making dreams come true.

(from pintrest)

financial update: i have officially saved up the rent for the rest of my lease. 

THEREFORE...let the saving for Kelly's B&B begin ;)

HAPPY tuesday

peace & love,

kelly anne

january 27, 2012

"...there is so much out there that I have not seen or loved. i want to go. i want to see, and i want to love. i'm learning to have patience in waiting for the time being but in my heart i know there's more, and it's so good."

-my journal.

peaceful & loving-filled friday please,

Kelly

step it up

I stand a lot at work = running takes a toll sometimes = i need to start lifting again.
This mornings workout was probably one of the most heart-rate pumping ones I've had this month. Felt like a million bucks after, and I'm not kidding. 


Leg & Chest Lift Day:
(alternating exercises in each superset)


Superset 1
12 reps 3x Front & Back Lunges each w/ dumbells
15 pushups, 10 tri-pushups
Superset 2
12 reps 3x Leg Press
10 reps  3x Calf raise on leg press (3-way)
Superset 3
12 reps 3x Chest Press
12 reps 3x Seated Leg Extension
12 reps 3x Chest Fly 
12 reps 3x Seated Leg curl
Superset 4
12 reps 3x Deadlift with bar
15 reps 3x Burpees - KILLER. haven't done these since fall ball soph year college


finished with 5 min intervals on the bike and 15 min arc trainer.
we'll see how I handle walking tomorrow.


p.s. boo for rain. DJ thursday may be cancelled this week. bummer.
peace&love,
kell

like a child

My friend Zach is a teacher at a school in Pennsylvania. This week is their seminar week and the topic for this year is Israel and Palestine. I received this via text from him this morning:

"I asked a third grader what she thought about Israel and Palestine...she said 'I think it's stupid. Why can't they just love each other'"

I'm praying this girl never looses this thought as she grows up. I'm leaving you with that today.

peace & love,

Kell

gourmet on the go

What Kelly eats at work:

Garlic & lemon pepper salmon with cous cous, green beans/carrots, and a side of peach slices. Yes, i eat my dinner with chopsticks on a regular basis.

Have a lovely night,

peace & love

Kell

for thought

"just be good, it seems like, is the point of life; be kind to people; don't hate anybody; forgive people because they make mistakes. I know there are always going to be exceptions to this kind of thinking, but it seems like life would be better if we could just let go of the thought we need more and more stuff to be happy, more and more of the approval of others." 

Through Painted Deserts -  Donald Miller

peace & <3

it is well

What I love: waking up and bumpin the tunes early in the morning. 

("Hurricane", Honor Society and "Down With Me", Days Difference specifically today)

I'm a morning person, that's all i have to say. And lately I've been waking up even more excited than usual to see how each day is going to play out. I may or may not be a little worried...

I never imagined I'd find myself writing this in front of my window looking out at down town main street from the 3rd floor of an apartment complex in Danbury, CT. Never. But I'm loving it. Its been half a year since I've graduated, and been here in western CT. And again, I could have never predicted the things I have done, and the people I've met. Although I have gotten discouraged, and homesick for the Messiah bubble at times, God is good - just sayin. Everyone has their down days, good thing I just don't have em often. 

I've been thinking and decided the biggest thing for me living in the real world on my own is instead of trying to take control of each day and focus on how God can use me to share his peace and love - to let him come through his people which I meet and help everyday here. Try it. This mindset has allowed me to literally take the passenger seat in life and react to the God signs that are placed in my day; and trust me you never know what each person or event can bring to you - they all have something. It's an amazing feeling letting go and allowing life come right at you. Really. And you can still share the love and brighten everything around you, it's just discovering the way how. An awesome challenge. I was definitely not planning to be living here right now, but allowing myself to enjoy where God has placed me and show himself to me here has been one of the coolest things ever. All is well.

This was also included in my Wednesday morning soundtrack:

Needtobreathe has now been keeping me going for the past hour or so. Music ADD. what i love.

p.s. it's my half birthday (to 23). good thing i'm living to 100.

peace & love,

Kelly anne

i lied about updating? i'm sorry

i've been busy? forgive me.

rainbow cookies?

my specialty.

my excuse for last night? oatmeal-chocolate chip.

making some coffee then i'll be back :)
peace & love,
kellbell

rain rain go away

rainy Monday morning, dislike but enjoy all at the same time. 


