Philippians 3:8-13

Despite the fact that the Amplified version feels like one really long run-on sentence, I was able to get over it last night and just cried as I read Paul's letter:

"I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), and that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith. [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in the same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share in His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] that if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]."

To know Him. That's what I want.

Zing!

You guys.

I make my own salad dressing, and I thought today that maybe you'd like to try it. Here's a picture of what I'm eating for lunch, with the dressing on top, even though it's kind of hard to see. I'm just trying to get you to believe that it's to die for. If you like a little zing, that is.

All you do is add a few tablespoons of olive oil, a few grinds of sea salt, the juice of 1/4 an organic lemon (I'm serious on the organic part, there is such a difference in taste), and a few squirts of dijon mustard. All to taste. Whisk it together with a little mini whisk! That will work for 1 or 2 large portions of salad.

YUMMMMMM!

And another thing, just on a personal note. I say adding goat cheese to anything makes it better.

Bye!

Fun Neighbor Update

Last night I came home from a walk to a pretty note taped to my door, addressed to "Anne". I don't go by Anne, but that is part of my name, so I claimed the note as my own.

I opened it, and it was from our neighbor Lucy. It was meant for me! (She's the one who responded to my May Day flowers with a homemade pineapple upside down cake.) She must have forgotten my name, which I'm totally fine with. I was having a conversation with a friend the other day (someone who shares part of the name Ann[e] with me) and she reminded me that Anne means grace. Grace is something I need so much lately. So I like that she called me Anne...with an e.

Anyway, it's the recipe!! How thoughtful of her. She wrote it all out for me. And I'm pumped to make it!! I made a peach crisp this weekend, and a pineapple upside down cake seems like the next natural step towards becoming a culinary expert. Riiiiight.

I added the recipe if you'd like to try it too. It's delicious. You won't regret it, and neither will your husband. 

Connie is going to join up with us and have a little dinner with Lucy sometime soon. If she shares more of her recipes with me, I'll be happy to pass them along.

Love you all!

Adventure is definitely not missing.

 -Rose(anne)

Follow

Some of you've asked me what song I walked down the aisle to...well, there's a free download on Noisetrade!

Follow
by: Andrea Marie Carr

You have my heart for always
You are my friend
And I will follow you 'til the end

"My life is about telling stories..."

It's Wes Anderson in an American Express commerical! I'm a fan!

I'll never forget the first time I saw Royal Tenebaums. I was confused by the story line some of the time, but aware of the details the entire time. It wasn't neat & tidy in my head, but I appreciated the lack of predictability. I like his imagination. It reminds me that I have one too.

"Then you mix it all together and that's more or less it."

Here are 10 commercials he's directed.

Friends, who are family.

FOURTH OF JULY!

Christy, we missed you!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Steve!!!

Lincoln Park walk!!!

Dogs everywhere!!!

Blonde friends surrounding me!!

Firework show from my deck!!

It turned out to be a pretty fantastic day, even without the hubs.

Happy Birthday, USA!

Last year on this day, Jeff and I braved the mayhem of Gasworks Park. It was our first date, and it turned out to be one of those days we'd never forget. It was hot and we rode the 'ol Bimmer to Seattle with the sun roof open (with a little detour to Maltby). I was crushin' big time. So was he.

We started our day on the lake, and kayaked with some friends. I swear those life vests were meant for two year olds. (And if I ever actually need a life vest while kayaking, something has gone terribly wrong.)

Later, walking through Wallingford, we passed all the houses where families were sitting on their front porches drinking with neighbors, barbequeing, with flags flown, sidewalk chalk and cheer. There's something about the 4th of July that brings people together. It made me want to have a house on a main road, where I could drag all of our furniture out in the front yard, and roast brats for anyone hungry.

At Gasworks, this was when I first knew I could be silent with Jeff. What I mean is, as friends and now as a couple, I can't ever remember us running out of things to talk about. If we weren't talking about things we had in common, or sharing life stories, he was telling me something I never knew before. And I always have prayed for a husband who can teach me things. I wanted him to know more than me, and Jeff does. I'm constantly shocked by how this man retains historical and new information. On every subject. Not only that, but he knows how to do anything. He understands how things work, how things are made, why things are done a certain way...I mean, sheesh. Ask the man a question, and he'll keep you entertained for hours. Because on top of all that great information he stores away, there's always a good story. So. I say all that to say, we are never lacking for words. But in this moment, laying out on my blanket I brought back from Mexico, I felt a quiet peace. And there were moments where we were just quiet. Taking it all in. Letting the day make its mark on us. And it did.

The funniest part of the night has to do with the picture just above. After the fireworks show, it took us all a long time to make our way back to our cars. We're talking thousands and thousands of people, in the dark.

We just got to our car when Jeff says, "Isn't that Phoenix Jones?! Me & the guys were just talking about him!" And I have no idea who he's talking about. Apparently, there's a real live superhero gang that work out of a comic book shop here in Seattle. Their ring leader is Phoenix Jones. They help protect the streets of Seattle. No joke. I hadn't heard this before, but I only needed to hear it once. I wanted to meet a superhero!! In a second, we were out of the Bimmer, running down the street after him, weaving in and out of a the crowds and I was yelling "Superhero!!! Superheroooooooooo!!!" He heard us. He stopped. I met him. I even got a picture. It's so dark out, so I'm sorry if you can't make it out that well. (I have no idea who the other guy is on my right.)

What a hilarious way to end the perfect day.

Jeff is in Toronto today. They celebrated by cutting a red, white and blue cake while singing The Star Spangled Banner. At least that's something. I'll be spending the day with some wonderful friends in West Seattle, then fireworks at my apartment. God bless America!