Super Links

It almost pains me to have my first post after a 3 month hiatus be a simple blog link, but this link is just too fascinating not to share as soon as I found it! The blog is called Tip Junkie. Ultimately this blog is a go-to resource for all things homey and creative! In many ways it is a compilation of many people’s ideas. Some are links to other people's blog post while others are items that readers submit. This site contains everything from recipes to organizational methods to decorations and crafts.


Some of you Christmas Crafties might want to know about it in time to print some super cute and simple labels out for your packages. To find such items I suggest you utilize the search box by typing in "free pintables" and "gift tags" or “labels” Check it out... there is something for everyone!

Sharing IN the Gospel

If you are like me, as you traverse your Christian circles you have no doubt heard the phrase “sharing the Gospel.” Over the last week or so, different events have caused me to have some new thoughts about sharing IN the Gospel. My contemplations began as I have had the opportunity to actively encourage another Christian gal on in my department about trusting God when it hurts and dealing with the anxiety of the unknown. In an email to her I wrote:

"… think about this... (it is something that brought me comfort and a fresh perspective today)...all of the prayers you have ever prayed about growing in the Lord are being worked out right now in all of this (the difficult situation).

My Pastor once said that all of the pressures pressing into us can be used to press God closer into the center of our heart and lives. No, God isn't done with you or me, Nickie…. praise Him!"

Later, in an email to my older sister I wrote:

"It has been amazing and yet funny for me to be the one to encourage her (Nickie) in God's word, to talk about God's faithfulness and to discuss what it is to renew your mind constantly, only to turn around and struggle to do the same in my own, unique situation. :) God is reminding me of what I myself need to hear. I am so glad that I can share the strength of the Gospel with others like Nickie while letting it uphold me to! :)"

Upheld by the power of the Gospel.

Yes, that is what I mean by sharing IN the gospel. It is being upheld IN and BY the Gospel’s strength while seeking to serve and minister to others.

In my journal I mulled over these thoughts more…

"Both Nickie and I need that same truth. In my own distinct and immediate weakness I can put my arm around her and let the staff of Gods truth uphold us both. I can offer her nothing other than that which God has given me. It comes not from me (as if I were the source) but I through me. And it must be a seamless passing. "

Perhaps you have burdens resting on you today. They can be either the burdens in your hands that you are helping to carry for others or they can be your own personal burdens that reside in your heart. Most likely, you have both. Be encouraged today to carry those burdens in the strength and power that the Gospel provides….the everlasting, resurrection strength that Ephesians joyously proclaims in chapter 1 verses 18b-20:

“ …that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at the right hand in the heavenly places…”

Let those burdens lift.

The Little Black Dress: Part 1

Like they say, every girl needs a little black dress... and I couldn't agree more! While on spring break back in March, Mom and I stopped by Goodwill and found this delightful little lacy black dress tucked away on the dress rack. Some friends recently invited my sister and I to a black-and-white themed English Country Dance event so lo and behold I had a wonderful excuse for trying the dress on and making the purchase when I found that it fit!+

It is nice to know a little about sewing for oneself and an added blessing to have a Mom who is rather clever/ proficient in the business herself. Mom kindly said she could make some alterations to my dress by first adding straps (I didn't want it strapless) and making a little petticoat to make the skirt "poof" out a smidgen.

The original dress

Stay tunned forthe end result of the alterations in an upcomming post

The Spontaneous Activities of Summer: Hiking

Sixteen Miles. 8 miles UP and another down. All in one day. All in summer heat. All with good company and a bit of pain. So goes the adventure story of sis and I ( as well as the 3 other friends that accompanied us). You can read more of the gory details on Middle Sis's blog here, but mean while, here are some quick photos from the trek. 

While much of the hike was NOT shaded, our timing was just right so that we came upon this lovely woodland, shady spot at lunch time. It was perfect. If only I knew then how much farther I would have to go! So glad I didn't!

The view from the top

I know it ain't pretty, but I just had to simply say "I was dirty"  doesn't do the dirt or myself justice. Take a look at my feet right after I removed my shoes, before they got sprayed with the hose.  Yes, the bright white is my natural skin color. 

