Refueling #FridayFaves

On this Friday afternoon, I am finding joy in the little things. I'm an easy-to-please type of girl, but that doesn't mean I don't miss out on opportunities to be appreciative of those moments. Blessings came come in so many shapes and sizes--a friendship, the light from the window, a kitty's nuzzle, hand written notes. 

new shoes. yes they're strange looking, but they're an effort to run the way my body was created to run, without layers and layers of padding between me and the road. I have been out with them just once since they arrived last week (trying to take it slow like the directions say), but it was enjoyable. My calves were tired, but I felt good. Looking forward to the next opportunity. 

a fan club. on my 10 mile run this morning with Sheryl, we passed by our friend, Debbie's, house and she was out on the front porch clapping, and cheering us on. It felt so good to hear that encouragement. 

extra-snuggly cat. our little Willow has been on my lap at every opportunity this past week and it's been pretty wonderful. She has also learned the art of pillow-hogging. Which is not so wonderful. 

Aldi's Infuse/2. I love the pricetag ($0.69), the great taste, and the low calories (80 for 32 fluid ounces) of Aldi's version of Gatorade. It's perfect for post run electrolytes. 

pancakes with my husband. I love when we can afford to really take a day off together. Fridays are our official off day, and we try to spend it wisely. Relaxing and enjoying an extra-special, indulgent breakfast is just plain good for the soul. 

Between the post-run refueling and the Sabbath-rest my husband I have together, I am blessed. 

What are you thankful for today? 

linking up with Rachel @ finding joy. 

 

----

Subscribe. or by Email.

The One with 5 Minutes [Connect]

Today over at Lisa-Jo's blog, the Five Minute Friday prompt is Connect. My mind went all sort of places before hitting the "start" button on my timer, but I'm so thankful I rested with this topic. It's been resonanting with me all week, as I've received call after call, email after email, and welcomed in many new students to my fall schedule of piano lessons. I am blessed. And I'm seeing the connection.

Here goes:

------

I never thought that all those years of piano lessons would connect to any other part of my life--besides my love of music and the occassional "special" for the church offering. But here I am, after 13 years of weekly piano lessons, having cried multiple times over failures, having heard the needed criticisms, having messed up the song I had "perfectly" in front of the recital audience...and I am teaching piano lessons. Me?! Yes, Melanie, YOU. 

Because not all of those 30 minute lessons were grievous. No, in fact, they were exciting, constructive, and life transforming. Both of my teachers spoke into my life as a mentor and spiritual role model. They encouraged me and pushed me toward the full capacity of my abilities which they knew God has planted within me. 

I know my parents never would have thought that their financial commitment to my piano lessons would ever result in a source of income for me, a joyous livelihood. But I am so thankful, mom and dad, for making me go to lessons all of those years, for making me practice when I hated it, for continually encouraging me to keep on, believing I would achieve something. 

And now, I see how it's all connected. God was preparing me musically and spiritually to be a teacher to many students just like me. He has gifted me and filled me with his Spirit and I am thankful to be investing in the lives of my students. And something must have clicked--because my students LOVE to practice! Can you believe it?!

Top Ten of the Best Photos from {Snow Camp}

This past weekend, Kevin and I (along with 3 other adult leaders) took 18 high school students to Snow Camp. This particular camp is set up in the Old Western style and has been operating for 40 years. They run 10 or 12 weekend Snow Camps each winter and host 200 students at each camp. Many groups have been attending for years and years. 

It's always interesting to attend a new camp for the first time. I have been to many a Christian Camp--between my years of work at our camp (Somerset Beach) and my summer with Wellspring (traveling worship team to different camp each week.) It's important to have an open mind--about the cabins, the leadership, the organization, the chapel services, the meal time, the extra-curriculars--or you will likely have a very bad attitude. And bad attitudes just ruin everything. 

Our time with our teens was a big success. Kevin and I both committed to spending our weekend as youth workers instead of husband-and-wife. We sat with each other at meals and such, but we made an effort to spend most of our free time with our respective guys or girls. I hung out with the girls as they sat and talked in their bunks or watched the activities from the sidelines. Kevin played hours of Euchre with the guys in their cabins and kept up with the young-ens during their basketball games.  

I listened to my own advice--my note to self. I loved those students. I spent time with them. I was real with them {adorkable side and all}. I laughed with them. I even cried with them. Oh yeah, and I indulged in the calorie-dense foods without feeling {too} guilty. 

