I'm Engaged!!!!

On February 9th, 2013, I got engaged to the most amazing man I've ever met! The story is priceless, however, in order to truly grasp the whole thing, I need to do a little back story. (sorry in advance for a very wordy post)

My girlfriends and I had been planning a trip to Savannah, GA for a much needed weekend vacay! The plan was to eat, laugh, drink, and just enjoy the beautiful city. (What I didn't know was Ben was behind the whole thing - he had asked the girls to take me to Savannah so he could propose). While I was to be in Savannah, he told me he was going to Louisville to visit my mom and dad and ask them for my hand in marriage. He went as far as to show me a plane ticket itinerary to Louisville. I totally bought the whole thing. He'd be away, I'd be away...perfect. 

As the weekend got closer, I started to dread going - I was stressed from work, had deadlines to meet, and just couldn't fathom leaving for the weekend knowing I had things to do. I probably told him 30 times that week that I wasn't going to Savannah. Then Friday happened. There was a fight at school, and I broke it up -- in the process, I got hit pretty badly. That was it....I wasn't going. I had a miserable week at work and all I wanted to do was sleep it off and be at home. At this point, Ben was freaking out on the inside, all the while, continually pushing me to go, saying that "a girls weekend would be so good for me..." I still had no idea he was planning anything. I assumed he was just being super supportive.

I went to Savannah, and honestly had a blast with my friends! We ate beignets, drank wine, had the best hot chocolates ever, and walked all over Savannah. On Saturday, we had planned to go to Forsyth Park and eat dinner close by. Before we left, Ben called me from "Louisville" and told me that he had a great conversation with my parents and was getting ready to go through security to come home. He then handed his phone to my mom and I talked to her about how great the conversation went as well. It was totally believable -- of course they were in Louisville together, how else would they be able to talk on the same phone.

At this point, my friends are now rushing me out the door -- "we had dinner reservations we couldn't be late for," and they still wanted to walk through Forsyth Park. We got to the Park and it was breathtakingly beautiful -- so beautiful that we decided to take some pictures together. I was sitting on a bench, facing my friends, when I heard a speaker turn on and "Crazy Girl" by Eli Young Band started to play (this is one of my favorite songs, and ringtone for Ben). I instantly froze. I knew what was happening. As I turned around, I saw Ben standing 3 feet behind me in a suit and tie. I instantly started crying and walked toward him. (The song now switched to "Marry Me" by Train). The first words out of my mouth were "Are my parents here?" He told me to turn around, and there they were, walking out from behind a tree. It got a little hazy from here, because I was so filled with emotion and was truly dumbfounded, that all I remember was Ben getting down on one knee and asking me to marry him.

It was the perfect ending to a really fabulous weekend with my friends. Ben worked so hard to make the whole thing go off without a hitch, and had all my friends and my parents working together! I'm so amazed by him and can NOT wait to spend the rest of my life with this truly unbelievable and loving man.

Guilty Pleasures Update

Embarrassingly, it has been almost 4 months since I've posted. So much has happened that I can't wait to share with you. But first, it's all about my new favorites. Check out my guilty pleasures page to see what I've been crushing on lately! 

Pumpkin Streusel Bars

I am on a serious Pumpkin kick lately, and stock up on cans of pumpkin puree every time I go to Publix just in case I find a new recipe I want to try. I made these bars for bible study a couple week ago, and then brought the left overs to school for my teacher girls - let's just say, they were a hit! If you make them, make sure to share, otherwise, beware -- these bad boys are super yummy straight from the fridge!

Ingredients:

Bar

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 eggs

1 can pumpkin puree

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup canola oil

Topping

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup light brown sugar

6 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13x9 inch baking pan. 

2. Mix together the flour, sugars, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a medium bowl. 

3. Mix together the eggs, pumpkin, vanilla and oil in a large bowl. 

4. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until well blended. 

5. Spread pumpkin mixture into baking dish. 

6. Combine 3/4 cup flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut the butter into the mixture until it becomes crumbly.  Mix in the pecans and then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the pumpkin batter. 

7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

8. Cool completely, then cut into squares to serve. (Store in refrigerator). 

The Things I'm Grateful For

5 more things I'm grateful for in this month of Thanksgiving...

6. A warm cup of coffee

I don't care if I've "brewed" it myself in my keurig, or I get it from Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, or Panera...I am so thankful for coffee. It is truly something I look forward to everyday. 

