Mom, A Cake, & 7 days

Thursday was my mom's birthday and tomorrow is Mother's Day, so it is a week of celebrating my mom! I am so thankful for this special woman in my life. The woman who loves my unconditionally, is my biggest cheerleader, taught me about Jesus, and prays for my constantly. I will be forever grateful for this woman. She has shaped my life more than I can even begin to explain! Love you Mom!

I made a cake for the big birthday/Mother's Day celebration, and since we are about to jet off to the other side of the world, I needed something easy. So I took a white cake mix, mixed it with:
1 cup whole milk
3 eggs
1 stick melted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
You should definitely give it a try when you don't have much time! It tastes nice and homemade!

And in 7 days, I will get my hands on this little man! So excited!

Thanks AM for letting me steal your picture! and Happy Mother's Day! I love you and we can not wait to see The Musgroves!

Tim Keller & a Table

Hello all! I have just returned from the sunny state of Florida and to say it was wonderful is an understatement. I "had" to go for a women's retreat for work and I had such an amazing time connecting with friends who live all over the Southeast. My soul is refreshed.

While I was at the beach I started to read Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller. I have read a few of his other books, such as The Prodigal God, and I am never ceased to be amazed at how God uses these books to speak straight to my soul. About 3 years ago I started listening to Keller's sermons online. Through listening to him, God has used him to reshape the whole way I view the Bible. For example, here is a clip of one of Keller's sermons that someone has put graphics to:

He is frequently interviewed by news stations, seeing as he lives in NYC and this morning I watched one of his more recent interviews with ABC. So I thought I would share it.

In other news, the husband and I have finally finished a project that we have been working on for a while now. A year ago, the in-laws gave us a kitchen table. I loved the style and the size of it, but I wanted it to be a darker wood. So a few months ago, we got to work on it. First, we sanded the finish off of the table, so the raw wood was exposed. This took longer than we expected, but this was also our first project and we worked on it here and there. When the sanding was finally complete we stained it a dark brown. After that was completed, we put a few coats of polyurethane on it, and if I do say so myself, it looks great! The husband did most of the work, so I feel as though I can brag on him. Here is the finished product:

I love all the imperfections and the rustic look of the table. Now, all I need to do is find some knobs for the drawers on either side! After we completed this project, the husband was ready to start on something else. We love how inexpensive this project was and we now have a new kitchen table for less than $50!

Prayers, Goodbyes, and Scones

It is hard to even begin to wrap our minds around what some people are dealing with in Alabama and the Southeast tonight. Many people have lost loved ones, homes, and jobs with the devastating tornadoes that swept across our state yesterday. It is a time to pray for those people that were affected and that they would experience God's love through this tragic time.

Today I have been thinking a lot about God's sovereignty and His goodness. The fact that God is totally sovereign over everything, that He is totally and completely good, and that He orchestrated the events of yesterday. But yet, we were not made for a place of death and destruction. I pray that through the events of yesterday, people will come to understand the love of Christ in a new way and that people will be led to the foot of the cross, maybe for the first time. May we pray that lives would be redeemed.

Here in Auburn we were spared from the destruction yesterday. And tonight we were able to enjoy one of my favorite events of the year. Every year we have to say goodbye to a group of people that we have spent hours sharing life with, studying the word with, and praying with. It is always sad to see students graduate and leave, and this year is no different. There are people in this group that have become more than just students we meet with. They have become friends that we have lived life beside and that have blessed our lives more than we can even begin to put into words.

The one below I am going to miss more than I can even know yet! Mallory and I met less than 2 weeks after the husband and I got married about 2 years ago. We were at TCBY after our first weekly meeting of the semester. She came up to me and said, "hey, my name is Mallory, can we have lunch." For the past 2 years, I have had the privilege of getting to live life alongside her. She is an amazing woman that seeks the Lord and desires to glorify Him. It has been amazing to watch her grow and be molded by the Lord, and she has challenged me and helped shape me as well. Years from now when I look back at Auburn, I know that my time with Mallory will be something that stands out as one of my favorite things from my life here in Auburn. I love you Mallory! You will be missed terribly!

I do not think the husband will know what to do when this one below leaves in 2 weeks. Kyle has been one of the husband's favorite guys from the past 2 years. Sometimes I think they are the same person.

And I can't even begin to think about how this one won't be here come August. Elizabeth has been here since I started working at Auburn. The Harwells will be missed terribly, but I can't go there yet. We still have a little time left with them!

