Tasty Tuesday- Black Beans & Rice

This dish is a personal favorite of ours. It was one of the very first things I ever made for us a few evenings after we got married, so every time I make it, it brings back sweet memories of our very first days as newlyweds and living out of boxes not able to find a thing I needed. But I was with my new husband in a tiny place that was just ours and I was absolutely smitten.
I still am.
And I still love this dish. It's super easy, super versatile and super delicious. I've even made this to entertain with and was a big hit! I think you'll love this one as well, so let's get started!

Printable Recipe

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
3/4 cup uncooked white rice
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 1/2 cups canned black beans, drained
1 can of Rotel
1 can corn

Heat a pan over medium heat and add olive oil, onion, and garlic, letting this sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions get translucent.

Add rice and sauté for 2 minutes.

Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover, letting it simmer for 20 minutes.

Lastly, add in the black beans, Rotel, corn, and spices.

Mix up this delicious-ness and let it heat through for about 10-15 minutes.

Wrap this up in a tortilla and top with shredded cheese for an instant delicious meal. Or scoop it up with chips or my personal favorite way is just in a bowl with a fork! This is also one of my favorite leftover meals because the flavors just mix more with time. Enjoy friends!

Printable version found here!

Linking up with Mandy, Emily, The Time Warp Wife, Jacinda, Moonlight & Mason Jars, Make Ahead Meals, Karyn, Alyssa, and Beth.

I can testify

As everyone was celebrating Father's Day yesterday my heart felt torn, I've mentioned before I didn't have an ideal upbringing. My dad did the best he could but ultimately he simply didn't know how to love us. It was years of heartache and sorrow for us and a huge lack of relationship for this daughter who ached for a dad to really be there. God has done huge things since I've grown up and my dad is not the same person he was then, a miracle I know full well. If anything God has used that huge area in my life to teach me forgiveness. I knew if I ever wanted a real relationship with him after God had changed his life I was going to have to let go of 18+ years of absolute devastation, years and memories that couldn't be re-done. I'd like to put on my best Sunday School answer here and say it was easy, but in all honesty, it was hard. And frankly, I felt hurt like doing it. But after many weeks in tears on my knees wrestling with God over this issue I knew He was calling me to forgive my dad. Not because he deserved it-in many ways he robbed me of my childhood.

But because I didn't deserve the forgiveness God showed me either. But He did. And He does. So I did too.

However, the pain still creeps up on me sometimes and for many years I struggled with that fact. If I had forgiven my dad why was I still having to deal with the pain of it all? One day God spoke very clear to me though when He told me, He would bring healing to me (and faithfully He has), but He would never remove it so much from my memory that it would lose it's effectiveness. I didn't understand at the time. I tried to humbly obey, but I certainly didn't understand and wanted to erase every painful memory.

Fast forward a few years. I meet this man and fall madly in love and he's a youth minister, and I'm kind of his sidekick, and we do ministry together. And I can't tell you how many opportunities I've gotten to hit my knees next to a sobbing 16 year old girl that I could swear was myself 10 years ago and say with every fiber in my being-
I understand, I've been there too.

And in that moment, it all has purpose. I understand the moment that He told me He wouldn't completely remove it from me, because don't you see? Then I went through it all for absolutely nothing. I shudder to think.

I was still able to celebrate with my dad this weekend. No matter how imperfect the road might have been, God has certainly proved Himself as the Redeemer He is. I'm living proof that there is hope where it certainly doesn't feel like it. I spent years being that girl producing puddles of tears on her bedroom floor praying as hard as she might, but seeing nothing change year after year and wondering if my prayers were hitting the popcorn ceiling above me. Even though I may never be a daddy's girl, and oh how I always longed to be, I can honestly say I am grateful for my dad today-good & bad. I simply wouldn't be who I am today without him and everything we've been through, more importantly I wouldn't be the same, or as effective I believe, in ministry without those painful times.

