Search Results for: baked goods can change the world

When I am feeling a bit blue, I like to try and bless others…just makes me feel better.

I personally feel like baked goods could change the world 🙂  Maybe not the actual baked goods themselves, but maybe the kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity that comes with the giving of baked goods.  So to encourage you to give the gift of goodies, I present to you The World’s Easiest Cookies.  My SIL Kim gave me this recipe a while back.

Did you read that?  That’s it.  Too easy, in fact maybe even too too easy.

You can use any cake mix flavor you like…the possibilities are endless, but one of my favorites is Devil’s Food.

Mix that crazy short list of ingredients together.

Then add any extra yummy goodness…I love white chocolate chips with the Devil’s Food chocolate, but again, the possibilities are endless.  Think about it…chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, caramel chips, Heath bars…any crunched up candy for that matter…like I said, endless.

And bake.  Done, done and triple done.

For those sweet looking chocolate chip cookies, I just used a yellow cake mix and chocolate chips.  Easy as pie.

Now I think you should bake up a batch and share.  Remember baked goods could change the world 🙂

And here are 4 things that make me smile:

1)  Susan and Sol sporting their matching Batman tees.

2) Harper’s new $3 and $5 lunch boxes for her up and coming kindergarten year.

3)  My new fuzzy mustache key chain.

4)  And Harper’s new anchor tee.  My friend Jess has given me a new love for the color navy…she would be proud.

Happy Wednesday!

I haven’t done this in a while, but lately I’ve been noticing some new favorite things showing out in my life so I started a list and wanted to share them with you guys today.  The only affiliate links are the Amazon ones and I only recommend things I really and truthfully love and think are legit.  Oh, by the way, first off, Happy Friday.  I should have led with that 🙂  So excited for the weekend.  I’m currently trying not to wish time away so we can get to Everett’s heart cath quicker and I might be lining up fun things between now and then hoping the time will past faster.  Okay, I digress, so onto some favorites.

Fashionable’s Earring Bar:  I LOVE small, different earrings and usually have a hard time finding ones I really like.  Fashionable is an amazing company here in Nashville…a purchase with great purpose business.  I purchased several pairs of their earrings as gifts and finally broke down and got myself a pair when they we’re having a Thanksgiving sale.  Oh my!!!!  You guys, I love these earrings.  They are my favorite.  And now they have an earring bar where you can purchase single earring studs that are handmade, unique and have great purpose.  Totally check them out.

Missoula Silicone 4 Sizes Icing Bag Set:  A long time ago I had an amazing Wilson icing tube contraption thing and one sad sad day it broke.  For the longest time I’ve just been working with ziplock baggies which inevitably bust on me so I finally decided to order some reusable piping bags. I snagged a silicone set on Amazon and haven’t regretted it for a moment.  They are easy to use, store and wash.  I am sold!

Lovishly Miniature China Necklace:  Lovishly is another amazing purposeful company I have become quite smitten with.  I actually saw this necklace in person first on my SIL Becky when my niece Nia was born.  I was instantly in love.  It’s small and dainty and gorgeous.  Then I bought the same necklace for a dear friend to commemorate the unimaginable goodness God was doing in their family.  I now have a list of things I’ve got my eye on from this awesome company.

Listen and Learn First Chinese Words Book:  I received this book free from our Usborne Book fundraiser we did for Everett’s adoption.  The kids all really liked it already…hearing the Chinese words for everyday things, but then Everett got a hold of it and he LOVES it.  Right now I’m noticing how hearing mandarin is really comforting and soothing to him.  He loves to sit with this book, push the pictures and hear his native language.  I like this book so much I’ve already purchased it for a friend.

Garmin Forerunner 15:  I’ve had this watch for a while now and it is the best “sporty” watch I’ve owned.  When I started training for a 1/2 marathon last January I wanted to get a watch that was easy to use and wasn’t crazy expensive, but also had GPS to track runs, milage, times, etc.  It also has a timer, keeps up with your history and even your steps and is waterproof.  I pretty much never took it off over the past 15 months.  Bonus:  It was perfect for our “live at the wave pool” days of summer.  The other day my band broke and I have been like a lost sheep 🙂  I definitely need my watch to help me keep up.  I already ordered a replacement band because I need this watch back in my life asap.

Simple Seize the Day Planner:  In December I started looking for a new planner.  I’ve been an Erin Condren advocate for years now…like years!!!!!! but in December I started to feel the need for something simpler.  Something smaller and easier to throw in my purse.  I searched and searched and finally landed on MochiThings and found THE PLANNER I had been looking for.  It was smaller, simpler, thinner and had grid paper.  I love a good grid paper.  I will say you do have to fill the calendar out for yourself, but I actually loved doing that…it’s right up my brain’s alley.  I have really really really enjoyed this planner and already decided I will be purchasing it again for next year.

