Farewell February...

Well the second month of 2010 finishes today. I'm very thankful for this past month God has given all of us. I'm thankful for my husband, and my family, our home and the ways God has provided for us this month.  I would like to post this Bible verse as a blessing for all of you for this coming month:

Numbers 6:24-26

 ²⁴ "The LORD bless you
       and keep you;
 ²⁵ the LORD make his face shine upon you
       and be gracious to you;
 ²⁶ the LORD turn his face toward you
       and give you peace."

Happy March!

The Discipline of Prayer

So I've been feeling the pull of God to come closer to Him for a while now.  I started to do my daily devotions again every morning which feels good.  Then I started to pray afterward...It did not go well and I was thankful that the Spirit intercedes for us because I needed Him to.  I realized that the reason why it didn't go well was because I wasn't disciplining myself to focus on talking to God.  My mind was wandering all over the place.  I would say a word like "work" and starting singing a song in my head like "I've been working on the railroad."  SHEESH.  It was embarrassing! So I decided that I need to pray more and discipline myself.  Today went better...even though I still did the word associating song thing...but I asked God to focus my mind every time I strayed.  It will probably take a while but a disciplined prayer life is something very important to me and hopefully for all believers.  Happy Saturday!

Ugh...

I'm sad today.  Since I got married this past November, I've been trying to find a job for myself.  I have been on 2 interviews (which is a feat in itself because it seems that no one is hiring) and I just received word from the second place that they aren't going to hire me.  I have, before this, have never not been offered the job I've interviewed for...but this is a different time I guess.  Anyways I'm just discouraged today. I know that God has a plan for me and down the road when I have a job I will see how He was at work the whole time...

Why is a Raven like a Writing Desk?

Hello! Well I can't wait for March to come so so many reasons! So I went ahead and put my new header for March up today.  The official flower for the month of March is the Daffodil.  What do daffodils remind me of? Alice and Wonderland!! You know the scene where Alice is talking to all the flowers? Daffodils remind me of that scene I always expect them to talk to me! I literally can't wait for the new Alice and Wonderland to come out! I also have a few fun things going on in the coming month that I'll let you know all about.  I feel very hopeful...Spring is coming!
P.S. I don't know why a raven is like a writing desk...it's from Alice and Wonderland and it's been swimming around in my head lately...

By Faith

My husband and I have been recently discussing some possible changes in our lives.  Unfortunately we can't see into the future and that makes planning and decision making hard...at least for me.  So we've been talking about making a decision in faith.  I'm sure so many of you have made these kinds of decisions before, took that leap trusting God will catch you. But for some reason, I'm having a hard time with it. I know that God loves me and has a plan for me but I also think "why should God help us out with our needs when so many are suffering and we have it so much better than so many people?" But then I saw a few verses yesterday that hit me....

Ephesians 2:8-9

⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. ¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

I've heard this many times so much so I could probably say it with out reading it. But the word that hit me today was boast.  We are put here to glorify the name of God, which means when we step out on faith and God comes through we give him the glory and spread the good news of what He has done.  When I take decisions on myself and things work out do I give God the glory...hmmmm?  So maybe God would rather me step out on faith so that I boast in Him and the awesome provisions He has "planned for me to do long ago."  Let go and Let God....

Sabrina

Hello! My movie selection for this week is Sabrina. This film was released in 1954 starring the lovely Audrey Hepburn.  When I am feeling under the weather (and also when the weather is gloomy like it has been here for a few days now) I like to watch movies that comfort me.  Sabrina was always a movie that has comforted me in a few ways.  One reason is because it's an ugly duckling story, I was a super late bloomer so I relate to Audrey's character in that way. (even though Audrey is so beautiful always...but maybe that's the point we're all beautiful always) Secondly, Sabrina escapes to Europe (Paris, France) to grow up and get away from her life.  I too escaped to Europe for a time in college, where I grew up and visited Paris, where I left my heart so I could go back one day to retrieve it....sneaky sneaky :) And thirdly, because it has an un-expected love story...and that's how it is, you rarely end up with the person you'd pictured in your mind.  I could watch this movie over and over again! Enjoy!

February Fresh

Follow this link on epicurious.com where you can find out what food is in-season in your state monthly.  This February in California the foods are:
Avocados
Broccoli
Swiss Chard
Grapefruit
Kale
Kumquats
Lemons
Mushrooms
Oranges
Tangerines
Check out to see what's in-season where you live! Happy Marketing!

The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer

This week's movie I am late on! I try to do them on Tuesdays but I wasn't here to do it. So every season reminds me of different movies and I feel like the spring time is unusually vibrant with movies to pick from. Today's is called The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer.  This movie is another Black and White made in 1947, with Cary Grant and a sort of grown up Shirley Temple.  This story is simple, young girl falls head over heals for a much older man...and the man tries everything in his power to shake her off with misunderstandings and mishaps galore.  It's just plain FUN! My best friend and I, growing up, and now will still occasionally do the "you remind me of a man" bit.

