Reigning Blessing from Above

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." - James 1:17

News update:

My roommate is engaged! Ali Douglas will soon be Mrs. Andrew Hawkins =) So sweet.

I went to my first engagement party last night and it was great. So many folks came to celebrate and what a celebration it was as they recounted the proposal story.

And, this morning at around 4:50AM little Sophie Magdalene Lightcap was born - solid 8lbs 14oz. She is my new neighbor and soon to be friend!

Can't wait to meet her.

Just another Manic Monday

My apologies for a blogging delay of about hmm...7 months!

I'm pregnant!

Just kidding...terrible joke.

Although several of my close friends, and even family, are currently with child. I am not. I am single. Annd, do not endorse premarital activities that might have the potential of any kind baby making...nor do I practice them...ehmm, just to clear the air =)

Great news, with no intention of patronizing or insincerity despite the lengthy gap in updates, but Matt Hill was found - safe and sound! Found in Asheville, NC not long after being reported missing. Great news. And great illustration of relentless love and pursuit by God for His people. He will leave the 99 to seek the 1.

Although, reasons are unknown to me as to why he went missing, all is well now. That is all I need to know.

How about a quick update on my life perhaps?

Indeed 'tis a Manic Monday for me. Christmas is in two weeks and I've bought 3 presents - all of which where for my friends - and my mom's family Christmas is this weekend! double eek!

However, I shall not fret, because 1) I am crafty, creative, and resourceful in a pinch 2) I am also thrifty and frugal in a pinch and 3) God is good and does provide for all things.

So, when as the Christmas gift crunch is beginning to squish me I am fighting for Joy, letting, and more often than not making my quaking, feeble heart rest in Truth. The heart of Christmas!

Missing: Matt Hill

What's up folks:

So, if you have been watching the news in Charlotte and DC or following probably anyone with Campus Outreach on Twitter or are friends with anyone from NC, SC or DC on Facebook then you have probably heard about the search for Matt Hill. Matt Hill is on staff with Campus Outreach in Washington D.C. This is the first year for this branch of CO - ministering and evangelizing on the campuses in the DC area. What an adventure is must be to be apart of the launch team of an organization that is all about people hearing, knowing, and living the gospel - especially in such an influential city, our nation's capital.

On Tuesday morning Matt Hill went missing... Missing: Matt Hill The word about him being missing is getting out and from Twitter it seems that progress is being made as far as finding/getting very needed information.

What's the connection to me and you?

I know his brother. His brother is on staff with CO Greenville. And if you are believer, Matt is your brother in Christ - how sweet that is, that we could be tied together by Christ!

My heart has been burdened for him and by this whole situation since I first heard of it. Please pray. The FBI is saying this is a critical missing person case. Pray for the Lord to be the strength of his family and friends at this time. Pray that God would have mercy to let us know where he is/may be - that he may be found! Pray for God's glory to be shining through this difficult time, revealing His character as sovereign and keeper of all things especially his people. Pray that we would see this in light of eternity...suffer through with a heavenly perspective - such a strong, scary, powerful thing that can't be done without God's grace. Pray that if he should not be found, that we would remember the words of Jesus, when he says that no one who is his will ever be plucked from his hand and rejoice in this Eternal Hope when gloomy doubts and despair come knocking on our heart's door.

Crafty Creation

It is TUESDAY! and yes, I'm still alive. I've almost flatlined in the blogging world. My apologies as my life has be super crazy the past few weeks.

Nevertheless, here is my most recent creation, made for a special little girl on her 4th birthday.

Ta-dah! A magnetic chalk board. She, as well as her siblings, loved it too - blessed my heart. =) haha

The following are pictures of the progression of it's creation:

Original Item: old bulletin board.

Base Layer: Magnetic primer.

Top Layer: Chalkboard spray paint

Personalization

Decorative Practicals: Cute Magnets!

And there ya' go. Easy and so much fun for kids!!

* Just be careful with younger toddlers and chalk....some of them like to eat the chalk instead of drawing with it!

A thought for you, on Thursday

Am I really sticking to my schedule?? after my vent about not being on one...hmm...=)

So twice this week I have been asked what I like to do for fun. Is it bad I'm almost stumped by that question?? Potentially. I do have fun, not like in college kind of fun: hanging out till late with friends just killing time "destressing" from all pressure of school work etc.; but still have fun!

Why do I feel somewhat insecure about that question too? Probably because 1) I'm almost stumped by it, and we all know that well adjusted happy people do stuff for fun! and 2) I fear some type of judgment.

