Burdens

"Stir up your trust in His infinite goodness and honor Him by leaving, in his hands, the care of your persons.

Be not troubled about the present or disquieted about the future, but be concerned only about the moment you must now live.

Do not let anticipation of tomorrow be a burden on the day that is passing.

What you lack in the evening the morrow will bring you, if you know how to hope in God.”

-St. John Baptiste De La Salle

I have been so remis in my posting lately.  It seems work, school, wedding, getting the house ready and 234215 other things have completely taken a hold of my life and attention.  It has left little time for the things in life that truly matter....relationships.  I am hard pressed to find time for my family and friends and most importantly God.  I am so distracted by planning for the future that I take little time to enjoy today and all the blessings it holds.  I have stopped taking time to sit and talk with God, to read His Word and meditate on the meaning of it.  I vowed to not let this hectic season of my life and all the changes that come with it completely overwhelm me and take my eyes off of what really matters but it seems I have fallen into the very trap I tried so hard to avoid.  Its time to take a moment, step back, and place my hope once more in the Lord.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Waste Not Want Not

I always imagined that I would have a husband who would make enough for me to stay home.  That I would be able to buy a house after college, travel as I wanted, have a job I enjoyed, and plenty of free time.  That I would know what I wanted to do with my life and would be doing it....at least before 30!  But life has a way of throwing a big fat stick into your spokes and sends you headlong into a future that looks quite different from what you had originally imagined.  I look at the path before me now and see a family that will start well past 30, a house, perhaps, in my distant future, a future husband who may not make enough to keep me at home all the time, less travel, and more work.

Neither had I imagined however, the unexpected blessings that would envelope me in my late 20's.  The richness of the relationships that I would have in my life, that I would laugh nearly as much as I loved with my future husband, that my best friend would sit across the hallway from me at work and we would giggle daily at the stupid messages sent back and forth, that I would see, first hand, the work God would do in my life.  That my cup would runneth over despite all that I lacked in the world's eyes.

I look into my future and I just can't wait to "struggle" a bit by the world's definition because by mine, I have already succeeded. 

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Crazy Town

So...I think I can safely say I no longer hold a roundtrip, non-refundable ticket to Crazy Town, though I do still keep a spare ticket in my back pocket, just in case. :)  This past year has been a doosie...TONS of changes, challenges, anxiety attacks, tears, fights...but mixed in with those times or darkness are countless moments of excitement, adventures, lessons, joy, answered (and unanswered thankfully) prayers, and little victories.  I feel like I have been drug through the mud, thorns, and over the gravel road....most of the time being pulled along by my own pride and stubborness.  But despite the scars and bruises I have, I feel renewed and strenghtened.  Not that swelling sense of accomplishment and excitement, but a calm, comforting grounding, like my feet are firmly stuck to the ground even if my body continues to sway in the winds of Life. 

I truly realized this the other night while B and I were walking back from class (we are taking a Chem class together....yipppe!).  B was telling me about a friend of his who is having relationship issues and how he had told him that he needed to take "the lead" in the relationship.  This immediately sent me into defense mode since many of the issues with Sh*thead involved the power struggle between the two of us and my belief that he tried too much to control me.  Long story short I proceeeded with a series of questions ultimately leading to the one real question on my mind: How did he think he was the "leader" in our relationship.  I prepared for his answer of "I make all the decisions," or "the buck stops here" or "you do as I say" lacing up my boxing gloves for a Level 11 reaction (as Sh*thead once said).  As I grew red in the face, he looked down at me and said "I pray with you when you cry."  I immediately deflated.  He leads our relationship because he prays with me, because he prays for me.  I don't think I've ever felt more love for B then in that one moment.  I realize that he truly understands what Christ says regarding marriage in Ephesians 5:

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

~ Ephesians 5:22-33

Letting go of the past and focusing on the blessings of my present and future...as well as the pain...that is how I rid myself of the roundtrip ticket :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

P.S. This blog post made me laugh aloud....and inspired me to write today's post. :)

The One

You know you've found "the one" when they...

