Liebster Blog Award.

Hi friends! My new friend Jessi at Flawless nominated me for the Liebster Blog award. Thank you so much, Jessi! Scroll down to check it out.

The Liebster Blog Award rules (I'm not the best rule follower and bent the rules a little):

1. Each person tagged must share eleven things about themselves.
2. They must answer the eleven questions the tagger has made for them.
3. They must then choose eleven fellow blogs to nominate.  The nominees must have under 200 GFC (Google Friend Connect) followers and be told in a comment on their blog.  Choose as many or as little as you want. 
4. Lastly they must then think of eleven questions to ask the bloggers they have decided to nominate.

Okay, so eleven things about me...

1. My favorite meal in the entire world is Butternut Squash ravioli. There's an adorable place back home in Mason, Ohio, called Wildflower Cafe that makes it the best, sprinkled with goat cheese and everything. They only make it in the Fall, so it's definitely a treat. 

2.  I am also obsessed with breakfast foods- french toast, waffles, omelets, the whole she-bang.

3. I am married to a youth pastor and love working with younger girls.

4. I adore my orange tabby named Gunther.

5.  I love learning about the intimate/Romantic heart of God and how He individually loves and woos each one of us.

6. I love to craft and create things and wish I had more time to do it! My favorite project I have done so far is definitely my "tea party lamp!" 

7. I am currently a substitute teacher for elementary students. I am praying that this will lead to a full-time position soon!

8. I prefer smaller groups to larger groups.

9. My husband proposed to me with the game "Pretty Pretty Princess." He is the sweetest!



10. Self proclaimed fashionista right here- I love glitter, dresses, and pattern mixing and would love to contribute to a fashion blog one day. 

11.  I've seen every episode of Friends at least six times and still laugh every single time I watch them. 

Here are the questions Jessi tagged me for:

1. Who is one person you really miss right now? 

Oh goodness, I have to pick just one?! Can I say my college roomies? That's two. There was never a dull moment with them. Good times. 

2. What is the weirdest meat you have ever eaten?

Unfortunately, I haven't been too adventurous in the meat department, but I did eat squid once, without knowing I was actually eating squid :P ....other than that, maybe different types of sushi that I've tried?

3. Do you have any nervous habits?

I crack basically every joint in my body...but I do this all the time, not just when I'm nervous :) 

4. What can always make your day?

Going out for a fantastic breakfast-- or having a really great one made for me...especially in bed :)

5. What is your favorite sport to watch?

College basketball- UK Wildcats!

6. What is your favorite mode of transportation?

I don't get to fly very often, but I enjoy it a lot... I also love riding bikes!

7. What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Friday-it's the start of the weekend and my husband and I's date night. Although I recently discovered $5 Tuesdays at our movie theatre, so Tuesday comes to a close second :)

8. What do you like on your burger?

Pepperjack cheese, tomato, and ketchup. Sometimes guacamole. 

9. What is your favorite grocery store?

Whole Foods Market.

10. What is your favorite season and why?

Summer-I'm a huge fan of sundresses, tans, ice cream, late night summer walks, the beach, and swimming. I also love the long hours of sunlight and hello-teachers get summers off! 

11. Nerds or Jocks?

I'd probably have to say Jocks since that most describes my husband...although in my opinion, he's kind of a secret nerd, in his own way. It's pretty adorable :)

I nominate:

Melissa from On Bruised Knees

Ellie at Letters + Light

Allie from Allie in Oz

Shana at Colorblind

Hannah at Hannahloveyoon 

Natalie at Heart Stirrings

Katie at Hope Engaged

Allison from Nestful of Love

Brhea from No Place Lyke Home

Eimile from Reflect

Barbie at The Parlor Girl

Deanna at Spotlight 316

Hillary at Runner Girl for Jesus

And, here are my questions :) 

1. Describe your perfect hot drink. You have a warm mug of something... what's in it?

2. What are your morning rituals?

3. If you could only wear one color for the rest of your life, which color would you choose?

4. What have you secretly believed you'd be really good at if you were given the chance?

5. What one thing bothers you most about the world? 

6. Facebook or twitter?

7. Describe your perfect Saturday.

8. What is one habit you are trying to change?

9. What is one of your God-given gifts?

10. Polka dots, stripes, floral, or leopard-choose one and tell me why.  

If you choose to post, I'd love a link in the comments box so I can see :) Have a great day loves! 

top oscar 2013 moments & looks.

1. Anne Hathaway's gracious and humble acceptance speech.
2. Jennifer Lawrence's fall up the stairs (this girl is hilarious... falling has never looked so good!)
3. Adele's live performance. 
4. Ben Affleck's "thank you" to his wife, Jennifer Garner. 

