Flower Progression

I don't know how much this idea has been put across, but I really REALLY appreciate plants and see a lot of beauty in them. Like, a lot. They make my heart sing. I wanted to share with you the progression of the flowers we planted last spring - from the beginning until now! 

Here we go.

Now, just a note, also. This is the pot that I planted with all the extra seeds. Life note? Don't put all the extra seeds in one pot. It gets to be a bit crazy.

Baby sprout! Do you see it? It's in the top left
of the plant (this was day two).

More sprouts! They're going towards the sun (day three).

They just kept coming up! This was day five. I love how
they go towards the sunlight. 

I took a break from picture taking for
about four days (weekend and then Mondays...).
Can you believe it? I cannot believe how quickly flowers grow!

Last week of school - Mr. Plant and I came home. I
know he looks peaceful, but he definitely spilled all over
 when I turned the corner. That wasn't the best time ever.

Mid-summer. There's a lot of plants here. I actually had to separate
Mr. Plant into two pots, mainly because there was FAR TOO MANY
 flowers in one pot. I wanted to give room for the roots to
take in all the nutrients they needed.

Today. The joyful day! The flowers have bloomed!
I have accomplished the Lord's work of cultivating
 land and bringing beauty. Thank you, Jesus, for making
flowers.

Zinnia Victory

This past spring at school, we planted flowers to talk about general plant jazz, how plants grow, and photosynthesis. We started from seed. Seed. I didn't put together how long that could take to grow a flower.

VICTORY. 

Be still, my heart.

I have officially had two zinnias bloom. Well, I had a different flower bloom, but it slowly died after that., so it doesn't count. I officially have two flowers. They're a beautiful deep pink and weirdly-more-orange-than-salmon colored. And they're lovely.

I feel a small sense of victory in my heart because I grew something.

I helped keep life going.

I planted and cultivated something that brings oxygen into the air and takes in carbon dioxide.

I planted something that brings beauty.

My heart is full.

I can't wait for more flowers to bloom.

Peace.

How Thrifty

Today, Yingjie and I went to the thrift stores around town. We found lots of dresses and earrings! It was a blast. 

At the current moment in time, I wish we had taken a picture together to commemorate the time together. I guess it's all memories now. Haha. LOL. All the funnies. 

Here's my new dress I got today. Isn't it lovely?
Featured in the back: my messy apartment.

But, we went to Salvation Army and Rockstar and Rogers. It was a beautiful time. I'm a big fan of thrifting because it uses things that have already been in use and also can help out local businesses. Local businesses are cool because they help out the town. Town is cool because it gives people places to live and work. People are cool because they're made in God's image. God is cool because all the reasons.

Also. Another great part of thrifting? Most everything has already been washed, so you don't have to worry about clothing shrinking after you get them! You can simply put them on and know how they're going to fit right away. 

Anyways, things are usually less expensive when you get them second-hand, but they work just as well. PLUS. Another benefit of shopping second-hand is this: usually, there's only one of the clothing article that you want in the store. Therefore, you're much more unique because of your one-of-a-kind clothing. 

Go thrifting. Save some money. Support local business. Make memories.

Peace.

Oh, also, I went hammocking today. That's not a real word, but it was real fun.

A French Press Box

Today, I decided to organize all my bathroom jazz. Well, not all. Just the hair jazz (which is half of it) and then the random things that accumulate in the bathroom. Like three pens. Or two rubber bands. Or two rings (I'm wearing those now).

Side note. My rings are quite lovely. One is a feather. When I got it, though, I thought it was a leaf. It took me about a week of wearing it to discover it was a feather. My other ring is a silver duplicate of the one ring of power. The one ring to rule them all. No idea what I'm talking about? Here. Watch this.

The Fellowship of the Ring is by far my favorite movie. That's another story. A beautiful, long, lovely story.

But, ANYWAYS.

Isn't it lovely? And useful!

When I was organizing, I realized my contacts were all over the place. Like, all over. No wonder I can't find them in the morning quickly - they're spread out all over! So, what did I do?

Well, I thought about buying something. But, then, I thought that I didn't want to spend money. Contemplation started and I wondered how I could organize...

I THOUGHT OF IT. Today, in the mail, I got a replacer beaker for my French press. Last week, I was cleaning the kitchen, knocked my French press on the ground, and broke the beaker. I awkwardly stared at the broken glass on the ground for a good minute and then decided I should probably pick it up. So, then I did. Of course, with sadness in my heart because then there was going to be a lack of coffee...

