Starbucks, for the non-coffee lover

Here is to all the non-coffee lovers who tell me the reason they don't go to Starbucks is because they don't like coffee.

1. Tea

You can never go wrong with tea. My favorite from Starbucks is Vanilla Rooibos. 

2. Chai Tea Latte

This may be my favorite drink at Starbucks. But you have to go beyond the plain Chai Tea. I like to mix it up. Some of my favorite creations are:

Pumpkin Spice Chai. Ask for a Pumpkin Spice, with whip, no water, Chai. Trust me, it is autumn in a cup. 

Caramel Chai. This drink is the perfect blend of chai and sweet. Want a bit more sweetness? Ask for whip and caramel drizzle.

3. Hot Chocolate

For all you chocolate lovers you need to try a Hot Chocolate. My personal favorite is the holiday special of the Peppermint Hot Chocolate (which you can get year round).

4. Caramel Apple Spice

This drink is an amazing blend of apple cider and cinnamon; topped with the sweetness of whip and caramel. 

5. Blended Strawberry Lemonade

Even though winter is around the corner, you have to try this. It is wonderful. Add raspberry and whip for perfection. 

In the Shadow of Chief

There was this time, were us girls sat around the fire. We were in the shadow of Chief, a mountain we could not conquer.

I sat upon the grass that night thinking of the mountain. And the fear it welled up inside of me. I remembered back to the afternoon, being on the side, shaking. My physical strength was being tested, but even more than that my mental strength. Never before had I been so afraid.

Looking back I don't fully understand the fear. I don't understand why all I wanted to do was sit down and weep. But I will always know that while I was in that moment, I was afraid. I wasn't sure if I was going to come off that sacred mountain.

God was testing me. He was working on me, in that moment of fear. He was asking me to trust him. But I wasn't. I was too caught up in my wobbly knees. I wasn't trusting anything; not Him, not me, no one.

That night, as we sat around the blazing fire, drinking in the moment, I began to understand. I began to feel God. I had come off the mountain, alive, in one piece.
I want to go back, face my fear, and trust the Lord.

In every corner of our lives

How often do we incorporate God into our lives?

How often?

The other day, in my Creative Writing class, I was in reading a piece by Rick Bass entitled "Fire Season". 

The essay as a whole struck me. The piece begins with him in a huckleberry patch, where he writes of:

"huckleberry jam in the coming year, and pancakes and muffins and milkshakes"

But huckleberries aren't the point. 

This is what struck a cord. 

"and I know more than I have ever known that there is no hand of mankind, no technology or science or knowledge, or management directives, the can influence this breath of living, restless earth: And again I feel tiny, puny, even invisible, and it is exhilarating, and I am reminded intensely of what an astounding privilege it is to be alive"

And there I wrote in my quick scribbled handwriting, God.

In class I wanted to raise my hand and say I know the answer; I know what "influences this breath of living, restless earth". 

Lately I have been caught is this struggle of why college? I am now an Undecided major, which simply means I am confused. So the question arises, why college? And to be fully honest, I still sit here in confusion over that question.

But I know this, God is in my classes. I can still find God. He there, woven into the essays, the story stories, and the history I study. I can't skim over that. I can't turn away from classes simply because I am asking the question why?

He is there. 

You just have to look.

The Start. Looking back to June 22.

June 22, 2012:

Lately I have giving myself reason as to why I don't need to go to Montana. I keep questioning myself, asking "did I make the right choice?" But it is time for me to suck it up and face the fact that I need to go to Montana. It is not about whether or not I want to. No, I need too. Because right now I need it.

I am at the crucial time, that crucial age. That age where the experiences you have will most likely shape the course of your future. And that downright frightens me. What if? What if these next five weeks change the course of my future?

It all boils down to change. Change, to put it plain and clear is something I don't do well with. For me to go from school, to home, to Montana, to home, to school is well... stressful.
Yet, tucked in the back of my mind is this idea that Montana is the breathe of fresh air I am longing for. It is going to offer me time. Time to dig into myself, to listen, and to explore.

I remind myself often that life is a journey. A walk lead by the best guide of all, God. Montana is another step in the journey. I am trusting my guide. I know Montana is where I need to go; where I need to be this summer. I am going there for a reason. Although I don't know the reason, I know it is going to be good.
Montana is what I need.

Haven't Forgotten [You]

"Please remember me, happily
by the rose bush laughing"

A desire to be remembered, not quickly forgotten.
To be that girl you in vision
happy and laughing

I want to be that girl. Someone you are
"caught in the kitchen [with]
with maps, a mountain range, a piggy bank
a vision too removed to mention" 

I want you to know that I am
"still pretty"

I hope that
"we'll meet again"
that you will
"remember me as in the dream"

And that you won't forget me
For I haven't forgotten
you.


thanks to Iron and Wine for the lyrics.

#11: Real romance...

I have been meaning to write. Hoping to write. Some how in the past three days I haven't quite found the time.

There have been many thoughts swirling in my head. But for the sake of my brain (which has been crammed with coffee knowledge for the past three days), I can going to keep this post simple. I like simple.

Today I was scanning Pinterest, which is a common past time of mine when I don't feel like doing anything on my to-do list. Anyways, while scanning I stumbled on this blog post 20 Things I Want To Tell Engaged And Newlywed Women. First off I know I am not engaged or married, but as a woman I couldn't resist reading the post.
And what a great read it was. This post is filled with  words every woman should hear and read. I recommend you read it; it is the only way you will get the full affect.

#11: Real romance is finding that one spot in the crook of his arm to snuggle into, that shared look over the dinner table when the kids are acting crazy, and the way he fixes the leaky sink when he is dog-tired after work.

I liked this one. It just stuck for me. Romance isn't all what the movies show it to be. It is the bond, the love, the moments shared.
Thinking about it gives me butterflies.

Endless Sunshine

For me I find summer time a difficult time to write. The sunshine streaming through the window is more alluring than the computer screen. When I write I like to be comforted by a cozy sweater, while resting in an oversized, old fashion chair, with a cup of tea beside me. And those things don't occur in the summer. Rather I am out exploring grassy fields, adventuring over mountains, and basking in the skin bronzing sunshine.

Writing days are the days where autumn leaves cover the once green grass. Days when the temperature is a chilling -10 degrees. Days when the snow flies so heavily you can barely see past the tree outside your window. Those are the days; the days where you are held captive by walls.

For summer brings few words. Instead it brings exploration and discovery. It is the time to let loose, be free, and wander the beautiful land. A time where you can sleep underneath the stars without fearing frost bite. A time to bask your feet in the sun's rays in order to perfect the Chaco tan. But more important than star grazing and sun bathing is the moments created. The relationships built, tears shed, and laughs shared. It is the memories. The moments never to be forgotten. The moments that shape and pave who you are.

For the days of being held inside will come quick enough. And when those days come I can write of the adventures had, stories created, and time spent in the endless sunshine of summer.