My BFF is ENGAGED!!!!

 There really are NO words that can describe my excitement right now! I am so ecstatic to announce that my best friend and maid of honor, Lesley, is ENGAGED!!!   {below are pics of Lesley and I, with a few of my cousin Cindy too!}

 I love her SO incredibly much! My heart melts just looking at these photos of us and knowing what great times we've had together!
Her lovely fiance' proposed yesterday, memorial day, and what a day to remember it will be!  Her life is unfolding in front of my eyes, and Lord, it is beautiful! Sadly, things are changing so quickly for her, that she may not be able to make it to our wedding.  :(Her fiance' James, got a great job in Colorado, and they will be moving to CO around the weekend of our wedding. I'm a bit depressed about it, but I'm hoping that somehow, God will work his ways and make it possible for her to be a part of our special day. I'm so happy that their dreams are coming true, it's been a long wait for them.
Lesley is an amazing woman. Beautiful inside and out and so confident. She's honest, through & through. She's so supportive, and has been so great throughout the entirety of our wedding planning.
We've been friends since 7th grade. In high school, we were inseparable most of the time. After we graduated, we went our different ways, and didn't really communicate much. When Brian and I got engaged, she was the first person I knew that I wanted to be in my wedding. Everything started to unfold, and soon she became my maid of honor. We've rekindled our relationship, and have had some bumps along the way, but she is, and always will be, my best friend, forever!
I'm so proud of the woman she has become, and am honored to be a trusted friend of hers.
{Ok, I'm going to stop now before the tears get to be too much.}
Her fiance is a great man. A teddy bear, who is a magnificent match to her personality! He's extremely supportive, and loves her deeply.  I'm so excited to hear about all the plans they have for their wedding!
Congratulations Lesley & James. What a great future you two have ahead of you, and I am so excited to see it unfold.
{the following pictures are of the two lovebirds} 

 

 {aren't they just adorable!}  

 

Homeade Beef Stew

I had a little bit of innocent fun yesterday and last night. I got to spend some time with my best friend and Maid of Honor, Lesley. I hung out with her family, ate some amazing food, had a few drinks, watched the men hand process wild piglets for future meals, and played dominos. I had an awesome time.

I came home this afternoon, and mom had decided to make stew for dinner...I WAS STOKED!!! I love her cooking, let alone, homeade beef stew, with veggies...So I'm sharing another yummy recipe. Get Excited!!!

Mom’s Homeade Beef Stew
Beef Chuck Roast
5 tbsp vegetable oil
2 onions sliced
1 clove garlic
1 tsp celery seed or a few
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 tsp thyme
4 tbsp paprika
2 bay leaves
6 cups water
Beef base or buillion cube
1 cup fresh green beans
1 cup fresh carrots
1 cup frozen lima beans
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen corn
5 regular-sized new potatoes cut into cubes
2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with ½ cup water
Directions
Cut roast into 1inch cubes, cutting ALL of the fat off.
In a dutch oven, add vegetable oil and fat from roast. Cook fat until it is browned and crispy. Remove fat from pan and discard.
Add roast cubes, onions, and garlic cooking for 5-10 minutes.
Add spices and base and cook for 5-10 more minutes.
Add 4 cups of water. Cook for 1& ½-2 hours, covered and on a low simmer. Remove bay leaves.
Add carrots & green beans and cook for 15 minutes.
Add corn, lima beans, peas, and potatoes. Cook until potatoes are fork tender.
Heat the stew to a boil, add cornstarch water mixture to thicken.
Serve with cornbread.  Serves 8.

Not the best picture...but I hope you can smell the yumminess!

And of course I had to have a slice of decadence...Chocolate Pie

Save that stew recipe for a cold day this winter! Its simply delish!

Have a wonderful week ahead!

God Bless,