2020 Reflection | Madison Bullock

2020 was weird, obviously. 

I feel like I am already sick of all the Instagram graphics telling me how weird this year was. It has become a cliché, but there is really no other way to put it. 

Every New Year since I was in eighth grade, I have written myself a letter. I usually summarize my year, answer questions I left for myself the year before, and ask new questions for the following year! The time has come for me to write this year's letter, and I genuinely have no idea where to start. 

My life looks completely different now than it did in January. Most other years this would bother me a lot. I don’t usually do well with change, but this year I had no choice. When quarantine hit, I realized that I really didn’t do much; I had a lot of half-started hobbies and half-developed friendships. I had always assumed I would get to them eventually when the time was right, and then all of a sudden time didn’t really exist! 

All my life I thought I had to check certain boxes before I was allowed to do things. I’m not sure who told me this or why I stuck to it, because it is really no way to live. 2020 taught me there is no wrong or right time to do the things you are excited about. If you have the opportunity to do something good, then that is a good enough reason to do it right then. 

For example, I got a tattoo this year! (Please don’t see me as one of those people relentlessly flexing their probably pretty basic ankle tattoo, that is my worst nightmare) It says “All the Same” from Highlands (Song of Ascent) by Hillsong United (Yes I know it is more basic because it's a Hillsong lyric). I had wanted it for about two years and finally decided this September was the right time to get it. 

Basically, I got it as a reminder that even when everything in life is changing there is a certain steadiness to it. In every hard season, there is a lot of good, too. Just because it is a bad day or a bad month (or a bad nine months), it doesn’t mean it's a bad life. There are highs and lows, but life goes on all the same. 

I still am not sure how I will start my New Year’s letter, but I do know that while it will have some important reflections on hard times, it will also have really good stories and some of my favorite memories of all time.

Yes, 2020 was weird, but it was beautiful in its own way. Here's to hoping 2021 finds a way to be beautiful without all this chaos, but even if it doesn’t look that way I think we’ll all be okay. 

Happy New Year!

How to Make the Perfect Christmas Wreath | Julia Parr

Hi friends! My name is Julia Parr and I am a junior Business major here at Samford! Due to my internship, I am staying here in Birmingham for most of the break during the 2 months of December-January. Now that finals are over and I have loads of spare time, I have started creating a variety of garlands and wreaths to “deck the halls” in the spirit of Christmas! This is so fun to do with friends and family during the holiday season that combines creativity, quality time, and is super useful around this time of year!

Making wreaths is a simple process that is a bit time consuming, messy, and all the more fun. All the materials that someone needs to create his or her own includes:

• Flexible branches

• Long and short evergreen branches

• Florist wire

• Wire cutters

• A little bit of Pinterest inspiration

I added in little bunches of juniper berries, twine, pinecone, and some ribbon to give this wreath some character. The evergreen branches I used were cedar, fraser fir, and juniper in order to have a variety of green shades. You can get these by taking clippings from trees in and around your house or get bundles of fresh greenery from a florist/grocery store! We sourced lots of greenery from Trader Joe’s, but in the past I have made garlands and wreaths using the trimmings from pruning trees in my parents’ yard. 

There are no specific steps that one must follow to a T, but here are some guidelines for my fellow festive crafters out there!

• Make a sturdy “skeleton” by either using pre-made wire that you can get at craft stores, or make one out of the tips of tree branches like I did. 

• If you decide to make your own, make sure the branches are flexible enough for you to hold a bend while you secure each of the pieces together. I started by making a long strand of connected pieces before bending and attaching the two ends of my “rope” into a circle, which served as the framework for my wreath.

• Fashion all pieces together using an overlapping method where the end of one branch overlaps the other, and tightly wrap florist wire about 8 times each. Let the branches “flow” in the direction you believe your wreath should go. This can be opposite directions for a fuller, thicker look or one direction to have a more minimalistic and natural look that I planned on having. 

• Add all extra pieces at the end, and don't be afraid to get creative with what you attach to your wreath. Some great examples I’ve seen are dried oranges, an attached popcorn garland, ribbons, eukalyptus, pinecones, etc.