Run:
7 miles, 52:30 - 7:30 pace (stuck at this pace, frustrating) 


what i'm listening to lately:

post to come after work tonight
peace & love, 
-Kell

Football Sunday

Whole-Wheat Apple Cranberry Bread


Roommate-less and needing to save money for Philly road trip #2 next weekend, my Saturday night consisted of baking bread and watching the Notebook (i have to admit though it was a little too sad for me yesterday so i wasn't feeling it so much). 


Had to get rid of the bruising granny smith's mom sent me home with last week...


Ingredients:
1 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. white whole wheat flour
3 TBS ground flax
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch of pumpkin pie spice
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of sea salt


1/4 c + 1/8 c brown sugar
1/4 c. white sugar
1 TBS agave nectar
1/2 c. olive oil
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 c. milk
2 medium green apples (diced)
1/3 c. cranberries
SHREDDED COCONUT


Directions:
Mix the dry ingredients in a medium bowl (flour, flax, baking soda, spices, salt) and set aside. 
In a larger bowl mix the sugar/agave and oil. add the egg and yolk. Once combined stir in the milk and vanilla and mix until well blended. 
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet (the batter will be VERY thick)
Then fold in the apples and cranberries until even combined. 


Scoop the batter into a sprayed loaf pan and put in a pre-heated oven @ 325* - cook for 60 minutes (may need longer)


Enjoy ( had some pre-workout this morning ;) )

GO PATS! (gotta take dad's side today)

peace & love,

Kell

snowday saturday

THIS is why I moved back to New England after grad:

(another what-i-love)

finally. 

enjoy the weekend

peace & love,

-Kell

author's note

"I could not have known then that everybody , every person has to leave, has to change like seasons; they have to or they die. The seasons remind me that I must keep changing, and I want to change because it is God's way. All my life I have been changing...Everybody has to leave their home and come back so they can love it again for all new reasons. 

I want to keep my soul fertile for the changes so things keep getting born in me, so things keep dying when its time for things to die. I want to keep walking away from the person I was a moment ago, because a mind was made to figure things out, not to read the same page reccurrently. Only the good stories have characters different at the end then they were in the beginning...

No life cannot be understood on a flat page. It has to be lived; a person has to get out of his head, has to fall in love, has to jump off bridges into waters...It's a living book; this life...and so my prayer is that your story will have involved some leaving and some coming home, some summer some winter. My hope is your story will be about changing, about getting something beautiful born inside of you, about learning to love a woman or a man, about learning to love a child, about moving yourself around water, around mountains, around friends, about learning to love others more than we love ourselves, about learning oneness as a way of understanding God. We get one story, you and I and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and the resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it? 

It might be time for you to go. It might be time to change, to shine out. 

I want to repeat one word for you: Leave. 

Don't worry. Everything will still be here when you get back. It is you who will have changed."

- Donald Miller, Through Painted Deserts

peace & love, 

Kell

advice from the finest

day off day for me and stumbled upon this, just a little food for thought.

and yes i love what i do. 

my life, my love, use me.

My thoughts lately, perfect for this morning:

I may be seeing more of the world a little sooner than I thought, i'm excited and scared all at the same time. creating unnecessary stress in my head has become a trend lately but it's just nerves. I know i'm ready to go; I always am. 

peace & love today, please.

-Kelly anne

Salty PB Nutella Oatmeal Cookies

Days off = baking/cooking to the max of course:


Salty PB Nutella Oatmeal Cookies


Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp sea salt (can add more if you want!)
3 tbs ground flax seeds


1/4 cup butter
1/8 cup + 1 tbs Nutella
1 tbs olive oil
1/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 Egg
1/2 cup PB


1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 - 1/3 cup granola

Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and flax in a medium bowl and set aside. In a larger bowl combine the butter (melted), nutella and olive oil. 

Then blend in the sugars, and add the beaten egg and vanilla. Next the PB (you can use any kind) Mom sent me back with a jar of Skippy last time I was home and I prefer natural PB so I've been baking with this. 

Gradually add the dry ingredients, and once blended add the oats and granola. Chill the dough ~20 min. 

Preheat the oven to 350*. Roll into cookies and bake for 10 minutes. enjoy of course :)

have a good night!

will drive for those i love.

Kelly's weekend adventures:

Friday night I was back in Philly, the city that had my heart, to visit my friend Kara who was working the US Lacrosse Coach's Convention, and to bring her to the social Lacrosse Unlimited was hosting in center city for the weekend-event. LU knows how to party - it's always quite the exciting time getting everyone together, and it was a great opportunity to catch up, and network. And of course I was thrilled when Rihanna was requested for me ;) Nonetheless, everyone was happy and it seemed to be a successful night. Kara and I woke up the next morning and grabbed coffee and bagels at Redding Terminal Market (where I spent A LOT of my time while living in Philadelphia) before she had to get back to the Conference to work. 

