Saturday, October 30, 2010

haha


This kills me.  It's like someone
overheard my man on a Saturday
morning, and then made a print.
Love it.  :)


*via

Friday, October 29, 2010

another one

 
Sister is making us look sharp
in these fun engagement pictures!
 
Every time she emails us that more
are up, I get ridiculously excited and 
smiley.  It's quite silly, but totally fun.

Hope you find something happy to smile
about on this Friday morning!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

upside down


This morning as I walked into the
office through a dense cloud of fog, it was 
like the sun was shining up at me from 
the sidewalk under my feet. 

The carpet of yellow maples leaves
made my walk beautiful and was 
a very cheerful way to start an 
otherwise slightly gray day! 

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

buffalo chicken dip

 
Last night was small group, which meant 
another new dip recipe! I had to work late, 
so the handsome man gets all the 
credit for cooking up this yummy mixture.  
 
(He's cute AND he cooks...I am the luckiest girl!)

Here's what you'll need:
2.5 cups Buffalo Chicken Strips, cooked & chopped
.5 cup Celery, chopped fine
8 oz. Cream Cheese, room temperature
.5 cup of Ranch Dressing
6 oz. liquid Hot Sauce (more/less depending on your heat tolerance)
4 oz. shredded Monterey Jack Cheese (be generous)

Mix all ingredients except the shredded cheese
together in oven safe dish, then top with cheese.  
Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes 
until everything is hot and melted.  Enjoy with
chips or crackers! 

known

 
"The Lord knows those who are His."  
(II Timothy 2:19)
 
I find such comfort and joy in
knowing that the God who breathes
stars and creates universes knows me.
And that I am His. 
 

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

holy cuteness


It's no secret...I love the
weekly "Pets on Furniture"
post over at desire to inspire.

Here's further proof why...a 
dog named Chewbacca sleeping 
inside a vintage suitcase.  I don't
know how it could get any 
better than this!


Monday, October 25, 2010

sneak peak


We had so much fun doing pictures
with sister this past weekend!

After about 450 pictures and lots of
laughing, now the editing begins.
I am getting so excited to see them all, 
especially after she sent us a few 
this morning.  Yay for love and fun
wedding related things!

Friday, October 22, 2010

pictures

 
I am in love with this sweet picture.
I especially enjoy the composition (all 
that empty space - swoon!) and the 
adorable forehead kisses.  Super cute.

In other sort of related news, 
the handsome man and I are doing
an engagement photo shoot with my
fabulous sister tomorrow...and I 
am so excited!  It will be great fun 
to play outside and hang with two 
of my favorite people!


Thursday, October 21, 2010

tub envy


Wow...what I wouldn't give to go take
a deliciously long and relaxing soak 
in this tub!  That bathroom is so pretty, 
that I fear I would spend all my 
time in there if it were mine!



just because

 
Reasons to post this picture:
1.  He makes me smile. 
2.  There's a moose behind us.
3.  We look cute together.
4.  Just because.


Wednesday, October 20, 2010

hot baked potato dip

 
I made this amazing dip last night, and it 
couldn't have been easier.  Or yummier, for 
that matter.  It got rave reviews!

All you need to be fat & happy is:
8 oz softened cream cheese
8 oz sour cream 
(I used a little more)
3 oz bacon bits 
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
(I used sharp...and a little more)
1 bunch of chopped chives 
(I used the dried ones, totally fine.)

Mix it all together in an oven safe dish, 
then pop it in a 350 degree oven for about 
30 minutes.  Serve with tortilla chips or 
any other salty crunch of your choice.
Plan to eat quickly if you're 
sharing...it went pretty fast!

heavy heart


Maybe you're not like me, but sometimes I 
feel a little overwhelmed with social justice causes.
There are so many needs and issues that deserve 
our attention, and sometimes I think that knowing about 
so many of them causes me to become a little numb
to the harsh reality of how terrible some of these 
things really are.  Anyone else feel this way?

 Well, in the last few weeks I've heard a lot
about the realities of human trafficking,
and let me tell you, it has totally wrecked me.
And I don't think that I can go back to
a distant, abstract way of caring.

It seems unfathomable that there are
slaves today, right?  The idea that people can
be bought and sold as property seems
completely insane to me.  Well, do you know
that human trafficking is an industry that
 nets 32 billion dollars annually?

