Atlanta Botanical Garden

For Good Friday my mom and I went to the Atlanta Botanical Garden.  I had  planned to go for my birthday but then I found out they are closed on Mondays.  They had a tulips in bloom exhibit that I was looking forward to seeing but unfortunately the tulips decided to decrease their blooming season, there was not a bloom in sight, one of the gardeners told me they had removed the remaining dieing tulips yesterday.  I was very disappointed however here are a few of the highlights.

My 36th Birthday

Today I celebrated my 36th birthday and it was great.  The celebration started a few days ago with me getting my eyebrows threaded and a manicure and pedicure with a friend of mine.  It continued with a party Saturday night thrown by a good friend, thanks CJ.  The theme was blooming sunflowers.  I invited my customary 12 people who can thus invite 12 people capping my entertainment abilities down to 24 people max.  We had a total of 13 people some people bought dates others did not.  I actually did not have a date which was actually ok, I had a great time.  Everyone painted  their own canvas using a bouquet of sunflowers for their inspiration.  You can see their final contribution on the last set of pictures below.  Thanks to everyone for making the party and my birthday awesome!

my birthday party dress

everyone's final masterpiece

Quotable Quote and Sabbath Blessing

Yesterday was Sabbath of course and I went to church  at Berean.  We had an unexpected speaker - Pastor Whitney Phipps.  He was good as always.  I spoke from Matthew and talked about how the Pharisee were trying to convert people to be like them and not like God.  They were legalistic.  He made the comparison of us today and we attempt to convert people to Adventist with the do's and dont't.

He made the quotable quote for the day by stating the following;

People fed pigeons however they shoot eagles.  I think about my own life.  I thought about  how people have no problem lulling you into mediocrity however they discourage you when are trying to make strides for yourself to succeed.

Quotable Quote

I found this quote/post card on a fellow bloggers blog and I thought it was worthy to share.  She found the postcard on this site.  I also found further elaboration on the site that I have included below that I thought was pretty poetic as well.

..."But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid." Einstein's quote reminds us to think twice before measuring ourselves (and others) against inappropriate standards.


Everyone has a different ability or particular "genius." Often, comparing yourself to someone else's abilities might mean overlooking what it is you are naturally more suited towards doing. In other words, stop being a fish trying to climb a tree and embrace your fishiness.  The point: We're not all made to be theoretical physicists. Aim for what you're good at, work hard for what you want, and don't beat yourself up when you can't do everything perfectly.

Quotable Quote - In Reference to Prayer

“When we do not receive the very things we asked for, at the time we ask, we are still to believe that the Lord hears and that He will answer our prayers. We are so erring and shortsighted that we sometimes ask for things that would not be a blessing to us, and our heavenly Father in love answers our prayers by giving us that which will be for our highest good—that which we ourselves would desire if with vision divinely enlightened we could see all things as they really are. When our prayers seem not to be answered, we are to cling to the promise; for the time of answering will surely come, and we shall receive the blessing we need most. But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire, is presumption. God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly. Then do not fear to trust Him, even though you do not see the immediate answer to your prayers.”—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 96. 

March 8, 2012

Today my brother and his wife became the proud parents of this beautiful baby girl!

March Bed

February Bed

This is my February bed, it is the Cardinal duvet and sham from Pottery Barn.  It is probably not one of my favotite duvets or one that I would particular pay full price for.  It was highly marked down and I got my discount so of course I had to buy it, ( I might have even bought it if I did not get a discount)  It does meet my need to have red in my duvet cover for February in honor of Valentines Day this month.  I was looking for something for February so I am glad I came across this duvet to share. 

Happy Sabbath

This morning I woke up feeling excited about a wonderful  Sabbath in store for me.  I took Patches for a walk and a left to go run with Black Girls Run around Centennial Olympic Park.  I happily paid for parking as a result of having just paid for three parking tickets with only one being mine but that is another story.  I thought to myself (actually I believe it was the Holy Spirit prodding) I needed to double check where I parked so I will be able to find my car when I finish my run, but I did not.  I had a great 3.1 mile run listening to my iphone and keeping pace with a few awesome ladies. 

At the end of the run,  I encouraged the other ladies as they finished and then I started walking to my car I thought.  After about 15 minutes of wondering around trying to find where I parked, I got some help from a really nice police officer, who did not think I was completely crazy for not knowing where I parked my car.  The Lord is so good to me because I thought for a half a second about panicking but I thought better of it and reminded myself it was a car and I will find it eventually.  But I was getting anxious about being late for church.  The Lord calmed me and I found the car and thanked the police officer. 

