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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Fun Run!


 
On Saturday Charlie and I ran in our first race together! I'll admit, I have been strongly opposed to running any type of 5K, half, or marathon because it seems like everyone is doing that these days.  However, because this race was to benefit School On Wheels and was at a location like Zuma Beach I decided to make an exception to my rule.  It was only a 5K and was very laid back but was a great experience!  They even had an awesome band playing folk-ish music. :)
 
 We saw Dean Sturgeon there, and got catch up with him before the race.  However, once the race started...there was no catching him... He ran WAY TOO fast for us.


I finished in exactly 25 minutes and Charlie was only a few seconds behind me! :)  This NEVER happens. Typically, I am the one nagging Charlie to slow down but Saturday he was in the early stages of an awful cold so he was not running at 100%.  We still had a great time and enjoyed the early morning exercise.

Charlie spent the rest of the day studying and we watched Alabama dominate Mississippi State Saturday night!  Sunday night we had to work since Jon, he guy who usually works, is out of town.  Thankfully, our small group came to our house so Charlie and I took shifts manning the front desk and getting to be with our wonderful friends!  

   

Saturday, October 27, 2012

People, People, People

No matter where you go, it's always the people that determine if you like your experience there, love it, or (in the words of Elphaba and Glinda) are changed for good. For example...church camp is my favorite place in the world.  Located in Smackover, Arkansas it is nothing fancy, but the people I met there remain some of my dearest friends.  Camp Kurios is where I met Samantha, my wonderful college room mate for 3 years and the counselors there actually introduced me to Harding!  I could literally go on and on and on about the life changing people I met through Camp Kurios.
Since our time in California, we have met nothing but AMAZING people!! From Two Bunk John to the die-hard MIZZOU fan, Bob Tipton, we have quickly fallen in love with the people of California.  Sure, the view is breathtaking and of course the cuisine is exquisite BUT without wonderful people to share these adventures with, how dull would this experience be?  I want to share a few of my favorites...
Now, before you think this is too random, this idea just came to me as I was reflecting upon our shopping experience today.  Charlie and I went to J.Crew to finally get him some fall/winter clothes!  This boy is still growing and has outgrown his current attire.  The sales guy there, Steven, couldn't have been more kind.  He helped Charlie find the right jeans that weren't TOO modern but also didn't look like he bought them in the 80s.  When we finally checked out he gave us a discount and I really felt like we'd made a new friend!! He promised to drop by for a visit the next time he came surfing at Surfrider Beach.

Ok, back to the highlights (in no particular order)...

#1: KAJA

I'm dying to tell everyone about the funniest guy I have met so far.  He is the security guard next door and his name is Kaja.  He also has a heart of gold.  One cool, crisp Thursday night he came over to visit.  (He only comes over on Thursdays.)  He shared a few stories with Charlie and me and we all ate a strawberry cupcake then he took a cup of coffee to go...Before I knew he could actually go inside the building he protects, I thought he had to stand outside all night so I made him take a cup of coffee because it was chilly.  Well, about 3 minutes later he comes back in with a huge smile on his face and no coffee cup.  He asked us if he could have another cup of coffee.  "Sure...you must have drank the last cup super fast!!" I said.  "Actually, I gave it to the homeless guy who asked me for it when I walked by him."
Melt my heart right there!  I had tears in my eyes as I poured him another cup of coffee!  Lol, sad but true.

Kaja took this picture last night on our tour of the restaurant he stands watch over!
#2: TWO BUNK JOHN


