Gooped.

Hello :)  I can't believe it's been a full month since my last post, I've been living life in full force and getting pretty tired doing so.  My life has changed a bunch since last October, and significant change has occurred since June. Stress is inevitable and wrinkle cream is on it's way...but I am also having a lot of fun learning to live in my reality.  One of the ways I've been having fun is cooking for my new family.... granted I'm having a bit of trouble making delicious yet nutritious meals - and that's where my friend Ainsley entered and gave me a cookbook by Jessica Seinfeld.  Yep, she's Jerry's wife.   This cook book called Deceptively Delicious inspired me to cook yummy food - such yummy food that the kids don't even recognize that they are eating veggies or whole wheat.   I haven't followed all her recipes to the letter...but the ones I did were successful and the ones I used as jumping boards were too.

I hadn't heard about Jessica's next cookbook until I went to the GOOP site and saw "Double Delicious" featured on her Make Newsletter.   Reading this post and checking out Jessica's new website www.doitdelicious.com  has inspired me to keep on cooking, and improving nutritious yumminess :) I'm also inspired by the Seinfeld's kitchen, wow!  You can see glimpses of it on some videos that Jessica does to help her friend Ally learn to cook.  Check it below.

http://www.doitdelicious.com/recipes/make_it/seriously_basic_roast_chicken

Goop by Gwyneth Paltro is one of my favourite sites to hit on while internet surfing.  I already thought Gwyneth was pretty amazing - and now she's a country signer!? Cool!

Kissing in Paris while taking a picture at the same time. :) 

Don't Lose Hope

Bombs went off,

in black frosty air

Now we have a sky so blue

But then; death,

….. was all they knew

They saw their comrades,

  fall at their feet….

As much as they wanted,

  to retreat….

They continued to fight

Into the ear-shattering night

Because, they, had hope

That one day some would know

…. That not all was lost

Something could shine through this eerie frost

…..and this land could be alone once more

By : Korri - written in Grade 9

Happy (LATE) Thanksgiving

‎"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
~John Kennedy

Even though I'm pretty sure nobody reads my blog....

....I just have to share one last share.

I found this website called 1000 awesome things and it's sooo fun.  You can find it here.  The websites creator Neil Pasricha fills his site with life's little 'stuff'....the often mundane, yet awesome.  As far as I can see he's on # 405 from a from the top countdown.  (FYI I hear the site had 15 million hits last time anyone counted).


Neil's Four Hundredth and Eighth AWESOME thing is Dinosaurs....WHY?  Because he says "They ruled Earth for millions of years.  With brains the size of peanuts.  And tiny, hilarious arms."

Haha.  AWESOME.

With awesome reminders like that, it's no wonder that he now has authored a book titled The Book of Awesome.  

Okay, so I should really go to bed now.

houzz

Check it out.  It's a super cool web-site with many different ideas for home design, decorating and remodeling ideas.  www.houzz.com  I originally found it on the ipad that I'm allowed to use (if I ask) once in a while and fell in love with the app, but you can find it on the good old www dot as well.  Tons and tons of photos with many ideas and style options to choose from.  You can even make a free ideabook where you can add the photos that inspire you.  At the bottom of each photo there's an option to share it via facebook/twitter/email - the folks at houzz have really thought of it all and I'm spending a lot of time designing each day....for one day.  I've got a big list of projects that are finally down on paper....and it's very soothing clicking through so many ideas.

Although, this pic is not quite my style....I sure wish our entry way looked as uncluttered.  

Tonight's Memory Order

I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.

I will boast only in the Lord
Let all who are discouraged take heart

Come let us tell of the Lords greatness
Let us exalt His name together.

I prayed to the Lord and he answered me
Freeing me from all my fears.


Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy 
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.


I cried out to the Lord in my suffering and He heard me 
He set me free from all my fears.  


