Making: ~
Cooking: not a whole lot, at least compared to last week!
Drinking: chamomile tea and chocolate milk.
Reading: the Leviathan series, by Scott Westerfeld. I think this is my third time around. :)
Wanting: to run more, especially outside. Unfortunately, no one else in my family wants too, so I wouldn't have a running partner. Maybe I can bribe someone with cookies....
Looking: forward to when all our mini-butternut squashes are ripe. Stuffed, thrown in a soup, pureed....
Playing: my Pride and Prejudice station on Pandora.
Wasting: avocados. When Mom and Dad were in England, I kept wishing we had avocados. Little did I know that there was a bag slowly rotting away in the corner. oops.
Sewing: nothing, but I would love to knit little booties for my youngest niece. I don't think I has da skills though.
Wishing: ~
Enjoying: the sunshine of the past few days. I was able to do school-reading outside, which was a nice change.
Waiting: for my analytical essay to come back, butchered by my older sister. Ah well, that is what rough drafts are all about. :)
Liking: all the souvenirs my parents brought back from England (hey, this doesn't have to apply to the internet all the time, does it?). These include little recipe booklets for traditional Welsh and British food, which I'm quite excited about (there's a LOT of lamb involved).
Wondering: ~
Loving: soup I made up last night. I had it for supper, then breakfast, and then lunch! It was just beef with carrots, golden beets, leftover mashed cauliflower, and peas, but I whipped in some dried sage, white pepper, turmeric, rosemary, fennel seeds, red wine vinegar, garlic, and salt. With some chimmichurri and butter to top it off. Delicious!
Hoping: ~
Marveling: ~
Needing: ~
Smelling: honey. See why below.
Wearing: food on my face. I've been slathering raw honey all over my face in the mornings, leaving it on for a few minutes, and then rinsing it off.
Following: Carrie Vitt, the author of that amazing brownie recipe I linked to last week, and some amazing cinnamon rolls I made on Friday.
Noticing: the leaves changing color. Gold, rust, and red. The chickens like eating all the berries on the bushes and small trees, too. :)
Knowing: we need to harvest most of the veggies this Saturday (except the kale), since it's supposed to get down to 31 that night. Which means we will have piles of lettuce. Which means I will be eating lots of salad next week. Not that I'm complaining. #saladvore
Thinking: that our chickens are heading for the stewpot. Egg production has dropped considerably in the last few days (even though it's been sunny and warm), and I don't want to buy feed for them during the winter. So maybe we'll butcher them this year and get a new batch in the spring.
Feeling: pretty good, considering last week's grumpy post. :) PSATs were yesterday. English sections were good, math sections are wanting in...umm...everything. Oh well, it was only practice! School's not as hectic and I think I've got things in order.
Bookmarking: ~
October 15, 2015
October 6, 2015
Taking Stock, vol. IV / Links
Making : these delicious fudgy brownies.
Cooking : suppers! Since my parents are over the Pond for their 30th wedding anniversary, I've been in charge of dinner. Thankfully, Mom prepped most of the meat before they left, and the only mishap was forgetting to defrost some kielbasa (we made do with some random ham in the fridge).
Drinking: kombucha. I finally figured out how to make it more carbonated, and it makes a satisfying pop when you open the bottle. :)
Reading: "Of Plymouth Plantation", by William Bradford himself. Omnibus, yo.
Wanting: to sleep. I have a feeling I'll be mentioning that quite a bit.
Looking: at the computer screen a lot. Between online classes, projects, essays, voice lessons, and random Instagram stalking, I stare at this for hours everyday.
Playing: Hillsong United. At youth group on Sunday we sang "Empires". I really liked it, looked it up when we got home, and proceeded to make a playlist.
Wasting: some arrowroot flour trying to make grain-free tortillas. Whoops.
Sewing: nothing now, but I did sew the ears onto that fox scarf. Finished except for the eyes and nose (and maybe some whiskers).
Wishing: days could be extended to 26 or 27 hours a day, so I have more time to sleep, do fun things, and accomplish schoolwork with minimum stress.
Enjoying: bahahahahahahaha.
Waiting: ~
Liking: pictures of my parents in England.
Wondering: how I will deal with all the reading, writing, and experimenting heading my way. I CAN do this, and I WILL do this!
