simplify, part 1

About this new resolve to live simply... 
I’m still flushing out what this means for me.  ‘Cuz naturally, our life is complicated.  Some of this I have no control over.  Other things {like making our own dishwashing detergent} are a choice.  And when it stands in the way of having a quiet heart, it’s time to run to the store for some Cascade. But for me, the very thought of a trip to the store in this blizzard is enough to make my own.  
Simplifying is subjective, really.  

{Cue Scene 1: The day I quit Facebook.}  

This is a touchy subject, and it may have been better to just delete my account rather than to try to explain myself.  As soon as I hit post on my breaking-up-with-facebook status, there was both relief and fear.  Relief from finally doing it, the freedom of letting go.  Fear of losing the chance to keep in touch with “old” friends.  Fear of the risk of being misunderstood.  I still feel like it is worth the risk to take a step back.  Not sayin’ facebook is wrong or a waste of time.  Just sayin' I feel like it was taking away attention and energy and emotion from those around me, from the life before me. 

Teach us to make the most of our time,

so that we may grow in wisdom.

~ psalm 90.12

Happy Weekend-ing!

Yes, that is an orange we lit on fire.  It burned for hours!  Who knew?
Directions here.  

P.S. Homemade Dishwasher Detergent {new and improved!} coming up next!  

cinnabun muffins {grain-free}

Never thought I'd see the day I would be writing a post about making muffins out of almonds.  
I guess, today's the day.
Muffins.  Out of almonds.
And, a mighty fine muffin it is.

Cinnabun Muffins 
{gluten-free, grain-free, so-good!}
1 cup almond flour
2 T. coconut flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup honey
3 eggs
1 T. vanilla
In a large bowl, whisk together oil, honey, eggs and vanilla.  Sift together almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, and salt in another bowl.  Combine the dry ingredients with the oil mixture.  Spoon into a greased muffin pan until 2/3rds-full.  Top with a mixture of 1 T. cinnamon, 2 T. brown sugar (or sucanat), 1 T. oil.  Sprinkle with walnuts.  Bake at 350 for 8-12 minutes.  Makes 9 muffins.
source: inspired by, adapted from elana's pantry

What makes a good muffin and a cup of coffee in the morning taste even better?  Redirecting my thoughts, fixing my gaze, basking in mercy.  

My Father's mercies are new every morning.  May this mama's be new as well.

Wishing you all a feliz dia as well!

before and after

One year ago, we became the elated owners of one. big. ol'. mess...

laced with wondrous possibilities.

Folks, the "before" and "after" day has officially arrived.

Here she is!  

Before: January 12, 2011

After: January 13, 2012

|the back|
before

after!

|front door|
before

and, after!

|living room|

before

in process...

after!

|one of my favorite spots|
before

in process...

after!

|standing in the kitchen, facing the dining room/living room|
before

after!

|the kitchen|

in process...

after!

|hallway|

before {we tried to salvage those cool built-in cabinets, but couldn't because of the mold and the nasty}

after!

|guest room|
before

after!

|stairs|
in process

after!
{hubby put some elbow grease into these babies}

|the boys' room|
before

in process...

after:

|master bedroom|
before 

in process...

after!

|upstairs bathroom|

before {astroturf and all}

in process...

after!

|downstairs bathroom|
after {wish we had a good before pic, but just imagine...
it was way worse than the upstairs bathroom...}

We made it!  Oh man, I can't believe what we just we did.
Some dinners looked like this {daddy scraping paint}:

Saturday mornings looked like this:


But, it's done.
And we are so very thankful.

Thankful for this season of life the Lord has brought us through.
Thankful for lessons learned along the way.  To not lose the vision of what could become.  To pour our energy, courage, resources, time into repairing something the world had condemned.  To not give up hope.  Oh, how I want my life to be so much more of this!  Not redoing another house, but investing in something that will outlast these four walls.  One great day this will all pass away when the ultimate Before and After returns {Revelation 22.12}.  

Thankful He doesn't just leave us in our helpless state.  But continues in His work of transforming, renewing, restoring.  May the pictures of this earth never outshine the beauty that is to come!  And, may the award we are seeking be for the honor of the One named Faithful and True, the King of kings, Lord of lords {Revelation 19}.  

Then the King will say to those on the right: 

"Come, you who are blessed by my Father, 

inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  

For I was hungry, and you fed me.  I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.  

I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.  

I was naked, and you gave me clothing.  I was sick, and you cared for me.  

I was in prison, and you visited me."  ~ Matthew 25.34-36 {NLT}

Thankful for the chance to be involved in His restoration project.  
This house may look nice.  But it is worthless if it is not used as a tool to invest in our true home.

At that time, I will deal with all who oppressed you;

I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered.

I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame. At that time I will gather you;

at that time I will bring you home.

~ Zephaniah 3.19-20a {NIV}