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...

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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

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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?

Loving you.

In honor of loving yourself and "I cook" Wednesday I am posting a picture of a gorgeous taco salad!

We have kicked our eating clean into gear around here for a few weeks. Man, do I feel so much better.

Also...

I bought Crazy Sexy Kitchen last week from Amazon.

Love, love, love it! 

I would say to those of you who want to start changing your diet and keep your temple alkaline to start with this great cookbook. Kris Carr knows what she is talking about and gives a lot of information that is easy to understand.

Spring is in the air. I am really getting itchy for some spring fresh salads and this one spoke to me!

Take a look at the recipe here at Yummy Mummy Kitchen:

Happy Wednesday everyone! ox

Source: lindawagner.net via CB on Pinterest

These spaces make me smile.

I just love the corner of our bedroom that I have carved out for my creative space.
That said; it would be nice to have my own room or shed to do it all in.
Looking through many images this morning has made me very happy.
Would you just look at some of these?!

I LOVE the giant linen pin board above this desk.

Source: flickr.com via Andrea on Pinterest

This space is elegant and organized.
May be a little to elegant and organized for me personally but beautiful nonetheless. 

Source: houzz.com via Judy on Pinterest

The color and cozy chair in this space are amazing.
Would you look at all of the fun jars holding crafty goodness on the shelves!

Source: google.com via Algodón on Pinterest

I am loving the vintage prints in this one.
The mint brick wall is awesome. The perfect backdrop.

Source: google.com via malu on Pinterest

With all of this light, high ceilings and views from this ginormous window one is sure to be inspired!

Source: konfetti.tumblr.com via Jo on Pinterest

This is looking a lot like the corner of my room.
I just love the artsy nuggets you see in every nook of this image! 

Source: flickr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

A.MAZING!
This is one of my favs.
Vintage floors, bright white and swatches everywhere.
Love!

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Celia on Pinterest

Now we are talking.
An art shed??? YES, PLEASE!
I can smell the fresh air and hear the birds chirping as I type this.
What heaven this would be to create in...

Source: google.co.uk via Haley on Pinterest

This looks like a nook I would like to carve out in Lilly's room.
My little does like to color and paint just like her Mommy & this space is colorful, bright and whimsical.

Source: rosehip.typepad.com via Caro on Pinterest

Lets face it...I am going to need to continue this segment because I am finding way too many inspiring places!
Happy Monday everyone!
ox

Oh yes, more pics!

As promised and a day late...here are a few more pictures from our trip out to Santa Cruz.

This was a really heavy trip.

We lost our Grandfather.

A few short weeks later we lost our Grandmother.

There are soooo very many memories here.

As you can see our children have picked up where we left off in the love of sunset hours on the beach at Rio Del Mar.

Dinner in Monterey. Great restaurant at the Clement Hotel (The C Bar). 

We were a little chilly but boy was it worth it with the waves crashing just a few feet away.

There is nothing like fresh sea air and loved ones to make everything just a little better.

Me, my sister Cassie, my Mom & Dad.

Love.

Lilly and I fell a bit behind from the pack thanks her her needing to check out every shell piece there was along the waters edge.

Love her.

Isn't it amazing that we have a God that created such beautiful places for us to enjoy...because He loves us so dang much.

It makes me cry...

Lilly & Papa.

Once again Lilly is not afraid of a little frostbite on her toes.

This water literally makes your feet hurt, but man is it beautiful!

On that note. What are you all up to this weekend?

We have a sitter tonight and are heading out to dinner. New restaurant in Red Bank is getting some good reviews. :) 

Late CA pics! Part 1

These are WAY PAST DUE!

I apologize to my family for the delay. Getting time to sit at my computer without interruption is a challenge with a girl that doesn't sit freaking still for 2 seconds.

Loading pictures can be super frustrating.

As I sit here trying this she is throwing balloons at my face insisting that I play catch with them.

Awesome.

There will be more. I promise.

Lilly loves being at the beach.

Honestly, she does not seem to care if it is 100 degrees or 50 degrees.

Like mama, like daughter.