They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts...

I know I haven't been blogging for a while...Chris and I were at a conference starting on Monday in Southern California.  It was really great on many levels.  One thing was that Chris' family lives in So. Cal. so we got to catch up with them and that is always really fun! The weather was perfect and Chris' mom's place is to die for (over looking the ocean...I know!)
Another reason it was great was because Chris and I got to go to Disneyland...which we love...and again the weather was lovely and it wasn't crowded the best thing to do there is people watch (if you like people watching) it's delightful, because people are so happy there and kids are so uninhibited! We just sat there watching people and chuckling!
The third reason it was great was because the conference we went to was amazing.  It's called the On-Target Conference. Which is designed for pastors and other leaders in the church but mainly pastors to come together and get a little fellowship time but really to get challenged to stay "on-target."
It's been really awesome for me since I've been married to be able to learn so so much in such a short amount of time. I really didn't want to move here, away from my hometown and family and church family. At times it feels like being cast out into the desert.  I didn't understand why this was in God's plan for us.  But as I look back on these 3 months I can see how much I have learned out here in the desert how you can find the springs of water in what seems to be a very dry place.  If you never venture out of the comfort of familiarity then maybe you aren't living up to your full potential as a Christ follower.
So all this comes into culmination at this conference as I was listening to a message on The Great Commission. I never have ever wanted to be involved in foreign missions, I used to help out in the youth ministry and every year they went to Mexico on a mission and every year I said no.  Ok first things first, if you say no....eventually God will make you say yes. The first day of this message I was like "I don't like Jesus anymore" because I was truly that uncomfortable with what was being pressed on my heart. The next day I heard "Does your heart break for what breaks God's heart? At the end of you life will you only have to show for your self a live of self serving comforts?" Oh...don't get me wrong...I am all over the place serving the church at my church being involved in anything my skills are suited for.  Serving only those who already know and love Christ...only. Does my heart break for the lost...no...do I even think about it much or at all...no. Are you really following after Christ then? Yikes I don't know, not if I feel this bad about how I answered those questions.  I'm so excited to be at this place! So excited to have been given a new perspective on this life I have and on the world I live in.  Praise God!! I read Isaiah 43:1-13 today...I feel renewed!

Mary Blair

Hello All! So a little bit of my background I never could figure out what I wanted to do "when I grew up." I didn't ever have anything much planned except that I wanted to stay home and be like June Cleaver.  I hated in high school when you had to career test and job shadow...I'll never forget that one test told me I should be an allergist.  What?! Why?! Pee-u.  So I went to college and the first two years I had no idea what I wanted to be...I liked history and literature so I stuck with those types of classes but then also on the side I always was in art classes.

So the time came to choose my major and I picked history...went to the orientation heard what they had to say and said to myself "I will not enjoy this and maybe I won't finish if I pick this." So I had a drawing teacher who told me that I would be an art major and I would always say no...then I did! I was one.  I can't say it was the best decision...I loved it and then I hated it...I lost so so much of my own artistic voice in the process because of harsh critiques and narrow project criteria.  So then last December, when I finished my degree I was relieved and since then I have yet to do anything artistic (I'm talking like drawing, painting, collage etc.)

But this lady, Mary Blair...a wonderful artist kept me going and inspired when I was in school and now!   Mary Blair is most noted for her work for the Walt Disney Co. where she did concept art for animated films.  She was so unique that Disney asked her to design It's a Small World ride for the 1964 World's Fair...the ride was so popular that it was brought to Disneyland and is still very much enjoyed today! She is my favorite inspiration for what I like to do best which is taking colored paper and making a scene out of it.  So I'm going to pick up my supplies again and slowly ease my way back into art!  If you're interested google Mary Blair! She's a great inspiration for children's rooms!

The Bear...

So I return triumphant (ok not really triumphant) But this was seriously my first time out in this (dreaded) city, by myself.  I don't live now where I grew up or where my family is...I don't like it here except that it has pretty good shopping (but I hardly ever have money to spend so it's not worth it.)

I bought this strawberry water pitcher at Sur La Table and two yellow plate mats.  I have decided that yellow will be my accent color for spring and summer...maybe throw in  some orange in there too! I know it's only February but I feel like spring is coming...and I have very little patience for the cold in fact I'm down right defiant...(I wore flip flops and a short skirt today) So now I feel like I'm ready and my home is getting ready, so SPRING come soon!

Going on a Bear Hunt...

