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Numbers 35:26-27

"But if the manslayer goes out of the boundary of his city of refuge to which he fled and the avenger of blood finds him outside the boundary of his city of refuge and slays the manslayer, he has no bloodguilt."


As mentioned at Numbers 35:26-27 in ancient Israel the manslayer had to flee to one of the cities of refuge for protection. And once they lived there, they had to stay within the city's limits. Today, Jehovah has provided us with protection, so like that Israelite, we can't leave his protection. We don't even want to get too close to the edge. To stay safe, we need to avoid developing any love for the world in our heart. This will call for a lot of prayer and effort, but our lives depend on it. 


Bible Highlights-Numbers 33-36

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Key Keepsake

Recently, my parent's sold my childhood home. It was such a great house to grow up in! While I  am sad to see someone else's car parked in that drive way, I am happy my parents have the freedom now to go where ever they want.

The saddest part was taking that key off my keyring. That was the first key I ever needed! I remember having it hang off my back pack in elementary school.
I wanted to do something with the key, because I just couldn't throw it away.
I've seen a few 'key' projects on Pinterest, so I set out to make a keepsake for my key. 

I loved the projects that had a framed map of your street with the key on top. I could not find a map! I didn't want to buy a map, and Google maps just looked bad. I even tried Google street-view to see if I could use a picture of the house. When I searched, I was inspired by the GPS coordinates!
 So, instead of a map, I just used scrapbook paper as the background, scribbled out the coordinates in a metallic pen, and hot glued the key. I tied a hemp ribbon around the key for an accent. And then I put it in a shabby chic frame I had in the closet. So this project was FREE. (Love that!) 

Here are a few other ideas for a background:
-Your House Number
-A Map
-A Photo of the House
-A Dictionary Page (Home, Family, etc)
-Your Monogram 

What would you use as a background for your key?


Key Keepsake

Monday, September 29, 2014

Picture Day
We are taking family portraits next weekend, and I am trying to pick an outfit! I think this is the winner:


Can you tell those are purple pants?

Oxford Shirt: American Eagle (similar)
Dark Plum Pants: American Eagle
Leopard Ballet Flats: American Eagle (sensing a pattern here)
Necklace: Walt Disney World gift shop!
Nails: Covergirl Lavendure (discontinued)
& My Fitbit Flex makes an appearance! 

OOTD

Sunday, September 28, 2014



In a large baking dish assemble sandwiches: 

1 package halved Hawaiian Rolls
1 lb sliced deli ham
1 lb sliced Swiss cheese 
(I used 1 slice cheese and 2 slices of ham on each roll)

In a mixing bowl whisk the following:

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 
2 tablespoons mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter 
1 teaspoon onion powder 

Pour sauce over buns. Cover, and marinate for 2-4 hours.
 When ready bake for 15 minutes at 350*, uncovered. 
Makes 12 sliders.


Unfortunately we have attended so many funerals this year. This recipe is a crowd pleaser, and so easy to get ready ahead of time. I like to assemble the sandwiches the night before, marinate them in the morning, and quickly throw them in the oven before a funeral. These sliders would make a great appetizer for any event, not just the sad ones! 

Funeral Sandwiches

Saturday, September 27, 2014


I am always looking for good shows to binge on! Last year we cut our cable to save money, so we are crazy about Netflix! 
One show I wasn't expecting to love so much is Call of the Midwife. 
Seasons 1-3 are available on Netflix.
My thoughts are right in line with this Buzzfeed article

Call of the Midwife is based on Jennifer Worth's Memoirs. It is about a group of midwives working in the East End of London in the 1950's. The midwives are all very different, but they have such great chemistry. I love Chummy. She started out as comic relief, but quickly became one of the best parts of the show.
The births are so stressful! They are beautiful and nerve wracking. Midwifery is so impressive. I am utterly fascinated with birth. I think I teared up during every single one. 
& the costumes! I love period pieces because of the fabulous clothes. Trixie's hair cut in season 3 is fabulous. 

I can't help but think of my Grandmother when I watch this show. Mimi would have been the same age as Jenny, and I think they look alike in old photos that I have seen of her. Makes me miss her...but also I really enjoyed thinking of her. 

Watch it! You won't regret it. 

What have you been binge watching? 




