Random November Pictures

Wow. November is almost over. In fact, in 2 1/2 hours, it will be December. How many of you already bought all your Christmas gifts? Not me...

Here is a recap of November, filled with beautiful sunsets, lots of food, and family time. Hope you enjoy! {They are not in chronological order.}

The Capitol in Harrisburg

The frost on the pumpkin

I'm sorry, but this sandwich was a-ma-zing! Melty, mouth-watering muenster cheese in between two halves of a toasted sesame seed bagel. Yeah, you can't get much better than that. Unless you add bacon. Bacon makes everything better. That's my motto, my maxim.

There is a story behind this picture. First of all, the amazing effects were done here. Secondly, if you're still reading this, the story is as follows: I was sitting, minding my own business, taking the first bite out of the delectable sugar cookie you see in the picture above. However, after I took that bite, my creative instincts took a hold of me and urged me to run outside, in my bare feet, and take a picture of this beautiful cookie against the pristine, white snow. I gave in and ran outside, barefooted, mind you, in the 30 degree weather, all to capture this magical moment. 

My brother, Ben (sitting on the right), shot a buck with his bow and arrow. He used a compound bow, not a wooden bow like Robin Hood, though. My other brother, Tommy (sitting on the left), also shot a deer. Cool, right? I feel really sorry for all of you who don't have brothers who hunt. Really sorry!

My awesome mother made Chex Mix. It was coming out of the oven just as I was walking in the door. Mmmm! Oh, the smells, the tastes, the warmth, that proceeded forth from the aforementioned Chex Mix. It was heavenly, I tell you, heavenly.

More snow on more pumpkins...

I captured this gorgeous sunset while walking home from church one evening.

Me and my family on Thanksgiving

(I'm the pretty one) ;D Just kidding; we're all pretty. 

Saturday Snickers - 11/29/14

Haha! Gotta love I Love Lucy! Pretty much sums up my day...

Q: What did you do for Thanksgiving?

Q: Did you go Black Friday shopping? If so, where?

Leave your answer in the comments below.

If you don't reply, I'll just assume that you don't believe in Thanksgiving, and you have no idea what Black Friday is. :-)

Next Friday, we find out if Baby is a little mister or a little miss! #auntieB #cantwaittobeanaunt #futurespoiledbaby Pictures to follow.

123 days till we go to Paradise! I mean, Hawaii...

Grandma's Honey Muffins

These are seriously good. I didn't think that muffins could be so good, but these are. You must try these now. Like, now. Why are you still reading this? You should be making these amazing honey muffins. 

~ Grandma's Honey Muffins ~

• 
  
• Yield: 1 dozen

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup honey

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, combine egg, milk, butter and honey. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
• 
  
• Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm, with butter.

KCEA State Choir

On Saturday, I had the privilege of going to Harrisburg and hearing the State Choir perform in the Capitol Rotunda. It was so cool! Because of the huge dome, everything echoes. When they finished a song, the last note reverberated for a while. My friends Abby, Katelyn, Hope, and Angie were able to sing in this choir, as well as some teen boys from our youth group. Next year, hopefully, I'll be able to sing in this amazing choir!

And, yes, I did climb all those steps. Actually, I ran.

Yes, I went all the way to the top of the Capitol building and looked down on the multitude of people, and yes, I felt compelled to drop either grapes or Gobstoppers on them. ;-)

You can listen to the songs and see more pictures by clicking here.

Monday Musings - 11/24/14

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

~1 Thessalonians 5:18

It's almost Thanksgiving, and everyone is talking about being thankful. We all know that we're supposed to give thanks in all things. But do we actually? I mean, obviously, when things are great, we give thanks. However, when you face sorrow, when your plans get ruined, when things don't go your way, do you still give thanks like you did in the good times? If you're human, probably not. 

So, how can you give thanks in everything, like the verse says? Make it a habit to give thanks. Here are some ideas:

• Keep a "gratitude journal" and write out at least five things you are thankful for every day. They can be as small as "The birds were chirping, and the sun was shining!"
• Learn to recognize the good things even in bad situations. Paul was in prison when the wrote the verse above!
• Verbally thank God for not only the things in your life, but also the people!

