Wishing it was Fall Already

I really have been wishing for some cooler weather. I have had enough of this heat; not to mention the drought. A little rain sure would be nice and the 5 seconds or rain we got on Monday while I was still sleeping does not could in my book. All over the internet I have been seeing pumpkin recipes and scarfs. It is TOO HOT for scarfs and baking!!  

However, because I love to bake I could not resist making these Amazing Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies adapted from this recipe. 

These cookies are so moist and rich and completely satisfied my fall, pumpkin cookie needs.

Here is my recipe

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Whole Wheat Flour

1/2 cup + 1 TBSP All Purpose Flour

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 TBSP Cinnamon

1 Heaping tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

1/2  tsp Real Salt

1 1/2 cups Old Fashion Rolled Oats

1 cup/2 sticks Unsalted Butter

1/4 cup Molasses

1 cup Coconut Sugar

1 egg yolk

1 tsp Vanilla Extract 

3/4 cup Organic Pumpkin Puree

1 1/2 cups Tasty Add Ins (Pecans, Chocolate Chips, Dried Cranberries...you choose!)

Directions: 

Preheat to 350 Degrees and line baking sleets with parchment paper.

In a medium sized bowl mix together ww flour, ap flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin spice and salt. Fold in the oats.

In a medium glass bowl or measuring cup melt the butter. Once melted, mix in the molasses and coconut sugar. Then add the egg yolk and vanilla. 

Pour the liquid ingredients into the flour mixture. Add pumpkin and mix thoroughly. Then choose your add ins and fold them into the mix. (I choose pecans and chocolate chips to start...more on that at the end)

 Once everything is well mixed, get out your cookie scoop because this dough is wet! Mne isn't very large, so I get more cookies. ;)
Once the cookies have been scooped out, slightly flatten the tops.

                                              
Now throw them in the oven for about 13-16 minutes. Mine were perfect at 15. 

And wa-la a moist, chewy, delicious fall treat, even if it isn't fall yet.  I can still dream.

I'd like to add that after scooping half the dough, I did add in some dried fruit mix that I got from Costco and it was super tasty. 

Now about those chocolate chips. I went to Trader Joes this evening to pick up a few things and when I went to look for chocolate chips, they had been completely cleared out. So I did what most people would do and I asked if they might be anywhere else. The girl who helped me said that she would check, but there was a pretty good chance they were all out. When she came out from the back she was carrying a whole box full of chocolate chips. Looks like my chances were pretty good.

Have a good night everyone and enjoy this cookie recipe. I know I did and will continue to.

Blessed by the Best

Good Morning world. This post is to my brother, Dallas John Rayner. 

Let me start by saying how blessed I am to have such an incredible brother. I am so thankful for the relationship we have. 

Recently, we celebrated his high school graduation. I am so proud of him for making it through high school with his head held high. 

Now, he is off to Long Beach state college to study nutrition. 

 

And I got to spend his graduation morning with him. We had a breakfast and coffee date. 

His favorite gluten free cupcakes from dreamy creations with a custom peppermint frosting for his grad. 

About a year ago I had the privilege of witnessing his baptism and hearing his testimony. It was an amazing day. The Lord has truly been so gracious to us. 

 

Stones collected on the beach that wonderful day to always remind me of the goodness of God and my love for my brother. 

I always enjoy every opportunity I have to spend with him. I have the opportunity to spend this weekend with him in our home town. It is such a joy. When I arrived in town I saw a few strange things before arriving at my grandparents house. I saw a crazy man on the side of the road and then a cat with a harness and a leash. Weird!!

Then we drove down to the beach to take a walk on the pier. 

The moon was beautiful! Can't wait for the rest of our adventures. 

I love you Dallas!!

Love is in the Air

Summer has arrived in full force. Wedding season is in full swing. Love is in the air.

Now that's Love!

I sit here with a cup of tea and homemade cinnamon raisin bread that is o, so delicious. I wish I could share with all of you.

I am overjoyed to share with you the marriage of two dear couples to Joey and I. It has been a sweet time of rejoicing in Gods goodness. Both of these men were groomsmen in our wedding and longtime friends of Joey. Their now wives couldn't be any sweeter and it has been so neat to see love that these men has for one another. They share so much with each other, even the name of their wives. Although their love for the Lord is evident and they share the initials HP, they have completely different personalities. 

Hannah and Spencer had a beautiful wedding in the mountains on fathers day weekend. It was a joyous time of laughter and merriment.

 She was wearing her mother altered wedding dress. It was stunning. They both were so happy.

Joey and I being silly.

The other day we got to celebrate with Hannah and JP(Jonathan). It was a Park wedding. Beside the sweltering heat while setting up and the playing discus with the center pieces, we had a fantastic time. Hannah looked Gorgeous. The day was finally all about them, they got to be on the other side of the camera. Watching them put Christ as the center of the their relationship from the beginning has been a blessing to witness. They are a great example of a young Godly couple.