Call Of The Midwife

Friday, September 26, 2014



Serves 6-8
Inspired by: thecozyapron.com
In your food processor combine:
2 15 oz cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
1 tbs lemon zest
the juice of 1 lemon
1 tbs water
1 tsp sea salt
2 cloves minced garlic
Process until well combined, scraping the sides occasionally. Then add 1/2 cup olive oil slowly while the processor is running. Process until completely smooth. 
Spoon into serving dish, and drizzle with olive oil. Top with a sprinkle of cuminpaprika andoregano
Serve with pita, veggies or crackers! 
Refrigerate leftovers (although there won’t be any!)
We have been obsessed with hummus lately! I love the Publix deli hummus, and we were buying 2 packages a week. This is such an amazing recipe, and is so much better than store bought. The lemon really is the key ingredient on this one, it is so fresh and zesty. 

Classic Lemon Hummus

Thursday, September 25, 2014


Midweek Meeting Outfit

Mint Gingham Shirt- J Crew
Grey Pencil Skirt- Ann Taylor
Statement Necklace- Target
Nails- Essie Watermelon
No Pictured-Nude Shoes- Ann Taylor

I love this effortless look. Comfortable, modest, and classic. 
What did you wear today?

OOTD

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

My 30 second Bible Highlight's comment this week: 


Numbers 32:12
"except Caleb, the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Josuha, the son of Nun, because they have followed Jehovah wholeheartedly." 


At Numbers 32:12 we read that Joshua and Caleb were exemplary in serving Jehovah wholeheartedly. If we also want to maintain our heart health we must: nourish it with Spiritual food, exercise it by exerting ourselves in the ministry, and by staying in a healthy environment of good association. Like Joshua and Caleb we will have divine support if we are loyal and serve Jehovah with our whole heart. 


Read the Bible for free on JW.org

Bible Highlights-Numbers 30-32

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Banana Bread Cupcakes


Preheat Oven to 350*

With a mixer combine: 

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup mashed bananas
1 & 1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Optional: 1 cup mini chocolate chips

Line a cupcake tin. Fill each cup 1/2 full and bake for 15-20 minutes. I iced with a simple store bought cream cheese icing. 
This is my go-to cupcake recipe! They are so easy and taste so good! 

Banana Bread Cupcakes

Monday, September 22, 2014



What a fun weekend! On Saturday I left Blake at home with the pug, and headed for Tallahassee! As natives of Tallahassee we are naturally Seminole fans! My brother also just started FSU this year. Blake is a Gator fan, so it was so nice to be around fellow Noles. My dad scored tickets and a premo parking spot in the booster lot. (Tailgating!) 

My brother won a corn hole set in a sign contest with ESPN's College Game Day, so we got to play while we waited for the game to start. Beer, wings, and college football = a magical combination
The FSU/Clemson game is a pretty big game. Usually the winner goes on to the national championship game, and as FSU was the National Champ last year there was a lot of pressure to win. 
Side note: Jameis Winston...he is a mess. A great football player, but a mess. It must have been torture for him to sit on the sidelines and watch-because our 2nd string quarterback was struggling. The defense really won that game. 
I don't know that much about football, but I really had a good time! The crowd was so riled up. We didn't sit down the entire game. My voice was cracking at the end because of all the cheering and tomahawk chopping! And when FSU won, the roar was deafening! 
The game ended at 12:30 and I didn't go to sleep until 2. Sunday is the only day I can sleep in, and of course my body promptly wakes me up at 6 am. (Hate that) 


Who do you cheer for? 

Weekend Roundup

Sunday, September 21, 2014


I love having people in my house! When you are staying with someone else, there are things that just make your stay a little more like home. I want my guests to feel comfortable! 
Here are a few things that help make the perfect guest room:

-Layers of Linen
Everyone is different. In the summer I barely sleep with a sheet, and this morning I woke up with all the pillows on the floor. In winter, I love being all bundled up. On our guest bed we have 2 sets of pillows(one set firm, one set soft), sheets, down comforter, and a throw blanket. That way your guests have options to make them comfortable.
-Alarm Clock
-Cleaned Flat Surfaces
Your guests bring stuff with them, and it will be nice for them to have some space to empty their pockets.
-Mirror
-Waste Basket
-Visible Power Outlets
We all have phones that need charging! 
-Lamp
-Towels and Washcloths
-Hooks To Hang Towels
-Closet Space
Throw in a few extra empty hangers. 
-Snack Basket!
Many times your guests will go without something just to be nice. A basket of snacks helps you help themselves. Nothing worse than getting up for a glass of water in an unfamiliar kitchen in the dark.
I usually include things like: 
Water Bottles
Almonds or Mixed Nuts
Chocolate
Gum

-Wifi Password
This is such a great freebieI have it framed in our guest room with the password written in dry erase marker. 
-Extra House Key
 Give your guests a little freedom! 

