Thirty Two

I've returned once again to this little blog of mine after experiencing many weeks of wondrous things, the biggest of all being our trip to Scotland. It was amazing, it was beautiful, it was dreamy, it was epic. I will be sharing many posts all about our trip in the coming days, so please stay tuned!

But first, a little something about my birthday...

Last week I celebrated my thirty second birthday. The funny thing is, I don't feel an ounce of sadness about "getting older." I feel it is a wonderful milestone, getting to celebrating living thirty two, wonderful, joy-filled years here on this earth. Maybe I feel this way because I've shed too many tears this past year for those who have passed away. A few, like my Gramma Dorsey, lived long, full lives, but many others were lives that were much, much shorter than anticipated, making the sorrow of being parted and the sting of death that much deeper.

Although I couldn't tell you the exact reason why, I so often found myself in quiet introspection over this past year. This has left me in a place of thankfulness, joy, and contentedness such that I've never known before.

Shades of pink: peonies from our garden. They are in full bloom every year just
in time for my birthday.

So to me, turning thirty two has symbolized the turning of a page in my life. And anyhow, I've always felt like the passing of each birthday was more of a fresh start at new beginnings than the passing of each New Year's. But that's just me.

On my actual birthday, I received a gift in the mail from my sister, Erin. We don't normally exchange birthday gifts, but she surprised me this year. She presented me with the most perfectly perfect gift because 1). I've been in need of a new daily devotional book, and 2). the title and theme of this book coincides exactly with my current state of mind.

The beautiful cover to this book makes it a worthy edition to be displayed on the coffee table.

The title sums up my newest mission: to truly savor life and all it's little moments.

It's taking a step back, removing unnecessary distractions, and truly being present in each moment. It's very much what I endeavor this blog to be all about--noticing little details and taking delight in the small things of life.

A few weeks ago, I was busily washing dishes at the sink. I glanced up out the window and noticed a small sparrow sitting on the fence. It was windy out, and I could see the breeze ruffling his feathers. I turned off the water and watched him for the remaining thirty seconds or so he sat on the fence. I took in the details of his adorable face, noticed the whiteness of the feathers on his chest, and watched the branches of the lilac tree next to him sway in the wind. It was such a small and quiet moment, but it was so very lovely.

I enjoyed that moment so deeply and I was so happy I glanced up from my busy work. It was a moment of perspective where I realized that taking in the small things must become a daily exercise. I need to put forth a real effort everyday to push aside distractions and take notice of the life that is happening all around me, of the beauty that is so near.

May I take it all in, little by little: the bright blue shade of the summer sky, the smell of the flowers in our garden, the feeling of the breeze brushing my skin, the smell of my daughter's hair as she rests her head on my shoulder, the sounds of birds chirping and neighborhood kids playing at the park. I want to slowly and deliberately savor the flavor of my food and drink. I want to relish the comfort of laying in my own bed. I want to write handwritten notes and letters instead of texts or emails. I want to drink tea from china teacups. I want to stop saying I'll do this and that later, saving it for a special occasion. Today is a special occasion, filled with endless gifts orchestrated just for me by my loving Savior, and he's just waiting for me to unwrap each one of them, if only I'll take notice.

Now I begin the next year of my life, filling the hours with these exercises in savoring. My prayer is that after diligent practice, I'll no longer need to force myself to take notice, that savoring the moments will become my second nature.

Sunrise at the Lake

I've mentioned before that we live within walking distance of the lake. That's Lake St. Clair, to be exact. It's not one of the Great Lakes, but it's still large enough that one can't see the other side, giving the illusion of an ocean rather than a lake.

The other morning I woke up at the wee hours to enjoy the sunrise. Growing up on the western shore of the beautiful peninsula of Michigan, I enjoyed hundreds upon hundreds of breathtaking sunsets. These glorious sunsets were such a commonplace sight that I'm rather afraid I took them for granted.

Now that we live on the eastern shore of our state, I decided it was high time to start enjoying some sunrises, even if it means getting up far earlier than my body would like.

The early morning sky enticed me along to the lake front:

The colors in this photo weren't edited whatsoever--promise! It was incredible...

 And then I arrived at the lake. The forcast was right: partly cloudy. Yet the glorious golden rays of the sunrise still had a tiny chance to make an appearance...

There is little else in this world that soothes my soul the way majestic waters can. Whether it be mighty, white-capped waves, or smooth, quiet ripples--no matter what the circumstances of life may be, I gaze upon the waters and my heart instantly becomes at peace.

And then--to my utter delight--a large family {of fifteen!!} swam by:

They were soon followed by a much smaller family of five:

I enjoyed many moments of repose, seated at a picnic table, scribbling down thoughts in my journal.

