In just nine days we find out baby's gender! I am getting so excited to start working on the nursery. I have been searching pinterest and fantastic mama blogs. Here's a few great inspiration resources I have stumbled upon: Chic & Cheap Nursery, Loop & Lil, Happy Together, Modern Nursery, Bump Smitten & Prudent Baby. Now, onto the eye candy! I think, no matter the gender, I am going to go with this color story: gray, white, teal, marigold, plum, and green. It may sound like crazy town, but just look at these pictures! Fabulousness.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Eleven Days
Just a few thoughts about baby, the coming days, and a prayer....
In eleven days we find out the sex of our little baby. Words cannot express how excited I am to give our baby a name and to feel that much more connected to it. Husband and I have been generously blessed with all kinds of baby gear, but we ourselves haven't purchased one thing yet. I can't wait to buy baby's first outfit, baby's first toy, baby's first blanket.... etc. I have waited until gender reveal day to do so, as I know as more babies come down the line, we won't ever have this opportunity to buy our FIRST baby it's FIRST purchase. I can't wait to walk into that doctor's office and see our baby for the second time, its been 6 weeks since we've seen our little bambino move and shake. I can't wait to see it's features more defined and its sweet profile resting inside of me. Pete and I will be excited for either boy or girl, we just can't wait to know what God already knows and has planned for it's little life!
Lately in life, the husband and I have been overly showered with God's love and blessings. But because we live in a fallen world, there will always be times of struggle and strife. In thinking of these times, my thoughts today are "I am so glad that this baby is inside my womb. It's so safe in there. It can't hear the evil words this world speaks, it can't see any affects of sin yet, or feel pain yet." I want to protect it forever this way, but in my selfishness, I also can't wait for it's birthday so that I can show it so many beautiful and innocent creations God has made for it to enjoy. But for now, I am content in it being within me always. No matter where I am, for now, I have the comfort of knowing that baby is with.
Jesus, I pray for this baby. I pray you give it a healthy life and a safe delivery. I pray that it grows to be a disciple of You, loving you and serving you. I pray that we will raise it to fear You. I pray for it's sweet personality that you have already woven into it's heart, that he or she will be used by You in mighty ways.
In eleven days we find out the sex of our little baby. Words cannot express how excited I am to give our baby a name and to feel that much more connected to it. Husband and I have been generously blessed with all kinds of baby gear, but we ourselves haven't purchased one thing yet. I can't wait to buy baby's first outfit, baby's first toy, baby's first blanket.... etc. I have waited until gender reveal day to do so, as I know as more babies come down the line, we won't ever have this opportunity to buy our FIRST baby it's FIRST purchase. I can't wait to walk into that doctor's office and see our baby for the second time, its been 6 weeks since we've seen our little bambino move and shake. I can't wait to see it's features more defined and its sweet profile resting inside of me. Pete and I will be excited for either boy or girl, we just can't wait to know what God already knows and has planned for it's little life!
Lately in life, the husband and I have been overly showered with God's love and blessings. But because we live in a fallen world, there will always be times of struggle and strife. In thinking of these times, my thoughts today are "I am so glad that this baby is inside my womb. It's so safe in there. It can't hear the evil words this world speaks, it can't see any affects of sin yet, or feel pain yet." I want to protect it forever this way, but in my selfishness, I also can't wait for it's birthday so that I can show it so many beautiful and innocent creations God has made for it to enjoy. But for now, I am content in it being within me always. No matter where I am, for now, I have the comfort of knowing that baby is with.
Jesus, I pray for this baby. I pray you give it a healthy life and a safe delivery. I pray that it grows to be a disciple of You, loving you and serving you. I pray that we will raise it to fear You. I pray for it's sweet personality that you have already woven into it's heart, that he or she will be used by You in mighty ways.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Montana Soup
I created this recipe after visiting Big Sky country, that is the great state of Montana. One day we visited a local restaurant in Whitefish called "Loula's." I had their southwestern chicken soup as an appetizer, however because I didn't use the exact ingredients, nor did I have their recipe, I renamed it Montana soup because big sky was my inspiration! Here she blows!
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
- veggie trinity
- 1 whole yellow onion, diced
- 8 oz sliced celery
- 8 oz sliced baby carrots
- 1 8oz carton fresh portabella mushrooms, sliced
- 3 bell peppers, (1/2 red, 1/2 green, & 1/2 yellow)
- 1 whole seriano pepper
- 3 cloves fresh garlic
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 22 oz tomato puree
- 64 oz regular chicken broth
- paprika
- oregano
- red pepper flakes
- Emeril's southwestern essence seasoning *optional*
- salt
- pepper
Prepare:
- Heat large pot on medium high (don't need to grease)
- Saute trinity until softened
- Add pinch of salt, pepper, & red pepper flakes + 1 T paprika
- Cut chicken a.s.a.p. (as small as possible) or cook whole & then shred
- Heat separate saute pan coated with olive oil - add chicken, salt and pepper, 1 T paprika (REMEMBER: SEASON AS YOU GO!)