I continued to drive home.  As I was seating at a red light listening some great Christian music, I noticed a police car behind me and thought ahhhhhhhhh.  Ok.  When the light turned green I started off and then I saw blue lights from the police car and thought ohhh really ok.  I initially hesitated like is that for me so I eased over to the side of the road and he informed me that I was speeding going 50 in a 35 and I was ohhhhhhh ok.  And I thought ohhhh devil you are really good at your job, but my God is so much better at His,His grace and mercy covers me.  The devil was really trying to through off my wonderful Sabbath and keep me or delay me from going to church.  The officer gave me a ticket and I was completely smiling the whole time because I knew it was not about him it was the devil at work.  The officer explained the whole ticket to me and I just felt myself beaming and he asked did I have any questions and I said no and thanks  for the ticket and I proceeded to tell him he was really cute (and he was)  and to have a great day.  We both laughed.  I continued my drive home waiting to see what the devil was going to through at me next. 

I got home, showered and  dressed  in what I must say a really cute outfit and out the door in record time.  As I am driving to church I am encouraging myself with God’s word in my mind and song on my lips.  The Lord favored me with getting my parking space even though I was much later than my normal.  As I am thanking God for his favor, the devil sends a phone call to distract me from preparing my mind for worship.  I just had to say devil get thee behind me in the name of Jesus.  I come into God’s sanctuary completely ready to see what the devil wanted to keep me from experiencing.  The message was given by Pastor Boston and he spoke about listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit.  It really spoke to me because believe the little small voice in my head that speaks to me throughout the day and advises me which way to go and unfortunately I do not listen all the time. 

I left church and visited a friend who is having surgery this week and is homebound until then. I relayed the above to him and the devil trying to come at me and he stated well it is just like a player who always attends practice eventually all of the work at practice will come in handy during the big game. 

Father, I know this day is a small part of the game that is my life but thank you for preparing me to defeat the enemy on today’s fight.  I pray in advance for the next time the devil tries to discourage me that I will identify the devil as the enemy and not the person or situation. 

Chickens

Yesterday I was in North Georgia.  There are a lot of chicken plants in this area.  On the way back I was behind a tractor trailor with cages and cages of live chickens.  There feathers were flying back  towards me as I was driving.  My thought was wow a lot of chickens and then I became really emotional and sad and teary eyed as I thought those chickens are going toward their death and then to someone's table, it sadden me deeply.  I am already vegetarian but I have never had such an emotional response to thinking of an animal's impending death.  I thought of how they were breed to die for someone to eat.  I am getting a little emotional now as I express this in words but the actual experience was very reflective to me.  As I reflect on it more  and a little then Christ was born to die for my sins and how much His death means to me and each person that accepts Him as their Savior.  I need to live each day in thankfulness of His sacrifice.  Unless an animal or a person is making that kind of sacrifice, I do not want them or it to die.  Death is serious.  It means that person or animal is no longer on this earth, and the question arises - is it worth it.  Should something die for me to casually it on my table, I have not eaten dead animals in over twenty years never as I result of thinking of the humanity of it but as a healthier living choice but now I can say it is both especially since I live in a country that I  have easy access to a non animal diet and my body can live without eating the flesh of another animal.

I had a really cool experience last night when I got back from my trip.  I had dinner with a friend and I recounted the above experience with her.  She asked a few questions about my diet and the question that got me was Do I eat eggs? and I said occasionally but not as a normal occurance.  And she so easily said well you do not eat dead animals but essentially you abort them from ever being born by eating eggs.  A light bulb went off and I said to myself I will NEVER eat an egg again.  By eating eggs I essentially economically encourage the porduction of chickens to produce eggs that will never live to become little chicks.  So that was that, her simple and so easily spoken statement has changed my diet for ever!!!  thanks Ms. C.  I appreciate the ease of your revelation to me and I hope you have many more to share in the days, months and years to come!

Almost Wordless Picture of the Week

This week was my mom's birthday and I spent the day with her and my sister in law.  We got pedicures and manicures and I had been wanting to to get one and have black polish and Ifinally got it and I love it.

Year in Review - Happy New Year 2012

This year has been amazing.  It started off with a blizzard that shut down the city of Atlanta and resulted in me having to replace the entire water line in my house.  The Lord provided. 

It continued with me celebrating my 35th birthday with great friends at an art studio.  Their master pieces decorate my workout room that houses my treadmill that is constantly helping me stay in shape and prepped me to complete my first triathlon.  The devil attempted to stop that from happening by having a car hit me on Mother's Day.  What the devil meant for evil God meant for good.   

