There's more

There's more - that concept seems so simple to really reflect on and hard to grasp, but I'm here to tell you it's legitimately true. 

I'm sure you've heard the saying about the grass always being greener on the other side, but in all honesty we just don't utilize the complete goodness our life can have. If we just focused a little bit more on making our lawn luscious and well nourished then our front yard would be greener. And honestly I think that's all there is to it - I think that we have the utilities to make our lives fabulous, we just don't take advantage of it.

I'm reading a book. Ok, that's a lie... I've had this book sitting on my bookshelf for months now, and I'm not actually reading it. But I picked it up earlier this week and saw a brilliant quote. It make me smile and I hope it's a quick reminder to yourself that we have a God who is God. Do you realize how fantastic that is? 

                 

God isn't some far away object. He is a father that is every present in our lives. The bible shares with us how magnificent He is, but so often we dismiss all His incredible goodness. He specifically tells us about his availability to bring joy into our lives. He tells us to knock and a door will be opened. The only thing God can't do is fail.

Quit settling. Start to retrieve the finest things in life - Godly things. Rely on all that our Lord can offer and your grass will be greener than a fresh four-leaf clover.

And if you ask me - that is a remarkable blessing I would hate to waste.

Breakfast of Champions

I believe that food is a staple to our lives. Not simply because the substance is something our body needs to survive, but it is a consistent feature in almost all bonding experiences. First dates typically involve a dinner, family get-togethers have snacks of some sort, and holidays always end with a home-cooked meal and lots of conversation.

So often you see married couples of many years eating silently across the table with "nothing to talk about." But I find it hard not to converse when someone so handsome is sitting directly in front of me.

I'm talking about Dillon.

Not too long ago we decided to clear our morning schedules and get breakfast in a place I had never gone before. If you know nothing about me, here's one valuable fact: I love breakfast. Dillon knows the way to my heart, and after already dining at this small local downtown diner, he immediately decided that I had to go, and he was going to take me.

I'm so glad he did.

Longhorn is like an upscale Waffle House - except with pancakes and they don't call you by a pet-name. Dillon and I were so intrigued by all the menu choices we decided to each get a meal, as well as share a plate of pancakes.

Needless to say our table was so full we had to remove extra condiments so everything would fit.

You may say gluttony, but I say it is memories.

With bellies full of lots of food and our hearts full of love, our entire morning was priceless. 

Let my experience be an inspiration to you. Add some valuable conversation to your life over a meal this week, and fall in love with the intimacy food shares. Be even more daring and go to a restaurant you've never been before.

Live a little, and let your light shine.

Give me a break

Today marks the end of my last undergrad spring break. My "junior" status in school has been promoted to senior as I project a December graduation. Thus, while writing this blog it came to my attention that having delightful "just because you deserve it" breaks will be coming to a complete end. Unfortuantley, spring break won't happen when I'm a "real person." By real person, I mean an adult.

Ohh, my.... I just cringed a little at the thought.

Nonetheless, I will look back on this week and cherish the little spontaneity I had.  I am well pleased with the extra hours of sleep, the pain in my legs from a decent run and the excitement for the new things that have been introduced into my life.

Instead of giving you a split second recap of my entire break in one blog I decided it'd be best to formulate a few blogs about the days I spent not doing homework.

I will start with the highlight of my entire week.

Wednesday.

On Wednesday I went into the woods with Dillon, my handsome boyfriend, and Gibson, my adventurous pup.

The weather was perfect, the water was cold and the sun was shining. Needless to say, the hike was perfection. That is until Dillon twisted his ankle, but we won't focus on that part.

I have come to terms that the only time my dog ever really behaves is when he's in the woods. I'm not sure why, but I can let him off his leash and pretty much guarantee he'll be nearby rolling in the mud, running the trail or smelling a bush in our path.

It's amazing how good he is.

Gibson climbs rocks like he was born with thumbs and swims in the water as if he were native to it. Ironically, the same goes for Dillon but lucky for him - he was born with thumbs.

I, however, get somewhat prissy when it comes to being dangerous and always sometimes require a piggy-back ride.

On a complete side note, I have lost my red lipstick! It's time to buy a new stick, any suggestions to a "kiss-proof" brand?

Blush

The simplicity of this modern, yet modest look makes me happy. Too bad I gave up clothing shopping for lent. That doesn't mean I can't dream and create stylish ideas, right?

Blush by mishsunshine featuring pearl jewelry

I love this because...

Tonight I got crafty. This is a reason to celebrate because I've never once embraced the potential crafty bones in my body. That's not to say I don't take advantage of my creative side, it's just never been so "hands-on."

My inspiration started with the Etsy page of A Content Housewife, and the crafty blog Just Another Hang Up.

Here's what I made, prepare to be proud.

It's an I love you because frame - where you can write with an erase marker a quick note to why you love someone.

