"My Sunday Afternoon"

Yesterday I awoke to a beautiful, snow-covered world. White, fluffy snow glistened in the morning sunlight. I attended a beautiful wedding on Saturday night, where the theme was so appropriate... snowflakes! All the bridesmaids lined up in their various-shades-of-blue dresses, holding a single white rose sprayed with blue glitter. The bride donned clear, shiny nails, topped with blue glitter and a little snowflake in the corner of her ring finger. Since the snow came so quickly, I spent the night at a friend's house.

At some point over the weekend I had lost my socks in all the chaos, and thus trudged outside to brush off by car with my barefeet shoved inside my shoes. The snow was THICK and it took quite a while to remove it all from my car. Task completed, I hopped in my car to go spend a few hours with precious Emma. I attempted to plow through the huge drift of snow at the end of the driveway, and on my fourth attempt, I made it to the road. As soon as I started driving, I noticed the bright red battery light staring me in the face. Oh no. This happened last weekend and it meant the serpentine belt broke. I was running on battery power and knew I would not make it very far. After finding out that Jared's serpentine belt had broken that morning as well, and thus was stranded at work, I lost all control and cried until my eyes were red and puffy. I slowly made my way to the church parking lot, about 1 mile away.

Luckily, my handy dandy mechanic father was at church, and was able to determine that the belt had, in fact, not broken, but merely popped off due to a copious amount of snow packed around the pullies. Again, I cried, but this time because I was glad the problem was not as serious as I originally thought. I drove it to my parents house, with the family behind me, ready to rescue me if necessary. Upon arrival, dad turned down the bed for me, mom made me some lunch, and then they sent me off to bed (crying, of course, because I was so tired and stressed out). Meanwhile, dad spent his Sunday afternoon out in the garage fixing my car. After replacing the belt, he realized something was out of alignment, and fixed that problem as well. Yay for daddies! After my much needed two-hour nap, I awoke to a brand new car, and a hug from my dad. As I was leaving, he whispered in my ear,

"There is nothing else I would rather do with my Sunday afternoon than help my little girl."


Yeah, I cried.

Lady Lovely Locks

Here is a documentary of my experience in pictures...






Before


In process....


Jared brought us dinner!


Seven hours later...


Lady Lovely Locks!

Husband of the Year

I have nominated Jared to be husband of the year. He is so good at surprising me in the most amazing ways. Here is the latest example. On Friday night I had a slumber party for all my girlfriends. Jared told me to call him after all the girls arrived because he had a special surprise for us. So at 7:15, I called. With a sparkle in his voice he told me to open the junk drawer in our kitchen and reach underneath. My fingers ran across something taped there. I pulled it off and found a 5-dollar bill taped to a clue that read:

"Here is some money to help with yor doo, if you want some more go look where we poo."

Hahaha! This led the group of girls on a hilarious, loooong, treasure hunt. I gathered $5 with each new clue, and at the end of the hunt, my prize was a 100-dollar bill!! Jared saved this money up for me so I could get my hair extensions! Seriously! Who thinks of such a fun game! And what makes it even better is that every clue rhymed, every clue had $5 taped to it, and it took him the better part of 2 hours to complete. What a guy!

Happy wife.

I am going to get my hair done tomorrow at 2pm! I am SO EXCITED! I will post the before and after picture tomorrow night when I get home!

Valentine's Surprise

I was surprised last night to arrive home to a beautiful candlelit dinner being made for me! Jared made ribeye steaks wrapped in bacon, parmesan couscous, and green peas, complete with sparkling red grape juice!! YUM-O!

While he prepared dinner, I made my delicious chocolate mousse to enjoy for dessert, then ran upstairs and to throw on my party dress! We had a great Valentine's, and way more fun than going to Timberlodge any day!

Here are some pictures from our evening...

Happy Valentines

Happy Valentines Day to all! Did any of you wake up to an amazing surprise? Get breakfast in bed, or walk out of your room this morning to a bunch of roses or chocolates? Do you have wonderful plans for a romantic evening? I want to hear your stories. Do tell.

