Bonus Blog: Book Review - "Couples Who Pray" by Squire Rushnell & Louise DuArt

"Couples Who Pray" - Review

I recently read a complimentary book provided to me by Book Sneeze called "Couples Who Pray" by Squire Rushnell & Louise DuArt.  (Although the book is complimentary, my opinions are 100% my own, and I was not paid for my review.)

The book is written for Christian couples to discover the power of praying together through the authors' 40 day prayer challenge.  The first two thirds(ish) of the book is mainly dedicated to testimonials from couples, many of whom are relatively well-known, who tried the 40 day challenge.  The last third (or so) of the book refers more to the actual challenge and factors that can/will affect couples during the challenge.  

I was not thrilled with the book for the first two thirds.  I did not like that the majority of the book seemed to be a bunch of name dropping.  I was hoping it would be more grounded in Biblical truths than other peoples' - famous or not - testimonials.  However, I thought the last third of the book was way more what I was hoping the rest of the book would be - more Biblical references, more personal dialogue from the authors, and less name dropping.  The last third could flow better than it did, but I felt like it made my time spent with the book worth it. 

Overall, I liked the concept put forth from the authors - I just wish there wasn't so much celebrity dialogue.  

Finale Friday: Lazy Me

Okay, okay.  I admit it - I've been a lazy blogger this week.  I didn't blog Wednesday OR Thursday.  I would like to blame it on the fact that I've been too busy, but I haven't been.  I think it's more or less because I don't always have super great ideas for Wednesday's and Thursday's themes.  So I'm thinking about changing them or nixing them altogether.  We'll see.  On to the important stuff though...

I realized that I totally forgot to tell you how Zumba was a couple of weeks ago.  It was FANTASTIC!  What a great workout, people!  I don't think I've ever worked out that hard in my life (not that I've worked out that much in my life ever anyway).  Since Zumba I decided I should really actually use my gym membership and workout more often, so I have been.  But, back to the lazy thing, I only worked out once this week.  This actually is because I haven't been able to find a good time to go.  Hoping that next week will be better in that realm.

This week I got my new glasses! 

Front View

Side View

I love them.  You can't really tell from these pics (sorry for the not-so-great lighting), but they're a dark purple color.  And I love the intricate design on the sides.  So I'm enjoying them, especially since they were less than $20!!!

My car is having some health issues - big surprise.  This always stresses me out a bit.  I really need a new car, but I don't exactly make bank.  So I'm going to deal with it.  My daddy says that it's probably the brake pads and the rotors (or something like that).  And I'm hoping it's an easy and relatively inexpensive fix.  This is one of those times when I especially miss living close to my family because my daddy can't just take my car in to get it fixed for me.  I have to be an adult and get it done myself.  Growing up is yuck sometimes.  Haha.

Speaking of growing up, I filed my taxes by myself this year!  Woohoo!  And I'm actually getting back a decent amount!  Unfortunately, the money will leave my account almost as soon as it reaches it.  Fortunately, I'm completely okay with that.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day (or S.A.D. - Single Awareness Day).  Next time I give my weekly recap, I'll be 24!

Tasteful Tuesday: PB Filled Chocolate Chip Cookies

Is your mouth watering yet?!  Are your eyes tearing up at the thought of such a majestic duo?!  I think you're going to love/hate me after you've read this.  You'll love me because these are to-die-for.  You'll hate me because these are to-die-for.  Seriously.

So this is how these happened.  My friend Jessica found these delicious cookies, and we decided to try them.  She then found some other cookies filled with peanut butter (not chocolate chip ones) and wanted to try them too.  We tried the Oreo ones Sunday night - incredible.  Brought tears to my eyes.  So we decided to try the pb ones last night with the left over dough.  Here's what we got...

*Disclaimer: The KC Experience is not responsible for any unwarranted weight gain after the consumption of these desserts.  However, we will take responsibility for any bliss experienced during or post-cookie-consumption.*

PB Filled Chocolate Chip Cookies

(inspired by the genius of Jessica Huckaby)

What you'll need:

• Chocolate chip cookie dough
• I suggest using this recipe for the dough.  I used the recipe on the back of the chocolate chip bag, and they spread way more than I wanted them to spread.  The ones from the link didn't seem to spread  much at all.  
• 1/2 c peanut butter
• 1/2 c granulated sugar
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper or foil
• Oven - obviously

What you'll do:

Make the dough.  This is part of what I had leftover from the previous night.  

Take your peanut butter and sugar (in a separate bowl), and mix them well.

