Halloween Candy Bark

We had Levi's birthday party over the weekend and it was such a great time! His party was "construction"-themed, which is a really perfect theme to have before Halloween because there are an abundance of orange, black, and yellow party supplies in every store.

One of the things I found on Pinterest and made for the party was this Halloween candy bark (the colors were perfect for our theme). I have never made anything like this so I wanted to try it - it was fast and easy! I did everything according to the recipe except the way I melted the chocolate. I just do it in the microwave and add a little shortening if it needs to be thinned out. I'll definitely be making this again for Christmas :) It was a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients:
1 lb. bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
3 Butterfinger candy bars (or 8 fun size bars), roughly chopped
3 toffee candy bars (or 6 fun size bars), roughly chopped
8 Reese cups, cut into wedges
¼ cup honey roasted peanuts
3 oz. yellow and orange peanut M&Ms, coarsely chopped
3 oz. good quality white chocolate, finely chopped

Instructions:
Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Pour the chocolate over the foil and smooth into a thin layer with a spatula. Evenly sprinkle the chopped candy bars, Reese cups, honey roasted peanuts, and peanut M&Ms over the melted chocolate. Press gently to adhere the candy to the melted chocolate. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes.

Melt the white chocolate, again using the double boiler method, until smooth. Drizzle over the chilled candy bark. Return to the refrigerator and let chill again until the white chocolate is set, 3o minutes more.

Peel the sheet of chocolate away from the foil and break into irregular pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

 

Future Aspirations

"Good job" is something I say to Levi probably no less than 50 times a day. It's important to verbally reward him during therapy and well, therapy somehow finds its way into every hour of our days.
I love to hear "good job," but it takes a lot of discipline on my part for me to say it to someone else. That's a flaw of mine that I try to constantly work on. My "love language" is 'Words of Affirmation' (actually, I have always thought I fit into all 5 love languages, which makes it really hard on my loved ones...sorry Tyler...but the affirmation one characterizes me the most).

In high school, when a student is required to fill out a questionnaire for the yearbook, or to be announced at Homecoming, or for a graduation recognition at church, the question about "future aspirations" is always included at the end. As a teenager, and even a college student, the natural tendencies of the world and your age trick you into thinking the things that are important are to be well-traveled, have lots of fun and lots of friends, eventually get married, have a family, and be something really great. At least for everyone I have known, watched/witnessed, or been close to, this has been the norm. I'm positive I once had the same thoughts and "aspirations." I actually clearly remember just jotting something down and thinking to myself, "there is no way I can write anything meaningful here because I don't really know what my future holds, so I'll just scribble down the same boring stuff everyone expects." 

The last year of my life I've been thinking more clearly about aspirations. It's funny how growing up changes your goals. I like to travel, but I really have no desire or need to have a lot of places stamped on my passport. I really don't have the desire to make a ton of money, or move somewhere exciting, or strive to become any variation of people who I may have once envied. I just want to do things and be involved in things that really matter. I want to be the kind of person who isn't consumed with myself, like the world says it's "ok" to be. I want to be someone who serves and gives and is concerned with the needs of other people; never satisfied with myself or my walk and always knowing I can strive to be better. Those are things that matter.

I have daily struggles and frustrations like anyone does, but right now I am involved in something that matters. It's teaching me to be disciplined in different areas of my life, and I can definitely see rewards from that. It's also helping me to develop meaningful aspirations.

In college I went to a conference with my friend Cassidy, and she introduced me to Nichole Nordeman's (who was playing at the conference) music and I fell in love with her song "Legacy." It's been around for quite a while but the words are really, really powerful. It really, quite clearly sums up this post that I have rambled through, about my aspirations.

