I cook.

Because I am sad.

Because I am feeling drained.

Because I am tried.

I want someone to come over and make me this & to sit and eat it in peace while catching up on my overloaded DVR.

Isn't it nice to dream. ;)

It has been a hell of a month & I want chocolate.

Source: willowbirdbaking.com via Mackenzie on Pinterest

Oh Wednesday!?

Rather than trying to put my upcoming rant into words at this moment...
This picture depicts exactly how I am feeling at this moment:

You know the feeling?

Source: Uploaded by user via Dorothy on Pinterest

I create.

I know I have always loved to create art. Whether it was by putting an outfit and jewelry together, redecorating, writing or painting.

When I found the online courses that I have been taking over the last 6-months or so I found out why.

I love to create art because it is therapy for me. I work through my junk and my joys through art.

It makes me happy, it makes me feel better and I have some serious breakthroughs while doing it.

How amazing is that?!

I am not saying I am good! I am saying that it is more of a "for me" thing. 

Source: couragehopestrength.tumblr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

This is me. I am learning to love her.

What fun it is.

Learning to love ones self.

This can be complicated.

Today, I am asking that you accept the beautiful you that was created by an amazing artist. An artist that knew you long before you took your first breath. An artist that loves you more than you will ever know. An artist that looked at you, your life, your gifts and said: "That is good."

I do not know about you but the combination of a challenging year, the holidays and some heavy family stuff have me struggling with accepting what this stress is doing to my body. (aka weight gain)
Is anyone else having the same problem?

Todays mission: Love you for you & do something nice for yourself. This can be as simple as a cup of tea or as luxurious as taking a bath after dinner.
You are loved. You are amazing.

Source: bravegirlsclub.com via Maria on Pinterest

I love to smile.

Hello Monday!

I thought this quote was appropriate as come Monday morning my list of a million things to do is running through my head...*sigh*

Sometimes its just best that you quiet the voices, brew some good coffee and sit down with a book.

This thought although not possible at the moment makes me smile. 

For those of you in the trenches at the moment; what activity helps you to clear your head and put things back into perspective?

Source: gnihciew.tumblr.com via Christy on Pinterest

I am inspired.

I read THIS article a few months back.
*Click and read!!*

I did post it on my Facebook page, so a few of you may have already read it.
It is still on my mind...
I have tried to write a little something here a few times and give up. Read the article; let it speak to you and go get some pictures with your loved ones this weekend!!!


This is a pathetic collection of me with my daughter. It is time for me to get over it and get in some pictures with my little love...

I cook.

Source: simply-delicious.co.za via Kayla on Pinterest

I admit I have NO idea where I found this recipe.
It is one of those recipes that I had scribbled on an old electric bill envelope. I finally did a little cleaning up in my recipe binder and rewrote it on a pretty piece of new paper. ahhh
Now, to get to the recipe; it is a household fav!

Peanut Chicken

3 Tbs olive oil
1-2 lbs chicken breasts, cubed
1 red bell pepper
1/2 tbs ginger (I like to use a microplane)
1-2 heads of garlic (also use a microplane for garlic)
1/4 c peanut butter
1/2 c soy sauce (I use Braggs liquid aminos) 
1/2 c stock (low sodium, since you get plenty from the soy sauce veggie or chicken stock)
2 Tbs sesame oil
1 small can sliced water chestnuts
Green onions (as garnish)
Peanuts (as garnish)

1. Heat 2 Tbs. oil in large stove top pan (I personally use my cast iron for every...thing!). Add chicken and chopped red pepper. Sate (about 5 min). Remove and set aside.
2. Add 1 Tbs olive oil, ginger and garlic. Sate lightly. Add peanut butter, soy, sesame oil & stock. Stir into a sauce. 
3. Add water chestnuts, chicken and peppers.
4. Serve once chicken is cooked through. Garnish with green onions, peanuts and grated carrots if you wish.
This can be served over steamed broccoli, pasta or rice. : )
Enjoy!

I create.

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I am determined to change a few things this year. That said, I am a bit freaked out about it.

For one; our house is on the market. I know God is in control of this situation and to be honest we do not really have a plan if it sells. Lilly needs a yard for a swing set and a dog. ;) The yard we have now is just not cutting it. I also need to be closer to my family. We will see where this road leads.

Secondly, I am determined to keep up with my art classes. They have just brought me such peace over the last few months and have taught me so so much about myself. Invaluable. 

Lastly, I guess I still need to chip away at getting healthier as my doctors have confirmed once again my incapability to conceive naturally. Well, since my journey to have our beautiful Lilly three years ago I am determined to work on my health issues naturally! I am in acupuncture 2x weekly, determined to get back into my yoga routine and will keep going where the peace is with quite times and art classes.

*Insert happy dance here*

Now please excuse the random pictures but I have a bit of catching up to do obviously...

My Lilly is getting too big...This is her Merry Christmas face!

There is always a pricess around these days. Why not on Christmas?!

One of the Christmas decorations around this joint. These may stay up all year. Love em!

