New Book!

I know, it's an addiction, these silly little cakes!
I just can't get enough of them. I want to bake them for work, for the house, for friends, for EVERYONE!

Can I set up a booth at LHBC? I'll just be a new ministry team...

Victory!

So, I've been on the hunt for Allergen/Vegan friendly cupcakes and sweetrosie's has created a wonderfulllll recipe that I am very exicted to try! Her blog can be found here. I'm hoping to get to make them in the near future, and I'll let everyone know how they turn out!

Allergen Free Cuppy Cakes

1 1/2 cups Self-Rising Flour
1/3 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 cup Caster Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons Lemon Juice
3/4 cup Water
1/3 cup Sunflower Oil

Sift cocoa powder and flour together in large bowl, set aside. In another bowl, combine salt, vanilla, lemon juice, and water. Slowly incorperate flour mixture, mix on medium speed for 2-3 minutes. Fill regular sized cupcake pan with liners, pour mixture in. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-25 minutes.

Allergen Free Buttercream Icing

1/4 cup Dairy-Free Butter
2 cups Powdered Sugar
2 teaspoons Rice Milk

Mix together until consistency of soft serve ice cream. If too soft, add more sugar. If too stiff, add milk 1 tsp. at a time.

Long Overdue

Hello Blogworld,
This post comes long overdue, I know. I could say the same ol' "there's not much going on" but it's just the opposite! EVERYTHING is going on!

There are classes that are winding down, classes that are in full blown busy mode, and other classes that are just droning on. I just finished registering for my spring semester, it's going to be w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l.

Seriously.

3 english courses and SCUBA diving! that's right, this gal is going to allow someone to weigh her down and submerge her in water for long periods of time! Josh is taking it, also, so we are both very excited to be taking a course together again. I'm looking for a cute one piece suit for my class, so if anyone knows where I can get one, hit me up!

I was looking online and I really like this one:


Speedo ones are just expensive, though, so I can't decide if I want to spend the money on it. The plus is that if I go ahead and buy it, I know it will last me awhile... so, we'll see.

Coming Fall 2009

This past week I've fallen in love with the apron.
Yes, you read correctly. The apron.
I've decided they are useful, fun, and will be the next fashion trend.

You know how in old english times they wore the same plain dress with different aprons? I'm going to be that for jeans and a white t-shirt. Think about it... they are the ultimate in modesty, vintage, and function. Modest because they keep everything covered, vintage because they throw back to the 50's housewife, and function because when that urge to bake cupcakes comes, YOU ARE SO PREPARED.

So, who's with me?! I think Living Hope could start the apron trend. All you trendy cute moms out there would find these the most useful accessory since the baby sling, ... I'm not a mom, but I'd totally rock the frock, too.

I'm going to work up a pattern and make up a mock one, so if you want in on this new fashion craze, let me know and we can go pick up some cute material together!

Invited to Sit a Spell

Hey everyone,
I invite you to read this for an interesting subject that is being discussed concerning (duh) some more politics.

This is my last reference to them in my posts. I'm going to be following this.

Next post, look forward to some great DIY Christmas gifts and holiday recipes!

On a lighter note...

I have a new pet. Her name is Harriet B. Jones.
She is a granite rock that lives in my car.

Thanks, Hayden!

Afterthoughts of the campaign

First off, I want to say that as a Christian, I could not support Barak Obama during the campaign. No, I did not believe he was the antichrist, it wasn't because his family was Muslim, or any other phooey reason you may come up with. As a Christian, I had to vote for the candidate who upheld the beliefs and values I stand for.

I could not support a candidate who didn't want to "punish his daughters with a baby" for a poor decision. I wanted to cry when he said that. Is that what he feels a baby would be? Punishment? I didn't want that to be what our country was led by. I also couldn't stand for a man who would support the legalization of marriages between two people who were living in such contradiction to the Word. I understand that to a world that isn't Christian, those reasons are silly or stupid, but I would rather be called stupid than hypocritical for supporting a man who did not believe what I claim to believe.

