2014 Year in Review

Happy New Year! 2014 was a great year and as I've been reflecting on it I've realized how many great things truly happened. As I write this on January 1st, 2015... I can't help but have great expectations and such excitement for the year ahead! ** Keep your eyes peeled for a post talking about my goals for 2015!** Please enjoy my little year in review!

January

Welcoming in 2014 was so much fun hanging out with family and friends at home and looking forward to all that the year would hold! I headed back to what was then Valley Forge Christian College a couple weeks into the year after having been off campus for the fall semester and the month was filled with readjusting to life on campus, hanging out with what seemed like long lost friends, and enjoying many, many snow days as the Pennsylvania winter was really quite rough. 

Snow Day #1!

February

A month filled with more snow days and harsh Pennsylvania winter. My whole group of friends went over to our friend Michael's house from school to watch the Super Bowl. It was a night full of friends, fun, and food. Even though the super bowl was actually horrible and a complete blowout... it was a night that holds great memories and that I loved. February also included a trip home for presidents day weekend with my friend. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed the weekend home with my family! This month also held a minor league hockey game with my dear friend Karen! It was at the Wells Fargo center in Philadelphia and we had a ton of fun! I also was quite excited to be in the Sports Complex in Philly as I absolutely love stadiums! 

The Minor League Hockey Game with Karen!

March

An interesting month indeed. March was probably one of the most challenging months of the year for me, if not the most challenging. I had some pretty serious complications in some friendships and ended up moving apartments. I kept up with my schoolwork however and had a nice refreshing spring break at home. I believe we had one final snow day at the beginning of the month... which was always nice. I enjoyed some crafting with my new roommate for our school's Spring Banquet which was coming up and all around just enjoyed the impending coming of Spring. I spent a lot of time with Asa during this month which of course is enjoyable. 

Heading home for Spring Break!

April

This month was quite busy! It started off with Spring Banquet... my first and last time going! It was such a lovely evening spent mostly with Asa and then a group of us headed out bowling after! April was also filled with things such as housesitting for the family I worked for while they were in Florida, VFCC's Community Service Day, the opening of an extension "campus" of our school... The Conference Center at Valley Forge, Asa's Senior Recital (which he KILLED, by the way), a day trip to Philadelphia with Asa, Easter Break and family time, and most importantly... we welcomed a very beautiful baby into our family! My little cousin, Emma! 

Baby Emma

May

A beautiful month, but another very challenging one. It started off with finals week which of course is aways rough... but then came graduation. I didn't graduate because of being behind in some classes... but the graduating class was the one that I came in with which held 98% of my friends. I'm really not good at goodbyes so that day was emotionally completely draining for me. I got through it, but it was a rocky road. The rest of the month held time spent with family and a few friends at the wedding of two wonderful friends, Liz and Cody. We celebrated mother's day. My summer addiction to the TV show, Friends, started in this month. May was also "home" to one of the most difficult decisions that I've ever had to make. I was supposed to leave home at the beginning of June to move to Harrisburg, PA for the summer but not very long after I got home... I started feeling God direct me and move me to stay home for the summer instead of going to PA. The phone call I made to the church I was supposed to be working at killed me, as I truly hate letting people down and backing out of commitments, but I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was what God was leading me to do and as I look back on that decision now... I am so glad I made it. I still feel bad that I had to back out of something I had committed to... but I know that I made the right choice. 

On the way to Liz's wedding!

June

What a month June was! After deciding to stay home for the summer, I finally settled into my room and started getting things done. I had two summer classes that I needed to work on, so I started my work for that, I spent a lot of time on the back deck and by the pool. Cousins came over to swim and the weather really got nice. We celebrated my mom's birthday, father's day and my parents anniversary. My sister and I ate a lot of ice cream from Nick's Nest. I watched soccer for the first time, played Bingo every Thursday, spent a day at the lake with my best friend and traveled to Pennsylvania again to see my friends Tim and Vanessa get hitched! It was a gorgeous month and I absolutely loved every moment of it. 

Can't leave PA without Wawa handy!

