Creative Opportunities

It's Time to Move

2010-07-22T10:01:00.002-05:00

So I've decided to move the blog... I've explained everything over at the other site, which is www dot kellybird92 dot wordpress dot com. Anyways, if you're still interested, please come on over to the new blog. We'll have some tea....

It's Raining

2010-07-01T21:49:00.008-05:00

Which always makes me think of Ireland....

Actually before the rain came, Ireland was on my mind. It might have something to do with the fact that I'm reading a book by an Irish author, set in Ireland. Or maybe it's because I watched "Leap Year" a week ago. Or maybe it's because once you've been to Ireland, it periodically knocks on your heart's door and says, "Remember when you came to visit? It was so nice to have you here. Please come back and stay.... em, shall I put the kettle on?"

Mini Spring Road-Trip Playlist

2010-04-21T12:42:00.003-05:00

A friend and I decided to go on a mini road-trip this past weekend. We drove to a small town to visit another friend who was selling homemade granola at a farmer's market. The drive was a little over an hour and a half each way. The weather was a bit muggy, but the grass was so green and there were bluebonnets everywhere. Beautiful! It was an excellent trip and visit with both of my friends. Naturally, one needs a playlist for a road-trip. I didn't have this exact playlist with me, but man if I had, it would have taken the trip to another level!

1. Happy Days Are Here Again – Barbra Streisand. Who else?
2. Make You Crazy – Brett Dennen
3. Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken – Camera Obscura
4. Strawberry Swing – Coldplay
5. Lonelily – Damien Rice
6. Travelin' Soldier – Dixie Chicks
7. Come On Come Out – Fine Frenzy
8. Nothing To Say – Andrew Peterson
9. Me & Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin
10. Sometimes It Be That Way – Jewel
11. Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
12. Nothin’ Better To Do – LeAnn Rimes
13. Where I Stood – Missy Higgins
14. You Belong To Me – Patsy Cline
15. I Don’t Want To Wait – Paula Cole
16. Goodbye – Patty Griffin
17. Achin’ All The Time – Ray LaMontagne
18. I Saw What I Saw – Sara Groves
19. Why Do You Let Me Stay Here – She & Him
20. Cornflake Girl – Tori Amos
21. All I Want Is You – U2
22. Shotgun Suzy – Ben Mallott
23. Turpentine – Brandi Carlile
24. Your Hands – JJ Heller
25. You’ll Come - Hillsong

By the way, have I introduced you to JJ Heller? No? Well, an introduction simply must be made! She's wonderful.

My Trip to the Big Apple

2010-04-13T12:23:00.019-05:00

New York was an experience. There were good times and there were bad times. On one hand it was intimidating, dirty, loud, chaotic, rainy and smelly. On the other hand, it's history, resolve and reformation were able to seep past the negatives and capture my attention. It is a city unto itself and I want to go back. I could hear Simon & Garfunkel playing as we waited for the Subway. As we rode the ferry to Ellis Island, past the Statue of Liberty, I began to mentally sing "Don't Rain on My Parade". Have I mentioned my love for Barbra Streisand? She is New York City to me. Beautiful, but you have to really want to see the beauty.

The Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center was a major highlight. You could see the whole city and it's huge. I mean, really huge. On one side we have the Empire State Building...

And on the other side, Central Park.

And here we have 30 Rockefeller Center. The building I was on the roof of just moments before....

Being a huge fan of the show, "30 Rock"... I had to take a picture of the flags. I actually took lots of pictures. In reviewing the pictures, I'm not sure why I took so many... but anyway, here's one with a lovely golden statue and a glimpse of the ice rink.

We also did an NBC Studio Tour and it was great. No, Kenneth was not our tour guide but we were guided by two Page's for NBC. We saw the SNL stage and Jimmy Fallon's stage for his late night show. Being a big TV person, this was an excellent tour for me. Alas, pictures were not allowed. I absolutely loved 30 Rockefeller Center.

We visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was fascinating! Art everywhere! So much to see and so little time. Luckily, we're thinkers and we decided which sections of the museum we most wanted to see and we saw them.

Here's my lovely sister with a lovely Monet.

We quickly stepped into Central Park upon exiting The Met and found this charming statue of bears. My sister decided to stand next to them and be Goldilocks.

Ellis Island was a bit of a disappointment. I'm not going to lie to you. Of all the historical sites in all the world that I have been to, this was not a good one. It was basically walking around an old building with pictures in each room. That's it. I'm not sure what I was expecting, I'm sure my expectations were way too high... but I was disappointed. Of course, in all fairness, I do not know of any family who came through Ellis Island so had I closer ties to Ellis Island, I might have had a better experience. Also, had this not been the worst day of the trip due to other reasons, oh... say like "donating" money for fake subway passes that landed us in Brooklyn (don't ask) and my hat flying off my head on the ferry ride, Ellis Island might have been better to me. But we did pass by the Statue of Liberty on our way out there....

We also visited the New York City Public Library for a minute.

We saw a precious little chocolate place we managed to walk away from, but not without taking a picture first. That's my mom & sister.

Coffee at Dean & DeLuca. I thought the coffee was good, but my sister was not impressed with the Lemon Poppy seed Muffin you see in the background.

We stopped to get cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery. I had the flourless chocolate cake and loved it.

We shopped! At H&M! I also interpreted rap songs playing in the store for my mother while my sister tried on clothes. Good times had at H&M.

Overall, it was a good trip. We learned things about ourselves and each other. We learned things about New York City. Most importantly, I learned I am not cut out for the Big Apple... but I'll gladly visit once in awhile.

Blackberry Cobbler

2010-03-30T14:05:00.007-05:00

Ingredients for filling:
1/2 Cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
a pinch of salt
juice & zest of half a lemon
12 oz to 1 lb fresh blackberries

Stir everything together and set to the side. Let the sugar pull out the beautiful blackberry juices. Yum! And preheat the oven to 350. Place 1 stick of butter in pie plate and throw in the oven to melt while oven preheats. Well, don't throw. Place, is more like it.

Ingredients for crust/batter/topping/whatever-you-want-to-call-the-breading-for-cobbler:
3/4 Cup whole wheat flour
1/2 Cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 Cup (+ maybe a tablespoon) milk

Mix all of the dry ingredients together. When everything's good and mixed, add the milk. Stir the batter and if it seems a bit too thick, add a bit more milk. The batter shouldn't be runny, but it shouldn't be dough either.

Pull out your melted butter and set down. Pour or spoon your batter over the melted butter. Try to be as even as you can and I know this seems weird but trust me, it'll all work out in the end. Now pour or spoon your blackberry mixture over the batter and butter. Again, try to make it as even as possible. It doesn't have to be perfect, just well distributed. Place in the oven and cook for about an hour. Check it after 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour. Once the center looks firm, take out your cobbler.

Place cobbler in your window sill for about 10 minutes and just wait for the neighbors to come a callin'.

What the WHAT?!?!??

2010-03-10T10:10:00.005-06:00

So it's March. Really? Seriously. It's March of 2010. Where did January and February go? Ah yes.... Work. But busy season is officially over and life as I like it can resume. I can update my blog. Speaking of updates, I guess an update on life for the past few months is in order. Let the updating begin!

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First and foremost, I leave for New York City with my mom and sister on Saturday. This Saturday! Girl trip! I'm super excited and have been looking forward to this trip for months. We're doing all of the touristy things you do in NYC including going to see Wicked. I'm so excited! And we're going to the MET. Have I mentioned I'm excited?!?!!?? Because I totally am.

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Back in August, my precious pet, Stella, ruptured a disc in her back. After a few months of pain killers and muscle relaxers and many tears (not to mention money), the vet recommended surgery. Deep in my heart, I knew surgery just wasn't an option. I also couldn't imagine Stella spending the rest of her life doped up. As I was crying about the situation to a friend, she mentioned a friend of hers whose dog was also experiencing back problems. The friend of my friend was taking her dog to a vet who practiced Chiropractic and Acupuncture treatments. After much prayer and consideration, I decided to take Stella to the Chiro/Acupuncture vet. Our first appointment was right before Christmas and now, 2 1/2 months later, Stella is 100% medicine free. Not only is she medicine free, but she's running around like a 3 year old! And another plus is that the treatments actually cost less than a month's supply of medicine. I'm so thankful for being steered in this direction.

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At the end of February, my Mimi had her 80th birthday. Most of the family gathered at my parents house to make a big deal of her birthday. She was smiling, joined in conversations and genuinely seemed to enjoy herself. I mean, who wouldn't when the day is about you? It was good to see her smile and to have her interact with us. I saw glimpses of the Mimi that used to be. Overall, it was a good day.

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I can't believe it's been a year since I went to Ireland. I feel another trip is in order, especially after seeing this movie, which I don't care what critics say. I loved it and will buy it. So there.

I'm hoping to talk a few girlfriends into buying plane tickets for next spring and renting a car and spending a week driving around. Should be grand!

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One last thing. I simply love "Lord of Lords" by Hillsong. I pretty much cry every time I listen to this song. It might have something to do with the fact I found this song the day my Grandad died and so now, I find it describes his life and how I aspire my life to be.

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That's it for updates. I'll post pictures of NYC when I get back.

Top Ten Politically Correct Christmas Carols

2009-12-21T12:11:00.003-06:00

A friend sent me a Christmas card that listed the top 10 politically correct Christmas carols that I thought I'd share. So funny. And so that I give credit where credit is due, this list if from Carlton Cards in Cleveland, Ohio. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

10. O Holiday Tree
9. Have Yourself a Merry Little Day of Winter
8. Frosty the Snowperson
7. Chestnuts Roasting on a Safely Contained, Continuously Monitored, Eco-Friendly, Nontoxic Outdoor Fire (For Which I Do Have a Permit)
6. Higher Power Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
5. Grandma Allegedly Got Run Over By an Unidentified Non-Human Perpetrator
4. Deck the Halls with Boughs of Unendangered Foliage (If Office Policy Permits)
3. Hark! The Herald Mythical Winged Creature Sings
2. I Saw Mommy Greeting Santa Claus with a Purely Platonic Expression of Inoffencsive Affection
1. I'll Be Home for a Short Period of Time in December

Top 5 Christmas Movies, According to Me

2009-12-13T17:44:00.003-06:00

At lunch today, a few friends and I sat around and talked about what movies are "must watch" to us for Christmas. As you would guess, "White Christmas", "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Christmas Story" were mentioned. After our discussion, I decided to do a post on my top 5 Christmas movies. Some of which do not mention Christmas once, but for some reason I associate with Christmas. These are listed in no particular order and I love them equally.

1. It's a Wonderful Life - Duh. This one's a no-brainer, right? I love the story, I love that it was Jimmy Stewart's first film after his service in the military. And really, who doesn't love the phone scene? You know what I'm talking about....

2. The Sound of Music - Nothing to do with Christmas, except in my own little heart it has everything to do with Christmas. If memory serves me correctly, when I was a kid our family would pull out the TV trays every December and watch this movie on TV. It could also have something to do with the fact that when we went to my Mimi's house for the holidays, we'd pull out her Sound of Music record and sing along as loud as possible. Which I'm sure the adults loved.

3. The Lord of Rings Trilogy - So it's not one movie, but three. But it's one story, right? Every Christmas I get the urge to watch all of these movies. I think it's because they were released at Christmas. I just love these movies and I think that as a Christian, a story like this does the heart good because we know no matter how bad the circumstance feels, the King will return.

4. Little Women - The Winona Ryder version. I love Katharine Hepburn, but in my mind Ms. Ryder captured Jo March better than anyone. The film is absolutely beautiful, as is the soundtrack. So cozy and snuggle-y. And the fact that Christian Bale is in it doesn't hurt either.

5. This is so hard guys. I have 4 left. But which do I pick for the 5th film? I've decided I'm going to go with "While You Were Sleeping". I love this movie. I love Sandra Bullock. I don't have a lot to say about it other than I love it and I watch it every Christmas, probably because it's set at Christmas.

So those are my top 5. Others that almost made it on the list are "Moonstruck", "The Holiday" and "Last Holiday".
Which movies make Christmas more Christmas-y for you?