Charlie getting John to autograph his chapter in the book!
In the middle of my recovery from surgery this summer I began reading 'Love Does' after my sweet sisters-in-law recommended it.  They spoke about the book with so much excitement and awe, Charlie and I went out that very night and bought the book store's last copy.  Claire and Mary Kyle couldn't wait to tell Charlie and I about it because the author, Bob Goff, actually taught law classes at Pepperdine.  It gets better...
As I was reading the last chapter about 'Two Bunk John' I read that he was starting law school this fall.  After reading about his work with a school in Uganda I wondered what law school was lucky enough to snag him.  At the end of the book it had his last name so of course I immediately did what anyone does these days when they want to find out the scoop on someone...I looked him up on facebook!
When I found him I saw that we had 1 mutual friend, Charlie Walker. I attempted to yell to Charlie who was deep in his own reading, however because I had just had jaw surgery and still had a splint in my mouth my speech was highly unintelligible.  I did my best to ask him how in the world he knew Two Bunk John.
He had no idea what I was talking about.  However, after some investigating I found out that I was right. Two Bunk John also known as John Niemeyer, would be attending Pepperdine Law School with Charlie in the fall.  I immediately sent him a facebook message telling him we couldn't wait to meet him.
I knew after receiving a message back from him that he, Charlie, and I would for sure be good friends!  I was right again...John is such a great guy and has THE BEST stories.  I don't want to tell you too much about him because I want you to read Love Does! :)

#3 : THE CAINS

Even though Chris is a big time movie producer, Sharon is an actress, and their son is SUPERMAN, the Cains are the most genuine people!!  Sharon has the biggest smile and most infectious laugh and Chris couldn't be more humble.  I love that whenever I see them it's obvious they are still very much in love by the way they look, talk, and interact with each other.  I just love LOVE! :)

Well, the list truly goes on and on but I wanted to share a few.  And to wrap things up, my favorite quote by C.S. Lewis.  It is much longer and more in depth, but these words have been etched in my mind since the very first time I read The Weight of Glory.

"There are no ordinary people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal."
-C.S. Lewis

Monday, October 22, 2012

Feels like FALL

Although the weather remained warm, it felt like fall this weekend as Charlie and I had our friends, Beverly and Glenn over to carve pumpkins and cheer on The Tide!! :)  Beverly and I both picked out very unique pumpkins; however we soon found that they were VERY lumpy and hard to carve despite their great outward appearances!! Charlie and Glenn grilled chicken and Beverly made the most delicious dark chocolate pumpkin bread! We had such a great night! Honestly,what could be better than carving pumpkins while singing along to Bart Millard, eating great food, and ALABAMA  getting another W?!? :)
 
Since this was our weekend to work, we woke up early Sunday morning and began the audit.  Because anything involving numbers happens to be out of both mine and Charlie's area of expertise, this can sometimes take us a while. Thankfully, we worked together on Sunday and got breakfast served and the audit done in less than an hour!  (The number part is actually starting to be kind of fun!) Well, after that was complete I worked the front desk while Charlie started studying.  Suddenly, I was totally surprised by these wonderful Pillsbury Orange Rolls made with love just for me!  After Charlie showed me his creation in the heart shaped pan he gave me the middle orange roll (which we both fight over since it's always the softest).  :) It's the little things that make a marriage WONDERFUL!  
 
 
Later that afternoon, Charlie and Joel decided to ATTEMPT the Buoy Challenge! They jumped into the Pacific Ocean at Casa Malibu and tried to swim all the way  out to the buoy...however they quickly discovered it may take a little training to build up to this feat.  Joel turned back at the halfway point and Charlie quickly followed!  :) I was so glad to see them both back on dry ground!! 

 
 Just another weekend in Malibama.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Whirlwind

I cannot believe it's October 20th already!  Fall is just setting in here in Malibu and things are as busy as ever!  I've been baking a lot this week...what's new?  :)  Monday I made sugar cookies for a friend who just had a new baby!!

I also made some banana nut bread to take for breakfast and decided to add a twist to the top.  I mixed 3 tablespoons of orange juice with orange zest and powdered sugar to make a delicious glaze!  Charlie says this glaze must now be a staple with all banana bread. :)

Well, I have officially fallen in love with School On Wheels in downtown L.A. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to work with kids there every Wednesday.  This is a nonprofit organization that provides afterschool tutoring for students who are homeless.  We have 20-40 students everyday after school!  These kids are PRECIOUS and are filling the space in my heart left by the wonderful kids I worked with at Simmons.  I hope to take some pictures soon to give you a firsthand look at this amazing program.  :)  You can also visit their website: School on Wheels

This week also marked the halfway point for CHARLIE!!! He is studying tirelessly and working so hard to be a great husband at the same time!  Our friend Luke, talked him into going to a spin class on campus which works out perfectly to offset his chocolate chip cookie addiction! 

