Thank You, Nordstrom...

For respecting an overlooked holiday. For standing against the rampant commercialism that fuses Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas into a holiday identity crises from September to December. For choosing celebration over capitalization.

Thank you. 

haha, okay, I'm not quite that opinionated about it. 

But you gotta admit it's kinda refreshing.  

I ♥ WPB

I hope my comments about South Florida's un-fall-like state are never misconstrued as complaints.  Because I am very very much in love with my home.

Beautiful sunsets... 

Bike rides by the beach....

 

I am blessed. By the Best. More than I could express. 

Pumpkin Carving!

To Market, To Market...

I know it's been on your mind. Am I capable of celebrating Autumn in a way that doesn't include baking and stuffing my face? Well, that tends to be the cheapest option. Here in Florida at least.

But this weekend was Fall Break and I ventured out West with some friends. Okay, by "West" I mean Boynton. Which is technically more South than West. Anyhow. In a search for an in-state (and in-hour-radius) way to celebrate, I looked up pumpkin patches in the area. I came across a place called Bedner's Market and saw that they were hosting a Fall Fest over the weekend, complete with a pumpkin patch, haunted house, corn maze, and hayrides.

I ecstatically shared the information with friends, and we set off that Sunday. I'm not gonna lie, I was quite skeptical of a South Florida corn maze. But it turned out to be so legit! We stayed till closing and hit the cornmaze, hay ride, pumpkin patch (where they gave us a free bag or decorative gourds... I know, some people are just lucky ;-), and the market itself. Though it ended up pouring, it was THE most beautiful afternoon.

So if you happen to live in South Flordia, I highly recommend you venture to this quaint little fall spot next year!
http://www.bedners.com/

So happy together!

 

Take the best gourd from the best season, mix it into the batter of the best food of the best meal of the day, and pair it with your favorite hot beverage in a mug of the best color. 

You can't go wrong. 

You

Just 

Can't.

DIY Autumn Coasters

Jenny found this idea via Pinterest. 

The beauty of this crafty little project:

1. It's cheap. You literally spend pennies.

2. It turns out beautiful, despite your level of artistic ability.

3. Its fun. And easy. You could redo for every season or use as a gift idea.

8 Tiles = 80 cents

Scrapbook Paper = 40 cents

Modge Podge  = $8 (but you get a ton and use a miniscule amount)

Bodda bing, bodda boom. My type of DIY project.

What?? A Fall-themed recipe that doesn't include pumpkin?!

I know. I'm trying to branch out. Here in Florida it is understated, but part of the whole fall package up North includes apple orchards, apple picking, apple cider, apple pies... basically, apple season. Which means you get delicious, locally grown apples for a great price. 

Anyhow, the other evening I was hungry and low on groceries, but inspired by my recently acquired fall spices. (Yes, it is acceptable to use the word "fall" as an adjective). This took just minutes to make but was DElicious. 

1. Slice an apple.

2. Drizzle with a tiny bit of butter.

3. Sprinkle with cinnamon/nutmeg/cloves 

or allspice or pumpkin pie spice

4. Microwave for 2 minutes or so (just keep an eye on it).

 

Voilà!

 

Potential you can almost smell...

Pumpkin Cookies!!

One of my favorite pumpkin recipes! Only takes about a half a can of pumpkin, and if you don't have all the spices on hand, you can just buy "pumpkin pie spice" if you want to keep it simple.

Combine and set aside:

    * 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    * 1 teaspoon baking powder
    * 1 teaspoon baking soda
    * 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
    * 1/2 teaspoon salt

In second bowl--
Cream together:
    * 1/2 cup butter, softened
    * 1 1/2 cups white sugar
Add:
    * 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
    * 1 egg
    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Slowly mix first mixture into second.
Drop on greased cookie sheet by tablespoon, flatten slightly.

Bake at 350˚ for 15-20 min.

Drizzle with glaze when cool.

