Personal Identification

It is in the bout of anxious feelings that this post is written. It is written with you, the reader in mind. See, back when this blog first started it was with the struggle of composing the words and feelings swirling around within me into coherent, encouraging sentences, paragraphs, and posts that would one day be read by another. However, I lacked the confidence to put myself out there and the humility to put myself out there honestly. So I have been avoiding this little piece of blogosphere... until now. It has been calling out to me, reminding me of this place that was created for growth, growth that is needed and good.

My hope for this blog is that it would be a soft place for me to land. To stretch my fledgling creative wings - whether that be cooking, writing, photography, or whatever else inspires me - and to document the sweet moments in life. Heck, I think even the challenging moments deserve some reflection and documentation too. It is in the challenging moments of life where I am refined, sloughing off the sins I hold on to, releasing the burdens to the One who can carry them. These are the moments that surely deserve some documentation because this is where the victories are won.

The internet surely does not need another cooking/photography/healthy living/fill-in-the-blank blog. There are many out there, some of which I enjoy. I am sure I have nothing fresh to offer that has not been said, done, or created. However, the desire to stretch is there, waiting to be fulfilled. So see, this blog is for me. Someday, I want to look back on these posts and have memories flood back to me, reminders of blessings, grace, and love. Maybe someday my children will visit it. But if you, a family member or friend or stranger, happen to cross this path I hope you find encouragement and love.

'09, a sweet year indeed

This was originally written in early 2010. It never got published because it is an unfinished work. Upon my reading of it now, I find it quiet sweet and something that I don't want to loose in the midst of "I'll finish that later." Maybe some day I will, 2009 was a pretty good year. :)

Another year... 2010. Something I have done the past several years is reflect upon the past year before I begin to make goals for the new year. Often I see God's faithful hand moving in my life and I am left in awe of His sweet providence. It makes me recall how God often asked His people to create ways to remember His faithfulness, like the remembrance stones the Israelites built up after they crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land. For me, the new year is a remembrance stone to remember God's faithfulness. Looking back on 2009 I see God answering my prayers, showing me His divine plan for my life. The sweetest thing happened to me this year, I married the man that captured my heart from the day I met him. Seriously, I knew upon our first meeting that I would marry him. Through our relationship, God saved me, brought me into full knowledge of who my Saviour is, Jesus Christ, and opened my eyes to a world unseen. I am not the same person I was 5 1/2 years ago. I married in June and moved to Virginia in August for my husband start law school. The whole process of moving to Virginia was a God-thing. Something that He used to make Him very real to us.

28 before twenty-eight

This year I turn 28 and that number just seems more "adult." Like I should have life figured out. 28 year olds are established in their careers and in their homes. But not us, call us some "young" 28 year olds. :) The hubs graduates from Law School this year and where we end up after the bar is still to be determined. But what I do know is that this life is a sweet one, and I would not trade it for anything. What I can do is make the most of it and do something wonderful with it.

While most of the time leading up to my birthday in October will be spent in transition, and even the details of that transition are still quite ambiguous, I thought I could make a few goals for myself to accomplish before the big 28. Some of these are uber personal, but I'll post a few for you (or rather me) to enjoy and be accountable to.

1. Make successful sourdough bread, whole wheat of course.
2. Improve photography.
3. Memorize one book of the Bible (currently working on 1 John).
4. Read a new book each month.
5. Make tansitions to traditional foods (first up, cod liver oil plus butter oil, hopefully followed by raw milk).
6. Run half marathon.
7. Start sewing a quilt.
8. Make yogurt at home.
9. Create a home cleaning notebook.
10. Hike McAffe's Knob.
11. Travel somewhere new.

These are just a few of the goals that made the list. Many of my goals on this list seem insignificant in the grand scheme of life. Looking back at my previous statement of wanting to do something wonderful with this life leaves me yearning for more. However, in this quiet before the storm of transition approaches, I want to soak in the simplicity of a sweet life, nurturing our small family, preparing for what is next. Hopefully by my 28th birthday we will be settling into a new groove of life, sans homework. :)

Just another autumn day in Virginia

overcast morning
chilly
dreamy
sleepy
yearning for inspiration
peppermint latte
missing home
shoe shopping
fabric shopping
husband home
music

just another autumn day in Virginia

Simple Bites - Yes!

Two of my guilty pleasure blogs are combining forces and are putting out Simple Bites. Tsh of Simple Mom has done an amazing job of branching out her passion of simple living and created Simple Living Media, an organization of four blog sites, each lead by an amazing blog writer passionate about the expertise for that blog. These gals are great. Aimee of Under The Highchair is taking on Simple Bites and I must confess that I did a happy dance in my office at work when I heard about this partnership. I felt like it was my birthday. No, it was better than that. I know, I am so silly, but Aimee is a great writer and I love her blog. Any who, let's get to the good stuff. As Simple Living Media is launching the four websites, they are having four massive giveaways with great prizes. You need to go check them out. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do and stick around, I am sure you'll learn something new and be inspired.



http://www.simplebites.net/

Weighed down

This morning I am sitting at my kitchen table next to a window. It is one of my favorite spots in the apartment. I love natural light and in my cave of an apartment this is one of the few places that I feel showered in nature's light. Although not much light is coming in right now, it is snowing.  It started at 7:00 am yesterday morning and is going strong, big fluffy flakes gracefully falling. It is so beautiful. The branches outside are weighed down, heavy by the extra burden. It made me think of the burdens we carry that we are not meant to. God wants to lift our burdens. Funny how we hold on to the burdens, they are almost a comfort blanket, something we think we can control. We like to think we can control it.But we can't, we weren't meant to be burdened. God offers to give us rest (Matthew 11:28-30). What freedom we have in Christ! To be relieved of the burdens, to realize that no matter what happens, He's got this. I don't have to worry about it because God knows exactly where I am and where I am going. I just have to be diligent with my part, looking to be faithful and obedient to Him. It's not always easy, but God makes His will so clear for me. His word leaves no shadows of doubt, how I praise Him for His word!

You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. ~Deuteronomy 30:20

Zucchini Bread

Yesterday I awoke to the stillness that only comes on a morning covered in fresh snow. I knew it from the first moment my eyes opened that it was a winter wonderland outside. You know how the morning lighting that creeps into the bedroom is just different on snowy days? It is bluer, cooler than other sunny mornings. I love it. The hubby and I both had early morning plans that got canceled so we got to enjoy the day together. And there is just something about being snowed in with loved ones, a sweetness. I love snowy mornings.

To kick off the morning, I made a batch of zucchini bread and I must say, it is amazing! The spiciness of the cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice filled the apartment. A fresh brew of coffee was in order and we set about enjoying our snowy breakfast. Toasted with butter was our favorite.  We’ve already gone through one loaf (the recipe made two).

I hope you and yours have a restful weekend.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~Romans  15:13