{tasty tuesday} herbed goat cheese bites

Oh my goodness, yumminess! I can just taste Spring with this kind of recipe. This can be prepared the day before, or the day of, either way, it is sure to please whomever partakes! Happy Tasty Tuesday!

Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves
  • 1 (8-oz.) goat cheese log
  • 1 (8-oz.) French bread baguette, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
  • 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
Directions
  1. 1. Combine and finely chop first 4 ingredients. Roll cheese log evenly in herb mixture; wrap in plastic wrap. Chill at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
  2. 2. Preheat oven to 350°. Drizzle baguette slices with olive oil. Gently press slices into 24 muffin cups in muffin pans.
  3. 3. Bake at 350° for 7 to 9 minutes or until crisp and lightly browned. Remove from oven; let cool in pans 5 minutes.
  4. 4. Spread goat cheese into baguette cups; top with sun-dried tomatoes and basil leaves.
Recipe courtesy of Southern Living.
 

{easter festivities have begun}

  Happy Monday! We are coming off a very fun weekend as our Easter festivities have begun! I know I've mentioned it many times...but I love this time of year! Lets be honest, I simply love to celebrate {who doesn't, right?!}! Our little community held their annual Easter Eggstravaganza {a first for our family}. I have to say, I was very impressed! They had everything from an Easter Egg hunt, to the Easter bunny himself, to train rides, jumping houses, crafts, games, a petting zoo AND Chick-fil-A! We loved getting to bring a long some family with us...AKA, Ella's cousins and very best friends! Take a look at some of our fun...
Sunday, we celebrated Palm Sunday. Ella was very proud of the palm branch she got at church! I love that she is learning about the Bible at such an early age...you can never be too young {at least in my opinion}!
As we're beginning Holy Week, I wanted to share a little story that our Pastor told at church yesterday that really stuck with me. I will tell it as best as I can {I can't promise it will be as good as he did}. The sermon was based around Palm Sunday and what took place on that day. He talked about how Jesus rode around on a donkey, not just any donkey, but a colt. The King of Kings riding on a small donkey? Well of course, that demonstrates the humble and gentle side of our Savior. So the story he talked about was the point of view from the donkey the Monday after Palm Sunday. Here goes...
On Monday morning, the donkey {that had carried Jesus through the town that day before}, woke up feeling extra good, motivated and ready to start his day. He held his head up high and his ears back. He decided to take a walk through the town; he wanted to stop where the locals were. But for some reason, no one acknowledged him this time. "Why isn't anyone cheering for me?" "Why isn't anyone waving palm branches?" So he decided to take a walk down Main Street, "maybe they'll know me around here", he thought. So he headed down Main Street, "Hello, it is me!” thought the donkey. "Don't you remember me, from yesterday?” he thought. He didn't receive the cheers and applause he had just received the day before. He thought maybe if I travel to the market, they'll know who I am. As he was walking around, again, no one was cheering, no palm branches, in fact, this time, someone exclaimed, "Get out of here you donkey." The donkey's head was no longer held up high, nor his ears back. He traveled back to his home when he was greeted by him mom. "Son, what is wrong with you?” she said. "Mom, no one knows who I am anymore." Just yesterday, “crowds were cheering, waving palm branches in my path and shouting”, the donkey said. His mom looked at him and said, "Silly donkey, don't you know, it's all about Him?
A "silly" little story, but yet such a powerful message! I can't help but think that sometimes God looks down on His children and thinks "silly donkey {insert name}, don't you know it's all about Him?"
May we remember always, not only just this time of year, it really is ALL ABOUT HIM

{friday fancies} spring is in the air

{friday fancies} spring is in the air
It's Friday! This week for Friday Fancies, we are focusing on the beginning of a new season...Spring time! It is definitely one of my favorite seasons. I've tried to create a look that could easily be dressed down, or dressed up. I centered the whole outfit around these striped JCrew shorts. Loving them! Be sure to check out long distance loving for some other great Spring looks! Happy weekend to all!  

{loving lately}

  You know the little things that just put a smile on your face....here are some of my favorites lately! Happy Thursday!
 
The beautiful spring time weather we've been having lately! Perfect for early morning playtime with my girl and family walks in the early evening! 
 
Blue Bell's newest {or newest to me} flavor Mint Cookies 'n Cream! Umm hello, this is pure yumminess! Take my word for it!
 
Thank you Pinterest for this lovely idea! Loving this springy wreath. Might have to make a stop by Hobby Lobby today! I'm feeling a DIY coming on!
 
