The Littlest Birds Sing the Prettiest Songs

One of the challenges of moving into a new house is making things from the previous house work in the new house - with weird shaped rooms, painted walls, less sq.ft., etc...

Our bathroom is the smallest room in the house, so I tackled it first. It's been a little bit of a challenge because it has an old-fashioned iron tub with a circular curtain. It actually took me 3 plastic curtains to enclose the tub and I was bound and determined to use my previous cloth curtain, even though Landon was pretty sure we didn't even need it (wah!?). I love this curtain. Mom found it for me at a garage sale in 2002 and it's just perfect for my taste.

At that same garage sale, we got some towels that are now very old (considered they were purchased used eight years ago). And then we have the wonderful towels that we registered for in 2004. So we decided to replace the old old ones with some tan towels. Boring, I know, but I thought that we would just have a very neutral palate in the throne room - the king could care less anyway.

But I felt like with the blueish-gray walls and my tan motif, something was needed to tie everything together.

So last night while Landon was out climbing with a guy he met Saturday night at church (hooray),  I sat down and tried to tie it all together with birds. 

Birds. Silly, I know.

So I painted a little birdy picture for the bathroom that uses the tan color of my linens and the white, which is the accent color in the bathroom.

And then I made three papier mache birdies (maybe more later). I put the finishing touches on them this morning and Landon has yet to wake and see them, so I'm not sure if they are staying (and I can't figure out how to secure them anywhere!). But he loves the painting, which made me feel awesome.

It's definitely not Pottery Barn or HGTV, but I like it. It makes me feel good to make my living spaces more personalized and make this new little bungalow more of a home for us. And I did this all for a final price of $0. Nada! I had the canvas and paints already, and the papier mache was super cheap because I just made the bodies out of a hollowed-out egg and tinfoil, cardboard from a 6-pack of beer, and a newspaper that appeared on my front porch a few days ago. Easy.

::::UPDATE:::

The king wasn't so fond of paper birdies around the throne. 

Bye Bye Birdies.

Back to the Book

I've been searching online for online Bible reading guides or devotionals. I sifted through a few devotionals and decided to reject them - I really don't want to be reading other peoples' thoughts about the Bible right now, I simply want to read God's Word - alone and nonscrutanized. I've been doing a bad job at this lately. I'm good with a schedule. If I can put together each day within a schedule, I will actually go running 3 miles and read my Bible....but I've been without this discipline this summer.

The last few days I have really been convicted of this. Landon and I rented  "The Book of Eli". It's the kind of movie that I don't usually like with the dreary colors and the end-of-the-world feeling of doom. I'm afraid to write too much about it in case you are inspired to rent it. But the book of Eli is actually the Holy Bible. And the words within give great power to those who have treasured them in their hearts. And I know that this is actually true, not just some plot for a killer Denzel flick.

And last night at The Rock we were reading Matthew 4 about when Christ was led into the desert and tempted by Satan. And the teacher pointed out that Christ defends himself with scripture. He defeats Satan and overcomes temptation by using the Torah scriptures that he studied in his Jewish upbringing - the Words of God which are in the Bible.

After all, in Ephesians 6, in order to stand up against the Devil's schemes, Paul introduces the believer to the Armor of God and in all of our holy armor, the only method of offensive attack that he gives us is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"(17).

I do desire to be a hearer, learner and do-er of God's Words which are in the Bible. It is harder these days because there are so many excuses and ways to keep busy. Yet, I know that there is no greater way to draw nearer to God than through meditating on his Word and prayer. I am grateful that God has given me everything that I need to know him more.

Things I'm Loving Lately

It's been 4 months since my last "T.I.L.L." post and I was hoping to do one per month, so it's about stinkin' time, don't you think!? Thanks for the suggestion, Anna. I love writing these posts.

And I love reading all of your "things i'm loving lately" too, so c'mon ladies, let's see your lists too!!!

Living in Sugar House

(photo by Rurik)

This week we went to a late showing of "Robin Hood" at the dollar theatre and it was absolutely packed - on a Monday night! Last night we walked to our local ice cream shop and then rented a red box on the way home. I love that we have fun local places within walking distance. Tonight is the Farmer's Market and I am so grateful for such an exciting community for us to live in!

Our Car: Jetta Sportwagen TDI 

It's awesome.

Watching FIFA World Cup Soccer 2010

Chacos

c'mon, it's a funny picture

Bangs

Trying them out for the first time since my childhood. I cut them (paid to have them cut) about 2 months ago but they are finally long enough to swoop them to the side a little bit. Not sure if I can't handle them long-term. But on days where I actually style them, they're fun.

