Humble and Happy

Today I got a little antsy about how my house looked. We all know what happens next. Time to rearrange! I took a couple of shelving units that I have in a nook in my kitchen and arranged them different...added some new sites and took some old away. After doing this, I got to thinking.

There are so many people in this world who have all that money can buy. They have gorgeous homes, beautiful decor, and absolutely no peace. When one walks into their home, it is often cold and unwelcoming. They work from dawn 'til dusk, even though they really have no need of overtime. Their family never eats together, and when they have friends over it's nothing but a stressful affair.

Then there are those who live week to week, they have to cut corners just to get their bills paid. They don't live in the largest house on the block, nor the fanciest. Rather than running out and buying their newest fancy, they take what they have and arrange it to suit what they need. They often get things free or from yard sales, and they utilize even the smallest things, just to make what they have into a beautiful home. Yet, with all of their struggles, friends and family instantly recognize their home as a haven where they can escape worldly cares. They come over just to sit and sip coffee when they need an oasis to recharge in. The family is happy, they eat meals together and look forward to inviting company over.

If a person went off of the first sentence in each paragraph, it would be easy to choose to be the first family. Yet thinking about it closely, if I had to pick, I would much rather be the humble homemaker. The one who maybe doesn't have much. But she has peace and love and a happy family surrounding her.

I know this is chopping, having quite the time expressing myself.:) But, think about it. And never forget to be glad for what you have. <3

Blessings,
Kristin:)

Reaching Out:)

In today's world, it is so easy to get focused on one's self and forget all about the people around you. The people who may be hurting, and a simple phone call would put a smile back on their face. A family that is struggling, and a simple prayer sent up that may ease the tension. A widow who just needs a little help keeping her garden in shape, and a simple hour would have it weed free. As Christians, is it not our duty to serve? To reach out to the hurting? To be hospitable to those who have no place to go? To shine our light so that others may see Christ in us?

I know it is so easy to get busy and think, "I just don't have any free time." But really, is it a lack of free time that causes this apathy, or the lack of time management? How many times do we sit at our computers looking at what someone else is eating for dinner, or searching the newest DIY projects on pinterest? How often do we get caught up in a fiction book and are not able to put it down when someone needs us? I once saw something on pinterest (I know, I just admitted that I'm guilty of pinning away) that talked about things to do BEFORE you got on the internet. It was a simple little list. I cannot recall all that was on it, but I'm sure we could all come up with a list of our own.:) It might go something like this:

1) Call a friend
2) Bake cookies for an elder in the church
3) Send a card to someone who has been going through a tough time
4) Invite someone who doesn't get much fellowship over for brunch
5) Make a prayer list and pray for each person

Now, those are just ideas of things we can do to reach out to others in our churches or communities. I could continue the list with things that would help us, spiritually and physically. But that's another subject for another post.:)

I know having someone over for brunch may not fit into everyone's schedule all of the time, but it doesn't take too much time to pick up a card at our local Hallmark and send it out, or even to bake a double batch of cookies. And I KNOW it wouldn't take much time to pray for others, talking to God about how someone needs His help is ALWAYS better than talking it to other people about what so and so is going through.:) If we figured out how much time we spend on the computer, reading fiction books or doing countless other time-draining activities, how much extra time would we have to be a servant for others?

As I write this, it has me thinking. What things ought I to do different? How should I reach out to those around me? I know it's not always easy, but in the end, wouldn't finding out how much we've helped someone be worth a few minutes of our facebook time? Just a little something to think about.:)

Blessings,
Kristin:)

Be a Lady:)

So, maybe this is just me and I'm the only one who feels as though I really need to make a change. To become the lady God created me to be. I won't deny that it's possible, considering all of the wonderful lady friends I have who are so accomplished and who I look up to so much. If so, this post will simply help me to say the things that are on my heart and will be a reflecting point for me in the future. If not, I pray this encourages other ladies out there to reach their full potential. To not sit silently on the sidelines, but to be willing to take the challenge to become the lady God always intended them to be.

I'm going to speak from my own experience, because I can't say what others are feeling or what they want to accomplish. But for the last few years, I feel like I haven't gone many places with my life. That's not to say that I haven't had many blessings and that there aren't areas where I have changed tremendously. I've been blessed with an incredible boyfriend who encourages me, lifts me up and helps me to become a stronger person, just by being with him. I have grown in the Lord in ways that I never thought possible. I've travelled, I've attended some college classes and I can truly say I am not who I used to be. But that doesn't stop the thought from coming...am I really happy with who I am now? Have I really accomplished all that the Lord would have me to do? I would encourage all young and older ladies alike to take a look, to see where their heart lies. Because where the heart is, there will the treasures be also. 