Make a "dough cookie" in your hand and dab a dollop of your delectable peanut butter/sugar mixture right in the middle of your dough patty (I couldn't resist using the alliterated d's - sorry).  

Enclose the peanut butter with the dough, and form it into a ball.  Stick it on your cookie sheet and bake according to the dough recipe you used (pretty much until they're barely brown).  Let them sit on the tray for a couple of minutes, and then let them cool on a cooling rack - assuming they make it that far once you get a whiff of these amazing treats!

Now you just have to enjoy them, which won't be hard - I promise.  :)  

Made for Monday: 5 Craft Project Features

So I'd like to apologize for posting so "late" tonight - I usually post in the morning but had too busy of a weekend to get things in order!

Anyhow, today's blog post is dedicated to featuring 5 (of the million) craft projects I've seen and would love love love to try (as well as my thoughts on them)!  So here we go!

Vintage Slide Lampshade 

from HGTV Canada

I saw this lampshade done on "She's So Crafty" several months ago and instantly fell in love with it.  I finally bought all of the materials and hope to get started on it very soon.  And I'm pretty stoked because all of the slides are pictures of places in Europe!  Isn't that fun?

Burlap "Mr. & Mrs." Pillows 

from Momma Hen

Even though I'm not married (or engaged, for that matter), I am head over heels for these pillows.  And I have a couple of friends who are getting married in the near future who just might be getting a set because I'm dying to make them!

Plastic Bottle Chandelier

from The Feminist Housewife

I think what I love most about this project - other than the fabulous colors - is that it was made with an ordinary, every day supply.  Since I'm cheap (and not full-time...yet) I love projects that are easy on the pocketbook.  And this one is so beautiful!  I even love the texture that the plastic bottle gives the flowers (you can see it in in some of the teal flowers). 

Lovebird Bookhouse

from CREATE STUDIO

CREATE STUDIO is one of my absolute favorite blogs because of her cute, creative, and practical ideas.  And this one is absolutely precious!  I'm in love with the whole bird motif, and I love books - so this project is right up my alley!  And I adore how she hung these right over a chair in a little nook in her house - what a perfect reading spot.

Quilled Monogram Letter

from Craftastical

I'm starting to get more into paper crafts, namely because of this project.  I think it's a really cool art piece that is so versatile and unique.  And it can be used in so many different places: a wall in a child's room, on a mantel, in a kitchen, on a door - the possibilities are endless!

I hope these projects inspire you like they inspire me!  I absolutely love them and can't wait to actually make them and then feature them for you!  

Word-Free Weekend: All About Sweet

Bonus Blog: Valentine Printable

I have a special treat for you - it's a Valentine Printable!  

I'm going to be using it for a special project that's yet to come (hopefully).  In the meantime, I hope you enjoy it!  Let me know how you use it!

Finale Friday: Sweet Stuff

This week has been a pretty good one, except for the fact that I'm one day ahead of myself - I woke up Wednesday and thought it was Thursday (same goes for Thursday thinking it was Friday).  Talk about a bummer!  Oh well.  :)

Probably the most exciting thing about this last week was our singles small group.  The first week kind of got off to a rocky-ish start because there wasn't a very big turnout.  So that was sad.  Going into this last week (our second week), I was anxious about whether or not we took the right approach for the group.  Boy did God ever turn that thought away!

Our meeting this week was SO fun!  I decided to take a fellowship approach with it this week since the singles group concept is really new at our church, and we had a game night.  Cindy, our lovely host, made amazing turkey chili, and we played "The Game of Things."  And it couldn't have gone better!  We had a blast with that.  After a little while Cindy's son, who is also in the group but had to work that night, got home, and we all sat around joking, laughing, tearing up from laughing, and chatting.  In fact, we enjoyed ourselves so much that we didn't leave until 11 pm!  Thank goodness Cindy loves the company!  I feel so blessed about this group and can't wait to see where the Lord takes us next!

I also scored a fabulous deal this week!  Only problem is I can't tell you about it until next Friday because it's going to be a gift for someone super sweet...and it's not Matthew!  I bet you're eager to find out that one.  I can't wait to tell you either!

Matthew gave me my Valentine's gift the other night, and he sure knows me!

It's a cupcake stand with Valentine cupcake liners filled with candy!  He may have had a few - accidental - hints.  We were shopping together one day when I saw the cupcake stand and raved about it.  And there's no hiding how much I love candy.  Seriously.  He's a smart one.  And since I now have cupcake liners and a cupcake stand, I had to buy Valentine cupcake mix and Valentine frosting!  I think I'm going to make them for our small group!  Can't wait to post pics for you!