As I sit on the couch with the almost 12 year old in the photo below I am struck once again by our powerful God.   We are studying for tomorrow's Bible memory verse time at school....verses 5 & 6 are on the docket for tomorrow and they are really sticking out to me.....no shadow of shame for those who look to HIM for help.  I'm noticing it doesn't say I have to know the answer or work harder or pray the perfect prayer or act like I'm the perfect Christian.  I just have to look to Him for help and I'll have joy - radiant joy.  I'm learning to give up and trust that He hears my cries of suffering and the God of the miracles will set me free from all my fears.  Phewf.

Stand.

‎"Wherever you stand, be the soul of that place"

-Rumi

Yes, another Rumi quote - I don't care. I love the thought of standing and bringing Jesus to all the 'places' that I find myself in....opposed to acting like my selfish-human natured self.

That's me. That's that.

O Church, Arise.

O church arise and put your armour on

Hear the call of Christ our Captain

For now the weak can say that they are strong

In the strength that God has given

With shield of faith and belt of truth

We'll stand against the devil's lies

An army bold whose battle-cry is Love

Reaching out to those in darkness

Our call to war to love the captive soul

But to rage against the captor

And with the sword that makes the wounded whole

We will fight with faith and valour

When faced with trials on every side

We know the outcome is secure

And Christ will have the prize for which He died

An inheritance of nations

Come see the cross where love and mercy meet

As the Son of God is stricken

Then see His foes lie crushed beneath His feet

For the Conqueror has risen

And as the stone is rolled away

And Christ emerges from the grave

This victory march continues till the day

Every eye and heart shall see Him

So Spirit come put strength in every stride

Give grace for every hurdle

That we may run with faith to win the prize

Of a servant good and faithful

As saints of old still line the way

Retelling triumphs of His grace

We hear their calls and hunger for the day

When with Christ we stand in glory

I've listened to this song repeatedly over the last few weeks.  It's both growing the passion and easing the wonderings of my soul.  Anyways, this song was written by Keith Getty.  Keith & Kristen Getty call themselves modern hymm writters and have written and put music to some of the best Christian music that we sing all over the world today.  You can check out their official website here.

Hope you're having a great Monday! 

i've probably posted this picture before...
taken in Fort Langley 2009

Little Peeps

Happy Friday!  I'm at work this morning (blogging albeit), even though almost my whole being wanted to stay home and make coffee, vacuum, put sheets in the laundry, then organize the new shelf in our bathroom and clean out my closet....make a balanced meal for dinner and then go to the boys hockey and cheer as loud as I can!  Yet, the month is September and there's so much to prepare for at work with new ministries and all that comes along with hanging out with kids and families. 

Cool picture hey?  I found it here, while surfing the web for ideas & inspiration this past week.  This idea is more for those who are home with their little peeps, than me at this life stage...but one day, I promise I'm going to try this!  Glow sticks in a bubble bath?  What's not to love!?  I may even try it sooner rather than later ;). 

Have a great Friday!  

Monday Morningingingsss

So you should check this out these sites, they are especially lovely to look at on Monday mornings while sipping coffee (and working)...shhhh. 

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

for stuff like this.....Marquee Alphabet Lights

http://www.epicurious.com/
for yumm like this... Shrimp & Watermelon Salad

http://www.girlwearsscrubs.blogspot.com/

for photos like this....pssst...this is my wedding bouquet!

Have a good Monday!

Psalm 34 (New Living Translation)

Happy Sunday!  So this Psalm is being memorized by someone in my house this fall and I've decide that I too will memorize it.  Just so you know.... :) 

Psalm 34

[a]A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech,
who sent him away.

1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak His praises.

2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.

3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt His name together.

4 I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
He saved me from all my troubles.

7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
He surrounds and defends all who fear Him.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!

9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear Him will have all they need.

10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.

12 Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?

13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!

14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
His ears are open to their cries for help.

16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
He will erase their memory from the earth.

17 The Lord hears his people when they call to Him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!

21 Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.

22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve Him.
No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.
Footnotes:
Psalm 34:1 This psalm is a Hebrew acrostic poem; each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20a

"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life."

Sears Style Give Away

5 questions. 
$5000. 
if you don't mind chosing from all black handbags, this is kinda fun.

