My First Giveaway!

A couple of days ago I made a Books Worth Reading board on Pinterest. It got me thinking about how/why some of my favorite books have affected my life. I started to see a funny pattern among them. First, the majority are biographies, and secondly, it's almost always a story of how someone endures extreme hardship and lives to tell of God's goodness, even in suffering. I suppose these books speak the loudest to me. I'm so encouraged by stories of God's faithfulness and the perseverance of saints. They help put things in perspective - I realize how blessed I am and I'm also challenged to be courageous and faithful in my own life.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, is one such story and perhaps my favorite book of all. I'm sure my mom read it to me first when I was young, but I've since read it at least five times. I now revere Corrie and her sister Betsie as heroes of mine.

The story of The Hiding Place begins in Holland at the start of WWII. The Ten Boom family runs a watch and watch repair shop out of their home but soon find themselves in a new type of business - the business of hiding Jews. Corrie and her family quickly become the center of the anti-Nazi underground as they hide Jews in a secret room in their home. Eventually however, they're betrayed and sent to Hitler's concentration camps. Corrie writes about how she and her sister, Betsie, find a new type of hiding place for themselves and the Jews in the camps. A hiding place where God is their refuge and strength. 

Today, I've decided to give this book to one reader. :-) I hope it will bless your life as much as it has mine. And if you've already read/own it, it could make for a great gift. The copy in the picture is my own, but I'll be sending you a new one.  

How to enter (US and UK readers only, please):

1. Follow me via GFC or Bloglovin'. Follow buttons are on the right side bar. -->

2. Leave a comment and tell me what your favorite book is and why. Please include your e-mail address so I can contact you. 

For extra entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter and leave an additional comment to let me know.

2. "Like" MichaelaRae on Facebook and leave an additional comment to let me know.

I'll announce the winner on May 30th! Winner announced here.

Have a lovely day,

Michaela Rae

This post is linked up at Try New Adventures Thursday. Link your weekly adventures up!

The Time I Fell in Love with Ireland

Late last night Kurt and I got back from our four day trip to Ireland. It was so amazing, I'm kind of at a loss for words for describing it. I had always wanted to visit Ireland but I didn't have high expectations for what it'd be like. It'd be an understatement to say that I was blown away - Ireland is absolutely beautiful.

We decided to rent a car in Dublin and explore the west coast. It was the best decision because Ireland's countryside, coast and colorful middle-of-no-where towns totally trump anything Dublin (or any city) has to offer. I still can't get over how green everything was - every shade of green you can imagine and a couple that you can't. Also, I'd forgotten how therapeutic road-tripping is (even despite having to drive on the left side of the road). We found castles, run-away sheep crossing the road, stopped numerous times for photos and played Celtic music the whole way.

We stayed at a B&B in Doolin, a tiny town on the coast, and in Dingle, the main town on the Dingle Peninsula. I think the Dingle Peninsula was by far the most breathtaking area, but we loved the Cliffs of Moher and the authentic Irish music we got to experience in Doolin. There are so many Christian historical sites in Ireland, Kurt was having a hay-day. We saw 500 AD beehive huts where Christians lived, a church dating to the 6th century and an Early Medieval monastic settlement in Glendalough. 

The culture in Ireland seems so simple and peaceful - totally different from life in London. And trust me, after living in London being a farmer seems really appealing. We savored every day and were genuinely sad to leave. On our flight back we were already brainstorming for our next trip.

Michaela Rae

Go on any adventures this week? Link them up for Try New Adventures Thursday.

We're All a Little Afraid of Ourselves

I'll be honest, for all this talk of adventure, I'm not that adventurous. At least not on my own. I always prefer to do things with someone, and if there's no one, I often opt to stay home. It's silly and lame but true. Fortunately I'm married and have a go-to companion whenever I'm itching to see and do. Yesterday though, I decided to explore London alone (something I've only done twice). I loved every minute of it; it was good to remind myself that fear is always unnecessary and that things done on your own can still be fun.

I hadn't been to Covent Garden so it was my first stop. I loved how lively it was even on a weekday, music and all shorts of food and clothing booths. The delicious smells were killing me so I decided to find a bakery that I've been wanting to visit ever since I started following them on Twitter last year.