• Be patient with the results, and don’t be afraid to start over. It's just a little wreath and these beautiful pictures (thank you for making me look cool Holly) don't show the crazy amount of vacuuming and sweeping I’ve done. It was 200% worth it and now my entire house smells like a beautiful forest- minus the bugs ;-)

Thanks so much for following along with this fun and unique DIY! If you try this out, make sure to tag @samfordchiomega on instagram so we can see your beautiful creations! Happy wreath making! 

A letter to PC '20

Dear PC ‘20,

Wow. I am speechless when thinking about how much of an honor it has been to be able to walk with all of you guys through the past six weeks. I took on this role thinking it would be my pleasure to educate you all on all things Chi O and freshman year. However, y’all have been the ones to really remind me of how special Chi O and Samford is. Through our conversations, meetings, and ben brown hangs, I have gotten to be reminded of how lucky I am to be apart of something so special like Chi O and to attend a university as amazing as Samford.

I want to remind y’all of two things that I wish I remembered more freshman year. First of all, it is totally okay to not have your friends yet. It may seem like everyone has their friend group and the friend groups around you may be so strong, but trust me I promise you are not alone. It takes time to find the girls who you want walking alongside you all through college, they don’t come overnight, and they often won't come in the first semester. It’s coming, be patient with the Lord as He leads you to the people He has for you.

Second, I want you to know there is not just one way to do college. It’s totally okay if you don’t fit the cookie cutter college experience. It’s totally okay if you change your major, it’s totally okay if you don’t find your future husband, it’s totally okay if your experience looks different than your roommate’s. Hang in there, it gets easier, it gets better day by day! College is a journey that will press and pull you in so many unexpected ways, but it’s breathtaking to look back and see the way you’ll grow and flourish into all what our Father has for you over these next four years. Soak up every moment, it flies by!

I can’t believe I am a junior now, but you guys have definitely allowed me to feel like a freshman again this semester and I’ve loved every minute of it. I have loved every conversation, every meet up and hang out. You guys exceeded my expectations and have been my favorite part about junior year already. My favorite part about this job was getting to know the hearts of you girls and knowing that Chi O got the BEST pledge class this year despite the hard circumstances of virtual recruitment. This position has allowed me to be all in with Chi O and I appreciate it more than ever. I encourage you all to do the same! Be all in, go to all the events, try to live in the house, get to know the girls you haven’t met; you never know the blessings that can come from it!

My time leading y’all in new member meetings and making sure y’all know everything about chi o may be coming to an end, but being your Mama Hoot never will. I will always be here for you in whatever circumstances. Y’all mean so much more to me than “PC ‘20”. To me, y’all are beautiful, inspiring, life-giving, and passionate girls who are going to do so well not just in Chi O, not just at Samford, but in the world! I am getting emotional writing this, I will be obsessed with y’all forever. I’ll say it again, I’ll always be here whether it’s just a phone call away or just across campus! Never forget, the pain you’re feeling can’t compare to the joy that’s coming! Praying for you guys always.

Mama Hoot over & out, Jody <3

What this season of life has taught me | Emma Buckles

Seasons always brings about change. Sometimes we are expecting the change, like from winter to spring we are expecting for the trees to bud and for the grass to grow green. Other times, the cold snap hits earlier than we anticipated. Where do you feel like you stand right now in life? Which season are you in? One of transition? One that ended faster than expected? One that seems like it will not end at all? All of these types of seasons shape you, mold you, and prepare you for what is next. Sometimes we need to sit in the uncomfortable and other times we need to be in the midst of the reshaping. 

I feel like I have lived in half a dozen seasons since the last time I was here at Samford, but in reality, it was just one really long season. It was uncomfortable sometimes. It was lonely other times. BUT… hear me say this, it was filled with so much purpose. I learned so much about myself and my tendencies. I learned so much about my family and my friends. 

Most importantly, I learned how my plans, no matter how perfectly planned I think they are, will always be subject to change. I cannot control everything. In reality, there is very little I can control. During this season, I saw how what originally was not in my plans at all turn into God’s “plan A”. His plans are so much greater than ours and I have learned to place my trust in the Lord and turn my plans over to him.

