a taste of lagrange

We visited with my parents in LaGrange, GA last week and here's a taste of our visit to this little Georgia town:

Low country boil!!!! Check out those crawfish boil plates I grew up on, haha.


Mom got some huge fresh shrimp (something I haven't seen since I left the South) and she added some chipotle sausage for a little extra kick. And of course the traditional potatoes, corn and onion were added too. We were swooning over that smell of crab boil!


Andrew and I "practiced" hiking (he made me) while we were there too. We got this CamelBak thing and Andrew wanted to prep for our trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota this summer. We're planning on hiking Mt. Harney, which is about 7,000 feet and Andrew always says some fact about it being "the tallest peak west of the Rockies" or something like that. Anyway, it's about a 6 mile day hike. He had 2, 5 lb dumb bells and 2, 17 lb weights in the back pack! So in all it was 35 lbs on his back and 10 in hand! And at one point I had it all to give Andrew a break! Whew! We've both been sore for a few days :)And here my hiker husband striking a serious pose :). My parents' neighborhood is VERY hilly (I mean which isnt in GA?), the first sharp hike was the driveway!

articles to check out

1) Here's a CNN article I came across through Tim Challies blog: http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/wayoflife/05/25/God.sports/index.html

Its about how sports stars use their faith. I'm grateful for the line toward the end of the article talking about not just thanking God for wins or praying for victory but that the real test of faith is in the valleys. And the author also uses a quote about how prayers aren't asnwered on a basis of who has the strongest faith. That would nullify the basis of Christianity that we don't earn God's favor. Anyway, it caught my interest.

2) Here's a very different article from BBC that talks about Facebook's relentless grasp on our personal information. It's actually a little scary! Anyway, follow this link to read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10171575.stm

contentment and gratitude in atlanta

Andrew and I have been in Atlanta for a few days now and it's been great! When we got off the plane, we made a bee line for the first Chick-fil-A we could find. Thankfully it was across from our gate!! I miss that chargrilled chicken sandwich and those waffle fries...

We feel so blessed since being here. One of our co-workers/staff guys in Minneapolis is also from Atlanta and his patents let us borrow their car. And its a convertible! Ha, so Andrew and I have been cruising around Atlanta and Snellville with the top down. It's something that seems like such a simple thing yet actually over-the-top (thinking of "abundantly more than we could ask or imagine" - Eph 3:20). It's made our visit more fun and everytime we drive around I'm brought back to this convertable car being an example of how God is so over-the-top gracious to me!

On our visit I got to see Megan and Wyatt get married. Megan was a girl I was priviledged to pour into while I was on staff at Georgia Tech. It was a blast and I was so thankful at the multitude of people I cherish that were there! Nearly all of my old staff team of Campus Outreach Atlatna plus many of the girls I had the opportunity to invest in from Georgia Tech were there! What a blessing! Andrew and I stayed until nearly midnight way after the party ended just catching up with old friends. I think I was giddy for the next day or two.

We also got to visit my former church in Atlanta, Atlanta Westside. I missed the small home-y feel of this church plant- which actually has grown quite a bit. Then we visited with Andrew's parents whom I adore! They are so generous, hospitable and caring toward us! We love them a lot and it was so great to see them and catch up. And lately we've been doing some shopping- I miss all the great stores (and the accessability to them) that aren't in Minnesota. Yesterday we got to see Caitlyn and Chris, great couple friends of ours that are on staff with Crusade's high school ministry, Student Venture. They're always a breath of fresh air and so fun!

Tonight we're having dinner with my sister Courtney at another of my favorite places, Taqueria del Sol. Andrew and I already know what we'll order and I thought I'd have the wipe away the drool from Andrew when he started thinking about it! Then we're heading down to LaGrange to see my parents which I can't wait for.

