TWENTY-SEVENTEEN: A SUMMER OF SABBATH

Summer always comes knocking with a list of fun activities following close behind. From beach trips to acai adventures, I always have a fairly extensive and ambitious list of things things to do/explore/eat over summer break.

Well, every summer except THIS one, that is.

I spend a lot of time striving for earthy success. And they're not even bad things- good grades, a job well done, investing in specific friendships. After a hard semester, I was completely burnt out. Every second after my alarm went off at 5:30 each morning was spent in an attempt to be as productive as possible and check everything off my never ending to-do list. Email my boss. Prep speech presentation. Connect with a speech pathologist. Edit photos. Do the dishes. Don't forget to eat dinner.

Life, even a simple and well intended one, can be exhausting. 

Each week I had to repeat to myself, "Just make it one more day." Everyday. And when I made it to the weekend, I spent every second catching up on sleep, cramming or cleaning and prepping for the next week ahead. I felt guilty going anywhere but class or work related places, thinking I was wasting time. I'd go over flashcards at stoplights. No music during the 39 minute drive to school, just biology lectures....for 3 months. Putting on makeup and driving to church seemed like a waste when I could just watch it at home, so that's what I started doing.

I know, this sounds so dramatic. I mean, come on girl. We see you posting on instagram all the time! Well what if I told you I scheduled out 35 posts so I wouldn't have to be on the app?

Yeah, I am that dramatic.

It got to the point where rest was just a thing of the past. Relaxation was equally extinct, in my mind. Why rest when you could work? Why relax when you could get stuff done? Why watch Tv when you have a to do list looming?  However, over Spring Break I read a book that talked about the sabbath. "HONOR THE SABBATH AND KEEP IT HOLY." is what the bible instructs, yet somehow I had twisted that into "accomplish as much as humanly possible on this one day to be a good person"

The New King Karissa translation somehow omitted the honor the sabbath and rest on the seventh day part.

And so as a result of that, my summer list is quite different this year. Other than my goal of finishing The Inferno, my summer list for 2017 revolves solely around honoring the Sabbath and learning how to keep it holy in this busy, distracting, demanding world. It's hard to turn it all off. To power down on everything in life, even for a day, has its challenges. But I can honestly say that the best way to recharge is to mute the distractions of the world and fully zone in on Christ.

And isn't it great that God made a day of the week specifically for just that?

The ways  in which we feel called and convicted to honor the Sabbath might be different, but at the end of the day, it's about giving our time and energy back to The Lord. I know I have a long way to go on this journey, but I'm grateful that Jesus is changing my attitude, heart and thoughts toward the Sabbath.

Instead of attempting to pack my summer full of beach days an acai bowls, my main focus is to spend less time on superficial fillers and more time, specifically The Sabbath, with my Heavenly Father.

And with that, Happy Summer and Happy Sabbath!

Previous Summer Lists:
{2012}
{2013}
{2014}
{2015}
{2016}

SUMMER SIXTEEN

SIXTH SUMMER // SUMMER SIXTEEN from @thegirlkryn on Vimeo.

I have actually been trying to insert this video into a blog post for a solid two months. I know I’m only 18 but man, do I feel out of touch. But anyway, in the process of trying and failing to inset the video, Summer seemed to stretch out a little further, albeit only mentally but still!

This was a steady summer, consistent. Every day wasn't thrilling or downright terrible. It was routine and predictable and that was actually just what I needed. I spent a lot of time on self-care, which I had always thought was selfish in years past but as it turns out, self-care is essential for being strong enough to then help others. And an obscene amount of flower photos were taken but I mean, what else would you expect from me?

CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS SONG[in this video]? Because it is was my summer theme song. Every day, all day. And I don’t even like country! I tried about 4 other “cooler” songs for this video, ones with a better bead and more abstract lyrics but no. Only this twangy country love song (literally all my least favorite things) would do. 

YOU MAKE LOVING YOU EASY // Zac Brown Band

(I promise, if you hate country and love songs and banjos...you'll probably love this too.)

You might be wondering about how well I did with my summer list! (See it here.)  You also might not care at all but just in case you’re part of the first group, I’ll briefly touch on it.

And by briefly I mean, you’ll be here till next summer. 

I actually accomplished almost everything on the list. Can you believe I had never driven through a drive through? I mean, relatively speaking I just got my license last week so it makes a little more sense. Obviously the chopping off of my hair was a success and I had acrylic nails for 3 months as expected, all my childhood dreams came true. However, as I child I didn't realize how incredibly difficult it would be to open ANYTHING with acrylic nails so alas, they had to come off. It's pretty bad when you can't even open your makeup, right?

