Ain't she a beauty...

This year, with all the Christmas festivities, my parents and I decided to wait until after our extended family dinner and travels to open each other's presents Christmas day. My cousin asked me before we left the family party if Santa had been good to me, and I replied that I had no idea, but I'm sure that he was. My mother whispered something conspiratorially in her ear, and she smiled and told me that Santa was in fact good to me.

Little did I know!

I'd been looking forward to getting snowshoes for Christmas as I had so much fun snowshoeing through Quabbin last year. I pretty much figured that's what I would get since it's the only thing I mentioned I wanted.

I did get snowshoes, and I thought that was more than enough. I never even imagined that the one kitchen item I dream about would be waiting for me underneath the tree!!!

I opened up this beauty and spent a few moments stroking it's beautiful box. When I finally brought it home and got it onto the counter, I spent a few more moments talking to it, and letting it know I was so glad to see it on on my counter. I know. I know. I'm strange. But I have a Kitchenaid Mixer. In teal. And it's all mine!

I had gotten a Barnes & Noble gift card from my aunt and uncle/Godfather on Christmas Eve so one of the first things I did was go online and purchase the cookbook I have had my eye on for a while:

Of course I was itching to make something that I could use my new mixer for so the first thing I did was make the Morning Glory Muffins that are inside the book!

The muffins I baked are made with almond flour, coconut oil, organic unsweetened coconut, carrots, apples, eggs, and craisins (changed from the recipe which called for raisins). The mixer basically did all the work for me as I put all the ingredients into the bowl and let it mix and mix until the batter was nice and creamy.

The muffins are earthy and rich, while still having a light sweet flavor. I've eaten them every day this week, and they have been very filling. I am a girl who craves protein so it was a nice protein-hearty, healthy way to start  my days this week. Please leave a message if you'd like the recipe or email me! I'd love to share. Of course, I made sure to share some of my muffins with "Santa".

Morning Glory Muffin Joy

Gold Stars, Good God

My cute cousin Melissa and I

Year after year, the new year begins, and there we have the dilemma of the New Year's resolution. Mine is always weight loss. Every new year, I think, "This is it. This will be the year." and then somehow I defeat myself with my overly high expectations and lofty goals.

That's what happened following January of 2011. From January until April there was the crazy spiral of weight loss expectations and failures, which only resulted in more eating out of frustration and need of comfort.

I went to Disney World for my 30th birthday in April with two of my cutest and skinniest friends, and was so discouraged with myself. But, I also had some time on my trip to spend learning more and more about grace, and God's deep and abiding love for me. And when I returned home, I knew that I needed to trust Him, and His goodness enough to give this area of my life over to Him. And so I do...every single day. Some days are better than others.


I joined Weight Watchers in the middle of May, and to date have lost 45 pounds. It's easy sometimes to either berate ourselves into trusting God more or get self-righteous when we have accomplished some of our goals...

so my New Year's resolution this year is to lean into my relationship with Jesus, and to continue to give Him thanks and praise for the things He helps me to do.

This year is going to be amazing. I know it. I can feel it.There's a lot more weight to lose, and a lot more to learn about Jesus.

I'm ready! Bring it on!!