Lately

1. I finished weeding the juvenile biographies today, and oh my stars, look at these! My poor young patrons. Hahaha, oh thank goodness these went out the door! Collection embarrassment. I mean just look at Britney. And do we even remember there was a Venus to Serena?

2. I'm really craving a chocolate milkshake right now. Like really, really craving one. Like somebody get over here and bring me a chocolate shake! Pleeasssseee. With a cherry on top. (But not really 'cause those things are toxic. "Don't you know that your toxic?")

3. Are we ready for Christmas? Ummm, definitely not over here. Christmas is in two days and I still have gifts to purchase and wrap and how is Christmas in two days?!

4. I have not been in the Christmas spirit at all this season. All the decorations, the baking, the carols, the lights...I don't really care about any of it this year. And I love Christmas. But right now, just bring on 2016 already!

5. Speaking of 2016...any goals or resolutions?


With Love and God Bless,
Brindi

Virtual Coffee Date

I pray everyone had a happy, healthy, blessed, and FILLING Thanksgiving. I know I did... If we were having coffee right now, I know you'd want to hear about the family and what craziness happened at this year's dinner table, but I'm just dying to share my Christmas baking list with y'all and I just can't wait.

But priorities first, get your coffee (and maybe a few cookies since y'all be starved for them by the time you read this post) and then take a peek at my list.

First off, I made a list. I checked it twice. I checked last year's list, and the year before that, and the year before that... and I completely ignored all of the cookies I failed to make. They will be made one day. They will not be forgotten. But I can't help it. I see a new cookie recipe the day before and my plans change. Wait. Is that something shiny?

I always make at least 8 different types of cookies (why eight? It's my favorite, it's powerful, it just happens), and this year I think I'll choose two recipes for each category and decide later on. So, here we go!

1. The one cookie that just screams Christmas: The Sugar Cookie

• Pioneer Woman's Angel Sugar Cookies (I'm leaning towards a simpler sugar cookie this year.)
• Red Velvet Sugar Cookies (sounds messy but beautiful)

2. The obvious cookie: The Chocolate Chip Cookie

• The chocolate chip cookies from the Seriously Delish cookbook (My mother-in-law has become addicted to them.)
• Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

3. The must-have-or-everyone-gets-mad cookie: The Brown Butters with Caramel Frosting

• The Famous Brown Butters (Obviously, except this year I might make them on their own separate day, so I can make plenty for EVERYBODY.)
• I'm not sure if I want to go with Pretzel Bark again or maybe try a new scone recipe (possibly Maple Pecan Scones)

4. My traditional Christmas cookie: The Snickerdoodle

• Ginger Doodles (found in the Dashing Dish Cookbook)
• Chocolate Espresso Snickerdoodles (what a twist; I like it!)

5. My absolute-favorite-cookie-in-the-whole-wide-world: The Almond Blueberry Cookie

• Almond Blueberry Cookies (duh?!)
• Macadamia Nut Cookies (I'm going with another nut)

6. The random cookie: Something with "Apple" (I have no idea why, but this has become a thing)

•  Apple & Spice Cookies (found scribbled on a random note card in the back of a cookbook)
•  No-Bake Tiramisu Cookies (no idea why I place them in this category....)

7. The "Girls Only!" cookie: Something with LEMON (this is a must for me and Mama)

•  Lavender Lemon Sable Cookies (My mouth waters just looking at these!) or these Lemon Crinkle Cookies (which are apparently the best lemon cookie ever.)
• And for another fruit, either these Blueberry White Chocolate Cookies or these Fresh Cranberry Chocolate Chunk Brown Butter Cookies

8. The must-not-forget-Daddy cookie: The Chocolate [Something] Cookie

• Chocolate Crackle Tops or Chocolate Kisses
• Mocha Latte Logs (I've been wanting to make these all year!)

