The Power of Imagination

When someone says imagination, what do you immediately think of? A castle with fire breathing demons and fairies flocking to the skies? Perhaps the word imagination is nothing more than a term you've coined as a fictional tale that inhabits our mind. A figment of our dreams that seems to make their way to our conscious once we awake in the morning but dissolves by lunch.

But what if this word, this concept of imagination, followed you outside the confines of your front door and lead you into your daily routine... Not instead of the logical, for this logic is necessary to perform tasks that make us functional beings, of course. Tasks like figuring out how to be on time, watching for traffic when crossing the street, budgeting our funds to support our lifestyles.

No... Imagination doesn't have to mean conjuring up a thought of distant and unreachable realities. Take a step into the minds of some of the best imagineers...

An engineer imagined a place where we could escape to so we may revive the inner child we house inside our hearts. He imagined a mouse... or rather, a sense of tangible magic that we could share in order to make our lives more connected in whimsical spirit. He imagined, and so he did...

A man imagined a world of peace and acceptance. He dreamed of equality, happiness, and a world of diminished hatred. He stood up in front of our nation, he stood up in front of the world... and shared his dreams to the masses. He imagined, and so he did...

An author worked in a coffee shop, imagining a world of witches and wizards. This world in her mind made its way to paper in order to teach us "muggles" of our own struggles between good and evil- hatred succumbing to the power of love and friendship. She imagined, and so she did...

Imagination doesn't have to be a concept of fairytales, wishes, and dreams. We, as humans, have been given the mechanics within our minds to create a world among our own in order to teach, inspire, and share. And what a waste it would be to let this power that lies in each and every one of us fade away to the dismal logistics of our conforming world. Imagine a world where imagination lead the way to our future... What is on your mind this morning? What are you imagining for tomorrow?

Oh how colorful the horizon could be if we only utilized the paints of our heart. May we never forget the power of imagination...

Momma Knows Best

A simple saying as we go into the Thanksgiving Holiday...

My mom sat down with me tonight before heading to bed and cupped my hands in her lap. I felt like a toddler on the verge of crying over spilt milk in the kindergarten lunch room. I saw her through tear-stained eyes as she said this...

"Your job is just your job. But your life is your life. Make sure you know which matters more and you'll find everything else falls into place."

Isn't it crazy, how no matter how old you get- your momma always knows best.

Getting lost in the craziness of my quarter-life-crisis seems to be all too apparent lately. But one thing is for sure... it's the holiday season which means it's time to evaluate the past and prepare for your future. But most importantly, relish in all you have in the present and give thanks to the grace of God for getting you here.

I miss my best friend who is in El Salvador- she will not be present at our annual Turkey Trot tradition for the first time in 6 years. I miss her so much, my heart hurts. I just got word that other plans I had for the future are no more, and that the significance I previously held in what I thought were priorities are now merely dissolving options... My heart is heavy, but that must mean it's full.

I need to remember... a job is just a job. A bad day is just a bad day. But this life is my life. It keeps going, and we make it all the way until the end. Better make it the best it can be while we can...

A Letter to Me at 18- The finale of the 4

Dear 18 year old me...

You thought this final letter would never come, I bet! Well, here it is- the grand finale, the final chapter of the quartet. While this letter serves with no theme, no overall idea to take with you into the office or out on a date, it is still a very important message in which I hope you take to heart. Short and sweet, here are my final words of advice that I hope you'll take with a grain of salt and a pinch of sugar-

Take leaps of faith, the bigger the better. The landing may be rougher after some dismounts than others, but you will not fall on your face as long as you keep your head high and your heart open to new experiences.

Crd*t

Learn to enjoy being alone. Learn to enjoy days without breaks from human interaction. Time is time and whether you are sharing it with your closest friends, mere acquaintances, or alone, it is time that is to be savored and soaked up by simply being alive.

Enjoy your body, please. Don't compare it to magazines, Victoria's Secret catalogues, TV actresses, and even your friends on Facebook. Instead of focusing on what it looks like, work it to enable you to do amazing things. You've already built up amazing strength to jump over 5 feet, 4 inches in the high jump. You will go on to run over a couple thousand miles with the short and long runs accumulated throughout your late teens and early twenties.

