sweet pea

If it is the Lord's will.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:02:00 +0000

Now LISTEN, you who say,

'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city,

spend a year there, carry on business and make money.'

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say,

'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'

{James 4:13-15}

Rewind.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 04:54:00 +0000

THIS POST is a perfect example of my most obvious flaw: enthusiasm without follow-through. Those who know me well are grinning and nodding their heads. I tend to squeal and clap my hands and bounce up and down when anything slightly amusing comes my way. Then, fickle old me gets bored and moves onto the next best thing. Although this is a silly little example, it's an illustration of how ADD our hearts can be, flittering from one stimulating attention-grabber to the next. We are constantly distracted by entertainment, materialism, and to-do lists, rarely pausing to fully invest our attention in any one thing. God is patiently teaching me how intentionality, commitment, and integrity can enrich friendships and my career...perhaps these lessons will overflowing into my blogging or lack thereof.

Stepping off my soapbox now. :) I mainly just wanted to pop in and say that I brought those few posts from the sweet pea diaries over to their real home where they rightly belong. However absurd this sounds, I missed this little place that has documented so many happy, sad, and awkward memories over the past few years. When time allows, I hope to share my Texas adventures with you and spread a little TLC around here...until then, rest assured that life is grand and beautiful and full of surprises. So thankful for all of you and your prayers!

From sweet pea diaries: morning motivation.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0000

You know those mornings when you wake up and magically feel energetic and excited? Me neither. Today was definitely not one of those days. So I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and set out to make it a good day whether or not I woke up on the right side of the bed. I crawled out of bed, started the coffee, lit a candle, and made a date with Rodney Yee the yoga guru.

Then I made some cherry orange creamsicle pops, sat down with my devotional, journaled for a bit, and then it was a good day.

From sweet pea diaries: ladies night.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:00:00 +0000

It’s funny to think that a short month ago, I anxiously doubted that God would provide me with friends here in Austin. I prayed desperately for just ONE, and in true form, He gives abundantly more than we ask for. Fast forward to now…I’m sipping a fancy margarita and eating half-priced appetizers with some girlfriends while waiting my turn for a professional chair massage. I would have never imagined I had these little shenanigans and beautiful friendships in store for me. Thankful for laughter and God’s goodness tonight.

From sweet pea diaries: quote.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:00:00 +0000

"The more you strive and search for happiness, the more you overlook the possibility that it is already HERE."

—Robert Holden

From sweet pea diaries: butternut squash.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:00:00 +0000

BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO

Recipe from RachaelRay.com. Enjoyed with white wine and business ventures tonight.

Ingredients:

4 cups chicken broth (32 ounces)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
2 cups arborio rice
1 cup dry white wine
One box frozen butternut squash puree (12 ounces), thawed
Nutmeg
Salt and pepper
1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
10 leaves fresh sage, slivered

Preparation:

In a large saucepan, bring the chicken broth and one cup water to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn the heat to low.

In a large skillet, heat the EVOO, about two turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. When the EVOO is rippling, add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about two minutes. Add the rice and toast for three minutes. Stir in the wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until mostly evaporated, 2-3 minutes.

Add two ladlefuls of the warm chicken broth to the rice and stir until the liquid evaporates. Repeat with the remaining broth, cooking the risotto until creamy, about 18 minutes. During the last three minutes of cooking, stir in the squash; season with nutmeg, salt and pepper. During the last minute of cooking, stir in the cheese and butter. Top with the sage.

From sweet pea diaries: quote.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:00:00 +0000

"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than YOU."

—Dr. Seuss

From sweet pea diaries: cubicle.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:00:00 +0000

This little tidbit of inspiration lives in my cubicle reminding me what matters for real.
Thought for the day: How do you define success?

From sweet pea diaries: ratatouille.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:00:00 +0000

RATATOUILLE STOUP

Recipe from RachaelRay.com. Prepared with love by my newest friend and vegetarian foodie.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 medium eggplant, peeled and diced
2 small zucchini, diced
Salt and pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 can diced tomatoes (28 ounces)
6 cups chicken stock
A handful of flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
A few leaves fresh basil, torn or shredded

Preparation:

Heat a deep pot over medium-high heat with three turns of the pan of EVOO, about three tablespoons. Add the onion, peppers, garlic, eggplant and zucchini. Season the vegetables with salt, pepper and thyme. Cook until softened, about 7-8 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and chicken stock, bring the soup to a boil, then turn it down to a simmer. Stir in parsley and basil, adjust salt and pepper and serve. ENJOY!

