Vice

Everyone has something that they can't stay away from even if they try...

Sweet Leaf: Organic Mint and Honey Tea

Tron Legacy Soundtrack (Daft Punk with Jeff Bridges voice overs...wow)

Laughing with my husband

None of these can be considered a true vice, but either way I don't think life would be as enjoyable without them.

Adventure Is Out There!

One of my favorite animated fliks is Pixar's "UP".

One of the best parts of the movie is at the end when he looks his late wife's Adventure Book.

He thought she had not filled it, but she did!

 She filled it with pictures and memories of their life together.

You do not have to travel the world to find adventure.

As part of Alan's wedding gift to me, he made me an "Adventure Book".

He bought a journal and at the top of every page he listed a date idea for us to do.

The rule is everytime we complete one we both need to write a little something to look back on.

I want couples dating, engaged, or married to be able to have their own adventures.

If you are hitting a creative block, here are a few ideas
(I am a Birmingham native so if these don't apply to you just sub in your home city.)

1. Tannehill State Park
Go camping for about $20
Bring some marshmallows and a tent!
Trade Days are the third weekend of every month.
(Its a kind of flea market/ craft fair thing)

2. Birmingham Museum of Art
It's free but you can make a donation if you want.
After you roam the museum go across the street to the Beautiful Linn Park.
Take out your sketch pads and pencils and create!

3. Birmingham Airport
Park your car where you can see the runway.
Make up stories about where the planes are going and what the people are doing.
Where would you two go right now if you could?

4. Rock Climbing
Indoor- 1st Avenue Rocks- downtown ($15)
Outdoor- Moss Rock Preserve- Hoover (FREE)
Pack a lunch to share!

5. What's On Second?
Go to the ATM, withdraw $10 for each of you.
See who can find the best item at What's On Second? (its a vintage store)
for $10 and whoever wins buys lunch!
Might I suggest Urban Standard, its only a few stores down.

If your interested in purchasing your own adventure book
 you can find it on my favorite site ETSY!

Adventure Is Out There!

The Forgotten Pair

Peanut butter...jelly

Salt...Pepper

Romeo...Juliet

There are many combinations in the world but none so great as my all time favorite...

Books and Coffee

I have compiled a quick list of books that are some of my favorites.

I left out all the gimmes (Bible, LOTR, Anything C.S. Lewis, Harry Potter...duh)

Here are a few classics, some famous and some unknown.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

This is probably on of my all time favorites...

 I know its dark and depressing even at some points,

 but in the end Jane and Mr. Rochester are together!

The Wind Singer by William Nicholson

In a society filled with  rules, tests, and opression, two kids rescue their nation and restore freedom!

It's Kind Of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Suicidal teens checks himself into a hospital and is put into a temporary psych ward. He learns more from the people in there then he has in his whole life. He figures out he has a lot to live for, and he finds out he's an artist:)

Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier

This young Indian woman trying to find her identity as an American/South Asia Indian, and her journey throughout NYC.

 Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

Final installment for the Twilight series...I know this kind of counts as a gimme but it's just that good.

The 3 Big Questions of A Frantic Family by Patrick Lencioni

This is actually a P.C. recommendation, and I loved it. Fictional beginning with a nonfiction "how-to-apply-it-to-your-life" ending

She... by Kobi Yamada

Coffee table/display book...it's inspirational for women everywhere:)

...and cute as can be

Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Falling in love

It's interesting when you look back and try to pinpoint the actual moment you fell in love with your spouse, it's often vague and you have a general idea but nothing specific.

Alan and I revisited our past last night and found that exact moment.

 Our first full day together was at the Happy Valley Amusement Park in Shenzhen, China.

As simple as it was, that is when we fell in love.

I am so glad we went to that cheesy amusement park despite it being humid.

God really does know what He is doing and it feels so good to know that despite any past faults, we are exactly were we are supposed to be.

Merry Christmas

Hoping everyone is with family and eating lots of good food!

Alan and I had so much fun sitting around the fire, opening gifts, and kissing under the mistletoe.

I will be cooking lots of French cuisine with my new Julia Child cookbooks, and needing a gym membership to work off all the butter, cream, and other fattening ingredients often used in French cooking.

After experiencing nine Christmas services at Highlands, this beautiful snowy restful holiday came at a great time.

I love my church.

 Not many people can say that... I'm glad I can.

With Christmas day coming to a close, 2011 is near and it's going to be the best year yet.

The year begins with 21 days of prayer and fasting, then a trip up to Minnesota, followed by Highlands 10th Anniversary!

My aunt Amy started this amazing blog called "The Table", the people are incarcerated for various crimes but have found forgiveness in the Lord and want to tell their stories. I think Amy and I will begin a small group this next year in January where we write letters to these brothers in Christ and post their stories once a week. It's a different kind of prison ministry. I couldn't be more excited!

Merry Christmas

Tis the Season

Mastering the Art of French Cooking
Volume I & II

Old Navy Ruffled Cardigan



Old Navy Sapphire Blue Tights




Sweet Grey Shirt Dress



Ruffled Yellow Tank

Revolutionary Chemex Coffee Maker

Alan and I have our first Christmas together as a married couple this year!

We are starting to make lists (mostly for fun) of things we would like to give eachother as well as other people.

We will also be having a Christmas party so I'm getting geared up with festive recipes and ideas.

If you have any traditions that your families have, I would love to hear about them!



A Proper Estate Sale

Alan and I went to estate sales this past Saturday..

I would just like to take a minute to inform the general public on estate sale etiquette when having or attending such an event.

 

When having an estate sale:


1. Proper signage is important- Brightly colored and well written (no ghetto cardboard box/duct tape thing please) I would even venture to say balloons would be a nice touch.


2. Try to have a price on as many items as possible. (The whole- "Just ask about the price" thing gets very old and half the time people will not ask because its an uneccessary hassle)


3. On number 2 though, almost always mark up a little because bargaining is fun!


4. Be nice...Bake cookies, or something to that degree


5. If you have but a few items...just donate them don't bother having a sale...


6. Um...also going the half-priced route for the second day is really nice


7. For best success have your sale fall not during football or holidays...


8. Etsy.com is a wonderful tool for crafters everywhere but you could put some of your handiwork in your estate sale (if it is good)


9. Have plenty of change. We recommend only taking cash...If taking checks be sure and get a phone number and drivers liscense # if your worried about fraud. (It is nice to have 2 $20's, 3 $10's, $100 worth of fives, and $30 in ones. = $200.00 total)


10. Finally enjoy it! Its a wonderful thing to take that weird heavy "buy something" pressure off people and have some good non-offensive music playing in the background. Hearing a pin drop in this circumstance is not ideal.