Marry me to the moon

Marry me to the moon; marry me to the stars

Marry me to the canyons, the meadows, and the shores of the sea

Marry me to the dusks of Autumn and the rains of Spring

Marry me to lavas; marry to the streams

Marry me to earthen rocks and prairie hills

Marry me to the songs of the larks, and the cry of whales

Marry me to morning dew; marry me to rustling leaves

Marry me to the twinkle of smiling eyes, and the blushing of cheeks

Marry me to laughter; marry me to smiles

Marry me to the crashing waves, daisy fields, and hollow trees

Marry me to swaying branches, marry me to rays of sun

Marry me to strength, joy, miracles and hope 

Marry me to what is enduring and so obviously a creation of God

Gif Credit: Tumblr

My Soul's Spring

The winds have blown in and blew open the shutters to my heart. Cold and uninvited, it swirled about and swept away feelings. It made a mess and left. The wind blew out the summer in my heart and blew in a frightful winter that I fear will leave me frozen.

The only thing I managed to keep safe from the icy breeze that has entered was my soul, given to me by hands so warm that nothing can freeze it. There you will find an eternal spring that cannot be put under winter's slumber.

If the cold winds must blow, at least bless my soul with an ever blooming spring to keep me safe when all else are freezing.

Gif Credit: Tumblr 

Why Christians Struggle

“This is why so many Christians struggle to live as the light of Christ on the world—we aren’t plugged into our power source. Although God called us to be lights in the darkness, we fail so often because we are unplugged and trying to shine in our own power.”
—     Radiant: Living as Light in a Dark World by Marian Jordan

Why you're procrastinating and tips to fight it

Ever find yourself wasting time for no other reason than having too much to do and being too lazy to do any of it? We do things simply out of boredom. But sometimes we're not bored, were stressed.

You lay around on Sundays thinking of the hectic work week ahead, remembering the list of things you need to do before the Monday morning sun rises and instead of getting up and at it, you stay, lay, and think of something else to do.

Wouldn't we be less stressed if we just tackled our tasks? After all, it has to get done and the sooner it does the sooner you can stop thinking about. As much as this makes sense there's another part to it--stress fatigue.

It's important to note that fatigue and tiredness are different. Tiredness is mostly physical, while fatigue is emotional and mental. It's this emotional and mental drag that brings us down. Thus you're not tired enough to sleep, but you don't have the energy to do all your projects and tasks.

So how do you fight this? Action follows motivation as the saying goes. Sometimes just crossing off one thing on your to-do list gives you enough energy to cross off another.

When you're hit with a big task that you'd rather hide from than attempt, try rallying the troops. In other words, see if you can find some people or resources that will make the task finish quickly or easier.

If you're on your own and still feel swallowed by the task ahead,  try breaking it down. For instance, instead of writing your entire mid-term paper in one night due to procrastination, try writing a page a day. You'll feel more proud knowing some of the task is done, and it's in an easier chunk to break off.

Lazying about isn't always because we're lazy, but because we're stressed. If you can use other resources and break the task down into smaller pieces it becomes easier to find the energy to get things done.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

Funtasma by Pleaser Women's Dame-05/IV Ankle Boot

Victorian boots made a big comeback last year and haven't left the hearts of many including mine. Lace and leather, this pair is a winner in my books. I just love the old world charm they possess. So vintage and yet it could work in a modern outfit.

They are just so unique from the typical black Victorian boots (which I adore) that I so often see.

Letter to a friend: smiles with my sister

Dear miss fun fun

I'm glad you're not someone who doesn't mind me tagging along. Thank you for letting me spend time with you and your friends. It was feast of merriment. The waiter must of thought we were all pigs (^_^). Your friends were all sweet and it didn't feel awkward at any moment. Even though they're all busy, including you, they still put on their best smiles and showed a good time. You're my best friend and I'm glad you're in my life. If you ever need someone to overeat with, you know who to call.

Love You!

Letter to a friend: short text = big smiles.

Dear Jack,

Thank you for texting me after lunch yesterday to see how it went since you couldn't make it. None of my friends showed up, but I had a blast with my sister's friends. It was such a simple act to text and check up on the event, but it was greatly felt and appreciated. And you were the only one that did it.

I know I could send you off an email to say this, but I wanted it to be somewhere that I could quickly turn to on days when I feel a bit alone to remind me that common courtesy still exists and small acts have enormous weight.

We don't see each other often and I know that I can't always keep our plans, but it's never because I don't want to. I'm very glad to know you and I wanted you to know that your little act made a big impact on my day.

Homemade Cinnamon Buns

Oh I hate cravings sometimes. The sweet and spicy scent of cinnamon buns caught my nose and wouldn't let go. The fragrance followed me into my sleep, entering my dreams. Enough, I thought. I have to make some warm, adorable, sweet, savory cinnamon buns before I go mad.

I just can't shake a craving sometimes and while I don't have a sweet tooth, I did give in and found a easy to make recipe for cinnamon buns on cooks.com 

4 1/4 to 4 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1 1/4 c. milk
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. butter
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
6 tbsp. butter, softened
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 recipe Maple Nut Glaze or Powdered Sugar Glaze

Step 1: In a large mixer bowl combine 1 1/2 cups of the
all-purpose flour and yeast. Heat the milk, granulated
sugar, the 1/4 cup butter and salt just until mixture is
warm (120 to 130 degrees) and the butter is almost melted,
stirring constantly.