OK. Just for fun, here's the phone scene. Enjoy!

And speaking of Christmas, Merry Christmas to you!

Mom's Beef & Vegetable Soup/Stew

2009-12-08T13:18:00.010-06:00

My mom makes this great beef and vegetable soup. I borrowed her recipe and made it a bit more Kelly friendly. Mom likes soup, I like stew. Plus I don't like to bite into tomatoes so I pureed them and then I'll definitely eat them. Makes the soup more stew-like. She leaves her tomatoes in chunks, which makes it more soup-like. I also didn't have any potatoes on hand and didn't really feel like getting out, so I just threw in some pearl barley. Worked wonderfully. Either way you fix this, it's very delicious and super easy to make.

Mom's Beef & Vegetable Soup/Stew

1 lb round steak, cubed
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes, pureed or left as is
1 C frozen peas, or 1 can Le Sueur peas. Must be Le Sueur, according to my dad.
1 C frozen corn, or 1 can corn
4-6 carrots, peeled & sliced
2-3 potatoes, or 1/4 C pearl barley
1 clove garlic, minced. Mom uses garlic powder, which works just as well.
Drizzle of Worcestershire Sauce
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil

Heat about 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven or soup pot on Medium High heat. As the oil heats up, cube your steaks and season them with salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Once seasoned, throw them into your pot and let brown. You want the heat a bit high so the meat will really brown.

When the meat's about halfway done, add your garlic. Tip - believe it or not, I don't like to bite into garlic so I just use a zester and "zest" my garlic cloves. It makes the garlic more of a pureed consistency. I learned that cool trick from Rachel Ray. Let the garlic heat up and your meat finish browning.

If leaving tomatoes "as is", you'll need to add water - as much as you see fit but no more than a 28 oz can of water. I'd add slowly, until it's the consistency you want. If pureeing tomatoes, you'll need 1 28 oz can of water. If using barley, 1/2 C more water may be needed.

After about 5 minutes, add your tomatoes. Mix everything together and let it meld together for about 10 minutes. After about 10 minutes, add your water and barley/potatoes. Add your carrots as well.

If you're going with the barley, it takes about 45 minutes to cook. So when you add your water, add your barley and bring to a boil. Once it's boiling, cover and lower heat to medium/low. Let sit for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes have gone by, add your carrots. If going with the potatoes, add the potatoes and carrots in together and bring to a boil. Let them boil a few minutes and then lower heat.

Once your potatoes/barley and carrots are cooked, add your peas and corn. They'll just need to warm up so in about 5 minutes, your soup/stew is ready!

Mini Thanksgiving Bonfire

2009-12-01T20:40:00.004-06:00

yes of course we made smores.

Lord of Lords

2009-11-18T16:59:00.003-06:00

Beholding Your beauty
Is all that I long for
To worship You Jesus
Is my sole desire
For this very heart
You have shaped for your pleasure
Purposed to lift Your Name high

Here in surrender
In pure adoration
I enter Your courts
With an offering of praise
I am Your servant
Come to bring You glory
As is fit for the work of Your hands

Now unto the Lamb
Who sits on the throne
Be glory and honor and praise
All of creation resounds with the song
Worship and praise Him
The Lord of lords

Spirit now living
And dwelling within me
Keep my eyes fixed
Ever on Jesus' face
Let not the things of this world
Ever sway me
I'll run 'til I finish the race

Now unto the Lamb
Who sits on the throne
Be glory and honor and praise
All of eternity echoes the song
Worship and praise Him
The Lord of lords

Holy Lord
You are holy
Jesus Christ
Is the Lord

Now unto the Lamb
Who sits on the throne
Be glory and honour and praise
Call all the sinners to join in the song
Worship and praise Him
The Lord of lords

music & lyrics by Brooke Fraser

Christmas has come early!!!

2009-10-28T10:42:00.003-05:00

I can't tell you how excited I am to have discovered this blog. I am always, ALWAYS, looking for good recipes for my crock pot. I love crock pots. They seem like the greatest thing ever invented for women; however, it has been difficult for me to find good recipes. I've found a lot of recipes that call for a can of cream of this soup and a can of cream of that soup. As a girl who's trying to watch what she eats, cream of anything is no bueno. Unless it's green bean casserole. But that's a whole other thing.

Anyway.

I was cruising Gluten-free Girl and The Chef (who, by the way, has a lovely blog) and found A Year of Slow Cooking. I started reading and OH MY. Can you imagine? A year's worth of recipes for my crock pot. I didn't find a recipe that called for cream of badness soup. I mean, I just found the blog and haven't had a chance to read the entire thing so there might be a few recipes that require opening a can, but the first 20 I've looked at didn't have a single can. So wonderful.

I can't wait to try out one of her recipes, this one in particular.

* A Life That's Sung Your Song *

2009-10-26T11:29:00.005-05:00

One week ago today my Grandad died. October 19, 2009. Last week was an emotional and difficult week for my family, but we rest assured Grandad is in heaven with his Lord and Savior. Because as Christians, that's what we do.

A close friend of mine also lost a grandparent last week. Another friend and I went to her house last night to eat dinner with her, reminisce with her and just be with her. Because as friends, that's what we do.

As I was getting ready to head over to my friend's house, I grabbed a Max Lucado book to take and read from. Grace for the Moment. It's a little book of daily excerpts from Max Lucado books, meant to be read in a year. I thought it might be good to read from it. Encouragement is necessary during times like these.

I had given the book to my grandfather for Christmas 2003 and about a year ago, he decided to give it back to me. He knew his time was close. He had written his name on the inside cover and when he had read the book. "Used - completely. 2004. Good." His stamp of approval. He had one page marked and I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the page. I was glad to have the book back and placed it gently on my bookshelf.

Before walking out the door last night, I opened the book to the page he had marked. I froze. I stopped breathing and tears clouded my vision as I read,

"October 19

Confident in the Father

'The Lord comforts His people and will have pity on those who suffer.' Isaiah 49:13

If you'll celebrate a marriage anniversary alone this year, God speaks to you. If your child made it to heaven before making it to kindergarten, he speaks to you... If your dreams were buried as they lowered the casket, God speaks to you.
He speaks to all of us who have stood or will stand in the soft dirt near an open grave. And to us he gives this confident word: 'I want you to know what happens to a Christian when he dies so that when it happens, you will not be full of sorrow, as those who are who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and then came back to life again, we can also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him all the Christians who have died.' (1 Thess. 4:13-14 TLB)

When Christ Comes"

As I read this excerpt my grandfather marked on October 19, 2004, the Lord was with me and He was encouraging me and assuring me of His great love and of His promises. Because that's what He does.

* title from Brooke Fraser's Arithmetic *

Movie Recommendation: A Good Year

2009-10-14T22:12:00.004-05:00

It's been gloomy and rainy here for several weeks. I'm not complaining because we seriously need the rain. It's just, it does get a bit tiresome and well, a two hour escape to Provence is just perfect. Raining outside, sunny and French inside. And Russell Crowe is always wonderful to watch, even in those glasses.

Changes

2009-10-09T21:33:00.002-05:00

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to think of a title for a blog? I've used the same title for awhile and honestly, I borrowed it from Sophia Loren. I've been sitting at my computer for almost an hour giving my thoughts a face-lift and trying to come up with my own clever creation of a blog title and it's just not coming. No epiphany. One would think it wouldn't be so difficult. Until one realizes that if her creative muscle hasn't been stretched in quite some time, it doesn't really move so freely. Which makes me sad. My creative muscle is so out of shape, it's not even funny. How do I begin to work it out? As a 30 something who is in the midst of her 10th year since graduating college, thus being in the real world, the chance to exercise my creativity is rare.

This makes me think of a Maya Angelou quote, "Some critics write, 'Maya Angelou is a natural writer'- which is right after being a natural heart surgeon."

So. What should I do about my lack of opportunities to be creative? Unlike college, the real world does not provide obvious opportunities so I must find them, make time for them. Be disciplined. This blog is a place for me to stretch and practice my creativity. This blog is my creative opportunity. I think I've just found my title....

September 2009 Playlist

2009-09-29T09:48:00.005-05:00

1. Cold Shoulder - Adele
2. No Pressure - Alanis Morissette
3. Lost Cause - Beck
4. Arithmatic - Brooke Fraser
5. Dumbing Down of Love - Imogen Heap
6. Be Still - Kelly Clarkson
7. Trouble - Ray LaMontagne
8. Kind & Generous - Natalie Merchant
9. Useless Desires - Patty Griffin
10. Live from Matt Molley's Pub - The Chieftains
11. Galway Girl - Steve Earle
12. Moi...Lolita - Alizee
13. Reasons to Love You - Meiko
14. Lauging With - Regina Spektor
15. Beautiful Occupation - Travis
16. Painting by Chagall - The Weepies
17. Lady in Spain - Ingrid Michaelson
18. Let it be Me - Ray LaMontagne
19. Zing went the Strings of my Heart - Rufus Wainwright

To Autumn

2009-09-22T12:14:00.000-05:00

O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stain'd
With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit
Beneath my shady roof; there thou may'st rest,
And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe,
And all the daughters of the year shall dance!
Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.

"The narrow bud opens her beauties to
The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;
Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning, and
Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve,
Till clust'ring Summer breaks forth into singing,
And feather'd clouds strew flowers round her head.

"The spirits of the air live in the smells
Of fruit; and Joy, with pinions light, roves round
The gardens, or sits singing in the trees."
Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat,
Then rose, girded himself, and o'er the bleak
Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load.

A poem by William Blake

Road Trip 2009

2009-09-17T21:57:00.004-05:00

Recently returned from a road trip to Estes Park, Colorado. Such a lovely place. Loading pictures now.... will show some later.

In the meantime, just a little something we saw in Lubbock, Texas and then again in Sweetwater. Gots to love people who love their pets.

I Heart New York

2009-09-09T16:26:00.003-05:00

My mom, sister and I are going to New York City in March. I couldn't be more excited. I think, I'll need to double check the calendar, but I think we'll be there on St. Patrick's Day. Can you imagine?!?!? It'll be so fun! I'm hoping we will also get to see a broadway show. I'm ecstatic. If you have any suggestions or things to do, places to eat, please let me know!

I leave you with a clip from one of my all time favorite movies, Waiting For Guffman. Seems appropriate for when one is thinking of broadway and New York City....

For The Beauty of The Earth

2009-08-21T11:33:00.005-05:00

It's been a rough week. It seems to have been a rough week for friends and family I've talked to. Makes me think the enemy is on the move. Maybe because great and wonderful things are happening on this earth and beyond, and the enemy is angry. I don't know, but what I do know is I will not be brought down. I will not. And with the help of the One who saved me and prays for me, we will get through this week and keep hope that next week is better.

This hymn came to mind this week... and I just wanted to share...

For The Beauty of The Earth

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies;
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour,
Of the day and of the night;
Hill and vale and tree and flow'r,
Sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind's delight;
For the mystic harmony,
Linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child;
Friends on Earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thy church that evermore,
Lifteth holy hands above;
Off'ring up on ev'ry shore,
Her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For the martyrs crown of light,
For Thy prophets eagle eye,
For Thy bold confessors might,
For the lips of infancy.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thy virgins robes of snow,
For Thy maiden mother mild,
For Thyself, with hearts aglow,
Jesu, Victim undefiled.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thyself, best Gift Divine,
To the world so freely given,
For that great, great love of Thine,
Peace on earth and joy in heaven.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

Amen.

by Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864

Bright Star

2009-08-19T12:38:00.003-05:00

Tis no secret that I love John Keats. When I was in Rome, Italy, I dragged my sister to the place he lived and died in. Right next to the Spanish Steps. I stood in his room, gazed upon the fireplace he used and listened to the activity on the Spanish Steps he would have listened to. It was wonderful.

So I'm sure you can imagine my excitement in learning a movie has been made about his relationship with Fanny Brawne. Bright Star. Below is the sonnet he wrote as well as a preview for the movie.

Bright Star

Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art--
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors--
No--yet still steadfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever--or else swoon to death.