1. Gleefully follow you to your mother's birthday party, keeping quiet as you attempt to run unsuspecting bystanders off the road because you're running 20 minutes late as usual due to the fact that you packed much too much into one day because you chronically overbook yourself in the hopes that it will help you get more done...when in fact it has the opposite effect. 

2. Smile and laugh while being forced to make birthday hats at your mother's 54th birthday party while your nieces run around screaming making it nearly impossible to have a conversation.

3. Think nothing of your seemingly weekly anxiety attacks, questioning of your purpose in life, and overall neurosis....telling you that they love you the way you are and "what's so great about being normal anyway?"

4. Frantically look for snacks when you've passed your patience point and start to get irrationally angry because you haven't eaten in far too long.

5.  Tell you you're beautiful when you have snot running down your face and puffy eyes from crying over something silly.

6. Pray with you when you feel like you can't go on any longer and remind you that all is possible with the help of God.

Love you B.  You are my best friend, my love, you bring out the best in me.  I hope I do the same for you. :)

Pain

"[Pain] removes the veil; it plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul."

~ "The Problem of Pain" by CS Lewis

Someone recently said to me that we only grow through pain and difficulty.  Sadly, I have to agree with this comment especially since I have been particularly uninspired lately and shockingly haven't had too many challenges.  At first I thought that I had just gotten a handle on things but I've slowly come to realize that I was just ignoring the problems.  Hunkering down into my little world, away from trouble, responsibility, and accountability.  Now, while this lack of difficulty doesn't immediately seem like a negative I do see how it could become a problem...staying in this "little box of boring" as my best friend would say.  How can we grow if we do not challenge ourselves?  How can we move forward, improve, understand better if we never face conflict, hardship or pain?

Photo via me :)

I often wish that I could don rose colored glasses day after day, only seeing the beauty and joy in the world and avoiding the darkness, doubt and insecurity.  But pain reminds us of our shortcomings, inabilities and our need for God.  Often like the pain from an intense workout, lifting, stretching, pulling and tearing our muscles so that they can repair themselves and grow stronger.  This is how I see pain.  It can often seem like a never ending tunnel, an uphill trek or endless swim, but it does come to an end, eventually.  And when I resurface from the deep or reach the top of the hill I feel renewed and strengthened, ready to face the next battle, even beginning to welcome it.  Christ walked the long road with us, bearing not only the burden of our sins but also the knowledge of the pain he was about to endure....being nailed to the cross.  But he endured it nonetheless, welcomed it, because he knew it would bring about victory.  Why then should I hide from the pain?  Why then should I not embrace it, bear down and endure it?  I will let it shove me to my knees so that I may look up to God to pull me up.  And I will even more rejoice in the joys and happiness of this life and learn from the trials and tribulations because of it.

I am convinced

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present

nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

~ Romans 8:38-39

How fickle and moody creatures are we that we would search around aimlessly in this world for a happiness that is already assured?  How insecure, selfish and vain am I that I continually pine for the love and acceptance of others when the Creator of the Universe loves me personally, unconditionally and calls me by name through my baptism?  How fleeting and shallow are our emotions that things like work, responsibility and stress define our reactions toward each other?



(Image via Berthe Morisot.org)

I often struggle with "letting life in."  I take the minuscule, day to day stresses into my palms and cradle them close to my heart, showing my teeth to anyone who dares say I am not tormented.  Who are they to know the depths of my pain?  How could they possibly sympathize with what I'M feeling?

But then I sit back and realize that I am a tiny speck in the enormity of time.  I am one of a million who have shared the same pains, torments, intimacies, joys, laughs, loves.  They have cried the same tears, barked the same harsh words, caressed their loved ones with the same gentle touch.  They have struggled against the same vices, freely handed over the same parts of themselves, and fought the same battles to regain the pieces.  They have been tied down by the same sins, over and over and over again.  Reminded daily, just as I am, of the same inadequacies, failures, regrets. 

They have a gift that is freely offered to them daily, just as I do.  A gift that does not only give, but rather takes away, washes clean, redeems and wipes clear the slate of our past, present and future.  I am a creature so inadequate in my own abilities to even remain sane some days it seems.  But I am also a child who is loved by One who's love is so powerful and complete that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from it and this gives me much hope.