The little corner Primrose Bakery was all abuzz with tea, cakes and cuteness. I was bummed that all the tables were taken but opted for two takeaway cupcakes, Lavender and Lemon.

I sat in Caffe Nero with a chai latte and did what I've learned the last couple of years is important: got to know myself. On the surface it seems kind of selfish, but I'm realizing that it's possibly one of the most selfless things a person can do. Thinking about who I am and asking the questions that normally I'd drown out with music, blogs, cleaning or really anything available, is eye opening and a necessary step in becoming who I was created to be. In a society where our reflex is "I'm doing well, how are you?" being left to our thoughts can be frightening and painful. And you know you need to be when you're afraid to turn things off - when the idea of a closed laptop and silence seems too much to bear.

Riding home I simply sat. I didn't pick up the newspaper beside me (they're trash anyway), read the book in my bag, play on the iPhone or put earbuds in. I sat and stopped drowning out the uncomfortable. The smelly man beside me, the couple making out a few seats over, me. And in that packed car, I was one of three people who were willing to do that.

I think we're all a little afraid of ourselves and we'd rather not admit it.

But I also think, with yesterday as proof, that facing our fears is the first step to overcoming them.

"There is no fear where love exists. Rather, perfect love banishes fear, for fear involves punishment, and the person who lives in fear has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:18 ISV

Michaela Rae

This post is linked up to Try New Adventures Thursday. Link your adventures up every week!

Six Months in England | Things I've Learned

Happy March everyone!

Where I grew up, March meant spring, but this year I'm in England and March means we're half-way through our adventures here. It's hard to believe that six months ago I was building my first winter wardrobe, relishing my last southern American meal and cramming a years worth of belongings into four suitcases.

Now it's a balancing game with trying to live in the present, embracing our experience here, while also thinking on the future and what things will look like in another half year. Where we'll live and work back in the US is still up in the air, but we're trusting God and are mostly excited to see what happens.

A few things I've learned these last six months

Writing letters is one of the best forms of communication.
Letters used to be one of the only ways of long-distance communication, but now they signify much more: extra thought, time and money spent. Something that in our go-go society isn't prized much.

Food here goes bad quickly, American food must be loaded with preservatives.
We're always racing to eat our bread loafs and dairy products before little growths appear. It makes me question what exactly I've been eating back home.

I'm impressionable and assimilate especially well to accents.
Even the girls I work with tell me I'm starting to sound British. They love my American accent though and urge me to return to my roots. But I aint gunna fool no body, I'm Amurican.

Which teas milk does and doesn't belong with and what my tea/milk "color" is.
My sweet Church friends put together a high tea for me a few weeks ago. They taught me that milk never belongs in herbal teas and rarely in flavored ones. And I've discovered just how much milk I like.

Life situations change and with them friendships.
Moving has made some friendships closer and others less-close or just different than before. I'm learning to accept it and realize the benefits of it. And it's good to be out of my relational comfort zone and learn to build new relationships.

Trips to a park must be frequent otherwise I go a little cuckoo.
Stars, the sound of birds and rustle of trees are increasing in value to me. Living in LA and especially now, I've learned that without them I more easily loose sight of the big-picture perspective in life. They remind me how small I am and how big my Savior is. Guess I don't make the best city girl.

The average Brit knows more about baking than the average American.
I admire the basic baking knowledge people seem to have here - the result of less Jiffy, pancake, brownie and cake mixes I guess. It's also encouraged me shut my mouth and just listen when baking is the topic of conversation.

How to read a 24 hour clock.
With clocks programmed to 24 hours, it's taken awhile to adjust to reading the time at work. But now I know that 15 is 3pm and 21, 9pm and so on. I don't have to count as much now.

The entire UK is roughly the size of the state of Michigan.
This country is really small compared to the US. It's a funny thing to wrap your mind around. It helps me realize why people in London seem more cultured (they've traveled much of Europe) and people in the States are less so (they're content traveling the US instead of outside it - there's lots to see).

Michaela Rae

Link up your Thursday adventures at Alicia's Homemaking.

My First Cobbler

Today, while jamming to The Temptations, I made my first southern peach cobbler. It tastes just like the cobbler I used to get at the Country Kitchen restaurant in my small hometown, i.e. it's delicious! So simple to make, this will definitely be a recipe I make again, over and over. And next time I'll try to be more patient and wait for my peaches to fully ripen.

