Finding Faith and Joy

I don't often write about this topic, but It's been weighing on my mind lately and I feel pulled to write about it.

My faith isn't something I openly share and talk about, partly because it is so personal, and partly because I still feel new on my journey with my faith.

I'll be the first one to admit that my relationship with God has been off and on. My family didn't attend church regularly when I was younger, but I did attend a christian summer camp that was the highlight of my summers. I recently was baptized into the Catholic church and the hubby and I have been attending the church in my community. But, I still haven't felt super connected to my own faith and it's been weighing on my mind and heart a lot lately.

I've always longed for a deeper relationship but have felt 'too new' or like I didn't belong. I've been doing some searching for something, anything, to quench my thirst for knowledge and a sense of belonging. I feel almost ashamed to talk about my faith, to share my longing for more, for a deeper connection and understanding.

I've dabbled in bible journaling {and probably still will} and recently perused the library for some books. I stood overwhelmed by the choices at the library and just started pulling books whose titles appealed to me. Let me tell you if, you haven't been to the library, its a GOLD MINE! I read Found by Micha Boyett. Read isn't a good enough word. Devoured. I devoured that book. It spoke straight to my self doubting, hard on myself, God craving heart. Her book has inspired me to see God in the everyday. To live out the path He is laying for me with joy and peace. To work to actively seek joy. It won't come to me all pretty and neat, tied with a bow; I have to find it. I have to see the amazing world around me and stop being afraid.

In the moments after I closed the book, I sat with hot tears streaming down my face. I don't have to try so hard. There are no prerequisites to believing, you just do it. My faith isn't dependent on others, it's dependent on me. I know there will be moments when I struggle and can't find the joy and beauty in the world around me. But, I know I'm on the path to really discovering my faith and who I am in my faith.

With that I'm off to devour my next book, but I have a favor to ask of you dear readers (are you out there??) Do YOU have any books to recommend to me? A favorite bible study or devotional? A blog to read? Send them my way in the comments!

For now,

Kari

Kombucha!

Kombucha seems to be everywhere now. It's in the grocery store, all over Facebook and Instagram and currently sitting pretty in a glass next to me as I write.

I first heard of it last year when my principal used to tote a bottle of homemade kombucha around with her on a daily basis. When she explained what it was, I'll be honest, my first thought was "How crunchy granola is that?!?"

Well...fast forward a few months and here I am brewing my own. I tried it for the first time this summer and was hooked from the start. {The hubby took a little longer} It's slightly sweet, tangy and bubbly. It can be made in SO many different flavors and can be completely customized to what you love. I love brewing at home because I can make a huge batch of it for just a few dollars, instead of buying a bottle for $3-4 at a time {BONUS!!} We got a scoby from a co-worker of J and got started a few months ago. I am NOT claiming to be an expert by any means, just an at home enthusiast who loves kombucha. So, here is what we do in the Elliott House...

After you have a scoby {you can get one from a friend, order one online or even grow your own}, some starter kombucha, we used unflavored 'booch' from J's co-worker, sugar, black tea and a brewing vessel. You are ready to brew!

I followed the directions of my sweet friend Jen to get started.

Here are the basic directions:

Makes 1 gallon
3 1/2 quarts water
1 cup white sugar
4 bags black tea (or 1 tablespoons loose tea) (I use all black tea)
4 bags green tea (or 1 tablespoon loose tea)
2 cups pre-made unflavored kombucha (from your last homemade batch or store-bought)
1 scoby per fermentation jar

Special equipment: Six 16-oz glass bottles with plastic lids, swing-top bottles, or clean soda bottles

Bring the water to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar to dissolve. Drop in the tea and allow it to steep until the water has cooled. Depending on the size of your pot, this will take a few hours. (Alternatively, you can speed this up by boiling only half the water, letting the tea steep, and then cooling it down with the remaining water.)

Once the tea is cool, remove the tea bags (or strain out the loose tea). Stir in the pre-made kombucha. (This makes the tea acidic, which prevents unfriendly bacteria from taking up residence in the first few days of fermentation.)

Ready to Flavor

Pour the mixture into a 1-gallon glass jar and gently slide the scoby on top with clean hands. Cover the mouth of the jar with a few layers of cheesecloth or paper towels secured with a rubber band. (You can divide this between several jars instead of one big one, but each jar will need its own scoby.)

Let it ferment in a cool dark place for about 7 days and start checking the unflavored kombucha until it finds the right balance between sweet and tangy.  After you find the right balance it's time to add flavor! This is where your creativity gets to go wild! We have been experimenting with flavors, we love anything strawberry, but also love lemon ginger and apple.

Strawberry limeade and lemonade

Today, I decided on strawberry limeade and strawberry lemonade. I took my batch of booch and divided it into two half gallon ball jars (I got mine at bi-mart, but they usually have them at the grocery store) and added strawberries and either sliced lime or lemon. I let this sit for about three days with a plastic lid and then strain and re-bottle it into swing-top bottles and let it sit for a day, the stash it in the fridge. Through lots of trial and error the hubby and I found this is the best way to get a nice fizzy batch of kombucha.

I keep a kombucha journal so I can keep track of when to check or re-bottle it, also so I can track what flavors we have tried and what we liked and didn't like.

The hubby and I usually sip some with dinner, or even mid afternoon for a little pick-me up. It's my go-to when I have a stomach ache, or am feeling a little off. I also love the fizziness of it, because it makes me think I'm having a soda, but it's way healthier! Kombucha is known for it's health benefits and a quick Google search can help you learn a little more about the benefits of brewing your own at home, along with lots of different methods and flavor options.

And because I couldn't resist, here is my ever faithful side-kick and his current favorite toy.

Happy Kombucha Brewing Friends!

Kari {& Dieter}

FriYAY!!!

It's Friday!!! This has been a long week and I am READY for the weekend.

This will be me this afternoon at 4pm. I swear this week has felt like it has been 2 weeks long. I'm excited for this weekend so I can catch up on life. I wasn't home enough last weekend, or this week and I NEED some catch up time. The list is LONG this week, plus I want to make sure that things are in order before Sunday, because the hubby comes home on Sunday!! YAY!! He's been gone all week hunting in Texas and I've been missing him!

I'm hoping to get some time outside this weekend with the puppers so we can soak up some vitamin D! Spring has sprung in Oregon and I want to take advantage of it before the rain sets in (if it does...)

What does your weekend look like? Spending time outside? Shoveling snow? Relaxing with a cup of coffee and binge watching netflix? I wanna hear about it!!

For now,

Kari