Roots and Wings

farmers market to table

2012-02-28T22:04:00.000-08:00

sooooo there's a few things i'd like to get off my chest.

1. i haven't stepped a finger on my blog since i don't know when. i apologize for the absence, but my high school life has drastically taken over my blogging life and therefore, i am consumed in homework!

pity me, please

2. i have, in fact, realized that my writing skills are horrible. h.o.r.r.i.b.l.e. horrible.

i didn't realize that my commas and periods and capital letters were all jumbled up until i got a not so very good grade on my first essay.

3. i am completely obsessed with my city. seriously guys.... i can't seem to get enough of San Francisco these days.

my mom and i usually go to the farmers market at the ferry building on saturday mornings to eat delicious food and get fresh food to make delicious food. yeah.

which bringgss me to these quinoa burgers. oh my gosh are they good. i got the recipe via pinterest... which has pretty much been my haven ever since i gave up facebook for lent. we'll get to that later, but now i must enlighten you on these bad boys. i'm pretty sure the thing that made these out of this world was the brie cheese from cowgirl creamery on top. cheese is basically the source of all that is good in this world, but this especially caught my attention.

cue: moments and my facial expressions when i'm eating cheese

okay. you get the point.

quinoa burgers!

Quinoa Burgers

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
1 carrot, diced
4 scallions, sliced
2 cloves garlic
15 ounces can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup Italian seasoned dried breadcrumbs
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon ground cumin
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

In a small pot, bring 3/4 cup water to a boil. Add quinoa, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook until liquid is absorbed, 12 to 14 minutes; set aside.

In a food processor, pulse carrot until finely chopped. Add cooked quinoa, scallions, garlic, beans, breadcrumbs, egg, cumin, salt, and pepper; pulse until combined but still slightly chunky.

Form mixture into four patties. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium; cook burgers until browned, about 8 minutes per side.

serves 4

Sweet Potato Fries

INGREDIENTS:
3 large sweet potatoes or yams
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place two rimmed baking sheets in the oven while it preheats and while you prepare the potatoes (about 10 minutes). Peel the potatoes and slice the potatoes into about 1/4- to 1/2-inch strips or wedges. Try to keep most of the pieces the same size so they bake evenly.

Place the potato strips/wedges in a ziploc bag or bowl. Toss the potatoes with the oil. Add the seasonings and mix until the potatoes are evenly coated.

Carefully remove the hot baking sheets from the oven and divide the potatoes evenly among the two sheets, taking care the potatoes are not touching so they have plenty of room for the air circulate to circulate and bake evenly. Also, try to leave any excess oil in the bag or bowl so the potatoes don’t get too soggy while they bake.

Bake the potatoes for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, if desired, until they are tender and well-browned. Serve immediately.

lately...

2012-02-22T22:17:00.030-08:00

2012-01-18T17:32:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 4:2 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

allstars

2012-01-06T11:51:00.000-08:00

this time last year, camp all stars was happening on the other side of the world. thats right. just one year ago we were dancing around the bon fire and eating beans and rice. we were getting in trouble by the ywam interns for having our music up too loud in the later hours of the night. we were playing with each other's hair and dominating the ropes course. we were kicking the futbol around and growing closer with each one another. it was wonderful and i am missing it so much this year... as i am with pretty much everything about uganda these days. but thanks to my awesome sis and her friend, i can stumble upon this video when ever i start to forget about what i was doing just one year ago.

'tis the wedding weekend

2011-12-16T06:43:00.000-08:00

so basically the only way i can explain charleston is that it feels like you are in a nicolas sparks novel. thats it. plain and simple. yesterday we went out for a bike ride on the beach when one of our chains fell off. we tried and tried but were never able to get it back on. but let me tell you one thing though, several cute boys passed us on the beach that afternoon... and not one of them came to help us. we batted our eyelashes and twirled our hair, but i guess none of them wanted to turned our situation into a nicolas sparks story. its okay though, meagan and emily doubled up on one bike in a more romantic way. and emily just informed me(about two seconds ago) that the notebook is going to be turned into a musical.... so its all right... i think its safe to say that everyone is over it by now. but don't they look so cute together?

quick update | wedding bells

2011-12-13T21:02:00.000-08:00

the craziness of wedding planning, candle blowing, back healing, essay writing, and the packing and unpacking of my suitcase has swiftly knocked me off my feet these past couple of weeks.... months. on top of that my computer said its final goodbye to me last week when it never woke up from its slumber overnight. therefore, i've been having to get creative on how to do school and go through my unnecessary, yet daily, computer routines. but despite all of the mumbo jumbo in my life at the moment, i managed to find time to open birthday presents. it was a little risky, but some how it happened and now i have an iron skillet, magic bullet, anthro candle, measuring cups, and apron sitting beside me. weird 16th birthday presents... i understand your concern. my family is just preparing me to become the best house wife i can be. don't blame them, i'm fully aware of my fate. i knew i was heading down the path of becoming a lady who lunches when i walked into the mall and headed strait for the williams and sonoma. i've come to terms with it and now there's nothing i can really do but cook food with an apron on and eat salads with my girlfriends. its a lifestyle.

but i really did love and appreciate all of the birthday wishes. it was an amazing day spent with my family (minus one). we ate so much food i don't even know what to do with myself at this point... it was totally worth it though. i enjoyed every minute of the sweet sweet day.

but on another celebratory note, my sisters wedding is in t minus 4 days! let the wedding bells chime.

'tis the season

2011-12-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

a few things i've picked up

2011-11-30T20:46:00.001-08:00

wise words from the 90's power couple...

"The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don't know what the hell they're doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino."- Joe Fox

"People are always saying that change is a good thing. But all they're really saying is that something you didn't want to happen at all... has happened. My store is closing this week. I own a store, did I ever tell you that? It's a lovely store, and in a week it'll be something really depressing, like a Baby Gap."- Kathleen Kelly

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies"

"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So good night, dear void"

"They're so friendly. Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?"

"You know, sometimes I wonder...Well... if I hadn't been Fox Books and you hadn't been The Shop Around the Corner, and you and I had just, well, met.... I would have asked for your number, and I wouldn't have been able to wait twenty-four hours before calling you and saying, "Hey, how about... oh, how about some coffee or, you know, drinks or dinner or a movie... for as long as we both shall live?" And you and I would have never been at war. And the only thing we'd fight about would be which video to rent on a Saturday night."

bundling

2011-11-27T20:42:00.000-08:00

as i previously mentioned, half of my family and family to be bundled up in the colorado mountains over thanksgiving break. we missed our other half but gained a future family member! one step forward, two steps back. we did lots of by the fire activities and explorations too. but i think that my weather expectations were exceeded when i stepped outside in, what i thought was appropriate weather attire, and wanted to scream at the weather channel for not preparing me on the low temps. now i'm not dissing the weather channel for its one of my life long companions, but i do wish i would have known about the already three feet of snow on the ground. that being said though, we had a blast inside and out.

we did a little bit of frolicking through the forest. you know, Narnia type of stuff.

and we threw some snowballs and made some snow angels.

and yesterday we drove to the bottom of, what we thought, was going to be a nice leisurely hike. but no, no my friends...this was far from it. we began out trek towards the hanging lakes(enchanting right?) when we saw a caution sign saying that the trail can be very difficult, and at some parts dangerous. but we turned our backs with our heads held high and walked forward. about fifteen minutes into the hike ice started to form on the trail. now, unfortunately i don't have any pictures of the hike because the caution sign was a legitimate caution sign and the hike quickly turned into an upward skating rink. this wasn't a regular joe hiking shoes type of hike.... i'm talking about having to wear spikes on the bottom of your shoes so you don't slip and break your leg type of hike. yes, we passed a woman being carried on a stretcher on the way down. and it wasn't by the time we got to the top that i realized i couldn't feel my toes. i blame the weather channel. BUT all this to be said, we did make it to the top and it was exceptionally excellent. the hanging lakes were well worth the falls and bruises and aches and sores. and all we had to do was sit on our butts and slide the whole way down. one step forward, two steps back.

and we saw a beaver. it was pretty neat.

we made it!

2011-11-19T09:31:00.000-08:00

we made it from our 17 hour car ride to colorado through tumbleweeds to sketchy casino towns...

....and now for the next week, i will be reading and catching snowflakes on my tongue!

he's back!

