A Month of Thanksgiving: gifts here, there, & everywhere

Since I am just a few many days behind in my month of Thanksgiving challenge (prompts can be found here), I decided to post one gift from November 7 to November 14.

November 7, a gift from my window

My African Violet just started blooming last week.  I have had this beauty for over a year and I just couldn’t get it to bloom.  What a joyful surprise when I looked up from the bubbles in my sink, to see little buds start to take life.

November 8, a gift sweet, salty, and sipped

Umm, can you say pumpkin spiced latte or salted caramel latte?

November 9, a gift of harvest

The love my brother has for farming and working with his hands.  He is one of the hardest working men I know.  I’m thankful for the work he puts in for a good harvest.

November 10, a gift found in Bible reading 

I love it when God has pointed me to a verse or passage that I’ve read before, but the Holy Spirit brings forth new insights or new application into my life.

November 11, a gift of remembrance 

I’m so thankful for the beautiful stone that was put in place in memory of my mother-in-law early last month.  So many of her close friends gathered around sharing their favorite memories of Jo.  I am so thankful for their stories and how their lives have been touch by one very inspirational lady.

November 12, a gift at noon

Having a dark Dove chocolate treat after lunch.

November 13, a gift behind a door

Opening the mailbox to find birthday cards!

November 14, a silent gift

White snow falling late at night.

 

 

A Month of Thanksgiving: 3 gifts of government

Today’s gifts of thanksgiving weren’t necessarily difficult to list, but made me stop, and think to be truly thankful.  For anyone who knows me, you probably know I don’t usually get into government or political conversations.  I am fascinated by the people who are interested, who are knowledgable, and who work to keep our government at the local, state, and federal levels running.

After much thought, here are my three gifts of government –

1. God’s Ultimate Authority 

“For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

Romans 13:1

God has appointed our leaders.  He is in control.

2. Our Founding Fathers and the Celebration of Our Freedom

I can’t but be thankful for their vision and earnest devotion in writing our constitution and laying the foundation of our country.  These men were great leaders, and I am thankful for the legacy they left behind for our country and government.  Every 4th of July, in the midst of parades and fireworks, we remember the foundation of our government – freedom.

3. Voting

How many countries have the right to vote?  I am thankful for the opportunity to vote, for those who have exercised this right.  And I am thankful for the godly men and women who were voted into positions of influence and leadership for our country.

A Month of Thanksgiving: 3 gifts acorn small

 

1. Our wedding rings – I am so thankful for this daily reminder of the promises David and I made on our wedding day.  They also symbolize what we’ve learned as husband and wife, how we’ve grown and abounded in love, grace +truth.  They hold our treasured memories, our heartaches, and will be sure to capture all that our future has in store.

Photo taken by Kiersta Rhodes Photography.

2. Change in the money jar – I LOVE change – pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. I collect change.  And I am always so thankful when I have it to buy a coffee.  And I know David is guilty of taking change to get his caffeine fix, too.

3. Faith a small as a mustard seed – I love Jesus’ words in Matthew 17:20

“…For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

It’s such a sweet reminder that nothing will be too impossible, or too big, or too overwhelming, or too anything as long as we have faith in our LORD and Savior.

 

What 3 gifts acorn-small are you thankful for?

 

November Goals

Before diving into November Goals, let’s do a quick recap of my October Goals (you can read them in more detail here)

1. Take more pictures.  This is going to be a challenge for me – carrying this goal over to November!

2. Find a creative outlet.  I tried watercoloring at a free workshop given by the public library.  I learned a lot of techniques, bought my own paint set, and now to continue practicing…

3. Blog more.  Well the first few days, I met my goals…and then in was November.

4. “Have coffee” with a new friend.  Well, I didn’t have coffee, but I am figuring out new ways to hangout with people and get to know them better.  I invited a friend to a Zumba Class at the Wellness Center.  Later this month, I am hosting a Harry Potter Movie Night.

5. Organize my closet.  A work in progress.  I did go through my closet and got ride of a few bags of clothes.  Now its figuring out what my style is and what items my capsule wardrobe need to be complete.  Shopping trip coming up!

1.Take more pictures.  With all the fun, exciting and highly anticipated month ahead (birthday, trip to North Dakota, Thanksgiving, and more) capturing the moments is a MUST!

