I woke up this morning to a soft blanket of snow. I love snow and is sad that it probably will be all melted away by lunch. And that I wasnt up at 2am to watch it fall. Ive never had snow this early in the year! Wonder if it will snow on Thanksgiving? I would be okay with that because I dont have to work on Thanksgiving for the first time in four years! Happy snow day to you.

I cant stop watching this video, I love it. Though, it only makes me want a kitty even more than I already do. And a roomba. *alisa updates her Christmas list* Thanks to Jason for sending this to me.

It knocked me down, it dragged me out, it left me there for dead.
It took all the freedom I wanted and gave me something else instead.
It blew my mind, it bled me dry, it hit me like a long goodbye,
and nobody here knows better than I that it’s a good thing.

It can hurt like a blast from a hand grenade when all that used to matter is blown away.
There in the middle of the mess it made you’ll find a good thing.
Yes, it’s worth every penny of the price you paid. It’s a good thing.
Love is a good thing.
Do not fear.

“Love is a good thing” by Andrew Peterson

Just Been listening to this song off of Andrew Peterson’s new album a lot this week. Thought Id post it to sum up a lot of my thoughts and the thoughts Ive just begun to have.

Forgive me for those of you who have the belief that all things Christmas do not come before the day after Thanksgiving. As Ive said before, Im in the Christmas mood early thing year, which comes from being ahead in Christmas cards and Christmas list. This photo, however, has more to do with bittersweet memories than actual Christmas. My cat Rizzo hasnt come home to my parents in a very long time, my parents think he is gone. He is an old guy and has been going crazy for quite a while now. Its easier to not being there when he isnt around, but its hard to grasp that next time I go home he wont be there. He always drank out of the Christmas tree’s water every Christmas.
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My parents for a long time said once our pets passed on that they’d be done with animals. Esp. with my brother and I both out of the house. I think the empty nest got to them a little too much since they started sending me photos of kitties they wanted to adopt. They looked a lot like our other cat we had to put down last year, an awesome black and white cat named Oreo. So they of course sent me black and white cats. I told them to pick the one who looked the least like Oreo. It was just creepy to me that they’d get another cat that looked really close to Oreo. When they went to look at one of these black and white cats and came home with two tabbys.

I wonder if my parents new kittens, Lola and Lucy, who its strange I havnt met yet and wont for a while since I wont be going to California for Christmas this year. I wonder if they will drink out of the Christmas tree’s water. Im happy my parents have some cats to keep them busy. When I saw the LOLcat, that looks like my parents new kitty doing something one of our old cats is famous for doing, it brought forth some bittersweet memories. Hope you enjoy your first Christmas Lola and Lucy.

Last night we had a fantastic storm here. Poured and poured, it was what some would say, “It rained cats and dogs”. This morning on my way out for my busy Saturday I was welcome to this:

Covered! My front yard is covered with leaves! What a delightful way to start my day!

Even Gwen got in on the action! I love how the leaves stuck to Gwen for a while as I drove - like fall decorations or something.

Even trash cans look nice when leaves are covering their tops. I mean just look at them! Would you find this picture nice at all if the leaves were not apart of it? I know I wouldnt.

Look at this, just look at it! COVERED. My drive is just completely covered in leaves. I wish it could look like this at all times.

I’ll admit, Im enchanted by the falling leaves. I dont care if my hair that I spent twenty mintues on this morning is completely ruined thanks to the wind. I was engulfed in leaves as they danced around me. Driving down the street, the leaves spun around my car and sprinkled down from the sky. God did fall up right here in Carolina.

Google and me? We are a good team. Google collects all these great things for me when come to the internet all in one neat place for me to have (you know, google gives and I take). Thats right, Im talking about my iGoogle page. One of the beat features iGoogle has is the free iTune songs. Its a hit and miss, but hey its free right? Well heres a fun pop song (and well all know Im a sucker for a good pop song) you can download for free. Its a song by the band “The Script”. Apparently they are an Irish band made up for three twenty somethings who are big in Europe right now. I like most things Europe a lot of times and this is one of those times. Enjoy.

