A Pillow Project

I have been trying to find new pillows for the couch for months now.  I wanted something green with a bold geometric print, but everything I found was either more than I am willing to spend ($30 per pillow, tops), or just didn't have the feel I wanted.  I even took home several different pillows from stores nearby and then returned them.  Nothing worked. 

But then I found this fabric shower curtain at Target.  It was exactly the color and pattern I was going for, but I don't really sew, and I definitely don't have a sewing machine even if I knew what I was doing.  Nevertheless, I took it home with me, hoping to magically transform it into pillow covers.

So, I did a little googling, and found this tutorial.  I love the internet, I don't know what people did without it! 

I didn't measure anything, I just cut the shower curtain in half and hoped that it would be the right dimensions.  It wasn't quite thick enough, so when I folded the sides over in the first step, it didn't quite cover the whole pillow.  But that didn't really matter since all that material on the sides and the knot easily covered over it.

About 30 minutes later, I ended up with this!

And it only cost me $20 (I already owned the pillows), which is way cheaper than buying two new throw pillows.  I'll have to admit, it did feel really weird cutting a brand-new shower curtain in half, but it worked!

The only thing I don't like about them is that they are a little bit "slouchy" and imperfect, and if you handle them roughly, the fabric could come off since they are just loosely knotted together.  But hey, if I wanted perfect, I'd spend $60 a pillow and buy the ones I wanted off the internet.  These add a whole new look to my living room, and I think they're pretty cute.

Thanks internet!

Day 4: Fiction

Fiction.  I love getting lost in a good story, and if it is compelling enough, I'll read for hours at a time.  However, I had a hard time compiling this list because a lot of my favorites are children's books, and I am covering those in tomorrow's list.  For some reason, I have a hard time with adult fiction.  It does not usually draw me in and keep me reading the way that young adult fiction does.  I'm not sure what that says about me!  And sadly, most of the adult books that are compelling are ruined by racy scenes that I have to skip over, or lots of cursing, both of which knock my enjoyment level way down.  Because of this, most of my favorites can be found in the Young Adult section at the library.  They might have some kissing and some gag-worthy dialogue, but other than that they are usually clean.  Also, most dystopian books are young adult, and I love anything dystopian.  It is just so interesting to think about what a future earth might be like.  So anyway, here is my list.

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins.  This is one of my all-time favorite series.  Once you start reading them, be prepared to do nothing else until you are finished. 

The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  I love historical fiction that is well done, and this is very well done.  The movie was good as well, and stuck fairly well to the book.  It's hard to believe that there was such prejudice in this country only 60 years ago.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.  This book is a fictional retelling of the book of Hosea, and it will speak to you.  God's unconditional love for us is so amazing.  In the Bible, Hosea was told by God to marry a prostitute, so Redeeming Love has some adult content by necessity, but Rivers does a good job of it. 

Enclave by Ann Aguirre.  I really enjoyed this dystopian novel about an underground society.

The Face by Angela Hunt.  This book is a page turner about a girl who was born an orphan and deformed and grew up in a secure CIA facility. 

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.  Ok, I know this series has lots of controversy in the Christian world.  However, I have read the critiques and prayed about it, and my conscience is clear.  Rowling created a magical world with good fighting against evil.  My negative critique of this series (and this goes for a lot of youth books as well) is that they are marketed to young children, and I would not suggest reading it until highschool. 

The Redemption of Sarah Cain by Beverly Lewis.  I am not usually a huge fan of Christian fiction.  I've read a lot of it, and it always seems to be the same bad writing and weak plots.  However, Beverly Lewis is one of the better writers.  Plus, she writes about the Amish, and I have always been fascinated by them.  This is one of my favorites of hers.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman.  Another dystopian novel for young adults, this books focuses on a future America where unwanted or difficult children can be "unwound," a procedure that takes all their body parts and organs (including the brain) and transplants them into others, supposedly allowing them to live on in other people's bodies.  It's a little graphic, so again, not for kids.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer.  This is Stephenie Meyer's only adult novel, and I have to say it was much better written than the Twilight series.  And there are no vampires. 

Kiss by Ted Dekker.  Dekker writes in the Christian psychological thriller genre.  Shauna wakes up in a hospital bed missing 6 months of her memory, and everyone is blaming her for a car accident that injured her and killed her brother.  But something isn't right.  You might read this book in one day, it is a page turner!