I took literally HUNDREDS of pictures all weekend and I have narrowed them down for your viewing pleasure. Here are the...

Top Ten of the Best Photos from {Snow Camp}

one. me and the girls at the Wild West Adventure Town 

(waiting for the late-night games to begin. 10pm to midnight with a 1:30am lights out is just crazy in my opinion. but I survived.) 

two. human hamster ball relays. 

three. human bowling. 

(that's not dangerous at all...)

four. group building activities--the ping pong ball pass
(followed by the "NOOOOOO!!!" exclamations from John & Maria)

five. another group building activity--
the girls are focused on keep their feet touching as they move from one end of the room to the other.

six. the other half of our group during the foot-touching activity. those boys are focused.

seven. group shot (with the random Santa Claus Helicopter and support beam in the middle of us.)

eight. Trike Terror Relays.
(exactly what it sounds like--plus the driver was blind-folded. really?!)

nine. the Jump Shot. classic.

ten. my girls and me (minus Carly!)

It's not been easy to move on from one group of teens to a new one, but God is blessing us with opportunities like this one to invest in their lives and show them our true commitment. Walls are beginning to shatter, relationships are forming. May His Name be Glorified. 

--

linked with Top Ten Tuesday.

--

Subscribe.  by Email

The One with the 10 Fave Snack Duos

It's no secret I love food. I mean, I have an entire blog designated to recipe after recipe. Today I thought I'd simply share my favorite food combinations. There are just some snacks that are meant to pair up. I can hardly eat pretzels without popping in a few M&Ms. I mean really? 

You have probably thought of all of these. It's not rocket science. But these are my top 10 favorite food combinations--snacks I eat on a regular basis. I hope you like 'em. 

1) Apples and peanut butter. All time forever-kind-of-favorite. Right now, I'm really into Golden Delicious apples and Krema Natural Peanut Butter.

2) Homemade Granola and Yogurt (1/3 low fat vanilla & 2/3 plain)

3) Chocolate chips & pretzels (semi sweet chocolate plus mini twists, please). I'm a sweet and salty LOVER. 

4) Raisins and Unsalted Dry Roasted Peanuts. This is a nice alternative to my chocolate chip & pretzel combination. There's the sweetness of the raisins and the natural-saltiness of the peanuts (even the unsalted kind have that "salty" sense to them) 

5) Hot Cocoa and loads of mini marshmallows (and I don't have to have fancy-pants cocoa. The little mix packets are fine by me.) 

6) Fresh Bread and (real) Butter. I mean, come ON. There is a reason this is one an age-old staple. NOTHING beats homemade bread and butter. Correction--buttah. 

7) Old Fashioned Oatmeal and banana. In fact, I think I shared this recipe in my top ten last week. There's a reason for that. It's gooood. 

8) Gingersnaps and hot tea. I am a grandma sometimes, I know. But I totally get by my grandma was always eating those crazy-hard cookies with her hot tea. It's perfection. 

9) Peanut Butter Toast with Milk. I have always been a sucker for the melty peanut butter action that happens atop freshly toasted bread. Dip that sucker in some milk and beauty happens. 

10) Popcorn and Diet Coke. These two go together like peanut butter and jelly (which, oddly enough, I did not mention in this list.) 

yep, I'm linking up with Oh! Amanda's Top Ten Tuesday again! 

The One with 10 Wintertime Recipes

Top {Ten} Favorite Winter Recipes

It's that time of week again! Top Ten Tuesday! And this Tuesday I have decided to share with you all some of my most favorite cold-weather recipes. Bon appetit! 

1) Rich Hot Cocoa. If I didn't know how caloric this drink was, I would make it every single day. It's that good.

2) Banana Nut Oatmeal. This may or may not have been our breakfast for the past 2 weeks. And we're not even tired it. (Here's a secret--we like to use a Tbsp or two of peanut butter to add to the goodness. And I haven't had walnuts, so I just skip that part.)

3) Fresh Homemade Whole Wheat Bread. Nothing beats this stuff. We could probably devour the loaf and call it a meal. But I have some sense of rational thought and typically try to serve it alongside a well-balanced meal. 

4) Slow cooker Chicken Noodle Soup. Cheap, fast, and easy. And ridiculously comforting. 

