Hey, Gal! Historical fiction and stories about pioneers and the west intrigue me. I often imagine what it would have been like to sit in a wagon traveling west.

Riding across the Texas plains in a wagon, hat pulled down over my hair, shading my eyes, I scan the horizon for the trail and for the danger.  Sitting beside me is my friend who can shoot the fly off the back of a Longhorn. She is tough- no nonsense and yet tender. Her cornflower blue eyes tell me she is not afraid or worried. Remember she's the gal with the loaded shotgun balanced on her lap.  She reminds me of the reason why I am trekking to new lands and reminds me of the truth that God is who He says He is.

I am so thankful she is in my wagon, riding shotgun all the way to the end with me.

That is how I picture, Laura, my friend who has my back. She speaks truth and love and confidently tells me how it is.

We have shared laughter and tears as we have journeyed together, maybe not in a buckboard wagon, but going through the high school years with sons is not far off!

How did y'all even meet?

  I have a goal of making new friends in the different seasons of life.  I eyed Laura years ago and because we had sons in the same grade, I pursued her friendship.  

Let me encourage you to do this.  Whatever stage of life you are in, you need gals to walk with you.  Look around you and invite someone to be a part of your life.  Keep inviting.  Keep calling and as the days turn to months and years, you will have a friendship.  All because you took a step toward her and invited.

Laura is an empty nester like me and she has started writing and sharing over on her website, The Edge of Simple.

The Edge of Simple is a landing place for discovering and sharing stylish things and ideas to help in the pursuit of a life well-lived. Here you’ll find encouragement for simplification– as much or as little as you like. You choose.

Today I want to share some of my favorites posts that Laura has written and I encourage you to go take a look for yourself.  She is straightforward and full of ideas to help clarify simplicity in your life.

Here we go.

She invites you to her Things Worth Knowing each week

Every Friday Laura rounds up fun, interesting and thoughtful pieces for you to peruse.  I am always challenged or bewitched by one of her articles.  Worth it.

She’s the cool, big sister you never had

 Laura loves to share with us how to put it all together. 

Yes.  Fashion is not always understandable, but Laura helps decode it for us.  Plus, I can take her ideas and make them work for me.  It is kind of like having an older sister who gives you the scoop. Or having a senior girl take you under her wing and teach you the ways.

She gives us Gift Guides Full of Sursees

You know that I love, love, love Sursees.  Well Laura  is constantly pointing out new ideas for gifts and gift giving to her readers.  Here are are a few of her guides that you will want to save for the next time you need an idea for a hostess gift. Or maybe an idea for a Coffee Table book.

What a great display of gorgeousness…and what fun gift ideas.

Laura’s website, The Edge of Simple is full of treasures she has found for her reader and needs to be part of your weekly reads.    Sign up on her website to receive this goodness today. And remember to find someone to ride shotgun with you. We need our sisters. Let's not be afraid to invite someone to ride in our wagon.

xoxo