Peach and Cinnamon Cobbler
originally found here

Filling:
6 cups peaches, pitted and sliced
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup tapioca (I used Ambrosia canned tapioca)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
Pinch salt

Topping:
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting
3 1/2 TBSP sugar
1 1/2 TBSP baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
6 TBSP cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
2/3 cup heavy cream, plus additional for brushing

Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C. Butter a deep 2 1/2 quart baking dish. In a medium bowl stir together the filling ingredients. Pour filling into prepared baking dish.

In a large bowl, prepare the topping. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter and mix with your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly pour in the cream and stir until dough just comes together. On a lightly floured surface, pat the dough together. Form 2-inch balls and flatten them slightly.

Evenly arrange the dough rounds on top of the filling. Brush lightly with cream. Bake ~40 minutes or until golden brown and filling is bubbling.

Michaela Rae

Link your Thursday adventures up at my sister's blog, Alicia's Homemaking.

Embracing Wimbledon

I've accepted that there's no way I'll know London like the back of my hand before our time's up. So instead, I've made it my goal to at least know Wimbledon. Perhaps with kiddos in tow someday, I'll point out all the places we sipped coffee, ate dinner and bought groceries. I love the idea of coming back and revisiting all of my favorite places.

We've experienced fish and chips at the family owned diner around the corner, breakfast at Mica Cafe, explored enormous stacks of books at Copperfield's Secondhand Book Shop, bought fruit and veggies at the stand by the Library, had coffee dates at Costa and Caffe Nero, tried all the teas at Pret a Manger and felt sick after eating curry at Ahmed Tandoori.

And there's still so much to see and do. We have yet to catch a show at the Wimbledon Theatre and have Thai at a restaurant I've been eyeing. Today though, I decided to just walk the streets and take it all in - the smells, red roofs and chimneys and city sounds. This is home for me right now and I want to embrace it. I "popped in"(my new British expression) a few stores, bought flowers and sat at my new favorite cafe, Kaldi Coffee. From their cozy upstairs seating I could look across the street at Starbucks. I liked it. Not giving Starbucks business puts a grin on my face. Starbucks is like Fox Books; I prefer the Shop Around the Corner. (You've Got Mail lovers will understand that analogy.)

Wherever we end up, I hope I make as much of an effort to embrace it as I have here. I'm sure it'll become more challenging as life goes on, with work, kids, functions and everything else, but I think it's important. Living like this has made such a difference in how I view time spent. I'm reminded that it's limited and there's much to enjoy and people worth loving, everywhere. It's not just about how many destinations I get to, it's about enjoying what God's put before me.

Michaela Rae

Week One, Full of Gratitude

My heart is full of gratitude for this week and for the year ahead. I love the feelings a new year brings of hope, anticipation and gratitude. A fresh outlook for a fresh start. As it has been for a couple years now, my goal is to be more intentional in 2012. Especially in the department of gratitude. So here are a few things that've blessed me this week.

Kurt and I took Monday to explore a new borough, something we love to do. We traveled North West to Richmond. A beautiful borough on the Thames, so unique and different from Wimbledon. It was cold but clear and bright - an extremely rare day. We wandered the historic streets and string-lit alleyways peeking in thrift stores and cafes. It gets me every time,  that renewed sense of wonder and excitement for being here and experiencing everything. I loved every minute of our exploration. Even the 7.5 mile walk home through Richmond Park, where we saw 16 deer peacefully lying, and Wimbledon Common, where we got our feet stuck in fresh mud and I screamed at a stick across the path that looked strangely like a snake (don't judge me I'm from Florida). Kurt told me I should name this blog post "There and Back Again, a Jaros Tale," I thought it a bit dramatic, but then again, I'm often that.

My sister Lindsey takes the best pictures. I love how soft and dreamy they are. It just so happens that she had the best subjects this week too - my two nephews. I just want to melt with every photo. I'm sure my sister Alicia will share some of these on her blog, so I don't want to steal all the fun, but I had to share some. I miss my family and I'm super grateful for every drop of closeness I can feel, even via photos.

Today I found the sweet memories of Kurt and my engagement a blessing as well. Again, major props to my sister for taking these photos (see them all here). She had flown from Florida to California to be there for our engagement and hid in the bushes taking photos until he proposed. The weekend we spent with her thereafter was such a blast. I love reflecting on how far Kurt and I have come and all the exciting times we've shared. Our trip to San Francisco and our engagement there are some of my favorite times. But it's amazing how much more in love we are now than we were then. Marriage is good for that. 