July

WHAT A MONTH! July was extremely busy. Out of the 31 days in the month, I was gone for 17 of them. The month started off with a visit from my wonderful Aunt Shar who lives in Iowa! She was here for almost a week and over the fourth of July holiday. It was so nice to have her in town for a visit! Also in July, I did two weeks of youth camp with my home district (Assemblies of God, Southern New England) and had an absolute BLAST! Seeing students lives transformed over the course of the two weeks I was in the mountains in New Hampshire is a completely humbling and awe inspiring experience. I love camp, and I love teenagers. God really used these two weeks to reconfirm my calling into Youth Ministry and rekindle my love for Southern New England District. I can't wait until I'm back in this district permanently. I also went on a beach trip with my home youth group and had a great day! The last week of July was spent in Columbus, Ohio for National Fine Arts! I got the opportunity to go with my church and jumped on it because I'd been dying to gain the experience. It was probably my favorite week of the summer and holds so many different memories with so many different people. I love the network of friend's that I've gained from all over the country... it makes me so overjoyed. Also, I became a Starbucks Gold Member while in Columbus, so that's cool. 

Gold Status!

August

A month of final relaxations and starting school again. Once I returned from Columbus, I relaxed and spent a lot of time with my family. My cousins all came over one day and we spent the day hanging out and swimming and eating watermelon. I painted, I ate frozen yogurt with my best friend, I tried to eat healthy, I cut my bangs, I watched movies... I genuinely enjoyed life. Towards the middle of the month, my family drove three hours north to spend a weekend in Old Orchard Beach Maine. It's basically my favorite place to be on earth and it was a very relaxing weekend. Once we returned I got my hair cut and packed up my life to move back to Pennsylvania for my final semester on campus at Valley Forge. My dad and I headed down with cars full of things and moved me into my small dorm room. I met my suite mate who would quickly become one of my closest friends. I also went to Atlantic City for a day with Asa and went to Maryland to stay with him for labor day weekend. I love that boy, a lot. 

Old Orchard Beach

September

I enjoyed September. For some reason I never have a great taste in my mouth when it comes to September... but this year was different and made me rethink my attitude on the month. It started with the end of labor day weekend in Maryland. What a truly wonderful weekend that was. After that it was a couple weeks of truly diving into homework, coffee dates with long lost friends, trips to the National Park, and hanging out with a few friends that I had left on campus. On September 16th, Valley Forge Christian College officially became The University of Valley Forge! It was a huge day on campus full of celebrating and class canceling. I got to hang out with an excellent group of folks and the weather was just simply gorgeous. I spent another marvelous weekend with Asa in Maryland and we went to a Red Sox game and hung out in Baltimore. The rest of the month was taken up with school, a trip to Six Flags with Asa and the first sights of fall and lots of coffee and doctor who and target shopping. It was a marvelous month.

Asa and I in Baltimore!

October

My absolute favorite month! I don't know exactly what it is about October... maybe its the cooler weather sitting in, the pumpkin spice everything, the gorgeous and colorful leaves, or the fact that it holds my birthday... whatever it is... I just absolutely love October. It was a jam-packed month for sure... filled with again, lots of schoolwork and time spent with Asa. We traveled home to Massachusetts for my fall break and spent five wonderful days with my family and celebrated my 22nd birthday. Once we got back to school we headed out to one of our favorite spots, Marsh Creek State Park and walked along the rocks. It was nice. The next couple weeks were full of more coffee, work, school work, cookies... etc. The last weekend of the month was a great one. Asa was down at school for a day to play for Alumni chapel and then we went to Maryland to celebrate Asa's 22nd birthday. It was such a fun weekend hanging out with him and the people from his church! The last week of October was spent helping out some family friends who were visiting UVF to do a play! It was a blast and I totally missed being involved with theater! 

at Marsh Creek State Park

November

A better month than expected. November started off with a bang with Asa and I driving home to Massachusetts to surprise my family for my Dad's birthday. The surprise was very successful... they had NO idea we were coming and it worked out great! We had a great time even though it was a very short visit. It was a month of stressing about school, final academic chapel, coffee naturally, and lots of trying to get myself to relax and not freak out about things so much. I took a Saturday off and drove to Havre de Grace, Maryland to meet Asa halfway and it was the best thing I could have done. We fell in love with the little town. It held so much charm in its shoreline and little shops! We will definitely be visiting again someday. The weekend after that I went to Maryland for the weekend and Asa and I saw the Hunger Games and wen tot Washington DC for a day. The month was also when I started helping Asa direct his Christmas Show, Baby Boy and met the wonderful cast and crew who welcomed me in. Thanksgiving is in November (duh) so I drove to the Berkshires to spend Thanksgiving with my family at a resort in the mountains. It was the relaxing week that I needed before heading back to school for finals week. 