Every Season

2009-07-28T11:16:00.005-05:00

Today is my birthday. I am 32. I've recently hit a rough patch in life. It happens when you continually compare your life to others lives. Or you compare your life to the expectations you placed in your early years. It's easy to get sucked into. I envision Satan standing close by, shooting flaming arrows at my heart... waiting and hoping they will consume me. And lately, they have. This past Saturday, I was talking/crying to a friend about my feelings of failure and incompleteness, when all of the sudden, she said, "KELLY! I know this will sound weird but IN THE NAME OF JESUS, I REBUKE THOSE THOUGHTS! That's nothing but Satan trying to bring you down!!" And all of the sudden, clarity hit me like a water balloon drenching the fire I had allowed Satan to start. I had fallen for his lies. I am ever so grateful to this friend for allowing the Lord to use her to speak to me. For if she had not spoken those words to me, I'd probably still be wallowing in my pity and not seeing that it's just a transition in life. A change that will and can provide new depth to my life if I would just let it.

So. I thought the following song seemed appropriate for today. If you are not familiar with Nichole Nordeman, you should be. She's a lovely songwriter and singer. I leave the lyrics for you to read as a poem. If you haven't heard the song try to find it and listen to it. It's quite beautiful.

Every Season

Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours

And I notice You
In children's games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and what's to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that's new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season's change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

Movie Recommendation: Northanger Abbey

2009-07-27T14:20:00.004-05:00

It's no secret that I love Jane Austen. I love her books and most movie adaptations of her books. I am coo-coo for Jane Austen. I've read Sense & Sensiblity, Pride & Prejudice, Persuasion and Emma. That leaves Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey. I found this BBC version of Northanger Abbey and loved it, so I immediately grabbed the book and started reading. I am thoroughly enjoying it. It's Ms. Austen's most humorous publication. It's the story of Catherine Moreland who is young and read entirely too many Gothic novels. She meets Mr. Henry Tilney and he is sarcastic, witty and charming. There are other characters, but these are the main two. If you are a Jane Austen fan, I highly recommend reading the book and seeing this film. you won't be sorry.

She's Baaaaaack!

2009-07-17T22:13:00.003-05:00

My sister is back from Kenya and tomorrow I drive up the highway a bit to see her! I'm so ready to see her and talk to her face to face. You'd think she'd been gone for 4 years instead of 4 weeks...

Martyrs and Thieves

2009-07-14T15:11:00.004-05:00

There's a place in the darkness that I used to cling to
It presses harsh hope against time
In the absence of martyrs there's a presence of thieves
Who only want to rob you blind
They steal away any sense of peace
Though I'm a king I'm a king on my knees
And I know they are wrong when they say I am strong
As the darkness covers me

So turn on the light and reveal all the glory
I am not afraid
To bare all my weakness knowing in meekness
I have a kingdom to gain
Where there is peace and love in the light, in the light
Oh I am not afraid
To let Your light shine bright in my life, in my life
Oh I... am, I...am

There are ghosts from my past who've owned more of my soul
Then I thought I had given away
They linger in closets and under my bed
And in pictures less proudly displayed
A great fool in my life I have been
Have squandered 'til pallid and thin
Hung my head in shame and refused to take blame
For the darkness I know I've let win

So turn on the light and reveal all the glory
I am not afraid
To bare all my weakness knowing in meekness
I have a kingdom to gain
Where there is peace and love in the light, in the light
Oh I am not afraid
To let Your light shine bright in my life, in my life
Oh I... am, I...am

Can you hear me?

Well I've never been much for the baring of soul
In the presence of any man
I'd rather keep to myself all safe and secure
In the arms of a sinner I am
Could it be that my worth should depend
By the crimson stained grace on a hand
And like a lamp on a hill Lord I pray in Your will
To reveal all of You that I can

So turn on the light and reveal all the glory
I am not afraid
To bare all my weakness knowing in meekness
I have a kingdom to gain
Where there is peace and love in the light, in the light
Oh I am not afraid
To let Your light shine bright in my life, in my life
Oh I... am, I...am

There's a place in the darkness that I used to cling to
It presses harsh hope against time...

Music & Lyrics by Jennifer Knapp

More Reminiscing...

2009-07-09T13:18:00.005-05:00

I was flipping through the channels last night, per usual, and came across a movie that looked interesting. So I stopped flipping. I sat for a moment, watching, and realized the movie was A Lot Like Love with Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet. The movie is decent so I stuck with it. There's a scene in the movie where the two leads are road-tripping and begin singing to a song ridiculously loud. It reminded me of when I was in college and well... I've actually blogged about it before on a different blog so why not just move it over here, rather than re-type it...

"Thursday, July 21, 2005

There is nothing better than driving around on a secluded road in the middle of a hot night singing/screeching to a great song with the windows rolled down. To really enjoy and treasure the moment, it's best to have at least one partner in screeching.

My freshman year of college, my two best friends - Nathan and Mandi - would pile into my little electric blue hatchback, Nelly, and drive out to the lake. I would drive, Mandi would be in the passenger seat and Nathan would be sitting in the middle of the backseat, leaning forward so that his head was right in the middle of the car. We would sing songs by artists such as the Indigo Girls, 10,000 Maniacs, The Cure, etc. But our favorite song was What's Up? by 4 Non Blondes. The speakers would be blaring, the wind slapping our faces and arms, and we would all sing at the top of our lungs - "AND I CRY SOMETIMES WHEN I'M LYING IN BED, JUST TO GET IT ALL OUT, WHAT'S IN MY HEAD AND I SCREAM - WHAT'S GOIN' ON?" Nathan would close his eyes, get a constipated look on his face and really feel the music while Mandi and I would laugh at him as we continued to sing just as loud. No matter how loud the music was, we could still hear each other and it was then that I felt a true sense of community. I was able to fully expose my terrible singing voice at the loudest possible decibel. I felt I exposed one of my weakest and most ugly assets to these two people and they still loved me. I know it sounds silly, but I felt that if I was able to share this fear with them, then I was able to share my heart. And I did. It was incredibly liberating to me. So thanks Mandi and Nathan for being who you are and helping me take my first step in my continuous battle against fear.

For those of you who allow me to sing loudly to old Hymns, Lisa Loeb, Shania Twain, Barbra Streisand or Celine Dion, thank you and I love you greatly. You are good for my soul."

And just for kicks, the scene from A Lot Like Love.

Packing for Africa

2009-07-08T20:34:00.005-05:00

My sister has been in Kenya for 2 1/2 weeks and we still have another 1 1/2 weeks before she returns. I was able to spend the weekend with her before she left and help her pack. Stella and Moses helped, of course.

Man, I miss this girl.

Why the Fine Arts are Important

2009-06-17T13:30:00.004-05:00

5th graders from a low income area in New York. Majority of these kids are on the free lunch program and have difficult lives at home. Expression through music, art, theatre, etc. is a beautiful thing. It's sad to me that when budget cuts are made in our schools, these classes are the first to go...

Summer Pastime

2009-06-09T14:02:00.006-05:00

Summer is upon us. Temperature's are on their way up and I'm finding that rather than sit outside and visit with the neighbors, I'd rather sit on my couch in a tank top and shorts, the fan blowing in my face and an iced tea or chilled glass of wine sitting on the end table next to me and watch movies. Movies with incredible scenery that take me to a different world so enjoyable, I forget it's smoldering outside. I decided to make a list of movies that I often use as an escape to a different land. My top 5. What's your top 5?

1. Under the Tuscan Sun - The house used in this movie is incredible. As well as the surrounding scenery. And the drive to Positano? Yeah, I've been on that road. This movie brings back such wonderful memories and seriously captures Italy's splendor and beauty. Every time I watch this movie, I feel like I'm right back with my people.

2. A Good Year - Set in Provence. I've never been to Provence, but Ridley Scott manages to make it look ethereal. I love the simplicity of the movie and how delicately the point is made. Not to mention Russell Crowe is in this movie. I love Russell Crowe. I used to hate him. You know that saying, there's a fine line between love and hate? Well, there might be some truth to that. Anyway, back to A Good Year. Check it out one lazy summer evening while you drink a glass of French wine and cheese with a rustic loaf of French bread. Enjoy your time in Provence.

3. Sweet Land - Farming never looked so honorable. Set in Minnesota in the 1920's, this movie is a painting come to life. The actors are wonderful at emoting feelings through facial expressions and body language, uttering few words. I love how the hardness of being a farmer in 1920 is portrayed so gracefully. Farming and banking don't mix. Self sustaining.

4. Sense and Sensibility - Seriously. When making a list like this, one must have a Jane Austen film. If one considers oneself to be a Jane Austen fan. This one does. In my humble opinion, no one - and I mean no one - has been able to capture a Jane Austen story like Ang Lee and Emma Thompson. Who can forget Kate Winslet standing on a hill, rain running down her face as she looks on her beloveds home and quotes Shakespeare's sonnet #116. "Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds..."

5. Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain - Or as we know it, Amelie. This movie changed my life. I'd never seen color used in such a way before. So modern and whimsical at the same time. I felt such a connection, a kindred spirit almost, with Amelie. Seeing life through her eyes made life for me, more... colorful. If only I really looked like Audrey Tautou and lived in Paris. At least while watching this movie, I do.

So once you get home from work, get all of your chores done, put the kids/horses/dogs to bed, take a cool bath. Don't dry your hair. Just let it's coolness rest on your head and back. Pour yourself a nice, refreshing beverage. Stick in a movie, grab the remote controls and settle onto the couch with your beverage to enjoy a movie. Which movie did you pick?

Umbrella

2009-06-04T22:57:00.001-05:00

I didn't like this song until I heard this version....

Summertime

2009-06-02T19:19:00.007-05:00

An average weeknight at our house consists of catching up with everyone and crashing... as you can see. All while listening to songs from Louis Armstrong, Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, of course. Our Summer playlist.

Further Proof

2009-05-22T23:07:00.002-05:00

As if Stella wasn't all the proof you needed, here's further evidence that Pekingese could be the most precious breed on the planet. Perhaps in the entire universe.

"My heart will be blessed... with the sound of music" *

2009-05-20T21:59:00.008-05:00

The first time I went to Europe was in December of 2000. My mom called me at work one day to tell me my widowed grandfather was going to Austria with a Christian radio station in the DFW area. My grandmother died in December of 1998 and it was the first big trip my grandfather was taking after her death. I remember my mother telling me the cost and me blurting out, "I want to go!".

That same week, in a moment of rash decision making, I checked my savings account and signed up for the trip without consulting anyone. After making the deposit for the trip and realizing there's no backing out, I called my dad to tell him. His response I blame on shock because all he could say to me was, "Are you sure Grandad even wants you to go?" I said I didn't know and I didn't care. I was going on this trip whether he liked it or not. I wish I could sit here and say I was completely sensitive and unselfish in wanting to go, in not wanting him to go alone. But that wouldn't be the truth. I wanted to go to Europe and it was a cheap, but good trip and I would have someone with me.

I fell in love with Austria. It's such a great little country. We traveled all across and hit the main cities like Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna. My grandfather couldn't believe my fascination with the Smart Car, my compulsive do-re-mi dance on the steps in Mirabel Gardens and my need to walk all over Salzburg to find the perfect hat for my dad. I couldn't believe he didn't understand why I wanted to take a picture of a random statue at the base of the ski slope in Innsbruck rather than buy a little picture book or how great the rock gospel youth choir was in Vienna even if it was incredibly hard to hear anything after the concert and in my heart of hearts, I didn't enjoy the concert either but wouldn't ever think of admitting it. It was a great trip for me and yes, I would go back and change my attitude and behavior at times towards my grandfather, but I would never ever trade that trip for anything else in this world. It was a blessed trip and has turned out to be one of the most treasured events I've experienced, even if my stubbornness did everything it could to keep it from being so.

In April of 2009, this same grandfather was put in a nursing home. I wish it wasn't so, but sometimes what we wish isn't what's best and honestly, he needs to be in a nursing home. There's no denying the heartache when I think of him in there and the shell of a man he's become, but there's also no denying that I was lucky and blessed enough to experience Europe for the first time with the man I esteem almost as much as my own father and who has shown me what it is to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

I'm so thankful for the time we were able to spend together, Grandad. I carry it in my heart always and will never be able to fully communicate what our time together in the musical land of Austria meant to me. And don't worry. Chances of me buying a Smart Car are slim to none.