No not really...but I am getting restless...I have laundry to fold, dishes to clean, etc.  Thinking about leaving it all undone and getting out into the sun and going shopping! But I think I'll be good get my house work done and THEN go shopping! I have a gift card left over from our wedding...and some supplies to get for a project I'm working on for my soon to be born nephew's nursery. My husband is working and then coaching High School boys volleyball so he won't be home for awhile...I'll post my catches once I hunt them down! Happy Friday!

My New Favortive Beverage

Hello All! Alright so I am a known and probably documented Diet Pepsi drinker.  It's my blanket I think...I don't know if it actually keeps me trim or not but I quite enjoy it just the same.  However, although I don't think actual soda is harmful maybe diet drinks can be - allegedly (I'm not trying to get into any trouble here) And I'm on this kick to think about what I'm consuming...and all I can think of now that's in our house that is probably not the greatest is my Diet drink.

So I'd like to share with you a new favorite of mine.  It's really nice in a small portion in the mornings! It's called Santa Cruz Organic Juice. 100% certified organic.  Plus I love that it comes in a glass jar...another kick I'm on is to stop buying things that come in plastics.  Glass is super renewable...like totally renewable, meaning it doesn't lose it's quality like plastics and paper can.  Best of all it really delicious and healthy too! 

The How's and the What's

I just wanted to take some time to share an exercise that my husband and I have implemented into our communication life.  We like to listen to sermons via pod-casts from a pastor who serves in Vista, Ca.  One sermon he was giving was about intimacy.  This is one of the suggestions that the pastor made that he and his wife do monthly.  You find some time to get alone with your spouse and you sit face to face and ask one another "How am I being a good wife/husband?" Each taking your turn to ask and answer.  Then you ask "What can I do to be a better wife/husband?" Again taking your turn to ask and answer.

My husband and  I do this every Sunday night...monthly is good too but we're newlyweds still learning how to live with each other.  It's really productive because you both take the time to affirm each other and also it's really helpful for both of you to know what you can do to make your marriage better.  There are so many things that go unsaid during the week that are really important, good and not so good! We laugh, I cry sometimes...but it's so freeing to know what's on his heart and mind and for him to know what's on mine!  Try it out...maybe on Valentine's Day?

You Are What You Eat...

I've been thinking more and more about this phrase "You are what you eat."  My husband and I are really fortunate to live in a city where there's a Whole Foods Market. We love going in there and just taking our time seeing what's available. On top of that I recently watched a documentary called Food Inc. which made me really conscious of what I eat.
Still though it's unbelievable how sort of second-nature it is to grab something and not think about what kind of crazy concoction is going into my body.  So funny thing yesterday my husband and I went to a grocery store that we had gone before (a place where you can get a lot of food for cheap) and we were walking through and just couldn't bring ourselves to get what they offer. We have been doing our weekly light shopping at Whole Foods for a month now and boy are we spoiled! So we left that grocery store and went to Whole Foods. We just try and buy less only getting truly what we will eat and make sure to eat all of it.
My favorite thing to purchase is beef.  I love meat! I really do...but I think it's important after watching that documentary that we support the meat industry...but help correct our spending habits so that they reflect a desire for a more natural and organic way of farming.  We can make it possible for all farmers to go organic simply by creating the market!  So like I was saying, my favorite new thing is to buy grass-fed organic beef.  Why grass-fed? Because most cows raised for meat now are corn fed...this is not a natural food for the cow and it creates problems (e-coli for example).  It makes me feel good to buy meat that has been farmed naturally! It's more expensive but we don't buy meat every week to save costs...and that means eating more veggies...which is not too bad! See you next time...happy marketing!

I Enjoy Being a Girl...

In the light of certain "monthly" events it can be hard to appreciate the fact that you are a woman.  But I was thinking today how great it is to be a girl.  One of the things I loved about my childhood was that I think my mom really loved having daughters to share the fun of being a girl with.  Make-up, clothes, romantic movies, jewelry...all the things that make us...us.  I absolutely LOVE being a girl! I love that I get to spend time looking pretty...wearing dresses...that my husband brings me flowers...I love it!

Sometimes I wonder what God really thinks about women, I mean I go through the Bible and compared to stories about Men, Women are really out numbered.  But then when I stop and think about how the world wasn't complete until a woman arrived it gives me peace with the fact that God probably very much enjoys my presence too! He likes that I enjoy wearing dresses and watching butterflies...and I'm willing to bet that He loves the little things that make you...you too!

It Happened One Night

This is an oldie but a goodie! It Happened One Night is a Frank Capra film made in 1934.  If you don't know who Frank Capra is...well you should! He is the man behind movies like: It's a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, You Can't Take it with You, and Meet John Doe. Ok so maybe you've only heard of 2 of these but that's ok...Capra is a feel good movie director.  So my selection this week is a good romantic and funny movie, about a feisty lady and a reluctant male hero.  This is perfect for Valentines day because it's Romantic but you won't cry.  I'm a crier so that's important for me! Enjoy!

