Yes, it is Friday night.

And yes, I am sitting at home... reading blogs. Oh what an exciting life I lead. 

But I've got a full stomach, a clean room, and Travis right here beside me ready to find a treasure on Netflix. This girl will be happy right here... every Friday night from here on out. Doesn't get better than this folks.

ok it does. I'm not eating a brownie. but seriously that's the only thing that would make it better.

Happy weekend everyone!

buns of envy

Today is Thursday. But it's one of those Thursdays where it feels like a Friday and you feel good about it, then you realize it isn't and are disappointed. Yeah, that's today. I finally managed to push myself out of my extra comfy bed this morning around 7:15. I had 15 minutes to pull myself together and a shower was not part of the plan. Hopefully I can address that this afternoon. But I know those of you who read this don't tune in to read about my bathing habits, so I thought I'd share the probable root of why I was a little slow this morning: a little something wonderful I have recently discovered. 

These videos are my new favorite way to work out. Using a video to work out is a must for me, because if I try to do it on my own I tend to, you know, stop. Videos keep you engaged and motivated, and these are my favorites. And one of the best parts is that they are free! 

You can access all the available BeFit workouts here. 

Of course these are my choices because they target the area my body seems to love to hold on to. It's like an unspoken certainty: toast lands jelly-side down, and all food goes to my upper thighs and back end. Supposedly Dr. Oz has a miracle vitamin supplement for women of all body types, including mine, but if I remember correctly, it includes a diet with buckwheat, and I don't feel comfortable eating a cute Little Rascal's character.

Try  out a video or two and see how it goes. At the moment, I can actually feel my butt muscles ( yay, I have some!) And the trick to finding something that works is finding something you're actually willing to do. 

TIP: If these videos are on my level, anyone can do them.

Good Luck!

proof in the pudding

Travis and I grilled burgers Friday night and the domestic vein inside me wanted a banana pudding. Not the cafeteria add water kind, either- the real stuff. So I called my mom for my great grandmother's recipe and after a quick trip to the grocery store I was set to go, making the dish for the very first time.

My family isn't quite as stingy as KFC so I thought I'd share the recipe. My only advice is that you eat it all within 3 days of making it or it will get mushy... not that you'll have a problem doing that.

Disclaimer: all pictures are from Travis's kitchen and have a horrible shadow. Please forgive the apartment lighting.

Ingredients:

*note: this is not an exact science. eyeball it.

2 1/2 to 3 cups milk

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 Tbs flour

2 eggs

1 Tbs butter

sprinkle of vanilla (1 tsp or less)

vanilla wafers

bananas

In a medium-large pot, combine sugar, flour, and 1 cup milk with eggs beaten in. Then turn the heat to medium.

Add remaining milk, butter & vanilla.

Here comes the fun part: STIR. You will need to stir constantly so the mixture does not stick. And when I say constantly I no not mean check on it every couple of minutes, I mean stand there and let your arm get tired.

It will not start to thicken until it starts to boil. Of course this takes a while when you are constantly stirring, but it will happen, I assure you.

Do not expect a pudding thickness. Half of the thickening is done on the stove and the other half is done in the fridge, so you're looking for a thick, creamy liquid. 20 minutes of stirring should do it.

Remove from heat, continue to stir for a couple of minute while the pot starts to cool.

Now you can start creating your dessert!!

I start layering with bananas.

Then pudding.

Then cookies.

 I like lots of cookies so I did three of these layers.

I used 4 small/medium bananas and about half a box of cookies. You can proportion these ingredients however you like.

When you're done, put a top on the dish and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving. I prefer leaving it in there overnight to let the flavors blend.

So there you have it. My weekend homemaking attempt. It turned out pretty tasty, too. 

And I'm getting my  braces tightened today so that may be what I eat for dinner!

Enjoy your Monday!

sphere of influence

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

1 Corinthians 10:31

    This is such a familiar verse for most of us. One of those you see retweeted on Twitter that either gives you a momentary fuzzy feeling, or prompts you to keep scrolling past because you've heard it a million times before. But is that all it is? A go-to verse that is meant for statuses and canvas art? 

    Hardly. This verse comes from a passage written by Paul about not only how we should live, but the power of our influence on others. {1 Corinthians 10:23-33}

    Paul starts out by telling us that while something may be lawful or allowed, it is not always good for us or beneficial to others, and that we should be concerned not for our own good but for the good of others. Then he gives an example of eating meat sacrificed to idols. God allowed this meat to be eaten because regardless of its use in false worship, it is of the earth and made by God to be good for food. However, during this time, many were still living with the belief that such feasting was wrong. So if we are in the presence of a weaker conscience (or, non-believer) and it is made known that the meat was from an idol sacrifice, we should not eat it, even though we are allowed. While it is okay to eat, it is not okay to violate someone's conscience, or to cause them to view you as a law-breaker.


    Today, this example can be paralleled with many situations we can be faced with. For college students, this might be drinking alcohol. Maybe you don't drink all that much, and when you do it's just a little. But take a moment to consider your company when you do. If you are among others like you, be mindful of the law and have a great time. However, if there may be an unbeliever among you who is unfamiliar with your habits, but knows you are a Christian, reconsider. There is nothing about the simple act of eating or drinking that glorifies God. What does glorify God in these things is how we show our concern for others, even sacrificing our rights in order to seek another’s best interest. Or perhaps, should we buy from businesses who will then use that money to support sin (e.g., homosexual agenda)? You’re simply buying a product; you can’t control how they choose to spend their money.. But what if your decision will cause someone to stumble? 


   Think about how you may be influencing others. Even if you are following the law, be aware of the perceptions people may have and make an effort to set a good example.

