Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Two hours left in 2013. I suddenly feel a little melancholy. 2013 went by way too fast!  There are so many moments that I would go back and relive, and there are some that I'd prefer to forget. I can't complain though; 2013 has been an awesome year overall and I am thankful for every moment. I'm excited to take on 2014, and I'm doubly excited to walk through 2014's shenanigans with all of you lovely people.

The family + some friends are all hangin' out right now, preparing to ring in the new year with good food, plenty of laughter, and bubbly ( which is just sparkling grape juice because we don't drink ) Have fun ringing in the year! I hope the next year is filled with happy moments and memories for each and everyone of you! See you next year!!

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The Reason For The Season | To Seek And To Save

The Reason For The Season | To Seek And To Save

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas! I hope that each and every one of you are having a spectacular day with your families. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. The entire month of December is really tremendous. I don't think I will ever lose my December excitement. Christmastime is full of colorful lights, sweets, snow ( if you're lucky ), hot chocolate, gifts, and festive parties. It's all fun, and I love it!

In the midst of all the wintery fun, I am reminded of the true reason for this Christmas season. As a follower of Christ, Christmas has incredibly deep meaning. Christmas is a season of great joy! It is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the hope of salvation that He brought. Jesus Christ, the God-man, was born, being both fully Deity and fully human, to die on a cross for you and me; Paying the price for all of our sins. He shed His Holy blood for us, so that we might be made clean and whole. What a beautiful gift God has given us through Jesus Christ. The gift of salvation and eternal life. And it is a free gift, given by the grace of God.

“God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:5).

What joy and happiness we have this Christmas! The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way, the only Way, for us to spend eternity with Him. What an incredible gift! 

So Merry Christmas! Have a beautiful day full of joy, for you are dearly loved by a Holy and gracious God!

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11 Free Fonts | Christmas Edition

11 Free Fonts | Christmas Edition

Friday, December 20, 2013

I don't know about you, but, I am fond of finding free fonts to play around with. Of course, with Christmas cheekily just around the corner, there's lots of fun to be had with Christmassy fonts! Recipe cards are my weakness here. You can snazzy up a recipe and print it out to share! Love that. I thought I would share eleven of my favorite fonts for the holidays! They're all free, so have fun!

So Lonely  | Peyo Font  |  Life Azures  |  Friandise   |  Plaster of Paris  |  Close to You  |  The Loyalist  |  Versitia  |  Billion Stars  |  Maratre  |  Bandoengsche

I'm off to get into all kinds of Friday shenanigans! What shenanigans are you getting into?
Have fun creating and have a beautiful day!

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Christmas Countdown | The Neiman Marcus Cookie

Christmas Countdown | The Neiman Marcus Cookie

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Though this recipe isn't specifically a Christmas cookie recipe, It is a Christmastime staple in our house. As usual, I have tweaked the recipe just a smidgen, using apple butter in place of the egg. What can I say, I like to experiment. It's equal parts sweet and richly bold, with a touch of warmth. Hopefully you will love it just as much as I do!

You will need:

• 1/2 cup ( one stick ) butter, softened
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup of apple butter
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 Tsp instant expresso powder ( or favorite instant coffee )

Preparation 


Preheat oven to 325˚

In a mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. 

With a hand mixer, blend together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds, until the mixture is fluffy. Beat in the apple butter and vanilla until well combined, about 30 seconds. Add in flour mixture a little bit at a time, and beat on slow speed until well blended. Beat in expresso powder, about 15 seconds, and fold in the chocolate chips.

On a prepared cookie sheet, drop the cookie dough onto the cookie sheet in dollops about 2 inches apart, using a 2 tablespoon measure ( or a good old spoon out of the drawer ) Transfer to the oven and  bake for about 20 minutes or until the cookies are slightly browned around the edges. For chewier cookies, bake for 15 minutes.

Apple butter in the Neiman Markus cookie? I know it sounds odd, but, it adds a little warmth in the undertones of the cookie that makes it just a bit more special. Give it a try! It's easy to make and abundant in sweet, rich flavor. Enjoy!

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Follow Friday Link Up

Follow Friday Link Up

Friday, December 13, 2013

Welcome to this week's Follow Friday Link Up!

It's that time again! This week's Follow Friday is live. Every Friday, you'll have the opportunity to link up your Bloglovin', Twitter, or Facebook profiles! The point of the Follow Friday Link Up is to network with bloggers, meet new friends, and gain more followers! I'm so excited to have you join us, and can't wait to get to know you more!

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<a href="http://lyssandloveliness.com/category/follow-friday/" title="Follow Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i42.tinypic.com/wjwaqa.png" alt="Follow Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

 

{Note: We are currently looking for co-hosts to feature. If you're interested in co-hosting Follow Friday, please contact Alyssa!}

So, what are the rules?

