the orchardist

i was so grateful for conference this past weekend.  i had so many questions, and my conclusion from this weekend is trust God more.  i feel like i'm always needing to be reminded to trust God.  which is silly because i know these words from president uchtdorf are true:

"you are loved.  you are dear to your heavenly parents.  the infinite and eternal creator of light and life knows you!  he is mindful of you...more than you could ever imagine, he wants you to achieve your destiny -to return to your heavenly home in honor...trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ.  I promise that as you do so you will discover your best self-your real self."

 for whatever reason, i cannot maintain that mindset of letting someone else lead my life for very long.  but i'm learning, and those subtle reminders he gives me are helpful (though painful, at times).  

also this weekend i got way spoiled with brennan time.  like from 3 p.m. on friday to 6:50 a.m. on monday we were together.  and i loved it.  the more time i spend with that man the more i love him and realize what a wise decision i made in marrying him.

brennan has been wanting to get in touch with his inner transcendentalist, so on friday he took me on a date to lynd fruit farms.  we picked 28 apples and raced through the trees and kissed behind the trunks.  

he also told me that if i ever wanted an orchard he wouldn't be opposed.  he knows all the right words, i tell ya.

when we drove in to the orchard, the guy handing out the bags told us "eat as many apples as you want while you're in there".  i think we ate more than we wanted.

i love the look on brennan's face.  he is so pleased with himself.

                         

after eating ourselves sick on apples, we visited the market across the street where we found those huge watermelons (i want to eat them all), some amish frye pies, and every size and color of pumpkin that exists.  i brought home a pie pumpkin (alicia, i'll need you to remind me how to make it into a pie).  we made some delicious homemade apple cider and still have about a dozen apples left.

it rained all that day, but it's like the clouds parted for us just long enough for us to have our outdoor adventure..then as we were driving away we got to watch some pretty ominous clouds roll in - it was beautiful.

- this link is the recipe i used for the cider.  it was so easy and so good, but i would definitely add white sugar...none of this optional brown sugar stuff.  i did at least one cup of white sugar after it was finished and i'd separated the apples and the cider.  

- also, have you ever heard of the book the orchardist?  my sister-in-law gave it to me for christmas last year.  it's an exciting story and sounds like a beautiful place (and further fueled my desire to have an orchard)

the food stamp experiment

first things first...

happy october

fall > all other seasons

october > all other months

so go outside and enjoy the crisp air and changing leaves!

october in mexico. (photo cred: pat may)

anyway...i'm doing an experiment.  i'm finishing up my last political science class tomorrow, and one of the last things i studied was social policy.  in that chapter i learned that for those on welfare, the average amount people receive for food stamps is $90 a month per person.  i don't know what all your grocery budgets are, but mine was significantly higher than that.  so, i decided to do an experiment.  for one month, i would only allot myself the amount of money we'd receive through food stamps if we were receiving them.  the experiment is pretty simple (based on SNAP rules):

• September 22 - October 19
• 2 people in my household = $180
• this budget only counts for food.  you cannot buy toiletries, paper products, or cleaning products with food stamps.  

here is the catch to make it a little more challenging.  our meals have to meet the myplate requirements (the food pyramid).  that means 2 cups of fruit per person per day, 2 1/2 cups veggies for me and 3 for brennan each day,  6 oz. grains for me, 8 for brennan, etc...tedious, i know.  that's why we're 2 weeks in and i haven't been tracking our servings at all.  so help!  

do you have awesome, cheap, healthy recipes? 

 we've probably done pretty well for the most part cause i do cook a lot of veggies, but fruits sometimes get ignored. any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  

peace+love

leprechaun carpet

last week i started to feel a little homesick with all the pictures friends and family were posting of my beloved mountains and the changing leaves.  it's true, my heart will always reel me back to the mountains...but for now, i am soaking in all the beauty the midwest has to offer.