All that to say, I have all the sudden had to remind myself about being content in the Lord. I mean this place feels like home. I know big towns and small towns, I know people's high schools, the good restaurants, back roads, short cuts, college and high school and ministry and church connections, and I certainly don't need a map here in Georgia. No one has an accent here- well unless their from the po-dunk boonies. No one thinks I'm an out-of-towner. There are so many Georgia fans here too :). I've been fighting to KNOW, I mean really know in my heart not just in my head, that God has been VERY clear that I should be in Minneapolis. He knows what is best for me. He would never withhold the absolute very best for my life. Therefore, it is not best for me to live and be in Atlanta and be around this former life of mine. I am fighting envy and discontentment with Ps. 84:11 and I want to really battle this. I just miss this place. It's just not the home for me right now. I want to be content where the Lord has me. I am grateful for Minneapolis, my church up there, my staff team there, the home and marriage the Lord has established there for us. Sometimes the grass just appears greener. Pray for me that I'd be able to be content in the Lord and battle the lies of greener grass. Being in the will of our God is ALWAYS truly greener.

babysitting...and visiting the motherland

How cute is my hubby (and Callie)?! We babysat for Charlie and Jen, who are on staff with Campus Outreach with us the other night. Their little girl Callie is precious! She's nearly a year and a half, I think. We took her on a long walk around their neighborhood and it felt for sure like we were in the 'burbs. Here are some cute pics from the evening:

Andrew playing with Callie on the couch:


Andrew talking in a weird voice to Callie...


and Callie running away :)

And now I must go pack, because we're heading back to the motherland- Georgia! Woo hoo! I've already been scheming trips to Chick-fil-A, Taqueria del Sol, the Flying Biscuit and countless other tempting Atlanta treats! Not to mention visiting our families (which means lots of good food and lots of waterskiing), seeing friends, and going to a couple of (much anticipated- I simply cannot wait!!) weddings! We'll spend a few weeks there before we head back to Minnesota to get ready for our summer trip to hotter-than-you-know-what Delhi, India.

changing it up around the house

I think it's mainly my ability to get bored easily that I have to change things up every once in a while. And once in a while means 1 year for me. Ha. We've lived in our fab apartment for a year and I've been busy adding, changing, and moving things all around. The hubs would love for everything to stay the same, but I think I'd go stir crazy. for sure.

So first, I talked Andrew into helping me move around all the bedroom furniture. We have a rectangular space with a big window on the far, narrower wall. So, we swapped the dresser with the bed and night stands to opposite walls. (When I say "we" here I mean that Andrew helped me to feel like I was making a difference in moving things around). This left us with more open connected wall space (as opposed to smaller pockets of hard to use wall space) along with more walking space and area around the bed. And after visiting this great blog have been more inspired to add a lighter, slight more beachy feel than heavy traditional colors.

I'm in process of painting some picture frames to a lighter cream color, looking for a snazzy and unique mirror for over our bed and some wall art.

I went to HomeGoods to find a mirror to hang over our bed and couldn't decide between these. I decided I wanted a little more style and to move a little more modern than more traditional. And a woman in the store told me the left one didn't have as much style. Thank you rando! At 32 bucks the right mirror was a good deal. When I got it home though, it was just too big to put above the headboard. So, looks like its headed to the living room...

And here's the pillow that I got at TJ Maxx last week for $12 to start off my need to change the bedroom colors and feel. It ties in the warm burnt orange-y walls we have and the chocolate brown with light blue and cream accents on the bed linens.


This morning, I was determined to be productive and scratch some things off my list. I drove down to the Roseville Goodwill and dropped off some business clothes I was holding out on. Obviously though I haven't worn a suit in a few years and figured I needed to let go! Anyway, even though I've been to that Goodwill a few times a week it seems, I had to go in again. Just one more look. You never know. And, I found this great chair to put in the corner of our bedroom! Woo hoo! And at $9.99 a steal!

I took the cushion off because I'm looking for fabric to recover it. Thinking of a robin's egg blue and tan damask upholstery fabric. A mix of modern and traditional for our toned down burnt orange, chocolate brown and light blue bedroom.

As for the rest of the house, I've been scouring Craigs List for at least a couple of months trying to find a narrow piece of furniture to serve as a buffet/table in between our dining room, rando wet bar, and living room. I mean I was getting ready to shell out some bucks, but today I stopped by Unique Thrift Store (with a great name, right?) in St. Paul as a last resort. And WOAH! I found this child's desk complete with terrible paint (smiley faces, stars and suns on white paint over a few layers of blue and pink paint) for take a guess... You know you wouldn't guess correctly so I'll just tell you. $6. Here's another view from the store.


