An A&W Recipe//Welcoming a New Year

Haha, this is not actually a recipe to make A&W rootbeer. My first name starts with an A and my boyfriend's name starts with a W so we always call ourselves A&W.

I really wanted to write a post to tell you a little bit about another part of me.

I don't post about my love life because that's one thing I like to keep personal but as the new year approaches, I wanted to share something about me that you may not know.

We have been together for over 8 years now. I met W when I was in high school and fell for him when I still had another boyfriend. Talk about a highschool scandal, haha just kidding.

We have had plenty of our highs of highs and lows of lows. I often tell people that if you name it, we have been through it. Because we met so young, we have been through many transformation periods that took a toll on our relationship. But now that we went through college, turning 21, gaining more freedom, etc... I often look at the times we grew apart as blessings in disguises to help us grow together.

He has truly become such a good friend of mine. I am so thankful for him!

This week, he surprised me with a trip to visit some friends in DC. He had many surprised up his sleeves and was always mindful on what I wanted to do. 

It truly showed me how thoughtful he is towards what I love and I am thankful to see how in the past year how we have grown together. We have gone through many transformations this year but I look back realizing how they all had and have a reason.

I am so blessed to not only have someone I can spend the cold nights with, but also someone I can call my best friend. 

I love you!

Our A&W Recipe?

Putting God first. I see how when we both put our focus on honoring Him first, our concerns in our relationship smooth out and work out.

I am thankful for you honey & I am excited to bring in the New Year with you!

Tonight, we are going on a boat ride where we will have dinner and welcome the new year with fireworks. Cant wait!

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year with people you love as well :)

What are your plans?

Everyday Blessings

This trip has been such a blessing so far. 

Today, W surprised me with a 90 minute full body massage! It was much needed and had me in heaven! I am thankful!

I was thinking today about how good Jesus is, all the time. & then it got me thinking about Saturday morning when we were leaving for DC. 

Since W was surprising me, he had to make up a fake scenario of what we are doing. He told me he wanted to do a late night casino trip and stay there for the weekend. So he made me pack different things and woke me up at 4:30 am because he was ready to "go to the casino".  He also told me his nephew and his nephew's girlfriend wanted to come but we had to pick up his girlfriend, who lived by the airport. Ha! Ha! Its so funny looking back.

Anyway, by the time we were by the airport, he said he took a wrong turn into the airport. I honestly didn't realize we weren't going to the casino until he pulled up to the curb for passenger drop off. Ha!

Although I was completely surprised, W was rushed! I soon realized we had 30 minutes to catch our flight and the airport was PACKED! 

It looked like an impossible situation but I remembered this verse:

I knew, no matter what it looked like, Jesus would handle it for us. So as easy as it was to be frustrated, I knew all things would work out.

I saw a girl I went to highschool with who I havent talked to in a long time who helped us budge atleast 7 minutes of the line. I was so thankful for just that! Then, after 5 minutes of standing and realizing we still need to budge others, a man let us budge another 10 minutes of the line to get to the security check.

Security check was a breeze and we ran to our gate. Still though- we just missed our flight by 2 mintues. Although it hadnt left the gate, the docking station was detached.

I wasn't giving up hope yet- because I know God could make things right!

The lady who was at the gate helped us get rescheduled. She said she was feeling "charitable" and bumped us up to a non-stop flight (our original flight was a multi stop). That gave us some time to rest, eat and get situated. And it let me process all that was happening!

THEN- W said he really wishes one of the guys that rode the carts would offer us a ride because our gate was very far and all of a sudden one came and asked us if we wanted a ride! WOW!

Praise God!

It really comes to show that when you have faith and trust in the Lord, all things are possible and work out for your good. That situation sure didnt look like it could end well, but then God placed people there to help us and get us on the right flight to get us to our destination. He is good like that!

If you practice looking at your situations with faith rather than with plain sight- you will start seeing how things can work out in your favor. Because nothing is impossible when you have faith.

Surprise Surprise!

Hey Everyone!

It has been nearly a week since I last posted- I apologize!

So much has been going on. The holidays were so busy (but fun, of course) and then I got an unexpected surprise from my honey. 

He surprised me with a trip to Washington DC!

We have a couple good friends that live there that we hardly get to see and since I took a couple days off work next week, I wanted to travel. We decided we weren't going to due to scheduling conflicts- but I later found out he was planning the whole thing out and included everyone around me so everyone knew except me! 

I was so surprised! He really pulled it off. I am so thankful and blessed!

We did so much in the first day!

~ We went to the DC mall and went to a store called C Wonder. I found such cute plates and a phone case that had A's on them to match my name :)

~ W and I joined our friends and went to the Hop's restaurant and enjoyed dinner as well as those honey glazed mini croissants! YUM! 

