You know you're an adult when...

your BIG exciting plans for the night are re-organzing the pantry and you're genuinely excited about this. :)

Headaches & Living Water

     Tonight when we went to one of our small groups, I knew the topic we would be discussing (relationships), but I didn't think that one of the more impactful things would be my simple and utterly ridiculous prayer request. On the surface, the prayer request that my headaches are really bad again and that I would be more disciplined in taking the steps I need in order to not have them might seem a little vague and might make you think that there is something more going on with my head than there really is. But there's not. All I need to do in order to keep my headaches away is remember to take my multi-vitamin/iron vitamin and drink water. This is all - and yet I constantly and consistently don't do it. I know EXACTLY what I need to make the headaches bearable or even non-existent. Yet I don't do it. And I couldn't help but think of how many of us are like this when it comes to hearing the gospel, confessing our sin and proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord.
     Through the trials in my life, there was always one person, if not more, telling me about Jesus and how He can transform my life. How, if I would only admit my need for Him and surrender all to Him, that I would be able to face this life with hope and confidence. And it wasn't just words. I had testimonies of Christians of where they were headed in their life and how horrendous it was before they became a Christian and how graciously and mercifully God had completely transformed their lives. How they went from suicidal thoughts or drugs or violence or depression or...or...or... to joyfulness and hope. They could face the world with a new kind of confidence.
     God was working on me and softening my heart, yet I continued to say "No, just because He did that for you, doesn't mean He'll do that for me", "no thank you", "what's good for you isn't good for me" and a myriad of other excuses in my failed attempts to keep God from getting into my heart. But He was already there, all I had to do was step up and drink the water.  Just as I constantly don't drink water to cure my headaches even though I know it's the only thing that will work, I was refusing the cup of living water that Christ faithfully and continually offered to me. I was facing life in despair with barely anything - and I knew that Christ was the answer, but I continued to push away.
     In John 4:7-15, Jesus talks about living water. The water that will lead to eternal life. This is the gospel. This is repentance. This is a life lived out in faith. I finally stepped up and drank the water. Just as I know that water will ease my headaches, I knew all along that the water Jesus offers me would lead to a life of purpose, fulfillment, joy, contentment, hope and so much more.

And all it takes is living water.

Blessings

     As I was driving to work this morning,a song came on the radio and I couldn't help but agree with the song writer as the artist sang out, "if I am Your beloved help me to believe it". I think we all feel that way at some time or another. As I thought about it, I couldn't help but think that 3 years ago this month I was facing the world with no job, no money, no car and no place to live. To the world, it was absolutely hopeless, but I had and still have Christ. In that storm, He was preparing me for something better and in that storm He was calming my heart.
     Now 3 years later, I am surrounded by an abundance of blessings. When I get in a funk and am struggling with believing that I am God's beloved, as the song suggests, I am blown away when I (finally) straighten my head out and think back to where I was such a short time ago and where I am now.
     Three years ago I never would have imagined that I would have a husband, a car as nice as mine, a job and my own business, a place to call my own, and pets that have been entrusted to me to take care of. In my wildest dreams I wasn't here. In my wildest dreams, I was getting by and that was just fine because I knew that no matter what, I will always have Jesus. And now 3 years later, I am brought to my knees; I am in awe - amazed - blown away - humbled - speechless...but I guess that goes to show the God's plans for us are always infinitely greater.

So if you're struggling today, take heart my friend. Seek to dwell on the blessings that God has given you instead of dwelling on what you don't have. Chin up, smile, and cling to God. I don't know where I would be if I had been stuck dwelling on how hopeless my situation seemed. I don't believe it would be here. Trust Him. Allow God to blow your mind with His faithfulness in His timing.

99 Things

I got this from Adrienne  who got this from a couple other people who got it from Al at Traffic Jelly and I don't know where she got it. But I have a basket of laundry I don't want to fold yet and dinner is already ready and the Hubster isn't home yet, so here this is.

Go through the list, bold the things that you have done. Leave everything you haven't done alone. Reminds me of a bucket list. It'd be fun to fill the list with things you want to do and then bold as you complete your list. I'm not going to do that though, I know the things in life my heart wants to accomplish, and I'll get there - without a physical list.

1. Started your own blog (many times, but now it's just this one and this one.)
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis (eek) 10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (I will have a heart attack before that happens)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightening storm (chased one too)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (can you still do that?) 18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (I've ridden in one in Mexico)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (kind of)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (this is possibly one of the prettiest and most terrifying things I have ever done. I'm glad that I did, but I'd rather wait on the boat).
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China 57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (Does trying count? Unfortunately, I do not meet the weight requirements)
65. Gone sky diving (never gonna happen)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (no, but I've had stories and poems published)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (It's happened a few times, and that's kind of weird)
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury 91. Met someone famous 92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee


I crossed off the ones I don't really have any burning desire to do.

