Made By Me Monday: Chrismons Ornaments

It's Made By Me Monday Y'all!!

I hope you are all doing well today.

I thought I would share part of what I do every Monday.

I participate in a mission of my church called Creative Hands and we do things from knitting prayer shaws and we also make the chrismons for our chrismon tree at Christmas time.

I have made three so far hope you like them.

These are so much fun to make and you truly appreciate them more when you are part of the wonderful group that makes them.

Have a wonderful rest of the night!

See you tomorrow for Tasty Tuesday!!

God Bless

Phil. 4:13

XOXO,

Simple Things In Life Sunday: Family

A Happy Sunday to you All!

Today I am not going to write much just post some pictures of something so simple and yet one of the most essential things a person needs to have a happy life!

FAMILY

I am so thankful that God gave me a family that supports me, keeps me laughing, and most importantly loves me unconditionally!

 Me and my Aunt Ann

My guardian angel

She was such a larger than life personality I mean how could you not when you had the name, Texas Ann Nolley!

 Who says that family has to be blood related.

My Tennessee Family

Bailey and Josh Heffinger

 Me and my brother Taylor

We created this for VBS last year.

Mom and my brother!

I know, I know, we haven't even had Halloween yet.  But I just couldn't resist posting this cute picture of my cousin Payton!

I hope you guys have a wonderful rest of the night.

Did you catch ABC's Once Upon A Time?

It was AMAZING!!!

Well see you tomorrow for Made By Me Monday!!!

God Bless

Remember Phil. 4:13

XOXO,

Fitness Friday: New Weekly Workout Schedule

It's Fitness Friday Y'all!

We have survived yet another week!

Today I would like to share with you my new weekly workout schedule.

Ok...confession time.  So I use to look like this two years ago.

I was unhappy, sick, and extremely unhealthy.  So I decided to get some help.  I went to a therapist who helped me with my self-esteem and confidence issues.  I also joined my local YMCA and began to workout regularly. 

I now look like this.  This is the most recent picture of me when I was on a middle school youth retreat at with my church.

I am extremely happy with my results and I am thankful that God helped me to get this far.  However I still have a long way to go.  I have hit this road block recently and I also have became extremely lazy lately.

My usual excuses are 
"I am too tired" or "I don't have the time"

Well I am done with the excuses and I am ready to make this a lifestyle!

So each week my workout schedule will look something like this..

I hope you guys have a wonderful weekend!

See you on Sunday for Simple Things in Life Sunday

God Bless

Remember Phil. 4:13

XOXO,

Thoughtful Thursday: Addams Family No Snap Judgements Campaign

Happy Thoughtful Thursday Everyone!

Today is our first installment of Thoughtful Thursday! So each week check in for our one random act of kindness mission for the week!

This week I would like to share with you a wonderful campaign that is being supported by the cast and crew of The Addams Family: The Musical on Broadway.

I was able to go see this show last weekend in Charlotte and it was AMAZING!

I have always been a huge fan of the kookie family and I plan to dress up as Morticia this year for Halloween.

No Snap Judgements is the name of the campaign and is promoting being kind to others and not judging!

But who better to explain it in full than some of the family members themselves

So I went myself to the website and downloaded my pledge!

If you are interested in joining the The Addams Family and their No Snap Judgements Campaign visit them at:

http://www.nosnapjudgments.org/

If you decide to pledge to No Snap Judgements let me know!

Lets pledge to not judge and accept others for who they are. 

See you tomorrow for Fitness Friday!

God Bless

Remember Phil. 4:13

XOXO,

Wordless Wednesday: Fall Has Arrived



God Bless

Remember Phil. 4:13

XOXO,

Tasty Tuesday: Orzo with Veggies

Happy Tasty Tuesday Everyone!

Today's Recipe is Orzo with Veggies

To make this you will need:

Begin by preparing your orzo according to the directions on your particular brand.  While your orzo is cooking chop up your veggies. 

I used whatever I had on hand. Please feel free to use whatever veggies you want.

Next saute` your garlic in a teaspoon of olive oil.





Saute` your veggie next.

Next add your capers.  I absolutely LOVE capers.  They had such a wonderful salty bite to any dish.

Then add your cooked orzo and combined all of your ingredients!

Lastly, add your seasonings.



Then serve it up and enjoy!

This recipe is great for a side dish for any coverdish supper or great as a main dish.  For a southern single gal like myself I will cook up a bunch of this and put it into tiny containers and I will have this for lunch for the rest of the week.

Also I am so excited to share that I have joined Pinterest!  I would love to see those of you who have one and share mine with you as well.

Click HERE to join in on all the fun!

I hope you enjoy this recipe!

See you tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday

 

God Bless,

Remember Phil. 4:13

XOXO,

Made By Me Monday: Business Card Holder

Happy Made By Me Monday Everyone!

Today I would like to share with you a business card holder that I made with the help of a tutorial that can be found at Sew 4 Home.



If you are interested in making your own click HERE

This holds my dog sitting/house sitting business cards perfectly.  However you could make these for gift cards.  With the Christmas season quickly sneaking up on us these would be great to whip up for those who love gift cards.

Also you have the option to add a key ring.  I chose to add the key ring that way I will always have my cards with me to give to a potential customer.

Today I am also linking up with some AMAZING blogs for their Made By You Monday and their "Tute" In Tuesday 

Show them some love!

Skip to my Lou

Oops I Craft My Pants

I hope you guys have a great Monday!  See you tomorrow for Tasty Tuesday!

God Bless

Remember Phil. 4:13

XOXO,

Simple Things In Life Sunday: Prayer





Simple Things In Life Sunday

I hope all of you have had a wonderful and blessed day today.

