Fall '13 Cara Box Reveal

This fall I participated in the Cara Box exchange for the first time. During the Cara Box exchange I was able to get to know 2 new friends Codi and Talicia. It was so much fun to get to know these sweet ladies and was super encouraging to e-mail back an forth throughout the past few months. I loved packing a box for Talicia so be sure to check her blog to see what she got.

Codi packed the sweetest box for me! The theme was fall and I was so excited to finally open my package (it arrived while I was on vacation so it was waiting for me the whole time!)

One of the requirements is to include a note of encouragement, and being a person who loves handwritten notes this had to be one of my favorite parts of the box!

Isn't this bracelet so cute! I love how is wraps around multiple times.

Gloves are so necessary in Indiana during the fall and these are perfect! They are even smart phone friendly :)

One of our conversations based around coffee and tea, which I love both! I told Codi I especially loved drinking tea at night in the fall and winter and I was so excited to have my first cup of this tea, it's fantastic!

And here is an adorable mug to drink it with! I also love the verse, it's the perfect reminder all year long.

Finally, I love cooking and was SO excited to get a new cookbook. I have loved looking through this one and it was so sweet of Codi to include some of her favorite recipes for me to try!

I loved participating in the Cara Box Exchange for the first time and will definitely do it again. If you want to try it (which I highly encourage you to do) the next sign up is December 2nd and Kaitlin from http://www.wifessionals.com is the host!

PS- I added new items to my Etsy store this weekend! Remember, 50% of the proceeds are donated to orphanages around the world!

Thankful Thursday 11.7.13

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your name O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night                                                                         -Psalm 92:1-2

69. Subbing in the community I grew up in is such a blessing. I love that I know all the secretaries and they always ask me if I am getting enough jobs.

70. Making chocolate chip cookies and my dad asking if I made half a batch because he didn't know I already had a pan in the oven.

71. Sunday afternoon hikes with my dad as the leaves are turning their beautiful shades that are a sure sign of fall

72. Babysitting 2 of my favorite boys and rediscovering how fun Candy Land can be with a 3 year old

73. Beth Barron, a dear friend who has done so much to encourage me

74. Guys, she designed this amazing logo for me!

75. Taking the huge step of announcing Even Better Designs to the world and the amazing support I have received

76. The Olympics are now less that 100 days away!

77. Carving the pumpkin with the thickest skin I have ever seen, but not caring because it is the first pumpkin I carved in 4 years

78. Passing out candy to adorable trick or treaters, hearing their sweet little voices, and their beyond excitement when they saw they got popcorn

79. Receiving my Cara box! 

80. Mustard pants that are perfect for big announcements

81. Captions 3 year olds come up with to describe pictures they drew, "my dad with a smiley face in Hawaii"

82. The leaves are seriously beautiful this year!

83. While drinking tea out of my big McConn mug it never ceases to remind me pray for a dear friend

84. Hearing news that brings me to my knees and knowing that God is there to catch me every time

85. Reading 5 books at a time, but learning SO much from each of them

86. Pumpkin Spice creamer for my morning coffee

Thankful Thursday 10.24.13

49. checking things off my fall bucket list. I really am SO excited to be home for fall and experience all of the things I've missed

50. Going to the Covered Bridge Festival on a perfect day with my parents and eating my very favorite pumpkin ice cream

51. Teaching Sunday School using a childrens Bible that I had when I was little

52. A short but very sweet reunion lunch with my roommate while she and her fam were driving through town. Seeing her, her husband, and her two littles made my heart SO happy (Why didn't I take a picture!)

53. Cleaning my room. It has been a packing and unpacking zone for so long it's nice to have some of the floor back

54. Leaves, pumpkins, and mums are everywhere

55. Trick-or-treat loot ready by our front door

56. Using frequent flyer miles for an amazing vacation 

57. Spending time with Isaac and Emily and finally seeing the island that Isaac talks so much about

58. Sunsets and ferry rides

59. Making kale chips; after hearing so many good things about them for so long, now I know why!

60. A Saturday filled with football, walks, and cooking with a friend who I hadn't see for far too long

61. Making maple twist with Kyle, or rather making him do all the work because I knew he could (recipe coming!)

62. A sweet time spent eating lunch with Kyle's family, a family that is so close to my heart and encourages me so much 

63. A day spent drinking tea, having quiet time, and reading a whole book (My Father, Maker of the Trees)

64. Pumpkin milkshakes before heading to the airport

65. Even Better becoming closer to reality

66. The first snow of the season. I don't care that it is October, snow always makes me super happy

67. Picking the basil from the garden before it snowed and was ruined

68. The perfect weather for cuddling with a blanket, cup of tea or coffee and my new book I was blessed with, A Million Little Ways

more posts coming...I promise, including a recipe tomorrow!

Apple Pie Filling

Growing up we had an apple tree in our backyard. I have fond memories of climbing in all summer long and inspecting the apples as they grew. Once they started falling on the ground and rotting stepping on all the drunk bees was one of my favorite things to do (yes, I may have been a weird child). Now that our old apple tree is long gone, and our new one isn't producing enough fruit yet I was happy with the bag full of apples my mom brought home from the farmers market.

First things first, using one of my favorite kitchen tools, the apple peeler, corer, slicer

Today I decided to make apple pie filling. I love making filling to freeze so it is ready to use all winter long. I also love using recipes from family friends.

Apple Pie Filling

6 cups apples

3/4 to 1 cup sugar

3 T flour

1/2 or 3/4 t cinnamon

1/4 to 1/2 t nutmeg

dash salt

Mix all ingredients. Spoon into quart sized freezer bags. When ready to use thaw and place in 9 inch pie dish. Dot with butter if you use a double crust. Also makes great apple crisp!

Fall Bucket List

The past 4 falls I've spent out of the country. Three were in China, where they do have fall, but it fails in comparison to fall in Indiana. Last year I was in South Africa and Swaziland where, instead of fall, they were enjoying spring. Needless to say, I am planning on taking full advantage of fall this year, my first one at home in 5 years!

• pumpkin carving 
• a trip to an orchard and/or a pumpkin patch
• drink lots of pumpkin spice lattes!
• invite friends over for an afternoon of watching football, eating chili, and drinking cider
• go hiking
• take pictures of the changing leaves
• jeans, sweaters, scarves, and boots
• curl up with a good book
• invite friends over for a bonfire complete with ooey gooey smores
• make recipes I've pinned on pinterest
• rake leaves and maybe even jump in them
• hand out candy on halloween
• go to Seattle
• bake with pumpkin and or apples as often as possible
• surprise people with baked goods
• cook and host Thanksgiving dinner
• enjoy coffee dates with friends
• take time every day to be thankful for Gods creation
• decorate leaf shaped sugar cookies
• read at least 5 books
• hammock curled us with a blanket
• light candles whenever I can
• go to the covered bridge festival

Here's to a great fall!