on wednesday night, brennan and i got to go out to gahanna for dinner at a physicians house.  they had a huge yard and goats!  and chickens and ducks.  i think i almost have brennan convinced we need a mini-farm someday.  i mean, what's better than a horse to get around town and fresh eggs every day?  we'd probably save tons of money with the amount of baking i do around here.  

what can i say?  goats love me.

and now for some shameless columbus promoting.

before we moved to ohio, brennan told me that when he landed in columbus as a missionary 5 years ago, all the green reminded him of ireland.  unfortunately i've never been to ireland, and i don't have a really nice camera to take cool pictures of all the green, but with these pictures and a little imagination, you can get a pretty good idea.  it is green.

green in the water

green on the trees

green on the rocks

green on the ground

green in the air.

there are other colors, too. 

 

last thing...ohio has a lot of corn and a lot of sky.  and i love it.

a trolls paradise.

the craziest things seem to happen in the middle of the night when i am deeply sleeping.

like last night...well, this morning, i guess.

it was about 4:30 a.m. when i woke up to brennan thrashing around hitting his leg and moving both legs up and down like he was either trying to get rid of a bug or a charlie horse.  then he sat up in bed and started rubbing his calf.  then he stood up at the foot of the bed and started jumping around like he was dancing.  i asked him what was wrong and if he was okay, but he just kept dancing around.  finally, he got out, "yea, it's just a giant spider"   

"you had a spider on your leg?"

"no"

"then what was it?"  

he stuck his hand out with his fingers up like he was trying to describe a dead spider to me...

"i don't know...it was one of those huge spiders.  they're really friendly and they live forever."

"yeaaaa...you're not really awake"

i kissed him on the forehead and rolled over to try and fall asleep again.  which was made difficult by me laughing and feeling slightly paranoid about the possibility of there being a spider in our bed.  

man, i wish i had a video of this whole thing.  i laugh every time i remember it.

anyway, we got to spend saturday exploring hocking hills.

and, boy am i glad we did.

that expression was pretty much glued to my face the entire time.

it was not like hiking in utah.

there were no big climbs.

practically no elevation gain.

but it was unlike anything i'd ever seen.

trees grow on rocks

everything is covered in moss

a soft mist hangs above every body of water

and the humidity invites all kinds of critters

 

i could get used to this ohio thing.

don't mind the crappy phone pictures.  someday i'll own a nice camera.  if you know my history with nice cameras, that will probably happen once i prove i can keep another human alive.

gracias a la vida

there is much to be said for life the sunshine brings, especially in the springtime.  this weather is making my heart giddy.  i spent way too much time last year feeling off.  there were times where it felt like no matter what i did, i wasn't happy.  and i was really trying to be happy.  now that the sun is out, it is much easier to feel happy.  but it is still a conscious choice everyday.  i choose how to react to each situation presented to me.  and i am learning to make the choice every day to be happy, to let things go, and to laugh at my mistakes and the mistakes of others.  

i never want to go back to the way i felt or the choices i was making 8 months ago...or even 3 months ago.  but i am grateful i experienced the things i did.  because of them, i am learning to be happy.  i am learning what choices ultimately lead to sorrow, and i am learning to look at each day as a gift.  and especially right now, i do not want to waste time feeling sad.  the weather has been way too beautiful and my life is way too awesome for that.

peace+love

i suppose i should update

it's that time of year again.  i spent last week riding my bike 425 miles.  it was a really nice break after 12 hours in the car to get to Cour D'Alenes.

at the top of dobson pass-a 12 mile climb with my new friends from iowa/the only other 20-something's on the trip.

mountain biking the hiawatha trail

climbing up Schwietzer

my new wolf friend shyla

two weeks before that i spent 3 days backpacking in the tetons with this cute boy and his family...

and in three weeks it will be a bittersweet goodbye to utah as i head to mexico to start my mtc adventure.

peace+love

m.i.a.

it's been over a month since my last post...perhaps i should update my blog...

then again, maybe not.  see you when summer is over.

