Winter Happinings

It snowed here at our house today, and I couldn't have been more thrilled! So here are some pictures of the things that have been going on at our house. ~Riah

                                     Painting has been me and Autumns favorite pass time recently.

                                           

                                                           My Gingerbread House

Thanksgiving Travel!

Hey Everyone! Happy late Thanksgiving! 

              My aunt and uncle live in Brooklyn, New York City.  So our whole family went up to visit them and have our Thanksgiving dinner! Brooklyn is a big part of the city, and I love it! Partly because a piece of my heart is up there, but also partly because the city is so busy and bustling and has so much opportunity to reach the lost.  Every time I go up to visit my aunt, uncle, and cousins, I secretly hope to meet a Spanish speaker and practice my broken Spanish. :) So far, I haven't had too much practice. :) After my Mom's sister and her husband arrived with their three adorable daughters, Paige, Brynn, and Shea, we had a late breakfast or brunch and then walked the streets of Brooklyn.  We also had our Thanksgiving Dinner complete with turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. YUM!! 

I snapped a picture of this corner produce stand on our way into the city
(so that's why it's super blurry).
  It's a shop that marks our close destination. 

I love this clan of kiddos soooooo much!! They bring so much entertainment to my life! 

Love this girlie! I am the oldest cousin, she's the youngest, ya know, we kinda clique! :)

This picture was taken from a bridge that goes over top of the train tracks. The graffiti was really cool looking, even though I couldn't read everything that it said. I love this picture with the yellow railing.  The contrast of colors was so cool! 

This picture gives a little bit of a size to my aunt and uncle's apartment! This is taken from the living room into the kitchen. :) 

Honestly! She's soooo funny! This picture is a perfect snapshot of her personality! :)

This is my cousins bedroom, or the guestroom.  My parents slept on the double bed, and Renee and I shared the single on the top! :) 

Thought for Today

"You are being guided, held, and provided for by the LORD of all eternity."

I saw this quote in something I read, and it really spoke to me.  I hope that it does the same for you all.  I did not come up with it, and I honestly can't remember where I saw it.  So to give credit, I am just going to say that it's not mine! :) ~Panda

Thinking of Thanksgiving

Hello Friends,
Since it is almost November and Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching I thought that it would be appropriate to post this Bible verse.  Giving thanks is so important, and it can help you have a way better outlook on life.  Instead of grumbling and complaining about having to do chores, be thankful! Be thankful that you have the ability to do chores.  I love Bible verses put into word art with pictures, and this one was too convenient. :) So, to leave you with a challenge, the next time you feel like complaining, think of why your thankful for in whatever situation, circumstance, or problem you may be dealing with.  ~Panda
P.S. photo credits go to the Youversion Bible app

Autumn

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Author Unknown

~Riah

Throwback Thursday!

Hello again friends!
I decided to do a "Throwback Thursday" post.  After 15 years of living I decided to do a blog post on my past. Well, sort of. :) Mainly just post a bunch of pictures of me as a little kid.  Honestly there were too many! It was fun looking at old pictures.  Laughing at the awkward picture positions, outfits, and hairstyles is really fun! :) So this is not meant to be all about me as a little kid, but rather reminisce on the past and chuckle at how far I've come. :) Have a wonderful weekend! ~Panda

Black Rasberry Muffins

Girls, I found this recipe on Pinterest and it is soooo good! And the best part is its simple! It only has 8 ingredients! =) I would encourage you to try it sometime! ~Riah

Raspberry Streusel Muffins

Sweet but tart, these fresh Raspberry Streusel Muffins topped with a heavenly, crunchy streusel will make breakfast a decadent treat.

Author: The Gracious Wife

Serves: 2 dozen

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 stick butter, plus an additional tablespoon, divided
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or lemon)
• 1 pint raspberries (2 cups)

Instructions

1. First, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and butter in a large bowl, and mix with a pastry blender. You will want to mix until the clumps are pea-sized. Take out 1 cup of this mixture and set aside.
2. Then add the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Gently whisk together. Since muffins are a quick bread and can ruin easily by too much stirring, you will want to stir until everything is just combined. There will be lumps, and that's okay. Once combined, gently fold in the raspberries and spoon into a greased muffin tin. This recipe will make about 2 dozen muffins.
3.  Before you put the muffins in the oven, it needs the crunchy topping! Melt the extra tablespoon of butter and add it to the 1 cup of flour mixture you set aside earlier. Mix with a fork until the butter is fully combined. The mixture should be clumpy. Sprinkle the clumps on the muffins.
4. Bake in a 350° oven for 20-30 minutes. I start checking them at 20 minutes, and continue every 5 minutes or so until I can pull a toothpick out clean.

Florida Part 2

We got home yesterday, around 5 pm! We had so much fun, and the water was amazing everyday!! =) You may notice that every single picture has Malachi on it. That's because when you live 17 hours away from your only nephew, every picture you take down there, has him on it so you can remember him better! =) ~ Riah

Florida Part 1

This is Part 1 of 2, on my posts of Florida! We have been vacationing here since Monday, and the weather has been pretty good! Today we went to the beach, and I think we all got I little sun kissed!  (a.k.a. sun burned :) )  ~ Riah

                                                                 Malachi and Autumn

                                                           A very cloudy beach day

We celebrated Autumn's 12th Birthday down here yesterday!

and Liz made the cake! =)

 

 

 

 

We went to the beach today, and the waves were really big! I don't know

if you can see that on the picture or not...

 

Autumn distracting Malachi during a feeding. =)