just call me Cookie

Grandma does! Every year growing up Grandma C has made the traditional Christmas cookies. As most of you have experienced, one taste of a loved ones baked goods will transport you right back to the magical joy you experienced as a child at Christmas. Since Grandma has come here the last two years, we have started a little tradition of our own where we make cookies together. I love our time together and we usually end up eating some dough and giggling along the way. This year we finished our cookie time by making spritz cookies!

Grandma C and "Cookie" in our matching aprons! LOVE her TONS!

Deck the halls (aka apartment)

It seems in the movies people are always complaining about the holidays. I don't really understand this. I love the holidays. I am so blessed to have wonderful family and friends and I genuinely look forward to spending time with them at the random get-togethers and holiday celebrations through out November and December.
This year I went and got a tree all by myself! As I was decorating, I ate a few candy canes, lit a few candles and sung all the parts of Christmas carols that I could remember acapella. I'm guessing my neighbor upstairs was probably pretty curious about the commotion, I don't sing quietly, haha!
Here are some pics:

















More pics soon!

Rewinding to Africa

I went for a run in the freezing rain tonight to try and clear my head from all that's been going on lately, (or more like not going on) and when I got back I felt like looking through my Africa pictures from last year. Here's a few that really hit my heart

Curtains!!!!

Today I received an email from the Spark Ventures staff with pictures of the new curtains that Hope Ministries was able to buy. These curtains are especially special to me because I was able to donate all the money for them! Last summer when I visited Zambia and Hope Ministries, I felt called to donate the money for the curtains and I had a little extra money that I had saved from selling jewelry for my trip. It fills my heart with joy to see and share these pictures with you:



(sidenote, im done with the coffee review, if i find something amazing, ill let you know.)