What I am looking toward...

The next couples of months are an exciting time, the holiday season is coming and with the holiday season comes great music, great food, & great traditions.  Some of the things I am looking forward to for the next couple of months is my wonderful wife's caramel apple cupcakes, caramel apples, apple cider, christmas cookies, Aunt Gwen's homemade caramels, hot chocolate, & a great cup of coffee.

Although there are things that I am going to miss, the golf season, warm weather, shorts, & tank tops, I am looking forward to the fall/winter months, hoodies, snow, & family.  Most of all family is the thing that should tie us all together and no I am not talking about just blood family, but I am talking about all family.

I am looking forward to the Seabird Christmas Album, listening to Bing Crosby's Christmas classics, watching all our favorite classic Christmas movies, & not to mention each of the Office Christmas episodes.  

Most of my life I have spent the holiday season dreading it because of the cold, the required moments of seeing family when it wasn't convenient, but now I am finally at the point in my life where I am beginning to value my time.  I am hoping this holiday season to truly value my family, my extended family, embrace the cold weather, & truly allow holiday season to bring out more love.  I do not want to be considered a Scrooge, I really want to be considered more like a Kris Kringle (aka the beard that I seem to be growing).   That being said as the holiday season is coming, I would like to say happy holidays and that I am looking forward to the season.



till another day,




normallyINDIE

Chemex - Chemistry & Coffee

If you know anything about me you know how passionate I am about coffee and the experience that it provides.  Much like a good book or great meal with your family, there is nothing better than coming around a great cup of coffee together.  It brings people together in a way that is unlike any other.  If you are passionate about coffee and people then coffee brewing is something that you must be a part of.  Over the past couple of years my passions have grown and so has be coffee cabinet.  Some of the methods of brewing that I enjoy most are Chemex coffee brewing & the aeropress coffee method.  Today, if I could suggest anything, if you enjoy a wonderful, smooth cup of coffee then you must grab a 8 - 10 cup Chemex coffee maker.  

Things you need: 
                 Chemex Coffee Machine - $50 
                 Chemex Coffee Filters - $15 
                 Stove Top Tea Kettle 
                 Kitchen Timer 
                 Espresso Thermometer 
                 Ground Specialty Coffee 
                 Quality Coffee Grinder 
                 Clean Filtered Water 
                 Liquid Measuring Cup 

Step One:

Measure Water

Start by measuring out your clean filtered water. Always use a two tablespoons of coffee for every 6 oz. of water. We are going to brew 30oz. of coffee in our Chemex. All the water will be transferred to a clean and empty water kettle. Bring your water to a boil.

Step Two:

Measure Coffee

Measure coffee. Remember two tablespoons/ 10 grams per 6oz. of water. As we are making a 30oz. Chemex, we will be using 5 coffee scoops (10 tablespoons/50 grams).

Step Three:

Grind Coffee

When making a Chemex we prefer a coarse grind similar to a French Press.

Step Four:

Set Up Chemex

When brewing with a Chemex you can only use Chemex brand filters. The thick, sturdy cone fits the large opening of the Chemex. Open filter into a cone shape and place it in the Chemex with the three-layered side facing the pouring spout. This keeps the filter from collapsing into the spout, which constricts air flow.

Step Five:

Rinse Filter

Rinse the filter by pouring approximately 10oz. of hot water through it into the Chemex. Pour water out.

Step Six:

Add Coffee

Add your fresh, coarsely ground coffee to the filter in the Chemex. Shake gently to level the grounds.

Step Seven:

Remove Water From Heat

When your water comes to a full rolling boil take it off the heat and let the kettle rest for about 20 seconds (water temperature will drop from 212 to 200 in this time at sea level).

Step Eight:

Pour Water

Wet the grounds with about 4 fl. oz. of water and let the coffee bloom for 30-40 seconds. (Fresh coffee will have a larger bloom, or foam-like head. )

Step Nine:

Ensure All Grounds Are Wet

Slowly pour the rest of water over the coffee in a circular motion, avoiding the sides/edges. Ensure all the grounds are evenly wet.

