Christmas Dinner

Because the Mister and I are going to be apart at our families houses for Christmas we celebrated our Christmas a few days ago when we were together! It was a perfect Christmas date and one I would strongly suggest for other couples anytime! 

We went to this restaurant  Downtown called Caffe Luna. It was simply divine! 

 

Mozzarella and Tomato's 

Bow Tie Pasta with Grilled Salmon in a Pink Sauce! 

Best Lasagna in the entire world! Promise! 

So I had never tried Caribou Coffee before out side of buying it from the grocery store, which I have never liked all that much. But when we went to the store I was amazed at how good their drinks were! Way better than Starbuck's mixed coffee drinks. They don't use syrups like most coffee places use, they use REAL caramel, and REAL melted chocolate! I was in heaven! 

We even played a few rounds of card games at the coffee shop! It was a wonderful Christmas treat! 

Hows your Christmas shopping and planning going? Don't forget to take time and Celebrate Jesus Christ our LORD for all his awesomeness and wonder this season!! 

Blessings and Merry Christmas Eve! 

Violin + Dubstep = MINDBLOWN

Hello all, Surprisingly enough I hope you have come back this Friday for a musical treat. Since the world didn't end and we are still circling in the stars correctly I have a super duper music choice today that I hope you all will enjoy as much as I have! 

Lindsey Stirling - What Child is This

Lindsey Stirling is one of the first american artists to mix classical violin with modern dance! She is also know for her mix of dubstep!! Here is a link to her website.

Lindsey Stirling - Crystallize Dubstep

Crystallize is one of her most popular songs. 

And for all of y'all who are waiting to see if the Zombi Apocalypse is occurring on Saturday here is a song for you! 

Lindsey Stirling - Moon Trance

Go check her out on youtube and on iTunes, 

Merry Christmas! 

White Christmas? I think not...

So, it has been warm in eastern NC, just to say the least. I don't think I ever remember having a Christmas this warm. Some days can get a little windy and brisk, but that is all I can say to describe such events. I hope some of you are having a cool winter! 

This week has been crazy (fun). My amazing Mr Fiance has been here visiting from his home for the past week. We have spent a ton of time with family and close friends. 

I must be the biggest Christmas procrastinator of all. (I get it from my dad) because I have only bought (made) like 4 gifts this season. If I don't have my days mixed up Christmas is in 5 days!!! How in the world does time fly like that! I always have the intention to start making gifts early but that never happens. So I will be working on that the next couple of days. 

Let me know how your holiday shopping is going? 

Merry Christmas!! 

Cozy Sunday

The weekend has been wonderful! We picked out and decorated our family live christmas tree, baked cookies, and watched plenty of Christmas movies! God is so good! Jesus is the great comforter. This week tragedy has hit our nation once again, the evil one tries to cause us to question God and blame him for letting such things happen. But, I want to encourage you that it is not God who is to blame for such catastrophe. There is so much bad in the world and people have a free will to do what ever they like. Jesus is there to comfort us through the Holy Spirit!!! I pray that all those affected by the shooting and the parents of all the children would rely on God to give them strength and comfort in this time of trial! I pray blessings to all of them! My Gods hand rest upon their hearts! 

(There is no way to make peanut butter look pretty!)

They are soo yummy! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Delights

2 1/2 c. sugar

3 Tbsp. cocoa

1/2 c. milk

1 stick butter

Dash salt

1/2 c. peanut butter

2 1/2 c. quick rolled oats (I used 3 cups)

1 tsp. vanilla

Combine sugar, cocoa, milk, butter, and salt together. Cook 3 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter, oats, and vanilla. Drop by teaspoons on wax paper (I use an ice cream scoop.) Makes approximately 32 cookies. 

recipe by: Jean Autry in "Gospel Tabernacle Pentecostal Holiness Church Cookbook"

Blessings :)

Water and Soap

As the month of December passes I have been showing you all some of the names of Jesus known from the Bible. And just to shake things up a bit I am adding a review in as well. God wants our relationship to be practical and not just surface level. Today we are going to look at Jesus as the LIVING WATER!! 

Annibale Carracci (1560-1609)

In John 4:10 it says "Jesus answered her, "If you knew the give of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."'