Is it time to make a move? Have you been looking in the mirror every morning and thinking, I don't like what I see? I want to address this first because I know it is a common feeling amongst girls in general. Now, I'm not saying that it's wrong to want to be healthy, to be fit, to be pretty. That is in a woman for a reason, a God-given desire that we should honor. I do think it's wrong though, to look in the mirror every morning and say, "I am so ugly." You are a creation of the almighty God. Created in His image, made in His likeness. When He made you, He made a beautiful you and He loved you so much that he was willing to die on the cross for you. To raise for you. To pull you into His arms, wipe away your tears and say, "Everything's okay now, my Love." 

And here we stand, looking in the mirror and saying, "But, I'm not  as pretty as those girls." Or, "My personality isn't as happy, isn't as witty, isn't as fun as hers." Any time we do that, we are accepting the lie of the devil. We're allowing ourselves to be pulled down and manipulated into changing from who we really are into someone else, who we really are not. This is not to say that a girl ought to eat pure junk, refuse to exercise and sit around on the internet all day. Remember, this is coming from MY heart,  I'm only speaking to myself.:) Our bodies are a temple of the Lord. I believe we ought to take care of them and treat them right. I think it is a GOOD thing when a girl is willing to exercise, to eat healthy. I didn't say to eat nothing, I said to eat a healthy diet. I think it's great when a girl wants to be pretty. To be perfectly honest, when I dress up I feel good about myself. It puts a smile on my face and a spring in my step. I am just saying it is time to stop putting ourselves down and realize who we are in the Lord. <3

I also think it's time to take a deep look at my character. I never want to be found as the girl who's beauty is only skin deep. To be honest, a girl can have all the perfect looks; but if she has no character, her beauty seems to fade. When we spend time cultivating our walk with the Lord our whole attitude changes. A smile seems to creep up from nowhere. There's an atmosphere around a person who is prayed up that no one can duplicate. People want to be around them because there is a peace there that wordly entertainment cannot bring. Which leads me to my next subject.

I know that I spend way to much time with technology. What, with social media (which is how some of you may find this), games, pinterest and a variety of other things, it can be hard to draw back and enter into time with your family and friends who are present. When we moved into our new house, we didn't have internet for the first few days because we had to wait for it to be set up. I did have internet on my phone, but it's not the same. It didn't have the same pull. You know what? It was great! I felt like I had a life. I could pick up a book and just read. I could go outside whenever I wanted because I had nothing pulling me.  I spent more time with my dad and we grew closer. Family life became more important as the worldy entertainment faded from view. I believe that the internet truly can hold a person back from going where they could in life. There are ambitions I have that I simply have not done. Am I hiding a talent? Possibly. But I can't discover it if I don't take them time to find it. 

I think it's time to step back, to see where the strongholds are in our lives, and break them. I think it's time to pursue our dreams and ambitions, to pick up a book instead of a dvd, to go places and do things. I think it's time to become a true friend. To just drop by with a basket of goodies and a good chat. I think it's time to let go of all of the things that are holding us back and start living a full life. Time to start trying new things, going new places and reaching for our goals. Some dreams will take time, but the time will pass whether you're pursuing being a true lady of God, or still serving idols of this world. Which is more rewarding? Will you take the challenge?

Lord Bless,

Kristin:)

P.S. This didn't come out how I intended it to, but I hope it can encourage others just like it has me.:)

Double-Take Pasta

Looking for a white-red pasta that is great for the kiddos AND the adults?? Here you go! In this picture, this pasta is super kid friendly. In fact, it almost resembles (in looks only) mac and cheese. I used a white rice, gluten free pasta that was simply delicious!

For starters, you'll need:

1 package (5 links) of mild Italian Sausage

1 lb of pasta (use an angel hair pasta for a lighter, more adult feel or long tubes for those picky little ones.:)

1 jar of marinara sauce (Classico, anyone?)

1 jar of Alfredo sauce

A few fresh basil leaves, chopped

Chopped green onions, for garnish

Yep. That's it. Cook the Italian Sausage (I did it in a pan with about 1 inch of water in it, covered, on probably medium heat.) I simply cut them open to check them, they'll be cut up anyways before it's time to eat.:) 

Once the sausages are done, get some water for your pasta on the stove (use a large pot, you'll be adding your sauce to it later.) While that is coming to a boil, cut your sausages into small rounds, place in a pot and add the Alfredo and marinara sauce. Stir until the sauce is the same pretty color all of the way through, and heat, covered, on medium heat.

Drop your pasta in and drain it once it's cooked. The next step is optional. If you're looking for a prettier, more adult looking pasta, I would simply add the basil leaves to the pot of warmed sauce and stir, place your beautiful angel hair on a plate and cover it lightly with sauce. Otherwise,  put the pasta back into your pot, add your now warmed sauce and basil leaves and mix until all of the pasta is well coated.:)

Serve with green onions on top, a gorgeous leafy green salad and some fresh garlic bread!