Glaze-- Combine:

* 2 cups confectioners' sugar

* 3 tablespoons milk

* 1 tablespoon melted butter

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

September 27, 2011

Getting out of bed this morning was torturous. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time with this lately. Yesterday I turned off my alarm and went back to sleep. Without even realizing it. I know, not so atypical of a college student; but I've never had a problem with this. Nevertheless, I love being up early (despite the initial shock of waking up) and can't bear to set my alarm later. Like this morning, for instance. Wake up at 7:00, and no where to be till 9:30... 2.5 hours completely to myself. I finally did my laundry, had some quiet time, got ready for the day, and now am soaking up the cool morning air on the balcony. Granted, not legitimate fall weather, but it works.

But speaking of Fall... Oatmeal is a breakfast staple for me. Cheap, fast, healthy. What more could I really ask for. Though sometime it gets kind of boring, which is when some creative experimenting takes place.

This Morning it led to a bowl of Pumpkin Oatmeal:  

(picture does not do it justice)

Take your bowl  of cooked oatmeal.

Stir in:

Dollop (who doesn't love that word) of Canned Pumpkin 

Sprinkle of Nutmeg

Couple Shakes of Cinnamon

Touch of Ground Cloves

Splash of Milk

Dusting of Brown Sugar

Small Handful of Raisins

Mmmm.... A delicious way to incorporate some Autumn into your day. 

An Ode to Autumn. haha... but seriously.

September 23 came and went, overlooked by the masses. There was nothing blatantly unique about the humid, 90 degree day; it marked the end of school or work week and began a new weekend. But that specific Friday served a great purpose: It signified the Autumnal Equinox 2011.

I know this blog was originally designed to record the events of this past summer, but now that a new (and arguably superior) season has arrived, I think that it is very appropriate to allow future posts to transcend the original intent of the blog and continue into the coming Fall months.

But first, I think it's important to note the widespread disregard we have for Fall and Thanksgiving in our society. We can barely get out of October before we begin to be plagued with Christmas music, decorations, and merchandise springing up everywhere. Shopping venues cater to Halloween, and then straight to Christmas, paying little tribute to the Autumn season itself. For the purposes of this blog, the season of Autumn will be considered from September 23- November 24; ending at the appropriate time to welcome in the Christmas season.

Granted, South Florida is not the ideal location to soak up the season, but with some creativity and effort, I think it can be done. Alright, enough rhetoric. Onto celebrating this glorious season. First thing I recommend (especially if you live in an environment that won't see colors change), change the background on your computer. It's the little things, you know? The picture below has been my wallpaper of choice this week.

August 10

I refuse to apologize for the lack of posts on this blog. This summer has been flying, and I have managed to write a lot in an actual old fashion journal. Nevertheless, I just experienced the most beautiful day; a day that should not escape with out a proper blog post.

I returned home from Winshape about two days ago. I've had the slightest melancholy feeling that often accompanies the return to normalcy after an exciting adventure. It's sad not waking up to the same people I've spend the past several months living, working, eating, and laughing with. But this week at home has been such a gift.

This morning I woke up at 7:30, the latest I've been able to sleep in to for a while. I found my sneakers and got ready to go for a run when my lovely younger brother Joel asked if he could join me. I said we'd be running the whole time. He said he is a great runner. I said it might be a whole hour. He said he could run for five hours. After convincing him that sandals wouldn't work and he needed to find a pair of sneakers, we set off down the driveway towards the road. Now our driveway is only a half mile long, and it is all downhill. We stretch at the bottom and I ask him if he is ready to start running. He tells me that he thinks we should walk.

Excuse me?

Yup.

So we end up spending the next hour simply strolling down the road picking wildflowers and playing with the dog. Not quite how I envisioned the hour, but a nice alternative nonetheless.

Next up on the agenda:

Haircut with my mom!

I know, I know... is that seriously blog worthy? I really just got a trim up. BUT-- a trim up from a good hair cutter makes a HUGE difference. Ask any girl.

The adventure continued that afternoon when my mom and I ran up to the outlets. We put the top down on the Jeep, took off the doors, and spent a couple of hours soaking up the beautiful 80 degree weather. Between the sunshine, the light breeze, zero humidity, and a frozen yogurt stop, the afternoon was perfectly idyllic.

Pancakes with homemade strawberry syrup for dinner was the icing on the cake.