Eat right, fuel a motivated and active spirit. Don't dwell on the fact that you are either pear shaped, apple shaped, strait shaped, etc... "Confident" is the best body type, and the best thing about that is the fact you get to choose that body type- so choose it and move on.

Crd*t

Don't ever shy away from an opportunity to strike up a conversation. Even if it's with the man sitting next to you on the plane, the girl waiting behind you in the coffee shop line, or the family browsing the supermarket aisle beside you. Human interaction is a complex, beautiful, strange, and bemusing thing. We'll never understand why, but just complimenting her hair or their children's smiles brings immense joy in many forms to you and the ones on the receiving end.

Laugh. Everyday. Notice how it makes you feel. Now, go out and make sure that you can make at least one person experience that happiness just by being in your presence. If you can make someone laugh and encourage happiness, you are doing a great service to humanity.

Crd*t

Learn to enjoy children. You will want them some day (don't worry- not at 23, but you will later I'm sure). Plus, they know what's going on. Their spunk, enthusiasm, perspectives, and joy are the key ingredient to a young soul- keep this young spirit within yourself. Our bodies may grow old, but you can choose to always be young at heart.

And finally- don't take life so seriously. I know this is a hard concept to grasp (I know because I am still trying to conquer this myself). But every single person on this earth is on the same team just trying to make it in this chaotic arena we call Earth. Thank God every day for your blessings, laugh off negativity, and just be you- you're the only You this planet will ever have so make your presence light, lasting, and full of life.

Until you're here sitting behind your computer, typing letters to your ghost of the past, remember you are well on your way to the rest of your life. Every step counts, every word matters, and your thoughts define you. Make them beautiful, and make them yours.

Love always-
M

The Little Red Tree

One of the greatest hurdles I've had to overcome (and still tackle daily) is the fact that I am no longer within a reasonable driving distance from my family. Perhaps it's the holiday season approaching, or the fact that I moved to the city where the majority of my friends (new and old) are from... seeing them with the option to spend weeknights and weekends with loved ones only reminds me of the time I wish I could spend with mine. Either or... this girl is homesick.

One of the greatest joys of autumn in my hometown is the little red tree that sits outside of our home...
Every single year for about a week or less, it sheds its leaves for the fall... only after they turn the most violent red that blindsides you as you drive past. One day almost 16 years ago as I hopped off the bus, my awkward pigeon toed frame walked hand  in hand with my mom as I explained the poetry contest I wanted to enter at my school. The prompt was, "When I turn around I see..." but I couldn't think of anything grand enough to satisfy my tiny mind in the creative process.

My mom stopped me at my drive way, covered my eyes, and spun me around right on the spot- and when she released her hand from above my nose, the little red tree sat there in all its glory. I wrote about that tree, won third at the state level, and forever more held an inanimate plant so close to my heart, it soon became a tradition to admire its beautiful metamorphosis. This tree may not hold much significance to many on Winpenny, but to my family, it will always be the tree that inspired a blonde haired 6-year-old to write a poem that eventually turned into a passion for writing...

While texting with my dad the other night, he sent me two pictures of the little red tree, explaining that the weather had been see-sawing this fall and the tree just didn't get its normal shade of vibrant red this year.

He continued on to say that it may just be because it is growing up, much like his little girl. Needless to say, my heart began to hurt as I turned off my phone for the night and the homesickness grew on. Closing my eyes, I began praying to God to give me strength to persevere until I can return home for the holidays next month... After the little red tree shed all of its color and its magic was long gone.

Yesterday, as I was walking home from a long Monday at work, the pang in my heart returned... but not because of the sadness brought on by the longing to be back in MD... but for the surprise that greeted me outside of my apartment...

The brightest of all reds swayed in the wind and a familiar rustle wafted on the breeze. I snapped a picture and sent it to my parents, tears in my eyes...

Looks like God knew if I couldn't physically make it back home, he could provide a little bit of home to me. This little reminder that his warmth and sense of comfort in the traditions and beauty that surrounds us was exactly the kind of the strength I needed. And as my dad reminded me with his response... God's fingerprints are everywhere.

