On learning and knowledge Part I

So. My heart is full of the love from friends- new, old, dear, far, and those who just recently have slipped from the 'acquaintance' to 'friend' status.

I just got back from a retreat. Well, just got back and am getting settled after a retreat and then a quick trip to bring husband of mine back to work. My mind is still racing from the weekend, and how much I learned about myself, my friends, and God. A few things really stuck out to me, and they weren't just what I learned during my time with God or time spent listening to the speaker. They seem to be a culmination of all these smooshed together.

1. My best friends and I live apart. So when we finally had a heart-to-heart, it was great to know that some of the things we're dealing with in our lives are similar. Different scenarios, but the same root problem or struggle. For instance, there seems to be a huge pressure on everyone, not just young people to find A passion, and put their everything towards it. But the more we talked, the more I realized how torn she was about different passions in her life and not wanting to just settle with one thing when she wanted to do lots of things. I feel like I've been at a crossroad for months now, wondering in which direction God is leading me, what the future holds, and where Dave and I will end up. I've even sometimes wondered the different scenarios that could have been my life- what if I didn't marry Dave, what if so-and-so and I were friends earlier/ never friends, what if I never moved, twice, what if what if what if. I'm not letting them rule my life, I'm letting them make me appreciate the direction my life has taken and the direction I'm heading.

I want to be finished school so I can work full-time. I love what I'm learning, and most of my courses/classmates/teachers/content/ect is great. But I want more. I want to be able to say that I'm a working adult. I don't want to say "I'm studying to be a journalist," I want to say that "I AM a journalist." However, it is amazing how God works. I start at a radio station tomorrow. And not just a private station- the largest and most well-known station in the city. It's kind of a big deal. And I'm a little nervous. I'm sure I'll get over it, but for now I'm just unsure of what to expect.

BUT. God unlocked a door, and after I tried the doorknob, I was able to walk in. As of tomorrow I can say I'm a journalist. I feel like I know what I want and am ready and willing to make it happen.

Again. BUT. I'm still torn between the many passions I have in my life. I'm not willing to give up being a mom to be a full-time career woman. BUT. I'm not willing to pretty much throw away seven years of post-secondary JUST so I can be a mom. I love to make things, and DearOne has become the perfect outlet for that. I love photography. But I also (as I just recently learned), like being on the radio. Sacrifices don't always have to happen. We're always re-inventing ourselves, and God's always providing us with different opportunities. We just need to be willing to take them.

Coming To Projects Near You!!

My nieces are turning one in September, and my sister-in-law wants cute fall hats for them. With flowers. I assumed that meant I had four months to learn to crochet. Thus, my newest item was born.

I'm so excited to share these little beauties with you. I've spend a few hours this week learning to crochet, and then doing it over and over again until I finally had a flower I was proud to show off. So, eight hours later, here they are! I'll be attaching little beauties like these to some of my projects, and posting them on my Etsy store (dear0ne.etsy.com). Look for them!

THE BEST Pasta Sauce Recipe

I don't mean to brag, but I made THE BEST pasta sauce I have EVER had tonight. It's so good, I figure I need to share the recipe.

Ingredients:

1 can diced tomatoes (or the equivalent of fresh chopped tomatoes)

1 can tomato paste

7 cloves of garlic

1 large onion

1 tbls each oregano, thyme, basil and chives

1 tsp sugar

pinch of crushed rosmary and crushed chili peppers

2 tbsl of olive oil

1 carrot, diced

1 tomato, diced

(salt -if using fresh tomatoes)

Directions:

Crush and mince 5 of the garlic cloves.

Chop onion.

Heat oil and add garlic and onions.

When onions are semi-transparent, add a little bit of juice from tomatoes and all the herbs.

Roughly chop remaining two cloves.

Let simmer a couple minutes, then add the rest of the tomatoes, carrot and garlic.

Add tomato paste and sugar.

(Add salt if using fresh tomatoes.)

Simmer until carrots are cooked through and flavours have melded together.

Serve hot over your choice of pasta, or use in place of pizza sauce.

Enjoy!

The Illustrated Man

Today I learned a valuable lesson in an extremely exotic and unsuspecting way.

