Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Solo Valentine's


I used to dread Valentine's day. Not only because I was single but also because of the whole consumerism, picking out one day... blah blah blah. The whole deal.
But a couple years ago I was convicted by something I read. Yes love should be celebrated year round, as should Christmas and Easter and your mother. But by picking out one day you emphasize and remember on that day.
So it was then that I decided that Valentine's day actually wasn't that bad. I still don't like the consumerism but I don't like that in general and the only thing I can do about it is not join it.

So when this year came around I decided to just stay home and enjoy my day. I didn't have a date lined up or anything and didn't want to make an effort to throw some sort of singles party.
I believe in order to love somebody else I need to learn to love myself and in order to be with other people I need to be able and learn how to be by myself.

That is what I did last Saturday. I had breakfast with a friend, bought some flowers, made this Chocolate Cake with a German Buttercream by Beth Kirby (it was amazing!), took a bath, watched some of my favorite shows, had Nachos for dinner and watched a movie with my flatmate. It was kind of a regular Saturday spiced up a little bit.

So I guess what this comes down to is to encourage you to make margin in your life to be able to enjoy a Saturday without rushing, without appointments and schedules but just to be and enjoy and rest.

xoxo

Ramona



Monday, February 16, 2015

Movie Monday

The Oscars are quickly approaching and I am trying to catch up on a few of the nominated movies. Some are not out in Germany yet so I will have to be patient.
Yesterday I went to see The Imitation Game and I am not exaggerating when I say that it was one of the best movies I have seen in a while.
I had done some research about the history of the the plot a while ago and was already intrigued. It is one of those movies which is going to linger. The plot was well put together reaching over 3 different times bringing it all together. Benedict Cumberbatch was amazing as expected and it is not wonder he is nominated for an Oscar.
The movie was so full of little nuances like looks, feelings, gestures. It was never too much of something or too little of anything but managed to keep the balance also between the personal life of Alan Turing and the masterwork he created. It didn't answer every question which arose inside of me but left you with some things (especially about the war) to ponder on.
If you haven't seen it I highly recommend you do that immediately.

xoxo

Ramona


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Thursday, February 12, 2015

Rituals


I tend to overthink things. I tend to get lost in my thoughts and I have a somewhat crazy imagination. For a little while a few years back all my thoughts nearly ate me up and got the better of me. But God is good and rescued me before it was too late and I was able to learn through the process.

The last 3-4 weeks have been a little wild with lots of thinking, planning, making big life decisions. It resulted in crazy dreams during the night and waking up in the middle of the night calculating and thinking. But because I have learned over the last years I am better at letting go although letting go still sometimes is hard. Why is it that we want to hold on to things so tightly when Jesus already took care of it and so clearly says in His Word that we should not worry?

It is in those time when my head is spinning and I need to make major life choices that I want to escape into other worlds (read: The Marvel Universe) but that is not very wise or mature and therefore I need certain rituals or traditions in place which although sometimes rather mundane help me to stay steady. One of these rituals is biking to and from work. It is in the quiet moments of the morning the steady sound of my wheels and the occasional squirrel sighting that I spend time with God and meditate on His words and pray through things. On my bike there is no room for worrying of any kind.

Another ritual is baking. Following a recipe helps me to focus on the task at hand and will result in a delicious something which awakens the senses. The fragrance it spreads in the apartment and the tastes in my mouth tell me that I have accomplished something in the midst of calculating and believe me numbers are not my forte

So some Sundays ago I made this Apple Rosemary and Buttermilk Quick Bread by local milk and it was everything one could ask for, rich, comforting, full of flavors, versatile and really simple to make.

Other rituals involve Sunday morning breakfast with my flatmate: Candles, always candles, coffee and scrambled eggs, Sunday afternoons with my family where we share home made food and stories and Sunday Night Family Nights with my flatmate which include a movie or a show, popcorn and anything else we can find in the fridge. You see Sundays are ritual after ritual including friends, family, church and good food.

What are some of your rituals?

xoxo

Ramona

PS: I had the honor and privilege to contribute to Field + Bone last month. It's an amazing and growing platform of pioneering self, community and world so I highly recommend you checking it out.


Thursday, February 5, 2015

Thursday Tunes

I told my flatmate yesterday that whenever Gavin de Graw is singing it is like I travel to another world which I know are pretty big words and I am quite sure it is due to the fact that he sang the theme song for Tristan & Isole and that movie just is a world of its one.
I have also said before that his first album Chariots is my number one go to album.

All this to say NEEDTOBREATHE another one of my favorite bands has Gavin de Graw featured on their song Brother and can I just say that the joining of so many beautiful voices can only result in a great song. So I think you should take a couple of minutes of your Thursday and listen to this song because it definitely is no waste of time.


xoxo

Ramona

Monday, February 2, 2015

Movie Monday

How nerdy of me would it be if I said that Agent Carter of the Marvel Universe (yes the one Captain America loved) was my new fashion role model? I think she is the coolest lady, tough, feminine and always wears red lipstick... and yes I started watching the new show called Marvel's Agent Carter.

That aside we watched "Flyboys"  yesterday. I don't know how I found the movie but it somehow popped up and we watched it.
I thought is was perfect for a Sunday evening celebrating the rest of the weekend and getting ready for a new work week. It was not too heavy and also no too light. It was funny and serious, full of honor and respect and let's face it all of what the boys wore in the movie is what men are wearing today. I love it.
The movie takes place during World War One, planes have just been invented and the US has not entered into the war yet so the Americans in the movie are fighting for the french.
The movie contains a good amount of action, love, wit and great acting.

xoxo

Ramona

PS: If you haven't seen my Supper Soundtracks yet, you should NOW!


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