Hmmm.....

Exciting changes to come!!!!

STAY TUNED!!!!

Fabulous Finds for my Lovely Ladies

Today we're shopping for our:

Culinary Divas

Barefoot Contessa

I just got this book for myself a couple weeks ago and...I love it! Great recipes and lots of entertaining ideas.

Williams Sonoma

This is an Ebilskiver Pan. I got this for my mom last year and it has been a yummy gift. Super easy to use and you get some pretty amazing filled pancakes. I highly suggest the recipe book that is available for purchase!

Pioneer Woman

Do you follow this blog? If you do not....please go read it here right now! She is hilarious and an amazing cook. I'm hoping Santa has gotten my hint that I really want this cookbook for Christmas ;)

Anthropologie

Who doesn't want to look beautiful while they're cooking? Fun gift for any gal who loves spending time in the kitchen. Anthropologie has tons of designs!

Fabulous Finds for my Lovely Ladies

Tis' the season...can you believe it?!?!

Where has this year gone?

Though this past year has gone by ridiculously fast, I am over the top excited that the Christmas season is upon us. It is my favorite time of year and for so many reasons but that's another post for another day.

I started my holiday shopping earlier this month and finished up most of it on Black Friday (great deals)!

Thought I would pass along some ideas for those wonderful friends and family of yours. This week...we'll focus on those lovely ladies in your life.

Today, let's shop for:

The Hostess with the Mostess

Crate and Barrel

How fun are these little name card holders? Perfect for those hosting lots of holiday get togethers.

Crate and Barrel

Cute Cute Cute. Enough said!

Anthropologie

Cute book for a fun gal. Takes you back to those Mad Men days.

Anthropologie

LOVE this pitcher. Take note: they have the entire plate set to match!

Anthropologie

This smells amazing! Perfect to set the mood for all those guests.

Captured by Me

Took my sister out for a photo session earlier this week.

Here are a few of my favorite shots...

Don't Forget to...

Your vote counts!!

Captured by Me

Just sitting here enjoying this beautiful fall day and daydreaming (and being totally envious of all who live there!) about NYC...

Thought I would share some of my favorite pics from our last trip up north...

LOVE the Big Apple!

Do the Work!

Had to share this incredible devotion from one of my favorite sites, Proverbs 31.

Enjoy!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Do the Work

Marybeth Whalen

"Then David continued, 'Be strong and courageous and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the temple of the Lord is finished correctly.'" I Chronicles 28:20 (NLT)

I pushed the computer aside, convinced that the task I was attempting was impossible. I couldn't fathom completing the work I had ahead of me and I needed a mental break. Picking up a Christian book I was reading, I carried it upstairs to the treadmill, deciding to pound out my frustration and read at the same time. I had no idea I was about to have my own personal revival.

Several pages into the book I read today's verse. Have you ever had a verse jump off the page at you? Well, this one did. I thought back to my frustration with the work I was facing earlier and felt God speak to me through this verse. Quit telling me how impossible the task is and just do the work, He said. Don't forget I will show up each time. Not so you can boast about your abilities, but so you can boast in Me.

After my time on the treadmill, I raced downstairs to email a friend of mine who I had complained to earlier that day. I told her how the verse had ministered to me, and how I was going to simply do the work. She wrote back that she had been praying for God to speak to me about the task that was overwhelming me. I had a new motto as I recommitted to the task at hand: Do the work. Whenever I started to get discouraged or overwhelmed by the hugeness of the task, I reminded myself: Do the work—three little words that got me through one of the biggest challenges of my life. Perhaps you need to hear those three little words today.

Are you facing a challenge in your job? Do the work.

Does your marriage need to be rebuilt? Do the work.

Are you worried about your ability to be a good mother? Do the work.

Are you dealing with a personal hardship that just seems too big to overcome? Do the work.

Are you struggling with debt and financial issues? Do the work.

Do you want to eat healthier, commit to regular exercise or lose weight? Do the work.

Is there a dream that God has planted in your heart that seems too big for you? Do the work.

Make no mistake: sometimes the work will be hard. Note that our verse today didn't say "Lay around and hope things get better." The challenge we face is not in focusing on how hard the work is, but in seeking the God who has promised to show up as we work. We offer our best efforts and trust that He will multiply them. We will see Him supply the words, the resources, the energy, the time, the patience, the grace we need. But first we must do the work. Just like the priests had to first step into the water before the Jordan could part in Joshua 3:15-16, so we must begin working before we can see the solution appear.

What work do you need to start doing—or keep doing—no matter how discouraged or disheartened you feel? I pray that you will see Him at work on your behalf today as you do the work He has called you to do. Do the work, and He will be with you.

Dear Lord, help me to look to You and not to the hugeness of the work I have ahead of me. Help me not to be afraid or discouraged. I thank You for Your promise that You are with me and that You will not fail me or forsake me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

TGIF

Yay yay yay!!

