Experiments in Baking

Tonight I decided to take an idea from the Food Network, and experiment to make it my own.

And I succeeded. In a big way.

It was fun, and my taste buds are pretty darn happy if I do say so myself.

At the request of one of my brilliant friends, I have created a photo journey of my experiment in baking. I don't recommend viewing this journey while hungry - your stomach may try to gnaw its way out of your body in an effort to eat the images right off your screen. Consider yourself warned.

A few random things...

• Just got back from vacation - had a great relaxing time. Many stories and some pictures to come. (P.S. God showed up. I love when he does that!)
• Discovered a new container of Cool Whip on the fridge. I have a weak spot for Cool Whip - especially right out of the container.
  
• Cool Whip tastes better when using my finger as the utensil. Not the same on a spoon.
• Same goes for creamy peanut butter.
• Not so for crunchy. Spoon all the way.
• When I buy anything new, I have to wear it or use it right away. Just got a bread maker at my friend's garage sale and it's killing me that I haven't got to use it yet. I've owned it for all of 4+ hours.
• Finally read this. What the heck took me so long!? Seriously, loved it, loved the writing, loved the storyline, loved it.
• If you call my phone, but after I answer realize you dialed the wrong number, say so. Don't just hang up. Frustrates the crap outta me.
• I love shoes - but I love being barefoot more. Strange, I know.
• Yes, in the middle of writing this blog post, my phone rang and they said nothing, spawning on the above mentioned frustration.
  

Leavin' On A Jet Plane...

In 34+ hours I'll be on a plane headed to Dallas - and after typing that slight panic is setting in because I have yet to pack or organize anything! At least I have a list going... but that's besides the point.

Wednesday morning I get to travel with some of my amazing co-workers (and assorted family members) to Dallas for a conference for work. A few of us will give mini-breakout type presentations, my boss is giving the keynote, and we all get to have some great team time while learning exciting new things about our church database. (You're jealous, I know)

But I have an extra reason to be excited for this trip ahead - because a year and a half ago my dad moved to Dallas.

Are you putting the pieces together yet?

So Friday afternoon at 4:30 my vacation starts and I get to spend multiple days with my dad and stepmom - and I couldn't be more excited!

Let's just hope my travels are far less exciting than last year...

A Must Read...

It's not often that a blog post completely stops me in my tracks and causes me to scroll back up and read again.

Today that happened.

Take the three minutes to go here, and read this post. It just might speak to you too.

Who Am I?

As I eluded to earlier, I've been processing this question a lot lately:

Who am I when no one is looking?

Somewhere in my teenage years, I lost "me". I lost who I really was at my core. It was just easier to feel accepted if I became a mirror of those people around me, because then, the chance of rejection was less. Sadly enough, I stayed that way for way too long. So much so that when asked, I didn't always know what my favorite tv show, or song artist, or movie, or restaurant even was anymore.

One day I sat down, and inspired by the movie Runaway Bride, I made a list. I figured out what I truly liked, and, what I really didn't like at all. Very sad that it had to come to that, but yet that is where my journey began. It was the first time I really thought about who I am if no one is around.

Since then I've revisited that question many times, only each time on a different level.

Most recently I stopped to think about my relationship with Christ, and decided it was time for a little "check-up". Here's a few of the questions I took the time to stop and ask myself:

• Who am I when no one is looking?
• Who do I, or what do I worship when no one is around?
• Am I fully leaning on Christ when the sun is set, the computer is off, the phone is silent and it's just me and him?
• Do I take my own advice? Is He my strength during times of sorrow? Do I praise Him in my times of joy? Do I praise Him in my times of sorrow?
  
• Is He my number one priority in a "me-centered" world?
• Do I have faith in His plan? If I pray for rain, do I go out and buy an umbrella?
• Am I just going through the "motions" when others are around? Or is this truly who I am at my core?

These are the questions I've asked myself, and yes, I have my answers. I have a pretty good idea of who I am, where I am at, and where I need to be. We are all a work in progress - and I gotta say, I'm proud of how far God has brought me. A few years ago, my answers to these questions would have been different. And a few years from now, they will be as well.

Sometimes it's worth the time to stop and re-evaluate who you are when no one is looking. Because that's the person God sees. That is who you are at your core. Choose to be the real you. And if you hide "you" because you're ashamed, then take steps to change it. Yes it seems like a long road ahead, but take it from someone who was so lost just a few years ago, it's so worth it.

Light Hearted Randomness

In no order what-so-ever, I give you, random things about me...

• I need to have both smooth and crunchy peanut butter in the cupboard. My texture of choice varies depending on what I'm eating.
• My niece said my name for the first time this weekend - melted my heart!
• I sometimes force myself to do something I don't like to, or don't want to, do. I used to always give in to fear, this is one of the ways I keep fear from ruling my life.
• I watch more tv on the Internet than on do an actual tv.
  
• When I'm driving in the car, and searching for a radio station, if the first thing I hear is an ad, I keep on surfing. But if I'm already listening to a station, I don't necessarily always switch away during commercials and chatty djs.
• I used to hate the quiet. Now I not only enjoy it sometimes, I need it.
• It took me years to realize who I really am, only to discover that it will always be changing, growing, evolving.
  

A Glimpse of My Thoughts

A few weeks ago during a bible class this question got brought up:

Who am I when no one is looking?

More thoughts on this later...