Monday, March 31, 2014

{Isle of Palms}













The last days of Spring Break 2014 were spent with my dear grandma (whose visual identity I will remain disclosed).  We went to her church and heard her sing beautifully before the congregation.
We had some good chat time and food time with her, and we got to share what's been going on in life lately.
The last day, after we thought thunderstorms would damper the weekend, Frank and I walked down the block to the beach.  The water was cold, but it was so nice to end our Spring Break in the beaches of South Carolina.  I love living here.

What did you do for Spring Break (if you're in school)? 
If you aren't in school, what have you done recently to take a break and relax?

{Our Idiot Brother}


You were amazeballs.  How have I not heard of you before?  Thank you for reminding me to appreciate family, to make the best of what I'm given, to give others the benefit of the doubt, to be genuine and honest without blame, not to be ashamed of my shortfalls, and to do good simply because it makes the world better.  I've always had pets growing up, but now I am super excited to have a man's-best-friend to hang out with, and I'm thinking I might name her Emma Watson - because I really like her.  Still working on the male name, though.  Also, thank you for introducing me to biodynamic farming.  If I ever become a biodynamic farmer, I may instead incorporate my own beliefs rather than the mysticism that is typically involved, but I know I will have a bigger appreciation for the growth relationship between plant and earth.  I really appreciate the way you help your family learn to loosen up and love each other again.  I admired your love and quality time spent with River, and the role model you gave him that ultimately changed his life.  I hope [but know] that our kids will have an uncle like that someday ;)  You are officially one of my favorites, and I'm ready for hub-bub to meet you.  So, see you again soon!

Jay.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

{Fever || The Black Keys}

Today's Song of the Day


I know I post a lot of other music here to share, but The Black Keys are my *favorite* band of all time, and probably always will be.  I was on the bandwagon before the bandwagon existed; I was there when Danger Mouse gave them a boost and their Attack & Release album was released, as well as Dan Auerbach's solo album ;)  Well as some may have noticed, it has been 3 years since the release of El Camino.  Well the wait for new music is no more! Their new album, Turn Blue, is almost ready for release; it will be released May 13th, but you can get a taste of what's new from this new single, Fever. I will be pre-ordering the bundle! If you pre-order, you will not be disappointed.

Monday, March 24, 2014

{The Breakfast Club: 30 years}

(Imgur)

30 years ago today, the members of the Breakfast Club met for Saturday detention for the first time.
Now the world is a happier place, and we all have fond memories of time spent watching this iconic movie of teen angst.  Thank you Breakfast Club for being such a great movie.


Thursday, March 20, 2014

mixtape {Spring Fever}

mixtape no. 1: Spring Fever



  1. Shark Attack || Grouplove
  2. Pompeii || Bastille
  3. Ritual Union || Little Dragon
  4. Cornbread and Butterbeans || Carolina Chocolate Drops
  5. Canoe Song || Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra
  6. Inhaler || Foals
  7. Atonement || The KickDrums
  8. Let's Go || Matt and Kim
  9. Les Veuves de la Coulée || Leroy "Happy Fats" LeBlanc
  10. Shake || The Head and The Heart
  11. Semi-Automatic || Twenty-One Pilots
  12. We Don't Grow Tobacco || Old Crow Medicine Show
  13. When You're Smiling || Leftover Cuties
  14. Animal || Miike Snow
  15. Bright Whites || Kishi Bashi
  16. Go Outside || Cults
Happy first day of Spring!
What are some themes that are welcoming Spring back into your life?
Go outside and enjoy this magnificent season of bloom and rebirth!

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

{Avo-Toast}

 
 
My favorite breakfast food!
It's a good snack, too.
All you need:
  • Whole grain bread (I used Ezekiel Bread)
  • 1/2 Avocado
  • 1/2 Lime
  • 2 pinches of salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • Red Pepper flakes (to taste)
  1. Toast a slice of bread in the oven (or toaster/toaster oven) at 350 degrees.
  2. Cut the avocado in half and squeeze one half on to the toast. Spread it around with a spoon.
  3. Take 2 or 3 triangles from the half-lime.  Squeeze the juice from those squares onto the avocado.
  4. Sprinkle the spices to taste on top of the lime juice.
  5. Eat up! And know that you're eating something that's really good for your body, and is equally delicious.
 

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

{World News || Local Natives}

Today's song of the day.