peace+love

true love

i am in a very serious, intimate relationship.  i love it.  he's never hurt me, at least not too badly.  he's always there for me.  we've been so many beautiful places and seen so many things together.  and even when we're just running errands together, he doesn't seem to mind...we're just happy to be together.  he truly understands me.  he pushes me beyond what i think is possible for myself.  we've been through a lot of uphills, done some cruising, and fun little descents.  and he's really quite low maintenance, as long as i show him a little tlc every once in a while.  and we never fight.  he's perfect.  yes, the same "he" i was with all last summer/fall and neglected for way too long (3 months too long).  but he's so forgiving.

isn't he beautiful?

he even looks good naked

i could ride him all day long if i had the time

yes, it's true, ruby...i love you

peace+love

my boys

wow...i didn't realized how behind i was on documenting my life here until i started looking through my pictures.

so now i will document 2 very happy, much needed reunions...christmas will come later.

meet michael and mark. my two best friends from the moment we all met 7 years ago.  really, 3 peas in a pod.  these boys were there waiting for me with ben and jerry's when my cat died.  we've laughed together a lot, and at least one of them and i have cried together a lot (for his sake i won't tell who).  and after 4 years of not being all together in the same room i discovered i still love them just as much as i did when i saw them everyday.

and sam, sammy baby flew home from hell (grad school) for the holidays.  we went to church, completely stuffed our faces all day long, then sam entertained mom, brookie, and i with his life stories.

heaven knows how much i love this man and his cat sweater...i know you can't see it, but behind that poster his sweater says "real men admit they love cats".  ain't it the truth, sam taylor?  my life is happier with you in it.

and more happiness...i woke up to snow falling fiercely outside my window this morning, and it still has not ceased.  i love that i can walk around outside at 11 p.m. and have no need of light...truly a winter wonderland.

christmas to come...

peace+love

i-duh-ho

nothing makes me feel like a small child quite like riding my bike does. this is how we do it on ride idaho.

new meadows to white bird
-100+ degree weather
-rafted the salmon river
-rode 50 some-odd miles
-hung out in a bar on a sunday
-got asked if i was old enough to be there

white bird to cottonwood
-rode 40 miles
-10 of them were climbing
-fell asleep in a monastery during the nun's tour
-saw dog bark park
..seriously, this town is something from "true stories"

cottonwood to elk city
-rode 77 miles
-stopped along the way for a dip in the river
-then for a gigantic ice cream cone
-tried to teach two drunk guys to play go fish...fail

elk city to grangeville
-rode 81 miles
-climbed a killer grade in sweltering heat
-got ice cream in a parlor where i found a cute redhead
-played on the sweet slip 'n slide in the park

grangeville to winchester
-rode 51 miles to the best hick town ever
-in the gas station found photo albums labeled "hunting" and "fishing" featuring the locals
-even has a giant rifle hanging from the power line in the middle of town
-learned some sweet middle eastern rhythms in a drum circle
-went to bed with the most beautiful sunset of the trip

winchester to genesee
-woke up to a blood-red sunrise
-62 miles with a 10 mile grateful climb

genesee to moscow
-felt something touching my toe as i was putting my gear away...i turned around only to find a mouse under the tent
-22 short, easy miles into moscow
-LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG drive from moscow to boise then to north salt lake.

and suddenly my vacation ended.  what a tragedy.
peace+love

long days of summer...

i cannot believe it's already july 22nd...before i know it i'll be cooped up in the hbll reading one of the bajiliion books i'll have to read between my 3 english classes and spanish writing and reading class.  boo. so, i'm just filling my days with all the outdoor fun stuff i possibly can....kind of like how chipmunks gather as much food as they possibly can.
-night swimming
-lots and lots of bike rides.  long ones, short ones, uphill, downhill, fast, slow.
-floating down the provo river
-more bike rides
-red rocks brandi carlile concert...i die of happiness...and pot
-roasting mallows
-hiking
-more biking
-more swimming
-lots of working...but have i told you how much i LOVE both of my jobs?

have a happy summer

p.s.  my cute auntie stephanie is due for chemo tomorrow...if you could remember her in your prayers tonight and tomorrow morning we'd all really appreciate it.

peace+love

what can i say?