July, 23, 2011

It's a beautiful morning in Decatur, Alabama! I'm sitting outside of our hotel room waiting for 10am to roll by so we can take off to a water park! This past week of camp in Elizabethtown, Kentucky was so incredible for so many reasons. We were working with the children's ministry director, Ms. Ashley, who is one of the most beautiful, Godly women I've ever met. She is constantly bursting with the love and joy of the Lord, she is always looking for ways to serve others, and she always puts herself last. As I've been taking time this summer to study the Proverbs 31 definition of character, I've been so blessed to be able to look to her as an example. I hope I am that type of woman one day! Throughout the week, we were just loved on in so many ways. They prepared dinner, lead us in a awesome evening of worship, and invited us over to one of their home to use the pool one evening.

Camper-wise, the week was a bit different than the rest of my summer. I had 8 kids, 3 of which said they were Christians. The other ones constantly seemed distant and detached from everything we were talking about. I do feel like they opened up a little more and more each day, but at very small increments. By Thursday, a few of them had gotten really honest with me about bullying problems, disabilities, and other issues they were struggling with. It was so difficult to hear because I know I can't change the outside circumstances in their lives. I tried to make team time a place where they could ask questions and be honest. By Friday team time I was praying that God would just use my mouth to speak words that would touch the kids in some way. I was reminded of his love for them and that I am just a snapshot of the work he is doing in their lives. I prayed that seeds had been planted or watered that week. Friday I told them I'd stay back in the room while a volunteer took the group to the bathroom, in case anyone wanted to talk or pray about anything. Preston, a little ball of energy with the thickest country accent I've heard all summer, wandered out with the group but turned and shyly came back in after everyone had left. "Well I guess I'm the only one who's gonna pray with you," he explained as he giggled to himself.

I was ecstatic. This week I was taught that lives can be impacted by gospel, even if decisions are not made, and even if every child seems distant and removed. But the moment of having the privilege of praying with Preston yesterday was a gift.

Not a sparrow will fall to the ground apart from the will of your father... So don't be afraid; you are more valuble to God than a whole flock of sparrows! Mt 10:29,31

I think this is such a vital truth to keep in mind... it's been so comforting. Sometimes I just want to fix all of the crap going on in these kids lives, but I can't. I am completely and utterly incapable of altering their outside circumstances, and at times it's just frustrating! This week, especially, God has been humbling me and reminding me that He loves these kids so much more than I ever could. If he chooses to use me or not, I need to be 100 % surrendered to his direction.

He's been teaching me the same thing with my sister. Yes, I love her and want to protect her, but I am completely incapable of changing her circumstances. I need to trust that God loves her and has her back no matter what.

July 16, 2011

Best. Week. Ever. Madison, Alabama. Week 6. I know God has been working like crazy through Winshape this summer... And every church has been a blessing to my life in various and specific ways. BUT, the community we spent this past week among truly spoke my love language. Love was alive at that church. Joy was intoxicating. Truth was celebrated. I saw genuine examples of beautiful, Christ-centered families and real excitement for Jesus and salvation of friends. I had the privilege of praying with Laura-- who understands the gospel but wasn't sure how she was supposed to practically live it. She admitted she struggled with caring more about the way she looks, the guys she wants to impress, and winning arguments with her sisters than pursuing God first. 10 or 11 year old girl. Her honest blew me away. And Jaede-- a quiet, beautiful, little red head who ate up everything we talked about in team time and wanted to know how she could be part of God's family. Ant then precious Megan. This girl was bursting at the seams during team time one afternoon and begged to meet with me one-on-one as soon as possible. I pulled her aside and, after warning me she wasn't good at praying, she began the most beautiful, pure conversation with Jesus. Afterwards, she told everyone about her decision and ran to her pastor to asked when she could be baptized.
These campers, these children, were such a needed reminder of the joy and excitement of the Lord, and just how good the "good news" is. Even during my skill time I had Leighann and Carly who were such examples of Biblical love and friendship. One of the most beautiful moments was Friday afternoon before everyone left. While we were in line to get lunch, a girl from my dance class, Reagan, ran up to me, HUGE smile on her face, jumped into my arms and squealed, "Ms. Sarah, I was accepted just now!" She ran off to spread the news and meanwhile, Brooke, a girl from my team time asked what we had been talking about. I whispered that her friends Reagan and Megan had made the decision to accept Jesus during the week, and this huge smile exploded on her face. The next thing I know, she RUNS across the room and engulfs the two girls in a huge bear hug. The three share the most beautiful moment with their arms around each other, laughing and celebrating the news.

