Old Church Restored Into A Family Home

Free Breakfast

My mom sent this great coupon over to me! Reserve your free Chick-fil-a breakfast before they are gone!

http://www.chick-fil-aforbreakfast.com/Start

See you at the James Island Chick-fil-a at 7 am Tuesday, September 6?! Cole and I will be there!

Folly Beach

Cole and I decided that if we weren't evacuating for Irene, we might as well go to the beach! We witnessed the biggest waves I have ever seen, and a drop-dead gorgeous sunset! I don't think the pictures do either one justice, but they are still pretty awesome. 

Home with all our baggage!

Cole and I  just got back from a long day at school. We got to school at 6:00am this morning, which means we woke up in the 5s, and just walked in the door a few minutes a go! Whew!

Somedays, like today, we pack our lives away. It was so humorous getting out of the car that we had to stop and pose for a photo. 

The first thing I did was put on my PJs. I wish my work for the day was done, but honestly I am quite far from that! Someone do a little pleasure reading, movie watching, magazine reading, or creative cooking for me tonight :)

Back to School but Not by the Pool

Molly and I hosted a Back to School Party for the girls in our class! We were excited to see everyone and wanted to connect after our 3 month short summer. Originally planning to have a get-together by the pool, the weather forced us inside. 

It was so fun having you all over! We have such a great class.

Our menu was margaritas, lime-infused water, fresh fruit with lime sauce, ham and swiss hawaiian rolls, cheese wafers, sun-dried tomato and pesto cheese torte, black bean dip, fresh salsa, and mini key lime pies.

Thank you for all for coming!! I am blessed to have you as friends. 

What I learned from a cooking class

Katie, Alicia, Molly, and I had a wonderful time attending Coastal Cupboard's Shrimp and Grits Cooking Class. I can't imagine a better outing... time with my girlfriends, a meal that was out of this world, and some really great cooking tips!

We each had a Groupon so the class was only $10...This included shrimp and grits lunch (and these shrimp weren't just any shrimp...they were Magwood's shrimp...my favorite), dessert, two glasses of wine, time with friends, and a cooking class... now, that's a good deal!

Molly and Alicia

Katie and me

All of us with the chef

I would love to post the recipe, but I believe I could make the meal in the time it would take me to type it! I don't think I am up for it. And, I am not sure that is even kosher?!

But, here are a few tips I picked up...
1. Nuts are best kept in the freezer.
2. Grapeseed Oil Spray is much better than other cooking sprays. It is a lot more concentrated than the average olive oil ones, so you can use less, and less = healthier.
3. Wondra flour- really fine flour that you use to thicken up soup, gravy, stew, and sauces. It can be found with the regular flour in any grocery store.
4. Grits are much better when cooked with 1/2 chicken stock, 1/2 milk instead of all water.
5. Quickest and easiest way to chop a bell pepper. Check out a youtube video here.
6. The real difference between iodized salt and sea salt. If you are watching your salt consumption (or should be), sea salt is best to use because it is more "saltier" than the processed iodized salt. And again, less= healthier when it comes to salt.
7. A reminder of how much I love sweet and salty- we made a Caramel Sauce with ice cream, garnished with a pinch of sea salt. I thought about Starbuck's Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate...yum! Speaking of Starbucks, check out this interesting video here. 

And, a new wish list...
1. Water Infusion Pitcher I got a great deal on this one from BB&B.
1. Herb Chopper like this one.

I had a blast with you girls!!

Looking for a place to give?

Here is a list of a few of my favorite organizations, and a little blurb about each, that I believe are gospel-centered and whose work is only made possible through donations.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 says, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

1 Chronicles 29: 9-16 says, "....For everything in heaven and earth is yours....Wealth and honor come from you...But, who am I that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand..."


Water Missions International- Water for Africa Project- This is a locally based international ministry that seeks to provide clean and safe water to places around the world. The core of their work is aimed at sharing the "Living Water" message.

Donate Fuel to MAF- Their mission is to share the love and message of Jesus to isolated parts of the world through aviation and technology.

DesiringGod.org- Online resource library that is free, available, and beneficial to many believers! John Piper and his staff are famous for this quote that I believe sums up their ministry well: "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

Joshua's Way- Another local ministry, founded by Cole's dear late uncle, that reaches cross-culturally both here and abroad to impact lives "to know and to do".

Samaritan's Purse- I think you all probably know about this one!