French Press Saturday.

This week I received the amazingly generous gift of a french press. I've been wanting one for a while now, but never worked up the guts to get one. In my limited experience, I would venture to say that it is the ultimate coffee making machine. Meg and I decided Saturday would be a good day to try it out, so we gave it a go...

Let me tell you- I was not disappointed.

And to top it off, this week we are drinking coffee from Cosa Rica, from my wonderful roommate Bri. So good!

Anyways, it brought quite a bit of joy to our saturday morning. As did the sunshine that finally came out to play. Spring is on it's way!

love love love from the cucina

Middle East Birthday Feast

First things first: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN WANTZ :) You are an amazing friend and I am so incredibly grateful that you are in my life.

In the birthday spirit, we had a little middle east/mediterranean night last night. The three requests were falafels, eating on the floor, and it being laid back. Check. check. check.

We had hummus, flat bread, salad, falafel, cheese, fruit, olives and roasted vegetables. It was so good! :)

I love them all so much! SO blessed to have such amazing roommates

Chocolate kahlua cake success! Great way to end a great meal...

Happy Birthday Megs- you da bomb.

love love love from the cucina

Week 9- Kahlua

Before anyone goes judging me that alcohol is week nine's ingredient, take a look at this-

I bet you're on board now huh? Growing up Aunt Denise always made the best chocolate cake and it only took me about 18 years to figure out the not-so-secret ingredient--Kahlua!

I've been craving this cake for months, and now that I'm old enough to go out and buy the main ingredient, it's finally happening. Meg's birthday is on Wednesday, but like any good birthday it has turned into "birthday week" AKA- family dinner on tonight, presents and breakfast on Wednesday, our first happy hour nachos on Thursday and then celebration with a bunch of friends on Friday.

With so much goodness it makes up for the gloomy, wet days we have been having- anyone else ready for spring? Or just skip to summer? So ready for baseball games, the lake, reading all day, sunshine, and the beach.

Week 8- I'm slacking.....

Well, at the risk of week 8 coming and going without a single word, here is a quick update...

I'm not sure if salt counts as an "ingredient" of the week and there was definitely not a new recipe, but I gave it my best....My doctor last week suggested that I try salting all of my food with this stuff- not entirely sure why- I just do as I'm told.

It's quite strong and apparently the purest, highest-quality salt there is, so that's fun :)

In (way) more exciting news, we are entering into week 9, which also happens to be the wonderful Megan Wantz's 21st birthday!! I'm super excited to celebrate with her all week long, which includes family dinner, going to the Matador for their awesome cheap nachos for the first time, and making my aunt Denise's famous chocolate chip kahlua cake. Pictures and updates to come :)

learning to delight [in his will]

This past week has brought answers- lots of answers.

It's funny how sometimes answers come in the form of the unexpected. Three weeks ago if you told me (and some did tell me) that I would be taking a quarter off, leaving seattle, moving home and trying a new treatment I would have (and did) respond "there is absolutely no way"

And yet, here I am. Taking a quarter off, leaving seattle, moving home and trying a new treatment. AND completely at peace with it.

I feel as if the Lord has molded these verses to my life lately. I'm trying to wait patiently and I genuinely feel as if He is hearing my cries- my literal cries full of tears and the cries of my heart for direction, peace, healing and encouragement. And now that He has heard my cries and given me peace, the next logical step is to trust in Him and delight in His will.

"I waited patiently for the Lord;

and He inclined to me and heard my cry

He put a new song in my mouth,

a new song of praise to our God;

Many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord.

How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust

I delight to do Your will, O my God;

Your law is within my heart."

Psalm 40: 1, 3, 4, 8

So here we go, as I talk to professors, figure out how to explain myself, take my leave of absence, dive head-first into this unknown- all while delighting in His will for my life.

May His will be done with joy.

new every morning

My mom sent out an email last night, asking friends and family to pray for my gram and gpa. He's moving into an assited care place today and we are all dealing with a world of emotion. Sadness. Relief. Letting Go. Comfort. Pain.

She ended the email with this verse: "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning, Great is Thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:21-23

Such a great reminder for all of us- regardless of pain, disappointment, change, the unsteady flow of life- His lovingkindness never ceases and his compassions never fail. They are new every morning and this morning is no exception.

Mom also wrote: "I'm writing because I believe in the power of prayer, as many of you do and I would like to ask you to be in prayer for Mom and Dad over these next few days. I don't imagine this request will be at all burdensome as most of you have been the subject of Mom's and Dad's prayers at one time or another and you have been blessed by them."

If you feel compelled or think about it please be in prayer for my gram, grandpa, and rest of the family today. I can't image the adjustment and change this move will bring for gram, but am praying for a painless day filled with peace and comfort beyond understanding.

love love love from the cucina

Week 7-adding a little spice

Well, the cookbook is in full swing, which involves me trying a few new muffin recipes today.

Let me tell you- I LOVE muffins. It was muffin explosion in our house all afternoon.

Today I tried Banana Blueberry Walnut and Pumpkin Spice with walnuts and raisins or with chocolate chips... We like to have options :)

The pumpkin spice's spice was cloves (which is kinda funny to try to find a picture on google images...) which is turning into the ingredient of the week. I've seen it and tried it, but never cooked or baked with it- so here we go! I'm loving how it adds a little kick to the muffin.

I'm gonna do a little digging and see what else I can put it in this week :)

love love love from the cucina