Oh So many

Well, I know it's been way too long. But I've been collecting my gifts on my phone and here I am at last.
I now find that even when I'm not writing gifts down I'm thanking Him for all the gifts around me. It's a great change.

3 things blue:
~My beading cloths, used on a regular basis.
~Comfy bright turquoise shirt I had on today.
~New comfy dress that fits the bump (for now) found on the clearance rack.

A gift before 9 am:
Getting to sleep in a bit.
A gift before noon:
A good job that I enjoy.
A gift after dark:
Fellowship with friends and their boys.

3 gifts that might never have been:
~The husband putting the satellite receiver up-time better spent.
~Evenings spent reading (because the receiver is away).
~A changed heart that sees this season as a gift (season of pain on the husbands part).

3 gifts found in your friends:
~The servant heart of T.
~Joy and laughter spent sharing stories.
~Shared joy in giving thanks for 1000 gifts and more.

A song heard:
"I'm singing" ~Kari Jobe

A soft word:
The husband telling me how he finds me more beautiful today than when we married.

Where you saw light:
Streaming through the living room window.

3 old things seen new:
~Old work shoes-still comfortable for running to the store.
~Rain.
~Pain-being reminded that everything is from our loving God for our good (Trip Lee, "for my good") 

A gift found on paper:
Quote on thankfulness and worry "It's impossible to give thanks and simultaneously feel fear." ~Ann Voskamp, 1000 gifts

A gift found in person:
A humble husband who truly loves me.

In a picture:
The husband being silly with two of my favorite girlies.

3 gifts spoken:
~"How long is intermission?" ~M
"Until they're done selling children."~N (yes it came out wrong ;). She was referring to sponsoring kids at the compassion international table at the concert we went to last weekend. Priceless!)

~"Why do all these pants have panels on them?" S asking me in a maternity store. Great memories!

~The privilege to sit under John Piper's preaching on Sunday.

A gift sung: The music at the Casting Crowns Concert. Matthew West's opening may have been my favorite part. Very refreshing.

A gift written:
A thank you note with the picture of a new blessing to put on my fridge. Love our church family.

A gift painted:\The sky painted pink first thing in the morning.

3 gifts almost gone:
~my nail : it protected my finger when I was clumsily shaving in the shower. It made me think about how something we take for granted does so much!
~ Trail mix: healthy snacking that helps me to get through my days at work with all this pregnancy hunger!

 ~My cup of coffee-a little treat in the middle of my day.

3 gifts redeemed:
~My heart.
~My future.
~My life.

3 gifts entwined:
~Time spent with the youth this past weekend.
~Girls singing silly in the van on the way home.
~Sweet white chocolate.
(all a part of our youth's road trip to see Casting Crowns).

3 gifts of His promises:
~1 Peter 5:7
 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
~2 Peter 1:3
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
~Psalm 62:8
 "Trust in him at all times, O people;
   pour out your hearts to him,
   for God is our refuge.
                         Selah"

3 gifts uncovered:
~A box opened to reveal a new mug.

~My first baby (and mama) gift from my sweet friend.
~My birthday gift from my husband: artwork made by an artist friend (he remembered!)

A gift heard:
~The sound of geese echoing.
A gift held:
~My new French Press for the perfect amount of coffee right now.

 A gift hoped for: Rest. Naps are a beautiful thing right now!

Peru Chanchamayo

As I type this I am getting ready to press the last of my Peru. Sadly I can't get anymore for now.
I figured it was time to get in gear and finally blog about it...sorry I don't mean to be a tease.
I really love Latin American coffees. I guess it's the nuttiness and cocoa notes that are usually present. I'm not sure :). Most are pretty acidic, so that is probably part of it.

(Break to go and pour water into my press)

However, I found Peru to be very different. The roasted nut and herby notes are very distinctive.

(Just took my first sip)

I find the aroma to be very rich and enticing. You can really smell the roasted nut notes. I'm going to miss this one very much!

