welcome to love, milk & honey.

It’s no secret now that James and I followed his call into the ministry and now reside in a small town in Central Texas and have the sincere privilege of serving a wonderful church and their youth group.  Our life now is drastically different than it was 7 months ago.  On any given day you will find me with a house full of students, no makeup, piled up laundry, just dance 3 blaring on the xbox, and the biggest smile you could imagine on my face.  It’s a crazy life but it’s ours and I love it.  

Being someone who craves intentional time with my husband and recharges best when I’m alone with a bit of quiet and a hot earl grey, the constant chaos has made me extremely aware of the importance of setting boundaries when it comes to time and sticking to them.  I learned quite quickly that if James and I weren’t pouring into ourselves, we would have nothing to give to the students we are called to serve.  I become crabby and James, well, he just hibernates.

You may not have 10 youth over at your house on a regular basis but I’m wiling to bet you each have something that consumes you.  Hear me when I say that the things that consume you may not always be bad… we love our youth like crazy and hanging out with them is a blast… but when the only time I saw my husband without someone else in the room was in the morning before he left and at night when we finally head to bed and the only alone time I got was when I was in the shower…too much of a good thing became a bad thing.  It could be a job, a hobby, a friendship, an in-law (oh yes, I went there), your children, or even the T.V.  Whatever it is, it’s time to claim ownership of it and be sure that you are the one determining the boundaries instead of the other way around.

Take time this week to make yourself aware of where your time is most spent then measure it up against your priorities.  If they don’t mesh, make some changes.  Harness that schedule of yours, set some healthy boundaries and then… breath a sigh of relief.

I’ve started this post so very many times and really feel that I don’t quite know if I have the words to sum up 2011 and usher in 2012.  2011 held many, many things for me… some good, some not as good and some truly remarkable.  I feel I learned more about marriage and the meaning of friendship than I ever could have expected in a years time.  I’ve also moved, ended one part of my business and have begun planning another part.  I’ve seen my husband step into a role he’s been working towards since we were both teenagers,  and made some changes to this dear little blog of mine.  I’ve cried lots of tears, laughed until I cried some more, celebrated new life, grieved through deaths and hugged lots of hugs.  Been angry, excited, frustrated, elated, hurt and healed.  But beyond it all, and as cliche as it sounds, through it all I’ve learned that I really do live an incredibly blessed life.

I have no doubt 2012 will hold many more experiences and through it all, I want to have the perspective that I have right now.  I feel like I’ve just gotten a brand new journal and I opened the cover to begin writing a whole new chapter of my story.  A chapter dedicated to servanthood and love.

In 2012, I’ve resolved to work on a few things in particular.  I want to be a much better homemaker than I currently am.  I’m a firm believer that a healthy home environment is vital so I’ll be working to figure out a system to manage our house well so that we can enjoy it as much as possible.  I want to spend more time on working towards professional goals and figure out how to integrate it into our wonderfully busy life.  And I want to be much better at preserving memories of the everyday.  Whether it’s through instagram, journaling, or blogging I’d love to be able to look back and see more about the details of our journey through the year.

So, enough of the sharing it’s time for DOING!  Here’s to grabbing hold of this new year and making it the absolute best it can be.

Love to you all!

xo,

Lauren

I woke early this morning… much like I did when I was little and waiting on Santa.  So, I made my way to the living room, stopped by the tree and turned the lights on then settled in with my pups for a little morning snuggle on the couch before getting ready for church.

My quiet morning made me think of one of my favorite Christmas carols, Silent Night. I can hardly imagine what Mary must have felt after she had Jesus.  After the visitors left and the tiredness of labor started to settle in…and she was left with nothing but her thoughts and the quiet.  I hope she treasured that first night with Jesus.  Knowing he wasn’t hers to keep but most certainly hers to hold… at least for that moment.

I’m  so grateful that Mary trusted the Holy Spirit, I’m grateful that Joseph listened to what seemed impossible and believed, and I am so very glad I know Jesus Christ.

I wish all of you the most blessed Christmas.  I am certainly grateful for you being so kind to read my blog and be a part of a community that cares about marriage.  I hope today finds you surrounded by people you love, yummy food, presents, and most of all, the spirit of Christmas.

love, lauren

header image source via Pinterest

Raise your hand if packing for Holiday travel literally makes you want to curl up in a ball in the corner of the room and nurse a ginger ale… excellent… I knew I wasn’t the only one.  Friends, I have a solution and it comes in the form of a brilliant brunette named Annette!  Annette is no stranger to this blog (you all love her accessories posts) so I figured she’d be the best one to ask to share some holiday fashion wisdom for us this week as we all work to get our suitcases packed and head out to brave the chill all in the name of Christmas Cheer.