A letter to me at 18... Relationships

Dear 18 year old me…. Part III

Last night I re-watched the Friends finale- you know the one: Rachel is about to leave for Paris and Ross runs after her to persuade her to stay with him and their daughter in NYC. The episode that made you cry the first time you saw it and you had no idea why because relationships and love just don’t seem to be your highest priority at 18... nor do you want it to fog your concept of reality. But 5 years later… here’s what I have to say about that- 

crdt

You are 23. And you are single… I know what you’re thinking, “23 and single… What does this mean? Am I just so super successful in my career I don’t have time to date!? Or maybe I developed a stutter and grew a third nostril rendering me indescribably hideous? Well… no. Neither of those assumptions are correct (especially the second, thank God!) You are not incredibly successful in your career *see previous letter*, and you still have your blonde hair, clearer skin, and LUCKILY still only one petite, normal nose.

You have dated many guys, but have not found the ONE yet. It’ll be difficult but try to find peace in that, even though you have been to over 15 of your friends’ weddings in the past three years and gone single to every single one of them. Some of these weddings are for people you know from high school, but mostly those of new friends you’re about to make. Yes, you are going to make new friends that will stay with you for your lifetime. Just wait- the few that remain from high school and the new ones you keep even after college- they’re the best things that will ever happen to you. Evaluate your friendships by the level of happiness each and every person you form a relationship with brings you. If they bring you stress, don't bring them along on your journey. If they bring out the best in you, hold on to them no matter the distance between you both. People are your greatest treasures- you'll learn that even the dullest of  moments in life can turn into the grandest adventures if shared with the right people.

Remember that you deserve a godly man, one who loves Jesus and follows the 10 commandments. Trust me- your mother will want to test him when you bring him home. Oh, and remember when your grandfather said you want to find someone like him… you’ll roll your eyes but he is right. He taught your dad how to be a good man, father, and husband. And your dad will prove to be the best model of what you will need in a man to be a greatest husband to you, father to your children, and man of Christ. Just wait, he will blow your mind with his love. So yes, find someone like your dad and grandfather.

Oh, and don’t be ashamed to admit you’re a hopeless romantic like I know you are when you’re 18 years old. It doesn’t mean you’re “too girly” or “soft” or anything in the vicinity of “childish”. Being a romantic means you’re opening up for the chance to experience extreme happiness with another individual. It means you expect class out of the men who pursue you and that you demand respect in all of your relationships. Being a hopeless romantic will keep you wanting picnics like described in Frank Sinatra songs (yes, you’ll learn to love Sinatra), black tie and long dress dances, and flowers on your doorstep after a hard day.  Being a hopeless romantic will also keep you on your toes to respect your man and treat him like a prince- make him feel loved on a regular basis with sweet notes on his lampshade to wake up to, dinner made from scratch and served on your back porch, impromptu dates to the batting cage or a run in the rain. Being a hopeless romantic doesn't mean desiring everything you see in a Katherine Heigle romantic comedy- it means you love to be loved and to love others in a creative fashion- so embrace it and NEVER let your heart grow weary of it.

There will be guys who tell you that this is a too-high-expectation out of them and that fairytales aren’t real. And you will keep in mind that not every day is filled with these moments. Some days will be marked with disappointment, feuds, and disagreements… but don’t let it lower your standards to be treated like anything less than you know you want.

crdt

That being said… be prepared:  you will have your heart broken. It’s not fun, nor is it pretty. You will be upset (some for longer periods than others) and you will deal with them in varying ways. There will be buckets of tears shed… and that’s OK. But remember to keep your chin up and keep moving forward. At the end of the day, you can escape the voices of everyone else, but you will always remain with your own thoughts and opinions of yourself. Make sure those are happy and optimistic. Because boyfriends will come and go, and they will play a role in how you shape yourself- but let it ALWAYS be for the development of who you want to be. When they go, take what you learned and apply it to become the best version of yourself (and to find someone better for you). And above all else- Keep believing in your happy ending.

Until the next lengthy note from me… keep going, lovely!

