ROMANS 8:28

As I mentioned before, my church did a Christmas sermon challenging us to give God our heart, time, and checkbook this season. I would like to say I have been doing a good job at this, but goodness it's hard to give God your checkbook! That has been a struggle. But I have made it a goal to wake up every morning and spend a chunk of time journaling and memorizing a verse. My days are usually packed full, so setting aside time before everything else begins has been the best decision for me. It's not always easy but I have started to cherish this time, and look forward to it. 

This was today's verse. 

NEUTRAL HOME

NEUTRAL HOME by letsmeltblog on Polyvore

WINTER WANTS

Winter Wants by letsmeltblog featuring low heels

DISPLAYS

My last semester of college I had the privilege of interning for Anthropologie's Visual Display team in Santa Barbara. 

It opened my eyes to how much I don't know about working with materials. I became close friends with tissue paper, parafin wax, and lots and lots of spray paint. I learned a lot, hit some bumps in the crafting road, and gained respect for the masterminds behind the creations. 

It.was.a.lot.of.work.

I never shared the projects that were installed while I was there, so here goes!

Dinner plate display

 Desert home potted fabric cactus

 Photo transfers

 Spring wall display

 Spring signage

 woven detail

woven hanging backdrop

SARCASM LOVIN'

I'll fully admit that Pinterest can be a negative thing. It makes you believe Trader Joes bags can be turned into a baby crib. There are plenty of pins I do not support (hello drippy melted crayon "art").

But I keep coming back because of the gems I find every now and then. I have to attribute some of my recent creative moments to Pinterest. And now I want more! I guess that's a sign of a successful website :)

One of my new favorite ways to waste time, is looking at blogs that mock Pinterest.

For some Pinterest sarcasm, visit:

wtfpinterest

pintester

craftfail
pinterestyouaredrunk

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU

Bean and I had to have an early Christmas celebration 

since he has to go home this week after finals. 

With busy schedules we managed to cook a little steak dinner,

 and do a mini gift exchange with one candle burning and Christmas Pandora on.

 [excuse the iphone pictures]

Wrapping paper from Marshalls and a little handmade note

Bacon and Roasted Broccoli

Steak seasoned with Trader Joe's Everyday Seasoning

SPICED APPLE WASSAIL

Spiced Apple Wassail

Prep time

5 mins 

Cook time

5 mins

 

Total time

10 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2 apples, peeled and quartered
• 2 tablespoons raw organic honey
• ¼ orange, peeled
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cups of hot water

Instructions

1. Get out your blender or food processor
2. Add all the ingredients above in the order listed
3. Place the lid on your blender and hold it down with your hand
4. Blend on high for a minimum of 3 minutes
5. If using a food processor I recommend 4-5 minutes
6. Pour in a large mug and garnish with an orange slice and a cinnamon stick
7. Enjoy

Notes
From the Civilized Caveman Cooking Creations

DECEMBER

ITS DECEMBER

That is reason enough to celebrate. December has always been a month to look forward to. The 31 days consist of multiple family birthday celebrations (hello, Jesus), smells that make me smile, and the excuse to slow down. However, the month is also a challenge. We are immersed in a culture that encourages exhausting routines during this season. There is pressure to gift perfectly. Pressure to meet expectations. Pressure to be as joyful as the family in the commercial is. But we often forget the reason this month is unique. Jesus's birth refutes every pressure and routine that we follow! He was born to take away the pressure that we feel to live perfectly.

My own challenge for this season (inspired by a redeemertogether.com advent sermon)

[give God my....heart, time, and checkbook]

Easy right? Gosh. My instinct is to go Christmas shopping when I have a free hour, rather than sit in prayer. Not so easy.

I believe in baby steps for this. Carve out some amount of time every day for prayer, do consistent heart checks to make sure I remember what this season is about, and do my best to give to those in need, and buy Christmas gifts that benefit a mission/charity.

A few sites to browse for gifts that give back:

thegivingkeys.com

31bits.com

lunaroasters.com

feedprojects.com
Tribedesigns.com

HMM...

I've been contemplating the idea of dropping everything I have been doing that is mundane, and taking a leap of faith to do what I love. Scary, unpredictable, unknown. But the possibilities a leap of faith can bring makes me excited... 

When was the last time you took a leap of faith?

The kind of leap where you would fall so hard if it weren't for God's hands.

SHE

BE STILL

Today was one of those days. You know where you over analyze everything that occurs but somehow, at the same time you feel like you just went through the motions? I'm a self-professed over analyzer.

The bean would say I give too much weight to my feelings and how other people act. It's true, but hard to change. I used to rag on people pleasers not even knowing I was one of them! I spend so much of my time and energy answering to other people's needs (and making sure I never make a mistake, which I always end up doing anyway) that my days fly by without me stopping to enjoy them. Its interesting that I find little details, trinkets, words and moments so intriguing. Maybe its because I so easily ignore them? I think everyone could use a lesson in slowing down.

One of my favorite verses ---Be still and know that I am God.

How powerful a few words can be. How powerful slowing down and NOT acting on anything can be. 

THANKFUL

Since graduating college, I've had a pretty consistent feeling of being uncomfortable and uprooted. So many friends who graduated before me would explain how rocky and confusing their first year out of school was, but I didn't think I would relate to them. Man, was I wrong. Changes in identity, the working world, and a decreased community have hit hardest. The biggest challenge has been searching for God's plan and purpose in all of the turmoil. Small moments have reminded me that He hides little blessings throughout our days more often than we realize. Since I am naturally a pessimist, focusing on these blessings has been a challenge. But I am committed to change my perspective and view this time as something to be treasured. 

Blessings I have encountered so far:

• finding housing with wonderful friends in the nick of time

• discovering a love of cooking

• the chance to serve a secular community

• the opportunity to work with children as my job

• a new homegroup full of wise counsel

• my own room to decorate and fill with small pretty things