Loving lattes

So it's been a while since I've blogged, for good reason as I've been super busy. The holidays were wonderful as always - I got to spend time at home in CA with my family and friends, and finally got to experience some cooler weather. The East Coast has been balmy since I've been back; of course the temparature was above normal before I left, too.

I got two espresso machines for Christmas. Isn't that funny? It was on my list last year, and was a purchase that I didn't dare do on my own, primarily due to the cost of them. Anyway, I ended up with a Gaggia Coffee Espresso Machine, which I broke in this weekend. Being that I got sick on the 1st of the year, and am still somewhat recovering in the comfort of my home this weekend (except for venturing out for church today), it was the perfect time to learn how to use my new toy. Yesterday I made a double vanilla latte, and today I made a single cinnamon latte. They both came out delicious, but the cinnamon one was definitely an experiment, but one that excited my tastebuds, so I'll be enjoying it again for sure! The machine can use ground espresso (which I used this weekend), or pods, which are in the mail to me (150 single espresso shot pods came free with my machine!), so I'll try those out once they arrive. I can't wait to make my guests the espresso drink of their choice! Ashley and Hannah are visiting this Sunday/Monday, so hopefully they are ready for a shot or two of the good stuff! I'm looking forward to experimenting with different types of espresso and syrups - it will need to be a weekend activity I think, until I completely get the hang of it down -- OR -- until I discipline myself to get to bed early enough to wake up earlier in the mornings with enough time to enjoy sipping an espresso at home :)

I have MUCH more to blog about, but I can't blog about it all in one sitting, or else I'd be here all night. I'm SO glad 2007 is here. When the clock struck midnight on New Years Eve (Day, rather), I was felt a rush of excitement because 2006 was a challenging year in many different areas of my life, and I know that 2007 will be different!

Today's message at church really struck me. Part of the message was about motives, and how our motives play a huge part in why we do things, even if we overlook them -- ultimately, they are still there, they are underlying reasons why we sometimes do things or say things or act certain ways. I have sometimes had the wrong motives in life, or in friendships, or at work, or with going to church, but 2007 is a different year, and today's message really helped me realize that all I need to do is approach life and God and work and church and relationships with the right motives, and that God will work everything out! And, the most important motive being that in whatever I do, it must be pleasing to God - it must make him proud.

With that said, I'll conclude my first post of 2007. One of my goals this year is to blog weekly, so you can expect at least 51 more blogs from me this year (I'm not committing to one a week however - that could be dangerous!)