Merry Christmas, everybody!

My gift to you today is sharing a new thing I wholeheartedly adore.

This loaded tea recipe is so simple, affordable, and beyond delicious!

Huge thanks to my friend for introducing this new venture to me. @silverlininglessons has a bookoo of recipes, so check them out!

They're all so incredibly satisfying to create and beautifully yummy.

This drink is called the "Bah Humbug..." but there's nothing dreary about this guy!

Dissolve:

1 tsp 4c berry energy powder

1/4 tsp black tea powder

1/8 tsp Guarana powder

1/4 tsp Starburst blue raspberry drink mix

in 6 oz hot water. 

Pour into a 32 oz tumbler. 

Looking for a fun, different, easy Christmas get-together idea? I was, too!

So.... 

I love this idea so much, because you can make it creatively festive. It can be set up however you prefer... conveniently without removing anything from their original packaging... or if you're like me, you can arrange a super cute display that will require a little prep and clean up time. 

Either way- still simple and so fun.  

Everyone had a blast! Kids went first. Once they were done, it was the grownups' turn!

There was so much creativity going on at that table, y'all. We were all showcasing some hilarious talent.

I'll admit- while I wanted all kinds of pretty colors and textures, I wanted to think somewhat technically, too. So... off to Google I went. 

Regular frosting seems to work best... and Wheaties don't work that great for the roof! 

 

Cinnamon Toast Crunch, though... perfect!

One thing I will recommend, take the easy way out on the house. I wanted to see what I could do with graham crackers... and well... I did. And it wasn't pretty!

Premade houses are the way to go. They don't taste great, but do we really eat them anyways? 

Nah, just eat the left-over treats from the decorating!

Twizzlers were fun for fencing around the house... Took some effort, but with some toothpicks, anything is possible!

We'll for sure do this again. Great time with friends and their kids. 

Cute, creative, festive, and fun. 

Perfect for Christmas time, right?!

These things are not only beautifully festive... they're delectable! 

They're extremely easy to make and yield about 24-30 truffles.

Perfect for a Christmas party treat. 

1 cup white cake mix

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp milk

1 tbsp Christmas sprinkles, plus more for decoration

1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips or vanilla almond bark

In a large bowl, whisk cake mix, flour, and sugar. Stir in melted butter, vanilla, milk, and sprinkles. The mixture should be moist and be able to hold its shape easily when formed. 

Using a cookie scoop, form mixture into even balls and refrigerate 20-30 minutes. 

In the meantime, melt chocolate in a double boiler or slowly in the microwave. Using a fork, drop one of the cake batter truffles into the chocolate and roll around to coat. Tap off the excess gently and transfer to a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.

Top with more sprinkles if desired. 

So, I obviously have a thing for headpieces. 

I wouldn't have known that a few years ago. 

Why?

Because I was too afraid to try anything "outside the norm."

But who/what defined normal for me?

Well, it surely to goodness wasn't me, I can tell you that. 

I fell into the trap of people pleasing... while surrounded by people who could never be pleased.

It wasn't until I said "goodbye" to them, that I could finally say "hello" to the Kristi that had been hiding out for 20+ years!

During a conversation with a friend today, showing off their new fabulous accessories, they asked me, "Did you feel just a deeper sense of authenticity when you did something simple like this?"

Yes, my friend. YES!

(We both came from a hard, (overall) legalistic group that frowned upon all the things... so we connect on a level most people could never understand.)

And in that moment, I felt 22 all over again. That shy, insecure, paranoid, lonely, confused, but FREE kid that was starting life all over. 

How a head wrap can bring such joy, I'll never fully know. But I accept that. I'm just forever grateful that I busted through the box I felt trapped in and learned to embrace grace, joy, and childlike anticipation for life again.

Oh, and me. I learned to love me. Turns out, I'm pretty cool. 😉

"You are good enough. Actually, you're probably overqualified. But let's start the day off humble."

Man, oh man, has it been a journey to gain some self-confidence! Am I the only one?

When your first 22 years of life are full of unrealistic expectations, unfair opinions, limited opportunities, and lack of supporters... geez! It. Is. Work.

11 years later, and I still cry to my therapist on the regular. 

Nonetheless, the last couple of years have been life-changing, as I've learned where my value comes from. Or shall I say, from Whom it comes.

My identity is in Christ. I am who He says I am... so no other opinion matters. No other voice gets to contradict that.

It's a crazy thing, how my desperate need for Him is the very thing that strengthens my confidence. He truly does work in mysterious ways!

I guess it's because He knows me... the best parts and those places I want to hide from the whole world... and He still wants me. He still loves me unconditionally. In fact, He thought I was worth enough to die for.

He died for all. But He would have died for one, too. He would've died for just me. Just you.

Being known and loved so much by the Creator of the universe can only cause one to hold their head up high while keeping their arrogance down low. 

"It's so unusual, it's frightening

You see right through the mess inside me

And You call me out to pull me in

You tell me I can start again

And I don't need to keep on hiding

It's so like You to keep pursuing

It's so like me to go astray

But You guard my heart with Your truth

A kind of love that's bulletproof

And I surrender to Your kindess

I'm fully known and loved by You

You won't let go no matter what I do

And it's not one or the other

It's hard truth and ridiculous grace

To be known, fully known, and loved by You"

-- Tauren Wells -- 

Hey, friend!