Have a wonderful week!

Pieces

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable."

— C.S. Lewis (The Four Loves)

I have loved, I have hated, I have been broken, and broken those around me.  Little pieces of myself chipped off and handed over.  These empty parts of me, little crevices that once contained pieces of my soul have healed.  They have grown over and hardened.  But much like the scar tissue of a past injury, they still sear with pain unexpectedly.  A memory, familiar surrounding, situation, will cause them to scream out and remind me of where they came from, of who gave them to me. 



I used to think that to be truly past something or someone we must become unfeeling towards them, rid ourselves of any connection to them and soldier on into the future.  But these irritating little scars, painful reminders of a love lost will always pull me back, for a moment.

I made myself vulernable and allowed love in.  A love that chipped off the little pieces of me and allowed them to scar over.  A love that left me confused, irrational, insecure.  But a love nonetheless.  Was it worth it?  I don't think I'll ever be able to fully answer that question.

To love is to be vulnerable. 

After the Storm

And there will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears.

And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.

Get over your hill and see what you find there,

With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair.

And now I cling to what I knew

I saw exactly what was true

But oh no more.

That's why I hold,

That's why I hold with all I have.

That's why I hold.

~Mumford and Sons

I gave him my body, thinking it would protect my heart.  I loved him passionately, thinking it was true, that the fire, the tears, the heartbreak meant that it was real.  I ignored the warning in my heart and soldiered on into the dark place where he and I could be together, standing strong against the world, against God.  No one understood our love.  I let his approval, his loyalty, his judgements define the person I was.  I was young, reckless, inexperienced.  In search of something different, uncommon, unique.  I ran away from what I knew was right into the arms of someone, something that would forever change me.  When the passion, fire, love came to an end the recklessness remained.  I clung to his memory thinking that anything else would betray him.  All chances at happiness, sanity, normalcy were quickly stubbed out by my unwilliness to move on.  Drama drove me, defined me, held me back.  I kept the Lord at a safe distance, far enough away to allow me to do as I pleased.  I became strong willed, independant, cold.  Numbness was safe.  Short lived, meaningless distractions kept me afloat.    

But you, I cannot keep you as a distraction.  My heart is mending, hardened as it may be, and beginning to open itself up to you.  You love me for my heart, not my body.  I keep my body from you to give you my heart.  You see me as I want to see myself....damaged but renewed, sinful but holy.  You let me be weak, irrational, cold...for a moment, then pull me to you and remind me what I am worth.  You and I, not against the world, but with God. 
   

Love you B.    

Also Applicable to Life.....

Source: skinnyfit-thebestyou.tumblr.com via Laura on Pinterest

Happy Thursday

Waiting Life Away

When I get a new job...get married....have more money....have children....have time....have the patience....have....have....have....

These are thoughts are constantly filling my mind and spilling out of my mouth. I sit in front of my computer at work at watching the clock and waiting for 5:00pm so that I may finally enjoy the day. I wade through the week with eyes half closed and my mind foggy waiting for the weekend so that I may enjoy time spent with B, my friends and family. I move through life with an unrelenting desire to finally start living fully with a marriage, home, and children, a job I love and time to devote to hobbies.

So often my mind hearkens back to the past, my adolescence, when things were easier, more enjoyable, when there was more time for the things I wanted to do. Times when there were not constant demands, responsibilities, troubles, and heartbreak. I kick myself for wanting to grow up so quickly, for falling so irrationally in love without thought to consequence, for throwing away moments, friends, and morals without consideration for the damage I was doing to myself, my soul, and my ability to love fully.

And then after weeks of depression, aggravation, sadness, and impatience, I realize that I am letting so much of my short life slip by without even a thought to the moments I am in. I spend all my time in the past and future, longing to regain the freedom, innocence and ignorance of childhood and adolescence and waiting to finally live the life I have built in my mind. I spend very little time in the present, enjoying the work that I have to do daily, small accomplishments, joys, frustrations and failures, learning to live in this world instead of waiting for life to begin.

