30-day Squat Challenge & New Adventures

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So this is our latest 30 day challenge- we’ve done a plank challenge and an abs challenge before, and we started this squat challenge a few days ago. I’m only on Day 9, and it’s already gotten hard- I’m actually thinking about starting over at the beginning of the month to stay on track. We’d love if you joined us for our May Fitness Challenge!

Speaking of challenges- my mom and I have a new adventure to prepare for! At the beginning of July, a group of us (my mom and I and three other women) are hiking a portion of the John Muir Trail. We’ll be on the trail for about eight days, and we’ll hike about 65 miles. The three other women we are going with are dear friends, so it should be an amazing bonding experience for all of us. It’ll be the first time doing something like this for three out of the five of us, so we are all super excited for all the challenges that lie ahead.

We’re starting to train by going on day hikes in elevation and running hills. Our driveway is very steep and long- quite a few people have commented that it’s a bit like riding a roller coaster when you drive down it 😀 Anyway, my dad suggested that we load up our backpacks and walk up our driveway 20-30 times. Every. day. Did I mention that we’ll have a 35 pound backpack on? Yeah. Exactly.

Despite my whining, I’m so excited. It’s a bit scary considering all the things we need to prepare and train for, but I’m ready to be stretched. I think if there’s one thing that working out consistently has taught me, it is that I can. Being someone who has never been overly confident in her own physical abilities, it’s been a huge growing experience for me. This hike is just another chance to be stretched. I know that it’s going to be hard. Beyond hard at times. But I’m so thankful to be blessed with this opportunity. And you know what? It makes me praise God that he’s continuing to work in me. Just a year ago, I can’t imagine doing anything like this, let alone being excited to do it. He is truly amazing and I’m continually blown away that he loves me and  he loves me enough not to leave me the way he found me. He’s working on me constantly, and wanting to see me like him. Even in the things like my own confidence, he’s interested and wants to grow me!

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” -Phillipians 1:4-6

Yes. I just went from a squat challenge, to a 65 mile hike, to God’s grace and love- in the span of 5 paragraphs. Sorry about that 🙂 Oh! Last but not least, as we’re preparing for our big hike, we’re going to be experimenting with some homemade trail food- so keep an eye out for new recipes!

Jordan 

Music Monday

You know those songs that sound a million times better when blasted on super loud speakers? Well some songs sound so much better when listened to with headphones. I know it sounds weird, and maybe it’s just me who has noticed this, but some songs just need to be really heard. And being someone who doesn’t blast her music very often, headphones are way more my speed.

With that in mind, I picked out a few of my recent favorites in the mellow worship music department 🙂 Enjoy!

(click on the pink links to listen to the songs)

Always With You- Loud Harp LoudHarpI think that I mentioned Noise Trade a few weeks ago on Fashion Friday, but in case you missed the post, Noise Trade is a website that up and coming artists upload their music to, and then you can download music for free (or give a tip to the artist). It’s a great way to find new music- like Loud Harp, which I love now. Here’s the link to their album on Noise Trade.

Conquerors- Man in the Ring (Brad Cunningham) 1281910215_617onykvmul._ss500_

I couldn’t find a better video of this song on YouTube, and you have to turn the volume way up to hear it, but the song is so good.

Draw Near- Bethel Music (feat. Jeremy Camp)

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Is it just me, or is this album cover vaguely creepy? But the song is really pretty so that makes up for it I guess 🙂

Difference Maker- NEEDTOBREATHE rivers-in-the-wasteland-ALBUM-ART

 

NEEDTOBREATHE just released a new album about a week ago, and their song Difference Maker is a new favorite of mine.

All Who Hear- Young Oceans

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Another Noise Trade discovery- Young Oceans. Their songs are amazing. I couldn’t find a video for their song My All in Thee, but it’s definitely worth a listen to.

 Holy Spirit- Byran & Katie Torwalt A1WVpBYd-WL._SL1500_

This is a beautiful song.

Train Song- Josh Garrels a4274586903_10I’ve been listening to a lot of Josh Garrel’s music recently and I can’t get over how amazing it is. One second he’s singing in a beautiful, mellow voice, and the next song, he’s rapping. It’s totally eclectic and cool. I tend to lean more towards his mellow stuff (surprise, surprise) and Train Song (link above)  and Don’t Wait for Me are favorites. Honestly though, if you have a chance, listen to the variety of his music- it’s amazing.

Jordan

Fashion Friday- Favorites

Last Monday I decided to get ahead of the game and start this week’s Fashion Friday post. Feeling very productive, I began my weekly search of the recent arrivals of some of my favorite websites, and after about 45 minutes, I had nothing. Zip. Zero. Nada.

If you were expecting some sort of story that involves me looking for hours upon hours and finding the perfect 9-10 pieces to share with all of you dedicated readers, you’ll be sadly disappointed.

I gave up. I know. It’s a hard (and dramatic) life 😉

Anyway, because of my lack of style inspiration, I decided to try something a bit different this week. Here are my favorite things that I found this week- ranging from frosting to bulldogs.

 

Favorite food gawk- Fluffy Brown Sugar Icing

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I don’t know how many times I’ve looked at this recipe. And I still haven’t made it! I really do need to try it though- it seems like it would be absolutely delicious on top of a chocolate cake. Or on a spoon.

 

Favorite look- Circle Skirts

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I have a thing for skirts. Especially circle skirts. This Pinterest board is perfect for skirt inspiration.

 

Favorite new website- NoiseTrade

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Free music downloads (with a suggested tip), uploaded by up and coming new artists?  Yes, please!

