Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Current Goal Verses / New Decorations

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About a month ago, I decided that it was no longer the time of year to use my Snoopy wrapping paper bookmarks, Christmas picture binder covers, or have my board decorated with snowmen, so I chose some verses that have meant a lot to me lately to take over those places. 
We are all good at different things!  God did that for a reason.  Take care of what He has gifted you with.  It is meant to be treasured and used to give back to and glorify Him more.

What should I do?  This is a question we all likely ask ourselves too many times a day to even count.  It can be so hard to know what to do when life is full of so many options.  However, if you want to do good, beneficial things, it is simple.  Just do good, loving, unselfish, serving things.  That will benefit more than you, but also God and those around you.  In the end, it's so worth it.  God will give a reward of peace and joy that can't be gained by anything the world may give.

How great has my life been so far!?  I am so thankful.  This is further motivation to continue and strengthen our relationship.

So much to do...so little time!  By taking care to possess and express these qualities, we will not be unproductive.  That's the great thing about Christ.  Serving and loving Him is never a waste of time.

 
Live up to what God has called me to!  Don't waste my time!  I only have a few months of living here at home (something that has really stood out to me lately), and I want our family to have the best time!

This speaks to the many little projects that I start but have yet to finish.  When God calls me to do something, I need to carry it out!  He has given me the ability to run well, so I must continue to give my all to make the most of my high school career, into college, and maybe beyond.  This is where I have a majority of the opportunities to witness.  However, success in running isn't necessarily winning.  In God's perspective, success is doing my best with the abilities He has given me, working to serve Him and others through that.
 

I like to keep random little things that look cool, taste good, or are inspiring, so I decorated my binder with some of them!
 These combine quotes, goats, running, animals, Life is Good, seasonal snacks, stickers, comics, Bible verses, and general positivity!

All of these things I have placed in my life where I see them daily as reminders of changes and continuations to make in my life.  There is so much I could do, but there is not time to do everything.  I have found that to keep myself from getting stressed or worried that I am wasting time, following God's Word is the best way.  All that is done for Him is never a waste.  As long as He knows your heart, nothing else matters.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Unique Holidays: February-March

 
Well, I am really mad.  I had this post completely done, then it deleted every single thing.  So here I go, starting over again.
 
I probably won't be able to find all the pictures that I used before or have time to put all the captions back, but I'll do my best.  It also won't let me resize half of these pictures, so sorry if they look huge.  I tried to make them small.
 

February 1

 When I had previously heard of baked alaska, I had no clue that it would be something that I would like.  When I Googled it, it's actually more complicated than this, but I simplified it for the time and resources that I had!
February 2
 Heavenly hash is one of my favorite new things that I've found on my holiday-celebrating adventure.  All sorts of things can go into a heavenly hash!  In a way, that means basically everything that I eat is one.
February 3
 I am not a fan of cake, but carrot cake is my exception.  The best kinds are homemade with the raisins, carrots, cinnamon, and sometimes nuts, but especially cream cheese icing.  The carrot cake luna bars are a great subsitute for the real thing!  One of my favorite dessert bowls to make is carrot cake, where I'll use a combination of carrots, seeds, yogurt, ice cream, pudding, cereal, etc.  Though it's not really homemade, Rich's makes the best carrot cake I've had pre-made!  I even got dad to bring me one for my birthday once.
February 4
 Soup mixes and cans are typically tasty, but homemade anything is best.  Mom makes chicken tortilla soup for us at home!
February  6
I don't think we need a caption explaining anything about my relationship with frozen yogurt.
But I think that this looks like it came from Whoville.
 
February 7
It's so easy to pop someone a text, email, direct message, tweet, etc when they come to our mind, but sometimes it's worth it to take the time and creativity to send a handwritten letter.  Getting a real card in the mail (rather than all the junk and advertisement and bills that fill our mailboxes) can give someone a great surprise!
February 8
o    National Clean Out Your Computer Day – Second Monday in February
This is an ongoing process...
February 9
#Merca  (ironic?  Pizza is so often associated with the typical Americans getting together to watch a game/movie or have a party of some kind, but it's originally an italian food..)

"It's my birthday, and I want Little Caesar's" -Mom, March 18th

o    National Bagel Day (Formerly Bagel and Lox Day)
February 10
 Not a straight-up cream cheese brownie, but better.  Cream cheese brownie ice cream.
February 11
This is something I get from my dad!  We know no strangers. 
I know it's really hard when things go totally unexpected, but it happens.  Things that are out of our control are totally in God's control, and there's nothing we can do about it.  I've been working really hard to make the most of even those situations that stink because it's time that I won't ever get back.  Getting all "hootie-tootie," as my mom would say, does no good, but rather makes yourself feel worse.
Even just taking a few minutes to go see someone who can no longer get out and about can totally make their day.  Think about your grandparents, neighbors, church members, etc.  It may be tough to find time (trust me, I know time is short), but it will bless both them and you.
 