That's another story. I got the replacement today. I had a box. For my classroom, I made lots of organizational things out of cardboard and duct tape because I didn't want to buy anything. So, what did I do? 

Cut the box in half. Covered it in duct tape (and washi tape). Then, I put all my contacts in it! Wow. I am so excited. It fits perfectly in my restroom and makes it so I can find the contacts in the morning to see! 

Look at my using the Three R's - reduce (I'm reducing waste), reuse (I reused the box), and recycle (I recycled the rest of the box I didn't use). How environmental! How sustainable to the earth.

Peace.

PS - thanks for tracking with all the trains of thought.
PPS - go save the earth and some money. Make your own things.
PPPS - now I'm listening to the entire extended LOTR on YouTube. This is bomb.

Mint Happiness

Today, something happened that meant a lot to me.

That was cheesy. 

Anyways.

I went to the store today to mail a couple packages because I believe in mail and selling things on Amazon. When I send a package of something sold, I like to put a bag of tea and a note telling them how dearly loved they are. It always makes me happy. I hope it makes them happy. If not, oh well.

BUT. When mailing the packages, I asked the guy who was the mail guy (that's funny...) what the best part of his day was. I figured it's always good to make conversation with people and make them contemplate life. He told me probably counting out $65.00 dollars with a person to pay a bill. I grimaced, but he said it was actually fun. Then he told me about the Pokestop that was at Hy-Vee and someone put a lure there so people were coming in. I asked if he was playing and he said he was and played it when people weren't in need of help. That made me giggle and very proud of him.

Then, he discovered/remembered the best part of his day. He said he found some mints. Like a whole bag of mints - the family size. The look of glee on his face was fantastic. I then asked what kind of mints he had found. His response? The good kind - Lifesavers. I asked green or blue, he didn't know, so he went over, looked at the bag, reached in, grabbed me six, then brought them back over, telling me it was the green kind.

He gave me SIX mints. I offered him one, he declined, reexplaining that he had a WHOLE bag behind the counter. I laughed, thanked him for the mints, paid to mail the packages, and walked off to buy some tofu.

Anyways, this brought me so much joy. Give some mints to someone - it'll bring joy to their hearts. 

Tea

Happy honey ginger tea from my dear
friend, Cami. How good for your
tummy!

Tea. 
Tea is good for you and me.
Tea can make you feel free.
Won't you share some tea with me?

Tea is the bomb. Occasionally, during the summer, I stop drinking tea because it's super hot outside. I've started drinking it again (even though it's like 105 degrees outside [hello, Kansas]) and it makes my heart sing. There's all sorts of NATURAL benefits to tea. Here's some -->

1. Peppermint and matcha tea can help with waking up in the morning.
2. Fennel, peppermint, chamomile, and ginger tea are great for treating nausea.
3. Ginger and lemon tea are delightful helpers when you may need digestion help.
4. Green, peppermint, and nettle tea are great for helping with allergies. 

LIFE NOTE - eating locally made honey can also help with allergies (because the bee pollen is right from the environment and so it treats you naturally!). Oh! And you can add the honey to your tea.

A lovely cup of tea in a beautiful mug.
Thank you, Jacey, for the mug!

5. Green tea can help boost your metabolism.
6. Any sort of mint tea can help you get over all your random cravings (mint calms down your tummy).
7. Echinacea, elder flower, and white tea are great for helping with treating cold symptoms.
8. Mint and green tea help energize you (so you can take over the world!). 
9. Turmeric tea can help boost your immune system (and can help heal your gut!). 

Those are all the tea facts I have for this day. I'm gonna sit and drink my thai tea now. Here, learn about that tea here.

The Library

When I was little, I watched a lot of Arthur. Like, a lot. Like all the Arthur episodes. That being said, Arthur enforced an attitude of going to the library in my brain. Don't believe me? Watch this.

So, if having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card, what can you do? Go to the library! You know, in my town, you just need a form of ID and a formal letter (with your address on it) to get a library card. 

THEN. You know what happens then?!

Here we are at the latte art contest. 

You get ALL the books. 

ALL the movies.

ALL the audiobooks.

ALL the happiness.

At the library, there's not a limit to the amount of books you can get. I asked once. I think that was the time I got 70 picture books...

...I read them all, too.

And then! After you get all the books, you get to read them. Or, at least, try to read them. I'm not the best reader in the world, but I try and that's what counts. 

