thought for the day

" A real sign of spiritual maturity is looking to God not for comfort and convenience but for purpose and perspective.  Comfort and convenience lead to complacency.  When trouble comes, the complacent person becomes critical of everyone, including God. On the other hand, purpose and perspective lead to the perseverance that is evident in those living a truly devoted life.  The persistent person eagerly looks to handle trials and struggles in a way that honors God and allows personal growth."  Lysa Terkeurst

"We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Rom. 5:3

I find myself wishing for the days when my life was easier; when i was more comfortable and didn't have so many daily struggles piled on top of each other.  But deep down i know that i don't want to be that person, because she didn't trust enough and wasn't ready to go on the risky road that is a true love relationship with God.  I want the thrill ride with Christ, but i also want it easy and you can't have both.  Life has been to rough lately, but i don't want to become critical and negative, instead i pray for perspective and growth.  I want the peace like a river, wild and refreshing all at the same time.  What is it going to take for me to be Radically Obedient and say YES to everything God wants and has for me!  I know that i can't say " I can't" any longer.  My life is coming to a cross road that says NO once and for all to the flesh and says YES i can because Christ is in me.  He is my portion! He is my Everything.  He is bigger than anything i will face.  I want a free heart, to be willing to face the end, but have HOPE because I have Christ.

coconut cupckaes

So i made these cupcakes and they are literally so good that i had to post the recipe on the blog.  I like coconut, but Mike doesn't and he really enjoyed the cupcakes too.  I used store bought cream cheese frosting and a bag of sweetened shredded  coconut instead of the martha way of scraping the inside of a real coconut.  Martha Stewart said on her show that these are her favorite and I see why.  I think they are the best cupcake that I have eaten in a really long time.  I will upload my own pictures soon, when i get them from Stacy.  She and Heather helped make them too.  ENJOY!!

Ingredients

Makes 2 dozen

• 3 cups cake flour (not self-rising)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 8 large egg whites
• 1 1/4 cups shredded sweetened coconut

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two standard 12-cup muffin pans with paper liners; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping down sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour; beat until just combined. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; set aside.
4. In the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites on low speed until foamy. With mixer running, gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar; beat on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 4 minutes. Do not overbeat. Gently fold a third of the egg-white mixture into the butter-flour mixture until combined. Gently fold in remaining egg-white mixture; stir in shredded coconut.
5. Divide batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each with a heaping 1/4 cup batter. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until the cupcakes are golden brown and a cake tester inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer pans to a wire rack. Invert cupcakes onto rack; then reinvert and let cool completely, top sides up. Frost cupcakes with seven minute frosting, swirling to cover. Cupcakes may be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Garnish with fresh coconut just before serving.

MAC

So Last night was so much fun.  My extremely talented sister Hope is an amazing makeup artist and the assistant Manager at MAC cosmetics store at Waterside in Naples, Fl.  I was asked to be a volunteer for their Event featuring their new line called Heatherette.  There were 8 volunteers, we all wore black and got to wear the new makeup line and walk around assisting the customers.  The colors were pink and purple, so there was a hot pink carpet rolled out in the middle of the store and there were hot pink cupcakes for each customer.  Heather and Addelyn came to visit us at the story also. Am, we really wish you could have joined us!! Here are the before and after pictures.  Hope seriously does wonders!!

panko chicken

so i made this yummy dish the other night and my kids loved it!! amber sent me the recipe you can click on this marthastewart link.

i tried to take a picture of mine, but it didn't turn out near as pretty as this picture.  I made homemade bread crumbs for it, and didn't try the sauce. we used ketchup and bbq sauce.

It was pretty easy to make and Caeden really liked to help.  It is fun to have him help in the kitchen.  It gets messy, but that is what making memories is all about.

again and again

i tell you, i don't find them, they find me!!

these butterflies keep popping up.  This time these are super cheap and so cute. i think we could definitely make something like this. They are found at this Etsy site

mariposas again

Carly, i wish i could buy this dress for you.....cause your pregnant belly would look so cute in it!

you can find it here

pretty in pink

I wish i had a name this cool that i could wear it on my jewlery, go here

It is called Word for Word designs and it is really creative jewlery.  also check out buildanest.com.  it supports women artists in undeveloped countries. this clutch below is from this website. isn't it sooo cute.

 

I really like this pillow. it is affordable and i just found this Website.

Hope has been looking for more color in her living room.  She likes orange accents.

Is it surfer or butterflies?

Hey these fun items are for my friend Carly

I found them here

The beach print is so cute for a little boys room and the butterfly print is unique for a little girls room. how do you like it?

for some reason, i have a knack for finding butterflies...i have two boys and can't use them anywhere in my house. but i seem to be drawn to them.  I love the mariposas :) you can find this one here

This surfboard sign is what i originally wanted for the kids room. instead, mike bought himself, i mean Caeden, a real surfboard. go here

go here for this

this is where i would like to be right now. go here

I really like the dragonflies for little girls too, but here are two cute hooks of both

 

yippee

My husband is back now from his trip.  He went here to surf for a week with some other friends.  He didn't take too many pictures, but here are a few. 

We missed him alot and i tried to enjoy the kids by instead of letting myself get so easily stressed out.  My boys are pretty easy  and love to have fun and hang out with MOM. I am thankful for that.  Hopefully next year, we can all go to Mexico.

March Madness

My kids are ready for March Madness.....if only we could find Duke athletic wear for kids down here!! Go Duke.  Mike and I have a annual competition with the College Basketball Brackets. 

You can print yours out here.

May the best Team Win!