From sweet pea diaries: quote.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0000

"It seems that the more places I see and experience, the bigger I realize the world to be. The more of it I become aware of, the more I realize how relatively little I know of it. How many places I have still to go, how much more there is to learn? Maybe that is enlightenment enough. To know there is no final resting place of the mind, no moment of smug clarity. Perhaps wisdom, such as it is for me, means realizing how small I am and unwise and far I have yet to go."

—Anthony Bourdain

From sweet pea diaries: thoughts.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:00:00 +0000

As the sun set on July this weekend, it occurred to me that my post-grad life is flying faster than greased lightning. It’s been three months since I left Alabama, two months since my best friend got married at home in Tennessee, and one month since I started working in Texas. What. The. Heck. Just half a summer ago, I couldn’t picture what employed, independent, confident Amber would look like…and before you know it, here I am! Waking up at the crack of dawn, ingesting my weight in coffee, and creating pretty spreadsheets on the job has all become second nature, but I feel like just yesterday I was a tiny girl playing pretend businesswoman in my mommy’s pearls and daddy’s work shoes. So as precious days pass more quickly as years go by, I’m making a pinky promise to myself - to document this new chapter of my life with snapshots, journal entries, videos, verses, ticket stubs, recipes, and notes from friends. So here is my treasure chest of random thoughts and tokens of special moments, the sweet pea diaries.

Sweet pea diaries: my new home.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 07:13:00 +0000

Dear faithful readers who have commented, tweeted, and emailed me despite the fact that I took a ~~little~~ lengthy blog vacay...

THANK YOU. I appreciate your loyalty, your encouragement, and your overall sweetness. With much excitement, I am introducing my new and improved blog sweet pea diaries. Tumblr's format will hopefully be much more conducive to my random, stream of consciousness, bits and spurts type of thinking, and I would be absolutely thrilled if you would follow me to my new home. Once you hop on over, would you do me a favor and leave a comment there letting me know you stopped by? You may also choose to follow me on Tumblr or subscribe to my RSS feed there if you please, but a comment would be just swell. I look forward to hearing from those of you who stick with me throughout my exciting post-grad adventures!

WITH LOVE,
Amber

Week one.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:57:00 +0000

So this is it. I've spent my whole life preparing for this day. My first day of work in the real world starts NOW. For lack of time and mental energy, here's what last week looked like, instagram style. Follow me on Twitter for more consistent updates because blogging clearly hasn't made it to the top of the priority list lately. But for anyone who is wondering, I'm LOVING life is a Houstonian. More details soon! :)

Back on track.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:50:00 +0000

One thing that has remained true since I started this here little blog is that when my life gets most interesting, I get wrapped up in the joyful whirlwind and fail to share it with you. You'd think I'd use this space to make myself seem super exciting and amusing, but somehow I repeatedly manage to harp on all the lulls and uncertainties of my journey. BORING. So here's the deal: Over the next couple days I'm going to recap the past month and, in the process, prove to you that I am indeed cool and adventurous.

Orange Beach Girls Trip

Since the Tuscaloosa tornado so rudely barged in and cancelled our graduation ceremony, the seniors left without celebration or closure. But in persevering and positive spirit, the besties got together for one last shebang to eat, drink, and be merry. Welcome to Orange Beach, where the sun is hotter, the laughs are louder, and the Bushwhackers are stronger.

I will always hold this trip as one of the happiest and most memorable weekends of my life. Cheers to friends who are always game for a good time, who will make your abs sore from laughter, and who will stick by your side through thick and thin. DELTA LOVE.

Seagrove Family Vacation

Kayaking with the fasha was surprisingly painless. The yellow flag may turn away the weak, but not us two. With Dad as my fearless guide, we fought the waves and paddled out far enough to see miles up and down the beach. Something about sitting in silence in the middle of God's creation is so peaceful. I took a mental picture of that heavenly bonding moment with Dad, and I pray it will never leave me.

Meet my beautiful cousins, one Tri Delta sister, and one hopeful soon-to-be Delta pearl. Spending a week making memories and sharing stories with them was one of my favorite parts of this summer. They are encouraging, fun-loving, sweet girls, and I am so thankful for their hearts!

Say hello to my newest cousin, Anne Faulkner, who is officially the most precious baby in the world. She's blessed to be surrounded by so much unconditional love, affection, and Christ-centered teaching. My Dad's side of the family, 20 members strong, are tied together by a saint of a grandmother who sets an example for all of us youngins. I thank God for each of you (Bebe, Guy, Melynda, Keith, Katie, Anne Faulkner, Russ, Taylor, Elizabeth, Jared, Anne, Mark, Beth, Jack, Tucker, Mom, Dad, and Davis) every single day. Thank you for raising me to appreciate life's beauty and for giving me countless reasons to be joyful!