I was the only soul at the waterfront. Oh, how I love solitude.

The walk home was also magically empty...

...empty, and enchanting.

I couldn't think of a more perfect way to start the day.

'Tis the Season for Kitchen Creations

There's something about the start of the Christmas season that has gotten me all jazzed up about cooking and baking. I do feel inspired to make holiday treats, but not only that. I just feel like all of my creative juices are flowing and calling out to be released in many forms of deliciousness in the kitchen.

In the past few days, I have tried several new things in the kitchen and am happy to report that they were scrumptious:
~Spiced cinnamon cooked apples
~Pumpkin Leek soup {my first recipe using a whole sugar pumpkin}
~my own version of a Southwestern salad of sorts: seasoned, blackened chicken, sweet corn, black beans, a sprinkling of colby jack cheese, crunchy Santa Fe tortilla strips, and a chipotle dressing atop a bed of leafy greens

On the menu in the near future:
~Homemade hot chocolate from scratch {can't wait to try this out and share it with you}
~A beef, onion, and mushroom tart
~Grandma sent us home with quite a lot of leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, so I'll make a cranberry relish to accompany it
~Roasted red skinned potatoes with rosemary


I also made this:

Almond biscotti and egg nog!

Almond Biscotti

Ingredients:
5 1/2 oz almonds, toasted, and finely chopped {I toast mine on the stove, but don't walk away...they burn quickly!}
1 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
2 cups flour
2/3 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a small bowl, beat the eggs and extracts together. Set aside.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; mix with a mixer until well combined. Gradually add the egg mixture and beat until a dough forms, adding the almonds about halfway through. On a lightly floured surface, press the dough into a 5 x 12 inch log {approximately}. Transfer the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until firm to the touch.

Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Transfer log to a cutting board and cut {diagonally} into 1 inch thick slices.

Arrange evenly on baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes, turn slices over, and bake another 10 minutes or until firm to the touch.
*Baking time may need adjusting according to your oven. Biscotti should be completely firm and crisp.

Remove from the oven and let cool. Enjoy!
{store in an airtight container}


Egg Nog {non-alcoholic}

Ingredients:
6 eggs, beaten
2 1/4 cups milk
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tsp. sugar
pinch of ground nutmeg*

In a large saucepan, combine the eggs, milk, and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture coats a metal spoon. Remove from heat. Cool quickly by placing in a bowl or sink full of ice water and stirring 1-2 minutes. Add the vanilla. Chill 4 to 24 hours.

Before serving, whip the cream and 2 teaspoons of sugar until soft peaks form. Transfer cream to the egg nog and fold in. Add a sprinkling of nutmeg and serve immediately.

*I like my egg nog with quite a bit of nutmeg incorporated into it, so when I folded in the whipped cream, I also added about 2 teaspoons of nutmeg. You can leave it out entirely or season to your taste with the nutmeg.


What delicious things are you inspired to make in the kitchen this time of year?

Martha and Me

I've already shared with you about my neat-freak tendencies, so it may come as no surprise to you that at a young age, I became mesmerized by a woman who seemed to be perfect in every way: Martha Stewart.

One afternoon, when I was about thirteen, I was browsing television channels when I happened upon a program I had never seen or heard of, Martha Stewart Living. This was long before she had her current show {which hosts celebrity guests in a talk-show format, demonstrating how to make a recipe or craft}.

I was hooked within the first three minutes. This woman, Martha, had such a beautiful, soothing voice. Her movements were soft and graceful and she had the loveliest manner of speaking. The show was filmed in her house, which was immaculate, and the intro/transition music was a charming, classical sort. Everything she created was such a work of art. It only took me one episode, or even half of one, to decide that Martha Stewart was an utter genius.

My collection of Martha Stewart DVDs. I actually bought these at Dollar General for about $3 each!

The first show I saw was a Halloween-themed episode since it was late in October. Martha showed a craft project making a sort of black lantern-box. I distinctly remember her explaining how it was a tradition in the town were she grew up as a child for each child to make one of these lantern boxes at Halloween. Then one evening, all the kids and families would carry their lanterns to a big open field and Martha explained how magnificent it was to stand in a field as night set in, with hundreds upon hundreds of lanterns shining in the darkness.

At the end of the show, I spent the rest of my afternoon making my own Halloween lantern box. Luckily my mom already had a perfectly square box on hand. I cut out shapes on all four sides {a witch, a ghost, a pumpkin, and a bat} and then spray painted the box black. I attached wax paper to the inside of the box to illuminate the cut outs and covered the inside of the box lid with foil {to keep the box from getting hot/burned from the candle}. I was thrilled with the outcome; very proud that I had successfully crafted a Martha Stewart project. You better believe that my lantern box lit up our front porch along with the jack-o-lanterns when then trick-or-treaters came that Halloween. 

