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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Happy listening!

Love,

Ashleigh