Asa and I in Washington DC

December

The not so distant past! December feels like it went by pretty slow and I'm okay with that. Finals week flew by and I ended with good grades in my classes which is actually a really big accomplishment for me. I moved out of my dorm at the end of the semester because I am finishing online in the spring and GRADUATING in May! I can't wait... anyway... after moving out of my dorm, I went to Maryland for a week with Asa to finish up rehearsals and do the shows for Baby Boy. It went wonderfully and the cast did so great! I also loved being able to spend time with the love of my life. :) I left after six days in Maryland and drove eight hours home to Massachusetts where I've been ever since. We had a funeral for my Uncle Karl not too long after I got back, which was obviously very sad. Christmas Eve came around and we headed to Connecticut to spend it at my cousins house! We spent the evening opening presents and drinking... you guessed it... coffee! It was magical. Christmas Day was spent at home with my family and my cousins came over later in the day. We watched Frozen and played Pictionary and had a marvelous time. I really do love Christmas time! I spent the next couple days cleaning the house in preparation for Asa's arrival for New Years! He arrived this past Tuesday via plane and we've been having a ball since. Last night for New Years, my Nana and her fiancee Bill came over as well as my best friend Julie and my cousin Matthew and we all ate my dad's pizza and played games and counted down as the ball dropped to welcome in 2015! It was a wonderful time and I can't think of any better way to ring in the new year! 

Happy New Year from Us!

That's my 2014 in review! I am SO looking forward to everything that 2015 holds! Keep your eyes peeled for a 2015 goal post, a 2015 theme introductory post, and a new project that I'm starting today! We are off to go on a double date with my cousin and his lady and we are spending tomorrow in Boston! I hope everyone's year is starting off wonderfully! 

What was your favorite thing you did in 2014?

Christmas Roundup

Hello Everyone! I'm back to blogging today after a little break over Christmas! I'm going to try to do a couple of posts today because I actually have the time, but this first one is going to be a roundup of my Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, my whole family gets together at someone's house... this year we went to my aunt and uncle's in Connecticut. We all gathered around and ate Borscht (polish soup) and then we opened our presents! I truly love being around my family. Many laughs were shared and many memories
were made. Including painting my cousin Matthew's nails with glitter :)

As far as Christmas Eve presents go... I'm always so blessed. This was our second year pulling names for Christmas Eve presents instead of everyone getting everyone something. I pulled my sister's name and got her The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition, exactly what she wanted. My name was pulled by my cousin Matthew and he got me a pack of K-Cups filled with one of my favorite Starbucks Blends and a super nice travel coffee mug. My cousin Amber also got me K-Cups (Starbucks 2014 Fall Blend), I think my family understands that I really like coffee. All the other Christmas Eve Gifts were from my Nana and her Fiance' Bill... a new set of pajamas, some nice shirts, hair and body things (mousse, body wash, etc), and a new hair straightener... which really is a Christmas miracle because mine was on it's last leg and my new one is by a long shot the best one I've ever owned, they also gave me some money and a Target gift card. I know there was something else that I received from them and it's totally slipping my mind right now... I'll update this post when I remember. One other thing about Christmas Eve... The Saturday before, my cousin Amber and I went Christmas Shopping together and decided to get matching outfits for Christmas Eve. We had nearly everything the same even down to our shoes and earrings. It was so much fun and so exciting. Everyone's reactions were hysterical and actually, my uncle and little cousin were matching as well. I'm so glad that we did it. When we got home, my mom and dad gave us our annual Christmas Pajamas. This year they were a soft pink shirt with penguin pants! They were lovely :)

On Christmas Morning, we woke up late... since we're not little kids anymore we don't do the whole getting up at 6am to open presents thing. So we got up late and had some coffee, then very impatiently waited for my parents to be ready so we could open presents. Let me tell you... my parents did good this year :) First I'll round-up what I got my family and then I'll go through what they got me. I made my mom and dad hanging letters (K & S for Kris and Steve) for above their bed. I got my mom a candle from target (sugar blossom... smells AMAZING) and a Bubba mug for her coffee. I got my Dad a Boston Bruins shirt and Macadamia Nut Popcorn. For my sister, a picture frame that I painted a nice sister quote in, some earrings and a necklace, and a hand painted coffee mug. Finally, for my Nana, I did a painting for her and Bill, and got her a ring holder for her new engagement ring. I also made up baskets for my Nana and Mom filled with note pads, lotion, and chocolate. Now onto what I so wonderfully received:

Although this is one of the last things I opened, I'm putting it first in this post because it was the most meaningful. My parents got me a $100 Southwest Airlines Gift Card so that I can buy tickets sometime to go visit Asa (boyfriend) in Maryland. They also got me two movie tickets that I plan to use for a date night for Asa and I. My parents are so supportive of Asa and I's relationship and that fact and these gifts mean so incredibly much to me. I also got new canvas and paint pens, new boots, new moccasins, socks, more K-Cups (Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla this time), a couple new belts and a new gorgeous journal. The other couple big gifts were an Olaf (from frozen) stuffed animal and a Bose Bluetooth Speaker! I loved all of my gifts from my parents... they're wonderful people. My sister did good with her gifts for me too. She got me the book "Unstoppable" by Christine Caine, which I've been wanting to read for a while and she got me a new gorgeous watch! We also open presents from my family in the midwest on Christmas morning! From my grandparents I got a 2015 Red Sox Calendar (a tradition for them to get me) as well as a Target gift card. From the Thompson's (aunt, uncle, and cousins) I got some gloves, socks, hot chocolate, and another Target gift card. Finally from my Uncle Matthew, Aunt Molly, and baby Emma I got a handmade scarf (see picture below) and one final Target gift card. Overall, I got $125 in Target gift cards... my family knows me really well. To my family members who may be reading this, thank you so much for all the gifts! I love them all and truly appreciate them :) The rest of Christmas Day I just hung out with my family. We ate a huge meal, watched Frozen and then played pictionary. It was truly a marvelous and relaxing day. I love my family! :) 

That's the round up of my Christmas Festivities! 

What about you? What did you do and get for Christmas?

** Please enjoy some of these other pictures from the day. **

Olaf! 

My new Bose Speaker

Nana's Fiance' Bill resting with Mia

My Christmas Selfie! (Note: New Scarf made by my Aunt Molly!)

Merry Christmas! 

From the Archives: My First Post

It's been almost a year since I started this blog (what?!) and I've gained a lot of new readers since then... especially since joining The Peony Project. A lot of my current readers may be wondering why my blog is titled "Life is a Highway" and haven't dug all the way through my archives to find my very first post! My first post was about exactly why I chose the name of the blog! I decided to pull that post out of the archives and re-post it for those new readers who may be wondering! I hope you enjoy! 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Now, I know we probably all know the Rascal Flatts song that was featured in cars... and even if we may be ashamed of it, I'm sure we've all jammed out to it a time or two... but have you ever actually taken the time to sit and think about that phrase? No? Neither did I until it came to my head for a blog title. 

Life truly is a highway. Think about it. What do highways have? 

Highways Have Ups and Downs. Hills and Valleys.

Sometimes we have to put our foot down on the gas a little harder to get up the hill when we're driving, but once we make it to the top, it's a feeling of relief. I remember last summer when I interned in South Dakota we were on our way across state on Route 90 to take the kids to summer camp and the church bus is OLD. There's one hill just past Chamberlain, SD that the bus has a hard time making it up... we had to put the flashers on and move slowly up the hill the whole time wondering if something is going to snap and the bus is going to break down. But it didn't, the bus made it up and over the hill and we all breathed a sigh of relief at that moment. 

When we're trying to get up a "hill" in our lives... when we're fighting that upwards battle... don't we get so worried and anxious sometimes that we're going to break down and go sliding back down that hill? But when we finally persevere enough and we make it to the top... to the plateau... isn't that the most relieving feeling?

And then there's the valleys, or downs. When we're driving and the road starts going downhill and the speed of the car keeps getting faster and faster what do we do? We hit the brakes... sometimes not so hard that we come to a screeching halt... but we ease on the them... to keep our car in control. Everyone will have a "downhill" time in their life. 

There is nothing wrong with that... there is nothing bad about that... but how do you handle it? Do you just let yourself keep speeding up and speeding up until you hit rock bottom and slam into something? Do you slam on the breaks and cause a pile up behind you? Or do you gently ease on the breaks and keep yourself under control and send a warning to those behind you that you're slowing down and everything is okay? 