This particular passage is taken from when Jesus is talking with the Samaritain Woman. The woman is know as the kind of woman who "gets around." She isn't perfect or clean in the worlds eyes, but Jesus sees potential in her. A potential to cleans her and help her. Jesus says the he can offer her a water that if accepted will quench her thirst completely. The type of living water Jesus is talking about is in the spiritual since. He is asking her to accept Jesus in her life and forgiver her of all the ugliness she has done. Jesus is the living water that cleanses us. He is calling us to drink and live! 

~~~~

Handmade Soap... I am so in love with home made treasures and especially handmade soaps!!

This handmade soap from Green Beanz Naturalz is fabulous! It smells amazing and feels so wonderfully smooth! I am a super fan of theirs! Go check them out!! (and their super reasonable)

Lavender Goats Milk Soap

 

Let me know what types of soap you like! Also, soaps make wonderful gifts! 

Blessings! 

Fabulous Music Friday!

OHH MYY do I love this band! 

Divided by Friday- Oh Holy Night

Here is a link to their Facebook page. 

Advocate

Our Advocate

1 John 2:1

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

We have such an awesome hope in Jesus because no matter what we do if we return to him He will take us back and love us like we never left. Just as we fight for others; elderly, unborn, disabled, etc...

When we let God fight for us we are essentially giving our problems to him and letting him take complete care of us. That is really all God asks of us. He wants to be our Advocate and trust in him to take care of us. 

Who do you advocate for? How do you fight for others? 

We all fight for something, make it worth while :)

Blessings!! 

A Digital Music Friday

The Digital Age - Midnight Clear

The Digital Age used to be the bad that was with The David Crowder band. If they sound familiar, they are! I am loving all of their new songs on youtube. I believe an album should be out soon. Go take a gander at their website! 

Everlasting Father

Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

So, to be honest it is really hard to comprehend that God is everlasting. We are finite people and it is so hard for us to understand and infinite God. 

David the Psalmist praised:

1 Chronicles 29:10
"David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our fatherIsrael, from everlasting to everlasting."

Jesus is the beginning, middle, and end of our whole existence. He is always with us and always for us. He is a father when we have no father. We are his children and he wants what is best for us even in a hard situation. God is always teaching and training us for His purposes. We have such and awesome God!! I pray today that He will help you understand his everlastingness. 

How have you seen the Everlasting Father show off in your life?

Blessings! 

Everlasting God

HUMPDAY! 

Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Because I can not due this name of God justly I think Chris Tomlin does a great job. I hope you enjoy this song :) 

I hope your shopping and celebrating is going well!! 

Blessings! 

Mighty God

                   Isaiah 9:6 "For un to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

                 What a Mighty God our Father is! I believe this sweet Psalm is a perfect description of how Mighty he is. 

Psalm 50

A psalm of Asaph.

¹ The Mighty One, God, the Lord,
    speaks and summons the earth
    from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.
² From Zion, perfect in beauty,
    God shines forth.
³ Our God comes and will not be silent;
    a fire devours before him,
    and around him a tempest rages.
⁴ He summons the heavens above,
    and the earth, that he may judge his people:
⁵ “Gather to me my consecrated ones,
    who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
⁶ And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    for God himself is judge. Selah

Blessings

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

Isaiah 9:6 "For un to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

What is a wonderful counselor, and why do we need him?

To me, a counselor is someone who is wise and whom you can trust to keep all of your secrets. This person must also be honest and give strait feed back on a situation or thought. Even the Psalmist David needed a counselor way out in the fields watching the sheep. 

Psalms 119:23-24

"Though rulers sit together and slander me, Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors."

Have you ever felt like that? That people are just sitting around talking about how annoying you are? Or that some people just don't like you? I sure have, this week in fact. My fiance and I have been battling the devil all week in a situation that should have never arisen. When one thing comes, ten others like to follow. We have been praying about it and consulting counselors and the only counselor that seemed to give us any comfort was one that didn't have to even say a word. Our WONDERFUL COUNSELOR Jesus Christ. He came to the world to be our counselor and direct us in the ways of righteousness. It is amazing to think that even the smallest amount of faith can comfort a person so much, in good and bad times. I don't know what I would do without the Almighty. Sometimes I feel as though God needs me but it is always the opposite. I need God. I need him everyday and in every way. God knows what he is doing and it is for our good. The Prophet Isaiah says it best: 