Looks like she is working on her mamas cheesy smile too. ;)

Yes, Macie learned to dig in the sand this day. No joke.

Lilly was in heaven with her favorite friend in the whole world.

My beautiful mom & aunt enjoying some fresh beach air after a hellacious week.

Love these women so much...

Lilly was not bothered by the freezing water of the northern Pacific ocean.

Good thing you can not see my grimacing face from my feet going numb.

My Dad taking in the beautiful sunset.

I love this picture.

Love Cayman!

As promised I am posting a few pictures from our trip.

I will also be adding pictures of our trip to California in a few minutes. Yay!!!!!

This is my happy Cayman face.

I would like for you all to take notice of my awesome new old lady beach hat. I love it for its coverage and the fact that it lays flat in my suitcase. Travel friendly I tell ya!

Don't you just love my cheesy-holding-the-camera-myself pics?

They are lovely.

This is a picture of the mojito that I had every single day with my lunch.

No judging. I was on vacation. :)

Most of my pictures of the water are taken around sunset. This is due to the fact that after all of my book reading and swimming I finally remembered to snap shots at the end of the day.

Ops!

Would you just look at this view from my beach chair.

Beyond peaceful.

There is a new area that they are building up on the island that is similar to Pier Village in Long Branch here in NJ.

It has a lot of shopping and restaurants.

There is an amazing observation tower thats inside is covered in amazing mosaics.

Camana Bay from the top of the tower.

Forgive the water shots.

There are a few.

I wanted to make sure to have lots of images to print out for myself as reminders of where my soul finds rest.

I am beyond thankful that I have a God that created such a beautiful place.

I love to smile.

Oh, boy is it true that peace begins with a smile.

We just got back from a much needed vacation (pictures to follow, I promise).
I was in that place where it just took too much energy to smile. I was in my dark place.
I needed peace.
It was not until I was blessed enough to get away, get quiet, get warm, get some sand in between my toes, & swim in the salt water that I was able to smile.
I am not talking about the every day smile. I am talking about the smile where you feel it all over your body, you feel your soul smiling again.
Where you can breathe again.
Anyone else know what I am talking about?

Peace sure does follow & boy am I am thankful girl right now.

Happy Monday everyone. Love you!!

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Inspired.

Its been a rough week.

I thought I would post a few happy things. It is Friday after all. :) 

Here is to praying that we can actually get out of this nor eastern blizzard that is on its way tonight & enjoy some sand and sun. I need to reboot after the last 13-months of life.

I am inspired to:

Take one step at a time.

Source: backonpointe.tumblr.com via Karlee on Pinterest

I am inspired to take the bridge where ever it may lead.

Doesn't this bridge make you want to breathe in the spring air and disappear for a long walk?

Source: bonexpose.com via Regina on Pinterest

I am inspired by the shear cheer of this lil house.

This looks to be about the cheeriest Valentines Day house ever!
Mommys new get-away house? Yes, please!

Source: creativeinfluences.blogspot.com via Nora on Pinterest

Often times I am inspired over breakfast and my morning coffee.

Since it is breakfast time this little nook of a dining area is speaking to me. How cheery is this corner!
Its bright, yellow and sunny. Happiness!

Source: elementsofstyleblog.com via Tiger on Pinterest

Inspired to try this recipe. I have had it saved to my favorites for a while now!

Blueberry cream french toast. Boy, am I hungry!!

Source: bluewillowblog.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

What are all of your plans this weekend? Are you feeling any specific inspiration?
I am praying that during my week off I am inspired to be inspired. I feel like this will mean that I am simply still and simply in touch and listening to what God may be trying to tell me.
Ever get the feeling like you may be missing a serious life lesson because you can not calm yourself the freak down!?
I sure do.

Love thyself.

I was reading this post yesterday.

I have honestly been trying to write this post for 4-hours now and just can not get the right words out.
Bottom line is that the above post spoke to me. I have put Mere Christianity on my Kindle & I am so glad that I am a work in progress. :)
Happy Tuesday everyone.

Source: Uploaded by user via Alida on Pinterest