What you need:

• Fabric - Muslin works well, but anything that's corse will work wonders. When it comes to patterns pick something that has a small pattern, or solid colors. With all the twisting for the creation of the flower it will be beneficial to get something that won't look incomplete due to the execution process.
• Scrapbook paper, I designed the template for the print via inDesign.
• 8x10 frame
• Hot glue gun

How to:

out of 44" length of fabric, cut the width into 1-2 inch sections

fold it in half, and tie a knot at the two ends 

wrap the fabric around the center, and hot glue it when you have the
perfect center section to your liking

Continue wrapping, but then start to twist the fabric -
this gives it the look of petals. Then hot glue the back of it and
under some of the different twists to secure the creation.

To make the 8x10 frame festive, just hot-glue these bad boys in
the two opposite corners.

and the final product will be a lot like this! 

Happiness in a Mason Jar

My core group leader - basically a spiritual mentor - made all of the people in our group some precious Valentine goodies. The entire concept of the gift was simple: mason jar filled with candy. How she put it together, however, is what sold me on why I need to do this for all future occasions. I couldn't resist sharing this fabulous and creative idea, and I hope you get a lot of use out of it!

What I like most about the idea is how versatile it can be. While ours is super girly and Valentine themed, you can easily fill the jar up with anything to fit the occasion.

It's easy. It's cute. And it's thoughtful.

Step 1: Save all jars. So for the next time you feel like throwing away a mason jar... don't. Or at least send it to me, I will message you my address.

Step 2: Buy relevant candy. Jelly beans, M&Ms, Skittles, etc - anything that has color and fits the situation. Then fill the jar with the deliciousness.

Step 3: Buy some burlap, get some sample fabrics at the store, or cut a brown paper bag. Put it around the lid of the jar for it to be tied up.

Step 4: Find some colorful ribbon, or string to tie the jar up with. Get something that matches, and it will create a crafty, happy and caring feel to the entire (and inexpensive) prize.

Dear God

I found this on pinterest, and it makes me smile.

We indeed need to learn to have faith like a child. So often we feel like we should only go to God in times of need, but we should turn to him in all the venues of our life. Just like these crazy children have done.

we <3 it

Start your journey today of letting God be a part of all that you do. 

Let me know how it goes.

Andrew & Kendra - Engagement Shoot

Love makes me happy, and when it is people you adore in love the happiness is enough to make you want to explode. Kendra and Andrew are so madly in love. They've been dating for 4 years, and over Christmas break Andrew finally popped the question.

After seeing them interact as a couple it is so obvious they are best friends. I was so honored to be able to photograph an engagement shoot for them, despite the freezing weather - it was literally snowing that day. For me, the entire experience was a learning one and I can't wait to do it again!

So here's some of what I captured of this God-fearing, forever-loving and continually-laughing couple. Enjoy!

Oh, it is love.

Today I got to go out with one of my best friends and her darling fiancé.

I did my best to capture their priceless love on camera. Here's a sneak peak of what I was so lucky to be a part of!

extra calories - extra delicious

By-golly-good-scott. It has been so long since I've posted. My life has been completely nonstop for the past 3 weeks!

I've had job interviews, overloads of homework, exams, along with my 2 jobs and busy life to maintain. Sometimes I feel like giving up on this blog, but at the end of the day - no matter how long I go without posting - I can't. I can't because there is more to this than having so few readers. It's a place for me to vent, explore and challenge myself. And I hope you get something out of it too.

I - at least - hope you take the time to bake some of the delectable dishes I post. I wouldn't post them if they weren't worth melt-in-your-mouth-good recipes.

This outstanding (and easy) chocolate-chip cookie dough pie is definitely something to make, and chances are you'll have most of (if not all) the ingredients at home!

The whole concept of making this pie is just getting a reliable chocolate-chip cookie recipe, and transforming it into a the right amount to fit into a pie crust. Really, it's so simple!

Not only does this baked good taste like a chunk of chocolatey heaven, but it has hypnotic powers - everyone who looks at it immediately has an overwhelmingly strong desire to consume it.

You'll need:

• precooked pie dish, I just got one of the crumb ones on sale
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1 1/2 stick of butter (melted)
• lots and lots of chocolate chips, be greedy :)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325

Mix eggs, and pour in sugars. Mix well, until consistency is thick, yet smooth.

Beat in softened butter. This will make it creamier.

Add a hefty amount of chocolate chips - just enough that it will still fit in the pie pan!

Put mixture into your pie shell.

Bake for 60 minutes or until your toothpick comes out clean! ENJOY, preferably with ice-cream. 

Mix

Bake

Cut

DEVOUR!

I think one of the coolest things about the pie is how the chocolate chips melt to the bottom. It looks like a fun baking technique, but it's just gravity doing it's thing.

Now make a loved one happy today, or save it as a valentine's treat next week. Either way, make time to make this delectable pie.