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Thursday, June 30, 2011

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June 30, 2011
So proud of my roommate Tarah!  Huge accomplishment in graduating from firefighting academy today!


(And what about all those men in uniform! Yikes!)

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June 29, 2011
Blogger wasn't working last night, so here's the post for, well, June 29, 2011:  I found this little old book of poetry in a tiny bookstore at Cannon Beach last weekend.  The book is called Riley, Songs O'Cheer and I wanted to share this poem since it's not quite summer yet:


..."Sigh and sigh! and sigh and sigh!
   Never end of sighing;
Rain and rain for our reply--
   Hopes half-drowned and dying;
Peering through the window-pane,
   Naught but endless raining--
Endless sighing, and, as vain,
   Endlessly complaining.

Shine and shine! and shine and shine!
   Ah! to-day the splendor!--
All this glory yours and mine--
   God! but God is tender!
We to sigh instead of sing,
   Yesterday, in sorrow,
While the Lord was fashioning
   This for our To-morrow!"

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

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June 28, 2011
Every evening finds me tucked under my blankets with a cup of Relax tea and a book.  I love it when friends not only suggest books, but allow me to borrow their copy to read.  This one is called The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova and it's entirely engrossing!  As I opened the pages and began to read, this was the note I found:


And then as soon as I took this photo, my cat puked on the book.  Sorry, Josh.

Monday, June 27, 2011

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June 27, 2011
My new favorite place to be is downtown Portland!  A fantastic sushi restaurant to try is called Yuki's; SUPERB raw fish.  And then just down the street is a cute little gelato joint with expensive but delightful coconut sorbetto.  What are you doing tomorrow evening?

Sunday, June 26, 2011

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June 26, 2011
There are few places on earth that completely relax my mind and soul; the ocean being one of them.  I had the opportunity to take a lovely road trip with a good friend to the coast today and take some time to look closely at the life around me.  Here's a snapshot of a small glimpse of a life we can easily look over.  "Don't sweat the small stuff," but also know that some of the "small stuff" is really important, too. 

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June 25, 2011

Best moment of the day was standing with weak knees at the very crest of a waterfall, feeling the mossy ground vibrating under my feet from the power of the water surging underneath it, and hearing the continuous thunder of the falls as it hurled down a couple hundred feet to the pool below.  It reminded me of Psalm 42:7, "Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me."  Overwhelming things happen, way more than we think we can survive (you know what I'm talking about), but more powerful than roaring water dashing us against the rocks, is a God who loves you enough to not let you drown.  "Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory," Psalm 50:15.  Be blessed today!  This is what living water looks like:

Friday, June 24, 2011

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June 24, 2011
The first evening of a wonderful weekend with my good girlfriend Dea!  We wandered around downtown and came across the Urban Fondue!  It was a lovely evening to be outside (just a bit chilly) and what a great meal to linger over and enjoy the city life walking by.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

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June 23, 2011
A bit of "spring" cleaning this evening in anticipation of a dear friend coming for a visit included spontaneous washing of rugs, curtains, flours, windows, and counters.  Once I start, I can't stop!


(And if you're reading this, Christi B., yes that is what you think it is.)

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

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June 22, 2011
I couldn't decide between a couple shots of different beautiful begonias, so today almost had two photos.  After much pondering and contemplation, and deciding that I needed to go to sleep, I chose this one.


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

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June 21, 2011
The first day of summer awoke with a warm smile this morning!  My lungs ardently embraced the electricity of life from the delicious zephyr wafting through the city.  The pleasant day drifted into a lazy evening while I lounged with my amiable canine on the back deck.  With a deep and soulful sigh, the sun rested its head back into the pillow of the horizon.

Monday, June 20, 2011

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June 20, 2011
<Insert fantastic inspirational quote about dancing here>  I want to be on Dancing with the Stars someday.  Well, that means two things, #1 I need to learn how to dance, and #2 I need to be famous.  Hmm... So back to number one, started lesson 1 of 4 in downtown Portland with a fantastic dancing partner!  So fun!  My feet hurt. 

I will be cha cha cha-ing in my sleep, trying to figure how to get my hips to sway.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

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June 19, 2011
I finally got outside this evening to start planting my flowers that have been sitting in their little black plastic pots for a month and a half!  Oh for joy having dirt under my fingernails, slug slime on the bottom of my shoes, and ceramic pots full of color!  Now if only we had some sunshine...

Saturday, June 18, 2011

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June 18, 2011
This was a wonderful day of doing nothing.  Rest is wonderful for the body, mind, and soul!  Having some silence in my day has allowed me time to ponder what might happen next in my life.  If you know my story, you will understand the following photo of Psalm 40:1-3 is basically my life the past couple years.  If you don't know my story, please ask and we'll sip a cup of java together.

