innovative thinking.

via weheartit.com

It is my firm belief that everyone is creative, and I will passionately argue that to the death. (ok, that's not true at all because if I tell you what I think and why and you still don't agree, I will not argue with you, it's discouraging and disappointing and I don't like it. However, I will still believe with all my heart that every person alive is a creative being.) Now, recently I read an article about how the Bible says we were created in God's image. I thought it was an interesting article, and certainly one that could be expanded into a much larger and maybe even spirited discussion. The point that I found most interesting though, was when the author pointed out that if we are all made in God's image and likeness, and he is creative (because He created a lot of things out of nothing, and to take it further, the way that he reveals Himself through nature and people and situations is usually quite unique), then logically, we must also be creative. Agreed.

After this article, I read another one: "Art isn't supposed to be safe" by Cole NeSmith. I don't think the focus of this article was intended to be the existence of creativity, but I think it certainly shows the impossibility of its absence. The author writes,

"Creativity is willing to step into the unknown and bring something new into existence.
Creativity is about an unbridled heart that is so free in who it was created to be that it is unstoppable. 
Creativity is central to everything God does. And I’m not just talking about the creative work of the land and seas and animals and you and me. I’m talking about things like redemption, peace, beauty and hope. These things can only exist when we tap into the creative heart of God."

I think this paragraph is just so full of truth and beauty. And then in the very next paragraph, he gives an example that I think expands the traditional definition of creativity. Being creative doesn't just mean that you are capable of making something cool or unique or beautiful. Being creative and possessing creativity means that you realize there are more ways than one to think about and approach any given subject or task. It's realizing that what you now know and see might not be the end all, be all. And when you understand that, the way you see literature and art and other people changes; your limits cease to be; your opportunities are endless.

contemplation.

Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

thanksgiving. mnnnn.

Today I'm attending a mock Thanksgiving dinner with some friends and I'm feeling rather domesticated. I bought a new casserole dish just for the occasion, ok, ok, I bought it because I own all of one pot and one cupcake pan, but either way, it's blue and casseroley and it was on sale (iLOVEworldmarket).

I really wanted to make this Squash Casserole but apparently none of my friends are fans of this lovely vegetable, so I'm making this Corn Casserole. I'm pretty excited about it too; I guess when you don't eat meat, it's normal to get stoked about veggies.

I'm also making Pumpkin Spice Bars, and I'd link you to that recipe, but I'm kind of improvising with that one. Don't tell my friends, or they might not eat them, which would be unfortunate for them because they're going to be delicious. And while I'm tooting my own horn speaking of delicious, I made these Sweet Potato Cupcakes for Clara's bithday last weekend, and they were spectacular. They're extremely easy to make (and probably much easier with a hand mixer which I of course forgot to take to the kitchen where I made them). I used this recipe from this awesome blog, except I cheated and just used Marshmallow Fluff for icing because it was easier and much faster. I'd show you what they looked like, but I forgot to take a picture, shame.

I hope you're making goodies for your friends and family too; people like to be fed.

crafty, like a fox.

I'd like to think of lots of inspirational and exciting things to say here, but I don't really have any. So here it is straight; I made this thing for my friend Allison, and I kind of wanted to keep it.

.

I used:

• Bristol Board (because I use it for lots of things, and I'm all about convenience)
• Box Cutter (because I trust myself more with it than my Exacto knife)
• Patterned Paper (because contact paper is whoa expensive if you're using it on small things)
• Spray Adhesive (because it's quicker and less goopy than glue)
• Writing Utensil, Scissors, Holepunch and Twine (because you need them, ok)

Here's how it goes:

fall.

Here are 10 things that always mean Fall to me.

1. Wild Sweet Orange

2. my house boots

3. my outside boots

4. pumpkin spice lattes from the sbux

5. desiring to run because of the crisp air/making excuses not to

6. pancakes, especially chocolate chip ones

7. scarfs

8. Christmas with the Rat Pack

9. The Devil Wears Prada

10. uncertainty about my life.

(stupidcreations.tumblr.com made this. not me)

Fall makes me so happy because it precedes Winter, and Winter is my favorite.

P.S. ^that girl is just there because I think she's cute.

Life Update.

Maybe you've been thinking "sheesh Jenna, you're awfully silly and that's kind of entertaining when it's either reading your stuff or counting ceiling tiles at               , but I really don't know much about where your life is right now." [[A. if that is really what you've been thinking I shudder to think how your life possibly got that dull. B. if you were really astute you'd be able to see where my life was by analyzing those silly posts/asking me in real life. C. you're right, it just makes me happy to think that you care that much/ i like pretending i have control over people's thoughts.]] ANYways, here's what's up.

Isaiah 40

        28Do you not know? Have you not heard?
         The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
         Does not become weary or tired
         His understanding is inscrutable.
    29He gives strength to the weary,
         And to him who lacks might He increases power.
    30Though youths grow weary and tired,
         And vigorous young men stumble badly,
    31Yet those who wait for the LORD
         Will gain new strength;
         They will mount up with wings like eagles,
         They will run and not get tired,
         They will walk and not become weary.

glitter, not the Mariah Scary Movie.

My favorite movie ever is Peter Pan. I think that's a major influencer of my obsessions with glitter. I know it's like the communicable disease in the craft supply world, but I love it and every November my apartment starts breeding it. (heyyy pretty Christmas decorations hey) Plus it's kind of really magical.

I always wanted to be Wendy Darling.

if I had this, i'd be the envy of 5th graders everywhere.

enchanting.

*photos all from weheartit.com :)