this week

 this week started out kinda stressful and is ending with my birthday and a christmas banquet.

i was very thankful to have an understanding loving husband by my side this week and he helped me calm down when i was freaking out and told me to go relax right when i needed it. i am blessed!

 my sweet momma got me these adorable vintage buttons

 

 she has also been working on this amazing quilt for bebe peanut! 

unfortunately her sewing machine broke down so now she is a little stressed. 

 the paparazzi were after me this week.

i couldn't complain since they are the sweetest nieces ever! 

 christmas arrived and my in-laws house.

 got our christmas cards printed out, now to get them delivered and mailed out. 

(i may still have a large stack of thank you cards from our wedding waiting to go out, but just maybe)

 what happens when a pregnant lady goes grocery shopping on an empty stomach?

ice-cream and raspberries, that's what!

small group this week was much needed, 

so glad we decided to go instead of stay home because we were both so tired.  

psalm 34

 

 another craving i was more than willing to cave to this week.

it was a busy week

but it was a restful week in ways that we were not expecting.

the Lord carried me through because i didn't have the strength and i am so thankful.

this weekend will be full of celebrating birthdays and visiting family!

embracing the camera

i am embracing the camera with my sister today. 

i love that sweet girl.

ps. it's my birthday week have you seen the sweet birthday bash giveaway going on?

scarf swap

i participated in the lovely scarf swap that karen organized and hosted.

i was paired up with the lovely elisse and she spoiled me! i got a lovely scarf, a super cozy cowl, mustard slouchy hat, and the yummiest apple pie tea. i love it all thank you so much!

black friday sale (code is live)

head to the shop to take advantage of this great deal! 

code it live starting now! 
also be sure to check out this giveaway for some sah-weeet goodies! 

Birthday Bash Giveaway!

it is almost my birthday which means presents for one you! 

one winner takes it all!

wanna know what the present are??

 of course you do!

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(rumor has it that if  Something from Nothing reaches 200 likes on facebook before the end of December, Karen will be giving away another free pair of mitts)

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you have until november 30 to enter then a winner will be announced!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

crusty artisan bread

crusty artisan bread

i think this bread is the easiest and most delicious bread ever.

 it will probably be the only kind i make from now on.

crusty artisan bread recipe

2 cups - whole wheat flour

1 cup - white flour

1 1/2 tsp - salt

1/2 tsp - yeast

1 3/4 cups - water

mix wheat, salt and yeast together.

add water until its a sticky dough.

cover and let rise for 12 - 18 hours - i left mine over night

heat oven to 450 degrees

on a floured surface form dough into a ball or oval

place a dutch oven or that type of dish in the oven for 30 mins (needs to have a lid)

let dough rest while dish is warming up

remove and place dough ball in dish put lid on and bake for 30 mins

remove lid and bake 15 mins more

place bread on a cooling rack and enjoy once it is cool.

giving back

mustard boot cuffs//neutral baby hat//rust cowl//sweet pea hat

25% off all sale from now til the end of december will be donated to

 American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy relief.

this also includes custom orders.

cream boot cuffs//blue ribbed scarf//dino hat//baby bobble hat

happy shopping friends!

dear...

Dear Winter,

Please be nice to us this year. I missed you last year since you didn't send us very much of the white fluffy stuff but was reminded how dangerous you and your beauty can truly be. Thank you for creating a longing in me to drink warm cozy tea though!

Dear Handmade with Purpose Community,

Thank you for sharing with others in need!
It warms my heart and encouraged me to join forces with you.

Dear Shelby,

Thank you for being my prayer partner for the Colossians study over at #shereadstruth. It means so much to have someone I've never met praying for me and my family. You are such a blessing!

Dear Kim,

Thanks for putting together  such a great handmade holiday gift guide! If only my wallet would allow me to take advantage of all those great deals!

