YouVersion

Recently, I've been trying to find a good Bible study plan to help me continue to grow in my faith. After googling about it, however, I found that many of the ones online either cost money or aren't what I'm looking for. My wish was granted, however, when I came across a website called You Version.

You Version is free website, only requiring an email for membership, that allows you to explore several pre-made Bible reading plans. These plans can consist of one days worth of reading to a year long plan. Each plan is broken down into days; giving you one or a few verses each day to read and reflect on. You can keep track of your progress directly on the website. There is even a "catch up button" if you fall behind!

After continuing to explore the website, I found that you can create notes on your readings (choosing to make them public or private) as well as read other people's reflections on passages. You can 'follow' these users and be notified when they post new reflections and you can have followers as well (twitter much).

You can choose the Bible version that you're reading, pull up books on the website and converse with people using the same version as yourself! You can tweet and forward things to Facebook as well!

Let me know if you use YouVersion as well, or if you check it out! 

Pleasure Reading

First off, I've joined the twitter era! If you'd like to check out my personal twitter, follow me at @EliseyGC (I think that is how it works)! Now onto my post...

I have gotten into this bad habit lately of picking up a pencil when I'm reading a book. My english class at Virginia Tech, as well as my AP Literature class in High School, had me annotating nearly every sentence of books in order to do a 'critical analysis.' Should my pleasure reading really be about critically analyzing? No, but it is a habit I can't seem to break away from.

Not only do I search TOO hard to find meaning in whatever I'm reading, but I've recently started to read things that are more factual and do have a definite meaning. For example, I've been trying to read books such as "Buddha's Brain" or the "Gift of Fear." While I agree that these are wonderful and educational books to read, I read them back to back and never give myself time to read my summer romance novel or a book with an inspirational story.

I feel like I am "supposed" to read these books and become more scholarly because that is what my college-level schooling has pushed upon me. I feel that I have been pressured by the college atmosphere to appear a certain way, which sometimes, means reading a certain kind of book at a coffee shop; one with more "intellectual meaning." These pressures and reprogramming to annotate has rid me of the desire to read, which I have always loved to do.

I actually have a list of books to read, in order in which I am going to read them. This, however, is being torn down today. My love for reading shouldn't be measured on a list and it shouldn't be confined to what I think is expected of me! I should read what I want to read in the fashion that I want to depending on my mood.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with reading a Jodi Picoult book or one by Rowling. Pleasure novels still build your vocabulary, teach you social patters, give you insights on life, and leave you with ambitions, they just do it in a more subtle way.

So today, I'm putting all of my 'smart books' on the book shelf, for now, and putting my Jodi Picoult novels back on my night stand. It is time to start living happily and stop measuring my brain capacity. I will read what I want, when I want.

This is a pretty random post, huh?

Happy reading!

PS- I just finished rereading Eat,Pray,Love! I'm watching the movie now! Has anybody seen/read it? What are your thoughts?!

Taking Time for Myself

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16

The last couple of days have left me feeling rather...tense. I have had several interview for part-time nannying positions (for after hours of my 9am-5pm nannying job), have had emails to send for my sorority and for paws4people, and have been working through some disagreements with some family members.

Yesterday I decided to close the laptop, turn off the cell phone, sleep in, and enjoy a relaxing day at the pool reading and getting a tan (to some degree) with my sister. The rest of the evening was dedicated to continuing to read through the Book of John, watching a few Disney movies and eating ice cream with some friends!

After church this morning, I realize that I wasn't quite ready to go "back to work" today but knew that it was necessary. So, I decided to combine a day of relaxing and work by sitting in front of the television catching up on my recorded TLC shows, catching up on reading my favorite blogs, and responding to emails and finishing up a few excel files. What do you think? Well, it is working out nicely for me!

I will be more productive tomorrow; I think.

What do you guys do to relax during the summer?

Strawberry Stuffed French Toast

Well, I have been crazy busy the last couple of days with interviews and dog training and haven't had a whole lot of time to post. I decided to stop in and post a recipe that I have been wanting to share with you guys!

A couple of days before my boyfriend left for Texas for the summer, we decided to make special breakfast together instead of going out like we usually do! I hope you enjoy it as much as he did!

Note: I, unfortunately, did not take pictures. I will be using the pictures from the website, Tasty Kitchen, where I originally found the website.

Strawberry Stuffed French Toast

1 Loaf French Or Italian Break
4 Eggs
Milk
Buttermilk
Cream Cheese
Cinnamon
Jam Or Fresh Fruit (Choose Your Own Fruit Or Flavor)

1. Slice a loaf of bread in 2-inch pieces. Using a paring knife, cut a deep slit across the top in the middle of each slice, approximately 4 inches long (as pictured above). This will form your “pocket.” Once you’re done, set the bread aside.

