Back to Real Life

I sat down to do a little scrapbooking tonight since we have so many vacation pictures!  Unfortunately, though there was no shortage of inspiration, there was a shortage of one thing:  scrapbooking tape... or any kind of tape for that matter.
So, I figured I would provide you some highlights from our trip.  The whole vacation was very relaxing and low-key.  I came back feeling refreshed, and almost out of touch with the real world!

Here is the view in port 61, as we are preparing to anchors away... or whatever the nautical term is!

 I love the look of all the boats in port... like little duckies all in a row!

 This was the ONLY day of the trip it was warm enough to step on deck without jackets.

 Enjoying our little bit of sunshine.

Our men!

From Seattle we headed to Juneau.  Apart from the cold, I absolutely loved Juneau.  I loved the laid back atmosphere.  And people there love their animals.  There were dogs everywhere.  People apparently carry them into stores, coffee shops, markets...

 The views were breathtaking... The pictures do not do them justice.

 Juneau reminded me of a storybook town full of fishermen and sledding dogs... Maybe that's stereotypical, but I can't help it!

From here we headed to Sitka, which reminded me of the movie The Proposal.

 I just kinda got a kick out of this... reminded me of Freud.

Us girls braved Sitka by ourselves while the boys went out for some Alaska golfing, which I assume is similar to Tennessee golfing, but a little colder.  A LOT colder.  We were pretty proud of ourselves for exploring on our own!

I don't care if I never see another totem pole again in my life.

 Next we floated over to Ketchican, where we saw MORE totem poles...

And a Saxman village with its own Salvation Army! 

 We must have saved the best for last, because I instantly fell in love with Victoria, British Columbia.

 The weather was gorgeous, as was the scenery. 

 We went to a little street market where artisans who lived in Victoria were selling their craft.  The whole atmosphere was beautiful, carefree, and something I have never experienced anywhere else.

There, of course, was a lot that went on between our four ports of call as well.  Actually, some of my favorite times on the vacation were spent on the ship doing not much of anything.  And there are more GREAT photos of those down-times too.... So... Stay tuned!

My King

I saw this video in a church service several years ago.  It was incredibly powerful then, and even now when I watch it I get chill bumps.

Bon Voyage

I will not be posting any next week, as we leave tomorrow for our Alaskan Adventure!  And it's a long story, so I will leave the details out for now, but Andrew arrived home unexpectedly tonight and will be sailing the high seas with us!  (: 

I will return to real life, and to blogging, with a full report on July 11th! 

Until then, have a great week, and a happy Independence Day!

Source: highestheels.tumblr.com via Melysa on Pinterest

Follow Instructions

I don't really feel like I have much to say tonight... It was kind of a long day (good, but long), and I am just ready to disconnect and disengage for the evening!

So, here is something to chomp on: 

Source: stylesncream.blogspot.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

I love lists, and there are some really good things on this one to take to heart!

(I found the original list here.) 

GOODness Gracious

Well, true to my word, I spent a small portion of my weekend putting to use that box of cake mix I mentioned in my last post.

And let me tell you... the result was GOOD.

I decided to go with my gut and make the cake batter truffles, although the choice was a tough one.  But once I taste tested the completed creation, I knew I had chosen well!  How did I know? Because my gut was SO FULL of cake batter truffles by the time I finished making them that I felt slightly miserable.  (:

True to their name, the cake batter truffles tasted much more like cake batter (versus actual cake) than cake balls.   The texture was similar to that of uncooked cookie dough (divine!).  I LOVED the taste of these, and also the ease; they do not require any baking.  The entire process took much less time than cake balls take.  From start to finish, I was done in under half an hour, whereas the process of making cake balls literally takes hours (at least for me).

 The truffles fell short in one category only, and that is the "presentation" category.  Cake balls are much prettier!  But maybe on my second go around with the truffles I can work on perfecting the technique a bit; that might improve their aesthetic appeal. 

 Next time I make these, I will probably leave out the salt that the original recipe calls for. As far as the method is concerned, I will let the dough chill for several minutes before attempting to form it into balls.  And after I form the balls, I will let those chill for a good hour before dipping them into the chocolate.  The original method calls for chilling them only fifteen minutes, but they seemed difficult to work with when I did it that way.  I think waiting until they are a bit colder and firmer will make the whole dipping process a lot easier!

I had to give these away immediately.  I knew that keeping them around too long would be dangerous...

Hey, Batter, Batter

Our OFFER group was supposed to go to a Nashville Sounds game tonight.  Inclement weather thwarted that plan, so I took that as a sign that I needed to attend yoga class with my sister.  So, somewhere around mid-class or so, my mind starting drifting, and I eventually found myself pondering what I should do with the box of Funfetti cake mix that has been sitting in our cupboard at home.

Here are some very promising options:


Cake batter blondies.  These look KILLER.  Thank you, Gracie, for sharing the recipe!  I can't wait to try it!

Although the blondies look like they are probably hard to beat, this Funfetti pound cake recipe looks like is has potential too.  Thank you, Alex!

And who doesn't love a good pancake on a lazy Saturday morning?  These cake batter pancakes, from Jessica, at How Sweet It Is, take "good pancakes" to a whole new level! 

Although the above three recipes all look incredible, this last one takes the cake.  I am so excited to try out these cake batter truffles!

Hmm.... my sweet tooth seems to be flaring up all of a sudden...

Encouragement

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken... Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Trust in Him at all times, pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge."  - Psalm 62: 1,2,5-8

I think it is interesting that David repeats himself verbatim in the psalm.  He says the same thing over, and then over again... almost as if he is convincing himself of it, reminding himself of it, and claiming it as truth.  Some days are just like that.  I have to continually remind myself that no matter how down or defeated I feel, my soul rests in God alone, who brings salvation, who is my rock. 

"When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way..."- Psalm 142:3