Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to my lovely readers!

I hope you all have an extremely blessed holiday today.

We'll be watching Macy's Parade and the National Dog Show, as well as the University of Texas Longhorns, beat the Texas A&M Aggies. HOOK 'EM! \m/

Source: google.com via Amber on Pinterest

Yeah, buddy! ;)

I hope you have a very blessed Thanksgiving...

Source: google.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Amber on Pinterest

GOD BLESS!

New & Old updates ♥

Hey Hey Hey!

I have some new updates on life and what I've been up to since I was so busy. We're kind of getting back into the swing of things. Brian was home for a good amount of time last week, and now he's back on a job for few days. Thursday is our 7 year Anniversary &hearts: I'm uber excited, and I am planning ALOT for that night because that's the night Brian will be back from Louisiana...on Thursday I plan on a post about our 7 years together!
So here are some pics from the holidays and such!

Me & my new Life Application Study Bible...my all time favorite CHRISTmas present I've ever gotten. My brother got it for me!

Brian's camo pocket Bible! 

Brian's new gun!

Me and wittle Sarah!

Our new waffle maker! I've already used it twice!

Me on Christmas day...

Christmas Eve dinner...prime rib

Me, Brian and my brother John {who just woke up :)}

My dessert travel caddy, my new western purse, and our Wii

Mom's Christmas tree and our horrible display of wrapping presents!

The goody baskets I made for family and friends...mostly homemade!

Bath Scrub, Chex Mix, Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Patties, Chocolate Pretzels & Pretzel Rods, Candy Cane Bark, Hot Cocoa

chocolate covered peanut butter patties

Brian making the patties, sitting next to the pretzels

pretzel rods! 

the most requested Christmas present ever...they are to die for!

Recipe:

1 pkg Ritz crackers

1 jar peanut butter

1 pkg chocolate bark or any chocolate chips

I've also changed our decor for the house now to appease the Valentine's season, and picked up some cheap deals on decor! I love Valentine's Day! Maybe its because our anniversary is only 2 weeks before it, but I love celebrating LOVE!

My new recipe binder holder $3 at Cato! The recipe binder is in the making right now!

HELP WANTED in my kitchen!!! hehe! $5 at Cato...fit perfectly

Love is the Key...I painted the edges red to put more spunk to it...it now sits on my tv armoir!

Keep your eyes peeled for a few more posts this week. I have lots of cooking plans ahead in the next few days, especially for Thursday!

God Bless,
 

Hello 2011!

Good Morning!

What a beautiful first day of 2011 it is in Texas today! The sun is sparkling, the weather is nice and cool. Everyone is in a great mood for the new year ahead.

I know its been a while since I've posted. The holiday season took over my life for the past 2 weeks.

I'm starting the year fresh with confidence and faith, why should I start it any different? I'm getting MARRIED this year!

If you would like to join me for the Good Morning Girls Winter Session of faith accountability, read my post on the session here.

Brian spent the NYE in Pecos, TX on a job. We got to ring in the new year via cell phones. I counted down on the phone along with my family and we all rang out "Happy New Year"! It's sad that we didnt get to ring in the new year with a kiss, but it is what it is, and God has a reason. I just have to be confident in God's plan for us.

Here are some recent pics from the holidays...see you soon!

Our sad Christmas tree...but I loved it

Tori girl and Brian on a road trip the day after Christmas

Brian @ McBrides in Austin...this was his Christmas present...a Weatherby Vanguard .270 Sub MOA...another one for his collection of rifles

Me and my mom on NYE! Happy 2011

Tori and Brian again

On the road trip to JC before NYE

On NYE! serious this time

Christmas tree in JC at the PEC lights

More lights from PEC

God Bless,

Challenge Review Time!

{taken at Pedernales Electric Coop in Johnson City, Tx}

Hey all! I think I've come to realize that Tuesdays are my blogging days. Lately I've been posting on Tuesdays because of the challenges going on in the blogosphere! Forgive me for not posting as often as I was before. Christmas is such a busy time of year, and its no different for me! Here are my entries for the challenges!

