While Away

For those of you who don't know, I'm fixing to hop on a plane and head to London, Spain, and Rome. I'll be gone for about 40 days! Eek! Lot's of people have said they wanted to keep up, so for them I started a trip blog called Fuera, which means away. Go follow it for the time I'm gone! I'll try to keep the pictures coming. 

A Thousand Words

Well, I did it. I broke down and bought a DSLR. I've wanted one for a long time and I know I'll get good use out of it when I study abroad. From my first picture ever (of this bowl) I was hooked! The rest are a sampling from some I took in downtown Wetumpka. 

A Little of Lately

Better late than never, here's a recap of my very relaxing Memorial Day weekend! The half of my summer in the states is FLYING by! I'll be Europe bound before I know it. 

 We went to Caroline's deb ball. My first experience with Montgomery society. Haha! 

 Then off to Lake Hollybrook with my mom's entire side of the family. Love getting to spend time with cousins!

 It was such a relaxing two days. Emilyn and I did plenty of floating. 

 The Hamn's dog Layla is by far the most spoiled member of their family. 

Then off to Lake Martin for the day on Memorial Day. It felt so good to be back in this boat on this lake. There's nothing like it. 

The Heidelberg Catechism Questions 1-2

Q. Christians, what is your only comfort in life and death?
A. That I with body and soul both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, Who with His precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins and delivered me from all the power of the devil, and so preserves me, that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head. And therefore by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready henceforth to live unto Him.
Q. Christian, how many things are necessary for you to know that you, enjoying this comfort, may live and die happily?
A. Three: the first, how great my sins and miseries are; the second, how I may be delivered from all my sins and miseries; the third, how I shall express my gratitude to God for such deliverance.

Free Tunes

Just for fun, here is some of my current and all time favorite music that's free from that lovely indie place called Noise Trade!  

Like this one? (I know I've posted it before, but I'm obsessed.) Then download a Stephen Gordon sampler. He is so talented, and is actually currently a worship leader at some little church in Tennessee. Both of his regular albums are incredible, and he has a hymns one that's wonderful too. 

These guys are incredible. I posted about seeing them live here. They said that was their biggest show yet, and a year later they were playing on the Grammy's! Listen to them Live at Eddy's Attic for free!

I cannot even express my love for Red Mountain Music. They put hymns to new tunes, and everything is done with excellence. I own everything they've ever done except a little EP. They recently put two entire albums on Noise Trade! Get All Things New, their most recent one. Also available is Help My Unbelief. If I could only have one CD for the rest of my life this would be it. Seriously. It expresses perfectly how real hymns are. It's a beautiful collection of songs that are genuine about doubt and suffering, but that don't forget the Gospel. 

I can't believe this album is still free too. Josh Garrels is brilliant. For the past months I've been alternating between Stephen Gordon and him. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. His style is unique, and his lyrics are so deep. You catch something new every time. 

Lewis Sums it Up

Homemade Starbucks

Clearly studying for finals is not holding my interest, so I decided to document one of the oldest survival techniques of college students - caffeine intake. Here's an easy recipe for a homemade frappucino! I found one on Pinterest, and then tweaked it til I got it the way I like it. It is cheaper and healthier than the real deal, and just as yummy!! (And pardon my really old point-and-shoot that takes fuzzy pictures.)

For starters, don't waste the extra coffee in the bottom of the pot. Pour it in ice cube trays! To start making the frappucino put frozen coffee cubes and milk in a cup. Then add a pinch of salt. (I promise this is important) and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. 

Now is the chance to add whatever you want. My current favorite is chocolate syrup and heath bits. If you don't add anything like this, you'll want to throw in a little sugar. 

My weapon of choice is a Magic Bullet. I got it for Christmas and it is perfect for smoothies, milkshakes, and the like. But a regular blender will work too. Blend it until it's the consistency that you like. 

I leave mine a little icy and eat it with a spoon. Delish!