Current Favorites

I just returned from an hour long walk in the woods nearby my home. That is one of my favorite things to do. It occurred to me on this late September afternoon that autumn is bursting on the scene. Brightly colored purple asters peaked out amongst the waving goldenrod clusters. My dear Queen Anne’s lace had folded it’s blooms and faded to brown. Dragonflies were frantically soaring through the air and black walnuts accompanied the acorns on the ground. I stopped to gaze up through the thinning leaves into the most beautiful blue skies. I was grateful for the moment.

Then I remembered a phrase in Seasons by Nicole Nordeman which says that “I will offer thanks for what has been and what’s to come.”  As seasons physically change, I realized that I wanted to pause and mark some of my favorite things from the season of summer 2010 that just ended. This was such a fun experiment in noticing and reflecting that I think I will update CURRENT FAVORITES with the change of each season.

FAVORITE BOOKS: See the Stack

The stack of books were my favorites from this past season. Something resonated inside of me when I gazed at them in total. They all share something in common. They all focus upon change. Because I am in a season of change myself, I must have been drawn to that theme without even noticing it. Let me share specifics.

Nice Girls Don’t Change the World, by Lynne Hybels describes her journey toward becoming herself and then leveraging that into passionate compassion into our world. She totally stepped out of her comfort zone to make a difference. I want to be like Lynne ‘when I grow up.’

An American Childhood by Annie Dillard describes the way in which she embraced the world as a little girl and throughout adolescence. Her vivid descriptive writing made me feel like I was standing in her Pittsburgh neighborhood watching her change and grow. She has helped me as I seek to remember my formative experiences as well.

The Convergence by Jeff Caliguire (and foreword and editing by my husband Ron) If not for this book and the program it describes, I would still be dreaming about writing. I wouldn’t be doing it. This book, if you have the courage to read it, will inspire you to take action and become the person that you long to become!

The Middle Place, by Kelly Corrigan. I usually don’t buy a non-recommended book, but the title grabbed me. While raising her young family, this author honestly described her personal battle with cancer at the same time her father was battling cancer. While this sounds extremely depressing, her choice to choose joy in the midst of this was utterly inspiring. I am drawn to honesty, and she definitely took me through the changes in her plans and life in very real ways.

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard will make even the most indoor person want to throw on a jacket and meander outside. She has an uncanny ability to notice the most subtle changes in the world that we often overlook. She also inspires us to slow down and simply look.

The Circle of Quiet, by M. L’Engle. You may know of her from her children’s literature, but I reread this book to see how a woman who highly values her family could find the time to write. I was trying to spy on her so to speak. She didn’t disappoint. I guess I learned that she could roll with the little and big changes that came her way. Now if only I can!

Lit by Mary Karr. I love her writing style. I don’t always love reading about the choices she makes, but she also honestly talked about her addictions and poor choices. And then she talked about how she humbled herself, got help, and looked toward God to help her live a life that she finally realized she was worthy of living. She makes her living writing and teaching. Sounds rather appealing to me!

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Another reread. I guess I wanted to walk on the Appalachian Trail without going there. It worked. He also gives me courage to move toward things that I am not sure I could do. He changed on his trailwalk. He inspires me to change.

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. This book, besides the Bible, is probably the book that has most changed how I live my life. The premise is something like this. If someone were to make a movie about my life, would it be compelling? Do I live so safely that I am actually not living? What do I need to do…really do?  This has been a hot topic in our home for months!

Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist. I love Shauna’s second book. I will be doing a review of this book later in October. So, you will have to wait until then!

To sum it up, I think you will see that I love learning about the art of writing and that real stories matter to me. And I love when people have the guts to change!!! I already am starting on my pile for fall.

FAVORITE PLAY LIST:

I am in the middle of planning a ‘decade party’ to be held on 10/10/10. Watch for a blog about it. But, in the meantime, I had a blast on one of the last days of summer creating a play list with music from the 30′s all the way to the present. Some of the music from the 70s took me back to other places. I smiled and actually danced around the kitchen a bit. It was really fun, and I look forward to celebrating a very special day with some people I deeply love. Speaking of being with people I love…

FAVORITE GATHERINGS: Bryant Decathlon and High School Girlfriends

The Bryant Fourth of July Decathlon is a long standing tradition. Our host and hostess, Scott and Sarah, kicked it up a notch this year. If you have ever seen Survivor, you are on the right track. Imagine 24 people of all ages gathering to compete for the prize. Imagine your brand new daughter-in-law selling you out to have to eat 3 jalapenos and 6 oreos in hopes her team will win the competition! Imagine winning the trophy for the first time ever! It was a blast.

My high school girlfriends are now hanging out together at least 2 or 3 times a year. This has only been happening for the past 3 years, but provides indescribable richness! We knew each other growing up. We knew each other’s families. We just knew…and are doing a really good job at KNOWING the here and now!!! This summer we were at Pam’s house in Lake Bluff, IL and it truly was a magical day. Which leads me to two more favorites from summer 2010!

FAVORITE NEW SPOT TO VISIT: Lake Bluff, Illinois

Absolutely Lake Bluff. If you have ever watched “Gilmore Girls,” then you will know what I am writing about. It is a bit like Stars Hollow. In 2010, children were simply riding their bikes through town. When I took Debralyn there for an afternoon, strangers stopped us on the street to see if we were looking for a place to eat. They looked in our faces and smiled at us! A gazebo beckoned everyone to sit and chat. A delicious bakery held out its hand for us to stop in for cupcakes. The entire area felt homey, safe, inviting, and gorgeous. Just a few blocks away from the town square leaves you on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. Wow! A place in the Chicago suburbs where you can actually take a deep breath.

FAVORITE NEW RECIPE: Frozen Berries with White Hot Chocolate

Also a result of Pam (and her love of her new kitchen and Barefoot Contessa). Take some fresh raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Spread them out on a cookie sheet and freeze. Before you want to eat this dessert, this is what you do.  In a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, heat 1 cup of heavy cream, 10 ounces of good white chocolate (not chips), and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla just until the chocolate melts. Heat the mixture until it is warm and throughly combined.

Place the frozen berries in adorable cups and allow them to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Pour the hot white chocolate evenly over the frozen berries and serve immediately.

My friends and I eagerly drank the rest of the white hot chocolate even after the fruit was gone. Also, when the fruit isn’t available, you can use bags of mixed frozen fruit. But, try to separate them before you serve them so you aren’t left with clumps.

FAVORITE MOMENT OF GIGGLES (Yes, this is quite important!)

When my two strong sons asked me to ride on the tea cups at Great America, I knew I was in for a treat. They spun me faster than I have ever spun before. They could barely breathe because they were working so hard. I don’t think I have laughed that hard in many, many years. I felt rather proud of myself. You see, none of my middle aged girlfriends still had the stomachs to spin.

FAVORITE MOMENT….SUMMER of 2010 (Closely connected to my favorite saying which is “If not now, when?”)

The date: August 23. My thirtieth wedding anniversary. When I returned from a walk, Ron approached me and announced, “I did it.” He accepted a call that God had given him to join International Teams in a strategic, leadership capacity. I knew that is what he was supposed to do. I knew deep down that he would do it. I knew that he was scared. But, in that moment, I had never been more grateful to be married to a man that listens to God