However, that has all had to change. It changed when that 270th electoral vote was cast. The Lord placed Barak Obama as our nations new president, and now I must put those previous issues aside and support him as my president. I do not have to agree with the laws he will enact, I do not have to believe that the policies he brings are good. But, I cannot slander, hate, or say anything that isn't coming out of love.

As a Christian, Christ calls us to love people. It's the second greatest commandment next to loving The Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. So, whether Barak agrees what I do or not, I need to love him like Christ loves me and like Christ loves him.

I don't have all the answers, I don't think I have any answers, except I know that I can't be against him like I was. I'm not saying I'm on the Barak-wagon and I believe he needs to get right on a lot of issues, but I will think these things with love. Love for him, love for his supporters, and love for those who disagree with me on this subject. I'm just going to have to trust the Lord and be ready to answer where He calls me.

Just a Reminder

As the election begins there is something that has been on my mind quite a bit.

There are a lot of people worried about the future of America with Obama as our leader. Fears range from the legalization of Gay/Lesbian marriages, the continuing of abortion in the states, persecution of Christian beliefs and values, etc.

As this is all said I have sat back and listened. And the only thing the Lord reminds me of is that He is in control. And of course, He's right.

A story that the Lord has laid on my heart these last few weeks has been the story of Saul to Paul. Paul, the man who has led COUNTLESS people into a deeper understanding of God, who has written some of the most beautiful passages in scripture, and the man who DIED in prison (on trip number 4 to the slammer) for refusing to be SILENT when the Lord said SPEAK.

Do you remember how he started?

As Saul, he HUNTED AND KILLED Christians. He traveled, sought them out and MURDERED THEM IN THEIR HOMES. He was bad as bad can get.

Yet when the Lord spoke.
Saul HAD to listen.

"every knee shall bow, EVERY tongue shall confess."

Saul was blinded by the Lord on what he thought was "just another day."
But it wasn't, it was the day the Lord declared the persecution by Saul would end.
The day the Lord said, "Saul, THIS IS WHO I AM. THIS IS WHO YOU ARE ATTACKING."

Saul made a quick 180. Changed his name, changed his profession, left friends, a very well paying job, and followed the Lord.

The Lord can do BIG things. He doesn't need us to do it. He's Alpha, Omega, Jehovah, the Messiah. So Obama wins? The persecution of what we believe begins. The Lord promised persecution, he promised hardships. But, he also promises His unfailing LOVE for each of us. He protects his people.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." -Matthew 10:29-31

So, instead of hating on Obama, instead of worrying, we as Christians should be praying. Praying for the salvation of Barak, praying for his family. Praying for Joe Biden. We should also be praying for the salvation of John McCain, for Palin, and for the future advisers and cabinet members of whatever man will assume office in January.


At the end of the day, WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL. The Lord knows how this will end before we even knew who wanted to run. He knows how this will start, how the first 100 days will look, and how this will look in four year.
We must also remember what the Lord says about authority. So, if this election does not go how we hope, we are still called to submit to the authority provided by the Lord because He placed the candidate in office. (The only exception is when we are asked to do something that CLEARLY contradicts scripture.)

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”- Romans 13:1


So pray. Pray BIG. Pray without ceasing. And don't let it stop after tomorrow. Pray for the reformation of our nation, for the salvation of the lost. Pray that we as Christians will quit being hateful and remember how we are to LOVE those who don't agree. Remember:

"We love because He first loved us." -1 John 4:19.

They're HERE!!

Hooray! EnGAGment pictures (as Josh says) are finally back! Here are the favs of the favs, so enjoy!

I can't help it.

Josh, I don't want to hear it. I know, I changed my blog. Again! But... it's just so darn fun and there are too many cute ways to decorate it.

I promise, when we are married, this will not be the case with our apartment. I will do my best to keep back that urge to repaint things every year.

I can't promise anything about Holiday decorating, though... that's just way too enjoyable. But... I will not spend a lot of money in doing said decorating. And, I promise not to enlist your help in "projects" like my mom enlists my dad. I will DIY until the cows come home, but only after taking care of you.

I love you.

PS: But you have to admit... this blog is UBER cute!

How big of a nerd am I? A BIG ONE!!