All week Charlie has been giddy about meeting Ken Starr.  He was on campus at Pepperdine Friday and Charlie had the privilege of meeting him! 

 
 
 
Finally, this verse has been encouraging Charlie and me all week:
"For nothing is impossible with God." -Luke 1:37
 



Saturday, October 13, 2012

PUMPKIN!!!

Aside from the Pumpkin Spice Latte that I am drinking WAY too often, I have also fallen in love with several other pumpkin dishes.  Here are a few of the store-bought AND home-made favorites Charlie and I are enjoying right now...
1. Thomas-Pumpkin Spice English Muffins

I could seriously eat three of these every morning...but I try and make myself stop at one.
After I pop one of these 150 calorie muffins in the toaster and slap some butter on both sides my mouth is watering and I devour it within seconds.  :)  That may be too many details.  Charlie is a big fan of these as well.  The special edition, Pumpkin Spice, will be in stores through December but it has taken me a month to find them since first tasting one at the beginning of September.

Carmel - Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Picture from the website.

Picture from my kitchen!  Obviously, making the bread pudding in ramekins
is 10 times cuter than this! But, I took the easy way out.  It was TO DIE FOR!!
This was my first attempt at bread pudding, and I can't see ever trying another recipe! This was exquisite.  I used a loaf of Archer Farms, french bread from Target and followed the recipe exactly.  Since this was just for the two of us I only made half of the recipe.  

3. Pumpkin Cake- This is STILL my 'go to' pumpkin dish!  I LOVE this recipe.  Unfortunately, I have not had the chance to make it this fall so I found a picture that used the same recipe.
 

Blend together the following ingredients with mixer and pour into greased 9 x 13 pan:
15 oz. can pumpkin
12 oz. can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. salt
Next, sprinkle over pumpkin mix:
1 package yellow cake mix
Sprinkle over cake mix:
1 cup pecans, chopped (The recipe in the picture used 1 and 1/2 cups)
Drizzle over pecans:
3/4 cup butter
Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

4. Easiest Pumpkin Muffins EVER- Another great breakfast idea
My mom and I made these a few years ago and got carried away eating them because we thought they were only 10 calories per muffin!  After eating them for a few days we decided to recheck our math and discovered we were off by one ZERO.  They are actually 100 calories each, which still counts as a healthy snack in my book!
You simply add one can of pumpkin to a spice cake mix!  Mix well, then spoon the batter into cupcake holders and follow the baking directions on the back of the cake box.  And there you have it, a delicious breakfast on the go! Because this recipe makes so many, I like to freeze the majority of the muffins and just take a few out at a time to enjoy; it also prevents Charlie from getting too 'pumpkined out.'

Happy Fall!!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Can Resting Be Spiritual?

It seems the same reoccurring theme has been appearing in my life over the past few months.  Sadly, I have not fully comprehended this message until recent weeks. 

It all started on a Tuesday in late September when I was working at the front desk.  A frail, blonde haired lady in her late 70's shuffled up and began talking to me.  She was wearing a huge hat with some sort of animal print scarf tied around it, high heels, a wig, and lots of lip liner.  After checking her in, I asked where she was going to eat tonight to which she replied, "Oh honey, I'm Jewish.  I'm not going to eat, I'm going to pray."  Of course...It was Yom Kippur!  She was stopping the daily routine of her life to spend time resting in God.  I was mortified as I shoved the last piece of candy bar into my mouth!

