I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with family and friends, warmth and love, and thanks to God.
(click photo to enlarge recipe)
xxxxx
November 27, 2008
requisite happy thanksgiving post.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with family and friends, warmth and love, and thanks to God.
(click photo to enlarge recipe)
xxxxx
I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with family and friends, warmth and love, and thanks to God.
(click photo to enlarge recipe)
xxxxx
November 25, 2008
roy joseph.
I was searching the WNKU web site looking for the name of a guy I heard on the radio the other day. I found Jay Nash and looked up some songs on itunes, deciding that he's wasn't as great as I initially thought. And then the name Roy Joseph popped into my head, a name from months--enough to be several years--ago, lingering in the backlog of my memories.
I can't remember the exact details of how Roy Joseph came into my life, but it went something like this: It was 2004. My friend Erica had stumbled upon this guy's demo CD. She gave me a copy. I proceeded to replay the CD over, and over, and over again. My heart longed to listen to the CD. This guy, Roy Joseph, had a lilting voice and songs that comforted me, gave me a spring in my step, caused my eyes to tear up, made me want to be different, just depending on what the song was playing. I loved this CD like no other. It was casual and sweet. It was lighthearted and deep. And I despised the fact that there were only 8 tracks to play.
Fast forward to tonight. By now, I had completely forgotten about Roy Joseph. But then hearing John Nash's voice brought Roy's back to mind and all the memories of listening to that 8-track CD came flooding back. I looked up Roy on itunes and it turns out he has an album--a real one, with 14 tracks. I smiled ear to ear and proceeded to listen to every song (as much of them the itunes gods will allow) and I cried. The nostaliga was just too much to bear, I guess.
But anyway, now that I know that Roy Joseph has a real CD (released last September, for the record) I had to share about it, along with some lyrics (which really aren't done justice without the music, so click here to listen to the song):
straight road bends
I can't remember the exact details of how Roy Joseph came into my life, but it went something like this: It was 2004. My friend Erica had stumbled upon this guy's demo CD. She gave me a copy. I proceeded to replay the CD over, and over, and over again. My heart longed to listen to the CD. This guy, Roy Joseph, had a lilting voice and songs that comforted me, gave me a spring in my step, caused my eyes to tear up, made me want to be different, just depending on what the song was playing. I loved this CD like no other. It was casual and sweet. It was lighthearted and deep. And I despised the fact that there were only 8 tracks to play.
Fast forward to tonight. By now, I had completely forgotten about Roy Joseph. But then hearing John Nash's voice brought Roy's back to mind and all the memories of listening to that 8-track CD came flooding back. I looked up Roy on itunes and it turns out he has an album--a real one, with 14 tracks. I smiled ear to ear and proceeded to listen to every song (as much of them the itunes gods will allow) and I cried. The nostaliga was just too much to bear, I guess.
But anyway, now that I know that Roy Joseph has a real CD (released last September, for the record) I had to share about it, along with some lyrics (which really aren't done justice without the music, so click here to listen to the song):
straight road bends
The weather comes quick, the sun don’t shine
As darkness falls inside my mind
So I reach out for balance against this spin
As the bitter taste of reality sets in
And if it all works together for good somehow
Well it doesn’t seem to comfort me right now
But when I’m looking straight ahead and the straight road bends
And the earth gives way and the walls cave in
Looking for a place to hide from the fears within
When the claims I’ve made I can’t defend
When conviction runs deep and belief wears thin
Looking for a place to start but I’ve reached my end
I’ll know it’s all right, I’m gonna hold tight
That’s where the faith begins...
xxxx
November 20, 2008
the order of toastiness.
I sometimes daydream of living in California. But then I am pulled back to the reality that is Ohio, remembering not bitter wind or groaning cold, but things like the order of toastiness that I would never get to experience living in perpetual summer.
the order of toastiness.
this involves:
steaming mugs of tea or coffee,
cinnamon toast,
layers of cotton and wool,
soft lighting by candle or bulb,
giant pots of rosemary used as houseplants,
perpetual soup on the stovetop,
rising with the sun.
Here's to scarves and woolen coats, to tweed slacks and warm red wine, to snuggling and vanilla candles, to down comforters and the quiet fall of snow. Here's to the coming of winter.
the order of toastiness.
this involves:
steaming mugs of tea or coffee,
cinnamon toast,
layers of cotton and wool,
soft lighting by candle or bulb,
giant pots of rosemary used as houseplants,
perpetual soup on the stovetop,
rising with the sun.
Here's to scarves and woolen coats, to tweed slacks and warm red wine, to snuggling and vanilla candles, to down comforters and the quiet fall of snow. Here's to the coming of winter.
November 11, 2008
small town.
Last weekend, my friend Katie spent the day with me enjoying one of the quintessential little towns that pepper the midwest.
Here's a visual journal that highlights our day of walking brick-lined streets, warming cheeks in trinket-filled shops, delighting in vintage made new, and squeezing out the last bits of fall.
