My spirituality...

Apparently my spiritual life is a bit of an issue for some people. So... let me explain.

I have very ecclectic spiritual beliefs. I think that all religions have something great to offer, as well as some very strong problems. I take what I consider the best of all of those and have created a belief system for me that suits what I have believed in my heart since childhood. My parents were both raised Catholic and I grew up attending the neighborhood church. My neighbor's dad was the pastor at that church and their family always did stuff for the kids on the block. They were fantastic people and the epidemy of what Christians were supposed to be. As I grew older and found out that most Christians I was exposed to didn't act like the way they should, my beliefs started to change.

To me, nature was always very important. Just sitting quietly, surrounded by nature, I knew there was something more to it. Now, I believe that nature in and of itself is very powerful. My beliefs are very similar to the native Americans belief system in the spirits of nature. Don't get me wrong, I do believe in God. But I don't think it is a He. I don't think it is a She. God transcends male and female and is both. Simply because nature is both. You can't have one without the other. Just like you can't have light without dark or good without bad. And no, I'm not saying God is evil. I'm saying that there must be some in the world. After all, how does a person learn kindness, compassion, and charity without the knowledge of what evil is and can do?

I guess you can say my beliefs are Pagan after all, I have described what pagan beliefs are. But I like to think my beliefs are more than just Pagan, Christian, Budhist, Muslim, or whatever you think. Now, does this mean I'm going to hell? I'm a good person, so no, I'm not going to what my belief in hell is. According to some other people, yeah I am. That is what doesn't make that person such a good person to me. So, if you Googled me and you think I'm a devil worshipper, boy do you have something to learn!

Neiman Marcus CC cookie

What was once an urban myth and an endless email that I've recieved about 79 times, is a fabulous cookie! So I've posted it here online since Neiman Marcus has graciously done the same on their website!

What you need:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

How you make them:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds) Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds. In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds. Stir in the espresso coffee powder and chocolate chips. Using a 1 ounce scoop or a 2 tablespoon measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into a 2 inch circle. Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned around the edges. Bake a little longer for a crispier cookie.