the moments.

I heard something on the radio yesterday that really struck home.

Contentedness doesn't mean being content with your situation forever. It means being content with where you are and what you have in that moment. It's taking it all in stride, enjoying the things that you wish wouldn't change and even those things that you wish would change. Life goes too quickly for us to want the future to be here now.

I can't even tell you how hard this is for me to apply to my life. I struggle constantly to enjoy the things that I don't feel are important to where I want to be. Chem lab, I'm talking to you. But God gave me each and every moment of my life for a purpose, I would hate to waste one in any state other than joy.

So today, I'm reminded to treasure the life God gave me, the moments alone, and the moments shared. Those learning and those resting. For they are each uniquely crafted by the father who gives us life.

Amen? Amen.

power to comprehend

 So thankful for these beautiful words of Paul that remind me how treasured I am by the King of it all. 

For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family on heaven and earth takes it's name.

I pray that according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you be strengthened in your inner being with power through his spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you have the power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with the fullness of God.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.

Amen.
[Ephesians 4: 14-21]

zucchini-carrot muffins

Good Saturday my friends!
I'm kind of in love with Saturdays. I mean really though, who isn't? I got to lay in bed for a solid hour this morning and just play with my kitten.

Life=perfect.

So, school started....blegh. And in an effort to solve those back to school blues, I made you these!

Lately I've been on a muffin kick. What's not to love about portability, heartiness and a million different flavor options? 

Right, nothing. Muffins are the ideal breakfast food. 

Or anytime food, let's be real here. So because I've been loving muffins, I've been making them ALL the time. Banana-Nut. Lemon Poppyseed. Dark chocolate raspberry. Mmm. SO GOOD. 

But these, these take the cake. The first time I made these I knew that I had struck gold. All I can say is, go make them. I don't care what time it is. Midnight? Go for it. These are so worth it.

Super-moist meets delicately sweet in this hearty muffin. And it's got veggies in it. SCORE.

ZUCCHINI-CARROT MUFFINS

makes: 12 muffins

Dry:

2 c. Bob's Red Mill whole wheat flour

1 c. Bob's Red Mill quick cooking oats

3.5 tsp baking powder

3 tbsp raw turbinado sugar

1/3 c. xylitol or stevia (or more turbinado)

pinch of salt

1/2 large zucchini

1-2 medium carrots

Mix dry ingredients well to ensure even distribution.

Wet:

1/2 c. non-fat greek yogurt

1/2 c. no sugar added applesauce

1 c. non-fat milk

1 tbsp molasses

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract

Mix well.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Mix the dry and wet ingredients until just moistened and no more. Seriously, trust me. Stop yourself.

Evenly distribute the batter among 12 muffin tins. Top with oats, turbinado sugar or both!

Pop in the oven for 5 minutes and then turn down the oven to 375 degrees for an additional 15-18 minutes or until a knife comes out clean. 

Remove from muffin tin after a few minutes, as these will be a bit soggy if you let them sit. 

EAT. Warm is better for sure. 

As my dad would say, "there's a whole salad in here!"

Enjoy your saturday friends!

treasures

I won't even bother to say it's been awhile.
It's ridiculous...
But I needed time. Time to grow. Time to heal and time to refocus on what I treasure.

I treasure family, getting to spend time with my family this summer has truly been one of the greatest joys. I love seeing them for who they are, for being able to share long walks and breakfasts with my sweet sister. For finding that my little brother grew up when I wasn't looking and learning what it's like to be friends with my awe inspiring parents. I am blessed.

pretty much where our whole summer was spent. fixing up this beauty! 

I treasure life. I love living things because they remind me of my own humanity. As I sit here with my brand spankin' new kitten helping me type this post I see how true this is.
DS[;''[ <--- courtesy of Fitwilliam. Fitz for short.

still sporting his battle scars from his encounter with a car. obviously he's pretty spunky.

I treasure God's grace. For I am wretched and he somehow knows exactly how to prod my growth and  increase my dependence on his precious and undeserved love.

I treasure new beginnings.

I treasure doing the "backwards" thing, because it's teaches me to make me own path and don't look back.

I am blessed beyond measure in what I have been given. Here's to treasuring all that makes your life worth living.