Harvest and Halloween

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." -Anne of Green Gables

I have always loved the month of October. Growing up, October was the month where my mom would take my brother, sister and I to a pumpkin patch with my aunts and cousins. We would go on a hayride, run around like savages, probably driving our mothers crazy, and go on the search for the absolute perfect pumpkin. Pumpkins are such unique looking fruits from the same family as gourds, squash, cucumber, and melon. Even though they are traditionally the bright orange color we all know and love, they also come in many varieties. There are Sugar Pie, Cheese, Red Kuri, Blue Hokkaido, and Rouge Vif d' Etampes Pumpkins. They are green, brown, and white color varieties as well. As a child, my favorite pumpkins were the teeny tiny, perfectly round pumpkins. Definitely not carving material. However, over the years I have changed my pumpkin ways, and now I love the fat and wide pumpkins. The ones that look like the carriage in Disney's classic movie, Cinderella. They have this classic, heirloom quality that just sings autumn to me. But I swear this post is not about pumpkins.

As I was saying earlier, I love October. Besides going to a pumpkin patch with my family, another thing that attracts me to October is Halloween. I absolutely love Halloween. The spooky, the sweet, the freaky, and the festive. In my childhood years, my brother, sister and I would go trick or treating in our neighborhood. Running around in the dark with our pillowcases, on the hunt for candy. We knew the houses that had the good stuff: Huge candy bars, sour Skittles, and bags of Reeses Pieces. We also knew the houses that gave out the lame stuff: The raisins, pretzels, and apples. Come on, whoever you are that gives out apples, shame on you. They better be covered with globs of sticky caramel or you are ruining some child's dream to make that pillowcase overflow with dentist heart attack worthy sweets.

I love Halloween not only for the candy, but for the costumes. I have always been a theatrical person. To this day, any chance I get to dress in costume I will. One year, my mom thought it would be cute for my sister and I to dress up in matching costumes. So, she decided on us being flowers, in pots. Our bodies were covered in a black circular overall-style garment, which looked like a flower pot. Our faces were surrounded by a pink and purple flower stem shaped headdress. Let's just say, I am certainly glad my mom does not have pictures, and if she does, they will be burned immediately! My brother always got to wear the cool costumes, the soldier, ninja, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Jedi Master. My little sister always had the cutesy costumes: the little teddy bear, bunny, kitty cat, and Jesse from Toy Story.

Being the girly girl that I am, I always wanted to be some form of princess.







A year ago, my parents took my sister and I to Disney World for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. I have not quite made it down to Disney World for Christmas yet, but I will tell you Halloween at Disney World is beyond amazing. They have special fireworks, parades, shows, and all the villains and special characters come out to play. This is one of my favorite places to be during the fall. Being a former Disney employee, I knew people go all out on their Halloween costumes for these parties. So naturally, I knew I had to dress up as my favorite princess, Rapunzel.

Next time I go I plan to be decked out as Ariel, red wig, fins, and sea shell bra. But seriously, everyone must go to Disney World at least once for Halloween. Beyond fantastic.

Aside from Pumpkins and Halloween, I love October because of the food. Oh, the foods. They are earthy and hearty; devilish and decadent; and can be covered with caramel, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Some of my favorite fall foods are, roasted sweet potatoes, creamy butternut squash soup, pumpkin pie, granny smith apples smothered with caramel, candy corn, and naturally pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks.

One of my favorite things my husband makes during this time is sweet potato puree.

Some boiling hot sweet potatoes thrown into the blender with cream and butter and mixed until smooth as silk. The color of gold--it is so rich and heart warming. The ultimate comfort food, up there with chicken pot pie and tomato soup. It is one of the greatest and most sinful foods. I could eat pounds of it. A few days ago, Michael decided to make some because I begged and begged. Since then, we have put it on everything. Pulled pork, sandwiches, eggs, I almost debated mixing it with chocolate ice cream. It is heavenly. However, with my limited cooking skills I have my few go to healthy dishes.

One of these is healthy pumpkin custard. 

It is extremely easy to make and you can always alter it to your sweetness needs. I only use five components to make it:

Real or canned pumpkin puree, (whichever is at my disposal) cream (I use milk as well), egg whites, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

(It's not really a hit or a miss with these components, if you want a more fluffy custard, choose more egg whites and if you want it more dense, choose one egg white and more pumpkin.)

I mix all the components together until almost whipped, and scoop them in to a ramekin.

Then I place the dish either in the oven or microwave, whether I'm feeling patient or not, and leave it on 350 degrees for ten minutes or in the microwave for three to five minutes.

