we had snow!

We've been waiting all winter for a little bit of snow and this past weekend it finally happened!

It went from this...

    to this...

(in just a matter of thirty minutes)

It was absolutely beautiful and peaceful and white - for a little while at least. 

This was also Nola's first snow and she was a bit unsure about all this white stuff. She was quite fun to watch. She would prance around trying to avoid it and then all of a sudden, she would take off in a full run around the back yard, diving into it - oh, silly girl! 

So now that we've had some snow and Nola has had lots of fun, bring on Spring and warm weather!

thoughts from today...

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 
Ephesian 5:1-2

spring is coming!?!

I woke up to this sweet flower - our first daffodil of the year!!!

Ahhh, Spring is right around the corner!!!

and my hubby is simply amazing...

Celebrating Mardi Gras!

It's Mardi Gras time!!

And you all know what that means, right?

 KING CAKE! 

The first year that I was living in Spartanburg and not in NOLA anymore {tear!}, I actually ordered my King Cake online and paid a ridiculous amount of money for that yummy goodness to be shipped over dry ice to me; however, since then I've come to my senses a bit, and I've been on a mission to make my own and try to recreate that "amazingness". While the few that I have made have been good - nothing is quite like a Gambino's or Randazzo's King Cake!  But -it will do, until I can get back to New Orleans during Mardi Gras season and get a real one! 

My favorite is a plain cream cheese filled King Cake but I've always been a wee-bit scared of trying my hand at making a filling. This year though, I got a bit braver. I found a new recipe online over at A Gilt Nutmeg, and it's pretty good except all the cream cheese filling wanted to ooze out the middle and sides, which honestly has probably more to do with the baker than the recipe.  While it was good - it wasn't quite there - but then again, I'm not sure anything compares to a "real" King Cake! 

Hope you enjoy & Happy Mardi Gras! 

thoughts from today...

 Keep your mind on the present journey,

enjoying My presense.

Walk by faith,

not by sight,

trusting me to open up the way before you. 

Jesus Calling