Highways Have Open Roads

Picture it. You're driving down the highway in the warm month of June, the sun is shining, the radio is up, there's only a couple other cars on the road... and everything is going great. We've all got those "open road" times that it feels like nothing can bring us down and life is going so wonderfully. Those are my favorite times.

Highways Have Traffic

Have you ever come around a turn on the highway and had to slam on your breaks before rear ending the car in front of you because there's some sudden traffic? I've learned something when it comes to traffic... it doesn't last forever. It may last longer than we would like it to... but eventually... the road clears. Something else I've learned about traffic is there is always a reason for it. Whether it's a small reason like a lane shift and people just don't know how to merge properly... or a bigger reason like a car wreck... there is always a reason. 

However, we don't always see that reason until when? Until we're through the traffic. Life is so similar. Sometimes everything is going fine then we round the turn and slam on our breaks to wait through a time of traffic, a time of difficulty. But much like the traffic on a highway... the traffic of life doesn't last forever... and there's always a reason for it. 

So make the most out of the highway in your life. Persevere up the hills, have control in the valleys, turn your music up on the open road, and have faith in the traffic.

This is why my blog is titled "Life is a Highway". Follow along with my as I travel my highway... enjoy my posts about life, love, beauty, food, and anything else that comes up along the way. I hope and pray that you are blessed by this blog.

Fancy Fridays: Holiday Edition

Fancy Fridays is back! It's been a LONG time since I have done one of these posts, but I'm excited for another post! In this edition of Fancy Fridays, I'm going to show you some of my favorite finds for the holidays! Whether you have a work or family party, or you simply just feel like dressing up, I hope these simple and adorable outfits inspire you! Be prepared for a lot of red! 

The first of my adorable finds! I've actually sort of copied this outfit in my own wardrobe. Simple red dress with black tights and little booties! It's so adorable, simple, and fun! 

Source: Indulgy

This is probably my favorite out of the dresses in this post! I love the champagne and burgundy colors together and you could absolutely pair some excellent accessories with it! Also, take along a cardigan if you get chilly! 

Source: Lyst

(I tried to find a direct link to this exact dress, but Lyst apparently has a never-ending dress supply... so after scrolling for about 20 minutes, I gave up.)

This sparkly gold dress is a perfect alternative to the typical red dresses that you usually see around this time of year. I still love the pop of red in the shoe though! 

Source: Pinterest

More Red! Again, an adorable short sleeve that you could pair with black leggings or tights and a cute black cardigan. Throw on some gold accessories and you're set for a wonderful evening! 

Source: The Polyvore Collection

One more red! I love when I find dresses that are actually on models! She looks great in this dress with a deep V and simple earrings and clutch. Soft curls go perfectly with this mini-cocktail dress! 

Source: Inspiration Fashion 

(The link goes to a blog... the author of that blog gives no credit to where the original outfit was found) 

Last but not least... black and gold! A simple combination and another great alternative to red! I love this outfit! Throw on a chunky necklace and simple cardigan and you're set! 

Source: Nordstrom

(Unfortunately, this dress is currently not available)

Well that's all from me today! I hope you've enjoyed this edition of Fancy Fridays! 

What do you think? What do you like to wear around the holidays?

Lately

It's been an extremely busy couple of weeks! I finished up school for the semester (with good grades, by the way) and then I headed to Maryland for a week with my sweet guy. We'd been directing his church's Christmas play together for the last couple months and this last weekend was showtime! Here's a catch up on everything that's gone down. Also, after this post, my posts will be a lot more consistent now that I'm home and done with school and living on campus. 

This is Shelton 130. The dorm room I lived in all semester. This room now holds dozens of memories and was a little home away from home for me. I studied, I cried, and I slept. It was truly a cozy little place (and I mean little). I had the most wonderful and beautiful suite mate who encouraged me and became a close and dear friend over the course of the semester. If you haven't already heard... I will be taking classes online in the spring semester so this was my last college dorm room ever. My dear friend Heather came over the night before I moved out to help me pack and Kat (the gorgeous suite mate I mentioned) helped me squish everything in my car. I'm thankful for this semester. It stretched me and helped me grow in various ways and I got closer to people I would have never expected to. It's been a great run, Valley Forge. See you in May for Graduation! 

