A Friday Surprise

SO excited because I just checked my mail and this was in my mailbox:

Not the ring, the letter! Haha. I just had to improvise to cover all the personal information on it :)

Inside was this!!!

An invite from my bridesmaids for a bridal shower in my honor! It's so pretty...I love the stripes, the black and white color scheme, the venue (!!!)...everything about it. I haven't been excited about much concerning the wedding lately, but this brings a huge smile to my face. :D Thanks girls-you have blessed me already and we haven't even had the shower yet! Haha

Oh-and I'll leave you with one more little detail (I love all the little details :)...the cool stamp! How fitting for a shower too!

A shout out to my girls,

Aim

This Week's Must-Have

Nyquil.

So thankful for you.

XOXO,

Aim

Check!

We've been doing some major checking off of the Wedding To-Do list lately. *Phew!

This past weekend all of B's groomsmen were fitted for their tuxes for the big day. They were all able to make it out to the tux shop on the same day at the same time. I was very thankful that they made the time to come and do this with us.

These guys represent B's various life stages-some have been with him since practically birth, some more recent, but all are good guys who love B, even though they'd probably never admit to it ;) Guys!

Thankful for B's support group,

Aim

Scenes from a Weekend

My weekend had its moments-got to see my sister (yay!) and my bro-in-law too, camp staff training went well, had a nice little "chat" with the kiddo after church on Sunday and then there were some nice down times with Remi, B's family cat and the only feline on the planet that I actually like. (sorry-cats aren't my thing and almost everyone I know is allergic to them)

Happy Week Everyone!

Aim

Wet n Wild

Last night's VBS was a wet and wild adventure. Kudos to my youth and the staff for sacrificing their dryness for the benefit and fun of the kiddies!

Stayin' dry,

Aim

Let's Go For a Walk

In July, there's a street in my neighborhood that sheds tons and tons of these little yellow leaves. It creates an "aisle of yellow" and it covers parked cars and anything else that happens to be on the street. As I crunched through my afternoon walk one day this week, I stopped to thank God for the beauty of this neighborhood that he has given me for this season in life.

Sometimes it's the little things,

Aim

I Heart VBS

Miette

Yesterday I found this in my box at work...

Someone anonymously left me this super cute book on baking. I LOVE getting surprised in this way. I was excited but I had to contain myself as we set up for VBS (that starts today, btw). But after the day was done, I snuggled into bed with this bad boy and read it cover to cover. The shop name, "Miette," means "crumb" in french. How cute is that?

So excited to make one of these cakes!

*Update: found out today that my secret book giver is my Uncle who is sorta my baking hero. I'm totally surprised but totally touched by his gesture towards me. Thanks Uncle Baker! <3

Flour up!

Aim

Jumping In

My sis Bub is especially gifted at speaking...especially when she is passionate about her subject. In a few moments, she is going to take the stage at our General Conference meeting in front of thousands. Even though she's good at it, she's nervous, and rightly so. 

"No one is able to take this stand for Jesus Christ who is not totally compelled by the majesty of His power. It is the only thing that matters...Paul said that he was gripped by the love of God and that is why he acted as he did. People could perceive him as mad or sane-he did not care. There was only one thing he lived for-to persuade people of the coming judgement of God and to tell them of 'the love of Christ.' This total surrender to 'the love of Christ' is the only thing that will bear fruit in your life. And it will always leave the mark of God's holiness and His power, never drawing attention to your personal business."

-Oswald Chambers

"The love of Christ compels us..." 2 Corinthians 5:14

Praying for you Bub,

Aim

Clear the Way for Clearance!!!

The BF and I had a little brunch bonding+Target Clearance shopping to tend to today. It was nice to sit and chat under the clear blue skies, have a bite or two, and then be awesomely surprised by a nice 75% off clearance wham-o sale at our fave-Target. You should have seen the two of us as we descended upon the sale...a little tag team action, tons of supplies for our upcoming youth camps, and one full shopping cart later, we were happily checking out with not one but TWO carts! That's how good it was, I'm telling ya!