This weekend was also the first chance I've had to see my best friends since October. I'm gradually learning on living life without these girls 24/7 white at Messiah. It is hard to get used to sometimes but I know it's another step for me to begin the next part of my life I'm meant to explore, with life, the world, and new people. I'm definitely excited, but these girls do and always will hold an extremely deep place in my heart. After spending Friday night in Philly I made my way to Virginia for Cassandra's bridal shower at her older sister's house. (A wedding to go down in Mess history btw - those who know what im talkin about). It was SO great to give these girls hugs once again:

We spent some time catching up,

Meghan, Katie, Lindsay

Bride-to-be and best friend Colleen

Kimberly, Kourtney, Me

Played some games,

Opened presents,

and then spent the whole night DMCing and drinking wine at Katie, Elizabeth and Lindsay's new apartment in Virginia. My best friends:

(pictures thanks to Cassandra)

Sunday I left for the long ride back to CT, all 6+ hours. I really do enjoy the long drives though being required to get used to them once going to Mess. I made my first pit stop in Annapolis, MD at the newest Lacrosse Unlimited to check it out with my friend JJ and deliver some of the beer bread loaves I made pre-trip :) The store is HUGE but super nice, and it will definitely do well with all the hotbeds down there. Lax is really life.

I then made the long ride up to CT (no traffic AT ALL! first time ever) with a pit stop on Long Island for a break and caught the end of the Giants-Packers game with Jason, the manager of LU Garden City - I owed him a beer, and NY was prob the best place to witness the outcome of that game of course ;) Made me miss all the Pittsb/Philly games in Penn. 

I'm definitely thankful for having the time off to make my road trip since I'm really not too sure when I will be seeing everyone again - I mean lax season is coming ;)...and come March I will be working like a bee. 

BUT cookies just came out of the oven :) day off = baking day right?

peace & love,

Kell

Nehemiah 8:10

Wake up, work out:


Treadmill:
4 min warm up
4 mile run @ 29:32 (may be a new best time actually)
3 min walk


Cross Train: 30 min
Ab circuit: 5 min


Even though my weekend away may not have been to most restful (sleeping-wise) this morning's workout was good after a few days off. Still keeping up in case I find myself at that starting line next month...(Kara - real Broad St. training plan maybs?)


Nehemiah 8:10, this is the verse of the day.


I got in last night from my road-tripping travels, and took today off to get some much needed unpacking/cleaning and personal-day-mind-resting done. I read this verse while eating my breakfast (pumpkin vanilla-protein pancakes), and it was just the reminder that I needed. I will update in further detail about my weekend adventures, but it was definitely bittersweet being with my girls again. Post-grad life can be hard without my 10 girl support system around me 24/7 up here in Connecticut, but it is the joy of the Lord that gives me excitement to see what life has for me in each day. As Billy Graham said, joy "does not depend on circumstances but triumphs over circumstances". I agree that it is definitely a state of being that brings me peace like nothing else. There is definitely joy in everyday - I promise. It's the little things. Hope your week starts off happy. Posts to come once I finish cleaning and finally do some yoga. (Cassandra send me some pics?) 




PEACE & love


p.s. heard this for the first time the morning drive down from Philly to VA, sharing.

-kell

Bread, again.

This ones easy, but always a favorite, and currently in my oven.


Beer/Stout Bread


Ingredients:
3 cups self-rising flour (if you only have all-purpose white/whole wheat add 1 1/4 tsp baking powder per cup of flour)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 c. molasses
  (i used 1/8 cup brown sugar 1/8 molasses in this one)
pinch of salt
12 oz. stout or beer of your choice (still going through the HARPOON Winter Warmer in my fridge)


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Add the molasses and beer. If making in a large loaf pan bake for 40-50 minutes, 20 minutes or so for muffins or small loaves. 

Then enjoy :)

I may or may not be making some deliveries this weekend ;)


peace & love,
Kell

rain...rude.

We got snow in Connecticut Halloween weekend. It's January 12th, and we have yet to see snow since and its raining this morning. 


I'm still driving around Dan with my skis in my car, since I have yet to put them to use. I'm ITCHING to have a snow day and ski the streets of downtown. I'll pray for it. I woke up this morning a little tired considering i only got five hours of sleep, but getting caught up in late night conversations are always worth it. Made it to the gym by 630 and made myself run.