Isaiah 40:13 "Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor?"

Trust in Him, our Wonderful Counselor! 

Blessings,

P.S. Happy Finals Week! I hope they all go well and we all finish strong! 

First Advent Sunday!!!

Isaiah 7:14

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."

The name Immanuel means "God with us." This is to show that the child Jesus is a part of God. He is with everyone at all times. Even way back in the beginning of the Bible it says in Deuteronomy 31:8 "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

I don't know about you but this scripture encourages me so much in times when I do feel afraid and discouraged about a situation. Say it and claim it over and over in your life and I promise the strength you need will be supplied. Our God is so worthy to be praised just knowing that He promises in his word that He will never leave us. The almighty is so great, Hold on because the day is near! 

Blessings

The First Day of Advent!

Christmas is often a whirlwind of decorations, presents, and food! All of which I am totally okay with, but this season I am trying to devote myself to remembering the season for what it is. I grew up Pentecostal Holiness and never really celebrated Advent as apart of Christmas. My brothers and I always knew there was no such thing as fat man who came down our chimney to leave us presents under the tree, but we did believe and honor St. Nick of long ago. I was never scared or injured in anyway by not believing in Santa Clause. I simply had a respect for the man he was. We also got to play along just like everyone else that some presents were from “Santa.” 

I would like to take a moment and share what Advent is really and why I would like to celebrate it more during the Christmas season. The word Advent means simply coming, or arrive. So the season of advent is all about celebrating the coming of our savior 2000 years ago and waiting for His soon coming return. As a Christian it is so exciting to wait for the return of the Almighty! I think it is extremely important to teach children about the celebration of the advent season. I am gathering all sorts of cute ideas for one day when I have children to teach it to! 

Everyday this month I intend to post something knew about the advent season in hopes of helping you find the peace and joy in the real reason for the season. I am doing this for myself as well, in means of teaching myself to step back and really celebrate the Saviors return and not worry about money or school. I need to be reminded of the real reason for the season everyday and especially this month of December. I pray this month that you may be encouraged by my blog and be in awe of the Christ Jesus. 

Isaiah 9:6 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Music Friday!

So Because I am completely in love with Christmas music I might be showing off some Christmas themes a little earlier this year! I think Christmas should be enjoyed the whole year and thus I listen to Christmas music all year! My favorite of all Christmas songs is White Christmas by Bing Crosby.

His voice is like an angel singing from Heaven! (Swoon)

Blessings :)

Semi-homemade Croutons

Bread

EVOO

Spices 

350 decrees

Golden Brown

Yum, Enjoy! 

Musical Friday : Us and Our Daughters

This couple has been my listening obsession since fall has decided to storm in. Their music is perfect for a nice calm day at home, drinking tea, and reading a romantic book. They also join me for many road trips! :) This couples story about the album is quite amazing! I promise, once you hear the whole album you will be in love yourself! 

Check them out!

Blessings!

Count down to Thanksgiving!

Favorite things about Thanksgiving:
- Pumpkins
- cozy warm blankets
- baking!!!
- outside fires
- family
- being home!
- the smell of coffee and pancakes
- the Mall!
- scarfs and socks
Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday of the entire year! I love Christmas but to me Thanksgiving is where all the love is! I love the turkey-day when my whole family gets together to eat a big meal and not have to worry about presents or forgetting someone's present. We just huddle together, talk, mingle, and being thankful for our blessings!
I am gathering ideas for our family holiday because my mother and I are in charge of making the desserts :) I am just a little excited about that!!!!

How about you? Do you love or dislike Thanksgiving? What is your favorite part of the holiday? I would love to hear about it!

AB

The Copper Pot

"The Copper Pot"

A Brick Oven Eatery

