Highlights of 2010

When looking back on 2010, it would be easy for me to say, "not that much happened," but I know that's not true.  Here are some highlights:

Helped a friend get engaged.

Fell in love with roasted carrots and brussel sprouts (foods I'd never eaten before).

Donned not one, not two, but three bridesmaid dresses.

Finally took that trip to Princeton, NJ I'd been meaning to do for years.  Loved it and my time with Amelia there.

Discovered I enjoy vodka martinis. (This was a bit of a personal goal for me.)

Found a church home in Charleston.

Took my appreciation for DVR and TV to a whole new level.

Started working out with Jillian Michaels (sometimes routinely; sometimes not).

Read a lot of books.

Started relying on Proactiv.

Read through Isaiah.

As I mentioned previously, the Lord taught me a lot about being joyful and more positive.  So thankful for that. 

I've never had a "theme verse" for a year before, and wasn't looking for one this year, but this verse became the anthem of my 2010: INTO YOUR HAND I COMMIT MY SPIRIT; YOU HAVE REDEEMED ME, O LORD, FAITHFUL GOD.  Psalm 31:5

Learned to love Google Reader.

A lot of time with good friends...and I'm so glad!

2010 follow up

I thought I'd give an update on a post last year.  Some things I was looking forward to in 2010:

• Turning 27. Ok, I am kind of dreading moving into my late 20's. But, Lord willing, it is going to happen whether I like it or not. So why not be happy about it?  Was a great birthday!
• A Charleston summer! Beach, fishing, and being tan!  Loved it!
• My brother's wedding.  Had a blast!
• Potential weddings of some really good friends. No pressure guys! Haha.  They followed through!
• Finding a church home in Charleston.  Done.
• Hopefully knocking some things off my 25-30 to do list.  Not so much done...oh well.
• Having a more positive outlook on life.  The Lord has really taught me a lot about this, I think.  I still have a LONG way to go (don't we all?!), but I think he made me more positive this year.  Namely, I learned a lot about joy.  Having joy in the midst of all circumstances and (perhaps hardest, yet most rewarding) being joyful for others -- especially when they get things that I'd like to have.  For example, I wouldn't mind getting married.  And this year I was blessed to be in a few weddings and be genuinely excited for those getting married.  Only because of the Lord.  And other things I would like in my life, but have been excited to see in the lives of others.  I know this isn't of me, but a gracious gift.  Hoping to stay/become more joyful in the years to come.

Merry Christmas!

LUKE 2:8-21

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” [3]

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Chistmas Eve

Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Cook-Off 2k10

Marifrasier had her annual Christmas cook off party tonight.  Jacqueline and I schemed for weeks about our entry.  We searched recipes, blogs, and old favorites to find the perfect dish.  (Thanks to a suggestion by Courtney) we decided to go with one of my childhood favorites: home made doughnuts!  Mom used to make them and even serve us in bed sometimes.  They are delicious.  Never in my life have I made so many, though!  We made 200!

We WON the dessert category!

Way to go Jacqueline!  I had a blast cooking up this yummy sweet with you!  And I loved watching people love them...

Go ahead, treat yourself:

Buy canned biscuits -- NOT flakey; the cheaper the better, according to mom.
Cut each biscuit into quarters and roll into a ball.
Heat oil to 325 and drop balls in the oil.
Flip once they turn golden brown.
When the other side turns golden, remove with a slotted spoon and place in one of two containers (that have lids): powdered sugar AND cinnamon/sugar combination.  
Put the lid on and shake, shake, shake!
Remove and enjoy.  They are best when warm.

I have to say, this party is nothing if not random.  But I had a really good time.  It is interesting to watch the different groups of people and try to remember names.  Haha.  A special shout out to Jane Harper.  As usual, her comments and company did not disappoint!

New Twist on an Old Favorite

The other day, someone brought "salt cookies" into the office.  I have to say, I was a bit nervous, but I ended up loving them!  I loved the sweet/salty combination.  Last night, I decided to do some baking and that included making my own version of this cookie.  The originals were chocolate chip with butterscotch chips and fully coated in salt.

 

I made my mom's chocolate chip cookies.  One batch without chips (my favorites!).  Two batches of regular.  And one salted batch.  I formed the cookies as usual, and then dunked the top in a bowl of salt.  I opted to only salt the top.  The result: I really like them.  Definitely a nice twist on a favorite cookie!

Total Eclipse

I'm not super into stars, moons, and the likes.  But when something comes around once in your lifetime, I don't mind losing a bit of sleep to partake. 

 

I set my alarm for 2:00 am to wake up.  I told the alarm to stop, rather than snooze.  Then I fell back asleep and dreamed that I got up and watched the eclipse and it was magnificent.  So I woke back up, it was 2:20.  Set an alarm for 2:30.  Woke up.  Received a text from Courtney, "So cloudy I can't see anything.  Sad day."  I replied that I was gearing up.  Put on my capilene pants, sweat pants, cowboy boots, capilene shirt, hat, scarf, and gloves, and down puffy coat.  I headed outside and was AMAZED. 

 

Maybe the sky always looks that beautiful at 2:30 in the morning?  I called Courtney and told her it was awesome.  We decided that I should grab my lap top so we could video chat and hopefully she could see it.  Whilst doing that, I called my house to talk to mom and woke dad up...oops.  While dad was trying to get my mom, she beeped in on her cell phone.  Mom, Courtney, and I had a nice little chat.  I should mention that mom was in the backyard on a beach chair with an ELECTRIC blanket hooked up via an extension cord and had ear plugs in.  She said it was marvelous.

 

There was still a tiny sliver of silver on the far right side.  So I headed in to come back later.

 

It really looked like this (but with a TINY bit of silver):

 Unreal!

 

At 3:00, Courtney said, "Should be totally dark now according to my phone."  Because she downloaded an app for it.  So I hopped back out of bed and went to check.  There was still a tiny sliver of white.  Re-set the alarm.  At 3:30 it wasn't fully dark yet and I could see the clouds starting to roll in.  While that was disappointing, it looked pretty cool. 

 

Just before 4:00, I realized work would be hell today.  [And it has been!]  It was cloudy and I couldn't see the moon well at all.  I decided to give it one more shot at 4:50 (go big or go home, people!).  At that time, I couldn't see it at all.  I was SO glad that I could see a bit of it, though.  Pretty awesome. 

 

I had not one, but two Diet Cokes this morning.  I am still dragging...but worth it!