Anyways, the other day, my dear friend, Josie, got a movie (Fried Green Tomatoes [this movie is the bomb]) from the library to watch. My dear friends, Prathibha, Junye, and Yingjie, got together, we pulled snacky snacks out of the fridge and cabinets, and had a movie night. Well, first, we went to a latte art contest and that was really neat. Local events are the best (and they're free, so that's super fly). Anyways. IT. WAS. WONDERFUL. All of it. What simple fun to sustain relationships, the library, and the world! 

Look! A movie night - brought to you from Sidney from Josie
from the library from the joy of the heart.

Anyways, go to the library. Get a card. Read a book. Watch a film.

OH. My favorite book? 

Picture - You Are Special by Max Lucado
Children Chapter - Once Upon A Marigold by Jean Ferris
Young Adult - Sold by Patrica McCormick
Series - Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers

What's your favorite book? What about movie? 

Peace.

Oh, and shout out to Arrow Coffee for the Arte Del Latte Throwdown.

Slam Poetry

People use poetry to express themselves in ways that aren't usually said. I listen to slam poetry a lot. One of my favorite slam poetry places is Button Poetry. I find a TON of value in people expressing themselves - it sustains them as a person and the people that don't always have the ability to express themselves.

After listening to slam for bit (as you should after this), I encourage you to write your own. Take time, do it. I like to write poetry when listening to poetry, which is really messed up. 

Anyways, here's a couple of my favorite poems -->

Explaining My Depression to My Mother - Sabrina Benaim (about depression and anxiety)

Rigged Game - Dylan Garity (about the school educational system)

The Period Poem - Dominique Christina (this one has a bit of language - sorry about that. I think the words used show a lot of beauty about PERIODS)

The Drug Dealer's Daughter - Siaara Freeman (this one also has a bit of language. It's about the perspective from the drug dealer's daughter)

A Letter to My Unborn Daughter - Javon Johnson (written to his daughter. There's a LOT of language, but the message is REALLY good [I wouldn't suggest listening to if you may get easily offended? I'm not really sure...don't get mad at me because this is your warning...])

Last Conversation Between Malcolm X and His Daughter - Javon Johnson (personalizes Malcolm X with his daughter - this is beautiful)

There's plenty more beautiful poems. And I'll probably mention them later, but here's a start to a beautiful story that you can join in to.

If you listen to the poems, can you tell me what you think? If you find a beautiful poem, will you hit me up with it? 

Peace.

Ultimate?

Yesterday, I super injured myself. Like, a lot.

I was playing ultimate frisbee with some people in the dark with a glow-in-the-dark frisbee. I don't tend to take risks or anything of the sort, so looking back, I'm pretty impressed with myself (and I also remember why I don't do things like that).

Bottom left: Sunday, Middle: Tuesday, Top Right: Wednesday,
Bottom Right: Today. 

Anyways, I'm competitive, but not coordinated. Not always the best combination. Actually, quite often a terrible combination.

So, we'd been playing for like maybe 20 minutes and I ran into someone, fell to the ground, hit my knee really hard (POP - it reminded me of a hard bubble popping), and then couldn't walk. The game ended, and people were more than willing to help. I sat there for what seemed forever, baby tears coming down my face, and trying to keep it together. We prayed over my knee (God is so good), then my helpful friends helped me "walk" to the water cooler. Sat there, lovely people got ice, I attempted to life and failed miserably. 

I noticed, really, that I've got this huge issue where I want to be put together even when I can't do anything.

I started to write this on Sunday, the day after this happened, but I got distracted. Here's some more thoughts from Thursday...

The amount of healing that has happened in the past couple of days is nothing short of a miracle. I went to the doctor on Monday, had an x-ray done to make sure I didn't break any bones - I didn't. That left two possibilities: a torn meniscus or a badly BADLY sprained knee. With 90% of the times with a torn meniscus, no surgery is needed. The doctor told me straight up that she was about 50% confident that's where I was at. 

That wasn't super encouraging. 

Day two (Monday) - on Sunday, I made a huge pot of coffee,
only to discover I can't walk without crutches, therefore
I couldn't carry anything. Monday was a bit better.

But, I went home, rested, iced, compressed, and inclined my knee. More importantly than anything, I prayed and reached out for prayer. I don't even know how many people I told to pray. I'm a HUGE advocate for prayer. The Lord has given us a HUGE gift of being able to pray and He answers us - we need to use that. 