~ We have passed by the memorial so many times now and I finally got a pic! 

~ We joined our friend's family in visiting the Holocaust Memorial. It is a great reminder of how blessed we all are and how we are not finished ending genocide.

~ To celebrate being in New England, W and I went to Lou's Sports Bar and watched the Patriots beat the Buffalo Bills! Go Patriots! :)

I hope everyone has had a good holiday! Anything exciting that went on? Share in the comments section below! :) :) I love to hear from you.

I will post more updates on the trip including what's in store for New Years as this trip unfolds!

I guess there are many more surprises ;) Cant wait!

Holiday Treats

Happy Monday Everyone!

Just 2 days before Christmas! 

Are you excited?! I am.

At my house, we have been baking and making some holiday treats this week to help satisfy the sweet tooth :)

We made puppy chow this weekend!

I have made puppy chow from other recipes before, but they never turn out as delicious as when I use my grandmother's recipe.

Here are the ingredients:

1 Cup Peanut Butter

1 Cup Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet or your preference)

1 Stick of Butter

1 Medium Box of Chex Cereal (Rice)

2 Cups of Powdered Sugar

Directions:

Melt Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Butter Together in Saucepan.

While melting ingredients, put the Chex in a big bowl.

After completely melted, pour over cereal and stir. Make sure to fully coat cereal with melted ingredients.

After it is coated, in a large paper bag, add 1 cup of powdered sugar in the bag and add the cereal. 

Add the 2nd cup of powdered sugar.

Close the top of the bag and roll the top down and shake. Make sure the bag is tightly closed on the top so powdered sugar doesn't make a mess! 

Shake, Shake, Shake! 

Open the bag, and if the cereal is fully coated you are done! Add more powdered sugar if needed/wanted.

& enjoy! 

Very simple recipe that makes a delicious treat!

Everyday Blessings

Good Morning!

Last night a group of my friends and I got together and went to celebrate the Holidays with a Minnesota tradition called the Holidazzle! It is the last year they are holding it so we thought it would be good to see it for the last time.

It was very cold so I made sure to be prepared to be freezing while watching it.

I wore my favorite black shawl coat with a black beanie and some gloves.

The Holidazzle is a parade of stories from our childhood where they decorate the boats according to the story and they add lights and things related to the holidays.

 After the Holidazzle, we went back near home and got some dinner and drinks!

Haha, she is so cute :)

I got tomato basil soup- it was so good! I also got mushroom ravioli but I was so hungry that I forgot to take a picture! LOL. 

They honestly had the best tomato basil soup I have ever had! Definitely going back :)

& today I am of course thanking God for another beautiful day! I plan on finishing my Christmas shopping today and making some holiday goodies :) Stay tuned for that!

I hope you have a Happy Saturday! A new blog post will be up tomorrow!

Everyday Blessings

Happy Friday Everyone!

I am counting down the days 'till Christmas, only 5 days to go!

It is starting to look and feel more festive all over- including the office!

So pretty!

There are candies all over the place but my favorite treat is a zebra hot cocoa from Caribou Coffee! So yummy on a cold winter day :)

Some of my favorite candies:
1. Reese's- definitely tops every candy list for me- chocolate and peanut butter is my favorite!
2. Peanut Butter M&M's- like I said, chocolate and peanut butter :)
3. Starburst- I typically dont like fruity candy but those are so good!
4. Oreo's- although those are a cookie, they are still a great treat- I think its anything with chocolate :)

I hope everyone has a happy & festive Friday!

As this season represents, be joyous, kind and gracious. It is the time to give back for all that you have received! Nothing like a reminder from The Word :)

Here is a song that has been playing on my ipod today :)

Christmas Wish List

Well, it is officially less than a week before Christmas!

Christmas is my favorite time of year... not only because family comes together but because we get to celebrate and remember all Jesus has done for us! I am so thankful this year for so many things!

Since Christmas is just around the corner, my friends and I have been doing a lot to get prepared and get into the holiday spirit. 

The other night, I made more than 60 cookies! I did chocolate chip with added peanut butter M&M's (everyone I know loves those). I am giving them away at work today as well as to family and friends :)

The tree and present are pretty much all done as well! There are still thing coming in the mail but for the most part, everything is wrapped! 

- Top Left: Spaghetti squash dinner with a side salad and garlic bread

- Top Right: Missmatching (but super comfy) fuzzy socks

- Bottom Left: Enjoying my favorite wine, roscato, with some candles :)

- Bottom Right: Cant leave our some hot chocolate from Caribou and a gossip mag :)

I have about 3 secret santas going with friends and family so I am not only excited for the exchanging of gifts, but also excited to see who got me!

What is on your wishlist for christmas this year?

I have pretty much all I need- so it was hard deciding on things that I want! But I was able to decide on a few things.