Courtney @ Women Living Well, who is hosting the Peace on Earth Challenge, says:

Here's this week's challenge: Christmas is just 4 days away and so much of our time is often spent helping the children to remember the "Reason for the Season". Now it's our turn. Once the kids are in bed get yourself a HOT drink (again we are warming the body as we warm the soul.) Get ALONE and turn out the lights by your Christmas tree, a lit fire, or a candle and just be alone with God. Pray, talk to him, I encourage you to sing Christmas carols or songs praising him, and just rest with Jesus.

I haven't had the chance to do this weeks challenge just yet. I have planned some time with Brian tonight. But its in question because of the possibility of him going out on another job for the next few days. If he does go out, he'll be back Thursday afternoon. I can't wait to turn the lights out and just gaze at the Christmas Tree, and pray. I'll probably flip my iPhone over to some Christmas tunes too! It's a PLAN!

Brittany @ The High-Heeled Housewife, is hosting My Favorite Things Challenge.

December 20: My favorite encouragement from the Bible

I have to admit...I have several favorite encouragements from the Bible. God's word is so effective on me, and I take everything he says to me to heart. However, I do have 2 verses that I try to live my life by, as well as a verse that I try to fulfill even though I am not married yet.

Phillipians 4:13~I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
This verse speaks to me, because when I often feel discouraged, I pray to God to show me motivation and strength. This is usually what pops in my head after I've talked to God. It comes to me as "With God, all things are possible." I am so blessed! Jesus sacrificed himself so that I could have a wonder-FULL life! Every moment I get, I praise him, thank him, and ask "What can I do for you, Lord?!"

Joshua 1:9~This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
This verse applies as well to my life. God wants me to be strong and courageous. He doesn't want me to ever be afraid or discouraged. He is with me no matter where I am, or what I am doing. He wants the best for me, and wants me to be at my best at all times, so that Satan can never reap the benefits of my discouragement, weakness, and cowardness.
Proverbs 31:10-31
This is a long one, but it speaks for itself. I got this off of another blogger who got this from an unknown source online. This is a study of the verses of  A Wife of Noble Character-Proverbs 31 Woman. It explains each verse for us wives {to be in my case} to live by! What an amazing woman she is...I strive to be this woman, every day.

vs. 10 - "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies."
She is “priceless!” She is a woman after God's own heart.

vs. 11 - "Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value."
A virtuous woman inspires absolute confidence in her husband. He can “safely trust in her” (KJV). She is not impetuous, scatterbrained, or unpredictable. Rather, she can be trusted. Her husband can be confident in her. She will never deliberately let him down.
vs. 12 - "She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life."
The Proverbs 31 woman “brings him good” — that is, her husband. She is not a “liberated” woman as defined by modern feminists. She is God-fearing (vs. 31), a woman of God, and also very much husband- and family-oriented. And these are seen throughout this chapter as positive traits. She brings him good. There does seem to be biblical wisdom in the modern-day axiom that “behind every good man stands a good woman”. She is an asset to her husband. She will never intentionally bring harm his way.

vs. 13 - "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands."
She is skilled and capable in working with fabric. The modern counterpart would be skill in things like quilting and sewing. And notice that “she works”. There is no hint of laziness in this woman who is praised by God. And she “worketh willingly with her hands” (KJV). She is “willing to get her hands dirty”, as the old saying goes. She is no prima donna! A woman of God is not “above” manual work.

vs. 14 -"She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar."
She understands that the duties of a wife and mother include ensuring that her family is well fed. A virtuous, biblical woman, may I suggest, will excel in this area. She will not only go about to learn the necessary cooking skills, but she will study sound nutrition and will ensure that her family is fed nutritiously, not with a high proportion of out-of-the-box junk food.

vs. 15 - "She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions to her woman servants."
This virtuous woman, this praiseworthy woman of God, is not given to “sleeping in” in the mornings. No! Rather, she is up before dawn to make sure that her household is well fed.

vs. 16 - "She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard."
Amazing! The Proverbs 31 woman is no wimp! She has the intelligence and business sense to evaluate a piece of property and to buy it. She has her own “earnings”, with which she buys the field and plants a vineyard.
vs. 17 - "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks."
The virtuous woman is not afraid of physical work.

vs. 18 - "She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night."
Like the bible’s virtuous woman, many modern women have their own home-based businesses. The woman in Proverbs 31 seems to have been a seamstress who sold garments and sashes. She apparently did her business well, working well into the evening, because “her trading [was] profitable”.
vs. 19 - "In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers."
The virtuous woman learns domestic skills. My beloved maternal grandmother was an excellent seamstress. Her husband had died and left her a widow with seven children at home. Her skills at making clothing were essential to keeping her children well clothed.