My favorite peppermint patties/Patty!

February 12
Never had it, but if it's pudding, I'd say it's good.
February 14
How convienient that cream-filled chocolates day is on Valentine's Day!  Thanks to Chantal and Cherie for this Snoopy with sweets.
 
February 15
That's me!  And currently, I am totally okay with it.  Another as mom might say, "Ain't nobody got time for that."
February 16
 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."  Matthew 5:43-45

 
"Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good"  Romans 12:19-21
 

It's so hard to want to "give people what they deserve," but honestly, we all deserve God's wrath.  Do good, and let God give the punishment.
 

 
February 17
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."  Galatians 6:10
One of my favorite veggie additions!  I can flavor it up to go with any meal.  It's pretty good just plain, but I think it's best boiled.
February 18
This sounds like it would be expensive to get at a restaurant and difficult to make at home, but I think it would be worth a shot. Seafood is delicious!
February 19
Chocolate mint is an awesome flavor combination, but this is just some of the recent things I've had. Blue Bunny also makes a chocolate mint ice cream that's great!  These special k bars re a new one I tried, and they're fluffy on the inside like a 3 musketeer!
February 20
We are a family that loves our pets. I can't remember a time when I we didn't have a cat and/or dog, and there probably will never be a time that we won't!  Sophie and Frisco have been with us a long time now!  They're getting older, but I think they're getting more loving, too. 
 
February  21
Sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, whatever, they're awesome for breakfast or dessert!
 
February 22
You probably know by now that I like sweet potatoes any time of day. 
 
February 23
Frisco loves his Puperoni!  This picture actually won us a free box they sent in the mail!
 
February 24
This one is for dad. Chips and salsa are his go-to snack, especially when there's a game on tv. 
February  25
Something I'm trying to do lately is make use of everything. When you make things from scratch, you end up with lots of random things left over that you may not know what to do with. Get creative!  These peanuts were left from white trash at Christmas and the dark chocolates have come from various holidays and gifts. This holiday was. Great time to put some use to them both!
 
More seafood!

o    National Chili Day – Fourth Thursday in February

 Dad's specialty. (Along with spaghetti)
 
February  26

My favorite nut!  Not only is it good plain, but also with candy corn, as pudding, frozen yogurt, gelato, and it has a fun tag line-get crackin!
Fun fact: have you heard of spumoni?    I got my first taste (literally) at Yummy Cakes in downtown Morristown!  The additions can vary, but it's typically an ice cream or gelato with chocolate, pistachio, and cherry. This homemade gelato was fantastic, and I don't even like cherries!


February 27
 
February 28
 I've never made one of these, but I'd like to try. Chantal and Chérie have, and they're going to help me sometime soon!

Monthly Observations


Canned Food Month
Quick and easy!  My favorite canned foods are vegetables. We eat canned veggies basically daily at my house. 

Great American Pie Month

National Bake for Family Fun Month
Due to school, there hasn't been much time for this lately, but it's something that mom and I love to do during the summer!  So when that time comes, we will be whipping up all kinds of fun foods!  Baking is a great activity to do with others. It's even better to share the goods rather than keep them all to yourself!

National Bird Feeding Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
Who am I kidding?  I had my share of cavities back in the day. 

National Grapefruit Month
I don't eat grapefruit that much, but I love the flavor in drinks!  However, on our Colorado trip, Dad took me to Whole Foods for dinner one night, and I got some fresh on my salad!

National Heart Month
Not only your physical heart, but your spiritual heart is VITAL to living and thriving. 
And Proverbs 4:23 says it best: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

National Hot Breakfast Month
Hot breakfast is the best breakfast. And lunch. And sometimes dinner. And dessert.
 

 

 

National Library Lovers Month
I don't have much time, but I do like to pleasure-read when we're out of school. 

National Snack Food Month
My favorite snacks-simple-popcorn and fruit. Sometimes cereal

 
March
Wow this month flew by!  I tried to celebrate, but time just got away. 
1st
What is an athlete that doesn't love peanut butter!?  



March 2nd


 
    March 3rd

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves, looking not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."  Philippians 2:3-4
     

Fresh meat!  In this context, turkey wins. 

March 4th


  • Sorry, but I'm a natural grammar/English  person despite the fact that I live in East Tennessee and have an extreme county dialect.  That's why one of my main jobs on the yearbook staff is to look for mistakes.  
  • National Day of Unplugging – First Friday in March
 

"Be still and know that I am God.." Psalm 46:10

"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." 1 Peter 4:7

Media can be a wonderful way to connect and share, but we all need time, increasingly now more than ever, to connect with our Lord   

March 6th


Not just milk's favorite cookie, but Dad's favorite cookie.
 