Here were my favorite looks of the evening:

Naomi Watts, Armani Prive via

Jennifer Lawrence, Dior Couture via

Kerry Washington, Miu Miu via

Sandra Bullock, Elie Saab via

Jennifer Garner, Gucci via

Watching the Oscars this past Sunday night was a treat because Sunday nights are our youth nights and normally I would not have been home to see them. But since I was sick and felt terrible Saturday night through Monday morning, I was home stuck on the couch and got to watch. Did anyone else watch this past Sunday night? What were your favorite moments and looks of the evening? 

must reads.

just some articles/posts that have encouraged me and made me think lately... 

1. The Dark Side of Creativity

2. The To-Don't List

3. The ABC's of Me

4. Mandisa's Valentine's Letter to her Future Husband

via

enjoy :)

valentines day recap.

i absolutely adore valentines day. hands down, its my favorite holiday. i love the colors, the crafts, the hearts, the expressions of love. my mom always made it so special growing up that it never phased me if i was single. it was hard this year not being close to family, as my mom usually hosts a valentine's dinner. however, brian and i were able to spend it with our college students and fellow young adults, and this was special in itself. 

i subbed in a 2nd grade classroom for half the day and came home to some goodies from my boo, family, and friends. 

i made these little hearts for the girls we would be seeing that night at dinner filled with a piece of chocolate and a love letter from Jesus. i attached a pencil with a clothespin to each one. 

the young adult/college ministry is called "morph." we all got dressed up, met at the church, and then went into the city for a nice dinner. 

it was a great time of bonding and to be reminded of our Savior's unconditional love for us!

happy valentines day!

a blessed birthday brunch.

i went home to cincinnati this past weekend for my birthday. my mom organized a little get-together with some friends in the area. i seriously have so many amazing people in my life!

i took gunther home with me so i could show him off to my friends. we played "pass the kitty" so everyone could hold him. then we let him play around everyone. he knew that he was the star of the morning!

even though everyone might not understand my love for kitties (orange ones in particular), allison does. she has two kitties of her own who are going to be fast friends with little gunther.

i was so blessed to be able to spend saturday morning with so many wonderful women. i was totally feeling the love. 

like i said, allison totally understands my love for kitties...and baking... so she got me this adorable Kitten Aid print. it is perfect and looks just like my gunther. 

and it goes oh so well in my kitchen!

new kitten, lots of wonderful friends, and brunch. 24 started off perfectly. 

meet Gunther.

it's finally happened, y'all. i finally got my orange kitten for my birthday last week. 

let's just say that i am in love. 

meet Gunther, my orange tabby. he is nine weeks old. 

likes: 

• snuggling with mommy 
• watching dad play video games
• chasing his toy dragonfly 
• chasing his tail
• walking on mom's keyboard when she's using her laptop
• exploring anything and everything 

dislikes:

• being alone

here is a picture of him when we brought him home last week:

                               

the shelter had named him comet originally. i love this picture of him so much!

looking out the window on the way to his new home!

"don't leave me mom!"

getting out some energy

"pay attention to me!"

"where i like to nap."

very interested in my morning tea

morning snuggle time... boy, does he make it hard to start getting ready for work in the mornings!

i am in love. 

Gunther was born on the very day that we moved to toledo and was ready to be adopted just in time for my birthday. since one of the perks of moving here was getting a kitten, i'd say this was pretty meant to be. i believe our Heavenly Father cares about the "little things" our heart desires... and yes, He blessed me with this orange ball of sweetness! 

Guest post at Heart Stirrings-Praying for your Future Spouse

Hi ladies! I am honored to be posting on Natalie's blog today. Today I am talking about my experience praying for my husband. Check it out here! Thanks so much Natalie for asking me to be a part of your blog today :) 

two layer carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.

This past weekend was Brian's birthday and carrot cake is his absolute favorite. This is my mother-in-law's recipe and it never fails to please. 

ingredients:



cake

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 tsp of baking powder
• 1 tsp of baking soda
• 2 tsp of heaping cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of vegetable oil
• 2 cups of sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups of finely grated carrots
• 1 cup of chopped walnuts

frosting

• 1 package of cream cheese
• 1 stick of softened, real butter
• 2 tsp of vanilla
• 1 box of confectioners sugar
• 1 cup of chopped pecans

For the cake...

• Combine oil and sugar. Mix well.
• Add eggs one at a time and beat well.   
• Gradually add dry ingredients and mix well.
• Add carrots and mix.
• Stir in nuts.
• 
• Pour batter in 2 greased and floured nine inch (round or square) pans. 

For the frosting...

1. Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla. 
2. Gradually add confectioners sugar. 

Frost each layer of cake when it is completely cooled. Easy peasy! 

(if you happen to be making this cake for a boy who loves lego blocks, light up the cake with some lego candles! yes, my hubby is 28 and loves legos.)