5) Creamy Butternut Squash and Chicken Soup. Not your typical soup, but so creamy and so good-for-you, you won't stop at just one bowl. I know I didn't. 

6) Leftover Ham and Potato Soup. (Are you sensing a theme here? We love soup.)

7) Sweet Heat Chili. Did someone say "chili"? I am so there! 

8) Challah Bread (Jewish Egg Bread). This stuff is too good to never experience for yourself. So delicious, it's almost dessert (and that's saying something coming from Miss Sweet Tooth.)

9) Homemade Pizza Dough (which automatically means PIZZA FOR DINNER, right?!) We have this every single Friday night for dinner--whether it's 100 degrees or 10. You should too. :) 

10) Zesty Oven Roasted Potato Wedges. These are our favorite accompaniment to our almost-weekly burger night. De-double-lish. 

Subscribe. why don't ya? :)

The One with His Vivid Will

Today's Five Minute Friday writing prompt is:


Vivid

At times the will of God seems mysterious, unknown. We have trouble handing our futures and our dreams and our pains over to his trustworthy hands. As if He has somehow failed us in the past. 

But He has never me failed me. And He never will.

But you know what? Sometimes, the plan of God for our lives becomes vividly evident. As if, all of sudden, the blinders were removed, the lights turned on, and the color surrounds us in brilliance. We look back and recognize his hand in every step that led us to this moment of vivid understanding. For just a little while we see how his plan is so good, so full of purpose, so much more than anything we ever could have asked or imagined. 

When we receive those glimpses into his will for our lives, it is a gift, sustaining us through the next many months of traversing the roads unknown. Cling tightly to the memory of those vivid reveals of God's plan, and journey with him through the valley to come. One day, you will see clearly on another mountaintop.  

Subscribe to The Adorkable Life by Email

The One with the Still Mornings

so pleased to be joining up with Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Friday challenge. The starting concept is-

Awake

These past two weeks have been beautiful. Awaking early in the morning, before the sun rises, all because I have an 8am "devos" date with my husband. 

I have always been a morning person. I enjoy the thrill of early morning runs, watching the sun peek over the horizon, knowing so much of the town still sleeps. Those few days over the Christmas holiday were especially peaceful. Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse - surprisingly accurate depiction of small town America on the mornings of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Not one car passed me. No one was out to get the newspaper. No garage doors creaking open to reveal cars packed and ready for the work day. Here or there a light shone in a window, a chimney released its warm smoke, but mostly all was still. 

I feel peace in the mornings, as hard as it is to pull back the warm covers and peel open my sleepy eyes. It is quiet. A new day, ready to be written. Will I follow obediently in the path God has laid out for me, holding his hand and following his lead? Or will I try to maintain control and guide my steps on my own? 

The One with {Memorable} 2011

I know we're well past the craze of New Year's posts and lists about best blah-blah-blahs of two thousand eleven, but I'm still mediating on these unforgettable moments of the former 12 months. I'm giving myself permission. I hope you don't mind. ;) 

And now, in no particular order (no seriously, these are not in any sort of order. I know you can't believe it, but it's true)
Top Ten Memorable {serious, sad, and silly}Experiences of 2011

1} Taking 15 teenagers camping for 8 days to our home-away-from-home Family Camp

2) Celebrating the births of so many of my good friends' babies and getting to be together with my college girls at one of the showers.

3} Finally jumping on the Harry Potter bandwagon and loving every minute of it. (darn it, Kevin was right again. :D)

4} Moving from our sprawling Michigan parsonage to our quaint, slightly-dilapidated, but perfectly-sized-for-us house in this quintessential small town in New York.

5}Watching my husband excel in his first semester of his MDiv program in seminary. (Who would have thought we'd be here?)

6}Building a deep, true friendship with the most amazing woman. Endlessly thankful for Sheryl.

7} Finally passing my 6-mile-barrier in my running career (thanks to Sheryl, actually). I ran 7 miles with her and then 8 on my own the following week. Oh, and running my first official race.

8}Expanding my photography skills with official photo gigs--at Elise's wedding, with Josh & Amanda's engagement shoot, as well as a family session in December.

9}Opening a successful (ever growing) piano studio in our new town and actually having a studio.

10} Adding more than 160 recipes to my now-three-year-old recipe blog: Adorkable Recipes. And getting featured on Tasty Kitchen. 

