a place to call home

Finally able to share some photos of our new place. My dad came down yesterday and totally helped us re-arrange and I love the new set up. He has such an eye for that kind of stuff.

Still struggling to unpack everything. It's hard to fully commit while in the back of my head I know we'll be packing it all up again. But I'm trying to live in the moment and I certainly feel more settled when things have a place.

WELCOME GUESTS!

Dining/Living Room

 Living Room (Rachael Ray on TV of course!)

 

A fun chalkboard and photo display in the cafe/kitchen

  

Cafe

  

Kitchen

 One of my favorite rooms- the office

 

 

Master Bedroom 

 

We also have a guest bedroom but I got a little distracted with this.... :)

Bubbling Over

Let me just paint the scene for you...

Chris and I have just come back from a morning work out. Cooked a delicious BBQ pizza lunch and now are sitting down at the kitchen table together for some afternoon work time. The sun is streaming through the windows so strong and sweet Harvey is snuggled up at my feet. The smell of sugar cookies fills the air (from a yankee candle) and I am just boiling over with joy.

A feeling of contentment and peace that has been absent from my heart for many months. I have tasted it in small pieces but the feeling here is lingering and I know that he Holy Spirit is near.

I have so many unanswered questions about what next in my life but feel so confident of God's provisions now more than I have ever before.

I know it's wrong to put such value on material possessions, but there is something about moving into this house that has changed so much for me. The walls are feel warm and the rooms feel welcoming and hopeful of new beginnings.

Praise the Lord for his faithfulness!

Fab Food Friday!

This week's recipe comes from my sweet friend Mary Beth. She used to make these delicious pumpkin chocolate chip muffins every year around this time.

I remember coming over to her apartment and seeing what looked like hundreds of mini muffins filling the counter. I made a huge batch this year and added a few tweaks...they were a huge hit!

Start by these ingredients in a mixer:
3 cups Splenda
4 egg beaters
1 cup veggie oil
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt

Then add these ingredients one at a time mixing as you go:
2 cup canned pumpkin
3 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup water
1 tsp baking soda

Fill muffin tin about 3/4 of the way full and top with mini chocolate chips.
Bake 350 for 15-20min. This recipe makes about 2 batches of full size muffins and 4+ of mini muffins.

Homemade Christmas Gifts

I know it's early since our holidays last year were a bit rushed I am really looking forward to soaking up every last bit of Christmas cheer!

Starting with a search for the perfect homemade christmas gift idea. My friend Stephanie has inspired a new love of mason jars so here are a few great ideas for these multi-purpose containers.

(Click on each title to find out more about each gift)

SINGLE SERVING PIE IN A JAR


GIRLFRIEND COOKIES


CRANBERRY HOTTY-CAKES


LEMON SUGAR HAND SCRUB

PEPPERMINT STICK COCOA


S'MORES IN A JAR

What are your favorites? Got any other homemade holiday gift ideas?

Purest White

Last night I spent some time scrubbing down my favorite white rocking chair on our back porch. The rocker was a gift from Chris for my 16th birthday. He surprised me by flying home from college with flowers in hand sitting in a sparkling white rocking chair I had been wishing for.

At our old apartment the winds would come rushing across the field and bring dirt all over our patio furniture. So it was about time to give the rocker a bit of a shine. After spending a good 30min out there scrubbing all the nooks and crannies I stepped back to survey my work and realized I had missed the entire back side.

There was a very visible line of dirt where my scrub brush had missed making it very obvious how dirty the poor chair had gotten. How could I have missed that part?

I am so greatful that when God cleanses us of our sin he doesn't just choose the places that are the most visible to the rest of the world. He goes deep into the heart and washes away every nook and crannie leaving only the purest of white.

What a joy to know that as dirty as we may feel on the inside, covered with soot the winds of our humanity carries, that he never misses a spot. Smiling as he wipes away every sign of damage.

Browsing through Recovery

Finally feeling able to sit down to the computer for a while. My wisdom teeth surgery went extremely well on Thursday. Thank you for all your prayers.

I was diligent with the ice and meds and didn't have any swelling at all and was able to manage the pain pretty well. The hardest parts are still first thing in the morning when the medication has worn off through the night, but all in all it has been much easier to recover than I anticipated.

Plus this is a great time of year to be on a soup only diet!

I thought I'd share a few of the sites that I've been drooling after these days.

Loralee Lewis: my event planning idol! Check out these adorable pictures from her latest event a "Gratitude Tea"

Thrifty Military Wife: While I am by no means an insane couponer, I do transforming great finds from good will. Jennifer has got this down to a science and always posts about some pretty sweet deals! Been doing my best to organize my own coupons and even found these 2 great jackets for only $10 total from a shopping trip at good will!

Clean Mama: Becky from Clean Mama is an organizer's dream! She has some great printable grocery lists, cleaning checklists, menu planners and other great tips for keeping a stress free home.

Jenni Catron: I've been reading Angie Smith's What Women Fear and have been watching the bloom book club on (in)courage which is where I came across Jenni's site. She works at Cross Point Church in Nashville and has a real heart for inspiring Christian leaders. I would love to follow in her footsteps one day.

There's No Place Like Here: I got this adorable Save the Date in the mail this weekend and am just bubbling with excitement for my friend Stephanie's wedding to her boo David. Stephanie is an art teacher shares the highs and lows of her new life in the art room.

Olive Bungalow: This jewelry is just plain beautiful!

St.Mary's Open House Showcase

A few photos from the St.Mary's Open House event this past weekend.

Registration Table

Student's lockers were covered in thse little signs

We filled the halls with photos and quotes from alumni

 

Sunglasses and Lanyard Giveaways!



Sweats & Stuff on Sale



Tours





Picture yourself as a SAINT