Relinquishing our plans over to Christ makes me think of when Jesus called the disciples to follow him and leave the familiar behind. In Mark 1, Jesus approached Simon Peter, Peter’s brother Andrew, James, and John. He asked them to leave their nets and follow him. He was calling them to something greater. These four men had no idea where God was calling them or what their future would look like. What would it be like for us to step out in faith and let go of control? The disciples’ whole world changed for the better and they had no idea the journey they were about to embark on. These men who thought their whole life would revolve around fishing, fixing their boats, prepping nets, and selling fish for their livelihood, now lived for a greater purpose. A purpose in which God called them into the uncomfortable with gentiles and called them into a life of pursuing men the way they thought they would be pursuing their careers. 

As we all step together into this new season of unknowns, I pray that we can let go of our “perfect” plans and place our future into the hands of our all-knowing God. May this be a time of pressing and reshaping that molds us more into who God created us to be.

Quarantine in the Kitchen! | Holly Schumpert

Hello I'm Holly, and I'm a Junior studying interior architecture here at Samford! Over quarantine and summer break, I did a lot of cooking, baking, and staging for styled photo shoots. I've always had an appreciation for art and design, whether it be for a well made film, a beautiful photograph, an oil or watercolor painting, or an interior space. I appreciate beautiful, quality things, and food definitely falls under an artistic category that I admire. I'm excited to be collaborating with the marketing team to contribute a few recipes on this blog and share my favorite essentials to create a charcuterie board that's sure to be a crowd favorite!

• Rosemary Lemon Scones 

This recipe is incredible and beyond easy!

Ingredients

4 Cups All Purpose flour

1 Tbs baking powder

Pinch of salt 

¾ cup sugar

100 g diced cold butter…. The rough equivalent to that is 7 Tbs + a little so just go with that, but if you have a kitchen scale, use that! 

1 Cup whole milk ( can add more if needed) 

2 Tbs chopped, fresh rosemary

1 egg

Powdered sugar

2 lemons

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 420.  Combine dry ingredients together in a food processor, then add diced butter until it looks like breadcrumbs.  If you don't have a food processor you can grate the butter to lightly fold into the flour until it's thoroughly combined. After transferring it into a bowl, add milk and mix lightly. You don't want to overwork the dough.  Then combine the chopped rosemary.  Flour a surface and roll out the dough (1-1 ½ inch thick) and cut with a round cutter or cup.  Place the scones straight onto a baking sheet - you won't need to grease it or anything - and lightly brush each with egg wash. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes

For the icing, squeeze lemon juice into a bowl of powdered sugar.  I don't have a specific measurement for this, it just depends on how you want it.  I tend to do thinner icing (so more lemony than sugary) . Cover the scones with icing once they've cooled and enjoy with clotted cream and jam!

• Charcuterie Board 

I tend to go WAY overboard with cheese boards because there are so many items that I hate to leave out.  Also I love to have a lot of different options on a board for people to choose from.  I'd much rather just list a lot of different recommendations than give you a strict pairing of a few things, so I'm going to do both!  

Here are some good rules to go by - always choose 1-5 cheeses. Once you go over 5, it gets overwhelming.  Also If you're getting more than 1 or 2 cheeses, get at least one cow, sheep, and goat cheese.

Recommendations

CHEESE:

Montamore 

Robusto

Manchego

Soft goat cheese

Midnight moon

Triple cream brie

 Camembert

Humboldt fog - IF you like blue cheese (has a pretty blue stripe down the middle)

Compte

Gruyere 

Coastal English Cheddar (costco) 

Dubliner

Saint angel triple cream blue 

Any kind of alpine cheese is worth a shot tbh

Stilton (if you LOVE blue cheese) 

CRACKERS / BREAD:

Trader Joe's Fig and Olive / Rosemary crisps

Effie's oatcakes

Lavash crackers (fresh market) 

Rosemary Olive oil Bread 

Fresh Baguette (Continental Bakery quality)

