12 for 12 November Update

Need a flashback to the 12 for 12 October Update?

Twelve for Twelve 

1. Books.

Remember that To Read List? I finished Quitting Church so they're still getting crossed off. I've got less than a month left and a ton of books to still read. We'll see...

2. 5K.

I signed up for the 5K! Running it may not be a possibility with zero training since I am in no way a runner, but I'm going to try my best and eat cookies! I mean... run.

3. Quotes.

'I can't say that I'm even 100% positive that I know where my quote notebook is.' Sadly, this statement is still true months later.

4. Blog.

I think this one got better until my 12 for 12 was late.

5. Create.

I feel like I've made stuff but I can't remember. That's got to be a bad thing unless they're Christmas presents.

6. Learn.

Transition is hard... even months afterwards.

7. Minimize.

It's going.

8. Gratefulness.

The friends that I truly cherish and that truly cherish me are a dime a dozen and I am eternally grateful for that.

9. Handmade.

Hehe. I have decided that I won't be doing this again next year.

10. Intentionality.

'Long distance friendships are hard. I also feel like most of my friends are long distance now. Real world, I'm not your biggest fan.' - Still ringing true.

11. No.

Not applicable.

12. Word.

Difficult.

Quitting Church

If you're not aware, I'm drastically behind in reading and finishing my To Read List. I'm trying to play a bit of catch up, but it will be okay if I don't make it. In fact, I know I'm not going to make it, but I've at least tried.

One of the books on the list is Julia Duin's Quitting Church. I have been reading this on and off for several years. It's a tough read. I'm not sure if it's tough because of the content that ranges from controlling pastors to house churches to gender roles within the church or that it is tough because it resonates in my heart so much.

I'd say check it out. It's tough. It's not a sit down and read through the whole thing kind of book. It's written by a Christian journalists filled with statistics, interviews and personal anecdotes. You can see it on Amazon here as well as read some reviews. Whether you like it or would rather leave it, there is definitely a challenge for the church today and for the souls of us who are going. (Plus, right now it's pretty cheap!)

'Fall Retreat 2012'

I've been thinking about Fall lately. It's my favorite season. I believe I am one of the few that genuinely love this season. We took a poll during all of our VBS Music Station groups this summer. I was the Lone Ranger standing at the end with Fall as my favorite season.

It's not just the colorful leaves and the advent of scarves that I love. Ever since before I was in sixth grade, I have been going on Fall Retreats. I have a ton of memories of these from moments around campfires to funny skits to great speakers.

This year is different though. This year I didn't have a Fall Retreat to attend with a church youth group. It's been a weird feeling. It's been a weird nagging at the back of my mind. It's okay though. I finally got my 'Fall Retreat 2012'.

I spent the past weekend driving across Texas and like most years, there was a terrific campfire, great speakers and laughter that could rival any skit. I spent approximately 10-11 hours driving across Texas listened to podcasts on my way to see my Forever Roommate, Christy and our friend Sara.

We ate more Mexican food in one weekend than Christy could probably stand, but my heart was fiercely in love with it and it was a pretty good exchange for being forced to watch Twilight. We made a campfire Saturday night and sunk our teeth into some well deserved s'mores.

Flannel, S'mores, Girl Talk, Laughter, Mexican Food, Jesus, Friendship, Fellowship. 
It was a 'Fall Retreat' to rival the best of Fall Retreats.

Y'all, I needed this. My heart longed for this. I'm so glad I got to see these two amazing women this weekend. May there be a Spring Retreat as well!

12 for 12 October Update

Need a flashback to the 12 for 12 September Update?

Twelve for Twelve 

1. Books.

If you're unsure where I am on the To Read List, just be assured that I haven't crossed anything else off. I have in fact added books to it as well as come so close on Quitting Church by Julia Duin that it isn't even funny. 3 chapters to go when November hit and I'm still not done on the 10th? Shameful.

2. 5K.

I have found a 5K to run. There's something about a 5K where you get to dress like Santa and they give you milk and cookies at the end that just makes it worth it. Now, if I just sign up...

3. Quotes.

'I can't say that I'm even 100% positive that I know where my quote notebook is.' Sadly, this statement is still true a month later.

4. Blog.

My love for all things pumpkin made it on the blog. WIN!

