"I am slow of speech and tongue."

I finally had the chance to watch “The King’s Speech” this weekend.  Excellent movie!  Probably not one I’d watch more than once or twice, but I thought it was very well done, and an insightful look into that particular royal family. 

After having read this article {link} awhile ago, I was even more intrigued to see the film.  I thought Colin Firth’s portrayal of the King was excellent, and I truly felt my heart go out to him as he struggled with his speech impediment.  As somebody who doesn’t like public speaking to begin with, I can’t imagine the personal humiliation of the problem being compounded with stuttering and stammering. 

The movie also created a lovely picture of his wife & children and the unconditional love and support they gave him as he struggled to overcome this impairment.

There was a scene that particularly stuck out to me, where he was so distraught over the pressure and his inadequacy that he shook with tears and yelled: “I am not a king; I am not a king!!!”  

It reminded me of Moses in Exodus 3 & 4 where God told him to go to Pharaoh and ask for the release of the Israelites.  God gave Moses everything he would need, and what was the response? 

Exodus 4:10 –  Moses said to the LORD, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”

I can just hear him saying “I am not a king; I am not a king!”  (perhaps “ambassador” would be a better word in this case.)

Exodus 4:11&12 - The LORD said to him, "Who gave human beings their mouths?  Who makes them deaf or mute?  Who gives them sight or makes them blind?  Is it not I the LORD?  Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

God will equip those He has called.

Exodus 4:13-14a - But Moses said, "Pardon your servant, Lord.  Please send someone else."  Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses...

Ouch.  I think this was a long lesson for Moses to learn.  But isn’t it for all of us?  How many times have I felt prompted to do something and yet shirked away from it because of my own feeling of inadequacy?  Probably more times than I would like to recall. 

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

God never promised us that life would be easy, but He did promise that He would never leave or forsake us, and that He would give us the strength to do whatever He has asked of us. 

It’s been my experience in life that God doesn’t often just plop us into a vat full of grace and call it a day.  It’s usually more like droplets of grace sprinkled through each day, just enough to get us through, but not so much that we forget where our abilities and strength come from or our need to depend completely on Him. 

Have you felt those drops of grace in the midst of inadequacy lately?

What I'm Loving

Good morning, friends!

Today I'm linking up with Jamie for :

"What I'm Loving Wednesday"

1.) My husband recently got me hooked on Peace Tea and my tastebuds are pretty happy about it.  It's glorified ice tea in a can with some carbonation.  The Razzleberry is my favorite! 
Have you ever tried it? 

via

2.)  Toe spreaders.  I always chuckled at the images of fancy ladies at spas with their toes all spread apart with those foam spacers...until I decided to give it a try myself.  Wow, what a difference!  Seriously, who knew that they could be so helpful when you're trying to paint your own toes!

3.) You want to wake up to liquid sunshine brewing in your coffee pot?  How about Dunkin Donuts Strawberry Shortcake coffee?  Oh yes, this is dessert in your coffee mug. 
Go buy some....you know you want to.
(Target carries it!)

4.)  I'm definitely loving all the gorgeous flowers blooming right now, specifically the huge peony bush outside my kitchen window.  The smell is lush and the blooms are so big and fluffy.  They make beautiful bouquets on our kitchen table, and a vase of them came into the office with my as well.

There are so many things to love about this time of year! 

What are you lovin' on today? 

Monday Munchies

It's Girl Scout cookie time! 

I had it on good authority (my husband's) that Samoas were the best Girl Scout cookies ever.

E.v.e.r.

However, my knowledge of this didn't occur until after GS cookie season had ended last year and I had failed to order any.  Up until my husband asked why I didn't order any cookies, I had been unaware of the amazing yumminess that was supposedly held within the confines of these chocolately-coconutty cookies. 

I mean seriously people, I make my own cookies.  Why would I buy some pre-made stuff in a box? (Oreos excepted, of course.)

This year when somebody at work was selling cookies for their daughter I bought a box to surprise him. 

A couple weeks before the cookie orders were due to come in, I found a special edition Somoas ice cream on sale and decided to give it a try.

I would consider it to be good for a spoonful, but not for a bowl full. It didn't do much to get my hopes up for these boxed cookies.

And then they arrived.

Everybody at work was tearing into their boxes as they got passed out.  Seriously, these people were going crazy over cookies.  I decided to give mine a try.

People. 

These are da bomb.

I was regretting having only bought one box...

and regretting having to take it home to share.

{But don't look at the ingredient list.

Just sayin'.}

They're also good if they've been in the freezer for awhile, but I'm not sure if I like them better that way or straight out of the box.  Either way is pretty good stuff!

