The Christmas List

And so, I bring you my second annual "For the Last Minute Shopper" list!

If your gift-giving adventures this Christmas season have been anything like mine, you have experienced confusion, cluelessness (yup, I make up words!), and even frustration. My husband will tell you that I typically disregard the gift ideas people give me in sight for my idea of a perfect gift. He always says, "Just give them what they are asking for!" But I can't. I know better than them! ;) 

With that being said, I feel for you. That is why I am here! Compiled is a list of personally tested, personally loved and personally adored items. It's a smaller list than last year, but hey, we all need to be wise in our spending! If I help just one person find a little holiday shopping peace, then it is an accomplished mission!

Books

1. If history holds little interest for you, perhaps it is because it has always been told in a boring fashion. Give Being George Washington a chance and have your mind blown. Learn of George Washington in a way you never heard before!
2. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas is one of the greatest reads I have had this year, and quite possibly in my lifetime. Your life will be changed by Bonhoeffer's amazing character.
3. The Zion Covenant Series - quite possibly the greatest series I have had the joy of reading! Another way to learn history in an exciting adventurous way!

Entertainment

1. The Help was the best movie I saw in the theater this year. I don't typically purchase movies anymore, but this is one I would own myself. I promise you will love it!
2. Each year I find new music artists that capture my attention, and this year's artist is definitely Gungor: Beautiful Things. Simply amazing talent with a splash of pure funkiness!
3. ClearPlay is an amazing product that allows you to load filters for movies that actually silence and remove unwanted language and compromising scenes. My family has been a huge fan since they hit stores years ago!

Unique Ideas

76 Garments is a company I am excited to share with you! What better way to share their ethics and values but in their own words? "Doing it the hard way means doing it right. Our shirts are made and printed in the United States because sometimes shortcuts just don’t cut it. We’d rather support American industry and pay honest wages than save a few bucks. Embracing the truth means wearing it on your sleeve, chest, or wherever our shirts are emblazoned with uncompromising food for thought..."  (Continued...)

My Favorite Things

1. I'm not kidding when I say I want to eat my hands every time I use my Vanilla Bean Noel lotion. The scent is Christmas in cream form. (I am smelling my hands right now!) 
2. BlogStomp just might be the greatest invention in the blogging world. It uploads, formats, sharpens, and stomps your photos in seconds. It's perfect for the photographer or blogger in your life! It's pure awesomesauce. 
3. My husband treated himself to this unique hat from Gasden & Culpeper this fall, and I must say, it's pretty cool! There are many styles and features to choose from for the hat-wearing man in your life!
4. For the impossible person on your list, Shari's Berries can come to your rescue! They are truly as delicious as they look - even more so. Worth. Every. Penny.

Thankfully, I am done our Christmas shopping! And thanks to Dave Ramsey, we don't owe anyone a penny this Christmas! It seems frustrating to be putting money away for Christmas presents in March, but I will tell you, come December when you look at your budget and realize it's all paid for!! It brings a happy smile to your face!

Merry Christmas and happy (and wise!!) shopping!

My Favorite Things

I love the moment you discover something you realize you'd prefer to never live without. Whether it's a concrete object, or just a new way of doing something, it's a sweet improvement to life! And so, from time to time you will learn when I discover these things as I plan to share them with you! 

Have you ever heard of The Zion Covenant series? Until my birthday, it was simply a book on my sister's shelf that I never had time to read. I didn't know there were more books... it was simply a cool cover. Well, this all changed when I received the first book in the series as a gift from my wonderful sister-in-law out in Washington. (She is one person who is always introducing new things and processes in my life, so I am not at all surprised she is behind my newest obsession!). 

Rather than making this a structured book review (you can find those yourself!) I plan to simply rave about this series. I confess that I am a picky reader. I am easily bored by cheesy writing. Most of my book collection is filled with history books, theological insights, inspirational writings, and the classics. There are a few fiction authors that have made their way to my shelf, but I have to say that most of it is hardly worth the time. 

*Cue Bodie & Brock Thoene*

From page one of the first book, I couldn't put this series down. Set back in Germany during

Hitler's rise to power, the characters take hold of your heart and draw you in with their musical talents and love of life and liberty.When the first book was finished, I felt I had lost a dear friend. Stuck on an airplane, I had no other choice than to wait to pick up book #2. (And would you believe that after 14 hours of traveling, I was at Barns & Noble before I made it home? No patience to order it!) Each book has been an adventure. Bodie & Brock have truly done their homework, for I have learned so much of the daily struggles of the Jews and the courage they and others faced just to preserve freedom. 

