Love Feast

On Sunday I went with some girls (uh, ladies?) from church to a Moravian Love Feast at Wake Chapel on campus. From what I understand, the Moravians are an early Protestant church that started in what is now the Czech Republic. The founder rejected the Roman Catholic Church and wanted to return to "simpler practices of early Christianity: liturgy in the language of the people, having lay people receive communion in both kinds (bread and wine), and eliminating indulgences and the idea of purgatory." The Moravians are pretty big here in Winston-Salem so I have been interested to read and learn a little about them.

I kept calling the night a Love FEST, cause I thought it was funny, but was quickly corrected by some who were slightly less irreverent than me. Oops! Here is a little snippet from Wikipedia about love feasts:

A Lovefeast service is a service dedicated to Christian love, and is most famously practiced by, but not limited to, the Moravians. A Lovefeast seeks to strengthen the bonds and the spirit of harmony, goodwill, and congeniality, as well as to forgive past disputes and instead love one another.
The Lovefeast is based upon the Agape feast and the meals of the early churches described in the Bible in the Acts of the Apostles, which were partaken in unity and love. Traditionally for European, Canadian, and American Lovefeasts, a sweetened bun and coffee is served to the congregation in the pews by dieners (from the German for servers); before partaking, a simple table grace is said.
The Lovefeast also concentrates on the singing of hymns, and listening to music which may come from the organ or choir. The songs and hymns chosen usually describe love and harmony. Many churches also have trombone choirs or church bands play prior to a Lovefeast as a call to service.

All in all, the night was really neat. There was a brass band that played some prelude music, an organist, a handbell choir, and even interpretive dancers. The dancer was a little over the top for me at first... she was dramatically lighting the first candle while dressed in black with no shoes. But at the end they turned off all of the lights and each person had a candle to light. It looked awesome... and when more dancers joined in it didn't look quite as odd. It felt very Christmassy with all of the lights and music and was definitely interesting to see something that another faith does.

I realized after saying that I would go to the Love Feast that that meant I would miss out on the First Presidency Devotional. Don't worry though. Luckily, thanks to BYU TV online, I can watch it for Family Home Evening tonight. I just can't get enough of Christmas...

O Holy Night

So, I realize that I am getting a little Christmas crazy... but I come by it naturally (anyone who has been to my mother's house during the first week of December would already know that)

Anyway, I thought I would share a little Christmas experience with y'all. As I was driving in my car today, listening to my holiday cd that my brother gave me last year, O Holy Night came on. I have plenty of versions of this song but this particular rendition was by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I hate to admit this but usually I'm not the biggest fan of the MoTab. I can appreciate them as a very talented and inspired choir... but I often opt to listen to other artists in my collection. Today, however, this particular song really stuck a chord (if I may be so punny).

This version of the song starts out with just the women singing in a semi soft sort of way. Then the men join in with this almost booming, amazing sound. The song is so powerful. I love any song that you can really feel the emotion in and so this one definitely inspired me today.

Why the song hit me today when I've listened to it a million times before? I guess it reminded me of last December when Regan and I went with his parents and little brother for Family Home Evening to see BYU's Museum of Art exhibit, "Beholding Salvation: Images of Christ". One of the first paintings as you enter the exhibit was one that depicted the birth of Christ. At first glance I thought it was kind of odd looking but it quickly became my favorite (not necessarly because I thought the art was amazing but because the idea behind the art was something I hadn't really thought of). The picture was acutally a full-sized mural and was filled with paintings of people surrounding Mary and family. The tour guide told us that it was a depiction of spirit children witnessing the greatest miracle ever. I thought of myself being there and the feeling of hope that I would have had. The the lines, "A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn," brought this image back to me.

I don't think I can elloquently write the feeling that came over me but I was reminded of the true meaning of Christmas and why we have reason to celebrate in the first place. It is easy for me to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping and decorating. And even though I am usually trying to do nice for others during December, I wonder if I really remember the Savior as much as I should. Maybe I'll have to listen to this song more...

(this is one my favorite manger scenes.

I couldn't find the one I mentioned)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Well, I've definitely decked them halls, so to speak. On Sunday I finally got to put up our Christmas decor. I'm trying to soak up every moment of Christmas that I can this year.

I set up our tree and a few other things on Sunday night while Regan was studying. I blared my Christmas mix while I trimmed the tree and made a mental list of some of the things I'd like to do to make the season bright. Once Regan was done studying for the night I popped some popcorn (I had to just do it in a pan on the stove because we gave our whirly popper to our neighbors. We didn't think that we had room for it on the moving truck) and we watched a Christmas movie (and I folded a little laundry). I didn't tell Regan that our Christmas movie was Little Women until I had tricked him into leaving whatever sports he was watching and following me into where I was taking the popcorn. About 5 minutes into the show he reminded me that he hated chick flicks... but he was still a good sport and I thoroughly enjoyed the night.