I have a few Martha Stewart magazines...

From then on out, I watched Martha's television program religiously. I'll admit that I held this woman on a pedestal for many years. Of course my idea of Martha's perfect life was shattered when Martha was convicted of four felonies and sent to prison. 

I still thoroughly enjoy reading Martha Stewart magazines and getting all sorts of creative ideas for crafts and delicious recipes. 

...my two year-long subscription stash of Martha Stewart Living magazines.

I really don't care for Martha's new TV show, so I don't watch it. But I have plenty of Martha books, DVDs, and magazines on hand to keep me inspired all-year-long.

I purchased this book in high school.

I no longer hold Martha on a pedestal, but I do still consider myself a huge fan. In a way, since I began watching her TV programs at such a young age, she shaped some of my ideals for my grown-up life; cooking and baking away in the kitchen, playing hostess, decorating for the holidays, and keeping a beautiful garden.

Martha Stewart is someone who always leaves me incredibly inspired, so I am sure Martha recipes, crafts, and ideas will always manifest here and there in our life throughout the years. So, cheers to you, Martha!

God's Canvas

It seems Fall is already upon us.


I recently passed some lovely evening moments on our little patio, wrapping myself in a blanket to keep away the chill. I had the most beautiful view to admire:

Staring into the beautiful canvas God had painted, I was reminded how often I fail to notice the wondrous creations around me. God is an artist, and I believe He relishes showing us His incredible, unending, unfailing love for us through nature, be it great or small.


Those stolen moments were quiet and reflective, something I always seem to need.


And sitting there in the golden light, it was almost as if I could hear God whispering, "Look, Deanne. I made this beautiful sunset, just for you."

Happy September

"I am not the same

having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world."

~Mary Anne Radmacher

September feels like a month of change to me, and always has. I'm sure it has everything to do with the "back to school" of childhood, heading off for a new school year with a new fall wardrobe, new teachers, brand new notebooks, pencils, pens, and expectations. A fresh start.

Even though I'm no longer embarking upon a new school year, that sense of beginning anew in September has always remained with me. Perhaps it's because I know the official start of Fall, my favorite season, is just around the corner. Each morning, I walk out the door with the anticipation of crisp autumn air and the scent of freshly-fallen leaves. Those parts of Fall will likely not show up until next month, for summer is still going strong here in Michigan, with the hot sun and the buzzing of summer's insects all around.

Although I know I must live in the present and enjoy the last glorious days summer has to offer us, I can't help but feel giddy with excitement at the thought of all the lovely things to come: football games, bright orange pumpkins, spiced cider, cozy sweaters and scarves, crunching leaves, new TV programs, fuzzy slippers, apples dipped in caramel, thoughts of Halloween...

So to help bring me back to the here and now, I am currently busy planning uses for my herb garden and trying to find recipes to relish summer's best fruits and vegetables until I can enjoy them again next year.

Welcome, September, though I can hardly believe you're here already!

Gone With the Wind

I have mentioned before my adoration for antique books.

On Sunday, my father-in-law presented me with an antique copy of Margaret Mitchell's classic Gone With the Wind that he had picked up at a garage sale. He is so incredibly thoughtful! {thanks, Dad!}

I am especially thrilled with this gift because of my love affair with Gone With the Wind. Yes, we do have a love affair.

And look! The book is a beautiful shade of baby blue... 

{Upon research, I discovered that this is a book club edition print}

Back to the love affair...

My love affair started when I first saw the Gone With the Wind movie at age eight. I instantly became obsessed. I watched it over and over, mesmerized by the story and the complex, vivacious character of Scarlett O'Hara. I was fascinated by the actress Vivien Leigh's portrayal of Scarlett, and I was also certain that she was the most beautiful woman who ever lived.

Thus, my Gone With the Wind collection started. And grew, and grew. I had two huge GWTW movie posters on my wall and even a GWTW clock. I still have all these memorabilia...tucked into a box somewhere. Among them is all my Hallmark GWTW special edition Christmas ornaments I was gifted year after year and my GWTW watch that plays the movie theme song.

As I teenager, I read the book and loved that, too, but it was the movie that I truly first fell in love with.

I have a beautiful book dedicated to all things GWTW {but mostly the movie}:

It has gorgeous movie stills and gives all kinds of history and background behind the book and the movie.

I also have this book: 

One of my most cherished GWTW treasures is this beautiful music box, given to me by my wonderful sister Erin when I was in high school.

Since then, it has always sat on my dresser.

I used to wind it up before I got into bed at night so that I could listen to the lovely little tune as I drifted off into dreamland.