On Sunday the Mr. and I went and took engagement photos in the cute little town of Clarkesville, GA! We had an absolute blast being all cute and lovey for the pictures! (I will let y'all know how that went on a later post) Afterward we went to the only restaurant open which was a brick oven pizza place! It was fantastic! Quite possibly the best pizza I have ever had (and I'm not that big in to pizza). 

 Mr. also had a salad but we forgot to take a picture. He had a goat cheese and walnut salad with cranberries and the house dressing! It was superb.

yummy (did I mention it was freezing in North Georgia?)

We ordered The Big Cheese Pizza that had 3 types of cheese! Goat cheese, mozzarella, and something very sharp! Slices of Heaven! 

We also were given this delicious dessert. Pizza dough covered in cinnamon sugar and fried with melted icing to dip.
BLISS! 

This was a fabulous meal to end our day! 

Blessings

Musical Friday: Hagen Quartet

This my dear friends could quite possibly be the best quartet I have ever seen with my own two eyes! They are fantastic! 

Here is a link to their biography

I was privileged to see them perform in Austria this past summer. The brothers, sister and friend quartet are so well connected with each other that the music just seems to life the air and sooth the soul. I have never see a quartet with as fluidity as they do. Their dynamics are impecable and their telling of the music in a new way is just mind blowing. I would strongly sugest their music and albums for casual listening, study music, or to try with a quartet of your own. 

Happy Friday, and I hope this gives a little joy to your weekend!

Blessings

2 Years and Counting!

Going out for our 2 year anniversary!
The Mr. took me to P.F.Changs, one of my all time favorite places! Then to see the movie "Argo" which I would strongly recommend to everyone. And we never go to a "big city" with out getting coffee! The whole night was Bliss! 

Our cuttsie hipster pose.

We made breakfast for our amazing church on Sunday morning. I made semi-homemade cinnamon sticky buns. They were so easy to make in the morning before church and were so tasty!

"Non-Sticky" Buns 

	Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil
1/2	cup packed brown sugar
3	tablespoons butter OR margarine, melted
2	tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2	cup coarsely chopped pecans
2	cans (about 1 lb. each) big cinnamon rolls

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with Reynolds Wrap Non-Stick Foil with non-stick side toward food.

COMBINE brown sugar, butter and corn syrup; pour mixture in foil-lined pan. Sprinkle evenly with pecans. Place cinnamon rolls on top of syrup.

BAKE 25 to 29 minutes or until rolls are golden brown. Let stand for 5 minutes. Invert onto platter. Remove foil. Serve warm./span

Number of Servings: 10

Enjoy! 

Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil

1/2

cup packed brown sugar

3

tablespoons butter OR margarine, melted

2

tablespoons light corn syrup

1/2

cup coarsely chopped pecans

2

cans (about 1 lb. each) big cinnamon rolls

Pumpkin Scones

As promised I did find time last weekend to make these delicious scones by The Shoebox Kitchen. They turned out amazing and probably the best I have ever made scones!
They were gone so quickly that I only got time to take one picture of them and you will notice I did not do all of the icing that they did. And another little tidbit I just used the pumpkin pie spice mix in stead of all the separate spices. I believe another batch is soon to arrive in my home soon!

We also attended the 7th anual Greek Festval and it was amazing! I am slightly obsessed with festivals! 

 

I found this cute little book for a dollar at the Greek Festival and I can not wait to read it! 

I would have to say the Mr. and I have had such a wonderful week/weekend! Now back to studying my brains out! 

Blessings

Oh Pumpkins

Amongst my crazy college life (meaning no life) I took some time out to meander though pinterest the other day. On that journey floated to reality for a split second to realize that fall is coming!! Oh how this excites me! I just adore fall with the changing of leaves, cooler days, the smell of a fire coming from neighbors chimneys, and most of all PUMPKINS! To me pumpkins have everything to do with fall! So back to my pinterest travels yesterday; I wandered upon newly posted recipes and almost everyone of them had something to do with pumpkin. My day was made. So as soon as I get some free time on a weekend I will make some delicious treats!

 

Thanks! 

We're Engaged!!!!

I can't sleep! I am so in awe of how awesome God is! My mind and heart keep pattering on and will not quiet from the praised of Him. I am so thankful to him for His goodness and faithfulness. God is a faithful God! I feel so humbled that God would give me such a man to take care of me. I do not deserve such happiness but that is the grace and mercy of the Lord! Thank you everyone for the congratulations. We are so overwhelmingly blessed by you all!