I have to be careful to not celebrate too much yet because Regan is in the midst of prepping for his finals and I don't want him to get too trunky, yet. So I celebrate while he is studying and then I get serious when he gets home... haha, ok not so much but I'm trying.

Weekend Highlight: listening to Regan's "Arther Miller: On Civil Procedure" cd's during the drive back from Richmond. hahahaha, psych- that sucked. Luckily Regan was driving so I didn't have to worry about dosing off. Good thing too because after about 2 min I was dead to the world.

Here are three of my favorite decorations:

1. My tree. You might notice that the top third is not lighting up... the company was supposed to send a replacement piece LAST NOVEMBER and after calling multiple times this summer they finally sent it... to Regan's parents house. Oops. So hopefully we'll have a whole lit tree NEXT Christmas. Also pictured is our table runner made by Regan's grandma... I love to put it up. (Sorry for the fuzzy picture. It really doesn't do it justice)


2. Last Christmas Regan did the 12 Days of Christmas for me. (This was day 8 maybe? Which came right after day seven's gift: Regan opened the car door for me and said "Happy 7th Day of Christmas!" hahahaha.) You'll notice the chip on his nose... must have happened during the move. I'm trying to convince myself that frosty just got a mild case of frost bite. No biggie, right?
3. This is actually the first time that I have gotten to hang this... Chels made it like 4 or 5 years ago but I never took it with me to college. It has a bunch of Norman Rockwell paintings (who is actually my favorite artist) and then on the bottom of each picture is part of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Romans' Style" that Chelsea crafted. I love this and am so excited to finally be able to hang it.

Thanksgiving, my bday, etc...

Despite not having my delicious homemade rolls Thanksgiving turned out to be a success. (About 40 minutes outside of Winston-Salem I remembered that I had left them in my freezer.) Regan and I stopped by Walmart on our way into Richmond and got a couple of bags of Rhode's Rolls... they were great.

We had such a fun time at my parents. Some highlights:
Playing 'big-booty', the paper strip game, and POP FIVE, with the fam.
Shopping with Regan and going out to breakfast.
Watching the BYU-UTAH game.
Hearing Leo give her first talk in Primary
Going to see Enchanted with my mom
Eating my FAVORITE birthday cake from Ukrops (thanks chels!)
Taking Christmas pictures

Thanks to everyone who made my birthday great! Here are a few pictures. I always forget to bring out my camera but at least I got a few with Denton's family.

Why I've never opened a bakery.

I volunteered to make the Turkey, rolls, and mashed potatoes for my family's Thanksgiving.
On Sunday night I made my RS President's recipe for the best crescent rolls and they turned out great. At least I think they did... Regan kept wanting to snitch some so figure they have to be okay. I made about 5 dozen, I think. You would think that that would be enough but we have a lot of people coming... and who doesn't love rolls?

Last night I thought I would make another batch of a different kind of rolls to have for left-over turkey sandwiches. It took me like 3 hours when you add in the time to rise, bake, clean-up, etc. While they were [supposedly] rising/raising (I never really learned that grammar rule so I just make it up as I go along) I went to help Regan at school my making copies of practice exams. I should have clued in when I got home an hour later and the dough was the same size. But I did not. I baked them anyway, thinking the heat would puff those suckers up. When I pulled them out of the oven there were no rolls: only flat pieces of nastiness. I'M SO MAD. Regan came home and still ate like 4 of them... so I am now second guessing my first batch.

I love to bake (most of time) probably because I love yummy treats... but I'm so bad at getting my dough to raise/rise. There is a science to it that I have never really mastered. (This is also why I probably hated Chemistry in High School). So, I may not make anymore not. I'm waiving my white flag. The only way I will be persuaded to try again is if I have Regan there to supervise... he follows recipes much better than I do.

My pop culture consiglieri expects some blog-praise for all his tireless efforts to get me to watch/read/listen to quality stuff

Over the years my brother, Clayton, the ambassador to pop culture, has introduced me to some quality pieces of work. Let's go back a few years, shall we?

In 1993, Clayton and I flew to CA with my mom to visit my Grandparents. I must have been about 9 at the time and was very bored on the plane. Luckily, my consiglieri was there to teach me the first 20 lines of "None of your business" off of Salt N Pepa's "Very Necessary". Let me remind you that Clayton is only 3.5 years older than me. And for the record, I can still recite this... I actually did it for Regan the other night on our walk home. His reaction? A mildly weirded out face followed by a "Where did you come from?"