Here are some of my picks this year:

I heard from a friend that this book is super good- and helps break the habit of trying to be perfect! I am excited to read it :)

Every girl loves a good pair of boots- and these have been on my eye for awhile- a hint of leopard print with a black leather front- I could see me wearing these with so many different things!

I have been wanting a ring that has three strands. It reminds me of the verse in Ecclesiastes 4:12: A cord of three strands cannot be broken. Also, I have been wanting a simple ring I can wear everyday :)

I saw these on my instagram feed and fell in love! Sport and fashionable- love that idea. Unfortunately, they are $170! Wishful thinking... :)

My Macbook is getting pretty old now and because I know how expensive Mac's are, I will have to start saving for one! So, on my wishlist goes a giftcard to apple towards a new computer :)

I have featured these on my blog before because they are so gorgeous! I didnt buy them because they were $110 and I just had other things I could use that money towards. But now they are on sale! So I have put it on my wishlist as a gift to get :)

Last but not least, every professional needs a clothes steamer! I saw this on HSN, an this would be perfect to fit in my small space. That way I wont have to always drag out the iron to get a nice smooth finish on my fabric.

Have a great rest of your day!

xoxo,

-A

Here is a song I love! Enjoy! :)

40 Days Wrap Up// A Perfect Parent

Hey Loves!

First I want to say congrats to all the winners of the giveaway! It was so fun working with all of the bloggers and giving away some awesome things this Christmas. 

Congrats Again!

In other news..

My 40 Day Transformation Challenge is Complete!

While it wasn't the easiest thing to do, it was definitely worth it. 

For those who dont know what my 40 Days Transformation was, here is a recap:

A couple months ago, I felt God was telling me to take 40 days away from something that meant so much to me. He asked me to take away time from the "thing" I loved to make more time for Him. He told me during this time that chains I had that were holding me back would be broken, and that I would go through a major transformation during the time. He also said at the end there would be a breakthrough- something that I had been asking Him. 

I followed through with it and spend some quality time with Jesus over 40 days. I stayed away from the temptations that I felt God was asking me to stay away from and I tried to stay faithful in including Him in each part of my day. 

I didnt do it perfect, in fact I told God that I felt there were a lot of things I failed on. But even though I didnt do everything exactly perfect, Jesus still gave me the breakthrough I was looking for.

One morning, I woke up and as I was getting ready, I lifted my arms up and I could literally feel as though chains were breaking off that were holding my arms down before. I felt free! It was an amazing feeling I had never felt before. On top of that, many things were revealed to me and confirmed for me last week after the 40 Days were complete. I didnt know what to expect from God when he said that I would get a breakthrough, but He gave me the breakthrough I was waiting for. He really showed out!

The 40 days really transformed me. 

I look at things a lot differently. I am no longer set back on my mistakes, my past, or my daily troubles. 

If there was one thing God showed me most during this 40 days- it would be His love for me- for all of us.

 & how focusing on His love and His love alone has infinite benefits. I no longer worry about things to come because I immediately look to God. For I know He loves me beyond comprehension- & will do everything to protect me, provide for me, guide me, and deliver me through any and everything that comes. 

 & the thing He asked me to take time away from? That thing and everything that came with it consumed me so much before the 40 day fast. It often times took my attention in front of God and also would tempt me to not look to God because I felt hopeless. But now, I can honestly say God consumes me and the "thing" I took time away from- I feel so much more balanced with it. There is nothing I love more than my Father in heaven and now the "thing" has been put in its rightful place in my life. It still means a lot to me, but God means more. Above all else. & its so refreshing to feel complete.

He taught me so many things- things that are crucial to obey- that I would sometimes look over in the bible before- or not APPLY it in my life. & what a change it has made. I feel like a new person- inside and out. 

I thank God so much for the opportunity that He gave me and for choosing me as someone He wants in His army. I am so grateful for Him in every way- from who He is to what He has done to what He is going to do. He is truly a wonderful Father.

One thing He kept reminding me over the 40 days was this:

"Imagine your perfect parent---

how would they react to your mistakes? Or you disobeying them? How would they respond to your deepest secrets? How would they respond to your apologies? How would they respond to your accomplishments? How would they respond to your thanks?

I am MORE than your perfect parent. I love you more than your perfect parent- an infinite amount more. I love you more than you could ever imagine."

So when I get down or feel I did something wrong, I look to God and tell Him whats on my heart, repent if needed, and then I would imagine how my perfect parent would respond. & that helps me remember that God is better than any perfect parent I could imagine. & He forgives all of us- not to say there wont be consequences or He just lets us get away with things- but He knows what you need and what will help you learn and have a prosperous future with Him.

I hope this helps you when you feel down sometimes. & I hope this encourages your to seek a closer relationship with Him- because He wants one with you!!

XOXO,