the ringing bell

Just arrived via mail and I like it:

Derek Webb, The Ringing Bell

central park

There were so many things I loved about New York.
The culture, the diversity, the excitement...there is this intense and free vibe in the city. Even amongst those who mainly keep to themselves on subways and streets possess incredible energy to simply keep up with the rest of the world...all located in NYC.
I loved it. Just loved it.
Having never been in NY before there were not too many things that I had to do. Honestly, I really felt along for the ride. Rob had an entire list (not laminated, if you ever saw The Darjeeling Limited) of things to do and sure to do since he had been to NY and didn't do these things the first time. He would spout off an idea and mention something about it not being a trip to New York without.....and I was like, "Cool".
We kept busy. That's just how we roll. Our one "late" morning ended at 9am and evenings lasted into late nights. We walked alot. In fact, I took a run through Central Park just to relieve myself from all the walking...if that even makes sense. It was glorious...the run, that is. I would live in NY just for the runs through Central Park.
Anyway, blah, blah, NY, pretty leaves...blah...
There were a few things I really did want to do while in NY. This post is one of those...just to be in Central Park. Everyone should experience the park...I'm partial to being there in the fall because that's the only time I have been and it was awesome.

poll, favorite Christmas beverage

Opinion Polls & Market Research

pete

Happy Birthday, Pete!

john

Happy Birthday, John!

new york pictures

Some of my favorites from New York...

I'll break them down and add some thoughts throughout the week. Click on this mosaic to see it huge.

before & while away

Before I get to New York I can't help but think of things that took place prior to or while we were away in New York.

• November 10th - At a lady's church craft day I decided I really want to be crafty. I am not sure how this will happen just yet.
• November 10th-12th - Juliet & Dustin visited us in Hollywood and we painted the town red...or something like that.
• November 18th - My parents celebrated their twenty-ninth wedding anniversary.
• November 18th - The Holmes' celebrated their second.
  November 21st - Dustin celebrated his birthday.
• November 23rd - Grandma Marilyn had her birthday.

Somewhere in between all of that - Paris Je T'Aime was released on DVD, I learned this book exists, we became bigger Bob Dylan fans, I got a flu/cold, we decided to axe cable, I became addicted to soy lattes and Rob, green tea. I signed up for this and Rob began reading Steven Colbert's book, seen above.

home from new york

....We're home from New York.

Where to begin with trip details?

It was a fabulous week...

I'll be posting pictures soon. Probably alot.

new york

And we're off....

Happy Thanksgiving!

Look for us at the parade....

popeye on vinyl

Listening to on vinyl:

Popeye

This isn't a joke. I wish it was. I also wish I wasn't beginning to know the words to these songs. I'm beginning to enjoy it...

poll, Thanksgiving food

Opinion Polls & Market Research

dave

Happy Birthday, Dave!

hollywood church community group

The Hollywood Church meets on Sunday mornings as a congregation and throughout the week as community groups. Groups begin at about 6 diverse people big....then split at about 12 to start a new group. This way our groups remain large enough to engage in intimate interaction, such as prayer, bible study and Sunday morning message application.....but small enough where you remember people's names, favorites and birthdays.

Last Thursday night we did just that for Jesse and Alex, both celebrating birthdays. Our group went out for dinner here, and then back home for dessert and gifts...and for laughs watching YouTube on the Wii.

Normally we study the Bible and fellowship. Promise.

From left to right in two rows:

Suelynn, Chris, Jay, Rob, Alex

Brandon, me, Jesse, Alex

alex

Happy Birthday, Alex!

hollywood then and now

Rob's picture book that is fun to look at:

Hollywood Then and Now

two years ago

What did you do two years ago today?
We were in Disneyland with my family.
Happy Friday/Veteran's Weekend!

jesse

Happy Birthday, Jesse!

hollywood church halloween costume winner

Here he is, in all his glory....Will Levis, the Hollywood Church's Halloween costume winner.

If you know Will, this is funny.
If you don't know Will, you may just think he's a guy at the Hollywood Church. You would be right to think so; however, don't use this picture to recognize him in person. He's in costume here, folks.
Anyway, his costume was pretty great...I'm glad I got pictures.

pierced by the word

Reading throughout the month:

Pierced by the Word, John Piper

celestial seasonings tea factory

While in Colorado last month I visited the Celestial Seasonings Tea factory.
I didn't know it was in Colorado, but it is and I was there.
I enjoyed the whole experience. While waiting for a free tour of the factory, including a video of how the company was formed and a personal walk through of the assembly lines and tea storage rooms, I sipped on freshly brewed tea samples and admired tea bag art...which is taken very seriously...and is really cool...like this tea bag dress, seen above (behind glass, mind you).
I have a new appreciation for Celestial Seasonings. If in Boulder, Colorado, check it out. Your whole visit can be made in about an hour....it's free and it's really funny to take a tour with a random group of people made to wear hairnets...and beard nets, if necessary.

bob dylan

Listening to all weekend:

Bob Dylan, Dylan

english muffin pizza

Has it been ages since I have posted a recipe?

These days I'm glad to follow a recipe and if I can find time to think of something new....cool.

We have kept busy and are totally thankful for salvation, people, books, music, film, other things, each other and free time to play. When we do have a little time at home and get hungry, I usually make some weird international soup or panini. Sometimes Rob is down with these things but he usually just wants peanut butter toast, a grilled cheese....or lately, an english muffin pizza. I feel as if I am jipping him....but he likes it and if you're choosy while grocery shopping, you can make it into a nutritious meal, or snack.

English Muffin Pizza

I don't feel I can take credit for this recipe because people have been making these for billions of years...not that I believe in billions...but you get it.

English Muffin (pictured here is a whole wheat muffin....be choosy when selecting whole wheat. Brown doesn't always mean whole wheat. Check ingredients to be safe)

Marinara Sauce

Finely grated cheese of choice

Herbs, such as basil and oregano

Slice English muffin (rather, pull apart), layer with sauce, cheese and herbs. Cook in a preheated, 400 degree oven until it looks right....you know, when the cheese has melted)

There ya go.

Get creative with different sauces and toppings. Have fun with it.

confession

Quick confession. I "designed" this last year.
It's fake (as if I fooled you). I don't really publish a magazine called "Olive Tree" (and it needs to be italicized...why?). In fact, I hope I never have a magazine called "Olive Tree".
I see it and think, "Hmm....I'm too embarrassed to post this". Who does this kind of silly act? Why?
Oh well.
I'm glad I got that out of the way.

hollywood garage sale

Some of the garage sale signs I have seen nearby home are pretty clever. I liked this one....and the other colorful and eclectic versions I saw throughout the city last Saturday.

poll, do you sing in the shower?

Opinion Polls & Market Research

charlie brown & lucy

Do we look the part?
Here we are at the Hollywood Church Halloween Party.
I think this is the first time we have ever dressed up for Halloween, together. It was alot of fun, I'll post more pictures, soon....including the evening's winning costume.