Megan and JD's wedding rundown up next...

A little stroll.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:54:00 +0000

Yesterday I went on a little backyard stroll in Dad's crocks to get my mind and spirit out of this funk. Remember how it felt in middle school when your best friends left after the most awesome sleepover ever? Well this recent grad is feeling kinda bluesy after a week of wedding festivities that ended this 4-year party with a bang. {Pictures and details coming soon.} I'm all moved out of school, the girls beach trip has come and gone, the family reunion has passed, and the wedding week bed and breakfast has closed. It truly is the end of an era {insert dramatic moment here}. But with every closed door is another opened, so here I am in limbo, reluctant but ready to start the next chapter of my life in Texas. Most of my sentiments are full of excitement, eagerness, and gratitude, but so many are still weighted with fear, dread, and nostalgia. And when I find myself going down that slippery slope of doubt, I just go outside. Simple yet so powerful. See what I mean?

{Leftovers from the Welcome Fiesta.}

{He thinks he's so posh in his argyle collar.}

Now how can you be down in the doldrums with so many intricate masterpieces right outside your window? God's mightiness and attention to detail is illustrated in the tiniest things. Just think, he's waiting to make a masterpiece out of each and every one of us if we are willing. I'm ready to take the back seat and hang on for one of the craziest adventures yet. Lessgo.

His eye is on the sparrow.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Fri, 27 May 2011 17:32:00 +0000

"Are not two sparrows sold for just a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth far more than many sparrows."

{Matthew 10:29-31}

Do you know what it would look like to TRULY believe this? How do we actually release the worry that binds us and exhausts us? We all live under the shelter of the wing of God, but it takes our conscious effort to completely live and move and have our being in His presence. Once we understand that worry is the termite of the soul, that it is a form of selfishness, and that it cannot fix anything...we are free to accept the peace that transcends all understanding. When we SEEK FIRST the kingdom of God and have confidence in God's ability to brilliantly reveal his plan to us, we can harness peace and joy while walking in FAITH.

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart feel lonely,
And long for heaven and home?
.....
When Jesus is my portion,
A constant friend is he.
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.
.....
I sing because I'm happy!
I sing because I'm free!
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.

{His Eye Is On The Sparrow Hymn}

Summer bucket list.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Tue, 17 May 2011 07:29:00 +0000

{Backyard blossoms. Germantown, TN. May 2011.}

Hello from la la land! Two weeks ago, I left Tuscaloosa without saying the goodbyes my heart was prepared to say and without hugging so many of the friends that I may not ever see again. Now that I've packed up my life in Tuscaloosa and plopped it here in Germantown for about a month, I'm chillin' in limbo for a spell before I start this new chapter of my life in Houston. While there may still be a stack of junk piled higher than Denny Chimes sitting in the den, I've been a busy bee tying up loose ends from college life and making preparations for my big move to the Lone Star State. Inspired by all of your thrilling summer bucket lists, I've begun to knock some sweet adventures off of mine:

~~Graduate in 4 years with a 4.0.~~ {I actually completed a New Year's Resolution!}
~~Land my dream job.~~ {I'm officially employed!}
~~Meet my sweet new roommate.~~ {Wow, God is so faithful.}
~~Find a ballin' crib.~~ {Did you know rent costs an arm and a leg? Sheesh.}
~~Take a cooking class with my mom.~~ {Recipes coming soon.}
Roadtrip to the beach with the besties and take too many pictures.
Spend quality time with my hilarious extended family.
Host a lingerie shower and fiesta party for Megan.
Watch Meg & JD tie the knot and party 'til the sun comes up.
Organize every closet, nook, and cranny I lay eyes on.
Celebrate my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary.
MOVE TO HOUSTON.
Decorate the living daylights out of my new apartment.
Find a church home.
Give the blog a makeover.
And above all, soak up every second with my mama, daddy, and brother before I fly from the nest for good. I'm going to miss this, and I'm going to want this back. You better bet your bottom dollar that I'm appreciating every fond memory, every laugh, and every embrace. I'll always remember home as a sweet and special place, and I'll gravitate back here more often than a 20-something professional probably should. Because there's just nothing like home sweet home.

All in 30 days and counting. I know full and well that this next month will be the most bittersweet season of my life to date. I'm so ready to make my grand entrance into the real world and come into my own, but all the while, I'm still clinging on to what is comfortable, hanging on to home. My prayers these days are full of petitions for God to give me the strength to LEAP. More on that tomorrow...