*Iine from the song, "The Sound of Music"

I Saw What I Saw by Sara Groves

2009-05-13T16:54:00.001-05:00

**NEED KLEENEX**

Lady in Spain by Ingrid Michaelson

2009-05-04T23:59:00.001-05:00

The Sound of Music

2009-04-21T14:59:00.002-05:00

I found this clip on my friend, Jimmy's, website. He so rightly said, "The ridiculousness of this is absolutely amusing. There is something to be said about contagious joy!!"

Enjoy!

Movie Recommendation: Sweet Land

2009-04-16T10:47:00.004-05:00

I watched this movie with my family over the weekend and it was so good. We all liked it, which is rare in our house.

It's the sweet story of a mail order bride from Germany, Inge, who comes to be married to a Norwegian farmer, Olaf Torvik. Upon finding out she's German, the minister won't marry them. Every shot of the film is like a postcard and there are few words spoken in English. The actors do incredible jobs of portraying feelings and thoughts with very few words. It's a beautiful film and I highly recommend it.

Ireland

2009-04-09T14:48:00.009-05:00

So I went to Ireland last month and boy, was it interesting! It was the first time I'd ever travelled out of the country by myself and obviously, I survived. I learned a lot about myself, caught up with an old friend I haven't seen or spoken to in over a decade and witnessed everyday Irish activities. It was an experience for sure. Highlights of the trip were the following:

1) The Cliffs of Moher. Incredible. Spectacular. Wondrous.

2) Fish and chips at McDonagh's. So delicious, I just can't even explain.

3) Just walking around Galway. Seeing the Spanish Arch. Buying a Claddagh ring.

4) Visiting ruins of an old monastery out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by beautiful Irish countryside and sheep. So cold, so creepy and yet so beautiful.

5) Did I mention the Irish countryside? Mysterious, haunting and pastoral at the same time... from the greenest fields with cobblestone fences to the ruggedness of the Connemara... Ireland is breathtaking.

6) Tea time. At My friend's house and at a quaint little tea shop I found, The Cobblestone Cafe. I could drink tea there all day, every day.

7) Last but certainly not least... the lovely, delicate daffodil... who reminds us that Spring is here.

I'm Still Here

2009-04-07T15:59:00.003-05:00

I know it's been awhile since I've written. A lot has been going on... so I've posted videos and lyrics to songs to communicate on my behalf. I'll try to write something soon.... once I've been able to process everything.

In the meantime, please enjoy Brooke Fraser's "Shadowfeet".

Lose My Soul

2009-03-31T15:47:00.003-05:00

Man I wanna tell ya'll something, Man.
Man I'm not gonna let these material thing's, get in my way, y'all.
I'm trying to get somewhere.
I'm trying to get somewhere,
Thats real and pure and true and eternal.

Father God, I am clay in your hands,
Help me to stay that way through all life's demands,
'Cause they chip and they nag and they pull at me,
And every little thing I make up my mind to be,
Like I'm gonna be a daddy whose in the mix,
And I'm gonna be a husband who stays legit,
And I pray that I'm an artist who rises above,
The road that is wide and filled with self love,
Everything that I see draws me,
Though it's only in You that I can truly see that its a feast for the eyes- a low blow to purpose.
And I'm a little kid at a three ring circus.

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.

The paparazzi flashes, and that they think that it's you,
But they don't know that who you are is not what you do,
True, we get it twisted when we peak at the charts,
Yo before we part from the start,
Where's your heart?
You a pimp, hustler?
Tell me what's your title,
America has no more stars, now we call them idols,
You sit idle, While we teach prosperity,
The first thing to prosper should be inside of me.
We're free...
Not because of 22's on the range,
But Christ came in range, we said yes now we changed,
Not the same, even though I made a fall,
Since I got that call, no more Saul, now I'm Paul.

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
Don't wanna walk away, Don't wanna walk away.

How do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that's rising?
It's hypnotizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity.

Lord what we gon do,We're relying on you,
all eyes are on you Lord,
all eyes are on you, all eyes are on you Jesus.

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul.

Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world,
That fight for our love, and our passion,
As our eyes are open wide and on you.
Grant us the privilege of your world view,
And may your kingdom be, what wakes us up, and lays us down.

Music & Lyrics by tobyMac (featuring Kirk Franklin & Mandisa)

Gotta Have You

2009-03-16T16:34:00.001-05:00

The Great White Horse

2009-03-09T11:38:00.002-05:00

Olive Oil Muffins

2009-03-04T10:44:00.004-06:00

Sounds weird, right? But it's so delicious! I love this recipe because everything that goes into the muffins, I always have on hand. So I can mix these up whenever I want to. I love recipes like that. I feel you should try them. They will rock your world.

Oh, and PS. I lied, I don't usually have oranges around. I just use lemon zest. Also, I usually cut the recipe in half and make mini-muffins. I usually get 18 mini-muffins. Oh, and sometimes I leave off the powdered sugar at the end because to me, it makes them too sweet... sometimes, anyway....

Thanks Giada!

Olive Oil Muffins
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons orange zest
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons whole milk
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Powdered sugar, for sifting

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place paper liners in a 12-cup muffin tin.

Blend together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer beat the sugar, eggs, and zests in a large bowl until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the vinegar and milk. Gradually beat in the oil. Add the flour mixture and stir just until blended. Crush the almonds with your hands as you add them to the batter and stir until mixed. Fill the muffin tin almost to the top of the paper liners. Bake until golden on top and a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs attached, about 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes. Remove the muffins onto a platter and let cool for 5 more minutes. Sift powdered sugar over the muffins and serve.

Recipe by Giada de Laurentiis

Looking Forward & Backward

2009-03-03T10:28:00.011-06:00

As I prepare for my trip to Ireland that is a little over 2 weeks away, I can't help but think about the last time I was overseas. I was able to visit the greatness that is Italy in the summer of 2007 and I decided to post a few of my favorite pictures from that trip.

The first time I saw the leaning tower of Pisa. In person.

With my family on a gondola in a canal in Venice. We're cracking up because Mom's afraid of rockin' the boat.

My sister strolling through Firenze (Florence).

My sister took this picture of me in St. Mark's Square, Venizia.

Vietri Sul Mare at night. Quiet, little town on the Amalfi Coast...

Mt. Vesuvius. Taken from the streets of Pompeii.

Upon being inside the Colosseo for the very first time. Quiet, breath-taking and heart-stopping.

I'm looking forward to great memories and photographs of Ireland. If you've ever been to Ireland and know of great places to visit in and around Galway, please share. I'd love to hear...

"I ain't no freakin' monument to justice!"

2009-02-24T23:15:00.005-06:00

The Oscars were on Sunday. I love the Oscars. I love how seriously they take themselves. I love sitting in my pajamas, watching the women walk down the red carpet as if they were the most important women to ever walk the earth. I love trying to guess who's going to walk away with an Oscar. I guess you could say it's like my Super Bowl...

This got me thinking about some of my favorite Oscar winning movies and I have to say, Moonstruck came to mind first. (Shana - this one's for you)

Cher is not a favorite of mine, but I will say she deserved the Oscar she won for Moonstruck. Nicholas Cage costars and was actually really good in it. I'm not much of a Nicholas Cage fan either, but put him with Cher and voila - movie magic. If you have 10 minutes to spare, you seriously have to watch one of the most dramatic, most hilarious, most wonderful scenes in movie history. Just watch Nicholas Cage and Cher in their best performances in Moonstruck. You won't be sorry.

The Voice of Truth

2009-02-03T11:14:00.002-06:00

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "Boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Music & Lyrics by Casting Crowns

Top 10 Favorite Images

2009-01-30T13:07:00.013-06:00

In no particular order....

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5.

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10.

Update

2009-01-26T18:45:00.006-06:00

Can it really be the end of January? I don't believe it... it seems like Christmas was last week....

Well, let's see. An update for both readers is most definitely due.

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Update #1 - Christmas & Alabama

Christmas was nice. It was good to see the family and just be able to spend a few days with everyone before heading to Alabama. Alabama was terrific. The weather was great, the company was great and many great things were bought at the great outlet mall. I bought a new, serious camera before Christmas so I was ready for glorious pictures of the beach and surrounding areas. It was grrrrrreat!

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Update #2 - New Position at Work

In late summer of 2008, I became the bookkeeper for my company. It's been an eye-opening experience for me. My dad is a CPA and I always hated working with numbers and never wanted to have anything to do with them. When I was in school, my Dad would help me with my math homework and it led to some of the biggest fights we've ever had. I hate feeling like I'm not getting it and I feel like that quite often in the world of numbers. So why become a bookkeeper, you ask? Well, it's a challenge and I really feel like it's where God wants me to be. It's been difficult and there have been several times when I feel like a complete idiot but that's when I call Dad and he's able to talk me through things and if nothing else about this job is beneficial, it's become something that I can talk to my Dad about and just have that connection with him. Which has been frustrating and blessed at the same time. There haven't been any fights as we talk about these things and I can't tell you how much it means to me to be able to pick up the phone and talk to him about my job. It's been such a blessing and makes all of the difficult times seem way worth it.

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Update #3 - Ireland

A good friend of mine from college has lived in Ireland since we graduated almost 10 years ago. I finally booked tickets to visit her this March. I couldn't be more excited! She's one of my dearest friends and I can't wait to see what her life is like in Ireland and just meet her friends and see what I've heard is the most beautiful country in the world. I'll be there for a week with the chilly rain and I can't wait! It'll be the first time that I'll be in a foreign country as a guest and not so much as a tourist. I'm ready to do some sight-seeing, but I'm more ready to see the day-to-day life of people in Galway. It's going to be such an experience and do you remember me mentioning I got a new, serious camera? Be ready for billions of pictures!

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Update #4 - House Hunting

So I've been thinking about purchasing a house recently. I went to look at houses with a realtor and am taking the steps you take to become a home owner. Which is crazy! It's a sign that I really am a grown-up. It's not something that I ever thought I'd do by myself, but good grief. I'm not going to put my life on hold. So I've been prayerful and thoughtful about the process. We'll see what the Lord provides.

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That's it for the updates right now. I'm in the busiest season of my life at work and with the additional time spent on house-hunting and general life, I honestly don't think I'll be able to blog anything for the next month. But I promise to blog as soon as I can.

Nobody Sings This Song Like Judy...

2008-12-19T10:49:00.001-06:00

From Meet Me In St. Louis, one of my most favorite movies ever made.

Baby It's Cold Outside, The Original

2008-12-17T15:09:00.003-06:00

From Neptune's Daughter starring Esther Williams, Ricardo Montalban & Red Skelton. That's right. Ricardo Montalban sings.

It's a Wonderful Life in 30 Seconds

2008-12-17T15:03:00.002-06:00

http://www.angryalien.com/1204/wonderful_lifebuns.asp

If

2008-12-17T12:25:00.005-06:00

All my life, I've always known others who are tee-toddling on the edge of a cliff. I know I am not exclusive in this. I've always been conflicted with whether or not I should say something. What if I seem judgemental? Are my words really words of love? What would my motive be? What if they never talk to me again? Maybe it would be best to pray for them and not really ever say anything to them? I just need to be there for them when they hit the bottom, that's what a good friend does... so I just stand by, watch them fall and not try to reach for their hand? I have to be honest, 95% of the time, I say nothing all the while, feeling like something should be said. But I don't like conflict and I don't want to be viewed as the "bad guy".

My sister told me about a missionary, Amy Carmichael, and I decided to purchase a little book she wrote titled, If - What do I know of Calvary Love. It's a wonderful little book and as I was reading it, I came across this "if" -

"If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand," or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love."

My Kingdom

2008-12-05T10:45:00.001-06:00

A little kingdom I possess
where thoughts and feelings dwell,
And very hard I find the task
of governing it well;
For passion tempts and troubles me,
A wayward will misleads,
And selfishness its shadow casts
On all my words and deeds.

