Best part about this room? Go!

I'll start the list, and if you feel like playing along, feel free to finish it!

1. Stairs steal the show.

2. White is winning.

3. Wall art is too good to be true.

4. Pictures are hanging straight and are at the correct height (extra win).

5. There are a bazillion awesome textures.

6. The lighting is perfect!

Spring is here!

And my favorite part? I get to set the table for breakfast on Saturday when the sun is shining through the windows! :)

Eco Friendly Napkin Rings

Found the cutest napkin rings today. You can get a set of 4 for only $15 at Fuz stores across Canada, or they can be shipped from their website! Easy as 1, 2, 3 right? Who needs a hug?!

My Family

Yep, they're just as awesome as ever.

My mom...beautiful.

Best parents in the world.

J-town

Bro

Hey...I can't take a pic and be in it. :)

My sister, pretty-much brother, and nephew

Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients

-1 large sweet potato, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch wide strips

-2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

-2 tsp. Garlic powder

-1 tsp. Paprika

-2 Tbsp. Parmesan Cheese

Directions

-Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

-In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes with EVOO until lightly coated.

-Add all remaining ingredients and toss to coat.

-Spread potatoes, in a single layer on a large baking sheet.

-Bake for 8-10 minutes, then flip potatoes, cooking 5-10 more minutes.

-Let fries cool for 5 minutes before serving!

Wait wait wait...

What is this?!

Found here

Love Much

So for as long as I can even remember, I never thought I had problems, but those around me did. Funny, isn't it? It's not that I wasn't humble. I really truly felt that I was honestly a good person, had humility when it came to others, but didn't understand how I was wrong in arguments, debates, and discussions with others. It was their problem, right? I held grudges, kept track of people's slip-ups, and had a hard time saying I was sorry.

It's funny how God has totally taken my heart, shaken it up, and twisted out something new in these last few years. He broke my self-complex, but only so I could grow, give, love, and learn more. He was never trying to hurt me, make me miserable, or embarrass me. All those things happened, but only because I was holding back from the great gifts he was trying to give me. I wanted to change...but not all the way. I wanted to learn....but wanted to do things the old way. I wanted to give...but only a little. I wanted to love...but only if they loved me back. I wanted to forgive...but only if they saw my side. I wanted to like them...but they rubbed me the wrong way. See the problem with that? I had to first work through the pain of realizing I wasn't right all the time. It was hard, it took time, and it took wisdom from others. And oh yeah, it was worth it.

I was looking through these seriously dark rose-colored glasses. I saw things as I wanted to see them. I saw myself as I wanted to see myself. Once I took those off, admitted my faults, and started working at them, I found the opposite of my fears to be true. No one rejected me, I found more friends. No one thought I was ridiculous, they all wanted to help. No one judged me, the hugged me. I found life to be even sweeter and brighter, because I put God first.

God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Ephesians 3:20

I truly traded in my rags for riches. God forgave so much in me, and that's why I'm so thankful. I truly can't be quiet, because he forgave SO much. He loves even me? That's the thought that goes through my head each morning. I'm chosen? He loved me that much? After all that I've done? I remember, every day, how my life used to be, and the depths from which I've come, and then I thank him.

This verse describes my life:

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.

Luke 7:47

I have so many reasons to rejoice and be glad, because God has restored my life! I will love much! So let me ask you, what then do I not have? God's love is everything. My cup overflows.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This is the best chicken tortilla soup recipe I've ever had. It is so so so good! Now, I changed up the original recipe quite a bit with a few things that I liked, but this is exactly how I made it.

Ingredients

• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 1 cup chopped green onion
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup chunky salsa
• 8 ounces corn tortilla chips
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
• sliced avacado or guacamole (optional)

Directions

1. In a large pot over medium heat, saute the chicken in the oil for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cumin and mix well. Then add the broth, corn, green onion, cilantro, chili powder, lemon juice and salsa. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes.
2. Break up some tortilla chips into individual bowls and pour soup over chips. Top with the Monterey Jack cheese and a little sour cream. If you're like me, you want to add a little avacado or guacamole also. :) Happy cooking!

Pumpkin-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

If like to eat healthy (or are vegan or vegetarian) you absolutely need to visit www.happyherbivore.com for some great recipes and tips! One of the best recipes I've tried from this site are these delicious (and yes, nutritious) cookies! I eat about half the batter before I ever bake them (yes, every time). I know they're good because Jonathan inhales them, and even eats them for breakfast sometimes. Besides a little sugar, they're ridiculously good for you, so feel no guilt and have a couple! Have fun baking!

Ingredients:

• 6 tbsp canned pure pumpkin
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• ½ cup raw sugar
• ½ whole banana, mashed
• 2 tbsp non-dairy milk
• 1½ cups rolled oats
• ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour
• ¼ tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ raisins

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, maple, sugar, banana and non-dairy milk together. In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda and pumpkin pie spice together and then transfer it into the wet mixture. Stir a few times then add raisins. Continue to mix until combined. It may look too dry initially, but keep stroking, it will incorporate perfectly. Drop spoonfuls on a greased cookie sheet and bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until firm to the touch and spring-like.

Too good. Too good.

Today, no words can describe my joy.

Because of who God is, and because what God has done, my cup runneth over.

You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

Psalm 23:5-6