French things make everything better.

Day 4 of the Snowpocolypse.

School had been cancelled for everyone again.

Despite what you might think, we were not going stir crazy.

Good thing we brought some of my homemade wheat bread.  

It is full of flax seed, oats, and crushed almonds.

Yum.

We decided to try to make some homemade french toast with the wheat bread.

Here is how you do it:

This morning John left for his first day of school for this semester. I'm gonna miss that guy during the days.  The Snowpocolypse spoiled us.

I'm feeling a lot this morning as I think about what this semester might hold for us. 

I'm scared I might get bored.  This is the first time, since I was four, that I haven't been a student.  I feel like its hard to gain a sure footing right now.  I am faced with all of this time and the freedom to choose what I would like to do with it.

I have always been an extremely busy lady.  

I have prided myself on my "to-do" lists.  I went through school in a whirl wind of things to do, songs to memorize, assignments to complete, and places to be.  I had a schedule and places where I knew I had to be present.  Now, I feel like I am floating around in some sort of uncharted territory.  Although now I occasionally have work, voice lessons, and a grocery run, I find myself in possession of one of the most precious gifts: time.

My father-in-law encouraged John and I to read (this talk) from October General Conference again.  We did, and I am so grateful for that.  Here are some things that Dieter Uchtdorf said that spoke to my soul.

"Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia—even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives."

"It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Over-scheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks."

"Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most.

Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace. "

I am very much looking forward to devoting my time to simplifying my life and emphasizing the basics of the gospel in my life.

I am looking forward to being a supportive wife while my husband soldiers through another semester of college.

I am looking forward to the next time I can make this french toast.

And I am looking forward to all of my precious time and turning it in to something wonderful.

A Tea Party (Mormon Approved)

When I was a little girl, I had a lot of energy.  I was basically the poster child for ADHD. It was so bad in fact that after my FIRST week of kindergarten my teacher called my parents on Friday and said, "I have really been meaning to call you guys and speak with you about Rachel's behavior."  Eeek!  5 days and I was already running circles around everyone!

When I had too much energy and I couldn't sleep I remember complaining to my mother and she would make me a nice hot cup of Sleepy Time Tea.  I can still remember us sneaking down quietly to the kitchen in our PJ's and momma would warm up a mug of water.  The beep of the microwave as it finished warming was almost heavenly and then we would add a little honey and I would wait not so patiently and almost always burn my tongue with the first sip.  But, it always calmed me down and the warmth on my tummy made me...

oh

so

sleeeeeepy.  

(a picture from mine and hubs tea party on Tuesday night)

So, last night when hubs and I were doing our papers we had a late night treat.  I had had this Cherry and Madagascan Cinnamon Tea at the Zimmerman's one night when I spent the night on Lisa's squeaky twin bed.  I fell IN LOVE!  I looked and looked for it everywhere afterwards and it took me quite some time to find it.

The Ingredients:

Hibiscus

natural cherry flavour

orange leaves

apple pieces

rosehips

cinnamon

liquorice root

cherry pieces

(Even the taste of these words are delicious)

*and of course a drizzle of honey in the bottom of our cups*

We bought these teacups for decorations for our wedding reception.  We got a huge assortment all for a dollar each at My Sister's Antiques in Loganville.  We put candles in side and put them in the birdcages on the tables.

(2 photos from our reception)

Last night brought me back.  I sat there and sipped my tea as John did research for his paper.  The taste was calming and it made me miss my mother.  This weekend is her birthday.  She and my sister and I are all going camping tomorrow night (like in a real tent and everything!) and then Saturday while John is at his interpreters course we are all three going to go to the temple together.  I love being with them.  We are best friends.

(I love the reflection of our chandelier in the tea)

I think I am going to make John and I a cup of tea again tonight as he finishes his paper and then we are going to tuck ourselves in to the most comfortable bed in the world.  We will throw our white down comforter up in the air and let it come down softly around us.  We will say our prayers, smooch, and John will turn off the light.  Then we drift off to sleep with warmth in our tummies.