Friday, October 31, 2014

Flashback Friday Party

Hi friends!  Welcome to another Flashback Friday party!!  Link up as many oldie but goodies that you would like, and please visit others as well!  Thanks for coming by!!




Thursday, October 30, 2014

Top 10 Fall Front Porches


We don't need to re-discuss my love for all things Fall, so it's not surprising that I wanted to get one more Fall-inspired Top 10 post out of this month right?  Let's jump right in to 10 of my favorite front porches all ready for Fall...


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Wednesday, October 29, 2014

DIY Autumn Pinecone Wreath


This year I decided I needed a new autumn wreath for our front porch.  I knew I wanted to make it myself and I knew I wanted it to be something that would last for a few good Fall's to come.  Even though it was a bit time consuming, it was simple and enjoyable!  So I cannot recommend strongly enough burning your favorite Fall candle, popping in a comfort movie on TV and jumping into this project.  Here's what you'll need...
-1 styrofoam wreath form (size of your choice)
-Pinecones-lots of pinecones
-Smaller pinecones
-Hot glue gun and glue sticks


I found the easiest way was to begin glueing pinecones on the inside of the wreath form, then work your way out.


After that it's really just like a puzzle piecing them all together.  This is where the tiny pine cones really come in handy to fill in the small gaps that can't be helped.  The fuller the wreath gets the better!!!  Use a wreath hanger or a large, sturdy decorative ribbon to hang on the door and enjoy! 





Monday, October 27, 2014

Tasty Tuesday Asian Inspired Chicken Skillet & Recipe Link Up

Hi friends and welcome to another Tasty Tuesday!  Thank you for stopping by!!

You know how sometimes you have random ingredients that you want to use up before they go bad? 
And so you throw together a little of this and a little of that and come out with a new family favorite?  
That's how this dish came to be.
It's delicious served over rice (though this particular time I was out of rice and used pasta and it was equally as delicious) or wrapped up in a lettuce leaf for amazing lettuce wraps.
I used boneless, skinless chicken tenders for this, though any thinner cut of chicken would work.  Even chicken breasts pounded out a bit would work for this.  Let's get to it...

You'll need:

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 bunch green onions, chopped
1/2 cup soy sauce 
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1 Tablespoon cornstarch


Begin by cooking the chopped green onions in some butter or olive oil on low to medium heat. While this is going start chopping up your chicken into bite sized pieces and add it to your pan with green onions.


In a separate bowl mix together the soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic.  After the chicken is cooked pour the sauce over it.  Then add the cornstarch mixed in with just enough water to thicken the sauce.


It's getting good ya'll.  Real good.
Let this simmer until the sauce is thick enough for your liking, then serve over rice or pasta!

Printable version found here!

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My "God-Lenses"

One of my best friends is blind as a bat without her glasses.  Bless her heart, the very first few moments upon waking up in the morning she can't see a thing.  She fumbles around until she locates her glasses and the world can once again come into focus.
I can't imagine that feeling.
I know lots of people have bad eyesight like that, I'm just not personally acquainted with it.  I've been blessed since I was a little girl with near perfect eyesight.  After working in an eye doctor's office for a few years, it's a blessing I do not take for granted.  I only wear glasses to drive at night-or if I've run out of time to do my makeup and am trying to cover up the dark circles around my eyes.

But I do struggle with bad spiritual vision sometimes.  

I get sidetracked. Distracted.  Discouraged. Frustrated.  Overwhelmed.  Worrisome.  Angry.  Upset.  Irritable.  Rude.  Short.  Priorities out of whack.  Sinful at best.  

I can get blurry vision too, and suddenly I'm as bad as blind without glasses.
Not real glasses though.  I like to call those, my "God-lenses".

The enemy knows that if I'm distracted and forget to put on my "God-lenses", I'm as good as ruined.  If he has my mind, he's got me.  There's only one way to prevent this and that's a decision I have to make first thing in the morning.  Who's going to be the boss of me today?  There's only one right answer to that question, and if I choose wrong I've left my "God-lenses" at home and I'm as good as blind.  

I'm not just talking when you have your quiet time- morning, noon or evening.  For years I listened to people say that morning was the best time to fit in your time with God and I always thought....yeah you don't know me in the mornings!  Those years I did my devotional time in the evenings. If that is you please hear me-I'm with you.  I was there for years!  I don't believe there is a "wrong" time to have your quiet time with God.  

But I'll be honest, I cannot go through that much of a day without that alone time with with Him without completely wrecking it.  I've got to get emptied of me and filled up with the Holy Spirit quick.  So for me, now I have to do it first thing in the morning.  I've got too much flesh in me I suppose that if I don't start the day nailing down who will be God for me today (i.e. not me) then I might as well go back to bed ya'll. 


Even if you don't have your personal quiet time with God until night, I do think we have to start the day by fixing our eyes on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith.  Even if that's just making a conscious decision and whispering a prayer while we put on a quick coat of mascara or fix the kids breakfast to help us keep our "God-lenses" on for that day.
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith
-Hebrews 12:2

Some days, even after I've initially secured my "God-lenses" on, I still miss the mark, still get so distracted.  Just like if you've misplaced your glasses and you have to stop and go look for them, the same is true withMy  "God-lenses".  If i don't stop and re-focus, re-fix my eyes, we're in trouble folks.  In fact, during some particularly hard seasons of life that felt like I was as random as a squirrel chasing my tail, I would even set my alarm on my phone.  When the alarm goes off, wherever you are or whatever you're doing stop and say a prayer-Jesus fix my eyes, take captive my every thought.  

The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. 
-1 Thessalonians 5:24

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Scripture Sunday


Friday, October 24, 2014

Flashback Friday Party



Hey friends! Welcome to another Flashback Friday!  Link up as many oldie but goodie's as you like, and please visit a few others as well.  Thanks for coming by!






Thursday, October 23, 2014

Top 10 Unique Fall Family Activities


I've mentioned before that the Mr. and I have chosen to not celebrate Halloween in our family.  I've got no problem with those who do, it's a personal decision for us all.   Instead of Halloween we try to focus and celebrate and really cultivate a season of gratitude throughout the Fall.  (P.s.-if you're curious...you can definitely still eat candy. One more thing to be thankful for, right?)

Anyways, we still like to have fun and celebrate throughout the Fall like everyone else!  Today I am sharing some really great ideas that either we already implement or I'm so excited to try!  Let's get started...


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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Tasty Tuesday Recipe Link Up


Hi friends and welcome to another Tasty Tuesday!  Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your delicious creations!  I don't have a recipe to share this week so let's get on to the party.  This week's features were...




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