FRUIT:

Fresh figs

Strawberries

Blueberries

 SC Peaches

Champagne grapes

Honey Crisp apples

MEAT:

Genoa Salami 

Prosciutto

Smoked salmon (if you wanna go there lol)

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:

Marcona almonds 

Mixed nuts

Terra chips 

Fig jam (please get this and put on almost everything)

Olives 

Dates 

A restaurant in Chattanooga, TN called Alleia has an appetizer that's toasted bread (I'm pretty sure they put it on a grill, but you could just toast bread the normal way lol), ricotta, and truffle honey. If you feel like buying truffle oil (make sure it's not infused olive oil… you need straight up truffle oil) and just drizzling that with honey or combining the two, it's SO good.  There's probably a more sophisticated way to make truffle honey, but this is easier and I think tastes the same. 

DRINKS:

Only and always Belvoir Elderflower Lemonade

(with the exception of Fentimans rose lemonade or La Croix)

• SMALL BOARD NECESSITIES (THE BEST OF THE BEST)

- Sartori Montamore cheddar or Robusto Gouda (cow)

The cheddar is softer but still super sharp and crystalized. It's also super easy to crumble.  The gouda is from whole foods and is probably one of their most popular cheeses. I feel like every time I go and ask about cheeses they ALWAYS point me to Robusto.  

- Manchego (sheep) 

Kind of hard, kind of soft… I don't really know what you call that medium range of the two textures. It has a super light and creamy taste

- Any brand of regular, soft goat cheese or Cypress Grove Midnight Moon

Just depends on which you prefer and what you want to add to your board.  It's nice to have something creamy if you already have two harder cheeses, but also Midnight Moon is SO good.  It's aged so it's sharper than regular goat cheese.  With regular goat cheese I usually always put honey on the top and put it on an Effie's Oatcake cracker :)

- Lavash Crackers, Trader Joe's Fig and olive crisps or a GOOD baguette

- Champagne colored grapes - they're so good and are BEAUTIFUL 

- Genoa Salami or Prosciutto

• ETON MESS

Cut strawberries, crushed meringue (can just get from Trader Joes), and homemade whipped cream. Just mix it together. Literally my favorite dessert of all time and so easy.

• SALMON & FARRO SALAD

Ingredients

- Salmon

1 Salmon Filet 

Honey

½ tsp Lemon Pepper

 1 tsp Rub with Love Salmon Rub

Butter

Lime  

- Farro Salad 

(farro)

1 Cup farro

1 cup water 

1 cup chicken stock 

(green goddess)

½ cup basil leaves

½ cup fresh parsley 

¼ cup green onions

¼ cup olive oil 

¼ cup cashews

¼ cup milk

2 tbs lemon juice

1 tsp sea salt

½ tsp black pepper

(corn relish)

⅓ cup olive oil

1 lemon juiced and zested

½ tsp sea salt 

3 white corn cobs

Instructions:

Combine farro, chicken stock, and water in a pot and put over the stove on high heat.  Once the farro has soaked up the chicken stock and water, set aside in a large bowl to cool.  Sometimes I like to add a bit more chicken stock before I take it off of the heat if I want my farro to be softer.  Just make sure not to add too much to the point where the farro can't soak up any more liquid.

Put all ingredients for the green goddess dressing in a blender and blend until smooth. Easy enough!

Shuck the corn, cover in olive oil, and place them on a pan on high heat.  Charr each of the sides, leaving the rest raw.  Once charred, place on a plate and use a sharp knife to cut the corn off the cob.  Squeeze lemon juice and sprinkle salt and pepper.  Then combine the corn with farro and mix with green goddess.  You'll probably have left over dressing, so combine the dressing to however much you want in your salad. Then place the salad in the fridge until cool / cold.

I prefer grilled salmon, so if you have access to a grill DEFINITELY do that (if you do, use olive oil instead of butter), but since most of us are college students that don't have grills, here's another way to do it!