One of my best friends is coming in to KY for a visit....

so so SOOOO excited :)

B and I are looking forward to a fun weekend with Shawn!!

Hmmmm....

Currently suffering from severe writer's block....

Be back soon...

PS....is it Friday yet?!?!

Had to Share...

(Photo by Brooke Slezak)

"Chaos is a friend of mine" ~ Bob Dylan

My daily thought from Real Simple Magazine...

This week has been full of chaos and I'm looking forward to enjoying a beautiful, crisp fall day...

Happy Friday!!!!

Captured by Me

This is one of my favorite shots from our CT trip....

So peaceful and serene.

Captured by Me

Ok, well...not really captured by me but by our tripod!

This was on Bayview Beach in Milford, CT.

It was chilly and windy but it was still a gorgeous setting in a quaint town.

We feel so grateful that were able to have a whole week to explore our new "home", Connecticut. It was absolutely stunning up there....changing leaves, water surrounding you, apple orchards buzzing with locals.....great trip!

More pics to be posted throughout the week....

Back to the Grind

Last week was spectacular!

B and I enjoyed an entire week together...just the two of us.

Details (and pics!) coming soon about our trip....for now just trying to get back in the swing of the things.

I definitely have a case of the Monday's!

How I Love You So....

Real Simple Magazine....

How I love you so....

I have about an hour before I'm headed back to teach more classes (what?? time to unwind??)

I know....rare!

Back door open....cool breeze coming in and Real Simple Mag in my hands...

GREAT afternoon!

T.I.L (Things I'm Loving)

Changing leaves....

Chilly mornings....

Sweater....

Boots....

I LOVE Fall....but of course the changing of the season also comes with allergies, sore throats, colds....and the worst....chapped lips.

This lip scrub could possibly be one of the best things ever created....I'm not kidding! I use it every morning and so far....no chapped lips. It makes your lips so smooth and it tastes yummy too. If you do not own this you MUST go purchase it right now at your nearest LUSH store....seriously....go now! It's amazing!

Enjoy....

Sorry!

I have done a poor job of blogging the past couple of weeks.

It's been crazy busy lately....

Promise to write soon!!

Weekend Update

The weekend started off with a bang....B completed his written board exam! He studied and prepared so much and for so long. I know he was relieved to have the test done and over with. And we celebrated by going to Harry's for lunch....yum :) We'll find out in a just couple of weeks how he did....until then.....we wait!

Saturday was a fun day with my mom and sister. We spent most of the day in Louisville shopping, eating and of course more shopping ;) It's rare that we have a day to spend the whole day together so it was nice to take advantage of that time. We had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory....it's ok....you can be a little jealous. Haha! When I got back to Lexington, B and I had a fun night just lounging around and watching our new season of The Office. Love that show!

Big things were on the agenda for Sunday....church, I was going to a high school to set a piece on a team, and we had a guest teacher at the studio. Too bad I did nothing but lay on the couch.....the stomach bug finally bit me. It's been going around and I guess I was bound to catch it at some point but I wish it hadn't been yesterday and today. I really hate missing work but today I'm down for the count. Thankful for my hubby who took great care of me yesterday :)

Until yesterday...my weekend was great! Looking forward to another productive week (well...after today!) and counting down to next weekend (is that bad?!?!).

Happy Monday!

Fall is Right Around the Corner...

65 degrees and gorgeous outside...

My kind of weather.

I LOVE this time of year!

Captured by My Hubby!

B and I haven't whipped out the camera in quite some time, so yesterday we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and an afternoon off...

Love these pics that were captured by my hubby!

Thought For the Day

Agree with each other,

Love each other,

Be deep-spirited friends.

Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.

La Mia Cucina: What's Cooking in My Kitchen Tonight?

On the menu this evening.....a yummy Chicken and Rice Casserole!

Ingredients:

3 cups diced cooked chicken

1 onion, diced and sauteed

1 8 oz. can water chestnuts, drained and chopped

2 14.5 oz. cans French green beans, rinsed and drained

4 oz. pimentos (optional)

1 10.5 oz. can cream of celery soup

1 cup mayo

6 oz. long grain wild rice, cooked (I used Uncle Ben's)

1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix all ingredients together in large bowl and pour into a 3-quart casserole. Bake for 25 minutes.

And most importantly.....enjoy!!

Cozy Morning

I love days like today....

No rush, nowhere to be at any specific time, no obligations.

A day for me...to just do what I need to do.

It's been a crazy and busy past couple of weeks so I'm looking forward to doing some things around the house and spend some time reading (something I always wish I had more time for)!

Looking forward to a productive yet peaceful, cozy, rainy day.

Procrastinating...

My to-do list is out of control.

No...it really is.

Finish laundry, grocery shop, gym, finish choreographing for my dance team, respond to emails, etc,....

But instead...I'm sitting here wondering aimlessly around the internet world looking for new bedding.

