Mrs. Rogers Neighborhood

I do not know how to explain the amazingness of  Food Gawker .  You should stop reading this post, and immediately click on the link.  There are hundreds of recipes from tons of different places and the pictures will cause your mouth to water.   Another wonderful thing is it will give you a huge list of food blogs to follow (if you are into that kind of thing) and supply an unending stream of places to look for foodie advice and love...  Let me know what you try!  

I am delving into a new book titled, The Best of A.W. Tozer, and over the next few weeks you should expect excerpts from it.   He chooses his words so carefully, eloquently, and with so much purpose.   Everyone should read Tozer.  When he explains his perspective on the Christian life in a broken world, I cannot help but begin to decipher how I am doing.   Would people know I am a Christian by spending time with me?   What else should I be axamining? At the end of the first few chapters, Tozer includes prayers that I intend to attempt to make my heart song.   The cry of my heart goes in lots of directions, but I want it to go to him first and foremost.   I invite you to pray these with me.   Read them, write them, and make them your own heart’s desire! O God, I have tasted Thy Goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more.  I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace.  I am ashamed of my lack of desire.  O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I

Ok, normally I resist trends simply for the sake of them being a trend, and this is no exception.  I do not like patterns and prints because they are popular, I like them because they are fantastic.  I hope you enjoy these pictures and bring more patterns into your life. I'm not sure if this is popular, but I personally love the idea!  I would much rather wallpaper behind some shelves then an entire wall.  I like that it limits the overwhelmingness some wallpaper can bring, while allowing the bright color and pattern to be present in the room all the same.  While I would choose to do shelves in this bold way, others may choose to only use one pattern.   Everyone seems to have a cute apron these days, and most stores sell them.  While I rarely catch a friend wearing her patterned kitchen frock, I love the idea of doing so!  I solemnly swear to make an effort to wear mine more!  You should get one of your own and wear it too. There is a special place in my heart for home deco

As I fall deeper in love with Bill Rogers, I realize how many wonderful qualities that he possesses.  He is patient and kind, he is never jealous or rude, he is not proud and never brags.  He is thoughtful and faithful and ultimately wonderful.  His presence relaxes me and gives me peace in this world.  He loves me selflessly and never fails to try to be exactly what I need.  He is one of the most well rounded, caring people I know.  I always thought you only read about those people in books and see them in movies, but I never really believed they existed - until I met Bill. His sincerity is refreshing.  He gives 110% everyday, and never stops going strong - Even when people do not pay him the same respect.  He loves to cook and be with friends and wants everyone to be having a wonderful time, feel included, and to provide community.   He also wants to be the one to clean up so everyone can continue to relax, and never compains.  Every moment I spend with him brings a smile

In my general spirit of honesty, I wanted to let you all know I will not be taking part in this photography project anymore; and that is why you will see it disspear as a tab from the top of the page.  I wanted to make sure these pictures were not gone forever, so here is what used to be under the tab called "Point and Click Tuesdays."  It has been fun, but I feel like I am the only one posting even some what consistently, so I will use the time I would have spent on this on something else... like posting about  my life, food, design, love and things I am learning.  Every Tuesday I will be posting a photography project that started with just a few girls trying to stay connected.  We have a schedule of themes and will be posting every week and I am so excited for them all.  It is such a wonderful way to stay in touch with each other while challenging ourselves artistically.  If you want to be involved, leave a comment here or  Email Me and I will forward you the schedule!

Make sure to check out my Food I Ate Friday Post and stop by Bruxie to try a waffle sandwich for yourself!

Every time I visit Long Beach I am pleasantly surprised by the unique touches that have been spread throughout the metropolis to brighten up street corners and alley ways.  Murals, mosaic planters, and many other items spread a smile on my face; but it is the bike racks that I cannot get over!  They are everywhere and it is a feast for the eyes.  What I love most, is that these bike racks appear near something that matches their theme.  The four pictures above are perfect examples: The slice of pizza was in front of a pizza place, the cupcake was in front of a cupcake shop, the coffee cup sits near a coffee shop, and the book appears in front of a book store (These are all found in Belmont Shores). It seems self explanatory, but it is little details that set something apart. It is true of any experience; it sticks out more in your mind if someone or something goes above and beyond.  The city of Long Beach went above and beyond with these bike racks.  They could have been like every

I am not sure if it is lame in our society, but I have an Amazon Wish List.  It is full of books and movies and music and art and things that would inspire me if I had the funds to get to them.  Can something inspire you just in concept?  People tell me about wonderful books all the time and I feel like I do not have the time to read them or the funds to get them.  This cycle of hearing and lack of action on my part actually gets frustrating pretty quickly.  I feel guilty for not making time, but then when I make time to read books I can hang out with people less and I feel frustration from them that I would say I'm busy because I want to read my book - that sounds like a brush off if I've ever heard one... So that leaves me at a lose lose, and I hate that. Pictured above are 4 books on my Amazon Wish List.  I listened to Gary Shteyngart on NPR speak on his book and became enraptured in his perspectives and ideals.  I have read quite a few reviews on Let the Great World Spin

Check out the Point and Click Tuesdays Section of It's A Beautiful Day Blog Every Tuesday!