Dooney

I am so enjoying my life with my husband. He's been cooking every day this week, unpacking boxes, and loving me in the sweetest ways (he even went to see Eclipse with me - can you believe it!?). I'm trying to savor my time with him this summer - once the school year begins he is a machine and is quite consumed with all things philosophy - as he should be. I do savor these carefree days with him because I know that fall semester will arrive soon and with it, another 9 months of 15 hour days of hard work late into the night, also trying to balance his love for the outdoors and a wife that wants to see his face. He's pretty wonderful - my Mr. McBrayer.

Iced Coffee

My favorite summer beverage (surprised!?). However, I've tried it ONCE at McD's (three years ago) and do NOT like it there. blech. 

Sheelys

Landon and I made a very quick trip to Colorado for the 4th of July. We surprised my parents at their cabin and helped them work on their deck project for the weekend. I wanted to make a trip home before my job interview this week in case I got the job - I figured I wouldn't get the chance to go home for a long time. It's always wonderful to see family.

(and just a disclaimer. in the instances of people and coffee I am always loving them, not just lately)

Picture of our new home

I thought I would finally give you a glimpse of our new house.

Here is a picture of our little bungalow

And I love taking care of my beautiful rose bushes

Our first day here, Landon built this rolling gate so that we could let Duvick roam free in the back yard. Our house is the pinker one on the left, our garage is in the back and our neighbor was sweet enough to let us dig on his property to plant our fence. I was so amazed at Landon's really thorough and beautiful job with the fence - I've never seen him build anything before!

Yesterday I planted an herb garden. Not so sure how it will do. It may be too late, but I thought that it would be worth a try - maybe I'll have herbs Aug - Oct. 

We spend most meals outside. Here is Landon making Tandoori Chicken on the grill. It was yummy. I love summertime when my husband turns chef!

Doesn't this look like a wonderful place to be? 

From Scratch

Recent blog posts from some of my favorite blogging ladies at SouleMama and Simple Mom have me thinking about cooking from scratch.

(photo by Darwin Bell)

When we lived in Kenya, much of what I cooked was from scratch and I spent a much longer time in the kitchen than desired. And most of it never tasted very good anyway. But i was a newlywed back then and hadn't spent more than the previous 9 months in the kitchen, which only had consisted of boxed cereal, cold-cut sandwiches, chicken, chicken, and chicken.

In Kenya, we had to drive 45 minutes every other week to Nairobi to get our groceries. The selection got better toward the end of our stay, but I really did cook much from scratch because not only was there a poor selection of what I was accustomed to, but most everything was imported and expensive. I went to our local village market to get produce, which was quite frightening at times due to the village crazy man who hated Americans. I got our meat from the local butcher after a missionary friend of mine went to him and introduced me and threatened him that if he gave me any rotten meat that she would tell all of her friends that he was a schemer. But just stepping inside of his hut made me want to vomit with the stench of not-so-fresh raw meat in the sun. I walked up the hill to a pastor who raised chickens and bought some chickens from him. He even let me choose the one I wanted and he taught me how to catch, kill and pluck them. We didn't eat much chicken that year.

I enjoy cooking a lot more now that I'm a bit more seasoned and acquiring the fresh ingredients is a little less daunting. I would like to cook more from scratch. I like the idea of making things cheaper and more nutritious and fresh for Mr. McB and I. We try to be conscious of what is in our food and where it came from.

I think I want to have some from-scratch recipes in mind when I go to the farmer's market this Friday.

I know some of you ladies are masters at this kind of living. Please tell me some staples that you make from scratch that you think is worth it. I was thinking spaghetti sauce, chicken broth and bread so far....

Quinoa Taco Salad

In the last two weeks I have made this recipe twice. It is a real winner. We enjoy it so much every time!

Here are some wonderful things about it:

• It is super healthy, vegetarian, low-carb
• Since it is served chilled, I can make it in the morning or the night before and then just toss it over the leaves
• It is just as good as left-overs
• It can easily be altered to your personal taste - we will add tomatillo and jalapeno next time

Quinoa Taco Salad

by Katie Goodman of goodLife{eats}

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• half a red bell pepper, chopped
• half a green bell pepper, chopped
• half a yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1-2 teaspoons chili powder, depending heat preferences
• dash cayenne pepper
• 1 -15 ounce can black beans, drained
• 3/4 cup diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
• 2 limes
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 6-8 ounces baby spinach
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1/3 cup cheddar or feta cheese
• 1 avocado, diced

Instructions:

Cook the quinoa according to package instructions.

Meanwhile, swirl a bit of olive oil in a saute pan. Heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and saute for 3-5 minutes, until translucent and tender. Add garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne and peppers and saute an additional 2 minutes.