Anyone else been there? I'd like to offer some encouragement in the tiniest form of a free printable. These words are true, I'm living proof, and they resonate deeply within me. You're welcome to share this as well, I would just appreciate the link-back. This printable is a 5x7 and all you have to do is click on the picture below. Enjoy!



Linking with: Julie, Happy Wives Club, Jolene, Ruth, Nan,and some of the best things in life.

Home Life Series Part 2-Bathroom & A Link Up!

Welcome to week 2 of Home Life Series! This week I chose the bathroom because it contains one of my favorite areas-make up/skin care products. I know I'm such a girly. Shamefully I admit that I could watch make up gurus on youtube for days, mainly because I love hearing what works for other people! Also let me insert the reminder that Mr. and I do not share a bathroom, so if you wonder how I can get by without any "boy" stuff in here, that's why! You wouldn't want to go through his bathroom anyways-trust me-as much as I adore the man I try to avoid that room myself as much as possible. Moving on...let's get started!

Storage

Soon after Mr. and I were married I stumbled upon this in an antique store one day for about $12. I had no idea what I was going to do with it, I just liked the look of it. It was a unique basket kind of thing, but all metal and in perfect condition with no rough spots that would snag at things I put in it. So I remember that day bringing it home and putting it in the corner of our (at that time shared) bathroom. I neatly rolled towels and put them in and walked away feeling like HGTV would be calling me any minute for decorating tips. A few minutes later Mr. walked out of the bathroom asking me if it was some kind of tiny laundry hamper. Bless his heart. It was one of the first "I'm really living with a boy" freak out moments.. Anyways...eventually I figured out what I really needed for it was a catch-all for my hair products and tools! I love this idea because it has a bit of cute-ness to it, it's not just a drawer that I've crammed all of those products in, and I can easily see everything in it!

Remember how make up is my weakness? Well right after we moved into our current home I knew I had to come up with a better method. Each morning I would sit down with a giant container of all kinds of make up and a mirror and dig through to find what I wanted. It wasn't practical, nor enjoyable anymore. So then I remembered that we had somehow ended up with an extra silverware drawer divider and wondered if I could work something out. I found an empty basket and loaded everything that I loved but didn't use every single day into that and slid it in my bathroom cabinet. Then I took the few daily products and lined them up in my silverware holder and stuck it in my drawer. Surprisingly this has worked out perfectly. Most days I drag my chair over to the bathroom cabinet, open up the drawer and can easily get to exactly what I need without having to dig through excess. On those days I'm dressing up more or getting a little fancier for date night, all I have to do is pull out my basket of "extras".

If you've ever been in my kitchen you know I never throw a jar away. I will always find a spot for it and this is one of those examples! The one on the left holds all of my small hair pieces that would get lost in the "tiny laundry hamper" sheesh. So all of the hair clips and hair ties go in that jar, easy access, because I've been known to get frustrated when I have my hair just perfect and have to let go of it to find a hair tie. (Anyone else? Anyone?) The next one holds my toothbrush because I get easily grossed out by laying it around and wondering what else has been there. I know-I'm a mess.
But really-free solution? Why not!

Confession: For the longest time I thought these things were silly and unnecessary, some kind of conspiracy to make us spend more money we shouldn't really spend (as if I needed a conspiracy to help there). However, after years and years of piling up conditioners and shampoos and body wash and razors along the side of the shower and undoubtedly kicking it over on my way in or out, or on a good day both, I finally caved and bought into the shower caddy. Seriously. Game changer. Even if it is a spending conspiracy, I believe it to be worth it.

The Sigma brush cup holder works perfectly at making it super convenient for taking your brushes with you, but also simply for keeping all the brushes in one place.

Products
Favorite perfume:

Betsey Johnson's Too Too Pretty
I got a sample of this beauty in a Sephora order, and it was one of those rare samples that you fall in love with and know you must have. So after I got every drop out of that sample, I hit up Sephora-having no idea what the bottle looked like. The sample was of course just a simple plain tube. But this stuff smells so good I promise you won't even care that the packaging makes it look like a 13 year old emo girl has taken over your bathroom.

