Saying Goodbye: High School Edition

“What feels like the end is often the beginning.” -Unknown

With summer at an end and senior year baring its face, this last year of high school seems very scary and overwhelming. Deadlines for scholarships and college applications are rapidly approaching. Whether you know where you are going to college or not, the thought of college is a staggering realization. As the Class of 2020 we must put both feet forward. Don’t look back. Instead, look forward, to the path that you are forging.

The next 7 months will consist of many hellos and many goodbyes, tears shed and smiles given, but through it all none of us need to forget that this isn’t an ending to a long chapter, but rather a new beginning to an even longer chapter. Some of us try and stretch this time out, wishing it would never end. Others, can’t graduate fast enough. No matter where we are headed in life, our senior year in high school is part of what will define us for the rest of our lives. Whether we decide to go to college or to just jump right into adult life, we should all try and make the best of this final year of our childhood. “Tomorrow will be a new chapter in my life. This book is getting very interesting.” – Unknown

In the coming months, study hard for your tests, find a college that is right for you, look back on the good times, and make new memories. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and do things you wouldn’t normally do. This is the last year before you are out in the real world, whether that’s college, or straight to work, so don’t forget to be yourself and go out with a bang.

 

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

 

Let Freedom Ring

“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” ~Mark Twain
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” ~John 15:13
“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” ~Ronald Reagan

 

 

(I do not necessarily share the beliefs of all the people cited, but these are good quotes nonetheless.)

Double-Chocolatey Goodness

Double-Chocolate Muffins are a rich and decadent dessert that will leave you wanting more. Topped with a fresh strawberry, you’ll be thanking yourself for making these.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 milk
1 egg

*Optional:
Fresh strawberries to top your muffins with
Butter to melt onto your freshly baked muffins

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Line a muffin tray with cupcake liners or grease the pan. In a mixing bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Make a well in the center of your flour mixture. Set aside the bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Combine until moistened. Your mixture should resemble the consistency of brownie batter.

Spoon muffin mix into prepared tray and bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cooked muffins sit in the pan for about 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. If desired, melt butter on top of muffins*. Serve warm and enjoy!

James 5:13-20

“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

 

*New International Version

Into the Night

“I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”~Proverbs 3:24*

“Loneliness adds beauty to life. It puts a special burn on sunsets and makes night air smell better.” ~Henry Rollins

*New International Version

Bottle Cap Jewelry

Do you have an outfit that needs a little spicing up but don’t have the right piece of jewelry? That’s okay, because I have the perfect solution. Bottle cap necklaces are an easy fun way to personalize jewelry that is unique to you.

 

What you need:

Round Epoxy Stickers
Bottle Caps (Either from a craft store or from home)
String
Scissors
Rubber Cement
Metal hole punch
Nail file or sandpaper
Page from a dictionary, book, etc.
*Clasps to attach to string

Directions:

1.Find a word in a dictionary or book tear the page out and save it for later. I chose the word “beauty”.

2. Punch a hole in your bottle cap. Depending on the size of your hole and your string you may need to punch an additional hole (overlapping the previous one) so your string will fit through.

3. Measure out your desired length for your necklace and then double it. Take the string and fold it in half. Take the folded end and feed it through the hole on your bottle cap. Now take the two ends and put them through the loop that you created when you fed the string through the hole. Pull the string tight.

This is what your necklace should like so far.

4. Take your dictionary or book page that you set aside earlier and place your epoxy sticker over the word(s) that you want.

5. Cut around the circle and get rid of the excess paper.

6. Put glue on the bottle cap and on the back of your epoxy sticker.

7. Place the epoxy sticker in the bottle cap and viola, you now have a unique chic necklace to go almost with any outfit.

*If you want a more traditional style necklace tie on a jump ring and clasp.

James 5:7-12

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.”

 

*New International Version

Sunny Words

Here are some quotes to brighten up your day.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~John 8:12

“True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away, even over distance and time.” ~Marie Williams Johnstone

“I want to be like a sunflower; so that even on the darkest days, I will stand tall and find the sunlight.” ~Unknown

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 5:16

 

 

Strawberry Delight

Perfect for tea time or just a plain dessert, Strawberry Shortcake Scones hold nothing back for your taste buds. A dense yet light snack, these scones will leave you wanting more.

 

Ingredients for Dough:

12 diced strawberries
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
8 tbsp cold cubed butter
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup half and half

Ingredients for Icing:

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 half and half

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Cut the cold butter cubes into the flour mixture. Add the diced strawberries to the flour mixture. Toss the strawberries until they are lightly coated with the flour mixture. Fold in the half and half until the mixture resembles a dough.

 

Put the dough on a lightly floured surface. (Make sure to flour your hands as the dough is very sticky.) Pat the dough into a rectangle about 1 inch thick. Cut the dough into triangles. Place dough onto baking sheet and cook for 16-18 minutes, or until golden brown.

While the scones are cooking, whisk together the icing ingredients and place some parchment paper underneath your wire rack.

After the scones are done cooking, place them on the wire rack and let them cool for about ten minutes. Drizzle the tops of the scones with the icing and enjoy your delicious homemade dessert!