I am almost too ashamed to admit it but this hike sparked more pain in my ligaments than I have ever experienced in my life!  Needless to say I took a delicious soak in the bath almost immediately upon entering my house.  There was not much rest for me the next day...I ended up working 10 hours at the Farmers Market.  I was waddling and limping around a little but I made it to the end of the day. 
It was certainly one of those unforgettable summer memories. 

Finals and Fun

Oh the difference a week can make!

Here is what the night before my chemistry final looked like...

And here is what I did less than 7 days later...

Yes friend, my Summer has begun!

Oh, the things there are to do...some not so pleasant (like bathing suit shopping. Yuck!) and some very pleasant. For example, the Friday after my last final I went to my favorite library and checked out some books. I selected Eragon (on Playaway), and Prince Ombra (never heard of it before but it looked interesting so I snatched it up). I also came across some books written with the intent to inspire want-to-be-writers: Spilling Ink by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter and Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine. (You see, deep down inside I want very badly to be a good writer who is worth reading. I figure if I imitate and practice like those High and Lofty Beings who have aspired to excellent authorship I too, might one day learn to craft words with skill).

There are many other pleasant things to do...pardon me whilst I go do some of them.

I just drank $2.30

It was hard not to do considering that my brain happens to be as drizzly and foggy as this Monday morning. My 230 pennies bought me what was the perfect marriage of hot chocolate and coffee. "two-thirds cocoa, one third coffee please. Whip cream on top!"

~*~Photos compliments of Google images~*~

While my mind is mending from finals...

...my pinky fingers are sore from pulling weeds! I worked at my friend's house for two hours this morning pulling up those buggers. After the rains that we have been having, those tenacious, unwanted greens were roosting in the old chicken coop, suffocating the artichokes, and spreading out over the back hill. Weed-pulling soreness is a happy soreness that speaks of physical work...something I rather like. Yes, finals are over and I have created a little list of Spring Break to dos which include:

~*~Create blog posts
~*~ Finish hanging picture frames (at least I got them painted over Christmas break)
~*~ Find a backpack that doesn't kill my back
~*~ Make freezer meals
~*~ Writing~*~ bike rides

Sigh...what a delicious feeling it is to have an entire seven days...for who knows what. Just yesterday I took a nap on the lawn and looked at the ants crawling through the forest of St. Augustine grass. Two thirds of the time I spent pondering the lives of ants, the other one third I spend recollecting how long it had been since I had done so!

Who might be watching…

“I thought you were a Believer!”
I swiveled from my forward position at my desk to look at the speaker.
The words were repeated, and this time I saw that it was my classmate “David” who had uttered them.
Astonished I clarified, “you mean a Christian?” (You can never be too careful with terminology.)
“Yes.”
My eyes sought for the clue that had lead to his epiphany/discovery on my hands, inside the pages of my notebook and on top of my desk. How did know I was a Christian when all we had talked about were chemistry equations? Flipping my chemistry binder closed I found the answer. “Oh, was it this?” I held up the notebook that had a printed portion of Isaiah 53 carefully tucked into the front, translucent cover/sheath.
“Yes.”
The next several minutes were spent in asking “where do you go to church” and “how long have you been a Christian?” What a happy surprise to find a fellow Christian in my class!

The second surprise came when Kendal, the girl whose desk was directly next to me, looked on in amazement at this instant connection and conversation between David and me.
“Wow, that is so funny. I know a lot of Christians! Seriously, Christians are the happiest people I know. They are always SO peaceful...all the time too!”
Now both David’s and my attention was turned towards her.

“My co-worker just gave me a Bible. I haven’t read it yet because of midterms, but I want to soon.”
“Did your friend give you any suggestions on where to start?” I queried in wonder.
“She said I should start in John, but my Dad suggested Genesis because it has the cool part of creation in it!” I continued to step forward consciously with questions and suggestions while Kendal openly received them until our professor’s presence indicated the beginning of class.

I still am not sure what exactly made David "think" I was a Christian. Whatever it was it was a good reminded to...

Live well…you never know who might be watching!

A rainy day is a day of…

…flower umbrellas

…lakes made of puddles

… leaf sailboats

…raindrop gems

A little rain can make a watery fairland

Some Thoughts

I have had many things on my mind this last week. Yesterday, in Sunday school as my thoughts bounced hither and thither, struggling to focus on the lesson, the truth and peace of the Gospel came back to me:

If Jesus left the courts of Heaven to clothe Himself with a limiting, mortal body, and to endure those limitations and difficulties, and to take upon Himself the wrath of God for the filthy-heartedness which He never committed; if He expressed His love for you like that, then will He not express His love and understanding to you in those weighty decisions which your heart feels burdened with and for which you lips cry out "Lord, give me wisdom?"

