beloved.

create.

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:01:00 -0500

Now that I finally have a functional camera I’ve got a few projects to post. Though we’re probably not as pinterest-obsessed as the average girl, we do like crafts at this house.

May I present:

The map. (we eventually figured out how to hang it!)

The thankful tree.

…our favorite branch. :)

Some lovely finds at the Scrap Exchange.

The dresser turned wine cabinet.

The mirror turned chalkboard.

Putting the FUN in functional.

in love with this child. flowmaster. [thanks kelcie :) ]

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:16:00 -0500

in love with this child. flowmaster.

[thanks kelcie :) ]

you were a miracle… i was just holding your space. [g.a....

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:13:00 -0500

you were a miracle… i was just holding your space.

[g.a. isakov. big black car.]

Returning with a map predicament. HELP.

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:42:00 -0500

I think I forgot I had a blog for the past couple months. Kind of like how I forgot about the second piercings in my ears for half a year. Don’t worry, they didn’t close up.

I’m reviving the blog with a cry for help, something I typically find entirely and irrationally too difficult to do.

Let me bring you up to speed with a little story inspired by Laura Numeroff…

If you give three girls a house with a fireplace, they’re going to ask for a map to hang above it.

If you give them a map, they’re going to ask for some plywood to mount it.

If you give them a piece of plywood, they’re going to need it cut down to size.

If you trim the board to size, they’re going to want some paint to color the wood black.

Once it’s painted, they’re going to want some spray adhesive to secure the map to the plywood.

If you help them adhere the map, they’re going to want some Modge Podge (the glossy type, please) for a shiny, finished look.

Once the map project is finished, they’re going to want to mount it to the wall.

And here’s where the cliff hanger presents itself…

Based on a friend’s recommendation we’ve tried liquid nailing a couple small blocks of wood to the back of the plywood (allowing it to set overnight)… then attached hanging hardware to the wood blocks and were able to successfully hang the map on the wall for a total of 1.3 hours before the plywood pulled apart from the wood blocks and crashed to the hearth quite ungracefully, our hopes of ever succeeding in mounting this map plummeting with it.

Where did we go wrong?

The plywood is thin, so we’re afraid it will split if we try to nail anything into it. And the map came all the way from Seattle, so we really, really do not want to scrap it and start over. Besides, quit is not part of our vocabulary here at the Summerlin house.

Seriously, help some girls out. We can pay in cereal or alcohol swabs or frozen bananas or bags of leaves. Enticing, I know.

music to my ears.

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:56:00 -0400

I’m definitely not the biggest music junkie out there. I’m not up to date with the latest bands, and I hate country music which makes me quite the outcast here in good ‘ole North Cackalacky. Unlike my sister, I don’t have the voice of an angel. I can, however, appreciate a good melody and legit lyrics. Not to be cheesy but it’s funny the connection between music and soul. And so I thought I’d share the soul-speaking music that has been taking over my ipod as of late… (see posts below)

Gungor. Every song on their new album Ghosts Upon the Earth is...

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:51:35 -0400

Gungor. Every song on their new album Ghosts Upon the Earth is so, so, so, so good.

This song is not actually from that album but the hippie in me is loving how they incorporate nature to make a joyful noise.

Green River Ordinance. Discovered them when they came through CH...

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:51:13 -0400

Green River Ordinance.

Discovered them when they came through CH recently. More please and thank you.

Ben Rector. Skip a meal this week if you need to so you can...

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:51:01 -0400

Ben Rector. Skip a meal this week if you need to so you can purchase his latest album “Something Like This”. Take your dramamine before watching this if you have a tendency to experience motion-sickness; great sound but the video’s a little shaky.

…And I don’t know who “she” is, but we seem to have several things in common.

Neighbour. [‘Til I’m With You]. New artist with just...

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:51:00 -0400

Neighbour. [‘Til I’m With You].

New artist with just the kind of sound I like. When I found out she has a phenomenal cover of Timshel I was hooked.

Right now you can name your price for her album on noisetrade!

Bon Iver. My favorite yoga partner. This video is sweet. Wish I...

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:51:00 -0400

Bon Iver. My favorite yoga partner.

This video is sweet. Wish I had that landscape to explore when I was eight. God is seriously the best artist of all time.

Needtobreathe. They did it again with The Reckoning. Check out a...

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:50:37 -0400

Needtobreathe. They did it again with The Reckoning.

