In the Baking Mood

Yet another gorgeous, breezy day. I love when the weather transitions. Not only does it make for some yummy thunderstorms, but I love any excuse to change up what I've been stuck in a rut wearing lately in favor of a different temperature.
I just love this little girl's jumper I found in an old house I was exploring over a decade ago. I loved it then and I still love it (even though it isn't a dress for me anymore...). It has the ability to make me look like a huge tent, but I don't care. I love how flowy it is and how free and breezy I feel in it! Not to mention the earthy mix of colors.

Have any of you ever made homemade tortillas? I make the ALL THE TIME and I simply refuse to eat storebought tortillas now. They taste so much better and I'm betting are healthier for you too! Here is my recipe (originally from one of my best friends, but I modified it slightly :) )

Flour Tortillas:
2 cups Flour
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1 Tbs Shortening (I use saved bacon grease-gives a richer flavor!)
3/4 cup water.

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in the bacon grease with a fork until it is well distributed and mixture is crumbly. Add water and knead until it is a relatively smooth dough (it will seem dry at first, but will set together as it sits). Break dough into small balls (golf ball size is usually good) and roll out to desired size/thickness with a rolling pin. You will need to add extra bits of flour so they do not stick.
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Fry tortillas one at a time until golden brown. Will keep in a plastic bag in fridge for up to a week. Makes about 10 tortillas.

Sean eat these things for EVERY MEAL people. Egg and avocado wraps for breakfast, crispy chicken wraps for lunch, and tacos for supper! haha. I'm kidding in the sense that we usually don't eat them for every meal all in one day...although that doesn't sound like a terrible idea ;)!

yummmmm.....

Sean has work off tomorrow! I'm insanely excited that I get to spend part of the day with him home :) We have plans to walk to get a sweet treat and coffee in the morning, go for a bike ride, and have a nice lunch (with tortillas of course ;) ).

God Bless all!
KJA

John 14:23
Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.”

Wearing:
Little Girl's Jumper- Vintage
Sweater- Charlotte Russe
Jeggings- Macy's
Shoes- Target
Glasses- Zenni Optical

Simple

This is a really simple, not very exciting ensemble. Nothing is vintage and all of the pieces are really old! But this is what I wore to work today :) The weather was absolutely gorgeous and in the 70's so it was a lovely day for a simple skirt! I got these shoes for a dollar a few summers ago and I kind of think they make me look like a roman soldier...but they were great for playing with the kiddos today!

I spent my morning making TONS of zucchini bread. I got a huge zucchini from a friend's garden and just went to town! I made 1 large normal loaf, 8 mini loaves, and one cake of zucchini bread. Whew! It is even more delicious than I imagined. Like a cross between banana and pumpkin bread. I had trouble grating the zucchini though...I ended up pureeing it instead of grating it, which I think I liked better because it gave the bread a more velvety texture.
I also tried two different recipes, and I cannot decide which I liked better! Here are the links to the recipes I used: Recipe 1, Recipe 2.

One of the yummy mini loaves!

Happy Wednesday everyone!
God Bless,
KJA


1 Peter 3:3-4
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

Wearing:
Top- Charlotte Russe
Skirt- Shopko
Shoes- Payless
Earrings- Vendor at corn fest

Gary, I am glad you liked the color mint green in the 80's when you bought this shirt ;)

Well, the long weekend is over! I have to say though I actually didn't mind going back to work today! That's a good sign that I really like my job right now :) When I was in school and during student teaching I dreaded going back to work/school. But now I'm excited to get back into the swing of things and I don't stay up all night worrying about the next day of life anymore- that's a good feeling! I feel like I'm settling into a pretty good routine now and that makes me so happy :)

Today was a running errands day. I went all around town trying not to suffocate while getting back in my car-I'm so excited for the nicer weather forcasted for the coming week! It was in the high 90's today and the rest of the week is supposed to be in the 70's- Thank goodness!
I'm also excited for it to cool down because I have some goodies that need to be baked and I really don't enjoy heating up the oven on sweltering hot days. I have a giant zucchini that we got from a friend's garden and I would love to try my hand at making zucchini bread for the first time! I love it so much. I'm going to try and convince Sean of it's deliciousness but no guarantees there!



ps: are you sick of this bag yet? I'm certainly not! I take it everywhere with me...I found it's black counterpart at the thrift store the other day for only 5 dollars! I need to pull that one out once fall and winter approach (hopefully not too soon!).

God Bless all!
KJA

2 Timothy 1:13-14
Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

Wearing:
Necklace- Rummage Sale
Bag- Coach
Shoes- Kohl's
Dress- Charlotte Russe
Polo- Vintage, belonged to my stepfather! I stole it :)

I Want to Ride My Bicycle

Let's just take a moment to talk about how awesome bicycles are. I FINALLY got a bicycle to ride around town on! I had one growing up, but I didn't ride it while in college and it kind of broke down in my absence. I knew I wanted a vintage looking bike, but it had to be functional as well, complete with at least three speeds. Sean and I looked around online and in stores all around town and finally found the one for me at (of all places) Walmart! It is a Schwinn Clairmont in a sky blue color with peacock feathers adorning it. I bought a sweet, white basket which I can take into the grocery store to do my shopping and I've already run many errands around town on this bike. I LOVE it. I makes me feel good that I'm getting more exercise as well as saving gas. I hope the weather stays nice for a very long time so that I can continue to ride it until December! haha. It also has gears with 7 speeds so it is nice for working out on the trails too-perfection!

Here was my sweet treat after my morning bike ride-some melon in a vintage dessert cup from my grandmother's house!





It got a little warm today to be wearing a hat and cardigan, but I couldn't resist going with a completely vintage look on this bicycle...so fun!

God Bless, and happy Labor Day!
KJA

Isaiah 48:17
This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.”

Wearing:
Hat- Old Navy
Cardigan,Dress,Shoes- Target
Bag- Coach
Belt- Vintage
Bicycle- Schwinn

White Eyelet

Taking it easy this weekend, hanging out with friends and spending a little time at the Lifelight music festival-which I am so proud to say is in my hometown! I love lifelight. Free concerts by some of my favorite bands and fabulous fellowship? What could be better?! I also got to see Phil Joel and Peter Furler together on stage again...aahhh made me feel like a giddy little kid! I knew all the songs and belted my heart out- and even did a little jumping around in the mosh pit!

My gorgeous mama bought me this dress! I've worn it a couple more times, but didn't get pictures because of some reason or another. I thought it was perfect for church this morning with a little shawl for the morning chill! No chill in the air right now though, the high is 97 degrees!
Thanks mama for the lovely dress! :D

God Bless and enjoy your labor day!
KJA

Isaiah 40:31
But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Wearing:
Earrings- Vintage
Bag- Coach
Dress- A gift from my lovely mama :)
Shoes- Thrifted on the dollar rack
Belt- Vintage
Scarf- Charlotte Russe