by Kimberly | Dec 6, 2015 | Sundays in the South, Uncategorized
Yesterday I was in 70 degree weather – and this morning all I wanted to do was cuddle under the blankets and stay there all day. 30s-60s isn’t bad – but 70s was so delightful!
There is something so inviting about Florida. I grew up in the central part of the state. Familiarity, warm breezes, Carolina blue skies, hay bales, wide open horse pastures,
This soup would be good on any cold night – just combine with some naan bread or homemade loaf.
I write for Her View From Home and for December I did a very short and partial dream kitchen list. Go check it out for every cook on your list of people to get gifts for this holiday season.
Um, how about these for Christmas morning breakfast?
I got an opportunity to share some health tips and a bit about my weight loss journey over here.
by Kimberly | Dec 2, 2015 | chocolate, food
There is something about the generations sitting down for a meal – or tossing flour in the kitchen as they make baked treats, or picking oranges from the groves around home. Heritage and generations tell something of history and the future. Hearing how Gigi’s got started about a decade ago – made me love the cupcake brand even more (the amazing Pecan Pie may have influenced my admiration). I love how she is carrying recipes from generations ago and giving it to people (like me, and my littles) to carry on the yumminess to new generations.
My grandmother got me started on Little Debbie’s Nutty Bars. Every time I see them in the store or dare to buy a box I think of her. I don’t remember her baking a lot but I remember her chicken and rice, french fries, and dressing at Thanksgiving. My Papa (her husband) taught me how to fish, make french fries, and eat (and pick) oranges. I’ve learned my parents’ favorite recipes and I look forward to encouraging my boys to love the kitchen (and cupcakes). When I shared one of the mini cupcakes with my younger son this morning, he quickly licked off all the powder blue buttercream. A dude after his momma’s heart!
Last night I had the opportunity to head to Gigi’s Kennesaw (just north of ATL) and taste their scrumptious desserts – including pies, cheesecakes, stuffed cookies, truffles, and cupcakes (and their new gluten-free line). It was a fun evening, warm and toasty (even though it was raining outside) with other bloggers in the area and the owner of Gigi’s who as a gracious host. We got to eat until we were full, and laugh, and just hang out. It was a great evening.
One of our had tasks we had while we were there was to test out the new #gfreegigis line of cupcakes. Even though Gigi’s cant be considered Gluten Free because they bake with gluten in the building – they go through great lengths to make sure the gluten stays far away from these cupcakes. They want to take care of their customers – both gluten free customers and ones that aren’t. The normal cupcake eater is not going to be able to tell the difference in taste. Most of us even couldn’t. The only thing I could tell was a slight chewiness in texture with the gluten-free – because of the rice flour and tapioca flour blend they use in the baking. But, it was so delicious. And the best thing is that gluten free doesn’t have to mean you can’t have cupcakes. And there is no upcharge like most bakeries and grocery store items. These gluten free cupcakes are the same price!
And if you just need something to eat besides a cupcake: the peanut butter stuffed cookie was my salty goodness for the evening and like I’ve raved about before – the Southern Comfort pecan pie melted this southern girl’s heart (and taste buds)!
Thanks so much Gigi’s Kennesaw! Y’all definitely pleased my taste buds last night!
by Kimberly | Nov 30, 2015 | kcreatives photography, photo shoot
It is a true joy to capture your BFF and her family on camera. I wish I could do their family justice. But, they welcomed me and my two littles into their new home in West Tennessee. We talked, we laughed, we played, we ate cake. It was good. As it always is with this family. They were a blessing to me when I was single, letting me hang out with their little growing family. They were a blessing to me when I started dating my now husband (who was their worship pastor at the time). They are a blessing to my whole family now even though we live in different states. There is such a good thing called text, and gas (to travel), and email, and social media.
They have an ideallic backyard: beautiful trees, covered patio, grassy areas for soccer practice, fenced in safety net, now a trampoline, and a FIRE PIT! You can bet I’m making a return visit soon!
This girl has taught me much about parenting – and even how to just call bad days what they are and hope the next day is better. How to preach the gospel to myself and how to have good style. And read different books. And eat asiago cheese bagels – oh, wait, that’s her not me.
I love doing life with these friends. Even if we are 5.5 hours apart. This is what friendship is.
by Kimberly | Nov 30, 2015 | Books, Shepherding Children
One of my favorite times of the day is when I get the chance to read to my boys. I usually read to them by themselves – so I get that one on one interaction with them and can read stories that might appeal to them more than the other.
Like I know my younger one loves the Sandra Boynton books. We’ve been reading those every night and each night he just giggles away. He also has been loving a book about his hands and what he can do with them to help. Most of all – I think he loves to just being close to the person reading to him, because he is a snuggle-monster.
Our older boy loves animal books, especially his daddy’s book from when he was young. He can flip through and always point out new fascinating things about the animals he sees. Even if he has seen them 50 times before.
I may not have stayed with my education major in college, but I can still think of a few good reasons you should read to your children:
- Build a love for reading. If you start reading to kids when they are younger, most likely they will be readers when they are older. Then they will hopefully read to their children and grandchildren.
- Increase their vocabulary. My children seem to learn new words every day. I know they definitely pick up some of these words because their are seeing them in the books we are reading, and hearing them when they are read aloud.
- Reading to your son or daughter builds intimacy. Any time you can spend one on one time with your children, or even with them altogether, you are telling them that you care about them. You are telling them that no matter what else you could be doing right now (and that is usually a lot), that you would rather spend it with them. And do you ever regret spending time with your children in a meaningful way?
- Reading is a great way for you to teach your children about the gospel. There are so many great books. And a good way to teach your children about biblical concepts (that may be difficult for their little minds to grasp) is by using parables (I mean, Jesus did it, right). Liz Higgs has a new book out for early school age kids, or late preschool that is really neat. It teaches biblical concepts in parables that are centered around kids. And it goes through the seasons which is a neat idea to even teach kids about that.
Tommy Nelson is giving away one of these new books and it would make a lovely Christmas present for your child! Or a gift to a child you know. To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment telling me your favorite book to read with your children.
by Kimberly | Nov 29, 2015 | kcreatives photography, photo shoot
I’ve said before that living in ATL provides me great benefit because people often come here to travel, see the sites, or since it is a big city, they may have multiple friends here – and I get to be privileged to see them when we they come visit.
I met this sweet girl right after she married her handsome husband. I was facilitating a small group Bible study at our church and she was in it. I remember praying for her as a teacher and a newlywed. A few months later I would meet my now husband and those girls were giddy for me to grow in that relationships.
More than 5 years later and a few kids between us – and I love this girl, yall. I love her beauty and her realness, and her hope in Christ, and her taste in clothes, and her little home in Raleigh – oh, gracious – so much style and class. And that she has a husband who knows photography and helps me learn on shoot – and that she fits me in to a busy schedule on the road.
Every one needs a friend like this in their life. Averi girl – I’m glad you are in mine!