Oh yes, Santa brought me a pair of adorbs cowboy boots!

Probably the only girl in NJ sporting a pair of these ladies, but I am okay with that!

My New Years outfit and cocktail. My oh my how times have changed! ;) 

This little reminder is hanging on my kitchen wall adorned with some white lights.

I am thinking it is the perfect 2013 reminder!

One more creation: I have been playing around with baking clay lately. Super fun!

There you have it. A little catch up.

Love you all and hope that your holidays were reflective and inspiring for the year to come.

Lets talk again tomorrow. Shall we?!

ox

Peaceful. Quiet.

While I am not a huge fan of being cold and snow...I love the absolute quiet it brings.

Doesn't this picture make you want to grab a cup of coffee and quiet your soul?

Oh it does!! :)

Source: cant-wait-for-christmas.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I do understand this...

On a night that I am left wondering why horrific things happen to little angels...

On a night that I thought would end a pretty crappy week filled with things that I thought were a pretty big deal but in comparison mean nothing...

On a night that my sweet little three-year old blessing is safely tucked in her bed upstairs I am reminded that this life rarely makes sense. This life is filled with unfairness. This life is crazy. This life is sad. 

20-babies were taken away from this earth in a nightmare of a way today around 9AM EST.

I do not understand.

I do not understand much these days.

But I do understand this; I understand this without a shadow of a doubt and for this I am grateful.

May Gods protection, peace and comfort fall upon those that lost babies and loved ones in the massacre in CT today. I pray for your broken heart and I pray for its healing today...and for the many many days to follow...

Oh the holidays...

I know that for many people this time of year is a struggle for one reason or another.

There have been deaths.

There have been storms.

There have been illnesses, surgeries and pain.

There are memories.

Good ones.

Bad ones.

There are dreams, hopes & regrets.

The one thing that does make my heart happy and my feet want to dance is that I am loved by the King.

The celebration of His birthday is coming!!

May we remember this when we find ourselves going to that un-celebratory place in our minds.

Now; go(!!) sing & dance! ;)

Source: Uploaded by user via Cheri on Pinterest

Gratitude

In addition to being extremely grateful for everything that I have I am grateful that I have just enough. Right now. Right here.

I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. I pray you take time out of your day to be alone and to be extremely grateful.

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Chris on Pinterest

What I am most grateful for is I have a savior with a strong cozy back to carry me on whenever I need it.

Source: Uploaded by user via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Complete Canvases...

Here are a few pieces that I thought I would share from my Brave Girl Art Class.

I feel like they all need a bit more love but here they are as of now...

This little cheery lady is the cover of my art journal. 

I hung this one on the wall straight ahead of my front door.

I guess I needed it to remind me of what to be as I leave into my day and return home to my family each day...

This piece is going in my kitchen, right smack dab by my coffee maker.

Its a good reminder as I start my day. :)

Time for a Friday Chuckle!

Wishing you all a good Friday and a relaxing weekend!!

I know I have  been a bit heavy lately so I figured it was a good day for a little giggle on the old blog today.

:)

Source: riddlepe20.newsvine.com via RubieAlbrightSH on Pinterest

Source: pinstars.info via Ok on Pinterest

Source: via jessica on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Lizzy on Pinterest

Source: inspiringbydesign.com via Christy on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Jillian on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Jillian on Pinterest

As I ponder Thanksgiving...

I have shared a few of these videos on Facebook over the last few weeks. Today, I thought I would dive a bit deeper.

As I sit and ponder Thanksgiving and all of the many people and things that I am super grateful for I also can not imagine what is going through the minds of the people that lost their earthly possessions. While I know as Christians we are to not store up riches on earth as ours await in heaven, however we are human. We like our stuff. Our homes make us feel safe, our homes are where we have wonderful memories that have been created throughout our lives. We have favorite things, favorite shoes, the best winter coat, the family photos, the quilt that our grandmother made that you were saving for your daughter... 

While I know for a fact that the people I know that lost everything are grateful for their lives & their families there may come a point where they are just pissed that they lost their homes & their stuff. 

I pray for them during this time.

I remind myself every single morning when I get out of my bed in the morning that there are people down the street that lost everything. You too need to remember these people. Remember the storm. 

I know that there are many people that just want things to go back to normal around here but I pray that we do not forget those so very close to us that are still trying to get a grip, build a new life and may be going through a new stage of grief here very soon.

A few YouTube videos:

Union Beach: This is where Ryan's grandmother raised 7-children & lived for over 60-years. This is where many people that we know lost everything.

This is one of many of the lines for gas after the storm. This particular line went for miles and led to the Wawa gas station at the highway near our house. While we wanted to film this we didn't so I am glad someone caught it on film. And you wonder why we had to go to odd-even fueling days around here?!

Here is Sea Bright. Our beaches, our restaurants, our fond fond memories...

Canvases...

I signed up for an art class a few weeks ago through Brave Girls Club and boy am I having fun.

This week I am to make a canvas to go in my home as a reminder...to myself...