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1.) Follow your hosts

Alyssa @ Lyss & Loveliness: Bloglovin' | Facebook | Twitter   Laura @ Inspiration Sparks: Bloglovin' | Facebook | Twitter  Jen @ Boone & Owl: Bloglovin' | Facebook | Twitter

2.) Follow your co-hosts

Jasmine @ A Pinch of Jasmine: Bloglovin' | Twitter   Jasam @ The Opulent Owl: Bloglovin' | Facebook | Twitter

3.) Link up using your Bloglovin', Facebook, or Twitter profiles

4.) Visit 3 other blogs and leave a comment on one of their posts!

5.) Tweet about Follow Friday to help us spread the word

{Click here to tweet about Follow Friday!}

6.) Grab a button and add it to you blog to show others where you party!

                                                      Check out this month's featured sponsor :

$150 Giveaway | Nectar Collective

$150 Giveaway | Nectar Collective

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Hey people! It's time for another giveaway! With Christmas just 13 days away ( you heard that right! ) we all would welcome a little extra spending dough. And here it is! Just enter the giveaway below for the opportunity to win $150 in prizes to Etsy, Amazon, and Starbucks. So you can knock out some Christmas shopping and treat yourself to coffee. It's a win win!

The Way I Wanderlust | Independent Travel Cats | Lip Gloss and Lunges | Lost in Travels

Travel Babbles | Boone + Owl | The Art of Balance | Melanie Fontaine

The Quiet Place | Chits and Giggles | Living in Another Language | The Nectar Collective

a Rafflecopter giveaway
     

                                                      Check out this month's featured sponsor :

Sponsor Love | Diaries of an Essex Girl

Sponsor Love | Diaries of an Essex Girl

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Hey people! I want to share a spectacular lady with you all today! Kate from Diaries of an Essex Girl. This lovely, British world explorer is on a pit stop in Franfurt, Germany where she works as an Au Pair. I don't know if you've ever seen the movie Au Pair ( I totally have. It was a favorite. Not sure why anymore) but, in the real world, I'm pretty sure being an Au Pair is nothing like that. It's more like The Nanny Diaries, minus a buff Chris Evans.. Maybe not.

Wanna know what it's really like? Kate shares a day in the life. Kate is also a web designer, and a darn good one at that! If you consider yourself to be a picky and difficult customer, you and Kate were made for each other. The more specific you are the better! 

Get to know Kate better below, and be sure to stop by her fun space!

Blog  |  Bloglovin  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest

Start reading here : Grow Your Blog Baby | I Said Yes | French Dating Horror Stories
Have a great Tuesday y'all!

Want to be featured on Boone+Owl? Head over to my Sponsor page.

Check out this month's feature sponsor:

Sponsor Love | Fashion, DIYs, And A Litte Inspiration

Sponsor Love | Fashion, DIYs, And A Litte Inspiration

Monday, December 9, 2013

I am so excited to share some of my beautiful sponsors with you all! Each one of these ladies are oh so  sweet and down to earth. They have fantastic spaces where they share so many creative, fun, and delightful aspects of life. From fashion, to DIYs, recipes, and faith, there is a smidgen of everything. Get to know them better below, and be sure to visit their lovely blogs. You are guaranteed to feel encouraged, uplifted, and find a little inspiration along the way!

Blog | Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Blog | Bloglovin | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Google+

Blog | Bloglovin | Twitter | Pinterest | Google+

Be sure to check out this month's featured sponsor :

Christmas Countdown | The Tree

Christmas Countdown | The Tree

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Hey people! I've said it before and I'll say it again, December is just the best month! It's cold outside, hot chocolate is acceptable, everything is jolly, and the lights.. Oh how I adore Christmas lights. Especially those gingerbread house lights. Ya know, the BIG colored ones? Those are tremendous. When I grow up I am going to have gingerbread house lights, and it's going to be magical!

I have some pretty strict rules about Christmasy things. If it's still November and Santa Baby is playing on the radio, that station is banned. You just can't rush the jolly month. It's wrong. And backwards. And straight up unacceptable. Since it actually, officially is the month of gifting, I have been blasting Michael Bublé's Christmas album. Have you ever just wallowed in the serenity and mischievousness of his voice? It's completely therapeutic. His voice is Mr. Darcy. It's comfort and companionship, with a little sass. So crank up All I Want For Christmas Is You, grab your man, and slow dance. 