(this one is Katie's)
xxxx
Here's a visual journal that highlights our day of walking brick-lined streets, warming cheeks in trinket-filled shops, delighting in vintage made new, and squeezing out the last bits of fall.
(this one is Katie's)
xxxx
November 8, 2008
new favorite blog.
A couple weeks ago my brother-in-law introduced to my new favorite blog, Stuff Christians Like. If you share my sense of humor, then you'll love spending hours reading through all the previous posts. To whet your appetite, here are excerpts from a few of my favorite posts:
The "pray if you feel led" prayer. You might think the prayer "Closer" is the one with all the power, but don't be misled, the Opener is in control. In addition to often choosing the Closer, they set the tone for the entire prayer circle.... More than that, they don't need to worry about the Closer or fear someone cutting them off. They can pray and then relax. Their job is over and done in a matter of seconds.
Church names that sounds like clothing stores. Imagine you're at work on Monday and someone says, "What'd you do this weekend?" You can reply "I hung out at Elevation." Your friend will then say, "Is that the new hip hop dance club? At which point you can then say, "No, it's a church" and then proceed to share the entire gospel with him. OK, maybe you shouldn't do that, but at the bare minimum, saying you went to "Elevation" is going to at least keep the conversation rolling where if you said, "I went to 'God is Awesome, Praise Sweet Baby Jesus Cathedral' over the weekend," your friend is going to throw an imaginary smoke bomb and climb out of a window.
Christianizing your Facebook profile, a how-to guide. Step 1: Your Name: Don't just use your name on your profile. ...Name your profile something like, "Forgiven1" or "WashedinBlood." Step 2: Status: Write something a little longer like, "Matt is stuck in the moment, the moment when my eyes will look up to the Son, the Son that's always been there for me, arms around my life, for now and evermore."Step 4: Quotes: If you don't have a quote from CS Lewis on your profile page, I'm not sure you're a Christian.
xxxxx
The "pray if you feel led" prayer. You might think the prayer "Closer" is the one with all the power, but don't be misled, the Opener is in control. In addition to often choosing the Closer, they set the tone for the entire prayer circle.... More than that, they don't need to worry about the Closer or fear someone cutting them off. They can pray and then relax. Their job is over and done in a matter of seconds.
Church names that sounds like clothing stores. Imagine you're at work on Monday and someone says, "What'd you do this weekend?" You can reply "I hung out at Elevation." Your friend will then say, "Is that the new hip hop dance club? At which point you can then say, "No, it's a church" and then proceed to share the entire gospel with him. OK, maybe you shouldn't do that, but at the bare minimum, saying you went to "Elevation" is going to at least keep the conversation rolling where if you said, "I went to 'God is Awesome, Praise Sweet Baby Jesus Cathedral' over the weekend," your friend is going to throw an imaginary smoke bomb and climb out of a window.
Christianizing your Facebook profile, a how-to guide. Step 1: Your Name: Don't just use your name on your profile. ...Name your profile something like, "Forgiven1" or "WashedinBlood." Step 2: Status: Write something a little longer like, "Matt is stuck in the moment, the moment when my eyes will look up to the Son, the Son that's always been there for me, arms around my life, for now and evermore."Step 4: Quotes: If you don't have a quote from CS Lewis on your profile page, I'm not sure you're a Christian.
xxxxx
November 5, 2008
sometimes, it's the little things.
I was looking at a recent Target receipt and this is what I saw:
Notice how all my items are categorized. This may not seem like anything to be giddy about, but if you're me then it is. You see, Paul and I are pretty vigalent about recording each and every purchase we make, not only to keep track of our spending as a whole, but also to keep track of our types of spending. So when I enter Target reciepts, which have loads of diffent types of purchases, I have to organize and decode all the items so I can enter them into the appropriate category. But now it appears Target is doing my job for me. Way to go, Target! Somtimes it's the little things that make me happy.
xxxx
Notice how all my items are categorized. This may not seem like anything to be giddy about, but if you're me then it is. You see, Paul and I are pretty vigalent about recording each and every purchase we make, not only to keep track of our spending as a whole, but also to keep track of our types of spending. So when I enter Target reciepts, which have loads of diffent types of purchases, I have to organize and decode all the items so I can enter them into the appropriate category. But now it appears Target is doing my job for me. Way to go, Target! Somtimes it's the little things that make me happy.
xxxx
November 4, 2008
happy election day.
It’s Election Day, so I can’t skip out on a voting-related post. Of course, I’d rather poke my eye out than discuss my political persuasion, so here's a little voting history from Yahoo:
Why do we vote on a Tuesday ... in November?
The short answer: We used to be a nation of farmers.
The long answer: Congress chose November because the harvest was over and the weather wouldn't be bad enough to prevent people from traveling.
As for Tuesday, people used to have to travel overnight to their polling location. (In 1845, horse was the preferred method of transport.) In an effort to avoid religious days of rest, Congress chose Tuesday, leaving Monday and Wednesday as travel days. Tuesday was voting (and horse-resting) day.