All the best,

M

A Letter to Me... Part II *What is a Career?*

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Dear 18 year old self,

Me again. You know what I was thinking this morning as I was writing this letter to you? This is sort of like the episode of the office when Jim sends Dwight faxes “from the future”… One of your favorite episodes.  By the way, on this day, October 18^th, 2008…. DON’T DRINK THE COFFEE! You’ll thank me later…

Speaking of the office, I wish to send you a letter to better prepare you for the working world and the adventures you’ll embark on in order to find your calling. I can’t even tell you what your career is and what you’re working towards. Really, it’s impossible for me to do so because I am ((almost)) in as much of the dark right now as you are at the age of 18. But this is not a bad thing… and here’s why-

You will hold multiple jobs throughout the next five years. You will work in several restaurants as anything from a baker to a barista. You’ll also be an office assistant, PR coordinator, intern, event manager, data analyst and advertising consultant. These will all be short-lived positions, but all of them will offer the opportunity to learn what you like to do day-to-day and what you do not. Don’t get frustrated if you fail at one of them (I won’t tell you which) because this will show you that you are better suited for a position that will open more doors to the people you want to surround yourself with, the work you wish to pursue in the long run, and the freedom to produce the crops of your heart.

Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s when it comes to pursuing the right major in college or your overall career after graduation. Each and every single person you meet will experience set-backs and moments of doubt about what they wish to be in the working world. It’s the people who experiment with multiple majors, consider numerous career paths, or juggle several jobs at one time that will gain a wealth of knowledge about what’s out there and the kind of person they are hoping to become. Go to them for advice when you need it. And by the way- your undergraduate major does not decide what you will be doing right after college nor does it define your career. But- make sure you use your time wisely and choose to study what you enjoy while you have the resources to.

One thing I did not do that I wish I did (and I beg of you to consider now while you can)- go abroad while in school. I’m sitting here at the age of 23 and I still have yet to go to a Spanish speaking country like I wished for in high school. Your brother did it, and you should too. Learn diverse cultures, adapt to differences so they are no longer differences but instead- valuable perspectives, and contemplate how you can transfer your understanding to others so they may too wish to close the gap on prejudice anywhere you go. You’ll know people who DID go abroad and they will always tell you this was something they will never regret.

Remember that money isn’t everything when it comes to your first job out of college. Here’s a shocker- the economy is hardly getting better, and this will make things challenging for you and your classmates. For the time being, apply for internships and don’t be discouraged if you work for less than you expect when starting off. Hands on experience in something you love for less income will bring you more wealth and feed your overall contentment. Don’t settle for a job that provides a fat paycheck only to pay for material things that suppress your unhappiness in that position. If you are afraid of only one thing- find fear in becoming unhappy- this fear will push you to be optimistic and driven towards your greatest capabilities- especially in the workforce.

Ban negativity from your everyday conversations- with others and with yourself. Complaining never got anyone anywhere- and in a world where time can make the difference between succeeding and receding- choose the path to higher ground, climb like hell, and don’t look back. Like mentioned in my first letter, the tougher classes and job positions will lend way to a more enjoyable and understandable horizon of opportunity.

Work hard, strive to yield results you can take pride in, and take every opportunity offered to you to learn something new. And if none of this seems relevant to you today… remember one thing- DON’T DRINK THE COFFEE!

Love, Future Dwight
M

A Letter to Me... Part I

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Dear 18 year old me,

I know this must be strange, receiving a letter from yourself at the age of 23. No, this isn’t a school assignment (you’ve been out of school now for 2 years, by the way) and no, I’m not sitting lonely in an empty apartment with 14 cats scratching at my bedpost. You still hate cats.

I am writing this to you on an idle Wednesday morning. I am sitting in my cubical at work in Charlotte, staring at 32 unread emails and drinking coffee. It’s almost the holidays and I’m thinking of what to be for Halloween. But most importantly, on my walk into work this morning, I was thinking about the past five years and how much things have changed. How much I’ve grown, how much I’ve learned, how much I have obtained and how much I have lost. I will be writing you four letters of reflection and advice, and this is the first-

Love your family with all of your heart. You already do this, I know, and you will continue to do this until this day. Your family will go through hard times in the next few years. You all make it through only BECAUSE of the love and support you carry for each other. And NEVER take them for granted.

