Blessings in the form of simple things

Clint and I were busy running around town yesterday getting our Operation Christmas Child box together.  This is a fun activity that you can do with your friends of family to spread a little joy to children that are less fortunate.

Watch this quick little video and see what it is all about!

You can just pack up a box (either a plastic box or an actual shoebox) with items that are age and gender specific and then look up a drop off location near you.  Each box does cost $7 for shipping and handling.
You can include little toys, books, games, toiletries (no liquids I don't think), clothing, shoes etc.. in your box and brighten up the holidays for children around the world.

The deadline to send off boxes is November 15-22, so best to get your box sorted out this weekend.
You can get all the information you need about the Operation Christmas Child program here as well as detailed instructions on what to put in boxes and where you can drop them off.

After what seemed to be hours and hours wandering around Walmart searching for the perfect little treasures for the child that will receive our box... the picture below is what Clint and I picked out for our little boy aged 5-9 years old. We ended up only spending probably right around $20!

The whole time I was in the toy section of the store I kept thinking that anything we get this deserving child in some malnourished, third world foreign country will be treasured and appreciated as if it were an heirloom. When we turned the corner of the toy section I received a virtual slap back into reality when I witnessed a very obese child (the same age range as the child we were shopping for) in the toy section with his mother. The kid was throwing a tantrum because he wanted some new Iron Man figure... or it could have been a video game of Iron Man... I couldn't stand to stay on the aisle for very long with all the crying and screaming. It was sad. That little boy for sure didn't appreciate or treasure the shoes on his feet, or the clothes on his back, the regular meals he receives and from what I gathered.... was feeling very entitled to the overpriced toys he was carrying on about.

With that being said... Clint and I stopped right in Walmart and prayed a little prayer that this box would be filled with the right gifts for the precious child that it is meant for, whoever or wherever he may be.

Blessings and Jolly Ranchers,
Taylor

Happy Birthday Meriah Jayde!

I'm an only child.
None of Clint's siblings have any kiddos

...yet
I have a beautiful, smart and funny niece!
Her name is Meriah Jayde and she turns 7 today!

My oldest best good friend, Monique (we met when we were 9 years old) had Meriah 7 years ago today! I remember driving the 6 hour drive from college back to Ventura to be with Monique in the delivery room. I ended up not making it to the delivery, as Meriah decided she was going to be born way faster than we all thought. Needless to say she was and is to this day a blessing to all who know her.

This is a video I made today for her:

Dear MJ,
  You are a smart, beautiful girl. Always remember that Jesus loves you and He is always with you. You can always talk to Him and even if you don't hear Him, He always hears you.

P.s. Mo- Happy day that you gave birth :) 

Australia, Taupe and Cakeballs

Here is "part deux" of my Favorites.

#6 Australia

If someone gave me a chance to have duel citizenship with another country I would definitely choose to be an aussie! I lived in Australia for part of 2005. I love the food, I love the culture, I love the people, I love the beaches, I love the geography, I love the national history... I love Australia!  I love how young of a country Australia is, there is still so much to be discovered, settled and explored. Much like the US, Australia is a melting pot of people (hence the great food and culture). Oz has snow capped mountains, red dirt deserts, crystal bleaches, prairies,  and everything in between. Oz is approximately the same size as the continental US... but Oz's population is only about 20 million! Australians are really proud of being Australian... they have a yummy national animal as well... Mmmm Kangaroo steak... yummy!

Here are just a few pics from my time down under.

My name is pronounced without the "r" at the end in Australia

Visiting Steve Irwin's Zoo

Notice anything different in this car? Oh, and the oncoming cars?!

This is where my love of Thai food started. (This was my friend Jessica's birthday dinner)

Yep, that is the man himself... Steve Irwin

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands

#5 OPI - Over The Taupe

I love this nail polish. I like that it is a great mix between grey and brown, I wear this on my toes and nails all the time.

These aren't my nails... just a google pic I found :)

If you like this color, but can't imagine spending the $10-15 for an OPI nail color. You can also try Orly's "Country Club Khaki"

#4 Cakeballs

I was introduced to the magical deliciousness that is the cakeball earlier this year. What is a cakeball you ask? Many would say that Cakeballs are the new cupcake.How do you make these little bites of heaven?

It's so easy, it's hard to believe... Simply take one box of cake mix, one can of frosting and create truffle-like bundles of tasty innovation! You can make cakeballs in any flavor or flavor combo you like! Chocolate cake mix with vanilla frosting... red velvet cake mix with white chocolate coating, funfetting cake mix and vanilla frosting... the options are endless! I have had them dipped un hardening chocolate, rolled in frosting, sprinkles..... etc.

Here is a basic recipe example to start with:

Bake a cake according to directions on the box.
Let cool, and then break up cake into tiny pieces (you can use the food processor for this).
In a large bowl, mix in one can of frosting with the cake crumbs.
Use an ice cream scoop to form balls of cake.
Freeze on sheet pan until hard.
Melt coating chocolate with double boiler OR carefully melt choc chips in microwave... stirring often.
Dip cakeballs in chocolate and let excess drip off.
Enjoy!

Mmmmm Cakeballs!!!

That's all for now... stay tuned for Part Three!

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