Did you have any special moments in 2011? I'm sure you did. I'd love to hear about them!

linking up with Oh! Amanda's Top Ten Tuesday.

Subscribe. Subscribe to The Adorkable Life by Email

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

The One with the OCC Packing

Every year  I look forward to Operation Christmas Child. I have been packing shoe boxes for longer than I can remember, and each year it is just so thrilling. To know that such a small box of gifts can bring a smile to a child's face and potentially change their life is incredible. For the past many Christmases, Kevin and I have made a point to have a Shoe Box Shopping Date and we often decide to pack shoeboxes together and forego our gift exchange all together. It is a blessing.

Today is our Shoe Box Shopping Day. We're going to head to Dollar Tree, shop, shop, shop, and enjoy dreaming of the look on that little boy or girl's face when they rip open their box of goodies. 

Here are the Top Ten Items I Pack Each Year in My OCC Shoe Boxes 

(and here's Samaritan's Purse instructions on how to pack a shoebox.) 

1. Toothbrushes and toothpaste. I like to buy the 6 pack of tooth brushes so everyone in the family can have one! 

2. Soap bars. Super practical and not on the forbidden liquids list. 

3. Hard Candy. Peppermints. Werther's. Lemon Heads. Smarties. Anything that isn't chocolate and isn't perishable. 

4. A coloring book or notepad and crayons. I figure markers will dry out and be less useful than crayons. 

5. Colored Pencils would also be a fun option. I just make sure to pack a pencil sharpener as well!

6. Bouncy balls or toy cars or something of the sort that would be just plain fun for any boy or girl to play with. I make sure to never include toy guns or army men--anything that would frighten the children or remind them of social unrest in their country.  

7. Hairbrushes, Headbands, beautiful bows, and colorful hair ties to give those little girls something to squeal about. 

8. A stuffed animal or a small baby doll. Any child, any age will be grateful for something soft and comforting to cuddle with at night. 

9. A picture of Kevin and I along with a letter telling the child about ourselves and how we hope they'll love their gift and believe that Jesus loves them. 

10. The check to Samaritan's Purse to cover the cost of shipping. Can't forget that! 

Does your family participate in Operation Christmas Child? What do you love about this ministry? 

I hope you will consider packing a shoe box this Christmas (boxes are due November 14th-20th, though, so don't wait!) Find a DROPOFF Location near you!

----

linking up with Oh Amanda's Top Ten Tuesday.

Subscribe. 

Subscribe to The Adorkable Life by Email

The One with Apples, Sisters, and Lists

Top Ten Really Super Awesome (to me) Things From These Last Few Days

1. getting my first "hey, will you pray for me?" text from one of our new teens.

2. returning to the Eccles family tradition of Sunday evening nachos. (Our nachos = layering your plate with tortilla chips, sprinkling liberally with green pepper, onion, tomatoes, cheese, meat, salsa and sour cream. YUM, right?)

3. reaching yet another milestone in my running career. (Career? really, Mel? That may be an exaggeration.) Sheryl & I had a fantastic run together Monday morning--I ran 3 miles to her house, we headed out for a 3 mile run and tagged 2 extra miles on the end--bringing both of us to thrilling totals of 5 and 8 miles. Yeah, I guess I'm officially a runner now. (I don't know what that means I've been for the last 6 years.)

4. making the last minute decision to drive home to see my sister, Ashley, before she moves to the other side of the world country.

5. having fun reading and laughing and talking with Mom, Dad & Ash.

6. forcing myself to *just* take a walk this morning. I thought it was necessary after my 8 mile run. It's hard for me to slow down though. (hmm, maybe that's why my dad was always telling me to "slow down, Mel" for most of my life.)

7. having somewhat of a "breakthrough" small group meeting on Sunday night with the new group of Senior High girls I'm working with.


8. eating freshly picked apples from the orchard of my youth. (Does that make any sense--"the orchard of my youth"? I mean--the apple orchard that I grew up visiting.)

9. getting a fresh hair cut from my stylist of a sister. It feels so good to have healthy locks again.

10. have I mentioned how awesome it is to spend time with my sister before she moves? Yeah? Cause it is.


  linked up with Oh Amanda's top ten tuesday

Subscribe to The Adorkable Life by Email

The One with Today's Thanks

Top Ten {Tuesday} Things I am Thankful For--


1} the cool weather than blew in this afternoon.