And last, but certainly not least Pillsbury Funfetti Cake Mix + Betty Crocker Rainbow Chip Can Icing:  I pride myself on homemade baked goodies, love them in every sense of the word and truly believe baked goods can change the world.  Typically my kids ask for homemade things I love to make, but then Harper inevitably breaks the mold.  Every.Single.Time.  Any time she gets to pick the dessert choice 9 times out of 10 it’s going to be Pillsbury Funfetti Cupcakes topped with Betty Crocker Rainbow Chip Icing.

Her birthday was Wednesday and of course this was her choice of celebratory dessert.  When she picks this I do 2 things: 1.  I’m elated because a box cake and a can of icing is my kind of time saver love.  2.  My mouth waters because this is absolutely the most amazing combination of box cake and canned icing that could possibly exist.  I mean, if you really think you can rival it, please lay it on me because I’ve yet to eat anything which comes close.  And let’s be real, the rainbow chip icing is what really sends this combo over the incredibly tasty edge.  I don’t know what those little chips actually are…I honestly don’t even care what those little chips actually are because all I know is they are heavenly in my mouth.  Harper picked the cupcake variety because she said they would last longer.  I ate 3 yesterday.  Your birthday cupcakes do not last longer when your mother is hiding behind the refrigerator every hour or so eating another one of your cupcakes.

Alright.  That’s it for some of my current favorite things.  If you have something you think I need to hear about please share!!!!!  I’d love to read about what you’re loving right now too.

Happy Friday.

Last night I got to sit with a group of ladies who all have adopted or are foster mommas. I shared a piece of our family’s story and taught a little about Bible Journaling.  I haven’t done a Bible journaling class in a while and no joke, it just get’s me all kinds of fired up in the best kind of way.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching women get excited about reading God’s word and adding this creative twist to their time with God.  It’s something I could talk for hours about because it has been such a game changer in my life personally.

After the event ended I sat around a table with other women just talking, sharing and listening.  There was crying and head nodding and words of affirmation and words of encouragement.  Josh and I aren’t really plugged in well to a group with other foster parents or parents who have adopted.  When I got in my car to drive home I felt so so encouraged and thankful and heard.  I felt valued.  I felt lifted up.  I felt a sense of belonging.

Being a parent is hard.  Pretty much the hardest/best task Josh and I have been given the sheer honor of having.  We’ve also got kiddos who have suffered an imaginable loss in their life and it absolutely stops me in my tracks some days.  I feel like I’m failing them most days.  I feel at a loss most days.  I literally beg God to be the answer to all their questions because I still feel so inadequate to be their momma despite it being my greatest, most undeserved gift.  A lot of time I can feel isolated and alone.  Last night those feelings diminished and I hope the other ladies felt the same.

I thought about so many thing on the way home, but mostly how simple the act of listening to others can be.  And in the same breath, how the simple act of being heard carries the same impact.  Listening and being heard.  I’m just still feeling all the feels about such a simple and sweet time with new friends.  I’m going to try and listen a little more carefully today to others because I understand the value in feeling and being heard.

Change of direction…and in other housekeeping/adoption fundraising news:

Our Nothing Bundt Cake week is still in full force.  It has been so fun seeing everyone share about it and posting pictures of their cake.  We are so grateful.  I’ve had so many questions about if you can order cake and yesterday I found out that yes, in fact you can.  So if you need some delicious cake in your life and you are not local, give the Hendersonville Nothing Bundt Cake store a call (615) 447-3285 and they will ship cake to you.  You can also order online.

I headed to their store bright and early Monday morning to pick up cake goodness to share.  Cake pretty much always say “I love you” or “we appreciate you”.  Who could you share some cake with this week…teachers, neighbors, friends, doctors office, post office workers, your favorite cashier or banker.  I bet your post man would die if there was a little cake waiting for them in your mailbox today.  Let’s all buy tons and tons of cake and share away.  Remember, baked goods can change the world.

And the best part, everyone has raved about how freakin delicious these cakes are.  Everyone.  We left one for Josh’s mom the other night while she babysat our kiddos.  As I was walking her out I said “Oh you forgot your cake.”  She then reassured me she had not forgotten her cake, but had actually devoured it and there was no longer any actual physical cake left.  Hahahahaha.  Again, everyone loves cake.  Second best part, 10% of all sales will go towards our adoption fees.  Raise the roof.

And last thing our Noonday Collection online show is closing down this Friday night.  We are so close to hitting a big goal and our family still receives 20% of online purchases as well.  Thought I would share a few of their sale items because they are awesome and encourage you guys to think Christmas.  Remember, Josh Kelley says it’s never too early 🙂

You can view all their sale items HERE.

Thank you guys again so much.  We feel so humbled and honored you would pray prayers or lend any help at all to our family during this process.  Grateful doesn’t even come close to touching it, so please know we are just beyond grateful.

Happy Wednesday!!!

First, thank you for your kindness.  Thank you to each of you who actually read my post and with an open mind and heart.  Thank you for listening to my thoughts and feelings.  I cannot say that enough.  I told Josh Kelley the other night I just want to get this right.  I want to get this life right so badly and to constantly try and think like Jesus would and bring Him glory.  I am ultimately a messed up sinner just trying to do my best and need buckets of grace.