Mark 10:15
"...Anyone who will not recieve the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

July 10, 2011

This summer has been unbelievably encouraging for me. Amiss the jam-packed 13+ hour days, I feel like I have found this beautiful, serene place that has really just allowed me to center and prioritize. The fact that I've spent the past 7 weeks surrounded by people who have the same passions and interests that I do has really allowed me to stop and reflect on my life right now. I am so incredibly blessed in so many ways. In this moment, it is so easy for me to hand all of my plans and dreams to Jesus, and just trust that he will take care of me. I know when camp is over and I fly back home in several weeks, it is not going to be this easy. In fact, I'm sorta expecting some kind of spiritual ambush. But this summer I am really being taught that Jesus is the only thing that can satisfy me, and His is the only approval I need. I am praying that these truths will be as real to me after camp as they are now.

Gearing up for a brand new week in Alabama! May we proclaim truth boldly and fearlessly, dying to our own desires and allowing Christ to have full control. May each of these children come eye to eye with Jesus this week in a way that will forever impact their lives.

~DAY 8~

Joel had his friend, Shaun, sleep over last night. Yesterday they spent the entire day fishing, but this morning it was overcast and rainy and they were growing increasingly annoying with each passing hour that they were locked inside. Finally noon rolled around, the sun (sorta) came out, and mom decided to try to find a way to get them outside. After downloading a free geo caching app, we all piled in the car and ended up having the greatest afternoon. Joel and Shaun were immediately hooked, and both ended up having quite a knack for finding the things. After finishing up several that were located around town, we all stopped for ice cream cones before eventually taking Shaun home.

~DAY 4~DAY 5~

GIRL'S NIGHT OUT!

Mom, Ruth, Me, & Ellie <3
Wednesday - Thursday, May 11-12, 2011

~DAY 3~

I would like to say I spent my afternoon diligently helping my mom and aunt with gardening. But to be quite honest, the entire time I was playing with the goose. Let me explain.

So, a couple of weeks ago, Joel saw the movie Fly Away Home for the first time. Several days later he emerges from a hike in the woods with an egg, and informs mom that he is going to take care of it until it hatches... just like in the movie. As you have probably guessed, the thing actually did hatch, and now is 2 weeks old. Today we decided it was high time she learn that she is actually a water foul. It took a couple of tries, but...

~DAY 2~

Today was a perfectly magnificent! Only mom and I were home for most of the day, and since we were car-less, we spent time outside, reading, talking, planning a girls night out (stay tuned for day 4 or 5!), and took walk with Aunt Paige and Meaghan. When evening approached we celebrated the gorgeous 70 degree weather by firing up the grill for the first time of the summer!

Not to brag, but I am pretty skilled at flipping burgers...

And we're all pretty skilled at putting em away...

~DAY 1~

Just insert Andy Griffith theme song here:

After his persistent asking, I finally agreed to go fishing with Joel this afternoon. I quickly grabbed a bag a stuffed in my journal and a Max Lucado book, expecting to get some good reading time in. We set off down to the creek and before long Joel had spread out a blanket and cast his line. And then the unthinkable occurred. My hyperactive, energetic, turbocharged, 11 year old brother sat down with his pole and a comic book, and told me we had to be super quiet so we don't scare the fish. I giggled to myself as I attempted to nod seriously in agreement. This child can't even get through a bowl of cereal quietly. To my surprise, he did stay there for a while. When he would move, it was just to re-cast the line or move to a different section of the creek. We met a different couple fishing, Caroline and Ted. They were the sweetest, and stopped by to give Joel pointers on bait and inform him of the best fishing times. In the end, I did not get that much reading done. But I did learn:

• 6-7pm is the best time to catch fish in the creek
• Those rubbery colorful things are called spinner baits
  
• Joel apparently excels at knotting his hook
• Time flies out there, even when your not getting any bites ;-)