Ladder Loaf

     When I was little, I remember my mom making this quite frequently and it was so delicious. So, when I saw raspberry jam at the store the other day - I decided I had to give it a shot too! I was surprised at how well it came out aesthetically and enjoyed introducing Ladder Loaf to the Hubster. 

To make Ladder Loaf, you will need:

     ♥ 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

     ♥ 1 teaspoon baking powder

     ♥ 1/2 teaspoon salt

     ♥ 1/2 cup butter or margarine

     ♥ 3 ounces yogurt or cream cheese; I used strawberry yogurt, but use whichever flavor you want.

     ♥ 1/2 cup milk

     ♥ 1/2 cup raspberry preserves (or preserves of your choice)

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Cut in the butter. Add yogurt. Pour on the milk and stir just until combined. 

Next, turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead lightly 4 or 5 times only - do not overwork the dough.

 

Using your hands or a rolling pin, roll the dough out on parchment paper into an 8 x 12 inch rectangle - or as close as you can get. Once the dough is rolled out, carefully pick up the parchment paper and dough and place onto a baking sheet. 

Mark the dough with a knife lengthwise into thirds. Spread preserves down the center third of the dough.

Make diagonal cuts every couple of inches on the outer thirds of the dough - make sure to cut them far enough into the center of the dough, but do not cut INTO the preserves. You need them long enough that they will cover the preserves in the center.

Fold strips over the preserves, first from one side, then from other (like braiding) until you have folded over all the strips of dough.
It will look like this.

 (I didn't cut far enough in on a few strips so it ended up tearing when I tried pulling it over - where the dough looks a bit messy on the right side of the photo).

Bake for 12 - 15 minutes, until dough is fully cooked and lightly browned on top.

Remove from oven and let sit a few minutes. In the meantime, make the icing.

You will need:

     ♥ 1/2 cup powdered sugar

     ♥ 1 tbsp milk

     ♥ 1/4 tsp vanilla

Combine the ingredients and then drizzle over the ladder loaf. I only ended up using half of the icing. A little goes a long way.

 Enjoy this yumminess. It's fantastic. I love it; I hope you will too!

-S 

Oh Hey California - why you so cold?

It's kind of freezing here. I packed shorts and tank tops and probably the thinnest jacket I own. Hahahahaha. But it's been a blast and while I don't want to leave the familiarity, I can't wait to get home to our baby bunnies :) While A has been being a wonderful, amazing, hard-working hubster and has been busy at work, I have been able to spend time with friends and family and even go to Knott's with my sister which was a blast. There was pretty much no one there, we did almost everything you could do there minus perilous plunge, some of the kiddy rides, and the rides that were closed which unfortunately included montezuma's revenge. But it was a blast. Nothing like riding Ghost Rider in the back :p NOT the smoothest ride ever. We were both blessed to be able to see old friends and we are constantly reminded that this is just one more step toward our future goal.

And this whole time I haven't been able to stop from thinking of how incredibly blessed by God we are.  :)

So here's to future Cali trips and to looking forward to the warmth of AZ! (I shall regret that statement in a few hours).


-S

Recipe: Cinnamon Chip Scones

Hellloooo Yummy Goodness!
While I was back home in California visiting family and friends - my mother-in-law told me about Cinnamon Chip scones and decided we had to make them before the Hubster and I went home. I am SO glad she did! These are delicious!

Now I'm not sure where she originally got the recipe, but from my understanding she first tried these at a church event. And since these are SOOO delicious, I have decided that it must be shared with the world! So here you go:

Ingredients
1 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter; very cold cut into pieces
2 eggs
1 cup mini cinnamon chips [they aren't sold in California, but you can order them here]

-egg wash (optional - gives the scones a more finished, glazey look though!)
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Directions
Preheat oven to 350*F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
In a small bowl, blend the sour cream, vanilla and baking soda, and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, cream of tartar, and salt. Add in the butter, using a pastry blender -blend until butter is in pea-sized pieces.
Add in the sour cream mixture and eggs into the flour mixture and mix until just moistened.
Fold in cinnamon chips (taste few too!)
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface [it will be sticky...VERY sticky], and knead briefly - if too sticky add more flour. Roll or pat dough into a 3/4 inch thick round. Cut into 12 wedges, and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. You can easily shape these any size you want.
If you choose to do the egg wash, brush the tops lightly with egg wash.
Bake 13-16 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown on the bottom.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting Glaze
1 (4 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter, softened
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract extract
2 tablespoons milk
Directions
Mix the cream cheese with the butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and milk in a bowl. Drizzle over cooled scones in any fashion you choose. We just put it in a ziploc bag, cut the corner off and drizzled over the yummy goodness that is the cinnamon scone.



Whoever came up with this amazingness, thank you. It's delicious!