Last couple of days I have kept the TV off to listen to music while I write, knit or work around the house. Its been really nice to my surprise. I get more done also because Im not stopping to look up from time to time at the rerun of Gilmore Girls I own on DVD but insist on watching on TV or seeing how unfortunate some girls outfit really is on What Not to Wear. Not only am I listening to music, Im listening to music in my iTunes that barely gets a listen. I have it for a reason, I liked it at one point enough to put it in my music library, so lets listen to it! I have reconnect with old favorites to new songs that are quickly becoming favorites.

Currently there are four pairs of shoes sitting on my bedroom floor instead of their rightful place in my closet. I had a bad habit of just coming home and slipping off my shoes whenever I happen to lay my purse down at (so usually around the edge of my couch). I wont notice this till about 6 or 8 pairs are shoes are out. I blame this on my couple years of Hawaiian culture upbringing of taking your shoes off when you enter the house. Time to break this habit and be rid of those shoes that rarely ever hit the floor.

Jackets in the morning a lot of times lose their need by the afternoon time. In the car they sit and gather in a group by the end of the week. I now have an unsaid responsibility to myself to take at least one thing out of my car (usually a coat or travel tumbler) when entering into my house. I just have found it funny that I have given myself rules to live by without really noticing it, even in silly little ways. Surely Im not alone in this - what rules have you given yourself?

Thanks to everyone who suggested Christmas music in my last post - I will be looking over what wisdom you have passed my way and let you know what I purchase. Back to the favorites series going on here and number 14 is: Senior Portraits

I dont think I have shared any of the senior portraits I have taken on here, which is surprising. The blessing of work with high schoolers who also think your good with a camera is the request for you to take their senior photos. Back when I was in high school, even going a photographer of my choice, they were not nearly as cool as the ones I have gotten to take for my seniors. I dont say that because I think Im so great, but in a they are not typical poesy senior photos and those are now in, they were not in when I was their age. Mine are very posed, as in, every other senior that had my photographer had the same swing in their shots and the very single angel. Very creative, right? I always tell my seniors to make sure their parents know I dont take “typical senior photos” and usually thats why they want me to take them. These photos sessions are so fun because I know the kids already, making them more comfortable in front of the camera than they’d be with someone they didnt know. Out of portraits (which I have gotten to do a lot of this past year - before this I was mostly a still life gal) that I do, high schoolers have to my favorite. Here are some samples of the ones I have done…

Kathryn

PJ

Jordan

JP

Alexis

I hope to keep these doing these often since they are so fun for me do. And hope to get even more adventurous with my style as well.

While I love Christmas themed items (just ask Jason, I kept squealing with delight as we walked through Target and they had put out even more Christmas things) I do not like giving them as Christmas gifts. As cute or as perfect a the Christmas theme gift is, your friend will not be able to use it until next Christmas. Which is just a really sad thought to think about, it gets unwrapped only to be put in a box in a closet somewhere for a year. Im in the Christmas spirit early this year with already making gift lists, getting gift wrap and now getting myself some new Christmas music. This year I want to add to my collection, lets review what I already have so you maybe able to help me with my search:

“A Christmas Album” by Amy Grant
“Behold the Lamb of God: True Tale of the Coming Christ” by Andrew Peterson
“Wintersong” by Sarah McLachlan
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Sufjan Steve’s Christmas Albums
And a good handful of London Festival Orchestra (thanks to Kari)

The singles…
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” Barenaked Ladies
“Evergreen” by Switchfoot
“Child of Wonder” by Sara Grooves
“Babe in the Straw” by Leigh Nash
“Silent Night” by Martha’s Trouble
“What Child is This?” Caedmons Call
“Christmas(Baby Please Come Home)” Death Cab for Cuttie
“Have Yourself a Merry little Christmas” Coldplay
“Feliz Navidad” by Veggie Tales

Most of those singles, come from Kari’s Christmas Mix which I love listening too. I put my favorites here so you can get an idea of the type of Christmas I like. Clearly I need a little more of the Santa songs, which as much as I didnt grown up believing in him, his songs are fun.

After doing a little iTunes research, heres what Ive come up with:

Christmas Lights by Mathra’s Trouble. I like Martha’s Trouble a lot, so I dont see why I wouldnt love this ablum.

