Our Humble Abode

We have been living in our apartment for three months now, but I am just starting to dress it up and make it feel like it's ours. Decorating on a budget isn't fun but thankfully I had some wedding decorations leftover! It's amazing how a few little things around the house will automatically add character. 

 (Wooden frame with scrapbook paper & dyed newspaper)

 (Foot-rest-turned-reading-nook)

 (My personal favorite spot in the apartment)

 (Wooden tray from Hobby Lobby)

  (Finally finished our "bulletin board")

It's fun to get creative and use what you already have to decorate. Don't get me wrong I can't wait to do some real decorating one day and I think I'll appreciate it a lot more now. 

Cheers, J.

The Challenge of Giving Thanks

Oh boy. It has been a very tough couple of weeks at the Faeh household. 

Both of our jobs have completely drained us and we feel like we are at the end of our rope. Ideally we would like to leave Omaha, but that plan has been more difficult than we thought. When we first started having trouble in Omaha, I was at ease because I knew we would spend a lot of time in prayer and seeking God's will. However, I didn't take into account that MY will may not be God's will. (That's a tough pill to swallow!) 

It has been so hard to focus on the good things in our life and I have fallen into the deep hole of discontent. I started to think about eucharisteo. "Giving thanks." The LAST thing I wanted to do while I was pouting all week was give thanks! You see, it's so easy to give thanks when things are going well! When you're having a good day and the birds are chirping and the sun is out. But I wasn't feeling happy, I wasn't feeling thankful, I was downright mad that things weren't going my way! And then I realized... the whole point of practicing eucharisteo is to train yourself to be able to focus on what you do have no matter what the circumstance. I've said it once and I'll say it again (and again...and again) I am not deserving of a single joy I have in this life and I tend to forget that often. God has blessed me with so many great things and that's what I need to be focusing on in a time like this.

So. I got my notepad. I grumbled around the house looking for a pen. And I began to give thanks.

119. Our tears

120. Our vulnerability

121. Breakdowns

122. Chocolate covered strawberries

124. Snuggly coco

125. His strength

126. Candlelight

If you have a list, I'd love to discuss the joys & struggles you're finding along the way.

Cheers, J.

Scone Addict Pt. 2

Any normal person would stop at one batch of scones, but that buttermilk carton was still pretty full. What's a gal to do!? I made cinnamon scones, too. Yum! I should have a scone party...

You can find this recipe here.

Any other good recipes I should be trying?

Scone Addict Pt. 1

I was cleaning out my fridge this weekend and noticed that I had a full carton of buttermilk that was going to expire in a week. I simply couldn't let it go to waste so I decided to make one of my favorite breakfast foods...scones! There is nothing better than a cup of jo (decaf for me) and a scone in the morning. I had been wanting to try this Maple Pecan Scone recipe from the Food Network magazine so this was the perfect chance. They were very easy to make!

You can find the recipe here!

Eucharisteo

I wrote here about my first summer read called "One Thousand Gifts" where the author encourages us to give thanks in everything...literally everything. To understand that every joy in life (even the littlest things) are gifts from God and by giving thanks always we learn to be content and (dare I say) joyful! The bible mentions the greek word "eucharisteo" many, many times meaning "to be thankful." 

Yesterday was a really great summer day. I had so much to be thankful for. Cinnamon Girl Cupcakes (my cupcake business) had it's first catering gig for a wedding, the sun was out, and Truman had the day off. My heart was bursting with thanks and I couldn't help but continue to add "gifts" to my journal all day. I felt so happy and loved yesterday--basking in all of God's sweet glory.

 After we delivered cupcakes, we found this adorable little hole-in-the-wall in Firth, NE called Homestead. Pretty good food, too!

 We are so weird.

 The Mill on 48th and Prescott in Lincoln is our favorite spot. We miss this place so much. Omaha has nothing compared to it. We spent the entire evening drinking coffee and relaxing on the front patio. Watching the sun go down and feeling the slight summer breeze float in was the perfect ending to the day.