Step Ten:

Remove Filter

When all the water has dripped through, carefully gather the coffee filter and remove before serving.

Follow these steps and you will create an amazing cup of coffee not to mention have an amazing experience of brewing.  It takes the monotony of brewing a cup of coffee in a drip pot away and brings the excitement back into coffee.  Not to mention it is going to be quite impressive for all your guests.  If you would like more tips on coffee and new brewing methods comment below. 

till another day, 

normallyINDIE. 

InstaUpdate...

Every once in awhile I like to do something I like to call an InstaUpdate on this blog.  That is just updating you on one of my favorite iOS apps that makes me feel like a real photographer (when in fact my pictures are awful).  I take pictures of about everything and enjoy seeing what my friends have to say both close friends and those famous people we all love to follow.  Here are a couple pictures from the past couple months that I especially liked.  Enjoy:

1st Tourney as the Assistant Golf Coach for Trenton HS

Inspired by Opening Day 2013 & the Struggle I have with living in Detroit, but loving the Cards

One of my new favorite hobbies.  Chemex & Toddy Iced Coffee

My Brother & I's Senior Bricks @ Normal West HS

The Environment @ the Uprising SM

Working on Golf Game, Shooting in the 70s

Keep up to date on all things normallyINDIE on twitter @normallyINDIE & instagram @normallyindie.  Be looking out for more blog updates to come.


till another day,





normallyINDIE

Trains, Trains, & More Trains...

We had the opportunity this past weekend to head down to Indianapolis with 4 student leaders from the Uprising to begin our first annual student leadership trip.  We ventured down to Downtown Indianapolis, IN and stayed at the Crown Plaza Union Station hotel.  If you are familiar with the Union Station, you know that it is a working train station & you can hear the sounds of trains throughout the night (sometimes scary, but very cool) you can also have the chance to stay in a repurposed train car.  Although we did not get a chance to stay in the actual train car we did get to act like we were fresh out of a Harry Potter movie :).

Although the trains were great, we had much more in store with this adventure to Indianapolis.  Starting in January of this year we begin to meet together with a group of student leaders from the Uprising Student Ministries.  We meet once a week to develop and grow as leaders and have the opportunity lead our Growth Groups which happen every other week on Sunday Night.  These are groups that are 100% student led and are great opportunities for students to grow as they are being taught by other students.

In Indianapolis, we were gifted with the opportunity to spend some time with Shane Combs who is the Director of Student Ministries at Bridgeway Community Church in Fishers, IN.  He is not only the pastor at this church, but is a great friend and brother in Christ.  I have had the honor of working with him in the past and could not have been happier to invite him to join us.

Shane Combs had so many great things to share with our students, but I would like to share with you some keys that stuck out to me as he shared them to us.

First of all in order to be a Leader you must first be a follower.  It is important to look at the leaders of the bible and realize first that they had to be leaders in order to understand how to be a leader.  Some keys he had the students write down were as follows

1.  Must be ALERT
        Be aware of What Jesus is doing in your life & your ministry
2.  Must be BRAVE
         What if no one else believes in Jesus, would you still follow him
3.  Committed
          You are so crazy, zealous that you will follow even to the point that it seems crazy

He also shared in our second session some nuggets that were important to keep in mind as our students lead our ministry.  They are as follows:

1.  Leaders Lead
        Leaders do just that, there is no time off of being a leader.  If you are a true leader you ALWAYS      
2.  Law of the Lid
        You will never be able to lead someone past the point of your leadership, must continue to learn
3.  What you allow to be inspected, will be expected
         Must let someone into what is wrong w/ you, a mentor that can push you and teach you

These were just a few of the points that he was able to share with our students and they were so motivated by his wisdom and knowledge when it came to student leadership.  I am so excited to see them implement what they learned into their daily lives.  God is doing some great things in our students lives and I am so excited to be apart of it.



till another day,




normallyINDIE.