I plan to make my Raspberry Rudolph Noses for my Charlie Brown Christmas program at work. And I'm thinking about making some Earl Grey Truffles for hostess gifts this year. They sound fabulous. Instant invitation to parties ;)

Wouldn't these go perfectly with your coffee?

Happy Holiday Baking!

What's on your baking list this season?
 
With Love and God Bless,
Brindi

Lately

1. I'm making it a priority to make time for myself here and there before the holiday obligations commence. I can get sooooo wrapped up in shopping, decorating, baking, giving, traditions, and visiting that before I know it I'm overwhelmed and lose focus of the reason for the season. Which is Jesus, my friends. It's always Jesus.

2. So, I'm taking time to get organized as well. I came across this handy-dandy November to-do list. This is right up my alley. After this weekend, I will be on top of things.

3. As part of my me time, on my past Monday off, I went shopping. For work pants only. I was in desperate need of new dress pants. And where else can a short, petite lady shop than my favorite store Banana Republic. Talk about perfect timing, too. All pants were 30% off. I scored a cute gray pair for less than ten bucks! At Banana Republic!! And I wasn't even at the outlet store!!! My love for you is strong, BR.

4. On a more unfortunate side of things, Mr. B found a tick on Mr. Darcy this morning. Ick. He had one last year at this time. He just loves playing in the leaves. And we can't keep him out of the woods. My poor little pup. I feel like a fur-parent failure. I gave him extra eggs this morning to make up for the trauma.

5. As you can see in my above photo...guess what's back? It's red cup Season. Yes! Which means it's hot caramel apple spice season. Yes!! Which eventually turns into hot chocolate season. Yes!! Annnnd Starbucks hot chocolate is like a drug, people. Addictive with a capital A-DDICTIVE.

5. Oh, and this weather?!?! It's November. It's 75 degrees in Ohio. In November. I mean do we get out the pool or rake the leaves? Do we dig out the patio furniture or the Christmas lights? What is going on.... ??


With Love and God Bless,
Brindi

Photo an Hour

6 AM

7 AM

8 AM

9 AM

10 AM

11 AM

12PM

1 PM

2 PM

3 PM

4 PM

5 PM

6 PM

7 PM

8 PM

9 PM

It was an early day, watching the coffee pot.
It was barn tearing down day.
It was a breath-taking, blue-sky fall day. 
It was a comfy, cozy, crafty, cider, candy apple, caffeinated day.
It was Oakridge Festival Day!
It was a day trip kind of day.
It was a frustrating day to be a Browns fan.
As always, a day to be thankful.

With Love and God Bless,
Brindi

My Beautiful [Highlighted Summer]

In case you aren't on Instagram, or don't follow me, here's a peek at my Insta-Life lately.
[*All photos are taken from my Instagram account.]

Enjoying my morning devotional on the deck with coffee and Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy was quickly over IT.

 

On our way to Hocking Hills! Mr. Darcy loves going on vacation with us.

Back in June we got our first egg from a chicken. With five chickens, we get a steady five eggs a day. Fresh eggs are wonderful.

My co-workers decorated my office in celebration of my birthday. I love them. They know me so well.

My bestie took me on the wine train for my birthday. It was completely crazy. I love her. She knows me so well.

Drive-in date nights are a summer MUST.

Camping with Nana and Papa.

With Love and God Bless,
Brindi

It's October and I'm Back!

Well, HELLO!

(Every time I say this, I do it with Mrs. Doubtfire's voice. I watched that movie waayyy too many times as a child.)

Gosh, I hope y'all had a great summer. A relaxing summer. There for awhile mine was quite wet, actually. We definitely had an odd summer here in Ohio. Even the Summer Reading program at my library was a bit off... Yet, I was still giddy with the idea that it's over and I have time on my hands at work. A little bit of breathing room, filled with hours of weeding and maintaining the collection....and then September hit. Programs started back up and wait, where did summer go? And the calendar is telling me it's October?!?!

A few short words on what I was up to these past few months....