 Had to make a quick stop at Sunken Gardens.

 Tried to take a picture together...didn't work.

A few "gifts" from my day...

53. Green, fluffy fields

54. Perfect rows of fields

55. Sun creating a "fog" over the hills

56. Humid summer evening

57. Small town charm

58. Windows rolled down

59. Damp skin

61. When he rubs my back in public

63. Imperfections

65. Coffee shop patio

66. Unexpected meeting of a friend

67. Casual conversation

69. A familiar feeling of home

72. Knee slapping songs

How do you live out eucharisteo?

J.

Summer Goals

Last summer was just okay. I enjoyed the slow pace of life in Central City/Grand Island and I listened to great music, but we didn't really do anything fun. We didn't do anything to soak up the precious time of summer. I am a HUGE summer person and I can't stand wasting a day of sunshine. Of course since I'm a grown up now I can't just spend every day sleeping in and laying at the pool (darn) but I have found a way to enjoy as much summer time as possible...a goal list! 

I decided that if I was going to make this summer special I was going to have to plan it out (not all planning--spontaneous adventures can be just as fun). So here's my list so far...

1. Visit the Omaha Farmer's Market

Haven't done this since I was a little lass and I'm living in Omaha now soooo....

2. Visit Lincoln Farmer's Market

I really, really, really miss the Haymarket

3. Jazz on the Green

Never been. But I've heard it's a blast.

4. Miletta Vista Winery

This is the most beautiful winery I have been to in Nebraska. It sits on a hill in St. Paul and has the most beautiful scenery. I plan on sipping wine, sitting on the deck, and watching the sun go down.

5. Slattery Vintage Estates

We are going "Glamping" my friends. Yes, Glamorous Camping. I thought this only existed in Montana (I looked into it as a honeymoon possibility) so I was thrilled to find out about this winery outside of Lincoln. Trums and I have booked a night in July when they have a bluegrass concert. Woo!

6. Holy Family Shrine

We live really close to this...church thing. I have driven by it a million times and need to finally get up there to see what it's all about.

7. Kayak down the Might River Platte

This is one of my favorite memories of last summer. The scenery isn't breathtaking or anything, but it's very peaceful...and a great workout for the arms.

8. Roca Berry Farm

I know nothing about this farm! But it looks like something fun to do. Any comments?

9. Arbor Day Farms

We went to Arbor Day Farms last fall but it was after the leaves had fallen...kind of pointless! I'd love to go in the summer when everything is green. I'd also like to do a little wine tasting.

I am always down for more suggestions!

J.

Best Snack Ever

I tend to snack on things that aren't usually considered healthy (ice cream, chips, chex mix, etc.) but I've been really trying to watch what I eat this summer. NOT because I'm trying to lose weight (I'm trying to gain weight actually) but because I feel that I need to put less junk into my body. If you know me well, you know that I am the pickiest person walking the Earth. I play it safe at restaurants and if it smells bad, I assume it tastes even worse. This has makes the whole "eating healthy" thing very hard.

I have been following this new website called Rooted Wellbeing. They focus on a holistic diet and give great recipes through their newsletters. This recipe has been my favorite so far.

Ingredients:

2-3 bananas, peeled and cut in half

1/4 C. Cacao powder (I used a bar and chopped it into pieces)

1/4 C. coconut oil

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 T. honey, maple syrup, coconut nectar, or agave

pinch of sea salt

Directions

1. Cover plate with wax paper

2. Freeze for 1 hour

3. Place remaining ingredients in sauce pan and melt over low heat on stove, constantly stirring, until smooth and combined

4. Remove bananas from freezer and dip into chocolate sauce

5. Place back in freezer for 1-2 hours

**they suggested putting popsicle sticks in the bananas before freezing, I just didn't have any**

If anyone has any good books or websites on holistic eating (that isn't too extreme for my picky taste) then please send them my way!!