The next day I decided to catch up on some reading for the class Charlie and I attend on Sunday mornings.  We are currently in a study on Pilgrim Heart by Darryl Tippens.  It is an amazing book on spiritual disciplines.  Well...since unfortunately I was a few weeks behind on my reading I was just getting to the chapters on rest.  It's ironic that the 13 other spiritual disciplines mentioned in the book each require one chapter, but resting takes up two.  Tippens says, "The reluctance to retreat arises in part from the often unspoken suspicion that such an activity is selfish or, even worse, an irresponsible abandonment of one's duty to he world."  He discusses that participating in a time of rest whether it's an hour, an afternoon, a day, or week,  serves as a reminder that the world really can get along without me.  Tippens also quotes Thomas Merton who recommends "going into the desert not to escape other men but in order to find them in God." Whew...dwell on that! :)

Last week at Community Bible Study (CBS) we read in the second chapter of Mark about Jesus getting up early and going off to pray.  We had a fantastic group discussion about how Jesus was able to extend Himself outwardly with compassion to others because he took time to be filled inwardly with the love, power, and will of the Father.

Today at CBS we read Mark 3:14 about the calling of the disciples and how one of their primary responsibilities was just to 'be with Him.' Being with Him was how they learned and were empowered.  I am guilty of focusing WAY TOO MUCH on the doing aspect of Christianity and not the being with Jesus part.  And to be honest, I'm worried I do no fully enjoy those quiet moments alone with God because I'm constantly thinking about what I should/could be doing.

This resting seed was first planted in my mind all the way back in June when I had jaw surgery and was physically resting for a solid month.  Yet for some reason it took me until now to grasp the meaning and importance of spiritual rest.  Finally, after putting together all of these recent experiences I was overcome with a huge sense of peace.  It's refreshing to know that I don't HAVE to be on the go all of the time.  Since I am not currently working an 8:00-5:00 job, I do have more free time during the day and if I tried to fill all of that time with works, I would be exhausted.  Thankfully, I am discovering the benefits to one's spiritual journey of resting and how taking time to rest in God actually fills you with the love, compassion, and energy that is vital in serving others.

I have tried to make a conscious effort to slow down and take time to rest in God.  It's very easy to do this while visiting the breathtaking Zuma Beach:


And while driving through Pepperdine's gorgeous campus I was reminded of the creation story in which God rested on the seventh day!

As you can see, I began following the deer a little too closely and they quickly left me behind!

Can you spot the deer in the next picture?!  Hint: There are more than one!


He is Everywhere, if I will just put down my to-do list and rest in Him.  During my CBS devotional I was reminded of what Oswald Chambers said in his wonderfully encouraging book of daily devotionals, My Utmost for His Highest, "The main thing about Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the atmosphere produced by that relationship."

Sunday, October 7, 2012

The Unglamorous Side of Being Innkeepers

Charlie makes me laugh harder than anyone else in the world, even during frustrating times such as this morning at 3:30 A.M.!

We have a famous artist staying at Casa Malibu who will go unnamed.  He is here with his girlfriend and manager, and as luck would have it, they are staying in the suite directly above our apartment.  At 1:00 A.M. they were on the terrace and since all was quiet here except their screaming/cackling/loud talking, Charlie decided to go and ask them to please be quiet since other guests were trying to sleep.  They said OK!

An hour later it sounds like they are completely rearranging the furniture in their suite and of course both girls are still in their heels.  Now all women know how loud these can be especially late at night when your feet are tired and you don't feel like walking as lightly anymore.  Why they were still wearing them is a mystery to me, but I am determined to find out what brand these shoes are and how they were able to keep them on into the wee hours of the morning.  Anyway, Charlie decided to call their room.  He kindly asked the manager (who is doing ALL of the talking and not letting Charlie come close to the artist) what they were doing.  Although she didn't give an answer, she assured him they would calm it down.

When I hear the heels come clomping down the stairs (directly outside our bedroom windows which we keep open all the time) it is 3:00 AM.  They go back to the terrace and start causing a huge ruckus again! Charlie takes off to really 'get serious' with them as I wrap up in a blanket and stand in the doorway to watch and make sure they don't do anything mean to him! :)  That's when the funny part happened...

"What's going on out here?" Charlie says in a rather loud voice.  Again, the manager cuts him off so he can't get close to the guest of honor.