So I've become a cookie-convert.

But only when it comes to GS cookies.

What's your favorite kind?

Weekend - Part 1

Some weekends are set aside for special things.

Treats.  Memories.  Pictures.  Laughter.

Special things.

One snowy weekend this winter, my husband took me out for a special day,  helping to break up the winter blues. 

Breakfast at Wolfgang's.  Yes, that was a treat. 

He had been there times before, but it was a first for me. 

But believe-you-me, it definitely won't be my last!

High tables.  Delicious coffee.  Happy people.  Amazing food. 

I was in love.

We shared a grilled cinnamon roll, which was different than any cinnamon roll I'd ever had.  Made fresh in their bakery, and apparently in high-demand because there was one on nearly every table around us. 

Ohhh, so good.

And although we failed to get pictures, the rest of our breakfast was absolutely delicious.  Huge, but delicious!

I hope to visit this quaint little place again sometime soon.  

You're guaranteed to leave with a big smile on your face.

Water Bottles

For several months, I was on a quest to find a fantastic water bottle.  

Really, how hard could it be?

But after reading lots of reviews of different brands, apparently it was going to be harder than I originally thought.

I wanted one that was BPA-free, no-spill, and not a screw lid, because I always manage to spill that kind all over the front of my shirt. Ahem.   Definitely something durable, being the rather klutzy person that I am.  

So now I present you with the answer to that quest of mine:

CamelBak

But you probably already knew that, right?

What I didn't realize until I became a CamelBak owner myself, is that pretty much everybody else I know already knew that it was one of the best water bottles in existence. 

After two weeks of using it personally, I'm completely sold. 
Five stars from me! 

And the hands-down best feature?  

There is Absolutely. No. Spilling.  Not a single drip. 

All my previous bottles have leaked in my book bag, spilled in the car, lids come off when dropped, etc.  This baby works like a charm.  It's been knocked, dropped, rolled, and never had one drop of water escape.  It's my dream come true (for a water bottle, that is).  

We're pretty much inseparable now.

What kind of water bottle do you use?

Review and a GIVEAWAY!

The sweet folks at (in)courage by Dayspring have given me the opportunity to review their lovely necklace: God's Heart For You.  When it arrived in the mail, I opened up the tiny velvet pouch and pulled out a delicate silver chain with a one-inch pendant hanging from it. The words etched on each side of the pendant read: 

Created.  Celebrated.  Cherished.  Chosen.   

Today is Valentine's day, and while the stores are filled with people buying flowers & chocolate for their sweeties, I was struck by the perfect timing of the words inscribed on this necklace.  God's love for me is there every single day of the year, but so often I get too caught up in the business of life to pay attention.

As a child of God, it does not matter if I am married or single, rich or poor... I am Loved by God.  He Created me, Celebrates me, Cherishes me, and (my favorite) He Chose me.  Every time I slip this chain around my neck it serves as a wonderful reminder that I am precious in the sight of God.  I am reminded of love.  

This beautiful necklace can be purchased in either sterling silver or rhodium-plated. It is a very good quality and has a stylish design.  I've only worn it a couple times but I love it already!

And now for the really fun part!  

:::: drum roll please :::: 

These same sweet people at (in)courage are also letting me give away a $20 voucher to the Dayspring store!
(Shipping & Handling will still be charged on your purchase).

Entries will be accepted during the week and the winner will be announced on SATURDAY, February 19th, but in the meantime. . . 

Mandatory Entry:

• Be a verified follower of this blog and leave a comment telling me what catches your eyes at the Dayspring store! 

Optional entries (leave a new comment for each):

• Follow me on Twitter (@blessedbride08) and tweet about the giveaway.
• Blog about the giveaway and link back to this post.

*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received the above mentioned product from (in)courage by Dayspring for review purposes only. The opinions stated here are completely my own based on personal experience.* Contest is open to US residents only, 18 years of age and older.

Happy Valentine's Day and enjoy the giveaway!

Zingerman's

Last weekend we visited Zingerman’s Restaurant, a little over an hour away and definitely a favorite of the locals.

Friends here in town had mentioned it to me a few times, raving about their bread and Reuben sandwiches, so when we were in the Ann Arbor area we decided to check it out.

Wow.  What a cool place!

Zingerman’s has also been discovered by Food Network, and their mac & cheese made the Network’s “America’s Top 10 Comfort Foods” list. So of course, that’s what I ordered when we were there. Let me tell you, this ain’t your grandma’s macaroni & cheese! Mine had pieces of (free-range!) chicken, diced chilies, and bunches of cilantro with a smooth cheesy sauce.

