by Amy | Aug 10, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Faith
I cannot even believe that the Olympics are nearing the end and I have yet to write a lick about them. Someone should give me a solid kick in the booty.
So tonight is the night. I’ll share something that I’ve been thinking about since the ‘Lympics began this year. I simply haven’t taken the time to put it down into words.
I simply adore Olympians that take their time in the world spotlight to be a good influence. A role model. It would be easy to take the limelight and self-gratify. To build yourself up. To take the credit for their greatness. And I’m sure that some do. I haven’t by any means seen all of the post event interviews. So I’ll just say this…I’ve been dearly impressed by what I’ve seen.
By our athletes taking this opportunity to glorify God before the whole world.
I’ll go into depth on one in particular. Gabby Douglas.
Going in to the games Miss Douglas was labeled as a rookie. She is young, and critics predicted that nerves may be a negative factor on her performance. When asked how she deals with the pressure of the world stage she replied:
I meditate on [Bible] scripture. The Bible says ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. The Lord will be with you wherever you go.
She has tweeted Scripture and glorified God on Facebook. Gymnast Gabby Douglas is 16 years old. Amazing, right? I love a positive female role model. And she totally fits the bill.
And all this got me thinking. How can I do a better job of glorifying God on my stage? No, the world isn’t looking my way…and reporters aren’t breathing down my back. My Facebook isn’t being watched like a hawk. But I have a stage nonetheless. And so do you.
So….I guess I have a lot of pondering to do {Zoolander reference}. What are small ways that I can testify to God’s fantastic goodness on a daily basis? Gabby did it when the pressure was riding high. Gabby did it in a 30 second interview. It doesn’t take long to leave an impact on those watching.
Let’s do it together. Just imagine what the church would look like if we each used whatever stage we are given to glorify Him.
It’d be awesome. It totally can be awesome. And it starts with you and me and Gabby Douglas.
Amy
PS–How can you testify in your daily life?
by Amy | Aug 9, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of the Moment
Sometimes I get nervous about things. I know…for those of you who know me this may come as a shock. Just kidding. Those of you how know me best know that I’m a bit of an anxious bird.
So, even though I’ve been in my new house and new town for more than a month, I’m still feeling a bit ill at ease. In Shreveport, I felt like I was finally understanding who I was supposed to be and the work that I was supposed to do. Then along comes change and shakes it all up.
Friends lived with us here for a while. Which gave me a decent excuse for not jumping in and establishing life here. I just figured I’d wait until things settled down a little more. And when the house was empty, I was anxious and at a loss about what I’m supposed to be doing with myself. I’m 25 and not getting any younger. Shouldn’t I have it all together by now?
In the face of all the uncertainty, I pulled a “classic Amy.”
I went home.
When everything is spinning out of control, it’s nice to put yourself back in a situation where everything makes sense. Where things smell familiar and the rhythm feels natural. When I go home {especially if I go home without Derek} I feel like I’m back in college…or high school. I drive the old Jeep that I drove when I was 17. I sleep in my bed. {Without a boy crowding me out.} And summer means time around the pool and a trip to the beach.
That’s how summer has always been. Even the photos don’t change that much. {The top photo is from last week…the photo below that is from 2007!} And as glorious as “new” and “adventurous” can be…there is something to be said about “familiar” and “known.” Just because you yearn for familiar sometimes, doesn’t mean you can’t be bold and daring. Trust me.
Now that I’m back home to Minot…I cannot say things have magically fallen into place. But I do feel back on track. Refreshed and ready to move forward.
Thank you Elkhart and everyone at home. For simply being home. For simply being my safe, sound, ultimate happy place…without even trying. I cannot wait to be back.
Amy
PS…Where is your regrouping place? How do you find focus again when things start to get intimidating?
by Amy | Aug 8, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Living
Every December I find myself in the same predicament. Maybe you do too. Christmas is only a few weeks away, I’ve purchased no gifts. I know at one point I had a great idea of what to get everyone…but suddenly I can’t remember a thing. I’m stressed out and my wallet is feeling pretty beaten down from travel expenses, food expenses, and gift costs.
Not this year, my friend. I’m in a new place. I’ve got a new direction. I’ve decided that I can make a change for the better in any area of my life, at any time I like. Now, in an attempt to eliminate a good portion of stress and financial pain, I’ve come up with an idea.
A Christmas Gift Spreadsheet. Yes, it is geekery. Yes, I believe this system will save my mind.
Here’s the system I’ve developed. I made a handy Excel spreadsheet with everyone I buy for listed in alphabetical order {Excel will sort them automatically for you.} I listed in the gift ideas I have on hand. {They are blurred so the fam can’t see what I’m planning.}
Then, here’s the kicker. As I get ideas–like if I’m talking to a friend on the phone or Derek mentions something he’d like in passing–I take out my phone and send the idea to myself in a text. How often are you away from your phone? Never. How often would folks be suspicious of you sending a text? Never. How often do you text yourself? Not very often.
The beauty here is that you’ll have a good record of ideas within your phone. The ideas will all be there waiting to be organized in your spread.
I like the idea. It’s already helping me. And this way I can stockpile ideas for birthdays and other things too. Just don’t forget to make a column for yourself. I tend to choke when asked what I want. So now, when I think of something…I text it to myself, the add it in to the spread.
Amy
by Amy | Aug 7, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of the Kitchen
Tonight I am going to change your campfire world. Ready? Let me introduce you to s’more’s younger sister…The campfire cone.