Step 2: Add milk mixture to flour mixture; add eggs. Beat
with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds; scrape
sides of bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes.
Using a spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you
can. (Dough will be soft.) Turn dough out onto a lightly
floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to
make a moderately soft dough (3 to 5 minutes total). Shape
dough into a ball.

Step 3: Place dough in a lightly greased bowl; turn once.
Cover; let rise in a warm place until double (about 1 to 1
1/2 hours). (The dough is ready for shaping when you can
lightly and quickly press two fingers 1/2 inch into dough
and indentation remains.)

Step 4: Punch dough down. On a lightly floured surface,
divide dough in half; shape each half into a smooth ball.
Cover; let rest for 10 minutes.

Step 5: On lightly floured surface roll half the dough to
12x8 inches. Spread with 3 tablespoons softened butter.
Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle half over
rectangle. Roll up from a short side. Seal edges. Make a
second roll with remaining dough, butter and sugar mixture.

Step 6: Slice each dough roll into 8 pieces. Arrange slices,
cut side down, in a greased 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Cover;
let rise until nearly double (about 30 minutes).

Step 7: Bake rolls in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes
or until light brown. Invert at once onto a wire rack. Cool
slightly. Drizzle rolls with Maple Nut Glaze or Powdered
Sugar Glaze. Serve warm.

Makes 16 rolls.


MAPLE NUT GLAZE:

In small bowl combine 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 2
tablespoons maple syrup or 1/2 teaspoon maple extract and
enough water or milk (2 to 3 teaspoons) for drizzling
consistency. Stir in 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans.


POWDERED SUGAR GLAZE:

Combine 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and
enough milk (about 3 to 4 teaspoons) for drizzling
consistency.


FREEZING AND REHEATING:

Bake and cool rolls as directed, do not glaze. Wrap in
moisture and vapor proof wrap. Seal, label, and freeze for
up to 3 months.

To reheat in a conventional oven, wrap frozen rolls in foil.
Place in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until
warm. Drizzle with your choice of glaze.

To reheat in a microwave oven, wrap 2 of the frozen rolls in
microwave-safe paper towels. Micro-cook on 100% power (high)
for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until warm. Drizzle with glaze.

What's in the box?

I like to do my holiday shopping early and the super sampler bath and body box from etsy looks like it would make a lovely gift. The box contains sample and regular sized items of soaps, body lotion, solid perfumes ect. It's a surprise of goodies for the beauty and skin care product addict. Secretly, I think the person getting this gift will be me.

Sweet September

September is my favorite month. It’s undeceive and compromising. With it we find the colorful death of summer. It is kind enough to make us bid adieu without a bleak or melancholic attitude.

It brings us winds of change that host cinnamon spices mixed with the sweet scent of what is left of summer. It contains a beauty woven into knitted scarfs and plaid skirts.

September says hello by awakening your senses and pulling out your dreams from the sandy castles of summer.

Not quite autumn but not entirely summery, September is a month for those that like to live in between and for those who enjoy both nostalgia and the hopes of a tomorrow not yet realized.

It is bitter sweet. It is gentle, cradling you in enough warmth to let you say goodbye. New beginnings and old memories live simultaneously in this month of colorful splendor.

 It can’t keep summer forever, but it can keep it long enough to let you remember you had it. It is a sneaky month, trading lush green grass for rainbow infused trees. You know the season is dying but it isn’t a death that is drenched in dreary despair. It is a death that reminds you that you are alive, the world is alive and a new season lives in place of the old one.

 Say farewell to your summer wishes; let them slumber, and trade them for the dreams of September. 

GIF credit:  http://geekchiic.tumblr.com/post/9668441602        

North, East, South and West

If my heart were a compass it would guide me through an adventure that brought to me to all four corners of my city. My heart did just that not that long ago. It offered me smiles in all corners of my city and with each adventure a new delight for my heart.

In the North East, I bought some items that make my little heart dance. Forced to use gift cards on whim, I purchased some both inexpensive and lush items. From Urban Behavior I found some jeans and a skirt both for only $10. I love finding items that cost little but offer big smiles. Then it was off to LUSH, my favorite cosmetics store. This isn’t a shop, it’s an experience—one that stays with me long after the purchase. Some treats for the skin were bought and if it wasn’t for another engagement, I would have stayed there all day. My heart spun South, for a friendly day out with a friend.

We ate pizza and told stories. My friend Diksha and I always have an adventurous time, even in the most simplest of moments. She is someone that can make even the sun itself shin brighter. She is bubbly and full of excitement, which makes all things with her exciting. Kind and good, you can never be blue when you’re with her. No matter what part of the world she’s in, she always has a piece of my heart.

 

We sat in F.A.T.S and decided that the South was pleasant but the West was calling. A makeshift picnic on a hill with a spectacular view of her area put us in a relaxed mood. Too relaxed. To shake things up a bit and to shake our tail feather, we went to West, a lounge in my city. It is not a place to arrive late at and it offered a pretentious atmosphere with college grads pushing and shoving, grinding and jiving all in an attempt to hang on to their youth.

Whether I’m in the north, east, south, or west, my heart is content and I feel blessed.