Book Review

My friend, Jennifer, wrote a book.  

Everyday Poetry: Looking on the Bright Side of Life

When I think of Jen, two words come immediately to mind; friend and funny.

Jen deeply values friendships and she is a faithful friend herself.  She regularly hosts get togethers, whether it involves coffee at a local coffee shop or dinner and a movie at her house.  She cares for others and this is seen in her thoughtfulness.  
Jen is also really funny.  She makes me laugh in a way that few others do.  She uses her wit and sarcasm to form a creative sense of humor.  

Why am I going on about these two character traits of hers?  Because they shine forth in her book.  

In "My Forever Friend and Sister" she demonstrates how great friendships can be made within one's own family.  A Record of Rights reveals how friends can show us our own sin in a helpful way.  An Entirely Lovely Afternoon and Twilight reflect her enjoyment in spending time with those close to her.  

Jen's sense of humor is shown in poems like To My Headache, The Subtle Dangers of Whipped Cream and in one of my favorites, The Fugitive - a poem about a weird dream come to reality, a cheeseburger dropping by for a visit!  

Her creativity with words is seen in Harry the Canary, Questions Over Brunch and Unexpected Endings.  

While Jen excels with the unexpected and "experimentations on traditional form", you will still find the occasional traditional poem with beautiful word imagery in Unexpected Bougainvillea and Dictionary.

I have to admit, my favorite poems are always short and sweet and Jen has a number of these in her book.  I'll share a few with you:

Short Summer Haiku

Coffee in the shade.

Nice afternoon naps.

Fun parties at night.

The Inevitable Mr. M.

'Tis grand

to hold your hand

as we walk through life

as husband and wife.

and one last one,

Little Poem

At the end of the day,

I open the window and lie in bed.

Freedom flows through the curtains,

and cradles my head.

I actually meant to write this review awhile ago, but things worked out perfectly as it happens to be Jen's birthday today!  So, happy birthday my sweet friend!  Thank you for sharing a bit of yourself with us in your delightful book.  

You can order one yourself from Amazon, right here.  And seriously, you should get a copy yourself, if for no other reason than to read about that runaway cheeseburger!

Receptionist Duty

I really like covering for the receptionist at work. 

And I really don't like the quality of camera on my new(ish) phone.

Two seemingly unrelated things, I know.

When Michelle is gone sometimes I cover for her and that means I can arrive at work an hour later because I normally stay an hour longer in such cases.  Last Thursday (and tomorrow!) was just such a day, so I decided to use that hour and go to Starbucks to read.  I sat outside by the fountain and it was so nice!

(Here is where the sadness of my camera phone comes in.  I really miss the camera on my old one, but a smartphone was just really impractical for me.)

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the morning.

While I was looking at the fountain a hummingbird came by and flittered around, drank some water then zoomed off.  I just can't get over God's creation.  The speed on that little bird!  Amazing!  It's just so sweet to think of how God cares for and provides water for these little creatures.  Then we know He can definitely take care of us!

A breeze came by and I got a face full of jasmine scent!  Mmmm...is any smell better?

A classic short soy chai.  Say it three times fast.  C'mon!  The barista's can't do it most of the time.  ;)

Anna is letting me borrow Martin Lloyd Jone's commentary on Ephesians 1.  So good!  It's the first time I've read anything by him and he is so readable!  Even his commentary which you would think would tend to be more academic.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning!

This made my day...

If you know me well, (I feel like I start a lot of my blog posts off like that) you know that I DO NOT like garden gnomes.  Ew.  Seriously.  Years ago, my family (including Grandma) and I went on vacation to Ephraim, Wisconsin.  My grandma insisted that we stay at a little inn called the Trollhagen.  Trolls...gnomes...they're all the same.  Anyway, it was my worst nightmare come to life!  Somehow, I survived.

I soon found that I was not alone in my fear.  There was a commercial a few years ago that highlighted this phobia.  It was amazing.  I tried finding it on youtube to no avail which is probably a good thing.  Then today, I stumbled across this book on Amazon!

See??!  I'm not crazy!

Mini Journals

So I saw this idea on one of my favorite blogs these days, A Beautiful Mess, and I thought it could be a nice little gift for those wonderful girls you read about last week.

They are super easy to put together and you can put them in your purse as little "to-do" jourals.  You could also use one for prayer requests, or short lists.  Jenn, the girl that lives with us, writes down quotes people say or other things she wants to remember.

Instead of using magazines for these, I used pictures from a vintage looking California book that I picked up at a garage sale.  It is full of old pictures of Cali.  Then I added stickers for their initials. The spines are covered with washi tape.

Makes for a fun quick project.  ;)

(I'll get these to you soon, Kristin and Amber!)

