Too Fat Tuesday.... Halloween Edition

I thought since today is too fat Tuesday I would share with you the fat things that I like to indulge in during the holiday times, namely Halloween.  Halloween is right around the corner, so I thought I could also share some recipes with you of some fun treats to try for your friends or with your little ones around the house! First:  PEANUT BUTTER PUMPKIN MAN

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 tbsp honey or agave nectar
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 tbsp ground flax
• peanut butter chips, for melting
• a couple squares of your favorite chocolate

          Melt the peanut butter and honey together in a small microwavable bowl until easily stirred.  Mix until well blended.  In another bowl, combine oats and flax.  Pour the peanut butter mixture into the oat mixture and mix together.  It may seem dry at first, but just keep mixing.  Form the now combined mixture into balls and place on a plate.  Chill in freezer overnight.  The next day, melt peanut butter chips in a small bowl (I used a ramekin).  If desired, thin the mixture with a bit of milk (I did this).  Using a toothpick, fork, of your hands if you don't mind getting a bit messy, dip the frozen peanut butter balls into the melted peanut butter chip and twist a bit to coat.         

          Set back on plate.  Repeat with each ball before returning them to freezer to let peanut butter coating harden (about an hour or so).  Once hardened, cut chocolate pieces into rectangular chunks and place on top of balls to make pumpkins.  You may have to melt the bottom of the chocolate a bit to get it to stick on top.  Return balls to freezer until serving time.

These are the best treats ever!! (especially if you like peanut butter like I do!!)  This next great has a lot of peanut butter as well!  I promise last peanut butter treat!

GHOST COOKIES!!

My mom has been making these for ages!  All you need is one package of nutter butter cookies and one package of white chocolate candy coating.  Melt the candy coating (be careful and only melt 30 seconds at a time because it will burn and mess up all of your white chocolate).  Then dip your nutter butter halfway in and let the excess white chocolate drip off before laying the cookie down on parchment paper.  Before the chore chocolate drys - place two chocolate chip morsels on it for eyes!  It is quick and simple and will make such a fun tailgate food, party appetizer, or even holiday gift!!  Plus they are super delicious!!

The next treat is a great dish to make with your family during the holidays for the best meal... BREAKFAST!

One of my favorite favors this time of year is pumpkin.  My mom makes a delicious pumpkin bread that I will share with you in a couple of days that is absolutely to die for!   This recipe is a spin off of a classic breakfast casserole where you soak bread overnight and back for 30 minutes in the morning.  Granted, it does have quite a bit of prep time.  It is worth it.  Especially for those mornings where you just want to lay around in bed, I lay around with Baylor, but those of you with sweeties - this is a great dish to make the night before - wake up and put in the oven, and snuffle for that extra 30 minutes you always want!! 

 Pumpkin French Toast Bake

Sweet and spicy pumpkin french toast is made the night before for an easy, early-morning preparation.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 – 4 1/2 cups 1-inch bread cubes (about half of a loaf and use wheat bread for best absorbency).

• 7 large eggs

• 2 cups milk (any kind)*

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

• 1/4 cup pumpkin BUTTER (or 1/2 cup pumpkin puree)* 

• 3-4 tablespoons brown sugar for topping

• nuts, like pecan or walnuts (optional)

                                                            Instructions

1. Cut any kind of bread into 1-inch cubes – I recommend a crusty, whole grain variety, but sandwich bread will work, too. Just use enough slice to fill a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish quite full.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla and pumpkin butter until well combined. Pour over bread and push down with a spoon or your hands until it’s all soaked and mostly covered. Cover with saran wrap or lid and refrigerate overnight.
3. In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees, uncover and top with brown sugar and nuts (optional). Bake for 35-45 minutes or golden brown and no longer wet.
4. Serve immediately with maple syrup, honey or agave nectar. Store leftovers in the refrigerator covered for up to a couple days.

Notes

* I make my own pumpkin butter this time of year, so I use that, but if you are using the canned pumpkin I would use half of the can - I think it's like one cup pumpkin puree.

