Friday, February 24, 2012

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 1)

~~ 1 ~~

So evidently it's still winter here.
 I think we (those living in states such as Wisconsin) might be the only people who were actually complaining about the mild winter and lack of snow. Well, thanks to a bit of snow last night we once again have a lovely winter wonderland outside, a nice reminder that it is still February and not April.


~~ 2 ~~

I finished listening to Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy

and I absolutely loved it. I have so much respect for Jackie, for the woman she was and moreover the wife she was, no matter what what you feel about John F. K., when you listen to Jackie tell about her life in the White House, you have to respect her.

~~ 3 ~~


Isn't she beautiful?  She's the daughter of some dear friends of mine who I had the pleasure of meeting on Tuesday. I'm so happy for her parents and to watch her grow.

~~ 4 ~~

Last night I was talking with a friend about Lent and fasting and the "rules" we followed growing up in Catholic households and how we've learned, only recently, the reason behind those rules, or the truth behind random misconceptions. What it all boils down to is where your heart is. Are you fasting, praying more, going to Mass more often, being kinder to others, working on the Corporal Works of Mercy during Lent in order to grow closer to God, in order to realize your weaknesses and ask for strength or is it to boast, is your pride behind your Lenten resolutions? It's a good question for us all to answer.

~~ 5 ~~

I'm currently working on a laptop case. A project that I was supposed to finish in a day has taken a bit longer because of interruptions and well, to be honest, lack of motivation for the fun tasks of pinning and basting. I'd forgotten how long it takes to do a sewing project the "right" way. Hopefully it'll be done soon. Below is the super cute version I'm aiming for (and the link if you want to make one for yourself ;)


~~ 6 ~~

This weekend I have no plans! Oh it's exciting, the possibilities are endless. My boyfriend will be up for the whole weekend and I foresee some fabulous adventures ahead. I'm just a little excited :)

~~ 7 ~~
 
I've got the urge to travel. Maybe it's because I know a lot of people who are heading off this weekend to places like Hawaii, Mexico and Florida. Maybe it's because I've been watching too much Rick Steve's Europe. Maybe it's because I was talking to friend who's planning her honeymoon to Italy. Whatever it is I'm ready to go out and explore, to go somewhere I've never been. The possibilities are endless!
 
 Alright, that's all from me for this lovely Friday. Enjoy the weekend! 
For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!


Thursday, February 16, 2012

"Sameness"


So I know I'm a bit behind, but I'm finally reading "The Giver" by Louis Lowry. I have to admit, the more I get into the book the more disturbed I am by it. I'm a little more than halfway through, so maybe this post should have been put off to when I've actually finished the book, however I felt it was worth delving into a bit early.

This ideal community, that is the setting for the book, is based on the idea of sameness. No one makes their own decisions, not on the job they will have, not on the spouse they will spend their life with. These decisions are left up to a committee to make, a committee that studies each individual and makes the "best" decision for that person, the "correct" decision. The main character, Jonas, makes the comment of how "scary" it would be if people were able to make their own decisions, if people had the possibility of making the "wrong" decision. Imagine a world of only "right" decisions, one where everyone avoids all conflict and things that are "uncomfortable". Pretty hard to do in today's society. I will admit that there are days when I would love a world without decisions, one without uncomfortable moments, however, would that really be living? Would I really appreciate the gifts that God has given me, that of free will to make my own decisions, right or wrong? The gifts of the spirit, wisdom, understanding, wonder and awe, right judgement, knowledge, courage, reverence, would these even mean anything?


The book also talks about everything being adjusted for the sake of sameness, for efficiency. "Climate Control" was used to avoid troublesome things like snow and rain. Colors caused too much conflict, too many decision had to be made as a result therefore colors became no more. The more I find out about this fictional community the more aspects of today's world are visible. I feel that there continues to be repercussions for those that are "different" that too many are trying to conform to what they feel is the "norm" what the media is portraying as the norm. It's the idea of being programmed to think and act a certain way and that is what truly scares me. It makes me want to research, want to learn all I can. To gather information from as many sources as possible in order to get the truth, the facts. That's one of the reasons I love the Catholic church, if I'm seeking answers there are always places to look, revelations and facts to back it up. There is solid reasoning.


So to conclude for the moment, go out and be yourself. Be proud of your differences, of the person God has made you and the person you are becoming. Be confident. Be-you-tiful!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

A Lovely Bit of Baking


So Valentine's Day is coming up and I've been doing a bit of baking, imagine that :) I do love holidays and despite all the Hallmark-hype I still love Valentine's Day. Looking back I realized this will be the first year that I haven't been single for this "couples holiday" but I've never been "bitter and single" either. Maybe it's because I always think of my Dad on Valentine's day, he'd always have chocolates and a great card at our place at the table in the morning so we always felt loved and special, it's a great way to start the day. So anyways, last year I made these fabulous red velvet whoopie pies for Valentine's Day. They were great. This year I tried a few new recipes. The cute little things above are brownie bites (check out the simple instructions here). They are pretty fabulous, but word to the wise, DO NOT USE CUPCAKE PAPER. They stick, badly and it's just not pretty.


The other lovely recipe I stumbled across were these fabulous beauties. They're chocolate and cinnamon and well, they're pretty great :) I hope you are all enjoying your February and the week leading up to Valentine's Day!