The Monarchs of September

How fondly I will remember

The Monarchs of September

Whirling down all around

Then up pieces of soul heaven bound

Did I disturb what lay so still

Or give rise to God’s good will?

Burnt orange wings against sky blue sky

And for what ,but beauty, do they live and die.

Crimson and Cream Parfait

1 pint of raspberries
12 oz of Vanilla yogurt (I recommend Wallaby Organics Vanilla Bean it is by far THE BEST EVER)
Crushed Vanilla Wafers
Whipped Cream

Layer the yogurt and raspberries starting with the yogurt. Fill container until 3/4 full and then top with whipped cream and vanilla wafers! YUM!

Sunflower Canvas Bag

This bag is the perfect size to take traveling with you. Fits a sketchbook and pencils perfectly or key/wallet/phone. All I did was color on the canvas bag with crayola crayons and set with a warm iron. Seal with a spray varnish.

It's Time for Fall Flavors!

Pumpkin
Cranberry
Apple
Orangle
Walnut
Pecan
Cinnamon
Caramel
Toffee
Honey
Ginger

I can't wait to get in the kitchen and start creating!

Be A Better Friend

Hey, you! Be a Better Friend

People who think that I am naturally a good friend are delusional. It is only through the grace of God, and a lot of prayer and patience that I am anywhere near consistent. It is in our nature to be self centered and to take advantage of those who are closest to us. The truth is, being a good friend takes work. A LOT of work, but isn’t it worth it? Don’t we all love that someone who is unfailingly loyal, consistent, and trustworthy? Why not be that person!? I guarantee you will be appreciated! Here are some steps to get you jump started:

• Think of an old friend you haven’t talked to in a while and send them a message. Sure, it might seem random, but there is a reason why you two were friends way-back-when…celebrate it!
• Think of a friend who is going through a rough time. What can you do to make their life easier? Don’t ask, just do it!
• Random gifts are so fun! Everyone loves getting them and giving them is super fun too! Your friend will appreciate the thoughtfulness.
• Have a party! The only thing better than having one of your friends around is having all of them around. Inter-mingle friend groups. Mutual friends are my fave new friends!
• Expand your horizons! Try something new with a friend, or go to a place you’ve never been before. Friends who discover together, stay together.
• Be proactive! Don’t wait for your friends to come to you, be an active part of their lives. Being involved shows how much you care.
• Diversify your friend group. Variety is the spice of life! The more friends the better, I always say! We all need different kinds of people in our lives at different times.
• And last but not least…spend some time ALONE! Find out who you are and stay true to it no matter what! No one wants to be friends with a flake or a fake! 

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.
C. S. Lewis

Great Expectations

It’s not just the title of one of my favorite books of all time, it’s something I live every day. I have great expectations of people. However, I’m starting to think that these expectations have been more hurtful than helpful. People will always disappoint you. Always. I know this, but lately it seems like people don’t even try to be good friends to each other anymore. They get lazy. It makes me feel taken advantage of. I feel like I have to be clingy and persistent to get even the slightest response from my friends anymore! It’s so frustrating! I don’t want to be that kind of person, but I can’t help it. Does anyone ever feel like this? Does anyone ever think “well, crap…I’m kind of annoying!”? ha ha! It’s terrible. I try so hard to be a good friend, I’d do anything for anyone, but what’s the pay off?

Am I wrong to hold people to the standards I think consist of being a generally thoughtful person? Or am I just trying to get the attention I think I deserve? I hold myself to extremely high standards, maybe I just wish others should do the same…

“Oft expectation fails, and most oft where most it promises; and oft it hits where hope is coldest; and despair most sits”

William Shakespeare

Where Does God Fit Into Your Relationship?

Being a dedicated Christian is hard work. It t akes an almost moment by moment re-training of one’s thoughts to keep God truly #1 in our lives. We are naturally a self centered people, and it shows most in our relationships with others.

 If we are focused on ourselves and not on Christ we become a vacuum of resources. We cling to our friends and drain them of anything they can offer us that will benefit ourselves. Likewise if the other person in the relationship is focused on themselves they become a drain to you. You may spend time together, but it becomes strained and unpleasant. It can even cause an unhealthy closeness. If the two of you become extremely close you may start to rely on each other to fulfill your needs instead of God.
However, if each person makes the commitment to making God #1 how much more will that benefit the two of you together? You will be working toward a common goal and taking the steps necessary to grow your spiritual life which will in turn make you a better, more fulfilling person to be around. If you are relying on God to meet your needs you will be more blessed than you could ever imagine! What better gift could there be to offer your other half?
Here are two of the steps I am taking to commit my relationships to God:

-First, I will make my time with God top priority. I will maintain my personal Bible study and prayer journaling. I will actively seek and submit to God’s will for my life.
-Then,every time you think about the one you care about, pray for them! Chances are it will be a lot! Taking time out to pray for the person will benefit not only them, but help keep your thought life about them pure. It also shows that you are willing to submitt your plans and desires to God.

Exhale

Lately, I’m a lot more me

 I know that it began with you.

There’s something freeing about just being.
Maybe you can feel it too.