The result is a low calorie, low fat little dish of warm pumpkin goodness. I like mine less sweet, and do not add sugar anymore, but in the past I have added brown sugar and sprinkled the top with sugar as well, it adds a nice caramelized texture on top. I will sprinkle a little cinnamon on top and devour it. I will usually make about two at a time, one for right after it comes out of the oven, and another for tomorrow, to eat when I want a not-so-guilty pleasure. Because as much as I want to eat sweet potato puree all day, every day...My pant size will thank me later.

Yes, I enjoy October. It is my favorite fall month. I hope this post has inspired you to go out and do something fun with pumpkins, Halloween costumes, or even some of October's greatest harvest. I will now pretend that I didn't almost eat a full jar of candy corn while writing this, but I did. 

Happy end of October, everyone! Now go eat some of your children's Halloween candy, so I don't feel so guilty. 

Four Weeks Ago

On September 27th 2014 my life changed forever. I married the love of my life and best friend, Michael. 

Our wedding was everything I could have asked for. A perfect sunny day with hardly a cloud in the sky. A beautiful wedding party of those we love most. And surrounded by relatives and friends who ventured long distances to share in our joy filled day. As perfect as this day was, it would not have been possible without a wonderful group of people. And since today marks four weeks since we said, "I do!" I would like to take some time to honor a few people.

First, my mother.

Honestly, without her this wedding would not have happened. She was the brains and administration behind the wedding. She helped me organize my thoughts, found countless decorations, and rounded up all the people who served for the set up and take down of the event. I don't know what I would have done without you, Mama!





Next, a family who created the most exquisite flower arrangements, boutonnieres, and bouquets I have ever seen as well as incredibly moist and creamy vanilla cupcakes with decadent cream cheese frosting.

Thank you Danny, Liz, and Hannah! You offered to give up so much of your own time to create such wonderful and beautiful details for our wedding.

Kendall,

Thank you for the countless hours you spent with me creating amazing chalkboard signs.

 The detail and intricate writing you put into the many place cards was so incredible.

For every one who served during the wedding:

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! This could not have happened with out you!!!

Thank you for coming early to set up, allow the buffet tables to run smoothly, cut those countless pies into slices, bar tend, and help clean up afterwards! You blessed Michael and I incredibly!









Aunt Lisa:

 Thank you SO much for the time and detail you put into decorating and running the appetizer table! It looked incredibly beautiful! Also, thank you for taking time to learn how to make a flower wreath for my hair! The finished product was breathtakingly stunning. I would wear it again and again if I could! 











Corey:

Thank you for letting us use your photo booth, lights and camera to create a fun activity! I am beyond excited to see all the funny pictures that come from it. Also, even though I had no idea my dad was planning this, thank you for the time you spent with him to create the most meaningful and tear-jerking video ever.











Erin:

Thank you for styling my hair for the wedding! I know my hair has never looked better and fuller. I honestly wish I could recreate that style every single day of my life! I felt like a woodland princess.  

 I am beyond grateful that you were the one doing it because you helped keep me calm and relaxed while was inwardly freaking out. And gave me great advice!

Thank you also for doing not only my hair but some of my bridesmaids and mom's as well!


Abby and Rebekah,

The moments that you captured through the camera made the day come back to life for us! We loved all the different angles and perspectives you all took to make the photos come to life! Thank you for capturing our wedding and recreating it through the scenes in the photos.

Travis:

Thank you for all the songs I asked you to download. Thank you for being the best DJ ever! Thank you for making the Bridesmaid Mega Mix for me! Because of you our wedding had style, funk, and fun on the dance floor!




Andrew:

Thank you for being our Master of Ceremonies! We wouldn't have wanted anyone but you to do it. The way you performed the evening was charming and downright classy. Also, Thank you for being a part of our Bridesmaids flash mod dance! It made the choreography hilarious and witty. 

Last but certainly not least, our family:

Thank you for the love and support you have shown us throughout our relationship leading up to marriage! Thank you for the wonderful examples each of you are of a people who strives to love the Lord and seek Him first! We look up to each and every one of you. Without you, we would not be where we are today and be the husband and wife that we are to each other! We love you all beyond what words can say. 

We are so blessed by what everyone did for us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

Love, 

Liana and Michael. 

The Story of Clothespins and Novels

My husband and I woke up this morning with the plan of drinking our daily cups of coffee, having a quick breakfast, and then going to the gym. This plan was underway when the coffee was brewed, we were sitting in our living room watching How I Met Your Mother and laughing, when I decided to check on a load of laundry I had put in about a half an hour before. To my dismay when I went to the washer, it had stopped. Mid wash. Thinking the clothes may be pretty much finished clean, I placed the pretty damp clothes into the dryer.

The clothes started on their journey of warmth in the dryer, so I went back to join my husband on our comfy, blanket-covered sofa. About fifteen minutes later, I noticed we couldn't hear the sound of the dryer and went to check on it. It had stopped as well and the clothes weren't even near to being dry.