Saturday Snickers - 11/22/14

Three cheers for REAL books! :-)

End of the Volleyball Season!

Well, volleyball season is officially over. 

*sniff* 

It was a great year, and all the girls did really well! So proud of them! 

Abby and Katelyn cheering us on!

~The Coaches~

Amanda, me, and Ben at one of my games that we actually WON!!! Maybe that's why I'm smiling so incredibly big! :D

Good spike, Noreen!

1...2...3... let's go, Knights!

Me, #21

Me again...

Us bein' sorta crazy...

The whole team

Back row, left to right: Angie, Liz, Sarah R., Erika, Anna

Middle, left to right: Coach Selena, Abby, me, Akina, Katelyn, Jillian, Coach Alayna

Front row, left to right: Emaline, Sarah S., Hope, Noreen

The JV team

Standing, left to right: Coach Alayna, Anna, Jillian, Erika, Coach Selena,

Sitting, left to right: Sarah S., Akina, Emaline, me

Our lovely shoes. Can you find mine?

The Lady Knights

Left to Right: Angie, Emaline, Anna, Jillian, Erika, Liz, Abby, Katelyn, me, Hope, Noreen, Sarah R., Sarah S., Akina, Coach Selena, Coach, Alayna

Look at me being awesome in the front!

JV pyramid

Top, left to right: Akina, Emaline, Anna

Bottom, left to right: me, Jillian, Erika, Sarah S.

Monday Musings - 11/17/14

Here's an article my friend Akina Hall wrote for my newsletter. 

Hope you enjoy!

Thanks Be Unto the Lord Thy God!

* By Akina Hall *

     As teenage girls, we want what others have. But that’s not what God wants for us. He wants us to have gratitude over what he has already given to us. I think the very first thing we ought to thank God for is the salvation he had planned for us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we didn’t have to be crucified on the cross and go to lake of fire!

     Ephesians 5:19-20 says, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the names of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

     Colossians 3:15-17 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

     These two verses say that we need to be thankful always for everything THAT God hath given to us in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and singing with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs on to another with thankfulness to God.

     Psalm 106:1 says, “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”He gave His only begotten Son to die for us despite of our rebellion against Him. He still loved us! How wonderful is that!

     Thankfulness is not what we do only in the circumstances we like, but also in the trials. He wants us to grow and love Him more even in the worst circumstances. We should follow our Lord and Savior’s footsteps, for He hath suffered and died for us. We should be willing to do whatever he commands us. As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

     

Today, let others know that you’re thankful for them as being part of your life. Be thankful for your wonderful Christian parents. Be thankful for your health. Be thankful for your pastor. Be thankful for your teachers. Be thankful for your siblings. Be thankful for the money you have to buy your everyday supplies. And be thankful for what God hath given to you.

List five things that you are thankful for:

I am thankful for _______________________________.

I am thankful for _______________________________.

I am thankful for _______________________________.

I am thankful for _______________________________.

I am thankful for _______________________________.

Saturday Snickers - 11/15/14

Mr. Bean. He never gets old. :-)

Bacon Cheeseburger Roll-Up

We had this for supper a few days ago, and, let me tell you what, it was hard to stop eating it! It's so cheesy and bacon-y, how could you go wrong? 

The recipe is from Kraft's Food and Family magazine, in case you were wondering. :-) You can find the recipe here:

 http://www.tastebook.com/recipes/1109953-Bacon-Cheeseburger-Roll-Up.

Bacon Cheeseburger Roll-Up

Prep: 15 min.                  Total: 40 min.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped onions (about 1 small onion)
• 1/2 lb. (8 oz.) Velveeta Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 pkg. (13.8 oz.) refrigerated pizza crust

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 400° F. Cook ground beef, bacon, and onions in a large skillet on medium-heat until ground beef is evenly browned, stirring occasionally. Drain; return meat mixture to skillet. Add Velveeta; cook until completely melted, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; set aside. Let meat mixture cool for about 15 minutes. If it's too hot, it tears the dough. 

