On what really matters

Lately God has been convicting my heart & reminding me of what really matters. I've been holding on too hard to the physical things in life, the tangible expensive things.

God is reminding me of the things of worth - not that brand new car (funny since I just bought it). Life is not about the newest technology, gadgets, new shoes - none of that. Life is about friends + family, relationships, Him, my purpose in life & how I can glorify HIM <--- isn't that funny that it all revolves around Him and sometimes I lose sight of that.

Trying to embrace that more fully and live in the grace & blessings He pours out on me.

How do you focus on what really matters?

Happy St. Patty's Day!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

I came across this fun Leprechaun name decoder from Facebook. I think these are fun - you can just call me Sprinkles O'Knuckles :) 

I'm not really Irish and do not typically celebrate St. Patrick's Day (out of habit - not intentionally). This year I celebrated it in sorts on Saturday, I participated in the Get Lucky 7K in Minneapolis. I'm not a runner (I would like to be a runner/jogger someday), but that someday has not happened yet. 

My race partners. We're all from college and see each other every couple of months. Yesterday we also celebrated L's birthday - Hello 28 :) 

I FINISHED - and that is all that really matters. 

IF I were to run another race a 7K (4.2 miles) would likely not be for me, I would possible try a 5K if I (actually trained before hand).

We celebrated with lunch and I had a grapefruit mimosa from the Red Stag,  hmm it was good. The rest of the day I nursed several cups of honey + lemon tea because I caught a monster sore throat + cough from the run. 

It was a great St. Patrick's Day weekend!

On things + enjoying life.

Life is busy and crazy but beautiful.

Some days I feel like I am running to and from work, appointments, coffee dates and dinner plans and getting home just long enough to fall into bed and hit repeat. I stress myself out with these 'everyday' days added on top of a mental list of wishes & 'to-dos'. Yesterday was one of those days. I rushed from work to a car shop where I picked my vehicle up after paying a fun fee, ran home to eat + change and then back out to meet friends. It was somewhat a busy stressful day - but yet there are so many blessings in that day that I missed counting.

- I have a car to drive (despite it's personal & maintenance issues) many do not have a luxury of a vehicle.
- I am blessed to have friends to see & hangout with.
- Blessed to have a job and be transitioning to a new position even if it causes schedule craziness and stress.

Sometimes I forget how blessed I am. But God uses the everyday and the ordinary to remind me. This morning as I drove to a new work location God reminded me that He is good and in control by simply painting the most gorgeous sunrise of hot pinks, orange and purple hues. I love how once again I am reminded that things in life are just that - things. Each day the sun comes up and we are given a new day to live and count the many blessings of life. I am so grateful for the ways in which God speaks to me ( in a way that HE knows I will hear) and get's my attention.

I think 2013 will be about slowing down, living in the present, enjoying life and recognizing it for the moments I am given.

Like this moment - blogging while eating lunch and enjoying the noise of life going on around me.

Ps. my mental 'wishes & to dos' list includes more details about Ice Castles, Christmas (yes in January), winter wedding and new job details.

Decking the Home and the Heart for Christmas

December is here and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

The tree's up and all decked out with ornaments and lights.

A pinecone wreath was attempted - and failed. So I settled on pinecones and ornaments hung in front of the window and it makes me happy.

Candles are lite, Santa is sending presents via UPS, hot chocolate is being sipped and cookies are being consumed. 

Soon presents will be wrapped, cookies will be baked and snow {possibly} will be flying.

The home is coming along with decor and presents are being marked off lists but more than anything I'm preparing my heart for Jesus' birth. I've been reading an amazing advent devotional and trying to drink in all of the blessings that He has bestowed on me.

How are you preparing your home and heart for Christmas?

Thanksgiving Weekend 2012

It's Sunday evening the house is calm, quiet and cozy. Christmas lights are lite and shinning outside, wreaths are hung and the house smells like sugar cookies and I sit reflecting on Thanksgiving and the last few days - which have been beautiful and full of blessings.  