Anyway...Here are my thoughts on what is fun:

Hanging out in good company eating good food, telling lots of jokes, sharing lots of laughter, and stories
Going to Andrews, North Carolina
All staff river day with Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters
Being outside
Being silly with kids
Going out for a night on the town
Trying new things
New experiences
Playing around on my guitar
Writing/Reading and Discussion
Yard Sale-ing
Giving gifts
Catching up with folks on life
Listening to new music!

There ya go....just a few things that are fun to me, and for me...
I've been reading another book lately. This one is called Sabbath . It's been good to read and I think maybe I was stumped on the question regarding fun because I don't really rest anymore, because there is a type of rest/rejuvination in doing things that are fun, because they mostly cause you to experience joy which is rejuvinating.  Here is a short quote to follow up on that thought:

"Much of modern life, of course, is specifically designed to seduce our attention away from this inner place of refuge. When we are in the world with eyes wide open, the seductions are insatiable. Hundreds of channels of cable and satellite television; telephones with multiple lines and call-waiting, so we can talk to more than one person at a time; fax machines; mail, e-mail, and overnight mail; billboards; magazines; newspapers; radio. Every stimulus competes for our attention: Buy me. Watch me. Try me. Drink me. It is as if we have inadvertently stumbled into some horrific wonderland.

 Sabbath time can become our refuge. During the Sabbath we set aside a sanctuary in time, disconnect form the frenzy of consumption and accomplishment, and consecrate our day as an offering for healing all beings."

All this is of course done in Christ: 

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." 

So much for a schedule!

Have you ever met one of those type-A's? You know, the kind that are ALWAYS five minutes early because early is on time for them and actually being on time is late?? and they also have everything planned out perfectly to a "t", every hair in place, every rule followed and kept with such ease and grace, and their kids probably grow up with their rooms looking like something out of the pottery barn for kids or the land of nod...on and on...you get the picture...and you are probably thinking of someone in particular right now =) I know I am.

I am not so much a type-A. Sometimes, I like to think that secretly deep down I really am but God's providential hand trumps my secret "type-A ness" every time, therefore making me a type-B personality...isn't that stuff kind of relative anyway?

When I compare myself to an extreme group of type-A's I'm definitely a type-B, but when I compare myself to an extreme group of type-B's I look more like an A...what's a girl to do, is there a type-A/B?? Maybe it's called type-C?  What do you say all you psych. majors??

Anyway, I had this plan, a schedule of sorts, to only blog on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. Each day's post was to be a particular topic....well as you can see, if you've followed my blog at all, my plan has been thwarted, ironically enough by my schedule...schedule of daily living. I have no consistent "Crafty Creations" for my Tuesday posts, rarely a "Nanny's Nook" post, and occasionally I have a thought for you on Thursday...today just happened to be Tuesday, and I just happened to have time to post something, but since it's Tuesday it should be a crafty creation I'm working on...yet I have nothing; nothing new, nothing progressed upon - evidence for a true type-B.

So, the secret type-A person inside me is very irritated, frustrated by the fact that my plan for the blog, and crafting, has not fully come to fruition and I consider giving it up all together because it can't be done perfectly. As I have planned. However, here I am, blogging - making myself appear as a type-B who joyfully blogs when she has the time, accepting the fact she lives in a fallen world where man's plans are bound to be trumped and the Lord's only prevail. Which I do believe and know that doctrine but still get very frustrated...

Anyway, what's the point of this blog besides my stream of consciousness regarding personality types and my frustration with mini-failure, except to to say that my plans for crafts have been placed on the back burner, due to life and commitments, as well as my plans to become Super-All Natural Beauty Product Woman Of The Year due to unsuspecting chemicals mixing on my face causing fiery reactions (Don't worry, I'm fine, just don't let baking soda and benzyol-peroxide repetitively touch your skin...)

so much for a schedule after all...


*if you sense a bit a bitterness in this post you are looking into something that is not there, at least not at the moment, I admire a classic type-A for all their perfect accomplishments and thank the Lord I don't worry too much about being so absolutely perfect...*

Thoughtful Thursday

On a recent trip to Asheville, my friends and I stopped in for a visit to the Barnes & Noble. I love that some of my friends enjoy bookstores, have a need for a new journal on a consistent basis, and consider sitting around over a cup of coffee or sweet treat the best kind of quality time.