Favorite daytime face lotion:

Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion
I purchased this at the beginning of winter because my face was suddenly so dry I couldn't even put foundation on without it looking like it was going to flake off. This stuff fixed the problem immediately. Now that's it's warming up my face isn't dry anymore but I'm still hooked on it for its SPF 30 factor. Warning: 1 pump goes a long way. I typically cover my whole face with half a pump.

Favorite liquid foundation:

Clinique Perfectly Real Liquid Foundation
I've used this stuff since I started wearing make up when I was 13 years old and my mom and aunt took me for my first Clinique makeover (still one of the high points of my life). I've tried a few other things over the years but always go back to this, it's perfectly "real" looking, and can be as build-able as you want it to be.

Favorite concealer:

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind
This is the perfect, easy to grab at the drugstore, concealer. Plain & simple.

Favorite bronzer:

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil
Yes it's wonderful. And it tastes like chocolate. (Does that make it sounds like I typically eat my make up? Not my intention, but you know when you're in a hurry and powdering that bronzer up a storm while telling Mr. a story and it just kind of flies in? Yep. Been there.)

Favorite blush:

Nars Blush in shade Amour
Sephora's description calls this shade a "peachy pink". I'm not sure I'm seeing the "peachy" in it, but I love it nonetheless. And in case you're concerned like I typically am about blushes-no shimmer at all. You're welcome.

Favorite eyeliner:

Stilla Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in black
I've been dearly devoted to black liquid liner of all shapes, sizes, and brands from day 1. However, this is my absolute favorite, hands down. When I first tried it out I was a little skeptical, because I had always had a "pot" of liquid liner to dip my applicator in. So when I tried this one that is really like a thin marker, with nothing to get more product from I thought I might only get a couple of good months out of this and call it done. Well that was about 9 months ago and it's still going strong. Last time I was at Sephora I picked up a back up because I thought that I was probably nearing the moment that the product was going to suddenly run out and make my eyes look like they were "kinda lined". Not good. Not pretty. I still haven't even opened the back up package yet. This is completely smudge-proof as well.

Favorite mascara:

Almay Get Up & Grow and Clinique High Impact Mascara-both in black
I have been known to apply up to 253 coats of mascara at one sitting. Mascara is my love language in the world of make up.
So after years of a great relationship with the product, I've come up with a kind of technique. I begin with one good coat of Almay Get Up & Grow, then promptly curl them. (I compare this to curling my hair with a curling iron-I always add hair spray first to give it something to hold on to. Same idea. Get it?) After curling them I add a couple hundred coats of Clinique High Impact and call it a day.

Favorite eyeshadow:
Too many to count or include. My most favorite would probably be Mac, but my budget doesn't like that too much. So a couple of my other favorites would be Stilla and Wet n' Wild.

Shower
Favorite shampoo:

I'm really not a devoted shampoo user, typically I buy whatever's on sale or smells the best.

Favorite shower face wash:

Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser
It's simple and it works, exactly what I was looking for.

I have really thick hair, so keeping a cheap wide-tooth comb is the perfect solution to taming the tangle battle.

Doesn't every girl need a pink loofa? I think so.

Favorite travel bag:

This is actually a Vera Bradley lunch bag, but since I didn't have a need for that, I re-used it. This is perfect because the inside is plastic so if anything drips or spills at all nothing happens. Plus since it's square you can easily stand up bottles in the corners.

Skincare
Favorite face wash:

Philosophy Purity
It's really simple but really good, and not a super strong smell.

Favorite eye make up remover:

Clinique Take the Day Off
Before I stumbled upon this gem I would rub my eyes until they were bright red trying to get the last traces of eye make up off, remember my coats upon coats of mascara? But this product? Just grab a cotton ball and make it happen, it's gone in about 30 seconds, seriously.

I really love my Clarisonic Mia. I do really need to get a new brush replacement though.

Favorite night face cream:

Philosophy Hope in a Jar
This cream is thick enough to work, but it doesn't leave behind that "greasy" feel. Love that.