For those who know Christ, know that God has already lavished on you the greatest act of love possible. That gives courage to face the day with peace.

A busy College student in a Computer Lab...

You know you are multitasking...when you tell the classmate on the right about the text formatting in your upcoming group power point and when you tell the classmate on your left that you will look on Black Board to find where that group paper (the one that is due within a few hours.) needs to be turned into.

You know you are facing multiple mini crisis when...the classmate on your right tells you that she "can't find" the power point you both spent an hour working on, and when the classmate on your left opens her big blue eyes wide as you both suddenly discover that your 7 page group paper is only supposed to be 5 pages...MAX!

You know God is giving you His special grace when... the classmate on you right fixes the power point without freaking out, cussing out or breaking down, and the classmate on your left reduces the 7 page group essay with in 1 minute.


Did I just hear someone say they were glad to be out of college?!

Opperation Lizard

Look at his face. Is endearing the word that comes to mind? For you it probably doesn’t, but for my Country Sis and me, this little guy has a special place in our hearts. The details surrounding Operation Lizard have long been forgotten, but it is a tradition that carries on, bringing much "endearment" with it.

Years ago when my Country Sis was still The Eldest City Sis (whom we teased and called Mother Superior...you know like the head Nun in a convent* smile*) started to "hide" this plastic lizard somewhere in the other sister's "stuff." The goal was to surprise her.

Back and forth, from underwear drawer to shoebox, to makeup cabinet, agent Lizard went. Occasionally he brought a message such as a tender "I love you" or a playful, "Didn't think you'd find me here did ya?" The tactics became more serious and complicated when I mailed Agent Lizard to our friends in Texas so they could hide it in Eldest City Sis's suitcase. I had forgotten to do so before she left.

On my recent trip back from Eldest City Sis's home (now married and whom is fondly renamed Country Sis. Sorry girl-friend but I don’t' think you were cut out to be a nun!) I found Agent lizard in my bag. After years of sabbatical, he was back on the track, with a bow on him!

I don't have Agent Lizard anymore, he has been sent on another mission.--back up with Country Sis. When she came for a October visit, the reptilian Agent accompanied her back home.

Mission Accomplished!!

Anyone else want to share the fun and silly traditions that they have?

Writing Bits

I received some kind compliments regarding my post, “Days Like Threads,” and lest anyone think my writing scraps are 100% deep and brilliant let me show you a silly piece of writing that sailed through my head this morning as I drove to school. The inspiration for this work came from last night when my head was dizzy whenever it was on a vertical plane, my forehead sweaty, and my nose was runny. Did I mention that the final draft of my reaction paper was due in several hours? My dear sister told me to “go lay on the couch” and let her type the rest of my paper up! What a chum. What a dear (and no, she is not up for trading. Yeah, yeah, I am sure your sister is nice too, but I want to keep this one!)

To be sung to Jingle Bells (make sure you sing it with an upbeat before the first line. It begins at the "Dashing through the snow" part).

Anne….

On the 3rd week of Fall school.
I had a paper due.
It needed lots of work
So I gave it then to you.

With patience plentiful
You read, re-read, revised.
You even typed it up for me so I could spare my eyes!!
Ohh…Chorus anyone….?



Reason # 156 why NOT to live in dorm…..because a room-mate would NEVER offer to type your research paper for you the night it was due.

Thank you again Anne a MILLION times over!!

Days Like Threads

Saturday felt like it got started on the wrong foot. The following is an excerpt from my journal.

October 17th, 2009

Do you ever have notion that days are like threads?

Some days are silky smooth.. On these days all the things I had hoped to complete were finished before dinner: the research paper written, the weeds picked, and the car washed.

Other days slip passed the way silk strands glide through my pressed-together fingers. Their passing is almost indiscernible. No disaster, no exquisite joy is felt.

