9.28.2011

Peanut Butter Fail...

I wanted to do something nice for Jake, so after he left for work, I decided to bake some cookies.  Originally, I was going to bake chocolate chip oatmeal.  However, at the last minute, I decided to switch it up and bake peanut butter.  I don't remember ever baking peanut butter cookies on my own, and now I remember why.  First of all, they are so messy (I can't stand the way peanut butter sticks to everything), and second, I had no clue why the tines of the fork kept sticking to the dough when I was trying to do the criss-cross pattern.  They were starting to look pretty nasty, and I was getting even more frustrated and hot in my small kitchen.  Finally, I remembered that a friend of mine had posted a recipe for PB cookies on her blog, and there was a trick with the fork.  Sure enough, I found out that it's much easier if you dip the fork in water.  AHA! Thank you mbamamamusings!!
I also discovered that peanut butter cookies do not taste like the real thing when you make them with whole wheat flour.  So much for trying to bake healthy! I was foiled. Next time, I'm going to try my friend's recipe :)

Love,
Ashleigh

9.27.2011

Fresh Pages...

I love how a new journal just opens up a world of possibilities.  Every page is new, and I get to write down my thoughts and imagination. I don't always use my imagination to full potential, and get into little ruts with writing, but not so when I start a new journal.  I bought my new one at Wal-Mart, and, although it was a bit pricier than I had hoped, it is so nice.  I also like that it's lined, as my old one wasn't.

Sometimes I don't really consider myself as a writer, someone who other people would enjoy reading.  That's totally fine.  But when I remember that I write in my journal and usually blog every day, then I start to think, is that the makings of a writer? Or am I just narcissistic (in terms of blogging every day)?

There is a part of me that wants to be validated as a writer; even if I'm not writing stories, or books, or getting published in a magazine, I still want to be noticed.  The possibility of being a well-renowned blogger or a writer one day is kind of intimidating.  I think of people like Francine Rivers, whose blog is read by hundreds, if not thousands of people.  Really, who would want to have that kind of readership?  It's one thing to write a book and have that many people read it.  They're not interacting with you.  To have a blog, however, where people can comment and interact, that is a huge deal.  I don't think I'm ready for it!

My Jake wants to be a writer.  He has the gift for it, that's for sure.  If you've never read his stuff, his blog is here.  I would love for him to write a book one day, and to be able to share his words on paper.  He's actually suggested that we try writing a book together.  I think that would be awesome.

Love,
Ashleigh

9.26.2011

A New Week...

There is something about a fresh start and a new week that holds all the possibilities in the world.

In my mind, that is.

In real life, it's a daunting week, filled with appointments, no free evenings, and a messy house.

Thankfully, we have Someone who can ground us, and who we can look to for strength and energy, and most of all Life.

Thank you, Lord.

Love,
Ashleigh

P.s.  I might have to start lane swimming for a while, instead of running.  Stay tuned...

9.24.2011

Cheers to the Freakin' Week-end...

It's official.  Saturday mornings are the best.  No getting up at 5AM.  No schedule.  Jake is home. AND we get to make delicious little Pillsbury croissants.  That's awesome.

If you're in the HV area today, there is a fall festival downtown from 10-3 that you should check out.  We sure will be....like little creepers from our third-storey windows :)

Love,
Ashleigh

9.23.2011

Waiting For the Sunrise...


I've probably said this before, but once I hear a song that I really like, I will play it over and over and over again.  I might play it 10 times.  I might play it 20 times.  But from the first note to the last, I enjoy it more every time I hear it.  One that I've been playing on repeat is "Hold Me Together" by Royal Tailor.  I sent it to a friend and she liked it too (and played it more than once-I'm not the only one!)


This morning I was reminded of a song that I had heard on Life 100.3 while driving up to Orillia last week-end.  I found the music video online this morning, and ended up crying like a baby as I was overwhelmed, not only by the very artistic portrayal of pain and humanity featured there, but also how thankful I am that God is always there for me when I encounter hurt, sorrow, and Satan's poured out guilt.  


Jesus, thank you for your unrelenting love for us, and how you pursue us and pour out more grace!


Love, 
Ashleigh


P.S. I have included the lyrics below.  This isn't the first time I've been impressed by how worshipful this group is.  Check out this video.


Lift Me Up
The Afters

You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up

Waiting for the sunrise
Waiting for the day
Waiting for a sign
That I’m where you want me to be

You know my heart is heavy
And the hurt is deep
But when I feel like giving up
You’re reminding me
That we all fall down sometimes
But when I hit the ground

Chorus
You lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go
You lift me up when I can’t see
Your heart is all that I need
Your love carries me so I’m letting go

You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up

I know I’m not perfect
I know I make mistakes
I know that I have let you down
But you love me the same

And when I’m surrounded
When I lose my way
When I’m crying out and falling down
You are here to 

Chorus
Lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go
You lift me up when I can’t see
Your heart is all that I need
Your love carries me so I’m letting go

I can see the dawn is breaking
I am feeling overtaken with your love
With your love
I don’t know what I can offer
In this moment I surrender to your love
To your love

You lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go

You lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go
You lift me up when I can’t see
Your heart is all that I need
Your love carries me so I’m letting go

I can see the dawn is breaking
I am feeling overtaken with your love

You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up

9.22.2011

Out of Motivation...