I helped a friend out today by minding his store for a few hours. People came in, and I even talked to a few. The one little girl came in, full of energy and questions. And complete intrigue about the man outside who was covered in tattoos. His arms, legs, face, even inside his ears and the underside of his hands had been tattooed. Gathering some courage from the boiserous little girl beside me, I asked him which was his favourite, or, which meant the most to him. Without hesitation he lifted his shirt to show me his sketched belly. I was a little suprised he was lifting his shirt in public, but the closer I looked, the harder it was for me to figure out the design.

Suddenly the little girl yelled, "It's Jesus!" and at the same time the illusrated man said "The passion of the Christ." Sure enough, sketched in black and greys was a picture of Christ, his face forlorn, his head circled with thorny vines.

That's when I learned my lesson. I was looking to closely at the finer details to be able to see the whole picture. It's just God that I was looking too close at Christ. For it is the same in our Christian lives- we search too closely at the tiny details of Christ, trying to figure out motivations and reasonings and theories, while the answer is there- we need only to step back and see the whole picture.

One of my favourite authors in Ray Bradbury. In one of his stories he writes of a man whose body is completely covered in ink. However, it's not as simple as just that. His tattoos tell stories, and can even seem to tell the future. The difference between the illustrated man I met and Bradbury's? I don't really know. Except one seems to regret his, not want to proudly show them off...

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

One of my greatest fears in life is not getting to know my child/ren. For some reason, there's always been a fear of having to bury my child. And yet I know, there's always something good that comes out of it.


Why do I write about this? I guess I should explain. While looking up quilt stories, I came across this one; The Gracie Jane Project. ( http://thegraciejaneproject.blogspot.com/) Seeing as my nieces' names are Grace and Julia, I had to check it out. What followed was an emotional journey as I learned about one woman's ability to give back while doing something she loved- something I'd been turning over and over in my mind for awhile. Then, I happened to stumble upon this organization- Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS). http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/)



They take professional memory photos to help the parents remember their child and grieve for them, if their child will never have a life outside the hospital. I think of my twin nieces, and how tiny they were when they were born. And I'm so grateful they were perfect (small, but perfect), and only needed to spend a little extra time in the hospital to grow.


Here's a link that describes the organization a bit and the session available for parents/ families.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCnIAzcI7po



I keep thinking about how difficult and emotionally taxing it would be to photograph

someone(s) in a moment of such intense grief. But you know, if it were me, I'd love to have someone be willing to take photos of my child. I'm a photo person- I need one or three of every exciting (or not so exciting) moment. I think the reward of knowing you were able to aid in the overcoming of grief for someone would overcome your own emotions.

On a side note, here's the song that's been calling to me while I write this post. Jesus, Lover of my Soul- Kari Jobe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mJFFrVnczE

Camels and Baboons and an Elephant, Oh My!

Tonight we hit the big top!

For the first time EVER, I went to the circus! There were brothers riding bikes in a ball, and a girl on an elephant, and husband and wife jugglers and even a woman on the silks! The area was full of noise and smells and lights and kids. Circus Mondo (www.circusmondo.ca), from Montreal, Quebec, joins performers (and animals) from all over the world. I can still taste the popcorn!

There's something about just about anything performed in the air. I fell in love with aerial dancing during our honeymoon trip to Disney World, and while watching Cirque du Soleil's Solstrom. Whether a trapeze, on the silks, or just a wire, there's something so magical and beautiful about it, I've actually been brought to tears.

Plus, there were camel and elephant rides for the kids, brothers on bikes in a ball, dazzling costumes, a hula dancer, jugglers, and the smell of popcorn and cotton candy, of course!!

Owl you need!

Want to see what I made?





It was inspired by my friend Jo who I sometimes think may actually be an owl (the wise part, not the eating mice part). She loves owls more than anyone else I know- and at one point (perhaps this point hasn't actually passed yet?) wanted to decorate her room like a forest (sorry Jo, it makes the story so much better!).



It'll be up in my Etsy shop soon (I've been having some computer problems lately... I'm SO excited to get my new one. This lovely Dell has had issues since the day I brought it into my dorm room five years ago. Ugh.), as well as some other cute accessories I've been working on!

(Here's the link http://www.etsy.com/listing/74095914/green-owl-you-need-apron)





This is much closer to the actual colour, my bathroom has slightly different lighting. (oops! Maybe I shouldn't have revealed that I take some of my photos in my bathroom!)



And a sweet bow in the back to keep everything together!

