Lenten Aspirations

Helloooo!  Now that Lent has begun and I’m now comfortable with the change of pace, I thought that I’d share with you some my resolutions for this year, including some ideas to keep Christ in this holy season.  At the end of this post, I’ll also share one of my favorite meatless dishes—Japanese tamagoyaki. ^_^

Resolutions

Sacrifices

·         Limited use of Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and recreational internet in general

·         No Twitter, Tumblr, or Google+

·         Limit listening to any music, except classical/instrumental

·         No movies, except with the family

·         No video games

·         No Starbucks drinks

·         Avoid desserts and treats, except on Sunday

Things to do

·         1 hour of spiritual reading and/or meditation per day

·         attend Mass as often as possible

·         visits to the Blessed Sacrament

·         Stations of the Cross on Fridays

·         3-decade rosary on Saturdays

·         observe traditional fasting rule as much as possible

You can never do too much for Jesus!

In addition to the three books I listed in my February Favorites blog post, I’ve added three more to my Lenten reading repertoire: On Loving God by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales, and The Ascent of Mt. Carmel by St. John of the Cross. 

Personally, I like to have several “open books” at once, that way I can choose one that suits my mood and/or situation at any particular moment.  I feel that this approach to spiritual reading benefits me most.

…And now, a recipe for you!

Tamagoyaki

This is a very traditional recipe.  You can swap out the vegetables for whatever you like: spinach, mushrooms, cheese—just make sure that it’s all chopped very finely.  (Photo courtesy of Pinterest).

 

3 eggs

1 ½ tblsp milk

1 tblsp minced onion

1 tblsp minced spring onion (green onion)

1 tblsp minced carrot

½ tsp salt

Freshly ground pepper

Canola oil for pan

Beat eggs and milk by hand until thoroughly combined.  Fold in vegetables and seasonings.

Heat a 10-inch nonstick pan to medium-low.  When the pan is hot, brush canola oil over the entire surface.

Instead of trying to explain using my writerly means how to shape this omelet roll, I’ll direct you to this short, very informational video on how to do so.

As shown at the end of the video, let the omelette roll cool before slicing into ¾-inch thick pieces.  Serve with sriracha as a condiment, if desired.

Enjoy~!

I hope you all have a holy and blessed Lenten season!

FEBRUARY FAVORITES ♥

Hello again, friends!  It’s that time of the month again—time to list my favorite things of February 2014!

I’ll start with my music favorite this time around.  And the award goes to…*drumroll*…Cho Kyuhyun!  (Big surprise there, hmm?)  As of this week, I’ve downloaded all of Kyuhyun’s solo songs, and I just love them. ♥ His deliciously warm tenor just makes my heart go ahhhh.  Some people are worth melting for! ^_~

My favorite songs of his are Edge of Rain/Rain of Blades, and Hope Is a Dream That Doesn’t Sleep.  I’ve listened to both probably several hundred times in the past thirty days.

As Lent was approaching, I had been doing a lot of spiritual reading to help ease myself into the forty days of fast and abstinence.  I’m currently reading three books, which I highly recommend, and are my picks for this blog post: The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila, Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross, and The Nature, Dignity, and Mission of Woman by Fr. Karl Stehlin.

Here’s something a little different: a favorite scent for the month of February.  As you all know, I went on a bit of an adventure a few weeks ago to Klamath Falls, Crater Lake, and Bend.  One of the things I bought while shopping in downtown Bend was this Frosted Cupcake candle from Bath & Body Works.  This.  When I smelled it for the first time, I was honestly like “Ooh, Heaven is a place on earth!” (Belinda Carlisle reference) This candle smells exactly like a frosted cupcake, which, of course, is one of my favorite things ever.  There is no fake or chemically undertone at all.  It’s so lovely.  I’m definitely going to have to go back and get more of these.

My favorite product for the month is one that has been an absolute essential for me throughout the winter season.  It’s a simple one that I truly believe deserves this feature, and it is aloe vera gel.  No specific brand, just 100% pure aloe vera gel, with none of that green dye stuff.  I use this gel twice a day; once in the morning and once at night, to soothe my psoriasis.  This is particularly effective on my face and neck area.  I’ve also used aloe vera gel to treat any and all skin conditions.  If I get a bruise, scrape, bug bite, some random irritation, etc., I put the gel on it and it really does help.  Also, burns.  Just a week ago, I splashed boiling hot water on my chest (I don’t know, either).  I applied this right after, and within a few hours it was like it never happened.  It’s an all-natural miracle product!

I also have three favorites this month for the food/drink category, in this case, drink.  Firstly, bubble tea.  Just yum! ^o^ Secondly, Irish Cream steamers.  For those times when it’s too late in the day for coffee.  Finally, Pomegranate-Raspberry Green Tea from Stash.  This is absolutely delicious with a few teaspoons of honey.  I feel that it is a good transitional tea for winter to spring.

I’ll end this post with my favorite moment of February.  This, of course, being the moment that I first laid my eyes upon Crater Lake.

As I’ve said many times before, there are no words.

Artist Feature: Heidi Maly of Aspenglow Photography

It’s been forever since I’ve done an artist feature, and there has never been a more appropriate time to do one!

My dear friend Heidi Maly of Aspenglow Photography’s beautiful, vivid, larger-than-life photographs are a hundredfold more than worthy of a humble blog post by an average blogger like me.

Check her out on Society 6, where you can purchase prints, as well as neat products such iPad cases, laptop and iPad skins, pillows, tote bags, mugs--even shower curtains--featuring her gorgeous photographs.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/heidi_maly

http://society6.com/HeidiMaly

I've only included three of Heidi's landscapes here within my blog post, but she also captures objects and people with equally stunning color and surrealism.