January 15, 2009

focusing on productivity.

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make. bed, Grant's lunch, these breadsticks, these cookies + butterscotch chips, dinner.
research. define: "parhelion." and look into the rumor that it is colder here than at the south pole.
do. dishes, dusting, unanticipated load of laundry, sweeping, vacuuming.
write. lists, post, emails, messages
read. bible, morning&evening, jane eyre (hopefully after my work is done)
organize. fridge, dvd's, thoughts.
make it happen. pray, exercise, call sister, practice with my new curling iron (date with Grant is imminent).
Weather report.
-23 degrees. 
...that means -32 windchill. 
School was 2 hours late again. Haven't had a full day yet this week.
Adjusting to a subzero lifestyle. Thankful for a functioning furnace.
Wishing I had put these knee-high cozies on my christmas list. 
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January 14, 2009

the list

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I've been neglecting my list lately. 
I haven't added anything to it since the Christmas whirlwind took over my thoughts. 
Time to commence project list '09.
It's been awhile since I explained my listing concept & posted a short snippet, so if you'd like to check out the first installment, it's right here.
Starting today, I am going back to daily documentation. 
the list | number two
586. getting out of bed right away in the morning
594. going to see musicals at high schools
197. the smell of hotels
10. the feeling of freshly shaved legs in between bed sheets
467. hearing street noise 
612. being around well-behaved kids
15. bold nail polish
528. finding a new way to do my hair
101. made-for-girls boxer shorts
582. becoming better at something
544. sweatshirt & jeans days
104. to play "four on a couch" 
118. heart-of-pine floors
603. flipping through a book with a pen in my hand
143. classical music radio stations
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January 13, 2009

heath bar cookies

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If you're like me, you're getting over that holiday guilt faster than you thought.
In fact, you feel like you might even want to break out the mixer.
If so, here's a little something just for you.
And may I add, January seems just right for a little toffee- carmel crunch inside a warm brown sugary coat.
(I mentioned making these a long time ago & realized that I never shared the recipe.
How rude. And then I kept forgetting to go back and add it. So finally, here it is.)
1/2 c. butter
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped Heath bars
1. mix above.
2. stir in heath bits.
3. drop by teaspoonfuls on greased cookie sheet.
4. bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes.
*don't overbake! they will get crunchy on you, so air on the side of underdone*
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snow day monday

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Sunday night...
Grant & I settled in for a nice evening of 24 premiere + catching the end of the golden globes.
Little did we know, in just a few hours we would wake to one of the few early morning phone calls that you are always happy to receive. That is, a phone call informing us of a snow day. Nothing like still getting to enjoy a good snow day when you're a grown up.
So our Monday was spent doing fun snow day things... like cleaning out our massive closet, putting all the Christmas stuff into storage, rearranging the laundry room, throwing out boxes, hanging a new bulletin board & calendar, washing & folding, dusting & vacuuming, & discussing our next furniture projects/purchases.
okay, so we didn't go sledding & play scrabble.
looking at the bright side of a long winter ahead, I'm hoping for a few more snow days yet.
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January 12, 2009

the shop around the corner

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Left Bank Cafe.
This little coffeehouse is literally, just around the corner from my house.
Although I can see the side of the cafe from my front window, I am mostly reminded of its nearness by the seductive smell it produces. Each day the L.B. coffee roaster floods main street with an unmistakable toasty aroma.
The other day I joined my mother-in-law (Judy) for lunch here at the Left Bank. I am always surprised at how a place so wonderful can be hidden away in such a tiny town. I feel like it needs to be noticed & recognized.
If you were to go inside, you would find a scarlet & cream checkered tile floor below miniscule cafe tables. Further back, a dim, cozy corner; complete with deep arm chair, stacks of reading material, & a couch that occupants will not sit on, but rather sink into. Next to all of this is a small station for the owner's laptop, mail, etc. & a modest counter at which you may order your coffee pleasure.
When you step into this miniature haven, and if you've lived here for awhile (like Judy), you will most likely be greeted by a cheerful barista who regrets to inform you that you just missed your favorite pumpkin soup yesterday. But, you're in luck, because today they have that fresh, homemade carrot cake that you just love. The best in town.
While you're deciding on what else to have with your dessert, the owner may return from an errand & be delighted to see you occupying one of the tables. She'll know you by name and bring you a dash of cinnamon to sprinkle on top of your cream-cheese frosted piece of cake.
You (now referring to myself, a fairly new addition to the town) will leave profoundly fascinated by the existence of genuine small town interaction.
All in all, you will consider it to be quite a pleasant and surreal experience and will find yourself contemplating how it is that you came to be here, a city girl like yourself.
And the only other matter on your mind will be to wonder how business is going for that charming shop.
p.s. if you're ever in southwest Minnesota, stop by & you can sample the L.B for yourself.
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January 9, 2009

