So, lucky for me, this year I had two summers.
Could you hear the sarcasm in that sentence?
My first summer was about a month and a half long; my second, 13 days.
So let me tell you the tale of my 13 day-long summer.
On the first day of summer, Elizabeth went to Greenville
and
met six new friendly faces,
ate five slices of homemade pizza and
four donut holes,
stayed up three hours too late,
drank two cups of coffee
and watched a movie entitled "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken."
On the second day of summer, Elizabeth
went school shopping,
drank more coffee,
watched "Paper Towns,"
and went to a park to climb the swing set.
On the third day of summer,
I went to church with Lauren, where, of course, we had more coffee!
First, we went to her father's bible study and focused on homosexuality in the bible and how to apply what we know through the bible into our everyday social lives.
Next was the church service, where we learned some "Words from the Wise" on what and who we as Christians should not forget. The service began with songs of worship; I sat in the second row with Lauren and her family, and because I could feel each of them pouring their hearts out to God as they worshiped, I felt free to do the same. For once, I didn't care how long I stayed in the church building; I wasn't worried about getting home as soon as possible to go to the gym or study. I was completely focused on worship and had a blast being in the company of Lauren and both her biological and church family.
Time ran by, and before I knew it, it was time to load up Lucy and drive back on home. I didn't want to leave; I was leaving a wonderful friend who has helped me immensely over the past few weeks. Over the weekend, I was reminded that even in the midst of hardships, life can still be a blast. So thankful God threw the Wise family into my life, and in such a short time, I feel like family.
On the fourth day of summer,
in addition to my daily dose of the gym, I got out my mom's sewing machine and tried something new. A few months ago, I found two skirts which patterns I loved; although they were both 2X, I bought them, knowing I could alter them at a later time. That later time was day four of my 13 Days of Summer. I spent a good two to three hours wrestling with the skirt's fabric and the sewing machine, and, for a beginner, I think I did pretty good.
This won't be my last time with you, dang sewing machine!
On the fifth day of summer, I took a really long nap, and made a bunch of food for day six.
How does Greek Tzatziki Sauce with Garlic and Dill sound?
How about some Banana Bread?
Well, we had three almost-bad large bananas, so I decided to make some banana bread.
Vegetable Salad with
Greek Tzatziki Sauce with Garlic and Dill
Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients 1.5 cups Greek yogurt\\ 1/4 cup lemon juice\\ 2 garlic cloves\\ 1/2 cup fresh dill (dill seed or weed is fine)\\ 1-2 cups of chopped cucumber\\ salt & pepper to taste\\
Directions mix all sauce ingredients together and let sit overnight it refrigerator to let the flavors blend\\ mix in your choice of chopped vegetables; I used sweet peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes\\ you can add as much or as little veggies as you want, however, the sauce recipe does yield a high amount, so the more veggies you have in your pantry, the better; OR you can always cut the recipe in half for a smaller amount of veggies.
Banana Bread
with Coffee, Greek Yogurt and Chocolate Chips
Ingredients 1.5 cups whole wheat flour\\ 1.5 tsp baking soda\\ 2 eggs\\ 2 large bananas\\ 1/2 cup Greek yogurt\\ 1/4 cup honey\\ 1/4 cup brown sugar (you can add more or less; keep in mind that the bananas are sweet and give the bread much of its flavor)\\ 1/2 cup brewed coffee\\ salt to taste\\ optional add-ins: walnuts, chocolate chips, rasins
I added in semi-sweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chips along with cinnamon, and a smaller amount of sugar than the recipe called for.
Directions preheat 350F\\ mix ingredients together and pour into a well-greased loaf pan\\ bake for 30-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean\\
On the sixth day of summer, I was able to see lovely souls of whom I hadn't been able to see in a while.