First entrance as Mr. and Mrs. Park.
He is already Leading.

My Hot date and I.

He looks so handsome!

Then to top off the last 3 weeks, we celebrated our 2 year anniversary. We had a very humble and enjoyable date night, but did not take a single picture. What was I thinking?!?!

Joey is the man of my dreams and the leader I never dreamed I'd have, but always needed. God knew what he was doing and always has. I am so thankful for our marriage and how it has pushed me to grow in ways I didn't even know I needed to grow. My husband is the sweetest man and I could not have a better man for me. I am truly blessed. I would not want to take this journey through life with anyone else. I am head over heals for this man. He may not always realize it because I am not a lovey-dovey person, but I am. 

So that's all folks.

May you all be blessed by the truth of the cross.

Long Time...no post

My hope and prayer with this blog is to be encouraging to others and a sneak peak into my life. I want to be very real with everyone. I am a terrible communicator, however I am great at expressing myself in writing. I don't like talking about my feelings, but I know I need to. I need to speak up for myself and my God. So that is exactly what I am going to do along with some fun stuff as well.

Lately, my heart has been heavy, felt burdened. I was betrayed once again by one of the people I have loved most in my life. I do not not if I have really forgiven this time and if I haven't, I'm not sure I know how to completely. I know I will never be able to trust this person again. It has happened over and over and over again. I have put my heart out there to love and be loved and to care for and my heart was stomped on. I know it is not about me. I know it wasn't this persons goal to hurt me, but they didn't try not to. This person has failed to protect the heart have have continually put out on the line and show me that I am truly loved by them. I struggle with anger in my heart and do not want to be anger with anyone. I am angry because this person was supposed to protect me and love me. I am angry because this person has caused me to struggle in my walk with Christ over and over again and fall into sin and depression. Then I remember Gods promises and love and forgiveness of my sins and how he is my redeemer and protector and has always been there. My heavenly father is incredible and indescribable. I do not understand why I am put through the trials I am given, but I know the strength I have is not my own, it comes from Savior. I know He has provision over me. and my marriage. I do not understand why I can not put my feelings into words but put it into writing, but it is a step. I know most family and friends who read this will know exactly who I am talking about and that is okay. I want you to know how I feel even though I don't always share it openly. I don't want to dig into a can or worms unless necessary. It is necessary. It can't just be pushed under the rug any longer and pretend like everything is okay when it really isn't. I have done it for too long and too many times and I know it is not right. I deceive myself when I do that. How does that honor my Savior? It doesn't! So I am asking you to pray for me to not be angry and to have courage. To not be distraught but rest on the hope that is in Christ.

Now on a lighter note, let talk about the fun stuff. It might take a while since it has been a while since I've posted anything.

I went to visit one of my best friends in my home town at the beginning of May. We had a great time catching up and went to the beach and I finally got to meet her boyfriend. Here are a couple pictures:

Can't believe I got to grow up in such a beautiful place. I am beyond blessed.

Then I got to go see one of my other best friends graduate from college. I am so proud of her and loved spending time with her and her family and boyfriend. 

Then Joey and I got to go watch his little sister graduate from High school. We are pretty proud of her too!

We got to Kitten sit also.

I also got to go to a couple of bridal showers and a baby shower for some great friends who are getting married within a month. Joey and I couldn't be more excited for these happy couples. We wouldn't miss it for the world. Also, we get to see my brother graduate high school soon too! I can not wait. I am the proudest sister in the whole world. I could go on and on but I'll save that for another post because that is just how proud I am. ;) Our two year anniversary is coming up also! So thankful for such a wonderful husband.

Birthday and Banana Bread

Today has been a god day. And why shouldn't it be? God is so gracious and he is the one who give me peace and satisfaction. No one and nothing else is able to do that. Its felt great having a smile on my face all day without the slightest idea, but having faith in know that I am not in control, my creator is. He has a plan for me, whether big or small I do not know, but I can certainly dream big. Can't I? And seeing how many people have visited my little blog with minimal content has made me even more joyful. 

I have always wanted to own my own bakery some day or something of the sort and it is a dream I have yet to give up. I have shared my idea of making and selling breads to family and friends with a few people to get some feed back and am eager to chase after my dream. Just have to continue to remind myself to hand it over to God and slow down so I don't get ahead of myself or jump into anything I am not yet ready for. I believe that I am ready and am able to do anything I really believe in and set my mind to. So I will start small, humbly and of coarse naturally. Back to basics. I love feeling dough on my hands, the smell of yeast and bread baking in the oven. It is a nostalgic feeling. I am excited!