How can I learn to rule myself,
to be the child I should,
Honest and brave, nor ever tire
Of trying to be good?
How can I keep a sunny soul
To shine along life's way?
How can I tune my little heart
To sweetly sing all day?

Dear Father, help me with the love
that casteth out my fear;
Teach me to lean on thee, and feel
That thou art very near,
That no temptation is unseen
No childish grief too small,
Since thou, with patience infinite,
Doth soothe and comfort all.

I do not ask for any crown
But that which all may win
Nor seek to conquer any world
Except the one within.
Be thou my guide until I find,
Led by a tender hand,
Thy happy kingdom in myself
And dare to take command.

Louisa May Alcott

Nigella + Chocolate = MAGIC

2008-12-03T10:10:00.003-06:00

I made this fudge last night, only I substituted hazelnuts for the pistachios and it was delicious. It's so fun to listen to her talk....

Reminiscing...

2008-11-20T15:42:00.005-06:00

I recently found this blog entry from a blog I kept a long time ago. The date of the entry is May 31, 2005 and it's regarding my previous co-worker who was... how do I say it... well, delicately put.... she was difficult. VERY DIFFICULT. Anyway, I was trying to do some clean-up and came upon this post and just had to share. I may share others.. who knows. I am feeling generous.

Hope you enjoy.

"I think my co-worker is trying to drive the sanity right out of my mind. I would love to give her the benefit of doubt... wait, maybe I wouldn't. Not after today. Today I went to Whole Foods for their salad bar and when I mentioned that was where I was going, my co-worker said, "Oh, can you pick something up for me?" I answered, "Sure." I was thinking pick something up for lunch. But no, she hands me a list with 4-5 items on it. Things like peanuts, peanut butter, rice cakes, oat bran, etc. The only thing I can find without any trouble in Whole Foods is the salad bar. I then spent 15-20 minutes of my lunch hour wandering around Whole Foods, trying to locate her items. After finding everything I could, I got my salad, paid and left.

She recently returned to the office after her lunch hour, examined her items and then informed me that the peanut butter I got was not what she wanted.

THEN BUY YOUR OWN FRIGGIN' PEANUT BUTTER."

Oh alright. Here's another post regarding same ex co-worker. Dated July 13, 2005.

"For those who are wondering...

Coworker continues to drive me batty. Too much to mention. Have managed to avoid the following: rolling my eyes, pulling out hair & banging head on desk during her many pointless visits to my office.

Am trying to stay sane...."

Ever Have One of These Nights?

2008-11-20T13:58:00.004-06:00

Yeah. I had one last night. Minus the wine of course. My drink of choice was sweet tea...

I know all you ladies out there can relate...

My God is Mighty to Save

2008-11-03T16:43:00.004-06:00

Every Sunday I try to take notes on the sermons so that I can remember them and refer to them as I process the lesson. Yesterday was one of those Sundays that I did not take a single note. Not one scribble. Does that ever happen to you? The sermon is so right on, so piercing that you can't tear your eyes away from the preacher unless reading scripture? That totally happened to me yesterday.

The service started off brilliantly with the song Hosanna by Hillsong United. Then, Chris Tomlin's version of Amazing Grace followed up by Mighty to Save, also by Hillsong United. As if that wasn't enough, the church worship band played Knees to the Earth by Watermark during our offering. It was one of the most beautiful worship services ever. As the ushers sat down, I pulled out my journal and pen, ready to write down lessons from the sermon. Our pastor instructed us to open our Bibles to the gospel of John, chapter 9. I looked at my friend next to me, thinking "Are you kidding me? That's my favorite chapter in the WHOLE Bible!" We'd already covered some of my all time favorite worship songs and now my favorite chapter? Awesome. I opened my Bible and wrote down the date, chapter and pastor's name in my journal. I tell you, I did not write down another word. Not a single word. I was so focused on every word that came out of our pastor's mouth, that I didn't even think to take notes. It was an incredible Sunday service. All I can think about today was how wonderful yesterday's lesson was and how much I love my God. My Lord. My Saviour. And how I would never ever trade my life for anyone else because He created me the way I am... perfection in His loving, merciful eyes. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I leave you with the lyrics to Mighty to Save.

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave. (x2)

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave. (x2)

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus. (x4)

Mac & Cheese

2008-10-07T16:08:00.005-05:00

1/2 lb of small pasta (I like Rotini)
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 slices applewood smoked bacon
1 tablespoon white flour
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup beef stock
2/3 cup milk
1 medium sized yellow onion
1 cup shredded longhorn cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
salt & pepper

Cook pasta in pot of salted boiling water until al dente.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in skillet and then cook bacon in skillet until crispy. Take bacon out and let rest on paper towels. Slice onion in thin slices and throw into skillet once you take out the bacon. Stir them around a bit and let them carmelize over medium heat. Once bacon has cooled, break into little pieces - bacon bits.

In small pot, melt butter slowly. Once butter is completely melted, add flour and whisk for 2-3 minutes. Add milk & stock to butter and flour. Bring to boil and let bubble for a few minutes stirring constantly, until thickened. Add cheese and stir until melted. Add salt and pepper and mustard to cheese sauce. Stir.

Combine pasta, cheese sauce and onions in bowl. Sprinkle bacon on top and serve. Deelish! (4 decent sized servings)

Variation of Rachel Ray recipe. You can most certainly use a different kind of cheese, take out the bacon, add broccoli, do whatever you want with mac & cheese. Your options are limitless. This is my version. Try your version! You won't be sorry.

Ode to Autumn

2008-09-22T12:46:00.004-05:00

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness!
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;
To bend with apples the mossed cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o'erbrimmed their clammy cells.

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reaped furrow sound asleep,
Drowsed with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers;
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cider-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings, hours by hours.

Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too, -
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing, and now with treble soft
The redbreast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

John Keats

Happy first day of Autumn, the season which inspired one of the greatest poems written.

Calamity Jane

2008-09-17T13:04:00.004-05:00

One of my all time favorite musicals. A friend recently mentioned she saw this movie for the first time not too long ago. Brought back memories. So wonderful...

Beans & Greens

2008-09-12T14:43:00.003-05:00

Slow-cooker Pinto Beans

1 pound dry pinto beans
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 pound ham hocks, or 1/4 pound streak o' lean
4 cups water
1 onion, chopped
salt & pepper

Wash the beans and soak overnight in cold water. Drain the beans and dump into slow cooker. Stir in chili powder and oregano.
If using ham hock: Pre-soak ham in a separate pot, for at least 2, or refrigerated up to 24 hours, depending on how salty you want your stock to be. Add ham hock to slow cooker with beans and pour in ham soaking liquid. Add more water until ham hock is completely covered.

If using streak o' lean: Cut into cubes, brown in a skillet, and place the meat and any rendered fat in the slow cooker with beans. Pour 4 cups water into pot.

Add onion to slow cooker with beans and meat. Stir well. Season, to taste, with salt & pepper, cover the pot, and cook on high until beans are very tender, about 5 hours.

Collard Greens with Balsamic Vinegar

1 bunch collard greens
1/2 red onion
1 Tablespoon butter
drizzle of olive oil
drizzle of balsamic vinegar
salt & pepper

Heat butter and oil in skillet over medium high heat. I like to stack the leaves of collard greens and then roll into one big roll. Then slice the leaves about 1/2 inch thick. Slice onion also. Add greens, onion, salt & pepper to skillet. Cook over medium heat until greens are as wilted as you want them to be. I like mine a bit crunchy, so I cook them for about 20 minutes. Right before serving, add drizzle of balsamic vinegar to greens. Mix & serve.

Garlic Toast

Italian loaf, sliced into 1/2 inch slices
1-2 garlic cloves, smashed
olive oil

Drizzle bread with olive oil & spread oil on bread. Grab garlic clove, that's been smashed & peeled. Rub garlic all over bread. Toast.

Perfect meal.

Pinto Beans recipe by Paula Deen. Collard greens introduced to me by Krista. Garlic toast by Rachel Ray & Italians everywhere.

Estes Park, Colorado

2008-09-09T14:54:00.019-05:00

We're back from Colorado. It was a glorious weekend spent in a glorious state. My sister and I flew out on Friday evening, rented a car (PT Cruiser, to be exact) stayed in a hotel, slept somewhat well, ate breakfast and began our road-trip to Estes from Denver. It was so wonderfully cool and I felt enthused, reinvigorated to be there. We spent Saturday driving into town, grabbing a burger at Penelope's and doing a little retail therapy.

Mom and Dad joined us late Saturday afternoon with their friends, Larry & Martha. We grilled rainbow trout, roasted vegetables and tore apart sourdough bread. As Larry & Dad grilled, an elk came by for a visit. He announced his arrival with the oddest sound I've ever heard come out of an animal and plopped down in our backyard.

Sunday, we arose fairly early and drove into Rocky Mountain National Park for a hike. We hiked almost 4 miles in about 3 hours. Lots of stops for pictures and catching our breath. The scenery was too majestic to capture by camera, but we did out best.

We returned late last night. It was the quickest trip to Colorado ever made, but we figured a short trip was better than no trip. It was a great weekend for me and my sister and I'm glad we did it. My cup runneth over.

Since I got in late last night, I haven't been able to pick up my precious who I've missed terribly. Can you blame me???

My Prayer

2008-09-02T17:02:00.002-05:00

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. [1]
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.

19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
20 They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain! [2]
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts! [3]
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!

Psalm 139 (ESV)

C. S. Lewis Song

2008-08-28T16:09:00.005-05:00

One of my all time favorite songs is "Hosanna" by Hillsong United. So imagine my excitement to learn that the person who wrote and sang that song has an album. Brooke Fraser. Albertine is the name of the album and if you don't already have it, I highly suggest you give it a listen. Below are the lyrics to one of the best songs on the album, C. S. Lewis Song. Thanks to Evan and Michael for the introduction to Ms. Fraser.

C.S. Lewis Song

If i find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the flesh that i fight is at best only light and momentary,
then of course I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined I'm compared

Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me

Am I lost or just less found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
Is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?
'Cause my comfort would prefer for me to be numb
And avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become

Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me

For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know you
Hope is coming for me
Hope, He's coming

Music & Lyrics by Brooke Fraser

Seriously, give her a listen...

Mary by Patty Grififn

2008-08-25T16:16:00.001-05:00

Venizia

2008-08-19T10:21:00.002-05:00

It's been over a year since I've been to Italy and I still think about it all the time. I decided to post pictures of Venice, just because I love and miss it so.

Hebrews 12:1-3

2008-08-18T13:56:00.005-05:00

12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

I heard a sermon yesterday from this scripture that really spoke to me. So I have a few statements and questions.

1. The race is long, so we ask for our daily bread. Meaning, day by day, he provides for us. A marathon runner does not focus on the fact he/she is running 26 miles. He/She focuses on putting one foot in front of the other, pacing himself/herself.

2. The pastor mentioned in his sermon the difference between sin and encumbrances. He said "encumbrances are good things we have distorted that are keeping us from running well". Would you agree with that statement?

3. And lastly, can people become encumbrances? If so, how do you know and what do you do?

I've had the sermon swirling around in my head for the past day and half and just wanted to put my questions out there for others to comment.

Randomness

2008-07-31T10:08:00.005-05:00

Posting has been not so good this month and I apologize. In an effort to catch up, I'm creating this post of randomness... thoughts and activities that have taken place these last few weeks. It's been a busy month of a new job, teaching a new employee the ropes, a trip to the beach, a death of someone close to my parents, a weekend of heartbreak, the realization that my grandfather needs more help, and a birthday with a visit from the family. So please excuse me for the disorder, I just didn't know where to start and I have tried several times to post but always end up deleting. So I'm just blurting it out.

July has passed by rather quickly and I'm glad. My thoughts lately have been filled with the excitement that is Autumn. Thoughts of football, chili, leaves falling, butternut squash muffins or soup, the state fair, roasted acorn squash with brown sugar, Halloween, apple harvest, Thanksgiving and hot chocolate. It may have something to do with the fact I just finished a wonderful book by Francine Rivers, Leota's Garden, that is set in Autumn or with the fact that these days of temperatures being over a hundred degrees are not doing anything to improve my mood. Alas, we have several more days of summer left before it's officially Autumn.