O Holy Night by Sara Grooves. I used to be really really into Sara Grooves. I dont know if I have grown out of her or what, but everytime I listen to her she brings me great comfort. I just dont listen to her nearly as often as I once did - so do I get this album?

James Taylor at Christmas - James Taylor. I like James Taylor, his hit album is one of my favorites but do I want him here at Christmas time too?

Christmas - Brad Paisley. I love Brad Paisley with all of my guilty pleasure heart. I like some country music but I dont own a single album by anyone. Some singles here and there but not a whole album so this would be a jump.

Christmas - The Andrew Sisters. 1940s music ladies and gentleman and I totally love it. I dont know what it is, but I really like it.

Singles:
Grown Up Christmas List - Kelley Clarkson. Oh man, I love me some Kelley Clarkson. Very tempting.
The Chipmunk Song - How do I not have this song?! Hula hoop!
Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms. Classic, no?
It’s the most wonderful time of the year - Rizzo and Gonzo
Youre a Mean one Mr. Grinch - Thurl Ravenscrof
Little Saint Nick - Beach Boys - What can I say? Im from California and I love it.
I want a hippopomatus for Christmas - Gayle Peevey. I love hippos and Christmas. This is my song.

Im very open to singles as well as ablums you like. iTunes doesnt have the rare, really good stuff, so let me know what you know! Please share your Christmas music wisdom!

Yesterday at my youth job in the middle of the afternoon the snack craving monster came on. Usually the snacker in my office is my team mate, Amy, but she is out sick which makes the office very lonely and quiet, especially when the boss is out in meetings all day. I day dreamed a little bit about the pretzel at Target I saw earlier in the day when I was picking up Christmas gift wrap. Then I remembered how not so awesome they were the last time I thought they’d make a delightful snack. So I went to the grocery store right around the corner from the church. Dont be fooled, I wasnt going there to get fruit or anything, I have plenty of that at home. I wanted something crunchy and chip like. As soon as I walked in to find the chip isle I was lost. We have this type grocery store all over town and this location is completely backwards to every other single stores layout. It was so confusing, too me way too long to figure out where the chips where. And the chips after all where not what I was craving to snack on. So I headed over to the cracker isle and went to my old faithful, Cheez-Its. Usually I get boxed items such as the wonderful Cheez-Its at Target so when I saw they wanted almost 4 bucks for a box, I reconsidered. Then! Then I saw that they had Cheez-It Crisps on sale at a price I was willing to try the little cheesy guys at. Let me tell you, totally different cracker. I mean, it doesn’t taste anything like a Cheez-It! Okay maybe a tad, but if you blindfold me and ask me to tell you what it is, I wouldnt of even guessed it was in the Cheez-It family, let alone its brother the crisp! Im not saying they are horrible (yes, Im snacking on them right now, why do you ask) or anything just not a Cheez-It when you are wanting a Cheez-It.

I am now craving pie. Where is Luke’s Diner when I need it?

Theres this Sweet Potatoes Bisque from Trader Joes that I just cant seem to get enough of. Just recently have I thought of adding something to the pure goodness in a cardboard box that I love so much. Brian and I discussed adding cheese and bacon - making it a gloried sweet potato in soup form. Then Brandi was discussing this Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup, which sounded fantastic. Only thing was, I was short on time the night I was really wanting this soup. So I took goodness in a cardboard box and added some sauteed sauage and onion, then sprinkled some cheese and basil (home grown I might add!) on top. It was positively delightful. Dessert? Pomegranate seeds - which by the way, after getting all the precious seeds out of the grips of the pomegranate, I understand a little bit more why pomegranate juice is so dang pricey! But, this is a luxury fruit as even with the labor I had to put into it, I paid good money for it. I remember eating one of these as a kid, we called it Jesus fruit, because apparently it was around when Jesus was so he must of ate it. We just grabbed a big mouthful, no need to carefully pick out the seeds. Usually I look forward to produce in the spring, but fall doesn’t bring about some pretty tasty foods.

The fall leaves sprinkled over the road after a night of rain looks like confetti. One of the thousands reasons why I love fall in Carolina. And I kick myself for not having my camera with me. I committed part of my afternoon to capturing this year’s celebration of fall that is shared in bright oranges against the perfect fall blue sky.

