Stunning Hope

What inspires you?

At 7am, I woke up with a promise---the stunning hope of Jeremiah 29:11:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Suddenly, my mind conjured a succession of songs.

1) Better Is One Day

2) Amazing Love

3) Take My Life and Let It Be

Even in my current state of sleep-deprivity (it's post-modern) I couldn't help but feel energized and uplifted. Poking around on facebook (oh reaaalllly) I found a quote worth sharing from my friend Allison's page:

“Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.” – Mark Jenkins

Attitudes of the heart

When I wake, my first awareness is usually spiritual. A prayer or a certain scripture frequently emerges at the surface of my mind. Two that have appeared lately are one from Hebrews and another from Proverbs.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

Or when I feel sad and generally low...

Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.

Proverbs 43:5

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

And NOW to sum ALL THIS UP (but truly I could recount and reflect forever) my friend Kelli reminded me a little while ago about the longest Psalm in the Bible--Psalm 119. For 176 verses, the Psalmist communicates his desire and love in/for obeying the wisdom of God. Many times, the word obedience carries a negative connotation. It implies a lack of choice, a forced submission---against the will. Recently, in my readings for class, I came across a different view of authority. One, I feel expresses the sentiments of the Psalmist perfectly.

...authority cannot actually be bestowed, but is acquired and must be acquired, if someone is to lay claim to it. It rests on recognition and hence on an act of reason itself which, aware of its own limitations, accepts that others have better understanding. Authority in this sense, properly understood, has nothing to do with blind obedience to a command. Indeed, authority has nothing to do with obedience, but rather with knowledge. Hans-Georg Gadamer

⁴⁷ for I delight in your commands
because I love them.

(for the rest of Psalm 119 go here)

Special Delivery

Did YOU send me flowers?!? If you did...THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!! Just the little pick me up I needed. :-) Also...Adam emailed a pic of the fall display at the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Pretty neat!

Amor Signatur in Hac Domo

Or in English---"Love lives in this house." I really want this sign for my entryway. Check out DesignSponge HERE for a little inspiration. And for those of us who have seen A Serious Man...

When the truth is found to be lies
And all the joy within you dies

Don't you want somebody to love
Don't you need somebody to love
Wouldn't you love somebody to love
You better find somebody to love

Do You Know Jack?

Guess who? Give up?!? It's Frankie! My mom posted this picture to facebook earlier. Pretty great costume. HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!

Looking for Boo-tiful Halloween music? Go here.

Nixon in China!

Just found this!

Mystery of the Red Sweater Dress

Anthropologie included this shot in a recent email. Can't seem to find the red sweater dress on their website. Too bad--it happens to be just what I'm looking for.

Losing My...

Button.

From my electric blue duster.

Walking to class.

Spontaneous combu(tton)stion?!??

Clink, clink into the grate.

Peering up from murky muck.

Audible gasp.

Just my luck.

Riding the Rails

Just thought I would share something I wrote for Chrio. In our community, we like to get to know one another. Each week we receive an email with a personalized story from a Chrio member. For my contribution, I talked about riding the train to and from school. Riding the rails continues to be a thought-provoking experience.

In This Issue - October 16, 2009

From Our Chrio Community | The Gathering | Community Opportunities | Thought From Richard | Pray

From Our Chrio Community

Kendra Robert's story on facing unknowns...

Monday through Thursday I take the light rail to ASU’s Tempe campus. Sometimes, the train is quiet; I take one of many empty seats and settle in for an uneventful and peaceful ride. Other times, I’m not so lucky. It can be packed to the brim and I have to stand uncomfortably close to strangers, endure terrible odors and loud, obnoxious conversations. It can also be frightening. Today, two women quickly sprinted past me—I heard yelling—they were running away from a fight. Three young men were squaring off, about ready to really let each other have it. People unable to move away gave fearful looks. A man began to shout at the three guys to take it off the train. It seemed gang related. I worried they might have guns.

So far, even with the drama, I make it to and from school safely. Maybe you don’t ride public transportation, or, maybe you do. Either way, no matter where we are, what we do or—how we get to where we’re going to do what we do…we all face unknowns. The one thing that remains constant throughout our daily experience is God’s nature: his unfailing love for us. This is my courage and strength. We are beloved children of God!

It's Academic! (or Electric!)

In case you were wondering...

I've been reading, writing and singing. A trend likely to continue ad infinitum.

Some say it's mystic
It's electric
Boogie woogie, woogie
You can't resist it
It's electric
Boogie woogie, woogie
You can't do without it
It's electric
Boogie woogie, woogie
Jiggle-a-mesa-cara she's a pumpin' like a matic
She's movin' like electric
She sure got the boogie

Openin' to the Nine

Directions:

1) Click on picture

2) Watch video on Phoenix Symphony's website

3) Eat pancakes

Setting Myself Up

For what? Good things I hope. Desk came from IKEA. Each leg $10 and the glass-top $79.99...a grand total of about 100 bucks. It might not be my dream station----but it was colorful, cheap and easy to put together. Now...enough chit chat...GET TO WORK!

