Have dessert for breakfast every day.

Think of a dessert you really want, then figure out how to craft its counterpart using oatmeal.  My other life philosophy.

The perfect companion to some Samoas oatmeal?  Sudoku, of course!

This is the obligatory post about my other passion:  oatmeal.  If I wasn't a graduate church-music student, I'd open an all-oatmeal cafe, no brown sugar and raisins allowed.  With a plain bowl of cooked oats, quick, old-fashioned, or steel-cut, you can do just about anything.  Including kicking your craving in the backside first thing in the morning.

Preparing the materials:
- Put a half-cup dry oats and 1 cup of water in a large enough bowl, and blast it in the microwave until oats are fluffy.  If it's too thick, you can add more liquid.  I like it thick.

What am I supposed to do with this fluffy bowl of oats?!


- COCOA MIX.  That and peanut butter is the miracle food that introduced me to oatmeal (thank you, Devin Alexander).  I submitted this combo to my college's cookbook, and they changed it to chocolate syrup so it could be made in the caf.  NOT THE SAME.
- Peanut butter + yogurt in place of water.
- Coconut before cooking, then cocoa and almond extract.
- Butterscotch chips and cashew butter.  When you find the latter in a store, buy the whole shelf and hoard it in your trunk.  Or make your own.
- Chopped dates before the microwave; that's it.
- A couple tablespoons of cake mix, and some for crumbliness on top.
- Blueberries and cinnamon.  Purple oatmeal!
- Brownie batter: 1 cup of pumpkin, then oats and minimal water, and stir in cocoa.
- Oatmeal a la mode?
- Top with edible cookie dough:  flour, brown sugar, applesauce, almond milk, vanilla, salt, and mini chocolate chips.  The brown sugar makes it taste authentic.
- Cocoa, caramel, and coconut.
- Swirled-in cream cheese, fruit, and crushed graham crackers.
- Crushed pretzels.
- Coffee, definitely,
- Cocoa, cherries, almonds, coconut, and a lot of cinnamon.
- Pineapple or mango with white chocolate chips and coconut.

You get the idea.  The rule is:  it must not be boring and hence something you dread eating.  Consume with vigor and relish.  Whenever I get up, I think, "Oh good - it's morning.  I get to have amazing oatmeal!"

I'm so glad God created oats.  They are the perfect blank canvas.  :)

Valentines from hymn (and Him)

A blessed Valentine's Day to you all!  As of yet, I don't have a "special someone" in my life with whom to share it, but that simply means more surprises left for the future.  Overall, I enjoyed a day full of organ practicing, a good chapel sing, class, an organ lesson of Jan Bender awesomeness, and going home for some chocolate cake.  

Still, I'm very glad aside from this notable date of 2.14.2014 that the Lord extends His love the other 364 days of the year.  These hymnwriters definitely did, in all seasons of life.  So, enjoy these very old Valentine notes from a few friends we'll get to meet someday!

Dearest Jesus, draw Thou near me,
Let Thy Spirit dwell with mine;
Open now my ear to hear Thee,
Take my heart and seal it Thine;
Keep me, lead me on my way
Thee to follow and obey;
E'er to do Thy will and fear Thee,
And rejoice to know and hear Thee.
- Thomas Kingo

I lay my wants on Jesus,
All fullness dwells in Him;
He healeth my diseases,
He doth my soul redeem.
I lay my griefs on Jesus,
My burdens and my cares;
He from them all releases,
He all my sorrows shares.
- Horatius Bonar

Lord, by love and mercy driven
Thou hast left Thy throne in heaven
On the cross for me to languish
And to die in bitter anguish,
To forego all joy and gladness
And to shed Thy blood in sadness.
By this blood, redeemed and living,
Lord, I praise Thee with thanksgiving.
- Johann Franck

None shall ever be confounded,
Who in God will freely trust;
Though they be by woes surrounded,
God's a Rock to all the just.
Though you deem He hears you not,
Still your wants are ne'er forgot;
Cry to Him when storms assail you,
Let your courage never fail you.
- Johann Olearius

Hence, all earthly treasure!
Jesus is my Pleasure,
Jesus is my Choice.
Hence, all empty glory!
Naught to me thy story
Told with tempting voice.
Pain or loss, 
Or shame or cross,
Shall not from my Savior move me
Since He deigns to love me.
- Paul Gerhardt

What to me may seem a treasure,
But displeasing is to Thee--
O remove such harmful pleasure;
Give instead what profits me.
Let my heart by Thee be stilled;
Make me Thine, Lord, as Thou wilt.
- Ludamilia Elisabeth, Countess of Rudolstadt

As a branch upon a vine,
In my blessed Lord implant me;
Ever of my Head divine
To remain a member grant me.
O let Him, my Lord and Savior,
Be my Life and Love forever!
- Caspar Neumann

I trust in Him with all my heart;
Now all my sorrow ceases.
His words abiding peace impart;
His blood from guilt releases.
Free grace through Him I now obtain;
He washes me from ev'ry stain,
And pure I stand before Him.
- Johann Heermann

Oh, teach me, Lord, to love Thee truly
With soul and body, head and heart,
And grant me grace that I may duly
Practice fore'er love's sacred art.
Grant that my ev'ry thought may be
Directed e'er to Thee. 

Thee will I love, my Crown of gladness,
Thee will I love, my God and Lord,
Amid the darkest depths of sadness,
Not for the hope of high reward,
For Thine own sake, O Light Divine,
So long as life is mine.
- Johann Scheffler

When darkness round me gathers,
Thy name and cross, still bright,
Deep in my heart are sparkling
Like stars in blackest night.
O heart, this image cherish:
The Christ on Calvary,
How patiently He suffered
And shed His blood for me!
- Valerius Herberger