Anyway, I bought a book while I was there! "Let Me Be A Woman" by Elisabeth Elliott. It's a short, non-fiction consisting of various letters E.E. wrote to her daughter Valarie as she (Valarie) was waiting to be married. The topic of each letter is somewhat different but all get at the same thing..."The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different kind of woman. For I have accepted God's idea of me, and my whole life is an offering back to Him..." (pg 43)

She was writing to Valarie in 1976 during the peak of the feminist movement. What a counter-cultural book for that time, and even for our time, now. There is so much going on now about gender and sexuality that some of it is kind of ridiculous.

I'm thankful for E.E.'s love for her daughter, and for her wisdom as she wrote words to her daughter that are true, even today about who I am, and am to be as a woman (more of a lady for me right now =)) of God. 

Here is the specific quote for this Thoughtful Thursday:

Talking on how the heartbeat of the Women's Liberation Movement is actually enslaving.

"But God has set no traps for us. Quite the contrary, He has summoned us to the only true and full freedom. The woman who defines her liberation as doing what she wants, or not doing what she doesn't want, is, in first place evading responsibility, [and the] evasion of responsibility is the mark of immaturity. While telling themselves that they've come a long way, that they are actually coming of age, they have retreated to a partial humanity, one which refuses to acknowledge the vast significance of the sexual differentiation...And the woman who ignores that fundamental truth ironically misses the very thing she has set out to find. By refusing to fulfill the whole vocation of womanhood she settles for a caricature, a pseudo-personhood." (pg 45)

Placing these words into the context of the time they were written blows my mind. What radical statements! But how true, are they not? Is it not true that real, life-giving freedom is found in knowing Christ and therefore who He has made us to be? We are the created are we not? Therefore, we have a purpose, we're not arbitrarily placed here, though at times it may seem as such. I mean think about it this way, you don't make a pillow to hang it on the wall or paint something beautiful to use a door mat, right? No, you make the pillow to rest your head on, or to accent a room. And you paint something beautiful to decorate your home or showcase your talent.

So, (going with the analogies) if the painting had feelings (and autonomy), and wanted to rebel against the artist it would usurp the artist's attempts to hang it and place itself on the front porch floor just in front of the door...but it wouldn't really be happy! It would trampled on, scuffed, broken. But if the autonomous, emotionally aware painting, submitted to the artist's attempts to hang it on the wall the painting would be delighted in, enjoyed, praised, appreciated...but only when, and after, the painting submitted. 


There is a distinct difference between man and woman, even down to our very soul, the very fiber and nature of our being, we are different and thus created to fulfill different roles. And E.E. is saying that in fulfilling our own, purposed roles, we find life because we are submitting to the will of our Father, the Creator! We find who we are and who we were intended to be, by God's design.

I love this book...I'm eating it up. EE is causing me to want to be a better "God-woman" more accepting and welcoming of my feminine "responsibilities", mindset, heart-set, and character...  - and I could dialogue for days!

In some of my circles, this idea is not that new or seemingly radical, but outside of them...radical indeed, and so desperately needing to be said!

- p.carrick -

No poo??

Yes, 'tis true, my hair was washed with no shampoo!

Okay, for those of you who know me, it's been said that I have hippie tendencies. Hippie tendencies in my life are evidenced by my regular wearing of Chaco sandals with most any outfit, my occasional wearing of patchoulli oil, and my over-all laid back/easy going personality. But those are all things seen/noticed at first glance or meeting. After some time, you find I'm more of just a simple, conservative chick who appreciates keeping things simple.

Anyhoo, this post will only add to the evidence for the case that I am more hippie like than not...I share because I think it's neat!

Exhibit A: No poo (shampoo) hair washing.

No shampoo??? you are asking. Why, yes, this method of haircare exists, is effective, and is all natural. I tried it once last spring but didn't quite have all the right stuff so I lost my patience and went back to the regular shampoo. This spring, however, I'm giving it a second chance. I'm feeling more confident about it now too. I've learned from my mistakes and I'm pressing on!

Why? do you ask. Why go with all natural? It's so "weird" and counter cultural. Well, perhaps it is counter cultural, and perhaps it is the doing of my inner hippie, but check out the ingredients of your typical OTC shampoo - lots of bad chemicals. Also, this method of hair washing is SO CHEAP and very easy to make. So, if you are a DIY kind of girl like myself, finding joy in crafty things as well, and have a fondness for living simply/frugally you may be  interested in the following recipe. And personally, again the inner hippie in me speaking, there is just something fun, and neat about living so simply - like back in the old days kind of.

Shampoo:      

1 -2 Tablespoons of baking soda per 1 cup of warm water.* Pour mixture into an empty spray bottle and there ya go.