2011-11-16T18:22:00.000-08:00

in uganda that is. my dad has made it safe and sound to good ol' jinja-town with only a minor cold. praises! according this picture, the staff had a welcome home party for him. if there is something to be celebrated in the children of grace compound, it is to be celebrated with songs, merriment, and lots of cake. them ugandans really know how to celebrate, ya'll.

unfortunately, he will be spending thanksgiving over on the african side of things while we head off to the colorado mountains. celebration! a nice snow storm will be welcoming us into the state and i couldn't be more excited. i'm a weather bug, so naturally i get on the weather channel every day to see if the numbers have changed......they haven't! and therefore, hot cocoa and bread on a stick will be our staple fire foods.

tomorrow we depart for a 17 hour car ride......

marathon song

2011-11-08T18:35:00.001-08:00

today

2011-11-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

i've been missing uganda so much it hurts.

i miss going on safaris with the family

i miss little humphrey

i miss making food from scratch

i miss spice tours in zanzibar with these girls

i miss susan and jovan and their big eyes and bright faces

i miss four-wheeling by the nile

i miss having my hair done by ugandan girls

i miss ugandan's beauty and grace

i miss the ten minute time span that was with this beast of an animal

i miss the way ugandans love

i miss the way they smile

i can't even explain how much i miss bonnie. she loved me at seven in morning when i hadn't had breakfast yet and i loved her when she sang and danced to worship music while cooking. all day long. she has more love and compassion for her own children and to complete strangers than any other person i knew.

and i miss her bread

i miss sunday afternoons with these kids

i miss saturday nights dancing around the bonfire...

.... and sunday afternoon naps

i miss these three amazing girls and their cooking

i miss seeing my dad's love and forgiveness to every person he crossed paths with

i miss being with my awesome brothers and sister on christmas

catching our chicken...

...and eating it for dinner

i miss seeing my mom with the children. it was always inspiring to see her love towards them.

i miss caroline and josephine and their contagious smiles

i miss being with my sister and seeing her in her natural environment first hand

i miss being with my brothers and laughing at them make a fool out of themselves in front of the kids. i'm pretty sure every ugandan thought they were the funniest white guys they ever met. i can't say i disagree, but they were great.

helllooooo fall!

2011-10-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

looks like there will be some hikes and pumpkin picking in the future!

TonightOct 25	Wed26	Thu27	Fri28	Sat29	Sun30	Mon31	TueNov 1	Wed2	Thu3


Clear	Sunny	Sunny	Sunny	Sunny	Sunny	Partly Cloudy	Sunny	Partly Cloudy	Partly Cloudy
--High	73°	73°	73°	73°	72°	67°	68°	69°	71°
47°Low	46°	47°	48°	50°	51°	48°	48°	48°	48°

sex and money

2011-10-20T08:12:00.000-07:00

when i was in uganda, i got to meet one of the girls who filmed this documentary and i think its safe to say that she threw me and everyone i was around in a whirl wind. after picking her brain for a while, we were all drained and inspired. but even after talking to her i still went home and did nothing about it... its amazing how that happens, isn't it?

but i think that they are people who are worth listening to. i mean, its crazy how america has gotten to be one of the top countries for prostitution. its dirty and disgusting and definitely something that not a lot of people, even modern day abolitionists want to get into. sometimes i can get so caught up in my own first world struggles, i forget how other people are living who are only blocks away. it gives me the chills thinking about whats happening right now to daughters, sisters, and mothers. there are so many massage parlors and strip clubs in the city that are so inconspicuous and under the surface- almost too far for my reach. sometimes i get too over whelmed with the idea and want to be "stupid and happy" in my own little world, where child prostitution and torture doesn't exist. but i think that God wants us to be uncomfortable. i think He wants us to be afflicted and tense about sin like this. it inspires me when i see people who are so disturbed that they go into the pit of it and sit next to their brothers and sisters and listen to their stories. they put themselves right in the middle, go face to face with the devil, and start rolling their cameras. but if you're anything like me, you need inspiration and direction if you want to do something with the broken souls in this world. if you're anything like me, you need some hillsong to pump you up. just kidding. but not really.

and if you're anything like me, you need to watch a movie like sex and money to be lead and influenced. so all that being said, i'm really looking forward to seeing this documentary and think ya'll should see the screening if its near you. i completely forgot about it until now that the tour was coming to california in december. if your around i strongly recommend going to see it. i have a feeling its going to portray something very powerful.

tv attachments and things

2011-10-19T20:41:00.000-07:00

dear braverman family,

i don't know why, but whenever i watch you i get into a deep, emotional saga with my tv. it might be weird and unrealistic, but i hope to one day become part of the braverman family tree. i don't know how that's going to happen... but i figured ya'll are a nice family and have a lot of emotions running through the house, so why not add another pair of clears eyes and an open heart? i promise i'll bring heart-felt drama to the table. please?

love,

the teary-eyed girl in the corner eating pumpkin ice cream with miniature chocolate chips(ye-um!)

florida bound

2011-10-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

i will be sleeping under the willow trees for a week. yay!

2011-10-12T14:58:00.000-07:00

pray for uganda today.

fallish frenzies

2011-10-08T00:21:00.000-07:00

yesterday i went on one of those fall frenzies and decided to bake some cinnamon swirl bread. this bread was one of the first things i made in uganda, and oh boy, was it good. its basically bonnie's bread recipe but before you put the dough in the two pans, you role it out and spread however much softened butter, sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon you want on it. in my case, it was a lot. then role it up and place into the pans for a second rising. ya'll, this stuff is good. but i can only give credit to the good ol' pioneer woman. she never lets me down when it comes to extremely buttery and delicious foods.

then if you want to eat more buttery and delicious food, then turn the bread into french toast. i'm just telling you now... its really, really good.

tomorrow- alabama bound!

fallish foods

2011-10-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

even though we are in that awkward stage where its not summer anymore but not completely fall yet, i'm going to make soup. the leaves are beginning to change and i'm taking out the tea bags and therefore, i say its soup season. its my first fall in a long time and i'm going all out this year. me going all out really just means there is going to be a whole lot of seasonal baking and pumpkin-flavored anything in the kitchen.

this meal was the perfect start of the season. roasted garlic butternut squash soup with flower pot bread and rosemary honey butter. yum! the flower pots might have been a little ambitious, but it was so worth it. i want to bake all of my breads in flower pots now. and lets just be honest, anything looks cuter if its in a flower pot.

Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Soup

One 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 lb butter nut squash
4 medium cloves garlic
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 medium, finely chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cumin
3 cups vegetable stock
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut the stem out of the squash. Cut in half and remove the seeds and “muck.” Slice squash into wedges (keep skin on, it is much easier to remove after roasting). Put squash on a sheet pan or in baking dish. Drizzle with two tablespoons of olive oil. At the same time, wrap unpeeled garlic cloves in foil with olive oil and place in oven.

Roast the squash and garlic in the oven. After about 15-20 minutes, take the garlic out and remove from cloves. They should be soft inside but not burned on the outside. Keep the pumpkin in the oven until soft but not burned. Fork should insert into the squash easily. Remove from oven.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a soup pan. Add onion, nutmeg and cumin, cooking for a few minutes. Add the vegetable stock and heat on medium. Remove squash from its skin and cut in chunks. Add squash to the stock, bring it to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the roasted garlic from its casing and add to soup. Use an immersion blender or regular blender in batches to puree the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with yogurt, nutmeg and cumin.

Flower Pot Bread

- preheat oven to 400

1 teaspoon sugar or honey

2/3 cups boiling water

2/3 cups cold milk

- put into bowl:

11/2 tablespoons active yeast

-sprinkle on liquid

-let sit for 5-10 minutes until it gets frothy

add:

2 cup white flour
1 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon bran, wheatgerm (optional)
1 tablespoon poppy seed, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds (optional)
dried fruit (optional)
nuts (optional)
raisins (optional)
1 tablespoon of cinnamon (optional)
2 tablespoons of brown sugar or honey ( i did 3 tbsp)

- kneed for 10 minutes until sticky and elastic

- let rise for 1-2 hours or until doubled

Flower pot:

- place in heated oven until warm, but not hot.

- cover hole with tin foil at bottom

- fill with dough ( i splint dough into 3 small flower pots)

- glaze top with a little melted butter

- let rise another 30 minutes

- bake at 400 for 30 minutes or until golden brown

take out and enjoy!

To season a new flower pot, oil real well, and put in oven at 100° C for at least 1/2 hour. Do not wash pot, keep dust free.