This is Chipper. He belongs to Roy and Terri (the couple that my boyfriend lives with in Maryland). Chipper and I like to snuggle until he starts to claw at my clothes. I love this kitty and when I'm with him it makes me miss my kitty. I'm a cat person... and Asa is just going to have to accept that. :) 

Friday was our day off from all things to do with the play or work. We told our cast to take the day away from it and we didn't have rehearsal so we did the same thing. He took me on a date night and we went to ikea to look at things and dream about the future. Then we went back to the house and cooked a spaghetti dinner together. I love cooking with him. I made the meat sauce and he cooked the spaghetti and meatballs. I set the table with two place settings and the roses he had got me the previous weekend. We lit a candle and opened a bottle of sparkling cider. It was an absolutely amazing and memorable evening with the most amazing man around. He's stolen my heart, and I don't want it back. 

Saturday evening was showtime! The cast got ready and we all prayed! There wasn't a huge crowd but the team still killed it and the show was a huge success! Sunday morning's show was even more intense! The church was packed and adrenaline was high. The cast put on the best show they've ever done and they did it all for the glory of God! I was so blessed to be a part of this incredible show and incredible team. After the show on Sunday, Asa was speaking and he mentioned something about me and all of a sudden I was being brought forward and the cast was handing us each a bouquet of roses. One of our main actors then took the microphone and thanked us for everything we did and handed us a bag with some gifts and a signed program for us. It was one of the sweetest moments. I was in tears. Again, shout out to the cast of Baby Boy... thank you all for letting me be a part of this amazing show. I love you all, in case I hadn't told you that enough. :)

Monday Asa and I didn't do a thing. We slept in and relaxed for the day and then went out for a nice dinner together. Tuesday morning was a sad one. It was the day I had to leave. Asa treated me to a nice breakfast at Denny's and then we grabbed me a coffee for the road at Starbucks. Like I said earlier, this boy has stolen my heart. I love him a lot. I didn't want to leave, but I knew that it would only be a couple weeks until I see him again since he's coming to Massachusetts for New Years. :) After this, I started my trek home. 

This is a very blurry picture... but it says "Massachusetts Welcomes You" and let me tell you, after an eight hour drive from 10am-6pm... it was a very welcome sight. I truly do love this state and I'm glad to be home. Like I mentioned earlier, I'm home for good... or at least for a while. I'm taking my classes online in the spring. It was also my last time seeing this particular sign that I've seen very often over the last 4 1/2 years... I won't be making that eight hour drive to Maryland again (because believe it or not flying is cheaper and way easier) and I won't be driving to school most likely until May when I graduate. Leave it to me to have that be an emotional experience... but it kind of was. 







That's what I've been up to the last couple of weeks! I hope you've enjoyed this small update. What have you been up to? 

Simple Stir Fry

Hello Everyone and Happy December!

Today I'm going to be sharing with you one of my favorite recipes to cook and eat! When I interned in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in the summer of 2013, my aunt taught me how to make this absolutely delicious stir fry. I introduced it to my family back in Massachusetts and I've been making it ever since. I made it this past Saturday while I was home for Thanksgiving and decided to share it with you!

Here's what you need:

6-8 Chicken Breasts
1 Bag Frozen Chopped Onions
1 Bag of Frozen Peppers 
Frank's Red Hot Sweet Chili Sauce
Soy Sauce
Honey

Here's what you do: 

1. Boil the Chicken 
       • I usually boil mine in a mix of water and chicken broth.

2. Cook the Peppers and Onions
       • Fry them up in a skillet with tall sides. Option: you can use butter to add a little more flavor.

3. Add the Chicken
       • Once it's boiled, cut the chicken into strips and add it to the peppers and onions.

4. Add the Sauces
       • Pour in the Honey, Soy Sauce, and Sweet Chili. I usually use all of the sweet chili... the honey and soy sauce I usually just eyeball to see how much I need. 

Mix it all together and let it heat all together. Once it's heated all the way through, serve over rice and enjoy! 

If you decide to try this recipe, please let me know what you think!

Black Friday & Answered Prayers

The last few years, I've caved on the Black Friday Shopping. I know the concept of this day being right after Thanksgiving is pretty horrible... but sometimes you really just can't beat the deals. This evening (because there are way less people in the evening), my sister and I ventured out to the mall to do a little bit of shopping. Didn't get very much... but got some great deals on things I did get! Check it out!