I love it so much I'd keep it for myself, aside from the fact that I already have more aprons than I can wear myself! Maybe I'll just have to make another one??

Day Six of Life Without Dave

Everytime I meet with someone I know, they ask about Dave and I. It's weird, I tell them. The first night I woke three times and had a hard time figuring out where I was. Apparently there's a big difference between the side of the bed and the middle. What else am I supposed to tell them? I've been watching mostly Disney movies because I don't want to see happy romantic couples because it makes me miss my husband? Or that the dishes have dwindled to less than half their size? For his program he MUST go on placement during his breaks between semsters. Kind of like being in a co-op program. Unfortunately, it just so happens he's good enough to win out over his classmates and get a great placement in another town. And maybe that's another reason I'm pursuing a flexible career- one that could take me anywhere.

On a better note, the King of Rock and Roll has taken up space in my home since Dave left. The dark-haired crooner seems to have filled some of the empty space, but nothing can compare to having my real-live husband around. But it makes me realize a few things about myself.
1. I do not hate rock and roll. James Durbin was starting to make me question. It's just the off-key screaming and swagger I don't like.
2. I really really love the 50's. The music, the drunk-uncle dancing, the skirts, the way everything seemed just a little easier, the way going out for ice cream or shakes was still cool, and the way young people were going to take over the world.
3. I adore my husband. And it's listening to his breathing (snoring, no) that I miss at night, that's made me unable to sleep for the past week.

Messy eaters prosper

I love my nieces. I really do. And for some odd reason, I think feeding them is fun (I checked with my mom, she can't remember any obsession I had with feeding dolls or stuffies...). But I always manage to get food all over them and myself. Unless I go at a p-a-i-n-f-u-l-l-y slow pace. I've even managed to get baby cereal in my own mouth once. (Thanks, baby girl.) So when I saw this, I fell in love with it. (It also could have something to do with the fact that I always have an apron on hand and should probably wear one even when I do the dishes...)

http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2011/05/bapron-tutorial.html

I love that the tutorial shows how to make your own bias tape... totally customizable. I'll post my own version when I finally complete one (or two, in my case)!

It's official!

It's official!! I've been accepted to the Summer Company program! Basically, they'll give me a grant to help me start up my own business (ie. Etsy), and if I complete the program by the end of the summer, they'll give me an extra grant to go directly towards my tuition. So for an entire summer (and longer if I want to do it on my own), I get to be my own boss, do my own thing, and try to make some money. And the best part? No one can let me down by not doing their share of the work (sometimes teachers give waaaaay too many group projects).

From the email:

Hi Steph!

I just wanted to let you know that you have been approved to participate in Summer Company 2011!!! You should receive your check in a couple weeks.

Yay!!

Sneakin' a little bit o' Jesus in...

I was just in the Christian bookstore with a friend searching for a Bible for another friend who is interested in getting to know Jesus. While we were there we found a 'High Valley' CD. This group of brothers are on tour with Emerson Drive, opening for them during their concerts.

(Note:*Two years ago two of my girlfriends and I went to an Emerson Drive concert, and were so impressed we decided to go again this month when they came to my town.*)

It suprised me so much to see them in the Christian bookstore that I HAD to check them out some more. Sure enough, they've got at least two songs that play to their Christian influences (I forget which branch they practice, but did mention some religious affiliation (as much as I despise using that term) when they performed). So here they are. The lyrics to 'Somebody Like Me' and 'Plastic Jesus.'

Somebody Like Me

(Neil Thrasher / Michael Boggs)
That congregation parted like the red sea
When that old drunk stumbled in down the aisle and took seat
Right in the middle of amazing grace
He could feel the judgment that they were passing
Thought to himself, ain't that just like a bunch of Baptists
He'd rather be on the street than in this place, with tears on his face

You'd think somebody would put their arm around him
You'd think somebody would hit a knee
Pull him in say a prayer
You think somebody would practice what they're preaching
I wonder who that somebody might be
Probably somebody like me

Well he's got problems nobody wants a part of
When he got up and slipped out nobody stood up
They don't want to make a scene so they let him walk out of there
Without a prayer You'd think somebody would do something different
You'd think somebody would go against the grain
Be the one to run him down, bring him back and turn him around
You think somebody would want to make a difference
I wonder who that somebody might be
Probably somebody like me

Plastic Jesus

(Here's the link...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG8DN96ajVM

Catt Gravitt/James LeBlanc)
Bouncin' on the dashboard
Boppin' to the beat
To every bump in the road
Every hole in the street
Bought him at the Walmart
Got 'em on sale
The last one sittin' there dusty on the shelf
It's just a tiny figurine....
But are we missin' what it means....