Check out a sampling of their newest album and a little of the story behind it.

ode to the soybean

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:48:00 -0400

During the Daniel Fast I discovered a new appreciation for the soybean. Not only is it North Carolina’s top cash crop (yes, I paid attention in 4th grade history class), but it is one of the most versatile foods I’ve ever met.

I had already become quite well acquainted with soymilk (Silk light vanilla & chocolate are my go-to “milk” options these days), but that is just the tip of the iceberg. From the same legume that produces soymilk you can also make (to name a few):

tofu … stop judging and at least try it first.
edamame
soy yogurt, cheese, and butter
tempeh
soy burger

Added bonus: a great source of protein!

Now head on over to the nearest grocery store (preferably a Trader Joe’s), support your local economy, and introduce yourself to the soybean.

(image credit: www.nataliedee.com)

"As You have been to me, so I will be to others."

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:54:00 -0400

“As You have been to me, so I will be to others.”

- JD Greear

http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/gospel/

food for consumption (as opposed to for thought).

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 01:13:00 -0400

As promised, some of the recipes that have been born out of the Daniel Fast. Hopefully I can include photos later, but right now the device isn’t working that transfers photos to my laptop and my camera currently looks like this…

Main Dishes

1) Vegetable Casserole with Couscous

Need: broccoli, sliced squash (or zucchini), raw spinach, tofu, tomato sauce, whole wheat couscous, honey, paprika

Do:

Layer squash slices and broccoli in a greased casserole dish.

Slice tofu into 1/2” cubes and dip into a honey and paprika mixture.

Cover vegetable layers with tofu, then spinach leaves as desired, and spoon ~1 cup tomato sauce (I used one mixed with basil and oregano) on top of the casserole.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the couscous per box directions on the stovetop or microwave.

Serve warm, spooning the casserole on top of a plate of couscous.

2) Vegetarian Chili-Stew

Need: 4 tsp olive oil, 1 medium butternut squash (peeled, cut into 3/4” pieces), 3 medium carrots (peeled, cut into 1/4” pieces), 1 large onion (chopped), 2 tbsp chili powder, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1 can (28oz) plum tomatoes, 3 jalapeno chiles (minced), 1 cup vegetable broth, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt (left out for the fast and tastes just fine), 30 oz black soy beans (rinsed and drained), 1 cup chopped cilantro leaves

Do:

In large pot or Dutch oven heat 2 tsp oil. Add squash and cook until golden, 8-10 minutes. Transfer squash to bowl and set aside.

Heat remaining 2 tsp oil in large pot. Add carrots and onions. Stir occasionally until golden, ~10 minutes.

Add chili powder and garlic, stir over heat for ~1 minute.

Add tomatoes with their juice, jalapenos, broth, sugar, salt to pot. Stir while heating until it boils. (be sure to break up tomatoes as they become more tender)

Add soybeans and squash and heat until boiling (med-high heat) again. Then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until squash is tender (~30 minutes).

Remove pot from heat, stir in cilantro. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done and prepare your mouth for perfection that is autumn in a bowl.

*Serves 6. For the health nuts: 265kcal/15g protein/40g carbs/6g fat/0mg cholesterol/480mg sodium per serving.

*Taken from Good Housekeeping’s Vegetarian cookbook (a personal favorite).

*I know the recipe may look daunting to the non-chefs, but it is SO worth it. It helps to have someone assist with all the chopping while you’re cooking. My roommate Courtney has become quite the pro at making this, so if you want to come over for a lesson and a free meal just say the word. :)

3) Stuffed Green Peppers

Need: 1 large green pepper/person, mixed vegetables of your choice (may I recommend including eggplant and spinach leaves), jasmine rice, tomato sauce and/or cheese (partial to provolone)

Do:

Cook rice per package directions.

Hollow out the peppers and broil for 10 minutes. (Hint: Put 1/4” water in the pan with the peppers, it helps them stay moist while cooking)

Mix cooked rice and sliced veggies (if using eggplant you’ll want to cook in some in a frying pan ahead of time, until it begins to feel tender), and spoon into green peppers.

Bake stuffed peppers at 350 for ~15 minutes.

Top with tomato sauce (or cheese! if not Daniel fasting) and bake for 5 more minutes.

Don’t let the challenge of eating it without making a mess deter you from enjoying this delicious (and pretty) dish.

*I’ve also made this before where I tried mixing goat cheese in with the rice and veggies before stuffing the peppers. An excellent choice.

