Essence of Eve: holiday season

Showing posts with label holiday season. Show all posts

12.31.2012

goodbye 2012

endings are most always bittersweet. you get to turn a page, open a new book, start fresh... but that also means leaving the old behind. it's natural. it's the passing of time. we change, we grow, we learn. sometimes we aren't quite ready to admit that another year has passed, & sometimes, for one reason or another, we wish time would freeze. but it never does. that's why we need to make the most of the time we have.

twenty-thirteen is a new year. let's make the most of it. this year, let's resolve to spend more time being thankful for the things we have, rather than wishing for those we don't. this year, let's focus more on the little things that matter. let's not complain about our 'ordinary' lives, but embrace them with joy. most importantly, let's resolve to remind ourselves that little is much when God is in it. His plans are great & unfathomable.

goodbye 2012. I will treasure your sweet memories forever.
hello 2013. I look forward to what you hold with anticipation.

hugs,
eve victorie

12.19.2012

december came

And so, with a flourish & a powdery white flurry of snow... December came. It is a busy (but in a happy way) month -- one of my favourites. Yummy things baking in the oven, delicious scents wafting through the air, Christmas cards to be made & sent, packages waiting to be wrapped in pretty paper... it's a wonderful time.

We rejoice as we celebrate the greatest Gift of all, brought to us in a lowly manger. We remember the year past. All the precious moments we have gathered in our memories, to treasure for many seasons ahead, perhaps even forever. We prepare for the year ahead. Making resolutions, new plans, preparing to set exciting new projects in motion, and breathlessly awaiting to to see where they will take us.

That's the beauty of December. Embrace it with me, won't you?

p.s. I have been a little sick these past few weeks, thus the lack of posts. I'm feeling better now, but I probably will not be posting here again til the new year. With the holidays being just around the corner & me still having come last-minute things to take care of, I just won't have the time to sit down & write a real post. I'm sorry for the lack of activity on here lately, & I'm looking to change that in the new year. Thank you all so much for all your sweet comments & support!!! I know it sounds cliche, but -- they mean a lot -- & they really do! :)

p.p.s. Did I forget to say? I'm also planning on giving this place a little facelift over Christmas break. ;)

11.25.2012

cinnaberry cake || a christmasy recipe

The snow is falling softly outside, the Christmas tree lights are twinkling, & a distinct happy thrill is in the air. The holiday season is almost upon us & what better way to celebrate than by sharing a recipe?
You may or may not know this, but I love baking. I consider it an art... a wonderfully delicious & creative art. And so, feeling extremely adventurous the other day, I decided to create my own holiday recipe. All my favourite Christmasy ingredients in one cinnamony, delightful cake!

ingredients:
~ 1 cup sugar
~ 1 cup dried cranberries
~ 1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (can be substituted for one additional cup oats if nut-free is desired)
~ 1 cup oats
~ 1 teaspoon cinnamon
~ 2 1/4 cups flour
~ 1 teaspoon baking soda
~ 6 eggs
~ 1 teaspoon vanilla
~ 1 cup melted butter
~ 1/2 cup milk

directions:
Mix together the sugar, cranberries, walnuts, oats, & cinnamon in a large bowl.

In a smaller bowl, mix the flour & baking powder together. Then, add them to the cinnamon-cranberry mixture. Stir til combined.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, butter, milk, & vanilla.

Slowly pour the liquid mixture into the cinnamon-cranberry mixture, in three separate portions - stirring in between additions.

Pour mixture into a cake mould.

Place your creation into an oven preheated to 375F & bake for approximately 20 minutes, or til toothpick comes out clean.

After your cake is done, you may want to add icing. I personally just prefer a little dusting of powdered sugar on top - it gives it a little extra wintery flair.

And ta-da! Your Cinnaberry Cake is all set & ready to serve (or eat all by yourself as part of a midnight baking experience, & that's ok - I won't tell ;)... & it didn't even take you half an hour. Now go sit by the Christmas tree, inhale the cinnamony scent in the air, drink some hot cocoa (or coffee), & eat your sweetly delicious slice of cake.
cozy warm hugs,

e

p.s. who has snow? we have about five inches already! :)

1.04.2012

Things I Would Like to Do in 2012

It is now officially 2012. A new year... full of numerous surprises and to-dos. I'm excited! There are so many things I would like to do this year, so many areas I want to grow in... and yet I can't even mention one thing without first looking back at 2011. I like to think of it as a well-worn path of memories, accomplishments, and many, many failures, upon which I have learned countless valuable things and which has brought me to the place I am now. I have grown in my photography, a lot, and learned tons of new things about blog designing, and HTML in general (if you're an old follower, you probably know what I'm talking about ;). And 2012 is likewise, a path, yet untrodden, before me. I know that it'll be overgrown with weeds in places, even as it is sprinkled with colourful, sweet smelling flowers in others, but I take comfort in the fact that its Maker set it before me only because He knew I could make it to the end.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

"For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." ~ Romans 8:28

With these thoughts in mind, I present to you my 2012 things-I-plan-to-do list (in no particular order). :)

2012 To-Do List

read 100 books
rewrite my novel, at least halfway
read at least two Jane Austen novels
reread Bryan Davis' Dragons In Our Midst and Oracles of Fire, then finish off with Song of the Ovulum
get a Kindle Touch
read Starlighter
read Isle of Swords and Isle of Fire
read LotR, ALL three parts this time
reread The Hobbit
review a book for a publisher
host a sponsor giveaway on either one of my blogs
get 100 followers on either one of my blogs
design at least 5 blogs, excluding my own
open an etsy shop
sell at least one of my photography prints
see The Hunger Games (March 23)
see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (December 17)
get a Canon 50mm lens
do all those other things I really want to do but can't think of right now :D

So... what's on your list?

12.31.2011

Those Last Few Moments

The New Year will be upon us in about 2 hours, more or less. You may be taking in this fact with great excitement and anticiaption at the coming of 2012, or maybe with a twinge of sadness at the loss of (wonderfully amazing) 2011, or perhaps with a bit of both. And so, whether you are swimming in a sea of 2011 memories or thinking of the wonders that 2012 may bring, I wanted to take a moment, before my 2011 blog archive closes, to wish you all a Happy New Year filled with many blessings and much happiness! For...

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." ~ Isaiah 40:8

Love in Christ,

12.30.2011

The Best of 2011

As I look back at 2011, at all those months and days lost in the realm of the past, I realize just how much I've grown in my photography this year. I've gone from simply taking 'snapshots' to really thinking about angles, and exposure, and all those other things we all stop to consider before shooting. And so, in honour of the dawn of 2011, as well as my photography growth, I have decided to share with you my favourite photos of this past year! So sit back, relax, and listen to this as you scroll down...

It's Safe by Westlife (I haven't listened to any of their other songs... yet, so I can't recommend them). My sister got Dolphin Tale for Christmas and this song has been stuck inside my head ever since I saw it. The movie is amazing by the way, you should definitely see it... if you haven't already!