How about this - are you aware that
it's happening right here in your backyard? 
There are an estimated 17,500 people
trafficked into the US each year - most of
them for sexual exploitation.  80% of these
are female, and 50% are minors.  In fact, the
average age of trafficked girls is 14. 

There are a lot more numbers, none of which can
really capture the atrocities that are going on
around us.  Because when push comes to shove,
it's not about numbers or statistics.  It's about the
terrible truth that people are being stripped of
their value as human beings and treated
like objects.  And that's not ok.

I don't know what I'm supposed to do about
it, but I do know that I won't just sit by and let
nothing be done.  Uncomfortable as it is,
expect to hear more from me on this topic.

These two organizations are doing great things,
and I think knowing about them is a good place to start:
Run For Freedom
the A21 Campaign


Tuesday, October 19, 2010

family!

 
Yesterday I got to see these 
lovelies, and it was so wonderful.

It's not often I get to have coffee with 
Momma or have a midweek lunch
with family.  It's the definite downside 
of us all living too far away from 
each other.  But yesterday was a lovely 
treat and I totally enjoyed it!


Friday, October 15, 2010

art happiness

 
that just came into the gallery. 
 
It's so funky and happy...and I kind 
of want to take it home with me!


ooo la la

 
I would live in this closet
if this was mine.


oh handmade

 
Check this out:
handmade pottery with 
a handmade candle inside.

Love it.


completely frivolous

 
Yes please.


seasons change...

 
I love this picture.  

It somehow captures the
change from summer to fall - 
the really early part where nearly
everything is still green, but 
you can't help but notice all the 
subtle little signs of impending autumn.

Plus - let's be real -  I'm just
a sucker for any photo with 
lots of pretty bokah action.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

wanderlust


Pretty pictures of exotic places 
makes me long to pack up a bag
and dash off to the airport.

Ever have that feeling?

More of these beautiful 
photos here.

true confession

 
Last week, my handsome man scored 
tickets to an upcoming Celtics game, 
and was obviously super excited.
 
Here's the strange part: 
I got excited too.
 
Over a basketball game.

More evidence of how love
corrupts us and makes us do
the weirdest things.


*us looking cute at a game last year

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

small pleasures

 
Maybe it's just me,
but I find great satisfaction
in very small pleasures.

Today it's drinking a steaming 
hot cup of tea to soothe 
my pathetically sore throat
and calm my loud cough...

Certainly not exciting,
but somehow very satisfying.


bookworm


I have been an avid John Grisham
fan for years.  I have read all
the books, seen most of the movies,
and even briefly considered becoming 
a lawyer just because he makes 
it sound so darn interesting.

There have been a few misses
in recent years that I haven't enjoyed
as much as the other books, but I just 
finished devouring The Associate and it 
was great.  It read like his early books - 
super engaging and fast paced - and I 
happily powered through it, enjoying 
each word and plot twist.   

There's really nothing like a 
good read, is there?

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

how he loves...


He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all... 
 
 

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

i'm leaving on a jet plane...


I'm leaving tomorrow for the annual
trek to Atlanta.  Along with a few other
leaders from my church, I'll be spending 
the next couple of days at Catalyst.

This is the coolest leadership conference 
ever, and is always an incredible time 
of worship, learning, and group building.  
Despite being bummed about some icky 
circumstances, I'm excited to see what God 
has for me this year, and am working very 
hard to go with lots of expectancy 
and an open and teachable heart!

jacket love


In my quest to learn to love fall,
I've decided that great clothes will
play a large role in this love affair.

For instance - my fabulous new
jacket.  It goes with everything and 
makes me feel like a million bucks.

Also key - scarves.  I've been
helplessly hooked on scarves for 
a while now, and pairing them with 
the killer new jacket is like a
recipe for instant happiness.

 How about you?  What's your
fall back autumn accessory?
(the bad pun totally 
intentional, sorry.)


Monday, October 4, 2010

sleepy monday

 
I'm really tired today,
and this space looks super
inviting and relaxing to me.

I'd like to go cuddle up under
a blanket on that couch and watch 
an endless amount of movies.
 
Popcorn anyone?



truth


The source of my hope
trust and peace...


Friday, October 1, 2010

his fault


It's no secret...I've always 
had a weakness for sweets.

(just ask Momma how easily 
it was to bribe me with 
grand promises of dessert)

However, I place the blame for 
this newfound love of donuts
(specifically those of the butternut 
variety) firmly with my man.

Lucky for him,
I happen to think he's cute,
or this could be a problem...