Attunga Update!

Ohmygoodness you guys! I can't believe how fast time is flying by!

If you don't already know, I am going to Australia in August to do an internship at a Christian camp. You can read about it here.

Anyway, my big news: we finally bought my plane tickets!

I seriously can't believe it. I knew it was going to happen before, but now that we have tickets & dates, it feels even more real. Like, there is no going back now - not that I would want to.

I have been talking to some of the other interns that will be there with me & that's also solidifying it more. They're from all over too, which is awesome. One girl is from New Zealand, another is from the UK, another is from here is Washington, not too far from where I live, which is cool. 

I am so beyond excited for what God is going to do through me & to me while I am down there. It's so cool to think about the fact that God is bringing young adults from literally all over the world to come together & have the most epic, life changing experience of their lives!

Your prayers over my financial situation as well as preparations for my heart & mind would be greatly appreciated (: I have to force myself to not think about the fact that I won't get to see my family, Benjamin, or my church family for over 4 months. Or the fact that I will not be here for my 21st birthday or Thanksgiving. It kind of breaks my heart when I think of what & who I will be missing while I'm gone but I also know that I will get to do & experience things in Australia that I otherwise may never get to experience.

So now that that is out of the way, all I have to do now is start planning my fundraiser, back up my bags & my room, finish up school, & get on that plane! (:

RECIPE | Tortellini Soup

So I'm just gonna be honest here, I completely made this recipe up off the top of my head. I was at Target looking for something yummy to have for dinner that night, & I saw these tortellini's & *BING*, lightbulb.

So I grabbed some stuff & headed home. 

INGREDIENTS:

-tortellini (or really any kind of noodle you like)

-1 medium onion

-3-4 red potatoes

-1 green pepper

-1 can green beans (fresh would be better)

-1 can of tomato sauce

-chicken bouillon cubes (I think I used between 4-6 cubes)

-water (1 cup per bouillon cube, not shown)

- approx. 1 lb. of chicken breast

-garlic (not shown)

-spices (not shown)

Start by boiling the chicken - make sure to cook thoroughly! Just plain old water & salt.

Next, chop up the onions & green pepper. Throw in some garlic, salt, pepper, & spices! I think there is some parsley, basil, & oregano in there. But really whatever sounds good to you & whatever you have could work just as well.

Also at this time, dice your potatoes & set aside.

After the chicken is done cooking, take it out of the water & put on a plate to cool down.

While the chicken is cooling, throw some oil in the pan, & toss the onion, pepper & spices in to brown & soften - about 5 minutes.

After those are brown, pour in your bouillon cubes & water, tomato sauce, potatoes, tomato sauce, green beans & chicken.

Bring this up to a boil.

After this has boiled for about 5-10 minutes, throw your tortellinis (or whatever kind of noodle you choose to use) in. Let boil for time directed on box. Then turn the stove off & let cool for about 10 minutes (it will be HOT).

VOILA! You are done & ready to eat your delicious, homemade Tortellini Soup.

Enjoy (:

*This would be delicious with a side of bread too!*

RECIPE | Berry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

Wow that's a lot of B's! I had another one in their but I took it out cause I thought it was too much, ha. I'm a preschool teacher, what can I say, I notice alliteration like that.

Anyway, back to this recipe. I'm not really much of a breakfast person usually. If I have the time to cook pancakes with bacon or biscuits & gravy then I can be, not that never happens. So on the mornings when I'm rushing out the door to head to work, I need something quick to prep & quick to eat. I saw this on Pinterest & thought I would give it a shot.

It's kind of a cross between a cobbler & a cake, but it's got healthy stuff in it to keep you going through the morning. Here's the origional pin.

INGREDIENTS:

-pinch of salt

-3/4 tsp. cinnamon (I'd do a little more)

-1 cup milk (any kind you like)

-1 tsp. vanilla

- 2 Tbsp. butter (melted & cooled)

- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats

-1 egg

-1/2 tsp. baking powder

-1/4 cup maple syrup

-2-3 bananas

-1 cup berries (any kind you like, I used about 2 cups)

Combine the syrup, butter, milk, & egg together (be careful that your butter is not too hot or it will scald the egg - I think that's what happened to mine even though I let it cool)

Combine the oats, cinnamon, & salt.

Slice the bananas (I used about 2 1/2) & cover the bottom of your buttered/sprayed baking dish.

pour half the berried on top of bananas (I used about double of what the recipe called for cause when I poured half a cup in it just didn't look like enough;)

Pour the oat mixture over the bananas & berries. Then pour the egg mixture over that. Top with more berries (:

Put it in the oven to bake. 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

When it's done this is how it will look. Amazing right?! It looks more like a dessert to me & I always have room for dessert.

Just look at those plump juicy berries & perfectly browned edges. YUM.

ENJOY!

DIY | Scratch Off Card

Now that it has officially been about 2 1/2 weeks since Valentine's Day I thought I should finally get around to showing you the card/gift I made for Ben. I saw this on Pinterest & thought it was perfect! Here's the original pin I saw.

Materials:

     -white crayon

     -paint brush

     -fine tip pen

     -dish soap

     -acryllic paint

     -card (you can hand make or print out - download link on original link)

Mix a little bit of the dish soap & paint

Write your little gifts or messages in the hearts

Color each heart in with the white crayon - a good thick coat

Apply a thick coat of the paint/soap mixture on top of the hearts

& VOILA! Wait for it to dry & give it to your boyfriend, husband, friend, or whoever (I taped a penny to the corner of mine for him to scratch it off with).