I Don't Get It

Because I felt like my blog was naked on my last post from the lack of pictures.

I took a few pictures around/in our house Sunday afternoon.

They really have nothing to do with my post.

I just don't want my poor blog to feel naked again.

And well... no one likes feeling like they are naked.

It's like one of those dreams where you go to school naked.

Or it's like Adam and Eve, when they first saw their nakedness in the Garden and had to hide.

Ok, I've said the word Naked too much. I'm done. This IS a rated G blog.

Brian had to work (I called it study) Sunday after church. And I'm just in love with this candle from Target. So he worked, I flamed the fire :), and turned on Jack Johnson whilst I baked my snickerdoodle cookies where I accidentally forgot to put in the baking soda.

(Btw, can anyone tell me what EXACTLY baking soda and baking powder do anyway?)

I talked about my love for my yellow wall and blue printed vintage plates in our dining room on my last post, so I decided to show you. Aren't they pretty? The yellow wall does my soul some good, especially on gray days.

The Ball jars were from my wedding. I used them as the decor. I just love the color and the light that comes through them. Don't you?

Ok, all done with the pictures. My shutter finger is itching to be out taking pictures again! Can't wait for Spring!!


On to my post:

"I don't get it." If our highschool year book's had a personal quote underneath our pictures, that would be mine. I think I told that to every teacher I had...more specifically to my math teacher. (Sorry, Mr. A!) But not only did I say that in my math class, I would say it in my English class, my history class, so on and so forth. I consider myself a slow learner...yes, slow. I was just trying to think of a time where I was a fast learner so I didn't paint myself as dumb or with a learning disability, but I couldn't. :) I'm slow. It's true. Learning and studying never came easy for me. Math was my hardest and then history. Though I love history now, it was hard for me to learn all the correct dates and get them right with the correct battle. And Math...well, that's just a loosing battle (date: August 31, 1985 - January 9, 2009).

The same applies to when I listen to messages and God is trying to work on my heart. In my pride and rebellion, I will fight and not listen to what God is trying to get across to me. I may listen, but even though I listen, it takes a while for me to really understand what he is saying. I don't get it.

"Hey, Jenny...you have a lot of pride. We need to work on this."

"I don't get it."

"Hey Jenny, there's your pride again...let's work on that."

"I don't get it."

"Hey Jenny, you know what comes after pride? Selfishness. I'm going to work on that too."
"I don't get it."

"Oh! And there's also this issue you have with Trust..."
"I don't get it."

Like I said...slow learner. Thankfully, God is patient and has a steadfast love and mercy with me.

My hubs is pretty patient with me too. ;)

The message on Sunday was good. It was short. :) Usually, our messages alone last an hour long. Which I actually really like. We had a guest preacher from Australia come. He spoke on the 10 Commandments. It was good. Honestly, there was not a lot my heart really grasped (it's the slow learner thing...I'll probably remember something in a few weeks).

But the thing I remember the most was his prayer at the end. This line wasn't meant to make a point. It wasn't meant for anyone to understand the significance. It wasn't a dramatic, spiritual attempt to convict our sinful hearts into submission. It was a simple line that came to me like..."hey! yeah! Ya know, you're right! And I get that!" It was one of those lines that I had to write it down before I would forget. God does that with me sometimes. In his patient character, he'll bring me to a place, or he'll allow me to overhear a conversation about the same thing he is trying to work on with me and I'll get it. I don't have to be at a spiritual conference or emotionally drawn to the worship music, or in a state where I'm crying, at the end of my rope and I FINALLY understand the lesson he is teaching me. Sometimes those things come at unsuspected places.

Anyway, are you dieing to know what the line was now? Did I play it up enough for ya? :) Good.

He prayed this: "Forgive us Lord, for we know so much, but do so little."

Do you get it? We know SO much about our Heavely Father. We know about his loving and faithful character. We know about the salvation he brought to us through his Son, Jesus Christ. We know so much about the Bible and the Truth in it. We know. We know about this. But we do so little. At least, in my humility, I (put in caps, bold, italicised and underlined) do so little. Convicting. Yes? yes. It really wasn't meant to convict me, but it did. So, how do I practically do this? That's another thing I have to figure out...

putting away my fearfulness and just speak truth...and most importantly living it out. It's gonna be hard. But why do so little when I know so much?

