Day 22

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A Picture of Something You Wish You Were Better At

We've already talked about remembering... so I'll spare you that one. (Tee hee.)  However, related to remembering is The Art of Joke-Telling.  I will laugh at just about any joke, mostly because I know (oh so well) what it feels like when you've just delivered the punch-line and your audience is still expectantly waiting for it... "Uhh... that was it guys... get it? Too-farty!!"  So... yeah.  I wish I were better at telling jokes.  Uhm.  Anyway, I don't know what sort of photo-form that comes in, so... moving on.

(Insert photo of blank stares.)

I also wish I were better at being brave.  Some of you are naturally confident, and my wish will seem incomprehensible.  Honestly, it boggles my mind, too.  So many of my confident friends have tried to talk me into being brave.  "What's so scary about it?"  "What are you waiting for?"  "What's the worst that could happen?"  I can answer those questions, and I know my fears are sometimes illogical, but it still takes all of my will-power to override my hard-wired timid nature.

The EPITOME of Brave.

The thing that helps me more than will-power is my confidence in the Lord.  I have never been comforted by being convinced that I'm nuts for being timid or afraid.  I mean, what's so comforting about someone questioning your feelings?  Logic prevailing, I still feel afraid.  But, confidence from knowing scripture and trusting that I can know God's will and obey him helps remove the feelings of fear and replace them with confidence.  Knowing that I am following the God of the Universe gives me great confidence... 'cause he's bigger than anything else I'll run into! (Cue: "God is bigger than the Boogey Man, he's bigger than Godzilla and the monsters on TV...")

Surprises and Adventurings

First of all... it's been a while, I know.  I started my internship last week (the one where I get paid to sit at a computer all day and type stuff).  And when I get home, I'm a little tired of computers... but don't worry, I miss you guys, so I'll be coming around more often, now.

Second of all, I need to say that I'm thankful for spell check.  When I was younger, I was pretty good at spelling, but now, oh my, spelling has gone out the window.  I may be better at history than I am at spelling... eeks!  (Surprises doesn't seem like it should have two "r"s, but one, since I pronounce it "suh-pryze-ehs"... phonetics, sheesh.)

Onward... check out what Handsome brought me on Sunday!

That's right, monster popsicle molds!  We saw them a couple of weeks ago at Bed, Bath and Beyond, and Handsome wanted to get them for me then, but I wasn't sure if I really wanted them or not...  but then I bugged him for the next few weeks about them.

The green one reminds me of Mike Wazowski on Monsters, Inc. (one of my favorite movies).

It was a fabulous surprise.  I made strawberry shortcake popsicles to test 'em out.


On Saturday we ventured to Tuttle Creek for some canoeing.

It had rained all week, but the sun came out on Saturday, so we did too!

Charming, eh?  He only looks threatening.  Don't let him fool you.


So, that's what we've been up to lately.  Later this week I'll continue the "30 Days" series that's going to take 4 months... oh well.

"The Stuff That Dreams are Made Of" Ice Cream Cupcake Recipe

Wow.  This post might boast the longest title of any so far!  And why a recipe?  Well, here's the scoop:  a blog that I read is holding a recipe contest (yipee!) for ice cream cupcakes (yes, Handsome was very happy about this) and I decided to enter.  Handsome thought I should name them "The Stuff Your Husband's Dreams are Made Of", but he decided that I am more dreamy than these cupcakes.  He's so sweet.

If you want to enter the contest, too, here are the links to the details\:
Cupcake Project
Scoopalicious

This recipe is probably the easiest and most delicious dessert I have ever made.  Seriously.  I'll prove it.  Ready, Go!

"The Stuff That Dreams are Made Of" Ice Cream Cupcakes

adapted from a recipe by Joy the Baker

• Brownie Batter (I used a box)
• 1/2 c. Chocolate Chips
• Caramel Praline Ice Cream (I used Kroger Brand)
• 1 c. Sweetened Flake Coconut
• Chocolate Sauce (I used Hershey's)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line two 12-cupcake pans with foil liners (important).  Scoop 1 heaping tablespoon of batter into each liner. Sprinkle a few chocolate chips onto each cupcake.  Bake 8-10 minutes, until set.  Cool to room temperature.

Meanwhile, turn oven up to 400 degrees.  Scatter coconut on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until golden (~5 minutes), checking often and shaking pan so it toasts evenly.  Cool on cookie sheet and then store in an airtight container.

Once brownies are cool, place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Also place ice cream into your refrigerator to soften.

Next, scoop small balls of ice cream onto each cupcake (I used my cookie scoop).  Flatten with the back of a spoon to fill in all spaces and add more ice cream to fill the liners to the top.  Then put the cupcakes back into the freezer.

To serve:  Unwrap cupcake, drizzle with chocolate syrup and sprinkle with toasted coconut.  (Try no to drool on your plate, especially if you have guests.)

So, there it is, folks.  My new favorite dessert.  In fact, I polished off the last ice cream cupcake while writing this post.  Dreams don't last forever, ya know.