That simple

*A fun thing I did was buy some lavender essential oil and put about 30 drops into the shampoo mixture for some fragrance. Be careful though essential oils are strong and expensive.

Conditioner:

1-2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice) per 1 cup of warm water. Pour mixture into an empty spray bottle and shazam...you have an all natural conditioner. You can also put in some honey if you use lemon juice. (that's my method) Reports say that apple cider vinegar can make your hair a little greasy so the alternative is lemon/lime juice with a touch of honey.

Washing:

Simply spray the shampoo mixture at the roots of your hair and scrub in a circular motion. While washing focus mostly on the roots. This helps clean your scalp and stimulate hair growth as you are somewhat massaging your scalp. Which is the most effective way to stimulate hair growth.

Once the massage/wash is finished, rinse. Then grab your conditioning mixture and spray on the ends of your hair and your scalp. Once you've worked it into your scalp rinse again and you are finished!

All natural cleaning complete.
________________________________________________________________

A few things to note:

You won't have suds when you wash.
There is a de-tox time period of about 2 weeks, where your hair may be a little more greasy that normal until the chemical balance on your scalp balances out.
Stick it out! It's worth it.

Rockin' Re-do!!

Newest project: A re-painting of a rocking chair.

Re-cap: bought the chair at a local church yard sale for $10 last August...it was pretty rough looking...well, still is...I sanded for several hours Saturday afternoon and this all the progress I made:

Going to be a long process... =)

Touching Base

Okay...so I confess, I've been a wonderful slacker with my blogging. Forgive me, all .5 readers out there! =)

I have been INCREDIBLY busy the past month. Do you ever feel like life just doesn't stop?? That change is the only consistency?? I do.

In the past month I have gone on two retreats/conferences, participated in a wedding, and effectively moved out of one house and into a new one (insert cheers and hip-hip-horrays, coupled with a huge sigh of relief!)

Today should be my crafty creation highlight...however, I don't have much of anything to post...eek! I've been so busy, as I said before, and sadly I only have a black picture frame to show for it.

As a favor for a friend's wedding, I re-vamped an old window pane. Once the re-do was finished, she had the glass re-inserted and used Modd Podge to glue in a few of her engagement pictures, after she had them enlarged. Then it was hung near the door during the reception.

Here are just a few pics:

Process:

Remove glass

Sand

Dust

Paint

That simple.

* The pane was found after hours of searching various thrifts/goodwill/yard sales and lucking upon a store appropriately named "Shinola" near The Handlebar in Greenville.

Thoughtful Thursday

This entry is going to be mostly quotes...one from scripture and one from Matthew Henry's commentary on Isaiah 2 (that one is pretty long but worth the read).

"Stop regarding man

in whose nostrils is breath,

for of what account is he?"

~ Isaiah 2:22 ~

Matthew Henry:

"To make those that have trusted in an arm of flesh ashamed of their confidence (v. 22): "Cease from man. The Providences of God concerning you shall speak this aloud to you, and therefore take warning beforehand, that you may prevent the uneasiness and shame of disappointment; and consider, 

 1. How weak man is: His breath is in his nostrils, puffed out every moment, soon gone for good and all.’’ Man is a dying creature, and may die quickly; our nostrils, in which our breath is, are of the outward parts of the body; what is there is like one standing at the door, ready to depart; nay the doors of the nostrils are always open, the breath in them may slip away ere we are aware, in a moment. Wherein then is man to be accounted of? Alas! no reckoning is to be made of him, for he is not what he seems to be, what he pretends to be, what we fancy him to be. Man is like vanity, nay, he is vanity, he is altogether vanity, he is less, he is lighter, than vanity, when weighed in the balance of the sanctuary. "

 2. How wise therefore those are that cease from man;’’ it is our duty, it is our interest, to do so. "Put not your trust in man, nor make even the greatest and mightiest of men your confidence; cease to do so. Let not your eye be to the power of man, for it is finite and limited, derived and depending; it is not from him that your judgment proceeds. Let not him be your fear, let not him be your hope; but look up to the power of God, to which all the powers of men are subject and subordinate; dread his wrath, secure his favour, take him for your help, and let your hope be in the Lord your God.’’"

* Found on blueletterbible.org; Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 2

Crafty Creation

New Project:                                  

A creative RSVP to a friend's wedding!