So, if you start discussing books with me it's not a big secret that I'm a HUGE-NORMOUS Harry Potter fan. I started the series when I was in 5th or 6th grade because my best friend and I liked to hang out in the library after school. (Go ahead and judge me... I was awesome.) So, the librarian was like, "We just got two copies in of this new book called Harry Potter..." My life has forever been changed. I wished I wasn't a Muggle so bad. I want to go to Hogwarts, I'd so fight He-who-must-not-be-named with Harry! OK... so all my nerd-dom aside (or at a new level) when I got older I also really enjoyed trying to recreate the fun foods they eat and drink in the series.
For years I bravely tried EVERY flavor of Bertie Botts Every Flavored Bean (including Vomit, Dirt, and Grass) and I would have given my last sickle to have a chocolate frog, but alas... they are always out. However, I did find a great recipe for The Three Broomstick's famous Butterbeer. It's best during the winter and it's uber sweet! (So don't give it to your kiddo's before they go to bed or you'll have them flying around like they were playing for the Quiddich World Cup.

The Three Broomstick's Butterbeer Recipe:

1 cup cream soda
1/2 cup butterscotch syrup
1/2 tablespoon butter

Redi-Whip for Topping

Directions:

1. Measure butterscotch and butter into a saucepan.

2. Cook until until syrup is bubbly and butter is completely melted

3. Remove from heat and cool for 30 seconds

4. Slowly mix in soda. Mixture will fizz quite a bit

5: Top with Redi-Whip and serve!

loving the weather?!

So... the weather has officially entered fall phase and I want new fun ideas of things to do in this GLORIOUS few weeks of fall we have. So, post your favorite outside fall activity. It can be a game, a place, or something yummy to eat (cuz I'm all about the food!)

Ready... Set... GO!!!

Crock Pot Goodness!

O.K., so the weather is getting cooler and I'm going to share one of my favorite things to cook in the crock pot. Seriously... this is the best thing my grandma got me when I went to college. (Thanks Grandma!!)

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
(this serves enough to feed Josh and I 2-3 times, sooo add or subtract as you think.)

In a large crock pot, combine:
2 cans of Swanson Chicken Broth (Garlic & Herb seasoned)
1 can water
3-4 large chicken breasts, cooked* and cut into 1 inch cubes.
4 fresh stalks of celery, chopped
4 fresh big carrots (the Bugs Bunny kind), chopped
3 fresh chive stalks, chopped
3-4 cups of cooked noodles (your preference, though egg noodles work best)

make sure all ingredients are covered, adding more/less water as needed.
cook on high for 5-6 hours or longer, checking now and then for water level.

Serve with warm, crusty french bread and enjoy!!!

*Chicken cookin' goodness: cut thawed chicken into cubes and sautee with butter, cavender's seasoning, fresh pepper, and onion. Cook until done & continue with recipe.

I love this man. And I love our pictures.

A preview of our engagement pictures from this weekend.
Consider this an early Christmas present, blog stalkers!
We had a great time shooting them with Josh B. and I'll be posting some of the favorites and more about them when we get the edited ones back! woo!

Dear Katherine (and others)

To comment on my blog you must do the following:

1. click the title of the entry.

That's all. Not sure what I have to do to get it onto my front page... but until I have no life and can figure it out, I have devised that little solution for you.

So, I better have 10 comments by the end of the week. haha

Cubbie Quotes!

So, everyone else has cute kids they can quote... I'm not there in life, but I do have AWANA Cubbies who say some realllllly fun(ny) things.
This week we learned about weather:
"Hurricanes are just big circles. Kind of like tornadoes, but not the same color."
And we learned about what happens when you don't listen to your leaders and put the name tag on your lips and not your vest:
"That hurt so bad I had to lick my lips."

Thank you Cubbies, next we we will discuss politics, the economy, and the debate still rages over Kool-Aid fruit punch and Capri Sun: Which is tastier?

PS: Thanks for the Reeses, Heather!

hair help!