- Cook until almost no pink, a little pinky = okay, it will cook out when added to soup - set aside
- Mince/press fresh garlic - add to trinity
- Add tomato puree to trinity
- Add another pinch of S&P and small pinch crushed red pepper
- Prep peppers by removing core and seeds, dice all
- CAREFULLY handle seriano, do no touch eyes while handling - be sure to mince and remove all seeds, then WASH HANDS!
- Add all peppers to trinity
- Add chicken to pot as well
- In empty chicken pan, add 2 T butter & mushrooms
- Saute mushrooms until softened
- Add mushrooms to pot
- Stir until all well combined
- Add one more pinch of S&P, 1 T paprika, several dashes Emeril's Seasons (if you don't have, use garlic salt)
- Add chicken broth and allow slow rolling boil for 10 minutes
- Cover and reduce to simmer for 30 min - 1 hour
- Service with crusty baguette - you'll need it to cool your mouth down!
This may seem like a lot of steps, but hey I'm a detailed person when it comes to recipes, and the amount of soup you end up with make this labor of love soup totally worth it. Let me know if you try this out! My husband raved about it, so I thought if he *being the soup connoisseur that he is* liked it, it must be good enough to share! Bon appetit!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Josh Garrels
If you haven't already seen his free album on noise trade, get it now. His style of music is so diverse, some hip hop, some indie, some instrumental, but most importantly, his lyrics are filled with sound doctrine, convicting the hearts of it's listeners. Encourage you to download it now here.
Revelator
Had a dream I was alone
A vast expanse of complete unknown
Sea of glass so clear it shown,
Like gold
Then a voice like thunder clapped,
As a dead man I collapsed
I am the first, I am the last,
Now rise my son
Then behold ten thousand kings,
And every creature worshipping
Every eye was on one thing,
One man
He’s like a lion like a lamb,
As though slain he holds the plan
To make war and peace with man,
And reign on earth
Holy, Holy, is the One,
Who was and is, and is to come
In a robe as red as blood,
He comes forth
Ride like lightning in the sky,
Upon the war horse he draws nigh,
The same one we crucified,
Will come again
The Resistance
I was born into a system constructed for failure
It’s a sinking ship manned by drunken sailors
An escape artist behind the bars of a jailor
An asthmatic attack when we forgot the inhaler
If the shoe doesn’t fit what good is a tailor
In the midst of a crisis please cancel the gala
Without a symphony there’s no need for a prelude
To foreshadow what’s to come.
See the secret committees, commence with their meetings
To make red tape in response to simple questions
Questions threaten the perception of the beneficial systems
A pyramid scheme with it’s cogs and it’s pistons
Mechanization of men, making more and more
Live in a miserable exhistance
How can so few, claim so many victims
And this begs the question
My rest is a weapon against the oppression
Of mans obsession to control things
Look at the long line of make believe kings
The lord of the flies want’s you to kiss his ring
Follow new rules with invisible strings
And become a puppet in the diabolical scheme
How do good men become part of the regime
They don’t believe in resistance.
Hold fast like an anchor in the storm
We will not be moved
Lesson number one, overcome
Every fear of regret and confusion
It’s all illusion, delusion
Sent to disconnect the holy fusion
Of spirit and the flesh
Every mortal breath, is meant to bring forth fire
But only when the fear of death, gets consumed
On the funeral pier
So let the flames rise higher
Let every man be considered a liar
If he doubts the goodness and faithfulness of God
Itching ears will compulsively nod in approval
When unbelief is taught in all our temples and schools
But God can restrain the madness of a fool
He can bring His truth through the mouth of a mule
You can move an mountain without any tools
It just takes the faith of a little seed
to make a way through what might seem to be
Impossibility,
And the ability will match the occasion
The outcome will defy explanation
The liberation will not be televised
When it arrives like lightning in the skies
Hold fast like an anchor in the storm
For your love, we will rise and overcome
Through the fire
Hold fast my people and sing
Through peace and through suffering
All for the joy that it brings, to be free
It’s gonna cost us everything
To follow one Lord and King
True love endures everything
To be free
Hold fast, like an anchor in the storm
We will not be moved
I was born into a system constructed for failure
It’s a sinking ship manned by drunken sailors
An escape artist behind the bars of a jailor
An asthmatic attack when we forgot the inhaler
If the shoe doesn’t fit what good is a tailor
In the midst of a crisis please cancel the gala
Without a symphony there’s no need for a prelude
To foreshadow what’s to come.