Recovery

Something beautiful begins and ends,
As each new day awakes again.
Moving forward with steps so small
Toward the one who’s worth it all.
To erase your past is to deny your soul,
The circle is what makes the whole.

The Times In Between

“Are you seeking God’s will? Are you truly seeking God’s will for your life? Friends, let me tell you one way you can check: How’s your prayer life?” That statement was so simple, but it hit me like a ton of bricks during last Sunday’s sermon.
 I am at an “in between” stage in my life right now. I have worked so hard to be the woman I am today, and for that I am very proud, yet… every once in a while frustrations come up that show us that we’re not quite where we ought to be.
There is one area in my life that I constantly struggle to submit to God, and that is the area of romance. I am a hopeless romantic with possibly the worst track record EVER! Honestly, I kind of obsess over it. Ha, the idea of a Prince Charming coming and sweeping me off of my feet becomes very alluring to a girl who is used to taking care of everyone else. And of course…I’m always in love. Always.
But what happens to a dream deferred? IT DRIVES YOU INSANE. I didn’t even know how to begin giving over all of my hopes and dreams over to God in this area. I had such a good plan: The perfect guy, perfect wedding, perfect in-laws. *sigh* Couldn’t God somehow work that all out? He seemed to be working it out for many of my friends! Isn’t life supposed to be like the movies? The smart, quirky, funny girl gets paired up with the bad boy hunk? Apparently not. I was depressed.
Then Sunday came along, after church I started praying and praying and praying that God would show me what to do. I had been praying over this issue all last semester, but this time I was serious. And what was my answer?
“Wait. I have heard your prayers. Keep praying. Pray for him. Not that you would have him, but that he would be who I called him to be. Just keep praying.”
“So…my answer is that I have to wait!? Didn’t God know how looong I had been waiting? Didn’t He care? Don’t I deserve to have what I want? I am a GOOD person?” <——That’s what was running through my head! How immature is that!? God has given me all of these blessings, which ignore so that i can focus on what I don’t have, He kindly and graciously answers my prayers and I get angry?
Being ungrateful is such a stressful way to live. I want to be happy, and therefore I must submit. Submit and pray. The times in between answered prayers are always the most stressful, but perhaps this waiting will produce in me what God truly deserves: A woman who is thankful for her blessings, and focuses on God’s will rather than her own.

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Poetic

Some day I’ll meet the one who will sow seeds of stars in my heart.
He’ll love me like an ocean and we’ll never have to part.
Come cup the cosmos and hold my hand.
Soul-song universe.
Sturdy as a tree, surprising as the tide.
Wake me like a sunrise.
Stay like a sunset.
Give me peace like the moon.

 

 

Things I'd Buy if I had $

A cool backpack
A telescope
Craft supplies (yes, MORE)
More vintage jewelry
A case of Peace Tea
A steering wheel cover
A facial
27 Dresses (the movie)
A boatload of sushi (literally…one of the sushi boats)
A pencil case
Another book shelf
Books
Another pair of Sanuks.

Time to Grow

 “So long!” to greener grass, and ever afters.

Gonna make my bed in lovelier pastures.

Gonna find my joy beneath bluer skies

Gonna open myself up,

Gonna be surprised.

Goodbye, to what I thought I wanted

Goodbye, to the memories that haunted

Goodbye, to things that made me sad.

Hello, Happy!  I’m so glad

So glad to finally meet you.

 “So Long!” wishes that won’t come true.

I’ve had enough of you.

Hello, Happy! It’s a new day.

Hello, Adventure! Please come my way.

Goodbye, to what I thought I wanted

Goodbye, to the memories that haunted

Goodbye, to things that made me sad.

Hello, Happy!  I’m so glad

So glad to finally meet you.

I’m ready now.

And Perhaps, I’ll never know

Why I wasted so much time

But I’m leaving now.

It’s time to grow.

A Day in the Life

A Day In The Life

Today I:

- Determined that I did in fact lose my GPS.

-Locked my keys in the car

-Wore 2 different kinds of shoes on accident

and…

“Liz: Why is there a pair of your shorts under the sink?

Me: huh?

Liz: In with the towels that YOU obviously folded there is a pair of shorts.

Me: I put my shorts under the sink?

Liz: Apparently.

Me: oh no! I really am going crazy!”

My Love Language

I know I should be doing homework, but I just HAD to take this Love Languages Quiz. Here are my results: 10 Words of Affirmation; 9 Quality Time; 4 Receiving Gifts; 1 Acts of Service; 6 Physical Touch

Your Love Language

Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

Pretty interesting, huh? I think it really says a lot about me and why I choose certain people to be around me. The highest score you could get in a section is 12, so that helps give things some perspective.
I need a lot of affirmation, and enjoy spending meaningful time spent with those I care about (maybe even some snuggeling). It’s not as important to me if you buy my things or will go out of your way to do something for me…just be encouraging and supportive and let ME serve YOU!
It was also interesting to me to see that my two lowest scores are two of the greatest ways that I show love to others (I truly cherish gift giving and service to others). I guess opposites really do attract!
Take the quiz for yourself and let me know what you got!
 http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/love/

Doing Nothing

I like doing nothing                 In particular.
I do it all
               Quite well
In particular-
everything.
At the same time
You may see me sitting
Book in hand.
Not for school,
but for pleasure
              Is all mine.
Take into account
           That when I have nothing
I have everything.
                  and a plate of cookies.

