Yesterday I became an enchanted little girl again as unanticipated snowflakes began to fall out of the Redding sky. Up here in Northern California snow is not uncommon on all the mountains, but it seldom snows in the city of Redding in which I live. As little white crystals began to float down from the heavens yesterday, I could not reign in my excitement and had to run outside and dance and twirl in the winter wonderland. The snow melted seconds after landing on earth, but it was magical nonetheless, and this southern-hemisphere born girl couldn't get enough of it.
I've always dreamt of a white Christmas, and as a little girl, at Christmas time my mind would wander to faraway lands covered in white. Now that's proper Christmas.
I'm still praying for a white Christmas this year, and after yesterday's little white gifts from heaven, it seems almost possible.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Frankie Gets Craftier
Innovation is the name of the game with Frankie Magazine, and I am loving their latest gift to the world, a darling little 'Gift Paper Book.' In the words of the creatives at Frankie:
need to pretty up some pressies or just introduce more papery goodness into your life? the frankie gift paper book contains 10 sheets of unique ‘50s-inspired designs printed on high-quality perforated paper ready for you to rip, fold, stick, craft and tape to your heart’s content. beautifully bound in a special protective cover, it’s a must for vintage lovers, paper aficionados and givers of awesome presents.
{all images frankie.com.au}
Monday, December 3, 2012
Ramblings
Cabin fever is no urban myth. My weekend can testify to that fact quite auspiciously. The cause: my diligent over-achiever tendencies met with three lengthly assignments and a stormy weather from hell's armpit. The result: Not seeing the light of day for prolonged periods of time and cabin fever in it's purest form.
Now that the weekend is over and I've annihilated those assignments, I am ready for an intravenous shot of fun and all things light-hearted and whimsical. This afternoon as I slammed that final book shut in victory, I had to reward myself with inhaling some fresh country air, so I slipped into my combat boots, put on my fingerless gloves and my room-mates military jacket (I've demanded she leave this to me in her will), and took a lonesome stroll to my local Trader Joe's store for no reason other than to have thai curry samples and a tot of gingerbread coffee. There is such thing as a free lunch, apparently.
It has come to my attention however that all work and no play makes Jess a dull girl and so this week, so help me God, I will have fun, whether it be in the form of a Settler's of Catan showdown, an O.C marathon, or a latte sipped across from a witty friend.
Now that the weekend is over and I've annihilated those assignments, I am ready for an intravenous shot of fun and all things light-hearted and whimsical. This afternoon as I slammed that final book shut in victory, I had to reward myself with inhaling some fresh country air, so I slipped into my combat boots, put on my fingerless gloves and my room-mates military jacket (I've demanded she leave this to me in her will), and took a lonesome stroll to my local Trader Joe's store for no reason other than to have thai curry samples and a tot of gingerbread coffee. There is such thing as a free lunch, apparently.
It has come to my attention however that all work and no play makes Jess a dull girl and so this week, so help me God, I will have fun, whether it be in the form of a Settler's of Catan showdown, an O.C marathon, or a latte sipped across from a witty friend.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Oh, December...
December crept up so quietly that I didn't even hear a floorboard creek. A little frightening that the year's end is upon us, but after all the joy's it brought with it, celebration is the order of the day. Here's all the things I'm loving this December...
Homeland yearning. Trudging through snow. Chopping down Christmas trees. Warm apple cider. Top Deck sent from home. December decorating. Lights. Cranberry & Brie. Storms and gloomy skies. Countdown until overseas friends arrive at my doorstep. The season of gifts. Ribbons on parcels. Buttoned up blouses. Faux fur. Drowning in infinity scarves. Card games and coffee. Frank Sinatra's festive voice. The sound of rain on windows. Leopard-print pants. California road trip. Hunter boots and skipping through puddles. My umbrella investment. Imagining impossible things. The whistle of the wind through the windows. Singing do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-si-do along with Julie Andrews. Empty benches in the park. The contrast of red on white. Piles of lifeless leaves only to be seen again in the spring. Rewatching the O.C, because I never need an excuse to dose up on Seth Cohen. Staying enchanted. Believing again. Hair-cuts. Plaid pajamas. The close of the finest year thus far. Etta James. Traditions. Huncal peppermint mochas. The sound of a best friend's laugh. The beauty in the Christmas carol's lyrics. Innovation, just because. Learning the lost art of hand-lettering. Doodles and sketchpads. When the sun and moon share the same sky. Glitter and glamor. Unwinding. Fireplace mornings. Seeing miracles with these two eyes. The choice, that is love. Jude Law in the Holiday, need I say more? Movie marathons and re-watching the classics. Shadows cast on brick walls. An unexpected doorbell ring. The resurfacing of friends' embarrassing teenage youtube clips. Embers. Saying little prayers for you. Pretending it's a previous era. Dreaming of a white Christmas. Tinseled trees that touch the ceiling. The way dads' eyes sparkle as they look at their little girls. Confetti. An OC new year's. High-cheek bones. Family portraits, done right. Burning logs. Assortments of home-made pies. Running through long grass at sunset. Doing small things in a great way. The dreamers, the crazy ones. Seeing friends who I haven't seen in years. Exploring California's coastline. The smell of the ocean's spray. Dinner parties and breakfast dates. Pine cones and walnuts. Antique sofas. A good book and the fetal position. Being merry and jolly and whatnot. Celebrating the birth of the one most important to me.