Jared and I are planning to postpone our celebration until tomorrow night. Not because we can't tonight-- we are wide open this evening. Simply because neither one of us has the energy or will to fight the crazy love bird rush tonight. We have attempted to go out for dinner on Valentines in past years, and always hear "Sorry, there is a 4 hour wait," and we always end up at KFC or McD's. But since we are dead set on going to Timber Lodge this year, and know for a fact we wouldn't get served until we should be in bed sleeping, we decided exercise our patience and wait.
We also made a pact not to buy any V-Day gifts, and instead treat eachother to gifts and luxuries on our cruise in a few weeks. I am positive this is the better bargain! Everytime we go on vacation, we have to save up so much just to pay for the travel and lodging that we never have any money left over for spending or special treats. So I am pretty PSYCHED that this vacation is already paid for, and that we will actually have a little spending money!

Well that is all the love I have to give today. I am saving it all up for tomorrow.

Bring on the stories!

Oooooooh Yeah

Papar Returns

Dad is safe and sound at home sleeping in his bed. He is feeling sick. Please pray for a quick recovery of the jetlag and any illness in his body. Thank you. God brought my daddy home to me safely.

Winter Wonderland, oh please!

That cruise and sunny 80 degree weather sounds pretty good right now.

I went to start my car this morning at 9:45, an hour and a half before I needed to be to work. I went out and found my car was white, not black! It was completely covered with burning cold snow. I opened the back door very carefully so as not to let much snow fall into the car. Whatever. A huge drift of snow snuck into the car so fast that by the time the door was cracked enough for me to see inside, the entire back seat was covered.

With my fingers pulled inside my coat sleeves (since my mittens have been missing for coldest week in a decade) I started my car and then got out to brush off the snow. After a short 3 minutes, I could not feel my fingers anymore and had to retreat into the house for warmth. I dug through an old hat/mitten box and finally found some old ratty gloves. I slipped them on as soon as my fingers were warm, and ran back out into the cold. After about 10-15 minutes, the job was finally done. That is how much snow was on my car. And since it was still snowing, a new layer was beginning to form. About halfway through this hideous process, my eyes began to well up with tears because the cold hurt so much. But I held them back with all my might because I was worried the liquid would freeze on my face causing further pain! How often does a worry like that cross your mind! Ugh!

When the car was finally ready, I marched angrily into the garage to thaw out a little and immediatly called Jared. I grumpily demanded, "The next house we get HAS to have a double garage that is NOT FILLED WITH CRAP!" Poor Jared. He took it very well and was very understanding. He is such a wonderful husband and promised a clean garage coming soon.

The Jewelry is Coming!

Ladies! The jewelry you all ordered from my Lia Sophia party last weekend should arrive today! Cara has been tracking the order and according to its location, it is scheduled to be delivered today! Yay! That was fast service.
So next time I see each of you I will come bearing gifts!

Quick update on Papar:
The team learned that that airport they flew in to (and are scheduled to fly out of) is still canceling flights due to smog. They are all eager to get home without further delays, so they are going to leave one day earlier than scheduled and take a bus to a different airport. They are still planning to arrive home on Friday, but this adjustment means they will be traveling homeward over the course of three days. Please just pray for safe, undelayed travel, and energy for the team as traveling for 3 days is exhausting. Thank you!

And thank you Erin for your reassurance about my dad and leprosy. I needed to hear a word of comfort, so again, thank you.

Misionary Papar II

Just a brief update on my dad. I do not know much, but I do know that he successfully connected with the rest of the group in Hyderabad on Sunday (He flew seperately from everyone else). After connecting with the group, they all attempted to fly to their final destination of Vishakapatnam, but were delayed one day as there was too much smog and visibility was so limited. As we came to find out, the smog had been so thick that they stopped all flights for the previous ten days! But it lifted just as our team needed to get through and they were only delayed one day! He was able to call my mother on Monday evening and relate all this to her. He said that they were going to set up a medical clinic that day and begin their work. So far everyone has remained safe and healthy. Thank you for any prayers you have offered on their behalf.
I am nervous right now as the itinerary calls for the team to spend this weekend at a leprosy colony (Friday through Sunday). I am continuing the trust the Lord, however, and He is blessing me with peace. That's all for now. I will give further updates as they come.

