Giveaway

Today is an exciting day!!!!

I'm hosting my first giveaway over at The Orchard House!  I'm featuring a gift from one of my absolute FAVORITE bloggers!  The one-of-a-kind Edie of Life in Grace.

Come over and read all about it and of course enter!  

Dreamer

source

This year I have embarked on a new venture with two of my dearest friends.  

You see, I am a dreamer.

I could spend hours talking about those passions that God has placed in my heart and that fill me with wild ideas and roads I want to travel.

And you know what, these two friends of mine are the ones that I find myself sharing those wild ideas with.  Most times late into the night and early into the morning.  They fan the flame of my imagination and encourage me to walk boldly with my ideas.

So that is just what we decided to do this year.

Together, we have started a blog called The Orchard House.  It is a place for us to explore our passions and share them with other women.  It is also a place where we desire to promote others who have great passions and wild dreams living in their heart.  It is meant to be an online haven of encouragement, challenge, and belief.  

I would love for you to check it out here.  I am excited to see what the Lord will do with it.

Pasta Primavera

I have had several friends request that I add some more recipes to the blog so because I love you so much Amanda & Melissa this is just for you! 

This is a recipe I made the other day for a couple in our community group who just had a baby.  I was reminded of how easy and nutritious this dish is.  It's full of fresh veggies so it looks like a garden on your plate!  

Pasta Primavera
Source: Giada de Laurentiis

Ingredients:
3 carrots cut into thin strips
1 large zucchini cut into thin strips
2 yellow squash cut into thin strips
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper cut into thin strips
1/4 cup olive oil
Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs
1 pound penne pasta
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 450.

On a large heavy baking sheet, toss all veggies with oil, salt, pepper and dried herbs to coat.  Bake until carrots are tender and veggies begin to brown, stirring after first 10 minutes.  Bake about 20 minutes total.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water about 8 minutes.  Drain, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid.

Toss pasta with veggies in a large bowl.  Add enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten.  Season with salt & pepper and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

~Sometimes I add grilled chicken.

Enjoy!

Renew

Another year has been closed.  The new calendars have been opened.  It's the first year that I have not made lists of goals for all facets of my life.  There have been no sheets filled with bulleted items of physical, spiritual, relational aspirations.  There have been no revolutions within our home of pursuits toward forming new habits.  That energy that usually infuses my mind and spirit during the month of January has been absent.  But this year I don't feel that push toward making those lists and setting down on paper those goals.  This year I just long for one singular focus.  One thing to keep me on track as the months tick by.

This year instead of those lists I have chosen one word to pursue:  RENEW.

"He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." 

~Titus 3:5

I chose RENEW because for too long I have felt like I was in a holding pattern.  Every day my mind wages war and I enter into battle to find the truth that will sustain me.  Some days I wave a white flag and find myself allowing the enemy to gain ground and other days I have stood firm and fought back.  

"And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." 

~ Colossians 3:10

I need a renewal of my mind, of my heart, of my identity, of my spirit.  2012 gave me a beating and these weary bones need some new life infused into them.  

"Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." ~2 Corinthians 4:16

How does one go about finding renewal?  

I believe the only source capable to restore me is the One who made me.  It is to Him that I will surrender myself.  

I plan to embark on The Romans Project where I will hide His sacred Word in my heart.  

"What a heart knows by heart is what a heart really knows,"  urges Dennis Lennon.  And what the heart knows by heart is all that can calm the heart.  And direct the heart.  And strengthen the heart. ~ source

God's Word never returns void.  I'm counting on that this year.  

Christmas Around the House

I thought you all might enjoy a peek of what our home looks like for Christmas.  Most everything around our house this time of year has some sentimental meaning for our family.  I love how unpacking our Christmas decorations leads to a trip down memory lane.  It reminds us of our roots and is hopefully building those same roots in Caroline's heart for years to come.  

These are my childhood Little Golden Book 

Christmas stories

We are hosting Christmas this year so this is where we will be enjoying Christmas dinner

Our Advent tree with ornaments courtesy of 

A Holy Experience

My grandmother's nativity

Stockings knitted for each of us by David's mom

Christmas dishes given to me by my best friend Ansley the Christmas David and I were engaged

Dickens Village church from my grandmother

And finally a night shot

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Holiday Baking

Yesterday we finally finished the last of our Christmas shopping!  I could finally check that off the holiday to do list so today Caroline and I tackled some holiday baking.  Last year we made gingerbread men so this year we decided to try frosted sugar cookies.  