I used a quote today that my former boss once shared with me: "Know the difference between explanations and excuses."

I'll never forget the first time I heard that... and I think of it often. Not only has it helped me give grace to some and set boundaries with others, but it's also caused me to challenge myself in every situation.

There are days I just don't feel like "doing the work..." and that's totally okay. But, at some point, if I want to grow and achieve the goals in my life, I have to be aware of the moment my explanations morph into excuses.

It's not always easy. I don't always pay close enough attention to my own motivation, or lack thereof, to make a long-lasting effective decision... but eventually, I kick my butt into gear. 

I'm such a huge promoter and advocate of self-care, self-worth, self-love, etc... but sometimes the best method for each of those things requires us to get uncomfortable.

Don't ever be hard on yourself... just do whatever it takes to be the best version of you that you can be... even if it starts off a little difficult.

I can't be that me without Him, that's for sure. And I'm forever grateful for the amazing connections He's placed in my life to help me grow!

"When your values become clear to you, making decisions becomes easier." - Roy E. Disney

Just like this picture, sometimes I'm not looking at what's right in front of me. I'm distracted by something going on in the distance. 

That used to mess with me. I felt so "bad" for missing "it."

It wasn't until I started learning how to break free of expectations, that I discovered that there was this creative side of me that longed for the uncentered. 

I've been "in church" nearly all of my life. I've been absolutely in love with Jesus for the last few years... because I learned that He was the very thing that was in the distance trying to grab my attention.

I was so focused on rules: wearing the "right" clothes, listening to the "right" music, reading the "right" books, hanging with the "right" people, going to the "right" places... I didn't have the time or energy to just be a person looking at and loving Him.

Man, oh man. How my life has changed since I looked off to the side and saw a Savior who loved beyond measure.

There's a peace and joy I have now that I truly cannot explain. All I got? He works miracles.

And no, I don't have a perfect life that makes all that easy. I was a child of divorce, molestation, judgement... I grew up and dealt with hurtful and opinionated people surrounding me. I've been rejected by friends and family. My husband and I still struggle with unexplained infertility.

But y'all. I am so happy!

I trust my life to the One Who knew me before He formed me.

And now that I know He is what I'll focus on all the days of my life... the pressures of decisions, simple and hard, is gone. My load is a light one, since I've asked Him to carry it.

And I know when I face something that leaves me paralyzed, He'll carry me.

What are you focusing on today? Whatever it is, look off into the distance just a bit, and see Him waiting for you.

You are loved, my friends!

These cookies are unique to say the least! 

They're a little funky looking, for sure... but they're really tasty for a healthily sweet snack.

And thanks for Jamie Oliver, only 5 ingredients needed, so simple to create!

100 g quality dark chocolate , (70%)

Try them out! 

Happy Labor Day!!

Then place some parchment paper down on a cookie sheet and spoon the yogurt mixture over it, smoothing out to cover completely.

When you pull it out, you can break apart or cut into squares. (I prefer the former.)

Take me back to WorldFest! 

I am obsessed with cultures. Truly. Whether I understand all the things or not, I don't mind! I'm just fascinated with them. Their meals, traditions, dances, beliefs, and their attire!

If we were all the same, the world wouldn't be nearly as beautiful. 

As soon as I saw this booth, I had to make my way over. 

SO MANY WRAPS!

As I glanced over them, this sweet woman asked me if I'd ever worn a wrap before. Sadly, I had to tell her no. But I immediately followed that with a ", but I really want to!"

That lit her fire for sure. 

She rummaged through pile after pile with me until we found "the one."

She showed me a couple different ways to wear them. 

One secret I learned, unless you have massive hair, you'll need to add some height to your head if you're going with a knot. 

It can literally be a balled-up tank top! 

There are several YouTube tutorials out there, too. 

I highly recommend trying them out. Hats are cute... but wraps are what's up!

Thank you for a life full of adventures!

Be a kind human.

Gah! How stinking precious is this pic?

Anytime you feel blah, unimpressive, unimportant, useless, etc... Pay attention to a child. 

Seriously. It doesn't 'take much. Make them smile, laugh... Carry on a conversation with them. Brag on something they're doing or something they've made. 

When you see their little face light up the way only an innocent one can... man. It's the most fulfilling and important thing you can do.

Really! Think about it. How was your childhood? You either remember people that made a positive impact, or you wish so badly you had some. 

Kids are tiny adults trying to navigate through every emotion without understanding any of it. I want to do whatever I can to be a piece of positive influence for all that I can.

Help create a childhood they don't have to recover from. 

BE WHO YOU NEEDED. 

We've got a lot to learn, but we'll give it our absolute best.

We don't have our own kids yet, but I'm totally cool with pouring into our friends' in the waiting!

Also- geeeez. That man! 😍

“Be a kind human.”

There are some days I still feel 20... and then I take a pic and see signs that I’m indeed 32 years old...

Hey yo, hey!

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