QUIET SATURDAY

The past few Saturdays I have tried to make it a point to spend, at least, a little bit of time to relax and spend time with my Creator before I get started with any daily tasks. 

Today was actually the perfect day off because got to spend the morning outside watching the clouds roll in above as the air began to smell like rain and the sound of thunder grew closer. Once it started raining, I partook in a bit of window shopping online along with brief storm watching intermissions. 

Later, a friend texted me to see if I wanted to get coffee. So, I willingly accepted. This friend is a friend, whom after our unexpectedly long conversations, I always leave feeling inspired by. She is truly a blessing in my life. 

I left our conversation excited about the future and the plans that God has for both of us as we continue on our faith journeys. Each taking on new ventures. It's encouraging to hear other faith building stories because hearing them begins to make the weight of the situation or the tasks seem less daunting. You realize that what you are trying to accomplish is indeed possible. 

ON THE MOVE

It's an exciting week as we are finally moving out and preparing for my best friend's wedding this upcoming weekend. The past year had its fun times, hard times and all that is in between. There is always a bitter-sweet feeling when it comes time to leave the home you worked hard to make. 

 

Karisa, my best friend and roommate for the past two years will be moving on to live in the home her future husband has been working hard to renovate for them. She and I were talking the other night about it and almost cried. At least she will not be far. 

All this to say, I am so excited for her and and her husband to start their life together and I am excited to share in future memories. They are some of the most genuine people I have ever known and I am so thankful for Karisa's friendship these past few years. Our friendship, through it's ups and downs, has really been what Proverbs talks about: "As iron sharpens iron so a friend sharpens a friend." I have learned a lot through observing the way she views situations and throughout the year my personality has changed for the better because of her influence on my life. As for Brad, there could not be a more perfect person for her. 

Congratulations Karisa and Brad! I love you guys! 

FROM THE KITCHEN: WILD RICE WITH CHICKEN, ASPARAGUS AND MUSHROOMS

It's been a while and in case you didn't see this a few weeks ago on my sweet friend Courtney's blog, Always Rooney . . . 

Ingredients:

1 cup wild rice

1 chicken breast

5 shoots of asparagus

2 crimini mushrooms

1 clove garlic, minced

First, start the rice, following the directions on the package. 

Cut the chicken into strips and cook it in a skillet, seasoning it with salt and pepper. 

While the chicken is cooking chop the vegetables. 

In a separate skillet, cook the vegetables starting with the asparagus and garlic, adding the mushrooms once the asparagus has cooked for a few minutes. 

 

When the chicken, vegetables and rice are thoroughly cooked stir everything together. If you would like, you can add a little lemon juice to give it a more citrus-y flavor. Top it with parmesan and enjoy!

I'm off to a clothing swap and will hopefully come home with a handful of cute, new-to-me clothes!  
Have a wonderful night!  

THESE DAYS

 

The days are getting longer and I feel like I suddenly have more energy along with fresh inspiration. The weather has still kind of been a roller coaster of temperatures, but it is still warmer than winter and I like that. I'm excited for what the months to come hold with a new place to live, new roommates and new memories with old friends and hopefully even some new friends. I have learned this month, through all the stress of finding a place to live and coordinating it around the upcoming events, that the way I look at situations is all about perspective. This is part of the adventure of life. Although I may have to move back in with my parents for a bit, I know that everything will work out. 

Outfit: Shirt-F21/Jeans-Pacsun/Shoes&Ring-Target


Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

MY FAVORITE PLACE: IN ARKANSAS

HORSESHOE CANYON RANCH

I have had the great privilege of traveling to Arkansas nearly every weekend of the month of March. Yes, to climb, but mostly to enjoy some quality time outdoors. This past month a variety of friends and I frequented Horseshoe Canyon Ranch. The ranch sits in a beautiful canyon surrounded by cliffs and generously littered with trees and giant boulders. Blankets of bright green and dry sea foam green green colored moss cover the unclimbed or undeveloped, so to speak, boulder faces. I have only ever visited to climb, but the ranch also provides many other activities, such as, horseback riding, a giant swing and a zipline - There's also a HUGE disc golf course. Throughout the years the ranch has found a place on my list of my favorite locations.  

I have never been a huge lover of the scenery in the midwest, often thinking that there is too much overgrowth, but I have grown to love this little Arkansas Canyon. Maybe it's just because I feel more and more at home every time I visit. I feel overwhelmed with joy and humbled at the giant mass of rock that stares down at me as I am about to climb a boulder. I feel small, but in a good way. I realize that I am not the only living thing on this planet, but that God took care to create nature. Not only that, but to take the care to make it beautiful and full of magnificence.