Clearly I need to diversify my fiction choices, any suggestions?

Day 3: Non-fiction

Today's category is non-fiction.  I am a total sucker for a good story, so I don't usually read a lot of non-fiction (other than memoirs).  But there are a few categories that I am interested in that I tend to read about, and those are usually Christian Living, Food/Nutrition, and Social Justice.   Just a side note: why is it that non-fiction books tend to have long subtitles? 

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream by David Platt.  Aside from the Bible, this book and the accompanying sermon series online is hands down the most influential book I have ever read.  James and I "did" this book in a small group about a year ago, and I felt like my eyes were opened to a whole new aspect of the Christian faith that I had never before even considered.  I am not trying to be cutesy when I say that I fell in love with Jesus all over again; it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about all the wonderful truths I learned about my Savior, and all the wonderful passages of the Bible that I had previously overlooked.  Also, this book was very, very convicting and I am still trying to figure out what changes need to happen in my life as a result.  My knowledge of and interest in social justice/human trafficking was all because I read this book.  I know it is a bit controversial among Christians because it is so radical, but it is hard to argue with scripture.  Seriously, I cannot recommend it enough.

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel.  This book is great for apologetics!  If you ever think "does this whole Christian thing really make sense, or is it just a bunch of stories?" then this is a good book to read.  It gives good tools for sharing your faith to others in a way that non-Christians might listen to.

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan.  This is another book similar to Radical, but a little less hard hitting.  Francis Chan is a very good speaker/author, and I liked the way he talks about God and the Christian faith.

So Long, Insecurity: You've Been a Bad Friend to Us by Beth Moore.  Are you a woman?  Have you ever struggled with insecurity?  Then you need to read this book.  Beth Moore is friendly, hilarious, and she loves Jesus with all her heart.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey.  I need to re-read this book, it has been a long time.  But prayer has always proved difficult for me and I've had a lot of questions about it.  This has a lot of insight into the spiritual discipline.

Everyday Justice: The Global Impact of our Daily Choices by Julie Clawson.  I enjoyed this book because it is practical and down to earth.  Don't bother trying to save the whole world, you'll just get frustrated and overwhelmed because it can't be done.  Just focus on your part - what small things can you do that will make a difference to others around the world. 

Zealous Love: A Practical Guide to Social Justice by Mike and Danae Yankoski.  This is a good introduction into social justice because it lays out the major issues (human trafficking, unclean water, refugees, hunger, education, environment, HIV/AIDS, and inequality) in colorful, easy to read chapters.  It is scripture based and has questions at the end of each chapter to discuss with a small group.  It also provides a lot of information about organizations that are already in place in each of the categories.

Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade and How We Can Fight It by David Batstone.  This book was my first introduction to the modern day slave trade; before this book I didn't even know it existed!  It is very informative, and puts names and stories to the statistics.  However, due to the sensitive nature of slavery, it has graphic and adult content, so read with care.

What to Eat by Marion Nestle.  I am using this book as my nutrition Bible.  Nestle provides "an aisle-by-aisle guide to savvy food choices and good eating."  She gives you the science behind food choices, information about the advertising campaigns that have changed American nutrition, and she comes at it from an unbiased attitude.  Also, the book is broken up into chapters so you can easily look something up.  I love this book.

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan.  This is similar to the book above, only not quite as large and informative.  Still a very good read for those interested in the slow food movement and nutrition.

Well, those are my top choices.  How about yours?  I am always up for new suggestions in any category.



Day 2: Memoirs

Today is day 2 in my 10 Books a Day for a Week challenge.  Day 2 is memoir day!  I have a weakness for memoirs; I like to read about people's lives from their perspective.  It's also why I like to read blogs so much.  I especially like memoirs of faith, so you'll see a bunch of those on this list.  So lets get started.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.  I think this is my all-time favorite.  The holocaust was terrifying and devastating, and Corrie's faith in the midst of it is inspiring.  But the best thing is that she was just a regular girl who God used in big ways.

Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall.  This story is about a homeless man and a wealthy art dealer in Ft. Worth and how their lives intersect and change.  I very much enjoyed this one.

