So, as I've become increasingly addicted to blogging, I've noticed that all of my favorite blogs to read have very coherent themes. Mine, however, is basically a collection of random brain-spews... So, I've decided to create a foodie blog, which will focus on my OTHER favorite hobby, cooking, and let this one continue to be a spew, but a less random one. I hope to continue posting poetry, prayer requests, and random life-updates on this one, and without a conflict in blog-theme interest, that will (fingers crossed!) occur more frequently.
As for my new cooking blog (which just has one weensy little post, its so new!), here is a link, if anyone reading and happens to be interested.
The Budding Budget Foodie
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
A-dorable
So, this is a quickie post, since my life is consumed by homework this week, but I saw this on a friend's page and had to share...
I started ballet when I was about this age, and this video brings back so many fun memories of jumping around to twinkly music played on a boombox. I really really hope God gives me a little girl who loves to dance as much as I do!
I started ballet when I was about this age, and this video brings back so many fun memories of jumping around to twinkly music played on a boombox. I really really hope God gives me a little girl who loves to dance as much as I do!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Fresh baked goods totally trump ice cream every time
So, while my fiance could easily eat a half-gallon of ice cream in one sitting (especially if it has anything "mocha" in the title), I prefer baked goods. I'll take cookies or muffins over nearly any other dessert option. Those are pretty much my favorites. One of my favorite things I did in high school was what I dubbed "Muffin Mondays," which meant on Monday, I woke up extra early, and baked some kind of hearty, healthy(ish) muffins, and made sure to clean up the colossal mess before my mom got home from her morning bus route. I still haven't figured out how to cook without wrecking the kitchen in the process. Anyways, I would pack said muffins in my lunches all week long. Nothing like homemade goodness halfway through a busy day! I really wish I had the time I had back then, to do stuff like that.
However, I did get to (successfully) do two baking experiments this week! Although both of them (sadly) featured boxed mixes, I did manage to add my own little twist. As yummy as box mixes can be, I still feel like it's cheating. My mom rarely EVER used them when I was growing up. The only cookies I ever ate out of a package were Oreos.
My first experiment was fudgy brownies- my fiance LOVES brownies, but they have to be fudgy, they have to be rich, and they can't be TOO gooey... I've only ever once made the "perfect" brownie, according to his tastes. And the frustrating part is, the second time I tried that recipe, it turned out horrible, even to my tastes. And I'll eat just about anything. So, in desperation, I got a Ghirardeli Fudge Brownie mix, and tried it out. My twist: instead of using the included fudge as icing, I swirled it into the top layer of batter before baking. YUM! I loved them- they were firm on the outside, but with gooey chocolatey middles. Tyler declared them, "not quite perfect, but pretty good." Compared to other attempts, that was high praise.
My second experiment was Lemon Poppyseed Cake. I got a fierce craving last night for something sweet, gooey, bready, and fruity... after half an hour walking back and forth between the fresh baked goods and the baking mix aisle in Kroger, I bought a can a poppyseed filling and a lemon cake mix. For anyone who likes lemon poppyseed, I highly recommend trying this: I mixed a little less than 1/4 cup of poppyseed filling into the batter (used slightly less water and oil to even it out), and baked it in a small bread pan. If I do it again, I'll probably line the pan with parchment paper, since a hunk of the cake stuck to the bottom when I tried to pull it out. For the icing, I mixed about a cup of prepared vanilla icing with a couple tablespoons apiece of milk and orange juice (if you feel brave, get orange-mango- it's extra sweet and tangy), and a teaspoon of poppyseeds. You'll have to use a beater or mixer to blend the poppyseeds in. The result is A-mazing... I could pretty much eat the leftovers with my fingers. However, in an attempt to be ladylike and less piggish, I'm just pouring an extra few tablespoons over each slice of cake as I eat it. ;)
I realize this post is probably rather boring to some, but cooking has become a rather intense hobby for me lately (closely seconded by blogging), and Tyler's already graciously listened to me discuss the finer points of these experiments several times over... so I figured I'd tell any willing readers about my cooking ventures, and give his ears a rest. Not that he minds, he's very supportive about it, especially when it's edible.
And to prove the statement made in the title, I have, myself, eaten a little less than half of the cake today. I expect the rest to be gone by tomorrow, or Monday at the latest.
However, I did get to (successfully) do two baking experiments this week! Although both of them (sadly) featured boxed mixes, I did manage to add my own little twist. As yummy as box mixes can be, I still feel like it's cheating. My mom rarely EVER used them when I was growing up. The only cookies I ever ate out of a package were Oreos.
