Tasty Thursday

I am constantly trying out new recipes to fit into the weekly menu. {Most, if not all, come from Pinterest} Thankfully, my family is really easy going and willing to try anything!

Here are a few recipes I have made semi-recently and we have loved!

Hot Spiced Apple Cider

{Recipe and photo credit here: Kitchen Treaty}

I made this for our Christmas Party back in December, and it was delicious! Nothing like hot spiced cider to warm you up!

Oven Roasted Potatoes

{Recipe and photo credit here: Plain Chicken}

These are sooo yummy and easy to do! They are packed with lots of yummy flavor and a nice change from a basic potato.

Creamy Avocado Pasta

{Recipe and photo credit here: The Comfort of Cooking}

This is a healthier version of a pasta and oh so good! I would probably reduce the amount of lemon juice used next time I make it {maybe only use half a lemon}, but this was a winner.

Buckeye Brownies

{Recipe and photo credit here: Scraps of Life}

I am a lover of all things chocolate and peanut butter so these were awesome! We liked them better after they chilled in the fridge for a while, but super good.

Teen Blizzard

I had the privilege, this past weekend, to go with a group of teens {and other adults} to an overnight youth activity! It's called 'The Blizzard' and a church around our area has it every year for a fun time of fellowship in the winter months. Lots of games, food, awesome preaching, getting to know our teens better, and meeting more like-minded Christians. 

It was a pretty loud trip to the church, but fun! I had forgotten how loud/crazy teenagers can be! Haha!

Take a picture of you, taking a picture of me :)

The teens didn't want to cooperate with the picture taking process. I believe we had 8 total. They definitely

kept us adults laughing the whole time.

One of the games was tossing a swimming noodle through a hula hoop, it's harder than it sounds!

The theme for this year was 'Who you gonna call?' centered around superheroes. The preaching was excellent! Bro. Fountain Jr. brought out the fact that those people/images are not real superheroes, but God is the real Superhero!

I was able to catch an absolutely beautiful sunrise, over the snow covered mountains. God's creation is truly majestic!

One nanny--two babies

I'm outnumbered.

Today, my dear family has gone off to the city to drop off a friend at the airport, who was visiting us this week.

At the house, with Julian(my boy) and Lizzie (little girl Kali usually cares for), both born within two months of each other and on the verge of the big 2. I am beginning to see a small, little glimpse of what it might be like with twins.

The first part of our day when a little something like this:

--I go to put a load in the laundry...Julian decides its a good time to throw orange pieces all over the floor.

--Charlie (dog) barks and acts crazy outside waiting for me to respond....I tell dog not to act like he owns me. Dog goes in kennel.

--Lizzie arrives....poopy.

--First thing Lizzie says is "Where's Kayyayy??" (Kali)....uh oh. (Not much you can do for a baby who wants someone else, who is not here.)

--Find Julian on Lizzie in a choke hold.

--During play time, Lizzie continues to ask and call out for 'Kayyayy'...to which I respond, 'she is at the airport.'

--Lizzie then starts working herself up to crying and calling out for 'Kayyayy'.....then I want to cry for 'Kayyayy' too.

--Lunch time....alternating feeding kids. Oh wait, I need to eat too?!

--Try to occupy the kids by practicing their piano skills.

--Several giggly rounds of 'I'm gonna get you!!'

--Nap time...Lizzie is now crying because its time to sleep....I've never quite heard that rendition of 'Jesus loves me' sang before by a crying baby.

Even through crazy/funny days as a nanny, I wouldn't trade these precious kids for anything.

They are the best.

Lord, your the best thing that's ever happened to me

Our Pastor asked Kali and I to sing this song last wednesday, and oh how these words are true in my life!

You've been my friend for so long

You were right when I was wrong

I can't repay all the love you've given me

You were my friend when no one cared

I was alone, but you were there

Lord, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me

Chorus:

And I owe it all to you, Lord

All I have is yours, Lord

Take my life, make me what you'd have me be

I'm your child and you're my father

I'm the clay and you're the potter

Lord, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me

Borrowed treasures, borrowed dreams

All life's joys you've given me

When troubles come you're always there to make me smile

Let come what may, thy will be done

I love you, Jesus, God's precious son

Lord, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me

If you are a born-again Christian, I'm sure you can agree that Jesus Christ is the absolute 'best thing' that's ever happened to you!

Now, I will leave you with a picture of Dad and I ice skating this weekend :)

Fantastically, fun weekend

We had a friend come home from bible college last week! {Amanda is the one on the far left} On Saturday, we had a day filled with fun spending time with her!

--Surprise early birthday party for her {Above picture ^}

--Bowling with the ladies

--Night snowmobiling {First.time.ever. and it was SO much fun!}

--Girls sleepover!

It was a blessing to hear her testimony of God working in her life since she started going to college. God is truly good!

The fantastically, fun weekend was rounded off by a fabulous Sunday spent in God's house. Have I ever mentioned how much I love my church kids?! I am so, so thankful/blessed to be able to teach those precious little ones!



Etsy

Have you ever shopped there? It's a great online store that has many, many different shop owners with various homemade and vintage things. I have known about it for a while, but never shopped from there.

I was recently looking for a outfit for our ladies retreat in April {the theme is 'somewhere in time'} and they try to get the ladies to dress up for it. I found a homemade dress on Etsy and am very pleased with it! {Think, Jane Austin}

I also recently bought a new personlized phone cover from Etsy!

If you haven't shopped there yet, it's a great place to find unique homemade and vintage stuff!

Mantel Makeover

We have an unusually large mantel, so it's always kind of difficult to fill it all up. {AND make it look right!} Kali gained a little inspiration from pinterest, then we both went to work to make it work for our mantel. Who doesn't love books, candles, and tea?!

Happy Tuesday!

Hello 2013

I love new beginnings. A new year means a new start and a fresh outlook on your life.

We spent New Year's Eve at church {watch night service} and had a wonderful time with friends and family. We worshipped God in songs and testimonies, heard from His Word, played games, prayed in the new year,  and {of course} when your Baptist you can't have a fellowship without lots of yummy food!

My dad and Bro. Cody each brought forth a mini-message that God had laid on their hearts. A great reminder to look back at this past year, recognize how you might have failed Christ or made mistakes, taking this fresh start to correct them {knowing that God will be with us, each step of the way}. A sort of 'rebooting' those areas of your life that need to be corrected. Also, looking forward to seeing what God will do in this next year. Great, great messages.

One of the songs that was sung last night was 'As the Deer'. This song was more popular was I was a kid, but the lyrics are so powerful. I am making this my 'song' for the new year. As a sort of resolution and reminder to keep God my #1 and my most precious treasure. There will be trials and joys {no doubt} with this new year, but no matter what I want people see Jesus through me in those rough and happy times.

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship Thee

Chorus:
You alone are my strength my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee

You're my friend and You are my Brother,
Even though You are a King.
I love You more than any other,
So much more than anything.

I want You more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy Giver,
And the apple of my eye.

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God."

Psalms 42:1

Happy New Year!