What's blessed your first week of 2012? Have any adventures? You can link them up here.

Michaela Rae

Easy British Scones

Good morning readers! I have to say, I had the best day off yesterday. Not only did I get to do my food shopping in my new favorite coat, but I made proper British scones and enjoyed them with clotted cream and tea. How appropriate of me, right?

Let me first show off my little red riding hood coat, as I like to call it. I snagged this one on Boxing Day. I love the color red, warm coats with big hoods and good deals, so this was a win x3.

Now for the scones. These are so easy it's hard to believe they taste so good. I started making these late in the morning and they were the perfect brunch. The recipe lends approximately 10 scones and takes hardly any time to whip up.

You'll need:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup white sugar

5 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup butter at room temp.

1 cup milk

1 egg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.

1. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Cut butter into dry ingredients and mix it in with your fingers until only small pea sized bits are left.

2. In a small bowl beat egg and milk together. Sir wet mixture into flour mixture until fully moistened. 

3. On a lightly floured surface kneed dough briefly. Choose whether to add other ingredients, like dried fruit, lemon or orange zest. I cut my dough in half and added dried cranberries and orange zest to one part. 

4. Roll dough out into 1/2 inch round. Cut pie piece wedges out of the dough and place on baking sheet.

5. Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown. 

While the scones are baking, I highly recommend making some Devonshire cream. Here's a great recipe for it. I was able to get Robba's Cornish Clotted Cream at my local grocery so I stuck with that. It's really tasty. I even enjoyed mine with the homemade blueberry jam my sister sent me for Christmas. Thank you Alicia, I love it!

So so good. 

What adventure did you have this week? Link up at Alicia's Homemaking. 

Michaela Rae

A Merry Little Cross-cultural Christmas

If my lack of posting doesn't speak for itself, the last two weeks have been really busy. I can't believe how fast this month is passing! Kurt and I got our little 3ft tree up. It's white and I love how bright and jolly it is. I also hung our stockings and sparkly snowflakes in the windows. It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, a very special cross-cultural one. We have yet to visit Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park or try the infamous Christmas Pudding, but you can count on hearing about those in the near future.

After work the other night I made the best sugar cookies, you must try this recipe. I wanted to use my Christmas cookie cutters but the dough was too gooey (I think because I used caster sugar instead of regular white sugar). All the same, they were really delicious and super easy. I'll be making more. What's your favorite Christmas cookie recipe to use cutters with?

My favorite part of this week has been receiving packages and Christmas cards in the post. It's so exciting! We already have 5 packages from family around our tree. Although it's different and sad at times, being away from family has a great way of helping you realize how blessed you. I'm really grateful for my family. It's especially fun to have twice the family this year. :-) We're feeling the love here in England.

Michaela Rae

P.S. My second favorite part of this week has been enjoying Sleeping At Last's free Christmas album, if you haven't already, you should download it.

Link up with your Thursday adventures at Alicia's Homemaking.

Mica Café

When we decided on our little flat in Wimbledon, Mica Cafe quickly caught my eye. The name brought back fond memories from my time spent in Argentina for an internship. Friends I made there gave me the nickname Mica (mee-cuh) and I loved being called by it. Today I finally visited the cafe for brunch with Kurt; it was the perfect day to sit outside and enjoy the fall air and some good food. And boy was it good! I think I might just become a regular.

Afterward we peeked in the second hand bookstore next store. I love that place. It's so jam-packed with books it's ridiculous. They've run out of space on the shelves so books are stacked wherever there's room on the floor. I feel like I could get lost in that tiny store every time I go in.

Michaela Rae

P.S. I figured out how to use digital washi tape in photoshop. If you couldn't tell, I'm having fun with it. :-)

Link up your Thursday adventure to my sister's blog.

Does God Exist Debate

Methodist Central Hall

This week I attended a debate titled, Does God Exist?. Arguing for the existence of God was William Lane Craig. You may have heard of him; he's a well known philosopher, theologian and apologist. I'd met him a couple of times and Kurt took a class with him at Biola. Philosopher Stephen Law, argued against God's existence. It was my first time going to a debate and I found it really intriguing. I want to share a few after-thoughts on the whole thing.

