03 November 2010

Livin' on Love

I love all of my nieces and nephews. I don't get to see them often enough, but when I do, I savor every moment.

Last weekend, Andrew had to take a test in Rolla. My niece and nephew live nearby, so I decided to tag along with Andrew and spend the day with them.

Boy, am I glad I did!


This handsome little guy just celebrated his 2nd birthday! It's hard to believe he's growing up so quickly. I love him to pieces!


My girl, Lexi, is so incredibly smart. At our special ladies lunch, we were doing math problems... FOR FUN!!!


Getting a picture with these two does not come easily...

Take One.


Take Two.

I do love Lexi's face in this picture!


Take Three!

I love it!!!


I think we have a little photographer on our hands : )

Anyway, it was such a nice visit. I really enjoyed playing with Brendyn, and I love getting to spend time with my Lexi.

It sure was good for the soul!


02 November 2010

Launching: Funky Line

I thought it was time for fun and wacky flower clips... and Hobby Lobby just got a shipment of these super cute zebra print gerber daisies! I was in luck.

Check them out...


This one is my favorite.




Reminds me of summer!


Too cute.



How fun!


This one no long has the goofy orange center.


Love the colors.




These are so incredibly fun!


The color palate is the same on all flowers... which allows for a mix -n- match opportunity.


So fun!


Love the explosion of color.


People won't be able to miss this accessory!


How cute would these be for a photoshoot... or homecoming... or just to wear out. These work well for anyone... birth-adult.

I'm quite fond of this new line. I finally set up an Etsy account that you can visit here or you can email me at tailor.made.by.abby@gmail.com to place an order or express interest. I can now bill online via PayPal, and I am excited about this new opportunity!


01 November 2010

Cheesy Potato Soup: Disaster Averted

Months ago, our church decided to put together a cookbook. Andrew's Nana bought a copy for me and gave it to me this past Sunday. I was so excited to get home and use it.


I decided on Cheesy Potato Soup. We went to the store and purchased the ingredients.


10 or so red potatoes.


4 cans cheddar cheese soup.

2 cans cream of broccoli soup.

6 cans milk.


1-2 packages crumbled bacon.


Dice potatoes.


Dump in crockpot.


Add remainder of ingredients.

This is where I became skeptical.


Fry bacon.


Drain grease.


Add to crockpot.

After this, things went wrong. Really, really wrong.

I ALWAYS taste-test throughout the cooking process. If I won't eat it, I won't serve it. I'm a finicky cook... I want it to be just right.

So... I tasted.

And gagged.

It was awful. The consistency was terrible, the taste was awful, and it was completely wrong. I'm not saying that it's not a good recipe- to each his own. BUT, there was no way that I was going to serve it.

Soo... I drained THREE CUPS of the broth and added:

8 chicken buillion cubes
2 cups of water
8 ounces sour cream
Chives
Salt
LOTS of pepper

And...


... when supper came around it was edible.

Andrew liked it... he even got a second helping.

I still think it's because he didn't want me to feel bad.

I didn't gag when it came time for dinner, and I saved some for leftovers, so it really wasn't too bad.

Needless to say, I will not use this recipe again; however, I'm very excited to use other recipes in this cookbook. Also, if you feel like you may like this recipe, feel free to use it- and let me know if your tastebuds agree with it.


31 October 2010

Happy Fall!

I am not a big fan of Halloween, but there is one thing that I DO love about October 31st...

Carving Pumpkins!!

Getting Started:



Gutting:



Finished Products:


Posing:



Pumpkins:



Is it just me, or does Andrew's pumpkin make you go "WHAT?!" upon first glance?

HAHA! I love it! He is really good at making me laugh. I'm glad I'll have this to look at each day when I come home from school and extern.

All Lit Up:




Carving pumpkins is always fun, and I enjoy looking at them throughout the week. But, now we're at the end of the day, and we can now move on to the more meaningful holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas!!


28 October 2010

All Dolled Up

My mom suggested that I begin making shoe clips. So, I grasped the idea and ran with it.

Here's what I have so far...


Wouldn't these be pretty on little girls' Christmas shoes?