I initially paired this coffee with a ginger molasses cookie as we don't really have anything herby in the store. It was ok this way, and I still really liked this blend right away.
However, pairing it as they suggest, with savory food and cheese really makes the flavors pop! Especially cheese.

A few other specifics:
~The beans used in this blend are grown on the eastern slopes of the Andes mountains. They are slowly ripened, which contributes to their unique taste.
~Peru is made through the washed method. (This means that after the coffee cherries are picked they are emerged in water for a period of time, then the pulp is removed. It's a bit more complicated than that, but that's not what this post is about.)
~Peru is a medium roast with a medium body.
~Peru is quite acidic, leaving a clean finish in your mouth after you take a sip.
~Peru is a certified Organic blend.
~Peru is certified Conservation international, meaning the area in which it is grown does not interfere with the ecosystem.

Have I told you latey how much I...

I started that sentence not that long ago and poor DH looked so crest fallen when I finished it "l love my job." Poor guy (yes, I love you ;) ).
This past week I have been especially grateful to my wonderful co-workers. I've been having some killer headaches (migraine anyone?), and have been so glad to be backed up in my job, and not have them rolling their eyes at what an idiot I am, but rather encouraging me and telling me I'm doing fine. They may see this as just doing their job-but that just shows what character they have.
And I'll tell you what, when you've not had that in the past, you really come to appreciate it.
That and I love working somewhere where Barista girl and Barista Cowgirl make an appearance...

Dark Cherry Mocha

Yes, warning, deep deep post to ensue.
I do have some deeper thoughts that I want to share, but I will wait for a clearer head to do so. I've been fighting off migraines this week. Fun stuff! So, this is just for fun :).
The dark cherry Mocha has arrived on the scene! So, here is my take on it-I am not a huge mocha fan, and really not a fan of full strength syrup mochas i.e. peppermint mocha. But, if you are one, you will probably really enjoy one!
The syrup is not overpowering, although, if not blended properly into a drink may remind you of cough syrup...however, if you are ordering a drink at starbucks and not throwing a little into something as an afterthought, it will be blended ;).
So far, I like the dark cherry syrup:
~By itself in a latte, hot or cold.
~With white mocha -white seems to blend a lot nicer in my opinion (I love it this way in a double shot!)
~In a vanilla bean frappuccino blended cream
~In a green tea latte
~In a black tea lemonade...
~Less sweet in a Strawberry banana smoothie
Now, what should I try it in today???

Just a little furthur...

How much does it take to make someone's day?
How much does it take to take an awkward moment and turn it into a moment of joy?

I had God hand me a little lesson a couple of days ago.
I was serving a customer who told me that she wanted two mocachinos. So I asked her if she was looking for a hot or a cold drink (as this is not something on our menu). She looked a good deal miffed. I then proceeded to finish putting her through the till and giving her her cookie. I decided that I should push a little out of my comfort zone and go further and explain why I had ask for clarification and how I just wanted to make sure I was giving her what she really wanted. This led to an immediate smile. Wow, that was not very hard and made a world of difference!

Later, as I was doing what we call a slide of the cafe (collecting dishes, straightening up) I saw her and asked her if they had enjoyed their mochas. She raved about how good they and her cookie were.

Amazing.

So I was thinking and praying about this later. Okay God. I'm getting your message. How often do I miss opportunities to reach others around me because I am comfortable in my little bubble. How often are there people around me who need a little something, or a big something, and I simply pass them by-because it is easier.
May I truly, but His grace live by this verse:
Ephesians 5:2
and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Great First Day

Today was my first day at the new job at "The Coffee House".
I am really going to love working there! I am so thankful to the Lord for providing me with a job I will really enjoy :)!

I spent the rest of the afternoon helping out upstairs in the kitchen as The Brother In Law is visiting and Mum wasn't feeling up to doing much cooking.
One of the things I helped with was "cabbage rolls". We made them with grape leafs instead of cabbage, a bit like a Greek recipe. Mom also told me how to make them with cabbage for future reference.
And yes, I'm "one of those people." Yes, I love candy corn...it's a like The Husband and I do not share, which is fine with me!