Recipe: French Toast Poppers

Cory has a sweet tooth, however a very specific one. So when it comes to sweet breakfast foods, I save them for myself. This recipe I stumbled upon and fell in love with immediatetly. At work, my patients get a variety of not-so-appetizing hospital foods for their meals. One day last week though one of my patients got French Toast. And it actually looked and smelt very very good. I've been craving the crunchy/soft, sweetness that it is ever since. 

So once I saw this recipe I knew I had to make it at once. I had already bought a baguette that morning so I whipped up a bunch of these little goodies:

Photo & Recipe via Sugar & Charm

This recipe is fast, easy, and delicious. Using the baguette pieces seem to make the poppers a little crunchier. And crunchier=yummier.

Do you like sweet or salty breakfast foods? What's one of your favorite breakfast recipes?

Too...cute...

Warning: No we are not pregnant. I just am excited for the day we have kids and cannot control myself around certain cute baby items (most cute baby items).

I frequent antique stores and very few times I find adorable antique-like baby items. When I do though, I walk away and if I feel I can't live without it (ok I know I'd be able to live without a lot of the things I find, but you know what I mean) then I come back and purchase it. So far I don't have much stuff for our future kids, just a few (super adorable) items. So here was my 16$ steal! : 

Those brown leather shoes would be perfect for a little boy or a girl. And that sweater...

Now I just have to hide this stuff away for a few years.

Do you have a hard time controlling those baby-craves, or am I the only weirdo?

Faith

We all put our faith in something or someone. For me it is Jesus Christ. Like I said here I've been wanting to make more me time with Him. These last couple days at work I've had big glimpses of His love in different patient's lives, and it just makes me excited to know He is present in my life.

I feel so incredibly blessed to have a Saviour who loves me for who I am. He gives me strength everyday at work and at home. 

Whatever it is you put your faith I hope it is encouraging you this week. 

If you haven't given Jesus a try, I strongly suggest Him ~ He does love you!

Comparing is stupid.

Lately I've been comparing myself to others. Not a good thing. When we start comparing we start getting more and more focused on how we "aren't". Aren't as pretty, as smart, as creative, as blah blah blah. Just makes me feel like crap. So I snapped out of it and decided to make a little list of what I like about me. (Not a self-centered look at me list, just a I-need-a-little-pick-me-up list) 

1. My laugh
2. My smile
3. How I decorate
4. My work ethic
5. When I have fun I don't really care if people think I'm weird

6. My ability to let go of things

7. How I can genuinely care for someone I just met

8. I don't drink often

9. I'm sentimental

10. I'm sensitive

What do you like about yourself? Dwell on all those things today.

New Years Resolutions

Yes I'm making a New Years resolution list. Don't worry though, its not super long nor is it really ambitious. Every year I would make these fitness resolutions that I ended up failing on come two weeks into the new year. This year my resolution plans are more attainable and a little more fun. 

1. Take the stairs. 
  I used to take the stairs wherever I went.  Even at work (I used to work on the 9th floor, now the 8th). Lately though I've gotten a bit lazy. I'm going to try to take the stairs at least half-way up to work and whenever I can. 

2. Try more recipes. 
  I can also get lazy with my cooking. I'm going to try to follow actual recipes and get a little more creative. Some good places for my help are here and here. 

3. Love my husband better. 
  Even though we've been married for only 4 months I don't want to get into a rut. I'm going to do my best to find ways to show him I cherish him as much as I do. 

4. Make more personal time for me and Jesus.
  I've embarrassingly put my alone time with Jesus on the back burner. This needs to stop now. 

What 2013 resolutions have you made?

Year In Review

2012 was by far the best year I have had to date. There were so many new experiences, adventures, and highlights for me. Here is a little wrap up of 2012: 

February 11, 2012: I know this pic is from December, however, I started working at my hospital job back in February. I received a job as an SNT (student nurse technician) that allowed me to have the responsibilities as a CNA (certified nurse assistant) while at the same time allowed me to perform any clinical nursing skills that needed to be done that day. It was a job that I will forever be grateful for. Not only did it help prepare me for the world of actual nursing, but it led in to the job that I work right now. 

April 22, 2012: The day Cory asked me to marry him. It was an unusually warm day for April in Oregon (mid 80's). He picked me up from work and we headed downtown for an already planned date to the ballet. As we were walking around he quickly turned and gave me a huge hug (his heart was racing through his chest and I knew something was up). He then got down on one knee. My first reaction was "Oh no!" - horrible reaction I know, but hear me out. I think I said that because for years (of course as a girl) you dream about the day you are proposed to. I quickly remember my inside-conversation: "oh my gosh, here it is, are you ready, are you feeling beautiful, where are we, is this so perfect?". And all those questions led to a roof-top shout of YES! His proposal was perfect, as was the rest of the evening. 

May 6, 2012: I graduated from Nursing school. One, huge, accomplishment. I was so proud of myself and my sister. We did it. 

June 18, 2012: I moved out (officially) of my parents house into the apartment where Cory and I would be living together after we were married. The apartment and neighborhood is just perfect for us. 

September 1, 2012: I married the love of my life, my best friend on a glorious sunny day! Then headed to Kauai for the Honeymoon of our dreams.

December 21-23, 2012: We had our first Christmas celebrations as husband and wife. We loved getting a tree, buying our ornaments and chotchky decorations (ok maybe the latter was just me), and making our place warm and ready for the holidays. 

2012 was an amazing year. God truly blessed us to the limits of blessings (at least I sure felt like that)! We are both really excited for what 2013 has in store for us. As long as we rely on the Lord's strength and guidance, I know this year will be just as great. 

Weekend in Review

This last weekend was amazing. During the last weekend of 2012 we spent our time with people we enjoy and doing things that we like to do. 

It all started Friday night when we went to the Soda Whiskey Lounge and Pok Pok for dinner to celebrate a new job offer and a birthday. We had a great time - the drinks were delicious, the food was so so so (so so so) good, and the company was just perfect.

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday I worked but had the chance to catch a glimpse of this: 

The sunrises in Portland on a clear winter day is just breathtaking. (There's Hood in the background). After work on Monday my sister and her boyfriend arrived from Seattle and we and a few other friends had some pre-downtown drinks at our place. 

Twinzie and I:

Roee and Rebekah: 

Can't really tell but they were popping a little confetti popper. After our delicious drinks we headed to Henry's downtown to eat some delicious food and countdown to midnight. Even though we were at the restaurant come 3, 2, 1, it was really fun. They had a TV on showing Dick Clark's New Years Eve special so everyone in the restaurant stood up to count and cheer. It was so great. We finished the night walking around downtown a bit to fully take in the excitement that was New Years.

I hope you all had a great New Years Eve whether you went out downtown, stayed in with your family and friends, or just simply caught up on sleep. Wishing everyone many blessing this 2013!