I will leave you with a recipe that you need to try, but first you need to buy the cookbook. When the husband and I started a sugar free life, I started experimenting with different ingredients, such as spelt flour, coconut flour, agave nectar, and many other things I had never heard of before. A few weeks ago I purchased this cookbook:

And oh my goodness, go get it now! Talk about amazing recipes! And made with ingredients that aren't terrible for you! This past weekend when my family was in town, I made these:

Raspberry Scones.... and they were super easy! Made with spelt flour, agave nectar, fresh raspberries and a few other ingredients. Seriously, go get this cookbook!

Potato Casserole

This weekend, my mom and I prepared an amazing Easter spread, if I do say so myself. Over the past 6 weeks, the husband and I have been on a no sugar diet, but this weekend, that went out the window.

For Christmas, I decided to come up with a twice baked potato casserole, and the husband loved it. So I thought I would make it this weekend for our Easter celebration and share it with you. And just a warning: it is NOT low calorie or sugar free.

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Serving: 10-12 people

7 potatoes
10 strips of bacon, cooked
1 8 oz sour cream
1 - 1 1/2 sticks salted butter
1/2 - 1 cup milk
salt and pepper
sharp cheddar cheese

Boil potatoes, like you are making mashed potatoes. While the potatoes are boiling, cook your bacon and cut it into little pieces, like bacon bits. When the potatoes are done, drain the water, and add the butter, milk, sour cream, and salt and pepper. Mix it with a hand mixer until creamy. Mix in your bacon pieces. Pour into a baking dish and cover the top with cheese. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees until the cheese has melted. And then enjoy!

The Goodness of God

He is originally good, good of Himself, which nothing else is; for all creatures are good only by participation and communication with God. He is essentially good; not only good, but goodness itself: the creature's good is a superadded quality, in God it is His essence...... All the goodness there is in any creature has been imparted from the Creator, but God's goodness is underived, for it is the essence of His eternal nature.

-Arthur Pink

In 20 days

The husband and I will be jetting off to the other side of the world. To say I am excited is an understatement. We are about to be emerged in the land of rice and hot pot.

We will take in sights foreign to my own two eyes,

We will interact with people who look nothing like us,

yet are valued and loved by our Creator,

We will experience the smells and wonders

of a place we once referred to as home.

A Random Tid Bit

I mean, who doesn't love a good cup of coffee bright and early in the morning. My ideal morning is to wake up to a cup already made by the husband and curl up in my nice big green chair and spend some good time alone with my Savior.

But who has ever thought of white coffee filters versus brown coffee filters? Maybe you have, maybe you haven't. I had not really thought about it until about 6 months ago. I had started buying the brown coffee filters because I assumed they must be better for me..... just like brown eggs, wheat bread, etc..... so I thought, lets go with the brown ones: they are the same price, the same size, why not?

A few months ago I was talking to my awesome MIL who informed me that it is very important to use the brown coffee filters instead of the white ones. She said that the white ones are bleached, which means, you nice cup of coffee is full of bleach from those filters. I was shocked that I had never thought of it before. So next time you are in the grocery store, pick up the brown ones instead! It won't even cost you extra!

A Song

The Gettys have quickly become some of my favorite music artists. Did you know that they write hymns.... hymns that we think have been around for 100 years! Such as In Christ Alone. The Gettys were recently at a conference that the husband went to and to say I was slightly jealous was an understatement. In light of this being Holy Week, I thought I would share a favorite song, The Power of the Cross.

Oh and they are from Ireland! How awesome is that!

Apple Cider Vinegar

For the past year, the husband and I have really become interested in health and nutrition. Seeing as though the husband comes from a long line of organic and health lovers, it was only a matter of time before we hoped on board. It has become a value in our family and a big interest of mine. I think it is fascinating to find all the natural things that can boost our health.

Apple Cider Vinegar - did you know that a tablespoon a day can lower bad cholesterol and high blood pressure? Did you know that it can also help cure the common cold and allergies? Did you know that it can help your immune system?



Shocking, I know..... and I know the smell is pretty shocking as well. But if you can just get used to the smell and taste, apple cider vinegar has amazing health benefits. I recommend 1 tablespoon a day.... thats what the Cunningham health clan tells me at least. Seriously, try it! Next time you want to battle those allergies, try a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

Welcome

I am on a journey. Sometimes I feel as though it is going well, and sometimes I feel beat up by the world. But this is a journey and it is not about my feelings. It is about truth. I am learning to daily live life in light of the saving grace of Christ. Some times are easier than others and I fail daily, but this is my journey.

Welcome to my corner of the internet.

About Me

My name is Katherine. I am a newlywed on this great adventure known as life.

I love all things Jesus, seeing things redeemed, my husband, conversations over coffee, organic living, sewing and creating, best friends who give you hard truth, being in the kitchen, history, thrift stores, and the Atlanta Braves.

This is a peek inside.