We followed the recipe from Annie's Eats.  They were buttery and delicious!

White Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. salt
2 1/2 cups sifted flour

Directions:
Cream butter.  Add powdered sugar.  Blend in egg, almond extract, vanilla, salt and flour.  Chill dough until firm.  Roll to 1/4" thickness on well-floured surface.  Cut with cookie cutters.  Place on greased cookie sheets.  Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.  Cookies should not brown.  Frost and decorate when cool.

Tutus & Ballet Shoes

Amidst the usual hustle and bustle of the Christmas season we have had some additional festivities this year filling our holiday calendar.  

At the beginning of the school year Caroline started taking a little beginning ballet class for 3 to 5 year olds.  She absolutely LOVES it!  She is a huge fan of the book and show series Angelina Ballerina and this has been her opportunity to live out her dreams.  Every Tuesday when I pick her up from school she barely wants to do anything but change into her leotard, skirt and ballet shoes and head off to ballet class.  

After much practice these past few months, Caroline and the other girls in her His Steps class had their first opportunity to show off all that they've learned at their Happy Birthday Jesus performance.  

It just doesn't get much cuter than a group of little girls with their hair pulled back in buns wearing little pink tutus.  Such sweetness!

The girls did such a great job showing off the techniques they've learned and having fun.  We were so proud!

It was David's first time getting to see her dance.  He couldn't take his eyes off of her.  It was so precious!

Caroline's cheering section also included my mom, Aunt Rosie, and my sister.  She is one loved little girl!

To commemorate her special day Caroline received her first piece of real jewelry from Mommy.

And a musical jewelry box from Nana.

What I'm Listening To

The temperatures have been so warm around here lately.  It has me longing for some cold, snowy weather.  It's hard to get in the Christmas spirit when it feels like spring outside.  So today's musical choice reflects my longing for some fluffy precipitation. 

David and I snuggled up with the twinkling of the Christmas tree lights and watched this crooner's Christmas special last night.   It was the perfect ending to a hectic day.

Surcie

The Christmas season was my dad's favorite time of year.  He would get giddy with excitement and anticipation as soon as Thanksgiving arrived.  

One of our favorite Christmas traditions was him taking all of us girls shopping.  He was always a meticulous dresser and had a love for really nice things so he always had great taste.   We would spend an entire day from morning till dark trolling stores and taking lunch and coffee breaks to refuel and rest our feet.

Heading off in Papa's truck

Snack break at Starbucks

Last year on our shopping trip Caroline and I rode on a little train

Part of this tradition, included him buying a little surprise gift for my sister and I that he called "surcies".  For those of you that have never heard of this word, here's a little background.

A surcie is a Southern tradition of giving a small, thoughtful present to someone you love.  They are not intended to be reciprocated and are usually unexpected.  It's a simple way to let someone know they are special to you.  

Some surcies that he gave me over the years included perfume, gold earrings, shoes, winter coat, and more.  He always wanted to buy something a little bit frivolous that at least my practical self would not ordinarily purchase.  That's what made them so fun!

Caroline receiving a surcie

To remember him, I plan to keep the surcie tradition alive in our home.  This Christmas I have a few surprises up my sleeve.  I'm excited to shower those I love with a little way to say "You are special to me."

Heavenly Rolls

I have always wanted to learn how to make homemade rolls.   So when I saw a pin on Pinterest for amazing homemade whole wheat rolls, I instantly knew it was a recipe I wanted to try.  I'm so glad I did!  

These were the easiest things to make and they didn't leave my kitchen looking like a disaster zone. You can't ask for more than that right?!  

Look at that buttery goodness!  It's hard to eat just one.  

I followed the directions from An Oregon Cottage.  She did such an amazing job and was so detailed with her instructions, I am not even going to attempt to post my own play by play.  So  do yourself a favor and click over for the recipe and head straight to your kitchen.  You'll thank me later when you're eating them hot out of the oven.  

What I'm Listening To

Do you ever find yourself in the middle of all the hubbub of Christmas shopping and think to yourself, "If I hear George Michael's Last Christmas one more time on the store speakers I will lose it!"  I know, it totally squashes my Christmas spirit when that happens.  