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Hello Everyone,

I’m so excited to do a guest post for the holidays! 2011 has flown by for me and I am looking forward to 2012 with anticipation. During this season there are usually lots of parties, traveling, and time with family. My post will focus on Holiday travels and events. So here we go.

When it comes to traveling whether it is by car, plane, or boat (I’d love to hear if this is your method) the main thing to keep in mind is comfort. Do not travel in high heels and an uncomfortable outfit. Do wear layers that you can take on or off as needed during your trip. Start with a basic pant or legging that is not too tight. Then wear a comfortable undershirt whether a plain T or long sleeve T. Add a cardigan and scarf and you are ready to go! Pack a bag with gloves, necessary toiletries, and even a change of clothes in case your flight gets delayed or traffic holds you back. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes for walking through an airport. You can still look put together, but don’t have to sacrifice comfort.

With so many outfits out there for your holiday parties I’ve got some simple tips to get you started. My first thought as always is comfort. Many clothes out there right now are way too low cut, tight, short, and unflattering to most body shapes. So I’m going to recommend what I feel looks best on women of all shapes and sizes J

Start with a dress that is not too short. You will feel more comfortable walking around in it all night.  Something not too far above the knee will be appropriate for most all occasions. An a-line dress is flattering to most all figures. Ladies, it conceals the hips and allows you to move freely while enhancing your waist. Tights are a sure way to cover up any leg imperfections and they now come in all colors and patterns.

When you are picking a dress go for texture, sparkle, and comfort. Feminine details such as lace, sleeves, ribbons, and color details are sure to make your outfit stand out without screaming for attention. I love to pair a soft dress with a strong jacket.

Shoes can make a statement during the holiday season. Here is the only place I give in a little when it comes to comfort. I love a pretty shoe. Add a colored heel to spice up your outfit, wear closed toed shoes with dresses, and peep toe with pants.  I’ve put together 6 examples to give you an idea for different holiday occasions from a formal dinner party to a date night.

If you don’t have a specific party or event to go to this year I suggest you pick one day to do a date night with you husband, boyfriend, or girlfriends. It’s fun to get dressed up! Grab your favorite pair of heels and dress and go out. It’s that time of year J my last tip when celebrating this season is to keep the accessories and makeup balanced. If you go for a smoky eye, go with nude lips. Big necklace, small earrings. Don’t over do it. It’s about letting your natural beauty shine through. If you go overboard it won’t look like your normal self and you are likely to feel awkward and uncomfortable.

I wish you all an amazing holiday season! Enjoy every moment you get to share with family. Don’t take anything for granted. Most of all take time to give back to those who don’t have much this season.

Until next time!

Annette Roxy

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   Hopefully your packing sighs have turned into sighs of relief now that Annette has helped you in the wardrobe department.  I know I feel better!  Thanks so much to Annette for taking time during the holidays to help us out with our wardrobe woes.  Merry Christmas week everyone!

**WINNER**

The Winner of the Sea Lillie giveaway is MICHELLE!!  Her Special beach memory was so fun!  ::

Michelle: When I lived near the beach, my sisters, mom, and I would sometimes go down on the first day of school and, since we were homeschooled, do our school work there. For some reason we didn’t get much work done ;)

Congratulations, Michelle!  Send me an email to lauren{at}lovemilkandhoney{dot}com to claim your prize!

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As I’m sure you can tell, we have the best sponsors here on love, milk & honey and Sea Lillie is no different.  They are fairly new on the scene here at love, milk & honey but I have undoubtedly fallen quite quickly in love with both Kaela & Nicole and their lovely jewelry.  Their blog is a must read in my book as they share endearing thoughts from their everyday lives and what it is that inspires them to do what they do.  Today I have a special treat for those of you who are looking for the perfect gift to put the finishing touch on your Christmas shopping! Our friends at Sea Lillie are giving away one of their Aqua Nautilus Necklaces to one of you, dear bloggie friends!