So, one of the biggest issues I'm having with my wedding is how to do my hair! I mean, this is important, like real important as my mop is going to be in all of my photos. Well, yes, you say... your hair generally gets photographed with you. But, I'm very, very, verrrrry particular about how my hair is in photos, so it is important for this to be juuust right.
Photos I love right now include:





So, I need help. Let me know which ones you all like best, or feel free to direct me towards other photos you like. (I'd also LOVE to see what kind of hair you wore on your wedding day, if you are married!)
*photos off www.theknot.com

Forgot to Mention

Quotable Quotes:
"I got to use the man potty because I'm a little man."
"shark-whales live in the ocean... and side-way fish!"

-this brought to you by my adorable cubbie boys

My Fall Picks

Top 8 Wonderful Things About Fall:
1.Color:
Seriously, our Lord made some of the most gorgous colors in fall seasons. I mean, gold and red and orange (call me a 2%... I LOVE that color), brown, and every other wonderful hue outside, well, outside if you aren't in Texas.
2.Crock Pots:
My obsession with slow cooker meals is about to go crazy.
3.Apple Cider
duh.
4.Hot Cocoa
duh.
5.Butter Beer
No, it's not alcholic, it's Harry Potter-ific! I have a really yummy recipe that makes you feel like you just walked into the Leaky Cauldron and makes you crave exploding taffy from the Weasley Brothers.
6.Modest Clothing
Josh likes to laugh at me for this one, but he agrees, too. I love that in the fall, sweaters and jeans are encouraged. The era of daisy dukes and halters is drawing near, and this makes me happy.
7.Cool Weather
Nothing beats my afternoon of eating a very yummy salad (Thanks, tomato bar!), sitting in the sunshine, and having a great breeze to keep me cool.
8. Pumpkins!!
A Barnes-Humphrey couple tradition. We've carved 'punkins' since we started dating two years ago... and the tradtiton will continue. In the past we have done The Office Logo, Curious George, and others I can't remember. This year, we're going all out, thinking of making something like this:

thank you.

thank you for coming this weekend, katherine.
you are a wonderful friend,
the best maid-of-honor ever,
an amazing encouragment,
and a wonderful reminder that I need to rely on the Lord for everything.

i'm so, so, so glad you are here.
(even if we're gonna be studying.)

i need a neti pot.

Ok blog readers:
I want a neti pot. I NEED a neti pot. What is a neti pot?
Well, in my blog followings of all the living hope members, I read about this nifty little gadget called a neti pot (henceforth known on this blog as a neti). This little gizmo looks like a itty bitty tea pot in which you put a mixture of salt and warm water. You then proceed to pour this solution into your nostril and it comes out the other &/or down your throat to be spit out, as shown:

I know, it looks gross, but it's way better looking than what is coming out in my tissues right now.We're talking g-r-o-s-s. First, I have to decide that I'm willing to dump water down my nose. Or, better yet, would I be able to have the gall to go through with it.

putting into practice

I'm struggling today.
Today I got a phone call from my cs family.
Darrel was out of surgery ok but we had bigger things.

Belinda's mom took a turn for the worst.
We don't know how long there is. 10 minutes? The night?

Pray, blogworld. If living hope-r's read this, we need the body.
We need you to pray for her mom's passing to be peaceful.
We need you to pray for Belinda as she is with her.
Pray for Darrel as he is recovering from shoulder surgery.
Pray for the boys who are losing a grandparent.
Pray for Nache' and Shane, who are coping with the loss and taking care of the babies.
Pray for me. Pray I can be a blessing and I can be helpful in anyway I can.

Updates will follow as soon as I know anything.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Lots of things have been going on in the last month or so. Fall semester started (explaining my disapearance from blogworld), I started working in AWANA at the church, wedding plans are underway, and life is rolling on down the road.

Fall semester is going well, but it's definately more work than I thought I would have. Physics is so much busy work, but other than that class, my others are almost enjoyable. My favorite is by far my self defense class. It's semi-empowering, I mean, I'm not going all women's lib or anything... but it's neat to know that if you came up behind me and put me in a choke hold, I can totally throw you over my shoulder and potentially knock the wind out of you. Boo-ya.










