Back to the Books

SCHOOL STYLE:

Flats: Maurices, Skinny Jeans: Charlotte Russe, Top: Thrifted, Argyle Sweater: JCPenney, Glasses: Elaine Much, Bracelet: gift from James

It's almost that time again, my friends: Back to School time!  Not for me, of course...I'm done with school, but I am going to be back in the books.  This meaning COOK BOOKS! James and I have had a good amount of home-cooked meals, yes, .........but I am trying to experiment more with our dinners.  I don't want our pallets to be bored from the same old taste. 

And I DO want to try new things! So, hence the heavy load of books in photos above. 

I went to the basement and dug out some boxes we haven't emptied in over a year and I found them!

All of them!  They look so new and never used....time to break them in.

And for my sister Steph and others who have to go back to school this fall.......you can do it! Remember to stay focused, don't stress,

and don't procrastinate!!!  I still don't know how I made it through?! I was the best procrastinator, ever.  

Too bad I couldn't have received an A for that! 

Don't forget to have fun and as I've heard many times before, "Work first.  Get it done. Play last. You'll have more fun!" 

Now to the books....

Band-Aids

Growing up, we all have had our scrapes and bruises.  Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa {or even a brother or sister} would go into the bathroom cubbard and grab the box {or tin}, pull out a Band-Aid and maybe even kiss it to make it better.  Those moments of care and love would make the hurts and "owies" bearable, in most cases. Of course, there would be Neosporin, too, so the scrapes would heal and hopefully leave no scars.  But, sometimes the cut was deep and scars were left, but they were cool to talk about. You may have told stories of how you got those scars.  For example my story "rode your bike down a gravel hill, only to try and turn really fast and go back up" or "your brother through an ash tray at you when you were 5" {that's James' story}.

Many times in life, Band-Aids and a "kiss to make it better" don't help. 

We have major "scrapes" and "bruises" that leave major scars, that sometimes cannot be physically seen:

Insecurities. Worries.  Fear. Anxieties.  Loneliness.  Broken Relationships........They are deep. 

They can seem unbearable, at times, and we keep looking for something to be the "Neosporin" to help take away the pain and to heal it.

There is only One who can take away the pain; One who bore the greatest pain that no one else could bear: Jesus.  He is The Healer of all hurts, scrapes, bruises, and pain in our lives.  We may have scars, but we will look at them and see how far we have come.  How we have been redeemed: changing negative moments to positive outcomes.

I'm reminded of Revelation 21:4 when there will come a day, when "God shall wipe away the tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.......for these things will pass away."

{or as someone once said, "no more piano" wink.wink.}.

There will, also, be no more need for Band-Aids. 
Until then, be encouraged that there still is hope and healing today, when you and I need it most.

Blessings,

Tiff 

Have to give credit where credit is due!

Pinked

These lips rarely see shades of color, because Burt's Bees and them have a very loyal relationship.  They see eachother everyday and nothing can come between them....until this day.  Pink lipstick stepped in and let's just say...Burt's Bees lost this one. 

Better luck tomorrow BB, 'cause today these lips are bold and bright!

  

Home Made Candies

The post title is not to mislead you, at all.  There were definitely home made candies, but they were not being made in our home {oh, and that ice cream I talked about making from Friday's post....didn't happen}. 

We went to Canelake's Home Made Candies, instead!   

Best. Decision. Ever.

The selection.....oh, the selection.

I couldn't pass up some of the trouffles you see above, so I picked Coffee and Amaretto.  They were totally worth the drive. 

And the atmosphere and black & white photos were the cherry on top.

 We stepped out the door with those trouffles, some fudge, sour candies, & Fun Dip in hand.

So, if you want to come visit us, here in northern Minnesota, we know which candy shop will be in your itinerary. 

Say......if the bake shop was still open {one block down}, we would have been there too!  Maybe next time! 

Hooray for sweets and treats! 

Big Trucks for Grown Men.

We had such a great time with our friends Ben and Erica, this past weekend.  We took Saturday as a day to show them the "iron range".....and boy was it fun {and tasty...you'll see}.  Our first stop was the MineView.  Before I knew James, he had worked a summer at the mines.  He drove the big Caterpillar trucks that hauled taconite.  The Mine View is where you get to see those BIG Caterpillar trucks in action and learn some history of mining.  This was were two men turned into kids again {and maybe the ladies did too}. 

I'll stop explaining and just let you see for yourself...

 We even had the chance to see a truck.......up close and personal! 

Check out our new ride.....



 Don't we look tough....?! I know....and look at the size of buckets!

You made it through all the pictures! Give yourself a pat on the back for that! :)

So, that was the first part of our day.... 

The day got better when we stopped for something tasty!

Yup.....even MORE photos coming this way, so stop back in. 

Happy Monday! 



Yay! It's here!