Homemade surprise ball.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 11 May 2011 01:26:00 +0000

This blog will be full of nostalgic, cheesy, reflective stuff for the next little while, so we might as well dive right into it head first! A few weeks ago, my pledge class gathered for a final celebration of our sisterhood as we together crossed the threshold from our college days to alumnae status. Clasping each other's hands tight, we stood in a symbolic circle choking back tears as we reminisced and sang Tri Delta songs that will inevitably remain in our hearts forever. We have been and will always be bound by a perpetual bond of friendship.

At the end of our ceremony {after stuffing my face with Delta petit fours and pimiento cheese finger sandwiches}, we were each surprised with the most special thing a graduating senior could ask for - homemade presents from our parents. Naturally, my mama, being the incredibly insightful and thoughtful woman she is, thought to ship me a handcrafted surprise ball. Together, my parents labored over how to make me feel loved through a little ball of joy. Nothing could have been more perfect than a bundle of TriDelta-color-coordinated crepe paper filled with sweet pea seeds, mama's DDD drop necklace, strips of my favorite Bible verses, symbolic trinkets, and silly stickers.

More big news and sentimentality to come...

Winner winner chicken dinner!

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Sat, 07 May 2011 05:20:00 +0000

The lucky winners of the Josh Abbott Band Giveaway are Tyler of Rants. Raves. Ridiculous. {Package 1} and Ashley Lauren of Texas Prep {Package 2}. CONGRATULATIONS! I'll email you shortly, and you'll have your JAB gear in no time.

Thank you sincerely to everyone who shared their summer bucket list! I enjoyed getting to know where you are from and what makes your heart flutter about summertime. Be on the lookout for my summer bucket list soon!

Happy weekend sweethearts! What are your plans?

I will praise You in this storm.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 04 May 2011 02:13:00 +0000

There was a double rainbow over Tuscaloosa today. A jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring, heart-breaking rainbow over miles and miles of mangled homes and businesses. Like WHOA.

Moments later, this gorgeous sunset framed our city's destruction. Is it a beacon of hope? An illustration of love? For whatever it's worth, I believe it is.

"You are sad and discouraged, tossed around in a storm. But I, the Lord, will rebuild your city."

{Isaiah 54:1}

Don't forget to enter the Josh Abbott Band Giveaway! There's ONE DAY left to comment and enter to win a Josh Abbott Band t-shirt, koozie, and CD. Best wishes sweethearts!

Prayer.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 04:51:00 +0000

Prayer is the only word I can muster through the shock and devastation here in Tuscaloosa. Pray for peace, courage, perseverance, hope, and direction. Pray for the eradication of apathy and complacency. Pray for ways that you can help.

For more storm and damage coverage look here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/30/us/30campus.html?_r=1&smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/29/severe.weather/index.html
http://cw.ua.edu/2011/04/29/storm-system-one-of-the-most-powerful-in-u-s-history/
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/04/alabama_tornadoes_close-up_sat.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ohIVzIZLuQ&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6giQ3csbUg&feature=player_embedded

For more information on ways you can help look here:
https://www.ua.edu/advancement/giving/donate/?division=2&account=349
http://helpalabama.com/
http://alabaster.myfoxal.com/news/weather/heres-how-help-donate-and-volunteer/79130

‎"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions were their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all."
{Acts 4:32-33}

GIVEAWAY: Josh Abbott Band.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:15:00 +0000

Hello little ladies! In celebration of over 100 followers on Google, over 250 followers on Facebook, and over 300 followers on Twitter, it's about time for a giveaway. Today, I have a special surprise for you - two gift packages from Mr. Josh Abbott himself! Most of the swag he gave me went to my Delta sisters {and I may have taken a JAB tank for myself as commission}, but I left the best goods for you.

Package A: Purple JAB tee (ladies small), She's Like Texas CD, and pink JAB koozie {a.ka. hugger depending on where you're from}:

Package B: Black She's Like Texas tee (ladies medium), She's Like Texas CD, and pink koozie:

Two packages means two lucky winners! Not only is this a once and a lifetime opportunity to get free JAB merch, but also this is your chance to tell me a little bit about yourself. I'd love to get to know all of my new readers!

So here's how this is gonna go down:

1. To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment saying who you are, where you're from, and what's on your summer bucket list!

2. You can earn extra entries by doing the following: tweeting about this giveaway, posting this giveaway on facebook, and/or blogging about this giveaway. Please tell me in a comment if you do any or all of these!

3. This giveaway ends Wednesday, May 4th and the winner will be announced by Friday, May 6th.

Looking forward to spreading the love of Texas country music. Good luck sweethearts!

