New Year Resolutions!

    Making New Years resolution is a subject that goes through everyone’s minds. However, some resolutions are a bit lofty and sometimes are unattainable. I tend to be goal oriented so I am definitely guilty of making large resolutions as well. This year I’m attempting to make simple, attainable goals such as: 

Memorize Scripture: Print it out here

Live Stress Free

Savour the Moments

I would love to hear what y'all are doing, what are some of your New Years Resolution? Are you making large goals or small goals? How do you intend to keep your resolutions?

Blessings!

New Year's Eve: Modest Style

Here are some of my modest New Year's Eve Party style ideas. Although I will not be attending any large shindig, I love looking at the beautiful formal dresses. I have scrolled page after page of dresses that draw my attention and upon a second glance I find them to be rather skimpy. Short hem’s and low cut fronts are attractive on the mannequins yet never looks quite the same on the human body. The positive side to all skimpy dresses is that with the right sweater and thick tights a girl can turn the dress into a modest dress! 

Onela Cardigan

 

Fancy Prance Dress

Glitter and Lace

Merona Women's Tights

Snowfall Soiree Dress

Peasant Dress 

New Year's Blessings!

Advent

         The Christmas season is upon us once again. Christmas makes the days a little brighter, and the nights a bit more welcoming. Every decoration, song, and movie fills my head with memories wrapped in nostalgia. For the past couple of years I have celebrated the Advent holiday in a more traditional way. I am and grew up Pentecostal Holiness. The church I attend does not celebrate Advent the same way other more traditional churches do, and we do not have a Christmas eve service. Which in their defense is sometimes nice because that time is designated for family time and personal reflection. But I have a desire to celebrate everyday of December in remembrance and deep thought of our Christ's decent to Earth as a child. My goal is to turn off my social networking radar and focus my attention on anticipating the holiday and spending intentional time with family and close friends. This is my last Christmas at home before I get married in the spring and I am excited about savoring every minute.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and if you would like to know more about Advent HERE is a link to a wonderful blog that explains in detail why Advent is so special. The You Version Bible app has some great Advent reading plans if you are interested. Also, the Book of Common Prayer has a great reading section about the Advent. I hope these links answer any questions, if not comment below I will try to find out more for you!

Merry Christmas!

To Read: "They Call Me the Bacon Priest" 

Amazon

To Watch: House of Cards

Info

To Make: Magnolia Wreath

Magnolia Everything

To Bake: Salted Vanilla Caramel Candies

Info

My list of "things to do once I graduate" is increasing by the day! I hope you had a wonderful Sunday! 

The end is near, and so is the beginning.

       

I have entered into my last week of undergraduate college. I have completed my senior violin recital and the semester is wrapping up. The only thing keeping me from my diploma is two papers, one project, and two final exams. I wanted to take a few minutes from paper writing to encourage you as the season draws to an ends. It feels like I keep announcing final events, like: my last week of school, my last Sunday at my church, my last rent payment till I get married, and my last moments in the music building that I love so much. But really it is a time of beginnings. I will begin job hunting, I will begin serious wedding planning, I will begin my first home soon, and my life will begin as a real adult. That is almost too daunting to thing about right now...
             
      I am reminded of Gideon in the book of Judges from the Old Testament. Gideon was a normal guy who was pressured to be the leader of his people and take only three hundred men to fight against their enemy. They were surrounded and least likely to win but Gideon had the Lord on his side. The Lord told Gideon to sound the trumpets and shout to the Lord in the middle of the night around the camp of the enemy. When Gideon and his people obeyed, they won the battle with little bloodshed.

         Sometimes at the end of the semester I feel like Gideon felt. Surrounded at all sides with no hope and stressed beyond all measure. But I know that if I trust in the Lord, he will not give me more than I can handle, and I normally finish strong. I can only make it through because of the power of Christ that gives me strength when I am faithful and reliant on Him. So I charge you to be like Gideon, sound your trumpets of praise and life high the name of the Lord! He will get you through whatever battle you are facing! I found the picture below online somewhere and I can not remember at all where I found it, but it gives me such hope and reassurance. I hope you find it a blessing as well!