7. Living by the Beach

I never thought I would say this, considering that I miss living somewhere that has all 4 seasons, but I am truly thankful for living by the beach. It is so fun to know that I can jump in the car and have my toes in the sand in a matter of minutes. I actually think that I take this for granted and I really want to make it a point to be more thankful for this wonderful state I live in. 

8. My love of Baking

I am grateful for a family of women who love to bake. My nana was a fabulous baker, and made everything from cookies, cakes, and pies. She instilled in all of us a serious love of sweets. My mom has this gift also. I'm attempting to be half as good as they are, and it truly is so soothing and fun to bake after a long week of stress. 

9. Books!!!!

I would be so lonely and lost without books. They are truly my escape after a long day or stress and craziness. They keep me calm, sane, and imagining! 

10. My iPhone

I know this sounds crazy, but I am so grateful for my iphone. It doesn't matter where I am, my iphone gives me the ability to check all of my fav apps - pinterest, facebook, etsy, tumblr, instagram, and twitter. I know you get it if you have an iphone. It's just a simple thing I would be lost without.  

White Chocolate Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

I'll go ahead and warn you now...these are super addicting. I made these one night when my friends were coming over, and they were almost gone within the first hour. They are the perfect mixture of salty and sweet. 

Ingredients:

16-18 oz bag of Snyder's Butter Snap pretzels

2/3 cup vegetable or canola oil

1/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 cup cinnamon/sugar for sprinkling

1 cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Whisk together oil, sugar, and cinnamon. 

2. Pour pretzels into a large microwavable bowl and pour oil mixture on top. Stir well until pretzels are coated. 

3. Microwave for 1 minute, remove and stir. Microwave again for 45 seconds, and stir. 

4. Spread pretzels evenly onto parchment paper. 

5. While still warm, sprinkle cinnamon sugar generously over pretzels. 

6. Melt white chocolate (on low heat) and drizzle over cooled pretzels. 

7. Let chocolate cool and harden over pretzels, store in airtight container. 

A Touch of Gold

I like to start early when it comes to buying Christmas gifts - I think the earlier it all gets done, the more time you have to actually relax and enjoy the season. With this in mind, I thought it would be helpful to share some of my must haves for people who say I'm so hard to buy for!! (wink wink)

This adorable set of gold lustre mugs can be found from a shop called Luna Lighting. I personally believe that every cupboard should be filled with a variety of mugs that fit your mood each morning. These would be a great little addition!

This marley lilly cross body clutch is a serious must have for this fall! I love the brown and gold monogram! 

No Christmas is complete without a little David Yurman. This Ribbon Bracelet is the perfect addition to my daily arm party! 

The Things I'm Grateful For

A bit of the 30 things I'm thankful for in this month of Thanksgiving...

1. My patient and God-fearing boyfriend

There are no words to explain just how much I love B. He has been such a fabulous example of a Christian man, and truly makes me feel like I'm the only girl in the world. We have so much fun together - no matter if we're on a cruise to the Bahamas or just watching TV. B is my best friend, and I can't imagine my life without him. 

2. Chipotle

You may think it's weird to be thankful for a mexican restaurant, however, I think Chipotle might be God's gift to earth. I eat here at least once a week and NEVER get tired of it. Burrito bowls are the greatest thing since sliced bread. 

3. Christmas Music 

I have a weird tradition -- I allow myself to start listening to Christmas music on Nov. 1st. My family has always had a large collection of Christmas albums, so my list of favorites is pretty extensive. I truly think that Christmas music is so joyful and deserves 2 months to be listened to.  I am extremely thankful for the memories I have of family singing and dancing around the kitchen to these great albums. 

4. The Calming Scents of Candles

After a long day of work, the first thing I do is light a candle in my house. I've previously shared my favorite candles, but there are always new candles to try out. I recently fell in love with a lot of Bath & Body Work's candles: French Baguette, Leaves, and Fresh Balsam (to name a few).

5. The Church of Eleven22

I have been praying for a church to call home ever since I left Louisville in 2005. I grew up in the most amazing church and truly felt like nothing could compare. After much searching, I was led to The Church of Eleven22, and have been blown away at the fellowship and amazing presence that God has there. I am so thankful to be a part of a community where God is truly alive! 

I would love to hear what you're thankful for this month!!