vs. 20 - "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy."
Her home-based skills have earned her a profitable income. She is ever willing to share this blessing with the poor and needy.
vs. 21 - "When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet."
The godly woman is fully aware of the priority of her family in her life over other things that might sidetrack her from her domestic responsibilities. She is an excellent illustration of the charge to younger women in Titus 2 (verse 5) to be “busy at home”.

vs. 22 - "She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple."
Not only do the skills of this woman of God earn her an income from the merchants, she also makes sure that her own home’s needs are well cared for. The Proverbs 31 woman does not neglect her own appearance. She uses her skills to provide attractive clothing for herself.

vs. 23 - "Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land."
Notice the God-approved division of responsibilities. She was at home, caring for her home and family. He was in a place of respect at the city gates among the elders of the land. The city gates are where much ancient commerce was conducted. So it is not unreasonable to surmise that the husband was conducting his business affairs there.
vs. 24 - "She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes."
Already mentioned earlier, she seems to have had a home-based business. The surrounding verses make it clear, though, that she did not do this at the expense of the well-being of her household.

vs. 25 - "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
The virtuous woman has a sense of dignity. She is not frivolous or embarrassing in her conduct. She looks to the future and makes sure that her household is well supplied, so that she can “laugh at the days to come”.
vs. 26 - "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."
This godly woman speaks with wisdom. The virtuous woman will offer faithful instruction. The context of the surrounding verses places the location of this instruction in her home. She made the home a place of both love and learning.
vs. 27 - "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."
The bible defines the husband as the head of the home (1 Timothy 3:4-5; 1 Corinthians 11:3). However, his daytime responsibilities are outside the home, at “the city gates” (vs. 23). The wife-and-mother is at home, as this chapter clearly indicates. So it is her daily responsibility (not his) to “watch over the affairs of her household” (vs. 27). This is consistent with the apostle Paul’s counsel to the younger widows to “marry, to have children, to manage their homes...” (1 Timothy 5:14).The virtuous woman “does not eat the bread of idleness”. To this day I marvel at my wife’s energy and drive to maintain a nice, orderly home. “Idleness” is a word that is alien to her!

vs. 28 - "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:"
Children raised by an involved, dedicated, loving, at-home mom rarely grow up feeling estranged from her. Rather, they bless her! Likewise, the husband of such a virtuous woman will overflow with praise for her from his heart
vs. 29 - "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
That is the sentiment that a biblical, virtuous woman as described in this chapter will evoke in her husband’s heart — “You are the best!”

vs. 30 - "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be raised."
God is reminding us that beauty and charm are fleeting, temporal things. But that which earns genuine praise for a woman is that she is a God-fearing woman.

vs. 31 - "Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
A virtuous woman has a great reward coming from the Lord in eternity, along with the great fulfillment she will experience in this life for a “job well done”. And her virtues will not only be known and blessed by her husband and children (vs. 28), but also her reputation will precede her to the “city gates”. The godly woman, whose life is patterned after Proverbs 31:10-31, will be well known and highly respected in her community.


If you've managed to read this entire post, THANK YOU! I know its long, and ranty, but thank you for following and reading my every words!

God Bless,
 

Challenges Monday

It's time to do my challenges for this week! I look forward to Mondays so that I can focus on these challenges! If you haven't joined these blogs yet, don't worry, catch up on your own time and follow the next challenges! You won't regret it.

Courtney @ Women Living Well is hosting the Peace on Earth Challenge.

Here's this week's challenge: Take out your calendar and SCHEDULE a night where you will take a warm refreshing bubble bath. Bring your Bible. Read the story of the birth of Jesus in Matthew 1, 2 and Luke 1,2.

Last night I read this before going to bed. I was actually thinking strongly about taking a bath before she posted...but this just put the cherry on the top for me.

So I took a bubble bath...it was AWESOME! I'm still at my parents house, and they have an awesomely huge bathtub in my bathroom. I'll go take a picture of it!

*sigh*

I read the story of the birth of Jesus while taking my bath. Everytime I read the story, I get something new out of it. This time, I read it, to understand it more. It was so relaxing to give my time to God, and read the bible.