Don’t be afraid to get excited about the little things. Celebrate Halloween with silly costumes, not "sexy" ones. Run the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot with your friends and don’t be afraid to jog slow. Get up early to see the sunrise on the beach before class (Yes, you go to school at the beach). Take up surfing, and go outside in the many snow storms you are to experience.  Talk to friends on the phone when you can and listen to what your parents have to say when they call you. Go to concerts that you REALLY want to go to, pay the extra $5 for that peppermint mocha on a cold December day. These little things will make up a big part of your character, and therefore, the course of your life. No matter how inconsequential the task may seem, if it makes you smile- DO IT.

Before you graduate high school, thank Mrs. Jones for all of the Spanish lessons she taught you. True, she seems very strict and makes the class almost “impossible” to comprehend sometimes, but I promise you- you will go into college knowing more than you think and do better than you ever would have with any other teacher. She was a tough cookie- but sometimes that makes for the sweetest rewards.  Also, thank Mrs. Tringali. Sure, she made you read about a book a week for five months and your hand cramped more than you would like to admit from all of the essays (and rewrites) she required, but you are seriously ahead of the game come college and she deserves a lot of recognition for your future success. It's the toughest classes that make the road ahead smoother to travel to your preferred destination.

Read a book a month.

crdt

Write a poem every day when you find the time. Strive to gain knowledge in every nook and cranny of the library that you can. I am not a novelist, I am not even in the publishing business, but I am telling you now- keep up your writing and strive to use your passions for your success. You love to write! And although you don’t believe it now, you are very good at it. It is your strongest asset and so much of your creativity rests in your fingertips.

Have a passion. Don’t go through life thinking that all things come to those who wander. Find a passion, work hard to allow this passion to provide for your life. If you allow this to happen sooner than later, this won’t be your work, it’ll be your wealth. You will have friends who have done this for far longer than you have and you will envy their happiness every once and a while. You are happy and successful today, by the way- but at 23, you know you’re only on the cusp of something great. Don’t let it just sit on the shelf and gather dust as you sit on your computer browsing Facebook (a social media site better than Myspace that you WILL spend too much time on). 

Hold your morals and values. They are what make you unique, strong, valuable, and motivated. You are still very hard on yourself- try not to let this become detrimental. It is ok to strive for improvement, but once you begin striving for perfection, know you’re only going to burn yourself out. You will make numerous mistakes, morals will be briefly forgotten in weak moments, and values will become muddled. But they aren’t far gone. You will learn that life is good at distracting you, tempting you, trying you, and teaching you. Don’t be afraid to slip and take a few steps backwards. You have done this many times- but you have managed to take two giant steps forward after the fact. 

crdt

Keep up your running but don't let it define you. You will learn that you have an irregular curvature in your lower lumbar and you will still fight for the chance to run in college... You will fail... kind of. You will go on to run half marathons, a full marathon, a triathalon, and more than a handful of 5k's. Running may seem like your passion now, but trust me- God put it in your life for another reason and it serves you well... just not on the front burner. Just enjoy what your body can do and love how it makes you feel.

Also, learn to dance to good music, please. Take up some kind of dancing like ballroom, interpretive, even just gym-class hip-hop for cardio. And STAY AWAY from the Twerk. Miley Cyrus is no longer a cute Disney star, and I truly believe the Twerk is to blame…This doesn’t mean you can’t learn the “wobble”, the “wop”, or the “burney”. These are very important, I promise.

And on that note, I will leave you to wonder about what would ever possess a human being to name a dance from the sound you make when you swat a fly on the ceiling. Three more letters are to come… but remember- You’re always living the next moment of the rest of your life. Make it count.