A Reading Nook

One of my favorite things to do after a long day at work is to come home and read.

I like to sit on my bed, grab a pillow, lean against the window sill and ever so often look out at the pretty view.  Framed by my little plants.

Right now I'm trying to read through the Bible quickly.  I know a couple people, yes more than two, that have read the whole Bible in a month!

I don't know if I'll make it that fast...but I'd love to read it in maybe just 3 months.

It's so cool to see the different things God teaches you as you reread a passage you've read many times before.  His Word is living and active!

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

What are you reading right now?  I want to know!  :)

Love

I love this picture. 

My parents were undoubtedly a happy couple. 

My dad didn't bring home flowers every week.  (He actually brought home one rose one time.)

They didn't tavel across Europe together.

I don't believe they had an "our song."

My dad LOVED sports and my mom barely tolerates them.

But they loved each other very much. 

They loved spending time together.  They were married for just shy of 26 years, when death did part them, temporarily. 

My mom and dad met at a Bible study which my dad led in what was known as the Career Department at Grace Community Church.  My mom and her roommate at the time thought my dad was kinda "cute."  When the group went out to eat my dad would leave an empty seat next to him and wait to see if my mom would sit there.  And she did.  ;)

One night they were at someone's house and this book was sitting on the coffee table.  They were looking at it together and realized that they had a similar sense of humor.

One day my mom had a particular trying day at work and she told my dad about it.  He asked if it would help if he took her out for dinner and a movie.  She said yes and that was that!

I am so thankful for my parents.  I am thankful that they were committed to each other.  That no matter what trying times they would face together, splitting up would never be an option.

I remember one time when I was little and we were learning how to play Hearts as a family on the carpet in the "family room" my dad was explaining that he loved my sister and me but that he loved my mom even more...in a different way.  I was upset by this at the time.  Ha.  But now of course I understand and I am glad my mom always came first.  ;)

My parents are and always will be a great example to me.

Pinteresting Wednesdays

Okay, can someone just pin a bunch of these "work week" outfit ideas?  It makes getting dressed in the morning so much easier.

I. want. one. of. these.

 I love things like this that aren't too matchy matchy.

 This is just funny.

 And this is just cute.

 I'm trying this tonight when I get home.

I think this would just add that "little somethin'" to my room.



 So I started my first quilt a plethora of months ago and then got the measurements wrong so I had to take it all out.  Nevertheless, I got a little discouraged and took a break.  A long one.  I had wanted to make a "crazy quilt" like the one below, but my mom said that I needed to learn the basics first.  But one day.  I will make this.

Winter Cleaning

Ahhhhh...a clean room.

It's sadly something I hadn't experienced for quite some time.  At least not a thoroughly cleaned room.

You know when life gets so busy that you don't even have time to do the simple things?  Okay, probably not. Any mom reading this blog is most likely thinking, "just wait, kid."  I know, I'm pathetic.

Well, whether I'm pathetic or not, I decided that today, in the midst of my week off work, would be cleaning day.  And, like usual, it paid off.  Here is the finished result.  (Notice, the black sky outside.  Yes, it took all day.)

Pictured below are the baskets full of clothes, shoes, purses and other miscellaneous items that I purged and am giving to Goodwill.

And, the picture that inspired this post.  I found out that I have 31 scarves.  Yes, 31 scarves, one for each day of the month.  I don't know about you but I think I'm set.

Really.  I truly do think that a scarf is a nice gift, and if you've given me one in the past, I'm much appreciative.  But please.  No more!

Below are the ones I am keeping, in order by color, which kinda fizzled at the end there.

And the rejects.  I'm very sorry if you see one that you gave me.  I just don't have room!

Cleaning your room can be profitable.  I found a ten dollar gift card to In-n-Out and my favorite nail polish!  A gold star for you if you can guess the name of the shade.  ;)  If you have really good eyes, you may be able to read it.

Wow, I found a desk in my room!  Now I can sit down and write someone a note with the notecards I received for Christmas.  (And a side note: that box you see on the left is filled with recipes.  I found it at a garage sale and I can't wait to try some of them out.  They sound really good.)

This next pic isn't too thrilling but I am happy that those drawers are organized!

And while I'm at it, the super cute camera bag that Em got me for Christmas, with fun houndstooth lining!

And below, an organized mess of books.  They are waiting for a new, taller bookcase...

...that will replace this one.  I mainly took this pic to show off the poster Em also gave me for Christmas.  And in the background you can see the door to my closet.  I am the most happy about that part of my room.  The floor is home to mainly just my shoes now!  And they are in order.  The clothes have been weeded through and even though the shelf looks a bit cluttered, I know where everything is.