My first stop was the Coffee Scene where I got to see my long time 'frienemy,' Bianca. We have known each other since we were {at least} four; from middle school enemies to high school best friends, our friendship has seen it all. I am thankful for the blessing of her friendship and the time I got to spend with her on my sixth day of summer, sitting on a couch and drinking coffee au lait {I may sound fancy, but I had to google what it was that I drank because I am not really that fancy}.
Next Stop: Leland with the Bride-To-Be and her awesome family; thank goodness I have the privilege of calling these wonderful people my family. I brought the veggie salad and the banana bread and they supplied enough food for an army. I was glad we were able to visit them, and sad when the time came to leave. I wish there were more hours in the day to spend time with the ones you love.
Last stop on the list was the beach to visit my grandparents whom I haven't been able to see for a few weeks now! This was the main excursion of the week; I enjoyed being able to relax and get my mind off of school and other stresses.
On the seventh day of summer, the beach was my best friend.
I began the day early, with a sunrise jog on the beach. Let me tell you, it is hard, agility-wise, to run on the beach without my sister pushing me to push her. During the spring, I always have her as my running partner; but this time, I was on my own. This particular morning, it was not hard for me at all to get up. I set multiple alarms, my first one beginning at 5:55, in order to be up and running by sunrise at 6:37. I didn't plan to wake up at 5:55, but the circumstances urged my levels of serotonin, histamine, and acetylcholine to spike high, and my chances for accidentally falling back to sleep were nonexistent. So I embraced wakefulness, and got ready to enjoy a morning jog on the beach.
The rest of the day consisted of food, funny pictures with my grandfather, listening to interesting stories from my grandparents' past, reading one of the books from my "13 Days of Summer" reading list, walking on the crowded beach with my family, swimming in the ocean and the pool with my grandfather, and ending the day with an enjoyable game of cards.
On the eighth day of summer, I didn't feel like running, so I spent time with God instead.
My alarm went off at 5:55 once again, however, I did not want to get up. My half asleep mind fought back and forth; should I get up to watch the sun-rise with God? Awh, but I really want to sleep and I am tired. But how many days are you able to read your bible on the beach while watching the sun-rise in perfect peace?
I got up and grabbed my stack of books and two towels and was out on the beach by 6:25.
Seven weeks ago, I would not have been able to get myself out of bed this early for such a reason as to read; but my motives have slowly been shifting, and I take no responsibility for that whatsoever.
I haven't reached halfway through yet, and I will need to go back and reread, but one book which was surprise-added to my "13 Days of Summer" reading list is Breaking Free by Beth Moore. She encourages the reader to memorize verses in order to apply them to life spontaneously; 100% focus should be devoted while reading this book. Beth makes so many good points and although she does not know the reader personally, she assures the reader she cares for him/her and is praying as they undergo this bible study.
So pretty much, it is time to start school again; I mean, school really starts when professors decide it is time to upload stuff onto blackboard, which is what happened.
So really, no more summer; no more three-hour-long naps; no more 'what am I going to do today?'; no more reading for personal enjoyment; no more getting-up-at-8AM days.
So sayonara, summer; now I am just going to rely on classical music and disney songs to get me through the next few days - well the next few months!
Before my summer came to an end on day nine, Alexandra and I went to The New Deli for lunch; I am going to let you look at the pictures above and guess who got what. It was great service, great food, and we got two free chocolate covered strawberries! It was a nice "date day."
I wasn't going to allow Alexandra take me on a date without me driving 'shotgun' in our new Opie!
B y e s u m m e r , H e l l o n e w u s ; h e l l o n e w m e .
* * *
But the pounding in my chest is, begging for protection
You think you're innocent, pure gold and heaven sent
But, my tears are instruments, they sound like consequences
Help me find a sharper knife
I need to cut you out my life
I take it all, I let it slide
But hey, you went too far this time
You think you're innocent, pure gold and heaven sent
But, my tears are instruments, they sound like consequences
Help me find a sharper knife
I need to cut you out my life
I take it all, I let it slide
But hey, you went too far this time
~Rachel Platten~