Living in the moment

 Just a fair warning...you are entering picture overload.

I usually like to just pick a few of my favorites but I really had a hard time just choosing a few!

Today was a beautiful summer day and what a better way to spend it then

go for a picnic with my wonderful sisters?

We packed a lunch and stopped at Subway then were off to Coffee Creek...

our favorite picnic spot.

After eating we went for a brief walk stopping along the way to take pics

and capture our last summer together. 

Coffee Creek is such a wonderful place to see God's creation in such a glorious display!

God knew exactly what he was doing when he gave me two sisters.

I really cannot imagine my life without them.

I love them both so very much!

Ya, she is going to love me for this one...

But, for those of you who know Lauren, this picture is just so her.

Funny, silly, and always able to make me smile.

Flawlessly beautiful.

Seriously.

And better yet, she is just as beautiful inside as out.

And then there is Brooke.

My sweet spitfire sister who is always ready to take on the world.

Love her killer smile!

I am so grateful for opportunities like these to make the moments count and create memories.

The best thing about having sisters is that I always have friends.

Italian Stew

I am a huge fan of crock pots...

I don't know about you all, but I just love being able to throw something in

it in the am and then  8 hours later come back to a finished product!

This particular recipe for Italian Stew comes

from a dear friend of our family

Ingredients::

• 2 1/2 lbs mild Italian sausage
• 1 medium green pepper
• 1 onion
• 2 c of carrots
• 7 c of beef broth
• 1 6oz can of tomato paste
• 4 c tomato juice or pureed stewed tomatoes
• 1 T seasoning salt
• 1 t garlic powder
• 1 t basil
• 1 t oregano
• 1 bag of frozen cheese tortellini

Chop your vegetables

Cook the sausage and then add peppers and onions

and seasoning salt

Drain grease from sausage and vegetables

Combine the rest of the ingredients into the crockpot and add the meat and vegetables

Cook on high for 2 hours and then set on low for remainder of the time

About 30 minutes prior to serving add the frozen tortellini

Top with mozzarella cheese if you desire

Bon appetit!

Come see some of my photography over at Serendipity-Images.

My kind of day

Once upon two days ago, there was a mother and daughter who ventured to a place they had never been before...

It was always a special treat to spend time together, but today was extra special because they were going to a store they had only dreamed about.

Upon entering, they were almost overwhelmed.

They were asked if they wanted FREE breakfast.

FREE breakfast was something they had never heard of it, so they jumped at this opportunity!

They slowly made their way around the showcase section taking in each tiny little detail.

Living room set ups, kitchens, and even miniature bathrooms were on display!

The mother - being the supreme interior decorator - was completely in heaven and the daughter - she was wishing she had a house of her own to decorate.

After getting ideas from the showcase they made their way down to the warehouse, where the shopping began!

It was all there::

Dishes,

frames {of every size and color},

plants & greenery,

and bolts of fabric too!

This place had it all;

a dream come true!

When there cart was all full and the money all spent,

they excitedly made their way to checkout...

They began talking and making plans for the next time they would visit this amazing place.

As they left they turned to get a last glimpse,

but then were on their way, anxious to put to use the items they had bought!

IKEA - a dream come true...

Have you ever been?? :)

Come see some of my photography over at Serendipity-Images.

Dessert for breakfast?

Eating this breakfast treat is a delicious way to jumpstart a morning!

I stumbled across Paula Deen's gorilla bread on Pinterest.

You can blame my lack of blogging on pinterest; it has become a slight addiction of mine.  :)

I have gotten several crafting, decorating, and cooking ideas from there and I

have had the pleasure of trying dozens of things out, you can view my boards here.

Ingredients:

1/2 c of sugar

1 T of cinnamon

1 stick of butter

1 c of brown sugar

8 oz pkg of cream cheese

2 - 12 oz cans of refrigerated biscuits

1 1/2 c of coarsely chopped walnuts 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.

Spray bundt pan with cooking spray.

Mix the sugar and cinnamon.

In a small sauce pan, melt the butter and brown sugar over low heat.  Set aside.

Cut the cream cheese into 20 equal cubes.

Press the biscuits out with your fingers and sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture on it and then place a cream cheese cube in the center wrapping and sealing the dough around the cream cheese.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the walnuts onto the bottom of the bundt pan.

Place half of the prepared biscuits into the pan and then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, pour half of the butter mixture, and sprinkle with walnuts.

Layer the remaining biscuits and follow with cinnamon sugar, butter and walnuts.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Cool, then place a plate on top of the bundt pan and invert.

Enjoy with a large glass of milk!!

Bon apetit! :)

Come see some of my photography over at Serendipity-Images.