Halloween 2012: Cooking like an Adult, Dressing like a Kid

The BVS house Halloween Party was this past weekend. Our theme was "Which Witch are you?" So all of my housemates and I dressed as Witches! 

One of my favorite Halloween treats seemed appropriate: Witch's Fingers! 

I had never made these before but a family friend from home passed along the recipe that she used. Martha Stewart! Martha's recipes are extravagant and time consuming. The ingredients for these weren't extravagant  - we actually had everything in the cupboards! Score! The dough has to rise for an hour, but that's typical of breads, isn't it? 

The Witch's Fingers turned out really well! Everyone LOVED them! Can't lie - I felt super excited about making a grown-up Halloween dish and it going over well. Cooking is a new avenue in life that I am navigating. And more or less, I am enjoying it!

Another cool thing about growing up? Better hand eye coordination. Carving pumpkins is finally getting fun for me. I don't always look forward to it because they never turn out that great. This year, I was proud of the BVS pumpkin that I carved. Tricia carved a classy flower pumpkin, too! 

For my costume, I decided to dress as Wendy from Casper Meets Wendy! I do love Hilary Duff. Sorrynotsorry. It wasn't too hard to re-create. Just needed some red and black. If you know me and my closet - having red anything isn't too much of a struggle. I did knit the hat that I'm wearing in THREE DAYS. No. Big. Deal. I printed out a little Casper face and attached it to a  white pillow! He was really cute. The life of the party really. 

Totally twinsies, right!? (via)

This is what I love about Halloween. Good junk food and costumes! Friendly Ghosts are what I'm all about! Holler!

Love, 

Katie

PS - More about our House Halloween coming next week on the house blog! 

Reflection on Journaling

"For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart..."
Jeremiah 29:11-13, NRSV

I am always humbly surprised by the ability of journaling to make me feel inifinitely better about life. I don't know why it surprises me. It's become evident to me on several occasions (ie. camp counseling) that my mental health benefits from daily journaling.

I am able to face the day when I offer up yesterday to my journal. Then I realize that I'm not offering up my yesterday to my journal, although it physically feels that way when I have a cramp in my hand from writing so furiously. Rather, I am giving God my yesterday. I am saying, "God, please free me of yesterday. Free me of the doubt and insecurities I have about myself, life, and You. Help me to face each moment and day anew."

In the same way, it helps me to be more mindful of offering each moment to God. I feel a peace knowing that my future is in God's hand, too. Journaling is a reminder of that - in fact, it helps me to see how God has worked in my past for the betterment of my future. I've read past journal entries that help me see the movement of God in my life - how God responds to the yearnings of my heart.

When I journal I think it's an opprotunity for the Divine to move in my life. I mean the opportunity is always there, but I'm not always attune to it or giving myself space to feel that movement. When I journal I stop keeping everything in my head - bouncing around, clogging creative thought. By writing it down I am free to be and respond to the present.

What helps you encounter the Divine daily? What do you do to remain emotionally and mentally healthy?

Love,
Katie

At Peace

I'm not at peace with life at every moment.
But there is a calm
that comes
when in certain moments I realize
I am at peace.
With life
God's plan
the here
the now
you
me
And everything feels as it should be
They are the moments
When I find comfort in everything
And I understand the world a little better
I'm not hoping, wishing, praying, seeking,
for something that I don't have
Physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally -
I am fulfilled.

Love,
K

Greetings from Gate 5

Long time no see. How've you been? I'm doing well. 

Right now, I’m sitting in a regional airport FOUR HOURS early for my flight and soaking in my last few mountain views for awhile. I’ve traveled via plane for several years – so much so the magic of flying has died for me. Devastating? I know! After packing my bags I printed off my flight information to take to the airport. I looked at the “Checked Bag” pricing information, but for some reason DID NOT look at the FLIGHT TIMES. Who does that? Seriously. I had it in my head that my flight was at 10:30am and somehow my eyes didn’t see fit to give that information a once over. So, I woke up early and arrived a few hours early for my first flight.

Upon arrival, my conversation with the attendant went something like this.

Attendant: “For 75$ we can move you to the earlier flight at 11am.”

Me: “No, thank you.” I’ll just hang around the airport for 4 hours for FREE.

This was after she offered to move me to first class for $125 so that my two checked bags, which were each about a pound overweight, would be free. Again. “No, thank you.” I will remove the extra poundage and pay the regular checked bag fee.

Like I mentioned earlier, I’m sitting in Gate 5 enjoying this view of green trees, blue mountains, and beautiful skies for a few hours before heading to Elgin. Oh, and the elementary aged brothers racing up the down escalator and attempting to run down the up escalator. Their laughter is so warming my heart right now.

This is what a Regional Airport Gate looks like when you arrive 4 hours early for your flight. 

Packing for Elgin seemed like such a daunting task.

First, it required new clothes. I’m going to be working in an office where jeans and a t-shirt is not the everyday norm, much like my college wardrobe. So, Mama and I did a bit of shopping at Goodwill for something called a blouse and I picked up a few dress pants at Kohl’s.

Second, I’m going to a cold(er) area of the country. Sweaters and sweats take up so much room in a suitcase! Mama was NOT offering to ship me anything! She sent me so many packages in India and a couple when I was at Camp this summer!

Third, I had to make some sacrifices. I couldn’t fit EVERYTHING into two checked bags, a carry-on and a backpack. Let’s be honest…third world problem much? Yeah, I think so. Here are some notable things that I sacrificed…it’s really not much.

Sacrificed

Cowboy Boots (I had to pull them out of my suitcase because…I just didn’t have room.)

Teva Flip flops (more like forgotten)

Favorite Cotton T-Shirt Bedding (Because it’s provided)  

A few Bridgewater sweatshirts (I did bring two though)

Not Sacrificed

Teddy Bear (“Katie, you’re 22…” And so is my bear, get over it.)

Flannel Blanket, my college roommate made me

Brethren Woods Pillow (Handmade circa NYC 2006)

Gosh, I was unrelenting on the sentimental stuff! Once I get there…I’m sure I’ll realize I should have sacrificed or given up more. I mean, I feel like I made cuts...I didn't bring EVERY t-shirt I own or every pair of shoes or every jacket and cute sweater. I sorted out the best and the most favorite...but somehow it still feels like so much and yet not enough. Learning how to live with less is going to be a lifelong process and skill. 

Thank you, Mama, for helping me pack less than 10 hours before we would leave for the airport. You are THE best! 

Until Elgin! :)

Love,

Katie