Baker Brain

Do you know how when you are first learning something interesting, you keep trying it and reading about it and you may love doing it but you can't really think through and problem solve with the new information?

That's how I've been for a long time with baking. I've been experimenting with different flavor combinations and learning to make many different basic recipes. I've always had to follow a recipe and generally followed a recipe that I Googled and at the most cobbled together some recipes that I'd Googled.

And then, I caught myself. I was sitting in the car before, eating my scone for breakfast, and calculating ratios and different ways to make the scones I'd baked taste better!

Y'all. I think I have a baker's brain.

And that's wonderful news because owning a bakery is one of my dreams!

Book Review/Sage Advice: Be You. Do Good by Jonathan David Golden

This book came at the perfect time in in my family's life. My husband and I are experiencing different life stages and situations and this book spoke perfectly to each one!

Be You. Do Good. tells the story of Golden's entrepreneurial life. He talks about how he slowly moved from one area of business (life coach) to another (owning a coffee business). He uses his life as an example of how God leads us and inspires us to do His work. Through this book, Golden is able to use the wisdom he has learned through experience to teach us to recognize and act upon God's leading.

At the end of each section, Golden asks leading questions to get you thinking about your own life and dreams. I found these questions to be really valuable and thought provoking. I love his concept of “little by little” or “one step at a time”. We should always ask ourselves what can I do next to help achieve my dreams.

I think this book is a must-read for anyone struggling to either define their dream/ life mission or act on their dream.

*I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Jane of All Trades

I've held quite a few jobs, but I can't really say I have a career. I graduated college about 3.5 years ago and I majored in Creative and Professional Writing.

I love writing and I want to make a career of it. I can't imagine going to school for something different. I think those 4 years really helped me to hone my skills.

I've been a baseball scorekeeper, concession stand worker, cashier, freelance writer, customer service rep and legal assistant. Now, I'm teaching English. I do not foresee myself continuing to teach once we return to the States. (Although. I have tinkered with the idea of teaching Pre-K.)

I love to learn new skills and have many interests, so its been hard for me to pick something that holds my interest and I feel I can commit to for a long period of time. That being said, my two favorite jobs have been working as a legal assistant and a freelance writer.

So, I'm in the perfect phase of my life to consider what career I would like to enter into. At the moment, I have a couple of dreams mashed together.

1. I would like to have a substantial amount of my income come from freelance writing. Yeah, I know, this isn't really a "new" career but one I've wanted to truly break into for a while. In the past, I've picked up side jobs here and there.

2. I would like to own a bakery. I'm not entirely sure I'd want to be the 5am baker, but I like to create flavor combinations, and design marketing.

3. I think I would also like to go into event planning. I really enjoy putting together events. I like to plan menus and decorations.

This post was inspired by a Mama Kat prompt. Hop on over to check out the other responses and to link up your own post.

Book Review: Dreams so Big by Steve Peifer with Gregg Lewis

This is the story of a family who moves to Kenya as short term missionaries in order to overcome the death of their new born son. But, surprise-surprise, God has bigger things planned for this family and their one year commitment turns into a lifetime journey for service and discipleship.      

This book was a huge inspiration to me and my family. The story was not only immensely interesting but wonderfully well crafted as well. God’s hand is definitely all through this book. From the beginning whispers urging  a husband to make his wife’s dreams come true to the masterful telling and publication of their story, He is present.

I believe the title is an apt one. Dreams are one of the catalysts for the Peifers' journey. Also, the book inspired me to dream big. A key message I learned from this book is that God puts dreams into our hearts for a reason. No dream is too big or too small for him to fulfill, if He is the One who has given it to you. I plan on recommending this book to many people, as well as re-reading it several times. It is very touching and the truth of it makes it even more so.

If you enjoy this book I also recommend Kisses from Katie by Katie B. Davis.

 

PS: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my review via the booksneeze program. This statement does not apply to Kisses from Katie.

2nd 101/1001

The following is my second 101/1001 list. I completed aprox. half of my previous list. This list is not a list of must dos, but rather a list of things I'd like to do. The list serves as a way to keep me focused. I have until December 10, 2015 to complete my list.(How fitting that it ends on my birthday!) At that time I can reevaluate.

