Love Will Bring You Home

Our good friends, Bonnie and Nathan are adopting a baby from Ethiopia.  Adoptions is such a beautiful and wonderful journey as it is an emotional one.  I can't imagine what they are going through as they get closer and closer to having a new baby.  Together, they wrote a song that will completely touch your heart.  It's one they will treasure forever, it is so beautiful and I can't be more happy for them.  Check out their song here.  I will keep you undated on their little one and will post tons of pictures of him/her on my blog when they bring their baby home.

Keep them in your prayers as they continue in this process.  Also, remember to pray for their baby, whether he's born yet or not.  Pray for the mother, the baby's health, their living conditions and for safety. 

Also, please keep my friend, Jenny Lotz and her husband in your prayers as well.  They just went through a VERY speedy adoption and are hanging out in Kentucky waiting for their court date on Tuesday, hoping and praying the birth mom doesn't change her mind.  They are totally in love with their new little man.  You can check out the story of their crazy fast adoption here.

Irish Meal: Corned Beef and Cabbage + Irish Soda Bread

I though I would be festive for St. Patrick's Day and make a traditional Irish meal.  

As I was cutting all the veggies, I realized there was no way Jarrod and I could eat it all or that my crock pot was big enough to cook it all, so I called my momma and asked to borrow hers and invited them for dinner!  The Irish Soda Bread from Panera came from my sister, it was a must have with our meal.  Delish!  

Here is the recipe I used:

     Ingredients:

1 (3 to 4 lb.) corned beef brisket
1 large head cabbage (preferably savoy)
8 peppercorns
6 cloves garlic, peeled
4-5 parsnips
1-2 turnips
2 bay leaves
1 pound carrots (not baby), peeled
6 large potatoes
1 stalk celery, very thinly sliced
3 whole cloves (spice)
1/2 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
1/4 tsp. black pepper, ground

Directions:

Wash brisket. Using a small sharp knife, cut tiny X slits in the meat and insert garlic and cloves pieces.

Place the meat in a large Crock-Pot and cover with water. Add bay leaves, peppercorns, Old Bay, 2 carrots and sliced celery.

Heat on high for 30 minutes. Skim off any foam that surfaces and set heat to low.

Meanwhile, prepare vegetables. Quarter the cabbage, peel potatoes, carrots, turnips and parsnips. Slice vegetables into 2 inch chunks.

During last few hours, add remaining vegetables and continue to cook for 2-3 hours, or until vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaves and discard.

Drain and serve with yellow mustard.

Total Cook Time: 5-8 hours on low, or until meat and vegetables are tender.

Party Party

It's getting to be that time again!  My sweet Zeda girl is having yet another birthday.  I can't believe my baby is turning two.  Her and I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday to pick up a few things for the party.  I've known what I'm doing for quite some time now so let the buying begin.  Jarrod said I have to tone it down MAJORLY from her 1st birthday party which I am.  However, it's still going to be exciting and fun. 

Health Nut Muffins

My friend, Brooke, had these amazing muffins on her blog the other day and I just had to try them.  I made a few changes due to what I had in my pantry (highlighted in red).  The spices below are the reason my house smalled so good after making these yummy things.   

Health Nut Muffins

3/4 cup turbinado sugar (I used white sugar)
3/4 cup flax seed meal
5 ripe bananas
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 eggs
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 cup chocolate chips (couldn't help myself) 

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350. Grease large muffin tin or loaf pan.
2. In large bowl, mix sugar, flax seed, bananas, milk, yogurt and eggs. In separate medium bowl, combine, flour, soda, salt and spices. Gently stir dry mix into wet.
3. Bake 50 minutes.

And They're Off!

Josh and Melissa's wedding was amazing.  I can't believe it was just two short weeks ago.  I'm so happy for the two and I'm even more happy that Melissa is now in the family.

They leave today for their ever so romantic honeymoon in Costa Rica.  Have fun guys!  Can't wait to see you when you get back!

Speaking of honeymoons!  Check out Events By Social Graces and enter our very first contest!

Happy St. Patty's Day

Hope everyone is having fun wearing their green!  I think this is the day my red hair stands out the most.  I've already had about five people tell me it's my day since I'm Irish.  Sure, I obviously have Irish in me because of the hair but just because I have it in me doesn't mean I'm actually Irish.  I'm pretty sure, I have more German roots.  Ha.  Who knew.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This pictures comes from Enjoy Cupcakes, they are showcasing their Ginger Lime Chardonnay cupcake.  What I wouldn't give to have one of those right now. Yum.

Head over to Social Graces for a special St. Patty's Day recipe.

Her many faces.

There is no doubt this girls is expressional.  She gets ever so excited about the little things and it makes her momma happy.  Sorry the pictures are blurry...I'm still learning how to shoot inside.

The MANY faces of Miss Zeda Lyn...

A date to the Library

Last week my sister and I drove to Rolla so my friend, Bonnie, could take Ava's nine month pictures.  While they were taking pictures, Luke and Zeda had a little date.  It was an early birthday celebration for Mr. Luke.  He is two today!!!  I feel like I just wrote his 1st birthday post yesterday.  They are so cute, I just love these little ones.  This weekend we are headed back to Rolla for his Lego birthday party!  Happy 2nd birthday little man!
Here are pictures from their date...

Come here, pretty lady...

Two of my favorite girls!

My sister, Sarah and her sweet sweet baby girl, Ava.

A New Find

We made Mexican one night and when I went to the fridge to get all the toppings, ie salsa, hot sause, jalapenos, sour cream...I was out of sour cream.  We needed something to go on top so I thought I would try plain greek yogurt to see if it could sufice.  Sure enough, it was amazing.  So, we've been using it as sour cream ever since.  You should try it.

The Cup

          

Zeda and Ava have matching outfits, so Sarah and I had planned a cute little shoot for them to do for valentine's day.  Valentine's came and went and no pictures were taken.  So a couple Saturdays ago, Jarrod and I took the girls to The Cup downtown to snap a few.  It all went well, very fun and painless.  I also think we got a few cute pics too.

Guess what I got????

And...I love it.  My dear friend Melissa got me this cookbook as a gift for helping out with her wedding.
You will see many post on dinners from this book.  Can't wait!!!

The Girls

My friend Bonnie just took Ava's 9 month pictures on Monday.  She took a few shots of all the girls.  Check them out here.  Good job Bon, we love them!

It's a roller coaster!

There is like 2.2 seconds between these two pictures.  Girls are fun! ha.