2. Wash the fruit, remove the stems, and cut slices in each one (making quarter pieces).

3. Next, add a little bit of sugar to the strawberries and let them sit for a little.

4. Next, add jam to the cream cheese and mix both of them until well combined. The cream cheese mixture now looks like strawberry yogurt. (You can also use strawberry cream cheese to save some energy!)

5. Grab a slice of bread and add about a tablespoon (or as much as you like) of cream cheese filling (2 tablespoons per slice worked for me). Do the same thing with the fresh fruit. Make sure to close the opening by gently pressing the bread together. This will make frying them easier and less messy. Set the filled slices aside.

6. Mix eggs, milk, and cinnamon together until well mixed. Turn the stove top on to medium-high to preheat the skillet. While your skillet is heating up, dip sliced bread in the egg wash for about 20 seconds on both sides.

7. Add a little butter to the surface of skillet to help prevent the French Toast from sticking.

8. Fry each slice for about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Remove from heat and serve.

I know the directions are detailed, but simply, you make a strawberry and cream cheese filling, stuff it in a slice of bread, and make french toast with it as you normally would! It's so easy, but so rich!

Recipe Credit: Tasty Kitchen

Happy eating!

What's In Your Fridge?

How cute is this fridge?!

In a rush to make dinner and don't have time to go to the grocery store? Did an unexpected snow storm trap you in your house?

I came across a website the other day that I thought a lot of you guys could appreciate!

It is called 'My Fridge Food.' You simply check off the items that you have in your kitchen, and it provides you with easy recipes that you can make with what you have laying around!

It gives you SO MANY OPTIONS, so you are able to register for an account and save your ingredients for next time you use it! This is all absolutely free!

Check it out! Just click the image below!

Summer No-Bake Cakes

I was stumbling around the internet today trying to find a good cake to bake to expand my baking repertoire and cheer everybody up! Everything looked great, but I was not excited about turning on the oven in this 92 degree weather.

Here's an idea: What about a cake that I don't have to bake? So I continued to search around and it turns out I'm not the only person who had this idea! Here are the recipes that I found for easy, heat-free cakes! Click on the name of any of the cakes and it will send you to the recipe!

Orange-Rasberry Dreamsicle Cake

"Full of zesty tropical flavor, this creamy freezer cake is made with swirls of raspberry and orange sherbet as well as vanilla ice cream atop a crunchy coconut macaroon crust."

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Refrigerator Cake

"This no-bake cake spares no indulgences, piled high with six layers of peanut butter cream and chocolate graham crackers, and finished with a sprinkling of peanut butter chips."

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake

"Creamy, refreshing and full of strawberry flavor, this stunning no-bake cheesecake takes just 25 minutes of prep time."

Chocolate-Malt Ice Cream Cake

"Sweet and surprisingly guilt-free, this is the ultimate ice cream lover’s cake, made with lowfat chocolate and vanilla ice cream and malted milk balls for the perfect crunch."

Mango, Lime, and Ginger Cheesecake

"This decadent cheesecake is full of zingy flavor, with crystallized ginger, fresh mango and lime zest, all on top of a spiced gingersnap cookie crust."

Hazelnut Crispy Cake

"Transform your kids’ favorite crispy marshmallow treats into an elegant after-dinner sensation by topping them with a velvety hazelnut spread and a handful of chopped hazelnuts."

Berry Layer Cake

"For a satisfying summer treat, try this cake made with cinnamon graham crackers and creamy berry filling, topped with a dazzling arrangement of fresh raspberries and blueberries."

Almond Macaroon Ice Cream Cake

"Coconut macaroons, toasted almonds and a chocolate shell topping transform this no-fuss chocolate and vanilla Swiss almond ice cream cake into an out-of-this-world creation."

I take no credit for these recipes. I found them on Woman's Day!

Now to clean out the fridge and find room for one of these beautiful summer cakes!

Summertime is Finally Here

That old ballpark, man, is back in gear... Doesn't it just make you want to sing a Kenny Chesney song? No? Well then, I will continue with my post!

So summer has finally arrived. I finished off my first year at Virginia Tech studying to be an elementary school teacher and got to watch my admirable older sister graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's in biology. The experience helped me to, once again, put my life into perspective and realize that college is more than partying and socializing, but it is about getting a strong education so you can work to do what you're passionate about and make a difference here on this earth. If I want to be successful in doing so, I need to make a few changes.

During my first year, I lost my way a few times, but during those times of wandering around aimlessly looking for the right path again, I learned what I wanted from myself. I learned what I needed to do to stay on the right path of happiness and self worth. However, those things, such as confidence and a better devotion to friendship, are not something that just click overnight, but they are a things that have to be absorbed, if that makes sense.

This summer is going to be about change or, self-building, if you will. I want to continue to build my relationships with my family and friends, continue to find my faith in His word, devote time to service, read more inspiring and motivational books, and find what makes me truly come alive.

“I hope your dreams take you... to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known."