Simply Fun

January has come and gone, and so far my new year's resolutions are doing quite well! :) (give or take a few 'off' ' days.) 

Here are a few things I have enjoyed this year so far. Thought I'd share. 

1. My devotions. I'm reading Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling." If you're unfamiliar with it, check it out here. It's an overwhelming journey learning to walk and live in the Presence of Jesus, and trust Him with every problem and thought. 

2. A new addition to our family: Clear Play! I can't find enough positive words to describe this new technology we've purchased! Check it out on their website. Basically, it allows you to watch videos and movies and bypasses negative elements, language, etc. with the option to change the settings for each movie you watch. Super cool! 

3. Working on my Chopin Pedagogy Project. It's actually more fun than it sounds. I get to play some of the most sophisticated and beautiful piano music ever written- and call it 'homework.' :) Check out the Nocturnes by Chopin if you love relaxing piano music. Warning: you may fall asleep.

5. Enjoying scenery around me. I spend a lot of time on the road, and it's relaxing to observe the scenery. This was a beautiful sunset in High Point a few weeks ago. 

6. Eating good food. I love eating. Period. And, while I have been eating healthier this year (and enjoying the results), there's nothing like good ole Lexington BBQ, hush puppies, and sweet tea. Mmmm. Good for what ails ya! I love living in the South. :)

Then, there's mom's peach cobbler. Sugar free, except for the icecream. Wow- it's truly awesome! 

7. Random projects. I love crafty projects! And, these are a few I came up with. 

I have several dozen (no exaggeration) plastic easter eggs left over from last year. Blech. SO, brilliant me, decided to do something with them. So I painted and glittered them. I also painted polka dots on some of them. Anyways, they're pretty cute! 

The nest, Well. *clears throat* I wanted a cute little nest. Found one for $20.00, and thought to myself, "self, I can make that." So I did. With moss from Dollar Tree...and a Chinese Noodle Bowl dinner. Ha! No joke. I cut the bowl in half and hot-glued moss to it, and ta-da! Not difficult, cheap, and it's cute. Perfect combination! 

And, since it's February and Valentine's is soon approaching, I made cookies today for students and Sunday School kiddos! First time making the icing recipe and it was amazing! 

And. yes. that's a random green Shamrock on the right. March is soon too...right? :)

Happy February 9th! 

'till next time...

a genius cold remedy

Well, sniff as is typical with the arrival of Fall, sniff germs and colds increase. Booooo. I am a victim, thanks to a weekend visit with my sister in Greenville. (Great visit, but resulted in a biserable cold.) 

Here are a few strange things I've tried that seem to be helping, oddly enough. Thought I would pass them on in case you become a victim of the common cold. 

*Mint/Rosemary Vaporizer: Mint and rosemary are known to help with respiratory infections and congestion. Eucalyptus will work, too. So, I picked some fresh mint and rosemary from my herb garden, boiled it, and sniffed. Not only does it smell amazing and work as a potpourri, it really does help significantly! 

*Another equally strange remedy is a cough syrup made by mixing apple-cider vinegar, honey, water, and cinnamon. It really does seem to help quite a lot! 

That is the extent of my home-remedy knowledge this evening. May you ward off the evil common cold, and "may the odds be ever in your favor!"

until next time...

Knock-knock......... BOO!

 Dear people of the world: This is an important alert to . . . alert you that this blogger is among the land of the living, contrary to popular opinion. 
We extend our apologies for the delay in posting. I'm sure the blog-ee has excellent reasoning for the delinquent pause in posts as of late. 


The end.

Ah. . . the arrival of fall! It is here, this long awaited season. My favorite time of the year, no questions asked. Life has been c.r.a.z.y. That's the only word I can think of to do it justice. 

However, there have been some pretty fun/interesting happenings along with the craziness. :) Allow me to update you on a few. 

Thursday, 9.14.11 

National Donut Day (bet you didn't know that...)

So, my fellow teacher friend Sethanna and I

decided to be brave and actually make donuts with the

7-10th graders at school. Whew. 

So, my lucky reader, here is how to 'make' donuts. :) 

1- Buy canned biscuits. POP them open without jumping. (I dare you to try...) 

2- have excited students (or boring family members) shape them with
a little '0' in the center.

3- place biscuits on paper plates.  

4- after heating oil in skillet/pan, turn heat on low and carefully
drop biscuits into pan, slowing turning with tongs until golden brown. 

5- remove donuts from hot oil and place on paper plate, soaking up
excess grease with paper towel. Using tongs, drop in gallon
bag filled with either powdered sugar, cinnamon/sugar, or sprinkles.
Shake until coated thoroughly. 

6- Voila! Delicious donuts! Bon appetite. 

Best when eaten with large glass of chocolate milk. Mmmm.

Honestly, they were AMAZING! 

It was so delicious, and the kids (ok...me too) had a ton of fun in the process!
For the 'educational' aspect, the students learned how to write a process
essay on 'how to make donuts.' Huge hit with the parents,
I'm quite certain. I've heard multiple reports of families making donuts with the
recipe. Favorite homework assignment of the year! :)

The following day I went to UNCG School of the Arts (University of North Carolina at Greensboro) for a piano lesson with Professor John Salmon. Naturally, I was nervous. Very. But I couldn't have asked for a better lesson! Brilliant sense of humor. In that light, I am in the process of applying for UNCG to begin my MM next fall in the Piano dept. and study under Dr. Salmon. Very excited! In the midst of figuring out dept./audition/Fellowship logistics, but it's looking very promising. 

Stay tuned for more blog updates in the next few days- fun stuff going on, as well as a few blogs on the topic, "Back to the Heart of Worship...or not?" 

And, just for fun, the is the ever-changing view out the front door of the house. Tinges of orange, yellow, and red on the trees = eye candy! 

                                         Happy 1st of October celebrating the wonder of fall!