I never realized it before now but, bubble baths put in me in such a good mood! Love em'!
The night before last I was prompted by Betty to take a soak in the tub and it was just as therapeutic as ever! I put Sara Groves on the ipod singing "It's gonna be all right" and got Shadow of the Almighty and slid right down beneath a blanket of warm, glittering bubbles. Jim and Elisabeth really helped put me in a good mood. This is what I ended up underlining from Jim's letters today:
" 'And the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.' 'In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.' I think the devil has made it his business to monopolize on three elements: noise, hurry, crowds. If he can keep us hearing radios, gossip, conversation, or even sermons, he is happy. But he will no allow quietness. For he believes Isaiah where we do not. Satan is quite aware of the power of silence. The voice of God, though persistent, is soft..." (pg 85, Elliot)
"And yet, with the covers tight around my neck last night in the dark, I felt as close to the Savior as I have ever been, holding quiet communion. I think these are signs of the birth of that second faith- expressed by Spurgeon in the now familiar phrase, 'Little faith will bring the soul to heaven, but much faith will bring heaven to the soul.'" (pg 83, Elliot)
God spoke gently to my heart through these words. I can tell you of two instances so far this year where God has spoken softly to my heart and I have heard His soft, persistent voice. It has truly given me confidence in my decision making. I do feel strengthened, and reassured. It's actually sinking in what "Wait for the Lord" means. There is a whole lot I don't understand or haven't fully grasped in the action of waiting for the Lord... but I have been shown that it takes more than just a day of waiting.(duh! i know, i'm a little thick headed) However, waiting is a hard thing, so even though I may not be super busy, the business of waiting on the Lord is challenging.. and, I'm discovering, very fulfilling.
Another good remedy for a long day is Norah Jones + Dove Dark Chocolate + Bubbles = Happy Camper.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Valentine's Day
So I have to say that Valentine's Day 2011 wasn't so hott after all...
Well, I was able to see my twiny twin twin, and spend the morning with her and Betty, and then Jamie and I went to Earth fare for snacks and Block Buster for a movie. All of that was great! Except a I woke up with a fever Monday morning...low grade so I was going to muscle through it...but I didn't, and by 8pm Monday night it was a full fledged shivering, aching, sinus head ache, fever. Whoop dee do. I spent all day yesterday in bed. Thank you Jesus for antibiotics because I am now feeling SO much better. But still...that did put a damper on things.
Valentine's Day Eve though was super fun!:) Jamie experienced Boone Michaels for the first time!! So we stocked up on glitter! Then we found "The Holiday" on TV which was just the perfect mood-movie haha. For those of you who haven't seen it, it is such a cute movie! Not to mention Jude Law... whew! And he's a family man in this movie so he seems that much more attainable! haha But personally I like Jack Black the most because he's hilarious! Every time I watch "The Holiday" I always crush on Jack for the duration of the film. He's just so like-able. But we created a whole spread of homemade valentines day cards! They're cute, and Jamie is so much more creative then she gives herself credit for! Most of her cards were classy... most because well... there's always a dud(or two) in card making. haha And I definitely had my own duds.
I also took care of Libby Lou's Cute little Charlie Saturday night. We're buds. He watched SALT with me and comforted me when the gross, awful spiders popped onto the screen. Those things were terrible...I have had way too many night mares about spiders to even tolerate a 30sec frame on one little spider. AH!
I did put a bow on him.
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| Twiny Twin Twin |
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| Betty took us out to Breakfast! |
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| Don't you Like my heart pin?:) |
Valentine's Day Eve though was super fun!:) Jamie experienced Boone Michaels for the first time!! So we stocked up on glitter! Then we found "The Holiday" on TV which was just the perfect mood-movie haha. For those of you who haven't seen it, it is such a cute movie! Not to mention Jude Law... whew! And he's a family man in this movie so he seems that much more attainable! haha But personally I like Jack Black the most because he's hilarious! Every time I watch "The Holiday" I always crush on Jack for the duration of the film. He's just so like-able. But we created a whole spread of homemade valentines day cards! They're cute, and Jamie is so much more creative then she gives herself credit for! Most of her cards were classy... most because well... there's always a dud(or two) in card making. haha And I definitely had my own duds.
