Off the Grid

Almost five months ago, I made the choice to go "off the grid" with a popular social media site. The decision had been a long time coming. I had noticed how much time each day I spent scrolling through other people's random thoughts, rants, activities, and drama. I was wasting more and more time, planning my own posts, and agonizing over what other people had, did, said, or thought.

After these five months, I am happier and calmer than I have been since I joined the social media site almost 9 years ago. I can't believe I wasted so much time worrying about a website! Now, I know this decision will not be for most people. But it has improved my life in numerous ways. I have more time to focus on my husband, family, and friends. I have deeper connections with those most important to me and no connection to "cyber friends." My life is drama-free and I have more time to do my hobbies and activities, like learning new recipes, researching things for work, volunteering, and reading good books.

If you still belong to social media sites, please continue if it is right for you!!! I'm not asking anyone to make the same choice that I made. The choice to go "off the grid" was deeply personal. I made the choice because I have a weakness for comparing myself and my life to what others portray on social media websites. I've learned that pictures, statements, and "happiness" people post are not always what they appear to be.

I choose to focus on learning to be content with the life my husband and I share with our families and friends. I choose to be grateful for each breath, day, adventure and memory we make. I don't need the "likes" or thumbs up or comments from cyber friends to feel validated, admired, special, or important.

You may not care at all about this post. You may not have even noticed I gave up the social media site!!! That's perfectly fine. You may wonder why I still maintain a blog, which in itself is a form of social media. I enjoy posting on a blog because I know only my family and closest friends read it. Maybe a few strangers have found their way over from Pinterest (another form of social media I continue to use because I adore finding new recipes and gardening ideas). Plus, my blog is usually only recipes, cleaning tips, or photos of an adventure my husband and I have shared. But again, these posts are usually only seen by friends or family and nothing too personal or inappropriate is revealed.

To sum up, I learned last night during a phone call with my best friend Kara that I am even more committed to staying away from that particular social media site for the foreseeable future. I am learning to be more grateful for what I do have.... instead of spending time looking at what others' have. Some day I may return to the website, when I know that my weakness for comparison has been overcome. Until that day, I encourage you to stop, take a look around at your life, and be grateful for even the littlest things. Or if you need to, go "off the grid" in your own way.

Barefoot Contessa's Hummus

I adore hummus. I love it on wraps, crackers, carrot sticks, and celery. It's just an all-around healthy, delicious snack!

In our house, we use a few different recipes for hummus - plain, roasted red pepper, and now, Barefoot Contessa's recipe that includes lemons. This recipe is by far the EASIEST and lightest to make. Plus, with a very fruitful lemon tree in our back yard, it just makes sense!

Here's what you'll need:

Chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans)

Tahini (ground sesame seeds)

Salt

Lemons

2 gloves of garlic

Food processor

Add 2 gloves of garlic to food processor. 

Pulse until finely chopped.

Add your chickpeas.

  

Add the tahini. 

The amount really depends on personal preference of texture and taste. 

I usually just eyeball it. You can always add more.

Squeeze the juice of 1-2 lemons and a generous pinch of salt into the food processor.

Blend until you reach the consistency you like.

Taste frequently to ensure you have enough salt and lemon juice.

 Enjoy with crackers, veggie sticks, or add to your favorite wrap sandwich!

Thankful I made it through the week!

I'm thankful this week for love.

Yes, LOVE.

I am reminded and being taught anew by our loving Creator God about His love and how, if we let it, that love can love all those around us. I want to express love, BE love, and receive love well. I don't think I have ever, and may never, truly grasp the concept of unconditional love from a God I cannot see, touch, or hear. But I can choose to be open to that love and allow that love to change me, move through me, and impact others.

This week, I'm thankful for love -

The love of my Coastie (who is SO awesome and such a fantastic husband, y'all just don't even know!!),

My mom and sister

My in-laws (yes, I said! I'm so blessed to be their "baby girl")

The love of my best friends in NC, VA, and HI.

The love that creates another human life coming into family members' and friends' lives.

