Gooood morning! So, last night I had the most lovely evening with my fiance. (still get excited saying that word!) I made the recipe from the previous post. It was alright. Nothing stellar. No fireworks. But then again, I wasn't able to use soba noodles because Hy-Vee didn't have them! So disappointed :(

The only thing you can do when your recipe doesn't quite blow your mind is to try something else immediately! I've been looking through my recipes. My Pinterest page is chock full of deliciousness so you would think it wouldn't be hard, but gosh, it is! Here are my contenders..

Orzo with Basil

Crunchy Pappardelle

 These both look absolutely delicious and so I'm torn. Here's where I throw in a third option. Because that just makes my life SO much easier.

Vegan Buffalo Macaroni & Cheese

My fiance loves spicy food and he really likes shell macaroni. I think I've found a winner. I'll see you tonight, dinner. It's on.

xo..Rae

Need to..

Hey blogger. I really need to revamp my entire blog and purpose and direction because my life is changing like CRAZY! Hang on everyone--my plan is to give everything a facelift and stay tuned for life and times in Savannah, GA because that's where I'm headed! Along with my wonderful, soon to be, husband. Life is goood :) I would just like to rave a little bit about this man. He's amazing. Incredible. Awesome. Pick every synonym for awesome, throw it in there and you have my fiance. He's my hero, really. Take that Superman.

So tonight I thought I'd make him a special dinner. Just because. Here's my idea.

Brussels Sprouts and Soba Noodles with Ginger-Honey Sauce. Recipe and photo courtesy of Naturally Ella. Check out her blog here! http://naturallyella.com/

Yeah, I thought it looked freaking delicious too. Here's to you, baby!

xo Rae

Happy

So I hardly ever write on this blog except to share amazing news or highlights of my life. Well, I just got ENGAGED! I think this merits a blog post :) I am happier than I have ever been in my entire life and it is because my future never looked so wonderful. I get to marry and be with the man of my dreams forevermore. What's not to love about that?! He is spectacular, ladies. I am even jealous of myself sometimes :) Well, here I go rushing off to work and other boring things, but I do them now as an engaged woman with an amazing fiancé. Oh. Yeah.

XO Rae

Elation

I love him. End of story. To quote my favorite show Downton Abbey, "I would never be happy with anyone else while he walked the earth." My heart is gone. It is all over.

Rae

This Is F***ing Awesome

I'm having a great time here. Can you tell? He's amazing and I can't help myself with this post. I've never had so much fun in my whole life and there's no one I'd rather be with. He's so wonderful and we can just be silly :) Laughs and love anyone?

XO Rachel

A Life of Grace

If you haven't seen the movie "Tree of Life", I highly suggest you do; if nothing else, for the feelings you get when you watch it. I've been in a sort of rut lately..unexplainable feelings, monotonous discord with the world and those around me, nothing like the vibrant iridescence that I want to exude. (Yes, I made a reference to my own blog, but I did choose that name for a reason, didn't I?) But I digress. The beginning of the movie is strewn with beautiful music, photography, and flashes of light. Jessica Chastain's voice is heard in the midst of it all: "The only way to be happy is to love. Unless you love, your life will flash by. There are two ways through life - the way of nature and the way of grace. You have to choose which one you'll follow. Grace doesn't try to please itself. Accepts being slighted, forgotten, disliked. Accepts insults and injuries. Nature only wants to please itself. Get others to please it too. Likes to lord it over them. To have its own way. It finds reasons to be unhappy when all the world is shining around it. And love is smiling through all things. No one who loves the way of grace ever comes to a bad end."

I didn't intend for this post to be a plug for a movie, but it sums up what I have to say exquisitely. I want to strive to live the way of grace. I want to be patient, kind, honest, and loving to those in my life, especially my dearest love in all the world. I want only the important things to matter, to never be quick to anger or be cross. It is never worth it. I have been trying it out this week: trying to be understanding, not acting selfish, focusing on the other person I'm talking to. Sometimes it is difficult, but I find that you are always rewarded in some way. Strangely enough, I can relate this to my theatrical training. I was told that when I am in a scene onstage, I should always make it about the other person. If both actors do this, then both will shine, selflessly creating a true and honest portrayal of what they are given. You know what? I wouldn't mind using this as a model for my relationships. Not at all. For it sounds very much like the way of grace to me.

Rachel

2013.

Rang in the New Year with the traditional champagne, streamers, horrible television coverage, and a kiss from my love to make that all go away :) I also just returned from an unbelievable trip to California. I felt more alive than I have in awhile and when I returned I vowed to keep a semblance of that feeling intact. A New Year is always an excuse to go on a diet, and how typical right? But it's actually a great time to start, so I have! I've been wanting to shift my eating back to clean and raw. So far I've been successful! In the coming days, you'll probably see pictures, recipes, etc.  All potentially boring, but it really helps to "journal" something like this. So far I've made kale chips, spaghetti squash with avocado sauce, and cauliflower buffalo wings. (recipe from skinnytaste.com) I've been in flavor heaven and climbing the peak of health. I'd say it's a good start. Wouldn't you?

Rachel