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| The Duds. J-left, K-right. |
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| Jamie's Beautiful creations! |
Then! What's Valentine's day without a oversized heart pillow!? Betty gave that to me last year and I Love it! Many people have hugged that pillow and shared lots of heart issues with me and Eliza. It's very therapeutic!:)
Has any one literally gone swak! when they've kissed someone? Well we saw a lot of stickers that said "Swak" with lips and stuff... I personally have heard of MUAH! yea that's normal...but swak...
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| Muah! |
Eliza sent me a big package with lots of Goodies! Some of which were heart shaped curly straws! ahh! love! They're so fun!
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| Chillin Man |
I did put a bow on him.
He looks like he's about to hurt me badly for doing that to him.haha
Well, Valentine's day is over...it's always so anti-climactic. In elementary school is was so much more fun buying 50 valentine's cards from walmart and hand selecting which ones went to your best friends, the kids you never talked to...and the boy you thought was super cute! I think I gave him two Hershey kisses instead of one. The "secret admirer" cards were so thrilling! Coveted, almost. Any girl who got one was soooo lucky. It was a big deal to me,even though I was 9. Now a days I am conscious of a greater love. God's love is a big deal! His extravagant, merciful, life giving love. Now that is something truly thrilling.
Yesterday I read in Psalm 33:
20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.
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Well, Valentine's day is over...it's always so anti-climactic. In elementary school is was so much more fun buying 50 valentine's cards from walmart and hand selecting which ones went to your best friends, the kids you never talked to...and the boy you thought was super cute! I think I gave him two Hershey kisses instead of one. The "secret admirer" cards were so thrilling! Coveted, almost. Any girl who got one was soooo lucky. It was a big deal to me,even though I was 9. Now a days I am conscious of a greater love. God's love is a big deal! His extravagant, merciful, life giving love. Now that is something truly thrilling.
Yesterday I read in Psalm 33:
20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Glitter, Glitter-glue, Glitter stickers..
It's almost valentine's day!! The bless-ed little holiday landing in the middle of the New Year and Easter. Sandwiched between those obscure Martin Luther King Jr. day and President's Day "holidays." Jamie and I will be making a trip to Michaels VERY soon. I am planning on stocking up on glitter and glitter-glue and glitter-stickers...and well glitter!! I'm excited. So is Jamie. This is a good photo to capture how i'm feeling inside about this crafty crafty holiday...even though it looks a little like she stubbed her toe. Everyone...expect obnoxious, cliche, gushy, mussy cards. And glitter.
I went to Bald Guy Brew this morning. Go there when you have a chance. It's got a different feel from other sedated coffee shops. I love it, especially because I love Rachel. And Rachel works there full time now..so go, she her and drink the coffee she made from the beans she grounded from the green coffee beans she roasted herself!
I got a lesson in roasting today. The San Franciscan machine works real hard, he definitely earns his keep. I really don't know why I'm referring to the machine as a friend...I didn't even "meet" him.. but I admire his work anyway....OKAY
Well! Here she is, and San Franciscan, hard at work.
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| Cooling the beans |
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| Adding more beans for Roasting |
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| Such a pretty little coffee shop keeper. |
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| Woo! In action! |
BTW: Dad has a new job... He works at Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals. I helped him today. We worked at getting the hang of their email system, and how to write them, and send them. The space bar wasn't spacing very well. He's so adorable though! He didn't very much like me saying that. :) He felt as slow as a snail...but his fingers are big and strong from hard work outside...they just have some adjusting to do. Momma would be proud. She wrote thousands of emails. She would think he was adorable too, I know it. Wish she were here.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
1:59 PM
Oh my ordinary life…
This is a phrase I just blurted a few days ago. Off-handedly, talking to Jamie, I continued to ramble about activities for the next evening, or something, but “ordinary” stuck in my brain.