My first experiment was fudgy brownies- my fiance LOVES brownies, but they have to be fudgy, they have to be rich, and they can't be TOO gooey... I've only ever once made the "perfect" brownie, according to his tastes. And the frustrating part is, the second time I tried that recipe, it turned out horrible, even to my tastes. And I'll eat just about anything. So, in desperation, I got a Ghirardeli Fudge Brownie mix, and tried it out. My twist: instead of using the included fudge as icing, I swirled it into the top layer of batter before baking. YUM! I loved them- they were firm on the outside, but with gooey chocolatey middles. Tyler declared them, "not quite perfect, but pretty good." Compared to other attempts, that was high praise.
My second experiment was Lemon Poppyseed Cake. I got a fierce craving last night for something sweet, gooey, bready, and fruity... after half an hour walking back and forth between the fresh baked goods and the baking mix aisle in Kroger, I bought a can a poppyseed filling and a lemon cake mix. For anyone who likes lemon poppyseed, I highly recommend trying this: I mixed a little less than 1/4 cup of poppyseed filling into the batter (used slightly less water and oil to even it out), and baked it in a small bread pan. If I do it again, I'll probably line the pan with parchment paper, since a hunk of the cake stuck to the bottom when I tried to pull it out. For the icing, I mixed about a cup of prepared vanilla icing with a couple tablespoons apiece of milk and orange juice (if you feel brave, get orange-mango- it's extra sweet and tangy), and a teaspoon of poppyseeds. You'll have to use a beater or mixer to blend the poppyseeds in. The result is A-mazing... I could pretty much eat the leftovers with my fingers. However, in an attempt to be ladylike and less piggish, I'm just pouring an extra few tablespoons over each slice of cake as I eat it. ;)
I realize this post is probably rather boring to some, but cooking has become a rather intense hobby for me lately (closely seconded by blogging), and Tyler's already graciously listened to me discuss the finer points of these experiments several times over... so I figured I'd tell any willing readers about my cooking ventures, and give his ears a rest. Not that he minds, he's very supportive about it, especially when it's edible.
And to prove the statement made in the title, I have, myself, eaten a little less than half of the cake today. I expect the rest to be gone by tomorrow, or Monday at the latest.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
a little poetic spurt
So, poetry has always been something I've loved reading and writing; I remember writing my first poem when I was about 7 or 8. It was about Sojourner Truth (if you don't know who she is, Wikipedia her.) and when I rediscovered it about 10 years later, it was so bad I destroyed it. I don't keep too many horrible things around for posterity to find.
Anyways, I tend to go through poetic periods, and I've had a tiny one lately. Here are the results...
Winter Sunshine
An invader on this winter day,
A golden, pure, translucent ray,
The yellow sunshine's fingers reach through the trees,
And give a gentler Midas' touch to everything.
The left corner of the brick building gleams.
Ode to Procrastination
Oh, Procrastination;
Sweet sensation
Of forcefully forgetting important tasks
Until after they're due.
Side note: at the moment I'm writing this, I have a test and 5 projects due next week that I've barely touched.
Aside from writing, my life's been going along in normally abnormal style. I am trying to put more efforts into relationships, though; both with God and people. I've been distracted from God lately by stress and busy-ness, and as a result my relationships have suffered. For anyone who reads this, please pray for me to grow closer to God, and be a better fiance/daughter/friend/student to those I encounter every day. Not even I like Grumpy Emo Jess, so I'm pretty sure no one else does (even though Tyler graciously endures and comforts her). I'm ready to get back to a better, more stable, kind, and God-focused version of myself.
Anyways, I tend to go through poetic periods, and I've had a tiny one lately. Here are the results...
Winter Sunshine
An invader on this winter day,
A golden, pure, translucent ray,
The yellow sunshine's fingers reach through the trees,
And give a gentler Midas' touch to everything.
The left corner of the brick building gleams.
Ode to Procrastination
Oh, Procrastination;
Sweet sensation
Of forcefully forgetting important tasks
Until after they're due.
Side note: at the moment I'm writing this, I have a test and 5 projects due next week that I've barely touched.
Aside from writing, my life's been going along in normally abnormal style. I am trying to put more efforts into relationships, though; both with God and people. I've been distracted from God lately by stress and busy-ness, and as a result my relationships have suffered. For anyone who reads this, please pray for me to grow closer to God, and be a better fiance/daughter/friend/student to those I encounter every day. Not even I like Grumpy Emo Jess, so I'm pretty sure no one else does (even though Tyler graciously endures and comforts her). I'm ready to get back to a better, more stable, kind, and God-focused version of myself.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
the return of inspiration
Laughing
My whole self is so light,
I feel like I'm breathing in joy with each breath.