"Listen, I know you're from New York, but this ain't Time Square, it's a sleepy beach town and people here are tired.  Now, if you want to party, go to Santa Monica or back to New York, but not here." 

She quickly reminds him who the artist is but Charlie cuts her off, "Mam, I don't care what he does for a living.  Everybody works and we all need sleep so please be courteous enough to let the guests here have that."   

And with that my hero came back home and we went to sleep!!

I'll be honest, the thought did cross my mind to 'accidentally' set a wake-up call for them this morning when I got to work at 7:00 AM...but I decided against it.

So, aside from this slight road bump our weekend has been great.  For lunch on Saturday, Charlie grilled hamburgers and we ate outside on our new patio table with the staff here.  We had an especially fancy dessert...Halloween Oreos!! :)  Charlie and I also ate outside for dinner and enjoyed another amazing sunset!   

   

 Thanks to Joel for tending to our garden we also had a gorgeous center piece!

All's Well that Ends Well!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Face lifts!

Well...I did it again!  I told myself to get in a routine of blogging every Monday/Wednesday/Friday BUT as you can see I have not been good a keeping this goal!

We have had SO many events going on the past week, however this post will be devoted to a recap of last weekend which we got to spend with my Dad and Sandra.  We had such a wonderful, jam packed weekend in Malibu full of face lifts, fun, and food!

Of course we had to start the trip with Charlie giving us a tour of Pepperdine!  This is one of my favorite lookout spots.  
At the September 11th Memorial Garden.
We went to eat at three of my All Time Favorite Restaurants in this area.  Breakfast at Marmalade Cafe, dinner at Wood Ranch (our long time favorite BBQ place introduced to us by Dacia and Kaden), and our new favorite-- Geoffrey's pronounced "Joffrey's."  Charlie refuses to say the name correctly so he continues to call it Jeffrey's. We enjoyed the BEST view of a gorgeous sunset and ate their amazing scallops.  However, my favorite part of dinner was dessert-- creme brulee and some sort of apple crisp that was heavenly.

Leaving Geoffrey's, so much fun!
 While they were here, my Dad and Sandra also gave our patio a serious face lift!!  We planted an herb garden complete with oregano, cilantro, garlic chives, rosemary, thyme, basil, and lemon verbena (sounds so SoCal, eek!)  Pictures of this soon to come.  I can not wait to start cooking with these herbs. We also revamped a shelf Mrs. Beth found for us before we left Alabama and transformed it into an essential component of our garden. 
First, Sandra and I picked out what herbs we wanted to plant in each drawer, then we found these amazing succulents for the shelves.  I've never seen this type of plant before but they grow so easily in California.  Finally, we decided on a plant named 'string of pearls' to go in the remaining two drawers. 


 Meanwhile, Dad was busy repositioning the hooks on the back of the shelf to match the hooks that were already in the brick wall..  Then, because he is so innovative, he put a nail in each drawer so they could stay partially open without falling to the ground.


 Finally, Dad drilled holes in the bottom of each drawer so the water could drain.  And this is the finished product! I Love it!!


I want to show a before and after picture of our entire patio but I'm going to wait until this weekend when the best gardener in the world, Joel (pronounced Hoil) helps me get rid of a few weeds and plant the lavender.

Well, this weekend also happened to be Malibu's Annual Flea Market put on by the Lions Club.  Sandra and I found some STEALS!  For starters, we stumbled upon these vintage, Jams Hawaiian shirts!  Dad and I both got one!



We also found an old produce box that we used for the herb garden.  But perhaps the best find was the wood block made from old European, salvaged wood.  It is amazing and is the perfect serving piece!

On Monday we finished off our time together with our fourth trip to the nursery!! :) We decided to go back and make an offer on a high top table and stools for our patio.  Thankfully, they accepted it and we loaded up our treasure!! Charlie has already gotten in some good studying at this table.  This weekend we plan to grill out and enjoy a meal here together! 

 
Whew! Are you exhausted?  I feel like we worked Dad and Sandra to the bone!  It was such a wonderful weekend, we got a ton accomplished and also made many Malibu memories!  So blessed. :)