Rosemary Honey Butter

- whip 1/2 cup of softened butter and 1/2 cup of honey in bowl. add about 1-2 tablespoons of chopped rosemary( fresh rosemary is the best)

- put in refrigerator until served

fallish excitements

2011-10-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

saturday i get to see these two fi-innee ladies!! the one of the right with the cool zebra shirt, yeah she's getting married next week. just look at that excitement! cheers to being in the south during the fall!

its about time you updated your blog annnd talked about boys!

fallish festivities

2011-10-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

what do you do on the first day of october?? go hiking in the beautiful redwood forests of course!

this past weekend my mom and i drove down to visit my brother in santa cruz. as soon as we got there we headed strait for a hike. my family knows where its at, ya'll.

my brother told us he had a perfect hike in mind.... The Land of Medicine Buddha. i know- i was thinking the exact same thing.

but to my amazement, the land of medicine buddha is a pretty awesome place as far as hiking goes. its right in the santa cruz mountains and is by far one of the most beautifully hikes i've ever been on. they call it the enchanted forest... and now i know why. the redwoods are absolutely amazing! we did a lot of looking up in awe. it was a little hard not to when the some of the most beautiful parts of the hike were hundreds of feet about your head. but it was so, so worth it.

the rules of the hike were short and simple. i don't remember them all but the ones that stuck into my head were: do not lie in the enchanted forest. do not kill anything (even insects) in the enchanted forest.

come thou fount of every blessing

2011-10-04T15:01:00.000-07:00

woah....

fallish thoughts

2011-09-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

i wish....i wish i could be here right now. the big sur half marathon is coming up in november and i am desperately wanting to run in it. i just started running consistently since the end of august and i'm dying to have this as my first race. i went online to see if i could sign up but its was already sold out. i never- let me tell you- never thought in my life that i would get upset over not being able to run. this is very very first for me. but its like, the half marathon of all half marathons. who wouldn't want to run on this road?! silly question, i know. but seriously. i guess as a running virgin i have to start with the little leagues and work my way up to something like this. but oh the dreams i have.(the first of these dreams- the very very first)

maybe i'll just go anyway and cheer on the runners while i stay in these.

oh, the california coast...

america-day 47

2011-09-25T23:53:00.000-07:00

the day i got off the plane from uganda was the day i realized that ugandans are privileged with the pure pleasure of not owning the concept of calenders. they don't worry the about the type of toothpaste they use or dress to wear to a dance. they don't own microwaves and refrigerators like we do, and yet they seem to be happier than us. they don't have busy schedules like an average american would. they live on relationships. if it means missing an appointment or meeting with someone, they will do it because they put their full attention into the people they are with at that moment. this would get extremely annoying to me at times because i would sometimes be waiting for hours--days for someone to come by the house. this drove me absolutely crazy at the time, but now that i'm experiencing the polar opposite lifestyle, i'm beginning to realize that they're sense of time isn't completely crazy.

the longer i live in the states, the more i realize that people are lonely. when you see someone on the street you haven't seen in a while, the natural conversation is "small talk". the short, and sometimes awkward conversation to see how some one is doing. but i have noticed that people don't really talk how they are doing... not really. not the dirty stuff that is sad and complicated. not the stuff that requires time and energy. we wake up and go to bed in our locked doors in our big houses and still wonder why there is loneliness and broken souls in the world. the whole situation is kind of ironic. we engage in deep and profound conversations about the meaning of life and why people are sad and lonely when the person sitting next to us is dealing with anxiety or depression.

when i came back to the states this summer i didn't notice any of this. maybe because i was too busy myself or because i was too prideful to notice, but the transition this time around has been far more difficult. i haven't been as busy while others are busy with school, sports and clubs. i have had more time to notice that we are putting sports and school in the way of community. its not necessarily a bad thing. some of our closest communities are with our teams, but it goes much deeper than having fun with your friends. some of us live our materialistically perfect lives without telling our best friend about the brokenness inside of us. it seems that we have lost our sense of community and friendships due to less important things like deadlines and things that cause more stress and anxiety. i don't know about you, but i would much rather be with my friends and family than writing a paper. its our nature to be with people. we long for a friend to just listen to what we have to say- maybe not even talk but just listen to whats making us angry or sad.

i feel that its so hard to really be with someone--to look them in the eye and really talk with them. we can't be with some one without having our phones in our pockets. our generation has gotten very good at double-tasking. we can talk to some one in person while being on facebook, twitter, and txting someone else at the same time. its incredible! its mind blowing how we are in deeper relationships with our iphones than our next door neighbors. i know its hard to physically and emotionally be invested in someone when we have so many things to distract us, but i don't think its impossible. i think people can talk about this topic all day long, but not do anything about it. we need to start really carrying on our words with actions. its going to be harder but i know we can do it because of uganda. they can do it. yes, they may not be as efficient and fast as us, but who really cares? if this life is about spreading the kingdom of the Lord....then who really cares who can come out with newest and the best thing? how will that glorify God? ugandans spend time being with people--really being with people. i'm not saying that we should be exactly like them, because that country has a lot of their own issues, but instead of pitying them, we should be inspired by them because they live one day at a time and don't worry about whats going to happen tomorrow or the next. they know that God will provide, and that to me is way more satisfying than checking something off a list.

farm to easel

2011-09-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

last weekend on our way back from denver, my mom and i stopped in wyoming for an annual art workshop held by a foundation started by my uncle after my aunt died. she was an amazing artist and this workshop is a way to keep her talent alive. there were about 150 artists(all over the age of 45) at the workshop and they were all so fun! put that many artists in a town of nine hundred people and something is bound to explode. everyday people went out to lakes to ranches with an easel, paints and a paintbrush and made the most beautiful art. i got out one day to try to paint but it didn't really go very well. i'm just not a painter--not naturally at least.

we stopped in yellowstone on the way and it was absolutely breath taking. one of the craziest places i have ever been to. i mean, steam exploding from pools of water spontaneously throughout the day...yeah, its weird--but a cool kinda weird. a scary kinda weird too.

the first thing my mom told me in wyoming was, " we are seeing a moose before we leave." we didn't see a moose that whole week we were there until the last day as we were leaving, we saw a moose right on the side of the freeway. it was an amazing moment. it was like God gave us that little moose as a going away present. then it started walking towards the car and the little moose soon turned into a large moose--a very very large moose. we drove away after that.

and the horses really loved my mom and i....

let me just tell you about this little town we stayed in. it won't take long... promise i can explain in a sentence or two.

Dubois, WY, the land of cowboys and prairie hills. its almost like you have to wear cowboys boots when you're in that state. well, you never have to force me to wear cowboy boots, but it was an obligation.

see what i mean? i'm not making this stuff up.

happy tuesday!

2011-09-20T23:31:00.000-07:00

watch the sunrise

throw clay

paint!

paint the clay that you threw

make music

pick apples

make apple cobbler!

Apple Cobbler

apple filling:

5 c tart apples, peeled, sliced
3/4 c sugar
2 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 c milk
1 tbsp softened butter

topping:

1/2 c flour
1/2 c sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp softened butter
1 egg-slightly beaten

-preheat oven 375
-in bowl combine apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, vanilla and milk
-pour apple mix into slightly buttered pan
-dot apples in tbsp of butter

-combine all topping ingredients and stir with wooden spoon
-drop batter in portions on apples(batter will spread during baking)
-bake 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown

serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!

never say never

2011-09-19T10:09:00.001-07:00

this is what happens when you're 14,000 feet up....

disfunction to the max

food inc.

2011-09-13T22:44:00.000-07:00

ya'll should watch this movie because the subtitle does not lie. i watched it on our most recent road trip and i haven't stopped thinking about it since. all i'm sayin is it takes fast food and preservatives to a whole new level. i'm thinking about going vegetarian. or vegan... or something healthy.

just kidding. i need my carbs

...and my meats. lets just be honest.

but its definitely a wake up call to where all of our food comes from. i'm thinking that everyone should watch this movie. you'll never look at dinner the same way.

14,440 feet

2011-09-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

yesterday morning, my brother, his friend peter and i got up at 3am to hike a 14er--mt elbert. its the tallest mountain in Colorado, and definitely the tallest i have ever climbed before. i was nervous to several reasons. 1. i just arrived from forty hours of traveling only a few days before this, making jet lag a very easy excuse for anything strenuous 2. gaining 4,000 feet in five miles is intimidating in general 3. you can blame altitude for almost anything physical out here. 4. i was just really out of shape. lets just be honest.

we drove two hours into the Colorado mountains and got to the base, which was about 10,000 feet, right when the sun was rising. and can i also just say that it was 20 degrees that morning...normal for Coloradans but not so normal for some one who has been living in uganda. just sayin.

we started right away into the cold, crisp morning and it was absolutely breath-taking. we would stop every five minutes just to look at the view and say, " this is stupid pretty."

this is about half way up the mountain. i can't feel my legs at this point and altitude sickness is just starting to take its course. but look at the view! thin air just can't beat that view.

it doesn't really look like it, but i'm dying here...along with my head, stomach, shoulders and i think my legs. but like i said 1,000 feet earlier, i can't really feel those anymore.

about five hours later we hit the summit. we were all pretty happy at this point.

there is seriously nothing like being at the top of a mountain. yes, your oxygen level decreases significantly, but who cares! it was one of the most beautiful views i have ever seen. we ate and socialized with some of the other people up there. the justin bieber dance was also a hit at 14,000 feet. ( kivu folks, the video is coming soon)

it was a long, hard and strenuous day, but it was also one of the most amazing ones. the views were spectacular and now i am sold on living in Colorado. who wouldn't want to climb mountains all of the time right? yeah, silly question.