Heat a large non-stick pan on high with a Tbs of olive oil.  Place salmon in the pan and reduce heat to medium-low.  Do not move the fillet.  Allow the salmon to cook for about 7 minutes or until well browned and cooked about three quarters of the way through.  Turn the fillet, add butter, and cook for about 3 minutes more, or until it's still barely pink in the center.  Top with lemon (or lime) and serve over the farro!

Thanks for following along! - Holly Schumpert

Back to School Tunes & Essentials | Annie Strawn

Hi friends! My name is Annie Strawn and I’m the Campus Activities Director for Chi-O. As Campus Activities Director, I consider myself the resident hype girl for all fun things! I’m basically the cheerleader for the superstars who organize tailgates, mixers, and intramurals. Things will look different this year, but I’m still so excited! I also have the honor of being in charge of Chi-O Carpool Karaoke, a fun segment that fosters community with girls in our sorority through belting classic songs in the car. Hopefully more segments to come on that very soon! I’m no James Corden, but a girl can dream, right?

In honor of school starting back up, I decided to share my current music crushes and school essentials! I’m what some people could call a Spotify freak. It’s my favorite form of social media and most of the time I’m brainstorming what new playlists I can make. Some current favorites in these strange times, and in no particular order:

1. John Mayer x Why Georgia- Live at the Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles, CA – December 2007. I’m a Georgia native and a John Mayer super-fan so this song always puts me in a good mood. Also live versions? Always better!

2. Coming Home x Leon Bridges. I just moved into an apartment and have been trying to perfect my cooking dinner playlist. I love all things Leon Bridges and this one is no different!

3. This Must Be The Place x Sure Sure. Such a good remake of a classic. I listen to it and it makes me think of being reunited with the people I love! 

4. End of Time x Beyonce. MAKES YOU WANT TO DANCE IN YOUR SEAT!

5. Fly x Prince of Eden. Birmingham has the best sunsets so I always love a good ~golden hour~ drive song! This one sounds better with the windows down.

6. We Are Family x Sister Sledge. FOR ALL MY CHI-O GIRLS

7. Everywhere x Sawyer. This song is one of my go-to car songs. Light, fun, and a remake of Fleetwood Mac!

8. Airmail x Hailaker. I found this band through Discover Weekly (Thank you Spotify!) and I think they make the coolest songs. “I’m not a fan of waiting” = me always. Maybe my new study music? #scholarship #over #social #obligation #always!

9. How Deep Is Your Love (feat. Yebba)- Live x PJ Morton, Yebba. This song is awesome! One of those songs that feels like eating chicken soup.

10. All Night Long (All Night)- Single Version x Lionel Richie. I think this song is just so fun. Feels like the end credits to a movie I would want to be in.

And my school essentials:

1. A MASK! This is a no-brainer these days. My current favorites are from Gap and I’ve got my eyes on one from PJ Harlow!

2. Lint roller. I’m not kidding. My friends know I love a good lint roller- perfect to clean pillows, clothes, and in a pinch, a lamp shade! I’ve always had one and I highly suggest it.

3. Lamps! I love lamps. I think they are the superior form of lighting. They are good at any time of the day and make every room feel more homey! My roommate and I have used the same ones since freshman year from HomeGoods. 

4. A carabiner! This is a weird one, but they are so helpful! I keep one on my backpack and they are awesome to clip keys and coffee mugs on. 

5. Hydro-flask. Hydration is KEY!!!

6. Hand-Sanitizer. Remember when we all had Bath and Body Works hand sanitizer on our backpacks? Thinking about bringing that back this year! Who’s with me?! 

7. Scissors. I’ve realized I almost always need scissors. Here’s to hopefully not losing my new pair!

8. Rain-Jacket. Birmingham is notorious for being sunny one moment and then randomly raining. I’ve used the same one since 8th grade but If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!

9. Chapstick. Chapped lips are so last year! 

10. Gum. I’m writing this down to keep myself accountable. I swear I’ve just mooched off my roommate the past two years, (sorry Gracie), but good breath never goes out of style! 

I’m pumped to have the opportunity to serve Chi-O this year and to come back to Samford! I hope these lists serve you right and help you prepare for the year ahead. Stay safe and healthy! Hope this is the best year YET!