{Thanksgiving} 

Thanksgiving was full of many firsts. My first lefse and Pumpkin Cheesecake making (I love trying new things!). We also had three turkeys - 1 deep fried turkey, 1 baked turkey and 1 vegetable platter turkey. The deep fried turkey was beyond amazing and perfect. 

For many people black friday is a mixed bag of feelings - I absolutely love shopping on black friday but due to having to work Friday I did not shop. I did go to target

{Friendsgiving Moments}

Friday was spent back in the office for a slow day of work full of playing catch up and getting those little projects done that you never seem to have time for. Friday evening I went to Ikea and dinner with a friend and then Saturday bright and early friends and I conquered Mall of America. 

Amanda & I // Breakfast at Starbucks - breakfast of champions

Mrs. Bars, me & Amanda // Twinkle Lights at the Mall of America 

Coffee with two beautiful ladies // Movie popcorn (Breaking Dawn II & The Bourne Legacy)

Very thankful for a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with family and a wonderful weekend spent with family and friends. 

Dear Monday + Hello September!

Happy Labor Day Monday! I'm linking up with Megan at Happy Day! for Dear Monday letters.

Dear Labor Day Monday, Holla for days off! Today I leave Ohio & Amanda Sue and head back home to Minnesota.

Dear Amanda Sue + Ohio, thank you for rolling out the welcome mat for me! I loved car dancing across Ohio, eating tasty food and laughing the entire time. What a wonderful 3 day weekend!

Dear Liv, just a few more days home slice and we will be cheering on the Bison, sipping coffee, climbing mountains and hiking.

Dear Shellac manis and Parenthood, where have you been all my life?

How are you spending this Labor Day Monday? I'm hanging out with Amanda Sue for a few more hours in Ohio and then jet setting home to Minnesota!

{please excuse the blurry pictures - I blame it on the collage app I used, ippicy is so much better and quality!}

{Dear Monday} 5.14.12

How & Why do Mondays come so quickly?! 

 I'm linking up again with Megan at Happy Day for Dear Monday letters! 

Dear Monday, I'm not sure what you have in store for me but bringer on! 

Dear Minnesota,  thanks for the stellar weather as of late.

Dear Carm, it was beautiful to see your face, laugh & talk with you in person, even if it was only for an hour during your layover. I am so ecstatic that you are moving back to the Midwest! 


Dear week of TV show finales, family dinner, friend birthday celebrations x2, graduation celebration & movie night with the girls, you already hold such wonderful potential. I cannot wait to see what else is in store! 


Dear plants, please grow grow grow!   

Happy Monday! 

Beautiful Weekend & Beautiful Moments

{cupcakes from grandma's birthday celebration}

Happy late Sunday evening! 

The weekends was a little mix of everything - busyness, relaxation, chaos, reminiscing with friends, celebrating life and way to many calories consumed! This morning I finished reading NieNie's book Heaven is Here -- she's so inspiring and such a beautiful person. How silly is it that I am actually sad that I finished the book - I wish it would keep going, good thing there is her blog to follow along with! 

In recent weekends I have completely ignored my inbox - and it's been beautiful. But then Monday comes around and I have a rude awakening as I try to wade through everything. So thankful that I will have a day off tomorrow to slowly wade back into the week. 

*yawn*

Please excuse me as I go climb into bed and hopefully sleep past 7am *wishful dreaming*.

{Dear Monday} 3.19.12 Edition

It is Monday and I am linking up again with Megan at Happy Day for Dear Monday. 

Dear Monday, you were a full day. A last goodbye, a busy day at work, sweaty workout followed up by a tasty panera date & a target adventure. All in all you were a good day, thank you. 

Dear ASB, happy trails my friend! The house is lonely without you and echos in a strange way. You are already missed. I am happy though we will get to 'see' each other soon via skype and that I can already count the times I will see you in the next few months leading up to our flatmates' wedding. 


Dear Minnesota, thank you for the beautiful summer weather in the middle of March. To say that 70 & 80 degree weather does not happen in Minnesota in March would be an understatement. 


How did your Monday treat you? 

Thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Source: potterybarn.com via Lori on Pinterest

This Thanksgiving I am going to enjoy the turkey, stuffing, pies, mashed potatoes, & family but I am also going to work on a more thankful heart throughout the year. Last night at churchs' Thanksgiving Eve service our pastor commented & read part of Abraham Lincolns' Thanksgiving Proclamation, there was a specific part that stood out to me ... 

"I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States... to set apart & observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving & Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to they that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances & blessings...."

As Americans we are not often as 'thankful' throughout the year as we could or should be. Reading through my facebook newsfeed Wednesday evening I was once again reminded of the many daily blessings & thanksgivings going on all around us. In the last few days there have been announcements of baby boys, surprise engagements in NYC {on tv programs!}, and future baby bundles. It reminds me how thankful I am and how many things I have to be thankful of in the future as well. 

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

on jumbled thoughts

Source: mochatini.org via Rebecca on Pinterest

Can I just say how much I love Benjamin Bratt's character on Private Practice? I love Sam & Addison but I think I could really love Benjamin & Addison. Shame on Private Practice, Shandra & ABC for making me want to break up a good think. 

I realized that today being November 1st means that the season of apple orchards, corn mazes, pumpkin carving and haunted houses has gone by without me doing any of them. Shame on me for wasting a beautiful season. 

Skype is a beautiful invention

Pinterest is a lie. 

{did you hear the collective gasp}

I can't make my hair look like any of the hair models, paint & style my nails like they show and will probably never make a 1/4 of any of the recipes or crafts I pin. 

But I still pin none the less. 

{ps. you can find me on pinterest here}

On Sights

A lot of my Friday - Sunday hours this weekend were spent at church since there was a wedding rehearsal+wedding+church+teaching sunday school during those three days, which also means I drove to church each day. Now church is located a bit in the 'burbs and is a bit farther of a drive since I have moved but despite that I love it's location.

 I love that I pass gorgeous scenery on my way, fields of corn, little ponds and fishing lakes, I love the extra time in the car to prepare my heart for worship and teaching & I love the barns I pass as I drive in and I love that it is a bit off the beaten path. I have driven that same path to and from church for three years now and in all reality the corn comes back every year, the trees along the highway are still the same trees as two years ago and the fields are still the same but I never get old of these sights. These sights inspire me and remind me of Gods' faithfulness and love, they remind me that He is everlasting and true. 

To me these sights are beautiful and hold a special place in my heart. 

on mismatched & jumbled thoughts

 I keep thinking about the beach

---

I want to go hiking and play outside 

I want to play with my camera & take pictures

---

I was blessed to have lunch with a friend - over my lunch hour while at work.

It was amazing. Many people have friends that they work near & eat with them over lunch 

or co-workers to share that with. 

I don't - which is fine because I typically spend my lunch hours catching up

on personal correspondence, losing myself in my google reader or 

catching up on facebook. 

But Monday I had lunch with a friend - it was wonderful.

Makes me feel like a real live grown up {grin}

---

I really like JP

{from the bachelorette}

---

Work threw a huge BBQ for clients

so tired & drained afterwards which is ironic

I use to throw events & run around crazy {but calm} for 5 years

---

Buying coffee in the morning before work.

Also makes me feel like a real live grown up.

---

recently I have been reading books 

{gasp}

it feels nice to read books vs. something {blogs} on a computer screen constantly

---

it always amazes me how good I can feel in the morning if I go to bed on time

---

I do not like the "F" word

{fall}

I will like fall when fall comes 

but until then - enjoy summer

live in the moment instead of wishing it away

Embrace

via

Last week was so extremely busy and I fought the busyness tooth & nail. Fighting for some sort of resemblance of order and time for myself. 

This weekend was a good busy, a fall-in-bed-total-enjoyment-busy. The busy that you look back at and just smile as life took you speeding full speed ahead. 

This week is turning out to be pretty busy, my dance card aka my social calendar, is all booked up but I am taking a different approach this week. This week I will embrace the busyness of life. I will embrace and enjoy. It is only Monday & God has already blessed me and rearranged & changed my week but it's a good change, a change for the better. 