Baking Nook

This is my baking nook. I love it.

This is where recipes come alive...ALIVE!!

Our kitchen isn't very big and doesn't have a lot of counter space. So when we were looking for furniture, I found this little stand on craigslist and it was perfect!!

We had a very busy Saturday. We rushed out the door (because of course we woke up late) to church for a marriage seminar. From there we met our small group for the first time and from there, we headed over to a gym so Brian could kick butt in Basketball.

From there, we headed to Ikea...mmmm...So I'm not a BIG fan of their furniture since I don't think it will last very long. BUT I do love their textiles and picture frames that are really cheap.

So I got some new frames for something I'm working on in our bathroom, a new shower curtain, and some pillows cover for our couch. AND...this wall hanging rod thing (pictured above.) I LOVE IT!! It saves so much space on my counter tops and the attachments for my sexy Kitchen Aid (it's red. Red = sexy) aren't falling from the top of the fridge to the floor and whenever I need my mearsuring spoons and cups, they are in an arm's reach. My mom gave me the roller. It was my grandma's. It's vintage. I love vintage. zzzzzzzzzz...(oops, left my pinky on the "z" button thinking it was the shift. I was gonna take it out, but I think it's kinda funny. Plus, when you read it, your mind will go from words to zzzzzzzzzzzz. haha)

Brian was kind enough to hang it up for me.

So, later that evening after church, I wanted to spend some quality time with my sexy Kitchen Aid. Plus, Brian was watching football. So I decided to make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. My mom got Brian America's Taste Test Kitchen recipe book. I flipped through it to find out how they made these cookies and decided to do it that way.

I turned my iPod on to Meredith Andrews. (fellow Liberty University graduate)

And I began to bake.

I realized I didn't have enough white flour for a cup and a half so I used about 3/4 of whole wheat flour. Then I realized I only had steel cut oats instead of rolled oats. So I found this "Hot Cereal" from trader joes that looked like rolled oats. The batter tasted pretty good (come on, ya'll know you lick the spoon, laddle, and bowl.)

Brian and I rolled the dough and plopped them on the cookie sheets. When I took them out they didn't form how I wanted them to. They were flat and ran into each other. How rude.

BUT they still tasted good and that's really what matters, right? Right. I'm glad we agree.

(My sexy Kitchen Aid)

Dear Sexy Little Kitcken Aid, I love all the delicousness to give to me.

Love, the chubby little girl inside.

Jenny

It's a puzzle, but it makes sense.

Isaiah 41: 17-20

When the poor and needy seek water,

and there is none,

and their tongue is parched with thirst,

I the Lord will answer them;

I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

I will open rivers on the bare heights,

and fountains in the midst of the valleys.

I will make the wilderness a pool of water,

and the dry land springs of water.

I will put in the wilderness the cedar,

the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive.

I will set in the desert the cypress,

the plane and the pine together,

that they may see and know,

may consider and understand together,

that the hand of the Lord has done this,

the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire (FIYAH!) it's been too long since I made a blog post. Sorry fans! (All two of you!) But it's been a slow month, photography wise. Last Sunday, I handed off a wedding album to some clients and that was the last of my work load. I'm done. I've got nothing. I do have to say, the album I handed to them was SUPER nice! I loved designing it for them. It was like putting together a story. I've realized a few things about myself lately...one: I thrive off being under pressure. For instance, when I was studying at Liberty and my 10 page paper was due in two days, I thrived! I locked myself in my room or in a coffee shop for hours and knocked out an "A" paper. (Seriously, I got A's on my papers...YAY!) Or when I used to be a waitress and the rush time hit, I thrived. I loved taking care of 3-4 tables at a time. It was fun! My mind was constantly thinking and going and it kept me sharp. And two: I thrive off being creative. I love it!! If I had unlimited resources (i.e. money) I would spend the entire day getting creative, finding cute fabric, or frames, anything to make my house more decorative...or I would spend the day using someone to be my model and take pictures of them. I still have this ONE vision in my head that I really really really need to take a picture of. It will win an award. It's THAT good. :)
Anyway, I loved making that album for Nick and Wensa. I loved giving it to them. I loved watching Wensa's face as she flipped through the pages. I love having a finished product where I worked with my hands and my head. It's a satisfaction I hope to capture more of in the future.
SoooOOooOOoo, if you know of anyone getting married in the summer time, or spring, or tomorrow, send them my info! (please)





