{Thankful Thursday}

"Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, 

and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.

For the Lord is a God of justice;

blessed are all those who wait for him." (Isaiah 30:18-19)

I stumbled upon this verse while doing a little Bible reading (thank you YouVersion smart phone app) while running on the treadmill at the gym yesterday. (I know: running while reading is dangerous, but I'm a hopeless multi-tasker).

This verse was both comforting and inspiring to me. I'm in that fresh out of college, trying to figure out the next steps, I'm pretty sure no one is hiring, while my husband's career is blazing ahead what am I going to do with my days from 8-6 while he's at the office and I'm here twiddling my fingers state of mind. 

But this verse just reminded me that God works in our lives. And though at times we get frustrated, He is going way out his way to show us mercy. And that just reminds me of everything I do have like...

...a handsome and loving husband (ain't he a keeper?)...

...friends who I can both be silly with and rely on when challenges arise...

...an occasional freelance writing gig for a magazine where I get to write about food, food, and lots of yummy food...

...Piles of magazines and books for an afternoon when I'm waiting for my husband to come home from work...

...an education that really will pay off one day, despite the currently meager job market and my new discovery that regardless of how many hours I spend re-writing my resume "No we're not hiring" is the new National Anthem...

...a camera with which to capture these memories, moments and people (and launch my new part-time photography biz...more on that another time)...

...and a lifetime of these said memories, moments, and people ahead of me.

What are you thankful for this Thursday? Leave a comment and let me know or write about it on your blog and leave a link.   

{Yogurt Pie}

I am border line obsessed with yogurt pie. It's my favorite treat. No, scratch that it's my favorite dessert anytime. Scratch that! -it's my favorite food. 

And it's as easy as pie to make...

Ingredients: one graham cracker style pie crust (I use Oreo crushed cookie crust...trust me...so delicious), one tube of Cool Whip, and 4 pods of your favorite yogurt (I use Vanilla to go with my cookies & cream theme).

Mix up the whole tube of Cool Whip and all 4 yogurt pods in a mixing bowl. Mix well. 

 Admire your love bling as you pour the mixture into the crust. Wait- that's not a step...

...get back to your dessert project here and focus your eyes (and camera) on pouring the sweet & light mixture into the crust. 

Cover the pie with the plastic lid the pie crust came with. 

 Allow your husband to demonstrate safe handling techniques of yet-to-be-frozen-pie. 

After a couple hours (or just one if you're as inpatient for dessert as I am), remove your delicious little pie from the freezer. 

Serve. 

My hubby and I like it best when it's a tad melted. We usually zap our slices (not the whole pie) in the microwave for 10 seconds before taking a bite.

 Yum. 

Hello Oreo pie crust. You're looking good tonight. 

Delight. 

What is your favorite refreshing dessert?

{What I'm Loving Wednesday: Make Your Own Jewelry @Ornamentea} {Anniversary}

It's Wednesday which means What I'm Loving Wednesday...

...And this Wednesday I'm loving make your own jewelry dates.

On the second day or our anniversary weekend, M surprised me with a trip to Ornamentea in Raleigh where I was signed up for a jewelry making class. The class was learning how to do French knots with Swarvoski pearls. Mike even called ahead to make sure they set aside a kit of white pearls since he knew they were my favorite. Does he know me well or what?

I have long admired the talents of my jewelry making friend, Liz Watts, and wanted to learn a little jewelry making of my own (though I will never reach Liz's level. She'll just have to make it and I'll have to buy it. But I'm perfectly okay with that as long as I get to wear her jewelry).

The class was great- there were only two other "students" there so we got tons of personal attention from a laid back and fun instructor. 

I was worried that the project might be too tedious for me. But I really found it uber relaxing! New hobby perhaps?

The French knot technique is used in stringing pearls because it keeps the pearls from rubbing against one another and rubbing away their shiny coating. 

And by the way, Ornamentea is tres chic. Super artsy, vintage, shappy chic decor. Just walking around was a fun experience!

My pearl bracelet. (I'm a southern born and bred preppy girlie girl. Thus, pearls are my jam so to speak).

If you live in or near Raleigh you've just got to check out Ornamentea's fun classes! 

Have you ever had a similar crafty adventure? Do you have a favorite DIY project? Or perhaps just a DIY project you're wishing to get to one of these days?