Connections

I like inspiring blogs, particularly if the writer has a witty way with words. I found Krista Maurer's blog a few weeks ago. I totally fell in blog-love with her site.

Not only does she have a way with words. She knows about marketing. She can sew bridesmaid dresses. She talks about boys the way I talk about boys. And she puts it all out there, in beautiful, simple honesty. I feel like I know her, because she has really put herself and her heart into her posts, and because I wholly relate to her taste in food, decor, and quotes. She has inspired me to be more honest and straightforward in my writing. And my living.

I told her all of this on the phone yesterday! Cool, right? Here's the story:

She knows Mindy Gledhill, because she helped market/design the album with the red balloon (I'm not even going to google the title, that's what I call that album).

She's hosting a private house concert this month, for Mindy's new Christmas CD release.

I called her and snagged two tickets. And I gushed. I couldn't help it.

Krista was so sweet and nice on the phone^^ I was completely giddy while we were talking, wtinessed by my bestie Kristen who was sitting in the car with me at the time. I'm so glad to make a new friend, and I can't wait to meet her at her super cool party.

And to top it all off, she mentioned me in a post! That's pretty cool.

I'll be headed over to the party after flying in from Seattle (I have an audition for a job coming up). My whole life is feeling very...cool, as of late.

Oh, yes! I almost forgot to mention. I watched the music video for the title song of Mindy's new album and discovered it was directed by the one and only Christopher Clark. He is a joy to work with, FYI--I've been in two of his shows. He is also hilarious in conversation; he will have you rolling on the floor, guaranteed.

So neat to see that he knows Mindy who knows Krista and now... Krista knows me! The circle of talented, amazing people in my life is ever-growing.

Happy last week of November!

The Banana Leaf

Random adventures. This is what life is about.

I was in Orem, called Kris, picked her up from the MTC. We went to a new restaurant. None of this was planned.

The restaurant was The Banana Leaf. In a cute little cottage house, owned by an adorable couple of newlyweds. He is from Srilanka. She is from California. She speaks ASL. He is a genius in the kitchen.

He explained the nutritous effects of cooking with and serving food upon banana leafs. Aren't they beautiful? We had pa'an with tikka masala chicken curry with apricot chutney. It.was.divine.
Every bite.
Was savory.
Mmm!

We also ate this roti dish with marinated beef, an eggy/flour base, and lemon chutney with chili sauce. Dang, it was gooood.

We ate it all. We licked our banana leaves clean.

Did I mention the avocado juice?

Our hosts were so wonderful and sweet; we were the first customers of the afternoon, so we had the whole place to ourselves. It was cozy. We sat next to the Christmas tree.

All of you should GO! Go and support this wonderful, delicious, family-owned business. The experience was delightful. We're going back soon to try the rest of the {seasonal}{fresh} menu.

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving rushed upon me this year; doesn't anyone feel like it came a bit earlier than usual?
I had a lovely day at Dad's house; the kids told jokes and sang songs all morning while he cooked up a storm. Nana and Papa joined us for the meal. After dinner, we sat and discussed books, played cards, slept.

I realized that afternoon that my heart wasn't full. I went through all the motions of Turkey Day, but I never stopped to think about my blessings. I've been too busy to even notice the Holidays approaching, let alone prepare for them in a mindful, meaningful way.

I recognized the need to give thanks. Without expression, gratitude doesn't have a chance to fill my heart with happiness. My content and satisfaction in life has dwindled, not for lack of goodness but because I've neglected to slow down and take the time to give thanks.

I'm grateful for this amazing, rich life. For the little things!

For the way my dad tenderly folded the dough for his prize dinner rolls, and proudly hand-delivered them hot and fresh out of the oven to each of us before we prayed over the food.

For my stinkin' adorable niece, who said "Please, Jessica, will you hold me?" and pulled funny faces with me until we both laughed and laughed and laughed.

For the chance to see my sister as a mama, swirling her daughter around in her arms as they danced in the driveway to the car radio; to see her baby girl throw her head and her hands back as she floated through the air, free and flying, her golden hair streaming behind her.

For a family who plays and teases and giggles.

I am disappointed I didn't take advantage of Thanksgiving as an opportunity to give a peace offering to the Lord, to further my realization and enjoyment of His hand in my life. Did you know from the time of Adam until the Law of Moses was fulfilled, peace offerings were given in conjunction with a feast that symbolized fellowship and friendship among all its partakers and providers, and also a state of joy and gladness? Is this not Thanksgiving?

Christmas is around the corner, I'm aware of that now! I'm not going to let it come and go discreetly: I'm going to GIVE thanks and GIVE love and CELEBRATE this special time of year.

How?

Kris and I agreed that the best way to be mindful of the Savior and feel His love is to serve the people around us. So every day this month, we'll be serving.

In small ways, in special ways, in purposeful ways.

Rachel

My niece curled her hair with us.

It was a girl party.

She loves to do what we do, and it is so very fun to have her do it all with us. = )

Teacksas

As peaceful as I feel about my decision to step back from things with TS, it did leave me feeling blue because I really liked him and we had a lot going for us. On top of the normal try-not-to-call-him-have-some-integrity-don't-be-so-sad behavior that comes post-relationship, I had an entire week of canceled plans. See, I was supposed to meet his family while they were in town for his last VP concert, so I gave all my shows to my double at the theatre.
If there's one thing I don't know how to handle, it's unscheduled time.
I wanted to be positive, I wanted to "get in the blue and move forward," as Kris would say.*
So I got out all my fancy markers and stickers, pulled out a new posterboard, and plopped down on the floor in front of The Holiday so I could plan out the next month and make a big calendar for my wall.
When I was all finished, and saw that the weekend of the VP concert was nothing but big, empty white squares, I was more than a bit disheartened.

So, the next day I bought a plane ticket and before I knew it, I was on my way to the lovely state of Texas.

I saw my sister Athena. We got pedicures, made cookies, watched 17 Miracles, and saw an ultrasound of her peanut-sized baby!

I saw my cousin Crystal. We went camping, roasted s'mores, rode go-carts and scooters around a lake,  and went country dancing.

I saw my Uncle Taylor and Aunty Connie, Mom's youngest brother and sister, for the first time in years, and we talked, laughed, and snorted over TexMex for lunch.

I saw Aunt Merry Lee and we talked about her mission in Austrailia, I saw Nick and Jenny and Jenny's new baby, and then Joy and Brent, my first cousins once removed, took me to dinner one night and then to The Cracker Barrel for brunch the next day (so, so delicious).

It was warm and humid. It was perfect. And all the food was so very delicious!

*This phrase inexplicably came out of my mouth one night when, as she always does, Kris was listening to me spout about my latest crisis and theories. I was talking--well of course I was talking--very fast and carrying on and on and then I said, "So, I just need to get in the blue and move forward."

Silence.

And then we busted up laughing.

 Because what does that even mean? But she understood. And the phrase stuck.