14er number one conquered, now fifty-two more to go!

our own home

2011-09-01T12:50:00.000-07:00

Often times when i go to homes or organizations, i ask myself, do people know what you're doing? Honestly though, do people really know how much sacrifice and work you put into growing the Lords kingdom? How much time and effort you put into these orphans and widows? I find myself asking these questions whenever i go to our own home, an orphanage that is filled with around forty HIV positive children. Even though they have been faced with one of the most treacherous struggles of their lives, they seem to be some of the happiest people i have seen in Uganda. The joy that they express when they are with each other is indescribable and the love that is given to them is beautiful. It is rare to see love and affection being shown to children in Uganda, yet alone children who are HIV positive. This is why its a breath of fresh air to come to this home. The children are loved and are taught how to love. Its a beautiful thing to see.

Morgan is the girl behind it all. She has been working with our own home for a year and a half. She lives in the house with all of the kids and is with them all day, six days a week. I became close with her over the year and i was there and she is such an awesome person. Every time i see her with her kids, i see the Lord's love being shared. I see laughter. I see a future for these kids. I see happiness. But what i never see is exhaustion and weakness. I think He has given her that strength.

And in those moments when i find myself asking, does the world really know what you're doing? I hear the Lord answer, they will.

Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread love everywhere you go. - Mother Teresa

happy saturdays

2011-08-27T12:54:00.000-07:00

ride your bike!

go kayaking.

go rollerblading!

sleep in and read a book.

have a picnic at the top of a mountain.

start a puzzle.

finish a puzzle.

eat some food,

bake some bread!

Bonnie's whole wheat bread

2 tbsp yeast
1/4 c. olive oil
1/3 c. sugar
1 tbsp salt
3 c. warm water
2 c. wheat flour
4 c. white flour

- mix first five ingredients and let sit until yeast gets all warm and happy
- stir in wheat flour
- then the white flour
- kneed for about ten minutes until dough gets nice and elastic
- let rise for one hour(covered), or until doubled
- place dough in two bread pans
- let rise for another thirty minutes
- cook in 350 oven for 45 minutes, or until golden brown

there is just nothing on this earth like a slice of bread fresh out of the oven. i swear your heart will melt along with the unnatural, but recommended amounts of butter you put on it.

autumn is near!

murchison falls

2011-08-25T04:17:00.000-07:00

just kidding! i'm not leaving for another week. plans are different, flights were changed.

therefore, i'm writing this as i listen to hips don't lie from the bar next door and inhale the fumes of burnt plastic and smelly feet. not mine, of course.

this week my parents and i got back from a beautiful place called murchison falls. its placed in northern uganda about six hours away from us. our travels cost us a grueling eight hours. but whose counting? hakuna matata right?

this was the sunrise at the beginning of our game drive.

and then, because the world wouldn't have it any other way... our car decided to stop working in the middle of our game drive...

.... while two of these guys were walking around ( see lion below)

battery died, windows stuck open, park rangers with a riffle in one hand and a phone with a justin beiber ring tone in the other.

this is africa, ya'll.

but i know what you're thinking. he doesn't look too mighty or aslan-like, does he?

don't you worry. lions really do look like aslan. this guy must be going through his awkward teenage stage. his mane is barely starting to come in and for some reason he looks like he is pregnant.

awkward tween stage.

then we took a long, but beautiful boat ride up the nile to the bottom of murchison falls.

basking by the pool while reading the hunger games. it really can't get much better than that.

but really, it can't.

chaco tanning while waiting for the ferry.

at the end of our trip we went up to the top of murchison falls, which was one of the most beautiful views in uganda. the pictures just don't do it justice.

then our car broke down again. are we really that predictable?

fun times with humphrey

2011-08-22T07:05:00.000-07:00

humphrey is getting a lot more friendly. he had his first skype date with my brother last week. it was great until he got nervous and peed on my back...which was not so funny. i had a slight panic attack and thought i was going to get some weird disease from monkey urine. then i took a forty-five minute shower scrubbing myself raw until i realized that i was being a little dramatic for taking a forty-five minute shower after a monkey peed on me. then after that i went on the internet looked up " weird african diseases from monkey urine"<--- yes, i googled it. it turns out there is nothing i should be concerned about.

anyways, i'm alive and well and humphrey just chills in the back yard, looking as cute as ever.

he eats mangos and sleeps in the tree. everyday.

i don't know why, but he loved my rain boots.

and i don't know what he is doing here, but he looks stinkin cute doing it.

monkey business

2011-08-16T04:01:00.000-07:00

Remember when i said i would have lots of adventures this week?

Well, this is one of them! his name is Humphrey. he is a baby. and he is the cutest monkey i have ever seen.

I haven't seen a lot of monkeys in person...but if i had, this would be the cutest. Joe, a guy who works with COG got the news that his little brother had found a little monkey in the woods. When i found this out i had a minor panic because,

1. we have been trying to find slash capture a monkey for the past ten months

2. its a baby. and that's all that needs to be said

The next day we were driving to Joes and a few hours later he was drinking milk and eating mangos in the back yard. it feels a little wrong keeping a wild monkey in the backyard, but his mother abandoned him...so i guess its humane to give it a home...right? i don't even know if he will be a permanent part of the compound, but for now he is my friend... a friend who bites me when i try to pick him up and pees when he gets nervous.

but your friends do that right?

one last week!

2011-08-15T01:04:00.000-07:00

This is the last week of my final stay in uganda. i have mutual feelings because this is the place that i have had to call home for the past year. i will have to say a goodbye to the relationships i have built and the people i have come to love. i will never forget the time where we flew over mt. Kilimanjaro or ate smores around a bomb fire with a hundred ugandan kids. i will never forget the things i baked and the ugandan food i ate. the memories i have shared with meagan and holly are endless and i will never forget the time when we drank fanta cintrons next to five volcanoes in the smoky mountains of rwanda or when we accidentally went to the Congo border instead of the Rwandan one. its been a long and hard year that has shaped me more into who God has envisioned me to be. i can only say this because He is the one who did it. He shaped me and molded me. i will never forget the memories and i will never forget uganda.

Needless to say, i am very, veryyy excited to go back to where i call home! i don't have a physical home or a physical closet or bed, but i have a community of wonderful people that i can call home. i am excited to be in the place for more than a couple of months-whether thats in san francisco or somewhere else. and i'm sooo excited to be a part of some of the most important women in my life weddings! its going to be a great and beautiful fall and i'm ready to start it. i love traveling and love seeing new things, but i think its safe to say that i'm very ready to settle down and start school again- where ever that may be. i don't know what this next year holds for me. i don't know where i will be living. i don't know what environment i'll be surrounded by. but i do know that He knows and He has it all figured out. He has my life planned in every detail and all i need to do is to be still and know that the Lord is on my side.

This next week will hold even more adventures and memories that i am excited to experience. its the last week i will be able to ride on a a bota bota or feed bananas to monkeys in the back yard. the last week to eat fresh tilapia from the nile and wear skirts and t-shirts everyday... because lets just be honest, i haven't experienced cold weather in a very very long time and i don't know how my body will with hold 50-60 degree chills...and thats just in the fall! as i get on the plane in a week i will remember all of the times i had in this beautifully tragic country. this chapter will end as i step into one of the only air conditioned buildings in uganda. i'm very anxious and excited to see what this next chapter holds for my family and i. it will continue to be a struggle, but He has put some amazing people in my life to walk beside me and share it with. i am forever grateful for what He has done in my life and will continue to do. but whatever happens, i will continue to tell myself to be still because i know that the Lord is on my side.

salt and light academy

2011-08-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

This week our team from the states have been teaching classes and doing vbs with salt and light academy. the school is one of the best in jinja. they are kind and portray the joy of the Lord in a way i've never seen before

AND, they are just so gash darn cute! I mean, look at them (specifically the one if the middle please. what a charmer- that one)

oh hey model?!

and then....

balloons

2011-08-09T08:01:00.000-07:00

are compatible to happiness.

correct me if i'm wrong.

i'm back!

2011-08-09T02:47:00.000-07:00

this is the first of many posts that were supposed to be up long ago, but i'm just gonna be completely honest here and throw it out on the table. i'm a procrastinator- sort of. one some things...

and i just got a little lazy.

and i was at camp for two weeks.

and i was traveling for 4 days strait.

and i am still in getting acclimated from the eleven hour time difference.

and yes, i am back...in uganda.

i'm here for two weeks and then i go back to the u. s. of a.

but don't worry, my blogging will be more consistent once the internet loads a faster.

summer flings

2011-07-06T10:37:00.000-07:00

You know what i love about summer?

I love that fruits like berries and peaches are plentiful.

I love that when you go to the grocery store or a produce stand, there will always be a never ending supply of berries and peaches. thats it. no questions asked.

i love that i can pick up a book and eat my breakfast for hours if i wanted to! simple as that.

but most importantly, i loovveee love love that i can eat my breakfast out of this mug. and the best part about it is that its multi seasonal! hot chocolate by the fire in the winter, breakfast parfait by the pool in the summer....

ummm-ahhh
i just really love summer

dear meagan,| they're dropping like flies!