Love, M

A Runner's Prayer

Dear Lord...
Thank you for waking me with a starry sky
a promise that you're watching with a twinkling eye
as my feet are lifted to the floor
place my shoes on my feet and head out the door
Thank you for the crisp September air
and the subtle breeze that catches in my blonde hair
thank you for the friends that bring a smile to my face
and a painfree body for this 70 mile race
Thank you for comforting our restless nerves
a grace in which not one of us deserves
you place your hands on our wheels until we park at the start
and press your ear to my chest to keep my steady heart
Thank you for the dew, and the foggy sunrise scene
for my teammates and I to run into at a time so obscene
thank you for the silence and the cricket churps too
the hills and the hurdles that we all had to work through
Thank you for my muscles, stretched and warmed up for strength
and for removing my mind of worry, doubt, and angst.
Thank you for family and their encouraging words
and thanks for the humming of insects, the chirping of birds
Thank you for each breath: whether short, sharp, or deep
that carried us up and down bridges, slippery and steep
Thank you for headlights, reflecting vests so bright
and getting us through the 77 miles all alright!
Thank you lord for my teammates, for our competetors too
and we all survived the madness that is this sport that we do
and as I lay my head down at the end of the night
I say this runner's prayer and turn out the light.

A Donut Named Desire

Sometimes the greatest gift is a morning of deep sleep, thick yawns, and grey skies outside of the window. Combine this with a short drive to downtown Wilmington, where the few people that are awake are crawling over the cement like ants, and a breakfast of rich chocolate-bacon donuts dipped in coffee interrupted only by the good conversation of a great friend...

That can only be described as bliss.

Another weekend in the beautiful beach town I once called home for three and a half years, I count my blessings. Celebrating an engagement this evening, I prepare to surround myself with good hearts, great food, and unforgettable memories. All I need is a silk ribbon to tie it all together and top it off with a bow.

Luke 12:15

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”



Little Thing

Take a feather in a rainstorm
throw it off into the wind
watch it fall down to the earth
before its flight could begin

Watch the grain of sand get washed away
by a single wave of sea
unsettled for just a moment
but then the earth will let it be

See the branches in a snowstorm
struggle under heavy sheets of ice
then glimmer in the moonlight
in the clearest of winter nights

See the exhale of smoke from a burning fire
dance across the prairie sky
a gust of wind unsettles the rhythm of chaos
and soon even the heat will die

Listen to the lonely owl
whisper secrets in the dark
watching at dusk for his prey to sleep
in the shadows of the park

Hear the breath of the morning
as the sun climbs the rungs of space
to greet each miniscule matter of life
that bring a smile upon your face

My Life Lately...

Bruises and Scars

We all have the ability
to live in chaos or tranquility
based on the course of our actions-
acting upon priorities or distractions
who we are and who we are to be
depends on the world we choose to see
for me, I want to be free of animosity
but in life, this choice is not always easy

We fall and tumble after a minor stumble
over words, feelings, expectations
shallow analyzations and personal evaluations
bruised and battered, clothes ripped and tattered
over things that may or may not truly matter

But we walk and limp with discolored skin
as if hurting and feeling were notable sins
stoned to death by the eyes of my enemies
as if hatred and self-loathing befriended me
leaving my skin cut deep only to scar
alongside the bruises that define who we are

But the end of our struggles reside in our mind
and fall victim to hearts that are pure and kind
and forgiveness heals all hard hearted fools
for when we forgive we let go of the rules
and love with compassion above boundries of law
and see gold in the scars that once were of flaw



We give hope to the wreckless pirates of purity
crumble boundaries of weakness and insecurity
because when people promise love instead of hate
we forget how to fight and only to appreciate
the time we have with those that matter
allow glass ceilings to tumble, break and shatter
and while scars never heal and bruises sink deep in our skin
we will prepare for restoration before the battle can begin

Gluten-Free Coconut Kisses

I like dessert... Ok, I LOVE dessert. Put anything chocolate in front of me and I'll eat it inhale it. Which is what made lent so hard!

 

But after giving up gluten for lent as well, I found that coming back to wheat, barley, and rye was not only difficult... it was painful! Any type of gluten product that I ate- including Oreos, salad dressings containing soy, crackers, etc...- I found the after-effects to follow. 

(Want to learn more about gluten intolerance effects on the body? Go HERE)

But I couldn't let this get in the way of my love for baking. In fact, it's pretty simple to swap ingredients containing gluten with those that don't- ie using almond flour or corn meal instead of your typical flour blend. 