2. Blog more + a Month of thanksgiving.  My talented and beautiful friend, Lindsay at Martin Marriage Chronicles, has challenged me to use November as a time to be reflective and thankful.  Multiple times throughout the weeks in November we will both be posting things we are thankful for.  We invite you to do the same!  Link your blog to ours OR comment what you are thankful for this month.  I will also be using Ann Voskamp’s (author of 1000 Gifts) daily prompt found here.

3. Get a jump start on Christmas shopping.  Should I be saying Christmas shopping this early in November!?  I always wait last minute and end up scrambling to get what I really intended to gift.  Plus, all the creative gift wrapping seen on Pinterest has made me want to give more thought into the presentation of the gift.

4. Recipe Organization.  My meal planning has come directly from Pinterest and Budget Bytes.  This has made me rely heavily on internet access, remembering where I found recipes, and a very food splattered Mac.    I want to find some simple, yet unique recipe cards to write down my favorite go to recipes.  I always loved having handwritten recipes from my mom and grandma–handwriting is an art I don’t want to lose with all the conveniences of technology.

What are you November Goals?

three pumpkins

One thing that I absolutely love about the Fall and upcoming holidays is the opportunity to be creative in decorating my home.     I find so much joy and expression when I pull out my decorations and rearrange knick knacks and furniture to house the seasonal decor.

Here are a few ways I’ve decorated for the Fall season + things I’m loving about Fall decor and accents in the home AND a free giveaway!

1. Use scented candles. When the first day of fall hit, I pull out my fall Scentsy scents.  The scents of Fall are warm reminding our senses of grandma’s apple pie.  When choosing a candle or scent, it should reflect the mood of the season.  My current scents are Vanilla Suede + Apple Strudel.
2. Add fall color.  Adding the fall color – red, orange, gold – can be done in various ways.  An arrangement of silk flowers can add color and texture.  Or if you are having company over, why not place a fresh bouquet of flowers as a table centerpiece.  Some popular fall blooms are Dahlias and Mums. Add more Fall colors to your home with fall dish towels and throw pillows + blankets.
   
   
3. Decorate with popular fall objects.  Pumpkins, squash, candy corn, wreaths all scream FALL.  You can choose to buy real pumpkins or set aside a candy dish of candy corn.  You can pull a bowl out  or find a basket and fill it with squash + gourds.  Decorating with anything that represents “harvest” will add to the fall theme.  Or fill your home with DIY fall art.
   

   

three pumpkins – a free giveaway

*This post + giveaway is supported by Countryside Greenhouse.

As seen here, I decorated with pumpkins handmade by my mom [Dian Morgan], founder + florist, at Countryside Greenhouse.  To announce an exciting new venture of seasonal decor and floral design, Countryside Green and Blissfully Sweet Blog have partnered together for a free giveaway.  To be entered into the drawing, go to the Countryside Greenhouse Facebook Page and “Like”.  Once 50 people “like”, a drawing will be held.

What are some ways you have decorated your home for the Fall?

[Another] Woodard Weekend Wrap-Up

I have been anticipating this weekend for weeks.  And I am sad to see it gone so quickly.  But isn’t how we feel most Sunday nights or most Monday mornings when the dreadful sound of the alarm goes off before you are ready to pull yourself out of bed and start another week?

Anyways… More about the highly anticipated and wonderfully spend weekend!

1. My parents came and stayed in Vermillion. After living here for over a year, my parents finally made it to our home and life in Vermillion.  I was planning the day the would come for month – thinking through all the places I would take them, what we would eat, and all the things we would do.  I took them to Mr. Smith’s, a bakery and sandwich shop in an ACE hardware store for lunch.  We were inspired for holiday and home decor at Wilson’s Florist – a floral shop, gift shop, with a little boutique.  Then we went to Cafe Brule for a warm cup of coffee, more specifically a roasted marshmallow latte.
2. A Weekend of Volleyball.  My parents visit was planned around a tournament my sister was playing in NE.  So part of Friday and ALL of Saturday we cheered on Sami and the Knights.  I was so glad I finally got to watch her play at the college level and meet her team.  #Welove#7
   
   

   
3. More Fall Decor.  A visit with my parents is alway accompanied with their generosity and gift.  Check out these cute pumpkins my mom made for fall decorations. [Maybe you want one too…]
   
4. 3 tests in 9 days.  David has been dedicated to his books and notes.  I now think his iPad is attached to his hand.  We keep reminding each other that the next 9 days are going to be rough, but after that he’ll have a week off with zero school obligations!