2011-07-03T00:11:00.000-07:00

i want to take a walk down memory lane...
wanna join me?

hhuhhh, do you remember that time when 'hakuna matata' was part of our daily vocabulary instead of only using it to quote the lion king?
what a glorious five days it was.

and that time at Carmel... you know the place

this is when you were bigger than me. i don't even remember that.

you're going to killllllll me for this, but i HAD TO!!!! the pictures were taunting me, meagan!
in yearssss down the road we are both going to laugh at this together. i promise!

you remember it, i remember it. our battle wounds remember it. good times, eh...eh?

(can we just acknowledge the fact that meagans foot is under the branch?)

and i can't forget my first and last auburn football game! WAR EAGLE baby!

oh, and when baby josephine also peed on you. her laugh makes up for it though.

am i right?

i am lost for words...
this is in the thousand splendid hills of rwanda. fanta citrooonnns(you know the accent) all the way!

do you also remember when your fiance went bungee jumpinnggg??

.... and we went down the more sensible way.

wait, i did just say FIANCE.... again!!!
and YES, meagan and holly did get engaged within a week of each other.
but would the world really have it any other way??

( future doctor and aerobics instructor right here ladies and gentlemen)

Meagan! You're getting married and i don't really know what do at the moment. its killing me that i'm on the other side of the country on this very, very special day. But i'm sooooo happy for you and i think you're the most wonderful sister any sister could ask for! i cannot wait to see you and Tim again soon! what an-oh, happy day!- that will be! it makes me so happy to see you happy! I love you sis, more than anything. Mwah!

love, cassidy.

Tim, you did well.

dear holly,

2011-06-29T00:12:00.000-07:00

remember that time we spent good friday eating sweet potatoes and g-nut sauce with the girls?

we sure did have a swell time.

Oh! and that time when Babu put fruit stars on your face- eh hem, and upper chest?

what a flirt!

ha! and you can't forget when he made you stick that plant up your nose that gave you severe snot rockets.

( i have the pictures, but luckily for you i will not show the world what that actually looks like)

.... then we stood on the equator? you remember that? that was no big deal or anything.

but oh the latrines we almost went in and the number of digestives we ate. one too many.

one too many.

oh my gosh, and that time when baby Josephine peed on your shirt... and you just said, " i'll wash it off when i get home."

hakuna matata, eh?!

and you can't forget the time we made homemade buttermilk pancakes!

.... with Chase

....YOUR BELOVED FIANCE!

boy oh boy does time fly!!
Holly.... you're getting married! Gosh i'm so, so happy for you! i hope this is more exciting for you than it is weird for me. Just months ago we were playing banana, i mean matoke grams and making canned peach pies with latticed tops together. it sure was fun being with you for those five months! unfortunately all good things must come to an end, but i cannot wait to see you soon and at your freaking wedding!! you're amazing and will make a beautiful bride! love yah! mwah!

Holly, you're getting married!
sorry, just in case you forgot.

with much love, Cassidy

milaria video

2011-06-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

Watch this

A video my sister, Meagan and her friend, Holly made. Its was amazing getting footage with ya'll and seeing everything in person. This video is nothing like seeing it in person, but it got close to the day we captured these stories. Its hard to watch but easy to help.

Meagan and Holly, you're the best!

http://vimeo.com/25220690

fathers day!

2011-06-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

celebrate it!

(plus the other brother. sorry we didn't have a picture with you. but you're there in spirt...and in photo shop)

Look at em, pondering off into the ocean. he's deep.

Happy Fathers Day to the BEST dad anyone could ask for! I love you!

updates

2011-06-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

It has been a week or so since i've been on a computer. Its been even longer since i've written to ya'll! I'm so sorry! Like i've been saying, my life is crazyyy all over the place.

This past week i was at Lake Shasta for a houseboats trip. It was absolutely amazing and let me just say-if you haven't already gone...GO! Please, just go. It is one of the most beautiful places i have been to.

The family is in all four corners of the country. we are heavy travelers.

I will not be with my dad on fathers day, for he will be on the other side of the country-sad news! Therefore we will have to use the usual communication method of skype. I thank God for the internet everyday.

For the next month i will be relaxing in the familiarity of my hometown. if you are free, let me know!

I have an obsession with these geeks. It didn't make it any better that one of them was on the houseboats trip.

coast to coast

2011-06-07T18:05:00.000-07:00

I must say, the east coast is pretty amazing...

but there is nothinnnggg like driving down the highway 1 at sunset. I mean...

you feel me??

do yah?

look at us. we try really hard to impress people with our God given talents. you know, modeling.

reunited and it feels so good, reunited cause we understood!

okay, i'll stop myself before i brake out into my into song.

for your sake

life in a nut shell

2011-06-06T17:19:00.000-07:00

First and for most I would like to say that I am writing this post from an iPad, in the car, on the 1, when exactly one month ago I was getting on a plane half a world away... My life is a nutcase. I am currently living out of a suitecase and have been for the past month.

No car, no refrigerator, no place I can call home. Weird.

We have been on the go and the stress of finding places to stay, people to see, and time to myself is getting to me. Pray for me, please. The other day I was unpacking some of the clothes from my suitcase and desparetely wanted to put them in my drawer or hang them up In my closet. I had a mini melt down right then. It was quite sad and pathetic.

Anyways, it's strange feeling to look back and know that only a month ago I was driving over pot holes and looking out my window to see naked kids yelling, " mzungu, mzungu! How are you!?!" Now I am driving on one of the most beautiful highways in the world, blogging on an iPad.
Call me crazy, but boy does time fly.

I feel like it was yesterday that I was saying my goodbyes and " see you in a year" stuff. Now it's screaming and crying and hugging and all of that nonsense.

Anddd once again I am overwhelmed by everything in my life. Overwhelmed by technology, people...inanimate objects. Im overwhelmed when walk into a grocery store. Im overwhelmed I'm overwhelmed when I ask for water and some one answers, " what kind?"

Theres only one kind!!!

Thanks for listening to my rambling nonsense talk.

That is all.

Really, I'm not kidding. That is all.

..... to birthday cakes.

2011-06-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to the most amazing, spunky, well-dressed and funniest grandma. You're the best!! Hope you had a wonderful birthday. Unfortunately we didn't have cake on your birthday, but we made this in honor of you. It was the first thing i baked coming back to America...and let me just say, it was reaallyyy awesome!

Anndd the cutting of the cake, of course.

Yes, its backwards... it wasn't intentional, but i think you get the point.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA! WE LOVE YOU!!!

always forever

2011-06-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

Today i was thinking about them,
while listening to this.

crab cakes to wedding cakes

2011-05-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

This past weekend the gibsons went to bald head island for a dear cousins wedding. Have i mentioned that i just LOVE the east coast? There are some perks about the west coast...but lets just be honest, there is just nothing like some sweet southern hospitality and being on an island where you can only drive golf carts.

The wedding was held in the cutest chapel, coincidentally the one that i'm going to get married in--just sayin'. The rest of the weekend was spent riding bikes and eating seafood.... it was bliss.

I did my first puzzle in i don't know how long. Lots of blood, sweat and tears went into that 550(eh-hem... i mean 548. that was bitter sweat victory) piece puzzle. We stayed up until twelve o clock at night trying to finish it.

Pauly and J-gibs, riding their bicycles.

Ah Rroommaa!!!

2011-05-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

These past couple of weeks have been soooo crazy that i haven't even been able to share my time in Rome!

What was i thinking?

Now i didn't take tons of pictures because,
1. There were people everywhere! We went at the beginning of tourist season, which was a not so good idea on our part and not an advanced photo-shopper so i wouldn't know how to take them out of the picture. Sorry!
2. I was too distracted! I mean for goodness sakes, i was in the pasta capitol of the world! Sometimes you just gotta enjoy where you are and not worry about documenting it.
3. I was having a little trouble twirling my pasta carbarnara and taking a picture at the same time.
Its hard work!....you know, eating and all.

*I have to share one disclamer though. Rome is realllyyy touristy. Its the new york of europe i'm sad to say. If i were to ever go back to Italy i would definitely go somewhere like naples or another small town. But if your into the whole sight seeing type of thing.... go. If you're not.... still go.

Thats how its done, everybody.

i just ate sushi last night

2011-05-16T14:13:00.000-07:00

So sorry for my absense. I didn't have time in Rome(some excuse huh?) to get on the computer and the rest of the time i have been traveling and now i am sitting the living room of a house in the suburbs of atlanta. My clock is jacked up and i had sushi for the first time in eight months. Weird.

Anyways, for the past week its been go go go. I packed. I drove. I sat. I sat ten hours more. I ate enough pasta for a week( but hey, i'm not complaining) I unpacked, and i think i've pretty much sucked the life out of my computer. Its been a blur and i haven't been able to think, really. Today was the first time i thought about last week when i was taking malaria medicine and bargaining for food. Last week i was running past kids dealing with starvation and disease and this morning i ran past a lemonade stand. The one thing that has been on my mind through everything that has happened recently is how i'm going to answer when people ask me "So how was Uganda?" I'm just giving you a heads up....

I'm not looking forward to telling you.