Be sure to get out and vote today! And after that, just sit back and know that God is in control.
xxxx
Why do we vote on a Tuesday ... in November?
The short answer: We used to be a nation of farmers.
The long answer: Congress chose November because the harvest was over and the weather wouldn't be bad enough to prevent people from traveling.
As for Tuesday, people used to have to travel overnight to their polling location. (In 1845, horse was the preferred method of transport.) In an effort to avoid religious days of rest, Congress chose Tuesday, leaving Monday and Wednesday as travel days. Tuesday was voting (and horse-resting) day.
Be sure to get out and vote today! And after that, just sit back and know that God is in control.
xxxx
November 3, 2008
i love paris.
Made this for work recently. What a fabulous trip! Brings back great memories of a fun vacation and time in my life. Miss you, girls!
November 2, 2008
why i hate potlucks.
Nothing like the smell of ground beef to get your day going.
I'm spending part of the morning making crock pot tamale pie for a church potluck this afternoon. Fortunately, the extra hour has afforded me some time to cook. But you know what? I hate potlucks. In fact, I call them pot"bad"lucks. Not only do you have to get up early to make the meal for the potluck--a few extra hours early if you're involving a crock pot, and let's face it, what potluck dish doesn't involve a crock pot?--you have to figure out the logistics of carrying and reheating the dish at the potluck location.
Now, you might be thinking, "Just pick up some cookies or bring a bag of chips and dip." It's true: People who bring dessert to a potluck have it easy. They can bake ahead, sleep in, and forgot about any reheating logistical nightmares. I would gladly make some brownies from a box for a potluck. But, unfortunately, my husband has a penchant for volunteering to bring a main dish-- a habit that is a little annoying considering he's inevitably not the one to actually make the dish. Even if we did sign up for a side item, a bag of chips would be out of the question. It's one thing for a single guy to show up with something ending in "itoes," but married women are expected to cook. I'm pretty sure it's in the church bylaws. (Insert Kristin's mini-tirade on how married women are expected to make cooking their ministry.)
Rather than simply complaining, I might as well do something useful with my time here and share the recipe for tamale pie (which is really nothing like a tamale or a pie, but that's what it's called anyway).
Tamale Pie
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
1.5 cups milk
1 egg beaten
1 can corn, drained
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
3/4 c. corn meal
1 packet chili seasoning (I'm hoping enchilada seasoning can make a good substitute)
1 can sliced black olives (optional if your husband hates olives)
shredded cheddar cheese
Mix everything in a crock pot and cook on high for 3-4 hours (I think I usually do close to 3.) Add a bunch of the cheddar cheese on top and let it melt before serving.
xxx
I'm spending part of the morning making crock pot tamale pie for a church potluck this afternoon. Fortunately, the extra hour has afforded me some time to cook. But you know what? I hate potlucks. In fact, I call them pot"bad"lucks. Not only do you have to get up early to make the meal for the potluck--a few extra hours early if you're involving a crock pot, and let's face it, what potluck dish doesn't involve a crock pot?--you have to figure out the logistics of carrying and reheating the dish at the potluck location.
Now, you might be thinking, "Just pick up some cookies or bring a bag of chips and dip." It's true: People who bring dessert to a potluck have it easy. They can bake ahead, sleep in, and forgot about any reheating logistical nightmares. I would gladly make some brownies from a box for a potluck. But, unfortunately, my husband has a penchant for volunteering to bring a main dish-- a habit that is a little annoying considering he's inevitably not the one to actually make the dish. Even if we did sign up for a side item, a bag of chips would be out of the question. It's one thing for a single guy to show up with something ending in "itoes," but married women are expected to cook. I'm pretty sure it's in the church bylaws. (Insert Kristin's mini-tirade on how married women are expected to make cooking their ministry.)
Rather than simply complaining, I might as well do something useful with my time here and share the recipe for tamale pie (which is really nothing like a tamale or a pie, but that's what it's called anyway).
Tamale Pie
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
1.5 cups milk
1 egg beaten
1 can corn, drained
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
3/4 c. corn meal
1 packet chili seasoning (I'm hoping enchilada seasoning can make a good substitute)
1 can sliced black olives (optional if your husband hates olives)
shredded cheddar cheese
Mix everything in a crock pot and cook on high for 3-4 hours (I think I usually do close to 3.) Add a bunch of the cheddar cheese on top and let it melt before serving.
xxx
November 1, 2008
national blog posting month.
November is National Blog Posting Month. NaBlPoMo is a challenge to post every day on your blog without exception and excuse. Yeah, right. While I have no intentions of actually blogging every day for an entire month--I would last, oh, about two days--I thought accepting the challenge of posting more often (let's say a few times a week) would give me the jump start I need to get back on the posting horse. Apparently, I've been a little lazy lately (or so someone named Mom gently pointed out to me). So, here we go....
xxx
xxx
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