Growing Up Yanomamo by Michael Dawson.  The Dawsons were missionaries to the Yanomamo tribe in the Amazon rainforest in South America.  This tribe had never had any outside influences until the Dawsons arrived.  Michael was a child when his family moved there and so he grew up as part of the tribe.  His stories are great!

God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew.  Brother Andrew tells his story of growing up in the Netherlands, converting to Christianity, and eventually smuggling Bibles behind the iron curtain during the cold war.  Once again, God uses a regular guy to do great things.  I love his stories of stepping out in faith for God to provide.

Kisses from Katie by Katie J. Davis.  Katie is a girl, about my age, who at 18 years old left her safe and comfortable American life and family, and moved to a very poor village in Uganda to help with the orphan crisis.  She started off giving food and medical care, and over time adopted 13 little girls.  Katie's faith is amazing and inspiring.

End of the Spear by Steve Saint.  In 1956, five missionaries (including Jim Elliot and Nate Saint) set out to evangelize the Huaorani tribe in Ecuador.    All five were speared to death while trying to make contact with the tribe.  However, Nate's son Steve eventually went back to the tribe and now most have accepted Christ. 

The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria von Trapp.  I love the Sound of Music, so of course I love this real story of their lives written by Maria herself.  It's full of anecdotes and stories about their lives in America after they leave Austria, and it is hilarious.

Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan.  Conor sets off on a year-long trip around the world, but starts with a 3-month service project in an orphanage in Nepal so as not to seem completely self indulgent by his family and friends.  While there, he discovers that many of the children are not actually orphans but were victims of child trafficking, and he decides to help them reunite with their families, despite the danger of doing so.  Conor does not appear to be a Christian but he has a heart for these kids, and his stories are both funny and exciting, and keep you reading.

Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman.  If you've been in the Christian music world at all, you know who Steven Curtis Chapman is.  What you might not know is that his youngest daughter was killed in a tragic car accident at only 5 years old.  This is his wife's story of that awful day and God's hand in giving her hope and healing.

Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life Line by Abby Johnson.  Abby was the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas, who quit her job and joined the Coalition for Life after participating in an actual abortion procedure for the first time.  This book shows Planned Parenthood from the inside and is a good read for anyone who cares about the abortion debate.

Have you read any good memoirs lately?  I'd love to add some new ideas to my list!

10 Books A Day for a Week - Day 1: Classics

I'm a book nerd.  So when I saw this fun series on another blog, I thought I'd copy it.  So this week I am going to try to post 10 books a day that I love.  It might not be every day, and it might be a few more or less than 10, but the point is that this week I am focusing on books.  Here are my categories:

Day 1: Classics

Day 2: Memoir

Day 3: Non-fiction

Day 4: Fiction

Day 5: Books from my Childhood

So for  today, I'm talking about my favorite classics!  I just love classics.  This is evident by the fact that I majored in English in college.  In fact, this list was the one that I had the hardest time narrowing down, so lets get started.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.  Of course.  What girl doesn't like this book?  I find it fascinating to get a glimpse into life during Regency England.  And having no sisters of my own, I enjoy all the interactions between the sisters.  I also find it quite amazing every time I read it that I can start off hating Darcy and end up loving him.  How does Austen do it?

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.  I have to admit that the movie with Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson is a big reason why I love this one. 

The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  I've always been a sucker for a good mystery and a good short story, and this has both.  And Sherlock Holmes with his eccentricities and good old Watson are the perfect characters to solve them.  The Adventure of the Red-Headed League and The Adventure of the Speckled Band are two of my favorite. 

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.  This novel is intriguing and creepy all at once. 

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.  This has adventure and romance and a historical setting, what more could you want?  The only downfall is that it is so large.  I've only read the abridged version and it was still huge.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.  I've always been intrigued by this book.  I find the Puritan setting fascinating.  It is one of those stories that stays with you.

Dracula by Bram Stoker.  I don't know why I like this book since Gothic Horror really isn't my genre of preference.  But this is the ultimate vampire story - no vegetarian sparkly fellows in this one.  I just read on wikipedia that Stoker did not invent the vampire, but his interpretation became the standard.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  I think I like this book mostly as a peek into the roaring 20s.  I'm noticing a theme here...I like books with strong historical settings.  Anyway, this book's plot is like a car wreck waiting to happen, you just can't look away.

