Captivating

  There are times when I feel so feminine. That I feel the full potential that God created me for.

  Captivating, mysterious, inviting.

  I don’t get that feeling very much, but when I do it’s a remarkable feeling.

  A little bit ago, I finished reading the book Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. It changed my whole perspective on what I thought about myself. The role I played in the world. Eve, the first woman to ever touch Earth was the last thing God created. She sealed His Creation.

  That part awes me. We woman were put here on Earth with great roles. When God made Adam and Eve, He made us in His image. Adam was the strong provider, while Eve was the beautiful, motherly, powerful woman.

  I don’t know if you ever get that feeling I was saying before. Sometimes it is from the attention of a special one or the clothes that you are wearing, but then it can simply be your true female heart shining through.

  Like you can see why God made you the way you were. Like you were looking through God’s perspective and could see what He, the Creator saw.

  Captivating.

Thanksgiving 2012

Yesterday was a very pleasant day. My mom, sister and I started cooking at my Grandparents house around ten in the morning to get the turkey ready. By five, everything was going smoothly and all the food was ready to be laid on the table. This year my sister Sarah made the turkey. She used an African spice blend that is oh-so delicious! It was her very first time to cook a turkey and she did an excellent job! 

From pineapple casseroles, stuffed mushrooms, mashed potatoes to pumpkin and apple pie, it was a wonderful night. It was great to have the family all together and be with the people I am so grateful for.  

African Spiced Turkey

Sweet Potato casserole with marshmallows 

My specialty dish

My Grandma, Michelle 

Peanut butter Ritz crackers covered in chocolate. I will be posting a recipe soon about this!

My stuffed mushrooms with Swiss cheese on top

My grandma's famous dish of cranberries

The finished turkey

Family walk after dinner

Tree Decorating

Every year, the night before Thanksgiving, my family and I decorate our Christmas tree. It has been something we've always done and never a day later. (My Mom doesn't want the tree up any earlier than that)
During hot chocolate and some classic Christmas tunes, we go through Christmas ornaments that have collected dust in the last months.
  We used to have more than we could imagine of ornaments. They consist mostly of novelty or handmade ones that we made at school. But we've had to move so many times these past two years, they've nearly vanished under our noses until we have only a few small boxes of the most special ones. When you move, you figure out a way to down size so everything fits into your next house. And our next house was smaller than the next and thus we had too much stuff to store.
  It made me a little sad, some memories that you cannot get back. When I was little, photography wasn't as big and affordable as it is now. The crafts you have from childhood give you a picture of what you used to be.
  As the years go by, I know that more memories will be made with my little brothers. There are so many ways now to preserve memories! Photography, videos, the internet! They will get to make their own little trinkets to hang on the Christmas tree each year. Some things we cannot keep forever, but there are things that we can. And ultimately it is being with family.

A Little Too Crazy...

I go into these phases of getting obsessed about something. It can be writing, photography, languages, and about anything that catches my eyes. Lately, it has been crafting.

  I was reluctant to look at Pinterest. I had heard such great things from friends and family about it, but I was still unsure what all the fuss was about. So finally one night I made an account and submerged myself into the world of Pinterest. And there behold was my destiny. It has everything a crafty person could imagine. DIY crafts, home decor, photography, etc. If there was anything someone liked, it was there on Pinterest. For a few days I became glued to the website, soaking in all the ideas and adding them to my board. 

  In my mind, I was collecting ideas for my new room. We were going to move in a few days and I wanted to start at the new house with a fresh canvas. 

  Then we moved, with Pinterest craft ideas simmering in my head.

  Let the crafting begin.

  Bellow are the projects I made for my bathroom. This bathroom in my new house is the biggest I have ever had with some much space to use up. With creative liberties  I found the way to use the space with a flare of cuteness. 

For this makeup holder, I bought a magnet dry erase board and glued magnets on the back of my makeup. You can doodle around the edges to make it pretty
Disclaimer: Be sure to use strong magnets and makeup that isn't too heavy so you'r makeup won't fall off.

Took a small chain I found around the house and nailed it to the wall. Then took three small teacups that made perfect hair band/clips holder.

             

Get a picture frame with the glass and back. Cut scrapbook or decorated paper to fit the glass. Take ribbons or lace, then measure and hot glue to the frame on the inside so the ribbon is tight and doesn't sag. Finally lay in the glass so the ribbon is on the outside, lay in paper and put on back so it stays together. Display your favorite earrings.
For picture frame. I took British flag stickers and lined them up and put tape on the top to seal it in. Customized picture frame!

Took lace and pin it to the wall with a push pin. Then  take hair accessories and attach.  For the head bands I screwed in some mug hooks. Simple as that!

