ode to pumpkin

As I smell my Yankee Pumpkin spice candle (thanks to my lovely sister) and think about what to make for Nana's Thanksgiving dessert...I begin to dream of the loveliness of pumpkin....

Pumpkin Pralene Pie, Gingersnap Pumpkin Parfait, Pumpkin cream cheese spread, and Pumpkin Charlotte...

click here to make these...

I am thinking of some new and fun ways to use pumpkin this Thanksgiving season. I love baking. It makes me feel so warm, creative and house-wifeish. I enjoy nothing more than baking for people and watching them enjoy the treats I have made. Here are some that look yummy...

Pumpkin Tiramisu



Pumpkin Spice Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting... YUMO



Pumpkin Pie Creme Brulee

Need I say more?? Now which one to make....suggestions welcome... :-)

cool blog

My sister found this cool new blog. It's a social justice sort of blog...
Great info!!
Check it out here.

wasted

Caramelized some onions and cooked this chili in the slow cooker for hours and hours. I then baked some lovely corn bread. I had it for a late lunch that day since I had the day off. It was sooo good! I let it keep stewing and asked my husband to put it in the fridge before he went to bed that night.
Mistake.
It was left out all night and had to get trashed. Dang.

Check out the recipe.

pain

my heart is in pain right now. there is this little wound that used to tear me apart that God has been healing the past year. Just when I think I am moving past it, it gets torn open again when I get reminded of its presence. Like today for instance. I have faith God will take control but dang it I am so sick of waiting. sick. I feel like I can't do it anymore. God really has to take control of this and I know He will. I have to let go. It's just hard when I have a daily reminders. I want to take control of the situation-today! I'm wrestling today and believing for God's healing of my heart and body in His time. Hopefully thats sooner than later...

marriage retreat

The annual marriage retreat starts tomorrow. I love this time of year. Its great to get away with my husband and just have some time to hang out. Its on a mountain in PA about three hours away from home- so just far enough away from "life."
To be totally honest, it's more of a vacation for me than an intense retreat. I am trying to keep a positive attitude sinc ethe retreat is typically catered towards much older couples... I am blessed enough to have a really awesome marriage. My husband is the best person I know- seriously. We make each other better people. We've dated since I was 14 and he 15 (27 and 28 now)- so we have really grown up together. At 16 he got cancer- and through that time of life together- we bonded in a way that in unexplainable. We have had the rare experience of actually growing up together and becoming best friends. What are the chances of dating that long and getting married!?! We have been through so many storms of life as well as experienced joyful milestones.
This retreat is more of a time to refocus on our relationship and just pull out the small things that we may not see in our everyday. Every relationship should be in a constant morphing process- growing together and towards Christ. I am excited to see what God has in store for me and our marriage this weekend. Of course, I am also looking forward to Panera, singing together in the car, stopping a million times to pee, laughing, hanging with friends, and relaxing.
I will also be in prayer for those around me who may be struggling with thier relationships. I pray nothing but restoration, healing, and a time of growth for them this weekend in the mountains.

things i am loving today

Just a few things I have enjoyed the past few months and what I'm thinking about them...


Lincoln Brewster has been a fav of mine for years. This album is just another example of how great Lincoln's guitar skills are! Great! Easy to sing along to as well- a huge one for me- I love singing to him in the car. My hubby also has the instructional DVD he is actually playing right now. Check it out. All pics have links.
Buy this grocery bag and feed 100 children in Rwanda. I can't think of a better gift for someone while going green. Anything one can do to help someone less fortunate is worth doing.
I have read this book two or three times. As a young Christian woman seeking my place in life- I have referred to this book on several occasions. Shirin speaks clearly and honestly about being a young women stuck between so many different ideals. I honestly believe that this book has helped direct me to what God's vision for me is today. Love it. I could only hope more women would read this.
What a beautiful bedroom. I can imagine my barefeet on that gorgeous floor or being all curled up on that lovely bench seat reading a book. The brightness yet coziness of this room is great! When things are so beautiful like this I feel so happy and at peace. ahhhhh

Any photos, recipes, decor, music, books you are really digging right now? I'd love some suggestions!

oh politics....

Politics.

I sort of hate to discuss it or think much of it – yet its necessary I suppose as November 4th approaches. I don’t claim to be a connoisseur on the subject, and happily so. I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I want to vote based on the person, their values, and what their political issues are. Not their whimsical speaking abilities or lack thereof. I don’t vote on one issue alone. I have read somewhere that more and more people of my generation don’t want to be associated with a political party. They are both conservative in value and liberal in thought.
In reading a few pieces of a book by Greg Boyd- I have to agree with his thought that many people have this idea swirling around in their minds that a certain politician is going to change everything. They are going to get this country back on track, restore the economy, and change all sorts of legislation. The sad truth is, most likely they will only see a few small things changed within their four years.

I don’t get too involved in politics because I don’t want to put my trust in man. I believe that the only thing that will get this country “back on track” is Jesus Christ. The only way that will happen is if you and I show others how deeply God loves them and wants a better life for them. A life where He holds them in His arms and guides their steps and breathes their breaths.

I plan on voting tomorrow, only after much prayer. Does my vote really matter much- I don’t really know. I plan on practicing my right as a citizen anyway. No matter the outcome- Jesus is in control- I find comfort and trust in Him alone.