Treadmill:
4 min warm up - .5 miles
3 miles @ 21:32 
.5 mile cool down
   (it's been a long time habit of mine to do the 4 min warm up and cool down, no answer for why - im sorry.)


Elliptical & cross trainer 30 minutes total


My uncle sent me a link for a race next month:
10th Annual Bob Andrulis Memorial Sweetheart 5k
is Feb 9th or 10th Valentines Day? Just wondering if that's what the Sweetheart implies...
I'm not sure if its a trail race or not or how difficult...I will have to find out. I just know i need to start doing more HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts if I'm going to be required to do mountainous endeavors..harder, better, stronger faster?


This week's been a little packed with work and getting things done. I'm going to Philly tomorrow night to see my dear friend Kara and LU is hosting a social for the US Lacrosse Coach's Convention. I will then be going down to VA for a bridal shower for a very lucky girl, (no no not me) and to visit the wonderful Housewives of Reston, VA who just moved into their own apartment (exciting!) I'm hoping to make some other visits along the way to see some friends in MD and to hopefully check out the NEW LU of NAPP, MD (check it out!)


Consequently, working alot this week to get the weekend off, with some trying to make some treats to give along the way ;) (of course) and packing to do before work tomorrow morning. I'll let you know how it all rollsss. Superrr excited though. Super. Next week I will have much more time to get into my brain - there's a lot going on up there lately.






Have a lovely day, and find some sunshine despite the rain.
peace & love,
kelly anne

Mornings off does not mean sleeping in.

Goodmorning goodmorning, hope all is well.
I'm sitting at my desk in front of my window, with my coffee, norah jones playing and the sun just coming out in Danbury. All is well here :)


The nice thing about my job is that my hours change from week to week, depending on when I need to be in the store. Days usually tend to be 10-6 or 12-8. Today it happens to start at one. Having mornings of is super fun sometimes since I get to work out a little more and spend a little more time cooking and enjoying the daylight. 


I woke up this morning wanting to run. After cutting a piece of apple gingerbread I ran down to the car and went out to the gym.


Today's workout:


Treadmill:
4 min warm up - .5 mile
6 miles running @ 44:30 (varying speeds and inclines)
cool down - .25 mile walk/jog


Cross Training - Arc Trainer: 15 minutes
Abs: 8 minute circuit (I'll start posting these soon)


The Philadelphia Broad Street Run registration starts next month, since I missed it last year I will be signing up first thing next month. It's a 10 mile race down center Broad Street in Philadelphia. After studying at Temple University my junior year of school, I had my fair share running broad street and now I'm dyinggg to get back there. I need to get new sneaks before I really start training for this, but i start I'd see how I do with the distance this morning since I haven't done much lately. 


I'll keep my training run updates going for those of you who are curious as to what goes into  it and those who may also want to give it a shot. I HIGHLY recommend it, it's fun, good for you and of course it only becomes easier with time. No need for speed at first, just run. 


And I won't tell you what I just cooked to bring for dinner tonight. You'd only make fun of me - ask me personally if you really must know. (elizabeth, you would appreciate though)


Let's see what the day has ready for me, 
peace & love
-Kell

be someone

Just stumbled upon this 

Boyce Avenue Feat. Kina Grannis "Fast Car" Cover. 

love her.

p.s. her Use Somebody and With or Without you covers are even better.

Happy Monday, praying it starts well, and that the week really takes you somewhere.

peace & love,

kell

First Recipe

I decided on a bread - Apple Gingerbread. 


Bread is probably a favorite of mine since there are so many variations and options, you really can do whatever you like. A lot of the time I base mine off a basic recipe and add my own variations to make it to what I'm feelin. Tonight was gingerbread (my own variation), and I had some apples starting to bruise sitting on the counter so i decided to throw em in. 


The result:


Apple Gingerbread (for 1 loaf)
1/2 cup white flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/8 c. ground flax seed
1/2 tsp baking powder & soda
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1 pinch salt
1/8 c. brown sugar & white sugar
1 tall jar of oatmeal, granola & raisin baby food (my secret ingredient for most of my breads - any kind/flavor of your desire works perfectly) 
       p.s i reallyyy didn't want to share that
1/8 c. & 1 tbs molasses
1/8 c. & 1tbs oil
1 egg
3/4 an apple chopped


directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray or grease 1 bread loaf pan. Mix the dry ingredients (flour through allspice) in a small bowl. Mix the wet ingredients, and then add in the dry gradually. I drizzled this one with agave as well. Bake for 40-50 minutes.

delicious

goodnight my dears
peace & love
-Kell

sunday's my favorite day

kelly fact: sunday is my favorite day.