Im currently watching Dawson’s Creek, thanks to one of my high schoolers who leaning me her seasons. There are so many things wrong that, its not even funny. But since her mother knows about it, I dont feel bad about it. Im on Season 6 right now, the end is near.

Christmas list is made. I bought my Christmas paper already, along with my Christmas cards. I always say I will be ahead of the game every year, I think this might be the year. Also, this is my first Carolina Christmas and Ive lived here little over two years. I have lots of plans.

Ive been taking a lot of photos of a lot of lovely people lately. It was pointed out to me that I have now third job. Never thought about it that way, but yeah I guess I have done that to myself. We’ll see where that goes. Im enjoying the senior photo shots the most. Can I just be Senior portrait photographer?

Im currently reading: “First Two Years in Youth Ministry” by Doug Fields and I love it. I really like Doug Fields, this book only confirms that even more. Im also reading “On a Whim” by Robin Jones Gunn, which brings back lots of high school memories. Fitting two books dont you think?

Thats whats been going on with me lately.

Happy voting day!

When you wear your “I Voted” sticker proudly today, make sure and stop by a few places that are giving away free voting treats. I am thankful to not be working - that is a lot of free coffee. Realllllly tempted to go by and get a star shaped donut, because we all know how much I love me some hot and now. Wish me luck with the line as I wait to vote! Thank you to all of you who early voted!

One year ago today I started my job as the programming associate for high school ministry. In some ways, this year has flown by, in other ways it hasnt. I still feel like the new girl on campus whos still learning the ins and outs of high schoolers and the events the church has going on in their lives. When I first started this job, I was thrilled, couldnt believe God would give me such a job. Even though I had many fears walking into big shoes to fill, I knew I had great support with constant encourage from a great friend and boss. A year later, I feel that even more. I have learned a lot, mostly from the kids. The group of kids I have to work with are just amazing. This past class, my first class to graduate whom I knew for 8 short months blew me away. I was spoiled my first year in high school ministry for sure. Now they are off to their college years, leaving me missing them while trying to know the new Freshmen. It was said that every year they’ll break your heart by leaving. If I felt that way after 8 months with that class, how am I going to feel with my first Freshmen class whom I will have the pleasure of knowing for 4 years? These kids make me laugh and think in ways only they could. I wish I had the time to give what this day means to me a proper post of lots of rambling words of a recap all that this year has involved, but sadly I do not. Here however is raising my glass to many more amazing years with high schoolers to come. And since I dont ever say it enough, thank you Jesus for this.

This is my dinner from a few nights ago. It took about 20 minutes to put together, thanks to the wonders of Trader Joes. The pasta? Thats lobster ravioli and yes its a good as that sounds. The asparagus? Yeah I bought a pound of frozen asparagus for the same price a small bundle would cost me. Usually frozen veggies taste like frozen veggies, but not these. They tasted like they had never been frozen before. That is the beauty of Trader Joes, their food is just so good, frozen or fresh! Oh those round patties? They are from IKEA, they were tasty too. But this post is about my love for Trader Joes.

Ive grown up on Trader Joes growing up in Southern California. My family would shop there over the grocery store. It wasnt a health food store, but it was cheap and had a lot healthy choices. Most of the store is full of products that Trader Joes themselves has created. Other part is of the best brands and types of foods they cant seem to make better. I was sad to leave Trader Joes when I moved to Carolina. I thought for a very long time that this state didnt even have one till I found out that an hour away is a Trader Joes. It is worth the drive and the gas to get the foods that I love. I adore artichokes and there was no way I was paying $4 bucks for one like the grocery store wants me to pay. Trader Joes? 4 for $3s! New to me - boxed soups from Trader Joes and I was not disappointed.

Maybe one day my town will wise up and invite Trader Joes into its community. That day could not come soon enough.

