I did it — I turned 30 today!!!

Since decade markers tend to invite a fair share of introspection, I decided to make a list (whoo!) of 30 things I have learned in the past ten years to celebrate. It’s far from exhaustive, and I’ll warn you that it’s super random coming at the end of a long day. But as cheesy as it may be, making these sort of lists have always been helpful for me in gaining perspective and drawing a line in the sand to help see where I’ve been and where I’m going. (And of course, I’m sure this will be plenty amusing to read over in another ten years.) :)

So here is my 30 at 30!

Continue reading: 30 Things I Have Learned At 30

Thanks to my friend, Bet, I finally learned how to get with the party and downloaded the Emoji app for my iPhone.

And I have to admit — it makes me ridiculously happy.

There’s something about adults (especially my friends who are uber-talented with words) sending goofy faces and lightening bolts and frog heads that pretty much makes my day.

Continue reading: Emoticon-ing

It’s been a little while since I’ve done a “Currently” post.

Life has been plenty busy lately, but the good kind of busy. A little less work, more time with friends and family, and lots of time soaking up the sunshine when the weather was warm. (Ok, ok, and then pulling out my winter coat again and braving the dog park when the temps decided to dip below freezing again. C’est la vie in the Midwest.)

Still, regardless of what my weather app may read, I am hopelessly in love with Spring and watching everything come back to life. This season always makes me feel like I can breathe deeper, and reminds me that little miracles like hope and growth can happen. And it also means that asparagus is in season again — woot!

I hope that you all are well! Here’s a little glimpse of my life currently…

Continue reading: Currently

I have to admit that I’m a huge people-watcher. Whether it’s airports, coffee shops, churches, you name the place, I’m that girl who’s always taking in her surroundings (in a hopefully non-creepster way!). I can’t help it. I have always been completely fascinated by how people interact with one another and go about their lives!

So it comes as no surprise that when I became a blogger and started spending hours online each week interacting with other bloggers, the people-watching continued. And holy moly — I’ve decided that if you want a fascinating group of people to observe, try bloggers!!!

I feel like we are a bit of a sociologist’s dream come true. Pool a bunch of wonderful and ambitious people together, who are working their tails off daily, sticking their necks out to vulnerably offer their voice and content to the world, receiving accolades and criticism by the hour, navigating relationships with other bloggers and brands online, trying to learn the ropes of entrepreneurship and the art of building a profitable business — and then of course, trying to keep their sanity and maintain a healthy life outside of blogging. As one of my blogger friends said recently on a discussion board when a group was debating whether to contract out help with a certain service, bloggers seem to be the one group of people who think they can do everything themselves. (And then usually figure out how to!) :)

But one thing I can’t help but notice in blogger-watching (including observing myself) is some of the not-so-subtle shifts that come as time rolls on. The wonder and gratitude and enthusiasm that we had as beginning bloggers has the potential to slowly give way to a sense of dissatisfaction, hurt feelings, and discouragement. Sure, bad days come with the good, and some days you just need a good friend to vent to and talk.

But I feel like the more I talk with other bloggers, I feel like more and more people are having a hard time with the negativity. And it has had me thinking a lot lately about what we might be able to do to reclaim the joy and perspective that made blogging so incredible in the first place! I mean, seriously — this career wasn’t even around when I was in college a decade ago. How amazing is that?!?

But the ups and downs of blogging are a definite roller coaster, so it can be hard. I’ll use myself as a case in point on a few bloggy topics…

Continue reading: On Blogging: Perspective

When I was a kid, I remember our old pastor always used to close the worship services each week with his trademark benediction: “The One who knows you the best, loves you the most. Thanks be to God.”

While I know this is profoundly, wonderfully, and mysteriously true with the Lord — and that may be a blog post for another day — I also believe this is also one of the best things about friendships.

Tonight while I was enjoying a glass of wine after dinner on a sunny spring evening with my good friend Amy and her husband, I was caught off-guard by this moment of profound comfort and gratitude that washed over me. As we continued to sit there talking and laughing and tearing up through our normal all-over-the-map conversations, my mind wandered a bit and I tried to reason why. It wasn’t just that I really like Amy and Tim, or that I have known her for nearly a decade as we dive into our 30′s. It wasn’t that our conversation was particularly more deep or meaningful today. And it wasn’t just because we have this uncanny history of being able to relate on a number of things. (Even fashion — we have a history of showing up to hang out wearing the exact same clothes!)

I think I was just blessed by the simple fact that Amy knows me. Like, really knows me. And I believe I can say the same for her.

That, in itself, seems to me a wild and wonderful thing.

When life boils down, that’s all I really want.

Of course, on any given day, I know there are about a thousand things on my to-do list that I also really want to check off. And I have an even longer list of things I hope for and want for the bigger picture of my life — lessons to learn, seasons of life to experience, places to travel, people to meet, and goals to achieve. But goodness. If I get the chance to spend the rest of my life learning the art of getting to know people along the way, and letting myself be known in return, count me in.