they know me personally

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Allow me to introduce some VIP's.
This is probably the most normal picture we've ever taken together. Usually when we're together, the silly little girls buried within overcome our not-kids-anymore facades, producing slight madness & hilarity.
We grew up together. We didn't fight with each other. We're not needy- which means we don't require daily phone calls or 500 texts to stay close. When we get together, we don't miss a beat. It's like nothing has changed since jr. high sleepovers. There's something so sincere & effortless about our friendship. I can't get over that. I'm so thankful for you girls.
Right now my friends have some exciting stuff going on in their lives.
Sarah... has a birthday today! Happy, happy birthday, my wonderful friend! May you have a sweet day full of celebration & surprises! We all love you so much.
Christine... got an incredibly cute haircut from Haley. Christine, way to go shortie on your beautiful locks! I'm loving your new look.
Haley... (my twin sis) is starting a new job & just started a blog. Please welcome her to the blogger world. Stop by & read into her cleverness here.
Rebecca... is heading to Mali soon. Bec, we're praying for you. Keep us updated on all the Africa excitement!
{from left-- Sarah, me, Haley, Christine, Rebecca}
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January 8, 2009

what I got for Christmas

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My grandma made me this apron. My grandma is pretty amazing. She knew just what I wanted. It is unbelievably perfect. Say goodbye to my stiff, one-size-fits-all, beige William-Sonoma one. This one's making me feel ladylike in my kitchen again. Great girlish fit, soft & feminine fabrics. Delicate. Graceful. Fun to wear. Doesn't get much better than wholesome, handmade housewifery apparel.
Umm... did I mention that it's reversible?
Yeah. Grandma's good.
Okay this one's not really my gift. It's more like a gift for our apartment. Merry Christmas, living room.
Grant decided to become a carpenter for a couple of weeks. Together with his dad & two helpful brothers, he crafted this ideal tv stand for us.
The creator with said creation.
I'm so proud. And I'm loving our new no-cords-showing look.
Along with these lovelies, I also received a pair of too-good-to-be-true silver hoop earrings. (just the right size. incredibly hard to find.)
A new razor, because I never spend money on them. I've been coping with my Bic disposables for far too long. Hello, five-blade wonder.
Some Redken therapy, in the form of a little purple tub of recuperating magic.
A hearty stash of my favorites.. raisinets, lemon drops, nilla wafers, gummies, & lindt truffles. I'm all set to stock the candy bowls. Ready to pack my purse for car rides & movies. And loaded with reasons to hit the gym.
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January 7, 2009

thoughts compiled

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Have been doing some thinking.
I stumbled upon this quote the other day and loved it. It's direct & simple.
As I remove Christmas decorations and restore the regulars, I say it over and over in my head. Sometimes I replace the word "houses" with "life."
Have nothing in your life that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.
That, I suppose, is my resolution for this year, and most likely every year to come.
For me, right now, that could mean loads of things. Here's what I have identified so far.
make weekly meal plans. and be consistent. be diligent about knowing what's in the cupboard. be aware of what needs to be used up.
discern. keep what things will hold sentimental value. eliminate the unnecessary. use what is practical. find what is efficient. do what is meaningful. keep it simple.
take more pictures with Grant. someday my kids will wonder what life was like before they arrived. and I will want to show them.
stop finding fault. with anything. I am not to judge, quarrel, criticize, gossip, or dwell on the negative. so just stop.
incorporate new ingredients into our diet. put new things on the grocery list. search for recipes with vegetables that are foreign to me. don't be afraid of leafy green iron-loaded goodness.
keep on. work. study. pray. memorize. research. manage. exercise. read. write. list. rest.
i want to continue these daily pursuits with a happy heart. i love my typical day. i love having a time & place set aside to read my bible. i want to remain content and keep on treasuring this time of my life.
A new year.
... the old has gone, the new has come.
second corinthians five seventeen
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January 6, 2009

