friendships

8.23.2012
I am feeling very blessed this week with the opportunity to connect with some wonderful women.  My prayer since receiving the news that we were moving to Michigan for my husband's residency program has been that I would meet some genuine women to grow, encourage, and support one another during this season in our journey.  God has answered my prayers and has been confirming these special friendships in my life recently.  I am so thankful.

{MWW} apples

Hello friends!  Well, instead of sharing a recipe for today's "Mouth-watering Wednesday" post, I wanted to share an informative chart that documents The Spectrum of Apple Flavors. Apple picking is one of my favorite activities in the late summer/fall. It saddens me to know that the apple crops in Michigan will not bear much fruit this season due to the unpredictable crazy weather that had a negative influence on crops.  However, that also brings attention to knowing the apples that we will have access to and how they will taste as well as if they are recommended for cooking and/or baking.  So, today let's educate ourselves on apples!

I hope this resource is helpful!  I plan on printing it and adding it to my recipes so I will always have it on hand.  Do you enjoy apples?  What is your favorite edible item to make with apples?

Cookie Monster

I am excited to share my latest birthday shirt creations with you. A friend contacted me hoping I would make a shirt for her son's 1st birthday party as well as a 'big brother' shirt for the party day for her older son.  I of course was thrilled to be given the opportunity!  The theme of the party is Cookie Monster.  I just love how these shirts came together and they look better than what I even imagined!  Thank you, Brooke, for trusting my design and workmanship!

Birthday shirts and sibling shirts are available in my etsy store. Each listing is personalized for individual theme, child and event.  Please visit my store and contact me so I can make your dream reality too!

the ROCK

My Monday Motiviation

lovin' from my boy

8.16.2012

Hugs, kisses and snuggles are not as frequent anymore from our active toddler.  However, there is a sacred time that occurs moments before our Little Love is placed in his crib at nap and bedtime that always warm my heart.  We hold our Little Love in our arms and sing a special version of "Jesus Love You" and then a verse that I wrote the words to as a prayer for our Little Love. The sacred time occurs when Little Love snuggles his head in your neck/shoulder while you sing and he snuggles in.  It doesn't last a long time, but you wish time would stand still as you want it to last forever. 
Today I am so thankful for that special lovin' from my boy...it makes a momma's heart overflow.

{MMW} Less Mess Bacon

Following some recent conversations regarding my love of breakfast and the variety of breakfast food options, I have been craving a big breakfast more than usual! On Monday, I decided that we would have breakfast for dinner.   I had used a coupon over the weekend for some free sausage links and I knew we had some bacon so add some french toast, and we had ourselves dinner!  yum! 

Awhile back on Facebook, I read a posting by a friend stating she was going to try to bake her bacon for a meal.  Curiosity overwhelmed me and I started to do some research and I found the following pin on Pinterest.  "Less Mess Bacon" sounded awesome to me so I gave it a try on Monday night for our breakfast meal.  I must say, it works!  I loved not having grease splattering about while trying to cook my bacon to perfection and not burn it.  I was very pleased with the taste after being baked.  Not only did it taste good, but it did not require my attention which was wonderful since my 17-month-old was clinging to me with the I want to eat now mannerisms.
 

 I will be honest and share the huge lesson I learned while baking my bacon.  The instructions {listed below}  say to line your baking sheets with parchment paper.  Well, I didn't have any parchment paper so I decided to use freezer paper.  Which usually for crafts is no big deal; but for baking it is!  I failed to realize the shiny side was down and it melted to my cookie sheet. {boo - hoo!}  I have scrubbed and soaked and am now looking on Pinterest for ways to clean it.  Stay tuned for an updated post on how to clean your cookie sheets! Until then,  enjoy some baked bacon!

Less Mess Bacon

{Instructions from www.marthastewart.com}

This spatter-free technique puts the "bake" back in bacon. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper, then lay the bacon strips flat, making sure pieces do not overlap. Bake until crisp and browned, 15 to 18 minutes, or desired doneness, rotating the sheets once. Transfer strips to a paper towel to drain.

Motivate Me Monday {Isaiah 41:10}