The house + tree have been decorated. The tree has always been the most important part of decorating for me. It's such a signature of Christmas, and it sparks awesome holiday memories. When I was younger our tree was covered with fun ornaments that we had collected from childhood. Every year we got a new ornament. Mine were usually equine related. In recent years we switched to shatterproof adornments for the tree. The little minions like shiny, sparkly things. And now my mom and I tag team the tree. I hang the ornaments and she adds the extra trimmings. Anywho, the tree is all purdy now and that makes me happy! Sadly, our tree is fake. Someone always forgets to water the live one, and brown, balding Christmas trees aren't the most appealing. 

We will be doing the annual running of the trees, as always. Every year we go to the live tree lot and run around through the rows of trees. There's a giant, three story snowman and erthang. It's kind of great. But that's a photo post for another day!

I am through with my December ramble. What about you, how do you decorate your tree for Christmas? Bold colors? Shatterproof ornaments? Any decorating traditions?

I'd love to know!

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Fashion With Amanda | Niescior's Notes

Fashion With Amanda | Niescior's Notes

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Things are a little different on Jen's blog today, because I've taken it over... Who am I? I'm Amanda, a South African lifestyle blogger who blogs over at Niescior's Notes :) I'm super stoked to be posting on Boone + Owl and hopefully you'll enjoy the read!

Fashion is a big part of every girl's life, whether you're a self-confessed fashionista that has a hundreds of outfits for different occasions, or you're like me... A laid back tomboy. If it were up to me, I'd live in like yoga pants, but sadly that's not considered appropriate attire in my "profession".

In this guest post, I'll be sharing 5 fashion items that I NEED to have in my closet as well as 5 celebs who's fashion sense I wish I could have... Or just at least their stylists cause with a lot of celebs they have people dressing them... I want people like that!

Here are my 3 Must Have Fashion Items: Nerd Glasses

I wear glasses because I am as blind as a bat, but I have a 3 pairs of nerd glasses that I wear just for the sake of wearing them! They're a fun accessory to have in your collection and you can wear them pretty much anywhere. They are PERFECT if you're going for the preppy look - they complete the outfit in my opinion :)

Tomy Takkies

They are literally the most comfortable shoes ever and they don't go out of fashion! I live in mine... Which results in me having to buy new pairs more often than I would prefer. Not that I'm actually complaining... I'm not actually sure what they're called in other countries... Hmmmm

Jeans

How can you NOT have at least one pair of jeans in your closet? I mean come on now?! They're an essential... You know what actually, I have a friend who had to go out and buy a pair of jeans for our university residence group photo because she didn't have any... Then again, she didn't really own any pants either... Skinny jeans are something that I always need to have - even if I have no intention of wearing them, just knowing they're in my closet puts my mind at ease!

3 Celebs Fashion Sense I Wish I Had

Granted, they don't ALWAYS dress themselves, but I gotta give credit where credit is due and if I could raid these women's closets, I would do it in a heartbeat!

Khloe Kardashian

Kelly Osbourne

Kim Kardashian

The thing I love most about their fashion sense, is that they dress according to their body size and enhance their best features!

Like I can't deal with the awesome clothing they have - yes, I know that I call myself a tomboy, BUT sometimes I make an exception ;)

Which celebs closets do you wish you could raid?!

Niescior's Notes







Be sure to stop by Amanda's blog!

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

 I recently went to Outback with the family, among the various delicious things that were ordered that night was potato soup. I convinced my dad to let me have a bite ( or ten ) and it kind of turned my world inside out and upside down. It was one of the most delicious things that I have ever eaten! Of course, I decided that I was going to figure out how to make the most delicious soup you will ever eat. And here it is! As you can imagine, good potato soup is not figure friendly. Excessive butter + heavy cream are tasty on the lips and depressing on the hips. So, I have tweaked things a little bit. No need to feel bad about this recipe! It is über flavorful, but it lacks all of that excess fat. So enjoy! 

• You will need:
• Drizzle of Olive Oil
• 8 slices precooked turkey bacon ( chopped )
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
• 1 can diced potatoes ( optional )
• 8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Chopped chives ( for garnish )

In a medium pot, heat a drizzle of Olive Oil over medium-high heat. Add turkey bacon and cook until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.

Drain off excess bacon fat ( there won't be much ) from the pot and add butter. When the butter is melted, add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour into the pot and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken stock and bring to a bubble. Cook until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Whisk in mashed potatoes, then stir in the Monterey Jack cheese and diced potatoes, cook until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted. 

Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved bacon and chives.

+ If you want to bring some extra pizazz to this, adding a little bit of garlic powder, salt, and plenty of pepper really kicks things up a bit. 

This recipe was a huge hit with the family! Some toasted Ciabatta bread on the side adds a little something special. This recipe is quick and easy, and much lighter than its restaurant style cousin. Have great Tuesday, and happy eating!

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