See the secret committees, commence with their meetings
To make red tape in response to simple questions
Questions threaten the perception of the beneficial systems
A pyramid scheme with it’s cogs and it’s pistons
Mechanization of men, making more and more
Live in a miserable exhistance
How can so few, claim so many victims
And this begs the question
My rest is a weapon against the oppression
Of mans obsession to control things
Look at the long line of make believe kings
The lord of the flies want’s you to kiss his ring
Follow new rules with invisible strings
And become a puppet in the diabolical scheme
How do good men become part of the regime
They don’t believe in resistance.
Hold fast like an anchor in the storm
We will not be moved
Lesson number one, overcome
Every fear of regret and confusion
It’s all illusion, delusion
Sent to disconnect the holy fusion
Of spirit and the flesh
Every mortal breath, is meant to bring forth fire
But only when the fear of death, gets consumed
On the funeral pier
So let the flames rise higher
Let every man be considered a liar
If he doubts the goodness and faithfulness of God
Itching ears will compulsively nod in approval
When unbelief is taught in all our temples and schools
But God can restrain the madness of a fool
He can bring His truth through the mouth of a mule
You can move an mountain without any tools
It just takes the faith of a little seed
to make a way through what might seem to be
Impossibility,
And the ability will match the occasion
The outcome will defy explanation
The liberation will not be televised
When it arrives like lightning in the skies
Hold fast like an anchor in the storm
For your love, we will rise and overcome
Through the fire
Hold fast my people and sing
Through peace and through suffering
All for the joy that it brings, to be free
It’s gonna cost us everything
To follow one Lord and King
True love endures everything
To be free
Hold fast, like an anchor in the storm
We will not be moved
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Love Through Me
I stumbled over this lovely couple's music due to my adorable sister Emily. They are Jenny & Tyler and not only are they adorable and their music charming, their mission is also right on: to show Christ's love through their talents and musical gifts. This song, "Love Through Me" and it's lyrics penetrated my heart, in this midst of my current season of blessing. I hope it convicts you as well, to live with Christ central and to remember what this life should really be about. Not money or things or status, but that our minds and hearts have a continual eternal perspective. Listen here. Download their EP album for free just by joining their mailing list here.
-
there is plenty on this earth to suit our needs
but there will never ever be enough to satisfy our greed
weigh this heavy on me now until i can hardly breathe
love through me
i've never gone a day without a meal because i couldn't afford it
stood on a corner and begged for pennies, holding out a sign
call me blessed, but it sure does feel pathetic,
children ‘round the world are hungry now
so would i give up:
pillows and cable, clothing and candy,
if a boy could rest his tired bones?
would i lay down:
making all this money, just to have my milk and honey,
if my fellow man could get the chance to watch his children grow?
there is plenty on this earth to suit our needs
but there will never ever be enough to satisfy our greed
weigh this heavy on me now until i can hardly breathe
love through me
i feel in the right, self-justified giving coins away
but what about the time i consider mine not tomorrow but right now today?
clothe the naked; feed the hungry; welcome strangers
come on, get up and open your eyes
so would i give up:
pillows and cable, clothing and candy,
if a girl could have some more to eat?
would i lay down:
making all this money, just to have my milk and honey,
if my fellow man could get the chance to hear about the King?
there is plenty on this earth to suit our needs
but there will never ever be enough to satisfy our greed
weigh this heavy on me now until i can hardly breathe
love through me
help us see, our eyes are weak, help us please
love through me
-
there is plenty on this earth to suit our needs
but there will never ever be enough to satisfy our greed
weigh this heavy on me now until i can hardly breathe
love through me
i've never gone a day without a meal because i couldn't afford it
stood on a corner and begged for pennies, holding out a sign
call me blessed, but it sure does feel pathetic,
children ‘round the world are hungry now
so would i give up:
pillows and cable, clothing and candy,
if a boy could rest his tired bones?
would i lay down:
making all this money, just to have my milk and honey,
if my fellow man could get the chance to watch his children grow?
there is plenty on this earth to suit our needs
but there will never ever be enough to satisfy our greed
weigh this heavy on me now until i can hardly breathe
love through me
i feel in the right, self-justified giving coins away
but what about the time i consider mine not tomorrow but right now today?
clothe the naked; feed the hungry; welcome strangers
come on, get up and open your eyes
so would i give up:
pillows and cable, clothing and candy,
if a girl could have some more to eat?
would i lay down:
making all this money, just to have my milk and honey,
if my fellow man could get the chance to hear about the King?
there is plenty on this earth to suit our needs
but there will never ever be enough to satisfy our greed
weigh this heavy on me now until i can hardly breathe
love through me
help us see, our eyes are weak, help us please
love through me
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Cheese & Bread? I'm in.