My husband and I then dragged all the wet clothes outside and decided to hang them using fishing line, which I luckily had left over from our wedding. Now, it is extremely lucky that we have as many clothes pins as we do. For our wedding, I used them to hang the place cards. Except, I hot glue gunned each one with a brightly colored flower. I'm sure this was quite the sight to see for our neighbors. Socks, jeans, sweaters towels, and personal items all hung on fishing line using the most eccentric looking clothes pins. This task at first was stressful, annoying, and frustrating. I looked at my husband and said, "It's our first problem we've had to solve together!"

We eventually used another dryer and got all our clothes in tip top shape. In the moment, this problem was aggravating. Yet, the after fact makes me chuckle. It all worked out for good. And it is the moments like this that make for good stories.

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

A story wouldn't be good without a little mess, dirt, and frustration. Characters in a story need conflict. It is what helps the reader understand them deeper. It brings characters and stories to life. What would a four-hundred page novel be without a good nail biter, plot twist, and scheme that leaves you in tears, or wanting to throw your book across the room in angst.

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his life span? And why are you anxious about clothing? 

So, I've decided to find joy through the problems, because the One who is writing my story is in control. Sure, I may find myself in much bigger situations than wet garments and clothes pins, but it is such a comfort to know that my story is being written with the exact plot twists and conflicts to make me a person with a deep character. It is also helping me grow closer to the Author of my story.

 Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his splendor was not attired like one of these. 

As I write this I am reminded of this quote,"The hands that made the stars are holding your heart." 

But if God so clothes the grass which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not all the more clothe you?" ~Matthew 6:25-30

Be filled with joy, believer, because your Author has you on the exact page of the novel He is writing for you. Whether you are in a chapter of pure bliss or excruciating loss, He has your character where He wants him/her. Christian, our greatest chapter is yet to come. So take faith that our Author has us under His loving care, just like He does the birds and lilies.

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." ~Matthew 6:34

Want more? Read Matthew Chapter 6. 

History, Taverns, and Hot Apple Cider

I spent the day with my wonderful husband in Gettysburg, PA. We have been together for three years from the time we started dating. Gettysburg is one of our favorite spots. We both love the historic feel, and the monstrous trees that are usually covered in bright hues of red and orange, and glistening with snow flakes when we make a visit.  

We went to Gettysburg for one of our first dates, two years ago. Spent a New Year's Day with my family walking around the battlefield. Then last November he asked me to marry him on Little Round Top. And today we made the drive there for the first time as husband and wife. Our history at Gettysburg is only beginning. 

Today, we ate baked onion soup and drank hot apple cider at The Dobbin House, our favorite restaurant there. It is an adorable little restaurant which mimics a colonial tavern. This means about thirty tables that are crammed side by side, each lit with a single white candle in a cast iron candle stick. It transports us back in time. The smells, the close conversations of others all around us, and the simple presentation of delicious, yet classic food. Let me tell you, it is comfort food to the max. This fitted the mood perfectly because today's forecast was cold, cloudy, rain-filled, and foggy. 

Even though some people dislike the dreary, rainy days. I am a rare breed because I love a good, chilled to the bone, need a big rain coat, must wear fuzzy socks under tall black boots, hood up, rainy day. Even though it leaves me saying, "I'm freezing!" pretty much the entire day. But I guess that is what soup, sweaters, and snuggling is for. 

While my husband drove through the rain, I had the chance to have a small devotion. Here is a verse that was quite the encouragement to me this morning as we made the trek to Gettysburg. 

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." -Psalm 73:26

This verse helps remind me that I am only human. I do and will fail. Always. But be encouraged, dear friend, because the Lord does not and will not fail. Ever. He is our strength! And He does and will remain to be my portion. Forever, because even baked onion soup will not fulfill you. 

Let this verse warm your soul on this dreary fall evening and night. And now go and drink a delicious mug of warmed apple cider with a cinnamon stick and apple slice. 

Want more? Read Psalm chapter 73

Friendship: A Lease or a Lifetime?

I love rekindled friendships. The sort that take place when two people grow a part for a season, then are wonderfully brought back together at the perfect time. This has happened to me over this past year. Many relationships that were dwindling have caught fire again. I am grateful for this because I have received many rich, empowering moments and memories with those dearest to me.

This morning I had the privilege to have one of my dearest and sweetest friends over for breakfast. We laughed, drank raspberry smoothies, and talked about the things we held closest to our hearts. She is the kind of gal that no matter what subject we direct ourselves to, she always finds a way to refocus it back to the Lord. I love her for that. And I love that our relationship has grown deep roots in what is truly important.

This didn't just happen over night though. It wasn't as if something miraculously just changed. Oh no, there was investment needed in these friendships. It was not a one sided investment. It took both parties to fully divulge into mending and relighting a friendship. I am glad we chose to invest in our friendship, instead of put a simple lease on it. Leasing would be easier. But it wouldn't make for a relationship that grows and spreads its seeds among others. The friendships that last are those which have been invested in.