Care To Support My Dream?
Lovely followers and blog readers,
Some of you know as per my previous 'Keep Calm and go to England' post, I am going to England next April. This is a real dream come true for me as I can hardly remember a time in my life when I didn't year to be under the grey U.K skies.
I am not taking a vacation or a leisurely trip, but am going with a fiery missions team from my ministry school Bethel. Every year the school takes a team across the oceans to hugely impact the nation through the love and joy of Jesus. The testimonies from last year's trip were absolutely phenomenal and apart from ministering in churches and loving on people on the streets, the team was able to actually work with the police force and were able to minister within a brothel to some of the girls 'working' there. Overall, the team saw the craziest of miracles, people being completely healed by the power of God and many people come to know for themselves the love and saving grace of their loving God. This was a profound time for the nation, it's people and the team of radical students who have dedicated their lives to spreading love across the planet.
This year, I get to form a part of that team and get to live out my dream of seeing this beautiful nation fall in love with Jesus. I am a person who's life stands for something, and my dreams, visions and aspirations largely center around changing this world through love and the power of God which has been so undeniably evident in my own life and has shaped my personal testimony. I will give my last penny and my final breath to seeing this dream take shape in my lifetime. But, I cannot do it alone, and this is where I ask you to support my dream should you feel your heart stirred to do so. As a student I am needing financial backing in order to be able to get on that UK-bound plane with the rest of my team in April. There are a number of payment deadlines that I am needing to meet, starting December 7th and continuing until the end of March. The entire cost of the trip is $2200, and I have no doubt in my mind that as friends, family and believers in my dreams gather around me, I will see all the necessary components come together in the name of my dream being fulfilled.
So, should you wish to play a part, you can click on this link and donate towards my England trip. (all donations are tax deductible. Yay.) https://missiontrips.ibethel.org/transactions/new/1379
Thank you in advance beautiful readers and I shall keep you posted in the weeks and months leading up to this exciting adventure.
xxx
Some of you know as per my previous 'Keep Calm and go to England' post, I am going to England next April. This is a real dream come true for me as I can hardly remember a time in my life when I didn't year to be under the grey U.K skies.
I am not taking a vacation or a leisurely trip, but am going with a fiery missions team from my ministry school Bethel. Every year the school takes a team across the oceans to hugely impact the nation through the love and joy of Jesus. The testimonies from last year's trip were absolutely phenomenal and apart from ministering in churches and loving on people on the streets, the team was able to actually work with the police force and were able to minister within a brothel to some of the girls 'working' there. Overall, the team saw the craziest of miracles, people being completely healed by the power of God and many people come to know for themselves the love and saving grace of their loving God. This was a profound time for the nation, it's people and the team of radical students who have dedicated their lives to spreading love across the planet.
This year, I get to form a part of that team and get to live out my dream of seeing this beautiful nation fall in love with Jesus. I am a person who's life stands for something, and my dreams, visions and aspirations largely center around changing this world through love and the power of God which has been so undeniably evident in my own life and has shaped my personal testimony. I will give my last penny and my final breath to seeing this dream take shape in my lifetime. But, I cannot do it alone, and this is where I ask you to support my dream should you feel your heart stirred to do so. As a student I am needing financial backing in order to be able to get on that UK-bound plane with the rest of my team in April. There are a number of payment deadlines that I am needing to meet, starting December 7th and continuing until the end of March. The entire cost of the trip is $2200, and I have no doubt in my mind that as friends, family and believers in my dreams gather around me, I will see all the necessary components come together in the name of my dream being fulfilled.
So, should you wish to play a part, you can click on this link and donate towards my England trip. (all donations are tax deductible. Yay.) https://missiontrips.ibethel.org/transactions/new/1379
Thank you in advance beautiful readers and I shall keep you posted in the weeks and months leading up to this exciting adventure.
xxx
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