The only other thing I'd like to mention - the last thing, I promise - is that my birthday is only 12 days away.  Just in case you need a reminder.  ;)

Have a great weekend!

Thrifty Thursday: The Frugal Girls

Several months ago, my friend Jessica, knowing I love finding a good deal, asked me if I'd heard of The Frugal Girls.  I hadn't.  She directed me to the website, and I fell in love!  In essence, it's a blog of great deals and freebies - who doesn't love that?!

Heidi posts frugal deals several times a day every day.  Remember the cheap eye glasses I scored last week?  Know where I heard about that deal?  That's right - The Frugal Girls.  :)  (She's also partly responsible for the inspiration for this blog!)

Head on over and check out her blog.  It's definitely a thrifty find!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday: The Will of God

Today's words of wisdom come from a book I'm reading with Matthew right now - called "Devotions for Dating Couples" by Ben Young and Dr. Samuel Adams - concerning the will of God.

"When you recognize your dependence upon God for holiness, and you humbly seek to live your life according to His guidelines and moral teachings, you will be in the middle of His will for your life."

For some reason this passage of the book has really spoken to me.  I think it's because there's a lot of uncertainty and instability in my life right now, and I'm constantly seeking out what it is that God would have me do next. 

Just prior to this excerpt, the authors were relaying the difference between what they call the "secret" will of God and the "moral" will of God.  The moral will of God is what is evident from the Bible, the things that are clearly laid out in his Word.  The secret will of God is the stuff that isn't so direct from the Bible, like where to live, who to marry, what career path to take.  

So many times I get so wrapped up in figuring out what God's secret will is for my life.  And I think this quote wraps up the idea very nicely.  Basically it's this - concern yourself with the will of God that is clear and evident in the Bible, and God will reveal the other things to you.  You can't help but be in the middle of his secret will when you're searching out truths in his moral will!

The funny thing is that it's not like this is a new concept - it's just hit me in a completely new way this last week.  I can't get past it.  

I love it when the Lord does this kind of thing to me.  He reveals something "old" in such a new way that I'm beside myself in awe and curiosity.  

Tasteful Tuesday: Valentine's Marshmallow Treats

Happy February!  I love February - not so much because of Valentine's Day, but mostly because it's my birthday month.  :)  Today I have a "treat" for you - pun intended.  I decided to make some marshmallow treats and jazz them up a little for Valentine's.  Hope you like them!

"Valentine's Marshmallow Treats"

What you'll need:

• 4 cups of mini marshmallows
• 5 cups of crispy rice cereal
• 1/4 cup of butter + a little extra to grease your pan
• 9x13 in pan
• Red food coloring
• Red sprinkles
• 1 square of chocolate flavored almond bark
• Foil or wax paper
• Heart cookie cutter

What you'll do:

First thing's first - rub down your pan with some butter.  Make sure the bottom is covered.  The sides don't matter so much.

Melt the 1/4 c of butter on low heat and then add the marshmallows, stirring often until they're all melted.

While your marshmallows are melting, measure out your cereal.  

Once your marshmallows are completely melted, add your red food coloring.  I used 10 drops.

This is what mine looked like...sort of.  It actually turned out a lot more pink than this pic gives it credit, which is what I wanted.

Take your pink marshmallows off the heat, add your cereal quickly, and then spread into your buttered pan.  Use the back of a rubber spatula (not a wooden spoon - doesn't work too great) to flatten out your treat.  Then sprinkle the top with the red sprinkles.  It should look something like this.  

Allow your treat to cool completely.  Once that's done, slide the marshmallow treat onto a piece of foil or waxed paper.  It should slide out pretty easily if you buttered it.  Use your cookie cutter to cut out hearts from your sheet of treat (I should make a profession out of rhyming).  :)

I managed to get 12 heart treats out of the 9x13 pan with a bunch of scraps.  I'm not sure if there's a way to position the cookie cutter to get more, but I tried my best (feel free to let me know if you have a good method).  

Next, melt your chocolate square in a microwave safe dish and drizzle over your hearts.  I decided to only do half of my hearts with chocolate.

My favorite step is next - eat 'em up!!!  I think these would also be pretty neat as a bouquet of treats - just add a cookie stick or lollipop stick and stick them in a pot with styrofoam in it.  Mine didn't it make it that far...I saved 2 for Matthew and took the rest to my small group leaders' meeting on Sunday night, where they were definitely enjoyed!  Hope you enjoy them too!