Favorite under eye cream:

Philosophy Hope in a Tube High Density Eye & Lip Cream
I don't just use this stuff to prevent wrinkles and bags under my eyes-let's be honest I don't think that far ahead. But I get funky tiny little bumps under my eyes and this really clears them up. And hey, maybe I'll prevent a wrinkle or two in the meantime.

Favorite exfoliator #1:

Philosophy the Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash
This is probably my favorite facial exfoliator of all times, seriously your face will feel amazing. But it's a little harsh for every day use, I typically use this one only once a week. So this leads to my next exfoliator:

Favorite exfoliator #2:

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub
This is a great everyday exfoliator from the drugstore-and it smells great!

Favorite body cream:

Bath & Body Works Triple Moisture Cream in scent Country Chic
I can't tell you how many times I've re-purchased this product. I also stock up in the shower gel and body wash of this. Every time I run out I rush out to Bath & Body Works the next day in fear they've discontinued it, never fails.



Okay did you make it through with me? Whew that was a doozy! Your turn! Grab a button, link up, and share your favorite bathroom storage or decorating tips or favorite products! I'd love to hear it! Remember everything that's linked up will be pinned to the New Mrs. Adventures pinterest page.

<div align="center"><a href="http://thenewmrsadventures.blogspot.com/" title="New Mrs. Adventures" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1312.photobucket.com/albums/t540/newmrsadventures/Homebutton_zpsd6fecc08.png" alt="New Mrs. Adventures" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Tasty Tuesday- No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

Let's talk about no bake cookies. Growing up, that word was kind of taboo in my family, it was on the same level as bringing in a cake mix from the store and announcing you were going to make a cake!
Um...no you're not. (I still feel utter shame when I stoop to such levels. Not that I do or anything.)

However-there was this one single no bake cookie recipe that was always gladly welcomed and happily devoured. And this is the one. And I couldn't be more thrilled to share it with you all, because
A.) It's early June and you already can't find a day in the local 7 day forecast below the mid 90's. I do not want to turn on the giant kitchen heater. (oven. I'm just dramatic sometimes-I blame it on the rising temps).
B.) Though hot, it's gorgeous weather out here, let's skip as many steps in the kitchen as possible. Am I right or am I right? I've got a swim to get to and tan to work on.
C.) Peanut butter, gooey goodness. Let's just stop right there.

Let's jump in!


(Please disregard the giant bag of sugar. No I was not expecting a ration, but remember the time I had that strawberry party? Apparently I'm a bad judge of how much sugar I would need. Let's pretend I don't have another one of those beasts sitting in my pantry that's not pictured. Attention neighbors: yes, you may borrow a cup of sugar. For the next 2 years.)

Printable Recipe

4 cups Special K cereal (original)
18 oz. creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 cup white Karo syrup

(If you notice more ingredients in the pictures than necessary it's because I was doubling this batch, which you can easily do!)

Mix Karo syrup and sugar in a medium sized saucepan, before putting it on the heat.


Then put it on low to medium heat. (Notice I changed from a rubber spatula here. Some lessons you learn the hard way.)


You're not wanting the mixture to come to a boil, simply letting the sugar break down until the mixture is thinner. Just about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. While this is on the stove get the cereal ready by measuring it out and crunching it up a bit with your hands. There's not any precise-ness to this, you just want to make the cereal a bit smaller than it is. Growing up this is the part my mom always let me help with, crunching cereal with my little hands was a blast for some reason.


See how the mixture is dripping off the spoon and it's a lot easier to stir around? It's ready!


Remove from the heat and add the peanut butter and vanilla.


Mix well and try not to dive in and head first. No judging here if you do.


Pour this delicious mixture over your cereal.


Mix well and drop by spoons onto either waxed paper or Tupperware.


Don't refrigerate these cookies, just let them set up on the counter. Or if you're like us, grab a spoon because you can't possibly wait any longer. Enjoy friends!



Printable version found here!

