Socks....

I want to hear about your experiences where the Lord has completely knocked your socks off when you were least expecting it....

I was moping today, because I'm just missing South Carolina and moving has been 

super stressful for me.

Tonight I got an email that truly lifted my spirits, and it was completely unexpected. 

Thank you Lord for loving me.

Always.

Quick Update

We.Made.It.

The drive up was not bad at all.  We barely hit any traffic, and we found an octagonal shaped Starbucks in York, PA.  All is well :)   John and I had to drive both our cars up, so we were apart for the drive, but thanks to my friend Wendi, I had the book Unbroken on CD. Great story if you haven't read it!

We got to our new apartment and unloaded our cars and then pretty much crashed at my aunt and uncle's house.  We awoke bright and early this morning to unload our POD.  If you are in the market to move, we would like to shamelessly plug PODS.  Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

A personal thank you to my mom and dad (who are the best parents ever), Joe, John C., Laura and the kids.  YOU BLESSED THE SOCKS OFF OF US!!
Also... to my friend Jenn who had a beautiful arrangement sent to our house today to say "Welcome Home".  It brought tears to my eyes.

It's 5:42, and the place actually looks like a home.....

I've been a little weepy today.  Can't believe I'm not living in South Carolina anymore.  The sun IS shining brightly here today and I am extremely grateful for that!

To my Florence friends.... you have been on my mind all day!
Miss you. Love you.

The Day Before the New Adventure

Well.. tomorrow John and I start a new adventure.  We are moving back to Pennsylvania from South Carolina due to John getting a new job.

Many people have been asking me how I am feeling about the move....
I will be completely honest...

 I have struggled with the fact of moving.  

I have really grown to love South Carolina the past 9 months that I have been down here.  It was rough at first moving to a new place, but over time I adapted and have met some wonderful people.  I also am thankful for having my in-laws close and also my best friend Jill, 2 hours away.  

I have also enjoyed the time that I have had with John down here in South Carolina.  It has been so extremely good for our marriage to be away from PA to start off. It's just  I never went away from college, never moved out of my home town and have just desperately been craving full independence.  

Looking back I enjoyed the challenge of coming to a place where no one knew me and I knew no one.  It forced me out of my comfort zone and I have met some wonderful, wonderful people.  I think I am most sad about this.  It's been said that it takes someone about 6-7 months to adapt to a new place.  I am just past that mark.  I see SOOO much potential in relationships with the people I have met down here, and it makes me sad that my time with them has been cut short.  However, I am thankful for social media and technology.  People are no more than a click away at any time.  But, I just want the people I have met down here, and you know who you are, that I appreciate you so much :)  

All that to say... I love my husband and am behind him 100%.  I wouldn't want to be moving with anyone  else :)  We know that this is where the Lord is leading us for right now... so we choose to follow.  

My baby sister...

My sister Molly got married this weekend.  It was such a lovely and fun wedding, 

with some surprises as well.

Best wishes Molly and George!!

Seriously... really good

Last week, John said to me... let's try to have a meatless Monday-Friday.  So I said "OK".  Our dinners for the week consisted of Ratatouille, Pasta with White Beans/Garlic/Spinach and

 Zucchini and Corn Quesadillas.

Yes, Zucchini and Corn Quesadillas.  

They were so good!  If you are looking for something light and healthy, check them out!  My friend had pinned them on pinterest.  I did my own thing, but you can really add whatever you want!

Corn and Zucchini Quesadillas

Adapted from “Everyday Food”

Serves 4

• 4 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
• 1 ONION, COARSELY CHOPPED
• SALT
• 4 GARLIC CLOVES, MINCED
• 2 MEDIUM ZUCCHINI (ABOUT 1 POUND), HALVED LENGTHWISE AND THINLY SLICED CROSSWISE
• 1 CUP FROZEN CORN KERNELS (4 OUNCES)
• 1/4 CUP CHOPPED FRESH CILANTRO (OPTIONAL)
• 4 FLOUR TORTILLAS (8-INCH)
• 2 CUPS GRATED PEPPER JACK CHEESE

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add onion and 1 teaspoon salt, cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, cook 1 minute more.
2. Add zucchini and frozen corn kernels, cook, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is soft and corn is tender, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in cilantro, if using.
3. Brush one side of all tortillas with remaining 1 tablespoon oil; lay 2 tortillas, oiled side down, on a baking sheet. Place half of the filling on each, and sprinkle with half the cheese. Place remaining 2 tortillas on top, oiled side up; press down gently with spatula to seal.
4. Bake until cheese has melted and tortillas are golden brown, turning once, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven; let cool slightly. To serve, slice each quesadilla into wedges.

I made mine with only zucchini, onions, corn and cheese and they were slammin'!!!!

My Southern Weakness....

Zaxby's Fried Pickles....

                         'Nuff said......

Shoe themed bridal shower

My sister is getting married in May and she LOVES shoes.

SO...for her bridal shower, we as bridesmaids decided to go with a shoe theme.  Her wedding colors are black and white, so we also ran with that as well. 

Most of the food was catered by Eliane's Catering.  

Here's some snapshots of what we accomplished:

                                                                         The Invites

 The centerpieces made by Lisa.  Black vases, with black feathers glued on and filled with white flowers.

Framed shoe pictures taken by Alison Conklin.   We put these on each of the tables.  Thanks Alison!

 Shoe cupcakes made by Trista.  LOVE THESE!!!

The Cake

The dessert table

 Favors made by yours truly.  Check out my store, 516 Madison Avenue at 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/516MadisonAvenue

My beautiful sis.