AND it came with matching, heinously painted child's chair. Which will find a great home in some closet.
I'll post more pictures as these little projects are completed

green thumb

Mom has mastered planting and gardening. She actually is a "Master Gardener" meaning she's gong through classes and evaluations (I think an exam too?). Anyway, she's a certified "Master" and the title sounds pretty great.

My sister Courtney has been growing plants and all that for a while. She finds plants, pots, and waters. She's got this cute little patio right near Piedmont Park with a few fun and classy outdoor chairs surrounded by her little plantings.

I am now 24, the resident late-bloomer of planting in my family and have now planted my first and very own seeds. And since I LOVE food, of course they aren't beautiful flowers but herbs. I mean practicality is totally my middle name right ? ...(wow- that was an overdose of sarcasm)

So after some inconsistent Minnesota weather, they've managed to make it. This week its been in the mid 70s, sunny and the sweet basil, Italian parsley, and garlic chives are all starting to come up. Here's a shot of the basil a few days ago which, now, looking at this picture is really encouraging because already she's been beefing up! I'll have to upload more pictures of my first plants as they grow. Mom even mocked me a little when I told her I planted seeds. She knows me and she knows plants and she's aware of Minnesota weather. So with all that stacked against me, she was proud, but maybe a little on the "resetting expectations" side of things as I was dreaming of cooking and telling my hubby "Go get some herbs from the garden!" Already they're beating the odds! yeah! Let's just hope when they're big enough they'll taste good! Fresh basil...and parsley... and chives! yum!

date night

From Friday:

Well, today is the last day we have on campus for the semester! Crazy how time flies!!

Here are some of the beautiful girls I get to spend a lot of my time with:


So aside from all the nostalgia, Andrew and I are going on a date tonight! I cant wait! Here's our plan: going to Flame and get half price apps (because they have Chicken Gouda Fondue and I can't wait for that! I am such a sucker for good cheese). And then we're going to see Robin Hood at the theater. Hope Russell Crowe is as good in this one as Gladiator!

going blog crazy

Blog, blog, blog! I've been going crazy delving into the blogosphere the past few days.

Here are a few that I already love and visit often:

1. The Pioneer Woman: www.thepioneerwoman.com. Love this blog. She's hilarious, down to earth and has some good cookin'! I can not only relate to her spunk but her radical change in surroundings after getting married. Or as she puts it: "high heels to tractor wheels".
   
2. Young House Love: www.younghouselove.com. This cute couple has a great eye for style and offer a ton of design inspiration.
3. Apartment Therapy: www.apartmenttherapy.com. Fun design ideas and tips
4. Food Gawker: www.foodgawker.com. This was my exposure to the serious world of food blogging. Thanks to Megan at GT, I started to check back for more recipe ideas.
5. The Nest: www.thenest.com. The sequel to The Knot and precursor to The Bump sites, The Nest is a fun place to spend a few hours perusing paint colors, design schemes and other fun tid-bits!
6. Simply Recipes: www.simplyrecipes.com. Though sometimes she seems to make things the hard way, there are some tasty recipes on ther! I've modified some if the recipes and used them for inspiration. Really though, a great recipe collection.

Some I'm looking forward to keeping an eye on:

1. CookSister:www.cooksister.com. I havent been able to check back too often, but this South African has brough tback memories of my visit to her motherland.
2. The Bitten Word: www.thebittenword.typepad.com
3. The Homesick Texan: homesicktexan.blogspot.com Maybe its my sheer love of Mexican and Tex-Mex food, but I have a feeling I'll be eating some yummy meals from this blog!

Whew! and really I can't keep away from Cooking Light, Southern Living , The Food Network, DIY, HGTV, and lately Craigs List online. Andrew and I (or really just me) have been searching for a narrow buffet/dresser we can put in the dining/living/main area of our place. We'd love to fix it up and do it together. It would sit near our dining room table, under the floating shelf and next to the rando wet bar. Wish us (me) luck on this andventure to find a little fixer-uper to call our very own.