March 7th


  • Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes..."
  • 1 Timothy 4:12 "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
  •  
    Of course I celebrated this one!  I do most days actually. I made sure to take some to school with lunch and snacks that day, too. I like to try so many varieties that I have my own cabinet. 
Another tasty meat. Also links up with pig day earlier in the month.
 

March 8th


We were going to go for dinner, but mom got sick and wanted to stay home. I had a feeling the crowd would be crazy, anyways!  And who needs ihop when you've got me?
 

March 9th


 


You may think that crab is expensive and just for fancy restaurant and stuff, but no. You can get it cheap and simple in a can. And it's delicious!
  •  
  • Meatballs are becoming quite popular, and I've found many recipes to try!  I finally got to at Christmas since it's a good party finger food. Mine are Mediterranean chicken. Mom has really started to enjoy making some from the freezer with Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce and grape jelly. 
  • This is kinda like the "don't cry over spilled milk" day from last month.
  • "...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:13-14
 

 

March 10th


Every day!  Though sometimes school has things that I'll get on the side. I'm really excited for college, though, because Lipscomb has a great cafeteria!  Just a couple more months left of lunch-packing every day!
 

March 11th


 

March 12th


 

March 13th


  • I will let the Bible do the talking.
  • The Parable of the Good Samaritan

    25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
    26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
    27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]
    28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. Do this and you will live.”
    29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
    30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
    36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
    37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
    Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
  •  
 

March 14th


  • Crafts are not just for children, but those re some of the best simple memories from when I was younger. Now that I'm older, I can do more advanced stuff and help kids do their own fun crafts. 
  • Psh I feel like I need a nap every day. Dad celebrates this almost every day though. I'm impressed that he and mom can both fall asleep during the day. So many people can nap!  Once I'm up for the day, that's it. I'm awake. 
 

March 15th


If you've taken a sociology, history, geography or similar class, you have heard umpteen times that the world is increasingly industrialized. Farms are decreasing with most agriculture done in large-scale. However, I really appreciate farm-fresh food and the people I know who are in the agriculture sector, even if it's just a garden!

March 17th



 

March 18th


 

March 19th


    National Poultry Day 
    I think chicken and turkey would be the most common here. Also my favorites. 
     
  • One of the best combinations!  One of my common dessert themes. I've also recently tried pancakes this flavor! 
  • Proverbs 15:13
    "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit."
     
    Proverbs 15:15
    "All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast."
     
     Proverbs 17:22
    "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
     
 

March 22nd


There is a food truck in Breckenridge that Dad and I walked past, amazed at how long the line was!  The tiny thing is called Crepes a la cart, and it is extremely popular. 

March 23rd



 
 Punny tastemade snapchat  

March 26th


  • I actually ate this salad the night before this day without even thinking about it!  I decided I was craving something different at Chili's, so I tried this amazing salad and added shrimp!  Even though I was on my way home from a ski trip, this got me feeling a beach trip

 

 
Two candies that contain some nougat that I've had lately are Snickers and Twix!  At the Nashville airport I got a couple cups of yogurt with snickers inside, and one of the homemade ice creams at Foote's Rest in downtown Frisco was Twix!
 
 

 

March 28th



 March 29th

Family businesses are awesome. I have a few friends with parents who own restaurants!  It's always great for both of us when we go visit. 
 

March 30th


  • Panther Creek is the perfect place to take a peaceful walk without even going far from home.  Good thing I am there to walk (run) and celebrate the joy of it almost every day!  (The photo on the left was actually from today before practice!)
     
  • I definitely go through the pencil lead. I love to write!  Colored pencils are great too, as I just colored a couple pictures in honor of the ski trip. 

  • I've never had this, but I would give it a shot. How could you go wrong with turkey and soup?
  • Manatee Appreciation Day 
  • How cute are they!?

March 31st

 
  • Sweet taters?  Okay!

March Monthly Observations
National Caffeine Awareness Month

Sometimes when you're really worn out, you double the caffine intake.  (Me at Motown Madness and coming home from our Colorado trip.)

National Celery Month 
National Craft Month 
National Frozen Food Month
National Nutrition Month
This sauce was from Black Mountain Lodge at ABasin!  The name made me laugh (and think of how my mom loves Pawn Stars). Sauces are so entertaining!  There are entire stores dedicated to them that sell hundreds of different kinds. I am a saucy girl. It can add such great flavor. My favorite kinds are the spicy ones, and I even use my ninja to make homemade sauce with dinner some nights.