kellycain.com

Best book of 2009:

Donald Miller,

Year after year you make my best-of list. In 2007-2008 I’m pretty sure I’ve read all of your books. This year with the release of  “A Million Miles” and I made a promise to myself not to buy it, until I was done reading the book I was currently wafting through. Months passed, I finished the other book (with motivation of what was to come). Picked up your book and finished it in a week, could have been less time if sleep wasn’t necessary to human existence. Thank you for writing books that are captivating and life -changing.

Sincerely,

me.

So, what was it that captivated me?

Maybe it’s the candid way he lets you into his own life and heart. There aren’t too many of us that would be approached by movie producers and realize that our lives had resulted in nothingness, most of us would be too proud to see past that. His humility led him onward to do greater things than he was doing. He’s leveraged his influence as a writer to help build wells in africa, mentor the fatherless, and challenge the average reader.

I’m average. I don’t do anything spectacular on day in and day out. No one – isn’t dying because of me. I guess that’s enough to make a girl think about where she is and where she’d like to be. And if I’m not using the gifts that God gave me what does that mean?

Donald Miller captures “going through the motions” as a crime to our lives, devestating in the long run, but he does it without making you feel bad, it’s as if we’re in this together, and why not start today?

I loved the book, I’d recomend it to anyone – infact my copy is out right now on loan, but I’d love to give out a few more copies before the year ends.

I’m still going with the “best of 2009′s” but I’m a few days behind. So here is my attempt to catch up!

Best restuarant moment; Would have to be any time I go to Osteria Chicetti, I mean, this place is incredible. The atmosphere, the food is sensational, and the price isn’t so bad either! The italian salad is to die for, the Parma pizza is a delicious combination of flavors, and my friends and I swoon over their white bean dip.

Best Article: Pretty much, I’ve searched and I’ve looked and I guess the conclusion is that I didn’t keep track of articles very well. I did love this article. An article about “how to be happy in business” the venn diagram shows off where I am and where I’d like to be – I like the article for delivering practical perspective. [Dear Kelly in 2010, please keep track of articles better.]

And here we are, at the close of another amazing year. I found this post about each day having a new “best of” feel. I liked this idea -as opposed to my normal year, in review, and spaced out over 31 posts might be way more fun.

So here is the best trip of 2009, Punta Cana – hands down to the ground. It was amazing – the culture, the swimming pool in the middle of the ocean, yes, Dominican Republic was an awesome place to honeymoon.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Jeremy and I are heading to Greenville to spend time with his family. As I think on the past year – I’m so amazed, and so thankful and all that God has done and where He has brought me.

I’m so thankful for my sweet husband, our warm & cozy home, my family, friends, church, and all that God has given us.

Ingredients:
1 medium Onion chopped
1 clove Garlic, mined
1/2 cup Butter
1/2 cup All purpose flour
1 teaspoon Salt
2 cups Chicken broth
1 1/2 cups Milk
4 cups 16 oz. Mozzarella cheese shredded; divided
1 cup Parmesan cheese; grated, divided
1 teaspoon Dried basil
1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
1/2 teaspoon White pepper
2 cups Ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon Fresh parsley; minced
9 Lasagna noodles; 8 ounces cooked and drained
2 package 10 oz each; frozen spinach thawed and well drained
2 cups Cubed cooked chicken

Instructions:
In a saucepan, saute the onion and garlic in butter until tender. Stir in the flour and salt; cook until bubbly. Gradually stir in the broth and milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute.Stir in 2 cups mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano and pepper; set aside. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, parsley and remaining mozzarella; set aside. Spread one quarter of the cheese sauce into a greased 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish; cover with one third of the noodles. Top with half of ricotta mixture, half of spinach and half of chicken.Cover with one quarter of cheese sauce and one third of noodles. Repeat layers of ricotta mixture, spinach, chicken and one quarter cheese sauce. Cover with remaining noodles and cheese sauce. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese over all. Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered; for 35-40 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes.

I have challenged myself, in my entirety to declutter. That’s right, a good ol’ fashioned, spring cleaning – in the fall (of course). So I’m getting rid of, cleaning out, reorganizing, and repurposing. The magnitude of clutter that collects disgusts me, drawers filled with unnecessary papers, things I haven’t worn in years, magazine stacks, and even my inbox, desktop, and files that I just don’t need. So, it’s all getting tossed or given away to good will.

After all, “If you have two coats, one of them belongs to the poor” and by golly I think I have 5 or 6, and winter just isn’t winter in Wilmington, NC – these need to be given away.

I’m unsubscribing to emails that I delete upon entrance to my mail box. I’m cleaning up my RSS reader, and it all just feels so delightful.

So, you, too, join in. Take some before and after shots, and show me what you’ve got! (I’m working on my best before and after).

It’s no secret that Jer’s eyes close at 9:30pm on the dot every night (that we’re at home). Please limit experimentation of this fact.

Tonight, just a few minutes ago, he sat up and said, “I thought I was sitting on the TV composite.”

Oh the joys of a techy husband. His brain is jumbled with tech phrase-ology, that he in fact dreams in it.

I love you sleeping jer, and awake jer. all the time, really.

I’m in want of these nice typographic burlap pillows from Pottery Barn.

notice I specified want. not need, but close.

I have come to the realization that my blog is too serious – like, how I talk, isn’t how I type and I think that bothers me on some level. Here’s to lightening things up!

I remember back when I played the trumpet and bugle as often as I use my mac now, I used to call concerts “gigs” – and now, I don’t play at concerts (unfortunately, but I should be able to – by request only), now, however I am starting to dabble in design – gigs. I love the learning process, although the curve is steep, and just got my brand new copy of “Illustrator CS4 -Classroom in a Book.” My favorite part, by far, is the inspiration element, once it’s found within the project, the sky is the limit! I’m excited to continue learning.

I’ve recently had the privilege of designing a few business cards, postcards, flyers, and even websites.  Soon, I’d like to be able to display my work in a better way than on my desktop in png’s, so…I’m exploring options. I love what Cliver has done with his graphic art works and also, Sarah Gallardo -both very talented designers I admire.