I won! I won!

I recently have been checking a blog called the local cook, in which she highlights learning how to buy and use food from your area. She is not in the Atlanta area but has some good inspirations for different recipes and things. You can find more about the local cook at http://thelocalcook.com/

Recently, she had a post that you could comment in order to apply to win a book called, Eat Where You Live: How to Find and Enjoy Local and Sustainable Food No Matter Where You Live by Lou Bendrick. I just got an email this afternoon saying that I am the one that won it! The excitement that I responded with made Bob think that I won money or something and he couldn't quite understand why I was so excited about a book. It is not just about what a great book it will be, but also the feeling of being chosen (whether randomly or not). I am still giddy about the "win"; I guess it is the competitive side in me even though I didn't do anything to deserve the W in this case.

After I read it, I will have to let you know how it is. Can't wait to get it in the mail!

Friendship

Friendship is something that no one ever really teaches you about. Learning how to be a friend is something that happens through trial and error, with lots of joy and pain along the way. I love watching little kids make friends. They can't talk to each other but just start to repeat actions of what the other is doing. And like magic, they are friends. One of my favorite things on Sunday mornings at church is to watch the kids play. One will start running in the hall and pretty soon there are a team of five two year olds running back and forth. They haven't spoken a word but have communicated in ways that are so uninhibited. Sometimes I wish I had that die hard attitude when it came to friendships, thinking, "Of course, we will be friends, why wouldn't we?" It is so sad how past hurts can get in the way of that. Our own insecurities, the perfections people display about themselves that actually make you not want to be around them, our expectations that to be a good friend you have to have a certain amount of time, or see each other this often.

I was blessed yesterday by two phone conversations with friends I haven't talked to in months. These are friends I usually communicate to in other ways, through mail, blog checking, etc. but I was so touched by both of their calls. Even though I haven't talked to either of them on the phone in a long time and we talked less than half an hour, it was amazing that we just picked up in the present. I don't know why I am always surprised at the ease of this--that we still are who we are even if we don't know the daily details of each other's lives.

Moving has taught me so much about who I am, how I approach (or avoid) friendships and the definition I have now of friendship is so different than the one I had a few years ago. My closest friends don't necessarily have to be the ones I talk to the most often. They are the ones that KNOW me, the kind of knowing that is that childlike without-words kind. Where we could just sit and be quiet and still be communicating. And friendships are slow. The more I try to force them the less fluid and life giving they become. It takes a long time to really get to know someone and that process cannot be hurried. I hope that the more I grow and learn about myself and humanness, the more I can give and receive friendship. I know I really cherish these relationships.

Good things--March 8

Yesterday was Fat Tuesday (the day before Lent starts). Bob decided to give up red meat for Lent, so we gave it a last whirl at our guilty pleasure, Steak and Shake. There have been a few times where I have truly enjoyed Steak and Shake rather than feel utterly ashamed for eating there: 1. When Bob and I first moved here and tried to go a million other places that were too busy or full or weren't quite what we were looking for. Our date ended up being at Steak and Shake for a 9:00 dinner and cards. Awesome--truly loved it after the rest of the night fell apart. 2. After running my half marathon--nothing beats, a burger, fries, coke, and a shake after running. I am sure that I over exceeded the calories I burnt but at that point I didn't care. 3. On Fat Tuesday, of course. I haven't eaten a burger in months and it was delicious. I had to tell myself the whole time to enjoy it and not feel guilty. As you can see from my post yesterday, I am reading more about local and sustainable foods. Steak and Shake is not on the menu for that. Call me a hypocrite, because I am. Bob and I had a great time, though!

Good Things-- March 7

I have been reading the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver about her journey in eating and farming local foods. It is very inspiring and a fun read. I try to get in a little bit every day. It is amazing how many foods we eat out of season just because our recipes call for them. It has encouraged me to do a little more research and find places in the area to buy local foods. I can't wait for Farmer's Markets starting soon!