In the type of world we are living in today, it is sometimes hard to take the time and be thankful for the many blessings that God has given us.

Right now I am personally going through a storm and I confess that I struggle with rejoicing God in the good times and the bad.  However it is during times like these that God reaches down and provides the comfort that is needed to get through the day.

Music is such an important part of how I worship and praise God for all he has done for me.  When I am unable to speak words, somewhere out there is a song where the lyrics speak volumes.  So with that being said I would like to share with you the lyrics of one of my favorite songs that helps me get through hard times like now.

Praise You In This Storm

By: Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

 

So today I am thankful for a simple thing called prayer.  It is such a simple thing, but for some its one of the hardest things they have ever done. 

But truly it is as simple as talking with a friend, your heavenly friend, your father.

That is the very reason that he created us.  So that we could having a lasting relationship with him and commune with him.

So tonight I am thankful that I have a personal relationship with God and no matter what storm I might face he will ALWAYS be with me and will help me fight the fight.  And that when I raise my voice to him he will listen.

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

1John 5:14-15

So if you believe in the power of prayer I ask that you pray for myself and my family. 

Are you in a storm in your life?

Do you need prayer?

Please let me know and I will pray for you.

Because great things can be accomplished for those who pray for one another.

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Matthew 18:20

May God Continue to Bless you and keep you!

God Bless

Remember Phil. 4:13

XOXO,

Finally Getting Organized



Hey Everyone!

Sorry it has been so long since my last post.

I finally have gotten this blog organized and re-vamped.

(*Disclaimer- No Vampires were harmed in the re-vamping of this blog*)

Just A little Halloween humor!

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the beautiful Fall weather!

So I have created a new page on the blog entitled Schedule.  There you can find the various subjects that will be posted on their assigned days!

Click HERE to view it!

This new schedule will officially begin this Sunday!

See you then!

God Bless and Remember Phil. 4:13

XOXO,

Climb Every Mountain: Adventures on the Appalachian Trail

For those of you who know me personally all know that I am a huge fan of Julie Andrews!

Julie and I

Summer of 2005

This is where the inspiration for my title came from..obviously!

I most recently went on a trip with a group of ten other people from my church on a crazy excursion on the Appalachian Trail.

And boy did we climb some mountains, every mountain to be exact.  We started at Carver's Gap and ended at the 19E pickup.  For a grand total of 13 miles in 2 days and 1 night!

It was a hard hike, one of the hardest that I have ever done.

But I had the love and encouragement of the group to help me make it to the end when I didn't think I could.

There are times in life that we face a mountain, literally or figuratively, and we think that there is no way to overcome it.

But, there is ALWAYS a way to overcome it!

God is always there to throw us a rope or even carry us the whole way when we need him to.

For those of you who are praying for my family thank you so much.  We can feel it!!

So I would now like to share with you some of the beautiful images that we were blessed to encounter.

*Proceed with Caution one picture is a tiny bit graffic but part of the experience when it comes to hiking*

                                       I had another one exactly like it on the other heel.
                                             



I am looking forward to the next trip!!

May God Bless You All!

Remember Phil. 4:13

XOXO,

Laura

Did You Miss Me?: Sweet and Salty Pasta

Hi everyone!

Sorry I haven't been posting in a while.

You know how life can sometimes throw a wild card your way?

Well that's what happened to my family recently.  Those of you who believe please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

We can accomplish great things through the power of prayer!

GOD IS GOOD!

So I am excited to share with you that I am going to start crafting and sewing again. 

For the longest time I wasn't able to fit all of my creativity into my crazy schedule. 

But I am happy to say that the creativity dought will soon be over.

Let the creativity rain down I am ready with buckets in hand!

At the present time I am house and dog sitting for a couple in my church.

Bo says HELLO!!

With that being said onto the yummy pasta dish!

Sweet and Salty Pasta

Makes Enough for 4

For this dish you will need:

You will also need:  Olive Oil, White wine or chicken broth, basil (dried or fresh), and crushed red pepper flakes.

While cooking your pasta, in a saute` pan heat up your olive oil and saute` the garlic.

(I am using a garlic paste because that is what I had on hand)



Next add your bell peppers

After your peppers have softened a bit add a tablespoon of capers with their liquid.

(This will add a salty flavor that matches wonderfully with the sweetness of the peppers and tomatoes)

Next add your artichoke hearts with their liquid.

(This part of the recipe can be tailored to your taste.  If you like artichoke hearts add as much or as little as you want)

Next add 1/4 a cup of white wine or chicken broth to the pan to deglaze it

aka get all of those flavor bits off the bottom of the pan.

By deglazing your pan you are adding yet one more level of flavor to your sauce.

Next add your can of tomatoes

(To save some time and effort I used diced tomatoes with garlic and onion in them)

By now your pasta should be done!

But STOP...before you drain the pasta take a large spoon and add a few spoonfuls of that starchy pasta water to thicken the sauce.

Also at this time add your basil and pepper flakes.

Being from the south I like my food to have a little kick so I add a good pinch of the flakes.



Lastly drain your pasta when your pasta becomes al dente.  Why you might ask?  Well by allowing the pasta to be slightly under cooked (al dente) you open up the opportunity to allow the pasta to absorb the AMAZING sauce that you just created!

Just adding one more dimension of flavor!

All that's left to do is to serve it up and enjoy!

This is a great meal for large families or a single southern gal like myself.

I look forward to the day that I can cook healthy meals like this for my own family.

May God Bless you All!

Remember Phil. 4:13

XOXO,

Laura