Pillow Talk

I have been on a sewing kick lately and went a little crazy this weekend. It all started on Thursday which was National Visit Your Fabric Store Day. You didn't know that? Well it was! Just ask Susan Branch.

I had an unexpected half-day at work and was able to go shopping with my momma! We went to our favorite fabric store to find some treasures.

I have been eying this pillow for quite some time on Pinterest and finally decided to make it for myself! Here is the tutorial I used for a simple pillow case without messing with a zipper.

My version of the Love pillow. I couldn't find the font she used so I had to improvise. Lovin' the way it turned out!

The second pillow I made is also a version of one I found on Pinterest. The link was no good but for the actual case I used the same method as above.

Blackberry Jam

A few days ago I made the trek to the Anderson's to pick blackberries. I've done this once before with them and I believe this is becoming a fast tradition! There is nothing better than the creek flowing, the bees buzzing, the blackberry juice dripping from your fingers, the occasional snag from an unruly thorn, a few blackberries tossed at one another, the satisfaction that your hard work will pay off, and good conversations with my in-laws (soon-to-be).

Chad and I have been planning and thinking about our future, apartment hunting, and budgeting. The plan for our blackberries is to use them in many different forms for our own home. Chad is a die-hard lover of blackberry pie, so of course I had to make pie fillings to put in the freezer for winter month cravings. But, before I made the pies, I wanted to make jam. I have never made jam by myself from start to finish before. With the instruction and patience of my momma, I accomplished this new feat!

Here is the sequence:

I didn't take pictures of washing the berries. Also, I ran them through a food mill to get rid of most of the seeds.

You are left with this most glorious juice/pulp that smells divine! For this recipe you have to measure out the ingredients exactly.

In go the berries, lemon juice, and pectin.

Next goes the sugar. Yes, that is the full amount of sugar. Yes, you have to follow the recipe exactly, No, I do not eat gallons of jelly at a time. All things in moderation!

Now you cook it until it becomes thick, sugary, and sinful. I poured it into super hot/sanitized jelly jars and topped them with the lids that came out of boiling water. Turn them upside down for about thirty minutes. Turn them right side up and let them cool.

After all that work you are left with a huge mess!

But, it's worth it when you are left with 7 beautiful jars of jam!

With the blackberries from that day I made 7 jars of jam, 3 pie fillings for the freezer, and my mom made 5 jars of syrup. I went picking again yesterday and came home with 5 HUGE containers more of berries! These will all become pie fillings for the freezer. Chad will be elated! They will make great gifts, so don't worry, we are not going to live off of blackberry pie :)

Quick peak into the past

As I go back and read my old posts, I am reminded of how much has happened in my life in a little over 2 year's time. Here's a little re-cap since my last post:

1. I met a boy
2. I got accepted into dental hygiene school
3. I moved to La Grande for school
4. I fell in love and got engaged to that boy
5. After blood, sweat, and tears I graduated from dental hygiene school
6. I moved back home
7. I finally became a Registered Dental Hygienist

I realize that this is obviously a very condensed peak into this gap in time. Every day since then, God has blessed me time and time again. Through all of these events my Jesus has walked beside me, guiding me, and putting the perfect people in my life at just the right moment. I'm sure there will be posts on specific instances, but for now, here is the update. Time to start blogging again!

Nerdy Anatomy Student

For the past. . . LONG time I have been in search of anatomy flash cards. I NEED them to study. It takes forever to make my own, and it uses lots of notecards. Well, Thursday I found my precious cards. I had looked at the bookstore at school before, but apparently I was looking in the wrong section. Anyway, there they were! I was super excited. This section had flash cards, posters, models, quick studies, etc. I was in "Anatomy Heaven." I walked out of the bookstore with my flash cards and a super cool poster (which looks wonderful right next to my desk). Now I just have to buckle down and start studying!

Be still and know that I am God

Wow! Isn't that just amazing! I was reminded of this verse by someone today. I am so thankful for that. The whirlwind of life has finally caught up to me. School started today, I have a bazillion things to remember (since currently I am without a planner), current events, the changing of a season, realizing I am MUCH closer to my goal, feeling like I am going to burst into tears any minute. . . Enough said? Be still. Easier said than done God! I have just had a lot bottled up at once and needed to drain a little out. I'm afraid I'll go mad!

I am also reminded of the quote "God is God and I am not." Isn't that the truth? My poor little human brain can't handle all of this. God, give me strength, REST, and peace. I will be still and listen.

The hobo and the guilty heart

Whenever I drive out of the Fred Meyer parking lot (next to the Jack in The Box) there is usually at least one hobo sitting or lying on the corner in the grass. My heart ALWAYS melts whenever I see them. One day when I was entering the parking lot (in the scorch of summer)I saw a hobo lying in the shade of a very small tree. When I was inside shopping, I bought him a water bottle. As I was leaving, I parked in the restaurant parking lot and walked over to give him the water. Of course I was a little nervous. This was my first real encounter when I was alone, and not in a comfortable environment such as the church. We exchanged a few words, and that was that.

Now to present day (this afternoon) I came across another hobo in the same shady spot. Though, today there was no need for shade granted it was about 65 degrees. My thought process was: he probably doesn't need water, it's cool outside, I think I'll just be on my way. As I was driving out I drove right past him. He was sitting on the curb, and we both made eye contact. The only thing I gave him was a slight (probably pitiful) smile. I just can't believe it. Well, I can, I feel it now. What was I thinking? Why was I not more generous? How guilty I feel . That could have been Jesus of Nazareth needing a drink of water, and I JUST missed my golden opportunity.

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

Matthew 10:42

Jesus, oh how I need forgiveness now. I cannot bear to think that that was you who was sitting there looking so helpless. Why did I not share my cup? When you were hideously hanging on the cross would I have shared my cup? Why not now in such a simple way? Please help me is these miniscule tasks.

Purpose

My purposes for this blog:

*As I continually live my life shaped around Jesus, I would like to share that journey. I will write about my struggles, joys, experiences, and maybe some thoughts shared by others.

*I may also share pictures that captured special moments in my life.

*I'm not usually one to take my thoughts and write them for anyone to see. Or for that matter write them! I've never been much of a writer, but I have seen the ways many of my friends and others around me have grown spiritually by writing. I guess in a way this blog is an experiment or a new adventure. I am ready to tackle this unfamiliar world of writing!