Enjoy! :)

I KNOW I have pasta in here...somewhere!!

This picture was taken AFTER I had already started clearing out my pantry. I forgot how truly bad it was! However, I am going to hold you in suspense for a few minutes..no scrolling down to see the finished product before you read! Cheater.:) I actually pulled everything out...and I mean everything. (At least, I think I do...I don' recall leaving anything in.) Then time for the wipe down...yes...cupboard shelves get messy with all of that food. Time to fill it back up. Rather than simply putting boxes back in in an organized fashion, I bought a few little baskets from the dollar store (this is an inexpensive project...unless you realize how much $$ in food you had to throw away because it was bad, etc.), as well as a few tupperware containers that I could put cereal in. I also reused jars that I had kept from things such as spaghetti sauce. Time to pull all of the granola bars, popcorn bags and instant oatmeal bags out of their boxes and put them in my cute, labeled baskets! Wa la! Next, pour the cereal into the tupperware...so much easier to keep track of how much is left! The cans were 'fun' (aka, a pain) to organize, but I finally decided to stack the ones I wouldn't really use towards the back and move forward. Yes, I really do need to invest in those nifty sliders for your cans! I also created a bulk pantry cupboard. This is for all of the things that I will use to refill my cereal tupperware, my pasta jars, my cute little baskets...without cluttering up my main cupboard and making it look like a disaster! Ready to see the finished result? (I figure, based on the picture, each family can decide how to best accomplish their needs in organizing a cupboard and do it the way that will fit them best.:)

Note: This picture was taken at least a month or so after I redid my cupboard. Yes, it still looks good.:) And yes, I do realize that I have a couple of boxes of cereal, as well as my tupperware ones...but look at the overall appearance...and by all means, outdo me!:)

Jalapeno Spinach dip!

Why buy it, when you can make it?? It's a crowd pleaser! For the record, when I make up recipes I don't use measurements, so you can always add or use less of any ingredient because my measurements on here are guestimations!:)

How do I do this?!

• 1/2 cup of cream cheese
• 1/3 cup of frozen spinach, thawed and moisture squeezed out
• 2 tablespoons diced, pickled jalapenos
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced (more or less to taste)
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, minced
• Fresh bread or crackers to serve it with!:)

Just mix all of your ingredients together and top off your favorite bread or cracker!:)

Enjoy!(:

Kristin:)

Owl throw you a party!:)

I made this for my VERY dear friends birthday! She has a fascination with owls, so when I saw an idea similar to this I just HAD to do it!:) Pre-warning, this was hard to explain how to make. I just followed a picture and went with it, and it's what I would recommend doing to anyone who was interested in making it!:) But here are the directions, in case you want them.:))

What you'll need:
14 cuppycakes (I cheated, I used boxed cake mix to make them...but it was Funfetti! Surely that counts for something!)
2 containers of icing (I had white icing, and just died some of it blue)
7 Oreo cookies, BUT I would allow for a few extras, they tend to break when you try to cut them!
6 pretzel rods
2 life savers
2 skittles
1 cashew
6 almonds

I know, I know. Some of those you need a tiny amount of! But that's how you make it! Feel free to substitute anything to make it your style...that's what this cake is all about...personalize it for the one you love!:)

First, line up your cupcakes. Four in the center, three on each side of those four, and two on each side of the three. Next, start icing! I iced the bottom two cupcakes and the eye cupcakes white, and the other ten cupcakes blue.:) I then piped white icing onto the blue cupcakes and formed the birds breast feathers.:) Next, pull apart five Oreos and wipe (preferably DON'T lick (x ) the cream off.:) Cut the cookies in half...this is where patience comes in. They don't have to be perfect, part of them will be sticking in the icing! Arrange your cookies staggered on the sides of the row of four and top row of three cupcakes (see picture.) Pull apart two more Oreos, leaving all of the cream in tact on one side of the cookie!:) Place these Oreos on your eye cupcakes, next put a little dot of icing and stick the lifesaver to it, then put a little dot of icing on your skittle and stick that to the top of the lifesaver!(: Cut one of the Oreo halves that didn't have the cream on it and put them on the eye cupcakes. (See picture.) I promise, I'll take more pictures from now on.:) I didn't plan on explaining this on my blog.(: Give your little owl it's cashew nose, right in the bottom middle of the eye cupcakes.:) Arrange your pretzel sticks so it looks like your owl is standing on a nest. Finally! Add your owls toes, three on each side.:) Congrats! You've accomplished a cute cake! Now, go show it off!(:

Until Next  Time!

Kristin:)