the liebster award.

Hello all!
I've been nominated for the Liebster Award by the ever-fabulous Hayley (accidentally typed "Hayler" first which I don't hate) at Roots & Whim! I am totally blushing over here having been so thoughtfully picked!
The Liebster Award is an award given by new bloggers for new bloggers. I googled it to check out the origins and found about a million different sets of rules, so I'm changing mine up juuuuust a little from what Hayley did.

Rules:
1. Link back to the person who nominated you.
2. Answer questions given by the nominator.
3. Nominate 5-11 other bloggers with less than 1000 followers. (Stats taken from bloglovin'.)
4. Create 11 questions for the nominees
5. Notify all nominees via social media/blogs.

Questions I've Been Asked:
1. What's the first blog you remember reading faithfully? Most definitely todaysletters.com. It's fabulous and so, so sweet and encourages readers to love their spouses well.
2. What is on your bedside table right now? Hah, half-read library books (& Sons, Endurance), my recently-received happy mail from ABM (!!), thank you notes for dayz (still need to be addressed), and a very official document to make Peter my beneficiary (not filled out).
3. Who is an entrepreneur and/or blogger that you look up to? Probably Emily from Today's Letters (above) or Molly Yeh from mynameisyeh.com. Both grow their own food (to some extent) and have sweet, simple lifestyles that I love. They both focus on the important. Plus Molly makes a mean funfetti cake.
4. What is a favorite recipe of yours? Chocolatecakechocolatecakechocolatecake.
5. What is some helpful blogging advice you've received? Probably to blog about what's important, more personal details, and to make friends throughout the blogging community. Or at least that's what I've picked up. It makes me more real and gains followers who genuinely care.
6. If you could be on any reality TV show or game show, what would it be? The Amazing Race!
7. Sweet or savory? Oh gosh, sweet 100%.
8. If you could travel ANYWHERE right now, where would you go? Everywhere? Ha. Tough question! Maybe India. Or the Fiji Islands.
9. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Hah, I have honestly never thought about this. Something weird, probably. I like Leo.
10. What's a weird quirk you have? SO MANY. I can't (more like refuse to) say any words right. Peter struggles to understand what I'm saying half the time. Blog = blerg. Food = nomkins. Biscuits = biskeys. Beer = burr. YES, I KNOW MOST OF THOSE ARE FOODS.
11. What's one of your favorite posts from your blog, and why? This one. Because it was a pretty rough time in my life and was one of my most read posts. It's me being totally open and real and word-vomity, but people understood and felt me and encouraged me in spite of how crazy I felt.


Questions I Am Asking:
1. How do you take your coffee?
2. What is your dream job?
3. Name a guilty pleasure of yours.
4. What is your favorite flavor of pie?
5. I just bought you a yacht! What are you going to name it?
6. What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
7. Dark, milk, or white chocolate?
8. What is your favorite holiday, and why?
9. Who is your favorite person to follow in the blogging world?
10. What is the last full album you purchased?
11. What is your favorite thing to blog about, and why?


Bloggers I Nominate:
1. Jayda @ Avocado Grove
2. Casey @ A Girl & Merle
3. Brittaney @ Brittaney Penney
4. Gabrielle @ Dishes & Dreams
5. Jamie @ A Girl Named David
6. Michelle @ Mind of Meesh

Thanks again to Hayley! You are the sweetest!
-e.

she reads truth - hebrews.

How does Moses makes his tea?
He-brews it. Get it? Ahahaha.

Hey! I hope ya'll are joining me in this She Reads Truth community.
Today is the beginning of another study and I guarantee ya'll will get something great out of it.

And hey, if you are participating, let me know because I would love to get together for coffee/dinner/chitty chat about this study.
-e.

she reads truth.