Mmmm...another contented sigh.  I recommend winter cleaning for anyone!

"Christ is All"

Valley of Vision prayer I read this morning:

O Lover to the uttermost,
May I read the meltings of Thy heart to me
in the manger of Thy birth,
in the garden of Thy agony,
in the cross of Thy suffering,
in the tomb of Thy resurrection,
in the heaven of Thy intercesssion.

Bold in this thought I defy my adversary,
tread down his temptations,
resist his schemings,
renounce the world,
am valiant for truth.

Deepen in me a sense of my holy relationship to Thee,
as spiritual bridegroom,
as Jehovah's fellow,
as sinners' Friend.

I think of Thy glory and my vileness,
Thy majesty and my meanness,
Thy beauty and my deformity,
Thy purity and my filthiness,
Thy righteousness and my iniquity.

Thou has loved me everlastingly, unchangeably,
may I love Thee as I am loved;
Thou hast given Thyself for me,
may I give myself to Thee.
Thou hast died for me,
may I live to Thee
in every moment of time,
in every movement of my mind,
in every pulse of my heart.

May I never dally with the world and its allurements,
but walk by Thy side,
listen to Thy voice,
be clothed with Thy grace,
and adorned with Thy righteousness.

I have a problem...

I am one of those kinds of people that try to read...well, what looks like a million books at once! Ever so often I will get so captivated by a book that I can't put it down and I'll actually finish it. But most get added to one of these giant stacks near the chair in my room. It's bad. It's like a disease. Emily made it worse by giving me a Kindle for Christmas. Oh dear. If anyone knows of a cure, would you please pass on that valuable information?
The other day I tried to clear out the books that I'm DEFINITELY not reading right now. I think I made a significant dent. Emily was not so impressed. What do you think?

The red box IS in the first picture. In case you were wondering.

Labor Day Weekend! (About Five Months Later)

Camping! I have always loved camping. I don't know what it is exactly...maybe sleeping in a tent makes me feel like a kid again. Or maybe it's making smores, or playing games around a campfire. Of course...now that I'm older I can MAYBE understand why some people don't like it...getting dirty, listening to other campers yelling until 2 in the morning...but overall, its worth it for a few days of adventure. That's it! Adventure!

It's amazing what you can do without a kitchen!

Twins in flannel. :0)

Another reason why some don't like camping...

But pretty much EVERYONE loves hot chocolate!

Vacations are always nice for some extra reading time. The following is from "True Spirituality" by Francis Schaeffer.

Aunt Donna. She's so cute!

She and my mom are obsessed with Fresca, as you can see...

Some Five Crowns.

So, our plan was to camp in the Sequoias. Except no one thought to plan ahead and reserve a spot until the week before Labor Day. Not exactly enough time for the last big summer holiday. So we camped on the outskirts. As you can see, no big trees right around us, but there was a nice lake!

Camping is also a good time for Sister Time! :)

And family time in general.

My mom and aunt did most of the cooking, but Jeremy and I handled the pancake morning.

Jeremy's pancake dots.

And my attempt at animal pancakes. Can you guess what they are?

Jeremy's dog, Roxy. Roxy and I have a on again off again relationship. I may or may not have a scar on my finger. Thankfully the Labor Day trip was a peaceful time between us. You know...she's kind of a vain dog, so offering to take her picture helped ease the tension.

We did venture into the Sequioas one of the days we were there. We found these critters hanging out by one of the sharp turns.

While we were out and about we saw a sign for some hot springs. We were ready, we had our bathing suits and all. At Yellowstone once, we went swimming in some hot springs. Nice warm water flowing in the middle of an ice cold river. That's what we were expecting. We drove for a long time, so long that after awhile we thought we had gone the wrong way. Jeremy said he was going to turn around but we kept saying, one more minute. Right as he was about to finally make the turn, we saw the sign. By this time we were really excited until we came upon this.

And realized that what they meant by hot springs, was this...

Lame! And what's more, it wasn't cheap to swim in their special hot springs pool. At least they had ice cream, but even then, they wouldn't let you have a free sample taste of any of their flavors. Oh well. We had better things to do. Like check out the spectacular views.

And walk INSIDE giant trees!

And see more of God's beautiful creation!

Three trees growing together!

Check out those roots on this tree that fell over. Massive!

One of the rangers in the park gave me a sequoia seed. Can you believe that this...

turns into this???

Our God is so AMAZING!

Emily showed us Camp Nelson, where we went on High School staff retreat a month later. The student leadership from High School was there for their retreat a few weeks before. As you can see, the remnants of their stay weren't completely gone.

We got a little hungry. Thankfully there was sustenance in a store at Camp Nelson.

But root beer leads to something else. And when you're camping...sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do...