Why God?...

I had to opportunity to meet with a friend of mine today at one of my favorite spots in Woodhaven, MI, Starbucks on Allen & West.  It was an awesome time of encouragement and growth with one another, but there was sometime particular that came out of this time together.  What was revealed to me was the importance with trusting God with everything that we have.  

I feel like I have written on this topic before, but I never feel that we an spend enough time focusing on trusting God or having true faith that requires something.  He reminded me today that anyone can believe in God, but faith is something that is not as easily found.  I began to think about having faith and even having faith when it seems that everything else is falling apart.  I am reminded how easy it is to have faith in God and his power when everything is going great and we are at the peak of our existence.  

It reminds me of the story of Job and the fact that his entire story was centered on the fact that everything was taken from him.  The important part of this story is that God did not take everything away from Job, but instead he allowed Satan into the situation to destroy his life, knowing that Job would continue to have faith in God.  This reminds me that Satan never overpowers our God, but that he is on a leash and he can be let off the leash when God wants.  But ultimately, God is the master of all things including Satan.  What we can't do anymore is ask Why God?, instead we must endure realizing that God is in control of all of these situations and faith must be at the center of everything.  Our faith in the living God, must endure even if we do lose everything.  Because what we know is that our life is worthless unless we are seeking the power, hope, love, truth, and justice of our all powerful God.  

This story reminds me of the ultimate power and faithfulness of God and also reminds me to be as faithful as our living God. 

till another day, 

normallyINDIE   

A Passion for Coffee...

If you know me at all you know how much I love coffee and specifically unique coffee.  You will see me at the Allen & West Starbucks almost everyday.  My christmas & birthday gifts consisted of over $100 in Starbucks gift cards, 6 lbs of Starbucks Coffee, & 30 Starbucks VIA coffee packets.  I read books about coffee (Pour your Heart into It, Onward, the Starbucks Experience) Guatemalan Burlap coffee bags decorate my office, and my wife believes I am an espresso maker away from owning my own coffee shop.  Let's just say I love coffee and especially the idea of a coffee shop.

It all started when I had my first Caramel Apple Spice Cider from Starbucks in junior high.  At that point I was hooked and had to have that little white & green cup in my hand always.  My love for coffee only grew and I began to search out new places, types, and ways of making coffee only growing more and more fascinated with the process and the culture of coffee.

Although I love the taste and aroma of coffee, it runs so much deeper.  It is the idea of a coffee shop being an influence in the community.  A meeting place that people can come together, discuss the good and bad of life, work together, change the world together.  Coffee shops should be the center of a community not only making it a comfortable place to come, but also a place that is doing something positive in the community, not just taking their money.  Thus, I have continually supported the local coffee shop, but more recently my "third place" has become the Starbucks on Allen & West in Woodhaven, MI.  Not because they make good drinks & they have free Wi-Fi, but that Starbucks is a company that is giving back to the community and the world as a whole.

My dream is to one day open a coffee shop of my own that makes great beverages, has the best baristas, but most of all is a place that anyone can come and share their life with other people.  A place that they can call home and they feel that it is a positive impact on the community.

I have began to increase my growing inventory in coffee materials and they are shown below:

Espresso Stovetop Percolator 

French Press

Burr Grinder

Chemex Coffee Machine

Pour Over Coffee

Toddy Cold Brew System

What I love about each of these system is that they prepare coffee each in a unique way.  It makes the conventional coffee brewing system obsolete.  I know that right now I am a novice "barista", but i hope this is only the beginning of opening a coffee shop someday.

If you haven't already take some time to visit your local coffee shop, try one of their signature drinks, and begin to enjoy all that the coffee world has to offer.  

till another day, 

normallyINDIE

Another Cup of Coffee...