• 2) Unroll pizza dough onto baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Press into 15x8-inch rectangle. Top evenly with meat mixture. Roll up dough, starting at one of the long sides. Rearrange, if necessary, so roll is seam-side down on baking sheet.
• 
  
• 3) Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cut diagonally into 6 slices to serve. You can serve it with ketchup, sliced tomatoes, or mustard. I suggest ketchup, because it makes it taste like a real cheeseburger! Hope you like!

Monday Musings - 11/10/14

Slow Down!

Last night, we had the privilege of hearing a missionary to Russia preach at our church. It was an amazing message about missions, surrender, salvation, and Jesus Christ. He preached from Matthew 9:35-38, where it says, 

"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." 

He mentioned how busy Jesus and His disciples were in this chapter: "teaching in their synogogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." Yet, right in the middle of all these miracles, Jesus stops and says, in essence, "Look at all these people! Who will tell them of the the gospel? There are not many labourers, but so many people! Pray that I will send more labourers into the world to preach." 

How often, in our lives, we get so caught up in our busyness and hurrying from here to there, that we don't stop for a minute and take a look at all the people around us that need the gospel! And not only feel sorry for them, but do something about it! That's what compassion is! Compassion involves ACTION! 

So, this week, when you're at the mall, or at work, or anywhere in public, stop for a minute and see the multitude around you that needs to hear about Jesus!

Saturday Snickers - 11/8/14

If you haven't watched or read Pride and Prejudice, you won't understand! If you don't understand it, don't feel too badly; there are a lot of jokes I don't understand! ;-)

Baby's First Pictures!

A few weeks ago, my sister Sarah and my brother-in-law, Philip, went to the baby doctor and got an ultrasound! Even though you can't see all of his/her features, I think he/she is cute already! You can sorta see the baby's nose in the first picture! The baby's head is on the right, if you couldn't tell. I personally think the baby is going to be blond, but who knows? :D

Sunday was exactly 26 weeks till her due date (Sunday, May 3)! As if you couldn't tell, Auntie B is super excited! <3

Monday Musings - 11/3/14

"Those who have great impact for God are those who have a great passion for Him fueled by meditation upon His Word." ~Unknown

Let's start your week off right by opening up the Word of God and meditating on some nuggets of truth! Here's an article I wrote for the teen girls' newsletter that I design, edit, and print for the teen girls at my church. Hope you enjoy! 

Hold Your Tongue!

James 3:5-10 says, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it as set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

          Wow! The Bible says our tongue is unable to be tamed and full of poison! Don’t you think we should learn how to handle such a weapon?

   First, we must...

1)   Know It’s Potential

        Our speech can either build someone up by encouraging them, or tear someone down by criticizing and making fun of them! We can do great damage and harm just by saying one word! Our tongue has the power to say things that are pleasing to the Lord, or things that are of this world! Gossip is one form of speech that we sometimes excuse as not being sin, but it actually is! Proverbs 11:13, 18:8, and 20:19 refer to people who gossip as talebearers. Look up these verses and see for yourself the consequences for people who gossip. We should definitely be careful in how we use this influential weapon!

   Secondly, we should...

2)  Practice Using It for Good!

          Purposefully compliment a friend instead of making fun of them! Don’t use snide remarks to ruin someone’s day! Smile and tell them something you appreciate about them! Soon, it will become a habit! The minute you are tempted to say something discouraging, hold your tongue! 

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile 
(deceitful lies). ~Psalm 34:13

5 Months Left!

Wow, it's already November? That's CRAZY! It seems like it was just summer, and now it's almost winter! (Sorry for that rude awakening, people, but it is almost winter!) I need to start buying Christmas gifts pretty soon! 

Only 5 months until I go to Hawaii! It's OK to be jealous.

Saturday Snickers - 11/1/14

Here's something to lighten up your day! I seriously laughed out loud! :D 

This is me as soon as I get up. If you want to see me like this, come over to my house at 6:35 in the morning. Believe me, you will be scared! Or scarred...for life... :D