It's like in "Mary Poppins," when laughter allows them to float;
Except, this emotion goes deeper and has no limitations.
It's like heaven's imperturbable happiness has invaded Earth,
And touched everything I see today.
Why this superlative joy?
Because my God has acted on my behalf!
He has granted my most desparate plea!
Jehovah has come down into my life and orchestrated a full-blown miracle!
My God is so GOOD!
Oh, how can I not love and worship Him?
Oh, Father, forgive me for the days when I fail to remember Your goodness,
Fail to honor You in my life.
Brand the memory of this miracle permanently into my mind.
Help me not to forget and stray.
Help me not to find other things more wonderful than You.
Help me to abide in this moment of undeserved, overflowing joy and love
For the rest of my days.
To my God be all glory,
Because great, marvelous, impossible, wonderful things He has done.
My whole self is so light,
I feel like I'm breathing in joy with each breath.
It's like in "Mary Poppins," when laughter allows them to float;
Except, this emotion goes deeper and has no limitations.
It's like heaven's imperturbable happiness has invaded Earth,
And touched everything I see today.
Why this superlative joy?
Because my God has acted on my behalf!
He has granted my most desparate plea!
Jehovah has come down into my life and orchestrated a full-blown miracle!
My God is so GOOD!
Oh, how can I not love and worship Him?
Oh, Father, forgive me for the days when I fail to remember Your goodness,
Fail to honor You in my life.
Brand the memory of this miracle permanently into my mind.
Help me not to forget and stray.
Help me not to find other things more wonderful than You.
Help me to abide in this moment of undeserved, overflowing joy and love
For the rest of my days.
To my God be all glory,
Because great, marvelous, impossible, wonderful things He has done.
"To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yeilded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the lifegate that all may come in.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice!
Oh, come to the Father through Jesus, the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done!
Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God,
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus his pardon receives!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice!
Oh, come to the Father through Jesus, the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done!
Great things He hath taught us, Great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son,
But purer, and higher, and greater will be,
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice!
Oh, come to the Father through Jesus, the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done!"
"To God Be the Glory" by Fanny Crosby
Monday, January 24, 2011
Oh, my, what a wonderful story...
This post is undoubtedly WAY overdue, but here it is. A little blip (I'll TRY to limit the mush- no promises!) on the wonderful love in my life, and how we're getting married in t-minus 137 days! I love seeing that number get smaller and smaller. :)
Tyler and I have been dating for just a smidgen over two years now. He's my best friend, my favorite companion, my most trusted confidante, and my hero when bugs crawl on the walls in my dinky southern apartment. I would claim to be the most blessed girl in the world, but I happen to have several friends who are equally happily engaged/engaged to be engaged/married. We'll just say I've joined the ranks of undeservedly happy women.
I pray that every single one of my friends gets to experience this- whether it comes from God alone (pure and unadulterated), or is additionally funneled through another human being, to be so loved, so aware of it, so able to rest and rejoice in it, is the greatest joy in the world.
I will say, (having been single, too) I know it can be hard not to have that romantic human love- but in my loneliest times, it was my God who was my friend, who loved me and held me and took care of me. In the midst of all this romantic ecstasy and mush, don't think I'm undervaluing the love of my Heavenly Father. It's only because He loves me and gives me strength and grace that Tyler and I can be together. Our relationship would never have begun, much less survived, without our God.
One thing I've discovered as I've fallen more in love with Tyler, is that romantic cliches and songs are popular because they are true. I wish I'd written a big hit love song- just so I could say I tried to put these feelings into words with some marginal success. As it is, I'd like to share one of my favorite love songs. It was written by a young woman named Mandy Mapes, about the love story between Ruth and Boaz in the Bible. I identify with it so strongly.
LOVE STORY
"I see your smile,
And it's so much sweeter,
After all that I've been through.
And when you laugh,
I get a glimpse of forever,
And I praise God that I found you.
"And anytime someone asks me,
How it all unfolded
I tell them,
Such incredible chances
Make for marvelous love.
"And just like the sun
Lights up the moon,
This love is a reflection
Of more than just me and you-
Our lives
Were less than ordinary
But when I couldn't see past tomorrow,
God was makin' history
Oh, my, what a beautiful story
Of love.
"Unexpected mercy
Is the greatest thing to find
When you've been broken many times.
My soul found joy!
And for the first time in a while,
I felt like singing.
"And anytime someone asks me,
How it all unfolded
I tell them,
Such incredible chances
Make for marvelous love."
