Simply Scrumptious!

It is chilly, brisk, and rainy outside in Nashville today. But, inside the golden walls of my kitchen, it is warm and toasty...literally. To the beat of my Pandora stations, and with the aroma of sugary white chocolate spreading throughout the house, I am baking these balls of Oreo and cream cheese deliciousness!

The recipe is super easy, the taste is ridiculously delicious, and they're quite fun to make. Here's the easy cheesy recipe:

• 1 package regular size Oreo cookies, crushed
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 package white almond bark
• 1 package chocolate almond bar

1. 1Using a blender or hand held mixer, mix Oreos and cream cheese together.
2. 2Roll into walnut size balls.
3. 3Chill for an hour.
4. 4Melt approximately 3/4 package of white almond bark.
5. 5Stick a toothpick in an Oreo ball and dip it in the melted white almond bark.
6. 6Allow to harden on wax paper.
7. 7Takes about 15 min.
8. 8While waiting, melt about 1/4 package of chocolate almond bark.
9. 9When Oreo balls are no longer sticky to the touch, decorate with drizzles of chocolate and white almond bark.

*I just use a sandwich bag with a tiny hole cut in one corner to drizzle the almond bark.
Finally, take a break from Thanksgiving preparations, eat one of these babies, and slowly slip away into a sugary coma...
Tomorrow we are celebrating Thanksgiving at my cousin Kristi's house. I can't wait for my family to try these scrumptious balls!
What simply scrumptious desserts are you baking in your kitchen today??? Please feel free to share your recipes in the comments section!
Happy Baking!

DIY: Mini Message Board

Here's a "Do It Yourself" project I created for this beautiful couples' outdoor wedding reception. It's fun, easy, and adds a sweet touch to any event or home!

Here's what you'll need:

1 wooden craft frame (8x10 displayed)

1 thin canvas (size fit for picture frame)

1 sheet designed scrapbook paper

Chalkboard paint

Acrylic paint (gold)

Wooden monogram letter

Vintage buttons (love to find these at the local flea market)

Hot glue

Scissors

2 wide paintbrushes

Step 1: Using a wide paintbrush, paint a thick layer of Chalkboard Paint over the canvas. (This must set for one hour before applying a second coat, so complete this step immediately.)

Step 2: Using our color of choice (shimmering gold pictured), apply a thick coat of metallic paint over your wooden craft letter. Allow time to dry.

(I used the letter "M" to represent the Happy Couple's last name.)

(Our three leading characters: Mod Podge, Chalkboard Paint, and Shimmering Gold craft paint)

Step 3: Measure and cut the scrapbook paper to fit the four sides of the frame. Using a thick coat of Mod Podge both to adhere the paper to the wooden frame and also to add a glossy finish to the surface of the final product.

(*Don't forget to apply a second coat of chalkboard paint to the canvas after one hour's time.)

Step 4: After the Chalkboard Paint has completely dried, remove the glass from the frame and carefully insert your chalkboard canvas.

Now is also the time to add the cutesy decor- the golden monogram letter and the vintage buttons. To make things simple, these may be adhered with a hot glue gun.

And, vua-lah!

A charming, hand-made, easy-on-your-pocket message board that adds a personal touch to any scene!

At this particular wedding, we placed the mini message board on the couple's wishing tree table.

I also created a mini message board in my home's entryway. Today it reads, "Be Joyful Always" to remind me what's really important these days.

What do you think?

Let me know how yours turn out!

Fall. Break.

Fall. Break. It's finally here.

I could not be more excited about this week-long break. A break from waking up at 5:45am (well, what should be 5:45am), working 12+ hour days, and living a routine work week. Saying that lately life has been hectic would be an understatement. (But, isn't life always?) Let's just say that I am going to catch my breath this week. And I cannot contain my excitement.

Here are my plans to really soak up this time off and enjoy my absolute most favorite season- fall:

Wake up after the sun does for a change.

Slowly sip my coffee while studying The Word. (I am feeling convicted as of late for my lack of knowledge of Old Testament stories. I am reading some for the first time, and re-reading others that it may as well be the first-read.

Clean my house. Thoroughly this time.

Then make a mess in my kitchen- my pretend "craft room". I have already purchased my craft project materials, and I can't wait to get started!

Ride my bike. For longer than 10 minutes.

Lunch dates that don't involve cramming in food then racing back to a raging school cafeteria.

Reading Radical so I'm finally caught up with my small group.

Invest in my Senior High girls' group.

Perhaps delve into some professional development reading.

Pedicure with Liz before the big day! (My toes' current situation is sad.)

Carve a pumpkin.

Drink warm apple cider.

Grade some of my students' writing papers. (Ugh, I know. But because of wedding planning responsibilities, I'm currently behind, People.)

Craft some more.

Blog. Blog. Blog.

Memorize scripture. I've been slacking!

Take a long walk. A few long walks.

Cook dinner for friends and invite them over because it's just been way too long. Send them home full and happy!

Create a real craft station so I'll prevent future Mod-Podge spills on my kitchen island.

Prepare and deliver a meal for friends having their first baby this week. Hold and kiss their baby so they can enjoy a meal together!

Spend time with my mentor- in prayer and encouragement.

Eye doctor appointment. Contacts much needed.

Diabetes doctor appointment at Vandy. (Hmm...lunch out?)

Watching movies; some old classics and some newbies I haven't yet viewed.

Spend an afternoon running errands with my Grandmother. You know, the usual: Sally Beauty Supply, Kroger, gas station, Dollar Store, and Taco Bell. These are her hot spots!

Bake for my neighbors.