Today's song choice always pulls me out of my George Michael induced grouchy mood whenever it comes on. It's the perfect antidote.  

All I Want For Christmas

In case you are headed out Christmas shopping, here's my dream wish list for this Christmas.  I better get my letter to Santa in the mail pronto!

1. We've been married for almost 10 years and we still just sleep on a mattress on a frame.  It's time for a grown-up bed!  This one from Pottery Barn is dreamy.  

2.  A classic pair of gold hoops is perfect for any outfit in my opinion.  I've been searching high and low for a pair just like these.  

3.  I've wanted a professional quality camera for a long time.  Friends in the know say this one is the best for a beginner like me.

4.  If you know me well, you know that I have extremely thick, curly hair.  My hairstylist Sari Catherine swears this iron is the secret to taming my mane.  I just call her the hair whisperer.  

5.  I love pillows!  I think these fun prints would really jazz up my living room.

6.  I need some new skinny jeans and I've been told for years that there's just nothing like a good pair of designer jeans.  For my body type I heard this brand is just the ticket!  

Happy Shopping!

The Scent of the Holidays

One of my favorite ways to create an inviting atmosphere in our home is to make it smell really good when someone walks in the door.  I know when I go to someone else's house, if there are yummy or comforting aromas when I walk in, it's like a warm hug to my senses.  It instantly draws you in and puts you at ease.  I love that and want people to always feel that way when they come over.  

I wanted to share with you today an easy way to make your home smell amazing during the holidays and it doesn't include baking.  What's the secret you may ask?

Simmering Potpourri

via

Here's how it works:
Just fill a pot with water, add dried peel from one orange, whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks or sprinkle ground cinnamon.  Boil for a few minutes then turn heat down to simmer all day.  Add more water periodically so you don't burn your pot.

My mom has this really pretty copper simmering pot that I steal/borrow this time of year just for this use!  

For more simmering pot recipes check out this list for lots of combinations.   Sit back and enjoy your house smelling amazing!

What I'm Listening To

It's officially the Christmas season now and I wanted to share with you one of my all-time favorite Christmas albums.  Nat King Cole has such a timeless, smooth voice making his "Christmas Favorites" album one that I never get tired of listening to.  

This album is full of all the Christmas carols I love to sing.  It reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Christ our Savior.  It also contains one of my absolute favorites, "The Christmas Song".   

I'd love to know what you're listening to to get in the Christmas spirit this season!

Crumb-Topped Apple Pie

It's the day before Thanksgiving and I sincerely hope that none of you has to fight the crowds at the grocery store for last minute ingredients.  But....if you need to bring something for your family's Thanksgiving meal and you're still searching for recipes I have the one for you!  It's worth fighting the crowds for if you don't have the ingredients at home!  

I am a huge fan of apple pie and this one David has named "The World's Best Apple Pie"!!  It's that good ya'll!  And the best part is it's so easy!  Almost as easy as unwrapping a Mrs. Smith's and sliding it in the oven, which is what I used to do before finding this gem.  

Since I love you guys I wanted to share it with all of you!  

Crumb-Topped Apple Pie
(Adapted from The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook)

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup uncooked regular oats
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup butter, melted
4 cups peeled, thinly sliced Granny Smith apples
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Combine first 5 ingredients; add butter, and stir until blended.  Measure 1 cup firmly packed mixture; set aside for pie topping.  Press remaining mixture in bottom and up sides of a well-greased 9-inch pie plate.  Arrange apple slices in pie plate; set aside.

Combine sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small saucepan; stir in water.  Bring to a boil over medium heat; stir in vanilla.  Pour hot mixture over apples; crumble reserved topping over pie.

Bake at 350 for 42 minutes, covering with foil during last 15 minutes to prevent browning too much.  

Trust me, if you bring this to dinner your family will be SO impressed and your pie will be devoured!  

What I'm Listening To

For this week's edition of "What I'm Listening To" I wanted to get us started off for the holiday season. I have to confess that I've been listening to this album for at least a week now, practically nonstop.  

I think it would make for great background music during your family feast on Thanksgiving.  

This music makes me feel like a kid again every time I hear it.  It's so timeless!  Here's a sample to give you a taste!