I completed my Master's of Public Health and currently waiting on the Lord to take me to the next level in my career and my life.   I am believing God to do something beyond what I can think or imagine.   I know without a doubt He is steadily preparing me. 

I would be remissed if I did not mention that I lost my beloved iphone.  I am such an advocate for this phone you would think I was perked by Apple.  It is just an amazing device due to my unofficial selling of the product I have had 5 friends buy one yet I still I have not replaced mine, I just miss it so much.  No worries come January 25^th when I am eligible without AT&T’s $250 early upgrade fee, I will have one by 10:10 am. 

I had the privilege to go to D.C. this year as the United States unveiled the first monument on the National Mall that pays tribute to the legacy and work of a black man – him being Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  I had thought it in my heart that I wanted to go but did not make any particular steps to do so.  However, I serve an amazing God who will give me and you the smallest desires of our hearts even when we do not ask.  Just imagine what He would do for us if we asked in faith.  Father, help my unbelief! 

The year has come to a steady end and once again the Lord has showered me with great friends and family that I am thankful each day that I have in my life.  As for plans for 2012 I am waiting in expectation for God to do something extraordinary!

Friday Night Dinner

Friday Night Dinner this week consisted of Creamy Vegan Broccoli and Rice Casserole, homemade onion rolls and apple molasses cake. My aunt and uncle have this amazing garden and they sent me broccoli and I used it in this recipe and it was awesome!!!

First Annual Holiday Cookie Exchange

I had a cookie exchange the second week in December.  Unfortunately it has taken me a little over a week to blog about and complete the frame with the art work of the ladies that attended.  It was for ladies only.  My brother attended to take care of Patches.  How awesome is that!

Here are some of the highlights!

The above is a picture of the invitation that each guest receivd compliments of Williams Sonoma holiday that I purchased at the end of the holidays, the agenda, the desert scoring sheet, cookie name tag and tag for bag of cookies to take home.  The backdrop is a place mate from the Reindeer Collection from Pottery Barn! They did not have this piece this year.  I added a cookie plate this year to my collection and I am looking forward to seeing what I will add when it goes on sale after the holidays.  You will see next year!

Each guest had their very own place mate, canvas, paint tray and an assortment of brushes

My mom and one guest - T painting the canvas all white before the other guests arrive.   T was the first to arrive.  All of my friends know my need for order and timeliness.  At least all showed up by 15 minutes after the designated start which took a lot, since most of my friends  have a husband and kids and it takes a minute to get them occupied so they can leave the house!

The ladies working away on their master pieces!

This is the winning desert, called Santa's hat.  Can I say they were awesome!! Thanks C.

Group picture with me in it thankfully.  My brother was there taking care of Patches, who ended up not needing to much attention, he was able to take a few pictures, thansk!  Patches did really well with a house full of people!  See all those platters of goodies, we were full!

All the ladies looking at their beautiful art work!

The final product is this wonderful frame of all of their art work.  The middle canvas is one I did with Patches, I put paint on her paw and gently pressed it up against the canvas.  She did not object to me doing that at all, I was very pleased.  I was afraid I was going to have paint all over the bathroom floor.  We survived.  Can you tell which two canvases are actually upside down?   Putting this together was little cumbersome and after two times of trying to put it together I was done.  I will update it again at my next painting party in the Spring!

In case you want to know the frame is of course from Pottery Barn it is their oversized (48' squatre)  Gallery Frame which is on sale on line for $159 however in the store it is $99.  Please know that because I work there I did not pay either price.  The benefits of having a part time job at a store you actually shop at!

These are just a few hightlights of a wonderful time  had with  some awesome ladies that took the time out on their Saturday evening to spend it with me!

Friday Night Dinner Recap

Tonight's Dinner pasta and veggie meatballs, fresh corn on the cob, brocolli and homemade bread my mom made!

Veggie Fish/Tofu Tacos with cabbage slow and avocado cream and black beans! Can I add this slaw was absolutely amazing I could eat it by itself.  I actually ate a little each day till it was gone

Vegan Lemon Strawberry Cheesecake.  Very delivious I found the recipe in my favorite Vegan Cookbook author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

Vegan Quasidillas from Colleen Patrick Goudreau as well.  They were ok I think I will have to work on it some more!

Ole faithful blueberry cobbler~

A Giant Among Men - MLK Memorial in Washington, DC

Public Health Messaging that I LOVE

This picture is part of the Stop Chidhood Obesity Campaign in Georgia.  What is blacked out for whatever reason is the messaging that states 'Chubby is not Cute if it leds to Type 2 Diabetes'  This is so true.  I just love that this campaign for targeting the issues.  Here are some more of their ads with the messaing on them.