)

My brother was here for a few days to spend some time with us.  We had a great time, play with the football, threw the frisbee, sat in the sun, draw with chalk on the sidewalk, and overall relaxed.  We were sad to drop him off because we feel like the time we had with him went by too fast.  On the ride to bring him home, he was asking me about a band I used to listen to and wanted to know if we could play one of their songs if I had it on a disc.  This was that song.  We listened to it at least a handful of times before we got to mom's house.  This was a good song for the day.

Friday, March 7, 2014

{Where Have I Been?}

Some of you may have noticed that I have been a little MIA in the past month.
Well I have been.
Here's what's been going on:
I am taking 18 credits this semester; I am working 11 hours this semester (not as much as usual, but still...); one of the classes I am taking this semester is my Ministry Practicum and for that I need 150 hours this semester of work, so I am volunteering 8.5 hours a week with Daybreak Crisis Pregnancy Center; I have had a good amount of reading for my Philosophy class; I have been going to the chiropractor every Thursday night - it's an hour drive one-way; I have been doing my 30 hours of CSL (Christian Service Learning) at Calvary Chapel on Sunday mornings; January and February are birth months for my entire family, so we've been doing things for that; I have been grocery shopping, and keeping the tank filled, and writing papers, and doing research, and meeting with friends, and inviting friends over, and forgetting about last minute assignments, and studying for one exam after another, and trying to find the off button for this perpetual world-sized treadmill that I am finding myself on.  I have just been going and going and going and going, and I'm trying to find time to rest because I feel physically right now like I am out of breath.  I sometimes unconsciously rule out the need to eat because it's just another thing to do.  I don't want it to sound like I'm complaining about, or dissatisfied with, what I've got going on; I find pleasure in learning, meeting with friends, and volunteering at church and at Daybreak.  I love everything that I'm doing.  The problem is that I am doing sooo much.  And it's wearing me out.  Blogging, as I've mentioned a million times before, is one of my biggest and favoritest halftimes.  It's an outlet for me to be creative and to share neat things with the world.  However, I have hardly had time to stop and enjoy this little past-time of mine, because every chance I get to just take a breath, I literally do not do anything.  I literally just sit on the couch and look out the window.  These few chances I get usually only last for about 5 or 10 minutes before I'm going on to the next thing that needs to be done.  So, sadly, I will still not have a whole lot of time to blog throughout the rest of the semester, but I will still share some things as I have time and energy to do so.  In the meantime, if you are a friend and/or prayer warrior, when I happen to cross your mind, please pray for these things:
  • That God convinces me to slow down so that I can enjoy His rest.
  • That I learn to say 'no' to more than I can handle.
  • That I retain the physical, mental, and emotional strength to keep going and avoid falling behind.
  • That Frank and I do not lose sight of each other, an our marriage, amid everything going on.
  • That I keep up good communication with Frank and others around me.
  • That we continue to be faithful to God, knowing that we cannot make ourselves righteous, but God brings us to His righteousness in His time.
  • For the ladies that come into Daybreak, scared and wondering whether or not they should keep their unborn babies; let their hearts be softened and molded by God so that they know they are taken care of and loved.
  • For the girls at the middle school I go to for Daybreak, that they will discover their identities in Christ, not boys or babies.
  • For the girls in the middle school small group at church, that their hearts be opened to the passion God has for them and the plans He has for their lives.
  • And for my dear professors who love us and care about our relationship and understanding of the Lord; give them strength and rest as well.
Thanks for the prayer, and I will see ya when I see ya!

Monday, March 3, 2014

{Southern Winter}





While a good portion of the States is experiencing crippling ice, snow, and sleet, we in South Carolina are experiencing low 70's on a sunny Sunday afternoon.  To enjoy it to its full potential, Frank and I gathered up some hot dogs and veggies dogs, some apple-banana salad, bottled root beer and a blanket and headed out to the lawn to eat our lunch.  This was followed by a relaxing few minutes just soaking up the vitamin D.  Reason # 46 why I love living in the South. ;)

What's the weather like where you're at?  And what are you doing to enjoy it?

Sunday, March 2, 2014

{10,000 Pageviews!}

Just wanted to let you guys know that I hit 10,000 pageviews on this blog the other day!
This blog is 2.5 years old... I feel like it's older than that though...
Thanks to all of you who love me, know me, read my blog!  I'm thankful for your love and support, and I look forward to the next 10,000!  I hope you are too ;)


Jay.