Mike had their ribs, which are smoked for 14 hours before they are served. The flavor was so rich & amazing that he didn’t even put BBQ sauce on all of it.

And their mashed potatoes? Well, those you’ll just have to try for yourself. To. Die. For.

We chatted with the bus boy, manager, waitresses, and hostesses, and each one was charming and pleasant. It was truly five-star service but with the atmosphere of a Roadhouse. It was absolutely wonderful.

So if you’re ever in the Ann Arbor area, look ‘em up and give it a try!

Face Stuff

 

With cold weather upon us, my face is already starting to dry out and get flaky. 

Kinda like this:

So I have been trying to find a moisturizing routine that keeps my face soft and smooth (without making it oily), otherwise all you see is my makeup clumped up with my skin all flaking and dry. Oy.

This is the duo I have come up with:

Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub

Followed by:

Alba Aloe & Green Tea oil-free moisturizer

I do this before bed at night and sometimes rub a bit more cream into my face in the morning before I put my make up on, depending on how many dry patches I have.

Any other suggestions for warding away the winter dryness?

the Cheetah

I love trying out new restaurants and feeling brave enough

 to order something that doesn't include french fries and chicken tenders.

Enter:  the Electric Cheetah

I was having dinner with a friend and since we didn't have our steak-loving men with us,

 we decided to enjoy some a little-less-meaty and a little-more-girly. 

Dinner was delicious! 

My friend had a French Dip with homemade potato chips:

and I had an Italian Admiral with Wild Mushroom soup:

Prosciutto, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, basil, black pepper, and fresh mozzarella.

Oh my.  And the soup?  Luscious.  So rich and flavorful with large chunks of fresh mushrooms.  I've been wanting more even since I finished!

The painted earthy-green walls had murals on them, and cool lights hung from the ceiling. 

This cafe uses as much locally grown food they can, a lot of natural and organic.

So good!  I'll definitely go back if I get the chance.

Have you tried anything new lately?

Lebanese Cravings

It's not very often that I get a true craving for a certain food. 

There are staples that always sound good:

Pizza

French Fries

Pasta

Bread

Ice Cream

You get the idea....

But those are not craving -- those are just foods I seldom pass up because I could eat them all the time.  However, the exception to my rare cravings would be this one meal...a meal I sometimes crave even on back-to-back days, and simply cannot get enough of.

Chicken Shawarma & Hummus w/ pita

from the local Lebanese restaurant.

Wow.  So amazing.

I can't begin to accurately describe to you the amazing combination of flavors that burst in your mouth as you bite into that chicken wrap. 

Creamy garlic sauce, marinated chicken, loads of dill pickles, in a warm soft wrap. 

It's truly a wonderful experience.

And the Hummus?  Well, you have heard my rants about the merits of homemade vs. store bought.  You know I make my own and tell the world how they can do it too.  But to taste hummus from this little restaurant is to taste something I have been unable to recreate in my own kitchen.  It is simply magnifique!  And with the pitas so thin and soft, so ready to be dipped and devoured. 
So delicious.

Have you ventured into the world of Lebanese food? 

What do you crave?

I Will Carry You - a review

About two years ago I started reading the blog Bring the Rain, written by Angie Smith. It was her place to tell the story of her yet unborn daughter and the perils that surrounded her pregnancy. Having been given the diagnosis that their baby’s medical conditions made her “not compatible with life”, the blog was her telling of their story, their journey, and the road she walked during that dark time in their lives.

During the weeks and months of reading this blog, Angie’s story spoke to my heart and I often found myself pondering words she had written or saying a prayer for them and their unborn daughter. Angie writes in such a way that you’re right there in her living room, sharing the moment with her. I find it nearly impossible to read her story and be ‘detached’ from it. It was very real, very emotional, and very vivid in my mind.

Several months after the passing of their baby, it was announced that Angie was writing a book that would be released earlier last year. I pre-ordered it from Amazon as soon as it was available and was very much looking forward to reading it.

“I Will Carry You” arrived, and due to general business and an already-growing stack of books to read, it simply got added to the pile. Until now. I started reading after I got home from work one night and when my husband got home from class a couple hours later, I was already half finished. He walked into the house and found me on the couch with tears pouring down my face as I read. A look of concern was on his face, but once he saw what I was reading, he wasn’t really surprised.

The book had me enthralled, overwhelmed, and emotionally exhausted. There was immense sadness as I read the story of this precious little baby they lost, and trying to understand in my own heart how that must have felt, never having been a parent myself. But so much more than that, I was overwhelmed by the testimony they shared, and the faith they had in the God who walks beside us through the ‘valley of the shadow’.