Enjoy the journey,

 

What's Happening?

The back to school rush has officially ended. I just started my last semester of college. To say that I am excited about that is a huge understatement! With the whirlwind of moving, buying books, getting organized, finding classes, and starting assignments behind me I can finally start settling in. I have missed blogging sooo much these last few weeks. I am ready to be back on a normal schedule so here is my monthly doings to get my feet back in the water. 

Reading: Since school has started all I do is read text books. My favorite right now is called Coffee House Theology by Ed Cyzewski.
 * A neat beginning of the year project to do with kids or as a college student is to wrap your text books in brown paper. I use Trader Joe's bags. It is super easy and the books are protected. For kids I would let them be creative and color the covers the way they wanted to make the text book feel individual to them.

Watching: As soon as night time TV comes on again I will be watching Once Upon a Time, Grimm, and Parks and Rec. But until then August 26 thru September 9 The US. Open is all I will be interested in. Im pulling for Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal!

Creating: I started making crocheted sunflower book marks for some girls back at home to start their school year off reading. I will post about that later! They aren't quite finished and its a secret!

Scripture: God has directed me to the book of Romans lately. There is so much truth and wisdom in that book. If you need somewhere to start in the Bible I would strongly suggest the book of Romans.

Workout: This summer I started doing CrossFit and let me just say, I LOVE IT!!!!!! I have never LOVED working out before but now I wake up wanting to know what the workout is for the day. I ran 4 miles on Saturday and I want to run another 5K or 10K race this semester.

I hope you enjoyed, if you do a "What's Happening" post, let me see! I love reading blogs!!

Have a great week!

Vanilla Dutch Baby

I am so in love with this delightful pancake! It is light enough for the non-breakfast lovers, while being warm and satisfying for the breakfast adorers! I really like a fresh mixture of berries and real maple syrup to top dutch baby. The crepe like dough is almost addictive  I did a little research and found another blog called Creative Culinary,  who wrote about the history of the Dutch Baby pancake. 

I use this recipe from Food Network:

Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup milk, heated 20 to 30 seconds in the microwave
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch salt
1 pint fresh or frozen blueberries
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the butter in a large saute pan and place in the oven to melt.

Meanwhile, in a blender, combine the eggs, flour, hot milk, 1 tablespoon sugar, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt, and blend on medium-high speed until uniform. Cook's Note: If mixing by hand, combine the eggs with the milk until the mixture is light yellow and no longer stringy, about 1 minute. Add the flour, sugar, vanilla, and pinch of salt, and whisk vigorously to remove the lumps, about 30 seconds.

Carefully, remove the hot pan from the oven. The butter should be melted. Swirl the butter around the pan to coat completely, and then pour the remaining butter into the batter and whisk to blend. Pour the batter into the hot pan and return the pan to the oven. Cook the pancake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pancake is puffed in the center, and golden brown along the edges.

While the Dutch baby bakes, in a small bowl combine the fresh blueberries, 1 teaspoon sugar, and lemon zest. Stir to coat, and set aside to marinate.

Using a spatula, remove the entire Dutch baby from the pan and place on a cooling rack for a few minutes to allow the steam to escape without condensing along the bottom and rendering the pancake soggy. Slice the pancake into wedges on a serving platter or cutting board and sprinkle with the confectioners' sugar through a sieve. Serve with the marinated blueberries.

Here you can print out the recipe from Food Network online. Enjoy.

Modesty... What?

Yes, you did read the blog title correctly! Modesty! I have come to the realization that modesty has grown to have some negative connotations in our ever changing society. If you are like me, and grew up in an extremely conservative home, then you would be familiar with being modest. However, I realize that many people didn’t grow up like I did and might not understand the relevance of modesty. I have observed that most younger girls these days don’t even think of modesty in any area of their lives. Of course this is not their faults! Modesty has a lot more to do with living than just clothes. It has to do with being a daughter of God, obeying parental guidance, and living in such a way that we are an influence and represent our King Jesus. 