I originally saw the idea here…and since I was in charge of bringing dessert for one night of our camping weekend, I thought it would be a perfect addition. Here’s the drill. You’ll need:
Waffle Cones * Mini Marshmallows * Chocolate Chips {or a mix of chocolate & peanut butter chips} * Banana* Aluminum Foil * A Camp Fire * Tongs
Here’s what you do. This is a DIY creation. So, name your own adventure. Put in what you like…and leave out what you don’t want. Layer in marshmallows, chips and fruit until your cone is full. Then wrap it up in foil. Place the wrapped cone in the embers around the fire {not on direct heat} or on a charcoal grill. Use the tongs to turn them every minute or so until everything is gooey and melted. This will take about 5 minutes. Be sure to turn them or else you’ll end up with a burned cone!
Have the wet wipes handy…this can get messy. But I promise it will be worth it. I’m so glad I stumbled across this tasty treat. I hope you enjoy!
Amy
by Amy | Aug 4, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Adventure
Photo inside one of the Elroy-Sparta trail tunnels
If you are reading this…I may be dead. The possibility is there, but chances are I’m still kicking. While you read this, I’m off on a grand adventure with my favorites people in the world. My family.
We are biking the El Roy Sparta trail in Sparta, WI in honor of my daddy’s 60th birthday. We took off yesterday in a large RV. We being my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, cousin, my parents 3 month old puppy, my sister’s goofy labradoodle, and myself.
So…going back to my opening statement…I may have been offed by now.
I’ll be back on Monday to share all of the adventure’s finest points. My dad is a whiz with cast iron, so I’ll have some camp fire recipes to share with you for sure. Wish me luck. I’m sure this weekend will be filled with lots of laughs {and lots of wedgies from the bike seats.}
See you Monday!
Amy
by Amy | Aug 3, 2012 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of Faith
I’ve had a great time being back home in Indiana. I’ve gotten to do so many things that I love about summer….but have not gotten to do for years and years. I’ve done the things I grew up doing. Things that just feel like summer.
Swimming and laying out by the pool at the house. Check. Drive the Jeep around town with the windows out. Check. Get blue moon soft serve at Dairy Fair. Check. Go to the Elkhart Fair. Check. Spend a day lounging around Weko Beach on Lake Michigan…double check.
Going to the beach is one of northern Indiana’s best summer traditions. Michigan’s coast is absolutely breath taking. And so are the cute little towns that lead to the beaches.
So we went and had a fab day.
When we returned home…this happened.
Yep. That’s me, water spilling out of my mouth, laughing in the street. My sister and our friend Courtney made me laugh so hard I fell to the ground. The water I had just sipped came out of my mouth and nose…and I just sat in the street laughing. Kind of pathetic, right? But seriously…wouldn’t it be great if every day had a moment like this. Do I look like a fool? Of course. Do I care? Heck, no.
Pure happiness and glee come along all too rarely. So when a moment strikes you…I say…to heck with it. Fall in the street and sit in a puddle of your own spit. Drool down the front of your dress. Moments like these don’t happen enough. When you are with people that can push your happy buttons, you should always let them.
Here’s a toast to summer and to happiness. I hope you find an abundance of both today.
Amy
PS…take a look at that photo one more time. See that big RV in the background? That’s my next adventure. A family camping trip in an RV. One child, five adults, and two dogs {one is only 3 months old} will be driving to Wisconsin tomorrow. Wish me luck.
by Amy | Aug 1, 2012 | Blog, The Art of the Kitchen
Summer is salad season. And, as I’ve been trying to eat more raw {produce washed, but uncooked or altered in any way}…this salad was a good find. I can only do so many spinach side salads before it gets old.
I saw a salad like this in an issue of Better Homes. I didn’t write it down though and was forced to make up my own version. So I did.
It’s light juicy and totally guilt-free.
For this big bowl that served as a side for about 8 of us I used:
- About 2 lbs {or 5 large} carrots
- 1.5 Cups of red grapes, halved
- 1 to 1.5 Tablespoons of chopped chives {green onion would work too}
Use a vegetable peeler to peel the carrots. Once the outer skin has been removed rinse the carrot off and begin to peel off “ribbons” into a salad bowl. Add the grapes and chives to the bowl.
In a small bowl, mix up the dressing:
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1.5 tsp ground ginger {more to taste}
- Freshly ground pepper {to taste}
Whisk the dressing together, then pour over the salad. Let it all sit for about 30 minutes before serving.
It’s good.
Amy
Linked Up at: Bowl Full of Lemons, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Adventures of a DIY Mom, Homework, Vintage Wanna Bee, Hope Studios, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Sweet Anne, Coastal Charm, The Gunny Sack
by Amy | Jul 31, 2012 | Blog, Crafts, The Art of Projects
I’m a 10 year 4-H member. I’ve been to a lot of fairs in my day. Yet…I’ll be honest. I’ve never seen a better display of projects and crafts than that at the Elkhart County Fair. Seriously, there are great projects. I’m always inspired by what these student come up with.
Here is a selection of my favorites. I’ll start with my absolute favorite category: Recycling. In this category you enter things made of upcycled objects. Just take a look here.
I’ll start with my favorite. {Left} Bask in the beauty of this lamp. It’s made up of vintage books that have been glued together. Then a hole was drilled through the center and it was wired with a lamp kit. The shade has been decoupaged with book pages. Genius.
Remember those Golden Books? Check out this cute-as-a-button bird house. As far as I can tell…you could decoupage pages onto a pre-fab bird house. This one must have been custom made though, since the roof is made solely of the book. Take note of the little vintage clothes pin perch! I love it.
How about this bird feeder made of melted vinyl records? I think it could be a bit cuter…but boy do I adore this notion.
I’ve seen this before…but it doesn’t make me any less impressed. An old salvaged window, turned into a gorgeous end table.
I love being inspired.
Amy