The beach trip was fun. I'm a bit of snob and don't enjoy Texas beaches nearly as much as Alabama beaches, but the company was wonderful and it was a good time spent with good friends. My sister joined us and I was thankful for her company and the time we were able to spend together. Not one single fight the whole weekend! A feat to be proud of, for sure.

I've decided to try growing potatoes on my balcony. I purchased a bag of potting soil, placed a sprouting potato in the bag and am waiting for a crop of potatoes. We'll wait and see as this is my first attempt at actually growing something.

My birthday was a good birthday. Friends cooked a lovely meal, other friends took me out to eat and my family came to visit. It was a great time with friends and family and I realized how truly blessed I am by the people in my life.

My sister and I are headed to Estes Park, CO in September. We are flying and renting a car. This is the first time for both of us to rent a car and it's proof that we really are grown ups. We haven't been to Colorado in about ten years and seeing as how we both view Colorado as a little piece of Heaven here on earth, we are super excited!

That's all I can think of to share at the moment. If you've made it to the end, I thank you and promise to do better in August.

Drifting

2008-07-21T16:46:00.005-05:00

Sometimes when I'm all alone
I don't know if I can
Take another breath
Some say home is where the heart is
Tell me where my home is
'Cause I am scared to death

Falling from the rooftop
Crashing like a raindrop
Can you make my heart stop
Shaking like a leaf
Standing at the floodgate
Steady as an earthquake
Can you hear my heart break
Tearing at the seams

I am drifting in the deep end
Holding on to your hand
Is all that saves me now
Life can treat you like a beggar
You hold me together
But I don't know how

Falling from the rooftop
Crashing like a raindrop
Can you make my heart stop
Shaking like a leaf
Standing at the floodgate
Steady as an earthquake
Can you hear my heart break
Tearing at the seams

Some say home is where the heart is
And my heart is in your hands
You are all I need

Rising from the ashes
Lifted from the madness
Now you see my heart is
Deep enough to dream
Heal me from the deathblow
Lead and I will follow
Now you feel my heart glow
Mending at the seams

Music & Lyrics by Bebo Norman

WHAT? Two posts in one day? Crazy.

2008-07-17T16:49:00.004-05:00

My sister had this little fill in the blank thing on her page and I thought, neat... I'll give it a try.

So here goes.

i am: a contradiction most of the time
i dream: of italy
i think: obama is not the answer
i know: jesus is coming back
i want: to be an artist
i have: a good job
i wish: i had a house
i hate: human trafficking
i miss: college
i fear: stella's death
i feel: unsure
i hear: my computer purring
i smell: lavender and sage
i crave: ice cream
i search: barnes and noble for my next book
i wonder: as i wander
i regret: high school
i love: to cook
i ache: for freedom from sin
i care: about the earth
i always: have chapstick with me
i am not: bubbly
i believe: without love, life is like a beat you can't follow
i dance: a lot
i sing: loudly
i cry: at the drop of a hat
i don’t always: play nice
i fight: my insecurities
i write: to remember
i lose: rarely when playing taboo
i never: want to blame my parents for anything
i listen: to my dad
i can usually be found: looking over cookbooks
i need: guidance
i am happy about: blessings bestowed
i desire: children
i hope: to someday adopt

Tonight I Can Write

2008-07-17T15:10:00.004-05:00

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.

Write, for example, 'The night is starry
and the stars are blue and shiver in the distance.'

The night wind revolves in the sky and sings.

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too.

Through nights like this one I held her in my arms.
I kissed her again and again under the endless sky.

She loved me, sometimes I loved her too.
How could one not have loved her great still eyes.

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
To think that I do not have her. To feel that I have lost her.

To hear the immense night, still more immense without her.
And the verse falls to the soul like dew to the pasture.

What does it matter that my love could not keep her.
The night is starry and she is not with me.

This is all. In the distance someone is singing. In the distance.
My soul is not satisfied that it has lost her.

My sight tries to find her as though to bring her closer.
My heart looks for her, and she is not with me.

The same night whitening the same trees.
We, of that time, are no longer the same.

I no longer love her, that's certain, but how I loved her.
My voice tried to find the wind to touch her hearing.

Another's. She will be another's. As she was before my kisses.
Her voice, her bright body. Her infinite eyes.

I no longer love her, that's certain, but maybe I love her.
Love is so short, forgetting is so long.

Because through nights like this one I held her in my arms
my soul is not satisfied that it has lost her.

Though this be the last pain that she makes me suffer
and these the last verses that I write for her.

by Pablo Neruda

I love this poem. It's a perfect poem. The sight, sound, smell and feeling you get when reading this poem is so incredibly life-like. Thus making it a perfect poem.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

2008-07-09T16:02:00.006-05:00

Activities for the evening of Tuesday, July 8th
6:45 pm: Catherine picked me up and we hit Old Navy. We cruised through the aisles several times and hit the dressing room several times. Naturally, we modeled for each other and the majority of the clothes we tried on were not working. Lots of laughing ensued.

7:52 pm: We raced over to the GAP that closed at 8:00 pm and in our hurry, Catherine ran over a curb. I'm not talking about brushing against a curb. It was full blown running over. I think she may have even hit some grass. It was awesome and caused major tears due to the roaring laughter.

8:15 pm: Having left the GAP at 7:57, we wandered over to the Pottery Barn and seeing nothing, left. Catherine dropped me off at my apartment and noticed my neighbors were all gathered at a picnic table across the way from my apartment. They all watched her drive up and as I was gathering my purse and shopping bag to leave, she mentioned how awesomely funny it would be if we leaned in and acted like we were kissing each other goodbye. More tears due to laughter. I mentioned that would be so funny because the neighbors don't really know what to think of me as it is. More laughing. Good 5 minutes before I could see well enough to get out of the car.

It's been one of those weeks so last night was a welcome relief. We leave Friday for the beach and I'm so excited. Tears and stomach aches due to copious amounts of laughter are sure to happen. I can't wait.

Dangerous Faith

2008-07-01T16:19:00.004-05:00

My beautiful sister went to Kenya last summer on a mission trip. She has always, for as long as I've known her, had a heart for Africa. I mean, her favorite Disney movie is The Lion King.

Her visit to Africa blessed her immensely and through that, it's opened my eyes to the needs all around us. So I signed up for a mission trip later in the year to Mexico and have even discussed with her that I would go to Africa next time she wants to go. ME. Go to Africa. She is definitely a mission oriented person and through her, I've realized just how important it is for members of Christ's church to show His love and grace to those around us. Whether it be spending a day painting an elderly person's house or traveling around the world to those who need so much, this is what we are called to do. It's our job, our responsibility, what He wants us to do.

He's Alive

2008-06-30T16:18:00.004-05:00

For the past five weeks we've been studying Eschatology in our Sunday school class. Biblical eschatology. We hardly ever referred to the book of Revelation as our teacher showed us how the end times are thread throughout the entire Bible. Our teacher started with the Abrahamic Covenant and took us through the Bible. It was very, very interesting and also, very comforting. It's meant to bring us believers hope. Hope in our Lord, in the fact that Jesus is alive and that He's coming for us. He wants nothing more than to be with us and have us be restored. But he won't be coming as the peaceful Jesus. He's done that and now He's coming as the warrior Jesus. He is coming to take back His kingdom. He's Alive.

Cashier girl, is that you???

2008-06-23T12:11:00.000-05:00

So the following comment was left on my blog regarding my post on Luby's. This is awesome! It means that more than my friends are reading this blog thing and it means I now know what Dooce feels like!

It also means this person does not know me at all. And people are crazy protective of Luby's.

For the record - Mark was behind me. After me. I was before Mark. He was next in line... after me. So that makes him... behind me.

"Anonymous said...
Anxiety? High anxiety? About eating in a cafeteria style restaurant? That is not normal behavior.

Now the cashier gives you the check for the meal and according to your rant, you didn't bother to check that it was ascertain that it was correct at that time.

Inattentive! You clearly did not observe your friends interaction with this cashier - because clearly either Emily or Marianne or both would have been given tickets for their meals. After all, they are NOT on your ticket with Mark.

The cashier was clearly being attentive to her duty. She ascertained that you and Mark were together. You were most probably last in line as you got the ticket. It is not a womans lib thing, it is just a normal, common person cafeteria type thing. She rings the items up as they pass and the last person gets the ticket. It doesn't meant they are to pay, it just means they are the last one through the line.

Your time to correct the ticket error was THEN. I am sure the attentive cashier would have been happy to give you separate tickets if you had been aware enough of your surroundings to ask.

Luby's has plenty of ordinary food. It is healthy and wholesome. Yes, the brocoli is real.

Then when it comes time to check out, you feign surprise at the $22
bill. I don't believe you. You knew exactly what the Luann platter cost when you went through the line. The prices are posted. Furthermore, event a basic glance at the ticket would have shown you that it was for more than one meal. You would have the price of the Luann meal on the ticket. Along with the price of the other meal. A little more attention to detail would serve you well.

Yes, you are blowing it way out of proportion.

As for your 'working it out with Mark' - surely you could have done so without inconveniencing the rest of the customers in line and without the high drama.

Yes, somebody in that store was rude. They were also judgmental, obnoxious and condescending. However, it certainly wasn't the cashier girl.

X"

My Help Comes from the Lord

2008-06-19T14:31:00.000-05:00

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

A Song of Ascents. Psalm 121

I Love This Dog

2008-06-13T14:46:00.000-05:00

The After Bath Show starring Stella. Catch the next show in about 2 weeks.

Luby's is so Rude

2008-06-10T16:52:00.000-05:00

Sunday after church, I went to Luby's with a group of friends for lunch. I feel that I should mention that I hate Luby's. True hate, but I went anyway. Because I love my friends that much. I truly do. So I'm waiting in line trying to decide what I can get on the Luann platter and mind you, there are tons of people in line and we're zig-zagging and my anxiety is rising as we get closer and closer to the massive buffet of items that are over-cooked and I'm not sure are real food. I was in line with friends (Emily, Marianne & Mark) who weren't familiar with Luby's either and between the 4 of us... the anxiety level was astronomical. That's right. Astronomical. OK, so maybe Mark wasn't that anxious... Anyway, Marianne went first, then Emily and then me with Mark at the end. We got our trays and passed right by the cold pasta salad and strawberries covered in corn syrup. I decided to order the baked fish with broccoli and new potatoes, in an effort to be healthy and zoomed right by the desserts. I filled my glass with sweet tea and pulled out my wallet. The cashier girl gives me a ticket and says, "Uh, you pay when you leave." In the same tone she would use to say, "I hate my job and idiots like you." I mumbled a thanks and grabbed my tray and practically ran to the table.

We ate lunch. Anxiety died down. I feel that I should mention that the baked fish at Luby's is not good. They covered the fish with a mayonnaise-y sauce when they baked it. Disgusting. I'm pretty sure the broccoli was not real. New potatoes were not bad.

The girls and I rode together and when we were all ready to leave I pulled out my ticket. I glanced down to the total and noticed it was $22 something. What? The Luann platter is $22???? Upon further investigation, I discovered the cashier girl put Mark's meal on my ticket. So now we're to the whole point of this post. If the cashier girl thought that Mark and I would be paying together... why did she hand me the ticket? Shouldn't the man get the ticket? I mean, I'm all for women's liberation and the right to vote, but why did she think that I would be the one paying? She didn't even ask me if Mark's meal should be on the same ticket as mine. She assumed and then she handed ME the ticket. I feel insulted. I may be blowing it a bit out of proportion... but really. Is it too much to ask that the man get the ticket?

Don't worry. Mark and I worked it out when we paid as we left... although not without holding up a line of old people who were giving us really dirty looks. And all I could say is, "Don't blame me. Blame the cashier girl who is rude."