Here’s a bit about the peice:

Aquamarine Nautilus Necklace in Sterling Silver – 22 inches

“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach – waiting for a gift from the sea.” -Anne Morrow Lindbergh

This gorgeous nautilus seashell is adorned with an aquamarine briolette. The pair dangle from a sterling silver chain. This beauty measures 22 inches long.

It happened.  I don’t know how…maybe it’s the fact that when James smiles and says please I still go weak at the knees, or maybe because I’ve been wearing cowboy boots a lot since we moved to the country or maybe I was a little curious about what all this hunting stuff is about.  Whatever it was, it prodded me to wake up at 5 this morning, suit up in at least 6 layers of clothing (the top layer being camo) and trudge out to a deer blind with my loverboy in the freezing cold.

We didn’t see a thing all morning but we had a lot of fun.  Sometimes it’s worth doing things that you aren’t quite sure about or that may not be within your comfort zone for the man who has your heart.  James was overjoyed that I ventured into his world this morning and let him share something he loves with me.  Take a chance to do that this week, ladies.  You never know, it could be fun! :)

And just for a little proof, the header image is a fun instagram taken at about 5:30 this morning… what on earth has gotten into me.

Hi friends!  Happy Monday!  I woke up this morning still feeling full from all the scrumptiousness we had at the Tacky Sweater party we put on for the youth last night.  (I’ll share pictures as soon as I find my camera cord!)  I think the biggest hit of the night was all the food…or maybe it was the white elephant gifts…or the plethora of absolutely hideous sweaters…or just maybe it was the fact that cramming 30ish people into my tiny living room is pretty fun!  Anyway…Last night after everyone left, I headed to the food table to take stock of how many storage containers I needed to get out to store all the leftovers.  I couldn’t help but chuckle when all I needed was one… the smallest one I had.  That means it was a great party! :)  A couple of the recipes I used were found through the amazingness that is Pinterest so I figured, why not keep the party going and share with you guys what our perfect party menu turned out to be!! I know a lot of you are prepping for those soon-to-come holiday parties and may need a few more munchies.  So grab a few of these and be sure to come back next week when I share one of the recipes from the party that’s been made every Christmas in my family for as long as I can remember.

Happy Holiday Cooking!

From Pinterest ::

Hot Corn Dip via Gina Marie’s Kitchen

Parmesan Knots via Real Mom Kitchen

 From the Store ::

Hot Wings

(always a crowd pleaser!)

From Tastefully Simple ::

Warm Spinach and Artichoke dip

(if you have not become well acquainted with Tastefully Simple yet… you are missing out!  They rule my kitchen!)

From my Family’s Recipes and coming soon to the blog::

Homemade Peanut Butter Bars

Wassail (spiced cider)

Brown Sugar little smokies

Do you guys have any favorites to serve or munch on at Holiday Parties?  Weigh in!  I’d love to hear and share some of your favorites!!

I feel that recently God has been implementing several lessons into my life.  Throughout the bumpy roller coaster that is life , one thing has been evident:  I am to find my joy in Him.  Not in my accomplishments, my friendships or my self but in Him.  Sure, all the other things can add to it but ultimately, if my joy is not rooted in Christ then it is inconsistent and wavering.

Now, joy is a funny thing.  For a long time I confused happiness as joy.. as in, this ice cream makes me so joyful!  Happiness is definitely a by-product of joy but, for me, joy is deeper.  It’s an inner emotion that feels a little like peace, a lot like satisfaction, and even more like contentment.  It’s like that moment in the movie when the girl sees her loverboy across the battle field and she walks to him all slow motion like while things are whizzing and buzzing and blowing up all around.  Her eyes are locked on his so none of the mayhem matters…it’s merely background noise.  This is NOT where I plug a shirt that says “Jesus is my loverboy” or anything like that so don’t worry.  But, it’s been my experience lately that if I keep my eyes, thoughts, and heart focused on Christ, the frustrating and exhausting situations I’m in seem to lose value.  They still must be managed and handled but compared to the joy I’ve found in my faith and the weight that eternity holds, they pale and I gain perspective.

No matter what situations you are facing today, I urge you to take time to root yourself and your joy in Christ.  His sovereignty is enough to move mountains so I’m certain he can handle your day-to-day too.