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare.  I have to admit, and this will make me sound like a bad English major, that I am not a huge fan of Shakespeare.  But I like this one.  It is funny and magical and it has fairies.

The Lady of Shalott by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.  I'm usually not a big fan of poetry, but this one will always be favorably burned in my memory because of my good friend Anne of Green Gables.  Literature that quotes other literature...it's the best.

Honorable Mention - To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.   It's been a while since I've read this one, but I remember liking it. 

This list is seriously making me want to drop my current books and go back to reread the classics!  Perhaps I will take a break from my library books soon and do just that. 

What about you?  What are your favorite classics?  Anyone else want to do this book challenge with me? 



Today was what I would call the perfect Friday.  James didn't have to work today, so we started off by sleeping in.  Then we went to catch a matinee showing of The Amazing Spiderman.  I enjoyed it. 

Around 4, we got a call from our realtor saying that the seller of the townhome agreed to come down on the price 10K to match the appraisal.  We had been a little worried that either we would have to pay that 10K in cash (which we didn't think was smart), or they would have to take it off the market because the appraisal came in less than what they actually paid for it.  But fortunately they agreed, so it looks like this house is really going to work out, and we're going to get it for cheaper than we originally offered!  I am super excited!

For dinner, I made marinated flank steak, rice, and corn on the cob.  It was pretty good, and it is one of James' favorite foods.  It will be better when I can grill it, but it wasn't too bad for a first try.

And lastly, we went to the free River Concert Series at the campus of St. Mary's College of Maryland.  They do it every Friday night in the summer, and it's about 10 minutes away from our apartment.  We brought folding chairs and camped out on the grass and listened to the Chesapeake Orchestra and a jazz singer.  The night ended with the 1812 Overture and some John Phillips Sousa with a big fireworks display. 

Except for the fact that it was about 100 degrees out today, it was perfect!

My July 4th celebration (and my thoughts on the holiday)

I have always loved the Fourth of July.  The food, the family, the fireworks, the fun.  It has always been one of my favorite holidays.  Growing up, our neighborhood had a "parade" and everybody who wanted to participate dressed up their bikes with red, white, and blue streamers and followed behind the fire trucks through the neighborhood to the local park, throwing candy to the people watching from their driveways.  Then the fire department served lemonade and Blue Bell ice cream afterwards.  Later that evening we would get together with extended family and eat lots of burgers and watermelon and flag cake, and then go outside to shoot off fireworks.  I always liked to shoot the Roman Candles at the street lights because the burst of the firework would trick the light into shutting off for a few seconds.  (Incidentally, Roman Candles, Bottle Rockets, and all fireworks that actually shoot up into the air are against the law here in Maryland...lame!)

This year we gathered with friends and ate lots of food and James set off some fireworks.  We had a great time.  But this year I've also been thinking more about what the Fourth of July actually means.  And I've been a bit uneasy with it. 

Independence from Britain.  The birth of a new nation.  It sounds good.  But as with anything, this came at a price - the Revolutionary War.  Brother fighting against brother.  Killing. 

I'm no historian, so I won't pretend that I understand all the reasons behind the Revolutionary War.  But I know that with any war, human selfishness and greed play a part, and people die because of it.  And I believe that this grieves God.  Jesus said do not repay evil with evil, and turn the other cheek.  Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself.  No matter how "good" the intentions, war violates this.

I think patriotism is good...up to a point.  It's fine to take pride in your country.  There are many things to be proud of.  But we as Christians have to view the world as best we can from a Godly perspective.  Not from a national perspective.  America, just like every other country, has done some pretty awful things in the name of justice, in the name of exploration, in the name of the pursuit of happiness, even in the name of God.  These things I am not proud of.  These things I ask God to forgive.

But there are still many things to be proud of.  So this Fourth of July, I am choosing to celebrate the good stuff.  I am celebrating our freedom.  Freedom to believe in God without harassment, freedom to speak of my faith without repercussion.  Freedom to vote for whomever I wish, freedom to speak my mind, freedom to own property and travel wherever I want to.  We have many blessings in this country that I am so very thankful for. 

America, America, God shed His grace on thee...