Missionary Papar

I am sitting at home today and I am just so happy. Let me explain...
I wasn't feeling too good this morning, so Jared went to church and left me home to sleep. After sleeping until 8:45 ( I am rapidly loosing my ability to sleep in late), I arose fully awake and lazily made my way down to eat a sweet red grapefruit. After I was finished, I built myself a little nest on our papazan chair consisting of 2 pillows under my back, one under my head, and a cozy soft blanket tucking me in. Added to this nest of comfort is the joy of the oscillating heater sitting on the coffee table in front of me, and the sunshine pouring in the bay window on three sides of me. To further this already heavenly situation, I just finished listening to the greatest pastor of all times, Gregg Heinsch. I downloaded a sermon off the Celebration Communty Church website where he now preaches. And here I sit, typing away to all my fans. Life is good.

On a more serious note, my father is one of the people from Faith that went to India this week. Please pray for him, and the rest of the team. I hear of people going to India every day and just get excited for them and never think twice about it. But when it is my own father, my mind reels with all the possiblities of danger he could be put in. I know that God is watching over him constantly, and will keep him safe, but Satan has a way of making the mind wander. So, if you have a moment today, please say a little prayer for me too. I want to capture my mind and trust God fully to bring my Daddy safely home to me.

Boredom = Creativity

So I had the entire day to myself, completely alone. Which, at the beginning of the day sounded pretty nice. However, after scrubbing the house from top to bottom, vaccuuming every piece of carpet, changing the kitty litter, fixing myself a delicious lunch, running 3 miles, going to Festival, and flipping through the channels endlessly and finding nothing but Seabiscuit, I ran completely out of things to do. And the sun was still up. I had a lot of hours to burn. Jared was away for the evening, so I could not turn to him for entertainment. I had to get creative.

SO....

I gave myself a virtual makeover... or 15.
And to further my excitement, I am making a game of it! I numbered each Naomi and want you to vote on your favorite...











Sometimes the creativity that originates from a bored woman is fascinating.

Someone Will Always Be Prettier

"Someone will always be prettier. They will always be smarter. Their house will be bigger. They will drive a better car. Their children will do better in school. And their husband will fix more things.

So let it go. Love you and your circumstances.

Think about it. The prettiest woman in the world can have sorrow in her heart. The most highly favored woman at your job may be unable to have children. The richest woman you know- with the perfect car, house, clothes- might be lonely. The Word says 'If I have not love, I am nothing.' So again, love you. Love who you are right now and let God be your barometer. Mirror Him. Look in the mirror in the morning and see how much of God you see. He's the only standard and even when you come up short, He will not leave or forsake you."

God-Sent Strength

Yesterday I got a call from my brother, Andy, which is always a very exciting thing. As time goes on, I see less and less of him. The news he had to share, however, created a mixture of joy and immediate sadness within me. First, let me explain his situation...
He just graduated in May from Rhode Island School of Design-- a pretty well-known art grad school. Since then, he has been applying for jobs across the country, hoping to find a good job in a related field. As you know, the upper mid-west, is not bursting forth with art culture. Sure, there are a few art museums and galleries, but NOTHING in comparison to the East Coast. So obviously, he had a much better chance of getting a "good" job in some art capital like New York. (Score one for the East Coast.) But secretly, I have been hoping for some amazing opportunity to open up here in the farmfields of the upper midwest. Anyways, since graduation, Andy has also taken on a fiance! Her family all lives in New Jersey. (Score two for the East Coast.) The situation was looking pretty grim from my standpoint, and I began to prepare myself for the worst. Yesterday, the worst came. Andy had an interview at his alma mater in Rhode Island, and got the job(!) The instant reaction that flooded my body was a deep, sad, sinking feeling. But I put aside my selfish desires and feelings, and let Andy shine for that moment. I knew this was a job he wanted very much, and that it would provide a wonderful life for him and his new bride. So I rejoiced with him through my hurt and disapointment. The strength it took to put aside my feelings is not something I could have ever conjured on my own. My God was with me yesterday for those minutes on the phone. So I thank God for the strength He provided me that I may let another shine, and I thank Him for providing Andy with this dream job, which I know he will excel at and enjoy.