Photo via me :)

Time slips away so quickly and it is so easy to forget that we may not have a future or at least not the one we planned for. Similarly, the past sneaks up on us like a stalking lion and drags us back into memories and reminiscing…leading us to believe that it was so much easier, better, fulfilling way back when. But was it?

I am resigned to the fact that I am a dreamer, someone who always longs for the greener grass, for Mayberry, for black and white photos and simpler times. However, I refuse to continue to let each moment slip by without an acknowledgement of the little joys and frustrations that they contain. My life is now not 5 years ago or 10 years down the road and I am determined to be present in it.

Love =

Source: weheartit.com via Laura on Pinterest

I realized just how true this was last night as B pinned me down and proceeded to make undescribably awkward faces and noises at me as I laughed uncontrollably.  Being able to completely be yourself (in all it's awkward and silly splendor) with the one you love is such a gift. :)

Happy Friday!

Joy

"I am convinced that we can choose joy.  Every moment we can decide to respond to an event or a person with joy instead of sadness.  When we truly believe that God is life and only life, then nothing need have the power to draw us into the sad realm of death.  To choose joy does not mean to choose happy feelings or an artificial atmosphere of hilarity.  But it does mean the determination to let whatever takes place brings us one step closer to the God of life."

The older I get.....  Perhaps I should rephrase that.....

The less stubborn I get, the more I realize that my joy is outside of myself.  The less I try to control my life, find happiness, success, or peace in the things around me the happier, more successful (though perhaps not by earthly measure), and peaceful I am.  My mother had given me a book to read last summer when I was feeling particularly down about Sh*thead.  The passage above spoke particularly loud to me.  Joy is not something that can be obtained in this life by human means but is more a submission of all things to the God of life, a trust that he will provide all we need, and a response to our neighbor of love and understanding.  The road to sanctification is a long and rocky one but one that can have its moments of "victory" if we remember that we are entirely justified by our Savior and are therefore free to respond to all things in life with JOY!  Even if we feel less than such.  Therefore....

I choose my joy! :)

Ghosts

"You see, I've been to hell and back so many times, I must admit you kind of bore me." 

Oh Ray, how applicable you are to all things in life.  It seems appropriate to write about the last couple of weeks as the recent events that have transpired are directly connected to how and why this blog began.  A couple weeks ago I found out that Sh*thead is getting married.....yep.....not even a year has gone by since the meltdown and he's already engaged.  Though I can't say I was surprised.  He's getting up there in years, Mormon, and has been ready to settle down for awhile.  I, on the other hand, could never seem to commit...perhaps it was God closing my heart so I didn't ruin my life...perhaps. Even with the lack of surprise I still managed to go into panic attack mode, at work, in my cube...fun :/  After drying my tears in my coworkers cube (she's female, she understands), I put my chin up, buckled my crash helmet, and congratulated him.  *Sigh.  Oh how I hate being the bigger person.  Then came the full spectrum of emotions.  I rode the rollercoaster down into deep despair, misery, regret, anger, jealously, thankfulness, and finally have arrived at peace.  Sadly, I was less than pleasant to B during this time even though I practiced full disclosure and shared all the details with him (something I've NEVER been able to do before).  I think being honest with him about how the "news" was affecting me helped me to realize just why it was affecting me so deeply and actually made me feel a whole lot better.  B was amazing, as usual, and just listened while I cried on his shoulder over the impending marriage of my ex...ugh I feel so terrible. 

His kind, understanding reaction to me telling him I was utterly miserable at the news has made me love him even more and truly see just what kind of person he really is....kind, gentle, understanding, selfless and confident.  Seeing those traits in him reminds me of how wrong Sh*thead and I were, how dramatic and painful our relationship was, and how far I have come since then.  The Lord has held tight to me and I to my Faith.  I refused to give in to the desires of the heart and instead chose the desires of my soul...to live in eternity with my Heavenly Father, not just do what makes me happy in this life to the detrement of the next.  I have become honest with myself, aware and accepting of my shortcomings while still striving to move beyond them.  And I am beginning to realize that happiness and love is something that should flow out of you even when it is not flowing into you.