Response card before I got my hands on it:

With a little help from Southern Living, creative juices were flowing:

Finished Product: (don't mind the deo =))

Creation of this card could not have been possible without:

Scissors

Modd Podge

Elmer's Spray Adhesive
My literary creativeness

Southern Living: 2010 November & December issues

UPDATE

Previous post's project now finished with writing help from roommate & friend.

The Nanny's Nook

Last week was a good Nanny week. Warm weather = not cooped up in the house!

The only downside to last week is I do believe I caught a little head cold from the baby, H. Poor little guy was sick on Friday! And coincidentally, Saturday, I progressively obtained a good ole sinus infection.... (insert Steve Urkel style, open mouth breathing). I'm out of tissues and I've downgraded to napkins...poor decision (pun intended)

Children will never cease to provide me with analogies of God relating to his people and illustrations of myself, the inner me. The me I have learned to sometimes ignore and to put away in a box because it's just not socially accepted, or really even mature at all. Especially when the inner me wants to burst into tears, run away, scream, or stomp my selfish feet because I've not "gotten" something I desired and consequently thought I deserved - which is the mentality of EVERY toddling tot alive.

Unfortunately, I think the inner child of all of us never really goes away. The tantrums of the heart are just fleshed out in more mature, and often times calculated ways. I think of this inner child as my sin/flesh often times. It has a limited understanding and perspective and it's a struggle to live outside of it's daily cravings, desires, wantings.

One of the tots I watch is good about showing this struggle. When the demonstration occurs, I kind of just smile because I know how she feels and it's uncanny. She is newly two and working through the sharing aspect of growing up. She will agree to share when asked but once the object of her attention is given away, oh, does the fist clinching and crying begin. The tears and screams cease once she is gently reminded what she's chosen to do and why.

I see this at 24yrs in my own heart and can totally relate. Losing something you enjoyed for something better is hard and I often fail, just as she does, to delight in doing the right thing, as God would desire. How hard it is sometimes!

~ p.carrick ~

Thoughtful Thursday

Word of the week: trajectory \trə-ˈjek-t(ə-)rē\

Can be found on merriam-webster.com as:

  "a path, progression, or line of development 

resembling a physical trajectory trajectory>".

Trajectory...say that five times fast. Yeah, don't hurt yourself. It's difficult for me to say correctly just once! Anyway, why such a word for today, or this week, right?

Well, here is an analogy for you:

How is a train's trajectory changed? Lets say there are two trains heading out of a train station in Concord, NC. One is Kentucky bound; the other Southern Alabama bound. Now, if you are a thinker you may be asking yourself, how can this be so? Especially when they started out on the same track. Answer: a railroad switch (fancy enough I guess).  At a certain point on the track, the railroad junction, the small, seemingly insignificant shift of this piece of metal changes the entire end destination of the entire train. Depending on the switch, whether it's open or closed, the train will end up in Alabama or Kentucky; or Maine if there are several more switches. This blows my mind - the way that such a small shift can have such a HUGE effect. I just think of smaller things a bit differently now. 

First of all I have to confess that I've always been fascinated by trains, especially pictures of them. Second of all, don't you see the analogy?

My decisions are like switches.

Proverbs says: "Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it is the Lord who determines his steps". At some places it says, "establishes" his steps. 

So, yes, my decisions are switches but it is God controlling the operation of the switches. 

All this to say: what is my trajectory? Where will I be in 5 years or 10 years making the decisions I am making now? What about the people I care for, where will they be in 5 or 10 years making the decisions they are making?

Do I like where I am going? Do I trust the switch operator?

~ p.carrick ~

The Nanny's Nook

Hello! This is intended to be the part of my blog in which I discuss and share various aspects, stories, and thoughts regarding my second part-time job of being a nanny.

As this is an introductory post, today I will place my stories in context for future entries. Since the end of September, last year, I have served as a Nanny for a family of three. This job was an answer to prayer and one that I will forever be thankful for. I have learned so much from watching these cute little kiddos.

Each Wednesday and Friday I walk up to the white and brick suburban home and I'm greeted by two smiling faces - A, 3yrs, & N, 2yrs (both girls). My greeting from the third, and youngest, H,  now about 9 months old and a mean crawling machine, typically comes upon my entry to the home when I see him in his high chair eagerly waiting his next bottle!

My patience for watching these three has been tried and tried, and I've been trained to speak and think more in smaller people ways. I have absolutely toned up and defined the long time flaccid muscles known as "planning" and "structure" as well, but as it with all effectual workouts, their development has not come without some difficulty and strain.

All in all I enjoy these two days of the week. They are fun and will always be marked as a growing experience that, Lord willing, will enable me to one day be a better mom, had I not had this opportunity and experience!