I don't know about you, but whenever I get a major burst of energy and motivation, the day after just sucks.  And I'm being completely honest.  Yesterday I did four hours of homework.  Today I've only done one.  and I have to go to work in an hour (which doesn't give me much to work with).  Not to mention, I still haven't showered after my run.  In my opinion, that run itself should have made me bounce off the walls, eager to throw myself into the next task on my to-do list.  Nope. That hasn't happened.  And so here I sit, my lackluster self catatonic and ready for sleep again.
n.b. I have been up for four hours already.  AND went for a 3.9 km run.  Only by God's grace will I get through this day without stressing.

In times like these, Jake would tell me, "Do you want to get up and do something, or do you want to just sit there and merely think about all those things you need to be doing?  Because thinking and moping about it doesn't help you."  Well, he doesn't say it exactly like that, but...point taken.

So here I go, off to do something productive and be a good steward of this beautiful day God has given to me.

Love,
Ashleigh

9.21.2011

Chatting With a Purpose...

This morning has been filled with reading on how to minimize TTT, Teacher Talking Time, in the classroom.  I have been struck on how little I knew about teaching, and how I wish I could go back and transform my methodology completely.  If you have some time, read this article by Hugh Dellar.  I was doing some extra reading on TTT, and was instructed that one should only use 30% of the class time in teaching.  The rest should be STT, or student talking time.  A teacher should merely be the facilitator in the classroom.  This explains why my students looked at me with glazed eyes.  I was doing all the talking!  Mr. Dellar suggests that if a teacher is going to talk, they must chat with a purpose.  Make it meaningful for the student, so that they can learn something from it and from your model.

I want to become a good teacher.  I hope that by learning how I have been a bad teacher (no, really, it's true. don't tell me otherwise because I am actually happy that I've come to recognize this!) I can become a better teacher in the future.

Love,
Ashleigh

9.19.2011

Rainy Days and Mondays...

Despite the way those lyrics finish, I wasn't down today, just a little tired after a busy week-end.  Also, today was a "no-sweets" day for me, which always throws my cravings into a tailspin.  To combat that, I bought some "Fuji Apple-Pear" Vitamin water, and made my life naturally sweet. 

My nephew, Oliver, is the cutest thing.  Jake and enjoyed our visit with Melissa and Nathanael, and are so grateful to God for blessing them with this wonder child!

Love,
Ashleigh


9.14.2011

A Nice Little Addition...

I am proud to say that Jake and I have a nephew! On Monday, my sister gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Oliver John William, and he weighed 7lbs. 7 oz.  We are very eager to meet this little guy; we're heading up to the hometown on Friday night to get a good visit in with him.  

Kudos to my sister, Melissa, who gave birth sans drugs, and who was, according to mom, the epitome of strength and womanhood.  I am so proud of you, Mel, and I know you'll be a fantastic mom.  Nate, I can't wait to see you with your son, and you will be an amazing father.

I am still in awe of these gifts God gives to parents, and am very excited to be a part of this little one's life.  Please be praying for their family as they adjust to all the new routines and excitement of this moment.

Love,Ashleigh


9.09.2011

Afterglow...

I've been getting some CD's out of the library lately, and some of them are ones that I used to borrow when I was in highschool.  It's pretty awesome being able to listen to music that I still enjoy even if it is 6 or 7 years later.  Sarah McLachlan's Afterglow is incredible.  If you ever get a chance to listen to it, you should.  Her voice is haunting and seemingly flawless.

This one is just fun, and so distinctly Middle Eastern. I didn't listen to this one in highschool, though.
Prince Of Persia  Sands Of Tim

Happy listening!

Love,
Ashleigh


9.08.2011

Good News...

She had me waiting with bated breath to see if I would get the job or not, but my new boss from the Heritage cafeteria emailed me today to offer me the cashier position.  Of course I accepted, and I am so eager to start working for her.  It's only 3 hours a day, Monday to Friday, but it's something that allows me to work on my course as well. I am so grateful to God for this, because it's a no-stress place that I feel comfortable working in.  Please pray for my attitude, and that I will be open and receptive to meeting new people (even though I get shy around freshmen).  

In other good news, my good friends Hence and Lois are finally engaged!!! I am so happy and excited for them, and am anticipating another spring wedding to add to our repertoire.  My friends Katie and Ben are also getting married on April 28, so I am eager for all the spring love to bud.  