Ahem, ANYway, these pictures are simply of the past month for Brian and I. The Needhams (pictured above) had made their way to Richmond for a wedding and on their way back, they decided to stop in the favorite city (their word, not mine) for a detour. Brian and I accidentally woke up late that Sunday (alarm didn't go off) so Bethany callled me and we met them at the Natural History Museum. I'm so glad we got to see these sweet friends and their adorable kids. Bethany was one of my bridesmaids and Andy played music in our wedding. They hail from Massachusetts so we only get to see each other few times a year. Boston spring trip!! Yes, please! I also appreciated having their son Josiah around to show Brian whose the best baseball team EVER!! (RED SOOOOOX!) The first thing Josiah said to Brian was something about how awesome the Red Sox are...totally blowing off the Yankees. :) Loved it. Sorry, Hun!




This past weekend, we had Brian's family come to town. It was super nice. His sister Jess and her boyfriend Anand came Friday night. Saturday morning we all woke up late. The boys wanted to hit the courts to play some Rock, as Anand calls it. Basketball for the rest of us white folk. Unfortunately, none of the gyms were open. Soooo, in my pursuit to get a dog, I suggested we visit the pound near our house. And we did. And I fell in love. :) And I realized that we can't get a dog right now. :(

This is Carrot. I wanted her. She was SO hyper though and a pitbull which required two hours of exercise a day. YIKES! But I sooooo wanted to take her home. Ugh! Puppy!!


Later that day, Brian's 'rentals came in. Yay! We opened our Christmas gifts to each other.
I got a bread maker!! Woot! Excited to try my hand at making bread. Yes!
And some way awesome gray converse shoes! Score!!
After a while, we decided to take everyone to one of my favorite places in Alexandria, Buzz. It's a coffee/cupcake/cocktails shop. I LOVE this place. When I was studying with Liberty, I spent most of my days here sometimes until they closed at midnight.


Hee hee...creepy, Jess.

I swear, they are brotha's from another motha.

And I got creative with the coffee sleeve.

Sunday after church, we went downtown to some museum's. I love this spot for pictures, so we stopped. :) If you'll notice my hubby in the middle acting like Superman and that he is protecting everyone behind him. I married a comicbook.

]

And our way to Potbelly's we stopped in the middle of the street to take couple's pictures in front of the Capitol.

This is Dan and Pam.

Anand and Jess.

They get two pictures. :)

And the hubby and I. (Photo credit: Jessica Bosak)

Whilst in the Natural History Museum, I took the opportunity to play with the slow shutter speed. Do you see all the ghosts?

And this is what Brian does during church. :) I don't mind.

So I know this post is really...well...nothing that compliments each other. At the beginning I gave you a verse. Then I talked about my friends the Needham's. Then I talked about creativity and my ability to thrive on deadlines and adrenaline. Then I talked about our weekend last week.

It's a big puzzle, but it makes sense because it's my life. :)

Christmas Favorites

It's a sad thing when Christmas ends. Really. I get bummed. One, because that means I have to go back to work. Blech! Two, because now there's really nothing to look forward to in the winter now that Christmas is over. And three, Christmas music and movies come to an end. BUT, there are LOTS of things to look forward to now that Christmas is over...SPRING...and then SUMMER!! (how many more weeks till I'm doing freezing my toenails off everyday?)