Remove from heat. Stir in the black beans, tomatoes, and the juice of 1 lime. Stir in quinoa. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill.

Roughly cut baby spinach into strips like you would shred iceberg lettuce for tacos. Remove about 1 cup of cilantro leaves from the bunch, rinse and pat dry, and toss with the spinach. Divide spinach and cilantro mixture evenly among 4 salad plates. Top each plate with a scoop of the quinoa salad. Top each salad with your choice of cheese and diced avocado. Cut the remaining lime into slices to garnish the plates.

I obviously cut and pasted these instructions from Katie's blog. You should go there - she has a lot of great recipes (liked up top).

I was talking to Anna on the phone yesterday about this recipe and she mentioned the expense of Quinoa. It is expensive. However, if you know someone with a Costco membership (thanks mom!), then you can get a humungo bag of it for the same price as a tiny box of it from the healthy food isle in your grocery store. And it is a very healthy substitute to rice and other carb-ey fillers -something that maybe should be a staple in your kitchen anyway.

Buyer Beware!!!

I like to go to the dentist about every 6 months. But I've been out of insurance for the last 14 months. At my last appointment, the dentist filled a few cavaties and I got a good cleaning. She also filed between my bottom teeth for easier flossing and instructed me that I should be flossing and rinsing every day. So I do.

Within the next few months, I began to get severe discoloration between my teeth. I mean, BROWN stuff. And i floss and rinse daily. How disheartening. I assumed it was because my dentist did a little filing between the teeth, which really ticked me off - I was thinking it was a business ploy to get me to get my teeth whitened at my next visit (which i've never had)- argh!

Today, I was making a grocery list for Landon and went online to look up the name of the mouthwash that I like: Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash. There is no alcohol in this stuff and they claim that your mouth feels just as fresh in the morning. So there is no burning feeling while rinsing and my mouth DOES feel fresh after sleeping - amazing!!! I came across this website today: The Consumerist.

This site has many many many people claiming that this mouthwash left brown-ies between their teeth as well. Yikes! I'm relieved that I read this site. Scratching this mouthwash off my list. Any of you recommend a mouthwash that you love?

Tomorrow (Monday) I have my second interview with the Ouelessebougou Alliance in Salt Lake City. Of the over 80 jobs that I have applied for in the last 6 months, this one I have been the most excited about. When i read the job description, I was so into this job that I immediately read their entire website (and looove their organization!) and sent in my application immediately. I have been very excited and honored that they have called me in for a second interview.

Please continue to pray for me during this job search!! I have really appreciated y'alls support through this.

...They are precious in his sight...

Landon told me that I better start posting more than once a week or all of you wonderful friends will stop reading my blog. That makes sense. But it doesn't change the fact that I don't have anything to write about.

This week I got to meet two friends' babies. I love to meet babies. I have personally prayed for for these precious children when they were being formed in their mommy's bellies, and one of them even before conception. Our friends' seemingly endless prayers through years of infertility have been answered with this precious baby girl!

I am so grateful for the children in my life. Children are each miracles, each a little picture of God - before culture and tragedy and disappointment corrupt them into beautiful, vain, opinionated, well-meaning adults. Of course they are not little gods nor are they perfect. We see our selfish natures in our children as well, don't we? But when I look around me and see a plummeting global economy, corrupt governments, violence, poverty, disease and hopeless in our world - when I wonder why God allows us to continue on like this - I see these children and I am hopeful. Each new child is a chance at a better humanity, a better world.

Home "Sweet" Home - Sugar House

Last week we moved to Sugar House.

Our little bungalow is pretty cute. We have roses, a 2 car garage, and a double bed in the basement (for you!). Built in 1918, our tiny house is full of the charm and quirks that an almost-century-old home can boast.

Although, the most exciting thing about our new place is the location. We are so very close to Landon's school, and a straight shot up the canyons to rock climbing, hiking, backpacking and skiing.

Starbucks is within walking distance from my house. Except now that we are in Salt Lake City, there are many more local places to choose from. I have been trying to do most of my consumption at local places, and I love it. Landon and I went to Sugar House Coffee Thursday night. We got there around 10:45 at night and the place was still bustling, as well as the streets and the pub next door. I have loved being in a culture full of young people and active people out and about thoughout the day and into the night. It reminds me of college, actually. I am hoping that we will be able to get involved in this community easier. I am very excited for the farmer's market which starts this week!

We still are surrounded by boxes, and although we are sleeping like rocks, we have found our bodies aching and tired for many days.

On that note, a guy took the liberty of guessing my age the other day. and guessed wrong. maybe my body acts/looks older than it actually is.