Even if things don't work out with B and I, I am content in my relationship with the Lord and THAT will always be enough love for me. :)

"Near to you, I am healing
But it's taking so long
'Cause though he's gone
And you are wonderful
It's hard to move on
Yet, I'm better near to you."

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!

Movin on up!

Happy Friday! This week has been a whirl-wind! After much deliberation, stress, mind-changing, and prayer, it turns out I will be moving. God is quite clear when he wants to be. My parents have to tear down my humble little abode because SOMEBODY called the city on them (apparently having a studio in your garage is a no no). So, I am now in the process of finding a nice little house to rent + a roommate to rent it with. Terrifying but exciting at the same time. Kinda makes me want to curl up in a cozy little corner and forget about all the packing, house shopping, and moving I'll have to do. Like this one....

(Via MadeByGirl)

With one of these.....

(Via Life:Inspired)

And these....

(Via Blissfully Domestic)

Have a lovely, stress-free weekend!

Boredom is a dangerous thing

For most of my life I have had short hair. However, over the last two years I have been trying desperately to grow it out now that the texture has changed (gotta love them 20's hormones) with the support of my lovely hair dresser who refuses to cut it even when I beg her. Now that it is finally past my shoulders I am getting that darn itch to chop it all off again. You just can't beat the feeling of running your fingers through short hair in the shower...plus you save a TON of money on shampoo. I so wish I had enough courage to do Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta short but I dare not in case I am harboring a frightening mole under my locks :) Below are a few ideas in case I get the nerve to actually chop it off. What do you think?

(Bottom left via Cup of Joe)

Change Gon' Come

Happy Wednesday to you all! Though I can't say it has been an especially happy week for me. I learned last Thursday that my boss for the last three years is resigning! While I am excited for him and all the opportunities the future will bring I am sad for myself and those in my office. Even with all his quirks and demanding work style he is the energy of the office and brings fun and spark with him everyday. I was his assistant for two of the years and have come to realize that you develop a friendship, trust and comfort in working so closely with someone....tracking down Christmas trees for his fam on Christmas Eve, hoofing it down to Macy's to buy him socks because he managed to forget his, helping pick out birthday presents for his wife (last minute of course).


For me this change begs the question: Where does my career go from here? The good ol' office has been my first and only experience in the professional world and, with the boss man leaving, I must admit I am feeling a little lost. How will it be working for someone new? Will our work styles mesh? Will I continue to grow in my career? I know these questions seem silly as my ultimate goal is to get into nursing school but I strive to succeed in my current position in the interim. Only God knows where it will all go from here. I pray that I have enough faith to get out of the way when He decides to take me down a new path :)

P.S. Gotta love Sam Cooke..

There been times that I thought I wouldn't last for long
Now think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming but I know
A change gon' come, oh yes it will

Over the Hill and Under Control

In 7.5 days I will officially step off the top of the hill (i.e. 25) and begin my slow roll down to my 30s, 40s, yikes! 50s....! I must confess I was NOT happy to reach the top of said hill and had quite a hard time dealing with the fact that I was, at least, a quarter of my way through this life. However, surprisingly, 26...not so bad. Perhaps it is because my mental state is so much better than it was a year ago. I've made an effort to find outlets for my craziness, refuse to let my genetic oversensitivity (thanks Mom!) take over, and try to remember my purpose in this life (to serve the Lord). Or perhaps I've just come to terms with the fact that I will get old and maybe, just maybe my genetics (thanks again Mom!) will hold up and I won't look like an overwashed bag of skin. Now the real question that remains is what to get myself for my bday :) A few ideas....