Could these be any more gorgeous?
I hope hope hope you've decided to join me in this sweet study of justice and mercy. We all need an occasional reminder of the beautiful grace gifted to us by our Savior. I am so excited to dive into this study and I would love to chat with y'all about it.
I've already gotten texts and calls from sweet women who are interested and want to participate with me. Maybe we can make this a thing! Maybe we can meet up every 2 weeks or something - women from all walks of life who don't even necessarily know one another, but who have one thing in common: their love for Christ.

I'm excited! Are you? The study starts today (!!!) so pop on over to get started.
-e.

quick thought.

Okay. Mini post.
I am terrrrible at keeping secrets. Like, every day since I bought the wedding gown, I've asked Peter if he wants to see it. I am a crazy person. For the record, the answer is always, "no, you crazy person" and besiiiides, I don't think I'd actually show him anyway. Maybe.

Anyway. I was going to keep this under wraps until I physically had it in my hands to show ya'll, but I'm way too excited.
I've been following She Reads Truth on instagram for a while and dabbling over at their blog, but hadn't committed to actually doing a Bible study along with their community. I finally decided to bite the bullet and went all out by buying TWO studies at once and got a free print along with it!

I am so so so times infinity excited to start this Bible study with this community of women. The heart and soul they pour into these studies is evident. Not to mention, so very aesthetically pleasing. Ya'll, run -- don't walk -- over to that site and snatch a study book up! Or! You don't even need the study book to go along, you can simply pick up the Good Word and follow along that way.

I think we could have some awesome discussion over this. Excited.
Anyone with me?
-e.

happy monday! [week 5]

For more posts on my #100happydays progress, click here.
This has been my week:

Day 28 - I had to document this day. $2.89/gal? Ya'll, that's unheard of.
(May or may not have been possible thanks to Tom Thumb rewards.)

Day 29 - I treated myself to a spa day. Pedicure, cut and color, pure relaxation.

Day 30 - This girl. All day, every day.

Day 31 - selfie status. I was loving on my new cut and color from
aforementioned spa day. Those first few days after a new hair cut are the best!

Day 32 - celebration for this sweet friend at Bowl and Barrel!
We had a blast celebrating her 25th birthday!

Day 33 - this technically happened on day 32 (notice the bling in the picture above)
but I didn't want to steal birthday thunder, so I kept it under wraps. Ya'll! Happiest of the happies.
Or as my friend Julie said, "ten million happy days". Truth. So excited to start this venture!

Day 34 - I won a Starbucks gift card in the Nurse's Week raffle on my unit! If you haven't
recognized the nurses in your life, today is the last official day of Nurse's Week. Do it now!

So. Much. Happy.

-e.

things i love, lately - february '14.

This month has been full of my sweet nephew, mostly fabulous weather, and new adventures so I have plenty to love and be thankful for.

Like discussions of life and 2 Corinthians over morning coffee.

Cherished mornings of QT with this cutie.

 The way this goofy pup loves being outside in the cooler weather.

 This hilarious justification for those selfies we're so prone to take.

Great meals and even better girl talk.

 Seriously, I just can't even get enough of him.

In other news, expect a coffee shop series soon! Exciting! I've been exploring a few and will share them once I've done the proper "research".

Also, I'm technically now a City of Ate contributor for the Dallas Observer which I find to be very cool and very nerve-wracking. I'm very excited about it and will be sure to post links to any articles I write!

How has this February been treating you?

-e.

apple pickin' season.

You totally didn't believe me when I said I was going apple picking, did you?
"She lives in the city!", you thought. "It's the name of her blog!", you exclaimed.

Well, hah. I totally went apple picking. Some girls from my community group tagged along as well. It was an absolutely gorgeous day to boot!
I called ahead to Henrietta Apple Orchards (incidentally, the only apple orchard in the surrounding area) and she said most trees were already empty, but I was welcome to search through the "seconds in apples". That basically means it's what's left over from the harvest. Not the prettiest or biggest, but perfect for baking, which we all know is what I plan on using them for. Not to mention, they were only 70 cents a pound! Ya'll know I had to buy 9 lbs, right?

