Today.

It's the kind of day for wearing SmartWool socks, listening to Josh Garrels, and baking pear tarts.

How are you spending your weekend?

Costuming.

In my family, we like dressing up. My mom always made sure our lives were full of creativity and imagination, so it only made sense that we would pretend to be various characters from books we read or movies we watched or that we would just make up our own stories to act out.

Last year, Matt and I visited my grandparents and, while at their house, flipped through some family pictures for entertainment. He is now convinced that I spent my entire childhood in costume. There are pictures of me dressed as a ladybug, a baby chick, a cheerleader, an old woman, wearing various dance costumes, dressed in my brothers clothing, pretending to be pregnant before my younger siblings were born, sporting crazy hairstyles.

Years of dressing up have made my siblings and I pretty good at putting together a costume and our skills were put to work this week as Marc, my youngest brother, had Costume Day at school. Here are some pictures of Marc as Waldo from the Where's Waldo books. They would be perfect if only you had to pick him out in a crowd...

Missing.

I never thought I would say this but... I miss Ohio (and Indiana).

 I've always loved the south. And hated the cold winters of the north. And when my family moved to Georgia, I was thrilled with the prospect of no snow and possibly even sun at Christmas. I loved the thought of consistently hot weather and ice cold glasses of sweet tea and southern charm. After graduation, I expected to leave the north and never look back.

 And so, I hate admitting just how much I miss the midwest. But I do, especially this time of year. It's not yet fall in Georgia. The leaves have barely started to change colors and the weather is consistently warm and sunny. It makes me wish for the beautiful Fall of Ohio. I'm missing so many things about it.

 I miss changing leaves that are vibrant on the trees and make delightful crunching noises when they fall to the ground.

 I miss the necessity of wearing scarves (I tried to pretend it was scarf weather in Georgia one day by wearing a scarf with a short sleeve shirt. Eventually, I got too warm and had to take it off).

 I miss crackling fires in the evening and the desire for warm comfort foods and flannel shirts (and I miss the boy in the picture).

 I miss Fall desserts and Fall themed meals.

Eventually, it will be Fall here too. And I have a feeling that I'll be grateful for the temperate weather of the south in just a couple months. But, for now, it would be nice to be back home in the midwest. Thank goodness it's been possible to visit so often.

The communal experience of food.

I love baking. And cooking.

I love creating and then sharing. Seeing the joy that is brought to others through something so simple, like a cupcake or banana bread or chocolate chip cookies.

One of the things I miss most about school (or just living somewhere where I know people) is the communal experience of a meal or even a snack. Perhaps that is why I've recently been so enthralled with the idea of working at a bakery.

This afternoon, one of my roommates sent me a text that said "Today I have had coffee, tea and popcorn. It's like I am back in our house!" So many good memories can be built around sharing food.

I miss studying over coffee. Having friends over for a movie and popcorn. Making house dinner or just going to campus to eat together because we didn't have time to cook. Baking tons of apple pies in the fall, just to find our favorite recipe (and to have tons of apple pie to eat!). Inviting friends over to frost cookies in the winter.

Unfortunately, I also have a lot of food allergies. In the past, my way of dealing with them (or not dealing with them) was to ignore them. But, recently, I've decided that something needs to be done about it. Currently, I'm trying out an elimination/healing diet that gives me hope for being able to eat things like dairy in the future! At the moment, however, I just miss the creative outlet that baking provides. I think I'm just going to have to get even more creative, for the time being!

In the meantime, here is an adorable video that I recently discovered and love. I would absolutely love if this was my life!

And, I'm back.

I'm back in Georgia.
Left without a plan nearly a month ago and now I'm finally home.


Taking life one day at a time.

Inspired.

Found these two videos.



Mast Brothers




Billykirk


For as long as I can remember, I've thought that it would be wonderful to own a small business. Through the years, I've had different ideas-- bookstore, bakery, bed and breakfast-- but my overall vision has lasted. My thoughts are expressed so well in these videos. Craft and creativity, independence, quality production, adventure, process. All of these things are so important and are the reasons why I've envisioned having a business.

Maybe I'll never own my own business, but I understand the need for a creative outlet. And these videos are inspiring. Love them.

Lately.

So many good thing.

1. Last week, I drove to Ohio and experienced the wonderful hospitality of these friends by staying at their lovely apartment for a couple of days. So blessed to have them in my life.

2. Saw my younger brother lead worship at his school. I'm not sure I've ever been more proud of anything. It's incredible to watch a younger sibling use his gifts to whole-heartedly praise God.

3. I surprised Matt by being at the airport in Cleveland when he came home from Alaska. It was perfect.

4. Spent several days in Ohio and had a wonderful time catching up with Matt and his family.

5. Went to a covered bridge.

6. Baked a delicious blueberry pie.

7. Ate falafel.

8. Walked around Little Italy and had gelato from a cafe/bakery.

9. Discovered my new favorite place, the West Side Market, and felt like I was back in Europe while eating gyros and crepes.

10. Watched Matt and his brother-in-law, Chad, fix a car. Impressive.

11. Eventually, said a somewhat painful goodbye (that is alleviated by knowing that, this time, being apart doesn't involve months of not being able to communicate).