"And just like the sun
Lights up the moon,
This love is a reflection
Of more than just me and you.
Our lives
Were less than ordinary,
But when I couldn't see past tomorrow,
God was makin' history.
Oh, my, what a beautiful story,
Oh, my! what a beautiful story!
Oh, my, what a beautiful story,
Of love."
I thank God for the beautiful story of first, His love for me, and second, His love to me and Tyler through each other.
Tyler and I have been dating for just a smidgen over two years now. He's my best friend, my favorite companion, my most trusted confidante, and my hero when bugs crawl on the walls in my dinky southern apartment. I would claim to be the most blessed girl in the world, but I happen to have several friends who are equally happily engaged/engaged to be engaged/married. We'll just say I've joined the ranks of undeservedly happy women.
I pray that every single one of my friends gets to experience this- whether it comes from God alone (pure and unadulterated), or is additionally funneled through another human being, to be so loved, so aware of it, so able to rest and rejoice in it, is the greatest joy in the world.
I will say, (having been single, too) I know it can be hard not to have that romantic human love- but in my loneliest times, it was my God who was my friend, who loved me and held me and took care of me. In the midst of all this romantic ecstasy and mush, don't think I'm undervaluing the love of my Heavenly Father. It's only because He loves me and gives me strength and grace that Tyler and I can be together. Our relationship would never have begun, much less survived, without our God.
One thing I've discovered as I've fallen more in love with Tyler, is that romantic cliches and songs are popular because they are true. I wish I'd written a big hit love song- just so I could say I tried to put these feelings into words with some marginal success. As it is, I'd like to share one of my favorite love songs. It was written by a young woman named Mandy Mapes, about the love story between Ruth and Boaz in the Bible. I identify with it so strongly.
LOVE STORY
"I see your smile,
And it's so much sweeter,
After all that I've been through.
And when you laugh,
I get a glimpse of forever,
And I praise God that I found you.
"And anytime someone asks me,
How it all unfolded
I tell them,
Such incredible chances
Make for marvelous love.
"And just like the sun
Lights up the moon,
This love is a reflection
Of more than just me and you-
Our lives
Were less than ordinary
But when I couldn't see past tomorrow,
God was makin' history
Oh, my, what a beautiful story
Of love.
"Unexpected mercy
Is the greatest thing to find
When you've been broken many times.
My soul found joy!
And for the first time in a while,
I felt like singing.
"And anytime someone asks me,
How it all unfolded
I tell them,
Such incredible chances
Make for marvelous love."
"And just like the sun
Lights up the moon,
This love is a reflection
Of more than just me and you.
Our lives
Were less than ordinary,
But when I couldn't see past tomorrow,
God was makin' history.
Oh, my, what a beautiful story,
Oh, my! what a beautiful story!
Oh, my, what a beautiful story,
Of love."
I thank God for the beautiful story of first, His love for me, and second, His love to me and Tyler through each other.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
thoughts...
So, BarlowGirl is one of my favorite all time bands, and while I highly recommend all their albums, their newest one goes much deeper into issues at the heart of a Christian's life. Heart-breaking issues like, "Am I going to ever be the holy person God wants me to be when I run away from Him daily?" and "How do I react to abortion?" I want to share their song "Tears Fall" with you, because I think it's such a passionate prayer for the church to care for the hurt in the world around us. Social issues are not simply current events that we can ignore. Christians are called to care, and to act. Jesus cried over Jerusalem, healed crowds of sick people, and saved prostitutes from death and hurt. Not to mention, he set aside all of His own rights as God to serve us, live among us, suffer on our behalf, and ultimately save us from the worst fate any human could be destined to.
Amos 5:15
"15 Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy
on the remnant of Joseph. "
Hosea 12:6
"6 But you must return to your God;
maintain love and justice,
and wait for your God always."
Phillipians 2:1-8
" 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Amos 5:15
"15 Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy
on the remnant of Joseph. "
Hosea 12:6
"6 But you must return to your God;
maintain love and justice,
and wait for your God always."
Phillipians 2:1-8
" 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!"
Mark 10:42-45
"42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” "
"Tears Fall"
BarlowGirl
I have had the same dreams many times it haunts my mind
It starts with a light but it ends every time
Oh so many faces that this world will never see
A reason for your life but your heart will never beat
May our tears fall down
Let them soften this ground
May our hearts be found
God forgive us now
Oh what have we lost because we chose we'll never know
And loving you is better than feeling alone
And all our claims to freedom have become these heavy chains
And in the name of rights we keep filling nameless graves
Let the tears fall down
Let them soften this ground
Let our hearts be found
God forgive us now
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