I was in over my head with super hero training and boot camp library programs, surrounded by hundreds of mosquitoes (I couldn't even enjoy my backyard), full on ice cream and fair fries, caffeinated on never-ending glasses of iced coffee, and forever tired because I kept stumbling across crazy-good books and new-to-me series that.I.couldn't.put.down.even.to.get.a.little.shut-eye. <--- I'll talk about these good reads soon! Sadly, we lost a chicken along the way, but the other five are doing just grand.

Mr. B and I were busy with painting and a few home improvement tasks. But in the meantime we had many movie date nights, a couple camping excursions, county fair stops, and spent a long weekend in Frankenmuth. Y'all know how much I love this place! Gahhh, can't get enough. Christmas everywhere. All the time.

Although, I have to admit, it was odd celebrating my love for all things Christmas in 80-degree weather.

Oh, and birthdays were celebrated.

It's good to be back. :)

Next post is coming soon; until then, enjoy cuteness on little legs!

With Love and God Bless,
Brindi

My Beautiful Month

In case you aren't on Instagram, or don't follow me, here's a peek at my Insta-Life lately.
[*All photos are taken from my Instagram account.]

Easter adventures with the family.

My Emerald City.

He loves using anything as a pillow.

It's been FIVE years. It feels like yesterday.

With Love and God Bless,
Brindi

Virtual Coffee Date

Thank you, Jesus, for the sunshine!

I see many, many, MANY iced coffees before me. And I am in love.

It's been a bit since our last date.

Here it is March. Did anyone else think January and February dragged on and on? It felt like there was no end. Maybe it was the snow. Maybe it was the subzero temperatures. But spring is slowly peeking its head. Time for a wardrobe change. Time for spring cleaning. Time for spring vegetables. Time for walks through the park. Time for a change.... ?

Maybe.

If we were having coffee right now, I'd tell you how I feel God is laying a change on my heart. A change to do more and be more to people. More to my church. More to my community. More to my friends. More to my family.

I am struggling with this.

If we were having coffee right now, I'd tell you I'm struggling because I am an introvert. I know, you're shocked. So am I. I truly am. More often than not I'd rather be at home. With my husband. With our dog. I'm a homebody, and although I love having people over at my house, playing the hostess, and love visiting friends and family, I don't want to put doing more for others over doing more for my husband and our home. Right after God, my family is first. I don't want to give up my time, yet I feel God is telling me to do more with it.

How do I accomplish this without risking time with my hubby?

We could do things together, you say. Our schedules are quite different. It can be hard. My homebody side doesn't hold a candle to Mr. B.'s. He loves being home. And I love that he loves being home. I love that we wouldn't choose anyone else to spend time with if asked. But....

But I feel this is very important to me. Friends have said it's much easier to get involved with fellow church members, neighbors, and the community once you have kids. I see there's truth in this advice.

While contemplating this, I heard these Hillsong United lyrics:

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever you would call me.

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior.  --- "Oceans (Where My Feet Fail)"

And then later on that night, amid my late-night Bible study through the YouVersion app, I read, "Resolve to tune your ear to the Holy Spirit's voice and when He asks you to do something that makes you nervous - step out and do it!"

I am hearing you, Father.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. --- James 1:22 (KJV)

Any suggestions on juggling both? What community services, if any, do you all do with your family, spouses, and/or friends? How are you doing more with your time? I'd love to hear from y'all!

With Love and God Bless,
Brindi

My Beautiful Month

In case you aren't on Instagram, or don't follow me, here's a peek at my Insta-Life lately.
[*All photos are taken from my Instagram account.]

Excitement for the Garth Brooks' concert!!!!!!!!

Mr. Darcy all dressed up for the Oscars.

Weeding. No space. Librarian problems.

Dr. Seuss love. Happy Birthday!

Cheeseburger salad. Oh, so good.

Why so serious, Misters?

With Love and God Bless,
Brindi