May snow and enchiladas

So actually it has cooled down a LOT here! The high is in the 40s!! What is going on? I've broken out my pea coat and thought about pulling out the Uggs again. Weird. Weather here is up and down. This weekend is warming up and next week it will be sunny and 77. Whew, thankfully the warmth is in sight! And last Friday night it snowed! Seriously! Wet snow. I was glad it was at night otherwise I would have cried. Andrew woke up the next morning and exclaimed that no snow had stuck. I was both relieved and annoyed (that we had to worry about snow in May!) at the same time...here's what I saw this morning:

47°F | °C

Current: Cloudy
Wind: E at 8 mph
Humidity: 74%

Wed

47°F | 43°F

Thu

53°F | 43°F

Fri

69°F | 48°F

Sat

71°F | 52°F

Well I went to Bethel this morning to see a bunch of girls and I love them! One was performing, I got to see several others. I do love my job and I really do love these girls! Tonight I'm excited to have Greta and Megan over for dinner. And I'm breaking out my usualy low-maintence, last minute easy dinner: Chicken enchiladas. Andrew's probably SO tired of them but I really could eat them at least once a week! And I've decided to try this new salad with the enchiladas tonight. it sounds soo good:

"Romain, Avacado and corn salad.
1 small head romain lettuce, cut into 1/2 in. strips
1 1/2 cups fresh corn
1 cup cherry tomatoes,halved
1 avacado, peeled, pitted and cut into 1/2in. cubes
1 T. fresh lime juice
1/2 tea. chili powder
1/2 tea. sugar
2 tea. oilve oil
Place lettuce, corn and tomatoes in bowl. Add 3/4 of the avacado.
In a blender, puree rest of avacado,3T. water,lime juice,olive oil,sugar, and chili powder. Season with course salt and pepper.
Adjust seasonings to taste. Pour over salad and toss gently.

I use frozen corn in winter for this, just defrost. I've also added crumbled goat or blue cheese on top of salad. If making in advance, I'd wait to cut avacado and make dressing until time to serve."

We'll see how it goes. And the enchiladas are the easiest thing I've probably ever made. Pull some rotisserie chicken, mix it with light sour cream, cheese, and green chilies. Fill tortillas with the mixture and bake for around 30 min. Then pour enchilada sauce on top. Wow! They are so good!!!

jumping on the bandwagon

Ok, so we're jumping on the bandwagon of personal blogs! After missing friends from Atlanta and being able to hear about friends lives thousands of miles away, we've decided to try another form of keeping in touch!

We're actually wrapping up school and classes this year. Andrew and I work for Campus Outreach and minister to students at Bethel University, a small private school just outside of the Twin Cities. So as we finish up our lives have finally begun to slow down a little! A few members of our staff team are leaving and we'll miss them: Colby and Lindsey, Brittany, and Karyn. They're going to Birmingham, and the girls are heading out to California- at least those are places we'd enjoy visiting :)Above is our "north area" staff team- Karyn is at the bottom left and Lindsey is to the left of her and Colby is in white. That's sweet little Ellie Jane in Lindsey's lap. Since this picture baby John has joined their precious fam!

Below is out entire staff team visiting Grand Marais northern Minn. It was beautiful! Notice the attire and it was early August- hard to believe after living in Atlanta for so long!!

This summer we're taking students to India which we're super excited about. Here's a picture of our team at the world prayer room at our church...We actually leave for Delhi in early July so that means we're way free in June. Andrew and I are heading down to Atlanta for a few weeks (woo hoo!) and we're planning a hiking trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota. It's wierd the places you go and the states that are in driving distance when you live in Minnesota. When I moved up here I had to relearn US geography. I mean growing up in Atlanta I had no idea which states borderes Minnesota. By the way Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota, as well as Canada (yep, we're THAT far north!!) border us. We're actually 30 min from Wisconsin and it's a quick trip to the Iowa border. Anyway, I felt ignorant when I moved here. Then again, people here are totally oblivious to Southern geography. They usually have no idea about the East coast.

So, check back for more about how we're doing and what we're up to!