Chipolte veggie salad

My love for Chipolte started last summer when Jason and I went to DC to visit some friends. I had given up on Chipolte when it was a test market in Southern California years ago. Our friends kept going on and on about how much they loved Chipolte so we gave it a chance. And Im so glad that I did - I have loved every thing I have gotten from Chipotle since. After checking out my normal steak burrito’s nutrition facts, I decided to try a salad (it was that bad). Our friends in DC had gotten salads, but it just seemed odd to me to get a salad at a Mexican restaurant. It is now my favorite thing on the menu. Well, actually, this is my favorite salad… I start with a veggie salad and I have to stop them from dumping the beans on it. I do not like beans, but I ask for mine on the side because sometimes I like mixing in a little but its never more than half of what they give me and thats on a good day. So we’ve got lettuce in a bowl along with my beans on the side, Im very much Sally with this salad, so sue me. Then they asked if I want grilled onions and peppers - oh yes. Once they put the rice on the salad, which was really weird. Not bad, just weird and I havnt asked for it since (it would be an on the side thing too). Next is the salsa - I looooove salsa especially not mushy/lots of liquid kind. Thick, lots of chunks fresh salsa which Chipolte does a great job at. So I get a scoop of that and the corn salsa to add a little sweetness to my salad. Sprinkle a little cheese on it then the cherry on top - big old scoop of guacamole. See? Doesnt that sound so delightful? Man, I really want one now.

Being tan

One of the main reasons I got a Wet ‘n Wild seasons pass this past summer was in fact to get some sun. And of course my lovely friends would be there. But I have learned the past two summers spent in Carolina, I do not like being outside. Actually, I like being outside I just dont like being hot and sticky. I really do like to be outside. Sit outside a restaurant? Yes please! Be outside in the middle of August? No thank you. In high school my youth group would take a canoe trip during the spring time. Just a whole weekend of being on the Colorado River in a canoe, only stopping at night to camp in tents. This was my base tan every year through those times of my life. I loved being tan. Moving to the south makes it much harder when I dont like being in heat and well sun-bathing in your backyard isnt as socially acceptable out here as in Southern California. Well Im sure people would accept it, but not in a way Id want them to. I didnt get as tan as I would of liked this summer at Wet n Wild - but from my trip to Ohio with the youth group - I got lots of sun on my arms. Its not a farmers tan - but my arms are probably the most tan thing about me at the moment. Fall is coming so my chance for anymore of a tan like is fading away… just like my little tan.

Taking notes

This is something that has come in many shapes and forms in my life over the years. I use to love to collect quotes, which was note taking for me when I used to read a lot. I had notebook filled of just quotes. None of my personal thoughts or why I thought that quote was worth writing down. I moved onto writing a quote and then my thoughts - but thats more of a journal type note taking. At church I would doodle more than take notes growing up. I blame that on the right side of my brain that likes to take over a lot. These days I always bring a notebook to church. I write things I hear Jimmy say, along with my own little thought tangents. I sometimes think of something completely and spend the rest of the time writing notes of a tangent from something I heard. Sometimes I will go back and read my notes, but I realize it helps me pay attention more often than not. But I really enjoy taking notes lately, maybe I will pick up the habit of collecting quotes again, I think Id like that.

Taking a short break (well, a long break I guess you could say) from my list of favorites to tell you about something that I find important.