4) Whole-wheat Gnocchi

Need: whole-wheat gnocchi, diced cherry tomatoes, cilantro, edamame, tomato sauce or a vinaigrette dressing

Do:

Cook gnocchi per package directions.

Mix diced tomatoes, cilantro to taste, and edamame beans in a bowl. Add in 1 cup cooked gnocchi (or more if you are legit hungry).

Top with a few spoonfuls of tomato sauce (mine had basil and oregano added to it), or you can substitute the tomato sauce with a vinaigrette if you aren’t on the Daniel Fast.

—————

Quick and Easy Does It…

1) Choose Your Own Wrap

-mango salsa, corn, tofu, tomatoes, avocado

-hummus, tomatoes, peppers, edamame, spinach

-eggplant, coconut rice, onions, peppers

-leftovers of the above vegetable casserole with couscous

2) Punjab Eggplant (Ready in 60 seconds!)

3) SMOOTHie: Mix frozen mango slices, one banana, frozen mixed berries (don’t go overboard— the key is to have the main flavors be banana and mango), and vanilla soy milk. Add ice if needed. The smoothest smoothie you’ll ever taste. If it isn’t, you did something wrong. (You can also add spinach leaves for some added nutritional value, I do this a lot and I swear it doesn’t change the flavor)

3) Frozen mango slices sprinkled with cinnamon (A great late-night snack to satisfy your sweet tooth!)

4) The BEST cereal (as an aficionado I feel qualified to make that claim): Nature’s Path Optimum Blueberry Cinnamon

5) The BEST hummus: Trader Joe’s Tuscan White Bean Hummus

6) Soy yogurt! (Found at your local TJ’s or Whole Foods)

7) Dried Fruit Bars (TJ’s in baskets near the produce section. Partial to the raspberry.)

—————

Eating Out on the Daniel Fast…

1) Salads: Choose your toppings carefully, but you can still find some good options— especially when pears, cashews, and red onions are involved!

2) Jersey Mike’s Vegetarian “Unwich”: Wrapped in lettuce instead of bread. In spite of having to hold the cheese (because of the fast) and mayo (because it’s nasty), it is still quite tasty!

3) Chipotle’s Vegetarian Burrito Bowl: Again, just be mindful of the toppings you choose (i.e. no sour cream or cheese).

4) Sage restaurant in Chapel Hill: Just around the corner and everything is vegetarian/vegan! Suffice it to say that we’ll be visiting again soon.

"When I made up my mind And my heart along with that To live not for myself But yet for God, somebody..."

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:17:00 -0400

“

When I made up my mind
And my heart along with that
To live not for myself
But yet for God, somebody said
Do you know what you are getting yourself into?

When I finally ironed out
All of my priorities
And asked God to remove the doubt
That makes me so unsure of these
Things I ask myself, I ask myself
Do you know what you are getting yourself into?

I’m getting into You
Because You got to me, in a way words can’t describe
I’m getting into You
Because I’ve got to be
You’re essential to survive
I’m going to love You with my life

When he looked at me and said
I kind of view you as a son
And for a second our eyes met
And I met that with a question
Do you know what you are getting yourself into?

I’ve been a liar and I’ll never amount to
The kind of person You deserve to worship You
You say You will not dwell on what I did but rather what I do, You say
I love you and that’s what you are getting yourself into

”

- [getting into you. relient k. still one of my favorites.]

(What is this?? A waterfall for ants?!) Sorry about the size,...

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 23:37:00 -0400

(What is this?? A waterfall for ants?!)

Sorry about the size, but I can’t figure out how to enlarge it. This photo was taken by my uncle as he and my aunt just spent the weekend visiting Niagara Falls. That has always been on my “Places to Visit” list, but I have recently become disenchanted since I found out there is a giant casino right on the Niagara riverbank (you can see a tiny part of it in the bottom right corner). In an email my uncle talked about how sad it was to see so many people wandering “trance-like” through the machines and tables when just a few hundred yards away was such a magnificent display of God’s handiwork. I’m not trying to step up onto a soapbox and make a blanket denunciation of casinos and all who frequent them (though I am not a fan). I just wanted to share a little self-reflection… My initial thought was, “How in the world can people spend their hours (days??) in that casino when something so much better is just yards away? How can they be so caught up in something that pales in comparison to the reality on the other side of a wall?” Self-righteous much, Amy? Check.

Wait a minute.

Don’t I do that? Check.