Loving: siblings. I can call my big sister and talk, have adventures involving (almost) overflowing toilets with my third-biggest brother, and listen to Adventures in Odyssey with my lil' brother.
Hoping: ~
Marveling: at how tiny we are. And that God can find and care about us in this gigantic universe.
Needing: to go to bed earlier.
Smelling: ~
Wearing: sweaters and socks! It's finally cool enough.
Following: ~
Noticing: ~
Knowing: ~
Thinking: honestly, I'm mostly trying to keep all the due dates straight in my head and figuring out what I need to get done for school.
Feeling: stressed and nervous about the pSAT in a couple weeks. And about school in general. ugh.
Bookmarking: ~
hmmm, most of that was me ranting about school stuff. Alack and alas, this is my lot in life.
Cooking : suppers! Since my parents are over the Pond for their 30th wedding anniversary, I've been in charge of dinner. Thankfully, Mom prepped most of the meat before they left, and the only mishap was forgetting to defrost some kielbasa (we made do with some random ham in the fridge).
Drinking: kombucha. I finally figured out how to make it more carbonated, and it makes a satisfying pop when you open the bottle. :)
Reading: "Of Plymouth Plantation", by William Bradford himself. Omnibus, yo.
Wanting: to sleep. I have a feeling I'll be mentioning that quite a bit.
Looking: at the computer screen a lot. Between online classes, projects, essays, voice lessons, and random Instagram stalking, I stare at this for hours everyday.
Playing: Hillsong United. At youth group on Sunday we sang "Empires". I really liked it, looked it up when we got home, and proceeded to make a playlist.
Wasting: some arrowroot flour trying to make grain-free tortillas. Whoops.
Sewing: nothing now, but I did sew the ears onto that fox scarf. Finished except for the eyes and nose (and maybe some whiskers).
Wishing: days could be extended to 26 or 27 hours a day, so I have more time to sleep, do fun things, and accomplish schoolwork with minimum stress.
Enjoying: bahahahahahahaha.
Waiting: ~
Liking: pictures of my parents in England.
Wondering: how I will deal with all the reading, writing, and experimenting heading my way. I CAN do this, and I WILL do this!
Loving: siblings. I can call my big sister and talk, have adventures involving (almost) overflowing toilets with my third-biggest brother, and listen to Adventures in Odyssey with my lil' brother.
Hoping: ~
Marveling: at how tiny we are. And that God can find and care about us in this gigantic universe.
Needing: to go to bed earlier.
Smelling: ~
Wearing: sweaters and socks! It's finally cool enough.
Following: ~
Noticing: ~
Knowing: ~
Thinking: honestly, I'm mostly trying to keep all the due dates straight in my head and figuring out what I need to get done for school.
Feeling: stressed and nervous about the pSAT in a couple weeks. And about school in general. ugh.
Bookmarking: ~
hmmm, most of that was me ranting about school stuff. Alack and alas, this is my lot in life.
September 12, 2015
Taking Stock, vol. III / Links
Making : muffins. I've made five batches this week: three of lemon chia-seed, one of blueberry, and one of pumpkin.
Cooking : tomatoes in the oven. I just had a brilliant, late-night idea that I'm sure someone else has already done. I sliced a fresh tomato, topped it with cheese, and put it in the oven for five minutes. Teeny pizzas!
Drinking: smoothies. Blueberries, pineapple, kale, carrots, lettuce--they all go in.
Reading: all. the. time. Fortunately, we have a treadmill. I've set up a "treadmill desk" and walk while I read. Otherwise I'd probably fall asleep on the coach or chair.
Wanting: a kitten. There, I said it.
Looking: forward to youth group! I've never been part of a regular youth group, but after YXL I wanted to get involved with one.
Playing: "Think of Me" (Jackie Evancho's video). I'm singing this for voice lessons, but the timing is a little tricky.
Wasting: tea. I'll often make a big travel mug-full for choir or voice lessons, and then I only drink half of it.
Sewing: still nothing. I'm knitting that fox scarf, though. Hopefully it will be ready for Christmas.
Wishing: We could make it out the Central Market more often.
Enjoying: the feeling of accomplishment. My online Veritas classes started this week, and I decided I was going to concentrate on school all day, and then in the evenings I could check blogs, instagram, etc. It's worked out well, and I don't have those distractions that last ten minutes instead of five.