________________________________________________________________________________
I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

Nichole Nordeman "Legacy"
______________________________________________________________________________

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25:23

Picture Post: Game Day

 

Birthday Coat

I mentioned back in this post that I found some fun things at an estate sale a couple of months ago. I also found two, absolutely amazingly beautiful things that I didn't purchase that day (the prices were a little steep for an estate sale): two remarkable wool coats from the 50s that happened to fit me like a glove. These coats were unbelievable (if I haven't mentioned that enough yet), and I don't ever even look at clothes at estate sales. But these coats were out on display, in mint condition, and had beautiful vintage silhouettes. If I would have bought those coats that day, I would've had to shell out about $100 for them, and since you can buy a new coat for that, plus I was already buying a twin bed for Levi and some other things at the sale, I passed.

On the last day of the sale (a Saturday), everything was 50% off. We were already overbooked that Saturday (running in a 5k, hosting a dinner for our dinner club, and preparing for a baby shower) and it left no time at all for driving an hour to see if either coat happened to be left at the sale. I sent my grandma a text (she was with me at the estate sale) that told her I was really regretting not getting at least one of the coats and if anyone (in the family) was in town that day, to run by and see if they were still there. She didn't reply so I just assumed she got it but was busy.

Well, a month later for my birthday, I unwrapped the most beautiful coat ever and it is now hanging in my coat closet. My grandma went back to the sale and got it on the last day (the other coat had sold). Without further ado, I will show it to you. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Staples with Martha

...Martha Stewart that is. Let me explain. This past week I ran to staples to grab some supplies I needed for little therapy activities I work on with Levi. While I was in there, I noticed a new highlighted area with what appeared Martha Stewart's logo, so I walked over and checked it out (at our Staples all of the Martha Stewart stuff is totally separate from everything else). 

I've been pleased with her lines at other places, so it's no surprise that she has some really great "office supplies." They sell 3-ring binders in 2 different sizes, and all kinds of fillers for them - like planners, photo pockets, regular (but cuter) notebook paper, and several other things. The last 6 months for us have been crazy and filled with doctor appointments, evaluations, and most lately different types of therapy appointments (about 3 times a week), so with those among other regular daily life events, I've had to start religiously living by a planner. I'm definitely going to get one of hers because it is totally customizable and will make my life a lot easier.

One of the main things in her line are blank print-your-own labels (she partnered with Avery). So if you are someone who uses those, check them out! This sounds like a cheesy advertisement, but in reality I am just a nerd who gets excited about notebooks and craft/office supplies (my friend Cassidy can attest to this - she shares the same nerdy interest). 

The one thing I did purchase (well, besides some cute-shaped sticky notes), were some stick-on chalk board labels (they come in 2 sizes). They are really fun - here's how I've used them so far:

 

 

 

 

White Beans & Ham {Crock Pot}

 

With the promise of a daytime high in the 50s later this week, this recipe is perfect for me to share. It's a super easy and super tasty comfort meal. I grew up feeling indifferent to a dinner of 'beans and cornbread,' and always thought it was weird that my mom and dad actually had cravings for this favorite meal of theirs. It wasn't until I was married and cooking for my own family that I really developed a love for it. I've always just made regular brown beans, slow-cooked on the stove for most of the day. The problem with that is that you have to be home all day to "watch" them cook, add water, and make sure the house doesn't burn down. When I saw this recipe for a crock pot version, I was sold. No prep, no watching. I did a few minor things different (which is why my beans look tan, instead of white - no taste difference though!).

 

Ingredients:

1 lb. package of white (northern) beans

ham bone or cooked cut-up ham

1 packet of onion soup mix

pepper

about 6 cups of water (give or take, depending on the thickness you prefer)

 

Instructions:

Rinse beans and throw them in the crock pot. Add ham bone or ham, soup mix packet, pepper, and water. Cook on low for 8 hours. Serve with cornbread and fried taters for best results :)



 

 

Bloom

 

 

This post really doesn't need much wording. This past year I have come to really enjoy fresh flowers in my home. I don't buy them very often, because the nearest grocery store or market that offers decent blooms is almost an hour away, so it just isn't worth the trouble usually. I would take a couple of fresh hydrangeas and some baby's breath over a dozen roses any day (as seen here).

 

This little jewel makes me really happy because it came from my very own flowerbed. I clipped it yesterday. The other blooms are blooming brown and pink but this one was beautiful and white. It's the little things....