More to come in the weeks ahead!

Thoughtful Thursday

A close friend, and family member, of mine blogs consistently - three times a week! I am so impressed at her structure and diligence. Acting on my inspiration from her, I intend to post quotes, verses, or song lyrics every Thursday.

Each entry is one that struck a thoughtful chord within me. When the verse, lyric, or quote had been read, sung, or heard my mind was left resonating ideas, questions, ponderings, what have you. My hope is that each Thoughtful Thursday post will stir your mind as well.

                             

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, 
 robed in the blooming garb of spring:  
 Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer 
 who makes the woeful heart to sing.

                                                                          ~ Fairest Lord Jesus, stanza 2 ~

 A woeful heart singing - kind of a paradox, isn't it? Woeful hearts don't really cause one to sing. Yet, a heart fixed on Christ does somehow sing. Beautiful, amazing, miracle.

Think about that for a bit!

Crafty Creation

Last week I was discussing with my friend, a fellow blogger but much more avid than I, about making a blog focused on crafty projects and thrifty decorating. She's much more crafty and artistic than I and has more time to make stuff. I will post a link to her site probably once I get so you can check it out.

Anyway, I was inspired to post about my recent creations after talking with her and encouraging her to start one. The following is my latest crafty creation:

The tree and leaves are cut out from scrap booking paper. I glued them onto a piece of wood that I painted. I got the piece of wood this summer working with Snowbird Missions! It was some scrap wood from a house that we were fixing up. This crafty creation is not quite finished as I plan to put some purposeful words on it to the right of the roots. Pictures of the finished product will come soon =)

A Christmas Cake

As promised, the following post will discuss one of the three major crafty/cooking creations I have made in the last two months.

Before I post the photos, let me explain and describe the context in which this creation was made. Every year around the second weekend in December Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters hosts their annual Christmas Party for all folks who have ever worked there. Each year the event is marked by a great meal; great celebration of Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection; great fellowship; and a bake-off! It's a blessing each year to attend for many reasons.

Until this year I have never competed in the SWO Christmas Bake-off. My inspiration to compete I believe came from my domesticated side that has grown significantly over the past two years. While discussing the possibility of entering with my cousin-in-law, who competed vigorously last year only to lose to inferior competition, I was sold on it and had to enter. The two of us then put our creative minds together and in theory crafted the masterpiece that took to the cake! (pun intended)

Baking and assembly of this prize wining delight took a little over seven hours over the course of about two nights.

I call it: Winters Dreamed of Across the Atlantic. 

It won Most Festive and Best All-Around.

The layers are chocolate (from scratch) and butter (Duncan Hines). The icing is Mint Chocolate icing made from scratch. The white dollops are homemade whipped cream dollops. Finally, the decorative touch of the peppermint is from crushed peppermint sticks (much softer than the hard candy mints). The crushed sticks are also inside the cake, sprinkled on alternating layers.

~ p.carrick ~

Project Preview

Okay, so I'm not super savvy when it comes to the blogging world but I have noticed a new trend of DYO blogs that highlight some awesome decorating/renovation projects.

So, the plan for my next few blogs (as inspired by the latest blogging trend) is to talk about my recent projects:

A Christmas Cake
A Woodly Craft
A Trunky Treasure


Look for the photos!

blog mania

So, who remembers Xanga?? I loved Xanga. It was my first blog. I created it while I was at Western during my sophomore year, six years ago! I absolutely loved it. I was pretty consistent with it too. It wasn't entirely a journal but in some ways it served as one. It was an outlet for me; one that was different from my personal journal where the thought floods had, and still have, no boundaries. It was a place for me to be creative in ways I couldn't be anywhere else. 

Side note: There is a great quote from C.S. Lewis about the awesomeness of a journal. (I can't think of it verbatim at the moment and I'm too tired to search for it, but I do know it's found in A Greif Observed). He talks about how a journal is the only place to fully express all that is going on in your head and heart.

Anyway, I've found my old xanga site a few weeks ago. I must say there is something special to me about it. Similar to the specialness of an old pair of trusty tennis shoes. They know your foot well and they've been through a lot with you. I definitely enjoyed going back through my entries to read them.

Well, all this to say: here is the link to my xanga. My two blogging sites unite! I plan to make the same posts on both sites, mainly because I like the xanga but I have more followers on this one. If you decide to check out the old site, which I highly doubt anyone will, enjoy it! You will see and learn a piece of me literally in my past.

~ p.carrick ~