Love,
Ashleigh


9.07.2011

Exciting News...

Well folks, if you were waiting for some exciting news, here it is:

Jake and I have a new blog!!! YAY! Ok, so maybe that's not exactly what you were hoping for, but we're pretty excited about it.  So head on over if you wanna check it out: If Food Be the Champion of Life, Eat on.  So far only I have been posting, but I think Jake will try it once in a while.  I like his style.  We're still trying to figure out how to add authors.

In other news, this morning has been a complete bust.  I did run for 3.4 km, but aside from that, I've been sitting here wasting time, writing blogs, and watching a little Big Bang Theory.  Hello, pick up the reality phone! I still have grammar to do, eat some lunch, take a shower, and maybe clean my messy apartment.  Ah, all that can wait.  First things first- read my book.  I'm reading a couple of books right now.  One is called The House at Riverton by Kate Morton.  I'm enjoying it, because it is told from the memories of an elderly woman who was a servant for a rich family.   I find Kate to be a classic story-teller, powerfully transporting me back to those times and descriptions.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Love,
Ashleigh

9.06.2011

Happiness Is...

The beloved structure of English grammar (and a handy chart to help me understand do, have, and be in their forms as main verbs and auxiliary verbs).

I have to catch up on three days of grammar.  But I am loving it! And before I am finished here, I will have become, as Jake has so lovingly deemed me, the "Grammar Nazi".

Oh, and here is another wonderful thing that I love:

 my smelly companion while I do said homework.

Love,
Ashleigh



9.05.2011

Love...

Some of my favourite things right now include:

This body lotion from Bath and Body Works




New running shoes, top of the line, for only $59.99 at SportChek

Fudge


Sleep and Bed (I wish it were this one!)

Love, 
Ashleigh

9.03.2011

Fudging a Little...

So, ever wondered what creations happen when a girl is really craving some chocolate?  And I'm talking a serious craving here, folks, one in which you can do little else but scour the kitchen for certain ingredients that will make your heart sing.

I happened to find a recipe, and just happened to have all the ingredients for said recipe.  So here it is, "Microwave Fudge":

a. 1 can condensed milk
b. 12 oz chocolate chips...microwave a & b together for 2.5 min. (or do it on the stove.  betcha can't wait that long!)

c. 1.5 cups of anything. literally. the recipe called for nuts, but I think that marshmallows work so much better in fudge, don't you?
d. 1 tsp of vanilla flavouring

Now mix in c & d. Pour into a greased 8x8in. pan (line it with waxed paper if you wish).  Refrigerate until you can't take it any longer.

Then eat it, I say, eat it.  Until you get sick.  Just do it. You know you wanna ( ^_~ ) **wink**

Love,
Ashleigh

9.02.2011

The Humid Experience...

It is HOT up in here, folks.  Let me tell ya, it is unbelievable, and it's September 2.  Bring it on! (and Lord, please continue that lovely breeze coming in from the window!)

I've made a plan to finish my grammar module by next Saturday.  I need to make this goal, because otherwise, the course will just drag on.  I'm excited to move on to the next part, however, which I know will be much harder.

Besides, school is actually starting next week, so maybe I will feel more inspired by all those studious students.

Hope everyone is keeping cool...

Love,
Ashleigh

9.01.2011

The End of Time...

I stayed up after Jake left at 5:30 this morning and haven't done much since 7:30.  I am surprised that the Internet is working so well, and I've been taking advantage of that.  Ever since starting my TESOL course, I am aware of every second that I don't spend working on it.  I need to get my butt in gear!

While reading the final chapters of Revelation today, I was struck with a realization:
-there is a lot in that book that doesn't make sense, and truly, if I try to think too hard about what everything means, I become terrified and generally confused.  I decided today, though, that the focus of the book is not necessarily on how all of those end time things will actually happen.  It is on who this story is about. All throughout Revelation are little snap shots of various persons giving glory and worshiping God.  He is our main focus, and even when we get to heaven, his glory will illuminate the place, and we will all stand in awe of Him.  I enjoyed reading about His power and might: 

"11Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is calledFaithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13He is clothed in a robe dipped in[d] blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure,were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords."
Revelation 19:11-16

Our God is powerful!  He isn't some weakling, but the living God who will come and reign down judgment and justice upon the earth.  That is a wonderful thought!

So here is my summary:

Our purpose on earth is to glorify Christ by living for Him in obedience to His Word, by proclaiming His Name to the nations, and by dying for His Name if he asks that of us.  

I am tired of being fearful of the unknown, and I am glad that I could be comforted by these words this morning.  My finite mind is not made to understand all the mysteries of God, but I know that He will reveal all in time.

Love,
Ashleigh