Drop in and Decorate III

I hosted my third "annual" Drop in and Decorate party last night and it was a blast! This non-profit encourages groups to have a cookie decorating party and then donate the cookies to a local homeless shelter. Being that most of the meals served there are mass produced, it really is a blessing to them to eat something that was made individually. For THEM. It's a neat opportunity to give during the Advent season.

Here are some pictures of our fun!

High School Musical.

Many of you probably know that I went to a performing arts middle school and high school. It was an amazing opportunity to learn from highly talented artists and teachers. I had the privilege of taking acting classes from Burt Reynolds, Loretta Swit, Charles Nelson Reilly, Deidre Hall, Henry Winkler...the list goes on and on.

While the teachers and actors at my school were incredible, my friends from high school are my favorite part of my high school experience. While we are all spread far apart, when we are back together, it is like no time has passed at all.

Natalie is one of my favorites. She is always known (to my friends who have never met her) as "My crazy friend Natalie". Since i have been home for Thanksgiving break, I got to have dinner with Natalie. When she got her credit card back from the waiter, she had an opportunity to show her hilarity.



Where it says "Phone Number," she wrote "Wouldn't you like to know?" and gave it a red-lipsticked smooch. I miss high school.

A few of my favorites...

Sheesh. This Fall has been busy!

Between going to many weddings:





....and dating The Bachelor....




...it's been wild! Forgive my absence on the blog. I am sure you have all been eagerly awaiting my next stroke of the pen :)

(Ok, I didn't really date Jake...just saw him in the airport. Made for a great Facebook post, though!)

Here are a few of my favorite things that I have discovered this Fall!



Pirate's Booty.
While the name leaves something to be desired, this popcorn treat does NOT! It is on sale BOGO at Publix this week- try it out!



Steve Madden "Cadence" boot.
Usually out of my price range, but not at TJ Maxx! I wear these a LOT and they are super comfortable!



Essie "Chinchilly"
Great color and looks good with black and brown. Love it!



Pinterest.
I am sure I am "late to the party" on this one, but it has been such a blessing as I have been decorating and fixing up my new home!



Organix Keratin products
I don't use the shampoo and conditioner, but I LOVE their straightening serum. You can buy it at a drugstore for about $9 and it really helps to smooth your hair!

My article

I have gotten back into writing a bit. I wrote the article linked above in last month's local paper. I have also been asked to write an article about "What Christmas means to me." I have submitted it and it will be published in next month's edition. (What a great opportunity to share the hope of Christ!)

And, finally....I have been working with a friend to decorate my house. Here is her blog with the many postings she has done about my house, in case you care to take a peek :)

Befores and Afters

More updates

Painting the floors....

45-50-60? Hut! Hut!

When I was asked to make some "football cupcakes" for a child's birthday party, I couldn't wait to get into the details! I am not creative on my own, but I can follow directions like a mad woman. After looking online, I found the design I liked most and found a way to create the look with the footballs made out of Tootsie Rolls! It was labor intensive but so much fun!

I will admit, though, I was not sure what the numbers on the "yardage" went up to. I was about to punch out "60" and "70" and thought I better Google how many numbers were on the field. Phew. Thank GOODNESS for Google!

Craig.

I would be lying if I said that I am not terrified by Craig's List. I watched the horrible story of the "Craig's List Killer" unfold and it made me swear off of the idea of even attempting to buy something from a stranger.

Until this week.

I overcame my fears for a great deal! I bought these matching chests of drawers:

I bought both of them for only $250! They are in perfect condition, are made of all wood and all of the drawers are in working condition. I am hoping to learn how to refinish furniture and give it a whirl with these two items! If you have any tips, please let me know!

Summertime Faves!

Here are my latest addictions:

(Blogger thought that they were so important, it underlined each item and I can't undo it!)

Morning Star Farms: Grilled California Turk'y Burgers

While I know that most of you aren't typically fans of "tofu" these are delicious! They have a yummy combination of tomatoes, avocados and soy protein...packing a great punch of flavor and they are good for you!

French Press

Because I am really fancy and formal, I bought mine at HomeGoods for about $16. I love a good cup of iced coffee and the French Press delivers! Just pour boiling water into the press, add coffee grounds (not instant coffee, just regular old grounds, and put on the top. Let the coffee steep for about 5 minutes and then press down. The strainer will push all of the grounds to the bottom of the carafe for a stout cup of coffee. I let mine get to room temperature and then refrigerate.

Basket

I feel like Little Bo Peep carrying my basket around town, but it is great! I put all sorts of things in it. Today it was my devotional books, my computer and my planner. Hit the road to Starbucks and I am all set! Rumor has it that they are available at Walmart these days :)

Pop Chips

While I can't say that I love every flavor, I really love the BBQ variety! They are packed with fiber and really fill the salt cravings I have been having in this heat! Forget Baked Lays (which I think taste like cardboard) and pick up a bag of these!

Exciting!

This adorable couple is in my small group from Brookhills. They are an awesome couple and have asked me to make their wedding day cupcakes. (As aforementioned in this post.)

I have been trying new flavor combinations monthly and sharing them with our Thursday night small group. I think I have enjoyed this process as much as the taste testers. E, the bride, has decided this week to have strawberry cakes and lemon cakes for their big day!

On Sunday, a group of us was talking at lunch after church. was asked if i would ever start a business with my cupcakes. This conversation led to a friend mentioning that she knew a couple who was about to open this new shop in Crestline village. She called them up and asked if they might give me a shot in their pastry counter. They agreed! So...I am going to pray through this and give them a call this week! Now, I am working to come up with a name for the "business". I think I have "the" name...but any suggestions would be great!

What a fun way to continue to explore my hobbies! I am blessed.

