morning walks

I just thought I'd share the gorgeous walk pup and I take every morning through the town of Fort Saskatchewan.  Who doesn't love the yellow leaves on a white birch??  Happy Fall!!

the new kindle

This ladies and gentlemen is what I have been waiting for... a touch screen kindle!  I have wanted a kindle for some time but hated the keyboard look.  I have visited the nook multiple times at Barnes and Noble but just couldn't get myself to purchase it.  Well, now I'm sold!  Thank you Amazon, now I can read to my hearts content without worrying about how I'll ship all these books back to the states with me.  Question is... color or basic e-reader???

Tangerine

Well hello there gorgeous!  I just made friends with a new favorite online shop -- Tangerine Jewelry.  Christmas list?!

Elk Island National Park

The weather was absolutely gorgeous here in Edmonton this weekend -- 70s!  Brandon didn't have to work so Saturday we took pup to Elk Island National Park.  Its a pretty 20 minute drive through farmland.  We were hoping to see bison (as promised) along the trails but didn't have great luck.  The park is huge and we couldnt' see it all in one afternoon.  I am sure we will be back.  These pictures are from my phone.  I wish they did the fall colors justice but you can't even tell in these images.

 

 

Heaven is for Real

A little boy's astounding story of his trip to heaven and back by Todd Burpo.  This little boy is super cute.  The book is a fast read and eye opening.  It was great story for my soul while my grandpa was in the hospital.  It reassures us that this is not the end and we will meet again.  Who really knows what heaven will be like ... all we know is that it is going to be awesome!

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear. Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us. Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.
-- Google Books

simple and so cute.

dear Etsy, you've done it again!  I could spend hours on this website of handmade and adorably chic fashion.  I am in love with Morgan Prather's designs.  I may have to put a few of these on my Christmas list as well. 

Chicken Croissants

Tasty quick dinner for the weekend!  I was trying to find a recipe for ingredients I already had on hand.  (I was feeling a bit lazy yesterday!)  This recipe is super easy.  I wish I would have taken a picture of this when it was finished.  Its delicious!

1 pkg. quick croissant rolls 
5 boneless chicken breast halves 
1 pkg. cream cheese 
1 1/2 c. chopped celery 
1/2 c. chopped onions 
2 tbsp. melted butter 
4 tbsp. bread crumbs 
Dash of pepper & salt

**I also added a few mushrooms and green peppers since I had them on hand.

Boil chicken breasts until done then shred chicken. Mix shredded chicken, cream cheese, celery, onion and salt and pepper in bowl. Take 2 croissants and place flat on cookie sheet to form a rectangle. Place 1/4 of chicken mix in center of rectangle and pinch 4 sides together. Brush butter on top of croissants and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 4 croissants.

Recipe from cooks.com

Sprout

How cute and adorable are these little bookmarks?  I stumbled upon them while blogging yesterday.  Connect design has a lot of quirky objects worth looking at.  I'm going to add these bookmarks to my Christmas list.  You get a set of two when you order.  I've been back and forth on ordering an e-reader.  These little guys are keeping me motivated to read the old fashion way.  Happy reading!

You've Got Mail

 I love getting letters in the mail from Miss Abby Raber.  I'm blessed to have such a great friend.  Happy Tuesday everyone!  Thanks for stopping by. 

Moving Announcement

I designed and sent these out to all of our family and friends this morning.  If you didn't get one please let me know and I'll send you one with our correct address ASAP.

So far the move has been a success!  I came in on the last flight of the night from the states.  Con:  extremely tired! Pro:  No lines at customs!  Now... if only I had a magic wand to help me unpack my FOUR suitcases!

Lasagna in the Crockpot

All I need to say is ... GENIUS!!! I never have time to make lasagna the old fashion way. The best part about this recipe is you use UNCOOKED NOODLES! This recipe is absolutely delicious for a busy weekday.

 3/4 lb. italian pork sausage (or hamburger)
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 cans (30 oz.) italian-style tomato sauce
2 tsp. italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. salt
1 container (15 oz.) part-skim ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
1 c. grated parmesan cheese
3 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
12 uncooked lasagna noodles

In 10" skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce, italian seasoning and salt. In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and 2 c. mozzarella cheese. Spray 3 1/2-5 qt. slow cooker with cooking spray (I recommend using the crockpot liners for an even easier cleanup). Into cooker, spoon 1/4 of the sausage mixture. Top with 4 noodles, broken into pieces to fit. Top with half of the cheese mixture and 1/4 of the sausage mixture. Top with 4 noodles, remaining cheese mixture and 1/4 of the sausage mixture. Top with remaining 4 noodles and remaining sausage mixture. Cover; cook on LOW heat setting for 5-7 hours. About 10 minutes before serving, sprinkle top of lasagna with remaining 1 c. mozzarella cheese. Cover; let stand about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut lasagna into pieces.

Dinner is SERVED!!

Never Forget

In the disquiet of these days
I carry you with me
Deep within my pocket
At the bottom of my footfall
In every cloud that brushes
- Kylie Johnson, poet and ceramicist

Ten years later, we remember.

Lime Cilantro Sweet Potatoes

SO GOOD! My mom doesn't even like sweet potatoes and she liked these. I got this recipe off my epicurious app from my phone. Love this cooking site!

2 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lime zest
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro


Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 425°F.

Toss sweet potatoes with 2 tablespoons oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a shallow baking pan. Arrange potatoes in 1 layer and roast, stirring halfway through roasting, until tender, about 25 minutes total. Stir together cayenne, zest, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Whisk together lime juice and remaining tablespoon oil in a medium bowl, then add potatoes. Sprinkle with cayenne mixture and cilantro, stirring gently to combine.

Graffiti Lovers Markers

I personally am a huge fan of graffiti. I like the art of it not the profanity side. Graffiti Lovers are 15mm felt tip markers put together by hand, combined with a marlbe and 40ml of solvent-based waterproof paint. Summary: these little guys can write on any surface.

I found this website from DesignTaxi's tweets (Twitter). Check out the video on how they are made. #Verycool

Odell Kenneth Pederson 03.28.20 - 08.30.11

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for thou art with me;
Thy rod and they staff they comfort me.
Though preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I love you Grandpa. You will be missed by so many. I am so lucky to have known you. Thank you for always being my #1 fan.