They experienced what it was like to be held in the hands of Almighty God.

This book is not about the death of their daughter. It’s about resting in the arms of God and clinging to His truths and promises. It’s about running to Him with our wants and our hurts, trusting Him to be there no matter how hard the road ahead of us gets. This is about living a life of Faith, even when it hurts you to the deepest core of your existence.

This book offered a wonderful reminder to me that this earth is not my home. It’s a temporary residence and I’m just passing through. This isn’t the end of the story, and death isn’t the end of my life. I know where I’m spending eternity, and it will be kneeling at the feet of my Savior.

If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy,
the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world."
-- C.S. Lewis

This book tells the story of a family who faced immense tragedy and chose to turn to the only true source of hope we have in this world – God himself. As hard as it must have been for the Smith family to live through all this, I praise God that they stood strong in the midst of it and were willing to be ‘broken and spilled out’ for Him, sharing their story and being a living testimony to the amazing and sustaining grace of God.

I encourage anybody who hasn’t read the book to read it. But I warn you: read it with a box of Kleenex nearby. (And you might want to warn your husband ahead of time…)

The following song by Natalie Grant is one that I am always reminded of whenever I hear Angie’s story. Sometimes it is in the deepest pain and the darkest night that we find out what it feels like to be held…

Let your hearts be touched,

OPI - My new love

Last week I tried OPI nail polish for the first time.

Admittedly, I have been skeptical about everybody’s rave-reviews of this product, not understanding how one brand could really be that much better than another. (Plus I had never wanted to spend $9 on a bottle just to try it out.)

This past week I found it on sale and splurged, wanting to see if it really lived up to its reputation.

I applied the Japanese Rose Garden color to my nails, did a clear top coat and waited for the wow-factor. I got nothin'. It pretty much looked like any other nail polish I had ever used. Nothing special here.

The next morning however, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that even after doing a sink full of dishes and showering, the polish was still firmly intact.

Now, four days later, it still hasn’t chipped! Typically nail polish will last 10-15 hours on me and then look awful. I have never found one that doesn’t chip, peel, crack, or need daily touchups – until now!! !

My tips need to be touched up now, but that’s just from normal wear & tear (I’m pretty hard on my nails).

All that to say, I’m sold!

Do you wear OPI?

Has anybody used the “Nicole” by Opi? Any differences or benefits to that one?

Randoms from my Week

Pringles chips now come in Multi-Grain and I think I might be starting to like them better than the Original.

I’ll be glad when this season of American Idol is over so I can hear something on the radio besides all the commentators talking about how lame it was.

My new shoes for work still haven’t arrived. The “economy” shipping was free but apparently that means it takes about ten days for your purchase to arrive. But hey, at least it was free.

Last night I ate Fish & Chips for only the second time in my life and now I think I’m completely hooked. Bring on the Malt Vinegar.

Iron Man 2 was really good but I thought Robin Hood was rather boring. *yawn* And I’m still not a fan of Cate Blanchett

The weather lately has been absolutely gorgeous, making me crave more beach time. That being said, swimsuit shopping is evil. Just so wrong.

My stack of books to read is literally exploding off the shelf. It would be so lovely simply to have time to sit around and read all of them, more than one chapter a day. Plus I have to throw in a random magazine here & there to break up the monotony. ;)

That’s all I have for today folks – a stream of random nothingness.

Hope it’s a beautiful day in your neighborhood!

Wall Art

I stumbled across these prints today and thought they were adorable. 

See these, and the rest of DazeyChic's other adorable designs here!

Anybody who knows me well, knows I have an insatiable love for French Fries.
That being said, this print is absolutely perfect for me:

I loved the simplicity of this one:

I love quirky and unusual art. 

Do you have any in your house?

A Girl Can Never Have Too Many...

Doesn't every girl love an excuse to get a new pair of shoes?

Due to a policy change at work, I had to purchase a couple new pairs of shoes.

What a shame.

Right.

These lovelies are on their way to my doorstep, hopefully to arrive before the end of next week so I can walk about the office in style.  (At least as far as my feet are concerned.)

Coming a few weeks later will probably be these:

I like to have the option of flats in case I have to go dashing through the rain, run after a mailman, or just don't feel like being three inches taller than normal.

Can you believe these shoes were made by Crocs -- the company that started out with garden-shoes that should never have been seen in public?  (and yes, I have a pair, much to my husband's chagrin.) 

 I never cease to be amazed at how sturdy and comfortable their footwear is, and now they're even stylish!  They went from play-in-puddles clogs to wear-at-work fabulous! 

Who would have thought?

Do you wear Crocs?

images from: crocs.com