...i'm so sad since you went away.

i am such a zoobie...

urban dictionary says:  A term used in Utah, mainly Utah Valley, to describe the excited bunch of mormons that go to BYU and engage in excessive social activities. (there was another definition that was a bit more derogatory and a little less true in my circumstances...plastic? i think not...)

in the last week and a half i have:

-been to a fireside about dating and eternal marriage
-hiked up to the y at night several times
-drawn on the sidewalk with chalk outside my front door
-done free laser tagging
-ridden my bike all over town
-not starved thanks to the so charitable donations some call "dates"
-discovered the hidden beauty of american fork canyon
-oh, and friday i have a "blind date"
....i was slightly dreading moving back to provo, but i must say, zoobie summer life ain't so bad after all. plus, i love my job...

peace+love

the fall

coming home from a mission and adjusting to the "real world" is an interesting experience...my life's circumstances make it even more interesting. 
today i was given about 5 minutes to make an important life decision. i really hope i made the right one.

then, i got to go be one with the earth.  okay, maybe it wasn't the most spiritual experience i've had in nature (impossible when you've got cousin sammie screaming about snakes every 5 minutes), but i've got to say, there is nothing that brings me more peace of mind and makes me feel more "at home" than getting away from civilization for a few minutes and pondering on the beauties of the earth.

hello, nature...it's good to be back.

peace+love

i love my life...

...and all you people in it.

i'm only 21 and have experienced some pretty amazing things:
-singing "forever in blue jeans" on PCTV at the Neil Diamond concert with my best friend when i was 15
-traded a 5 buck pizza for Cold Stone with my little sister and her friend. i'm pretty sure the workers just thought they were cute.
-watched an owl take off in flight while driving in the Uinta's at night
-watched a moose running next to the car on the same drive

-gone skydiving

-backpacked europe

-witnessed nature at it's finest aka rock climbing/zion/hiking

-sung "desperado" with my best friend in front of half our high school

-crossed 22 things off my bucket list of 110

-hiked to the highest point in utah

-completed a triathlon

-completed 2 1/2 marathons

-rode my bike 448 miles through one of the most beautiful areas in this country

-watched a school come together to provide a dinner for 140 homeless people

-experienced making real music.

-lived in the greatest city in utah (cedar! if you were wondering)

-entered the temple and received my endowment

-raised $211 for charity:water thanks to YOU!

i could go on. i have a family who loves me and friends who inspire me to be a better person everyday. i lead a very privileged life. i attribute that completely to my heavenly father.

i've also made mistakes and done some really dumb things and had heartaches and hard times. but that is why Jesus Christ atoned for our sins our pains, making it possible to become perfect through Him and giving Him the chance to comfort us when we need it most. i have experienced the healing power of the atonement first hand, and that is why i am so excited to spend the next 18 months telling the people of santiago, chile about this "good news". i'm also very much looking forward to the next 21 years and (hopefully) more in this beautiful world.

p.s. thanks ali and brookie for the birthday shout-outs. i sure love you both. also, brooke, i love that song, so thank you for pointing out those lyrics so i'd actually think of them--

"hold on to what you believe in the light, when the darkness has robbed you of all of your sight."

i'll do my best.

peace+love

high uintahs

one time i hiked 34 miles.

...oh wait, that was earlier this week

7 miles up 1,000 feet with a 30+ lb backpack

find sick flip-up sunglasses behind a log

(attempt to) sleep

10 miles up 3,000 feet to the highest peak in utah

(13,528 ft above sea level)

experience altitude sickness

(at least i wasn't puking like that kid in the scout group)

10 miles down 3,000 feet

(attempt to) sleep

7 miles down 1,000 feet with a 30+ lb backpack

real food (+cell phone reception)

i love the mountains

peace+love