My goal these next few months is to introduce to you some ideas of modesty and how to apply it to everyday life. 

I attended a private Christian school from Preschool until the end of 3rd grade. Then my parents decided to homeschool my brother and me. I was completely thrilled! I have no idea what drew me to being home-schooled, but ever since I started 4th grade at home I adored being home-schooled. I also intend to homeschool my own children when the time comes. I adapted to being home-schooled flawlessly. Not to say that my mother and I never disagreed about school or chores, but I loved the way home-schoolers lived! I wanted to wear the long skirts, and braid my hair, and bake delicious homemade goodies, and craft to my hearts content! This was the life for me! So almost without my parents to guide me, I developed a heart of modestly. I was somewhat ridiculed for my choice of clothing and my excessive crocheting at the age of 14. Somehow I just didn’t care! They were still my friends whether I wore long skirts and sweaters or not and I think secretly they were just jealous! 

I just adore the concept of being modest. I also believe that it is a part of our mandate as a Princess of the KING! In 1 Timothy 2:9-10 

I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 

I know this text is controversial because of the fact that we know God doesn’t mind if we wear expensive things or adorn shiny objects on our ears. Paul wrote this letter to the church of Ephesus. Scholars believe that He wrote such strict instructions to the women because they had a problem with worrying too much about their beauty and status in the church than worshiping God. That is where modesty comes in. It is to show God that we care about our bodies and are respectful not to show them off for everyone to see. 

So I want to make a list of some things that I think can help. Starting from head to toe:

1. Cleavage - It is always best if there is none showing. Try getting some extra long tank tops to wear under tops to give some added coverage, also having a correct fitting bra can help tremendously.
2. Bellies - I know at certain times showing off a belly is okay. For instance, age 0-4, and perhaps when pregnant. (Bathing suits are not included right now.) When trying on an adorable top at the store, lift arms to the ceiling to see how far the top rides up. 
3. Butts - Please no plumbers! Cheeks are only cute when you’re smiling! A good rule of thumb is to always bend over and touch your hands to the floor when trying on new pants. A belt is always welcome as well! 
4. Legs - This one has mixed opinions, I know. Mine is that anything above finger tip length is a bit too short for naked legs. This means when trying on shorts, skirts, or dresses relax arms at sides and see where your fingers touch. If you still want that short skirt style just add a cute printed tight or sheer panty hoes. 

There are so many ways to wear what is in style and still be modest! I hope these simple steps can help! Let me know what you think about modesty! Did you grow up learning about modesty? Let me know how you feel about modesty in our society.

Blessings :)

Oh Mr Golden Sun

       

Lets talk about sun protection. Now that summer is well on its way it is time to start catching those rays from Mr. Golden Sun. This means protection (in moderation) is necessary. If you now me in any way you know that I am not a huge proponent of sunscreen but I do believe when used in moderation it can help protect skin from sun damage.
        In my opinion a hat and some shade is protection enough but most americans are huge in to sun tanning. In that case sun screen is most important. Here are my choices in sun screen products.

Sun Lotion: Trader Joe's Refresh Broad Spectrum SPF 30 for Face and Body is by far my favorite sunscreen. It smells nice, dries fast and not greasy and protects for a several hours with out re-application. If I know I will be in the sun for hours this is the sun screen I use.

Via

Spray: If you are in to spray sunscreen I woud sugest the Kiss My Face Spray Sun Lotion SPF 30. This spray is great for adults and kids! I love and trust the Kiss my Face products!

Via

Face: This Organic Wear from Physicians Formula is amazing! I love that it has a light SPF for summer days by the pool but isn't heavy like a foundation. It has a light sent of Lavender which my fiance loves! And the best part is that it is all organic and doen't sweet through or give you make up lines. I wear this everyday!

Via

Lips: I don't use a lip balm with SPF in it but in the summer I get dry and cracked lips and this Burt's Bees Lip Balm is my go to lip care choice! I use it all year round and I love their tinted lip balms as well! All around I would have to say Burt's Bees is my favorite skin care company.

Via

Have fun in the sun this summer!!! 