Jonathan Adler's newest colorful mugs. I'm loving all 12 of them! Coffee just tastes so much better in a cute mug, right?!
 
Essie's Spring 2013 collection is fabulous. I'm especially loving Madison Ave Hue.
 
Waking up to this sweet smile each and every day! Happy 18 month birthday, my darling! She makes each day sweeter!
 
Wishing you a day full of many smiles! It's almost the weekend, baby!

{easter basket blog hop, decor and more}

 I'm so excited to be linking up {for the very first time} with [the good life blog] for this adorable Easter Basket Blog Hop!
I get giddy each year thinking of Easter. It is definitely one of my favorites! I'm loving it even 100 times more getting to put together a basket for my Ella. It's fun to see how her toys and goodies are becoming more "big girl" like! ;) Some of her Easter treats this year include books, an Easter Christian sing-a-long CD, sidewalk chalk and cute little chick holder, sunglasses, play-doh, personalized water bottle, and lots of Easter eggs filled with her favorite treats! Take a look!
 
 
One of my very favorite things in her basket this year is the book called "God's Wisdom for Little Girls" by Elizabeth George. It is a beautifully illustrated book using verses and promises from Proverbs 31. As a mother of a daughter, one of my hopes and prayers for Ella is that she will grow up to know about true beauty and grace that is only given in its complete fullness from our perfect Creator! If you haven't read this book, check it out! Not a mother of a little girl, no worries, there is one just for little boys!
 
 
Onto my home decor, I didn't really go "all out" this year, but wanted to share what I did manage to do this year! It is not always easy keeping things hung, in the same order, all in one piece with an 18 month old! You get my point! ;)
 
 
And there you have it! Tis the season! Now go check out this super cute blog and enter your baskets!
  

{let's do this}

Not only is today Monday, but the first day back from Spring Break AND the first work day with the new daylight savings time...whew, that's a lot people! But...we can do this!
I wanted to share a few pictures from our Spring Break. I didn't capture all of it, but tried to do my best! I enjoyed a girls night out to Rodeo Houston to see Kenny Chesney, time with my familia, shopping, relaxing, organizing/spring cleaning, sleeping in, waking up later {mostly due to the time change}, and lots of outdoor fun with my hubby and Ella. I always love this time of year! We have so enjoyed the warmer weather and this fun season we are in with Ella {who is into everything, learning new things and words each day}! Here is a sneak peak from this past week!





  Here's to a new week, a new season {officially Spring on Wednesday} and my not so much baby girl's 18 month birthday on Thursday! Happy day, my friends!

{friday fancies} lucky ladies

Happy Friday! This week, {Friday Fancies} is going green....just in time for St. Patty's day this coming Sunday. For me, it's just another excuse to wear one of my favorite colors! ;) I started off with one of my all time favorites {no, it's not chocolate, nor anything to do with fashion}, it's the little green straw from Starbucks! I'm thinking that would be a nice way to start off St. Patty's day! We have dinner plans with some friends, and love the look of this outfit. It is very cute and simple. I am also loving these green accessories to complete the look. Hope you enjoy!
{friday fancies} lucky ladies

























































{around here lately}

  As you can tell my lack of posts, we've had lots going on! I was in Dallas this past week for the Texas Speech and Hearing Association Convention. It is always a win win for me....a mini girls getaway with great friends + my continuing education hours required for the year. This year was no less than wonderful! Yes, I sure did miss my baby girl and hubby, but she was well taken care of and had a blast with family. She stayed with daddy her first night, then had herself a mini getaway to Gram and Doubles. Not only did she spend time with them, but got to be with her best friends {aka: cousins} and Auntie Jo. By the smiles in these pictures, you can tell she did quite well!
 



 
Here are a few pictures from Mommy's weekend!
 


 
I was so excited to come home to my sweet family and get my hugs and kisses {just in time for Spring Break to begin}! We're having a fun and relaxing Spring Break week including lots sunshine and sandbox time!

{whom shall i fear}

Happy Sunday! I wanted to share one of my favorites right now. If you haven't heard this song or read the lyrics...I highly recommend you do so {which would mean you finish reading this post}! :) The words are written so beautifully {as Chris Tomlin always does so}. Hope it will speak to you like it has to me!  
 
Whom Shall I Fear
By: Chris Tomlin
 
 
  You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear?

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my Sword and Shield
Though troubles linger still
Whom shall I fear?

I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in your hands
I'm holding onto Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful