Hello, Date Night

Date nights have been so important in our marriage thus far. They are a chance to intentionally pour into each other [and do fun silly things]. They leave us feeling filled and ready to take on the rest of the week. We usually take turns planning. They can be anything from a dinner and a movie to making homemade sushi to bowling. The point is to find that connection that happens on a good first date. We've found that desiring that connection and making it a priority can make almost any activity a date night.

How are your insides?

I like to ask this question with some of my closest friends. It gets to the point. Where is your heart? Are you filled with joy, sorrow, frustration? 

Sometimes I find myself asking this to everyone, but myself. So with the season of Fall--a busy season for both Bryan and I, I would love to tell you how my insides are. 

I'm in my last semester of undergrad, graduating with a degree in Psychology. This almost means nothing. With Psychology you need a master for your degree to mean anything. 

{on a side note: I went to the career center and looked at potential jobs for someone with a B.S. in Psych. I could be a manager, a waitress, a salesperson, a writer, on and on... Basically, all things I could have been without a degree. Great. Waitress. Really?} 

For someone that feels like school is lackluster to say the least, the thought of graduate school is overwhelming. Nonetheless I am considering it. But that is for a later post. 

I am anxious as I approach the "real world". Everyone around me has their future wrapped up into one word. For example, "farmer", "doctor", "psychologist", etc., etc... I have learned that's not me and I am trying to come to terms with that. I have never lacked ambition. There are so many things I want to do, but I was always looking for my one word future.

I mean how do you put all these interests into one career?

helping at risk children, sustainable agriculture, actively fighting racism, non-profit administration,  fund raising, organizing, biblical economics, horseback riding, empowerment, organizational psychology, holistic living, birthday bashes, reconstructing furniture, photography, taking in as many kids as possible, Biblical history, a house full of people, preserving culture, interior decorating, conflict resolution between and within countries, growing my own food and flowers, loving all things vintage and pretty and cheap, connecting the 1st world with the 3rd, making things from scratch, event planning, and fighting injustices.

I also wouldn't mind learning some wood working skills. Always thought it would be awesome to be a cabinet maker...

See! I am a mess of possibilities! 

My insides use to be in a constant state of turmoil because I just wanted my one word. I thought life would be better and simpler and more meaningful.  But God has been working on my heart. He has stretched me to see in this season of my life that just because I don't have my future figured out doesn't mean I am of no use. He has made me and designed me with these passions. I have purpose and will continue to be of value even if I don't single it down to a one word job. Because of this, I am in a season of peace and gratitude.

Realizing this {and re-realizing because I constantly forget} has opened me up to dream bigger than I have before. 

So what now, Sam? I've got some ideas, but like I said before, that's for a future post. Right now, I will finish my last semester out strong knowing that I have purpose and I have lots to offer this world. And so do you...just in case you forgot.

Much love,

Sam

Sunset fig pickin' date

How Coco Ranch makes apple juice

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! 

Apple juice season=happy Sam. 

Last week, we went out to the farm just before

 sunset to make some. If you are wondering 

how this whole process works for a little 

organic farm like ourselves, here's a glimpse. 

First you take all the rejected apples. What do I mean by rejected? They just have a little scab, skratch, or mark. Still taste great, but can't sell them because grocery stores like their apples to look big, perfect, and shiny.


On a side note: the produce that look "perfect" and "giant-like" are bred to be that way. They were most likely not bred for taste. So don't judge a book by it's cover =)

If they have any bruises we cut those off then send them through the grinder that sits on top of the apple  press.

Below is a picture of the Apple Press. Throw the apples in the top to get ground up into the bucket below with a mesh bag around it.

The ground up apples come out the bottom into the bucket. Once the bucket is full we slide it forward to press the juice out of it.

Below is Bryan cranking the press so that all the juice flows out. The left over apple bits get fed to the sheep on the farm that provide fertilizer for the orchard. A perfect system.

Then we pour the juice through a strainer into our glass jars. 

Yum-O!

Voila! Apple juice purely made from delicious apples!

Love

A little photog session with my sister and my sister-in-law, Sharon.

 They are our favorite people to double date with 

...or really just be around. 

Love you, guys. 

Playpen Balls

I loved ball pits when I was a kid. I still love them... partly because of they remind me of this awesome comic... 

Jack loved his playball pit that he got for his birthday. 

Man, I wish I was still a kid sometimes... 

*Comic cred found here

Birthday Boy! [Part II]

At one point, my parents [My sister and I like to call them the P's], 
joined us via video chat. My grandma just thought it was a hoot!
 She couldn't get over the fact that she could see them.
 Grandma's are the best. 


It was adorable watching Jack reach out to the 
computer when hearing his grandma and grandpa's voice. 
So cute!