Happy Thanksgiving

Shopping, cleaning, and baking are done for the day, and our cozy little apartment is warmly filled with scents of apple, pumpkin, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. I kinda love this time of year. Food, family, and friends. The simple things are amazing things. God continually blows me away with His provision and love for me. Now me and my husband. Us. My daily challenge to myself is to never take any of it for granted.

"It" being: A husband who loves me and loves living the marriage adventure daily with me. Family who support us above and beyond. Friends we can be in community with. The perfect timing in God's plan for us even when we can't see it. Jobs and financial blessings. A place all to ourselves, that we've been able to make into a home.

I'll stop there before I write a book.

This year as I hear about health battles, money troubles, and desperate times, I am reminded of who I put my trust in.

God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

He shows up in those little things.

and the big things.

And He loves us.

In the cold times.

and all the darkness.

And He loves us.

I'm most thankful for that. Love.

So tomorrow, and especially long after the turkey has been turned into sandwiches and soup, give thanks. Those everyday little things all add up. We have so much to be thankful for.

What are you giving thanks for this year?

xoxo

Crave: Sweet Potato Bake

The recipe posted below, for the dish of pure joy pictured above, is going to be my edible contribution to this year's Thanksgiving feast at my parents house. Is it bad that I was asked to bring a vegetable dish, and mine somehow became a "vegetable/practically a dessert" dish? Just don't think too much about the sugar, butter, and heavy cream involved. At least that's what Miss Paula says, and I believe everything she tells me. Maybe I'll do green beans too.

Paula Deen's Sweet Potato Bake

Ingredients:

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter, melted

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 cup heavy cream, half and half, or whole milk

Topping:

1 cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped

Mix together with fork; sprinkle over top of casserole.

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix all ingredients together except for cream. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add cream;mix well. Pour into greased casserole dish ( 1 1/2 quarts). Add topping. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

What are you making for the big day?

xoxo

Friday Favorites

There are just too many pretty and interesting things in the world these days. This week's "Friday Favorites" is focusing on: Jewelry. Sub-category:"Pretty Little Things." How about a smorgasbord of happy objects? trinkets? gadgets, gizmos a-plenty, whozits, and whatzits galore...you want thingamabobs? I've got twenty! but who cares. no big deal. i...want...moreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

That was me singing to you. Don't even worry about it. I just got a little too excited and channeled my inner-Ariel. it happens. especially whenever you're swimming somewhere with a rock or a ledge to hoist upon, you know the scene. don't judge.

Ok. Back to the good stuff. Here are a few lovelies and here's to hoping you feel inspired, intrigued, and plain ol' elated. break out in your own song perhaps.

(this rose cut/golden brown/diamond ring of love)

(ok, definitely wishing on this one. it's so sparkly and dainty)

(grabbing my best friend now and splitting these lovelies)

(I've been meaning to jump on the boyfriend watch bandwagon. Here is an option done in a soft feminine hue)

(speaking of "The Little Mermaid": this was fate stumbling upon the Disney Couture line. You can have your very own Ariel-inspired freshwater pearl cocktail ring like this beauty)

(love how dangly and wispy these are)

(would love this paired with a plain white tank)

(a mixture of different elements: metal and leather in a softer style like this bracelet)

(dainty rings are my weakness. Daniel did fantastic with the ones on my left hand...now how can I get this one on my right?)

(the ultimate pretty little things: bows and pearls make up these sweet earrings)

{to all the above: heart flutter}

xoxo

22 Things To Do Before 23

March 19th. I turn. 23. Years. old. Ok, first of all, let's change the "old" to "young." That is a true statement and I'm sticking to it. 23 years young. Getting married this year and slowly becoming an adult, (in some aspects...in others, I'm still comparable to a 14 year old, more on that later), I realize how much of the world I have yet to see and how many experiences I have yet to live. My feet still have a lot of earth to cover, if you know what I mean. Especially before...dun dun dun...kids! I might just have to strap them on my back like they do in Africa, and keep galavanting along. In honor of marriage, new adventures, and the likes, I have decided to venture on a "bucket" list of sorts each year to accomplish before my next year of ME a.k.a. my birthday...hmmmm...what to call it since I'm not literally "kicking the bucket." I guess the "Cake" list: fits within the theme of things and ironically, it shouldn't be a "piece of cake" to accomplish. Oh I am full of clichés. This year my Cake List leaves me only about 120 days or so, (correct me if I'm wrong in my calculations: math is not my gifting, a fact I am reminded of daily while living with my engineer-genuius hubby, and pretty much daily living in general), meaning, I need to get on it! Here goes.

In no particular order:

1. Surprisingly simple DIY tote project found here

2. Go to this concert in January

3. Read one new book a month: Maybe start with this one?

4. Support a child through World Vision or Compassion International or both...too many little faces to love

5. Finish decorating/furnishing apartment

6. Conquer all things post-wedding related: wedding pictures, thank you cards, etc.

7. Trip to Seattle

8. Make sushi

9. Write letters to closest friends and family

10. Have a spa day

11. Cook a turkey

12. Watch "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" (just because).

13. Begin learning a new language

14. Go wine tasting

15. Make feather earrings

16. One day of using candlelight only: a small experiment after watching "No Impact Man"

17. Build a successful fire in our fireplace: successful meaning it is indeed a fire and doesn't smoke us out or burn down our apartment. minor details.

18. Cook a Rwandese meal: cabbage over rice with chips, beans, and a tiny bite of goat meat. amazing.

19. Decide on a church/get involved

20. Have a fondue party

21. Read more about politics

22. Figure out some more life

OK. so that last one is a bit general and a work in progress but everything else is seemingly doable in the next few months.

Piece of Cake! right? right? Right! Positive thoughts!

What's on your "Cake List?"

xoxo

The Most Current Version of Myself

Name: Bonnie Anne

Nickname(s): Bon Bon, Peep, WIFE

Age: 22

Current Occupation: Housewife circa 1950s. I make a mean meatloaf, not gonna lie. Cook-Clean-Shop. All that's missing is the kids, (but I'm babysitting other people's children...so, makes up for my lack thereof).

Near Future Reality: Finding a job and figuring out this adventure of life with my husband. daily.

Dreams As of This Moment: Weekend trip(s) to Vegas and Seattle. Week-ish trips to New York and Kona. Adopting a puppy like this fluff-ball of love

from Family Dogs New Life Shelter. just a few little things.

Highly Improbable Dream: When I take my aforementioned trip to New York, and after I've successfully hailed my cab merely by stepping onto the sidewalk like in the movies, I will enter the car to be greeted by Ben Bailey, music, and flashing lights. Cash Cab. And yes, I would throw down. Go double or nothing.

Current Music Obsession: Christmas. my guilty confession. I had a moment of weakness on Pandora the other day. Definitely music. cheating on November right now.

Recent Movie: Theater: Megamind (verdict: cute) and Netflix: Our Lips are Sealed via Mary Kate and Ashley Olson (verdict: my 9 year old cousin spent the night). We are waiting for "Crash" to arrive in the mail. Worth the watch?

Current Life Philosophy: Life is too short to tiptoe around, being careful not to step on too many toes along the way. I've found that I'm more of a stomping/splashing/squishing person. (translation for those of you who don't speak "bonnie": There is beauty and joy found once you are honest and vulnerable in the world and with the world).

oh happy day to you

xoxo

Welcome One Welcome All

hello to my blog.

It's still a work-in-progress. hey, just like me.

I'm excited to post all about life and the little things in it. and the big things. even the medium things.

ready

set

go

xoxo