The italized items are in progress, the completed items are italized and bold.

TRAVEL (0/14)

1. Go to Vegas with Mr. Groom
2. Visit the Bedford Village
3. Take a couples trip
4.  Visit Cake Boss Bakery
5. Take a road trip
6. Lay plans for a recoccuring girls vacation/get together
7. Go to a concert
8. Go to the beach
9. Visit Boston
10. Go to Philadelphia
11. Visit Baltimore
12. See wild horses
13. Renew my passport
14. See the locks

EATING AND DRINKING (0/4)
15. Tour a winery
16. Go to a fondue restaurant
17. Make a cocktail not from a mix
18. Have a pizza making competition

COOKING (0/9)
19. Make truffles again
20. Make Smores with homemade graham crackers and marshmallows
21. Bake 3 inventive cupcake flavors
22. Try 15 new dessert recipes (0/ 15)
23. Try 15 new non dessert recipes (0/15)
24. Make homemade icecream
25. Make deep fried cupcakes
26. Try a Cupcake Project recipe
27. Try a Brown Eyed Baker recipe

WRITING (0/6)
28. Finish Westbound Hope
29. Finish Imag
30. Submit Imag to a Publisher
31. Finish Wives book
32. Submit Wives book to Publisher
33. Attend a writing workshop or seminar

CRAFT/CREATIVE  (0/7)
34. Create postcards out of pictures I’ve taken
35. Take a card making class or a cake decorating class
36. Make a travel scrapbook
37. Finish my wedding shadowbox
38. Finish tshirt quilt
39. Learn to use my sewing machine
40. Finish my writing desk

DOMESTICNESS (0/6)
41. Host a dinner party
42. Get Mr. Groom a personal Christmas ornament
43. Buy personalized stationary
44. Wrap a gift with a Bobo scarf
45.Host a Southern Comfort Theme Party
46. Grow vegetables and fruit


SPIRITUAL (0/6)
47. Write out bible verses that inspire me and post them around the house
48. Read the entire Bible
49. Attend an Easter Service
50. Attend Christmas Eve Service
51. Strengten my prayer life
52. Share my faith with someone

BODY (0/3)
53.Get in shape (be able to run a mile, nonstop, under x minutes....be able to go up and downstairs without getting out of breath. boost upper arm strength)
54. Get new glasses
55. Have retainer removed

GIVING BACK (0/8)
56. Participate in Operation Christmas Child
57. Volunteer at the soup kitchen or food pantry
58. Volunteer with Girl Scouts
59. Be a Girl Scout Leader
60. Send a gift to Morningside
61. Adopt a soldier
62. Send Christmas Cards to St Judes every Christmas (0/3)
63. Look into being a foster parent or adoption

ORGANIZE (0/7)
 64. Load all pictures on my camera onto cds
65. Sell my prom dresses
66. Put all my books on shelves
67. Put all my printed pictures in an album
68. Clean out my room at my parents house
69. Hang artwork
70. Have my wedding dress preserved

FAMILY AND FRIENDS (0/11)
71. Go on a double date with Hotglue and her man
72. Host a holiday celebration
73. Host a holiday celebration where both sides can attend
74. Have a niece or nephew stay the night
75. Have my sister spend a weekend or so with us
76. Continue to send snail mail to my friends
77. Give family history books for grandparents and parents to complete
78. Pray for my futrure children and thier spouses
79. Get  Mike a pet. And not a rock
80. Make recipe dish towels for family
81. Plan something special for our 5 year anniversary

THINGS (0/4)
82. Buy a new laptop
83. Get my camera fixed
84. Start a charm bracelet
85. Get a Nook case

FUN (0/12)
86. Take pictures in a photo booth again
87. Get another massage
88. Play laser  tag
89. Go outlet shopping
90. Host a craft night party
91. Have a bonfire
92. Go on a picnic
93. Host a murder mystery party
94. Host a girls night in
95. Makeover
96. Attend a scrapbooking weekend
97. Have boudoir shots made
98. Learn to braid

PROFESSIONAL  (0/3)
99. Start a business
100. Send my freelance writing resume to 5 places
101. Learn Sign language

High School Dreams

This post is inspiredf by a Mama Kat prompt that went something like :What were your plans and dreams when you first graduated high school?