I must add that I have the most precious husband the Lord ever made. I sadly finished the third book in the series the other night, placing it on the shelf with a sigh. When he came home from class yesterday, he came running up the stairs and stuck his hand around the corner before he emerged. In it was a bag with a surprise for me. Book four! :) 

Check out the series, I promise you will fall in love with it as I have!! 

Happy Thursday!

Goals for the New Year

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I have never been one for New Years' Resolutions. I have always felt that they only set you up for failure. One may resolve to lose 20+/-lbs, but there is something about January 1st that triggers cravings for anything and everything under the sun. Suddenly, all the leftover Christmas goodies look good again.... *sigh* 

But goals are an entirely different subject. Goals keep life moving, they give a sense of structure and something to strive for. My list is more like a set of tweaks to my normal lifestyle, but tweaks I am wholeheartedly diving into.

And so, I set forth these goals for the new year: 

1. Less TV. I am not much of a TV watcher, but I admit that we have more than enough shows on our DVR list. We have gone through that list and have each eliminated a few shows and are down to a few favorites. Yes, it is entertaining, but has no real value. Time is precious and I want to use it wisely.

2. More reading. In our "cutting down the TV intake" discussion, we have decided to have "reading nights." Two books and a cozy spot = a wise use of free time. I am pretty excited to expand our horizons in this area.

"Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become."
— C. S. Lewis 

3. Pursue my love of photography. I'm excited to see where this takes me. I have my camera picked out, my savings fund ready to go and a whole lot of heart and passion to back it up. I know this is from the Lord and I am willing to give this an honest shot! 

4. Continue to work on balancing my passion for politics and my Walk with Christ . I fully understand that saying that out loud makes me look awful, but I will try to clarify it by saying that my passion for the state of this nation often overwhelms me and/or stresses me out/depresses me (yes, things in the nation are that bad). So rather than focus on how hopeless things are, I will strive to keep my eyes on the Big Picture; on the glory of God and His faithfulness. What is the point of being fired up over this fallen existence if my eyes are not on what is of eternal value? We are to "wake up with our Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other - and read the Bible first."

"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" - Mark 8:36

5. Experiment more in the kitchen. The last five months have given me a good selection of staple meals, but I really want to shake things up. I'm ready to get back on the raw food diet after this crazy holiday season (though I can't quite accomplish that with the cold weather...) and rev up the healthy lifestyle. I got an incredible vegetarian cookbook for Christmas and I cannot wait to dive into it. (I realize the husband needs his meat, so I'll be sure to keep him fed!)

6. Become more self-sufficient. Let's face it, given the current economic situation of the nation, we could be heading toward a truly difficult time. And unfortunately, we as a people are hardly prepared. When the power goes out we barely know what to do with ourselves (you know I'm right!). While I can't exactly grow a garden and can our food in a rental, there are other ways to be less reliant on Walmart and Kroger. I just need to figure them out. *wink*

And that is all I have for now. It's only January! This is a continual process... Never stop learning. Never stop living. I'm pretty excited to see all that this year will hold! 

So, how about you? What are your goals or resolutions? 

Reading List for 2011

Confession: I'm a bit of a book snob. On average, I have four books going on at once. While this is great when I want to change it up from an informative political read to an adventurous fiction novel, it slows my pace down from maybe a week or two to finish a book, to months to complete them all. It is a problem, I know. That is why this year I am vowing to at least try to read through a singular book at any given time. This will be a challenge (I get a bit overzealous with a new book!) but I am willing to give it a genuine shot. 

One way I plan to implement this challenge is to set my reading list of 2011! I attempted to keep it to ten books, hoping it would set me up for success, but ended up with nineteen. The number is hardly a problem (I imagine by 2012 the actual number will be significantly higher), I am just so excited to read through a number of them that I may find great difficulty sticking to one at a time. 

Nevertheless, I give you my list for 2011 and give you full permission to keep me accountable - whether or not I do! 

Bonhoeffer: Pastor Martyr, Prophet, Spy: This book was the only thing I asked for this Christmas (hence the excited picture in my Christmas post!) I admit I even let out a little scream when I opened it *wink* And it is the top book on next year's list. I've already started it and am completely addicted. The only reason I am not reading it at this very moment is due to this post! Bonhoeffer is my newest inspiration in life.