2} a new-found love for rhubarb. (two new recipes will be coming your way soon!)

3} a 6am walk along the canal with my husband.

4} the full moon we saw on our way out on a walk and the sunrise we witnessed on the way back.

5} this delicious creamy, spicy macaroni dish I came up with.

6} my husband sharpening my favorite kitchen knife.

7} the creative juices that have been flowing these past few days as I've come up with new and exciting ways to run my piano studio.

8} deciding to start teaching piano in our new hometown.

9} already having 2 students signed up for lessons and looking forward to the number God has in store for me.

10} a grocery shopping date with a fellow Aldi-lover from church.

----

What are YOU thankful for this Tuesday evening?

---
linked up with Oh!Amanda's Top Ten Tuesday.


Subscribe. Subscribe to The Adorkable Life by Email

The One Where She Fell In a Hole, Et Cetera

Top Ten things I'm pondering on this beautiful late summer morning...

1) Where in the world did my lovely red 1 tsp and 1 Tbsp measuring spoons disappear to months ago??! It is a mystery. I thought for sure I'd find them in the move. But no. They are MIA forever. Lucky for me, I have 2 extra measuring spoon sets. One of which is passed on from my grandma--the metal kind with pretty, colorful handles. *love*

2) I fell in a hole yesterday morning. No joke. There was a piece of garbage in a rut on our front lawn. I stepped over to pick it up and plummeted to the bottom of a crevice in the earth's surface. Ok, a bit of an exaggeration, but this hole (covered mostly by overgrown grass) was at least a foot deep and about 2 feet WIDER than I anticipated. Kevin laughed at me.

3) How do friendships start? And how do they stick? I was thinking about this yesterday too. 

4) Somewhere along the way I became a coffee drinker. HOW did this happen?! I'm not a daily-drinker by any means. BUT I can drink Kevin's strong coffee concoctions and smile. 

5) I thought I would be grossed out when he ordered a Starbucks Venti iced coffee with a shot of hazelnut and room for milk. Blech. But no. It was amazing. We shared this drink with happiness on our faces.  

6) But nothing beats the indulgence of a Hazelnut Frappuccino with REAL Whipped Cream and Caramel drizzled on top. Help me, now. 

7) Why is it so hard for me to compile reasons I would be good for such and such a job? I'm realizing how I don't think very highly of my skills and I tend to downplay my talents in everyday life. But when it comes to competing for a job, you're supposed to play yourself up, right? It's going to take serious practice for me.  

8) I'm still waiting. Wondering. What does God have for me? The options seem endless now, but I'm learning lessons through the journey, the waiting process, the patience testing. Thanking God for giving me peace (when normally I'd be freaking.) 

9) It's been a four Sundays in a new church. A month since I've last participated in leading the worship service, week after week, year after year. It's been good to stand with the congregation and worship without distractions of "What note am I playing next?" or "What was that transition again??" or "Should I be singing a different harmony right now?" But I think I'm ready. Ready to be used for what God created me for--leading in worship. Excited after planning with the worship teams last night.   

10) I hope this batch of 100% Whole Wheat bread turns out even better than the last. Rising high above the edge of the pan. Just asking to be eaten. (recipe soon!)

What are you pondering today?

---linked up with OhAmanda's Top Ten Tuesday

Subscribe.

Subscribe to The Adorkable Life by Email

Top Ten Best Recipes from this Summer

For something fun and simple, I thought I'd share ten of my favorite recipes that I have posted on Adorkable Recipes this summer. Brown Eyed Baker inspired me with her list, and then Oh!Amanda's Top Ten Tuesday rolled around for the perfect opportunity! I hope you love this little compilation as much as I do! :) 

1. Watermelon Lime Sorbet

2. Baked Apple and Peanut Butter Steel Cut Oats

3. Hawaiian Barbeque Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

4. Blackberry Streusal Pie

5. Italian Vegetable Salad

6. Pico de Gallo

7. Angel Food Cake with Fresh Strawberries

8. S'mores Stuffed Brownies

9. Mango, Avocado, Black Bean Salsa

10. Indoor S'mores

Do you have a favorite food or recipe from this past summer? I'd love to hear about it!

Subscribe.

Subscribe to The Adorkable Life by Email