Heard of World Vision? Maybe you have, maybe you havnt. I had heard of this organization before, but simply sound-bites from friends. I learned a lot about World Vision a lot this past week thanks for an exhibit called When I first heard of this event I was super excited. Just the idea of learning of the stories of four children and being a sponsor myself (through Compassion, but still a sponsor). Of course I jumped at the chance and told my church who also thinks very highly of World Vision. Im going to try and explain what this exhibit is and all about. I dont feel I do a very good job at describing it, so bare with me. Its an exhibit set up to tell stories for four different kids who live in Africa whos lives have been effected by AIDS. Now, I dont know much about AIDS. I probably should be more educate that I am. Thanks to World Vision, Im a step in the right direction to learn much more about it. My first experience was when I volunteered to help run the exhibit. The staff at World Vision wants all its volunteers to experience what they are helping be apart of. You are given an orange iPod shuffle and instructions by the narrator whos in your ears to become a child. The narrator tells you took the door with your name (the child you have been asked to become) on it. The first story I walked through was Babirye. She was my favorite of them all, since I got the chance to walk through them all over the weekend. Maybe it was Babirye beautiful face that I saw the moment I pulled the curtain to the first room. I listened to her story, how she is part of a twin set and of her sick mother. Alone, I walked through rooms that showed Babirye home, country, her clothes through photos and props. Some props matching what I saw in the photos. Next, I sat in the health clinic, waiting for my turn to find out wether I (B—) had AIDs. This was the only part of the exhibit where I was with other people. I place my hand out to get stamped and down came a red cross. I had the “big disease” and was asked to sit in the area of the clinic that was reserved for people who had AIDs. My heart feel for this little girl, who had suffered so much at such a young age. As much as it could at the moment, I let the heaviness of of Babirye story set in as I walked into the chapel. There were dozens of pictures, many who had passed away from AIDS. As I starred at the wall of children that people could support through World Vision, all effected by AIDs I wanted to grab all of their photos. I wanted to know every single one of their stories. As I walked out, putting my thoughts to process aside to volunteer, what I was there to do. I saw a lot of people come through the exhibit that I knew. One of my high schoolers parents came through and we talked a bit about the experience something was said that was sobering “The American church can not ignore this.” I could not agree more, but even now I cant tell you all that it means. Its a heavy statement but at the same time so very simple. How can the American church know about this and not set a side $35 dollars a month to send to a kid who doesnt have anything and we have more than enough? Why is it so hard to give up those thing we just cant give up for the sake of another? I dont have the answers, but Im thankful for the Step into Africa exhibit to be awareness to the church and the country. Im glad its raising questions and stirring hearts. I dont know where readers of this blog might be, but just in case Im posting the cities that this exhibit its going to be at with its dates. If its anywhere near you, make a point to go. Its free and open to the public, if its bit of a drive for you, stay and walk through more than one story, they about a half hour at the longest each. Its a really powerful and great experience that I highly recommend to everyone I know. Check it out.

9.6.08-9.14.08 Glen Ellyn IL
First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn

9.12.08-9.15.08 Charlotte NC
St. Johns Episcopal Church

9.18.08-9.23.08
Turlock CA
New Life Christian Center

9.20.08-9.23.08
Jamestown NY
Jamestown Partnership

9.25.08-9.29.08
Dallas GA
West Ridge Church

9.30.08-10.3.08
Loveland CO
Crossroads Church

10.3.08-10.6.08
Sewickley PA
St. Stephens Church and Chippewa Evangelical Free Church

10.9.08-10.13.08
Ft. Collins CO
Colorado State University

10.10.08-10.13.08
Bethlehem PA
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem

10.18.08-10.20.08
Fargo ND
Atonement Lutheran Church

10.23.08-10.27.08
Chelmsford MA
Grace Community Church

10.24.08-10.27.08
Otsego MN
Elk River Community

10.31.08-11.3.08
Edina MN
Colonial Church of Edina and Christ Presbyterian Church

11.7.08-11.10.08
Cedar Falls IA
Orchard Hill Church

11.14.08-11.18.08
Bethpage NY
Shelter Rock Church & Arumdaum Presbyterian Church

11.20.08-11.24.08
Bellingham WA
Bellingham Initiative

12.4.08-12.8.08
Richland WA
Bethel Church

12.12.08-12.15.08
Redmond WA
Overlake Christian Church

Wolfgang Puck Chicken Tortilla Soup

I know nothing about Wolfgang, maybe he once was on Food Network? My only frame of reference for him is seeing him on my grocery store shelf selling soup. Nothing really struck my fancy till I was house sitting and saw that they had some of his soups. They told me to help myself to whatever, so I helped myself to some his Chicken Tortilla Soup. I figured since it was a mexican style dish that Id grill up some quesadillas to go along with. There are few things in this food life that I lead that is much better than this folks. Maybe not Wolfgang Puck’s version every time, but how have I not had tortilla soup before then? How is that possible? I really dont know. Maybe I have and it wasnt that amazing that I just dont remember it. But man alive, this bowl of soup was oh so good. So thank you Pell’s for stocking your shelf with this soup and offering it to me while you were on the west coast. My eyes have seen the light to the greatness that is tortilla soup.