Day 21

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A Picture of Something You Wish You Could Forget*

This is hard, because it implies regret, and I don't let myself regret things in my life.  By the grace of God, I choose to see the benefit of everything that happens, even if the only good I can see is that God allowed it to happen**.  I've done some really embarrassing things and said some really dumb things, which have humbled me, but humility is something I need to grow in, anyway.

I think the problem for me isn't forgetting, but remembering.  Eeeks.  I forget all kinds of things--assignments, dates, NAMES (!), etc.  My mom would call me "Forgetful Fred" sometimes (I think he's a character on some TV show we used to watch).

I've developed some memory-management techniques (helped greatly by the fact that I am highly visual).  I use lists, post-its, and calendars--as long as I can see it later, I'll remember (the opposite of "out of sight, out of mind").

One summer I worked as a secretary at Pine Cove, managing 60-something people's schedules, haha.  My life was a flurry of post-it notes and checklists!!!!

See all of those post-its?

So, there it is, folks.  Nothing to forget... so many things to remember!

(Who knows, I may be the one to forget my anniversary... pray for me!)



*Not exactly.  The photo is of something that was a very good experience, and I hope to remember it all of my life!

**Referring to Romans 8:28-29, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son..."

Day 20

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A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel


It is finals week for me, and my first one was this morning at 11:50.  This means I have been spending time thinking about all of the places I wish I were heading as soon as finals are over.  Lucky for me, today's topic is a picture of somewhere I'd love to travel.  But first, I have some advice for those of us who have finals this week:

1. Do not get a cold on finals week.  If you do, you'll be forced to get up from studying every five minutes to blow your nose.  You'll also decide that you should have chicken noodle soup for lunch... or chicken-flavored noodle soup (aka. Ramen), forgetting you only have 15 minutes until you need to leave for your final, and forcing you to stir in an ice-cube and slurp 'em down fast!  Weird.  Messy.  And you may get some little yellow spots on your shirt, just sayin'.
2. Do not try to run up concrete stairs with flip-flops on.  If you do, you may trip and stub your toe.  And that will hurt.  But you'll have to keep going, because you're going to be late for your final (that's why you're running, right?).

Now, both of those stem from theoretical situations that could befall you.  And I want the best for you, so I shared them with you.

On to daydreams, since I am done with finals (for today)!

First stop, MAINE!

Image from www.visitmaine.com

Lighthouses, lobsters, cool summer weather, winding roads... and one of the few states that I haven't been to!  I know you west coast people think I'm crazy, but whatevs.  I still want to go.  And when I do I will eat lots and lots of lobster and crabcakes.  Yum.


Next stop, GREECE!

Image from www.visitgreece.gr

I would make a trip to Patmos, where the apostle John was exiled to.  I don't know where else I would go, but, hey, who says I have to be specific?


Next stop... one place near and dear to my heart... PINE COVE!

Ahh... someday I'll go back, and bring my kiddos (I have to have some first, though).  PC is the place where Handsome and I got to know each other.  It's also a place with many, many sweet memories.  People who loved me so well and helped me grow to be the person I am today...


Last stop, any trip on followtherabbi.com (I would go back to ISRAEL in a heartbeat).

Shalom, friends!

Day 19

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A picture of a letter


Inside a cabinet over our desk sits a navy blue three-ring binder labeled "Physics Blue 2nd."  It used to hold notes from my high school physics class...

Now it contains most of the notes, letters, and cards that Handsome has given to me, and it's one of my favorite things because it's part of our story.

It documents our courtship and dating years.  The silly things, the sweet things, really everything.  And it makes me smile now, reading it in hindsight.  I can feel his words bursting with emotion, but sweetly restrained to "guard my heart", if you will.

So, it's more than just a letter.  It's many letters, and it's a picture of the sweetest earthly gift I have, my marriage.

Day 18

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A picture of your biggest insecurity


Shooooot.  My deepest, darkest fear set before your eyes in glaring pixels of glory.


And what to share?  What is my biggest insecurity?  Is it my need to wear mascara so my eyelashes are visible (not really, but I've told Handsome that I hope our children have his eyelashes, as they are much darker and fuller than mine)?


Seriously, though.  Sometimes I feel like I need to be impressive, to wow 'em, and to show everyone that I'm a unique, well-rounded and fully capable adult.  I feel like I need to be the best at everything.  Then, the worst part is when I believe this lie long enough that I actually start trying to be the best.  At this point, my greatest insecurity?  To be measured and found wanting.  To be unimpressive, regular, normal.  To be found out as a "faker".

I don't know if you've ever been there.  I've spent too many hours worrying about whether or not I'm impressive.  But, by the grace of God, I don't stop there.


I am loved by the God of the Universe, with a very strong love.


This reality, and the reality that I'm forgiven (see the "I Believe" tab), gives me great freedom.  The God of the Universe found me valuable enough to die for me, so that I would be healed of many things, including my insecurities.


P.S. If you didn't understand the picture, it symbolizes being measured and found lacking (aka. not what you first appeared to be, upon further investigation).

Day 17

(The full list is here.)

A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently


I can't think of anything more significant than getting married to Handsome (and I count the past year as "recently").  Marrying him has changed my life forever, and for the better!

Our first dance as Mr. and Mrs.!!!