His voice....

"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See I am doing a new thing!"
Isaiah 43:18-19

Here I go again.

Burn, baby burn...  It worked - they burned me, and it hurt. 

I've grown up, I leaned on Everlasting Strength and will continue to as long as I have breath.  

I will open up again, to the world non the less, to those who care what goes on in my mind and what I see in my minds eye. 

So come what may, sunshine state and hoola are making a slow come back....I think if Britney can do it, surely I can too.

(if you're gonna say mean things, please meanly sign your name.)

Response to yesterday.

The love for equals is a human thing - of friend for friend, brother for brother. It is to love what is loving and lovely. The world smiles. The love for the less fortunate is a beautiful thing - the love for those who suffer, for those who are poor, the sick, the failures, the unlovely. This is compassion, and it touches the heart of the world. The love for the more fortunate is a rare thing - to love those who succeed where we fail, to rejoice without envy those who rejoice, the love of the poor for the rich, of the black man for the white man. The world is always bewildered by its saints. And then there is the love for the enemy - love for the one who does not love you but mocks, threatens, and inflicts pain. The tortured's love for the torturer. This is God's love. It conquers the world.

-Fransis Chan, author of 'Crazy Love'

My friend Cheryl reminded me of this on her blog.  Thanks Friend.

Fort Langley

2 shots.

Coffee Shot Thougts....

 How can they do 'that' and still believe in the same powerful, merciful God that I do?

How do I really, truly love those who hate me?  What does this look like?

i would so swing like this...

5 Ideas

1. Made to Know God
God shaped each of us in his image. We were made to know him as a forgiver, friend, and leader.
2. Take a Step
Your relationship with Jesus must be moving forward. Don’t stand still. Keep growing and taking steps to know God more.
3. Shape Your Relationships
Your life will influence and be influenced by your relationships.
4. Make the Wise Choice
The decisions you make directly impact the course of your life and your relationship with God.
5. Be a Difference-Maker
God is using us to change the world. You are here for a purpose.

10 Toes and a Tulip Tree

Dandy Lion Hunting!

I was thinking about making wishes as a little girl as found the white fluffy treasure, picked it and blew the seeds and watched them fly up into the sky....

O Happy Day!

Little Kids Shine & Kids Shine Palm Sunday Celebration 2010

HOSANNA!  

Yellow tulips + Purple balloons = Sweet Sixteen

sites to surf....

http://www.onefrugalfoodie.com/ check it out, even vegan cookie recipies!
http://www.christinaannephotos.blogspot.com/ man do I have talented friends!
http://www.merriam-webster.com/ FYI, today's word of the day is copacetic meaning very satisfactory.
http://www.itunes.com/ - new music Tuesday!

enjoy....

granville island feet - photo by vek

TODOS

Maybe posting my 'to do's' will help with my procrastivity....

Monday, March 22nd - Thursday, March 25th
Work - check off ALL the things on the mounting list that's on my desk, Easter is close + summer is coming - it's gonna get crazy :)
Go to the dentist, I'm talking book the appointment + go get a cleaning/check-up)
Run the awesome trail I've recently discovered.
Stretch + Smile
Make the veggie stir-fry I've been craving.  Eat it with people.
Give away some things....give people the benefit of the doubt...give myself the benefit of the doubt.
When in doubt - PRAY.

~just back from a awesome time in whistler, with some of the best chaperones around~

Flighty decompression

I really like this blog...and I really like this outfit.
I really am overwhelmed, but thinking about grey tights with a mango coloured dress seems to help. 

Screwed up for life. An Introduction

After a recent trip to Uganda Africa...I am indeed screwed up for life - this guy told me I would be and now I would have to 100% agree that this is the case.  So now, I've seen poverty.... endless poverty, with my own eyes.  And I live in Canada...so now what?  Now what?!?!?!?  is my continuous feeling and question.  So welcomed to my odyssey of being SUFL...

