I hope it's no where I had imagined

I visited my family this past weekend and at my departure found myself refreshed.  I knew I would.  Home just does that to me. 

I had no intention of falling in love in the summer of 2008.  I began to run nearly every morning as the sun was rising through the highest trees of the greenbelts in my hometown of Kingwood.  The trees hugged the trail and the birds were the accompaniment to my dancing feet.  Silence and peace overwhelmed me from every side.  I fell in love with the beauty of nature and the sun on my face.  The run became a part of my spiritual journey and I physically felt the presence of God.   

Needless to say I was anticipating a run at home.  God met me there just as I had felt Him before and he romanced me amidst nature's sweet smells.  As soon as I stepped foot on the trail memories flooded my mind.  I passed my middle school and elementary school.  I remembered many old friends, recess, times at the creek, my first year in choir, first love, moments of great sadness and moments of extreme joy. 

My life now is nothing I had imagined then.  I love that.  God's sovereign plan gives me hope.  It motivated me to get back on the trail and reflect on the road that brought me to where I am today.  The road I've already traveled excites the journey ahead.  The unknown can be uncomfortable but the more I stay out of my comfort zone the more I let God do the planning. The more beautiful my life is becoming. There is so much sweetness in not knowing the plan for our lives.  If it's always the destination we imagine we would never feel excitement, gratitude, or experience the joy of realizing that God sees so much more in us than we see in ourselves.

I am both expecting and hoping for a new chapter in the near future.  On the last run of my trip I wondered of the next time I arrive on the trail and where I will be then.   
I hope it's no where I had imagined. 

Wear green on 3-17!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I don't really care about this holiday at all but I do like the color green.  Enjoy the day!

Enjoying burgers and a basket of fried goodness at Twisted Root!

Kiss me I'm Irish?!?!

Love,
  Nicole

Define your nothing

Spring break might be the most genius and necessary idea anyone ever thought of.  It comes at the exact point in the year when you need rest and relaxation.  Relaxation.  Relax.  This is a hard word to put into practice.  Aaron and I decided for the entirety of our spring break we would do nothing. 

I've always translated relaxing/nothing into laziness.  I'm active and always have a to-do list on my mind so naturally I feel like I'm wasting good time on the couch.

“Il bel far niente. ”  
     The beauty of doing nothing. 

 
I can watch about two tv shows and then I begin to pace around the apartment.  I must work.  I must clean.  I must organize.  I've been realizing the beauty of stillness.  I cut myself off of work at a certain time in the afternoon to allow time at home to do nothing.  I think everyone can define nothing for themselves.  My nothing is anything that will encourage self reflection and a sense of peace.  An act that eases anxiety and puts a smile on my face.  For me it's reading, enjoying an afternoon cup of coffee, or sometimes I literally do nothing.  There is balance for everything.  I cannot possibly sit at home every evening and do nothing.  But interspersed with the business of our lives we must embrace the beauty of still moments.  The Christmas season goes by in a flash, I often cannot remember what I did the weekend before, and every time I look at my legs I think, "didn't I just shave these things?!" 

We hear clearly when we aren't speaking. 
We see with more focus when we have no distractions. 
We love with strength when we have energy to spend on those we cherish.
We feel more confident when there is time for self reflection. 

I could always do more hearing, seeing, loving and feeling. 
Define your nothing and do it.

Love,
  Nicole

Vanilla Heaven Success!

With no major disasters, extra trips to the store, or tears I successfully made Dylan's birthday cupcakes!  I combined past experience with some tips offline to make this job enjoyable and truly easy. 

Finished product!

Here are some helpful tips for treats you can't afford to mess up on: :) 

• Cake flour makes a difference!  Although, regular flour is a fine substitute if you don't want to spend the extra money.

• Buttermilk in the batter is something you won't regret. :)  You could even add it to a box mix to have extra moisture and some more yum-yum in your mouth.
• No need to buy pastry bags or pastry tips unless you think you will use them in the future.  I put the icing in a freezer bag and cut the corner to fashion a homemade bag.  Worked like a charm!
• Plan ahead!  I did one step a day for three days.  Day 1- decorative icing Day 2- cupcakes Day 3- cupcake frosting and drop off.  So much more fun than spending hours in the kitchen in one sitting.  I would definitely be more likely to throw in the towel and go out to eat after such a long episode!
• Lastly, don't be afraid to try anything!  Always have extra sticks of butter just in case you have around two. :)

Yumm

 Aaron posing with the fresh pre-frosted cupcake and I forgot to mention the cups were footballs.
So boy! :)  He was so engrossed in his movie he wouldn't smile.
What movie captivated Aaron more than my homemade with love cupcake?

(a) Kill Bill
(b) a John Wayne western
(c) Top Gun
(d) Sleepless in Seattle....hahahhaha

If you guess right I'll be happy to make you cupcakes from the Daniel kitchen! :)

I've got great news to come in the next few weeks!  I can't wait to share.  And no, I'm not preggo so don't get excited. ;)

Much love,
  Nicole

My first baking gig!

My sweet friend Renee's son is turning 7 today!  She has asked me to make cupcakes for his birthday party tomorrow.  I was excited she asked me because I LOVE to bake.  I feel adventurous and free since I'm not a pro so I don't feel pressure.  :)  Although, I am an overachiever and a perfectionist so my mind has been wandering all week about the fancy cupcakes I could make.  I decided to make it sweet but simple since this is my first "baking gig." :)
I went with this design------>

They have purple letters and yellow icing since he is a die hard LSU fan (even at the age of 7!)  They start young these days.  The icing for the letters is a swiss meringue butttercream frosting.  It's as delicious as it sounds.  Want to know why?  4 sticks of butter.

The cupcake recipe I decided to use looks divine and I can't wait to try it.  Dylan requested vanilla on vanilla but I thought I could spice it up for the adults so I'm adding buttermilk in the batter with a cream cheese frosting. Recipe found here. 

This is why I run people.  So I can eat anything dealing with butter and cream.
I can't wait to show you all the finished product tomorrow! 

Happy Saturday!


Nicole