You Don't Have To Take My Word For It...

What's that?

What?

There, on your face...is that...

What?!?

A Wrinkle?

Adam just couldn't help himself this morning---reminding me that I was getting older. Now I know 26 isn't old, but it tips the "dreaded" scale closer to the big three zero. Speaking of demise, on our way to Adam's office NPR ran a story about the end of Reading Rainbow. I *gasped* when the story said cancelled "AFTER 26 YEARS"... Adam responded to my gasp with a very loud and concerned "WHAT?" And I said, "26years!!!!!! That's a very bad sign for my birthday!"

Going Raw

Yesterday, Nicole and I went raw in pre-celebration of receiving her white-coat this Saturday. We decided to prepare Zucchini Linguine with Basil Pesto. Before noon, I made a trip to Trader Joe's and picked up some zucchini, basil, garlic, lemons, sea salt, heirloom tomatoes, pine nuts and other fresh wonderfulness. Back at the apartment, I put the pine nuts on water and a bit of sea salt for their 4-hour long soak. When Nicole arrived, we mulled over a few paint color ideas. Here's one we both liked:

Not sure for what room, possibly the living. After browsing options for a little while, it was time to make pesto. My recent success fixing the food processor held up under several culinary adventures: from pesto...soup...to smoothie. I made some pasta in case Paul or Adam needed it to supplement the zucchini as linguine. Turns out our food was both delicious and photogenic---as Nicole captured so beautifully:

Click HERE for the recipe from RAWGURU.

6 Years Y'ALL

6 years y'all. Adam whisked me away to Tucson last weekend to celebrate our anniversary. It was a complete surprise. He told me to pack a bag and make sure I had a bathing suit, jeans, boots, and something nice to wear. I picked him up from work Friday and we left from the office. Such a strange feeling to drive toward an unknown destination. Especially because he never once consulted a map. After a couple hours, we arrived at the El Conquistador. A beautiful place situated at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountain range just outside Tucson. As if simply getting away wasn't enough of a surprise, he told me we needed to get to bed "early" because we had an appointment in the morning. Early was 6:30am, and we quickly threw on jeans, boots and a couple ball caps. Outside was the perfect temperature, and a wonderful mixture of quiet and tiny desert creatures. A golf cart, with a friendly host, drove us the short distance to... the...stables! I thought maybe we were going on an early morning desert hike---but instead we saddled two horses --Cash and Danny--for an hour journey through the surrounding landscape. My absolute first time riding a horse and I loved it! Though, I can't imagine how people galloped for miles and miles on the creatures. My hind was pretty sore and we stuck to a trot!

Cats and Dogs

Cloudy today in Phoenix.
Early morning thunder and heavy drops.
Reminds me of home.

paint = omg

So...we have a new place...AGAIN...and I need some serious inspiration. Ever since my independently married state, I have lacked any real motivation to style our living quarters. My excuse had something to do with the impermanence I perceived in our future. But I have now realized that this ISN'T a GOOD EXCUSE. Who cares if we are only somewhere a year? Or two? How long do I have to be somewhere before I slap some paint on a wall? Maybe I still have this idea that we will -settle down- soon...make a house a home. What if that takes ten years? Or...heaven forbid...it never happens? Shouldn't I forget all this waiting around and get busy? YES! There might be a teentsie other reason for my style procrastination...practical use of cash-ola. Spending $30 @ grocery = reasonable / spending $30 on paint = omg. Is this really just about buying paint? OMG. Time to get out of the rut. And where better to start than Design*Sponge? I already found a post that has to do with my current city of residence, Phoenix. Pretty great to think that most of the places mentioned are VERY CLOSE to my new spot. Click on the pic to read more...
Now, the pressure is on. Mistakes (I just threw up a little) inevitable. Not spending the next several years of my life looking at white walls...priceless.

Dawn to Sunrise

Morning began with "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" singing sweetly in my mind. As Adam hopped in the shower, I shoved off the covers and headed to the kitchen. Making his lunch, I sang happily the hymn that woke me up:

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever will be.

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJHao_5N9d8

The words are truly perfect for the beginning of the day. Though, not simply meaningful in the morning---but from dawn to another sunrise. It reminds me of "I Met God in the Morning"---a poem read by my grandpa Frank at our wedding, and most recently by Adam at Katie and Isaac's:

I met God in the morning
when the day was at its best,
And His Presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O'er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them,
Brought to me a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the presence left behind.