Please plleeassseee do not ask me, "Do you need to wear gloves when your with the children so you don't get AIDS?" or really just, "So how was Uganda?" If you do i might just cry into your arms right then and there because honestly, i cannot answer how eight months of my life was in a sentence or a short amount of time for that matter. Lets just face it, some people will only want that and then move on to another topic. Even if you had all day to listen to me, i still probably wouldn't be able to explain it, and thats what really scares me.

It freaks me out to death that i won't be able to tell you how Uganda was or what it was really like. I won't be able to explain what the food was like or the oppression or the kids. It freaks me out that i won't be able to share the sadness and the joy that Uganda has shared with me. Because you can read the books, watch the sad inspiring movies, and listen to as many people talk about impoverished areas but you will never get to experience it until your face to face. And thats okay, most won't make it out of their own american suburb, but its on the other end where one has to deal with not only the hopelessness of losing their phone but also the hopelessness of losing a parent from a preventable disease. I can honestly say that i am scared of being on both ends. Dealing with the emotions eight thousand miles away and the emotions from, here. Having to talk about something that you know people will not understand is a hard concept to deal with and i'm scared of what will say when i answer that question.

But i'm just going to be selfish here and ask you, for your sake(promise), to bare with me if i freak out when you ask me how Uganda was or what it was like. I have no intention but i'm just giving you a warning. please pray for me and my transition here. it will definitely be a hard one.

love, Cassidy

Monkey Muffins

2011-05-04T00:58:00.000-07:00

Get ready to gain ten pounds reading this post.
Be prepared to be placed in a diabetic coma after eating them.

But really.

These are monkey bread at its finest. Maybe i think that because i love things with unatural amounts of butter in them or i just love mini-anything. Maybe both. I don't know.

Do you believe me now?

adapted from thepioneerwoman

Ingredients

Leftover Bread Dough (or Refrigerated Biscuit Dough, Cut Into Thirds)
Butter
Sugar
Ground Cinnamon
Sweetened, Condensed Milk

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Add 1/2 teaspoon butter to muffin tins. Sprinkle in sugar and cinnamon.
Roll dough into walnut sized balls (or cut refrigerated biscuit dough into thirds). Place three into each muffin tin.
Top with 1/2 teaspoon butter. Sprinkle on more sugar and cinnamon.
Allow dough to rise, if applicable, or just go ahead and bake for 15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
Remove from oven and immediately drizzle plenty of sweetened condensed milk over the top of each one. Be generous! Allow rolls to sit for a little while to absorb sweet, sticky milk.
Scoop out with a spoon and serve to hungry humans.

NOTE: i didn't use consensed milk to pour over. I mixed brown sugar and butter in a pot and let simmer until creamy. Then ago ahead and add some pecans or any nuts for that matter into it and pour it on top of the cooked muffins. SO good!

what she said

2011-05-03T23:54:00.000-07:00

" Don't give in to discouragement. No more must you od so when you try to settle a marriage crisis or convert a sinner and don't succeed. If you are discouraged, it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about peoples opinion. Be humble and you will never be disturbed. It is very difficult to practice because we all want to see the result of our work. Leave it to Jesus." -Mother Teresa

Caroline and Josephine | Redemption

2011-05-03T04:20:00.000-07:00

Living in Uganda has been one of the most overwhelming experiences I have had. You are constantly being slapped in the face with starvation, AIDS, preventable diseases and death. It’s easy to get discouraged all of the time when there is no way around these things. Someone takes advantage of you because you are white, a girl dies from malaria because her mom can’t pay the equivalent of ten dollars for treatment, and a boy gets overdosed on drugs at a health clinic. Right when you feel like you have done something righ, someone else comes around the corner and rips your heart in two. It’s hard, it’s really hard. I’m speaking to myself when I say that when westerners think that they can come over here and “change the world,” they are wrong. This has been a constant battle that I have dealt with for the past eight months and still dealing with now. I think about how I need to change Uganda just because the corruption is so relevant in these people’s lives. I want the men to stop sleeping around all day while the women do the work. I want hiv/aids to be swiped out from this country. I want a child to be able to live from a common parasite. I want all of these things even though I know that it won’t happen, at least not in my lifetime. I want, I want, I want, I want. It’s really all about me at the end of the day. I want to change the world! I get so caught up on the big pictures that I miss the little redemption stories that are right in front of me. I miss the kids faces from book club when they go swimming. Or the Muslim man who gives prayer to God during a Christian service. When we look at the big picture, of course, of course we are going to get discouraged. Because the big pictures are up to the Lord to decide, not us. It’s not on our time when we find a cure for aids. It’s on his, and on his alone. There will come a day when there will be no suffering or death, but until then, my job is to be his hands and feet and work on the little things that he calls me to do. The little things that is right in front of me even if i can’t see them. The little redemption stories that truly show his grace. The little stories like Caroline and Josephine.

If you don’t remember these girls from a previous post I put up, their names are Caroline and Josephine who have had a sadly normal, but devastating past. Their older sister Jovia is a child of grace and the reason we found these twin girls. We went for a check up on Jovia when we found these two bundles of joy. They were 10lb three year olds who were staring death right in the face. We found them just in time to be able to put them into a children’s rehabilitation program for mal nourished kids. They slowly began to regain some of their strength. Then they left the program and went back to their home to begin growing with their Jaja and Jovia. Months later a man who came on a mission’s trip a while back decided to sponsor them to build a house. This was especially wonderful news due to the fact that their house was slowly disintegrating. After months of building the house, and our relationship with the jaja (grandma) and Jovia, it was time for them to move in…and of course, that required a celebration. Caroline and Josephine are not fully recovered yet, but are getting there. Jovia is 7^th in her class and the jaja is starting a self sustaining garden with plenty of vegetables for her girls. Their story is beautiful and is also great reminder that the Lord our God does things in magical ways. This family is forever changed because He has provided us to help them. I don’t believe that it was because our skin was white or that we being Americans, and having more money than most, should do the right thing. It was by his grace alone that they now have a concrete house to live in and a community that loves them. It was by His grace alone that jaja has a garden so she can provide the right nutrients for her girls. It was by His grace alone that we get the privilege to witness this transformation.

Caroline and Josephine are as cute as can be. Caroline is all smiles. She cannot stop laughing and being as cute as can be. Josephine, well, she is a little old grandma. She is grumpy and cries every time she sees a white person…but she is healthy and far from the state she was in six months ago, so we can take little tears here and there.

It gives me chills just to think about the family six months ago and now. The little things are the ones that are sustainable in these people’s lives. The joy and the life that has been set to flame in this family is breath taking. The smiles and the giggles that Jaja and Jovia and Caroline and Josephine produce are contagious. But just from little acts of kindness though. We don’t have to wonder about what will happen in ten years down the road because the little things that we did for them and they did for us are so substantial.

When I look at the big pictures and then get discouraged and anxious, I think of Caroline and Josephine. I think about the little things that get us through one day at a time. Not the next day or what’s yet to come. Not the wonders or worries, but the rejoices that brought us to today. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, and I know I’m not there yet. But I do know that Caroline and Josephine are happy and healthy; just as a three year old should be. The Lord has done some miraculous things in their lives that I cannot compare to. He is the only true redemption in this world.

easter weekend

2011-04-26T04:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!!! Better late than never!
This weekend was a joyful one. On Good Friday we made hot cross cookies, which were absolutely amazing if i do say so myself. I have never had the real hot cross buns before, but if i have, i would never want to go back. The cookies are the real deal.

Then we brought the cookies over to one of the mentors house and had a girls lunch. It was probably one of the best Ugandan meals i have ever had. But i can't really say much because the girls catered to our american taste-buds. It was delicious non the less.

The rest of the weekend was restful...just what we needed. I read the first book i have read in a long time. Then i finished it three days later.
And thats when i got into my kindle frenzy. It all started on Easter. I guess i have Jesus to thank for that.

senses

2011-04-26T04:11:00.000-07:00

listening: clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose. Its a friday night lights play list i snatched off of Holly's computer and i can't stop listening to it. Even if the show is over, FNL will always have a special place in my heart. Drink in peace Tim Riggins.

tasting: protein pancakes. they are a simple five ingredient pancake that i cannot get enough of.
What you do is mix together 2 egg whites, 1/4 cup of oats, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Then whisk until fluffy. Then cook like a pancake!
Don't you just love how detailed and precise my instructions are?
I have been eating them nonstop ever since Meagan introduced them to me. Top it with some almond butter, honey and bananas and i swear to you will die and go to heaven.