So, the days have been very slow. The first day, I couldn't do anything. Then progression happened VERY fast. Monday, I went to the doctor. I got an x-ray AND got to ride in a wheelchair. What new experiences! Tuesday, I walked. I was so excited I started jumping and that was a bad idea. Wednesday, I was pretty much mobile, though, if I walked too much, I became VERY slow. 

And, then, today. Today I've carried my coffee cup to the couch. I made breakfast and carried it to the couch. Note: the couch is where my nest is. I haven't used crutches yet. I'm almost healed, with just a TINY bit of healing left to do.

I've learned a lot from this injury. Here's my thoughts -->
- Prayer is essential. It sustains us and brings glory to God. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

On Wednesday, before Life Group, I was able to walk! What a
blessing that was. Yes, I hobbled, but I still walked!

- I have a lot of people who care for me. Like, a lot. There were five people who came back with me after the initial injury to help me. Everyone was more than willing to help me after ultimate dramatically ended (that's when I fell...). People came over and brought me food. My lovely friend went grocery shopping for me. My mom came and cleaned so I didn't fall on my face. Company came to warm my heart. The Lord is incredibly gracious to me.

- I'm stubborn and need to get over that. Asking for help doesn't make someone weak. It makes them human.

- Being able to walk is something to be SO thankful for. I watched The Office on Sunday night and was a bit bitter that the people walking didn't find more joy in it. That was a personal mistake of being bitter.

- Finally, joy. The Lord has given me SO much joy in this. I'm able to see His character and the goodness of His healing. God is a Healer - the Bible says so and now it has been proven.

Peace and love.

Sid

THE CABBAGE

I like this here cabbage a lot.

I just pulled the cabbage out of the oven. 

It's absolutely delightful! 

Cabbage is wonderful because it has a slight sweet taste, while still delightfully being wonderful for you.

Look and see! 

Praise God for cabbage. 

It's a wonderful food.

Avoiding Grocery Shopping?

I've been avoiding grocery shopping for quite a bit of time. I'm not really feeling like doing it (that means: I don't feel like spending money anymore). So, that being said, I have to use all the groceries I have. 

I looked in my fridge tonight. I had leftover tomatoes, as well as a cabbage. I also had couple other things, but those were what my eyes were drawn to. Also, to be honest, because the tomatoes and cabbage are the things that'll probably go bad first. They've been there for a bit of time (five, ten years - no big deal...).

ANYWAYS.

I really am not a fan of tomatoes raw. Like, not at all. I'm beginning to think it's a texture thing, mainly because I don't mind them AS MUCH when they're in small bits. Like diced. But, all that begin said, I wasn't going to eat them raw. Gross, yo.

Here's my instagram post of my tomatoes.
Don't I look fancy?

I saw a post of the book of faces tonight of someone frying yellow tomatoes. I thought that was really strange, but I thought maybe I could do that with red. So, I did.

First, to make a mixture. You see, to fry something, you need more than just oil. I can't eat flour or eggs, so there's no way I was going to batter them. So what to do? I'll make a good oil frying base lala I don't know what to call this. So, I put together olive oil, fresh garlic (four little baby dudes), lemon juice, and salt. Of course, olive oil.

Life note - olive oil, red palm oil, and coconut oil are some of the FEW oils that DON'T turn into a trans fat when they hit smoking point. Don't be silly - use ONLY those oils. Your body will thank you.

Anyways, took my tomatoes, cut them into slices. After the garlic was turned that light brown beautiful color, I added the tomatoes, one side down. They fried. And fried. And took a lot longer than I wanted.

At the same time, I cut up the cabbage into sliced (like long, thin slices), put some olive oil on a pan, but the cabbage on, put a bit more oil on, as well as some seasoning salt. It's still in the oven - making cabbage chips! Well, I think. Maybe it'll be roasted cabbage. 

When the tomatoes stopped cooking, I took them off and put them on a plate with paper towels. Please don't judge me for using paper towels. This soaked up the oil for the most part and made it a bit more healthy. 

Then, I put some fresh basil that I had grown (yes, I grew it like a COOL KID) and some feta cheese. Oh, my goodness. It's incredible!

I'm excited for the cabbage. I like these tomatoes. I'm content and happy and really joyful about how I was able to make a whole meal by the things I had around. Heck, I was just going to order pizza. 

So, use the things in your fridge. Be creative! Don't use a recipe. Just experiment and try - I bet you'll make something that you absolutely LOVE.