Easter refleggtion.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 07:31:00 +0000

This Easter weekend, I spent about 24 hours at home - not nearly as many as I wish I had but just enough for my heart to feel refreshed. I pray that you look forward to going home and that it is a place of peace and unconditional love for you. If it's not, know that God mends families and that you always have a heavenly home that overflows with abundant joy and does not waver! God has healed my family, lifted us up from the depths, given us hope in desperate cries for help, and taught us how to love when we've made up our minds not to. He softens bitterness, controls our sharp tongues, and shows us how to forgive and be at peace with one another. He can do the same for your family too.

This Easter season, I am thankful that Christ demonstrated how to be a living sacrifice - to deny ourselves, our selfishness, our desires, and our greed and instead choose God's will and purpose for our lives. When we turn away from our temptations to be self-centered, it is then that we allow God into our lives to work unimaginable wonders and to surprise us with adventures!

Easier said than done, right? Here I am, a soon-to-be college graduate big girl, and I'm still reluctant to take that other foot off the shore and jump in the boat. I'm too scared to leap off the ledge. I'm too hesitant to put all my eggs in one basket. So here goes nothing, Orchestrator of All Things, I'm putting all of my eggs into Your basket, jumping in the boat and pushing off the dock, and taking one gigantic leap of faith into the unknown. I'm ready. Let's do this.

{This is me putting all of my Easter eggs in one basket. I'm literally and metaphorically serious.}

{Homemade vanilla ice cream. Recipe to come once perfected!}

{A tad soupy, but still eyes-roll-into-the-back-of-your-head delicious.}

{We channeled our inner five-year-old blowing bubbles we got from the Easter bunny!}

{A little surf and turf. My lands, does my mama know how to cook.}

{A cornball Easter pic taken by Mark, the official family photographer. Please pray for Davis's healing after he broke his nose in a car accident!}

{Gorgemous rose bushes.}

{Look familiar?}

{DDD represent. I'll be pansy status soon!}

{I'm not going to even pretend to know what this is. My mama would be so ashamed!}

Big week coming up on the blog! Can you say GIVEAWAY? It may or may not have something to do with Josh Abbott Band. Perhaps, maybe, possibly...okay completely. Get excited sweethearts!

Hosanna in the highest.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:38:00 +0000

With ZERO strength left to conquer this daunting week, I'm completely and utterly relying on the Big Man Upstairs for peace, endurance, and joy. And since it's Holy Week and all, I thought I'd give Jesus a shout out. So here's a power and praise playlist! {PS - Those drumsticks are straight from the hands of Les Lawless of Randy Rogers Band!}

1. Hosanna - Hillsong United
2. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Chris Tomlin
3. Lost At Sea - Jimmy Needham
4. How Great Thou Art - Carrie Underwood
5. In You - Shane & Shane
6. Here I Go Again - Casting Crowns
7. Prayer of St. Francis - Sarah McLachlan
8. Psalm 118 - Shane & Shane
9. If We Are The Body - Casting Crowns
10. Washed By The Water - Needtobreathe
11. Don't Get Comfortable - Brandon Heath
12. Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill
13. Gravity - Shawn McDonald
14. Your Love Is Extravagant - Casting Crowns
15. Before the Throne - Shane & Shane
16. Nothing Without You - Bebo Norman
17. Precious Lord, Take My Hand - Selah

Stop and smell the tulips.

noreply@blogger.com (Amber Ashleigh) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:33:00 +0000

Every Spring at UA, campus is always a bit cheerier when the tulips are planted. Crimson and white tulips have decked our monuments and corners for a couple weeks now, and I was waiting for the perfect afternoon to snap some photos. Well, turns out yours truly procrastinated just a moment too long because when I lugged my big camera over to the stadium, look what I found...a big empty flowerbed and a trailer full of dead tulips!

This Alabama heat fried those babies in no time, and now they are just a bunch of shriveled up stems. So disappointing!

I wish I had taken some time to enjoy the tulips before they were uprooted. Kind of like I wish I had taken more time to enjoy sweet friends before I get uprooted from college life. {That was a stretch!} These four years have FLOWN by, and not one part of me is ready to leave. I know God's plan rarely involves staying comfortable, and he has called me to move on to a surprising new adventure! But for this last month in Tuscaloosa, you bet I'm going to soak up the memories, the friendships, and the scenery. I'm going to miss this.

{The last survivor of Alabama's crazy weather.}

{The historic President's mansion. I die.}

{Tri Delta represent!}

{I basically live here.}

{Yep. This is my school. The most gorgeous place on earth.}

Any advice for a girl with one month left in college? AHHH.