So, I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way:
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day!

By Bishop Ralph Cushman

Here's to today and a peace that endures!

Shiver Me Timbers!

Baby, it's hot outside! A scorching 115 with a heat advisory. Though, you probably wouldn't need to be adviiiiiised.

Hey! How hot is it?

It's so hot... that I'm pretty sure I saw several mirages from my apartment to the car.

It's SO HOT...that even reptiles are turning on the AC.

That's all I got. Well, actually I have another-- but I've already embarrassed myself enough today.

Say A Little Prayer For You

Recently, Isaiah has furnished my mind with many excellent thoughts for meditation. As our friends take their first step today in a long journey to the Middle East, I feel compelled to remember them. Isaiah 58:10-11 seemed appropriate:

10 If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.

Show and Tell

Yesterday, I discovered two "meaningful-to-me" passages through very different sources. My first little treasure came from facebook. I added a NEW friend (I could DIE of happiness) and decided to glance at their info section. Always riveting stuff like, "I love hanging out with my friends, music, giving hugs, exercising and reading." You know, the usual nonsense to let people know that you aren't lazy, stupid or dull. So for the most part, I never find anything worth remembering. BUT THIS TIME...a few lines from C.S. Lewis:

Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

On to "meaningful-to-me" passage number two. This next snippet is from a more honorable use of my time: reading a book. In the first few pages of Opera's Second Death, the author relays lines from Monteverdi's Orfeo:

I am Music, who in sweet accents
can calm each troubled heart,
and now with noble anger, now with love,
can kindle the most frigid minds.

This concludes my "meaningful-to-me" show and tell. Next time, I'm bringing a pony.

4-7-8

Each day, I receive an e-newsletter from Dr. Mercola. Sometimes I delete them, but most of the time I click them open and peruse the articles and videos. Adam can always TELL when I've made a visit to mercola.com, because I tend to become very afraid of petroleum, plastic products, chemicals, processed food, etc... While I don't want to live my life in fear, I'm convinced that Dr. Mercola brings up many valid health concerns and issues. Most of us would do well to practice what he preaches. Today, the topic was a beneficial breathing exercise. It's pretty straightforward:

The 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise

The key to this exercise is to remember the numbers 4, 7 and 8. It’s not important to focus on how much time you spend in each phase of the breathing activity, but rather that you get the ratio correct.

Here’s how it’s done:
1) Sit up straight
2) Place the tip of your tongue up against the back of your front teeth. Keep it there through the entire breathing process
3) Breathe in silently through your nose to the count of four
4) Hold your breath to the count of seven
5) Exhale through your mouth to the count of eight, making an audible “woosh” sound

That completes one full breath. Repeat the cycle another three times, for a total of four breaths
You can do this exercise as frequently as you want throughout the day, but it’s recommended you don’t do more than four full breaths during the first month or so of practice. Later you may work your way up to eight full breath cycles at a time.

I listened to the video and tried it out. He tends to ramble (takes one to know one)... but gets to the exercise after a few minutes. Any technique that promotes CALM and RELAXATION gets a star in my book.

Hoosier Daddy

Mesa cancelled their fireworks for the first time in 50 years due to budgetary constraints. Uncle Sam is looking seriously depressed. Oh come on...cheer up! Tempe is still having their annual 4th of July celebration at Tempe Town Lake Festival. And I'm sure most little towns across America will continue to light up the sky with explosive symbols of freedom and independence. Two in particular will be especially close to my heart on Saturday---Fairmount and Summitville Indiana. My daddy's home turf. A place where I first tasted homemade ice cream and fruit pizza. Where the flat Indiana landscape makes it easy to see fireworks from your porch. Last year, Adam, Katie and I drove down from Cleveland. In the midst of furious bar studying, Adam took short breaks to eat picnic food, swim, and dance with us to Eric Clapton (huh?) on the big screen outside. We watched fireworks on Aunt Marcia's deck and fireflies illuminate fields and trees. I belted out songs like America The Beautiful and Yankee Doodle Dandee while others of our group chimed in. So I guess I'm a little sad that I won't be back for one of my favorite holidays. Lucky for me, someone special is getting married in Summitville August 1st. I may miss the fourth, but I still get to celebrate with some of my most favorite people in the U*S*A.

Nostalgic Foodie

Can't believe it has been almost a year since Adam's graduation. It was so much fun having everyone in Cleveland to celebrate. We had a spectacular assortment of culinary delights---two types of cake (one cassada, one not) from Corbo's in Little Italy...croissants, pastries, salad and sandwich fixings from the Stone Oven* AND a very satisfying celebratory dinner at The Pub in Rocky River (I highly recommend the Goat Cheese Dip). Now I've made myself hungry and am entirely powerless to help my cravings. Unless, of course, I hop a plane to Cleveland.

