the best.

"Have you noticed that God treats you better than you treat yourself?

For example, 

why do you think he didn't allow your marriage with that man? 

Why did he allow you to be overlooked for that promotion? 

Why didn't he let you take that dream cruise?

Do you think it was to keep you from fun and pleasure? 

Of course not.

He did it because at His juncture in your life, 

He refuses to give you anything

but His best.

You are too precious to just do anything."

-Jacqueline Jakes

I literally spent my full 9 hours of work today rearranging the entire store. Scheduled and wanting to leave at 6, at 5:50 i finished the final touches with everything fitting and looking perfectly in its place. I came home to an unexpected visit by my other half Katherine and her little one. I then spent an hour with my nephew wanting to race me barefoot through the grass before the sunset. 

Everything about today was a miracle. I can not express how thankful I am for the little God sightings and grace that I have been seeing each day lately, and through the high moments of doubt and stress I bring on myself, God without a doubt shows me his best for each day. This quote, a favorite of mine, gives me comfort that right now, where I am is what's best and is only preparing me for something better. 

Please, I really pray, that you each find the best of life that is out there for you, and further, that no one settles for just anything if you whole-heartily do not feel it's what's best. Because trust me, you will know if it is. 

Goodnight, peace&love.

-Kelly

Music Monday

My 100th Post! In honor of this, and Music Monday: 


Blondfire is today's artist of the day. If you have not yet heard of them, they are a brother-sister duo from NYC. Bruce and Erica Driscoll. They have a similar sound to the Naked and Famous, one of my favorites if you are familiar with them. 


The video for Where the Kids Are; it is a little bit mainstream, sorry if you are confused with the story telling at first but keep it playing. This kid is awesome. I imagine he had a blast doing this. His native get up beats anything I ever came up with. Cowboys and Indians was a very popular game in our woods when we were younger so this is a fun song to bring back the old care free play days. 

RIP mr. panda 

At work this weekend we were discussing how sweet it would be if capture the flag was an Olympic Event, or Jail break. The video reminded me of that also.

but, HAPPY MONDAY:)

let the work week starts off fun, hopefully this helps.

peace&love,
-Kell

A necessity.

"Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life."

John Muir, Founder of The Sierra Club

Picture courtesy of one of my best friends Zach. 

He and his older brother begin their 20-day long adventure on the John Muir Trail in California today, and first on the agenda is the Half Dome. I learned yesterday that this peak is actually the inspiration behind the North Face logo. Pretty sweet. I also just found out that an old junior high/high school friend Dave and his buddies are doing the same trip, also starting today. I connected the two, and it will be fun to see if they cross each other along the way. Dave and his friends will be making a documentary of their expedition. I can't wait. 

If only I were able to take an extended leave of absence from work for 20 days to do this with them - I'd give anything. John Muir's quote sums up my feelings on life to a T. It's this kind of life that is a necessity for me, and I'm having complete faith that one day I will get there, where it will be right outside my door everyday all day.

This picture has SO much unspoken grandness, greatness and awe, and I'd have trouble believing someone if they told me they could look at this and not be inspired by it. These boys will be in my prayers throughout the month, and I am already beginning to be impatient about the 20 days until they all return. (My worst habit). I know the pictures and footage will be nothing less than spectacular. 

But yes, it is places like this that bring me to love life, even more, and allow me to feel "home". That is a big little known fact of me, and where one of my heart's deepest contents lies. Please, while there are only about 25 days left of summer, explore and enjoy and please find home outside of the literal. I guarantee you will find any peace or reassurance that you might be looking for. 

"The earth is filled with the Lord's glory." Habakkuk 2:14

Enjoy your night though, happy sunday, "day of rest". I just came home from work to dinner of lobster and steamers. Thank you mama & papa mac :) i am loved. 

peace&love,

Kell

Song for Saturday

GOOD MORNING,


Next to Me, by Emeli Sande has been a favorite of mine the past couple weeks. It's the perfect song for summertime-sun out driving. I found the video this morning, so I'm sharing. 

p.s. if you really listen or look up the lyrics it's actually a pretty cute love song. sorry for saying cute, but that's the only word that comes to mind (fun maybe?) oh well.

peace & love,

HAPPY saturday

-Kell

City On A Hill

Thursday was day two of my "mid week weekend" (the weekend of the retail world). And a perfect day it ended up being; and all my pictures are finally uploaded just now.