Kelly's Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-06-09T14:58:00.000-05:00

That's right. I said Kelly's Chocolate Chip Cookies! My version. OK, so maybe I used a recipe on the back of a chocolate chip bag as an outline, if you will, but I totally added my own stuff and messed with the amounts of stuff. So, MY cookies...

KELLY'S Chocolate Chip Cookies (All Organic)

1 Cup whole wheat flour
1/2 Cup sugar
1/2 Cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 Cup butter, melted (1 stick)
1/2 bag Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Melt butter in oven while preheating.

Mix melted butter and both sugars very well. Add egg and mix in well. Add vanilla and cinnamon and mix in well.

In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda & salt. Stir together and add 1/3 of flour mixture to sugar/butter/egg mixture. Mix well. Repeat 2 more times, mixing well after each flour addition. Fold in chocolate chips.

Use melon spoon and scoop out dough onto cookie sheet. Bake for 8-9 minutes. If you decide not to use a melon spoon and make bigger cookies, naturally they'll need to cook longer. Just be sure to take them out of the oven when they look like they are almost done. They'll continue to cook on the cookie sheet when you take them out. If they look done in the oven, they'll be crispy. Let cookies rest on cookie sheet for 1 minute before transferring to a cooling rack. Try not to eat them all as they come out of the oven.

Makes approx. 40 cookies.

Hosanna

2008-06-06T13:57:00.000-05:00

I see the King of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes
I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing

Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the Highest

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees

Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the Highest

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the Highest

Music & Lyrics by Hillsong United

Top Ten Songs Of My Heart

2008-06-04T13:44:00.001-05:00

I've been thinking, what are my top ten favorite songs of all time that I could listen to over and over again? Below is my list in no particular order. They are all equal in my heart.

1. Fix You by Coldplay
2. All I Want Is You by U2
3. Stay by Lisa Loeb
4. Cornflake Girl by Tori Amos
5. Cold Water by Damien Rice
6. Hosanna by Hillsong United
7. Do What You Have To Do by Sarah McLachlan
8. Mary by Patty Griffin
9. Fantasy for Violin & Orchestra by Joshua Bell
10. In Christ Alone by Geoff Moore

Now that I've laid out my list, what do my selections say about me?

What's your list and what does it say about you?

Memorial Day

2008-05-28T13:40:00.002-05:00

In December of 2000, I had the opportunity to visit Austria with my Grandad. My Grandmother died a few years before and he decided to take a trip with a group of people from a Christian radio station in the DFW area. My Mom mentioned to me that Grandad was going so I looked up the trip online and looked at how much money I had in savings and seeing that the trip could be a very real possibility, I signed up for the trip that day. I was going to Austria! I called my Mom to tell her I was going and she was shocked. My Dad, in his shock, even said to me, "Are you sure Grandad wants you to go?" I didn't care. I was going. Austria had never ever been on my list of places I wanted to visit but it was such a great opportunity for me, I couldn't pass it up. It was a great trip for both of us.

On Saturday, my family and I went to visit my Grandad and his wife. My Grandad has been plagued by Parkinson's for several years and it's really started to wear him down. He does not look like the man I grew up with who took care of my quadriplegic Grandmother all by himself. The man who was a minister to so many, not only by caring for my Grandmother and raising three kids but by being a leader of several churches. He's now tired and weak and his body refuses to cooperate with him. Sometimes he tries to tell a story and there's no understanding him. I know he knows what he's talking about, it's just that the words don't make it from his brain to his mouth. So on Saturday, we were sitting at the table eating lunch when he began talking about our trip to Austria. He remembered a "gospel" choir we'd heard in Salzburg; how I kept commenting on the Smart cars everywhere; how I loved the bright red hair I kept seeing on women; and how one of the women on the trip wanted to make my Grandad her husband. He said it was a good trip. It was all I could do to keep from crying right there at the table. In fact, being a major cry-er, I truly believe it was Divine intervention that kept me from crying right then and there.

I've been so incredibly blessed by this man. He is the most admirable person I've ever known, right next to my own Dad. And although there are times I wish I could go back and change the way I behaved or felt, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to share this once in a lifetime experience with him. To know that he feels the same way... words cannot express what this means to me.

I Found It!

2008-05-27T10:31:00.000-05:00

"And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe."

Revelation 16:21

Frittata

2008-05-20T11:25:00.000-05:00

I had dinner at a friend's house last week and she made us a frittata. Now you might be wondering, "What is a frittata?" I'll tell you. It's the Italian version of quiche without a crust. It couldn't be simpler. My mom used to make them all the time. After having dinner at my friend's house and thinking about ways to improve my diet and cut back on costs, I decided to make a frittata for dinner last night. The great thing about a frittata is the freedom it provides in adding whatever you want. I've heard of frittatas with ham, chicken, shrimp, bacon, sausage, salmon, cheese, potatoes, asparagus, tomato, onion, bell pepper, zucchini, mushrooms and even pasta. I wouldn't suggest adding all of these things in one frittata, but I certainly encourage trying different combinations and seeing which you like best. My favorite frittata is potato, onion, bacon and cheese. Listed below is enough for one person, so if you want to feed more... you know what to do.

Potato, Bacon & Smoked Mozzarella Frittata

1 egg
1 red potato
1 strip of bacon
1 Tablespoon chopped onion
splash of milk
handful of shredded smoked mozzarella cheese
thin slice of butter or small drizzle of olive oil
salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Rinse potato and cut into bite size pieces. Skin off or on, optional. Boil until tender in salted water. While potatoes cook, cut bacon and onion into little pieces and add to small skillet with butter. Cook bacon until crispy and saute onion until tender and translucent. Add potatoes to bacon and onion and allow to brown a little bit. Whisk egg, milk and cheese in separate bowl and add to skillet. Roll skillet around until eggs are all the way around skillet and contents of skillet. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Once eggs begin to set, do not move. Cook on medium burner for about 5-10 minutes, until middle of eggs begins to puff a bit. Transfer skillet to oven. Frittata is done when eggs begin to brown. Transfer frittata to plate by placing plate over skillet and then flipping it over. Voila! Your frittata is ready to be consumed.

P.S. If your skillet has a handle that is not oven-proof, wrap a good amount of foil around the handle. Your handle will be safe in the oven.

Issues

2008-05-14T14:32:00.001-05:00

Through the wonderfulness that is my new TV, I somehow get HBO for free. At first, I didn't really care.... until I saw a preview for Flight of the Conchords. HBO is re-running the first season of Flight of the Conchords! FOTC is a folk comedy group from New Zealand. I would totally hold hands with both of them, they are so hilarious. The clip below is from a comedy special they did a few years ago. I really hope you enjoy.

Good Times, Good Conversation

2008-05-13T09:34:00.000-05:00

Friday night: Went out with the girlies for a friend's birthday. Good times, good conversation, good waiter with HUGE gap in teeth. Estimated two teeth missing... perhaps he played hockey when a child? Tried and failed to not laugh when he whistled as he spoke. Of course, waited to commence laughing once he'd left table. Great start to the weekend.

Saturday: Lounged around the apartment, doing laundry and catching up on Food Network shows. Left Austin about 2:00 p.m. and headed to Midlothian, home of the family. Big day as I was scheduled to meet my little sister's boyfriend, who was visiting. Arrived at Mom & Dad's at 5ish and decided to give Stella a bath. After bath, Stella ran around house like a mad dog whilst I discussed dinner over the phone with my sister. As I was hanging up the phone, Stella began yelping like I've not heard before and limping around as her foot bled. Not having seen what had happened I rushed over to my precious and grabbed her foot as she continued to yelp. The foot showed she had bent her nail completely back and it was gushing blood. I held her as I sympathized with her and kept her away from my mother's carpet. Very traumatic for us both. By the time my sister and her boyfriend arrived with dinner, we had both recovered. Stella had bad Saturday and I was on my way to having a bad Saturday as well until I met the boyfriend, who was one of the nicest person's I've ever met. Two thumbs up.

Sunday: Happy Mother's Day! Arose from bed and got ready for church. Stopped at Starbucks with the parents to grab coffee and Zucchini Walnut bread before church. Sister took boyfriend to airport while the rest of us went to church. Heard sermon about the end times and tribulations from a pastor who is not the regular pastor of family's church. Odd choice of sermons for Mother's Day. Very sporadic and confusing sermon. Pastor said there will be hail that weighs 96 lbs crashing down on us in end times... according to Revelations. Would first like to point out that it is REVELATION, not Revelations. Secondly, where does it say there will be hail that weighs 96 lbs? I can't find the scripture...

Anyway, after church, family went to eat lunch with grandmother, cousins, aunt & uncle. Sister joined us and waiter kept staring at both of us. Cute little waiter.

Sister and I cooked dinner for parents and watched movie. End of Sunday.

Monday: Had Doctor's appointment in Dallas. Mom & I joined Dad for lunch and then went to see Doctor. Just check-up... Made Doctor laugh which is always goal. Very proud of self. Then had to give blood. Big, burly black man took blood and flirted constantly. Called me beautiful and darling several times. Offered to come to Austin to hold my hand whilst I get another tattoo. Did of course clarify whether or not I had a boyfriend before making offer.

Joined friends for dinner and Bachelor finale back in Austin. Good times, good conversation.

I Miss Apolo

2008-05-07T15:03:00.000-05:00

So I'm addicted to Dancing With The Stars. It's only one of the best shows on TV. This season hasn't been quite as exciting as past seasons. I think what makes the show exciting is to see people improve and to see the chemistry between the partners. No season has ever been as good as the season with Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough. He really was/is an exciting performer on or off the ice. And the chemistry between him and Julianne, it's no wonder rumors were swirling...

Anyway, have a looksie and let's think about signing up for classes on Latin dancing...

Intense Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-05-05T12:47:00.000-05:00

It's not very often that I crave chocolate. In fact, if given a choice between chicken fried steak and chocolate cake, nine times out of ten I'd choose the fried steak. But that one time I'd choose chocolate, it'd better be really chocolate-y.

My sister came to visit me this weekend and we decided to spend half our time chillin' like villains and watching movies. I was craving chocolate on Friday night, so it was time to find something chocolate-y for our movie marathon. I've discovered that Nigella Lawson is the woman to turn to when craving chocolate. I made her "Intense Chocolate Chip Cookies" and OH MAN! They are intense. They work really well with a steaming cup of coffee and/or a cool glass of milk. I tried them with both and was not sorry. I highly recommend them next time you are in serious need of serious chocolate.

Intense Chocolate Chip Cookies

Often I make a full batch of these but bake only half and freeze the other half. I freeze them on a little tray and once they're hard, I bung them in a freezer bag and stash it back in the freezer. That way I can bake another six without any effort.

Ingredients
125g/4oz dark chocolate
150g/5¼oz plain flour
30g/1oz cocoa, sifted
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking powder)
½ tsp salt
125g/4oz unsalted butter, softened
75g/2½oz light brown sugar
50g/2oz caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 free-range egg, cold from the fridge
350g/12¼oz dark chocolate chips

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas 3.
2. Break the 125g/4oz dark chocolate into pieces and place into a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until melted.
3. Place the flour, cocoa, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a large bowl and mix well.
4. In another bowl, cream the butter and two sugars together until light and fluffy. Add the melted chocolate and stir well.
5. Beat in the vanilla extract and crack in the egg, then mix in the dry ingredients. Finally stir in the chocolate chips.
6. Scoop out 12 equal portions of the mixture - an ice cream scoop and a palette knife are the best tools for the job - and place onto a lined baking sheet about 6cm/2½in apart. Do not flatten them.
7. Transfer to the oven and bake for 18 minutes, then test with a skewer - it should come out semi-clean and not wet with batter. If you pierce a chocolate chip, try again.
8. Leave the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 4-5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to harden as they cool.

Recipe by Nigella Lawson

P.S. - I have a measurement converter which came in really handy. If you have any questions, you just let me know and I'll refer to the converter. Allrecipes.com also has a handy converter.