A couple of weeks ago one of my best friends came to visit me over the weekend for my birthday and I enjoyed every minute. We needed some quality girl time. All along her and my husband had been plotting and scheming to surprise me for my birthday. My husband is so sweet. He stressed and stressed over this party and I knew something was bothering him. You just know when the person you are closest to isn't acting normal. Although I wasn't completely surprised I loved it. I loved that my husband tries so hard to make me happy and go out of his way to make sure I am enjoying myself. I loved that my best friend was there. I loved that my mom and aunt and grandma were there. I loved that my husbands family was there. I am thankful that I am loved and honestly I didn't have to do any of the cooking or cleaning. 

While my friend was here she got me these beautiful flower. I might add that they are my all-time favorite flower period.

We had such a great time together. I love this woman to pieces and miss her dearly.

Today, it was finally starting to feel like winter here. We even got a little bit of a drizzle. Might call that our own version of a polar vortex in Southern California....okay maybe not. I do sympathize with everyone on the east in those terrible temperatures. 

So to start of our winter weather the right way I decided to create my own Banana Bread recipe with chocolate chips and coconut. I made it with freshly ground spelt flour and just a little honey. I didn't want it to be too sweet with three bananas and chocolate chips. Here are some pictures:

I might add that this is wheat free and completely delicious. Maybe not so much for those of you who don't like coconut, but I won't mention any names...

I will have some bread pictures to share with you all soon. 

An Update and English Muffins

I'd like to start this post by by giving an update on how my "New Year's" bible study is going. Beginning of the month I was off to a great start morning and evening. Then mid January hit and I became extremely distracted with all that is going on and let it get the best of me. I could give you all the reasons, but they are really just a sorry excuse. I was determined not to give up and catch up on my reading. I'll be honest and tell you that I am terrible at reading at night, for some reason it is the last thing I want to do. My head wants to lightly set itself on my oh so dreamy memory foam pillow and slowly close my eyes, while snuggled under a big feather blanket and some flannel sheets that I always seem to lose in the middle of the night. See....it is getting late and my head starts to go to lala land, but back to my reading. I would get up by about 6:45am to start some coffee and wake up so I have about 20-30 minutes to read. In that time and very little night reading, in addition to listening to my bible app while getting ready I have been able to catch up for the most part. I just have one more chapter to go for my morning reading. Yay!

On to what I really wanted to talk about.....English Muffins

These little beauties bring a smile to my face. They give me a a boost of confidence and accomplishment. I am able to check one more item off my list that I am able to make from scratch. I was reading some other blog, I can't remember now but it was giving a list of items to make instead of buying. Can I tell you how much I love being able to do that, knowing that I don't have to rely on some big conglomerate company that is more interested in making money that making sure their consumers are healthy. Well to make it simple I love it and will continue to make as many things as I can instead of buying them. Sure it does take quite a bit more time but it is something I enjoy and is somewhat of a destressor. 

So I went on a hunt for a great recipe for English muffins. I found a recipe that I used for the ones in the picture but there was something lacking. They are slightly dense and in my personal opinion I feel like an English muffin should be a little lighter and fluffier. So the hunt continued and I found the recipe on the food network for Alton Brown's English Muffins. They were referred to on another site and having lots of nooks and crannies. I however tweaked the recipe. I used mostly whole wheat flour and instead of dry milk powder i used buttermilk liquid and reduced the hot water. I cooked them in my cast iron skillet using canning jar rings and finished them in the oven so they didn't burn on the stove.

Here is a picture of the processes of the first recipe I used. I forgot to take pictures of the second recipe. 

I'll write again soon. Wanted to cut this one short because my bed is calling my name. Be encourage to try to make something you usually buy. You'll be so proud of yourself. I will be proud of you. I'd love to hear what you made.

New Year

Now is the time everyone is thinking of their New Year resolutions. Many people want to lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, drink less, blah blah blah.
I personally do not like new year's resolutions. I find them to be very fake. There are very few people who actually keep their resolution for the entire year. Those people I admire, it takes discipline, and I lack discipline.
So this year I do want to make some changes. I want to be more disciplined. I want to be held accountable. I further my study of God's word.
I am starting this blog is hopes of reaching the people I love and meeting new people. The world wide web is a very large place with so many individuals to relate to on different levels all over the world. I am excited. My hope is that having this blog will help keep me accountable to God, myself and those around me.
To further my study of the Bible, I have started the guideline in my MacArthur study bible to read the bible in a year. It lays out when you need to read what and how many chapters. These first few days have been a challenge just to stay up and read and getting up early enough to read as well. My prayer that in doing this, my relationship with Christ will grow and my knowledge of Him. I also pray that my prayer life would increase.
So for this blog I want to try to at least do 2 a month for starters. If I do more then great but I want to give myself a minimum and have it in writing to reference back to. That's how I stay accountable.