worth getting your feet wet.

Today I went hiking at Enders Falls in Granby. 

All I will say is that every jump, slip, climb, and steps through these rocks and waters were worth it;

even the $100 to buy a new phone on the way home because mine unfortunately had a horrific drowning accident....RIP

my song of the day for listening while you scroll. 

alive by all sons & daughters.

I ended up with over 100 pictures of pure life, and heaven. 

Here are the 60 that I need to share with you.

(jumpers also out at the falls today)

home & heaven. 

peace & love,

all the blessings,

kell. 

The Cathedral

`I never weary gazing at the wonderful Cathedral. It has
more individual character than any other rock or mountain
I ever saw, excepting perhaps the Yosemite South Dome.'

- john muir

This picture was shared with me early this morning via my friend who just finished a month long hiking trip in Yosemite. It is Cathedral Peak with Cathedral Lake, in California. Adventurer John Muir named this peak while he came across it hiking in Yosemite. My friend explained to me that Muir named this the Cathedral because when he saw this for the first time, it was the first time he had been to church. I would think it's safe to say that glory was definitely present at this moment. I mean, look at this picture, it's screaming glory glory hallelujah. 

`No feature, however, of all the noble landscape as seen
from here seems more wonderful than the Cathedral itself, a
temple displaying Nature's best masonry and sermons in
stones. How often have I gazed at it from the tops of hills
and ridges, and through openings in the forests on my many
short excursions, devoutly wondering, admiring, longing!
This I may say is the first time I have been at church in
California, led here at last, every door graciously opened
for the poor lonely worshiper.''

-John Muir

This is where Muir found peace, joy and awe. I believe it is the modernized world today that created church to be a structured environment inside a building, with rules, regulations and boundaries. I also believe God created places like this to be the real church, and also home to many with no boundaries and just life. That's all, just life. 

It amazes me how overwhelming something so simple can be. However, is a mountain like this really so simple? It is carefully weathered and worn by the Earth and it's "naturalities" over the years. Every crater and fallen rock carves it to be complex and detailed. Not so simple. But not only are massive mountains like the Cathedral so grand and complex, but also the little everyday naturalities we might not take the time to notice throughout the business of our lives. No matter what state, town, country you live in there is something there; i guarantee it. Fields of grass, trees, trails, rivers, lakes, oceans. If you take the time to really spend some time in the naturalities you will see how great the complex is that is given off through these simple creations. Earth, wind fire and rain. Basic and simple elements with extremely impacting abilities, fueling peace, joy and wonder. 

It amazes me to think about how many places there are like this on Earth going undiscovered every day. I am also amazed at how strong my desire is to go find all of these places. I suppose it's just God calling me to his church though right? As I write this finding myself in Farmington, Connecticut I know this current location is not what my heart and soul are looking for. And i know the majority of you are more than familiar with my desire to eventually get to the "Cathedrals" of the world. I've been a year out of college now and still find myself in Connecticut and as John Muir, i feel exactly like the "poor lonely worshiper". It's hard to always have faith that God will eventually bring me to this kind of Church, in the places where I really want to be. There's a fine line between knowing whether to wait to be lead or if I need to make an extra leap of faith and take the first move myself - just in order to get closer to the places my heart is lead. With every new day I hope and have faith there is more lead and discernment to finding the right answer to this.

For now though, I will find the churches throughout Connecticut; in the rivers, mountains and trails here. Yes they are smaller, but just as important. And I hope where ever you find yourself today you please do the same. 

"He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, who reveals his thoughts to mankind...."

Amos 4:13

peace and love,
kelly

Football Day

It's Tuesday, happy Tuesday. 

I hope everyone had a relaxing long labor day weekend with fun, friends and family. Although I was interrupted with work on Sunday, i did get my dose of friends, and family and of course fun, saturday and monday.


Some highlights from September thus far;


1. I got outside yesterday to run Talcott Mountain in Avon. I'm not kidding when I say a mountain, and I'm not kidding when I say I thought I was going to die at times. Of course in the end you have no regrets though, and every step and climb was completely worth it. I love it, really love. I mean only a little over a month till half marathon day so mini boot camp is kind of necessary. 

2. I baked these: (preview of a recipe to follow)

yum.

and yes that is blue.

There was a day of rest due to my running adventures yesterday, but boot camp continues on tomorrow. For today, this weeks Tuesday seems to be themed football day.


1. Kelly Ripa announced her new co-host today will be none other than former NY Giant Michael Strahan. 

I'm thinking the two will provide some quality coffee drinking & blogging morning entertainment. So we shall see on Friday when I finally have a morning off from work. Patience. 

2. I will be doing my first fantasy draft later tonight with the wonderful boys of LU. To be honest, I have no idea what in the world I am doing, and I see this ending terribly for me. But it should be fun nonetheless and we will pray for miracles from going off my instincts. Who knows, McElroy's Minions could be the next Fantasy Dream Team. I'm getting the wine ready. Yes, I will be drinking wine with my draft. Maybe the one and only ever to do so, but that is how I am quite a bit of things in life. 




I hope everyone had a wonderful start back at work, all the chillens should officially be back in school. And tomorrow is already Hump Day. Not too bad right? I've read a lot of Wisdom Words the past few days, so be there will be Kelly's thoughts posts soon enough. Again, patience. 


Untill tomorrow,
peace&love,
Kelly Anne

Beer Bread - Summer Style

Good morning! Happy September, wow. 

Sorry for my absence, but i was away the past two days for a quick road trip to PA Friday and Saturday to see some favorite girls of mine, and spend some time catching up and having girls & wine night with them. It was much needed, and of course enjoyed. 

While down there I also made a trip to see my friend who's father was in the accident, and I ask that you please continue to pray for him and their family. He will be having surgery on Tuesday so please keep them in your thoughts :) thank you. 

Here's a good Sunday Morning recipe for ya.

Friends Jason and Peter, down in MD were the lucky ducks to taste test this one as I received a baking request from them a few days ago. After the bread there was a little leftover for myself, mom and dad to try so that is where the muffins com into play.

A spin on my beer bread, Lemon Shandy version, using Shock Top's (thanks Dad). A nice little way to add some summer, as it is so quickly and sadly ending.

Shock Top Lemon Shandy Bread

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

3 3/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup (but i wish i had had agave for this, it would have been a little better for the lemon spin)

12 oz. bottle of Shock Top Lemon Shandy 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar

3. Add the Syrup (or honey or agave if you wish to substitute which i recommend) 

4. Add the beer and mix until combined

5. Pour into a greased bread loaf pan

6. Bake for about 45-50 minutes (or 15-20 for muffins)

7. Enjoy with a Beer on the side 

:)

Enjoy the day, the sunshine and all they have to bring today,

peace&love

Kelly Anne