New Design!

With the start of a new season, I have decided to finally change the blog a slight bit. My heart is to empower woman and girls to find who they are in Christ. My desire is to blog about issues that will help and encourage the readers. I will be hitting on some topics like modesty, femininity,  christian living, and some other dainty things such as cooking, crocheting, and crafting.

I hope you will enjoy the new look and topics! Let me know if you have any ideas, and I want to invite all girls, middle school and up to follow along as well!

I am so excited about this new chapter of and I hope you are too!

Ramblings

Watching: I have been watching Downton Abby non stop this semester! I can not think of a better show. Some of the other shows the Fiance and I have been watching are Once Upon A Time, Revolution, and Grimm. Although the last two listed are beginning again in a month or so! 

Listening to: This week my audio choice has been the Alabama Shakes! 

Making me happy: O swimming, how I have missed thee! So I have been swimming again for two weeks now, and I believe I have finally found my fitness niche! I had forgotten how much I loved to swim! 

Thinking about: All I have to do before I can leave for spring break! 

Praying about: Although there are a lot of people and situations I am praying for right now, I am so glad everyone seems to be getting better from the terrible season of colds this winter! I am thankful for health and energy! 

Excited about: Spring break and getting to see my family and my future family! I am also excited to be teaching violin again! I just started back again last week from a 3 year hiatus due to moving out of state! But now I am back in action! 

Midterms are this week for the college I attend and through the craziness I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!! The pictures are of some random things I have done this week!

Happy Wednesday! 

11 Questions + Catch up!

11 Questions! 

And just for excitement sake, 15 Months and 18 Days till our wedding day! 

I know it has been a while since I have posted. One day when I am out of college, and living somewhere that the internet doesn't go down once a day I will be more diligent about posting regularly. Until that time of my life comes, I just live day by day trying to make it through school with as many A's as possible! 

I found this cute post by The Paper Mama! You should go over and see right now. Her blog is so adorable! Her post looked like so much fun that I had to join in as well! I answered the 11 questions that she posted and then at the end I will ask 11 questions for you to answer!

Rules :

1. Post a photo of yourself

2. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.

3. Create 11 new questions and ask people to answer them.

Lets Go! 

1. If you HAD to change your name, what would you change it to?

Hmm, this is a hard one. I am not quite sure. My name is a passed down family name, and if I were to change it I would have to pick a double name. Really, who doesn't love double names?! When I was a child I would always name my dolls Barbara Anna or Anna Maria.

2. Are you a collector of anything?

I am an avid elephant lover! Every where I've traveled I have been able to find an elephant figurine. In Africa I found an elephant made out of banana leaves. Turkey, an elephant made out of lime stone indigenous to the area. I think when you find a souvenir that represents the place you have traveled it means a lot more. Every time I look at my little elephants I remember the people I met, the food I ate, and the experiences that changed my life.

3. What is your first thought when you wake up?

I am normally trying to remember when my first class is and how much I need to do before I have to leave the house.

4. Do you prefer sweet or salty foods?

Probably sweet. I suppose it would depend on the day, but I love to bake and make pies, cakes, and scones! So yeah, I have a large sweet tooth! 

5. Name one thing you miss about being a kid.

One of my favorite memories as a kid was waking up on Saturday mornings and running in to my parents room to wake them up! Then my brother and I would lay on the couch and watch the old cartoons! I miss getting up and just being at home. Hanging out with my family was the best! 

6. Are you a morning or night person?

I am naturally a night person, but college has made me a morning person. I can slip back in to a night owl habit easily though. :)

7. List 5 items on your life’s to-do list:

1) Travel everywhere! 2) Graduate from college 3) Create a music + art curriculum for young children 4) Have a bunch of kids 5) Being open to help people at any moment.

8. Share one thing that people may not know about you.

I have a deep aversion to laced shoes! Even as a child I could not keep shoes on my feet! My favorite shoes are Moccasins because I can slip them off and on easily and they aren't tied to my feet! 