Friday, June 17, 2011

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June 17, 2011
This gorgeous Friday evening found me meandering down the driveway and smelling the roses, thoroughly enjoying the setting sun.  Here's to the weekend and some rest and relaxation!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

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June 16, 2011
This photo is entitled, "Things On My Nightstand."  That is an eyeball resting on top of an undeveloped roll of black & white film I've had for two years.  And eye drops for my cat and a pair of earrings. And the base of a lamp, a black mini hair clip, and a cream-colored mug.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

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June 15, 2011
June is already half over! Yikes!  Tonight's photo captures an epic moment-- look at the time; it's still a little bit light out; I'm crawling into bed in 10 minutes.  What! I'm a night owl, so this is the beginning of a new good habit.
Oh, I need to charge my phone.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

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June 14, 2011
Only two hundred more photos to go!  I am no longer afraid of the outdoor grill.  Even though I lean way back when I light it... So on tonight's menu are herb blend and spinach salad, baby potatoes with garlic cloves and shallots, brussels sprouts, zucchini, and chicken tenders with melted morbier cheese (a French cheese I found at Trader Joe's).  This is all so easy, folks: poke some holes in the baby potatoes, peel a few garlic cloves, peel a shallot and dice a bit, wrap in tin foil; slice fresh brussels sprouts in half and wrap in tin foil with an ice cube; slice zucchini and wrap in tin foil with an ice cube (you can put the brussels sprouts and zucchini together); thaw the chicken and spray with cooking oil, add a dash of salt and everyday seasoning mix; put everything on the grill (the potatoes take a little bit longer than everything else) and cook until done; add cheese to the chicken for a few minutes until melted.  Perfect. Amazing.  Dinner in 20-30 minutes, tops.

Monday, June 13, 2011

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June 13, 2011
When all around, life is changing and uncertainties crowd out stability, it is a good place to rest in the faith that God is enough.  I just finished reading the book of Job in the Bible-- a man who had all he knew crash around him and no one had the answers.  This he found out: God is enough.  He said, "Are we to accept only the good things, and not the bad, too?"  Money flies away, the home is foreclosed, health is gone in the blink of an eye, relationships break, the job ends, the dog dies, and the transmission goes on the car.  But God is enough.  He is my blessing, let him be yours, too.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

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June 12, 2011
Sunday afternoons are for 3 hour naps and lime & salt popcorn.  Oh yes, lime & salt popcorn.  Growing up, Mom would always get out the airpopper and make some home-popped popcorn with butter and salt for supper every Sunday night.  I will continue the tradition.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

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June 11, 2011
A day full of graduation parties!  This is by far the most beautiful photo of the day yet... My "other" mom and sisters! Love you! 

Friday, June 10, 2011

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June 10, 2011
How hard is it to watch a movie?  So my roommate and I settled down for a Friday night flick called Bolt, an animated Disney movie, and it started skipping around-- the scenes didn't make any sense.  So I popped it in my computer and started fast forwarding it through a scene we'd already watched, but it didn't seem to be fast forwarding, so I said, "oh well" and we kept watching.  The movie played correctly and everything began to make sense.  Except all the characters were talking really fast.  So by the end of the movie, I realized the "fast forward" button must have really worked, it was just slow enough that we didn't really notice everything was happening faster than normal. Oh well! Cute movie!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

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June 9, 2011
Ugh.  Weakened immune system + a cram-packed weekend + two airline flights + loss of sleep = a crummy cold.  Here's to an immune boosting juice!  Apples, kale, celery, and garlic!  In addition to Juice Plus+ gummies, Wellness Formula tablets, herbal throat spray, and pizza.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

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June 8, 2011
I haven't had a grilled ham and cheese sandwich since I-don't-know-when.  Bought the brown rice bread; it's kinda dry.  However, with smeared butter grilled in the pan... *sigh*

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

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June 7, 2011
Last night of youth group!  Rocked out on the guitar and drums, pounded on Heaven's door with some prayer, and then ended the evening with endless steak fries at Red Robin!  You guys are the best!

I do like awkward photos.  Sorry girls!  Love you!

Monday, June 6, 2011

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June 6, 2011
Life is all about relationships.  It's really as simple as that.  Although new clothes are fun, it's who you're shopping with that makes all the difference.  So thankful to have been able to spend time this weekend with a few "old" friends! 

Sunday, June 5, 2011

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June 5, 2011
First motorcycle ride ever.  Terrifying.  Exciting.  I didn't die!  I want one.


And yes, I wore a helmet.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

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June 4, 2011
Weddings are always lovely occasions, and today's wedding was no different-- my beautiful cousin Kati got married.  It was a special time to spend with my family, whom I've not seen for almost a year.  Congratulations Kati and Jon!

Friday, June 3, 2011

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June 3, 2011
A beautiful rekindling of friendship between pairs of green eyes.  Love you, sweet Rachel! Wish we lived closer...

Thursday, June 2, 2011

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June 2, 2011
Home. Sweet. Home.  It's midnight, and this is my parent's front door. And I'm inside.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

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June 1, 2011!
First day of June, everyone!  This means summer is surely coming soon!  Right?  The object in this photo is called a pair of sunglasses.  They're to be worn when the sun is shining to protect your eyes from UV rays.  The sun is a gaseous ball of heat up in the sky behind the clouds.  UV rays cause cancer.  So when the sun is shining, you want to protect your eyes from cancer by wearing... sunglasses!