I really hope they have protein pancakes in heaven. Oh, the wonders in life.

watching: Greys Anatomy. kind of, but not really. I watched the first four episodes of it and actually haven't kept up since. i don't really know why.... i should probably get on that. Just look at McDreammmyyy.

smelling: me. i smell all of the time. its really impossible to live in Africa and not smell all of the time, but these days more than others. i don't know what it is. my body odor is starting to smell like a Ugandans, which is really bad news. every time i do my adho mukha svanasanas (downward-facing dog) i always want to come right down because i simply cannot hold my breath that long. its a shame. i really wanted my arms to look like hers.

touching: the kindle. i can't put it down. its not even mine and i already feel attached.
also reading: water for elephants. i just found out that they made a movie out of it and i'm really excited about it. THEN even more greats news. i found out that reese witherspoon and robert pattison are the main characters?! Boom.

reading...

2011-04-25T00:34:00.000-07:00

Redeeming Love. I am currently enthralled by the love story. I haven't been able to put the kindle down since i've started reading it.

"Love the Lord your God, and love one another. Love one another as He loves. Love with strength and purpose and passion and no matter what comes against you. Don't weaken. Stand against the darkness, and love. That's the way back into Eden. That's the way back to life."

Parrtttteeyyyyy

2011-04-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

The party really started at 11 o' clock in the morning when dad brought back 15 kilos of pig, pig, pork, seasoned and shredded pork. sorry little guy.

Farm to table everyone. That's how its done in Uganda.

Lets get er dun! But really. Lets get er dun.

And homemade french fries. I never want to go back to pre-made potatoes ever again. But that's probably not going to be a reality in my life since i will never own a fryer. But hey, i like to dream.

There was so much pork we thought the oven rack was going to break. But then i realized that that was a silly hypothesis since those were iron rods we were talking about. Iron rods don't break, do they? Oh the mysteries in life.

Then, because we were in Uganda, and Ugandan parties always start and end with dancing...we(they) danced. and danced. and danced. and danced.

Did i mention that of the mentors brought speakers? Because you just cannot have a party without speakers. I'm pretty sure its a law in this country.

Speaking of country, we played country music...?? Yes, my friends, Ugandans moving their hips to rascal flatt's and dixie chicks. Nothing says barbecue like, like. Well i don't really know what says barbecue, but i do know that Ugandans can move their hips to any genre of music.

I'm back!

2011-04-11T02:00:00.000-07:00

Well, i arrived back in good ol' Uganda a few days ago with sore feet and overweight baggage. The trip was absolutely amazing. It was hard to come back to dirty air and line cutters. Its always hard to adjust when coming back here...its a whole different world. For instance, i had been waiting for fifteen minutes in the Ugandan customs line when my turn finally came and five men just went right in front of me. This is completely normal here and something that us, "mzungus" have to get around. But after saying goodbye to modern society and my friends, then taking a nine hour flight with at least six babies sitting in a 4 row radius of me, this was something that set me off. When i passed the "Welcome to Uganda" sign in the airport, i was pretty far from content. I was amazed at how quickly you get accustomed to paved roads and big grocery stores, then acquire drastic changes again in less than eight days. Its overwhelming.

But all complaints aside, the trip was so, so great. It was spent eating bread, bread, and more bread. Oh! And we ate some cheese and crepes along the way. I was in utter bliss.

AND i ate my first strawberry in eight months.
Then i ate another one, then another. It was beautiful.

Then we ate ice cream like there was no tomorrow.

And we walked until our feet feel off. I felt no shame in eating that ice cream. No shame.

The trip was so amazing. My friends are amazing. Well, food is pretty much amazing. Saying goodbye was not so amazing, but i was comforted to know that in only a couple of months will i be able to see them again.

(News!... i will be going back to America in four weeks for the summer.)

Until then, i'm in Uganda, they're in America. And life goes on!

its the little things

2011-03-31T01:16:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago we got a care package from some one who was coming from the states...can you say FEAST?! The two bins were packed with food, food, and more food- the things that most would go and pick up from the grocery store, no problem. But these treasures are something that we wait and dream for. Well, at least i do. I'm telling you, there is just nothinggg like waking up to a big bowl of honey nut cherrios...nothing.

Survival of the fittest my friends- its a wonderful thing.

Unless you are a larabar. Then you get inhaled.

nuf said.

Happy Saturday!

2011-03-26T01:50:00.000-07:00

Eat food. Laugh. Sing a song. Make pancakes for goodness sakes!

Its Saturday morning for you, America. Therefore, i can tell you to make pancakes this morning!

But don't just make any kinda of pancakes-make these. Leave your bisquick box behind and live a little!

And hey! If they aren't as good as bisquick(which i guarantee they won't be), just eat the batter. That's my method. It pretty much works in all aspects of life.

life is a highway

2011-03-24T12:06:00.000-07:00

You can take the Gibsons out of karaoke but you can't take karaoke out of the Gibsons.

Its in our blood, really.The jazz hands were intentional in every single way...

... Not really. But hey, you know, its in our blood.

see you in paris!

2011-03-17T03:35:00.000-07:00

If you didn't catch the hint from my last post, during spring break i get the great privilege of going to Paris and London with my two best friends. I've never been to Paris, but i've always wanted to go. I mean, who wouldn't want to be a in place where you can eat crepes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, AND desert??...yeah, silly question.

I'm trying not to get too hyped up about it until the date finally arrives-even though i may or may not have been trying on different outfits for the past couple of weeks or so. But i mean, hey, i gotta look good for those european boys! (dad, i'm just kidding) The only romance on this trip is going to be between me and the food. croissants. brie. baguettes. carbs. crepes. croissants. MORE CROISSANTS!
Hmmm....I can taste the butter already.

Thanks Mom and Dad! Love you guys!

P.S-my feet have been cold all day.
P.S.S-its been cold and rainy for the past 4 days.
P.S.S.S-i'm in heaven.

one crafty dad

2011-03-10T02:24:00.000-08:00

Today while i was not doing school work, using all of my tabs by stalking 10 food blogs at a time, and Stumbling my way through more food blogs and useful french phrases(you know, the usual) i came across this and couldn't resist myself.

When life gives you butter....

2011-03-05T21:13:00.000-08:00

MAKE CROISSANTS!!!

SPICY!

2011-02-24T07:46:00.000-08:00

In ZANZIBAR we went on a spice tour.

Let me just say that again. Spice tour... there we go.

It was absolutely amazing and it didn't even matter that we walked for 4 hours strait in 100 degree weather because it was a blast! A coconut, pit stains, and spices later, we made it back with nutmeg, coriander, and a flirty tour guide named Babu!

2011-02-24T07:27:00.000-08:00

Life is kinda funny isn't it?

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-13T23:16:00.000-08:00

May your valentine be as cute as this girl.

Morning Glory

2011-02-11T23:42:00.000-08:00

Who wouldn't want to start their day to Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton exchange mocking humor on a morning talk show? I don't know about you, but that sounds like a perfect monday morning affair.

Today i know....

2011-02-06T05:40:00.000-08:00

...how to make homemade buttermilk pancakes.
that i am tired of home school.
that we just got rid of our chicken named Lucy. Celebration!
i need a haircut.
that a one-eyed cat came into our yard yesterday.
i am in desperate need of Thai food.
that i get excited about side walks and street lights. its the little things, America. The little things.
that my back is drenched in sweat. don't judge me.
i need to start getting back into reading. East of Eden, why are you so good to me?
i am an official twitter-er.
that i am in love with peanut butter and chocolate anything.
that the Uganda elections are coming up next week.
that during elections we are going to ZANZIBAR!

its 11:49 pm

2011-01-30T12:49:00.000-08:00

Woah baby, have i been a bad blogger lately! There have been so many things happening, but only so little time to blog about them.
so many things.
i would be writing these things now but after twelve hours of driving and three hours of traffic later, i am exhausted. Not to mention that the two hotels next to and behind us are blasting Celine Dion and Shania Twain and have been for the past three hours and probably will for the next three hoars. i'm so tired i can't even type a simple blog post, or spell the word houres...woops, there i go again.
judge me.
feel sorry for me.
but i assure you there will be many many stories to tell.
so many stories.
But those are for another time. right now its 11:49 and i need to at least attempt to go to sleep. tomorrow is a busy day! monday mornings, they always are.
Good morning America!

meet Gift

2011-01-18T02:00:00.000-08:00

This little bundle of beauty was a miracle in herself. she was found in a garden, alone, only six days old. She was clearly abandoned and still had the umbilical cord attached to her. Her mother, Vinnie, found her covered in leaves and dirt. She cut off the umbilical cord with a banana leaf and decided to take her home. Vinnie knew that she was a "gift from God". Now she is 3 years old, healthy, and as cute as can be. Meet her! Virtually.

Real Times

2011-01-05T07:54:00.000-08:00

Although Kenya makes my heart want to beat like a jungle drum, i better show you some pictures of one of the most AMAZING places on earth!

The Masai Mara is like nothing i have ever seen before. It made me want to frolic through the bush and ride on Aslan's back. I expected it to be brown, dry, desert-like. I mean, hello, you're in the middle of Africa right!? But no, no my friends, it was not. Everything was dramatic and inviting, tranquil and wild. It was the most beautiful, interesting, spectacular places i have ever been. It was isolation at its finest. All i can really say is, hakuna matata.