Meet Katherina.  She is in her late 80's and lives in a home (small room made of bricks & mud) because of a good samaritan.  An old straw mat to sleep on, one outfit, 2 cans to carry water are pretty much all she has to her name.  What has happened to bring her to this place?   ....a husband who died too young of aids, no children, neighbors who watched as thieves molested and stole from her, those who bullied her and took the land she owned and survived on.  Now she says her whole body aches and her heart gives her pain.... yet she shows joy and clapped her frail hands together thanking God that muzungus (white people) were in her home before she died.    We gave only a  bucket full of rice, maze, salt and soap.  A mat, a mosquito net, a blanket and a prayer. Katherina gave me perspective of life, and a God who truly can sustain and bring joy and comfort with the help of nothing and nearly no one else. My life is blessed, in my Canadian eyes....hers is not. Yet  she is in God's arms of comfort, experiences His joy and leans only on Him - and Him alone.   And I need a new lipgloss.   

It is better to take refuge in the LORD - than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD - than to trust in princes.
Psalm 118:8&9

Hannah the Hero

Check out this website to be inspired by a 13 year old girl who at age 8 decide to make a change.  Instead of just feeling sick, uncomfortable and guilty when confronted with the homeless in her city after an experience of seeing a man eating out a garbage can.  Her wise mother told her that maybe if she did something to change the problem she wouldn't feel so helpless and upset.  And did something she did.  Meet Hannah....Hannah Taylor....Founder of The Ladybug Foundation.  Hannah cares about the homeless and has made more that 200 speeches about why she cares about people without a home, people who are hungry and what she believes we should all do about poverty.

Take 10 minutes and explore www.ladybugfoundation.ca - you won't be sorry you did.

The Blessing of "Shalom"

May you be whole in body, soul, and spirit as a result of being in harmony with God's will and purpose for your life. May His peace be your covering, your heart know His fullness, and by His mighty power may you know victory over every enemy. May He bring to pass the deepest desires of your heart. May you know the healing power of His presence, and the restoration of every broken relationship. Through His sufficiency, may every need that you face be met by His limitless resources. May His covenant promises be fulfilled in your life and in your family. May He bring you the greatest measure of contentment, and the deepest satisfaction tht your heart can possibly know.   -Roy Lessin

Love is in the AIR....

Happy Valentines Week!  Let the love begin :)

Isaiah 61 (New Living Translation)

Isaiah 61

Good News for the Oppressed

 ¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
      for the Lord has anointed me
      to bring good news to the poor.
   He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
      and to proclaim that captives will be released
      and prisoners will be freed.^[a]
 2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn
      that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,^[b]
      and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
 ³ To all who mourn in Israel,^[c]
      he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
   a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
      festive praise instead of despair.
   In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
      that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
⁴ They will rebuild the ancient ruins,
      repairing cities destroyed long ago.
   They will revive them,
      though they have been deserted for many generations.
 ⁵ Foreigners will be your servants.
      They will feed your flocks
   and plow your fields
      and tend your vineyards.
 ⁶ You will be called priests of the Lord,
      ministers of our God.
   You will feed on the treasures of the nations
      and boast in their riches.
 ⁷ Instead of shame and dishonor,
      you will enjoy a double share of honor.
   You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land,
      and everlasting joy will be yours.
 ⁸ “For I, the Lord, love justice.
      I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
   I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering
      and make an everlasting covenant with them.
 ⁹ Their descendants will be recognized
      and honored among the nations.
   Everyone will realize that they are a people
      the Lord has blessed.”
 ¹⁰ I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
      For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
      and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
   I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit
      or a bride with her jewels.
 ¹¹ The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world.
      Everyone will praise him!
   His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring,
      with plants springing up everywhere.

baked.

This morning I baked my recipe post from yesterday - made a small mistake trying to make them into muffin tops....they would have looked more like muffins and less like scones if I had just made them regular sized muffins....but actually mini muffins would be lovely experiment with this recipe.  I took out the banana and used coconut oil and spelt flour and extra coconut....they're really yummy.  I'm packing them up and taking them down town to Vancouver to see my new Olympic friends :)  Gonna be a good day....hope you're having a good day too!

p.s. I also made the Babycakes Spelt Raspberry Scones Recipe again - I'm kinda in a rut with this cookbook....these scones are just so delicious....plus I had all the ingredients out already.

