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