Old Navy

Aztec PJ Pants: Orig: $17
                        Paid: $8

"Saturdaze" Sweater: Orig: $20
                                Paid: $10

Blue Soft Tee: Orig. $18
                      Paid. $8.50

Fuzzy Socks: Orig. $5
                    Paid: $2

Target

3 Packs of Notecards: $3






Overall, some pretty awesome deals! 

Also, while I was out... a huge prayer of mine was answered! I'm moving back to Massachusetts from Pennsylvania in a few weeks and I've been praying for something to come through regarding a job. Well, while Sarah and I were in Old Navy tonight... we ran into the wonderful woman named Missy Manferdini. Missy was the retail manager while I worked at Cracker Barrel a couple summers ago. She's worked at Old Navy since leaving Cracker Barrel and we've kept in contact. When I was home a few weeks ago, my mom (who works at the DSW next door to Old Navy) told me that Missy had transferred to another store, so I was surprised to see her there tonight. Well, as it turns out... she was just at that other store for a couple months to help them open, but now she's back at the Holyoke store. I jokingly said... "wanna hire me in a couple weeks?" and she very seriously replied "yes, absolutely! I've actually been wondering if you were coming back so I could offer you a job! put your application in, text me when it's done, and Ben (other manager) and I will push it right through and get you started as soon as possible!"

WHAT?!

It was like God just laid a job in my lap and said "here ya go, girl. I've got this." 

I'm completely blown away by His faithfulness! I walked in the mall to go black friday shopping and I left with a job! At my favorite store, nonetheless. How crazy is that? 

God is so good! 

I hope you have all had a wonderful day! 

Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I hope you are all having a tremendous day with your loved ones! Today has been an excellent one for me. I woke up last in the house (as usual) and joined the rest of my family members on the couch to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The smells of the meal cooking filled the house and a feeling of warmth overwhelmed my soul. The rest of my family arrived and we all quickly set to work preparing our Thanksgiving lunch and setting the table together. Finally, everything was ready and the selfies began. Everyone was dressed up and wanted to take pictures... which frustrated my very hungry Dad. ha. We all sat down to eat and enjoyed a delicious meal. I think my family cooks the best Thanksgiving meal. After we all finished eating, we went around the table to say what we are thankful for. Then we pulled names for Christmas presents. After lunch we all gathered outside for our annual family picture and then some of us headed over to the pool. We're ending our day with football and pie! I seriously love my family so much and I am so blessed to be able to spend time like this with them. They're my favorite people and my heart is so incredibly full. Here are some pictures from our day!

What do you do for Thanksgiving? What are some of your family traditions? 

My Daddy, upset about all the pictures and the not eating. 

A good picture with Daddy

This is my Uncle Joey

My little munchkin, my cousin Nicholas.

My cousins, Matthew and Amber (L & R) and my sister Sarah (center)

One of our tables! 

My plate. Yummy.

The mountain outside our little house.

Panoramics are cool.

My own Thanksgiving Selfie.

My goofball cousin, Matthew.

Mama :) 

My attempt at hand lettering.

Pumpkin Pie. :) 

This isn't from today... but the one thing that would have made today better is if he was
here with me and my family. Missing my boy on this holiday... so thankful for him though. 

A Wintery Day

Greetings from the Berkshires! Winter Storm Cato is in full swing here. I'm thankful I was able to drive home yesterday before the storm. After my class yesterday, I left from Pennsylvania and made it up to Hancock, MA later in the evening. This is where my family is spending Thanksgiving this year. Normally, we go up to Stowe, Vermont for a stay at The Village Green... but this year we're switching it up and staying at Vacation Village in Hancock in the Berkshire Mountains, Western Massachusetts. It's super cozy here and it's even better being with my family. Last night and today so far, it's been just my sister Sarah, our Nana and her boyfriend Bill and I. It's been lovely, but I am so excited for the rest of my family to arrive in the next twenty-four hours. My parents are on their way up here now, my cousins are coming tonight, and my uncles, aunt, and other cousins are coming tomorrow morning! This time that I have with my family is one of my most cherished times and always creates some of the most fond memories. 

For now, we are sitting out the storm. I'm cuddled up under a blanket and when I'm done with this post I'm going to crochet more of the blanket I've been working on. I love warm drinks on cold days. We're watching a Christmas movie by the fireplace. My family means so much to me... I love spending this time of year with them. My heart is so full. Pray that the rest of my family makes it here safely in the storm! 

What about you? What do you like to do on cold and snowy days?