 

  

The Great Divorce: This book somehow slipped through my reading list growing up. I'm unsure how I have yet to read this one, but I am quite excited to take it in!

Mere Christianity: I haven't picked this book up since I was in high school, and am quite eager to be reacquainted with brilliance of C.S.Lewis' writings.

 

The Athena Project: I first learned of this book on the Glenn Beck program and instantly wanted to read it. I don't read much fiction anymore (though Brad Thor's style is considered "Faction"), but this one made it on my "must read" list -- and under my Christmas tree!! 

 

 

The Real George Washington: I have had this book since my birthday in May, but as previously stated, I always have several books going, and this just hasn't made it up the list yet! But this year, it will happen. I have heard nothing but incredible things. 

The End of Reason: I began this book last winter, but had it stolen from me by my dear husband (which was fine for it sparked his love for the study of Apologetics). So now that it is once again available, it will finally be fully read by me!

Ethics: Bonhoeffer continues to inspire me, and by doing so, I must read more of his works. This book is a must for me.

The Cost of Discipleship: Another must read for me from Bonhoeffer. I can hardly wait to read it - when I buy it of course!

 

The Paradise War: I have always preferred non-fiction to fiction, but this book is an exception for me. I read it once back in high school and was blown away by its plot and character development. Strom got it for Christmas, and I'm thinking it is time for another read! Maybe this time I'll read the second and third installments...

 Pursuit of Honor: Another read I found under my tree! I have heard nothing but good things about Vince Flynn and can't wait to dive into this one!

Redeeming Love: I have read this book nearly every year since I was a freshman in college. It is by far one of the most amazing books I have ever read. And remember, I'm a book snob. I failed to find the time to read it this past year (ya know, working, wedding planning, moving and all that boring stuff!) But this year, it's going down.

 

The 5000 Year Leap: One of thee most understandable books on the Constitution anyone could ask for. I read it this past year, but I want a refresher course due to the great importance of needing to know what I believe. 

Believe it or not, I have never read the Chronicles of Narnia. Shame on me, I know. I watched the BBC movies growing up, and fully enjoy the new versions, but I have never sat down and read through the collection. This year, I have every intention of changing that.

And there you have it. My publicly stated challenge and commitment! 

Bring it on, 2011!

For the Last Minute Shopper

I feel a little bit like Oprah right now if I'm being honest. But I had this idea after weeks of Christmas shopping (and weeks of pulling my hair out, in all seriousness!). Why not do my own "Favorite Things" post? Maybe it will help spark some ideas for all you last minute shoppers with that one person on your list that makes you want to scream! 

There is nothing easier than to wrap a book or movie and put it under the tree. I'm a bit of a book snob, so my list consisted of mostly books this year. These are a few favorites that I have thoroughly enjoyed this year:

1. Want to truly understand our Constitution? 5000 Year Leap

2. Want to understand why our country is the way it is? Broke

3. A wonderful cookbook that I personally love is Mastering Your Metabolism

4. I'm not a Tom Cruise fan, but I *love* this movie: Knight and Day 

5. Another fun movie night with Date Night 

6. If you want to blow your mind with God's amazing greatness, check out Louie Giglio's How Great is Our God

7. One of my all-time favorite novels, Francine River's Redeeming Love

8. The best Yoga workout out there: Jillian Michael's Yoga Meldown

 

9.  The Game of Things, the most fun you'll have playing a game! ~ Walmart, Target, or wherever games are sold

10. The best bridesmaid gift I ever received was my amazingly comfy Victoria's Secret Kimono Wrap

11. Freshen up your living room with an endless assortment of Pillow Covers

12. I cannot imagine living without my Kitchen Aid Mixer!

13. Costume Jewelry! Rings! and more Rings!

14. Lip Stain, the best lip color while not breaking the bank! ~ Anywhere makeup is sold

15. Coffee Syrups ~ Found at your local grocers and coffee shops

16. I've been dying to receive this delicious chocolate covered goodness

17. One of my favorite wedding gifts are our ColorWave Dishes

18. One of my favorite kitchen gadgets is my Ice Cream Maker!

Good luck on your last minute shopping!! Hopefully one of my favorite things was a little inspiration for your friends and family! 

Happy Shopping!