a few pictures from today...

 | PHOTOS |

yellow bow headband in my shop. kodak duaflex III camera.

wooden spools of thread. mini-instax photos on my wall.

bible study. roasted pumpkin seeds.

my doggie. me.

My mom just got an iPhone, so today I played around with the instagram app! 

Fun!! :)

{heart of thanks challenge} day two...

   a November Challenge from Jen at She Collects

LORD, today I am smiling as I think about all of the sweet memories that I have of my family, especially of those who are with You now. I was reminded today what it is like to lose someone you love... & our memories really are such a beautiful gift from You, to help get us through our loss. Thank You, Jesus, for the memories that You have given me! They will always bring a smile to my face!

{PHOTO}  My brother & I, with our grandparents, who are both in heaven right now! :)

have a heart of thanksgiving...

It is November... & Thanksgiving will be here soon!!

a day for family, a big turkey dinner & of course, the macy's thanksgiving day parade!! BUT it really is so much more than that... It is a great reminder of how we are to be thankful for all that God blesses us with & it is something we have to make a choice to do daily! 

Jen at She Collects has inspired me to be more intentional about being thankful this month!

she came up with this daily challenge for the whole month of November...

Day One: Thank God for something beautiful...

Thank You LORD for the comfort & peace that is found in your Word & for special times of Bible study with friends! I am so thankful that I have a Bible & the freedom to read it, anytime i want! I am so thankful that You are using Your Word to teaching me to trust You more, even when there is so much that I don't know or understand! & mostly, I am so thankful for the promise that I am Yours, forever & always! 

There is nothing more beautiful than that!!

Thanks Jen! :) 

i am definitely going to print a copy of this & try to be more thankful everyday!!!

happy november!!

Everyone says this, but I really can't believe that it is November already!! Time flies.... I am happy that that Halloween is over though, because now I can start getting really excited for Thanksgiving & Christmas!!! My favorite time of the year! YAY!

I am not a huge fan of Halloween, but I did celebrate in my favorite way... I stayed home, 

ate a caramel apple (+ more candy...) & watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" with my mom & sister! That's our tradition & it's my favorite! :) I hope you had a fun Halloween too!

Below is my sister & I at a piano concert that we went to over the weekend.

It would be so amazing to be able to play the piano... maybe someday!

I would really love to be able to play this song! (it's so amazing...)

& here is a new pink bow headband (for baby) that i just finished & added to my etsy shop!

{update: this headband has been sold! but i will be working on more...}

I hope you have a lovely Tuesday! :)

first snow of the season...

i can't believe it, but it snowed all day!! i wore my warm boots & a cozy scarf! & when i got home, i turned on the fireplace & made some yummy chili... the perfect meal for a cold, snowy day! now it's time to sit on the couch with a cup of hot peppermint tea! :)

out in the country & 12 goals...

here are few more photos from my weekend, when I went apple picking! it was a beautiful 

fall day in the country! don't you just love the feeling of country air? there is something 

special about it... i definitely wouldn't mind living in a place like this! :)

&

i got inspired by this list, to make one of my own...

1. find a better way to organize all of my photos.

2. finish reading "emma" & start reading "the hiding place".

3. completely finish my current study of Revelation, doing all of my homework on time!!

4. take vitamins & drink plently of water, everyday.

5. work out 4-5 times a week. (pilates, yoga, walk, bike, etc...)

6. clean out my closet & give or throw away things i don't wear or use.

7. be more intentional about showing the love of Jesus!

8. bundle up & play in the snow, with my family & doggie (once it snows)!

9. i have always wanted to bake scones... maybe these, these, or these!

10. be better about budgeting my money, especially with Christmas coming...

11. learn to knit a hat, in the round.

12. just to not worry about things &  TRUST GOD'S PLAN! :)


Do you have any goals for the rest of this year?

necklace giveaway!!

today, i am so happy to have a giveaway featured on bethany's blog!

click here to enter the giveaway...

You have through October 31st!

happy monday! :)

we were born into the fight...

This air feels strange to me

Feeling like a tragedy

I take a deep breath and close my eyes

One last time

One last time

Storms on the wasteland

Dark clouds on the plains again

We were born into the fight

But I'm not sentimental

This skin and bones is a rental

And no one makes it out alive

Until I die I'll sing these songs

On the shores of Babylon

Still looking for a home

In a world where I belong

Where the weak are finally strong

Where the righteous right the wrongs

Still looking for a home

In a world where I belong

Feels like we're just waiting, waiting

While our hearts are just breaking, breaking

Feels like we've been fighting against the tide

I wanna see the earth start shaking

I wanna see a generation

Finally waking up inside...

And when I reach the other side

I want to look You in the eye

And know that I've arrived

In a world where I belong...

I still believe we can live forever

You and I we begin forever now

Forever now

Forever...

these words are from the song, "where i belong" by switchfoot. 

i have listened to this song so many times since vice verses came out.

it is an incredible song & the words hit me even harder today...

because sometimes things can just shake us up
& a song is the best gift of comfort.

how to celebrate fall...

go apple picking!

let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time

we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

what a lovely way to spend a fall afternoon!

now i am ready for a piece of apple pie! :)

recipe: pumpkin cream cheese muffins

this is a recipe that i had been wanting to try for a while & it did not disappoint.

the cream cheese filling is amazing with the pumpkin & spices. it is the taste of fall!! 

& what an amazing breakfast!! i could eat a dozen of them... yikes! :)

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

(this recipe made 18 muffins)

Ingredients for the filling:

4 oz. cream cheese

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Ingredients  for the muffins:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

2 large eggs

1 cup sugar

1 can (15 oz.) libby's pumpkin puree

4 oz. cinnamon apple sauce

2/3 cups vegetable oil

Ingredients for the crumb topping:

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup flour

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

4 tbsp. cold unsalted butter

Directions:

The filling... combine the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar in a small bowl and mix well until blended and smooth.  Chill the filling in the freezer until you are ready.

The muffins... preheat the oven to 350.  Line muffin pans with paper liners & spray with a light coat of non-stick spray.  In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, salt and baking soda; whisk to blend.  With an electric mixer, combine the eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree, apple sauce, and oil.  Mix on medium-low speed until blended.  Gradually add in the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.  

The crumb topping... mix the brown sugar, flour, & cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the butter & use a fork to make the mixture coarse and crumbly.

Making the muffins... fill each muffin liner with a small amount of the batter, enough to cover the bottom well.  Spoon in the cream cheese filling, about a tablespoon.  Cover the cream cheese filling with more of the batter, enough so that it is completely covered. Sprinkle the crumb topping over each of the muffins.

Bake for 20-25 minutes... allow enough time for them to cool completely & enjoy!

~~~~~

i actually made these muffins for my sister, because today is her birthday!! 

Happy Birthday, Sandi!

i hope your day is full of joy & blessings! 

i am so happy to have you as my sister & best friend ever!!

 love you!