Decisions, Decisions

I am incredibly bad at making quick decisions... as many of you found out at the Lia Sophia party this week. Decisions have always been a weak point for me. My mind reels with the benefits and joys of each option I have, and thus, I have a very difficult time narrowing down my options. Eventually though, I do somehow narrow them down. But I am afraid I am stuck in a rut at this point in the process. For some reason, my lucky number is 3 (or rather, my unlucky number). I always narrow down my options to 3, get stuck and cannot narrow any further, and then just get frustrated trying to choose from there. Then, my mind starts playing tricks on me. I finally think that I have made up my mind and just as I am gearing up to take action, the other two options pop back into my head and torment me until my resolve is broken into pieces. Now these decisions of which I speak, are usually the frivolous, trivial things of life, such as: Should I wear my dark gray sweater, my light gray sweater, or my white button-up shirt with this purple tank top? Or, should I buy these earrings, this braclet, or that anklet? Get the gist? Rarely is the war within me over important issues, because I just hand those directly over to Jared who has an amazingly logical and analytical brain. He helps me see the wisest choice so crystal clear that it makes me question why there were even other options in my head. Silly though it may be, I fear I shall never rid myself of this weakness.

Classic Cream

We made this creamy alcohol beverage for New Year's and it is SO YUMMY! I loved it so much I want to share it with all of you! *We only put 1/3 cup of whiskey in, and it was delicious! Enjoy!

Classic Cream (Irish Cream)

4 eggs
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. coconut extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. intant coffee granules
1 Tbsp. chocolate syrup
1 cup half 'n half
1 cup whiskey*

Mix all ingredients in a blender until well blended. Serve over ice.

My Christmas Rose

Well Christmas is over and we were blessed with many more gifts than we could ever wish for. Jared bought a beautiful cherry-wood desk for me that I am sitting at now as I type. I already filled the drawers and shelves with all of my crafting things. It is my little corner of the living room to do with as I please! The laptop moved out of its temporary residence on our kitchen table, and into its perminant new home atop my new desk!
Though the desk was by far the most expensive gift I received this year, and I love it, it was not my favorite gift. I am going to share a story that goes to show that a woman is not always won over by the big expensive gifts. Thoughtfulness and attentiveness go a LOOOONG way. My most favorite gift this year was a stocking stuffer that cost $15.00
Let me explain...
Last Thursday my sister Shinae called me up and asked if I would like to meet her for lunch. I joyfully accepted and arrived an hour later. After lunch, we had about an hour to spend together before Shinae had to leave for work. So we casually walked down Main St. and popped into some of the shops. We came to an antique shop and were both excited to go look around. Our search started by looking for hand-painted teacups from England (for Shinae). After scouring the shelves without success, we opted to look at the huge trays full of beautiful antique rings. Since I had recently spent every last penny on Christmas gifts, we were mainly looking for a ring for Shinae. We stood at that counter pouring over the rings for a good twenty minutes, trying on anything that would fit our fingers! (Just because I didn't have any money does not mean I could not try them on!) I found an exquisite ring made of a thin band of sterling silver. Several delicate pieces of silver were bent into the form of a rose, with a leaf on each side. The center of the rose clutched a tiny red ruby. Shinae finally chose a beautiful green and gold ring and then we left.

After returning home on Thursday, I had briefly mentioned the ring to Jared, and how beautiful I thought it was. Jared gathered the limited information I had given him and snuck to the antique store the following day. After describing the ring as best he could, the store attendant helped him find the beautiful little ring.

On Christmas morning I reached into my stocking and opened up the most beautiful antique rose ring. What a guy! This tiny little token was by far my favorite present. Not only because I think the ring is beautiful, but also because of Jared's thoughtfulness and attentiveness. The huge surprise factor also contributed to my delight. Anyways, kudos to Jared! I love you! Thank you for the person you are and the way you cherish me!

Stocking Stuffers

I finally got all the presents bought for my dear husband (which always sounds easier than it proves to be). I want to get him gifts that he will not only like, but will be excited about. Well, yay to me! All that is behind me now. I found the greatest gifts that I am confident he will love. Today, I bought the rest of the stocking stuffers, which is always a bit of a puzzle to me. How much do you spend on stocking stuffers? In my mind, they are always an afterthought, but then once I get going, I never know where to stop. I started small with traditional "stuffer" gifts, but then my excitement grew and the gifts got bigger and more expensive until I realized I just needed to cut myself off. Tonight I wrapped them all and started packing them into his fuzzy red stocking... yeah, they don't all fit. I got too carried away. So three of his stuffers are now under the Christmas tree. Then after carefully (and very strategically) packing the gifts into his stocking I went to hang it up again. Let me explain how we jimmy-rigged our stockings. We are using tiny 3M wall hooks stuck to the side of our entertainment center, with a paper clip carefully bent into a hook. As you guessed, the strength of a paper clip is no match for the overstuffed stocking. After attempting to hang it three times, and the stocking crashing to the floor three times, I was able to bend the paper clip in a way that supported the weight. I don't know how, but I am not touching it again until Christmas!
Oh the joys of the holiday season! I love Christmas! Happy Day to all!!

World's Best Spritz Cookie Recipe

This is the recipe I forgot to bring with me to the cookie party last week. This recipe is delicious and the cookies turn out buttery and delicious!

Jan's Spritz Cookies
Yield: 6 dozen
Temp: 350

1 C. shortening
3/4 C. sugar
1 egg
2 1/4 C. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp.vanilla

Cream shortening in a mixing bowl. Add sugar and cream well. Beat in egg and vanilla. Stir in all dry ingrediants. Mix well. Fill cookie press and bake on ungreased cookie sheets for 8-10 minutes. (Check after 6-7 minutes. Baking time will vary depending on your oven.)

Christmas Cookie Bonanza

On Friday afternoon, I packed up my spatulas and cookie sheets, my measuring cups and colored sprinkles and headed for the home of all homes... my parents' house. It was the big Christmas cookie bake-off day! I arrived around 3 pm and was greeted by the warm, cozy glow of the twinkly lights dancing on the Christmas tree. Soft, cheerful carols drifted through the house. But best of all, I was welcomed with huge smiles and big hugs! I was the first to arrive, and it was just Mom, Anna and me. We went right to work. I melted chocolate and sweetened condensed milk and made four flavors of fabulous truffles, including almond, peppermint, coconut and orange! My mom made tray-fulls of delicious turtles! And Anna ran back and forth helping us both when needed. At about 5 pm, my sister-in-law, Ariel, arrived and began baking her amazing sugar cookies. Nearing 6 o'clock, we were all getting hungry, so we sat down to enjoy the hot Hawaiian chicken and rice that mom had simmering in a crock pot all afternoon. By 7pm, Abby and Shinae had arrived and the kitchen was a bustle of activity. Sweet smells drifted through the air and tickled our noses. Abby and I decided to make a mega batch of Spritz cookies, so we quadrupled the recipe! I am sure most of you know that spritz cookies are basically butter cookies...

That is how much butter you need to quadrupel a spritz recipe! The recipe also called for 10 cups of flour! After finally stirring the last cup of flour in, (it took 3 of us taking turns to get it all mixed together!) we packed the dough into the presses and took off. We had about 7 cookie sheets filled with cute little shapes and colors. When the cookies came out of the oven and were ready for sampling, I tried one. To my utter dismay, they tasted like cute, colorful FLOUR. Poop.
I finally got the hang of the spritz press at least. Good practice.
Around 10pm, we took the last tray out of the oven, washed all the dishes, cleaned off the counters and sat down to devour some of our handiwork! It was a successful, fun, joyous night!