Woodard Weekend Wrap-Up

A Woodard Weekend Wrap-Up is farrrr over due.  So I will post about two weekends in one.

Last weekend and this weekend has been some of the best.  David has been able to take off one night of studying (soon to change with upcoming Mid-Terms + Foundations 1 Exam).  We learned the hard way,  that these nights off need to be planned and intentional or we’ll both walk away feeling robbed of our date night.  For example, watching a movie at our house for a date is code for “Tanya will fall asleep within the first twenty minutes”.  And that equates to zero quality time.

1. A “hawt’ date.  Last weekend David and I went out for dinner for our favorite food, Mexican!   It was a much needed dinner after two grueling weeks of studying.
2. Our second trip to Ponca.  We first went to Ponca part over Easter when David’s dad came to Vermillion.  The trees were still bare, but the State Park was beautiful and a place we wanted to visit again.  Since we never made it over the summer, an early fall hike was in order to take in the vibrant colors fall colors and enjoy the minimal days of sunshine left.
3. A watercoloring workshop. The Vermillion Public Library partnered with the Vermillion Arts Council to host monthly art workshops.  This month just so happened to be watercoloring!  I learned some basic techniques and must have supplies.  Two hours was not enough time to learn + create a piece of art.  I’m thinking Talens Watercolor Set will be on my birthday/ Christmas list this year.
4. Campfire, Beef Hotdogs, Apple Cider, and Good Company.  Saturday night, David and I drove to Yankton to meet some friends who were squeezing in one last camping trip for dinner.  We filled ourselves with vegis + hummas, watermelon, and beef dogs.

As a side note, I did document 3 out of 4 of theses happenings…Hooray for setting goals!

 

October Goals

My housemate, turned roommate, turned friend (a story for another post) + blogging pal Lindsay at Martin Marriage Chronicles introduce me to many blogs that I make sure I visit as I eat my scrambled eggs and coffee before work.  One of them being Oak&Oats.  After faithfully reading this blog for a month, I was encouraged by her monthly goal setting + overview of her month.  I decided to follow suit – making a list of my own monthly goals.

Too often I have these rambling thoughts of things I want to try or projects that need to get done, but they never go beyond the ramblings or daydreams.  Largely due to the fact that I never write them down, thus have no accountability.

So here it goes to making my month a little more memorable, purposeful, and practical.

OCTOBER GOALS

1. Take more pictures.  I am so bad at taking pictures to capture special moments.  Or pictures that offer a snap shot into everyday life.  You would think it would be easy since my camera is on my smartphone.  Not. The. Case.  I want to document as least one picture a week for the month of October.  My real goal is to be really, really good at taking picture to start LifeProject.

2. Find a creative outlet. I am aching for a creative outlet of some sort.  Scrolling through Pinterest only makes the desire burn brighter.  Any ideas of what I could try?  I’m needing something that is easy on a budget.  Maybe watercoloring, calligraphy, knitting, etc.

3. Blog more.  I haven’t figured out what is realistic goal for blogging.  I either set the expectation to blog more too high or I quickly start second guessing myself on my post topics.  I have yet to finish my 30 Days of Gratitude, maybe I’ll start there..

4. “Have coffee” with a new friend.  My biggest let-down living in Vermillion, which is home to a University is the lack of coffee shops to hang out in with a friend.  The coffee shops here are even less ideal for a good study session.  Going to college in Boulder and working with the Navs at Wyoming, I loved trying to coffee shops and exploring them with friends.  So I’ve had to think outside the box–Where can I hang out with new friends?  What can I do with new friends?  I want to ask either a woman from my church or someone I meet at the gym “out for coffee”.

5. Organize my closet.  Another one of my favorite blogs to keep up on is un-fancy.  It is one of the best fashion blogs I have read and feel as though I can accomplish some of the concepts she does in my own wardrobe and lifestyle.  I would love to go through my closest, throwing things away + making room for new fall clothes.

What are some of your October goals?

Zucchini Lovin’

September is a fabulous month to eat zucchini however you want it…baked, fried, steamed, or stewed.  My favorite of course it to bake with it.  One of David’s classmates has a garden with an abundance of zucchinis, and luckily for us we have been the beneficiaries of a few large ones.  Not only does has she given our stomachs mega satisfaction with zucchini bread and cookies, but she’s also been a great study buddy for David and a Saturday morning yoga buddy for me.  