Laugh with my cousin coming in from Georgia. I need some real cousin time, and laughing until it hurts is always a given!

Craft some more.

Stay up late with friends like I'm not an adult working a full-time career.

Possibly camping???

Sounds like I'll be resting a lot, huh?

Truth is- I'm not much of a napper. I'll definitely catch up on some much needed sleep, but more importantly, these hobbies are what keep me "alive". At the end of my "stay-cation", I'll be refreshed, rejuvenated, and... less scattered. :)

If you had this week off of work, how would you spend your days?

Learning

As I am writing this, I am sitting down (for the first time today) in my favorite chair, sipping a cup of steaming hot chai tea, watching the setting sun slowly disappear, and taking in the last bits of today. This is my favorite part of the day, and yet, it seems to melt away entirely too quickly. Sure there is a million items on my "to-do" list. But for right now, for this moment, I am choosing to stop and breathe it all in...

I feel as if during this season of my life, I am in school with God. In some areas, I am blossoming through my junior year. In other areas, I am maturing through about 7th grade (you know, the awkward years of zits and braces). Yet still in others, I am only merely in 3rd grade, taking tiny steps and totally relying on my Father for my needs. The most vital part is that I am growing, and I am learning.

Throughout the craziness that this season brings- every bite-size morsel- I believe God is teaching me. The irony is that I am an educator, and it is my career to teach children. But my Spiritual Life longs for more- more learning, maturing, and growth. My relationship with my Creator beckons for my heart and mind to be stretched. This requires me to submit as a student of the Word.

I do not feel as if my current life circumstances are permanent, rather they will last for only a season. He is preparing me...for something. For what, I have no idea. And I may have no conception of when this change will commence. Of one thing I am certain, however- I want to be right where He wants me to be. No, I need to be right where He wants me to be. I want to be so in tune with His will that I cannot discern His desires from my own. I desire to be so deeply rooted in His Word that I can clearly hear His voice. I am determined to live a life that is pleasing in His sight. This begins now- with the position and opportunities He has provided me with today.

The reason I am writing this is simply because this concept of being "in school" with God has been on my heart. I am so thankful for the patience, and love, and grace, and mercy that my Teacher offers freely every single day. I am so thankful He does not throw chaos or confusion at me and passively stand-by to assess my response. My heart is full of thanks for His ever faithful leading and guiding...no matter how many assignments or quizzes I may fail without truly recognizing His instructing.

May we look upon each other with loving and graceful eyes. May we continually lift one another up; encourage one another with righteous acts. May we realize that we are all merely students, each at various levels, but all seeking and learning together.

Where did the time go?

Blogging has been pushed to the back-burner lately. I blame several inconveniences for ignoring this new hobby: having sketchy internet signal at home (probably because I still "borrow" signal from my neighbor's wi-fi), surviving my first year of teaching and completing it with my head above water (after swimming through piles of end-of-the-year assessments and paperwork), entertaining my ever-so-lively mom in my house for nine jam-packed days, and then welcoming summertime by vacationing at the lake. Now, none of these reasons have been negative reasons, but the desire is mine to update my blog. And let me assure you, there is A LOT of updating to do.

Let me start with this thought- I am stunned, and still in somewhat disbelief, that it is currently the middle of June, 2010. Where on earth did the time go?!?! I feel like I just began my first year of teaching. I can still feel the nerves and excitement as I prepared to meet my students for the first time. And now, two weeks have already passed since I watched them drive off in school busses, wiping tears fromboth my eyes and theirs, saying goodbye to many of them for the last time. Where did the time go?

I have already returned from vacation at the lake...actually, I returned almost a week ago now. We planned the trip for weeks, psyched ourselves up for it, and now it has come and left us (with many fun memories, no doubt). Where did the time go? Parker and Jordan completed their first year of college. Say what?! That one still gets me. They are traveling for TNU this summer, leading worship in camps across the Southeast Region. They are challenged with decisions to be made over questions resulting in huge impacts on their futures. Really? Where did the time go?

Recently it seems that as I see friends, more often than not we are saying, "Where have you been? It's been too long! We need to get together!" By the time we do get together, we realize just how much "life" has occured since our last meeting. Where did the time go?

Life is crazy. Life is busy. Life is short.

I am an active person. I experience difficulty in saying, "No." I am overcommitted, but truth be told, I enjoy living life that way. I love to stay busy and live life hands-on. However, I am coming to believe that this is not actually what God intended when he gave me breath to life and to live it abundantly.

Last week, as three good friends of mine and I spent a week relaxing, being lazy, and having fun on the lake, I had an epiphone- this is what life should be like. Not just on vacation, but there should be glimpses of this rest, relaxation, and enjoyment in our everyday living. Wow! Rocket science, I know. Therefore, this summer, I am going to fully enjoy the two months summer break that accompany my teaching career.

I realize that life is not always as perfect-perfect as it is during vacation, but after such a whirlwind of a year, experiencing many changes, challenges, and blessings, I am intentionally going to take the time to just...be. To breathe. To read. To listen. To laugh. To rest. To create. To grow. To love. To experience life the way God intended for me to live.

At the end of the summer break, I do not want to be haunted by the question, "Where did the time go?" I desire the feeling that I embraced the summer months; that God stretched me, taught me, and prepared me for this next chapter.

Life is crazy. Life is busy. Life is short. But, even as cliche as it sounds, God is good. He is sooo good. I'm anticipating this time to enjoy Him.

(And as long as my...ahem, my neighbor's...internet remains faithful, I'll be able to blog about it.)

What are your summer plans?