That was not on my to-do list!

Ok, back to work I go.

But I did want to share this cozy bedroom I found. LOVE it!!

Happy Monday :)

La Mia Cucina: A Taste of What Was in My Kitchen the Night Before

Fettuccine in Asparagus Cream Sauce and Peas

Ingredients:

*about 8 spears of asparagus

*1 tablespoon butter or olive oil

*2/3 cup heavy cream

*Minced zest and juice of 1 or 2 lemons (I only used 1 and I thought it was perfect)

*Kosher salt and pepper (Kosher salt makes ALL the difference)

*3/4 cup freshly shelled English peas

*1 lb fettuccine

*Fresh basil

*Shaved parmesan for garnish

To prepare the asparagus, snap off the tough woody ends of the spears. Cut the asparagus on the diagonal into pieces about 1/8 inch thick. In a small saute pan, melt the butter (yes...I chose to use butter!) over medium heat. Add in the asparagus and saute for about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add in the heavy cream. Heat until warm. Add lemon zest, salt and pepper to taste. Make sure the cream mixture does not boil.

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add in peas and cook for 30 seconds. Add in pasta and cook until tender rises to surface. Stir occasionally so that the noodles cook evenly. Drain the pasta and peas. Reserve a few tablespoons of cooking water.

Return pasta and peas to the large pot and season with salt. Pour the asparagus-cream sauce over the pasta and toss to coat thoroughly. Add in the reserved water to loosen the pasta if necessary. Add in basil and lemon juice to taste as well as additional salt to balance the flavors. Serve in warm pasta bowls and garnish with cheese.

This was absolutely wonderful and you can add in other things as well for added flavors. I plan on throwing grilled chicken in next time but I have also several recipes that use pancetta. This is a super easy meal to make. It took me a little under 30 minutes to have everything prepared and cooked. SO good! Will be keeping this recipe towards the front of my recipe binder......Brian had three bowls last night ;)

Enjoy!!!!

T.I.L (Things I'm Loving)

I know it's only August but....

Fall is right around the corner and it is my favorite time of year!

Here are some (early) fun, fall finds..... (of course from Anthropologie)

(These boots are my favorite...I love them!)

I'm looking forward to crisp days, changing leaves, warm cider and all the other fun things that fall brings with it.

I Needed This Today

"We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need." Colossians 1:11

In a heart that values instant gratification like mine does, patience seems hard to come by.

In the last several weeks I've raced through a yellow light because I didn't want to wait at a red light – that's dangerous! I've looked up my symptoms on the internet because I didn't want to sit in a doctor's waiting room – that can be dangerous too. I've paid extra for an item off the internet because I didn't want to stand in line at the store – that's wasteful. I've also eaten dessert first, because I didn't want to wait until it was "time" for dessert – well, that's just called for sometimes! Though I can't recall a specific instance, odds are high that I lost my patience at some point and fussed at my kids.

We want stuff and we want it now. We want results and we want them now. Yet the Bible repeatedly says that patience should be a way of life for followers of Christ.

God is love and patience is part of His character. For you and I to love like God loves, patience will be required (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Loving as God loves is the ultimate goal as we walk through this life seeking to please God and become like Him.

I define patience as the ability to endure graciously. We all have to deal at times with people or circumstances that try our composure – an ungrateful child, an inattentive waitress, a slow moving line at the cash register, a spouse or friend taking our efforts for granted. How graciously do we behave in these circumstances?

The Bible says God will be faithful to complete the good works He began in us (Philippians 1:6). That implies there's going to be some "in the meantime" when we're all less than perfect and less than easy to love. This is where patience comes in. The apostle Paul instructs us to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph.4:1-3).

We also have to exercise patience with God as we wait for His full plan to unfold. At times we must wait for answers to prayers, for deliverance, for provision, or for Him to dispense justice or reveal His will. We really have no choice but to wait in these circumstances, but a woman developing patience will endure the wait graciously. It helps to remember how very patient God has to be with us on a daily basis!

Exercising patience isn't just an exercise of the human will. The kind of patience Paul is talking about is a fruit of the Spirit developed in a woman's soul in tandem with God. It's a virtue that grows from her confidence in the sovereignty of God and His ability to bring all things to completion, in His timing, in a way that benefits His children and glorifies Him.

This patience-thing may take some time to develop, but I've decided to graciously endure the process. I started today by stopping and waiting at a yellow light. As I sat at the intersection, I thought about God and about developing patience. The light turned green a mere minute later, and I went on my way with a smile on my face, happy to be a woman who is embracing patience … even if in a very small way.

Dear Lord, thank You for being so very patient with me. Help me to develop patience, and display that quality for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen

T.I.L (Things I'm Loving)

Today I'm Loving....

Fun and chic office spaces!

(My personal fave!!)

Captured by Me

Here are some pics that were captured by me on our recent vacation...