  

This is absolutely my favorite time of year!  Try these recipes out with your loved ones !!  I promise they will not disappoint.  My sister loves this last one because coupled with some good old fashioned log cabin maple syrup you are in for a sweet and pumpkin-y treat!  I love fall because with nutmeg, pumpkin, and cinnamon, plus of the different spices that we use this time of year - you can actually taste the leaves changing and the crisp air outside in every bite!  

That is what makes cooking so wonderful!  Especially this time of year!

Tomorrow is whatcha want Wednesday and I am going to show you some things that I want for my house.  I will need your opinion though because I am a bit of a clutter-holic.  I don't know when to stop and I dont know how to pick ONE theme!  I just pick what I like and throw it together. 

Because I am moving to Waco for a while, I really want this to feel like a cozy home.  A place that I can have company and that I can "grow up" a little with.  So I need your help!! PLEASE!

Also, I know we are a few weeks removed from the tragedy that struck the Turner family, but please remember them in your prayers.  Julee has a long road ahead of her and the more prayers that are out there the more comfort that will surround her.   I truly believe that Jesus sends us ANGELS to help us. let's pray for Julee and Preslee that angels surround them during this time.  And let's not forget, Matt's mother.  She has lost her husband, to leukemia (7 years ago), and now her son.  What a heart break.  If anything, pray for her sanity and her reliance on God and HIS PLAN AND HIS CONTROL during these times.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Let me know how you like the recipes!

Fall Clothes and Puppy Dogs... Whatcha Want Wednesdays

By this time you have noticed I got a beautiful new blog design for CharmedBliss. It was about time for a professional look and a more unified homepage for all of my mindless wanderings. If you are considering a blog redesign I urge you to use 733 Designs. She is prompt, efficient, and look at her cute design she did for me :) I just love it! SO hop on over and check out her portfolio.

 I created a blog to share my most deepest dreams and desires and to a degree, I have succeeded.  Well today I am going to take another step towards success and tell you about WHAT I WANT!  I really want fall to be here.  Fall leaves, colors chaining around us, and especially fall clothes.  I love greens and greys and purples.  The hues and tones of these colors (and the boots that accompany them) are just so comforting.

Don't you agree?  Fall is a very comfortable season.  It is a season of change and enjoyment.  One of anticipation and relaxation.  It is one of my favorites.

But as a I literally freeze indoors today I am comforted by my sweater, that 2 months ago would have already found it's place in the floor.  It is a wonderful season!  And I am so ready for it to be here.  But in order for my fall clothing collection to be completed I need a pair of light tan boots, a couple more scarves (I really like the grey one in the picture) and I need a green one for the Baylor game I will be attending next week.

And since we are on the topic of Baylor.... Wouldn't it be cool if he did dog shows??  I mean he IS cute enough right?  DUGHH...

Let me know what you think about the blog change!

Whatcha Want Wednesdays: Home Edition

Home is where my Family is.  

I am learning a lot about my family these days.  A lot of it has to do with how close my natural family is and how involved we are in each others lives.  However, I am growing up which means I won't always live in my mother's house or be able to go to pancake breakfast at Grandmary's and Papa's - which looked so fun by the way.  

I am learning that my "family" is wherever I am.  It doesn't necessarily mean that my "family" is my crazy Gosser family - it means that it might consist of all different ages and types of people.  And I am learning to accept that.  

This is my family: We are huge and we love each other.  They are a bunch of crazy people and we have soo much fun together! I could probably do an entire blog (like everyday and all the time post) about them!   I love them so much!!!!!! 

And this is my Waco family.  

They are crazy and from all parts of the United States, but I miss them!  I love them so much and I think that my last semesters at Baylor, I took them for granted.  But that doesn't mean I can't go back.  That is what family does - they accept your faults and love you anyways.  These are some of my best friends in Waco and I can't wait to get back!!!

They sent me this during my week at Miss Arkansas.  They all have my buttons and are supporting me all of the way from Baylor.  [I am crying as I am writing this right now] Not only because I miss them - but because I want desperately to be back with them living life and loving every minute of it.  These are some of the greatest people I know!!

So now that I have already cried this morning... I want to tell you about my home.  My home where one day I will have my own family - and what I want in it!! haha

How great is this Laundry room.  I love that it has everything in it.  A desk, pictures, hooks, table tops, shelves, and the best a bench!  I know that benches are usually used to put things on - but in this case it would be a great way to divide up laundry so everyone could pick up there own and not dig through all of the laundry.  

