Author Archives: Julie Hill

About Julie Hill

Once a habitual "do-er,” Julie is daily learning what it means to “be," and loves providing focus and creativity to a national Christian ministry where she serves as marketing manager. Julie is also a certified personal trainer, and loves the whimsical flare, with pumpkin spice candles, music that makes you say “aaaah” (Bing Crosby, Owl City and Frank Sinatra), grandma sweaters, Cary Grant, and the sharing of hearts with friends topping her list. Her favorite time of day is early morning, and above all, she cherishes discovering more and more that just “being” with God is enough in this grand adventure called life. You can join Julie on the journey at: http://candidanddo.wordpress.com/ His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. - Ephesians 5:2

“Dang it, I Want a Cookie!”

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There is this perpetual saying that all girls seem to know, so deep in code that we question whether guys will ever catch on. Hang around a group of girls for–oh, let’s say 15 seconds–when yummy food has just been served, and you’ll hear this ancient adage being spoken out several times. It reeks with disgust for one’s self, yet has just enough of a soft edge for no one to really take notice.

The phrase? “Oh, I shouldn’t.”

Shouldn’t do what? What are we really saying? We shouldn’t break our diet? We shouldn’t add a couple more hundred calories to our diet? We shouldn’t enjoy ourselves because our culture says that if we stay miserable long enough, soon we will be happy?

I assure you I have stayed in this mode many times, and am ashamed to say that I too have fallen victim to its paradigms.

But can I just say that I am really tired of “should notting?” I love cookies and cakes–and yes, at a party, I might just want to try three different desserts. I promise not to OD, I promise not to become obesely overweight, but dang it–I want a cookie!

All of our should-notting is making us hungry, and when we are hungry, we are cranky. Cranky people can’t change the world–or they can try, but it’s going to be really hard when the tough gets even tougher.

All I’m saying is that we should take a really long look at ourselves. Are we driving ourselves crazy because that’s what our culture says we should do? Are we really going to settle to live like that forever? Always hungry, always skipping the chocolate cake, and always, always, always letting go of the truly magnificent in life because we just…can’t.

Can’t and shouldn’t are very different ideals. I can’t change the culture at large, at least right now, but I should change myself and how I view it. Let’s open our eyes and look at what really matters– and if at that moment you see a cookie, eat it. You should.

 

Photo Credit: freeeatsfood.com

Poem: In Visible

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In visible places the past becomes past.
The now becomes now
The you becomes you.

In visible places the why becomes when
The what becomes how
And the who becomes you.

In visible places the light is turned on
The vision is adjusted
And the you is anew.
Only in visible places.

 

Photo Credit: flickr.com

Useless into Useful

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Paper coffee filters are produced from long fibers, allowing them to capture the essential oils found in the coffee brewing process. Their construction and oil absorbing powers, which differ from that of paper towels, make them an unexpected, multi-function household tool. And when you take into consideration their affordability, you might find yourself thinking twice before tearing another paper towel off the roll.  Here are several things you can use them for that you may never expect:

1. Decorate. Die them various colors and thread them together on a string to make garland for a wedding or party.

2.  Filter cork particles from wine and port.  The older the vintage, the more likely a cork will disintegrate while being removed from the bottle’s neck. Place a coffee filter in the mouth of your glass or in the neck of the decanter while pouring to remove cork tidbits.

3.  Stop the soil from seeping from a potted plant. Place a coffee filter beneath potting soil to keep it from escaping through the drainage holes when you water.

4.  Soak up the grease. Instead of paper towels, line a plate with coffee filters to absorb excess grease from bacon, french fries or your other high-fat favorites.

5.  As a fabric backing. A coffee filter will function as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.

6.  Strain homemade soup and stock. Pass stock or broth through a coffee filter before storing for later use. Also, whole herbs  or bouquet garni can be tied in a coffee filter to flavor soups and stews, while allowing for easy removal.

7.  Throw away the cotton balls. Infuse coffee filters into your usual nail polish removal routine.

8.  Sprout seedlings. In order to start your garden from scratch, you have to begin somewhere: dampen a coffee filter, place seeds inside, fold your new seed pouch and place in plastic bag until they sprout.

9. Embrace your inner flower child. Use coffee filters as blotting paper for pressed flowers. Place picked flowers between two coffee filters before stashing them away to dry in the pages of a heavy bound book.

10. Clean windows, mirrors, glassware and chrome. Coffee filters are lint-free and will leave surfaces sparkling. When using to polish glassware, a dry coffee filter will work best to remove water spots.