We all know that honest friendships can be hard, and any 18-year-old or 81-year-old could tell you that they require huge doses of patience, grace, courage, time, vulnerability, strength and love. And I also know that sometimes the process of getting to honestly know people can bring tremendous pain when we come face to face with one another’s brokenness, and it can be confusing to figure out how to love best in return. But through it all, I still have to step back and give props to the Lord for His sheer kindness in giving us all a chance — many chances — to experience this crazy gift called friendship. It is a gift. And one that I hope never to take for granted with the people I have been given.

So tonight when I was sitting there with Amy I couldn’t help but think that — after a decade of conversations, laughs, tears, sillyness, prayers, road trips, concerts, weddings, career changes, and walking through the countless ups and downs and surprises of life together — I wouldn’t trade that comfort of being with a good friend for the world. Not for the world.

Or to put it in a food blogger’s context, I wouldn’t trade it even for a plate of bacon. ;)

Green.
Sunlit evenings.
Fresh asparagus.
Back decks.
Newness.
My birthday.
Windows down.
Rain.
Easter.
Picnics.
Farmers markets.
Birdsongs.
Deep breaths.
Bike rides.
Warmth.
Yellow tulips.
Hope.

What are your favorite things about Spring?

Whew! I just finished up a mega big food styling project at work that has consumed my days and evening these past two weeks, and am finally getting to sit down and catch up on a bit of life. So thought I would post another “currently” on here about, well, life!

I had initially thought that all-text would be nice for these posts. But I got on a little roll with adding some images this time.

So what do you think — yay or nay? Pictures or no pictures?

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! :)

Continue reading: currently

For Valentine’s Day this year, thought I would leave you with one of my favorite love quotes from my favorite book. So thankful this is true.

Love and be loved, friends!

This afternoon, I have been listening to some songs for Ash Wednesday and thought I might share a few of my favorites with you.

Traditionally, Ash Wednesday is the day in the Christian liturgical calendar that is a call to repentance, when we pause to reflect upon the scripture “to dust you are, and to dust you will return”, and our need for a savior. Having worked in a church for the last seven years, the Ash Wednesday services came to be one of my favorites. Granted, they are definitely one of the heavier and more sobering services in the church year. But they have always been some of the most meaningful for me, and have been especially meaningful when experienced alongside friends.

I have included some YouTube videos of the songs so that you can preview them. But of course, the musician in me would strongly recommend that you purchase the mp3s if you would like to listen more. Peace and hope to you today.

Continue reading: songs for ash wednesday

Loving the new video app Vine. It’s like the 6-second-video version of Instagram. Come find me at GimmeSomeOven!

Listening to The Lone Bellow’s new album. Since it looks like The Civil Wars are not getting back together anytime soon (tragic!), this band is quickly becoming my new Americana favorite.

Saving up to get my DNA tested. Ever since I heard about 23andMe, I’ve been totally geeking out on their site and wanting to try it. I’m sure it’s not perfect, but I think it sounds like a pretty fascinating way to spend $99.

Praying Psalm 46. ”Cease striving, and know that I am God.” (NASB)

Considering what that verse really means for a 3.

Watching Nashville. After the early season finale of Parenthood last week, I decided it was time to dive into a new drama. I was initially really skeptical about the concept, the music, the cast, well…pretty much everything. But I had a few friends say that it far exceeded their expectations, so I’m now three episodes in and loving it.

Planning a possible trip to Costa Rica to visit my old host family this spring or summer. Flights are cheap right now — trying to figure out if I can swing it! :)

Laughing at The Mindy Project. Favorite new show of the year, hands down.

Reading A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (for book club) and The Racketeer (because I unabashedly have read and loved every mystery John Grisham has published since I was a teenager). And of course, I’m loving reading both books on my new Kindle.

Eating soup, soup and more soup while it’s frrrrrigid outside. And I may have indulged in some Hot Tamales this week (an old favorite).

Drinking coconut water. I’m kind of obsessed. Now if only I could find it on sale more…

Accepting the fact that I will never be a cold weather girl. Ever.

Admitting that I spent 30 minutes this week reading all of Ali Fedotowsky’s Bachelor blog posts, including lots of behind the scenes production secrets. (I knew there was no way the Bachelor/Bachelorette could remember all of those names during a rose ceremony!!)

Craving this Avocado, Mozzarella and Bruschetta Chicken from Iowa Girl Eats. Serious. Yum.

Preparing to try and teach myself the art of Google Plus this week. I have a profile on there and occasionally post recipes, but know literally nothing beyond that. Except that it’s the 3rd largest social network. And it’s supposed to be really helpful for bloggers. And I probably should have been actively using it about a year ago. Oh well, hopefully better late than never. If you’re on, feel free to come find me (or add me, or whatever you do there!).