#firstworldproblems

Thanks to the technical difficulties that prolonged the publishing of this post, we all got to soak in a little more sun and squeeze in a couple more beach days. Who are we kidding, we still go to the beach! But now we bring our textbooks ;)

ADIOS SUMMER!

The sixth summer

SAYONARA SENIOR YEAR from Kryn Nick on Vimeo.

Sometimes, I just really love my blog.

Which is funny because I've mentioned my blog to a total of 3.4 people and whenever my mother even hints about in conversation with others my first instinct it to scream, run away and then live as a recluse in the mountains. (But you know, mountains that are within walking distance of Starbucks.)

Anyhow, the other day I started recording some videos, never intending them to end up on the internet (but then again, isn't that how all things start out?) and it was all downhill from there. And in the process of filming, editing and uploading this video I stumbled across my forgotten vimeo account that had been resting in peace all this time. Having been buried under buzzfeed articles and contour tutorials, it proved to be a casket for a lot of surprising gems. And if preserving embarrassing memories for the sake of posterity, future boyfriends and laughters sake isn't the sole purpose of my life, I have no idea what is.

So anyway, I love my blog. Why? Because there's a lot here. A lot of typos and a lot of poorly composed photos and headache inducing graphics but yeah, it's my life. And all things considered, I like my life.

That being said, I'm still not opposed to switching lives with Taylor Swift! If she's down for being about 3 feet shorter than we're good to go.

Just like every year, there's a list to interrupt the lull of sleepy summer days and keep me motivated and moving forward. Because nothing says reaching your life goals like henna and sunrises on the beach, right?

"IT WAS ONLY A SUNNY SMILE, AND A LITTLE COST IN THE GIVING, 

BUT LIKE MORNING LIGHT IT SCATTERED THE NIGHT 

AND MADE THE DAY WORTH LIVING."

.Here's to fresh tan lines, salty hair and all that jazz.

(and here is a blast from the past, in case you are curious or bored)
2012
2013
2014
2015

SO IT'S SUMMER, YOU SAY.

I woke up yesterday morning at 9:30. I checked Instagram. I pinned puppy photos on Pinterest. I ate breakfast (which included 3 different forms of chocolate) and watched Sponge Bob. Then I didn't brush my hair or put makeup on and I certainly didn't bother to change out of my pajamas.

YOU GUYS SUMMER IS THE BEST.

Since I spent the first 5 weeks of my summer traveling, yesterday was my first official lazy summer day and wow. I'm never going back to school or getting a job or having a life. I'll be by the pool till I'm 90 if you need me.

In the spirit of summer, sweat and swimming, I decided to reincarnate the summer list. If I do decide to go back to school (or if my mom makes me. Darn!) then that means I've only got one month left to eat popsicles and do nothing all day.

Talk about a packed schedule.

So here's the list. It involves food and hopefully a tan. If not, there's always photoshop.

What's on your SUMMAH LIST BABY? I also forgot to add eat creamsicle popsicles but I have a strong feeling those will end up happening no matter what. But just in case!

and for a holy cannoli throwback which I am alllll about these days:
{2012 goals} {2013 goals} {2014 goals}

Summer of all Summers, List to top all Lists....

(but first, blackmail material.)
(in which I officiate a wedding...)

It was the summer of all Summers....

I keep forgetting I have homework. I keep forgetting that I have a Latin test this week. I keep forgetting I'll have 4 volleyball games next week and worst of all, I keep forgetting that summer is over!

My summer started off in Italy and ended at Teen Pact, filled with trips and so many memories made. I mean, if you've read my blog once or twice, you may have noticed that it was pretty doggone amazing.

But maybe I'm a little biased?

As always, the end of August brings that sad yet exciting dig through the blog archives to find my summer list....(which as it is an annual tradition, I nearly forgot about it.)

SUMMER OF ALL SUMMERS, LIST TO TOP ALL LISTS......

READ: If I stay

SING: Oceans

PLAY: All Of Me

STRUM: new techniques.

SAY YES: to as many social events as possible

SNAP: photos and videos of everything

BAKE: something with lemons! i don't know why!

CREATE: Palm Beach Chic all the way

SHARE: All my Italy pictures.

PLAN: Girls weekend!!!!