As I contemplate my phrase I thought I would post a few that I like from Pinterest.

Do any of you have phrases that get you through the day? Verses? Quotes?

What are they?

I will post some of the pieces that I have made over the last few months soon...promise. :)

Have a great day lovelies!!

ox

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net via Rachelle on Pinterest

Source: bravegirlsclub.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Source: bravegirlsclub.com via Kallie on Pinterest

Source: bravegirlsclub.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Sweet Potato Mac

I have a feeling I am just going to have to dive back in. So here I go!!

This is one of my favorite healthier comfort meals:

If you have read this recipe on this blog before I apologize. It may be a repeat, but its fall and this is a good reminder meal. ;) 

Sweet Potato Mac

(A tale about sneaking yet another veggie into dinner...)

1/2 c. veggie stock

1/2 c. almond milk

2 Tbs butter

2 Tbs flour (I use spelt flour)

1 c. grated cheese (I use sharp cheddar, use your favorite)

1-2 baked sweet potatoes

1 bag cooked pasta of your choice

One: Create rue

Melt butter in sauce pan, add flour (enough to create a paste).

Once it is pasty and boiling a little add room temp stock and milk.

Two: Thicken the sauce

Stir until thickens (If you are having trouble add a tad bit more flour)

Once thickened add graded cheese.

Once cheese is incorporated add mashed inside of sweet potato(s).

Stir.

Three: Combine

Lightly grease casserole dish.

Add Pasta

Pour cream sauce over. Combine.

Top with a bit more cheese and bread crumbs if you please. :)

Its yummier that way!

Bake for 15 min at 350 degrees! (or until top is crispy melty)

Sailing the seas.

Lets be clear. I am not afraid.

When trying times come I pray that I navigate my ship correctly.

This ship is weary. She prays that she is used in the way that God intends...that she has a giving, grateful & joyful heart while sailing the seas. What powerful seas they are...

Source: etsy.com via Michael on Pinterest

Trying to praise in the storm...

I have a bit of battery on the ol laptop right now so I wanted to vent a little bit...forgive me.

First of all, we are safe, and we have a home. We are without power and surrounded by sadness that I can not express.

I am struggling with not only lack of patience, a broken heart, freezing to the bone, and a sick child...but I am struggling with sadness over loss of places...loss of places where family gathered, where family felt safe and happy, places where I had my first date with my husband, places where I took my baby to swim in the ocean for the first time, places I used to go to for peace.

I didn't know these feelings of sadness existed.

Sure, I had seen people loosing their lives on the news before.

Sure, I am grateful that I am alive and my whole family is safe.

I assure you it is not the loss of the "stuff" that is making me so stinken sad, its the loss of places that hold very special memories to me that is making me so so stinken sad. Its the fact that people that I love so very much have lost everything and do not have a home anymore...

As I am literally screaming at my 3-year old during a ride home from a grocery store breakdown when this song came on the radio.

This song was a direct message from God to not harm my child. It was. No doubt about it.

You can think I am a bad mom. That is okay because in that time I was a bad mom. I was so mad, I was so tired, I was so over the whole mess that we now live in that I was screaming at my baby.

I am thankful for a God that still reals me in. I will choose to praise Him in this storm.

Thank you for listening to the vent...now if you too are going through stuff please choose to praise Him in the storm. He knows just what you need and will carry you. I just need to be carried today, hugging my heavenly father as he carries me...Do you?

Game Day Bites

I have my dear friend Shayla to thank for this amazing recipe.

I have altered the original recipe just a little. With today's FULL game schedule & a hurricane on the way I am thinking I will be cooking a lot today while we still have power. :) This will be on the menu.

Crispy Chicken Bites

What you will need: 

1 lb. chicken breast cutlets

2 Tbs. Dijon mustard, Honey mustard of Saracha hot sauce (this all depends on your taste, I am going to do Dijon and Saracha today:)

Black pepper

11/2 c. Panko bread crumbs (I used whole wheat Panko)

Preheat oven to 450.
Pour Panko crumbs onto large plate for dipping.

In mixing bowl combine mustard or hot sauce with a teaspoon of pepper.
Once chicken is cut into thick strips coat chicken with mixture. (enough that bread crumbs will adhere)
Press coated chicken into breadcrumbs. Coat both sides and place in lightly greased baking dish.
Bake for 10-15 minutes or until juices run clear.

Dipping sauce:

Balsamic Vinegar

or greek yogurt (again depending on the flavor that you are going for)

I used the balsamic glaze for the Dijon version the other night and it was amazing!

For the balsamic glaze place 1 tsp pepper & 1/2c. balsamic vinegar in sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce until syrupy.
Place in small dipping bowl & enjoy! 

(I will be using greek yogurt and a little lime juice for todays spicy bites.)

** Lilly loved the Dijon version. Also, for those of you that do not like Dijon all that much rest assured it does not have a strong flavor in this recipe. Ryan is not a huge fan but did not even know it was one of the main ingredients. They cleared their plates. ;) 

Source: foodgawker.com via Samantha on Pinterest