Saturday, March 31, 2012

Girl's Night Out!


A few of my friends and I had a girl's night out! We went to the movie and saw The Vow. It was sweet but it didn't change my life or anything. HA! After the matinee movie, we met at Mellow Mushroom for pizza. There's nothing better than catching up with your friends! Hannah, Ana, Marji, Kelsey, and Heather and Adrienne are all so sweet. Missed you at dinner, Adrienne! ;) I always look forward to spending time with special people like them!

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Weight Watchers Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday (almost Thursday) everyone! I planned to get this post up earlier today, but time slipped away from me! I thought that I would start a weekly WW update entitled Weight Watchers Wednesday! I know several people are on this program, so I thought this would be a great outlet for sharing ideas!
First idea is.....
Apple Cheesecake? Yep. You read right! Two ingredients? Yep! Just get The Laughing Cow Cream Cheese Spread in Cinnamon Cream flavor then pair it with a sliced apple. Trust me. It's yummy! Plus it's only 1 point! That's it!

If you have any ideas, share away! Let's build each other up! Russell and I walked a few miles so far this week. We are trying to stay active every day, which is important! Keep on keeping on, y'all!

He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:25

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Beauty

Can I just say again how I just adore Spring? It's just beautiful outside these days! After church tonight, Russell and I stopped and walked around the Bentonville Square. The tulips really are gorgeous!  
Beautiful!
We had to get a picture together!
Oh my goodness!
God's Handiwork!


We loved walking around downtown and we are so thankful for living here! We love it!

And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. Exodus 37:20

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Springtime Visitors!

Oh, I just love it when my sister comes to visit! Kelly, Eric, Logan and Lauren were our special guests earlier this week and we were so glad to have them! I was afraid that the rain was going to put a damper on some of our plans, but luckily, it held off a little on Monday!
 Sisters at the museum!
 Lauren is right behind Pinnochio! How funny!
 Logan is the best nephew!
 The Girls!
 Lauren is the best niece!
After we toured the museum, we went walking on the Crystal Bridges trail. Kelly, Eric, and L & L loved the overlook, too!
We had wild rice and shrimp casserole with French bread and green beans for dinner. For dessert, we went to Andy's Frozen Custard and enjoyed yummy ice cream!
Earlier tonight, Russell and I met them in Eureka Springs at Ermilio's, one of the best Italian restarants in NWA! I love them so much. They know they mean the world to me! But Logan and Lauren are growing up way too fast! Ha!

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:17


Friday, March 16, 2012

Ladies Who Lunch

What is better than The Crumpet Tea Room during Springtime? I can tell you! Friends who join you for lunch at The Crumpet! 
 Mandy and her sweet girl, Eden are adorable!
Mandy and I have been friends for a few years now and I just love her. I am so glad we got together yesterday. We always have such fun together!
 I always love the chicken salad with fruit and their famous orange rolls. Y.U.M. I had to take a picture of my plate! :)

A few of my friends have asked me to post this recipe on here. Believe me, this banana bread is heavenly. I can't wait to make it again soon! It's 4 points a slice and should be 18 slices.

Banana Bread
Ingredients:
3 spray(s) cooking spray
5 large banana(s), very ripe
1 cup(s) whole wheat flour
1 cup(s) white all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
5 tsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup(s) packed light brown sugar
1 large egg(s), at room temperature
1/4 cup(s) fat-free skim milk, at room temperature
1/2 cup(s) chopped walnuts


Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a large loaf pan with cooking spray.
Peel and mash 3 bananas. Peel and cut 2 bananas into small chunks. Set both aside.
In a large bowl, sift together both types of flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
In another large bowl, using an electric mixer, combine butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg; beat to incorporate.
Alternating in batches, add mashed bananas, flour mixture and milk to bowl with butter mixture. Combine well but do not over beat; fold in walnuts and banana chunks.
Turn batter into prepared pan; bake until a tester inserted in center of bread comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool in pan for 15 minutes and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool more. Cut into 18 slices. Yields 1 slice per serving.

**Note for those on WW: I calculated it online and I used 5 Tbs butter instead of 5 tsp. It changed the value to 5 points per slice, rather than 4, which is still not bad! Enjoy, everyone!

Hope y'all have an awesome weekend and Happy St. Patrick's Day! Wear Green! ha!

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Proverbs 27:9





Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Beautiful Spring

It's Springtime! Oh, my goodness, I love Spring! I love Fall and Spring better than Summer and Winter for some reason. I love the colors that burst during the Spring and Fall and love the milder weather. It feels so good in Northwest Arkansas. The weather is perfect right now.
Russell and I went for a two mile walk at the Crystal Bridges/Compton Garden trail. 
 Here is the end of the trail looking at the Crystal Bridges museum. So pretty!

 Here we are during the walk. This was taken before we got so sweaty. HA! We are trying to walk as much as we can lately because we want to get healthier. We want to walk outside rather than on a treadmill, too. Quick WW update, I have currently lost 17.2 pounds since I started WW. It is a total lifestyle change, but I am loving it. I can still enjoy things like chocolate brownies and pizza, but just watching how much I eat of it! :) Plus, I am trying to continue drinking lots of water and eating fruits and veggies of course. Anyway, on to talking about Spring.....

 We love the flowers at the Bentonville Downtown Activity Center. Just gorgeous.
 So pretty
 Love these tulips!
 More tulips!
Last week, I tried a new WW recipe, Banana Bread. Oh. My Gosh! It was so good! It's only 4 points per slice and worth every bite.
So go outside, enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the flowers, grass and trees. Don't ya just love Spring?
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things. Philippians 4:8