________

On another note I have started a reading 'program' on my Bible App (via my ipod) that guides you through different topical studies of choice. My current study?

Wisdom. 

That is also a blessing in my life. Reading about King Solomon and the wisdom that was imparted to him by God.

Dreaming of Spring

It may seem a bit silly, but right now I am dreaming of spring.

Not summer.

Just spring.

I need the transition of the seasons - the slow and steady thaw of melting snow and icicles, the renewal of life, and slow bloom of all things greens.

I need the transition from parka to hoodies, long underwear clad legs to jean clad legs. The transition from freezing my buns off to pleasant chill and crisp.

What I really can't wait for is that first drive with my windows down and my heat blasting.

That beautiful-balmy 40s.

Yes Spring please come soon.

Wednesday.

It's Wednesday.

Wednesday means relax.
Wednesday means a apartment to myself to take a luxurious bubble bath.
Wednesday means the roommates are gone for the evening.
Wednesday means that we're halfway through the week.
Wednesday means that tomorrow is Thursday, more commonly known as "Friday Eve" in my book.
Wednesday means Friday is only 2 days away.
  Do you hear the heavenly hosts rejoicing? I do.
Wednesday means anything I want it to mean.


Tonight Wednesday means reflecting on the week, relaxing after a long day of work, curling up in a blanket and enjoying one of my favorite movies, The Italian Job. 


What does Wednesday mean to you?

A Few Things

{Gift Giving}

Every year I agonize on what to give the three people in my life that have everything. Who might those people be? My grandparents. They are at that point where they do not need much of anything. And what they do want/need/desire, they buy. The first two years of gift giving I made them each a calendar to enjoy through out the year. The past few years I have gifted them food. One year 3 - 5 kinds of homemade delicious frozen soups to enjoy at their leisure. Last year a few frozen soups as well as breakfast breads. This year delicious frozen soup, homemade fudge sauce  in cute little jars & pre-made cookie dough wrapped in paper with baking directions on the outside.

{Christmas Stollen}

Christmas Eve morning I could not sleep and woke at 6:30am, so what is a girl to do? Well of course whip of a batch of Christmas Stollen. I am on my second batch of this stuff. Yum, seriously. I brought a loaf over to my mother dearest and promptly ate about half of it, kidding, well not really so I must sacrificially give her my last loaf, or she may disown me, kidding, well not really, this stuff is seriously good. Seriously.

I'm thinking about stock piling the candied fruit so I can make this year round. You can typically only find the candies fruit during the holiday season. 

{37 Snapshots}

I have all of the pictures for my little project but blogger does not seem to like this project. The format is all redunkulious, and even after I split my picture posts up into just a few days the pictures still disappear from the post. Ridiculous! 

Dawn or Twilight

{Morning or Night}

Is it silly that at 26 I am confused about whether I am a morning person or a night person? Ask me a week ago and I would have said morning person, I have always been a rise and shine type of girl, a getter-done early and enjoy the rest of my day lounging around.

My logic may seem a bit askew to you but after running errands at 8:30 pm recently, which is so foreign to me, I'm starting to doubt my early bird thoughts. True to my supposed morning person form I still get up early but tend to stay up late & be productive. So what does that make me?

Soundtrack of Life

Somedays the joys of Saturday are not found in the hustle & bustle of life meeting friends, fighting the crowds in the mall, completing your grocery shopping & knocking another task off the perpetual to do list. Sometimes the joys of Saturdays are found inside, watching the snow fall surrounded by the flicker of candles, cuddling under blankets watching movies & the anticipation of turning the page to continue the story. 



Creme Brule can wait, life can be put on the back burner to simply enjoy the simple moments in the silence with only the snow & turning pages as the soundtrack of life.


Yes life's pleasures can be found in the silence.

Quiet Saturdays are beautiful.

Christmas already?

I tend to think it is a bit early to already be thinking about Christmas but as I have been poking around the blogosphere I have seen more and more people talking about Christmas already. What is your Christmas propagative? Do you start buying early over the entire year? Do you start on Black Friday? Or do you begin taking lists down December 23rd?