I’m sure I caught your attention with zucchini bread and and cookies (with cream cheese). nom! nom!  So I thought I’d link the zucchini loving recipes to this post along with a future recipes I’d like to try.  Hopefully, I’ll be getting more from her garden.

 

1// 2// 3*

 

* This isn’t the actual recipe that I used to make zucchini bread, but I wanted to give proper photo credit.  The recipe that I used (which has some awesome and healthy ingredient substitutes) to make it a little healthier is below. 

Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:
1 1/2 Cups zucchini, grated
1/2 Cup oil (or 1/4 Cup oil + 1/4 Cup unsweetened applesauce)
1/2 Cup honey
2 eggs ( 1 egg + 1 Tbsp. of flaxseed mixed with 3 Tbsp. of water- let flaxseed mixture sit for 2 minutes.)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 Cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg

Directions:
Beat together oil and honey, then add eggs, vanilla, and zucchini.
Sift dry ingredients and add to zucchini mixture.

 

 What are you favorite ways to make zucchini?

 

the joy of the Lord.

Anytime we foresee or face change in what we call our “normal”, there is an uncertainty of what it will bring.  The change may be a moving to a new town or state, starting a new chapter as a college student, or simply a change in schedule.  Whatever the change, whether it be anticipated or completely out of the blue, whether you’re prepared for it or grasping for air, change affects us.

It’s my tendency to wonder if I am ready for the change.  Am I strong enough to face the unknown and even the discomforts of the change?  Is there any possible way to stay in “the normal”?  And with this thoughts afloat in my mind it is easy to give way to the worry and anxiety and fear that accompanies change.  Please don’t tell me I’m alone in this, the I-can’t-sleep-because-I’m-to0-busy-planning-all-the-what-if-scenarios in this so called season of change. Please.  Why is there an unspoken negative connotation to the current changes we face?  There is hope that this change will be over soon, things can go back to normal, and none of this ever happened…whew, I can breath again. But like I said, in the meantime worry and fear lurk behind the corner of “what I know” and “change”.

As David and I are a few weeks into a changed lifestyle (he started classes at the end of July) and the change will continue through the course of his program and as the leaves change in the Fall so does my schedule as a paraprofessional and personal fitness trainer, I have had the constant “what if I’m not strong enough” flash through my mind.

What if I can’t handle the pressures of being married to a medical student?  What if my schedule is too packed with responsibilities?  What if I struggle to make it through the day? 

But then I took a step back, gave myself a reality check and asked isn’t there a better way to approach change.  Yes, change is difficult. Change is uncertain. But change is good.  It’s good because I realize I can’t do it on my own- I need something outside of myself that is constant, unchanging. (“For I the Lord do not change…Malichi 3:6)  It’s good because change brings forth personal growth and refinement.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

Proverbs 31:25

• My strength is not my own.  The original Hebrew for strength is ‘oz, a masculine noun from the root meaning to prevail, to be made strong. The same word has been used to describe God’s character.

“You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand.” Psalm 89:13

To cloth myself with strength is to cloth myself with God.  I am strong enough to face change because I look to God for  strength and counsel and provision.  I choose to rely on him to meet the challenges of change and uncertainty.

“Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
1 Chronicles 16:11

• I surrender to God.  Strength and dignity are so much a part of her character, that it is described as her clothing.  Her character is reflected as such because she has allowed God to change her from the inside out.  She has surrendered herself to God and she has submitted herself to be used by Him.

• I am free to face the day with joy.  Fear and worries about life do not define her.  She laughs at days to come. She does not run from change, but embraces it with joy.  Can you imagine…To laugh at days to come and approach change with a thankful heart verses being overcome by fear and worry.

“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 minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7

This season of change is filled with uncertainty for David and I.  I could easily sit here and continue to add to the list of fears and uncertainties, the what-ifs,  but instead I will choose to be thankful and laugh at what is to come.

I’m thankful for new friendships.

I’m thankful for jobs that engage my interests and education.

I’m thankful for a home with two bedrooms so David can study at home.

I’m thankful for the resources to bake. (a good study break tactic) 

What are you thankful for in your season of change?