Waiting: for approval from my teacher to take a class off. Then I can go with my choir to see "Amazing Grace" on Broadway! Love our annual NYC trips.
Liking: pictures of the cutest nieces in the world, as well as pretty pictures my talented friends take.
Wondering: How some people have the time to do stuff outside of school.
Loving: Little Women all over again. I watched the movie on Thursday (I laugh and want to cry pretty much every time. never gets old) and started rereading the book yesterday. If you haven't done either, DO IT NOW!
Hoping: September starts to cool down and we'll have a snowy winter (because I don't have to drive...yet).
Marveling: At the beauty of the crows that have been hanging about. They are not very pretty birds by themselves, but seeing them glide across a still, grey sky is wonderful.
Needing: to cry. Sometimes I get that need-to-shed-some-tears-and-get-out-this-pent-up-emotion feeling. Happens about once a week, haha.
Smelling: a lot of wet mornings. It rained all day today and the poor chickens were soaked.
Wearing: lots of skirts, since I'm doing Skirtember.
Following: Smitten Kitchen, Caroline Potter, and Urban Poser instagram accounts. Because food! And pretty pictures!
Noticing: the mornings are getting cooler. Maybe it is wishful thinking.
Knowing: everyday is a new day.
Thinking: about all the things I should have done, should be doing, should do.
Feeling: fairly at peace about above thoughts.
Bookmarking: nothing much. Too much school to do any research, and I use pinterest for all my recipes.
Cooking : tomatoes in the oven. I just had a brilliant, late-night idea that I'm sure someone else has already done. I sliced a fresh tomato, topped it with cheese, and put it in the oven for five minutes. Teeny pizzas!
Drinking: smoothies. Blueberries, pineapple, kale, carrots, lettuce--they all go in.
Reading: all. the. time. Fortunately, we have a treadmill. I've set up a "treadmill desk" and walk while I read. Otherwise I'd probably fall asleep on the coach or chair.
Wanting: a kitten. There, I said it.
Looking: forward to youth group! I've never been part of a regular youth group, but after YXL I wanted to get involved with one.
Playing: "Think of Me" (Jackie Evancho's video). I'm singing this for voice lessons, but the timing is a little tricky.
Wasting: tea. I'll often make a big travel mug-full for choir or voice lessons, and then I only drink half of it.
Sewing: still nothing. I'm knitting that fox scarf, though. Hopefully it will be ready for Christmas.
Wishing: We could make it out the Central Market more often.
Enjoying: the feeling of accomplishment. My online Veritas classes started this week, and I decided I was going to concentrate on school all day, and then in the evenings I could check blogs, instagram, etc. It's worked out well, and I don't have those distractions that last ten minutes instead of five.
Waiting: for approval from my teacher to take a class off. Then I can go with my choir to see "Amazing Grace" on Broadway! Love our annual NYC trips.
Liking: pictures of the cutest nieces in the world, as well as pretty pictures my talented friends take.
Wondering: How some people have the time to do stuff outside of school.
Loving: Little Women all over again. I watched the movie on Thursday (I laugh and want to cry pretty much every time. never gets old) and started rereading the book yesterday. If you haven't done either, DO IT NOW!
Hoping: September starts to cool down and we'll have a snowy winter (because I don't have to drive...yet).
Marveling: At the beauty of the crows that have been hanging about. They are not very pretty birds by themselves, but seeing them glide across a still, grey sky is wonderful.
Needing: to cry. Sometimes I get that need-to-shed-some-tears-and-get-out-this-pent-up-emotion feeling. Happens about once a week, haha.
Smelling: a lot of wet mornings. It rained all day today and the poor chickens were soaked.
Wearing: lots of skirts, since I'm doing Skirtember.
Following: Smitten Kitchen, Caroline Potter, and Urban Poser instagram accounts. Because food! And pretty pictures!
Noticing: the mornings are getting cooler. Maybe it is wishful thinking.
Knowing: everyday is a new day.
Thinking: about all the things I should have done, should be doing, should do.
Feeling: fairly at peace about above thoughts.
Bookmarking: nothing much. Too much school to do any research, and I use pinterest for all my recipes.