Thanks Courtney for a great challenge that I LOVED!

Brittany @ The High Heeled Housewife is hosting the My Favorite Things Challenge

This week, enjoy your favorite part of the holiday season! Plan for your family to join you in celebrating this wonderful part of the season.

My favorite part of Christmas and New Years is the spirit that everyone has on a day to day basis. (Besides the ba-humbugs out there). I love that people wear a different smile during the season of giving, and it makes me a happier person as well. All of my family is in such high spirits and I get to really enjoy the reason for the season. Brian and I were discussing our decoration theme for the front of our house. We plan on decorating this afternoon, and Brian simply asked for one thing in particular. He asked, well more like demanded, that one of our Christmas cut-outs says Merry Christmas on it.

We talked about how last year, I had planned on making a cross cut out to put in our front yard, but alot of people, like my aunt and grandmother, told me that it wouldn't be appropriate, so I then changed my mind to a cut out of the nativity scene. They didn't agree with that either. Their argument was that only Church's have a nativity scene (which is not true), and that people would judge my front yard, and Brian and I, as people who don't embrace other beliefs.

I was honestly taken aback by their opinions, and I never got the chance to do my cut outs due to Brian leaving for West Virginia last December, and I went and stayed with my parents like usual.

This year will be different. This week I plan on making appropriate cut outs with the CHRISTmas spirit! People judge no matter what I will have out in my front yard. I want to decorate my front yard to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the reason for this season. I'm not afraid to show my faith in Christ, so this afternoon we will decorate for Christ, and our faith.

God Bless,

 

THANKSGIVING...and a recipe ♥

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

(cute lil poem for the day, hehe)

I am so thankful for our Lord! He has blessed me with everything else I am thankful for. I am so thankful for my family, especially Brian, my parents, and my brother. They have smothered me with love for so many years, and they are my world.

Today we had a wonderful feast for our family. It was just the four of us, my mom and dad, my brother, and myself. Brian is in Pecos, TX, on a job. He is on call for Thanksgiving, but off for Christmas Day, so this is why he is gone for the holiday. Everytime I thought of him, it made me very sad. I tried all day not to thik about missing him, but knowing that next year he will be able to spend Thanksgiving with us again. We already made him a plate and froze it for when he gets home next week. Here is a look at what we enjoyed.

our feast consisted of: Oven Roasted Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Walnut Stuffing, Mashed Ruttabagas, Rhodes Rolls, Sweet Potatoes, Egg Nog, Milk and Iced Tea!!!

sweet potatoeswith marshmallows

our scrumptious turkey

the dogs were jealous...haha

I snapped a pic of this Texas Yellow Rose in my mom's garden. It's now 36 degrees outside, so I knew it would be gone tomorrow!

and of course...the legendary chocolate pie I enjoyed hours after dinner, and couldn't finish...

mom also made (along with the chocolate pie): chocolate chip cookies, sweet potatoe pie, coconut cream pie, banana pudding, and brownies....all for dessert...all for 4 people...

You may be thinking to yourself...well that doesn't look too appetizing...oh but it is...its so decadent, silky, buttery, sweet and CHOCOLATEY!!!

would you like the recipe? of course you would...

Val's Legendary Chocolate Pie

Ingredients

2 sticks butter COLD

1 Cup of sugar
3 eggs
1tbsp vanilla
4 blocks of Baker’s UNSWEETENED chocolate (8 blocks come in one box of this chocolate) I can always find this at Walmart or HEB
1 frozen pie shell cooked and cooled OR homemade pie shell cooked and cooled
Directions
Whip cold butter and sugar until white and fluffy. This usually takes 5-10 minutes with my Kitchen Aid.
Meanwhile, in the microwave heat 4 blocks of the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute or until it is partially melted. Mix with a spoon to melt completely. Set aside
Add eggs and vanilla and whip until the sugar dissolves completely. You do not want a GRITTY pie.
Add the chocolate to the pie mixture slowly, making sure it mixes completely.

Fill the pie shell with the chocolate mixture.

Refrigerate to set. Serves 8-10 pieces of pie. Keep refrigerated at all times.

You can serve it topped with whipped cream, homeade is the best.

*I linked up here*

For Now & God Bless, *Amber*