Choose to trust.

I have moved 14 times in the last 12 years. I know. I know.

I am over it.

Unfortunately, the adorable house that my roommate and I are renting is going on the market this week and we have to move out next month. I am really disappointed, but am choosing to trust that the Lord has something in story that wil be for my good, as usual.

In the last week, I have turned my search for a rental property to also looking to buy a home. It is a long process, but it is worth looking into at this point. I went to see my first house this morning and am continually picking up fliers around town.

Here are a few things I have encountered that have been, well, interesting:

Check out this site below....when I see the realtor in the bottom right corner, all I can think of is "Shooter McGavin" from the movie "Happy Gilmore":

http://4252ashwoodcove.CanBYours.com/

And, on the bottom of one of the fliers I noticed the verrrry interesting website that belongs to Jason Boner. (That spelling is not in error, nor is it pronounced like "Bonet"....it rhymes with toner. His website? Pretty clever....and perverse.

www.forsalebyboner.com

Eek. More "fun" to come, I am sure.

Snores-ville.

Prince William is just the TALK of the town these days. Why? I ask....why? He seems really boooring to me.

Check out Harry, on the other hand. He looks like he is always up to something- my kinda guy.

You say "fritayta" and I'll say "frittata"

I always thought that "frittatas" were really fancy....not so. I made my first frittata this Easter and it was delicious! Basically (if you are as clueless as I was) a frittata is a crust-less quiche. The recipe below is the one I used. You can just take your leftovers: meats, cheeses, veggies, etc. and toss them in. It's a great way to use your leftovers and have a brand new meal!

"What's in the Fridge Frittata"

Recipe courtesy of "College Cooking" cookbook

8 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

4 cups leftovers (or...what you have)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8" baking pan with butter or cooking spray.

Beat the eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a bowl until well combined. Distribute the leftovers evenly in the pan and cover with egg mixture. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

**Also great as left-overs....kind of "like left-over left-overs"**

Busyness or Business?

I continue to LOVE making cakes and cupcakes! Ever since my cake decorating classes, it has been a really fun stress reliever for me :) I got the privilege to make cupcakes for a 1st birthday party this weekend. My friend, Lauren, from Samford has a precious little one, pictured below:

(Not his best picture.....wish his eyes were open!)

He turned one last week and I got to make his cupcakes! I chose to make a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter buttercream dipped in chocolate ganache and a white cupcake with almond frosting.

See below....

So...now...the question....do I have time to make this a "business" on the side....or is it just a fun way to use my "busy-ness"?

Sunday is coming...

This weekend is marked with sadness- overwhelmed with joy. Yes, Christ HAD to die for my sins in order for me to be in communion with God. But, Christ CHOSE to die for me because He loves me. What an incredible picture of love, grace and faithfulness to an undeserving child.

An even more incredible picture is that Christ didn't just die....and stay dead. He rose in order to prove that He truly is the Son of God. No other religion can boast in this truth. No other God is living and active. Praise the Lord for His freedom given through Christ!

Today is a difficult day as a believer. To know that my sin is responsible for His torture....Good Friday is humbling and sorrowful. But, Sunday is a miracle!

It may be Friday...but Sunday's coming!

Third wheel....

Just wanted to share a handy little tidbit of advice for all of you brides-to-be out there. Please, I repeat, PLEASE do not invite a single girl (whom you know is not seeing anyone) to a Couples' Shower....with all other couples!! It gets a bit awkward.

Thanks so much!

Fun Easter treat!

(Image courtesy of islandfamilymagazine.com)

I was recently inspired by a fellow blogger to try making "Easter Bark". While I used to love white chocolate, it really doesn't do it for me like it used to. So, this is a safe thing to make because I don't want to eat it! But, it is a pretty treat and is a fun thing to give away!

Here is the recipe. It doesn't get much simpler!

I used my Silpat sheet on a cookie sheet instead of wax paper. Wax paper bunches and gets stuck to the candy. The Silpat is nonstick and you are able to really spread the chocolate well and evenly.

Also, I put the cookie sheet in the freezer for about 5 minutes and it was set. (I am addicted to short cuts!)

I broke mine apart, put pieces into Mason jars, tied a bit of tulle ribbon and will give these as little Easter "happies" this week!

Shameless Mom.

Remember the post I wrote last week called "Shameless Plug"? Well..there is an update.

On Friday afternoons, I have parent readers for about 20 minutes each week. This Friday, Uncle D's sister-in-law was the guest reader. She came in, hands empty of books, and sat on the chair ready to begin her reading. She said, "Uh..kids.....I have an April Fools' joke for V (her daughter). I am NOT the parent reader today....we have a mystery reader today!" She went on to cover her daughter's eyes as a man with a huge wig walked in. She said, "Look, everyone! It's V's Uncle D!"

Yep. Uncle D was our guest reader. Embarrassed much? I turned bright red and occupied myself accordingly at my desk so as not to continually look up and be humiliated. Let's just say....I was the talk of the school that afternoon at carpool!

Dating dudes...or dating Dads?

So...I am the blind date queen. I have been on more than I can count...here are a few:

1. The guy I talked to for 4.5 hours on the phone- never heard from him again. He met his wife the next day.

2. The guy who made me a cd of Michael Jackson music (because he knew I loved it) and played it on the date. Only got through about 30 seconds before he decided that it was "crap" and threw the cd out the window.

3. The guy who liked French antiquing more than dating women.

...just to name a few. Recently, I have been set-up again....this time with a guy who graduated from college when I was in 4th grade. Yep. You read that correctly.

I am working on not making the age difference a big deal....and focus on his leadership, wisdom and experience. Right?? Help me out, bloggers....