Yay! It's here! I ordered this beautiful book and I can almost taste the ice cream, already!  Sweet Cream and Sugar Cones is a ice cream and creamy dessert recipe book for anyone.  You don't even need an ice cream machine to make the selections.  We have one though, so it is going to get used, for sure!  I know this isn't the first time ice cream has been talked about on the blog {see here}, but I can't resist.  Summer is still here, so I better hurry up and make some of those cold creations.  In fact, I'm planning on making something refreshing for our friends who are coming to visit this weekend!  Ben & Erica, I sure hope you like homemade ice cream, 'cause that's all we will be eating around here.  Okay, maybe we will have some other nutritious food to eat too {If we have to.....but I'd eat ice cream everyday, if I could}!  Why not treat yourself this weekend and go have something sweet!?

Here's to creamy, cold creations and sweet weekends {literally}!

Sun rays...

Maurices top & shoes, Target skirt & glasses

I really don't know what I am going to do when winter gets here.  Shame on me for even saying the w - word!!  But, seriously! I love summer and fall{that's my favorite} because I get to wear sunglasses, a lot!  Then, winter comes and you wear them and people look at you funny.  But, then I want to explain to them that sun rays are just as bad, and worse, in the winter.  The sun reflects off the snow, hitting our faces with more intense sun rays from below.....but who wants to hear scientific evidence, right?!  Leave that to me....the nerd who loved science in school and still secretly keeps herself in "the books," a.k.a.: serious science websites. 

Shhh......don't tell!  I think science is cool, okay?!

Anyways, back to protecting this fair-skinned redhead.  So, I will be one of those people who will still be wearing those sunglasses

{that you see above} in winter.  I'll probably even be wearing sunblock! Yup.....even when there are icicles, powdery snow, snowmen....twinkling lights!!!!  Okay, I have better stop talking about winter and hold my horses....you know the ones with the jingling bells that pull sleighs! Ok. I'm done. :)

Happy Holidays  Thursday to all of you! 

Now, go put on your sunblock and don't forget your sunglasses!

Renew.

photo

So, I know it is Wednesday, and you haven't heard from me, yet this week.
 If it seems that I have left forever, don't you worry: I haven't.
If you haven't stopped over here until today, then never mind the last two sentences. :)

I've been thinking on this Bible verse out of Romans 2:
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is
--his good, pleasing and perfect will."

I believe it is always important to rest and refresh, but God's Word says it the clearest: Renew! 
Life can get so entangled in the normal.  On the Go! Go! Go! all the time.  In other words, sometimes we let life take over instead of letting God take over....  I'll be the first to admit that I do that.  It feels good to have things done and to do, do, and do. 
But, we sometimes forget to ask God, "What do YOU want me to do today? This moment?" 
We forget that we cannot be independent, for we are SO dependent on the One who knows what's best.

The last few days, I've really understood that need. God is so good...especially when He reveals things to us! 
Time.
Life.
It has been busy for James and I, but we aren't going to conform. 
We aren't going to forget or put off the RENEWING.   
We are going to test and approve what God's will is, because it is pleasing and perfect.
So......be encouraged, today...and maybe even transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Last Minute Adventures

American Eagle shirt, Target wedges, Liz Claiborne sunnies, Thrifted pants

Yay! It is the weekend and this is something each of us look forward to.  I mean, I love my job, but I LOVE weekends more! Everyone can agree that weekends are gifts from heaven, especially in the summer: beach time, picnics, bicycling,

or maybe even catching up on laundry or dishes. 

Over here, we have NO LAUNDRY to do, because we just folded and washed 8 or 10 loads last night.  We couldn't wait for the weekend to do it, because we won't be around! That's right!  Weekends are also made for short trips that are last minute, because plans changed and we aren't camping anymore.  Instead, James and I {even Rainey} are taking a five hour drive to see our friends who we haven't seen in a year.  We haven't even been able to see their new babe, who is not so new anymore.  We are SOOOO excited!!! 

I love last minute adventures!  I just hope Rainey likes a last minute adventure, too {because this will be her first long trip in a car}.  I'm sure it will be okay.  We may need to stop more, but we don't mind waysides or gas station pit stops.  They provide us with drinks and food that require no dishes to be dirtied {if that is a word}.  That reminds me.....DISHES....we didn't do dishes!!!

Oh well....too bad.  Weekend catch ups can {and will} be pushed off 'til Monday, right?!  We got some adventures to do!

Some of my faves.

We all have items in our closets that we see and say, "That's one of my favorites." 
Well, here are some of my favorites, right now:

The fedora: 
I bought this one from Walmart but there are so many out there that are similar in style.  It is great to protect your scalp and hair from the sun, which makes it perfect for summer.

The simple necklace:
This necklace was given to me by my Grandma Bortle {the one who visited here, doing the Charlie's Angel pose}.  I've had it since I was in middle school.  It is from Avon.  You all remember Avon!  I love the simplicity of the chain and box pendant, and I haven't found another one like it!

The readers:
I must note that I have 20/20 vision, but it still is fun to wear glasses, every once and a while.  It is just like wearing any other accessory.  I got these clear lens glasses from a modest fashion blogger: Elaine at Elaine Much {I am loving her style}.  I put them on, and James shakes his head....but I think they're fun!

So, there you have it.....some of my faves.  What are you loving, right now?!