I didn’t like it. I don’t like it! It’s not a repulsion to the routines of my life, just to the word: ordinary. I am totally un-interested in being ordinary. I’m not, I know that for sure. But even though I am living a simple existence right now doesn’t warrant it ordinary.
Well, I feel better! haha I think I needed to write this out for clarity,you know, for myself. I don’t have gatherings and dinner parties and roommates and homework or major weekend plans through the middle of July. Nope, I am enjoying my peaceful mornings, my coffee shop afternoons doing a bit of work for Sam, and my simplistic dinners along with an occasional movies to wrap it all up. Good thing Jamie lives 1.25 minutes away! That is fun, esp since she’s on a cooking kick because it gives me a reason to spend the evening talking, and eating pie!(see A-OK, Brazilian or American?)
Well, I feel better! haha I think I needed to write this out for clarity,you know, for myself. I don’t have gatherings and dinner parties and roommates and homework or major weekend plans through the middle of July. Nope, I am enjoying my peaceful mornings, my coffee shop afternoons doing a bit of work for Sam, and my simplistic dinners along with an occasional movies to wrap it all up. Good thing Jamie lives 1.25 minutes away! That is fun, esp since she’s on a cooking kick because it gives me a reason to spend the evening talking, and eating pie!(see A-OK, Brazilian or American?)
I am surprisingly content. To God be the glory! I have ceased fretting and stressing over preparing for the future. God, I have finally been able to trust you and leave Monsieur Worry in the dust! There is something about leaving my mind completely open, my week completely open, my month, and my year free from my over analytical, for-the-sake-of-feeling-secure plans. I know that glorify my savoir at this point in my walk with Him is to: enable Him to move drastically, at the last minute, and place me somewhere, anywhere! with perfect timing. It is so liberating! I am supremely content to leave it to Jesus. It took a LONG time for me to get here though. Whew lordy, I held on with all my might and worked so hard to provide myself, and inquisitive others, a plan for where I’m heading. But, my spiritual upper arms got weak and couldn’t support my weight. Once God finally pried my fingers, one by one, from the ledge and I fell… the landing was soft. Surprisingly that free fall provides more security than muscling through everything on my own. You know why? It’s because I fall into the arms of Jesus.
Amen.. and Amen!
Some shots from a past few simplistic (not ordinary) days :)Tuesday, February 8, 2011
A-OK... Brazilian or American?
Oh just an ordinary day in my ordinary life.
An evening with J, that's all.
Hmm, but for heaven's sake don't forget the pie!
The gluten free/dairy free chocolate slice of divine perfection!
PS: Lizzy won Chubby Bunny. ;) BAHA
An evening with J, that's all.
Hmm, but for heaven's sake don't forget the pie!
The gluten free/dairy free chocolate slice of divine perfection!
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| Valentine's Day Blend Coffee...from our favorite small town Bakery! |
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| Let's begin with dinner shall we? |
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| Our gluten free/dairy free pizza! yum yum yum |
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| Time to make the best dessert since sliced bread.....ahh haha |
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| First the crust... |
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| Then the mousse |
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| And finally chocolate shavings! |
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| Face during the three hour wait.. |
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| IT'S READY!!! |
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| photo-grapher |
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| Slice |
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| Lick |
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| Drool |
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| Melt |
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| Don't forget the vanilla almond milk hehe |
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| Devoured! |
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| Don't you wish you could have some?? |
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| And she's a cutie! |
PS: Lizzy won Chubby Bunny. ;) BAHA
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Thursday, February 3, 2011
668: Everybody deserves a birthday cake.
THE COMPLETE - Life's Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. was sitting on my shelf and I randomly happened to open it up yesterday.
These were the instructions for my life:
#661. Never buy anything electrical at a flea market. OK good to know.
#664. Learn the bake bread. Yea, I should, I love bread.
#666. Stand when shaking someone's hand. That is very polite and old fashioned and I like that. My mother already thought me that though Mr. Brown Jr.