Do you have a love affair with any particular movie?

Matchbook

I recently discovered the new, delightful, online magazine called Matchbook Magazine; Field Guide to a Charmed Life.

I'm absolutely enchanted with this magazine, and who doesn't love one that's free? It's simply overflowing with beautiful photos and inspiration of fashion, decor, travel, cooking, and artsy things like letterpress...all things I adore!

I found this magazine via one of my favorite blogs, Making Magique. The adorable author, Haleigh, is featured in Matchbook with lovely photos of her in Paris.

The magazine inspires ideas of finding pleasure in the small things and how to be a lady. I am all about etiquette in this world where sadly, being polite seems to be a lost art.

I seriously recommend you check the magazine out for yourself. Enjoy!

A Favorite Quote of Mine

I discovered this quote at a Successories store.

Title: The Essence of a New Day

"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind...let it be something good."

I think of this quote often and it inspires me to remember the importance of each and every day that God gives us here on this earth.

Oh Interview Day

Let me begin this entry by apologizing for having gone such a long amount of time without posting on my blog. It's my goal in 2009 to write more often (although things aren't off to a good start, since this is the end of January...)

For the past year and a half, I have had the pleasure of working for an esteemed medical school's admissions office. I had always known that the process of applying and getting accepted into medical school was difficult and hugely important, but my eyes have been extremely opened to this whole experience. I have been hurled into a world of MCAT scores, letters of recommendation, AMCAS applications, and pre-medical course requirements. Our office has the task of processing over 5,000 applications each year and whittling down the numbers to a matriculating class of about 156 students. Our application process comes to a head with our Interview Days, on which we interview around 500 applicants throughout the course of several months.

When I arrive to work on Interview Days, our office has a certain buzz of excitement and anticipation in the air. The office staff works together to coordinate an Interview Day that runs as smoothly as possible. The applicants arrive, are given a power point presentation detailing our medical school, and then ushered off to two separate interviews: one with a faculty member and one with a current med student. The applicants then rejoin one another to enjoy a lunch we have catered for them. Afterwards, the applicants are given a partial campus tour.

My task on Interview Day is to act as a hostess of sorts, guiding students to their interview locations, waiting with them in between interviews, and answering lots of questions. In doing this, I have been able to observe numerous applicants over many months. The applicants arrive wearing sharp black suits and crisp white shirts, the women in heels and the men in carefully polished dress shoes. When I introduce myself as a member of the admissions staff, an applicant will shake my hand with the firmness and eagerness I imagine one would shake the hand of the President's. Most of the applicants are extremely warm and personable and I find it very enjoyable to carry on conversations with them. When I speak, they listen attentively, nodding their heads and smiling. I have to admit, I feel pretty important on those days.

These applicants arrive, the hopes and dreams of their last four or more years of hard work riding on our school's decision of acceptance or rejection. You can see the anticipation in their faces---this Interview Day could make or break them. They have all worked so incredibly hard. In fact, I find myself feeling inwardly intellectually inferior to these individuals. They arrive having earned near perfect GPA's, despite having majors such as Chemical Engineering or Biomedical Sciences. Some have double majors; some have double majors AND a minor. They have scored high marks on their MCAT and come highly recommended by their references. I see applicants with A's and even A+'s in all of his/her courses, most of which are biology, chemistry, calculus/statistics, and physics. On top of all this, the applicants have volunteered countless hours in hospitals and clinics, gaining experience.

They are the sorts of individuals that appear perfect, or almost perfect, on paper. Most of the time, the applicants are as impressive in person as they are on paper. The truth is, they are truly exceptional individuals. They have put all their efforts into excelling with the goal of being accepted into medical school. But that is not their end goal---they ultimately desire to be physicians, creating strong relationships with their patients and serving the under-served populations. Lots of people can excel academically and achieve the numbers need to enter medical school, but those that have a true passion for medicine shine through. I have had the privilege to meet many of these young, driven, and passionate applicants.

One of my favorite parts about my job is seeing which applicants are accepted by the admissions committee. It makes me truly happy to see these individuals succeed. They are more than deserving. And it's fun to see someone accepted when I remember having an especially great conversation with him/her. I have also been able to get to know some of the current med students. They are as normal as anyone else and fun to be around. Yet I have a deep respect for each one of them, whether applicant or current med student, for their incredible work ethic. These individuals are going through grueling academics with the ultimate goal of being a doctor, one who serves others. It is an admirable goal and I believe our society doesn't truly understand how hard these individuals push themselves to be able to serve the public, to help others. I know I didn't. I am thankful that there are people out there such as these. So when the applicants shake my hand, I remember how far they've come, how diligently they've worked. I shake their hands with equal eagerness, grateful for their hearts of compassion.