My furballs

And, most astonishingly, the love I am learning to have for myself... all thanks to God's unconditional love and goodness so graciously showered upon me.

Be thankful and feel the love today!!!

Thankful for another Thursday

I was looking over several blogs I like and then I realized... I haven't posted in quite some time about Thankful Thursday!

The Coastie and I have so much to be thankful for these days. We've been going on so many adventures - both physical and spiritual. Every bump in the road of life only gives us more joy and victory as we overcome things and choose to walk in joy on the path set before us.

This week, I am most thankful for:

Galatians 6:9

Deuteronomy 32:4

Our furry little pets

New goals

Employment in these uncertain economic times

Friends

Yoga classes

Blessings coming to family members in HUGE ways

Coupons

Oranges

The Coastie's new-to-him truck

Supportive, encouraging family

A best friend who walks a difficult road at my side, even though she has not experienced the road herself. It is truly a blessing to have a friend like you, Liz. Thank you also to all the other women in my life who love me and pray for me.

Skype dates

The beauty of the Pacific Ocean that reminds me how big the universe is, and how truly small my circumstances are

Be thankful today: For the obvious blessings, but more importantly, for the blessings hard to see through the storm. 

New Year, New Things

My Coastie asked me last night if I was going to make a New Year's resolution. I shook my head and said that I wouldn't. I never make a resolution out loud because I know I will break it. Then I will feel like a failure... and who needs other people to know that about themselves? Instead, I like to just set goals in mind that I would like to achieve, but they aren't things that will make me feel bad if I don't do them or experience them. They are just extra little things I think I'd like to do or enjoy.

For example, for Christmas, we didn't buy each other gifts. *shock and awe* Instead, we bought "gifts" for our adventures together. We bought a camping tent, a sleeping bag, and an overnight pack for me. These gifts were all bought so that we could enjoy backpacking and camping TOGETHER. So, in essence, we bought togetherness.

We believe that is what Christmas and the holidays are all about. Being with people you love!

We've already taken some of the items for a test run. Here are some photos from our hike to Salmon Creek. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Here's to new adventures!

Southern Comfort Zone

During the Thanksgiving holiday, I heard the best new song. I was going back to our sweet hometown to see my family. I left the Coastie here to work and take care of the furry children (aka pets).

This new song has become our new favorite. It's about being grateful for our Tennessee roots and our Southern way of life. We love our sweet tea, living in the Bible Belt, and the slow, friendly pace of life.

However, the song is also about having the courage to leave our Tennessee home so that we can explore the world. We have a deep longing in our souls to meet people that are different from what we are. We long to experience other cultures. We enjoy trying new foods. We want to be the people we are meant to be - that just means we have to expand our horizons with new places, people, and experiences. We are the type of people that can't stay "home." We need to explore, taste, see, climb, touch, hear, and soak in other parts of the world and the country. We have to leave our peaceful, wonderful, awesome "southern comfort zone." We have to leave this comfort zone in order to have all of these adventures.

That doesn't mean we don't also respect our roots and miss home. We do miss home. We aren't homesick, per se, but we miss the comforts of home - friendly faces, people who already "know" our stories, the food, smells, the pace, and the values.

Enjoy Brad Paisley's "Southern Comfort Zone."

Introducing the newest member of Team Preston

We can officially announce the newest member of Team Preston!

(And no, it is not a baby!)

BUT, she is the cutest thing since Honey Boo Boo.

Introducing... Princess Buttercup Preston!!!!!

Our sweet new addition is a rescue from a local shelter. The Coastie fell instantly in love with her and came rushing home to beg me to meet her and adopt her. I am so glad we did!

About Buttercup:

Age: 3.5 years

Female

Breed: Red Border Collie/Mix

Hobbies: chasing lemons, going to the dog park, sleeping, going on walks, wrestling with the Coastie

Cutest things about her: she never ever barks, she doesn't mind her big brother Mr. McGee, she obeys commands pretty well, and she gets us out and moving every day.

Welcome to Team Preston, Princess Buttercup!