I also jumped on the coconut-oil train because it is super healthy, versatile, and tasty! You can buy a large jar at Trader Joe's for $6 and it should last you anywhere between 2-3 months! 

Anywho! With my sweet tooth calling, I answered with these sweet little morsels that were easy as pie... or cookies...

Coconut Kisses

Ingredients-

1-1/2 Cups Pamela's baking mix
1/4 cup coconut oil- melted

1/4 cup agave nectar or pure maple syrup

1/8 tsp baking soda

sprinkle salt

Preheat oven to 350. Using a fork, mix all ingredients together until no dry flour is remaining. Make sure all clumps from coconut oil have been pressed out. Place loose dough into fridge for 10 minutes to slightly chill. Take out dough (will be crumbly) and press into small balls- rolling between palms. Press on parchment paper- abut the size of small kiwis. Put in heated oven and bake for 9-10 minutes.

Take out and enjoy *awesome when warm*

Take these kisses for a spin! They're delicate but sweet and flavorful- may I suggest with a cup of vanilla chai? MmmmMmmmm!

Ready for Sweet Summertime

Is it just me, or has winter overstayed its welcome? I love Winter... I truly do! I love snow, hot chocolate, stocking hats, warm mittens, and crackling fires...

But this girl is so ready for some summertime! There's something so pure and innocent about the Spring season that serves as a segway into the sun-beaming months of summer. Fresh starts, sun-kissed skin, and bright colors.

What is your favorite part about the warm seasons? They are right around the corner... I hope!

 

Picking Up the Pen

It's been a while since I've picked up a pen and written down a rhyme. So here it comes, after a mini-vacay from hittin' the sheets (of paper, that is!) Happy Thursday, everyone!

I wake up, my hair in knots
my toes are cold, my cheeks are hot
pressed against the pillow case
a tired and aging face

I slip on my socks and shift across the hard wood
pull on my cotton pants, adjust my sweatshirt hood
reach into the cupboard, pull out the coffee tin
measure one scoop, two, three..add water, dive in

Can't find my toothbrush, my lips are dry
splash water on my skin, watch droplets fly
return to the coffee mug on the table top
await the sunshine, pray the rain soon will stop

Pick up the phone, dial the number on my mind
bring up conversations, any topic I can find
he doesn't answer, I'm not surprised
hang up, no message, close my eyes

Wipe away steam, tears, from coffee or a broken heart
just in time for the lightning strike, the thunder starts
turn on the radio, people murmur nothing new
I turn the off the sound and think for a few

Street lights flicker off, the rain now a misty gray-white
the sun fights the cloud cover and pronounces daylight
a door slams out in the stairwell, the world starts to wake
take the towels from the dryer, give the sheets a shake

The phone rings, I run in the bedroom where it sits
just my brother, I'll call later, unless I forget
return to the kitchen, pour another cup coffee
as he does the same, somewhere far from here, without me.

New Apartment, Saving Spring Break, and Still Gluten Free!

It seems that with the ever-churning wheels of adult-hood, this girl has been going full throttle since day one of work. I thought about what it would be like to pull the emergency brake and stop for a few days to breathe... and then responsibilities kicked me out of this daze and back into the drivers seat 

0 to 60...

This past weekend, I road tripped to Charleston (for the first time!) to celebrate my roommate's last "Fling before the Ring." I met amazing ladies, ate some delicious food, and got into too many adventures... wait... is there such a thing? I think not...

Yes, that is my roomie and I... 

and yes, those are lady mustaches we are sporting out in public...

But with all good times come an end and we found our way back to the real world this week full of work, bills, and cleaning. Unfortunately, my roommate came down with a silly sickness and we have been wishing her a quick recovery...

On the other side, I have been feverishly searching for my new home here in Charlotte, and thanks to some quick thinking and a nice lady in the front office of the apartment complex... I have found my new bachelor-ette pad. 

How I'll decorate it, I do not know. I'm about as clueless as a turtle in an airplane about what to do to put an entire apartment together. Kitchen appliances, bathroom extras, living room furniture-OH MY!

 All I can say is Thank Goodness for Pinterest! 

How I'll incorporate different elements such as seen above... beats me. But once the furniture moves and space is reserved... I'll figure it out. If you have any input for this new apartment dweller, please share!