Painted

Roses and Honey

Lace and bees

Leather bound books

Shady maple trees

Telescopic eyes

Cream and sugar tea

Gauzy dreams

Boats on a watercolor sea

This is how it feels to be painted me.

Inspiration

 “I repeat we would not part if we didn’t have to. Haven’t we forgiven each other’s faults time after time, and made it up again? We know each other so well that we can see no evil in each other. Is it love? I do not know,but there is something between us that cannot be undone.” -Van Gogh ^^^^ the inspiration^^^^
                                  vvv behind the poem vvv
The Fault Line:
Where does it lie
between yours and mine?
It is so faint now
Like evening’s last breath.
One lingering golden ray
That takes its hold.
Plants the roots of hope
In a barren land.
I do not know if love,
but if I do it is forever.
And cannot be undone.

Live Local. Think Global.

When we took a trip to Memphis Kasey’s uncle took us to all local eateries. The man does not go for a chain, EVER! It was such a delicious and fun experience and it really got me to thinking about investing in local eateries and businesses. I love this concept as explained by Judy Wicks:
“The Local Living Economies Movement is about:
Maximizing relationships, not maximizing profits,
Growth of consciousness, not materialism,
Democracy and decentralized ownership, not concentrated wealth,
A living return, not the highest return,
A fair price, not the lowest price,
A living wage, not the minimum wage,
Sharing, not hoarding,
Simplicity, not gluttony,
Life serving, not self-serving,
Partnership, not domination,
Cooperation based, not competition based,
Win-win exchange, not win-loose exploitation,
Family farms, not factory farms,
Bio-diversity, not monocrops,
Cultural diversity, not monoculture,
Creativity, not conformity,
Slow food, not fast food,
Our bucks, not Starbucks,
Our mart, not Wal-Mart,
Valuing life, over life-style,
And as the Earth Charter says,
“Being more, not having more.””

Awakening

 

Golden boy, why are you stalling?

We both know you ought to be falling

Hard in love or at least breakin’ even

By now.

This time tomorrow you’ll wake up late

Another day and another date

With destiny.

Will she be the one?

And you wonder

 Could she be the girl you’ve waited for

Since you were seven

Teen.

Yeah yeah, boy gotta get up and live your life

To make your light the only one she sees.

In the night

The only one she reaches for.

Come on, boy! Get this one right.

Get this one right.

Walk fast, walk past, walk in between

The lines that were drawn

‘Cuz Your reality is awakening.

Get it right. Get it right.

Hey, look! now she’s by your side.

And she’s awakening.

The Upside of Failure

“These kids have to learn that they can fail. The problem is, they have never been allowed to fail.” Dr. Hellack, one of the best teachers and leaders I have ever known, said that. She believes that by letting students fail at some things you allow them to succeed at others;  a philosophy that I whole heartedly agree with. Here are a few reasons why:

Being allowed to fail alleviates anxiety about the future. Haven’t we all heard those stories about a person who seems so perfect and successful on the outside but tragically takes their own life because of one big failure? If they only would have known that failure was an option. Not the best option, obviously, but something that could be accepted and recovered from.

Being allowed to fail teaches responsibility. I think many would agree that children are becoming incredibly spoiled these days. In schools problem children seem to be passed around. Rarely is a teacher willing to do the hard work of fixing the problem and they shouldn’t have to. Parents must be willing to set higher standards of behavior at home.  If a child misbehaves, there should be consequences.  A child needs to see that their actions have results in the real world. You are responsible for your life- failure is a part of life.

Being allowed to fail makes success greater.  This goes hand in hand with the point before. If you are taught that your actions have the power to generate failure, the other side of the coin is that they also have the power to generate success. This is a success you can own. It is yours and yours alone.

Finally, being allowed to fail closes doors. “When one door closes, another one opens,” but what if no doors ever close? It can be overwhelming. No one person can be good at everything, and no one person should expect them to be. If we coddle others into believing that they are good at everything they will strive for nothing. 

Do you agree? Disagree? I think I have been fearing failure for too long. Here are a few quotes that I find interesting:

“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”
Winston Churchill

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Winston Churchill

“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure. “
Abraham Lincoln

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
Michael Jordan

 “Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street.”
Zig Ziglar

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”
Henry Ford

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”
Colin Powell

Better Than Starbucks Mexican Mocha Latte

For around $1.50 make your own 14oz Mexican Mocha Late!
6oz. milk
2 wedges of Mexican hot chocolate mix
8oz. medium-strong brewed coffee

Heat the milk until very hot, but not boiling. Put the milk, hot chocolate mix, and brewed coffee in a blender and whip for approx. 30 seconds.

Optional (but highly recommended)
1 TBS. of agave nectar to sweeten
Whipped topping+ a sprinkle of cinnamon.