12. Traveled to Indiana.

13. Enjoyed the hospitality of my wonderful cousin, Hannah, who cooked me an amazing dinner. Spent hours watching the Food Network (have you ever seen the show Chopped? It's my new favorite).

14. Visited my favorite bakery and officially started the Fall with a pumpkin pie!

15. Drove to my grandparent's house, where I've been helping them pack in preparation for their move in a couple of months, and was given TONS of books that they were getting rid of (because I can never have too many).

16. Had coffee with my close friend and roommate, Jordi. So good to catch up and to hear about her life.

17. I'm now continuing to look for a job, which I know God will provide!

Friends, family, food. Things have been wonderful lately. So much of my life is split between Georgia, Ohio, and Indiana that I feel equally at home in each of these places. It's like I've created my own amalgam of a town.

But I'm starting to feel that it's time to settle in somewhere, to grow some roots, make some new friends, to feel graduated. Eventually, it'll happen. Just trusting in God to provide the life he wants for me.

The covered bridge

Matthew

Me

Today is awesome.

Today is the day I've been waiting on for nine weeks (and, really, anticipating for longer than that)!

No more waiting for a 20 minute phone call, every other week.

No more hurried, incomplete conversations.

No more worrying about bears and other dangerous Alaskan creatures.

Matt comes home TODAY!

On the road.

Sometimes it seems like a lot of my life is spent in the car, on road trips. Can't complain about that!

No time to write. Off on another adventure!

I'll be back... sometime (I'm not great at scheduling and planning when I travel).

Social media.

Recently, I signed up for Pinterest.

And, although I originally thought that it would just be a great way to organize the recipes, projects, and ideas I find on the internet, I quickly realized that I was spending quite a bit of time browsing through the things that others had pinned, looking at houses I'll probably never have, recipes I can't eat (because of food allergies), and clothing I can't afford.

For quite some time, I've been thinking about the impact that social social media and the internet has on my life and, more importantly, how I interact with these things in light of my faith.

A blog entry written by my (wise) older brother, which you can see here, and an extremely thought-provoking article that he posted a link to, found here, have been instrumental is causing me to search my heart for my true motives when using technology.

I've been asking myself questions. Does my faith have any bearing on how I use the internet? Shouldn't it, since my relationship with Christ should be reflected in every area of my life? What attitudes do I have because of social networking that bring me closer to Christ or draw me further from him?

Do I use Pinterest to catalogue DIY ideas I've found so that I can make a gift to bless a friend OR do I use it to look through pictures of things that I want but will never have, making me discontent with my own life?

Do I use Facebook in a wise way, to keep in touch with others, while still making sure that I spend less time contacting through Facebook messages than I do showing genuine interest in my friends through phone calls and face-to-face interaction OR do I simply waste time with impersonal "contact"?

Do I use this blog to encourage others, to present valuable ideas and to show the joy that Christ brings to my life OR do I use it as a place to focus on myself, generating selfishness and a self-centered lifestyle?

I've been reflecting on Scripture in order to answer these questions.

James 3:1 says, "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

And Proverbs 17:28 says, "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent."

Unfortunately, I know that my use of social media has been reflective of my self-centeredness and has served to make me discontent with all that Christ has given me, more often than I would like to admit. There have been times when I should have kept silent and times when I should not have presumed that I had something to teach.

So what does all of this mean? As of now, I haven't come to the conclusion that I should cease to use the internet. Or that I should delete my Facebook, Pinterest, and Blogger accounts. Right now, I'm simply realizing the need to pray and think through the things that I put on the internet and the fact that all of my thoughts should be taken captive for Christ, including those that are influenced my social media.

Christ is not outdated. He does not simply live in ancient Israel. In fact, if being in Israel this summer taught me anything it is that he is alive and continuously working in the lives of those who believe. So, even though it might seem that Christ has little interest in Facebook or Twitter or any other internet site, his love for us as individuals and his desire that we surrender every area of our life to him, dictates that my social media usage brings him glory. And that is what I'm going to continue to strive for.

A (brief) visit.

This weekend, I had the pleasure of spending time with two very dear friends. Jordan has been once of my closest friends for years and when we met her (now) husband Dishon around the time we were in middle school, it was clear that they were destined to be together. Well, maybe it wasn't clear back then. Since they began their relationships several years ago, however, Jo and Dishon have been a constant blessing to me.

I'm so glad that they had a chance to stay over on their way to a friend's wedding, giving us some (sweet but brief) time to catch up.

 

By the lake

Dishon

Jo

Though they couldn't stay for long, we were able to talk a bit, share breakfast together, and take a walk around the lake before they had to leave. 

Thank you, friends, for visiting us. Come again soon!

Party!

After lunch with a friend this afternoon, I came home to my third package of the summer from Matt.

Inside was everything I would need for a party so that I could celebrate the fact that, today, we've been dating for six months. Supplies to make cupcakes, a pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game, confetti, party poppers, a gift card, and a note.

Of course, I immediately used my gift to make these!

