on a happier note..

you'll love it. guaranteed.

starbucks: an inner battle

I try very hard not to hate Starbucks- but they arent making it easy for me. I think it is unfair to blame the entire company for me being out of a job, for my friends losing all their money, for small business owners everywhere to be struggling. I try to stay level-headed and to focus my boycott on the lone Clemson-based Starbucks. I dont want to be a hater. I dont want to appear to be a coffee shop snob (interesting how not loving Starbucks can turn you into this). In a recent MSN article, the author reveals the new plan of Starbucks:

"...Starbucks's latest innovation -- the independent-coffeehouse-themed 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea -- was ripped off from small nonchain coffee shops in the Pacific Northwest. It seems Starbucks finally figured out that one size doesn't fit all, especially if you're catering to customers who pride themselves on their up-to-the-minute, cutting-edge looks and attitudes. The chic new stores will be rebranded with individual names to create the illusion that they're locally owned. Who says you can't buy authenticity?"

Thats right, my lovely readers, Starbucks is going to open FAKE independent coffeehouses! I dont know what else to say beyond, really?!?

the freedom my Savior gives

Some thoughts have been rumbling through my brain this week after last week's HC discussion on the Promise of a Savior and after Stuart's sermon on Generosity. First of all, I reread Isaiah 7 several times this week- its just so beautiful. The chapter is a prophecy of the fall of Israel- first the Assyrians come in- then the Babylonians- then the Persians- then the Greeks- then the Romans. Its one invasion after the other with far more details than I wish to supply in this morning's post. And Isaiah 7 is the prophecy of what is to come- and its scary. But there is hope. The words are laced with hope of a promise, of a future, of a Savior. It is a beautiful thing to think that in the midst of horrible invasion, separation of families, loss of religious relics, and, certainly, doubt in one's God--that God promises a Savior: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." This sign is an indisputable, impossible, unimaginable conception and it is called GOD WITH US. There is so much beauty in that it makes me cry.

Secondly, I have been thinking that the Kindgom of God is all about looking for the things God is already doing, and joining Him. Its about looking for God in our moves, in our jobs, in our shopping, in our volunteering... and where He is working, joining Him. Its that simple but it is not easy. What is easy is getting carried away with "good works" and the guilt of living in a first world country. Here's the deal- God put us here for right now and so I just want to say that if the volunteering you are doing over and over again because its "what you should do" is not giving you joy then you need to stop volunteering in that particular area. If your service is making you more disgruntled and angry- stop it! Give your heart a rest and ask the Lord to reveal where you should be and what you should be doing.

This is meant to encourage you- and to give you freedom in God's unfailing and infinite love for you. We are not supposed to be feeding the poor with an angry heart. Isn't God all about the heart anyhow? Its not about the deeds, but your heart. And so, on this note, I will leave you and go to reflect on my own words and see what secrets my heart is keeping.

dentists and giveaways

coffee in pjs after husband heads off to work. emails to friends making plans for the week. bills sit ignored for a more-ambitious-me. brush teeth and floss for the dentist today. slowly get dressed as my body wakes up. off to seneca for teeth, big lots, and stuffed polar bears. home to plan christmas, dinner, and crafts. laundry away and abs to crunch. dinner is ready and lost awaits...

I love Mondays.*










*and I understand I will not always love Mondays- but right now, I do.

Bran: in sickness and in celebration

if you read the loys in clemson blog, you know that when brandon and i are living in a state of sickness or transition, we do crazy things. this weekend found us both quite "under the weather" and so, to get out of our bedroom, which was starting to feel like a cave, we moved our futon mattress from the office into the living room. this enabled us to watch football and movies without being stuck in our room. as we were sleeping lots, it was nice to be cozy and stretched out rather than squashed on the couch. i really love this futon as it was my bed the last two years before marriage, so it was nice to revisit its comforting support this weekend.

and saturday was brandon's birthday- sort of lame to be sick- but we made the most of it. we used our door-table (what? you have to be creative when living in such tiny places) as a breakfast tray and i made him breakfast in bed of strawberry slices, cinnamon rolls, coffee and orange juice. it was a very relaxing start to a long day that would end with Clemson defeating FSU in a high-scoring football game. Go Tigers! (and also Miami- who also won on Saturday and also scored high) :)

pumpkin.

if you are going to make pumpkin foods this fall, you should try to make your own puree first!

but i should warn you...
it may take you

and your husband

to wrestle and stab and yell to get the pumpkin open

but these muffins are worth it

sunshine!

In my current stint of working part-time from home, I have fallen in love with several blogs and bloggers. They keep my creative juices flowing and are a constant inspiration. Several of them have giveaways all the time- I really dont understand how they can do that, but they do! I would like to tell you about The Bright Side Project, in their words:

Mission: The Bright Side Project is here to bring you sunshine every day with themed, daily giveaways. We hope to inspire you to stop for a second and remember life is (still) beautiful and there is goodness in the world. {who doesnt want this in her life?}

November's Theme: November is all about The List! This month we are giving away something for everyone on your shopping list AND something for you, too! Double the prizes!! Winners announced Wednesdays.

Trust me, you will find so many adorable shops and talented artists and awesome designers through this blog-- so, enjoy!