A friend the other day told me about a bible app called BiOY. If you have not downloaded it, I highly recommend that you do. It is a perfect little daily devotion that allows you to read through the bible in a year, and isn't only bible verses. It has quotes from famous theologians, metaphoric stories, and very specific points to back up scripture.

Today's devotion was pointed towards where our hope lies, and how we are investing our time in it.
"Time is your most valuable possession. You can make more money but you cannot create more time. How you spend your time is evidence of where your hope lies." This spoke so clearly as a statement of where and how I invest my time in my friendships.

Am I investing in a one way friendship? The kind that is primarily centered on myself and what I can get from it? Or is a friendship where I am seeking the needs and taking an interest in the other?

"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." ~Galatians 6:10

Household of faith. Well, doesn't that make you want to invest in the very Being who created that household? The more I began to think about investing in friendships, I began to wonder how much I truly have invested in my relationship with the Lord. I could ask myself the same questions as above:
Am I investing in a one way friendship, making it a lease? Or am I seeking to invest my time in a deep rooted, strong relationship that will last a lifetime?

So much of today's society is about what we can receive from our Heavenly Father. You see it in worship music, hear it in messages, and even in our prayers, we ask what we can get from God. And yes, the Lord wants us to ask great things of Him. Yet, if we are truly investing in a relationship with the Lord, we would be seeking to honor, uplift, and listen to Him more. To worship Him with words that glorify His miraculous, wondrous name! To constantly thank and bless Him for what He has already done for us and in us!

"Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!" Psalm 96:8-9

So, as for me I had to take a good hard look at where I am investing my time in my relationships. What have you decided to do? Are your friendships leased or will they last a lifetime? And more importantly, how are you invested in the very One who has invested all He has in you?

Will it be a lease or a Lifetime?

Want more? Read Psalm Chapter 96

Coffee and New Days.

"I love early mornings when it feels like the rest of the world is still fast asleep and you're the only one who's awake and everything feels like it isn't really real and you kind of forget about all your problems because for now it's just you, and the sunrise." 

I am fast paced. Like the ocean, I never seem to stop. Even at the end of the day when I close my eyes my brain flies a million miles a minute. I just swell with ideas, to dos, thoughts, and the future. Especially growing up in the DC area, where coffee is ever flowing, and deadlines are never ending, I have naturally evolved into a quick, must do, never stopping person. It has gotten so bad that I can not simply sit down after preparing a meal for myself until every utensil and slightly dirty dish has not only been cleaned, but also put back in its home.

However, there is always one time of the day that I seem to be able to slow down. I put all things aside, and refocus my mind. This is in the early morning, when the sun has risen, and its rays are shimmering through the cracks in my bedroom window. When you can still see the dew drops glistening on blades of grass. That is when I slow down. The promise of a new beginning, of a fresh chance to restart. This is what allows me to stop and meditate. And coffee.

For some, Coffee is a much needed energy booster and is consumed simply for that reason. Don't get me wrong, I too drink coffee for this reason. However, in the early mornings, coffee is a form of relaxation. Putting the water in the kettle and waiting for the melodic boiling song it will sing. Opening a canister and smelling the miraculous aroma of roasted beans. Letting the two components become one in my French Press and seeing the light brown crema form. Holding the delicious substance in a linen colored mug with a touch of honey and cream. Oh, the bliss! I indeed enjoy a good cup of coffee in the morning.

However, I have written far too much about my love affair with coffee. What I really want to talk about is how every day is brand new. What an incredible blessing that is. A rebirth of the day. Another day to see the hand of God at work. Another morning to thank Him for His great love and never ceasing faithfulness.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." ~Lamentations 3:22-23

This idea of the end of a day, led into a new one began to linger in my mind as of late. I wonder if our Heavenly Father, among many other things, chose to have night and day to show the symbolism of being in the dark to our sin, to being raised out of it in rebirth through the death of His son. A blinding night to a new day! A beautiful compare and contrast to the Gospel message.

"We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." ~Romans 6:4

I just love the idea of taking the metaphor for day and night and representing it as being saved and made new. It helps me remember why I wake up in the morning. However, even though every morning brings new pleasure, excitement, disappointment and sorrow it is incredible to remember that we wake up under the protection and love of a steadfast, gracious, kind, and loving Savior.

So, to whom may stumble upon this post: Take a moment, clear your mind from all the to dos, troubles, and terrors this world may impose on you and remember that tomorrow is a new day. Whether tomorrow starts with a wonderful cup of coffee, a crying baby, or sitting in traffic, know that there is a loving Father who is constantly making you new, just as He does the day.

Want more? Read Romans chapter 6.