the waiting period

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and so it begins.
January, February, March, even April.
The months of cold weather, minimal amounts of daylight, tedious schedules, & negligible holidays that constitute what I confess to be my least favorite part of the year.
I am amazed at the sudden and dramatic change that occurs within me every year during the first week of January. After Christmas is over and the holiday season releases its grip on the world, I am instantly ready for summer time. No more winter for me, thank you. Instead I'll take the sunshine, flip-flops, school vacation, trip to California, & summer camp special, all the way. Oh, what a detrimental attitude for one so happily nestled into a corner of wintry Minnesota. I'm frustrated with myself for not being cheerful about this stretch of the calendar. I need to change this mindset.
So am I trying to change? Well. That's a matter of opinion.
Maybe I tried on all of the sleeveless dresses in my closet yesterday, just to see if they still fit, you know. And I may or may not have looked through the entire VS swim 2009 catalogue that arrived in my mailbox this morning. A brand new pumice stone might have been added to my routine to create prim & pretty, sandal-ready feet...Colbie Caillat's sweet beachy songs may be playing on iTunes as I write this... and this afternoon I might have rifled through all the photos from our jamaica honeymoon last may.
Just maybe.
May I have a change of heart toward the reality of the long winter ahead. And fast.
May I live today and not wish it away.
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January 5, 2009

confusion

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I'm officially back from Christmas vacation and returning to my normal posting schedule. But nothing feels normal at all.
I can't seem collect my thoughts enough to write a post worth reading, but will try anyway.
Here we are already, the first Monday in the new year. Happy 2009, everyone! You've all probably gone back to your normal lives and are perfectly situated with new & exciting pursuits, along with the old faithfuls. I, on the other hand, am still in an 08 daze. I tried to poise myself over the rest of the week, but fear I am bombing belly first anyway. It is taking me awhile to reorient myself to my own house after being gone last week. 'Oh, yeah..' I say to myself, 'I make the meals and do the dishes. Not Mom. Remember?' Even making a grocery list proved to be a daunting task. This is the problem with me taking breaks, I come back feeling slightly clueless.
Grant headed back to school today & I decided to keep to my stable routine of doing all the laundry on Monday morning. I also joined the thousands of people seeking to fulfill 09 resolutions & banish holiday-eating guilt at the gym. January will be a crowded month for the elliptical machine junkies. I'm hoping that everyone will remember to be polite & sanitize after sweaty hands leave the heart rate sensors.{confession: I'm afraid I have most of the symptoms of germaphobia, in its earliest stages.}
Oh, and something else to report: happily, my body is recovering from a week of reckless, indulgent eating (which is both fun & punishing, at the same time). Eating meals at abnormal times of the day, skipping lunch, snacking, drinking pop, & consuming lavish amounts of sugar... all combined to produce in me what Dad entitled, "bodily confusion about food." My taste buds & stomach seem to go numb after a day or so of eating like that. I couldn't discern what sounded good, which foods were my favorite, which ones were worth chewing, or if I even needed sustenance? But, now we're back to the norm. Am thriving with my water bottle & apple slices.
Excited to embark on 2009 & fill up the margins of my life by doing some writing. Right here.
Thanks for reading!
p.s. the quote above is from her book at home in mitford, which is the first in my favorite series
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about this blog

Hello, I'm Summer. A people-loving introvert whose hope and life is in Jesus. His promises are my passion and my ministry is homelife. This blog is a place for me to write about everyday things. Especially food. My favorite thing to do is sit around a table, lingering over a long meal with good conversation. I live with my husband and our 2 littles. We like blizzards, thrifting, grammar, guacamole, cheerful hearts, nice manners, good movies, and making simple, real, nutrient-dense food.

"If Christ be anything, He must be everything."
-C.H. Spurgeon

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