 

Favorite wish list item- BonLook Eyeglasses

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I absolutely love these.

 

Favorite new blog- Delightfully Tacky

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Okay. So here’s the reasons I’m so glad I discovered Delightfully Tacky:

1. Her hair. I mean really. Look at that. And she changes her hair color up often, which is so fun!

2. She’s wearing these BonLook glasses. 

3. Her hair.

4. She’s not afraid to mix prints- something that I really appreciate.

5. Her hair. I love it (in case that wasn’t already clear). In fact, I feel like I might have just a bit of hair envy.

 

Favorite cute animal- Sophie the Bulldog Puppy

Travis sent this to me the other day and I can’t get over how cute it is.

 

Favorite food gawk, round 2- Five ingredient bacon asparagus pasta

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I feel like that picture is pretty self-explanatory, don’t you?

 

Favorite Italian villa- Antique Mill House

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This is an amazing house- and it’s in Italy no less. Here’s another favorite.

 

Favorite worship song (right this minute)- Like an Avalanche

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So beautiful and completely true.

 

Jordan

 

 

 

What I’m Listening To Right Now

I thought it might be time to do another music post- so here are a few of the songs that have been on repeat in my room.

(Click on the pink links to listen to the songs)

Brokenness Aside– All My Sons and Daughters

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We sing this once in a while at youth group and I love it. So beautiful and a great reminder about the unending grace of God.

Shelter You Through– Andrew Duhon

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I’m pretty sure I highlighted this song last time I did a music post, but listen to this live version- it is so amazing. It’s not very often when you come across an artist who’s live recordings sound just as good (or better!) than their studio recordings.

10,000 Reasons– Rend Collective Experiment

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This worship band has remade some of my favorite worship songs- this one is a particular favorite.

Quittin’ Kind– Kristin Diable

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Her voice is so amazing. I’ve also been listening to one of her songs called I’ve Been Searching. I have absolutely no idea how you could walk by someone singing like that and not even slow down. That blows my mind.

Times- Tenth Avenue North

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Okay, first- isn’t this a really cool album cover? Second- this song is beautiful.

Home– Jack Johnson

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One of the songs off of Jack Johnson’s most recent album, From Here to Now to You.

Jordan

My Photography Gear

Because of the pictures that I take for the blog, I’ve had a few different people ask about my camera equipment. I’m borrowing almost all of it from my uncle, which I am so thankful for. I’m really excited about buying my own camera sometime soon (hopefully!), but for now I have really enjoyed trying a couple different cameras out and getting a feel for what I’ll want in my own camera.

I tend to be pretty simplistic when it comes to setting up the pictures for the blog, but I’m hoping to experiment a bit more with the pictures in the future. All of the pictures on the blog, unless otherwise noted, are original- I take the majority of the pictures, and my mom takes the rest. If I’ve only gotten one thing out of doing this blog, it’s how much my pictures have improved. I’ve really enjoyed the learning process.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about my photography or the equipment I use, please do not hesitate to leave a comment or email me at mydaughterandiblog@gmail.com. I’d absolutely love to hear from you!

Nikon D3100

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This is the camera that I’m using right now- it’s small and light and the menu is easy to use. I’m not sure if I like it as much as the D200 (see below), but that isn’t exactly surprising considering the price difference. I guess that you get what you pay for, and for this price range, I really like this camera.

Nikon D200

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This is the first DSLR camera that I’ve used and I loved it. I borrowed it for about 6 months and by the time I returned it to my uncle, I felt like it was my baby 😉 It’s considerably bigger and heavier then the D3100, and it is an older camera with less flashy menus etc. But there’s something about it that I really loved- it just seemed so consistent.

And I appreciate the fact that the camera didn’t make as many decisions for you – the computer doesn’t override the photographer’s decisions in the same way that the D3100 does sometimes.

Nikon Nikkor 18-70mm Zoom Lens

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Just the basic, all-around lens that I keep on the camera nearly all of the time.

Meike Auto-Focus Macro Extension Tube Set

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These things are awesome. As someone who photographs food a ton, a macro lens is indispensable. There a couple problems with macro lenses though- first, it’s another lens to bring with you, and if you’re short on space in your camera bag, one less lens can make a big difference. Second, and most important to me at least, is the price difference. Macro lenses run anywhere from $300 to $2000, so they are definitely a big investment.

This set of three macro lens adapters runs for about $70- so there is no beating the price. One thing to keep in mind is that I’ve never used a true macro lens, so I can’t compare the quality of the photographs they take, only the price and convenience.

Brown Leather Vintage Camera Bag

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I think that a camera bag is the only piece of photography “equipment” that I’ve actually purchased. This particular bag is just a bit different than the one I have (mine doesn’t have the flap closure pockets on the sides). I didn’t love the idea of carrying around the large black camera bag everywhere I went, so I found this one.

It’s the perfect size for me- it’s light and still fairly small, but I can fit the camera with lens attached, an external flash, charger, macro lens adapter, and a few extra batteries and memory cards without the bag being absolutely stuffed. And I love that it looks more like a purse than a camera bag.

Nikon Speedlight SB-800

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I don’t use an external flash very often, but on the occasions when I do I really appreciate it. The built-in flash on the camera tends to way overexpose photos and the flash on this Nikon speedlight is highly adjustable.

And that’s it in the way of the equipment I regularly use. One other invaluable thing is a good editing program- currently I’m using and loving PicMonkey, which is free and awesome. I would like to get into Photoshop a bit more though- I’m sure that my photos would benefit from a more advanced program.

Jordan