- Annie Strawn

*Photo taken prior to COVID-19 campus move in*

What I think about when I hear "Chi O" | Haley Joe Febrey

Why I love Chi Omega…you would think after being in Chi O for three years I would be able to come up with an answer off the top of my head. I don’t think I’ll ever have the words to do this home justice, so instead I tell you about the little things that I love the most.

When I think about why I love Chi Omega I think about Emily Small and her big orange speaker and the one time she went door to door in the house and got all 75 girls to have a dance party on a Tuesday night in the hallway.

I think about my roommate/bff, Caroline Miller, and how her closet has turned into the go to place when you’re in need of business casual clothes. I think we have visitors in need of clothes at least once a week and we absolutely love it. 

I think about Grace Beardsley and her passion for social justice combined with her humor. She’s going to change the world for good, I know that for a fact.

I think about madam pres, Mallie, and her money jokes at chapter. Also remember the one time she played the Jonas Brothers during chapter? She’s so good to us. 

I think about caf dates with Alana Vaughn and Morgan Baylor. They’re a couple of years younger than me but they teach me so much about empathy and vulnerability. Also about how to eat well in the caf.

I think about the nights we have exec meetings in my room. Usually there’s coffee and some sort of dessert. We talk about important Chi O things some but we also goof off and talk about having a function at top golf. One of these days we’ll get them to lower their price to rent it out. 

I think about how excited literally everyone gets when the jingle bells trap remix comes on at any function (Step Sing 2018 Women’s Champs baby!!!)

I think about Anna Sager and Llewellyn South and that time they came to sit with me in the hospital that one time I hospitalized myself for going to a workout class. Pro tip: do not ask your ER nurse about the weirdest thing she’s seen in the ER.  

I think about Claire Cassetta and how I could hear her laugh through the walls when we lived down the hall from each other in the house and how she is the most passionate philanthropy director I’ve ever witnessed. Her passion for Make-A-Wish has made our philanthropy what it is today. I am so thankful!

I think about Maddy Rousseaux and her love for the caf. Also her dance moves. She can make anyone laugh and owns who she is 100% of the time.

I think about the charcuterie and book exchange Christmas party I planned with Caroline Miller and Hannah Harris. It was the Christmas party of our dreams. At the end of it sweet Kate Verlander got behind the piano and we all sang worship songs. Goodness gracious, what a sweet memory. Also not to flex but we make a dang good cheese board.

I think about my little, Liza Thornell. One of nearest and dearest friends who knows me better than anyone. She’s incentive to stay in Birmingham so I can be here for her senior year (I’m not crying, you are).  She calls me higher and is the most loyal friend. Classic 6w7. 

Y’all, I could go on and on. This home has always been an invitation to freedom. Freedom to love and be loved. Freedom to be 100% me. Chi Omega has been one of my most cherished gifts of college and one of the things that has impacted me the most! I could not be more thankful for the house with red door! 

- Haley Joe Febrey

Why I love my sisters | Peighton Cumbie

The people and the atmosphere are the two main reasons for why I went Chi O. As soon as I walked through that red door, I felt welcomed and accepted. Every single girl that I had a conversation with was fully focused on and interested in who I was as an individual and made sure I never felt judgement. I was able to breathe and the anxiety that can surround recruitment melted away. I had never seen so much joy and authenticity in one room and I knew from the very first night that I wanted to be a part of it. 

Since becoming a Chi O, my favorite thing has been the bible study I am in. My leaders Jesse Henderson and Kathryn Kizziah (who is also my big WOOP WOOP!) made the biggest impact on me throughout freshman year. Navigating college is difficult and that one night a week where they led me in God’s Word became a safe haven. It also gave me some of my best friends in Chi O - Lindsey Sauder, Campbelle Wilkinson, and Kate Dyleski (who is now my roomie!!). I don’t doubt for one second that without these girls, my freshman year would have been a lot different. They gave me so much love, guidance, and support as well as many laughs.  I thank Chi O everyday for giving me these lifelong friends!

- Peighton