Moving on to less violent things, AWANA is back and I'm along for the ride! I'm working with the 2nd year cubbies who are all oh-so-cute-i-want-to-keep-them-all adorable! There is a never ending supply of comments and their prayers are so sweet! The boys can be, well, boys, so they are always funny. So far this year, the crayola tornados have sucked up Cubby Bear, Jesus, and the Cubby Mottos on their pages and whisked them off to somewhere. On a more serious note, these kids are so wonderful at teaching me about child-like faith and what it means to genuinely love our Father in Heaven. It is wonderful to be with them as they plant these little seeds of truth in their hearts and even more wonderful to see them growing and understanding more and more about Christ and what he did for us on that cross. I feel so blessed to be a part of their lives this year!














Wedding planning is also going well. The dress has been bought, the veil made, and we have scheduled our date to take engagement photos! Now, for anyone who knows me at all, you will know how much I love, love, love pictures of me and people I know. So, to get to take a whole lot of pictures with my best friend and future husband!?... it's waay exciting for me! Even more exciting is that our friend Josh Bolwerk will be taking them for us. So, lots of fun to come, and I'll post my favs when we get them done!


Well, blogworld, I think that about sums up everything going on at the moment. As I get more wedding stuff I hope to be able to post so that I can get some feedback on a couple of things.

cute blog success!

If you want a killer cute blog, check out www.thecutestblogontheblock.com.
It has really cute layouts, although I HATED that little box that advertises its website, so I had to get rid of that. Otherwise, it's great.

I'm in the process of consolidating all of my blogger news into one... this way, no one will have to read the bridezilla and this&that. I'll let you know as I get updated!!

i think, therefor i am.

i blog swipped this, but it's fun to think introspectively for a bit... even if it is on a blog and you should be studying for a spanish midterm.

i am: cold. all the time
i think: i am apathetic towards too many things
i know: i am a sinner, saved by sweet, merciful, grace.
i want: to star in a musical like they used to make (think r&h throwback)
i have: cold feet right now. (literal, not figurative)
i wish: on stars, eyelashes, and birthday candles knowing it's silly.
i hate: my "mean girl" side, drain disposals that smell, and being frustrated.
i miss: summers of carefree enjoyment.
i fear: the dark.
i feel: comfort in Christ.
i hear: a swing band playing on TCM on tv.
i smell: laundry soap and chocolate?
i crave: soft serve ice cream with chocolate chips.
i search: for shoes. i'm always misplacing them!
i wonder: where i would have been had it not been for A&M
i regret: one thing in my life.
i love: the outside after the rain, joshua, my church, babies, dogs, and a million other things in life.
i ache: in my tummy. (stomach virus!)
i care: about becoming a good wife and furthering my relationship with Christ.
i always: fidget.
i am not: as perfect as josh sees me, but he doesn't believe that.
i believe: that i am wonderfully and unconditionally loved by my Lord.
i dance: in front of mirrors to songs in my head.
i sing: loudly until i know you're listening.
i don’t always: wear makeup. or shoes.
i fight: when i am feeling stubborn.
i write: a million stories in my head.
i win: pfarkle games.
i lose: articles of clothing and good pens
i never: take more than 40 minutes to get ready for anywhere.
i confuse: josh when i try and explain things.
i listen: when i want to (a terrible fault of mine)
i can usually be found: under a blanket, on a couch, next to josh, or at church.
i am scared: of silly things.
i need: community, fellowship, accountability, and love.
i am happy about: getting to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.

CRY FOR HELP!

Oh, PS: does anyone know how to make my blog cute!? I need some help!!
Please and Thanks!

finally.

Hello readers in blog world!
Today is a bit crazy as I'm taking a final for my COMM 210 class in a few hours AND writing the paper for it. Then I'M DONE! I just have to keep thinking that after another 25ish hours of class I will graduate. Whew.

So today's fun item is www.pandora.com. It's an online radio of sorts. You enter an artist you like and they play that artist plus artists that sound similar. You can also add new artists and just songs that you like and they play those and similar songs as well. It's just wonderful. No commmercials. You have the power to say "I do/n't like this song", save songs, and other fun things. Currently I have Jason Mraz, Metro Station, Regina Spektor, Tristan Prettyman, Flyleaf, Jack Johnson, and others that sound like them. It's a great way to find new artists. So, GO LISTEN!

