Awwee...

I had such a lovely time this last weekend with two dear friends.

We ate amazing southern food, we drank good wine, but most importantly we talked and we laughed harder than I know I have in a really, really long time.

This weekend could not have come at a better time. I was about to crack under the sadness of a long winter and total loneliness that comes with it.

I needed to connect with my people.

I have & I feel whole again.

Source: retro-pictures.tumblr.com viaKat on Pinterest

Catch up.

I realize I have been so bad with posts this week. 

I guess I have a little catch up to do, don't I?!

Here are a few things that have been going on in this crazy mind this week:

I am loving the thought that in less than 24-hours I will be Atlanta with some good girl company.
It is the first girls weekend we have been able to get together in 2-years!
I can. not. wait!!
I will be out of blogging commission until next Monday/ Tuesday.
Love, love, love...

Source: google.com viaDettre @ on Pinterest

I can not begin to tell you how good yoga has been for me. I am a worrier. I am a stress-er. I am completely unbalanced most of the time thanks to these things.
My daily yoga physically kicks my butt into gear and mentally my priorities where they should be.
I have been doing weekly acupuncture for a few months now and my acupuncturist can tell by looking at my tongue how worried/ stressed I am. This is when she asks me "What are you hoping to control or change by worrying?".
The ultimate silent killer people.
In the mean time I will work on catching myself when I worry, and balance my day with a yoga time out.

Source: fitsugar.com viaLani on Pinterest

True story. I am on the coaster trying to love the ride. :)
Happy Thursday everyone! Till next week ta-ta!
ox

Source: djmelodie.tumblr.com viaMichael on Pinterest

Its just worse on Monday...

The bird chirping outside my bedroom window as I try to get a few more moments of peaceful rest is just annoying...because its Monday.

The sounds of the garbage truck is just more annoying...because its Monday.

The gloomy weather outside is just beyond annoying...because its Monday.

I was reading Edies post over at Life in Grace a few moments ago and it spoke to me in ways that she may not have even intended.

It is my mood lately that has left me feeling like such a failure. I am thankful that spring is on its way. I am thankful that we are promised flower blossoms, renewal that comes with Easter and His reminder that He loved us so dang much that He sent His son Jesus to die for us.
Life is just better when my eyes are fixed on Jesus. There is nothing else that will take away the Mondays.

Maybe its the weather. Maybe its the isolation. Maybe its the uncertainty of what is going to happen with our house and our future. Maybe it just my chronic guilt.

It is all worse on Monday.
But for this I am grateful...

II Corinthians 12:9-10

Source: godsgreeneyedgirl.tumblr.com via Augusta on Pinterest

Time for some Kava tea and a quiet time.

Love you all and hope you have a lovely day.

ox

Garlic-y Thyme Tempeh

I stumbled across Punk Post Kitchen on my journey to find yummy vegetarian recipes. Great food blog!

I tried tempeh for the first time at Good Karma Cafe in Red Bank. I have tried many a great vegan/ vegetarian stuff at this awesome establishment. :) 

For those of you wondering what the heck tempeh is here is a link explaining a bit about it. Tempeh goes over better in this house because it is much firmer than tofu. You feel like you are eating serious substance as opposed to the sometimes soggy texture of tofu. 

I get the organic 3-seed tempeh at Trader Joes. Super yummy but be sure to follow the cooking directions on this recipe so that it has maximum flavor.

Give it a try?!

This is on the menu tonight and I am amped on it!

Source: theppk.com via Jillian on Pinterest

In other weekly news:

I am officially hooked on Downtown Abby. (thanks to all that helped me become an addict...you know who you are) Hoping to start season 2 after Yoga today...shhhh...

I just downloaded the new Jeremy Camp CD; Reckless. Super awesome!

I am reading a new book: Three Sisters, Susan Mallory

How was your week?

I create.

Blogger has been giving me hell this week whenever I try to upload my own pictures...*sigh*

I finally was able to get this one up!