I think Christians are often turned off by the idea of debating, especially when the debate is about Christianity. I myself was a bit skeptical of it's proper place (if any) when I first met Kurt. Kurt's passionate about apologetics and would tell me about different debates he attended or had read. It puzzled me at first because I think as Christians we often feel we're treading on thin ice. We know we're called to witness and that in doing so it's extremely important to rightly represent Christ. This responsibility can be really intimidating! I, and I'm sure others, am often concerned that I'll offend or push away non-believers if I don't witness in just the right way. It's true that some people respond to certain types of witnessing better than others. But I've found myself trying to run an analysis on each person I meet in order to determine which type of witnessing approach I should take - direct, kind of direct, or very indirect (through example). The truth is, I often spend so much time trying to figure out how I should witness that I never actually witness (directly that is). I'm only left to wonder/hope that my example left some sort of impression.

If there's one thing I was reminded of by attending the debate, it's that people want their biggest questions directly addressed (the enormous Methodist Central Hall was completely packed). And this has been the case for thousands of years. The disciples spent a lot of time directly addressing concerns regarding Christianity and defending it (think Paul, and Luke 1:1-4). What makes that even more impressive, is that the disciples didn't have access to some of the information we have today, say the New Testament, for example. Yes, they'd seen Jesus' work with their own eyes (which I'm sure was a huge source of motivation), but we also have the completed Bible and thousands of years of historical evidence at our finger tips. Not to mention, the Holy Spirit to empower us.

Perhaps growing up in Bible-belt South had a poor effect on me in that I didn't realize the importance of being able to "give a defense" for the hope I have (1 Peter 3:15). Perhaps the world in general has become pre-occupied with tip-toeing around everyones' "raw spots." Perhaps we don't really believe there are good answers to whether or not the universe has an infinite existence or why animals die in wild fires every year. Maybe Christians are just lazy. Or are we afraid of learning; do we think we're incapable of knowing (certainly not everything can be known, but a lot can, that's how God created us)? Do we blame it on lack of time?? That'd be absurd.

These are some things I'm thinking about. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.

I'll leave you with this fitting verse, 1 Peter 3:14-16.

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 

MJ

Link up to my sister's Try New Adventures blog post with your adventure this week.

P.S. I gave my blog a bit of a face-lift for fall :-). What do you think?

The City of Dreaming Spires

Kurt and I went on an Oxford adventure today and it consisted of beautiful English country-side views (complete with a lot of sheep), Krispy Kreme donuts, exploring buildings from the 1200's and sipping a cup of coffee in the very place The Inklings sat every Tuesday from 1939-1962 chatting about who knows what (but it had to have been cool).

While Kurt had lunch with an Oxford professor, I wandered the pebbly streets and stared at the oldest buildings I've ever seen. My American brian was on overload. I've discovered that England has a crazy way of making you want to curl up in blankets with a glass of wine or tea and read any and every old book you can find. I just want to be taken back to a time long long ago, and today I nearly was.

Gotta love Tesco

Aren't these fantastic?

Colorful streets, this picture doesn't do justice.

Lemon Meringue Pie Donut; good thing we only bought one each.

School uniforms are so cute & Harry Potterish

It was really great to travel outside of London for the first time since arriving in England. Somedays while living in London I feel like I'm on a field trip that will never end. Although I'm seeing and doing fun and exciting things, I'm tired, disoriented and hungry for the familiar atmosphere of home. Today though, I feel completely exhilarated. It's like someone hit the refresh button and everything is clearer. I'm seeing the big picture and how blessed I am to be here experiencing a different culture. I read my sister's blog this week on being thankful. And if I were to make a list of all the things I'm feeling grateful for right now you'd probably stop reading.

But along with visiting Oxford, I will share one other thing I'm thankful for: I've found great comfort this week in realizing that although I left all of my earthly family behind in the States, I have eternal family here. And meeting and getting connect to more of my sisters and brothers is truly awesome!

Michaela Rae

P.S. If you were living in England, which book(s) would you be reading in your leisure time? Today I decided to re-read The Hobbit. I'm also hitting the local library tomorrow to find A Severe Mercy. I could pick up whatever you suggest as well!

Try a new adventure this week? Link of up to Try New Adventures Thursday.