September 9, 2015
In His plan
"Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood,
who draw sin as with cart ropes,
who say: “Let him be quick,
let him speed his work
that we may see it;
let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near,
and let it come, that we may know it!”
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
and shrewd in their own sight!"
-Isaiah 5:18-21
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."-Isaiah 5:8-9
who draw sin as with cart ropes,
who say: “Let him be quick,
let him speed his work
that we may see it;
let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near,
and let it come, that we may know it!”
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
and shrewd in their own sight!"
-Isaiah 5:18-21
I'm working my way through Isaiah using this Bible
study. One of the questions asked which of the "woes" in
chapter 5 struck me the most. Verses 18-21 were what got me. The people
described in this passage are impatient and think they know best. They run
along their sinful way, and demand the Lord adhere to their plans, times,
etc. They think their plan is best.
I often stumble into this way. I have a plan as to what my life should look like. I think I know what is best, and it does not include any trials I may be going through. I wonder if God really has my best interests in mind. Does He really love me? If so, why would He give me this?
I'm also reading the Westminster Confession of Faith for school (yay Omnibus), and it is constantly stressing the perfection of the Lord's counsel. He is wisest, strongest, mightiest, highest, and yes, He does love me. I am in His plans, His wondrous, incomprehensible plans.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."-Isaiah 5:8-9
August 21, 2015
Taking Stock, vol. II
Making: a fox scarf for my brother
Cooking: lots of chicken stock. We have too much.
Drinking: ice water. aaah.
Reading: more Mitford books.
Wanting: a fitbit.
Looking: forward to seeing Joseph (again) at Sight and Sound.
Playing: nothin'.
Wasting: time. duh.
Sewing: nothing, again.
Wishing: our schedule had more room for friends. le sigh.
Enjoying: reviewing Spanish--I didn't forget everything!
Waiting: for the show this evening (as stated above).
Liking: all the birthday cake we've had around recently.
Wondering: if I should sleep or make myself walk on the treadmill. Hmm. Maybe both.
Loving: my littlest niece's sweet smile and my eldest niece's chattering.
Hoping: the hawk doesn't get any of the chickens. He has returned...
Marveling: how similar my Mom and her sister are: the way they pronounce certain words, which words they put stress on, how they play with their hair, etc.
Needing: a nap.
Smelling: heat (when I step out of the lovely, air-conditioned house, that is).
Wearing: cute headbands.
Following: where my stomach leads. Which usually means cheese or something.
Noticing: how hunched over I am while typing this. *straightens*
Knowing: I should be practicing voice lessons.
Thinking: I probably won't.
Feeling: a little guilty.
Bookmarking: articles about GMO's.
Cooking: lots of chicken stock. We have too much.
Drinking: ice water. aaah.
Reading: more Mitford books.
Wanting: a fitbit.
Looking: forward to seeing Joseph (again) at Sight and Sound.
Playing: nothin'.
Wasting: time. duh.
Sewing: nothing, again.
Wishing: our schedule had more room for friends. le sigh.
Enjoying: reviewing Spanish--I didn't forget everything!
Waiting: for the show this evening (as stated above).
Liking: all the birthday cake we've had around recently.
Wondering: if I should sleep or make myself walk on the treadmill. Hmm. Maybe both.
Loving: my littlest niece's sweet smile and my eldest niece's chattering.
Hoping: the hawk doesn't get any of the chickens. He has returned...
Marveling: how similar my Mom and her sister are: the way they pronounce certain words, which words they put stress on, how they play with their hair, etc.
Needing: a nap.
Smelling: heat (when I step out of the lovely, air-conditioned house, that is).
Wearing: cute headbands.
Following: where my stomach leads. Which usually means cheese or something.
Noticing: how hunched over I am while typing this. *straightens*
Knowing: I should be practicing voice lessons.
Thinking: I probably won't.
Feeling: a little guilty.
Bookmarking: articles about GMO's.
August 15, 2015
Taking Stock, vol. I
Making : plans for this school year. Aaaall the plans.
Cooking : lots of cookies for company this weekend. Oh wait, that's baking. So why are they called cook-ies?
Drinking : Ginger Peach tea, chocolate smoothies, and plain 'ole water.