Linking up with: Nikki, Jacinda, Feeding Big, Moonlight & Mason Jars, Make Ahead Meals, Pint Sized Baker, The Recipe Critic, Watch Out, Martha, Beth, Mandy, Stacey, and Mandy.

Scripture Memory System

Hiding God's Word in my heart is fundamental to my walk with Christ. It really has made all the difference between a life of victory over a life of defeat, despair, and anxiety. Why? Because the Word of God is alive and active. (Hebrews 4:12) Though words fail me to describe the depth that I believe that-I believe it with every fiber of my being. I have been in situation after situation when quoting scripture either in my mind-or even better out loud-has saved me from a meltdown in more ways than one. (Remember? I'm a worrier by nature. It's what I do.)

But no matter how good my intentions or desires were in wanting to memorize scripture, logistically I couldn't get the hang of it. It never failed how often I couldn't remember them, I would feel like I got a good "hold" on one and forgot the previous one, and so on and so forth. I felt the deep urge to remember it, but utter defeat because I felt like I simply couldn't do it. Until I stumbled upon this method, and that's why I'm so excited to share it with you today. Because maybe-just maybe-you're like me, desperately wanting to hide God's Word in your heart but just not sure how. I hope and pray this helps you as much as it helps me.

Let me begin with this though-before you try anything, pray about it. This may sound silly and like one of those things that should just go without saying, but it was a light bulb kind of moment for me when I began praying over my mind that God will strengthen my ability to remember His Word.
After that, grab an index card holder, index card dividers, and of course, index cards!
Start by making your index card dividers by labeling the following and putting them in this order in your box:
Daily
Even
Odd
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
And finally make a divider for numbers 1-31

You'll start with simply choosing 1 verse and placing it behind the Daily tab. Every day go over that scripture until you feel you have a good handle on it. For me that means 1 week, but it could be different for you, and that's completely fine! There are weeks where I'm just "off" or have a longer portion of scripture and at the end of the week I'm no where near ready for a new one so I stay where I'm at with the current one. But the point is-we are getting somewhere! Even if it's slower at certain times, we're memorizing more than when we're not attempting it at all!

Once you feel good with that first scripture, bump it back to the Even tab and put a new one under the Daily tab. Now you're just going to keep doing this week after week! Here's the basic plan for a daily basis:


Next go to the Even or Odd tab depending on the date.


Then go over whatever is behind that Day.



Finally it is whatever is behind that Date.



So basically each day you will go over:
Daily
Even or Odd depending on the date
Day of the week
Date

(Obviously starting out you won't have all of these tabs filled, just keep going it won't be long!)

A couple of other tips-

Behind the last tab I have a small stack of blank index cards. Whenever I'm reading my Bible or come across a scripture that I feel led to memorize, I jot it down on a blank card.


Then I stick it at the very back, where I keep all the scriptures that I know I want to eventually incorporate into the system and work on memorizing. Each Sunday I go through that little stack and choose my new "Daily" for the week!


A few tips for memorizing the new daily verse-
Post it as many places as you can think of!! The more you see it throughout the day, even without really thinking about it, the easier it will be to remember it! I always have a card with that scripture in the corner of my bathroom mirror, and on our "Verse of the Week" board in the kitchen:

I also take a picture of that scripture card with my cell phone and have a folder on my phone that is just scripture memory. Whenever I'm stuck in traffic or waiting somewhere, I try to work on that instead of jumping on to Facebook or checking email for the 900th time.

Whatever method works best for you, I just urge you to keep at it! Even when you don't think you can remember one more thing-pray about it and commit to the Lord this desire and I promise He will blow you away with His faithfulness towards you! If you have any questions, or want prayer over this area of your life-please let me know! Feel free to comment down below or email me! I'd love to answer any questions or pray with you. Have a great week friends!

Linking up with: Happy Wives Club, Jolene, Ruth, Some of the Best Things in Life are Mistakes, Mom's The Word, Julie, Logan, Create with Joy, Sara Elizabeth,