This was on the radio after work today (one of my favorites):

[Kid Rock]

Day by day my life gets colder

My eyes close thin, as I get older

Peace in pieces, bloody and bruised

I feel so helpless and confused

[Bridge]

Cuz I hear screamin on the left

yellin on the right

I’m sitting in the middle tryin to live my life

[Chorus]

Cuz I cant stop the war

Shelter homeless, feed the poor

I can’t walk on water

I can’t save your sons and daughters

I can’t change the world and make things fair

The least that I can do

The least that I can do

The least that I can do is care

[Martina]

I pray and pray for life salvation

Faith is tried and true in tribulation

Love is lost and lonely, check the news

And with these open arms I’ll wait for you

[Bridge]

Cuz I hear screamin on the left

And yelling on the right

Im sitting in the middle trying to live my life

[Chorus]

Cuz I cant stop the war

Shelter homeless, feed the poor

I can’t walk on water

I can’t save your sons and daughters

I can’t change the world to make things fair

The least that I can do

The least that I can do

The least that I can do is care

[T.I.]

For the life of me, I can’t see how the devil keeps enticing me

All u sees a felon, I know God can see whats right in me

How I can be labeled as a villain in the first place

When the worst case senerio is my birth place

Im just tryin to keep from fallin victim to the murder rate

Take my life lesson convincing the adolecents

There’s a God up in heaven, sending down blessins

And your furture’s way brighter than ur present

Quit Stressin

They re screamin on the left

Yellin on the right

While im sittin in the middle trying to live my life

Cuz I cant stop the war

Shelter homeless, feed the poor

Cant walk on water I cant save ur sons and daughters

I cant change the world to make things fair

The least that I can do is care

Yeah I cant stop the war

Shelter homeless feed the poor

I cant walk on water

I cant save your sons and daughters

I cant change the world and make things fair

The least that I can do

The least that I can do

The least that I can do

Oh is CARE

[ Lyrics from http://www.songonlyrics.com/kid-rock-care-lyrics-feat-martina-mcbride-t-i ]

Care - Kid Rock feat. Martina McBride & T.I

And Denver just won.

Going to find a good bread recipe...i'll share the verdict.

God is good, happy sunday - peace & love,

-kelly anne

my life is going by too fast,
that's all i have to say right now.




posts & updates later, happy friday :)


peace & love,
kell

Run 2012

Hey guys,


If you are a reader that knows me well, you are more than well aware that I love to run. After putting my lacrosse career to a close sophomore year at Mess (story can be posted at a later day if there's interest) I took up running long distance, and have been committed ever since, I learned to love spending hours running through the Farmington Valley until I just got board (which was really never the case). Runner's high and tracking higher mileage can be extremely thrilling you know. And it's one of the best opportunities to experience and appreciate the creation around us. 


I did my first official race the summer after my junior year, the annual GE 5k Road Race for the Petit Family Foundation in Plainville, CT - held every summer. My Uncle is also an avid runner (of INSANELY longer distances) and asked me to join him for this one. My first race, I ended up placing 4th for women, 2nd in my age bracket - and although I do not run to win, it definitely showed me I may have found my niche. Since there weren't many race opportunities at school I just ran and lifted to keep myself in shape. I originally had plans to run the Broad Street 10 mile but after my return from a month in Africa (another story to be told) the run was capped. I was then told about the Harrisburg 10 miler race that was happening this past April. A couple friends and I signed up right away, and I started serious training for this. A week before the race I ran my longest distance to date 10 miles, and it's ridiculous how accomplished I felt. Race day came, I placed 1st for my age group. Sweet life. 


I didn't stop there though. My Uncle convinced me to do a 7mile - mountain trail race with him this past summer, (Literally I was running a hike, with parts both up and down of straight rock). THE MOST exciting and daunting thing I have ever done. I thought a trail race was just a hilly run through the woods...not the case.    However, I did love every minute and am definitely up to doing it again and more. 


This brings me to my RUN page - there I was post times and distances for all my races, different workouts, goals and upcoming events which I hope to take part in. Feel free to try some out yourselves if you can keep up ;) and OF COURSE lemme know if you want to join me for a race. Another 2012 resolution for me is to increase my distance, and continue to train hard but in new ways. God has blessed me with a crazy passion and I want to keep finding fun in it while my body can still keep up of course :) 

p.s. favorite new workout song: "RUN" The Knux ft. kid cudi - (how ironic maybe?)

take a min to listen

peace & love,
Kellbell