We got crosses on our necks
Bibles in hand
When the sun comes out
We make our own plans
We pull him out when we need him
Put him back when we're done
Ain't no way to treat god's only son....
If we only wanna hear him
When his words will please us
Then we might as well be prayin' to a
Plastic Jesus

Ol' Miss Jackson
At the end of the block
She built her life
Upon that rock
Everyday of the week
She walks that walk
And when she goes to speak
The spirit talks
It do us some good to heed that warning
It ain't just about Sunday morning

Lord, knows we'd be better off
If we could just surrender all....

Canada Votes 2011

After last night's election and all the hubub that went along with it, I was really curious to see what God had to say about people in power. I've spent much of this election talking to people about who they support and why, and I've found that it really depends on the person. I've found lots of "If for no other reason, I'm voting for this person/party because..." and lots of "If for no other reason, I'm NOT voting for this person/party because..." I've talked to Liberal supporters, Conservative supporters, a Green Party supporter, and even sat with NDP supporters while we waited for the election results. What I really don't understand is how, even after the results, people can still say that Harper was wrong to say that no one wanted this election, or that I'm wrong when I tell them the word on the street was that Iggy was loosing support. I followed the polls, but I talked to people. I listened to their reasons and watched the debate. But the worst was the arrogance of the people who told me their vote wouldn't make a difference anyways, so they're not even going to try. In my riding, the Liberals and Conservatives were separated by only 14 votes. If 14 of those apathetic people had gone out and voted, we could be looking at a very different representation. But here's what God has to say on the subject;

" Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."-Romans 13:1-2

I guess that just about sums it up, doesn't it?!

*On one final note, here's the article I wrote about the NDP post-election party!! My first published freelance job!
http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/details.asp?c=41927

Play-doh and nephew love

I couldn't resist. My sister and mother-in-law needed to go to the grocery store, so they asked me to watch my 3-year-old nephew. He wanted to play with playdoh, so we each chose a colour (actually, he chose a colour for me, but I really didn't mind) and began to construct things. The top of the playdoh containers have little shapes that you can press into the doh. However, when you're in your twenties, they get pretty boring pretty fast. So, being a good auntie I decided to make my nephew something a little more 3-D. Which was awesome until he became like Stitch and had to destroy (ie. squish or rip the head off) everything I made.

I tried telling a story with some of the cut-out shapes (which is when he decided ripping the heads off things was fun). Apparently Goldilocks and the three bears isn't as interesting as I thought it was.



My teddy bear looks more like the wolf when it ate Grandma. Yes, that's the shape of a person on it's flattened belly.


After my failed storytelling attempt, I saw a photo of a car on the box. Thinking I could make something like that with my limited skills, I made a cute little red car. Now, if there's one thing my nephew loves, it's cars. His bed is full of them because he can never seem to just take one to bed. When he realized I had a car and he didn't, he insisted I make one for him as well. (Of course, I should have guessed that playdoh cars would start a new trend...) It didn't take long before we were racing our cars across the table and crashing them into things. The problem started when my
nephew would begin to squeeze the life out of his car, thereby not only elongating it, but also causing it to lose one (or more) of it's wheels. Eventually we just had to make trucks with back-up wheels. The point of this story? Little boys are hilarious. And Aunties should always know how to play with cars. (And even how to build them if necessary!

Our conversations went something like this:

Him: Vroom! CRASH! Hahahahaha....
Me: Did you just smash my car?
Him: Hahahaha...


Our cars were amazing... mine was the red convertible...

Also, for those of you wishing to make your own classy playdoh cars, here's how it goes:

Step one: Create a rectangular prism. Your discresion as to how long, wide, tall or squarish.

Step two: Flatten one end slightly to create a windshield.

Step three: Flatten the other side to create the back. This is where you can make it a truck, or a convertible, or a bug.... just by how far down you flatten it.

Step four: Create four (or five if you want a spare) little ball and get your kid to press their thumb right in the middle.

Step five: Squish the tires onto the car and you're ready to Vroom!!