Other fun news (to some) is that I have obtained a copy of the unabridged Pride and Prejudice on audio cd. I think this is the only way I am going to have time to "read". I put it in on my car and listen to a chapter or two on the way to and from my house. The only problem... I don't want to get out of my car! So, audio books are quickly becoming my new favorite thing.

On a parting note, I'm totally hitting up the release of WALL-E this weekend, so if you want in, speak up!

Thanks for reading... I might write some more later, so stay tuned!

commitment phobe.

The blog I so excitedly jumped into and, I'll say, had some pretty profound thoughts in was sadly tossed aside. I'm sorry if any of you were reading along and I cut you off. I think I have a commitment phobia to journals, etc. Fo' real... I can't keep one going. So, here is blog 2.0. I've left the old posts up because, well I like reading them, so feel free to reread or just disregard.

What's going on in my life?

Well readers, funny you should ask. In the event you have been in a space ship headed to mars and JUST returned, the girl that left you blogging about how her and her boyfriend met is now learning what it is to have a fiance and in the beginning stages of a lovely thing called wedding planning.
While it has it ups and downs I have received some good advice in some random places:
1. A friend and former instructor I TA'd for gave me a piece of very practical advice that has really stuck: "Don't let the planning cause you to forget what this is really a celebration of." Thanks Rachel!
2. Oddly enough, Sex and the City Movie previews gave me the same wonderful advise. Carrie looks at someone and says, "I let the wedding get bigger than Big." Now, I am not a SATC watcher... but I really enjoyed this little morsal of advice.
3. There was a sticker I saw the other day that said, "God wrote your love story... let Him read it to you." Aw. It was just a wonderful reminder as I leaf through the upteenth wedding magazine that I needed to just chill out and reflect on the wonderful gift that this is and that my Father in Heaven has put in my life and blessed me with.
4. Finally, my friend Angie gave me a wonderful thing to cling to as well. When looking at my ring she said, "Isn't is wonderful how something so simple means so much?"

All these little things have come at me from various places recently and have just been such a good reminder of what I'm really planning. It's really difficult in the midst of a guest list to remember WHO formed and fashioned this relationship and has so carefully directed the path Josh and I are on. I have to continually remind myself that this is not even only a celebration of the love Josh and I share like Rachel said, but a celebration of the Heavenly Father who wrote this whole story! A Father who loved us both and created us in order to perfectly counter the other in a way only He could. In the end, it's not really about the flowers or the photographer or the exact color of the table cloths, but about a guy who got down on his knee and asked me to be beside him for the rest of his life. Fellow Brides-to-be out there, listen up! We have to get past all of this glitz and glamour of the wedding industry because all that fluff we look at is just that. All that is boils down to the same reason we all feel like we need the newest, nicest thing. No, you do NOT need the photobooth. You do not NEED that 6 foot chocolate fountain that changes colors. Don't let jealously of that girls custom wedding dress and 37,000 orchid display or the greediness of having to have the NICEST whatever get in the way. What we NEED to be doing is seeking our Lord even more for His will and His guidance. We need to be seeking out older, godlier women who can come along side us and let us learn from their ups and downs. We should be focusing on what being a wife means. Proverbs 31 is great to read. It gives a wonderful list starting in verses 10-31 of who we are called to be as wives. Finally, someone told Josh and I a great piece of advice I want to finish with. They said, God loves marriage and what it means for the couple. If this is the case, Satan HATES it. So, just as every new stage in our walk with God brings a harder spiritual battle, an engagement will do the same thing. It's our job to watch for this and be aware, seeking the Lord more than before and constantly evaluating our actions. We need to be diligent and careful not to allow our minds to be clouded but always seeking Him and His will.

Whew. That was much needed to sort all that out. Sorry if I lost you in there, but I've been needing to get that one out. Thanks to anyone who's reading this, until later, have a wonder-full day.