Brian and I made our way to the big Mitt, the Glove, the up North, the cold, Michigan for Christmas. We had our own little Christmas Thursday morning where we opened each other's gifts. Brian is a darn good shopper! I love all my presents!! And I must say, I'm the way cool wife that got my hubby DJ Hero. Ok, ok, the gift was 40% selfish too. I love that game! We ate our crepes with ligon berries and got ready for the drive to MI. Well, my eye was hurting really bad the day before. I was going to try to wait it out, but as we kept driving on, my eye kept getting worse. We weren't going to make it to MI in time for an eye doctor to see me that day and they were closed the next day. So we stopped at an eye doctor in Maryland on our way. It's a good thing we did. I ended up with a bacterial infection in my left eye. It's my third time having this. It's a KILLER when it gets really bad. My doctor said if I didn't get it treated in time, it would've gotten much worse and could've lead to blindness in my left eye...UMMM...YIKES!!!!! As a photographer, I generally rely on my eyes to see things that would make a great picture. I'm sure I could use ONE eye and still be a photographer, BUT I still think it might've been kinda hard. We are so thankful God provided and allowed us to see the doctor just in time in order to get my medicine. God provides for his children. He knows what we need even before we ask.

Anyway, our Christmas was great! The Barnhart family did their usual Christmas tradition. Christmas Eve, Mom's birthday, dinner at the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth, then off to Bronner's to check out all the ornaments, and then off to some Christmas Eve service. This was Brian's first time attending a Barnhart Christmas Tradition. haha...poor guy. I think he was in shock when he first stepped inside the Bavarian Inn to eat lunch/dinner. I can't really explain this place to anyone. (I've also found that I have a hard time explaining my elementary/high school and college experience at Pensacola Christian College to anyone...really, only those who have been through it know what we are talking about) Anyway, it's a Bavarian themed restaurant where the servers dress is knee socks and other garb I don't know how to say. The walls are very brightly colored and well...it's just weird. But, we like it! We've been going since before I was born.


The pictures below are just a few of my favorite that happened over Christmas break.

Mom, pretending I'm not there with my camera in her face.

Mandy, humoring me.

My dad, also humoring me.

My husband, tired of humoring me.

David being dragged into the picture to also humor me.


My mom, moments away from pulling off Santa's beard and dashing all the hopes and dreams of every child (and brother's named David) in the room.

These little plastic German boy and girl that come in our frozen yogurt and how we'd all remember Nanni collecting all of ours and taking them home with her.

The side of the restaurant from where we were sitting.

The view into the restaurant where our table was. (sidenote: this place has like FIVE other rooms for eating and they are all themed.)

Ok, this is NOT a favorite. This is a creepy doll face.

Bronner's, where it's Christmas ALL. YEAR. LONG.

Dad and a plastic Santa number 54 (There are thousands in this store).

This picture shows 2% of what the rest of the store looks like.

A Mermaid themed Christmas tree. Creepy? yes.

One of the many halls where ornaments are found.

I LOVE this picture!

I played with different Bokeh's in this store. It was perfect for playing with the Bokeh on my camera. (Bokeh - where you can get your camera to blur out the background in a picture. Sometimes you can get the background to be blurry circles, stars, hearts, etc...it's make the foreground of the picture stand out more.)

Bokeh.

Jolly Bokeh.

Perfect example of Bokeh. (notice the blurry circles? That's Bokeh.)

Brian copying Santa number 987.

Santa number 987 blushing whilst I kiss his rosey cheek.

Jack (my buddy) looking from the outside in.

Mandi's very festive cake she made for my mom's bday.

Singing Happy Birthday...off key.

THIS PICTURE! done. (she'll kill me when she finds out it's up, but I couldn't resist)

Jack, when he get's punished. He has to go down the basement. But he's smart enough to use the cat door to peek out...and actually get his WHOLE body out of the door.

Stocking's by the fire. (which one is not like the other)

My family in the living room, David watching The Christmas Story and us playing Speed Scrabble.

The dog's opening their presents first Christmas morning.

The Christmas tree after everything has been opened.

Rental's.

Offspring.

Offspring's and Offspring's in law.

Seester's.

Playing DJ Hero. What. Gangstaaaaaa.

And my buddy and me for a two minute stroll in the icey wilderness.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas!!

Tell me about it!