I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10:33

www.ourmastersvoice.org

go fish

Happy Spring! Second day in and so far it's been a good one. There was regular coffee brewing in the kitchen this morning (someone has been making decaf for a week-- pointless), I submitted my info for a job interview in two weeks (eeek!), AND I've started getting gifts from my registry (this is getting real, folks).

Yesterday at mentoring I took Johné a birthday present- she turned the big 0-8 during Spring Break. I had a bag filled with play-doh, a friendship bracelet kit, a ruler (she needs practice) and milk duds for her chocolate-loving little self. She said "How did you know to get me play-doh?" This made me smile because I knew she liked it. THEN, she asked "Why didn't you get me a big ring?" Oh the honesty of the young ones. I just told her that I couldn't find one pretty enough, and maybe the Easter Bunny could do better. Then we played a card game- where she changed the rules every two or three minutes and magically won every hand. Wow she is good at that game... go fish!

yes, it happens

I broke down and took Friday off... and it was (almost) the best decision I've ever made. The 3 day weekend was so desperately needed.Of course, it is Monday again and I have a lot of research to do today, but first I thought I'd share a little of my week with you.

1. It's not everyday that you see a presidential candidate at church. Pretty neat, Mr. Santorum.

2. I stocked up on "teacher pants". You know, for that job I don't have yet.

3. I have been working out... and after two days of hurting when I breathe, I hope to be back at it this afternoon.

4. The parking lot at 7:55am. What a beautiful thing.

5. This is what I was wearing to church yesterday when, halfway into the service, I realized I wasn't wearing a bra. Yes, folks, it happens. And this was definitely not the first time.

Happy Monday!!

DST

Let us all take a moment this morning to thank Mr. Benjamin Franklin. 

Though not credited with its implementation, he was the first recorded mention of Daylight Savings Time back in 1784. And while I am never happy about losing an hour of sleep, DST to me signifies one thing- warm weather! I know we haven't really had winter this year, but there are other changes to welcome. Last night the sun set at 7:01! Maybe I'm weirdly excited about this, I just love getting home and actually having some day left- does wonders for my mood.

That thought may be the best one of the day, as it is 8:38 and I am sitting at my desk, finished with my work, in an office where 80% of the employees have taken the week off. Why didn't I take off, you ask? Well because I have to work 20 hours every week, and I really don't feel like having to make those up  by tacking them on to the end of my already slow days. One of these days I will be so busy and stressed, and might look back and envy times like this.
Not today.

a few of my favorite things

    Hi, I'm Anna. Remember me? I used to blog here. Lately I just haven't had all that much to say. I don't have much to say today either. All I know is that today starts Spring Break- I think. Honestly, I wouldn't know.
    Next week while most of you are soaking up the sun on some beach or vegging out at home, I will be here. School is out- but I am working every day next week. AND I am meeting with my group from class to work on our literature review on Tuesday night. So really the only thing I get a break from is my Monday night class. And while I am not complaining about that, it's a little sad that's all I get for the holiday.

   Ok, I'm done with my pity party now. I thought I'd share a few pictures of some of my favorite things from the week.

1. Just a little design collage I made. At work... woops.

2. Travis & I made breakfast. Pancakes are my favorite- blueberry for him, classic for me.

3. These are everywhere on campus- I love it. But word to the wise:
don't awkwardly bend over in the parking lot to snap a picture. I got some fun looks.

4. Sometimes I just like looking at it.

5. Best one: Travis parked the car at the light to help a man push his truck out of the intersection.
I've found a winner.

...

one mission

Well hello, Monday morning!

     I've been extremely productive today, and it isn't even noon. I've completed some research for work, some research for my lit review, and six- yes six- two-page logs that are due in class tomorrow night. You know, one of those wait-til-the-day-before assignments that I should've been working on every week... I guess I'll never learn. OH- and I plan to start back exercising today... you remember... that pesky little routine I actually stuck with for the month of December (until Christmas happened). But I miss those natural little B vitamins and that feeling of "I actually did something good for me today". Nevermind those Reese's Puffs in the pantry.

   What I really felt like sharing today comes from a video Travis and I were watching last night.

Watch it here.

I'm not sure if you know anything about Francis Chan, (you can learn more about his ministries via Wikipedia or francischan.org) but you may have heard this little bit of information: He lives on 10% of his income and gives away the other 90%. This is a fairly infamous endeavour, as most of us view this act as impossible. Yet he does it. He lives in California with his wife and 5 kids and somehow gets by.  

But that's not what this video is about. This video is Two People With One Mission; Francis and his wife, Lisa, talk about  marriage and the responsibility spouses have to focus on following Christ. He mentions how so many people justify to themselves why they are not focused on fulfilling God's purpose: "I need to get my family life right, marriage, job, etc. first. When if we would start right now- this very moment- all of that would fall into place. Waiting on this and that will postpone our obedience forever, and it can destroy us.

This idea makes me think of that familiar triangular concept that depicts a husband and wife (of boyfriend, girlfriend, fiances, etc) with the same goal- God.

 However I think a lot of people look at this from an inverted prospective. They try to meet in the middle, then go up. What they don't realize is that they may never be able to fully meet in the middle without going up first, and they could be waiting forever. If you have a significant other, I strongly recommend watching Francis's video, if for no other reason than to gain a little bit of perspective.
You might also want to check out the 3 part series on Christ-centered relationships on YouTube or FrancisChan.org.

.

Back to work this morning.

I feel a lot better. Or, I did, until I got here and was told I still looked pale and sick. Oh well, at least I can breathe.

Happy Thursday.