Reading: A Light in the Window (Jan Karon), The Westminster Confession (a bunch of men a long time ago), and David Copperfield (Charles Dickens).
Wanting: cinnamon raisin bread.
Looking: forward to fall.
Playing: Nothing at the moment.
Wasting: time on the internet. Instagram is my bane.
Sewing: nothing, but I have lots of things I want to sew.
Wishing: I had some sheep, kittens, or goats (don't tell the chickens).
Enjoying: waking up earlier, which means I get more done.
Waiting: for school to start.
Liking: ummm...cute pictures of my nieces.
Wondering: Why two of my chickens were squawking frantically yesterday evening.
Loving: the last bit of summer.
Hoping: for a good school year (pSATs--yikes!)
Marveling: at all the truths in the Westminster Confession.
Needing: breakfast.
Smelling: bacon.
Wearing: my fuzzy robe.
Following: Live Simply blog. It's for all those frugal, real foodies out there.
Noticing: a hummingbird out in the garden.
Knowing: Jesus loves me, this I know.
Thinking: about all the cleaning and cooking I have to help with today. The aforementioned company, you see.
Feeling: hungry.
Bookmarking: cute dresses. :)
----
I thought this was a fun idea. I might make it a regular thing on the weekends, though I'm not putting pressure on myself. During the school year it will be nice to take a break from stuff, sit down, and just review my week.
Cooking : lots of cookies for company this weekend. Oh wait, that's baking. So why are they called cook-ies?
Drinking : Ginger Peach tea, chocolate smoothies, and plain 'ole water.
Reading: A Light in the Window (Jan Karon), The Westminster Confession (a bunch of men a long time ago), and David Copperfield (Charles Dickens).
Wanting: cinnamon raisin bread.
Looking: forward to fall.
Playing: Nothing at the moment.
Wasting: time on the internet. Instagram is my bane.
Sewing: nothing, but I have lots of things I want to sew.
Wishing: I had some sheep, kittens, or goats (don't tell the chickens).
Enjoying: waking up earlier, which means I get more done.
Waiting: for school to start.
Liking: ummm...cute pictures of my nieces.
Wondering: Why two of my chickens were squawking frantically yesterday evening.
Loving: the last bit of summer.
Hoping: for a good school year (pSATs--yikes!)
Marveling: at all the truths in the Westminster Confession.
Needing: breakfast.
Smelling: bacon.
Wearing: my fuzzy robe.
Following: Live Simply blog. It's for all those frugal, real foodies out there.
Noticing: a hummingbird out in the garden.
Knowing: Jesus loves me, this I know.
Thinking: about all the cleaning and cooking I have to help with today. The aforementioned company, you see.
Feeling: hungry.
Bookmarking: cute dresses. :)
----
I thought this was a fun idea. I might make it a regular thing on the weekends, though I'm not putting pressure on myself. During the school year it will be nice to take a break from stuff, sit down, and just review my week.
August 5, 2015
YXL 2015
It has been a month since this wonderful youth conference. I made so many new friends, strengthened old friendships, and cannot wait to go back. Here's a summary of what went on. :) Go team C, I miss all of you!
learning lab challenges, hour long Bible study and prayer time, teabagging, late night games of Body-Body, pygmies, guitars everywhere, peanut M&Ms, hiking the AT, blindfold jokes, Geneva and Kari wailing Taylor Swift in the bus, skipping Mike in phase 10, Heather rapping, microwave gatherings, teary and real debrief time, mystery meat, team care, worship, Kiwi and Geneva ('nuff said), chicken dance and I'm-a-little-teapot, cake smashing, Kelly rockin' the electric slide, spotting, Kiwi's gum, Tyler's foot, stretch, climb, reach, grow, so much more.
learning lab challenges, hour long Bible study and prayer time, teabagging, late night games of Body-Body, pygmies, guitars everywhere, peanut M&Ms, hiking the AT, blindfold jokes, Geneva and Kari wailing Taylor Swift in the bus, skipping Mike in phase 10, Heather rapping, microwave gatherings, teary and real debrief time, mystery meat, team care, worship, Kiwi and Geneva ('nuff said), chicken dance and I'm-a-little-teapot, cake smashing, Kelly rockin' the electric slide, spotting, Kiwi's gum, Tyler's foot, stretch, climb, reach, grow, so much more.
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