Please tell me these pictures are not the cutest things ever!! In the foyer or greeting hall by the front door - I think that these canvas prints are a great idea!!!  I can't wait to do it.  

I also love this front door monogram.  Of course I am getting one of these ASAP - when I get married.  I think it would be fun to have a monogram bridal shower.  That would be beneficial in my opinion , especially if the bride loves monograms!!!

Can we say yes please.  To the walls.  The the bedding.  To the light.  To the picture above the bed. To the windows.  To the simplicity.  I love it!  I do not however like the computer in the room, the waste of space bed side table or the orange chair.  I would add a bench at the end and maybe bed posts on the bottom and top of the bed!  But this room definitely makes me happy :)   And then above - I love this ironing board.. it will fit nicely into my bright fun simply laundry room!  I love it!!

WHAT DO YOU WANT???

Why Can't God Tweet!?

I think I told you that I went to Dallas last week and went to church with my cousin Meg at Gateway Church.  Well I really enjoyed the sermon.  He was very relatable and so funny.  So I went to the church website.  Go Here to see the sermons by Pastor Stephen LeBlanc.  This is what your screen should look like... and please if you watch any of them.  Please watch Sometimes God is Silent.

Pastor Stephen Says:  

"Sometimes God is Silent becuase we are not.  We are the servant, we are the one who is supposed to say God, I want to pour out my heart to you and sometimes we just need to stop talking and back off.  And when we back off and we turn off the electronic product de jour and the constant music and constant media - gosh you can't even watch the news without three crawls and this and that.  We are so into multi-tasking.   we are so into microwaving, but God is into marinating.  And he is saying this, listen, I still speak like I did the first seven and a half thousand years.  Come on, God needs to learn how to tweet!  God doesn't do it.  He waits until we power down.  He waits until we cultivate a place of maturity when we are ready to listen and says I am ready to listen because he will not compete on the world stage.  Psalm 46:10 BE STILL AND KNOW!"

WOW!  What a great message.  And that is only a minute of a 40 minute sermon!  Its's so great!

How many times have you wanted the answer now.  I know that recently I have been praying and wanted a straight up answer.  I wanted God to tell me know.  Even after listening to the sermon, I thought that I was doing it right.  I thought that I was praying and waiting.  Little did I know.  I wasn't.  Sometimes you just need to step back and evaluate outside the situation and prayer to see if you truly are leading and praying a life of maturity in waiting and listening.  

Listening is so hard for me.  I like decisions to be made now.  Sometimes that leads to making the wrong decision.  Making a decision that if you would have waited just a little bit you would have made a different one.  You might have seen God's providence.  

I pray today that you wait.  You see. And that you Listen to what God has to say.

This is my work place.  I was booted to a tutor room - but I am okay with that - I have a door, a plug in, and I can watch hulu and sermons all day!  I had an athlete today and I am really enjoying helping and organizing these classes.  It is a lot to keep organized in my mind but with several schedules a highliter pack and lots of excel spreadsheets _ I am able to keep myself organized and on track! God definitely placed me in this position because of my organizational skills!  Pray for my kids that they do their work and have a great semester!

From Top to Bottom Left to Right these are my kids:  Brittney, Donald, Tsuwani, and Cordarius!

Dear younger and more artistic sister,

I miss you so much.  I wish you would come and visit me in Waco, but I understand that you would rather go to Annapolis to be with... well achem, a boy!  It's really okay.  I am not bitter or anything!  But I would really appreciate some wall art for my room!  You are such a talented artist and I would love and think it was the coolest thing if my talented little sister spent time and made me a little piece of love.  You know they say that?  Art is a form of love.  Well, will you love me? haha.  I like this maybe for my room (red black and white and yellow) Love you sister

Your darling older and much wiser sister.





Thought of my good ole friend from a blog around the corner (that's a cute name for a blog if you are looking for one) at Katis Get Away.  Her little boy Ryder will one day play baseball I am sure of it.  And one day my son (who I want to name.....) okay I am so not going to tell you that because then you will like it and use it!  Stop being so nosy! hehe.  I thought these pillows were so cute especially for a little boys room!  Found on pinterest of course!