Jungle Drum

2011-01-05T07:11:00.000-08:00

There are many words to describe to you how i feel about our safari in Kenya. But instead of writing a whole days worth of reading, i'm just going to sing it to you. On behalf of the Gibson six, this is how we feel about the land of plenty.

Yikes!

2010-12-31T06:33:00.000-08:00

Yikes! Sorry my fellow followers! I haven't been a good blogger lately. This past month has been a crazy one, filled with ups and downs, mostly downs. BUT, but....my creative juices are back up and running and there will be many blog posts to come. Just wait. Meagan and Andrew got in a few weeks ago and shortly after that we went white water rafting on the nile then a safari in Kenya. So as you can imagine, there were lots of stories to come. I promise.

Until then....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

what a goober

2010-12-06T11:33:00.000-08:00

I just want to introduce ya'll to my father, Paul Gibson. Former hp employee, present director of Children of Grace ministries. #1 dad in the world.

Pardon the dis function. It seems whenever we take a picture together it turns out to produce many depths of awkwardness. Nevertheless, they make really great stories and lots of post embarrassment.

Sorry dad, i had to...

two down...

2010-12-06T10:45:00.000-08:00

....two more to go!

the simple things

2010-11-29T13:08:00.000-08:00

Ublick: a very prolific and creative way for entertaining children and Ugandans.

I mean seriously. What is more fun than something that is solid, but mysteriously melts into the palm of your hands?

.....still thinking??

I thought so. There is nothing! My friend Joe can justify to this. 30 minutes later and he was still trying to find out why it was...well, the way it was.

It made me think of the simple things that reimburse my child hood memories. It was great.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread| Comforts

2010-11-21T03:04:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was one of those days. You know? One of those days when you wake up, look in the mirror and ask yourself--what am i doing here?? Well yeah, yesterday was one of them. I woke up in a funk.

a grouch. a brat. a very unpleasant person to be around.

....whatever you want to call it, i was.

After Susan and Jovan left to go back to the States, i've been completely and utterly homesick. While the family was here they talked about Thanksgiving and Christmas and cold weather! and how they are going to be able to go back to their family and friends. While i have to stay here where Thanksgiving isn't even celebrated, Christmas isn't spent cuddled up by the fire, cold weather is a joke, and all my family and close friends are not with me to spend it with. Note that i am a girl of traditions. I'm going to be completely honest. Some of you may not care that its hot during Christmas orrr don't even like celebrating Thanksgiving with a huge family. But i do. So please bare with me.
Anyways, the thought of it all made me want to stay in bed for the whole day and drown in my self-pitty. I kept thinking and wishing that i could have gone back with them. Well. Then reality kicked in and i took a cold shower then put on shorts and a t-shirt.

But then i found a recipe for cinnamon swirl bread.

The excitement that which dowelled within me got bigger and bigger. I could not hold it anymore.
I, Cassidy Gibson, had to make this bread! It was taunting me, telling me i had to. I just had to make it. It promised me comfort when i would put on those oven-mitts and take it out of the oven. When the cinnamon and sugar ( and butter, you can't forget the butter) all melted together and became very good friends, filling the whole kitchen with a sweet, savory smell that would bring warmth in every sense.
And you want to know what i did? I made the bread. There, i said it. I made it!....it took me a couple dramatic trial and errors but i made it.
And you want to know another thing?? I tasted AMAZING. Yeah, it did. It really did.
I found that there was something very comforting to be making cinnamon swirl bread. As Julie would say--
" I love that after a day when nothing is sure. And when i say nothing, i mean nothing. You can come home and absolutely know that if you add egg yokes to chocolate and sugar and milk, it will get thick. Its such a comfort."
Julie is right. I'm not so sure of my life right now. I don't really know what i'm doing here in Jinja, Uganda. But i do know that when i mix eggs, flour and water, it will become doughy.
So, cinnamon swirl bread!...you kept your promise and followed through. You did bring me comfort when i took you out of the oven. You brought me warm in every sense. You succeeded to be one of the most delicious breads i have ever made. Thank you.
Well now is the time where i must show you the final masterpiece!

Taa-daahh!!!

No, i'm totally kidding.

This isn't my bread. My bread did do many miraculous things, but it didn't look pretty in my camera. So i had to use PW's bread. Anyways, theres that. A whole lot of my venting and a picture of a delicious looking bread. Enjoy!

"No way duuudddeee"

2010-11-17T13:15:00.000-08:00

My sister recently told me that i need to post every single thing in my life here in Uganda. But i've realized, everything in my life for the past 4 weeks has consisted of Susan and Jovan. Thats it.

Tomorrow they are officially leaving for America with their new family and i'm going to have a hard time adjusting, to say the least. The first day they came onto the compound, they were a couple of cute kids. But now, they feel like they are apart of the family. I'm going to miss them so much. Their smiles alone will turn a crappy day into a day filled with joy and peace. Its nearly impossible to feel sad or alone when they are in a room. Ya'll, they have changed my life.

So to Jonathan, Heather and Emily: I wish you all the best in Indiana. These kids are such a blessing to your family and i cannot imagine God's plan any more perfect. Your going to have so much fun experiencing many "firsts". First snow day, first time eating a hamburger, first time not having to worry about typhoid or malaria. Its been a long and difficult adoption process, but its all over. You did it! You now officially get to take the two most beautiful kids on the planet back to your home. Congrats! The happiness you have brought Susan and Jovan is indescribable i'm sure.

So, to wrap things up, here is one last picture of Susan and Jovan before they become official US citizens! Woah baby! Those are some good lookin kids right there....

Sipi Falls

2010-11-17T11:39:00.003-08:00

Day after day, week after week, my parents and i find ourselves very busy we barely have enough time to breath. With the office being exactly 7 feet away from our house, most days are spent sitting at the computer with people constantly greeting you, asking you questions and/or trying to catch a monkey in your back yard---that would be me. So to get away from this hectic lifestyle, the Gibson three decided to go up to Sipi falls. Aka, God's way of showing off. Seriously y'all, this place is breath-taking.

The first day we went on a (what was supposed to be a short hike), turned into a long, strenuous(not surprising since i have been eating twice as many foods as i was in the states) hike. But it was well worth it!

The next day had me going on a whirl-wind. I get so happy every time i talk about it! It went like this: i got up, had a delicious three course breakfast, got into my "fall" clothes and snuggled up by the fire and read Harry Potter while drinking tea and hot chocolate. Alllllll ddayyyyy. If you don't know this already from my previous post, but i'm a fall/winter kinda gal. Its who i am. Its what i love. I love being cozy. Being in Uganda we don't get much...what am i saying? ANY cold-like weather. So its was such a treat for me. It was cold and rainy the whole entire day. My feet were freezing! I can't even remember the last time my feet were cold! I was, indeed, a happy camper.

---notice the goat in the back round. Just sayin.---

I'm a firm believer in alone time...and thats exactly what we got. Quality alone time. This weekend was filled with laughter, happiness, and overall pure bliss.

tutu's and peanut butter

2010-11-09T22:43:00.000-08:00

i know i keep mentioning Susan and Jovan and how adorable and cute they are, but SERIOUSLY... they are a vision to you and me. I just can't get over it. To justify my words for the thousandth time, i had to do a little photo shoot, to capture the light of their beauty and grace.

Long distance relationships

2010-10-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

This is how i feel about skype dates with Louise Judd.

Current time: 1:22 AM. Time online: 4 hrs and 34 minutes and counting....

Gotta love em' skype dates

Love you and miss you to bits girl.

Autumn Bliss

2010-10-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

Oh, my dear friends. How i envy your coats, leaf piles(that you just can't seem to get rid of, no matter how many times you rake them up), delightful breads, and orange&brown festivities. Today it was 85 degrees here in Jinja and i was sweating profusely. My wishes are to teleport. So i could snap my fingers into the cold (yet, not winter like) environment. Just perfect enough to wear something like this, or this. Either one. Where the house smells a little something like pumpkin or maybe even a dash of cinnamon. Hmm, yes. That's what i would do.Today threw myself a little pity party for myself and spent 3 hours watching Friday Night Lights. Thanks for the advice Meagan, now i have no life. There was nothing more in this world that i wanted than to go on an afternoon hike (long-sleeved shirt, of course). Then after have a few friends over and watch P.S I love You while eating a whole bag of candy corn. Wishing Wishing. When i woke up from day dreaming i decided to pick myself up and make me some pumpkin bread. Just to torture myself a lil bit more. Weeellll long story short, when that didn't work out i went back into my room and turned on P.S I love You. I had the fan on full blast, curtains closed, and body under my covers. Snuggling up to what i wish was October. Trying to make it justice.
....anyway, for that time being, it felt a little like Autumn bliss.

Susan and Jovan

2010-10-21T05:56:00.000-07:00

Okay. i just had to put some of these pictures up to enlighten the

world to the two most adorible kids to ever walk this planet...

I mean, seriously, how cute are they?!?!
I dare you to disagree