As one might notice, I did fairly well! Obviously I don't take these things (or really anything else in life!) too seriously, so it's mostly a summer Suggestion list. But it's fine by me! I'm also planning on a Fall list so that a.) I don't die from schoolwork and b.) I stay sane.

I don't know about you, but sanity is really underrated. 

PS: Girls in our youth group are THE BEST. Above video is proof.

"That old September feeling, left over from school days, of summer passing, vacation nearly done, obligations gathering, books and football in the air … Another fall, another turned page: there was something of jubilee in that annual autumnal beginning, as if last year’s mistakes had been wiped clean by summer.”

Summer, you've been good, I'll see you in 30 weeks. Don't be late!

THE SUMMER (OF ALL SUMMERS) LIST

SUN'S OUT, SUMMER'S ON.
(its kind of mandatory to start off these posts with blackmail material.....so there!)

As it is the way with Summers, list's are essential! Lists of highly first world things I would probably do anyway as my life is basically flitting from one pointless task to the next. But! My new school this year is gonna be a real jerk, so this is kind of my last summer of pure nonsense.

And we all know how much I love nonsense.

I couldn't decided if I wanted to take this the practical or impracticable route. But after much internal debate, I've decided I can't do either perfectly. So basically, I want to learn to change a tire and have rainbows shoot out my eyes. Sounds doable right?

-THE SUMMER (OF ALL SUMMERS) LIST-

READ: If I stay

SING: Oceans

PLAY: All Of Me

STRUM: new techniques.

SAY YES: to as many social events as possible

SNAP: photos and videos of everything

BAKE: something with lemons! i don't know why!

CREATE: Palm Beach Chic all the way

SHARE: All my Italy pictures.

PLAN: Girls weekend!!!!

What's on ya'lls summer list? Frolicking in retro bathing suits? Eating donuts poolside? Meeting new friends (and by friends, we mean boys)?) Or probably if you're like me, all of the above.

(just kidding, boys are lame! Netflix is so much better!)

"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning all over again with the summer."

{and yay, lucky you! 2012's list(ish) HERE, and 2013's is HERE! Huzzah!}

From the Summer Syllabus department...

Okay, so summer is up and outta here and I may or may not be in tears. But however! My summer syllabus was a great success! I didn't get to party in Puerto Ric (yet!) but I did party in Portland so that's basically the same thing. And, I even went to a movie! I pretty much go to the movies about once a millennium, so this was a great success.

And now, the list!


Make Macaroons
BUILD MUSCLE! YEAH!
(ironic combo, no?)
Visit a new state
Continue working on the splits
PARTY IN PUERTO RICO!
Internet free week (ha!epic fail.)
Concoct twisty lemonade
Got to the beach at least once
FACE the Library!
Get contacts
Buy a summer perfume.


Excuse me while I pat myself on the back, but I did pretty well. I believe a store bought macaroon is in order since I'm wondering if I'll EVER make them...

And I think I'll be making a Fall list since I've got about eighty jillion things planned. And I've already been practicing my christmas music so um, I may have a few problems?

NEVER!

XOXO, Hope your summer was sweet sweet sweet. Did YOU finish your summer list or whatever you called it?

An ode to fruits who've gone before us (watermelon lemonade!!!)

I'm contantly begging to buy fruits for epic desserts. You know, lemon semifredo, blackberry cobbler and the list goes on and on. But the even longer list is all the fruits that have gone bad since I was too lazy to make it.

For the record, this happened yesterday. I have a really bad track record of wasting fruit. Such talent I possess! This is clearly going to take me far in life.


So this lemonade, I USED TWO FRUITS THAT DID NOT GO BAD. Ha! Take that, all you 50 different kinds of exotic fruit that now sit in some lonely dump, decomposing into goodness knows. So then, they were all redeemed by this lemonade that is fab for guzzling when you happen to live in the sweltering state, and your ac is broken....IN JULY.

Watermelon Lemonade. Serves 5 (ahem, or one. But really, I wouldn't know.....)

1 lb watermelon,
2 oz lemon juice
1.5 oz agave &
4 oz water 

To make it:  blend everything together in your blender, then strain it through a fine mesh strainer. Pour into pineapple cups. Striped straws optional but highly encouraged.

Enjoy guzzling/sipping/drinking normally or whatever you fancy! Have you made any fancy lemonades??

XOXO,
Lemonade freakazoid.

(kinda sorta.)

(okay fine, totally.)

Summer Syllabus because I pretend I'm fancy

Summer! Summer! I feel as though summer is a bit more nostalgic feeling that it actually ends up ever being. Like I imagine all these perfect, romantic sunset picnics while in reality it's more of a battle between you and misquotes, and the bug wins!