If you have been following this blog at all over the past 6 months, you will have seen a lot of book review and particularly book reviews that regard to my many Starbuck's books.  I began my journey reading Onward by Howard Schultz which is a story about the rough patch that they encountered from 2008 - the present.  Most of all how Schultz handled the pressure of stepping back into a managerial role and turning the company upside down.  I then moved onto the Starbuck's Experience, this book was a perfect read because it encapsulates the 5 point business model that made Starbucks into the powerhouse it is today.  Most recently I moved onto Pour Your Heart Into it by Howard Schultz (and another ghost writer).  This is a little older look at the dynamic company, but it gives an in-depth history lesson of how the company began, thrived, and continues to find success through dynamic relevance.  Thanks to a great friend of mine who is one of Starbuck's thousands of partners/baristas, I will be continuing to read up on this wonderful company.

You may be asking, why/how would a Pastor of Student Ministries find anything relevant for ministry in a book about a for profit company like Starbucks (besides the refreshing aroma of coffee as he reads it in a wonderful Starbucks location).  It is very simple actually.  Starbuck's has always valued the newcomer at a very high level, hoping to transform the way they understand coffee and how they experience it.  Therefore, their baristas, locations, coffee, and food items all emulate a level excellence that truly gives the newcomer the best of experiencing something.   This is exactly what I find to be true with the position I find myself in today.  I have been called to create an experience for people to understand what God has created them for.  It is being very sensitive to a newcomer that needs a little explaining as to why they would ever enjoy something like this.  As well as training those that are working for me to be great advocates for what is happening in the name of God.

Like Starbuck's the church is trying to send a message to the world that their is something out there that they have never experienced before and that is the loving hope of Jesus Christ.

PS.  If you there are any great Starbucks books I have missed please let me know and I will read them right away.


till another day,



normallyINDIE

Book Review - Onward by Howard Schultz ...

Coffee has been a huge part of my life since I was 12 years old. My first interaction with coffee or a coffeeshop was a white chocolate mocha from Starbucks in Bloomington-Normal, IL. At they time my coffee taste buds were not so high and I needed a lot of sugar added to handle the coffee taste. But as I continued to grow up and my palette was toughened, I moved from a white chocolate mocha, to a vanilla latte, to drip coffee with a little bit of sugar, and now finally good old black coffee. My relationship and growth with coffee has grown from merely a small to go cup of coffee to a full on experience. In each city I have lived in over the past 5 years I have a specific coffee shop that has become home (Coffee Hound, Starbuck's, Corner Bloc, Mojo's, Strange Brew, & Coffee Emporium). Although I have a heart for local coffee shops, there has always been a place in my heart for Starbuck's Coffee Company. I am not really sure why, but there is merely something about my start of my relationship with coffee that links me to Starbuck's. This link has only continued when I got ahold of the story of Starbucks book Onward written by their Founder & CEO Howard Schultz himself. This book is written in the view of the story of Starbuck's and their journey from Pike Place to the thousands of stores across the world. Howard spend much of the book writting about the importance of leadership and leadership by communication. Reading through his words you can clearly see that coffee was not just grounds and some hot water, but coffee for Howard is a lifestyle, coffee for Howard is an experience. What I could take away from this is the connection between the Starbuck's business model and the business model of the local church. So much of the time we think of church as being merely a Sunday morning event that we are required to be a part of because scripture says so, but this is not our product, our product is a lifestyle or an experience. The Lord has called us to a build a church that is centered on bringing people into relationship with his son Jesus Christ and in doing so leading them on the path of sanctification. With this responsibility we cannot merely "sell a good cup of coffee", but we have to make people realize that a relationship with Christ is so much more. Like Howard, I look forwarrd to examining the ministry I am a part of and begin to understand if I am merely adding hot water to coffee grounds or if I am creating a once in a lifetime experience that will change the way people live their lives. till another day, normallyINDIE

Posing as a Photographer...

A couple of months ago I posted a few of my pictures that I have been taking using the iPhone app Instagram.  Many of you follow me on there already, but if not you can check me out with the username: normallyindie or check out this post for a couple of my favorites.

Happy Browsing.