Have a nice SUNNY day!

Berry Banana Coconut Muffins

I found this recipe on postpunkkitchen.com.... it's a very funky website that promotes the vegan lifestyle.  I haven't tried these muffins as of yet, although I'm sure they'll be in the oven within the next 24 hours - the comments under the post (click here to check 'em out) sold me on the already delicious looking recipe.  Because of the wheat free thing I'm doing - I plan on using a wheat free/gluten free flour and some xanthan gum....or spelt flour...we'll see.  Because they are vegan - I don't have to worry about changing up anything milk ingredients.  Let me know if you try them, we can compare notes :) love Hoola... Berry Banana Coconut Muffins

prep time: 5-10 minutes | cooking time: 15-20 | makes 6-8 muffins

I love to cook vegetarian & vegan food, and am always looking for new recipes. I made this recipe because I wanted something more exciting for breakfast than the usual bowl of cereal. I store them in the freezer- great when you're on the go! (http://www.majlandonline.com)

Equipment: Large Mixing Bowl Small dish (to soak berries) Muffin Pan Muffin baking papers Ingredients 1/4 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 cup unbleached white flour 1/2 cup rolled oats 1/4 c. brown sugar 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 3/8 c. soymilk 1/8-1/4 c. finely shredded coconut (as much as you like- preferably unsweetened) 1/8 cup + 1 tbsp oil (or applesauce if you want this low-fat) 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1/8 c. dried blueberries or 1/8 c. dried cranberries 1 large (preferably ripe) banana mashed Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees Boil 1 cup of water and soak the dried berries... Mix all the dry ingredients together Add the soymilk, oil & banana & mix well Strain the berries and add to the mix Batter will be thick

Try this on for size....

Almighty God,

In this quiet hour I seek communion with Thee.  From the fret and fever of the day's business, from the world's discordant noises, from the praise and blame of men, from the confused thoughts and vain imaginations of my own heart, I would now turn aside and seek the quietness of Thy presence.  All day long I have toiled and striven: But now, in the stillness of heart and the clear light of Thine eternity, I would ponder the pattern my life is weaving.

A Diary of Private Prayer
John Baillie 

The sun is shinning here in Vancouver today - it's beautiful, but not so great for the much needed olympic mountains.... Hope the sun is shinning in your neck of the woods too.

I dream of Africa....

 Here are a couple shots I snapped while in Uganda in January.  Absolutely beautiful children and a incredibly beautiful setting.  God is at work in creation and lives.  

Hope you are all well today and feeling peace that passes all understanding. 

A truth laugh :)

God loves you. And I'm seriously working on it.

Hoola On ~ BAKES

I like to bake, don't even get me started about how a cupcake can make me happy. Years ago I discovered that I could only keep the ingredients I needed for a particular recipe in my baking cupboard - or I would bake and taste test away.... I would give it away as well, one batch a least. Recently I found out that I had some major sensitivities to both dairy & wheat....never mind that a sugar rush has never been worth the headache afterwards. So I cut out dairy and with that went the yummy treats, wheat wasn't too far behind....and now I'm all the better for it. But all around me the cupcakes remain - overflowing with sugar, flour and butter. Knowing very well that I was not the only one feeling jilted, I've decided to experiment baking alternatives which are free from the common allergens and delicious. . I'm still figuring out things along the way - but am happy to be in the kitchen....experimenting. That's what it is for now anyways, it may always be an experiment of sorts - but it sure will be a yummy and healthy one, if I might add.

Have a nice SUNNY day!

Hoola ON baby!

Here's to ideas....

You have them, I do too...

I enjoy hearing about others thoughts, wonderings, finds and discoveries....

And I think I'll enjoy sharing some of my own....

Hope you will too...

Welcome to Hoola On!  

Have a Nice Sunny Day!