Loving Life, One Day At A Time! :)

For the letter T, lets focus on today. Living in this moment! It is so easy to get caught up making plans for the future and living in past glories and regrets. Today is all that we are guaranteed, so lets live it!

I confess I have gotten caught up in thinking constantly about the future lately, and not enjoying the things I have been given today! I am in the middle of a soccer season that is 7 and 2 so far, that is awesome! Yet, I still catch myself getting excited about starting triathlons up after the season. I need to focus more on the now and less on the not yet!

I am so thankful for the life I have been given and the blessings I am living right now! I want to live joyfully in the today, not waste it away by looking toward tomorrow.

1. Tea Parties


2. Trader Joe's


3. Triathlons


4. Thrifty Creations

lima bean wreath tutorial here.

Moss covered ball tutorial here.

5. Tevas


6. Tea Cups


7. Trivial Information

8. Tuscany


9. Thank you notes


10. Tuna (favorite meal ever, seared Ahi Tuna, mmmm)


I hope everyone has a lovely Wednesday :)

V is for Victory :)

Yes, I played against my sisters' team.
1-0 in overtime.
We won.
'nough said :)

Deuteronomy 33:12

75 North. Left lane. Heavy downpour. Hydroplaned. Spun out.

Ricocheted off of two trees.
Finally stopped, on the right side of the highway.
We were protected the entire time.

My mind did not block out any of it. I am still haunted by the vivid image of my sister in the driver's seat, screaming my name, looking at me full of fear, as I watch a tree quickly approaching behind her.

The cop and wrecker agreed that if we would've hit the trees anywhere but where we did on the frame and if we would've been in anything less than our tank of a Volvo, neither of us would still be here.


Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him,
for he shields him all day long,
and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.
Deuteronomy 33:12

A year ago, I had the most fearful experience of my life. But God is SO good, not only were we kept safe, but we have both recovered physically and emotionally from the terrifying wreck and nightmare filled weeks that followed.

I Love A Good Southern Lowcountry Shrimp Boil! :)

There are few meals that I enjoy more than a shrimp boil. There always seems to be a different atmosphere that comes from eating with your fingers and being messy, and I love it! :)

I found two really good recipes. The first is from Martha Stewart, I love this one because she has a video tutorial and recipe for a spice mix on her website. However, she doesn't include the andouille sausage in her recipe, so I also wanted to share Guy Fieri, of the Food Network's awesome recipe as well.

So, how to serve it? Traditionally, newspaper is laid, and everything is eaten straight off the table. Pretty rough. If you're like me, you always want to add the extra touch or two to tie everything together and possibly even put a themed spin on the meal.

This is why I absolutely loved Martha Stewart's suggestions for turning a casual shrimp boil into a cute dinner party. She gives these tips:

• Serve your country-style dinner as a buffet so you'll have time to spend with guests.
• Skip the tablecloth; newspaper is simple and makes clean up easy.
• If you decide to go with a buffet, pile seafood high and separately on large enamel platters.
• Use bandannas for napkins.
• Add a distinctive touch; serve beverages in mason jars.
• Keep it traditional; ladle iced tea from a wide-mouth jar.
• Don't save the best for last. Display your dessert on the table, and give guests something to look forward to.
• Spice up your meal, and put a dash of color on your table.
  
  

This is a great meal, fun for a summery family dinner, or even an event. I feel like this could be a fun idea for a casual rehearsal dinner or something like that. Just fun to gather around and have a good time with family and friends :)

I absolutely could not be finished with the letter "S" without mentioning a Shrimp Boil!

And, technically Autumn doesn't start until tomorrow, so we can still celebrate summer for now at least :)

Let's Celebrate Tuesday A Little Bit :)

I love the letter "S" not only does it make an adorable monogram, but so many fun things start with "S"! :)

1. stationary
2. sisters
3. swimming
4. sweet tea
5. scarves
6. sailing
7. sperrys
8. strappy sandals
9. strawberries
10. sushi
11. san francisco
12. snacking
13. sunglasses

Its such an exciting time! I just CANNOT let myself get stressed about things :) Finished a few physical therapy school applications yesterday, which I am SO pumped about! Game tonight and then a week off to catch up on other things like.... class work :P

I hope everyone is having a fabulous week! Be sure to see every situation as your glass half full, it makes loving others and living joyfully much much easier :)

Sunday, Beautiful Sunday

And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were,
grace would no longer be grace.
Romans 11:6

"Who can fathom immeasurable love?
As far as the rational soul exceeds the senses,
so does the spirit exceed the rational in its
knowledge of thee.
-Puritain prayer, from The Valley of Vision


I hope you have a peaceful and blessed Sunday as
fall continues to move in :)

I Am Not A Fish....Among Other Things :)

I am sure many of you have heard the analogy/fact that a fish only grows as large as its surroundings can accommodate for. Meaning that a fish stops growing once he has "grown into" his bowl or pond, wherever.

I am struggling with not being content in my surroundings. I feel as if I have outgrown them. I am at a small school in a small town, and feel like I am outside of the rest of/real world looking in.

As I continue to apply to physical therapy schools I continue to crave a bigger "pond." My outlook has been broadened. I don't want to go back, but I don't want to be left out of the present either.

I play soccer for the school and the majority of the team has the "soccer is life" mentality. It has been difficult for me, because, I have seen and continue to realize more that soccer is a minute detail in the grand scheme of life. While I always give 100 percent on the field, however, I am getting tired of being obligated to take everything SO overly serious!

Anyways, I don't like all of this not fitting in, but I don't at all right now. It takes everything in me not to criticize things (esp with soccer) and be content in my circumstances. It is difficult to focus on the Lord's purpose for me in this place at this time, when my next chapter is so close to starting.

I don't know, finishing up is a completely exciting time, I am taking all of the opportunities I can, but it is also a very lonely time, because there are very few people who I can really truly and openly relate to.

Anyways, at a successful attempt to distract myself from applications, I decided to share with you some of my favorite things about the letter "R" lately :)

1. running
2. ric rac (cute and easy apron how to here)
   
3. rowing
4. riding boots
5. rainbows
6. roses
7. road trips
8. ray ban
9. ralph lauren

I am going to do my best to keep up with the alphabet, but as deadlines approach, free time becomes sparse, which in turn means blogging may have to become even more seldom for a time.

Have no fear, I am still here, loving the Lord, and living life, just with fewer updates :)