There has been a blank wall in Lilly's room for a while. I have not known what to do with it so we headed to Marshall's bought her a big girl clock and I whipped up a painting for her.

I love how it turned out. :)

Happy Wednesday everyone!

ox

Yummo!

Yet another gloomy day out and I am thinking some cookie baking may be in order!

No better way to lift the mood in the house. Am I right?!

I found this amazing recipe over at LaFuji Mama

Blueberry Yogurt Cookies (no oil or butter in this beauty;)

 P.S. Anna, this is the one I was talking about!

Source: lafujimama.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Action needed...

You know that feeling when you read something that really pulls on your heart strings and you say to yourself "I really want to get involved! I need to get involved!".??

Then you continue to see this issue; this need pop up again and again?

I just know it is a God thing.

We are praying here how to proceed.

Melody over at Brave Girls Club headed to Manila a few weeks ago with Full Circle Exchange & Wipe Every Tear.
Her stories (Part 1 & Part 2) are amazing, heart retching & life changing. (They were for me...)
Please take a few minutes to read her stories, watch the video and pray for girls/women all over the world who live in slavery every single day...

Source: natashametzler.com via Kalynn on Pinterest

Here is how you can help!!
Dahlia House Fundraising Site

There are so many opportunities to help those in need all over the world. You can pray for them, you can purchase these amazing women's products and/or you can help fund houses such as Dahlia House where these women can go to get out of their life of slavery and start over.

How amazing is it to know that you can make a difference right now...

Inspired Friday!

With the snow falling at a steady clip this morning I am dreaming of shorts, sunshine and yummy food.

Typically, darker painted rooms are not my favorite but this one is made warm and cozy with the bright light, pops of flowers, and beautiful timeless pieces.
Is that a stove below the mirror? Amazing!

Source: flickr.com via Troy on Pinterest

Pretty much loving each of these pieces minus the bikini clad miss in the corner (who knows) and the vest. Lets be honest; I wouldn't wear the vest. ;)

Source: polyvore.com via Vero on Pinterest

My kindle, some iced tea and this room. Yes, please!

Source: bohocircus.typepad.com via Arelyn on Pinterest

Everything about this veggie curry spread looks amazing!
I may be adding this to the meal mix for next week. Stay tuned folks!

Source: jamieoliver.com via Estelle on Pinterest

Nothing too excited planned for the weekend. Staying warm and dreaming of flower pots and BBQ's...ya know; my usual. ;)
You?

A few of my favorite things:

We have had a busy day around here.

Yet another day of flood warnings, evacuations and wind gusts up to 60 mph. Lets just say the good ol NJ is getting to be just too much for me to handle.

That said; Lilly and I are hunkered down, eating peanut butter popcorn (THANK YOU Lisa at With Style and Grace!!!) and watching cartoons.

Source: withstyleandgraceblog.com via Jillian on Pinterest

In other news:

In addition to my daily yoga work out I was able to get the arms a little more muscle action scrubbing my daughters autograph off of her bedroom wall. Red crayon nonetheless. Good times!

Now, I have had to clean scuffs off of my walls before. I have searched Google high and low for the perfect fix...& today an answer to prayers was found.

I purchased a few products from a good friend who sells Shaklee the other day.

One of the products is the H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate. This stuff is only a little over 12 bucks and provides 48 gallons of organic, toxin free cleaning for your home. I am in love.

Honestly, everything else I have used on my walls has left spots. You can see where I have scrubbed. This did not! Crayon artwork gone. Happy Dance!

H2 Degreaser  + micro fiber towl + elbow grease = clean walls.

For those of you looking to streamline your cleaning products this may be the perfect solution!
I am obsessed with cleaning products and their smells.
I have been a Method product hoarder for quite some time & the thought of having only three bottles of cleaning products that can clean everything in my home is a dream.
I added some lavender essential oil to my all purpose spray yesterday to appease my senses. :)
Now, head over to Robins site if you are so inclined. You will not regret the purchase!

Source: pinterestschunt919.blogspot.com via Sonya on Pinterest

What are some of your favorite things lately?