I do not want to describe everywhere I shop as a spiritual experience or a Zen like atmosphere… but it is my natural inclination to do so.   Shopping, to some, is a stressful experience.   I aim to choose stores that I feel no worry or pressure.   Cost Plus – World market does just that.   It relaxes me, without boring me.   The constantly changing collections stay seasonally relevant while having a specific stylistic edge, that would make anyone want to be there for hours.   The art, furniture, jewelry, curtains, food, wine, and décor all fits a home that wants to use bright colors, but stay warm and classy. I think what I love about Cost Plus - World Market is that if you have spent time abroad previous to shopping there, it reaches out and hugs you.   It has knick knacks and treats that are either from where you lived or reminders of where you lived.   It makes me smile and remember times I spent wandering the streets of Venice or sitting in a coffee shop in Florence.   I know oth

Have a Wondeful Weekend! And Don't forget to Check Out My Food I Ate Friday Post. Also, if you are reading my blog make sure to let me know.  Become a follower!

If you say the words "Market" I will pretty much be interested no matter what.  I love being outdoors, sampling food, purusing unique items, getting some sunshine, and walking away with a keepsake that becomes my own.  It is one of my favorite ways to spend a weekend day. Below I  have done my best to compile lists of Farmer's Markets and Antique markets that happen once a month or once a week in my neck of the woods... Don't miss out on this goodness!  Farmers Markets in Orange County There is no excuse to not go to a farmer's market!  There is one every day of the week (except Monday).  Let me know which ones you check out and what to recommend others. Tuesday Irvine Historic Park at the Irvine Ranch 13042 Old Myford Road, Irvine 9 AM – 1 PM (rain or shine) Wednesday Tustin Corner of El Camino Real and 3rd Street 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (rain or shine) Thursday Costa Mesa Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (rain or shine) M

I have been asking people this week what food makes them think of summer, and I love that I am getting completely different answers from everyone... Summertime food is the best!  I will be highlighting the themes of Barbequing, Fruit, and Refreshing Drinks - while finding a fun twist to put on them, and giving you something new to try this sunshiny season.  None of these recipes are my own, so make sure you check out the websites I stole them from :)  I hope we all find ourselves thinking about and preparing our favorite summer foods in the coming months.  I know I will be enjoying all kinds of yummy goodness (and you will be hearing all about it!) What food makes you think of summer? Let me know! Barbeque I could not resist this Chicken Parmesan Burger  recipe for two reasons. 1. I love the idea of customizing burgers to add ingredients you would normally add on top . 2. I have never worked with ground chicken befo re and love a new ite m to try and experiment with. I'm sur

There are many people in my life you have heard nothing about – my family, Bill, and a few friends are the only ones mentioned here.  I promised a few weeks back to highlight some close friends and since then have only highlighted the beautiful Ashley Wells .  Let’s consider this highlight #2! Mikaela Holford is one of the best friends I have ever had.  She is a literally whirlwind of motivation and energy.  She is so supportive, loving, encouraging,   and wonderful.  For those of you who do not know, Mikaela is my roommate and this is the second time we have lived together.  I had never met her when I first moved to California, but I was placed with her at random through Vanguard, and I know that it was one of God’s many plans for our lives.  While she did not think she wanted a new roommate upon my arrival, what she did not realize was how much we needed each other.  Over the course of the last few years, she has changed my life singlehandedly.  Her family is like family to

I have recently discovered why I love old movies.     It is the weight of the kiss.   You feel the connection so much and the girl swoons and the guy pursues and they fall hard.   The kiss simply seals the deal.   One kiss changes everything in an old movie.   The man sits and stares out a window day dreaming of the woman he kissed the night before.   He can’t think of anything else.   He even sings about it!   He thinks she is the most beautiful thing in the whole world.   She sings to her friends of the man she met who takes her breath away.   Sigh… I want this for all of my friends!   While singing and dancing movies may not be everyone’s cup of tea, everyone loves genuine attraction and that first kiss to be magical.   We all want someone to love us so much they cannot help but sing and dance (figuratively of course) and tell everyone about it – We want them to feel like they cannot sit still, like they are bursting and like they are the luckiest person in the world.   There is

These are my sisters.  No words can being to encapsulate how much these two mean to me.   I cannot believe how much I love them.  It takes my breath away seeing them succeed and grow and change and be who God has called them to be.  I hate to group them together, because they are extremely unique.  However, what I want to highlight is the bond that only my sisters have with me.  My sisters know me best.  They know what makes me happy, they know what buttons to push to make me mad, they know my past better than anyone.  They have been there for it all.  They can tell stories of childhood through now.  Turning into adults is never easy, as we all revert back to our dynamics as children.  For example, If I was the bully when I was 5 (which I was not), I would continue to fill that role, because I have literally never known any other role to fill in a family dynamic.  We all fall into roles we hate falling into, yet we find ourselves playing the same part every time the family get