An then there are the days that feel like the thread itself has untwisted and loosened itself, becoming a frazzely, ravelly mess. It is not even the fact that I can’t get the “to dos” on my list done, it is the fact that I can not even find my “to do” list!
My cars keys are lost in the bottom of my purse instead of being found on the hook in the cupboard.
Clean laundry from 2 days past lies crumpled in its basket…on the floor of a bedroom that must be cleaned…only after the sheets are put on the bed and the desk and floor tidied.
The vacuum’s cord unwinds, trailing down the hallway like my nerves—long, stretched, and taut.
The internet threatens to fail and the research articles for my school paper look as though they will run off and elope with my car keys.

And it isn’t just MY day that feels unraveled, my loved ones “mishaps” collide with my own—the same way Mom and I step into each other’s path in the kitchen.

Thus our frazzled ends intertwine and loop into an orb-like webbing; like a yarn ball. We each try our hand plucking away at the confusion, but we just foozle ourselves more.

That is when I turn to the Great Weaver who I have neglected to think about until now. He can re-twist the ends I have splayed. He knows the pattern in which my thread should be woven.

“Behold the handmaiden of the Lord. May it be to me according to your word…my soul magnifies the Lord.”
Luke : 38, 46a

Copyright 2009

Juice Em Up!

Last week I worked hard for two hours doing yard work for some friends who have a rather spacious, hilly yard with horse poperty. These friends also happen to have an abundance of oranges that will simply rot if left any longer. When finished with my work I filled 1/3 of a 5 gallon bucket with oranges. So under the spreading orange tree I crawled, hazarding orange thorns and dead twigs left on their branches with the soul propose of impaling my arms and face! I filled 1/3 of a 5 gallon bucket with these very squishy, golden globes! At home I washed, cut and sqeeeeezzzzzed. It was the easiest juice I have ever made! It was pretty too; the blood oranges casting a light, pink lemonade hue.

Just strain and pour...

..and sip! Delish!

Monday's To Dos

I love making "to do" lists. Actually, I like crossing them off! Since school has adjourned for the summer I have not made my regular lists of either the musts, mights, or can waits for tomorrow. Last night, however I made such a list and have had such pleasure if crossing things off this morning that, well… I simply had to share! Most mornings are slow for me, but today I:

*Ate breakfast of course! (First things first!)
*Made bread
*Hardboiled eggs for Dad's lunches
* Started homemade yogurt
*Made maple pecan cookie dough for Dad's cookies (Yes, we take good care of that man! He deserves it too!)
*Emailed College professor
*Talked to the Registrars offices,
*Attempted to swap my college classes (rather unsuccessfully I might add)

All this before 9:00AM!

While it’s certainly not wrong to feel a sense of accomplishment when crossing off the “to dos, ”life isn’t all about getting everything done on your to do list. The ultimate “success” of one’s day should never be measured by such a manmade measuring stick. True accomplishment in life is found in listening to the Lord; in trusting, resting and obeying. I sin when I let the frustration of “not getting things marked off my list” grow into anger (which is normally targeted at the person who hindered our progress).

The main point…Lists are meant to be helpful if they help me to live purposely, with a quiet heart. That’s a success!

Sweet Home Tagged me!

What is my current obsession? Planning all the things I’ll do when school gets out (Like looking for a job…anybody?!!)

Which item of clothing do you wear most often? My newly resurrected jeans (the ones I couldn’t fit into for over a year—until now. Yeah!) and my yellow baby-doll top!


What's for dinner? Leftovers…Reheated beef stew and homemade bread.

What are you listening to? Classical music. Particularly the best of Hyden. Ahhh so calming!

Say something about the one that tagged you. My sweet, sweet sister who I appreciate more now than ever for her trust in God, her love for others and her courage.

Guilty Pleasure? M&Ms and ice cream (I was going to say Golden Spoon, but I am SO not guilty about that!)!

Favorite vacation spots? Colorado and Montana. Actually, Oregon ain’t so bad either!

What am I reading right now? Knowing God and The One Year of Christian History

Four words to describe myself. Busy, Enjoying-God, Loves-to-laugh, very-curious.

First Spring thing to do? Clean my room and my car. Oh, and shopping at on apen-air farmers' market!

What do I look forward to? Time and energy not claimed by school that I can spend on reading my own books and writing my own thoughts.

Let's see I'll tag:
~*~Leighways
~*~ Our Adoption Blog (if you can. I know you are busy as your adoption is soon to go through)