5. Create.

Pumpkin Mac & Cheese! Strawberry Brownies! New Coffee Recipes! Not too shabby of a month here.

6. Learn.

Transition is hard.

7. Minimize.

I'm still going through stuff. I need to get rid of a few things.

8. Gratefulness.

Heartbound.

9. Handmade.

I thought about preparing for Christmas gift season. My preparation stopped mainly after thinking. I have a few ideas though... :)

10. Intentionality.

Long distance friendships are hard. I also feel like most of my friends are long distance now. Real world, I'm not your biggest fan.

11. No.

Success.

12. Word.

Transition.

Pumpkin Season is upon us.

I always feel kinda dumb when I come to blog these days. I don't have the same drive and I hate seeing how close I am to the next 12 for 12 Update, especially since I know there's so much that I haven't reached yet. I thought 12 for 12 wouldn't be so hard. Just so you know, it is.

Well, I'd like to let you know about a wonderful discovery that has been made: Pumpkin Mac & Cheese. Oh yes, you read that right. My Dad and I teamed up to make this delicious concoction come true with what ingredients we had bought - and which ones that we had left at the store.

We used this recipe from the Spoon Fork Bacon blog and threw out half the ingredients and a good deal of the directions too. Our recipe had double the sharp cheddar and no white cheddar and elbow macaroni instead of fusilli pasta. We threw out the butter, thyme, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, flour and cloves. I told you we got rid of a few things. We also added some shredded spinach to the mix. We threw the seasons, milk and pumpkin in a sauce pan and let it simmer before dumping it with all of the cheeses and the pasta in a pan to bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about half an hour. It turned out delightfully but I forgot to take a picture. Trust me though, it was worth it.

In other pumpkin related news, if you have a Keurig and have been using these little cups of joy, may I suggest that you use them with pumpkin coffee creamer? It's like double wham of pumpkin power and it's definitely seasonally worth it. It's also good with a mixture of pumpkin and vanilla creamer.

Well, I guess it's time for me to get back to rewatching last weeks' episode of Once Upon A Time while I enjoy my pumpkin coffee and actual fall weather.

Hope your Sunday is just as pumpkin filled and relaxing as mine is turning out to be!

12 for 12 September Update

Need a flashback to the 12 for 12 June, July & August Update?

Twelve for Twelve 

1. Books.

Even though looking at my To Read List at the last 12 to 12 update made me realize how much I had to catch up on I didn't lift many pages in September.

2. 5K.

There is absolutely zero things I have to say about this.

3. Quotes.

I can't say that I'm even 100% positive that I know where my quote notebook is.

4. Blog.

I always have ideas on what to blog about, they just never seem to make it on here.

5. Create.

I don't believe I created a thing other than new frozen yogurt combinations at Yogurtland.

6. Learn.

"Oh wow. What have I learned over these past few months? True vulnerable friendships are hard to find and shouldn't be let go easily. Goodbyes are and will always be hard to say. No matter how much time you think you have, you don't have it. Putting your whole heart into everything is completely worth it even if it becomes frustrating and painful. As long as you have people who truly love you, life will be good." That is what I said about the summer. I believe it was the true ring of September.

7. Minimize.

I'm still going through stuff. I need to get rid of a few things. 

8. Gratefulness.

Heartbound.

9. Handmade.

I wasn't able to make anything homemade this month.

10. Intentionality.

This was a month that flew by in light speeds. I said a lot of goodbye for nows. I spent a lot of time laughing with friends over JJ's, coffee and cupcakes. It was a good, but hard month.

11. No.

I said yes to a job... :)

12. Word.

Obedience.

September was a fast paced month with a lot of laughs and little time for sitting around.

Pretty, Artistic Things

I really like pretty, artistic things...

Art can be messy. Art can be organized. Art is great.

This is possibly the cutest idea for a 70th birthday party.  How fun would that be created into an artwork?

The design of this dollhouse is simply precious and artistic. 

Crayola Wild Fire Tribute. Super cute and creative.

Loving this watercolor. The biggest problem? Choosing the perfect quote.

White room + stickers + kids = me wondering why I wasn't there.

Sleeping beauty.

Volkswagon beetles, how beautiful.

Pothole gardener? Fantastic.

This may be a repeat, but can I stress how much I love this artist?

I love art made from nature. I can't decide which is better: the moose or the bear?

Beautiful finger paintings.