Goodbye Maggie

My childhood dog had to be put to sleep this week. Even though I haven't lived with her for years and she was always really more of my mom's dog than a family dog, it makes me sad. Just another reminder that childhood is gone, long gone really. And a reminder that life is fleeting, that the things/people you love are not always around. It is so hard to mourn in life--I don't think you can ever really get good at it.

She was a fun dog for us. She loved to run and play soccer and when she was a puppy she would get up on the dishwasher to lick the dishes. She liked to lay by the fire and on top of the couch. She was a very particular pup and would often say no to treats or take them and "bury" them somewhere around the house.

It is hard to say goodbye to something you cared for even if it is not often present in your life.

Pray for my momma, she is sad...

Good things--March 6

My mom is awesome! Today was a dreary and cold day, a reminder that winter and spring are fighting with each other. Today winter won. Bob and I wanted to go on a walk but it was so cold outside that we settled for walking to the mailbox, which granted is like walking around the block--our mailbox is not right in front of our apartment, mind you. When I got to the mailbox I had this little gift waiting for me. I love kid's picture books and my mom has taken up to buying them for me every now and then which I very much appreciate. I knew I would love this book simply for its title if nothing else. It is so very cute and made me smile. This was DEFINITELY the highlight of my day. Thanks mom, love ya!

Good Things--March 5

Bob and I went on a spontaneous date this morning to Great Harvest Bread Company and Borders. Breakfast was so good- they have all sorts of delicious breads and pastries that they sample as well as great sandwiches. They had trivia cards at the table so we had a good time quizzing each other's useless knowledge over good food. The Borders near us is having a going out of business sale and so we got to look through all the books. Bob is really into Native American Indian culture right now so he grabbed a picture book for an awesome price. I really wanted to buy some cookbooks but I have banned myself from those for a while so I spend time looking through them and drooling instead. It was a rainy day which made all of this even more romantic and fun.

Good things--March 4

Homemade Margarita Pizza. We mad our own pesto using sunflower seeds instead of walnuts/pine nuts and it turned out really good. We layered the pizza with pesto and then tomato sauce and then of course the rest of the toppings. It was so simple and so delicious--the kind of food that you say mmmm after every bite. There is nothing better on a Friday night than good pizza and a good movie. We watched a movie called Get Low that was funny and heartwarming.

Good things--March 3

Friends! I got to cook yummy tortilla soup for them Thursday and even though we were all incredibly tired we had a good night together. I am really thankful for girlfriends in my life--these and others :)

Good things--March 2

I love Trader Joe's. It is so many things for me. Ultimately, I love food and I love to cook. They have so many fun things to try that it is such a treat to go there. I have started going there Wednesdays after teaching and find that it is a nice wind-down for me to walk the aisles and just peruse. It is also helpful that not many other people are there because I am the person sauntering the aisles. Another plus is that they have samples of both coffee and food. Love it!
These trees (I need to learn the name--if anyone knows please tell me) are ALL OVER along with the pink-flowered once just screaming, "Notice me!" Which I do. I pulled over to take this picture because it was breathtaking. The life that spring brings captivates me.

Good things--March 1

It is spring! And in the spring wild daffodils sprout up everywhere. These are some Bob and I found on a hike. I am currently reading the (wonderful) book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver and I learned that a species of daffodil are called Jonquil. The city right next to us is called Smyrna, and nicknamed "the jonquil city" and now I know why--there are beautiful daffodils everywhere!

Good Things

I am learning more and more that making it through life is all about perspective. Often, my tendency is to have a negative attitude or to focus on the difficulties, the things going wrong. I don't even mean to do this, but it is definitely a character flaw. My spiritual director really encouraged me to start journaling about good things I saw God doing in each day. I have really begun to hold on to good things and notice them rather than the struggles happening throughout the day. I have been thankful to see all the ways that God has met me through nature, people, and quiet moments. Because it has been healing to journal about these things, I thought I would take it a step further for the month of March and document some good things through pictures. My goal is to take a picture each day of a highlight or some moment of joy I experienced and post them on the blog as frequently as possible. So here we go...