Jennifer was leading worship at the MovementSM Leadership Trip

Just some good old fashion people watching at IUPUI

1 of 46 murals in Downtown Indy right now.  One of my favorites.

Yadi after winning the World Series.  Just signified the great relief that was the World Series win.

Homemade Clock out of a book from Jennifer.  The Best Christmas Present I got.

Shepard Fairey Piece on our Apartment Building.  Downtown Cincy.

My first cup of coffee back at Corner Bloc Coffee Shop in Price Hill

These were just a couple of my favorite pictures over the last couple of months.  Like I said keep checking up for updates on this blog as well as follow me on Instagram @normallyindie as I attempt to take cool, hip pictures.



till another day,



normallyINDIE

Natural Ohioans...

As of December 30th Jennifer and were no longer Hoosier (I was an honorary Hoosier, Normalian, Floridian, and Missourian), but we are now Ohioans.  We moved into our new apartment on 8th & Main in Downtown Cincinnati.  Naturally, after 3 days, we have become experts at our surrounding areas and all the happenings in Cincinnati.  Therefore, here are a couple of our favorite place we have been so far and places that we hope to venture to in the very near future.

Within Walking Distance
Cincy by the Slice
Fountain Square
Arnold's Restaurant
Donato's
Algin Furniture
Ohio Bookstore
Coffee Emporium
Artist Materials
Findlay Market

Little Bit of a Drive
Habitat for Humanity Restore
Goodwill
Bloc Thrift Store
Corner Bloc Coffee
Sitwell's
Esquire Theatre
Buybacks

Okay so we still have some work to do to be considered official Ohioans, but you have to admit we are getting there.  As for our plans, I have moved into our new apartment full time, start my job at GUMC tomorrow morning, and upon our wedding on Saturday March 10th Jennifer will be joining me here in Cincy.  As she finishes school she will be part time in Indy from Monday - Wednesday, then the rest of the weeks in Cincy until our Graduation weekend May 12th - 13th.

We will continue to do some searching and I am sure I will continue to update with reviews and place to go as we continue the transition from the great state of Indiana to the great state of Ohio.


till another day,



normallyINDIE

The Best of 2011...

January seems to be the season of new beginnings there always seems to be a moment of reminiscing.  For me, 2011 was a long year of a change, heartbreak, and growth; not to mention fun, excitement and great adventures.  So I have compiled a couple of lists of some of my favorite happenings of 2011.  Here they are: 

Top Albums

1.  Simple Math - Manchester Orchestra 

2.  21 - Adele 

3.  Jack's Mannequin - People & Things 

Top Songs

1.  Virgin - (Simple Math) Manchester Orchestra  

2.  Pumped Up Kicks - (Torches) Foster the People    

3.  You are a Tourist - (Codes & Keys) Death Cab for Cutie 

Top Movies 

1.  Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part 2 

2.  Water for Elephants  

3.  Midnights in Paris 

Top TV Shows 

1.  How I Met Your Mother - CBS

2.  Scrubs - FOX/ABC

3.  The OC - FOX

Top Reads 

1.  Simply Christian - N.T. Wright 

2.  A Grief Observed - C.S. Lewis 

3.  Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - J.K. Rowling 

Top Events 

1.  Our Tattoos - by TJ Harmon (8 total) 

2.  Moving to Cincy/New Apartment

3.  Remembering Family 

Top Purchases 

1.  iPhone  

2.  Our Antique Stuff 

3.  Urban Outfitters Shopping Spree 

Top Internship Moments 

1.  McTuesdays 

2.  Dallas 2011 

3.  The Brew 

Top Check ins 

1.  Qdoba (US 135 in Greenwood) 

2.  Strange Brew (Smith Valley Rd in Greenwood)   

3.  Brass Ring Lounge (Shelby St. in Fountain Square, IN)

Top Sports

1.  Cardinal's Playoff Run 

2.  Colts Sad year (2 - 14 in 2011) 

3.  Butler's March Madness (Part 2)   

Top Experiences 

1.  Interviews

2.  My week at UO

3.  Handcraft Fests 

Top Hashtags

1.  #Awkward

2.  #love

3.  #11in11 

Top Apps 

1.  Twitter 

2.  Instagram 

3.  ESPN ScoreCenter 

Those were a couple of lists to help guide you through the next year.  Each of these things were great and special in their own way and I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to share most of these with my fiancé Jennifer Schroeder.  