Also... while I am out of college and far from a standard "Spring Break", I will be packing my bags for a long weekend trip down south for some sunshine coming up in the next week! 

 

Who said I'm too old for spring break? Oh no, not I, says the girl on the fly! 

 

XOXO

What My Dad-Dad Taught Me...

Growing up on a horse farm was not always a cherished way of life like it is today. In fact- I can remember coming home from friends’ homes and asking my parents, “Why can’t we live in a neighborhood like *Ashley or *Josh?”  I wanted the cul-de-sac, I wanted the back-to-back yard whiffle ball games that lasted into the evening, I wanted the bike rides with friends. But most of all, I wanted the normalcy. The normalcy that I saw behind the lifestyle of those cookie cutter houses that bred socialites starting at the age of six...

 

But to my dismay (at the time), My brother and I grew up on a hill that overlooked fields of alfalfa and grazing horses. Neighbors were never seen conversing in the driveway nor were there ever group barbecues that people stopped by for a quick hello.

 But as time went on and I look back at this life style I grew up in, I can’t help but be ever so grateful for never reaching “normalcy” and aging with a developed desire to stand out. And although I never met the man, except for a month before his passing as he held me as a bundle of wrinkled skin and baby coo’s, I have so much thank my great granddad for all he has contributed to my life.

My Dad-Dad, Charles Keller II, was an extraordinary man. Even twenty-two years later, his presence in each and every one of the Kellers' lives is strong and humbling. You see, my Dad-Dad was a dreamer: A motivated individual that had a to-do list only fathomable by the very elite visionaries. A young boy, he dreamed of serving his country, playing baseball, living on a farm, moving to exciting cities and meeting incredible people.

Charlie went to the University of Maryland after growing up in a small rural town about an hour outside of Baltimore. Studying agricultural economics, he also found the love of his life- soon to be his wife- and played baseball for the university. In time, he found himself playing minor-league baseball for the Newark Bears until he made his way up to New York for his rookie season in 1939 for the Yankees. 

Interchanging his time between the Yankees and the Detroit Tigers from1939-1952, my Dad-Dad played out his passion and worked towards his dream. He left the diamond in 1944 and was gone much of 1945 as he took this time to serve his country in the Merchant Marines during World War II.

Before and after his military leave, Dad-Dad achieved a position in multiple World Series and accumulated an impressive batting average. Charlie (or King Kong Keller, as his teammates called him based on his massive power swing… or gorilla-like eye-brows) stayed busy bettering himself and his aspirations. 

Playing with headliners like Joe DiMaggio and Tommy Henrich, Dad-Dad met fascinating people. He learned of stories that lead to greater perspective. His travels and correspondences helped him gain an abundance of knowledge and understanding, some of which has been passed along to me through the generations that have raised me.

After back issues, my great-grandfather retired from baseball and made his way back home to Maryland. But his to-do list wasn’t yet complete. Now with a family and support from friends, Dad-Dad began what was soon to become his pride and joy. A standard bred horse farm on the outskirts of Frederick that he right-fully named, “Yankeeland.” It is here that he built a barn upon a dream that grew into a business. But more importantly, it spawned from a simple idea and a wild passion that evolved into a reality. 

 This is where he watched his family grow and learn the true value of hard work. My grandfather worked his bare hands here, my father still works this land, and I am blessed to still have the opportunity to plant my memories in the soil my great-granddad had sewn for this family.

I wished to share this with you for the soul purpose to reflect. It is possible to achieve all you set your mind to. My Dad-Dad taught me a lot: The power of persistence and the importance of dreaming, no matter how big these dreams may grow to be. He taught me that all success stems from sincere love and devotion for the people that enter our life to support even our craziest ambitions. He taught me that not one thing can be expected or given to us unless we are willing to risk failure and stretch our abilities to reach success. 

I can’t remember what age I was when I realized that I liked growing up where I did; that time period in which I knew that I never really wanted normalcy. Because had I grown up in normalcy, I would never have truly understood exactly what my Dad-Dad built our home upon- a passion for family, a passion for achieving… a passion for dreaming.