It may not be a casino and Niagara Falls but I am repeatedly finding myself distracted, even entranced, by inconsequential and/or detrimental things. All the while, the blinders I’ve donned are keeping me from seeing the real beauty in my midst, from pursuing wholeheartedly things that matter. I know that this life is not all there is, but do my daily choices really reflect that?

I love real-life analogies. They help me understand people better, and thus myself better. I’m going to go ponder this one some more now.

Prayer: God, help my eyes to stop focusing on the casinos so I can see the waterfalls.

p.s.- I still want to go to Niagara.

do it like daniel.

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 01:14:00 -0400

My roommates and I are spending September partaking in something called the Daniel Fast, and so I thought I would chronicle a little of that experience on here.

The fast involves abstaining from everything except fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, based on a couple passages in the book of Daniel, for 21 days.

First… (“Isn’t it funny how we’re all so different?”— we miss you, Liz!) Meet our taste buds:

Katherine- ~~chicken~~. ~~eggs~~. ~~deli meat~~. ~~milk~~. vegetables. hummus. ~~bread~~. (chips) and salsa. ~~cheese~~. ~~diet coke~~.

Courtney- ~~yogurt~~. ~~fish~~. ~~chicken~~. hummus. (pasta). ~~bread~~. fruit. ~~sweets~~.

Amy- (cereal). fruit. ~~yogurt~~. ~~chocolate milk~~. carrots. hummus. ~~cheese~~. ~~sweets~~.

Key: ~~not allowed~~. (kinda-sorta allowed if you are careful, i.e. whole wheat pasta or whole grain no-sugar-no-nothin’-added cereal).

Obviously, we’ve had to get creative and deny our typical cravings. Thank goodness hummus is allowed though. THANK goodness.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been good about taking pictures of our meals. I’ll try to get on that. For now, use your imagination… it’s probably felt slighted lately anyway. So far we’ve had a veggiful stir-fry, stuffed green peppers, bean chili with a kick, a fancy quinoa salad, baked sweet potato fries, and a lot of salad and whole wheat veggie wraps. I think I might possibly be winning Kath and Court over in regards to soy and almond milk (!!), and the best dessert so far has been frozen mango slices with cinnamon. YUM. I might post some of our favorite recipes later, and please let me know if you’re interested in getting any of them or in learning more about the Daniel Fast.

Whose absence do I feel most deeply? Laughing Cow baby cheeses, hands down. (Excluding when I was in Uganda, I really don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say I ate one of those luscious cheese triangles every day for at least 4 months.) Chobani Greek yogurt and those little chocolate milks that are packaged like juice boxes are tied for 2nd. Moral of the story: I’m a dairy kind of girl.

At the end of the fast I plan to write a post detailing my intentions for doing it and how the experience impacted me. One thing I am hoping to see is that the intentionality I’m applying to my food choices carries over into other areas of my life (credit Emily for that phrasing). It’s still pretty early in the fast— I just finished day 5— but I think I’m starting to see that happen. Ultimately though, this is not to focus on what I’m doing but instead on what’s been DONE for me (please. check out that link). Christianity is not about following rules or ‘doing good’. I know God does not require works, like this fast, to merit me worthy in His eyes. That’s not why I’m doing it, and I want that to be unequivocally known.

Of note: In order to prevent any ATMO syndrome (did I get that right?), Kelcie and Emily (two of the girls who were in Uganda with me on the most recent trip) are also doing the fast. Kelcie made the delicious aforementioned bean chili and affirmed my stuffed green pepper cooking skills, and Emily frequently entertains me with texts about her meal choices.

day in the life.

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:56:44 -0400

When discussing my upcoming camping plans...

Dad: I could lend you a little revolver just to have with you.

Me: Dad... I wouldn't even know what to do with that!

Dad: It's like a camera. Just point and shoot.

(p.s. ^not sure what the little face thing is about... just wanted to try out the "chat" post option on here.)

he gets it. [song for the suburbs. ben rector.] i want to live...

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:47:00 -0400

he gets it.

[song for the suburbs. ben rector.]

i want to live until i die

"No children under 6 admitted after 6pm for “R” Rated film titles."

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:18:42 -0400

“No children under 6 admitted after 6pm for “R” Rated film titles.”

- Saw this notice while looking up showtimes at Southpoint for Lion King 3D (!!). I’m sorry… what?? Didn’t realize there were so many 5-year-olds trying to see ‘R’ rated movies late at night. Of course it’s perfectly fine if they want to watch them at noon…