I am headed to Houston Tonight!  I am going to stay with the sweet and darling Laura Holt and precious little girls!  I can not wait!  I am counting down the hours until 5!  It will be so good to get away and be with Mrs. Laura!  She is so wonderful!  and the absolute epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman.  She is such an inspiration to me and I am so thrilled about our relationship and how I am able to be closer to her and spend some time listening to her and asking her questions.  It is important in life to find those women that are wiser than you and to sit under them and learn!  Why do you think Alexander the Great was so great?  (besides my incredible paper this summer) He was great because he studied under Aristotle who studied under Plato.  They soaked up the knowledge!  Well I want to be a Proverbs 31 woman for my man :)  So I will sit and soak. and LISTEN!

I will leave you with this:

taken from www.joyshope.com

With love you can truly find bliss.  And with bliss you will always be charmed!

Abby

The Time Has Come.

I am finally here. I came to Waco. I can not believe it. I know I have shared my reluctancy to come for the past week or so, so I thought why not share my journey with you.

I woke up yesterday morning at about 8 and packed my last final things into my car. I ended up coming by myself because with a twin blow up and no furniture what was my mom supposed to do? It ended up being smarter to come alone. And it gave me reason to suck it up. So I did.

I don't have any furniture yet - if you didn't now that, well it's because Ashley's can't deliver until next week. So I'm without it for a while. I slept on a blow up which ended up not being that bad. I did however wake up several times.

So here is my house - without furniture and I'm sure the next time you see it it will be decorated because one of my roommates, Taylor, No not my boyfriend, but Taylor likes to decorate and is bringing some stuff!

This is the kitchen...

And this is my poor room and blow up mattress.... :(  It will be okay - I will have a great bed next week.  Maybe!

After I set up my blow up mattress I was hungry so I went to Chipotle and grabbed some food - there were a lot of people in there and so I decided that I wanted to spare myself and not eat alone in public... YET. i know its bound to happen, however, it was not about to happen on my first night.  So I took my food and where am I the most comfortable and feel at home?  Okay East Arkansas with Taylor - yes I know that!  But the other place?  the Baseball Field - if you looked at the pictures to help you with that... NOT FAIR! ha

So I went to the baseball stadium and guess what!  It was open!  That was a God thing!  So I sat in the stadium, watched the sunset, and listened to worship music while eating chipotle.  It reminded me of my days at Brookhill Ranch Camp when we would have vespers services - I saw God that night! 

So this is the Song that Played... Kari Jobe You Are For Me  

I know that You are For Me

Even in my Weakest...

WOW! this was definitely a weak moment for me and God totally spoke to me through those lyrics to calm my heart!  

I know I have said it alot but Deuteronomy 31:7

Be strong and courageous in the Lord, for you shall go into the land which the LORD has given to you.  For the Lord has gone before you.  

 

The Lord has definitely been here!  I have faith that he has created some divine appointments for me here and will give me the strength and the persistence to find those and create relationships and influence them and encourage them in the name of the Lord.  Jesus will be glorified here.



We all know how much I love Fireproof and how often I watch that Movie!  I am so pumped about my baseball experience and I get home ready to hop in my bed (very loosely put) and watch fireproof.  YAH RIGHT!  My computer is black and white.  So who ya gunna call?  RACHEL!  my best friend Rachel is a computer/tv/electronic genius!  So I call her.. no luck!

I decided then to call Taylor and go to bed... that didn't work out to well - we talked for an hour!  :) But he is so sweet.  I miss him so much!  But I get to see him tonight I hope that today goes fast!

So here are some things I like and I have found on different blogs!  Check them out!  I love my Google Reader Account and thanks to katisgetaway.blogspot.com  which you should all go visit - I have found some great reads!

 CUPCAKES TAKE THE CAKE!  


CLICK HERE FOR SOME GREAT CUPCAKES!

Evereyday I find the cutest most delicious cupcakes and recipes on this blog!  DIVINE!

KELLYS KORNER
HERE

This is Harper and if you are looking for some cute ideas or how to dress your kids - read this!  She is adorable. I mean just look at that shirt! 

