beauty in my kiddos, in my hubby and in these gorgeous California beaches!

heartache

you can find casey here. . .
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september sponsor - morey girl

please welcome heather of morey girl.

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I choose joy when my baby went to preschool! I didn't want to be sad about it, just happy that he's turning into such a big kid!

We had a double rainbow that framed our little home.

It was our anniversary this month! 10 years!

you can find heather here. . .

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september sponsor - along for the ride

please welcome laura of along for the ride.

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Choosing joy has been a little hard this month. I've let my insecurity get the best of me. I'm trying to be joyful at all the little reminders God has been giving me of how much He loves me!

I continually find beauty in my mother who is finish up breast cancer treatment. Right now I'm finding beauty in the little baby hairs that are growing on her head!

I've been struggling finding the Lord lately and have been a bit down. I shared how I'm finding God in a brand new week and seeing how He works in all things...even the tough things.

you can find laura here. . .

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september sponsor - call me blessed

please welcome jami of call me blessed.

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I chose joy in the midst of a home under construction this month. Although 6 people and 1 bathroom is not ideal, I know we are blessed! I am thankful to God that He provided the means to make the repairs we needed.

I found beauty this month in some new friendships. I am growing closer to some wonderful women who pour into me with biblical wisdom. What is more beautiful than that?

This month I am excited about a new link up I started on the blog called "we encourage". God has amazed me with the women He has brought together to encourage each other in all areas of our lives. I am thrilled to see it growing! Here is a recent "we encourage".

you can find jami here. . .

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september sponsor - GraceLaced

please welcome ruth of grace laced.

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I chose joy this month in exercise...for the first time in a long time. I'm a mom of five boys, and simply do not put a priority on exercise, and in fact, loathe it at times. But, I took joy in having a body to use, a lung to expand, and a heart to train to beat harder and faster.

I chose beauty in the face of disappointment and heartbreak. Life looks lovely when it's going your way, but to see the beauty of brokenness and the end of self....that is to look through the lens of the Cross.

I'd like to tell you the story of how I'm discovering that I'm a grown up...and that life is hard...but God is greater.

you can find ruth here. . .
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