I’ve spent a large part of my conversations during the last month talking about how ready I was for cool weather to be here.  Ready for the leaves to change colors, ready for the cool breeze, ready for the change of season marking that we were that much closer to the holidays.  I quickly learned that there was most definitely a difference between being ready and being prepared.  I could be ready for something to come but, like 2 weeks ago, when the high dropped into the 50′s and I have not unpacked my fall/winter clothes since our move, I don’t have the blankets down and our electric fireplace isn’t even plugged in… I was no where near prepared.  I asked for it, I wanted it, but I didn’t trust that God would be faithful to hear my desires and prepare for Him to bless me.  How often do I do this in other areas of my life?  It doesn’t do me any good if I don’t prepare for the things I so earnestly desire because should they come along, I will be completely incapable of enjoying them to their fullest.

When was the last time you said, “I am just so ready for things to slow down.”  or  ”I’m so stressed I never get a free moment.”  Only to find yourself scheduling something on the one free Saturday you had on the calendar for months because you just couldn’t say no.  Think God didn’t have other plans for that Saturday for you?  If we don’t  truly PREPARE to receive blessings, we won’t.  We will let the opportunity to sleep in or the opportunity to take an afternoon for ourselves and our spouse give way to an obligation.  Or, even worse, we are in the midst of a blessing but have cluttered ourselves with so much that we don’t even recognize it.

As this crisp weather blows in and we begin to enjoy the joy of the holiday season, take time to prepare your self for all the blessings that can go right along with this beautiful time of year.  Read this post, take a moment to breathe and soak in all the things you might have missed.  Thank God for them and then prepare yourself for blessings… whether they come as raindrops, mornings off, a cool breeze, a chat with a friend, a good cup of coffee (or tea), a donut with sprinkles, a stunning sunset, or just the opportunity to be still.

Be blessed, friends.

Header image via Rebecca Cash, Captivating Photography

Happy Thursday everyone!  I can’t believe this time next week we will be gathered around friends and family eating, watching football and plotting out our Black Friday routes.  Don’t judge… you know you do it too. :)  But enough about next week, today I’ve got the recipe for the perfect chilly day/ carb lover.  Calzones!!!

Alright, before I get down into the nitty gritty of the recipe I have to be honest and let you guys know that the first time I made this, I TOTALLY botched it.  We are talking like beautiful outside but doughy inside.  Yea… ew.  So, I’ve added a few pointers along the way to make sure you don’t end up with the same mess I did.  Ok, on we go…

If you haven’t grabbed the shopping list, get it here::

First things first, set your bread out to rise.  You can use the loaves like I used or the frozen Rhodes rolls would work perfectly to create smaller more kid friendly calzones.  They need to rise between 3 – 5 hours so set them out on your lunch break and you should have some perfectly risen bread by dinner time.  

Again, you have to excuse my terrible picture taking but just look at those buns! hehe… couldn’t resist the pun.

Now, here comes the fun part.  Remember all along the way with this recipe that PAM is your friend.  Not Pam down the street, Pam in the can.  Got me?  Alright… grab some wax paper or foil and set it out on your countertop now, let it get REAL acquainted with your friend Pam or else that bread you just let rise half a day will become the stickiest substance ever. in your life. amen.

This next part is where I went wrong so listen up… if you let your bread rise as long as I did and it’s as big as mine was, make 2 calzones out of each loaf.  If you only needed two tonight still go ahead and make the other load into two more, wrap them in that foil you have laid out with Pam all over it and, voila!  You have an easy dinner for a couple of weeks down the road.

On to the stuffing!  Take your dough and set it on the foil or wax paper you laid out.  Split it apart with your fingers until you have a big enough space to fill it with lots of goodies.  Melt your butter and add your garlic to it, use a silicone brush or your fingers or the spout of the measuring cup it’s all in to spread some over the dough where you are about to put your toppings.  Put a good layer of marinara sauce in there, then get to stuffing!  We chose big chunks of mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and ham.

Now, all that’s left to do is pinch your bread back shut, place it seam side down in the PAM soaked pan, drizzle more garlic butter on the top and bake it on 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  If you are cooking a smaller calzone, adjust your time and just watch for the top to get a good golden brown color and the bread to be done all the way through.  If you are wanting to freeze the extras, place the calzone pinched seam down and wrap it tightly in pam sprayed foil and place it in the freezer.  When you are ready to get it out and cook it, let it thaw just a bit, pull the foil off, and give it an hour or two to rise then bake it just like you did the fresh ones.

Should end up looking a little something like this:

Yum!  Let me know what you thought when you made your calzones!  What did you stuff it with?