I was reading one of my favorite home magazines yesterday when a particular page made my stomach smile. I have always been a lover of the american classic grilled cheese. White bread, american cheese, chips & pickle on the side. Yum. Then I saw these recipes, they upped the ante. Maybe I'm like, an adult or something, but these just sounded so more amazing (and I don't even like tomatoes or bacon!). Case and point, we tried out the california style last night and it was TO DIE FOR. I can't wait to try out the other two real soon, like, now. Recipes & pictures found in this month's addition of REAL SIMPLE.
Serves 1| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 10m
CALIFORNIA GRILLED CHEESE
Serves 1| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 10m
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 slices white sandwich bread
- 2 slices Cheddar
- 1/8 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 small avocado, thinly sliced
Directions
- Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat.
- Form a sandwich with the bread, cheese, onion, and avocado.
- Cook the sandwich, covered, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
PESTO AND TOMATO GRILLED CHEESE
Serves 1| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 10m
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto
- 2 slices white sandwich bread
- 2 slices Cheddar
- 2 thin slices tomato
Directions
- Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Spread the pesto on 1 slice of the bread and form a sandwich with the cheese and tomato.
- Cook the sandwich, covered, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
PEAR AND BACON GRILLED CHEESE
Serves 1| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 10m
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons currant or fig jam
- 2 slices white sandwich bread
- 2 slices Cheddar
- 2 slices cooked bacon
- 1/4 small pear, thinly sliced
Directions
- Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Spread the jam on 1 slice of the bread and form a sandwich with the cheese, bacon, and pear.
- Cook the sandwich, covered, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Cork Floor - Literally.
In our new master bath (which is really just a water closet housing our toilet and shower) there is tile from floor to ceiling, so picture hanging and painting walls is not really an option. I guess I could paint the ceiling, but I really like the minimalism happening in there. It's appropriate for relaxing. Not to mention the floor to ceiling glass doors - when I said no space for color, I meant it. Hence the need for a little personality elsewhere. I found this awesome tutorial here and can't wait to try it out. It might be a little bit of a challenge to track down that 175 corks, being I don't drink alcohol, but I'm sure a few phone calls to restaurants will do the trick. Now on to the deets.
How To Make A Cork Bath Mat:
Supplies
- 175 wine corks (plus a few extra to allow for mistakes)
- hot glue sticks
- non-adhesive shelf liner (I used Duck brand Smooth Top Easy Liner in taupe, found at Walmart. Or try [ribbed side down] Plast-O-Mat ribbed shelf liner, available at Ace Hardware, Bed Bath & Beyond or The Container Store)
Tools
- pocket knife (sharpened)
- cutting board (one that you won’t mind if it gets slightly damaged)
- rotary cutter and mat (or scissors)
- long ruler or yardstick
- hot glue gun
- coarse sand paper
1. Cut each cork in half lengthwise with a sharp pocket knife. Be patient and careful so you don’t cut a finger off. It’s best if you use natural cork wine corks that are similar length and width. Sand the bottoms flat if any of your cuts are jagged.
2. Arrange the corks into a rectangle, flat sides down. Use a ruler or the lines on a cutting mat to make sure your configuration of corks is as close to a straight rectangle as possible. My mat is 18.5 x 30 inches (10 x 35 cork halves)—a little smaller than a standard size bath mat, but then my bathroom is smaller than a standard size bathroom.
3. Measure and cut the shelf liner to size with a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat.
4. Transfer the outer rows/columns of corks to the shelf liner and glue them to the top side of the liner. Apply a rectangle-shaped line of glue to the flat side of each cork, about 1/8 inch from the edge, line up the cork with the edge of the mat, and press hard. Wipe away any glue dribbles before it hardens fully, but after it cools (so you don’t burn yourself).
5. Once your frame is in place, transfer the rest of the corks to their corresponding position on the mat. You’ll probably have to do some arranging and trading places to make all the corks fit. Then remove one cork at a time and glue it down. You’re done!
IMAGES & TUTORIALS BORROWED FROM CRAFTY NEST
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