My Husband...

As I'm sitting behind my husband (who is on the couch watching the Super Bowl) I am reminded of the little things I love about him. I love that he keeps looking back at me starting interesting conversations but then in one beat turns his head to comment about the game.  Asking "the air" questions like "why isn't so and so in?" Right now he's literally sitting sideways to engage me and the game. 

I was thinking about him this morning while I was putting on my make-up before church.  I was thinking about how he is not "the type" I thought I'd marry.  When you're younger you think that certain things are important and then you date those guys and time after time they disappoint you.  I always thought I'd marry the "class-clown" guy and I'd totally be depressed if I married some one who didn't make me laugh all day.  But Chris doesn't make me laugh all day, he makes me crack up once in a while but not all day.  But I love that he's smart, we have the craziest deep conversations.  He knows and loves God, and he takes good care of me.  In some ways he's not at all what I expected but God knew what I needed. 

Saturday Mornings...

I don't know about you but when I was little Saturday mornings meant pancakes and "Garfield and Friends." My husband and I made pancakes this morning and I was telling him about how my dad would serve our pancakes.  I would get the first ones (which in our house meant the lightest ones, I understand that in some houses the first ones are the burnt ones) and my brother would get the burnt ones, I'm pretty sure my sister was sleeping in and/or didn't care which ones she got. Then we'd watch our cartoons and read the funnies. Memories...
My husband and I made really really good pancakes this morning and I wanted to share the recipe with you all (I got it from the back of the Bisquick Box):

2cups of Bisquick mix
1cup of milk
2 eggs
2 Tbsp of sugar
2 Tsp of baking powder
1 tsp of vanilla

These were soo good! Very light and fluffy, thanks to the baking powder.  We had ours with butter and boysenberry syrup. Enjoy!

What's Happening?!

So I've been married for a couple months now...and I've been 24 for less than half a year now.  Honestly getting married and turning 24 I guess means my body wants to quit working.  What was once a fairly good metabolic rate is now ka-put.  What the heck?!  So anyways last night I decided I am one of those people..do you know what I mean? One of those people who have a "sugar allergy." This is a self diagnosed condition here's how it plays out (go with me)

Person~"You can't eat sugar? Why?"

Me~"I'm allergic..."

Person~"Really?"

Me~"Yup, when I eat it certain "undesirable" body parts grow larger.  Then my clothes stop fitting properly. It's horrible..."

Person~"Sounds like it."

So anyways that's it...sugar I'm sorry but if I get anymore involved with you then bad things are going to happen. I won't allow you to ruin my summer...

(I'm sorry you all had to view my public break-up.) See you all soon!

Bringing Up Baby

Hey all! Every week I want to try and suggest a classic film for you all.  This week's selection is Bringing Up Baby.  This movies was made in 1938 and stars Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, directed by Howard Hawks.  It's a "screwball comedy" which means it's crazy.  Let me see...if you liked the Gilmore Girls, you'll like this movie because it's really fast paced and silly.  I don't want to give too much away but give it a try! See you all soon!

Check...MATE!

Ah ha! So for a while now Chris (my hubs) has been teaching me chess...I am not an unwilling student but I am a crazy student.  Chris would tell me the names of the pieces and I'll rename them. For instance, the bishop (I think) is called grumpy face. And the knights are called ponies...and I'll make his pony and mine kiss (cause they love each other, Romeo and Juliet style).  We've been playing and playing and I always lose.  But last night something great happened I finally won! YES! I'm really not a bad loser or really even care if I win or lose, but seriously after like 30 times you get tired of playing the game! Anyways, it was awesome!

It's a Wonderful Life...

Hello! Welcome to Zuzu's Petals! My name is Megan Fletcher and my husband and I live in Central California. We were married this past November, so we're enjoying Newlywed life.  We enjoy spending time with our families, playing games, going to Disneyland, and EATING! One of the things we don't see eye to eye on is movies.  Really! I love old movies and he likes new, fast paced films.  But still, classic movies are one of my passions!

That brings me to why I named my site Zuzu's Petals.  If from the movie It's a Wonderful Life. Like most family, we have traditions on Christmas Eve. My family watch It's a Wonderful Life every year on that night. Even when my siblings and I were too young to understand the movie my dad still insisted we watch it. I think that it just affirmed what my parents were trying to teach us all year round...to do and stand up for what is right.  At the end of the movie we all cry (even dad) I think it's because we realize what true sacrifice is and we remember when our son's, brother's, husband's, and dad's sacrifices that go unnoticed.

Anyways, I digress, I would love to share the little treasures in my life with you. From recipes, to shopping and decorating, and movies I love! And maybe just what's going on with me...I hope to see you soon!