Later on in elementary school he introduced me to "Lois and Clark: The Adventures of Superman." When I was in middle school I, too, got attached to Fred Savage on 'The Wonder Years' and I'm pretty sure that I've seen every episode of 'Charlie's Angels'. WHO could forget the Charlie's Angel's days?

He's also the one that got me my first (and only) radiohead and CAke cd's. [I have to give credit to Jordan for the Brandy cd, hahaha]

Fast forward a few years and you can see that he has gotten me hooked on all of my favorite tv shows*: Alias, LOST, VMars, and Friday Night Lights. I used to drag my feet when he'd recommend a show to me but I've slowly learned my lesson. Now if only I could convince him to watch more TLC...







So here's to you CLAdogg, for enhancing my media choices.

*He missed out on getting me hooked on The Office. That one was purely Regan.

Wake Wives

I should have posted this right after it happened back in October... but I wasn't the faithful blogger that I am now. And I didn't have my steady following yet (thanks, mom) so that's why I'm a little behind.

ANYWAY, One of the wives of one of Regan's fellow classmates started a wives support group back at the beginning of the semester. I like to call our group "Wake Wives". Regan calls us the First Wive's Club... funny reg.

I volunteered to host our third meeting... and perhaps got a little party happy. The theme was "Favorite Things" based loosely on the idea of Oprah's annual favorite things episode. Each person was supposed to bring an apetizer and some great new thing they have discovered to share with the rest of us. I also conned my new friend Tiffany to give some make-up tips at the end. (Tiffany does hair and make-up professionally. She even worked on the set of HS Musical... and various other movies. So she knows what she's talking about. On another side note, Tiffany gave me my new haircut that I LOVE.)

I emailed invitations that I made on PAGES. I've really been getting into it and so any excuse to build my fake portfolio is reason enough for me. (I will have to post my Evite later.) I thought the party was a success... at least I know that I had a great time.

PICTURED:
a. In the first picture is my table before there was any food on it. Looks a little scant, if you asked me but my options were limited.
b. In the second is almost everyone that was there. (From left to right: Me, Crystal, Meghan, Tiffany, and Anna)
c. Third picture is just after we showed our fav. things and are begining the make-up demo. (Crystal, Janet, and Anna)
d. This is Tiffany and our demo model, Meghan.

Edit: Here is my invitation that I am so proud of: (sorry, had to black out my address. my fans are just getting a little too crazy)

Thank you for my...

mmm...best turkey ever!!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving (and since we are only a week away) I thought I would make a list of some of the things that I am thankful for this year. I'll try not to be too cheesy or overly mushy.

1. The Gospel. My life would not be nearly as happy or as meaningful with out the knowledge that I have of the Restored Gospel. It brings countless blessings to my life, daily. I am especially grateful for prayer and my testimony that my prayers will be answered. Today a simple prayer was answered for me and even though I know that my prayers can be answered I am still amazed when it happens so directly. Also, you may be surprised but I'm grateful for my nursery calling... it can be challenging some weeks but it has made me aware of the sacrifices that sometimes come along with service.

2. My husband. Marrying Regan was the best decision I have made in my life and probably the best I will ever make (second best decision you wonder? probably my green coat...haha, jk) He is my best friend and I don't know what I would do with out him. He cracks me up, he continually supports me, and he encourages me to always strive for the best. I know I am a better person for having him in my life. Oh, he cooks too, folks! Could I be any luckier?


3. My parents. They have done so much for me, my whole life. My mom
almost ALWAYS answers my calls... no matter what time of day I'm calling or where she happens to be at the time. My dad is who I turn to whenever I need to find out which mile marker has the cheapest gas or if I'm lost and need directions. More than that both of my parents gave me the foundation that has led me to where I am today. They have always been there to support me (they even came to every one of my church b-ball games!)

4. Family. My family has always been important to me. Being the youngest in my family I have always looked up to my siblings as examples and have turned to them many times for advice. Before getting married, I wouldn't have thought that I would have the same feelings for another family... but I married into a great family as well. I couldn't have picked better in-laws. I am so grateful for the love and acceptance that Regan's parents and siblings have shown to me since I joined the Adamson family. And I can't forget my cute nieces and nephews on both sides... they are so much fun and are constantly cracking me up.

5. Life long friends. I'm the kind of person that likes to have all of my friends know each other and I like to mix my different social groups. That is because my friends are important to me and I want to share them. I am grateful to have the kind of friends that I know will always be there for me. I don't think that I will ever be as good of a friend as some of the friends that I have.

6. My job. I am SOOOO glad that I am no longer on the job hunt. (That was the worst ever). I love working at the law school. I love getting to know some of Regan's professors and getting to feel a little more involved in something that is such a big part of his life right now. I enjoy running into Regan in the hall and getting to take lunch breaks together every once in a while.

7. Health. Emerson says it best: "The first wealth is health."

I guess these things are fairly basic...but usually the most basic are the most important, too. And now, a few of the less than basic:

8. Technology. This past General Conference Regan and I decided to attempt to watch via the internet connected to our TV. And it worked! The whole time Regan kept saying, "Technology is so awesome, " and I just kept laughing but really its true. I think I'd be lost with out it. My cell phone, email, even 'The Office' are all blessing in my life, heh.

9. Costco! It's sad. It really is. But, I just enjoy a good $.50 diet coke while I walk around and buy large quantity items. Regan and I have gotten into the habit of going each week to get our staples of pineapple, romaine, and a grilled chicken salad for me and a slice of pepperoni for him. Sound ghetto? We learned it from our parents!! But, costco represents something a little bit more than just wholesale prices to me. PS- I'm specifically thankful for Costco strawberries because they are the BEST. For sure.

10. My car. Anyone who has ever seen my car is probably reading this with raised eyebrows. Its not the kind of vehicle you write home about... but it is my car and it has been great. I started driving it when I was 17 and it has been old-faithful to me... just a few glitches here and there- nothing major. The paint is wearing and the carpet is a bit stained, but I am still proud to call the Dodge Stratus mine. (Don't get me wrong, I'd give it up in a heart beat if I was choosing cars with no monetary limit- or even a more lenient budget. But, I am really grateful for the car that I have.)

hmm, 10 is probably a good start for today. THANKS FOR READING!

On to my next goal...

I have been looking at a lot of aprons online (because I have a fetish and I want to learn to make them) and it has made me think of of my Grandma Sodergren. I love this picture of my Grandma and had to post it.

I think my fetish for aprons started a long time ago when I could go to her house and pull out one of her half aprons from the drawer by the sink. She had some really cute, vintage-looking ones (actually, I guess they really were vintage) and I loved to put them on and then take people's lunch orders. I think every little kid likes to do that at some point. From what I hear from my mom (and anyone else) my Grandma was a hostess and entertainer extraordinaire.
My mom (who was quite the little seamstress in her former life) has agreed to help me learn how to make these while we are in town after Christmas. I am SOOOO excited. Check out this link for some of the really cute aprons that I want to attempt to make. Maybe if I get really good I can sell mine, too.

Way to go Regan!

Tomorrow Regan will have completed his third month of his first semester at law school. He has been working really hard and I am so proud of him. I am so impressed with his discipline and effort to have balance in his life. He studies for the better part of every day but still makes time to hang out with me, go on our weekly date, and do his church calling. One more month to go before the semester is over and we get a long break. You can do it Regan!!

Good, Better, Best

Surprised by the number of posts today? I figure that what I lack in actual blogging talent and general appeal I can hopefully make up by sheer volume of posts. Okay, so maybe not. But I'm bored and so this is what you get.

Regan and I discussed our love (and perhaps over-use) of the internet the other night. We considered the fact that maybe there were better things we could do with our spare time than always jumping online to check our email. (For those of you who know me well, I check my email NUMEROUS times a day... far to often for the actual amount of email that I receive.)

Regan doesn't have a ton of spare time right now (I try to soak up every last ounce of it when I can) but I seem to have more than my share. So I have decided to take this issue to heart. While I do have a lot of down time while Regan is studying I am trying to find more productive ways of filling it this week. I've researched some stuff on taxes, recipes, looked into Christmas gift ideas, etc. Earlier this week I even decided to write a letter to the mayor about an issue I want to take a stand on. (More on that later) The best thing that I think I've done this week though was spend a good chunk of time rereading some Conference talks. I'm not sure if it's the fact that I've heard them all before or if it's that I pay attention better when I read them but it's been really good for me to remember and try to apply the lessons I'm learning to my own life.

I feel like Elder Oak's talk "Good, Better, Best" has gotten a lot of attention since General Conference but I just love it. And it really seemed to go along with the theme of this post. Heart of the talk:

"Consider how we use our time in the choices we make in viewing television, playing video games, surfing the Internet, or reading books or magazines. Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best."