It would have been nice to celebrate together but in just two weeks (and one day), Matt will be back from Alaska. In the meantime, I'm thankful for the blessing of wonderful and supportive people in my life. And I'm going to enjoy some cupcakes.

Rainy days.

"It was really a splendid morning: grey, cold, and cheerless, a morning for inward vigour."

from "The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze" by William Saroyan

SixtyFeet.

Today, I read this article about an inspiring couple who expanded their family to include two children from Uganda after learning about the existence of prisons for children and who continue to work in Eastern Africa through their ministry, SixtyFeet.

I'm always amazed by the stories of people who unquestioningly trust God by giving of their time, money, and other resources and who take delight in doing so. How often do I selfishly hold onto what I have, hoping to gain even more for myself, when others are in much greater need?

Lately, I've been thinking about my passions and the ways that God has gifted me-- what makes me excited? What do I truly care about? And I've been praying about how God wants me to use my passions and gifts. At the moment, I'm not completely sure what direction I'm headed in, but I know that God is going to reveal to me the ways that he desires me to serve him and that I have plenty of opportunities to do so everyday, wherever I am.

Happy birthday, Dad!

Dear Dad,

Happy birthday!

I hope you have an incredible day and enjoy the celebration!

You are an incredible father and I am so grateful to have been raised by you. Thank you for the time you spend with us, the example you set, and the support you give.

Also, please don't be too upset by your decorated car. Marc and I just thought that you deserved some recognition today!

Love you tons,

Alix

Catching up.

This summer, my days have vacillated from busy to rather dull. But, for the most part, I've found ways to fill them-- projects to do, people to catch up with, trips to take. The past few days, I've been occupied with plenty of these self-instigated activities.

1. With the parents out of town for a few days, Marc and I enjoyed some sibling bonding time. We baked chocolate chip cookies, went running, built a fort, spent several hours rock climbing (and were both quire sore the next morning), ate lunch at the lake, threw around a football, went on a long walk, watched Arrested Development in our fort, talked about books (he's very into Crime and Punishment, at the moment) and philosophy and theology. All in all, we just had a wonderful and relaxing weekend.

The fort

A very tired brother

Lunch at the lake

Having fun

2. The highlight of my day today was a long Skype conversation with a beautiful friend. Taylor moved onto my wing as a freshman when I was a sophomore and we immediately grew close. She is a gifted encourager and every time I talk with her, it is evident that she deeply loves God and loves people. I miss the days of coming back to my room and finding her napping in my bed, but I'm so blessed to still have her in my life.

Skype date!

Plus, isn't she adorable?

3. Because of a persistent Chipotle craving that is generally unfulfilled, due to the fact that the nearest Chipotle is almost an hour away, I made a Chipotle style meal for dinner tonight. My family's rave reviews made me think that they miss the delicious taste of real Chipotle as well.

Sort of like Chipotle...

Homemade burrito bowl

Like I said, it's been a busy few days!

The narrative of war?

I found this article about the way in which history, in particular history of violence and war, is taught in classrooms. Interesting and thought provoking. What do you think?

Missing Ireland.

Yesterday, I was missing Ireland and I had some time on my hands, so I made an Irish meal for my family!

Scones.

Vegetable soup.

Sticky toffee pudding.

This was one of my favorite meals in Ireland and eating it again made me miss being there. Hopefully, someday, I'll go back!

A few delightful things.

My days, lately, have been spectacular. So many delightful things have happened that I'm taking a break from reflecting on Israel to instead write about a few of the things that are worth being thankful for. Most of them are small things but, nevertheless, they are the things that make me feel grateful for the experience of each day.

1. Last night, for the first time in a month, I was able to talk with Matt! I can't even express how amazing it was to hear his voice and to have an entire 40 minutes to hear about his life in the Alaskan wilderness.

2. Early morning run. Finally starting to feel (somewhat) back in shape.

3. Farmer's Market! Thanks to a friend suggesting that I find a farmer's market to go to this weekend, I remembered that we actually do have one in town and that I've been wanting to check it out. This time, I mostly wandered and browsed the products of local vendors, but I'm sure I'll purchase more in the future.

I did, however, buy some lemongrass lip balm from Earths Essential, a local company that sells all natural hair and skin products, and am LOVING it already.

Then, I grabbed an iced coffee and a gluten free muffin and headed to the lake.

4. I've been spending a bit of time by the lake lately, just walking around and enjoying the peacefulness. It's a great place to read or people watch or take pictures.

5. Phone calls with friends. This morning, I caught up with one of my roommates, Elise. It's strange to go from living in bedrooms across the hall from one another, sharing living space, cooking and studying and having long, late-night conversations to barely being able to communicate at all. I loved being able to hear about her life and to discuss our plans for the future. Can't wait to see her soon!

6. Used bookstores. This afternoon, I went into a used bookstore in town to search for poetry by a specific poet. Even though they didn't have it, I (of course) walked out with two other books. And now I'm looking forward to reading works by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Annie Dillard sometime in the near future.

There are about a million other things that could go on this list, but I'll leave it there for now. Hope you're finding just as much to appreciate in your recent summer days!