The One with the Ultimate Popping Corn

During the week of Christmas we were excited to host Kevin's mom, dad, brother, and grandparents for a few days. It was a tight squeeze at times in our little house, but we all had a lovely time together. We perused downtown boutiques, checking out all the historic spots along the way, celebrated together in a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship service, enjoyed a party with lots of church friends, ate a fantastic pot roast dinner at Randy & Sheryl's and watched Courageous with them, toured the local schoolhouse-turned-Bed-and-Breakfast and as well as the college campus where Kevin takes seminary classes, and played a rousing game of Apples to Apples. 

In the midst of all our goings and comings, we found time to sit and relax. Some read, some napped, some computer-gamed, some crocheted. And two or three times we watched a movie or tv show together, including Love Comes Softly (one of the movies mom received for Christmas), Mrs. Miracle (your typical Hallmark movie), and an episode of Monk and MacGyver. Yeah, we're that awesome. 

During the showing of Love Comes Softly (which is way more intense to watch now that I'm married and understand these things...sheesh, Janette Oke), I decided to start a batch of popcorn. Now, if you know me, you know I love popcorn. And in the past couple years I've really fallen head over heels for the homemade variety. You know--kernels, oil, pot, salt, done. A few times a week (not even kidding) I heat up our heavy-bottomed pot and whip up a batch of my favorite snack. No problem. I don't have to shake the pot or watch it like a hawk. This stock pot does popcorn right, all by itself. 

So I started the popcorn and left the room to watch the movie with the family. 

After the popcorn was popping away, Dad asked me if I needed to check on it. I said, "No" knowing my awesome pot would be just fine. I did think it sounded a little louder than usual, but we just turned up the tv and ignored it. 

When the popping began to die down, I went out to take it off the heat. What I saw made me simultaneously want to laugh and cry. There was popcorn popping and flying ALL OVER my kitchen. I had forgotten the lid to the pot and those beautifully popped kernels (along with all the oil!) was EVERYWHERE. I started cracking up laughing and the family quickly rushed to the scene, pulling out cameras and ipods to capture the moment. It was pretty memorable. 

For the next 20 minutes, I was sweeping up popcorn, picking it out of baskets and shelves, having Kevin move the stove so I could get the hidden kernels, and scrubbing up grease on my hands and knees. I made another batch of popcorn and settled in for the end of the movie. All 5 minutes of it. :) 

I'm hoping I'm not alone in kitchen mishaps. Anyone else? (This same weekend I also burned chex mix, forgot the timer on the rolls, and let potatoes boil over.)

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The One with Surrendered Dreams

January 1st, 2011 is so vivid in my mind. The transformation God was working in my heart. Contentment.

I didn't even need to look back into all those months blog archives to be transported to that time alone with Jesus on the couch. But, reading my own sentiments all over again stir up in my heart a renewed pursuit of true contentment. {please read it again with me.}

This year I have learned much and grown deeply. But there is still so far to go. 

I have clung to Christ in new ways. But each day brings a choice. 

I have repeatedly meditated on the words of the worship chorus Surrender (by Marc James; Vineyard.)

I'm giving You my heart, all that is within 

I lay it all down, for the sake of You my King 

I'm giving You my dreams, laying down my rights 

I'm giving up my pride, for the promise of new life

And I surrender all to You, all to You 

And I surrender all to You, all to You

I'm singing You this song, I'm waiting at the cross 

All the world holds dear, I count it all as loss

For the sake of knowing You, for the glory of Your name 

To know the lasting joy, even sharing in Your pain

And I surrender it all to you, all to You

To surrender not just today or my present struggles. I've found it's actually easier to give up my struggles and sins and give over my heart to Jesus in a moment of emotion, than it is to truly say, "God, I'm giving you my dreams." Those wishes, hopes, aspirations have somehow seemed off limits to surrender. But every single time I hear that song, I am convicted of the necessity to give over my future to Jesus. Why not? He deserves all my trust. He holds the world. He knows my heart. He will cherish my dreams, yet bring me step by step through the life He knows is best for me. 

And so my 2012 will start with the same purpose as 2011. Contentment each day, found totally in Jesus. And surrendering my dreams to Him.

Have you made any commitments in this new year? 

The One with the Last of 2011

I have had this blank blog post opened all day long. 

And I got nothing. 

I was hoping for something inspiring or motivating or thought-provoking. Or, at the very least, witty. But any worth while thoughts seem to be eluding me tonight, the eve a new year. 

Please know that I tried. I really did. I'm sorry I didn't come up with something to fill this space. For the past five days nonetheless. Awesome pictures, capturing hilarious and memorable moments, fill our camera card, but I haven't had the time (or honestly, the motivation) to do anything about them. 

Maybe next year. 

*wink* 

WELCOME 2012! May the Lord's hand be evident in all your days. 

The One with One Gift Idea

Just a week before Christmas I came up with (what I think to be) a brilliant gift idea. Homemade. Personalized. Keepsake. Creative. Unique. All the marks of a great gift.

I set to work on my GIMP editing software and came up with four 8x10 inch prints for four of my favorite kids.  I choose fonts and colors specifically for each child, clicked "save," and uploaded them to Walmart.com. Within an hour, I received an email that my prints were ready for pickup! I bought frames right then and there and VOILA! Personalized wall hangings for each child's bedroom. 

I was thrilled to hear their exclamations and see their expressions as they each opened their gifts! I wasn't sure how much a 2, 4, 7, and 9 year old could appreciate such artwork, but they all seemed to love them. :D 

See Ashlyn's face?! 

The only snafu in this whole process? Picking up the photos from the photo department. The woman looked through my four prints and then looked up at my suspiciously. She didn't believe I had created them myself. I wasn't sure how to convince her, but she eventually had me sign a copywrite release and let me go. *whew* (I guess that's sort of a compliment--that they looked professional.) 

Merry Christmas, L kids! We LOVE you!

Did YOU do any homemade gifts this year? 

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The One with our Christmas Wishes

The One with Cookies & Deliveries

 

This week has had its ups and downs, but today I'm finding my {favorite} things about the past few days. Looking for the thanksgiving always brings joy.  

Last weekend I delivered 5 dozen Vanilla Almond Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing to a friend who had ordered them from me. Yesterday I heard she thought they were the most delicious, most beautiful sugar cookies she'd ever had (or seen.) I'm was thrilled! I do love the uniqueness of the vanilla almond flavor. It takes the simple sugar cookie to the next level. 

With a freezer over flowing with cookies, I decided it would be nice to deliver a few sweets to our neighbors. Since we just moved in 4 months ago, we still haven't met many families on our block (shame on us). But cookies always bring people together, right? And yes, I decided to be all...well..."Melanie" about the packaging and give a little COOKIE CODE inside the boxes. :) I'm certain it will be appreciated. And probably made fun of. Most mostly appreciated. 

I even made festive labels and tied the boxes with ribbon. SO CUTE. I add both of our business cards so our neighbors wouldn't have to try to remember our names, and so they would have our contact info if they ever needed to get a hold of us. (And hey, if they decide to come to our church or take piano lessons from me, I wouldn't be bummed. :D) I hope that was ok.  

And just because I love 'em, and I thought you might too--
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

and their new adventurous counterpart--
Rolo Blossom Cookies.

What are your {favorite} things this Friday? 

linked up with Rachel @ Finding Joy