WGA Strike

I haven't really been following the whole writers on strike issue this week but I started looking into it today at work. I am little concerned: isn't November supposed to be sweeps month? Come on kids! Play nice so we get get the show on the road (or at least back on the air).

I'm not normally a fan of Unions. In fact, I vividly remember my parents sitting me down one night in high school and getting into a lengthy discussion about them. But I think that this is a very interesting issue. In the next few years mainstream America will mostly view television shows via the internet. I know I'm already there. Regan and I decided against getting cable this year. We have an antenna that picks up HD channels so we do get NBC, all of the PBS channels, and a fuzzy version of ABC. For the most part, however, I watch my favorite shows on ABC.com or NBC.com.

Writers just want to get some residuals for the work that they create that is making the networks a profit. The writers/producers from The Office discuss the issue in a way that only they can:




I have to say, I am entertained by some of the different writer's picket "lines":

"How greedy can they get? They won't even share the net!"
"Actors! Writers! We'll never be divided!"
"Up in the morning in the CA sun, Gonna strike all day til the Strikin' is done"

I knew these guys had talent!!

Baby, its cold outside.

I have decided that it is officially cold weather time, folks. I almost decided that it was finally winter... but seeing as it really didn't even feel like fall weather until two weeks ago I think maybe it is a little early for that. (Don't you love how I just decide things?) Seriously though, two weeks ago we were turning our fans on and opening windows to try and cool our apartment down. Now, I am cold ALL the time. I'm cold when I get up, then I'm cold going to my car. I'm cold most of the day in my office and then I'm cold when we go running.

Last night I decided the cycle had to end. I finally pulled out our down comforter and put it back on our bed. ps- i WISH my bed looked this cozy and perfect... unfortunately I don't even get it made most days... (I know your dying inside, mom.)This morning I even pulled out a sweater. I think I have been trying to deny the fact that the nice weather was over. Everyone kept talking about how mild the weather is here and I just wanted it to be true.

Okay, I guess it is true since I just checked weather.com and next week we are going to be in the mid 60's. It doesn't matter though... I'm sure I'll still be cold. All I can say is if its going to get any colder we better at least get some snow days!!

Already dreaming of a White Christmas.

So, I know we just barely got done with Halloween and we still have to get through Thanksgiving but I'm already so excited for Christmas. My favorite time of year can't come soon enough. I love all that comes with the season: decorating the tree, listening to the Carpenters, watching Christmas movies but the fire, hot chocolate, wrapping presents, etc.

I might be a little crazy but I am ready to start celebrating. I asked Regan if I could put up our Christmas tree but he didn't think it was a great of an idea as I did. (Even the argument that Hardy's, Costco, and Dillards, just to name a few, were already celebrating didn't seem to convince him.)

For all of you out there who think that there should be a law against decorating before Thanksgiving, I'll admit that I used to be one of you. I used to hate that all the stores started stocking up early... the commercialism nearly made me sick. Somehow though, all that has changed with me. I think part of the reason started when I first went to BYU and was so excited to go home and see my family. I counted down the days and kept telling my self that I just had to get through finals. Suddenly it was December 15th and I had yet truly celebrated. December goes by so fast that I really think its just not long enough! I'm not the type of person that likes to celebrate until New Year's though... as soon as Christmas is over I like it to be packed up an put away. I guess that's why its okay with me to start early.

I tried to explain this to my mom yesterday but she told me that we couldn't forget about the pilgrims. I guess I agree... but I want to lump Nov and Dec into one longer holiday. Thanksgiving to me is more about spending time with family and showing gratitude (and oh yeah, way to go pilgrims) and isn't that part of Christmas? Its never too early to get into the Christmas spirit, in my book. And so I am going to start celebrating--even if it has to be privately--I'll listen to my Christmas music, start my Christmas shopping, and plan my Christmas party, AND I'LL LOVE IT. My tree WILL go up the day I get back from Thanksgiving with my family in Richmond.

Just to help get you in the mood, here is a clip of my favorite part of Elf (quite possibly one of my favorite Christmas movies)




and another favorite part just because I can't help myself:

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!!

I love Friday Night Lights! I started watching it over the summer and quickly became a groupie. The characters are so great. Season 2 has a few story lines that we aren't quite sure about overall I'm still a fan.

Here is a snipet for those of you who neesd a reason to watch:

Finally! Some pictures of our house.

I guess I "finally have time to upload a few pics". Okay, okay, so with a husband in law school who studies a good 12 hours a day I probably have had time to do it before now- I've just been lazy. I hate that I have to upload them one at a time. Any one know a better way?

Without further adu, here they are: