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! 

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! 

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.

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

Birthday Celebrations!

This week I celebrated my 23 birthday! It feels so weird having another birthday because I don't feel that I have felt my age since I was 15. But this week has been such a blessing and I am still in awe of the love shown to me! 

What is a birthday with out coffee and Trader Joe's?

My Birthday present from my parents were a pair of new running shoes from Try Sports! I got these amazing Saucony's that fit like a dream! And I completed my delayed autumn goal of being able to run a 5K by my birthday which i did the night before my birthday!!!! I am soo thrilled beyond words!!!!!!! 

The best family game in the world was played a lot this weekend called Dutch Blitz

I would highly recommend this game to any family!  

My lovely Mister sent me the most beautiful flowers on my birthday even though he was away working at our church camp. 

I would have to say this was a fantastic birthday and I am so thankful!

Blessings

Family River Ride

We had an absolute perfect day on the river! It had been so long since I had been on water and it was so nice! Perfect family time! Let summer begin!! 

Blessings

A Blissful Fall Weekend

Tony and I got to spend another weekend together! He drove to school for the David Crowder Band concert on Thursday and then stayed till Sunday!  It was so wonderful to have him near by and not 5 hours away! The David Crowder Band is on their last tour together so it was a wonderful treat to be at the concert.

  

Sadly there was still work to be done so while he was here we studied at the Library like old times! 

My man can make me smile no matter what!!!!

This was our view on the way to church Sunday morning! I love fall!

 

Then after church we caught up on some Saturday night live! 

 

French press from Starbucks! 

 

I think our lives are centered around coffee! 

Well that was my weekend! How was yours?