The morning was spent at my sister's house with her and my nephew - extremely tiresome as he now loves to race around the house with me, and "follow the leader me". By noon I was ready for a break; and I had a lunch date planned with my grandmother; where we spent a couple hours learning about where my ancestors were from and reassuring her that she shouldn't be worrying about the end of the world. 


BabyMac (my younger sister) and I were planning on going to Ender's Falls to hike once she got out of work, but she had an accounting exam to take online that took priority. I didn't let it ruin my need for adventuring though, and I ended up here:

Suburban Park is right in Farmington about a mile and a half from my house. It is not really used anymore but is a set of hiking trails that goes through the woods in Unionville. I decided this would be perfect for the quick switch. I loved this place and it will also be my new practice for trail running. I spent a couple hours out by myself venturing around all of the trails, and capturing it along the way. It's days like these that I love. God's creation is what brings the best out of me and I am reminded that life is everywhere, even right down the road. What a blessing. Having access to creation like this 24/7 is something I will always need. Getting away from the world and everyone else was something I've really been needing lately, and I hope you enjoy what I share. 

The Trails:

The Water:

I found a castle....

and then i spent some time at this bench on one of the peaks,

and the Tall New England Trees :)

The town where I live:

Downtown Unionville from the top. The church with the steeple is actually where Katherine and I went to preschool, little known fact. 

Feel free to critique but you make due with what you got, and what I had was an abandoned park with an android camera. (since my guitar is my investment right now, camera is next). But that was that, my day and it's joys. Of course I will now find myself working open to close all weekend...Fortunately I hear the weather isn't going to be all that pleasant. So I will not be missing out on the sunshine. 

Hope everyone else enjoys their weekend since it's just starting! GO somewhere and do something, and just have fun. Please and thank you.

All the peace and love,

Kelly anne

Zucchini Coconut Bread

Zucchini Coconut Bread

Ingredients:
1 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt


1/3 cup smart balance oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup 1% milk
2 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (about 3 medium size)
1/2 shredded coconut

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*

2. Mix the dry ingredients (flour through salt)

3. Mix the oil and sugar together in a larger separate bowl. 

(To the oil & sugar):

4. Add 2 beaten eggs and vanilla, Mix.

5. Add the milk and combine completely

6. Add the zucchini 

7. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet.

8. Add the coconut

9. Bake for 40-60 minutes. 

This bread is the definition of summer. 

Just posting the recipe. No work day - adventure day post to come once i finish it; I may be a day late, apologies in advance. 

peace&love,
-kell

Would you believe me....

if I told you I bought all this (minus 1 orange for lunch) for $6? 

because I did. 

I found gold at the reduced produce cart today. Make fun if you will but my "rabbit food" eating habits can get expensive at times, so I'm looking to save a few bills anywhere. 

My second saving of the day was at the gym getting a 3 month membership for $79 because the boy at the counter assumed I was still a student. (i was honest and corrected him) but he said it was alright and gave me the deal anyways. Boom. I'll take it as a compliment and as I always tell myself I'll only look younger longer. 

Happy Hump Day?

To celebrate the hump, the first of the month and also a birthday of a very special girl I made these:

chocolate with PB-chocolate chip cookie-center cupcakes and cappuccino mocha frosting.

that's a lot for one little cupcake. but trust me, its worth it and these may be one of the best cupcakes I've made to date. 




It's raining now, and i have zucchini coconut bread in the oven. (day off baking day) :) so I  must tend to that - recipe post later tonight...In between continuing to teach myself how to play guitar. (My bucket list for August - another later on post to be created). 




Happy Day,
Peace&love,
-Kelly Anne