For  the jewelry branch, find a branch the size you prefer. Take twine and wrap around tightly on both sides and tie so then you can take it and hang it up. Finally nail in nails to the wood to hold jewelry. 

  These crafts were very easy and really cheap. Most of these things I found around my house and put together in less than 20-30 minutes. 

Plus the ending was rewarding. It makes my bathroom organized while staying charming. 

Pepper 

Inspiration People

   Jesus is the one person who I center my life around. Who I strive to be. He is the son of God who died for my sins before I even walked upon the Earth. Jesus loved all the people he was with, no matter their ranking. He lived a life of purity and listened to His Father. He sacrificed his life for mine because He loved me enough to die for me. He saved me. I admire Him, love him more than all the things in the Earth. I am blessed and humbled by God for sending him, for someone like me. 

    Adam Young is such an inspiration. His music reaches the soul, yet his spirit is pure and his life is in God's hands. I love how he doesn't let his rising fame affect his personality, his style or his music. He is a very sweet and sincere person and I am glad through his accomplishments, he has stayed true and continues to spread God's love with his words.

     Last but not least, my Mom, Rachel de la Torre. She has cared for me from the very beginning and has supported and loved me though all my troubles and the things we have gone through. She is a strong woman with passion for justice, love and hope and has a generous heart that is always ready to serve. I am so grateful to have a Mom who loves the Lord with her all her heart and teaches me things I will never forget. Love you Mommy!

Life's Ruff

  Well, there's a new addition to our family. Her name's San Diego and she's a Miniature French Poodle. It's kind of an interesting story to how we found her. My Mom went to California with my two brothers, Isaiah and Levi to go to Sea World and Lego Land, kid heaven. On the last day they decided to walk on the board walk in San Diego and there behold were people selling Miniature French Poodles. She agreed to let them play with the puppies when Isaiah saw her across the room, or cage perhaps.

  She hopped over to him and it was almost love at first sight. Isaiah had such a tender heart for this one specific dog. My Mom said it was really as if there was a connection between them. He held her and comforted the tiny puppy. That's when she made the deal. They were getting the dog.

  I'm generally not a animal person. I love to hear the birds chirp, pet some cats and dogs, but own them? I think not. It's really a big responsibility and generally the animals want to get up in your face and I'm the opposite of that. It's just not my thing, but I do enjoy them, just not in my possession.

  My Mom came home with the animal as a total surprise. As I opened the door to let her in, she held in her arms San Diego. On the phone earlier she said she was bringing home San Diego. I thought some sand at the beach or a trinket at a market stand, not a dog. 

  As San Diego surveyed the room calmly, I could start to tell her sweet and observant spirit. She looked at you when you talked as if she was trying to get it. She sat in our laps patiently, enjoying our company. San Diego was well beyond her 8 weeks and dog DNA she was made up of. She was smart. I had only one other dog in my life that I truly could say was a genius. 

  We've had her a little over two weeks. Both the boys have bonded with her and protect her like big brothers. San Diego loves to clobber them in her tiny frame with kisses. This is their first dog they have ever had and I think she will be a friend to them as they get older. Having a dog is so important to two little boys, or children in all. More than gaining responsibility skills, they learn how to care and tend to a little puppy they can call their own. There is someone for them to protect and teach and in a way, father her, even if they are toddlers. 

  As it is said, dogs are men's best friends. I can see that. There is something so different to how Isaiah and Levi responded and act towards the their puppy. San Diego is their companion. 

Gypsy Feet

   I was born with gypsy feet. The world has called me ever since I was a little girl and everyday the longing to travel in it grows.

  As a little girl, I moved several times. More than I can remember. Some people think that’s unhealthy, but I loved every minute. No matter the situation, it thrilled me and continues to.  Moving always held a new adventure. A new house, a new city and new people. Getting to explore this world God created is an honor. I am so happy God made the world with many places to scout and many mysteries to uncover. It leaves adventure in my life.

  I want to see new and old cities. I want to be able to experience culture and talk with the locals. Taste food my taste buds have never savored. Hear languages that sound like flowing poetry. See the most detailed buildings in history and walk on ground that holds memories. Sleep in a new place every night.

  All the things I want to do!

  The longing is so strong, especially to Europe. It is a beautiful continent. You can take the train almost anywhere but end up in a place more different than the last. I could spend a year in each place learning the history and seeing the sights. In Europe you can walk out your front door and be taken back at the brilliance in it all.

  My heart is a gypsy. My body is a gypsy with feet tapping, wanting to go. I can tell there are many things to come, but all I need to do is wait until God says, ‘Go!’

  

“The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only one page.” – St. Augustine