Here's some pics of pics that Pap took of us at brunch. Sorry for the "pic of pic" quality. Better than nothing though!

Here's to Target and my clearance-loving bf Pap!

Aim

Here We Go

In a few shorts weeks I will be serving at a High School Camp with this group of people (along with some who are missing from this picture). I am glad that each one is serving this year because each one is specially gifted with youth...and also because each one has a heart to serve God. 

Won't you join me in praying for this special group of people both now and in the weeks to come? Serving is a big responsibility and they/we have loads to prepare for!

"Be the Change"

Aim

SPF

Just popping in to say hello on this hot and sunny summer day!

Here's B and I in all our sweaty gloriousness after an afternoon walk around the neighborhood.

Hooray for summer!

The weather 'round these parts has been slightly hotter than normal-in the upper 80s and low 90s-in recent weeks. Today it cooled to the mid 70s. Let's hear it for coastal breezes :D

Hope you're all busting your sunscreen people!

Aim

The Barefoot Apprendista

It's no secret that my ultimate cooking idol is the famed Ina Garten, or "The Barefoot Contessa" as she is more commonly known.

I love her and I've learned most of what I know about cooking and all things kitchen-related from watching her shows and reading her cooking books.

I did not "grow up in the kitchen" as a lot of cooks I know have said to me when asked how they learned how to cook. My Mom, bless her wonderful heart, is not so inclined in the cooking arena so I didn't grow up shucking beans and rolling dough like the rest of 'em. In fact, our idea of a special "gourmet" meal was picking out a Lean Cuisine to pop in the microwave.

Oh man, those were the good 'ole days :)

In this past year or so I have embarked on a great cooking adventure. I have learned many things: bring water to a boil and salt before adding pasta, pasta is best "al dente," to "pit" something is to take the seed(s) out of it, it's best to soak washed rice prior to cooking, to "julienne" something is to cut it into long slivers, dicing is larger than mincing, etc., etc. Don't laugh-these are things that novice cooks like me have to learn because they don't come naturally.

While nowhere near Barefoot Contessa status, I think I'm getting better at this whole cooking gig. Here's a sampling of stuff I've made so far...

In the breakfast category we have homemade coffee, some eggs and omelets

For lunch and appetizers-some sandwiches, bruscetta and burritos 

 

Dinner has been lots of Ina's roasted chicken and homemade pizza

Dessert has been a mix of different cakes and cookies.
Obviously, I'll be working on portion control. Haha

Can't wait for the day when I can say, "How easy is that?" when I cook, just like dear 'ole Ina.

In the meantime, I'll be tuning in to The Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network every week!

From my kitchen to yours,
Aim

Scenes from a Sunday

Lunch at Jackson Market in Culver City with Pap and Junior

My yummy honey turkey w/provolone toasted on whole wheat ciabatta Sandwich

Pac-Man wearing a witches' hat. Otherwise known as the MH Camp logo ;)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in town. Even our cops were decked out for the occasion!

A New Era

This morning was the first Sunday back at church where my sister's praise team was back up after my sister moved up north. My BFF Pap is also on the team and in J's absence, she has stepped up to lead the team.

Speaking in public is not Pap's favorite thing to do, nor does it come naturally to her. This poses something of a problem when you're leading praise because you're always speaking in front of the congregation and leading everyone in worship. This morning I thought of Pap as I was driving to church because of her concern about just this. When it came time for praise, however, Pap hit it out of the ballpark! With the spirit of Christ surrounding her, she preached to the masses and she really did an amazing job ushering us all into the presence of our God. 

Excuse the poor quality, but here's a quick iPhone shot of Pap (first mike on the left) leading with her team this morning. She spoke today about the freedom we have in Christ and about how if you've asked Jesus into your heart, then you are free from the chains of sin because they've been broken by our God for us! I couldn't have said it better myself :)

Pap, I am encouraged by how you have stepped out in faith in leading this team and our church in worship. You have demonstrated to me that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!"

Can't wait 'til next Sunday,

Aim