JIMMY CHOOS AND TENNIS SHOES

HERE

kati indtroduced me to this blog.  Tara (the girl on the far right) puts up the cutest and the funnest looking dresses.  Check this funky color peacock one out!  Adorable!  and her stories are fun too!

JOY'S HOPE
HERE

this lady has the cutest little girls, a store on etsy, and every sunday puts up a wonderful verse!  It's great!!! I love reading her blog and she just had a baby boy!

FINDS ON PINTEREST!

How weird are these stuffed animal/organ dolls.  If you are a med student or just like the inside of the body - i dare you to put these on your Christmas List!  They are all the rage!  (NOT)  It's creepy... Just think about it - Hey mom this is my pet large intestine it's name is BOB.  NO!  that is so wrong!  

So I have found a place to eat breakfast and get coffee - Common Grounds.  They open at 7.  I think I am going to try and make it a ritual and they give you 20% if you bring in your own mug and leave it!  And since Lisa Stagg and her girls gave me the cutest mug during Miss Arkansas - (Below the red one) I am going to bring it in and drink from it every morning!  Oh and I can't forget my Nature Valley Bar and they have wifi - which I don't have at the house at the moment and I am dying.. 

Went by the Registrar's Office and signed up officially for classes and got my Baylor Student ID!!! WOo HOO!!  and this is the Simpson Building where I will be working.. Except for the next two crazy weeks in the Book Room.  I will post tomorrow about that- because this post is already too long and I have a lot to say about it! 

I hope you have enjoyed my post.  Taylor is on the phone so I am going to stop posting and talk to him..

Charmed to write for you

and at the moment in utter Bliss (talking to Taylor :)

Abby

Ms. Worry Wart!

Today I have really been searching the Word for a peace about troubled times.  No I am not without food, shelter or clothing - so I am more privileged and well-off than over 75% of the world.  However, my heart is not peaceful right now - I am not completely happy and I am worrying about something - which I can't tell you because I don't know what it is.

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night and been stressing out about something only to realize that you are stressing about some fight or test that was occurring in your dream? That is how I feel right now.  Am i stressing about something stupid?  Am I worrying about something non-existent... something is wrong in this picture.

So I searched the scripture with a prayerful heart - and this is what I found...

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer - Psalms 94:19

But I urge you - if you are feeling like I am... read Habakkuk - all 3 chapters!  It is amazing!
Habakkuk is completely trusting God even though God has pretty much told him that He will destroy Judah.  Here are the verses that stuck out to me:

Habakkuk 3:2,16c,18

2.  Renew them in our day, in our time make them known, in wrath remember mercy.
16c. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us
18. yet I will rejoice in the Lord - I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Habakkuk affirmed that even though life was going to be hard he would wait for the hardships and he would wait patiently on them.  I know I have said it before and I will continue to say it -

PATIENCE IS NOT MY VIRTUE>

I don't think about it, I don't do it, and I am NOT good at it.  But Habakkuk says not only is he going to wait on the protection and mercy and love of the Lord, but he is going to wait PATIENTLY on the calamity - that is the BAD STUFF! holy cow!  are you kidding me... so by canonizing this book - is God telling me that not only do I need to wait PATIENTLY on the desires of my heart but on the calamity to happen in my life?

And then 2 verses later Habakkuk says when nothing makes sense, when I don't even have the strength to continue - I will rejoice in the Lord - and be joyful in God!

I am a girl - so as you can imagine - Cinderella is someone I aspire to be.  I want to get married and have kids and be successful.  I also want to timidity that Cinderella has - let's just be honest - it's not going to happen.  However, it is a desire of mine to be married one day - hint: ONE DAY and have children.  I am learning slowly right now that I must CONSTANTLY rejoice in the LORD everyday in the little things in life - because it might not necessarily be my time right now - but if I continue to rejoice in the Lord - he will do what David talked about in Psalms 94:19 (above) He will give me comfort and a renewed hope and cheer.

None of us are completely worry free - however, God's presences gives us the comfort and the strength that we need to bounce back, sometimes not immediately, but when doubt fills our mind - God is there READY TO COMFORT US!  Today, I hope I have enouraged you to lean on God - no matter what life throws at you!  Pour your heart on Him and He will comfort you and bring you back to that Charmed Bliss!

The joy and hope of the Lord be with you always!

Abby