#667. Be an original. If that means being a little eccentric, so be it. Amen! I so enjoy meeting original individuals.
#668. Everybody deserve a birthday cake. Never celebrate a birthday without one. Oooh more baking!Yay
#669. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values. I agree with that. But change only really concerning what God has for me. Other change.. superficially not so much...you know, not transplants or tatts or huge botox lips.
Then I just flipped to the 500's:
#512. Believe in love at first sight. Aww that's sweet.But, I don't think I will. Someone needs to speak to me, in order to confirm the love i think i see at first sight. ha.But! That is cute to believe in.
#513. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. So, on one hand that's a very good thing not do, but on the other hand... literal sleeping dreams, at least mine, are hilarious! So that only partly applicable.
#514. Overpay good babysitters. AMEN
#516. Accept a breath mint if someone offers you one. Ooh, that's embarrassing. ha!
#517. When you feel terrific, notify your face. I have that problem sometimes...but smiling is my favorite!:)
SO then I turned to the 300's:
#360. Never eat the last cookie. Hmmm...Don't know if I support that 100%.
#363. Don't flush urinals with your hand- use your elbow. Well! that has never been something I've had to ponder about..ever. But thanks Jackson Brown Jr. I will store that for later. ha
Well I feel very informed now...There is 1,560 instructions so I've got a ways to go.
This past weekend Betty and I had an adventure...down to Winston! woo! We had to make our pit stops at Starbucks and Krispy Kreme. YUM
I also go my hair cut. I love it. It is short though.
These were the instructions for my life:
#661. Never buy anything electrical at a flea market. OK good to know.
#664. Learn the bake bread. Yea, I should, I love bread.
#666. Stand when shaking someone's hand. That is very polite and old fashioned and I like that. My mother already thought me that though Mr. Brown Jr.
#667. Be an original. If that means being a little eccentric, so be it. Amen! I so enjoy meeting original individuals.
#668. Everybody deserve a birthday cake. Never celebrate a birthday without one. Oooh more baking!Yay
#669. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values. I agree with that. But change only really concerning what God has for me. Other change.. superficially not so much...you know, not transplants or tatts or huge botox lips.
Then I just flipped to the 500's:
#512. Believe in love at first sight. Aww that's sweet.But, I don't think I will. Someone needs to speak to me, in order to confirm the love i think i see at first sight. ha.But! That is cute to believe in.
#513. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. So, on one hand that's a very good thing not do, but on the other hand... literal sleeping dreams, at least mine, are hilarious! So that only partly applicable.
#514. Overpay good babysitters. AMEN
#516. Accept a breath mint if someone offers you one. Ooh, that's embarrassing. ha!
#517. When you feel terrific, notify your face. I have that problem sometimes...but smiling is my favorite!:)
SO then I turned to the 300's:
#360. Never eat the last cookie. Hmmm...Don't know if I support that 100%.
#363. Don't flush urinals with your hand- use your elbow. Well! that has never been something I've had to ponder about..ever. But thanks Jackson Brown Jr. I will store that for later. ha
Well I feel very informed now...There is 1,560 instructions so I've got a ways to go.
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| Warm original glaze doughnuts-nothing's better! |
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| Hot, Fresh, Now! |
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| Yes - we got a dozen. |
I also go my hair cut. I love it. It is short though.
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| I chopped my hair off! |
Currently I am working on a three different art projects. Love love love. And I got an Impressionism art book for Christmas so I am reading through that. Gustave Courbet said something that hit home: "Beauty exists in nature and is encountered in the most varied of forms. As soon as one becomes aware of it, it belongs to art, or rather the artist who is capable of recognizing it." That is the ultimate challenge for me when I do art. To capture beauty is my goal.
This is an ink picture I did for a black and white-foreground/background-contrast assignment, in 2D design. It was the first time I tried ink washes. It was hard, but I managed to produce this at midnight the night before my critic. Yea-ah! It is one of my favorites from that class.
Well....Ta ta for now!