But for the record - I'm an optimist.....

In my dreams.


Like last Summer, a Summer list was in order. On a hardly related note, it needs a new name, "Summer List" is just as generic as the brands at walmart. But that's for later. For now I give you my list, for the sake of whatever.

Make Macaroons
BUILD MUSCLE! YEAH!
(ironic combo, no?)
Visit a new state
Continue working on the splits
PARTY IN PUERTO RICO!
Internet free week
Concoct twisty lemonade
Got to the beach at least once
FACE the Library!
Get contacts
Buy a summer perfume.


Alright, that's done. Now, what's on your summer agenda? list? record? I totally just looked up synonyms for list and dun dun dun, syllabus! How fancy shmancy does a "Summer Syllabus" sound? You gotta admit, it's got a ring to it.

Summer Syllabus it is...of at least until I change my mind again, which will probably be in 20 seconds. Enjoy it while it lasts!

Stargazing.

Stargazing was one of the first things I put on my summer list. I love Stargazing. Mainly because stars boggle my mind, just like addition and how food bloggers stay skinny. Among other things. 2+2 really equals 4?? Get out, I know you are lying.

Anyway! Regardless of whether your pants are on fire or not, I went stargazing. The first problem is that I only know 1 constellation. It's Orion, and whenever I see him I shout for joy and tell everyone I'm with about him. Clearly though, my star repertoire needed to be expanded. So then I faced problem #2: finding new ones! After much googling, mom found me this iPad app.

IT WORKS!

Really. I was so thrilled. I found new constellations and made dad and mom come outside and watch me giggle and snort and trip over unidentified objects in the dark. I spotted planets and far away stars and basically thought I was the coolest person ever.Well maybe I was. In my backyard anyway.

Let's be frank (and eat hotdogs:) Stargazing is cool!

PS: Something uncool? Having your iPad background and blog header match. Ouch. Sorry about the sizing issues for the header, on my computer, it's fairly small! Oh geez, let's all just get the same size monitor okay? That would clear up all the confusion.

Pinked up

This is not astronomical by any stretch. But I'm kind of lazy. Okay fine. Totally lazy. As far as manicures go, this means I basically paint one hand and if we are talking pedicures, 6 of my toe nails. So giving my self a (FULL!) manure, is actually a big deal!

Remember last year when I said from then on I would only by Essie? Well I also said I probably would not be getting much nail polish. And I was totally right! This is my first bottle since 2011. I went for the Essie again. This color also happens to match every accessory in my room. Which proves I have a problem. And that problem is named Barbie Pink.

As far as my facial is concerned, it went okay. I used some facial thing Elise gave me. You plaster it on, then let it become plaster of sorts. After a while, you peel it off and (supposedly) have luscious and soft skin. That only happens if you can actually peel it off. And if you don't, friends will think your skin is peeling. Seriously, 3 days later I still had the stuff on.

Xoxo, Kryn

PS: You can read all my Summer List things here.

Blackberry Ice Cream

I know I talked about this yesterday, but since it was on my goals and summer list, I'd thought I'd share more. Feel free to forgo this post, if your heart desires. But I suggest you stick around for the recipe for this ice cream. Or at least where you can get it. I'm feeling lazy and don't want to type the whole thing.

Number one was to make ice cream. I'm sure you needed me to tell you that! I'm generally not one for ice cream. Don't get me wrong, I love it. But I'd rather have a baked good. So when I DO have ice cream, I have cookie dough or cake batter. I'm fairly predictable.

But! I totally switched it up and made blackberry.

And oh my goodness.

It will knock your socks off.

I got the recipe from this book, which happens to have an adorable cover which totally ups the awesomeness. I was seriously tempted by the salted caramel too. And the cookies and cream. Of course.

But the blackberry. It's sweet and delicious and a very lovely shade. That's part of why I made blackberry. The compote you put in tastes sooo good, I was having trouble not drinking it. Seriously, make this ice cream. Your life will be (almost) complete.

And good news, remember yesterday I said it was more soupy? Well, I actually didn't but it was. Over night, it hardened up and is REAL ice cream. I should have taken more pictures, it looks quite different than the soppy mess above. (soppy messes can still taste amazing mind you.)

Also, I added the follower bar to the side of my blog. I'd love it if you'd follow. But I'll love you if you don't.

Have you ever made ice cream?

Much love, Kryn.