9. What is your all time favorite song, movie, and book?

Favorite song - Que Sera Sera by Doris Day! Favorite Movie - Pride and Prejudice (any of version) Favorite Book - Right now it would have to be the Graceling by Kristin Cashore

10. Do you have any hidden talents?

Well most of you already know that I crochet, knit, and play the violin. I can't think of anything else I can do. If I think of something I will let you know! :) 

11. Are you a really clean or super messy person?

I am most definitely a clean person. But I can also be lazy at times. I tend to have clean areas and messy areas. 

So now I get to ask you 11 questions! 

1. What is your favorite childhood memory?

2. What is your favorite food?

3. List 5 of your life to-do goals.

4. All time Favorite book, Movie, and Song! 

5. Do you play a musical instrument or What would you dream of playing?

6. Favorite Valentines day memory or Ideal Valentines date?

7. What is your favorite Spring/Summer activity?

8. Are you an Organizer or a Let it all go type of person?

9. Favorite Holiday?

10. Skirts or pants?

11. Do you have any hidden talents?

Have fun with this! If you do it, let me know by leaving a link in the comment box! I can't wait to read all your responses! 

I hope you are staying dry and having a wonderful week! 

~ Anna Barbara

Weekend Baking

This lovely pie is a Pear, Apple, and Blackberry Galette.

I found the recipe for the dough here.

This recipe made the most wonderful crust I have ever made! 

The fruit combination inside: 

1 Pear

2 Apples Peeled

2 or 3 Handfulls of Blackberries

Honey

Lemon Juice

A Sprinkle of Corn Starch

I added sugar on top of the entire pie and not inside. I also brushed egg white on top of the pie to give it a nice brown color! 

I really just made the inside to taste and it depends on the sweetness of the fruit.

Bake at 350°  for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 min. Cool on baking sheet for 10 min. Then transfer using parchment paper to a cooling rack. Serve warm, or room temperature with vanilla ice cream or whip cream! 

I have no idea why but celtic music has been playing non stop on my pandora station this week. I think it could have something to do with me taking Old English this semester. I am not a linguist at all and so that will be another blog of its own! But via pandora I have fallen in love with this Irish singer Cathie Ryan. Here is her biography. To me finding out a bit about a singers history is so fascinating!

I hope you enjoy her peaceful sound! 

Have you ever been to Ireland? One day I hope to make it there! Who are some of your favorite Celtic singers?

Spring Resolutions

School Starts back today!! 

Because I am still in college and still on a semester schedule, the New Year resolution thing doesn't work well with me. I think in short term goals. Once the short term ones are completed it balances out all of the long term ones in the end. Or, thats how I see it in my mind. So at the beginning of each semester or season, I make seasonal resolutions! Here we go!

1. School continues to come first. (Im ready to be done!)

2. Maintain a regular practice schedule. (violin + Piano)

3. Read Bible + Pray deliberately everyday/night. (This may seem easy, but its not!)

4. Blog regularly (Im excited about this one!)

5. Be in the Library... A lot!

6. Exercise  4-5 days a week.

7. Plan healthy meals + execute them.

Hmm, I think all of these are doable.

So how about you? Does the year long resolution thing work for you? Do short term goals work better?  What are some things that motivate you? Do we share some of the same goals? What are some goals that are different? I would love to know!

I hope to stay motivated and help others stay motivated through the wonderful upcoming spring!

Blessings!

Passion

The Passion 2013 Tour is going on right now! Here you can watch the morning session streamed online! Go Check it out cause it will encourage and equip you! 

These are the sessions that are still online! 

JAN

02

9:00a // Community Groups 
10:45a // Main Session 
1:30p // Main Session 
7:30p // Main Session 
10:30p // Community Groups

JAN

03

9:00a // Community Groups 
10:45a // Main Session 
1:30p // Main Session 
7:30p // Main Session 
10:30p // Community Groups

JAN

04

9:00a // Community Groups 
10:45a // Main Session 
1:45p // Dismiss

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful new years! I celebrated at my future In-Laws Place! Here are some poor quality pictures from the fire works we did that night! 

Happy New Year Blessings!