screwtape letters

Screwtape Letters, a book by CS Lewis that is written from the perspective of a high level demon to his understudy nephew, Wormwood, chronicles the efforts of the devil and his workers to pull Christians off course, ultimately ending in damnation. If you haven't read this book, you must. As I mentioned here, it is one of my all-time favorite books. As I'm rereading it for the second time, I'm convinced that everyone should read this book during any challenging time in life, or as Screwtape refers to it, a trough in comparison to a peak.

And to make rereading this book even more worthwhile for me, tonight I'm going to see the Broadway version with Brendan and his parents! Max Mclean (who actually goes to Redeemer!) directs the play and acts as Screwtape. I am beyond excited and hope the play is as phenomenal as the book, but I have no doubts.

costco trip

It really is amazing what you can do in the suburbs, such as buying chocolate chips in bulk. However, getting it all back (and stored) in the city tends to create a puzzle...

It looks like I've made a name for myself...

Rainbows Always

[via NYC Pamcakes blog]

she's 9 already?!

I was fifteen when my oldest niece, Mayce, was born in 2001 and the only one of my friends who was an aunt. One, has it really been nine years since I was a freshman in high school?? And, two, I can't believe it's been that long since we welcomed her into the world. Happy birthday Mayce (yesterday)!

[One of my best friends from high school, Jarrett, took this picture of the birthday girl while she was at school yesterday. Thanks for sending, Jarrett! And yes, I'm still really jealous that you got to hang out with her on her birthday...and can you believe it's been that long since I came to the lunchroom bragging to you about my new niece?!]

auburn envy

Apparently, Taylor Swift made a surprise visit to Auburn, Alabama today. Saying that I'm sad that I don't go to school there anymore and jealous of all my friends that still do... is, well, a very gentle way to put it.

She included this picture in her tweet while she was on her way to AU. War Eagle.

7 layer brownie bars

I've made this dessert twice now (for 3 different occasions) and it seemed to be well received in all three circumstances, so I decided to share the recipe here. I have to say that I cheated a little and just got this recipe off the back of a brownie box, but no one will ever believe that you didn't slave for hours making these. One guy at a cookout this past weekend couldn't believe that I hadn't made these from "scratch"! They're easy and delicious, so try them out!

Seven Layer Brownie Bars

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1 box brownie mix

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup butterscotch chips

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped pecans (I left these off because I don't like mixing nuts & sweets!)

1 1/4 cups (14 oz can) sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat bottom of 13x9-inch pan with melted butter. Sprinkle brownie mix over butter. Top with coconut, butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and pecans. Drizzle with sweetened condensed milk. Bake 30-35 minutes or until edges are bubbly. Cool thoroughly (really, let it cool ALL the way, preferably overnight if possible!) before cutting. Makes 24 bars.

my next birthday party

Sure, it seems a little early considering my birthday isn't until November, but Maggie sent me this idea for my 25th and I can't pass it up. It seems so perfect and so fitting for me, and I'm definitely planning to execute the idea for my next big day.

It's a rainbow birthday party! Guests are asked to dress in a single color. And, as the picture shows, the birthday girl wore a different color every hour! That's the kind of party I could get excited about.

jenna and bill

This pair is quite the anomaly, but I love this interview.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

NJ 2 days in a row

My sweet friend Daniela was baptized and became a member at Redeemer today. In celebration, we were able to join her and family for a lunch in her honor at The Manor Restaurant in West Orange, NJ.

It was my first time on the George Washington Bridge. And look how beautiful of a view it is coming back into the city! Home Sweet Home.

birthday boy

He's been sharing his ice cream with me for over 24 years now. So to continue the tradition, I'm heading out to New Jersey today to help my youngest older brother (still following?) celebrate his 31st birthday with ice cream cake!! Happy birthday Buck!

is it spring?

Yesterday, I would have said yes because I was relaxing in the sheep's meadow on a blanket in shorts and a t-shirt. Today, I've been cuddled up in my apartment all day wearing pants, a sweater and a puffy vest. Warm weather, please come back to stay!

cupcakes and polka dots

Those are Abbey's favorite things. And those are what you will find sewn all around her cute little tutu, made by her Gammaw. Happy big 3 birthday today, Abbey!

I just got off the phone with her and during our conversation I asked if she knew that I was there the day she was born and held her in the hospital. "Yup, I remember", she said. Apparently she is a child prodigy too!

need these.

I'm sure some would beg to differ on the definition of "need", but they are just so cute, and bright, and colorful. I would be smiling all day!

They are named after Katie from the "Color Me Katie" blog that I follow. She has great photography, check it out here!

the park forum turns 1

The Park Forum celebrated its first birthday last night!! The event was a huge success and allowed more people to become familiar with the goals and visions of the organization and the great work it has already produced in such a short period.

Check out today's Morning Walk (I wrote it!) that relates The Park Forum and how its significance and meaning correspond to the scripture reading today (Proverbs 26 & 1 Thessalonians 5) according to M'Cheyne's 1-year Bible reading plan.

No Fear of the Dark

architect in the making

Looks like Mayce is narrowing down her career path at a very early age. I'm impressed.

[I grabbed this pic from Mon's sister's facebook page, thanks Mindy!]

southeast tour

Last week I spent the entire week in the South with 80 degree temperatures and sunshine every day. It was a great getaway from the city and I was able to make my rounds to a few different places while I was there. On Thursday I traveled down to the loveliest village on the plains, saw some friends, (felt really old when I walked down the concourse), and had lunch at Big Blue Bagel with Rose Lynn and Anna before heading on to Atlanta to pick up Brendan from the airport. Then we spent the rest of the week with my family (Buck and Christine were down from NJ, and sadly we missed my sister and her family who didn't make it from Kentucky) and did lots of outdoor activities to soak in the sun and Easter-y things. It was hard coming back to the city on Monday but it was a wonderful trip home!

Much to Anna and Rose Lynn's amusement, I went a little Chi O crazy when I got back to Auburn. I hadn't seen the new dorms or chapter room and it was all beautiful, but I definitely felt like a stranger there because it was all SO different. Big Blue, Spidle Hall, and Lupton (my freshman dorm), however, remained exactly the same as when I left them.

Almost everyone was home for Easter!
I'm not sure who won the egg hunt, but Tate looks like he is getting things under his control...
Besides Tate drinking the egg dye and me spilling an entire cup all over everyone (after I had made sure to tell all the kids numerous times to be extra careful not to spill anything because it would stain...) we had a fun Easter egg dying session!
Tate loved his blue egg!
Pretty Easter outfits with Mayce, McKay and Tate.
We had a more unconventional Easter lunch on Sunday after my mom cooked a delicious Easter meal on Saturday for lunch. After church we went to Dreamland BBQ so Brendan could experience true, southern BBQ at its finest! Then Mayce fell asleep.

It was a wonderful Easter week!!

you should go.

to this 100cameras event TUESDAY if you happen to be in New York City. It's at the Empire Hotel and is a chance to support a great cause and find out more about a wonderful organization.