Add to the Beauty

2008-05-02T15:18:00.001-05:00

We come with beautiful secrets
We come with purposes written on our hearts, written on our souls
We come to every new morning
With possibilities only we can hold, that only we can hold

Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces
Calling out the best of who we are

And I want to add to the beauty
To tell a better story
I want to shine with the light
That's burning up inside

It comes in small inspirations
It brings redemption to life and work
To our lives and our work

It comes in loving community
It comes in helping a soul find it's worth

Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces
Calling out the best of who we are

And I want to add to the beauty
To tell a better story
I want to shine with the light
That's burning up inside

This is grace, an invitation to be beautiful
This is grace, an invitation

Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces
Calling out our best

And I want to add to the beauty
To tell a better story
I want to shine with the light
That's burning up inside

by Sara Groves

Ugly Betty Will Never Be The Same*

2008-05-01T11:08:00.000-05:00

There's Stella, watching our new gigantic TV. It's so wonderful. I decided Phantom of the Opera was the movie of choice when reveling in over the top splendor... which is what I felt like with the new TV. Oh, and sorry about the flash. I'm not very camera savvy. Yes, I will move the wreath and sconces. One thing at a time people, one thing at a time.

I was afraid the TV would overwhelm my teensy tiny apartment, but as this picture shows... it's not too bad. My own private theater. It's awesome.

*Thanks to Super-tramp for my blog title

Chicken Stock

2008-04-25T12:26:00.001-05:00

I made my own chicken stock and I can not stop talking about it. I can't tell you how awesome it is to make you're own stuff. I have a friend who is super healthy and loves to make her own food. She recently posted on her blog how rewarding it is to make your own bread. It's such a great feeling to know what's in the food you are putting in your mouth. So after visiting with her and slowly trying to be more aware of what I eat, I decided to try making my own chicken stock. Baby steps. It's not difficult at all to make chicken stock, it just takes time. It took one Sunday afternoon and now I have 4 quarts and 1 cup of my own chicken stock, not to mention the chicken waiting for me in the freezer for chicken salad, enchiladas, whatever my heart desires.

Well, I had 4 quarts and 1 cup of chicken stock until last night. I made some Risi e Bisi (Italian style rice & peas) and it required 1 quart of chicken stock. My Risi e Bisi has never been so delicious! Below is the basic recipe I followed. I referred to the greatest cook of all time, Julia Child, and decided to add half of a bunch of Italian flat leaf parsley. I knew Julia would not steer me wrong...

Chicken Stock

1 whole free-range chicken (about 3½ pounds), rinsed, giblets discarded
2 carrots, cut in large chunks
3 celery stalks, cut in large chunks
2 large white onions, quartered
1 head of garlic, halved
1 turnip, halved
¼ bunch fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

Place the chicken and vegetables in a large stockpot over medium heat. Pour in only enough cold water to cover (about 3 quarts); too much will make the broth taste weak. Toss in the thyme, bay leaves, and peppercorns, and allow it to slowly come to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and gently simmer for 1 to 1½ hours, partially covered, until the chicken is done. As it cooks, skim any impurities that rise to the surface; add a little more water if necessary to keep the chicken covered while simmering.

Carefully remove the chicken to a cutting board. When its cool enough to handle, discard the skin and bones; hand-shred the meat into a storage container.

Carefully strain the stock through a fine sieve into another pot to remove the vegetable solids. Use the stock immediately or if you plan on storing it, place the pot in a sink full of ice water and stir to cool down the stock. Cover and refrigerate for up to one week or freeze.

Recipe by Tyler Florence

I Hate Celery

2008-04-22T11:43:00.000-05:00

Celery stinks. It gets on your hands, makes your whole fridge smell like celery. Then the smell creeps out into the rest of the house and every time you open the door.... celery. If it weren't so necessary for flavoring, I would be done with it!

Funniness

2008-04-16T14:24:00.000-05:00

Jamie Oliver is one of my favorite TV personalities. He has a show on the Food Network called Jamie at Home. Unfortunately, it comes on at 8:30 in the morning on Saturday mornings so I rarely catch it. Anyway, I was on youtube to see if they showed clips of this TV show and while I came across a few, this clip made me laugh out loud. A few years ago, he traveled across Italy in a blue VW van and just wanted to be inspired again by the beauty of Italian food with it's fresh ingredients. It was an awesome series. This clip must have been from a promotional thing and anyway, see for yourself. It's quite funny.

I love Jamie Oliver.

1 Peter 5:6 & 7

2008-04-15T14:12:00.000-05:00

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (ESV)

Our Sunday school teacher read this verse to us a few weeks ago and it really struck a chord for me. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if it struck many chords for many people that day. The one thing that he pointed out to us that I rarely remember is that God cares for me. I know it in my mind, but I forget it in my heart.

God cares for me. God cares for you.

Julia Child

2008-04-14T15:13:00.000-05:00

So yesterday was a lazy day. I got out of bed at 9:30 and had every intention of getting to church at 11. I made coffee, grabbed some Kashi Pumpkin granola bars and turned on the TV. My sweet dog sat next to me because she loves me so much... or she loves pumpkin granola bars... anyway, big mistake turning on the TV. I got caught up in a Mandi Moore movie and missed the 11 o'clock service at church. Heathen. Well, since my day was blown anyway, I turned to my favorite TV network - THE FOOD NETWORK. I could sit for hours watching Ina Garten, Giada De Laurentiis, Alton Brown, and even Rachel Ray. I've discovered my love for cooking thanks to many holidays spent in my Grandfather's kitchen and these Food Network people. They opened my eyes to so much culinary stuff and I'm super appreciative of them.

I turned to the Food Network just in time because they were beginning a Chefography marathon and the first one up was Julia Child. Now, I don't know much about Julia Child except she had a unique voice and Dan Aykroyd made fun of her on SNL. So I watched the Chefography on Julia Child. One hour of Julia's childhood, young adult life, married life, cooking life and retired life. Julia Child was born in California in 1912 and went to college, graduated with a degree in history and then spent most of her 20's and early 30's trying different things. It's as if she didn't have a real sense of purpose or direction. She wandered a bit. She was 6'2" and wanted to be a spy, but she was too tall. So she helped create shark repellent that is still used by the Navy today. While working for the military, she met a poet/photographer/artist who was 4 inches shorter than her and 10 years older. They married when she was 34. After a few years of marriage, his job took them to Paris. Now up until this point in her life, she avoided the kitchen and rarely spent any time in one. She tried cooking and was not very successful so she began taking lessons in Paris at Le Cordon Blue. Julia would often recall her first meal in Paris and how it affected her. It was because of this meal that she began her quest of understanding food and how to prepare it, thus changing history.

I think the reason Julia Child's story affected me so much is because I feel I connect with her. She wandered and didn't discover her calling, her passion, her purpose until later in life. For some, it happens in college or their mid-twenties, but for others it doesn't happen until later. And that's not bad. It's God's perfect timing. Julia Child changed the way people thought of cooking. If it weren't for Julia Child, there probably wouldn't even be a whole TV network dedicated to cooking shows that changed my life. What I'm saying is that I shouldn't feel discouraged if I feel like I'm still wandering at the age of 30. I shouldn't feel discouraged if I'm still single at 30. It's God's perfect timing and whether Julia Child was aware of His perfect timing, I don't know. What I do know is that I'm aware of God's perfect timing and through watching Chefography about Julia Child, He reminded me.

Maybe it wasn't a mistake to turn on the TV after all.

Just one of the many important conversations shared over IM...

2008-04-09T11:33:00.000-05:00

This conversation was on the pros & cons of iTunes. Maybe later I'll post the conversation we had about world peace.

Kelly says:
i have one song from dan in real life
Kelly says:
i'll share with you
Super-tramp says:
you bought the whole album?
Kelly says:
no. just one song. i will not buy the whole album
Kelly says:
there's one song i really want, but it's album only. not all the songs are like that
Super-tramp says:
you can't buy the album
Kelly says:
it's the principle Super-tramp. i don't want the whole dan in real life album.
Super-tramp says:
don't start using my name KELLY!
Kelly says:
that's the beauty of itunes, you pick which songs you want and you buy that one song so that you don't have to buy the whole album.
Super-tramp says:
is itunes really that beautiful
Kelly says:
if i have to buy the whole album, i'm sure as hell not buying it on itunes.
Kelly says:
it was, until the album only crap
Super-tramp says:
i got frustrated with it this week when i brought it to work and tried to play my ipod through my work computer.....won't let you
Kelly says:
that's right. i said your name AND hell
Kelly says:
itunes is not as friendly as they want you to think they are
Super-tramp says:
i know...they make some things SO convenient and other things VERY difficult
Kelly says:
all caps
Kelly says:
you really mean it
Kelly says:
i love all caps
Super-tramp says:
yes i do KELLY

The Weepies

2008-04-07T11:27:00.000-05:00

The Weepies have a new album that is going to be released on April 22nd and I couldn't be more excited! If you've never listened to The Weepies, you should. Their album, say i am you, is perfect so as you can imagine, I can't wait until I have their next album.

Lyrical Genius

2008-04-02T15:34:00.000-05:00

I had the opportunity to see Andrew Peterson in concert back in December and it rocked my world. There were several other artists who performed with him that I love dearly, but I was most looking forward to seeing Andrew Peterson and he did not disappoint. If you ever have the chance to see him live, GO. You won't be sorry. I personally feel he's a lyrical genius and I've posted one of my faves below. Enjoy.

The Chasing Song
Now and then these feet just take to wandering
Now and then I prop them up at home
Sometimes I think about the consequences
Sometimes I don't

Well, I realize that falling down ain't graceful
But I thank the Lord that falling's full of grace
Sometimes I take my eyes off Jesus
And you know that's all it takes

Well I wish that I could say that at the close of every day
I was happy with the way that I'm behaving

'Cause Job, he chased an answer
The wise men chased the Child
Jacob chased her 14 years and he
Captured Rachel's smile
Moses chased the Promised Land
Joseph chased a dream
David, he chased God's own heart
All I ever seem to chase is me

Well, they say a race can only have one winner
And you know you've got to pull out front to win
God knows the only time I'm winning
Is when I'm chasing Him

So I wish that I could say that at the close of every day
I was happy with the way that I'm behaving

'Cause Samson chased a woman
and he chased the Philistines
I'm not quite sure what Jonah chased
But I know he caught the sea
Cain, he chased the harvest
While Abel chased the beasts
David, he chased God's own heart
All I ever seem to chase is me
And Jesus chased the moneymen
And he chased his Father's will
He chased my sin to Calvary
And he caught it on that hill
Saul, he chased the Christians
Till his blindness made him see
David, he chased God's own heart
All I ever seem to chase is me

Music & Lyrics by Andrew Peterson

Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral

2008-03-27T15:16:00.000-05:00

Horse racing is one of the most exciting sports out there in my opinion. I read Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand when the movie came out in 2003. It is really a great book even if you aren't super interested in horses. I watched the movie this week and it's just an amazing story. In 1938, Seabiscuit was the number one name in the papers. FDR was second and Hitler was third. Returning from an injury in 1940, Seabiscuit won the Santa Anita Handicap at the age of seven competing against three year olds. Probably the most remarkable race in Seabiscuit's career was the race against War Admiral. One out of four Americans tuned into this race. I love this race as it represents the working class verses the privileged. Everything a race horse was supposed to be, Seabiscuit was not. He wasn't very pretty, he was older, he even swung his front left leg out awkwardly when running. He represents what having heart and mind over matter can accomplish when faced with adversity.

I leave you with footage of the race. It's old and we know how the race turns out, but it is still one of the most exciting races ever. Imagine you're one of the spectators and Seabiscuit is ahead for half the race. Next thing you know, the two horses are head to head for what seems like eternity. You're really starting to wonder who is the better horse. Next thing you know, the little horse pulls out and beats War Admiral by four lengths. You'll be jumping out of your chair, screaming at the screen...
P.S. Seabiscuit is the one with a mask.

Shoo Bird, Don't Bother Me

2008-03-25T15:04:00.000-05:00

When waiting in line with your window down at a drive-thru restaurant and a bird decides to land in the bush that is eye level between your car and the building and your mother begins to talk to the bird despite your protests, begin to bark like a dog so as to dissuade the bird from getting any closer.

This is most effective.