 Linking up for Friday Letters

Thankful

this week i have been so thankful that i have been in good health so that may babe can grow. 

i was over joyed when clint and i were able to see our sweet peanut yesterday! 

it is such a miracle to have this life growing inside of me. 

introducing our sweet peanut

linking up with carina

go check out my great sponsors and enter to win some goodies

advent calender activities

since this is clint and i's  first Christmas together as a married couple we wanted to start some new traditions over the holiday season.  i made up a list of fun Christmas and winter activities for us to do during december. i also know that starting in december is the season of advent.  a time for us to prepare our hearts as we anxiously await the come of Christmas, not the commercialized Christmas, but rather the coming of Christ in the form of a helpless babe.

• mail Christmas cards
• read scriptures about the coming King to prepare our hearts - here are a few: Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:35, Matthew 1:18-24, Luke 2:9-14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke:2:1-20, Matthew 2:1-12,  Micah 5:2
• decorate the house
• hang mistletoe
• wrap presents
• host a cookie swap
• go to a Christmas parade
• bake cookies for neighbors
• games night with friends
• hot chocolate bar
• watch elf
• dance under the twinkly lights to Christmas music
• make decorations
• go for a walk in the snow - be sure to bring your camera
• host an ugly sweater party
• camp in the living room under the lights
• go skating
• build a gingerbread house
• make a red and green meal
• drive around looking at lights
• watch rudolph
• go sledding
• picnic by the Christmas tree
• make snowangels
• go see a Christmas concert
• make Christmas cards
• make reindeer food
• bake a birthday cake for Jesus
• go on a hayride
• surprise someone with an unexpected gift
• go caroling
• make bird garland
• make a snowman
• make the house smell like Christmas

if you are looking for a great advent devotional heather from birch & bay will be releasing hers this week so you should really go and get it! 

What type of winter activities do you like to do? What do you like to read to prepare your heart for the advent season?

10 on 10 (a few days late)

well i finally took part in 10 on 10. 

here is what my saturday looked like

 it seemed that every time i looked up it was the next hour. 

the day just flew by!

have you entered to win some goodies from my november sponsors? 

you should!

linking up here

20 week baby bump

half way there! 

November Sponsors & Giveaway

connect with Jamie

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Jamie is giving away a pair of earrings from her shop and the winner gets to choose!

connect with Beth

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connect with Kitty
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connect with Hannah
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Hannah is giving away a $10 Starbucks gift card.

to enter the giveaway
 follow my blog - leave a comment
like on facebook  - leave a comment
tweet about this giveaway and tag me @amberenns
follow hannah, beth, kitty or jamie - leave a comment for each

what do you like to cook in a skillet? {recipe}

fall is a time for good home cooked comfort meals.

i came home from work and had no idea what to make.

 so i just whipped up this recipe with stuff we had on hand.

im calling it mushroom pork chop skillet

ingredients

a bunch of mushrooms - i left ours whole but you can slice em' and dice em' if you want

dijon mustard

pork chops - i had three on hand but this skillet could have fit five or six

thyme

rosemary

cream of mushroom soup

butter or oil

water

pre-heat oven to 350

melt 1 tbsp butter or heat 1 tbsp oil in skillet

add in mushrooms - let them brown up a bit

throw in your pork chops 

squeeze dijon mustard all over the porkchops 2-3 tbsp in total

sprinkle thyme and rosemary on top - im pretty liberal but maybe a tbsp of each

after 3-5 mins flip your pork chops so they brown on the other side

add a can of mushroom soup and a can full of water

stir it up!

stick that puppy in the oven for 30-35 mins

i made rice on the side to go with it, so yummy!

 

i'm kind of go with the flow when it comes to cooking and rarely measure anything exactly.

if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

what do you like to cook in a skillet?

 

19 weeks

hello monday

hello monday!

hello to waking up and it being bright outside,

thank you time change!

 hello, perfectly made caramel latte.

hello, truth!

 hello, happy day project and cute print for writing sweet notes!

hello, 20 week baby bump, 

it's hard to believe that my sweet little bun is half baked already. 

what are you up to this week?