They're versatile... can be dressy or casual.


They can be worn with just about any shoe.


These would be a cute accessory for a Thanksgiving outfit to give it that extra "pop"!


I, of course, love the classic ivory! These could be worn just about any time!

I've had lots of compliments already on these little cuties. My little "business" has done very well since I began a month ago. In fact, I am shipping two orders today... have three orders pending... and have two orders in the works. I'm one step closer to opening an Etsy shop! Stay tuned!!


26 October 2010

Blessed Day

Sometimes I am absolutely, completely, and without a doubt, pathetic. I have a negative attitude, and all I want to do is cry and feel sorry for myself. Lately I've been extremely pitiful about so many things... but mostly about not seeing my husband enough.

I try to post mainly uplifting, inspiring blogs. I try to not air how I am feeling if it's negative... I don't want my blog to be a place for me to whine and complain, but this one is a little different.

I have been really sad for myself this week for so many reason. I will have less time to spend with Andrew this week because of schedules and school. Andrew was offered a second interview for a company out of state (SO excited for and proud of him, but sad that it may take him away for even longer). School also brings me down because of its negativity. I'm sure I could make a list a mile long, but I won't continue.

The main point is I've been feeling sorry for myself. I've been super lonely, and I've been letting myself feel upset about the situation. I feel like I have every right to want to cry, but what does that solve? Nothing- it just ends in a headache and swollen eyes.

I need to realize that this life is bigger than me. It's not all about me- and although I would love for things to be different in a lot of ways, it is what it is. God has a purpose, and I need to let go and let God.

Easier said than done, right?

I think God realized that I needed an immediate lesson in how many blessings I experience every day. He also realized that He needed to pour them on strong, because I've been in a mood where I haven't wanted to listen.

Boy, He did just that today...


Around noon, I received an email from my dear friend, Jen. I am sure it stemmed from my negative status update on facebook, but it quickly changed my attitude. Let me share:

"You're blessed when you are out of options, and all you can do is lean on God. Because when you realize your need for God it is only then that you tap into His immeasureable greatness and goodness. You're blessed when you've been stripped of that which is most precious to you. Because only then can you be tenderly embraced by the One most precious to you."
-Jen

She paraphrased this from Matthew 5:3-5, and it couldn't have been more perfect for what I've been experiencing and feeling lately.

Jen and I met through school, and we quickly became good friends last year around this time. We have often said that God brought us together for a very specific reason, and today this reason was extremely evident. Jen always know just what to say to lift my spirits, and she always comes to me when she needs someone to talk to.

We both provide a Godly influence on each others' lives, and I am extremely thankful for her. She not only sent me this amazing advice, but she invited me over for tortilla soup... and the company was much appreciated!


When I arrived home, I was greeted with a letter from my Granny Sue. It's a God thing that it arrived today. She is the strongest prayer warrior I've ever met, and she has made a point to let me know that she is praying daily for our future... and praying for God's will to happen.

She made a point, again in the letter, to tell me "we are in fervent prayer for the job situation- one that is right for both of you." I know that she is praying for me, Andrew, and us as a whole. She is praying for God's will.

I cannot think of a better prayer.

So, yes, I was reminded today that God' will is bigger than my own. God's plan for me is beyond my understanding. God knows what is best for me- even when I don't think He has a clue.

This is the point where I need to follow the lyrics of one of my favorite songs (which ironically, was posted by my stepmom today). They go as follows:

"What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world"
-Matthew West

I'm sorry for my rambling, and I will post a happy blog again tomorrow. Sometimes; however, it's good to let these feelings out... to let people know that everything is not always sunshine and happiness. I DO get sad, I DO get pitiful, and I DO cry.

BUT- At the end of the day I know the following things:

I worship a loving, almighty God.
This same God has my best interest at heart- and will not fail me.
I am married to an amazing guy.
I have a wonderful marriage filled with love.
I have a great family.
I have really good friends.
My life is FILLED with blessings beyond measure.
I am a strong, confident person.
I can do it.
It's time that I focus on all of my BLESSINGS.

I just need to let go and let God.

In closing, I'm determined to put the following into practice:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
- Philippians 4:4-9