Proenza Schouler Boots (or a similar pair that wont run me $700)

(Via Cupcakes and Cashmere)

A super sweet backpack for B's and my next trip to Russian River

A quaint little 2 bed 1 bath with white washed wood floors and plenty of natural light

Maybe in my dreams... :)

(Via Design to Inspire via Cup of Joe)

Beauty

This woman's writing is heartbreakingly beautiful.

we

I hugged a man the other day. I took him into my arms and hugged a man. I noted as I hugged him, how very physical it all was, how wide his shoulders were. Actually, quite the contrary, how wide his shoulders were not. I pulled him into me . It seemed I appraised his ribcage and what most likely resided within it. It was all rather curious. My nose was quickly at his neck. I felt his heat, his breath. A man. And yet I felt, this is only a man, not really very much. How fantastical it is that he is so small, but yet can do such large things! And here he is in my arms. I thought, I could hurt him. And I could have, but the thought only occurred in correlation with the thought, be careful, he is delicate, not to actually do the man any harm. We were startlingly made of the same stuff. I wondered how big or small I seemed to him?

***

This morning my son found me in the bathroom after my bath. He wanted to correct me. He said, "Mom, in that shooting in the States, seven were shot, not six." And he told me that a nine year old stepped in front of a five year old to take a bullet. My son is eight. He will be nine soon. I corrected him and said, "Actually, six were killed and ten more injured. I don't know about a five year old involved at all." He said, "Oh." Then he asked why. I told him it seemed someone was upset because a politician's ideas were different than his own. He said, "Really, they were killed over ideas?" and then he asked, "Where?" I said with leaden gravity, "It happened in a parking lot, son." He was very still for a very long time.

***

This evening we sat on the couch and watched Roberto Benigni in Life is Beautiful. We laughed a lot. It was getting late. Benigni is very comedic. My son liked it very much. I paused the movie though when Roberto Benigni and Nicoletta Braschi went into the greenhouse. I thought perhaps the movie was going to show them making love. This only seems ludicrous to me now while writing this, to explain a graphic shooting in a parking lot in the a.m. but to not allow my children to see two people making love in the p.m. I tucked my children into bed. I kissed them. I didn't know, but the movie was to take a turn after that, leaving most of the comedics, just as life turns for people with different ideas. In the movie all sorts of people die. Well, only Jews, but a vast variety of Jews.

***

I am tired. I go to bed. I pull my pants down. I pull my sweater off. I am surprised to see that under my clothing I am only shoulders and flesh and a ribcage. How do I explain to my son the idea of us and them? There is no us and them! There never was. There is only we.

(Via the tiny leaf)

In my life....

Happy Monday! I should preface this post by asking for your forgiveness ahead of time for the mushiness :) With the fog creeping along the highway, winding in and out of the withered, leafless trees, Alan Jackson singing "Livin on Love" on the radio, and a weekend just passed filled with friends, food, and fun...I couldn't help it. Looking back on my first few posts, it amazes me how far the Lord has brought me in such a short time. Not that I think all my woes are gone and things will be peachy keen for the remainder of this life. Believe me, I know myself better than to think that the path of sanctification will not be ridden with potholes, berry bushes, and cliffs. However, He has restored in me a hope that I had lost, or nearly lost, after my last run in with Sh*thead. With that in mind, and a wonderful Sunday sermon still filling my thoughts (which subsequently added a new book to my reading list), I must share the 5 things that currently make me smile about B.

He....
1. Is frustratingly honest
2. Uses the word "manlaw" at least once a day
3. Won't eat pork because pigs "eat their own poo"
4. Has at least one hair chronically out of place
5. Can cross one eye and insists on calling me "sugar" when doing so

P.S. Don't you love the Beatles?!

Balanced Diet

Ahhh the end to another weekend...so sad haha. B and I had a fun weekend filled with plenty of vegging, cooking, a trip to the farmers market, and a little football watching on Sunday with the Pops....poor Jets :( I even made it to a few consignment stores, but alas I am yet to find my project chair. It felt so good to be out in the sunshine after all the fog. On Saturday, we picked up tons of fresh, organic veggies at the farmers market and used them in a super healthy and flavorful omelet on Sunday morning. Why is cooking with fresh ingredients so satisfying?

I forgot to pack my camera AGAIN, so the pics I snapped on my phone will have to suffice.


They have a peddle powered carousel at the farmers market...how cute is that!?

B planning his assault on an avocado and cheese burger at Burgers and Brew. He hates pictures so I have to sneak them :)

Me planning my assault on a sauteed mushroom and cheese veggie burger...mmmmm