Pumpkins Pumpkins Pumpkins!!

A couple of weeks ago I posted on Facebook that I really wanted to carve pumpkins this year! I have not carved a pumpkin in years and thought it would be so much fun to do with some good friends.  After the post two things happen: 1. Our family friend, Sonny, offered to bring me some pumpkins.  Big ones at that! 2. Two friends offered to come over and carve with me! After a little while we found a time to get together.  Only Brittany showed up, which meant more food and fun for the both of us!  Seriously love Brit and all the fun we have together.  Who would have thought last summer we would have been such good friends!?

Per usual we talked about anything and everything on our minds and laughed the whole time.  We made lots of messes and yummy pumpkin seeds.  I could not have asked for a better night with a great friend!  It was the perfect start to a crazy week of finals! And now I have my first Fall decoration my porch.

I Miss fall

I know your wondering "How can one miss fall when they are in the middle of the fall?"  Well you can...when you live in Florida! Florida doesn't have seasons, it has hot, SUPER hot, and chilly.  BORING!

For the last four years I have spent fall in the beautiful state of Tennessee.  A place where you get to experience all four seasons.  In fall the leaves change, you start wearing boots and scarves, cardigans are a must, and being outside at all times if glorious.

I LOVE fall.  Not too hot, not too cold, and a whole new wardrobe comes into play.  Fall colors are warm and welcoming.  Pumpkin everything comes out.  And everything screams comfort!

In two weeks I will find myself in fall.  I will get to wear my boots.  I will drink warm drinks sitting outside in the cool air.  I will bring out my other clothes.  And I will be the happiest camper ever:)

If You Walked Into My Apartment

If you walked into my apartment you would see...

Dishes on the counter. Some may be clean and drying, others dirty.

To the right a cute little table to place my keys.

My table covered in papers from wokring on a project for school.

Shoes all over the place.  They never make it to the closet.

My purse sitting in a chair where I can easily grab it and go.

A pillow and blanket on my couch.  It's the best place for a nap.

Lamps on only.  I hate harsh lighting.  Also trying to save that money.

My Bible, devotional, and journal on the table next to my oversized chair.  No pens.  They have to go on the counter so that Brustus doesn't steal them.

Bedroom door shut.  Bathroom door open. And an unmade bed behind that closed door.

My clothes hamper with clean clothes in it.  I hate folding and hanging clothes.

Brutus playing in the blinds. Or laying splat on my table.

If you walked into my apartment you would smell...

Cinnamon.  My most favorite scent ever.  I currently have a Pumpkin Cinnamon candle thanks to my Aunt Beth currently burning.

Peanut Butter cookies.  I love to bake and just made some yummies.

A cat.  I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get the cat smell out of my apartment.  

Family is Everything

Between moving away from home four years ago and moving back in May and moving out of my parents house in September, I have come to one major realization: Family is Everything.  
I may not like them all the time, but I always love them.  You could not find a family more alike or more different at the same time then mine.  You meet one Hardin and you understand all the rest.  We are a unit but we are individuals as well.
I really do not know what I would do without my family.  At the end of the day those 5 people will always be there for me.  I will always have a place to call home and always have someone to fall back on.  
And just to show you how awesome we are, here are some family pictures from Mom's birthday dinner Friday night.  Which one do you think should be on the Christmas card!?

Renewed by the New

A couple months ago I wrote about wanting to find time to have quiet time with the Lord.  I wanted to find that time and a great devotional to use.  To be honest, I kept putting it off.  I kept saying a better time would come.  Well I finally found it.
I had been wanting a new Bible lately.  The one I have been using I got my freshmen year of collage from Lauren.  It was my first ESV version and I loved it.  It was small, which made it really easy to put in my purse for church.   Overtime the print got too small, the pages have been bent, and I just wanted something new and fresh.
On Monday while running errands I stopped by the bookstore to look for a new Bible and a new devotional.  I wanted something to read on the daily, that pointed me to scripture, but nothing super long.  Somedays I really only have 10 minutes.
Tuesday morning I sat down with my new Bible, devotional, and a journal given to me from a friend for graduation.  And I read.  And I prayed.  And I journaled.  And my heart has not felt that good in a long time.
I have learned the importance of being in the word.  It makes me a better person.  I feel more connected to God and other believers by reading more.  I desire to keep reading and keep learning.  
Our God is am AWEsome God!

White Chicken Chili

Years ago my mom found this recipe for White Chicken Chili in one of her magazines.  We tried it one winter to add a variety to chili night with family and it instantly became a family favorite.  It's spicy and creamy all in one.  Best served with some White Cheddar Cheeze-itz.
I have been meaning to make up big batches of chili and spaghetti and all kinds of good freezer items to fill my freezer.  Since most nights I am too busy or out late to cook, these will be perfect.  I asked mom for the recipe and finally got around to making it the other night!
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken 1 medium sized onion 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon olive oil (or veggie oil) 2 cans (15.6 oz each) of great northern beans; rinsed and drained 2 cans (4 oz each) of chopped green chilled 14 oz chicken broth 1 tsp salt 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp oregano 1/2 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 8 oz sour cream 1/2 cup whipping cream

In large pot saute chicken, onion, oil, and garlic powder until the chicken is no longer pink.  Add beans, chilled, broth, and spices.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer for 30 minutes.  Add sour cream and whipping cream right before serving.
It is such a SUPER easy recipe.  Literally took me 15 minutes to put together, including chopping the onion and chicken.  I let mine simmer for over an hour just to get all the yumminess to full flavor, but 30 minutes would definitely be long enough. Enjoy friends:)

Busyness=Happiness

Life has been crazy hectic for me the last couple of weeks.  Between classes, subbing, the gym, and now a new babysitting job, I have gone non stop.  I rarely have down time and have a lot of guilt over leaving Brutus home in the bathroom most of the day (that is where he is safest).
Thursday-Saturday alone I worked 24 hours.  I was at the gym most of that time and babysat for a couple of hours Friday night after work.  I didn't have to babysit, but $25 to sit and watch tv while the two babes slept.  How could I pass that up?
The only downside to all this work?  I may be mentally happy, but not physically.  I pushed too hard this week and my shoulder started killing me again.  I couldn't move Thursday night without being in pain.  Trust me when I say I have learned my lesson.
All of this being said, I have not been happier in a long time.  When I do get a peaceful moment, like at church yesterday morning, my immediate feeling is happiness.  I am happy with where I am in life.  I am happy with the people I have surrounding me.  I am happy.
I came home and did some homework (not exactly happy about that one) and then did some cooking.  Lately with all this craziness I have not had much of an appetite or desire to cook.  But I finally did and boy was it fun and good. 
You will never find me happier than with some Sugarland Pandora Radio playing, singing at the top of my lungs, and cooking something yummy.  It was a perfect afternoon to say the least.
What makes you happiest?  Where do you go to find that peaceful moment?