*I have yet to find any bakery/cafe in Phoenix that lives up to the excellent ingredients and consistent quality of the Stone Oven. (Paradise Bakery and Wildflour are disappointing and way overpriced)

Google Image Search

Happy Mother's Day from a bunch of creepy looking cats.

Quick Vote

CNN Quick Votes can be a bit ridiculous. For this one I think they needed to add a third choice..."What?" Let's see the results...
Well that's a YES...and yes I voted.

This Shouldn't Concern ME

Just when I thought about being more than a half-hearted twitterer...but at least the cartoon was cute.

Tacky Tuesday

The best part of this dishtowel might be the tagline at the bottom, "All Meals Served Family Style." I'm easily amused. Snag it for your place here...and then browse http://www.modcloth.com/ for other fun tackiness. Like the Early Bird Alarm Clock that chirps at you when it is time to wake up. You know...so you can get that worm.

Fashion's Muse

Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to view this exhibit. I enjoyed touring the influence of earlier periods on "modern" design. The picture of the gown above doesn't give a true impression of its beauty. It was stunning. There were many gorgeous designs and luscious fabrics. Some of the outfits certainly looked like they could have been taken from David Bowie's private collection...
This is Bowie back to Bowie...can you hear me out there man? Fashion. Turn to the left. Maybe that's too many song references in a row.

Planning Ahead

My mom sent this pic my way of her new patch of flowers. Last season she planted some that are supposed to come up every year...looks like it worked! Good job!

CINCO D'OHIO

If I still lived in Ohio I might need to attend CINCO D'OHIO at the Columbus North Market this weekend. The poster is pretty convincing...though just remember this event is dos de Mayo-- not cinco.

On Stage

The last performance of the 2008-09 season...I'm somewhere on the left. Ending with Carmina is definitely ending on a high note! :-)

Missing Something

Spring in Ohio

Long walks with Adam around Cleveland Heights

Trees in bloom

Lake View Cemetery bursting with daffodils and tulips

Unpredictable wind, clouds, rain, sun...

Break A Leg!

The Phoenix Symphony and Chorus are having a great week! Carmina Burana will be performed to sold out audiences both nights and the recently released Enemy Slayer is the number one downloaded album on NAXOS -the world's leading classical music label. Last night's dress rehearsal was ---as always--- a treat. Can't wait for tonight!

For the Beauty

For the beauty of the earth,

for the glory of the skies,

for the love which from our birth

over and around us lies;

Lord of all, to thee we raise

this our hymn of grateful praise.

It's WARM

Because HOT around here is 120.

O Fortuna!

It's concert week---and I am PSYCHED to perform Carmina for the first time!

Wake Up

Woke up today in desperate need of an Americano from Lux Coffee Bar. Too bad it's all the way downtown and Adam insists we are NOT hip enough to go there. When Brittany and Dominic were visiting in February, I made my first trip to Lux with them. The three of us ordered coffee, a few homemade pastries and sat outside. I'm not really sure what I ordered...but it looked like french toast (it wasn't) and had fresh strawberries. Also, they topped it off with a very large dollop of cream and butter. Delicious. The most recent contestant in our new apartment search would place us right behind this fabulous establishment. Not sure how I would deal with having the absolute best coffee in the area within a few feet of my doorstep. The temptation might prove too great.

It's Time

Diamantini & Domeniconi have so many clever and eye-catching clocks that it's hard to pick a favorite. There is at least one for every taste and room.


I'm usually not impressed with most of the clocks I see when out and about. Nothing that I would consider catchy enough to purchase. Adam and I haven't had a clock on the wall since Cleveland. Not that Cleveland's clock served any real purpose, except to confuse people. The el cheapo timepiece hadn't really worked since our stint in Oxford, Ohio. It's been 4:12 for 5 years! Obviously, I seem to have a bit of trouble letting go... BUT that's a whole new subject and time's a runnin'...better---as my grandmother says---get crackin'.

Small Bites

Adam made this picture the new background for our laptop. Pretty cute! Growing up, I was always thrilled by the rare occasion when a turtle was spotted in or near our yard. Most of the time I remember seeing them when they crossed the street. Seems like an especially bad idea for a turtle. Oh my gosh. My mind is so hysterical right now. I just convinced myself that the real joke was, "Why did the turtle cross the road?" Not turtle...CHICKEN!

Seeing Red

I found a couple items that fit the inspiration room in the previous post. The red Zeno Chair (above) is a splurge at $561----and the owl plate is $40. Ikea has a couple red chairs that could give the same feeling priced significantly less at $69.99 and $119:

More Moo

Hmmmm...I think my cow collection needs a few more friends. I've seen this design by Marimekko before, but never on plates and cups.

Oh yes, this will do.