Check it out.

What a fun, adventurous, gorgeous day!
I can't wait to post some delicious recipes. Ya'll are gonna get tired of apples.
Is that even possible?
-e.

em + the kitchen - cinnamon pound cake.

This blog post today comes courtesy of Paula Deen, Jesus, and all things Southern.

I've been eying this Paula recipe for a while -- even had it bookmarked -- though, if I'm telling the truth about that, it's simply because there was no accompanying photo so how was I supposed to pin it to Pinterest? I resigned myself to the fact that I'd just have to make it. ;)

I've also been studying the book of James with my community group and he really drives the "love your neighbor as yourself"point home, so I contemplated how to live that out. Then it came to me in one delightfully Southern thought.

The recipe made two 8x3 pans and was perfectly buttery-sweet.
I wouldn't have had a chance to taste it at all except that when I tented the pans with foil halfway through the baking process, the foil fell and peeled off the top of my cakes. I used that as an opportunity to get a small taste.

Cinnamon Pound Cake
(recipe by Paula Deen)

Ingredients:
2 sticks butter, softened
1 1/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 325.
Spray a 9-inch loaf pan (or two 8x3 disposable pans) with nonstick baking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, and then spray again.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugars at medium speed with a mixer until fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, beating just until combined. Spoon into the prepared pan(s).
Bake for 45 minutes (or just 30 if you're doing smaller ones). Then loosely tent with aluminum foil. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 26 to 30 minutes longer. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, and then remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

My poor, topless cake. Ha!
On the same note, is there any way that I can love you, my friends, better?
-e.

denver community dinner.

I've spent the last 4 days in Denver and, as per usual, am aching to live here.
Don't get me wrong -- I love Dallas; the food, the culture, the cost of living. Denver is just so terribly tempting with it's seasons, sustainable culture, and the family I have up here.

On Sunday night, I went to a community dinner with my cousin, his wife, and her parents. I've always wanted to go to a community dinner so I jumped on the opportunity. The idea is that everyone sits at a long table running the length of the restaurant and shares the meal, "family style". You get to know people you wouldn't otherwise and share in food and fellowship.

Granted, we just hung out with our group of 5, but we still had a great time. I was so happy to experience more of Denver's culture and dive into the city that I will hopefully someday call home. And in case you already do call it home, check out Satchel's on 6th for their community dinners every other Sunday night. And invite me when I'm in town!

Afterwards, we sat sipping wine in the backyard, listening to sleepy, "mush" music. The weather was a cool 75 all day and dropped into the low 60's as we chatted. What a great way to end this mini-vacation.

On this trip, I also got to meet my cousin's sweet baby, Rowan. What a happy boy!
I told him to use his baby telekinesis to get my nephew to hurry up. That's how it works, right?

Is there a place you've always itched to move to?
-e.

things i love - june.

I've been in such a weird head space lately.
I haven't done much of note, which is why there haven't been many posts.
It's my birthmonth! Of all months, you'd think this one would be packed with awesome.
I think I've just been busy lately, but the boring kind of busy.
Aside from being the month of my birthday, though, June is a pretty awesome one. It officially brings summer in and feels like vacation, adventure, and tan skin.

Anyway.

There has been some pretty great stuff about this month.

 Dinner dates with my favorite college professor.

 Trying fried green tomatoes for the first time at this rustic restaurant.

Sweet funfetti made from scratch for all the June babies in my community!

Unexpected snuggles from my favorite girl.

This AWESOME mystery bruise. Ya'll. I never bruise. Exciting.

 

And, obviously, favorite thing about this month is that my birthday is 6 days away

So, yeah, I suppose I've been awfully busy being an adult this month, but it's also been fabulous evidently. And gosh, could I post more pictures of food? Embarrassing.

 

Has your June been awesome, too?

-e.