Leave a comment below: How do you make your guests feel more at home? 

The Perfect Guest Room

Saturday, September 20, 2014



We are pug people! In front of our bed Blake and I have a storage ottoman. (This one from Target) The real reason it is there is so that Delly, our 3 year old pug, can jump up on our bed. Needless to say, this poor ottoman has been scratched and torn. It was starting to look really bad. I had searched and searched for the perfect solution. I looked at other ottomans and benches...and found out that they are very expensive! And to pay a lot of money for something that is inevitably going to get pug hair all over it just didn't appeal to me...

So! I thought Duh! I can just recover it. Last year Blake and I made a headboard for our guest room, and that ended up being pretty easy-so how hard could this be? 

Here is how I did it. 
What you need: 
-1 yard of fabric 
-Fabric scissors
-Loaded Staple Gun
-Screwdriver
  • Start by removing the lid of the ottoman. Don't lose your screws! 
  • I did not remove the existing fabric. I was too scared because it was faux leather and didn't want to ruin it.
  • Iron your fabric. Decide what direction you want the pattern to go in. Measure the length, width, and depth of the cushion. Add a few inches for wiggle room. Trim the fabric to the desired size.
  • I laid out the fabric on our dining room table. Lay the top of the ottoman on the fabric (which will be upside down). 
  • Pull the fabric tightly and begin stapling the edge of the fabric to the cushion. I began with one of the long sides, and then the opposite long side. Keep pulling the fabric tightly. When you get to the corners act like you are gift wrapping. 
  • Cut any excess fabric, especially near where it screws to the bottom of the ottoman. Reattach! 
Before
After
I love how it turned out! It isn't so pretty underneath the lid, but who cares!
The hardest part was picking out the fabric. We have a patterned duvet cover, and I have never been good at mixing patterns. I decided to go with this one from fabric.com. I love fabric.com! I bought this fabric for that headboard I mentioned. 
I love that I saved my family hundreds, spent $10 and it seriously only took me 1 hour to do this project. 
What do you think? What is your best DIY?

DIY Ottoman Reupholster

Friday, September 19, 2014


I go through music so quickly! 
It is funny-after hearing a song so many times on the radio, I am so over it. But, I can listen certain old songs on repeat for days!
I try to run a few days a week, and I must have good music to help me get through it. 
Here is a quick playlist of my current favorite running songs! 

What are you listening to? 

Running Playlist-September 2014

Thursday, September 18, 2014


After School Boy Blazer & Take It Outside

I love Essie Nail Polish! I can completely justify spending $8 on a bottle.
 I just added 'After School Boy Blazer' and 'Take It Outside' to my collection. 
I love these colors for fall. Okay, so here in Florida it is a breezy 90 degrees outside, but I really can't wait for cooler weather! You just have so many more outfit options in the fall. (scarves!) 
Take It Outside is the perfect neutral. It is like the 'greige' paint color we are seeing all over Pinterest. 
After School Boy Blazer is definitely a dark color. It is a deep navy blue. I adore navy blue-anytime I shop, I am just drawn toward anything navy. It has its own gravitational pull! 
ASBB is actually a really difficult color to paint. You do not have much room for a mistake. (I may or may not have a small navy blue stain on my living room carpet....) 
Essie polish seem to go on smoother to me and than most polishes. 
I used to get my nails done regularly, but since money is a little tighter these days I am actually getting better at painting my nails myself. 

What are your favorite nail polish colors? 
And how fun would it be to be a nail polish namer? 

After School Boy Blazer & Take It Outside


Hello!

Hi friends! I'm Kristen, and this is the Life and Style of an early 30's Floridian living the Best Life Ever, with her husband and three pugs. Runner | Avid Reader | Small Shop Owner

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