I had this problem when I graduated highsschool, but it was probably one of the better problems you could have. I had too many dreams and not enough direction.

There were som nay things I could do, wanted to do dreamed of doing, that it was hard for me to pinpoint a major.

I dreamed of writing popular fantasy novels (still do)

I dreamed of being an archaeologist, experimental archaeologist or urban planner

I wanted to be a TV reporter, or talk show host.

I wanted to graduate from college (check), get married (check) and have kids before I turned 27 (no way jose!)

I wanted to be a Girl Scout leader (still do).

I wanted to travel the world (I've since been to England, Scotland, France, N. Ireland and S Korea and have dreams of visiting many more places)

I dreamed of volunteering.

I dreamed of publishing many things.

Of working for the Girl Scouts, and eventually being  a CEO because the current lady sucks monkey butt.

I thought about going into advertising.

I thought about living in Charleston SC.

I wanted a red convertible VW Bug.

I wanted a job in PR/Comunications.

I wanted to be an event planner.

What were your HS dreams? How have they shifted? How are you living your dreams?

Day 3: Your dreams

I could write post after post on my dreams, but I'll just share a few with you now.

I dream of having a craft room, with plenty of scrapbook storage and a wrapping station.

I dream of being a good cook.

I dream of making a living with my pen.

I dream of being a full time volunteer.

I dream of having a happy, healthy family.

I dream of traveling throughout the UK, Europe, Australia, the United States and various exotic locations.

I dream of having a Girl Scout troop.

I dream of making a difference.

I dream of being able to give, and not having to borrow.

Friday Fives and Five Question Friday!

This week's topic is DREAM HOUSE. What are 5 things about  your dream house?

1. I'd love to have a guest bedroom, so no more pullout couches or airbeds.

2. I dream of having a craft room. Someplace inspirational, yet fuctional. I want to be able to organize all of my supplies and have a place to create scrapbooks and cards

3. I'd like to have a porch so that I can sit outside and read. Or watch fireflies.  Screw this porch, I'll take this whole house:

4.I'd like to live somewhere we can have small bonfires, but not too far away from things that grocery shopping becomes a hassle:

5. I would love to have a walk in closet. Something like Carrie's on Sex and The City.

6.And last but not lease I want a  well stocked kitchen with a pantry.

What does your dream house look like?

1. Do you have any nicknames and if so how did it come about?

Mr. Groom calls me everything under the sun and I'm pretty sure they pop into his head randomly.

2. What is your birth order amongst your siblings?

There are two of us and I'm the oldest.


3. In a movie of your life, who would play your significant other?
 Someone hot like Orlando Bloom but someone funny like Robin Williams. Any suggestions for this combo? I'm going to ask him who he thinks when he gets off work!

4. What is currently your favorite song?

Hey Soul Sister- Train
5. Are you saving your money for anything right now? Big or small purchase?

I'm saving up to buy wedding gifts for my bridesmaids.

What are your answers?

A lot of people don't know...

That I would love  to own a bakeshop/cupcakery.

Seriously.

I know I'm not talented enough to be the main baker-even after some classes I just don't think I have the coordination to be able to efficently produce enough treats or ice them properly. But I've got a fabulous idea for  a cupcake shop/bakery. I've got the name worked out, some flavors tested and half of a business plan written. What can I say, I'm a marketing minor with a sweet spot for cupcakes.

Mr. Groom's even suggested I think hard about opening a shop. But he's never really seen me bake-hes only tasted the results. I'd love to be the one who owns the shop, tests out recipes and handles the management and the marketing. Heck, I wouldn't even mind being the lady behind the counter doling out the goods,  but I'm not sure I'd enjoy- or could make the shop profitable if I were the one doing all of the baking. But I am considering taking decorating classses and maybe a few baking lessons to see just how good I could get.

Its definitley something I want to put a lot of thought into a few years down the road. I'm also considering opening an Etsy shop as a test run- once I have my own kitchen!




Another post inspired by a Mama Kat assignment.