We have a big year planned here in 2012 with a new job, new city, our Wedding, and Graduations, just to name a few.  Be following along here at www.normallyindie.com for updates, insights, and thoughts about this beautiful we call home (until the good Lord returns to save us all).  

till another day, 

normallyINDIE 

Keepin' it Local...

Over the past three years, due to a newly found love for vintage, coffee, and the local establishment, I have found myself frequenting local coffee shops.  I do so mainly to take in my surroundings, sample a great cup of joe, and work on whatever i find myself doing (reading, journaling, homework, sermons).  These trips and conversations with my local baristas have allowed me to compile a list of my favorite places in the respective cities I have lived.

Beginning with Bloomington-Normal, IL I find myself at Coffee Hound in Bloomington.  This being my home town I did not find this place until the summer after my senior of high school.  The beautiful architecture of the apartments around and the small street it has placed it's self on brings me to fall in love with sitting outside on one of their many patio chairs and reading.  My drink of choice here is a 16 oz Vanilla Latte in an in-house mug.  Their latte art is out of this world and the slight vanilla taste that they add to their latte is what puts it over the top.

Coffee Hound - Bloomington, IL

Moving further east at my current home we find two great coffee shops.  First is Mo Joe's Coffeehouse in Downtown Indianapolis.  This great independently owned coffeehouse offers anything from sandwiches, to bottomless coffee, to local beer.  The thing that continues to draw me back to this place is the location.  Found directly off of Michigan Avenue, it is in the heart of a thriving Downtown Indianapolis and peering over the skyline while drinking some great coffee is something that is truly magical.  My drink of choice would have to be their bottomless coffee.  At $3 a cup it is the perfect choice when you are looking to spend a long day working on anything.

Mo'Joe's CoffeeHouse - Dwtn Indy

Just slightly south in my beautiful fiancé's hometown of Greenwood, IN we find Strange Brew Coffee.  Living just down the road from this shop in Bradford Place, I have found myself frequenting this place after working for most of the day at Emmanuel Church of Greenwood.  The awesome music and cozy seating is what makes this probably my favorite coffee stop in Indiana, not to mention the wonderful Barista's, Joel of Mustard Room Design.  My drink of choice a medium drip coffee at $1.75 w/ .50 cent refills.  I either fill up my vintage mug with either their Holiday Grogg or Arabian Roast, both never need cream or sugar because they are that good.  All in all, if you are looking for a cozy place with great people and not mention great coffee this is your joint.

Strange Brew Coffee - Greenwood, IN

Lastly, furthest east to Jennifer and I's newest home, Cincinnati, OH you will find Corner Bloc Coffee.  This shop located in the heart of West Price Hill is owned and operated by Bloc Ministries which is a non-profit after school program for intercity kids in the Greater Cincinnati area.  The profits from this wonderful shop go to furthering the ministry of this after school program.  While in school, I had the privilege of working with this program for 2 years, when Corner Bloc opened, naturally, I fell in love with the coffee shop.  This stop offers a variety of homemade goodies, not to mention all organic, but my favorite is either Mama's Chocolate Chip pie, or Andy's Homemade Granola and Yogurt.  On the coffee side of things, my drink of choice would have to the Haria coffee that is hand brewed by my favorite Barista and good friend Danny Kester.  With jazz nights once a week this place is always an exciting and friendly place to call home.  

Corner Bloc CoffeeShop - West Price Hill, OH

This ends our tour of normallyINDIE's favorite coffee destinations, but with Jennifer and I's most recent move back to Cincinnati, coming January 1st 2012, I am sure we will continue to find small, quiet places we love.  

till another day,


normallyINDIE