This morning we woke to more lost lives.  To more hatred and evil.  To more of a fallen world in need of our Savior.  I keep saying over and over again “This is a mess.  We are a mess.”  I am so broken hearted for those police officers and their families.  I cannot imagine their devastation.  Here’s the thing:  We don’t have to take sides in this.  We can stand with and support our black sisters and brothers while simultaneously standing with and supporting our police officers.  It’s not one or the other.  We can be on both sides and that is where our family chooses to stand.

Last night I made breakfast for dinner.  Pancakes, eggs, bacon and fruit.  In some way I thought a yummy dinner…a familiar dinner…might ease my kids hearts as we discussed such hard matters.  We told them all about what had happened to Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.  I cried of course, but we had good open conversations where they could ask questions and say what they were feeling.  We talked about how we were going to a Black Lives Matter vigil and how we would stand up for this…how we wouldn’t be silent.  Hudson got teary.  Harper asked good questions.  Solomon was quiet.

Sol doesn’t talk about his feelings a lot.  I pry all the time to try and get him to open up.  I knew he would be quiet.  He’s a thinker.  After everyone had left the table he came over and buried his face in my neck.  I squeezed his little body so hard and asked how he was feeling.  He said “So sad.”

This morning I sat the kids down and again had a hard conversation, but told them about the police officers.  I cried again and explained we would stand with the police officers too.  That we always need to stand up for what’s right and what happened in Dallas was not right.  Hudson cried so hard.  Harper asked good questions.  Solomon this time quietly and simply asked “Was is a brown man who shot them?”  I answered all of their questions truthfully.  We talked about how police officers may feel today and how their families may feel as well.  I want my kids to be empathic and compassionate.

So today we made treats…chocolate chip cookies, funfetti cookies and rice krispy treats and delivered them to our police station.  Baked goods can change the world right?!?!  We also colored and drew signs for the vigil we are attending tonight.  The big kids all thoughtfully chose their own poster wording and it made my heart swell.  This is how we chose to not choose sides.  This is how we chose love and compassion.  This is how we are choosing to fight injustice.  There are so many other ways to do the same, this is just us.  We are saddened by all the lost lives this week and we will stand up for them.

Truthfully, yesterday was a pretty dark day for me.  So much so I didn’t even feel like myself.  I put my hope in people when I should have put my hope in Jesus.  I decided today would be different because I get to choose how I handle things and where I place my hope.

Again I wanted to share from a list I have been collecting.  Other people say what I am feeling so much better and so much wiser.  Please take the time to read them.

THIS article is ridiculously excellent.

“With the coverage of cases like those of Eric Garner, Mike Brown and Tamir Rice, the experiences of people of color in America have come back into the spotlight. And wherever your opinion falls on issues like these, believers are called to compassion. Our call is to mourn with those who are mourning.  Instead of arguing the facts of the controversial cases, fight to understand the underlying issues. There is a nation of people hurting, and who are you to tell them that they don’t feel pain? Christians, of all people, should put their arms around a hurting person. You don’t need to know why they hurt.”

 I saw THIS post by Tona Ottinger this morning.  Yes, yes, yes!  And then I cried because I feel this too.

“WHY OH WHY CAN’T WE GRIEVE BOTH???  WHY OH WHY is my news feed filling up with ‪#‎dallas‬ yet it has been almost silent prior?  Injustice requires us all to speak.  Yes, it does require us to pick sides….the side of justice.” 

 This article “What Shootings and Racial Justice Mean for the Body of Christ” is incredibly well written.  Please, please read.

“But how can anyone deny, after seeing the sheer number of cases and after seeing those in which the situation is all too clear, that there is a problem in terms of the safety of African-Americans before the law. That’s especially true when one considers the history of a country in which African-Americans have lived with trauma from the very beginning, the initial trauma being the kidnapping and forced enslavement of an entire people with no standing whatsoever before the law. For the black community, these present situations often reverberate with a history of state-sanctioned violence, in a way that many white Americans—including white evangelicals—often don’t understand.”

“The stakes are even higher, though, morally than they are socially. If we believe that every person will stand before a Judgment Seat, we cannot then stand silently when we see injustice.”

THIS post by Jo Saxton brought me to tears.

“Yet as I prayed with some sisters last night, as I stared at the ceiling in the early hours I’ve been thinking and wondering what God calls me to in this moment. What he calls each of us to in this moment. I’m thinking of Jesus in Luke 4 where he proclaims words from Isaiah 61, speaking of good news for the poor and sight to the blind, freedom for the oppressed, release for the captives. And then his words, ways and works demonstrated his proclamation all the way to the resurrection. I’m reminded that I’m his disciple, his follower, learning to put into practice the life he lived…I’m thinking again of what Jesus meant when he said we were salt and light, engaged, involved, transformative. I’m thinking of Isaiah 61 and oaks of righteousness who restore places that have been long devastated.”

Loved THIS post by Glennon Melton…what we do and say right now really does matter in ways we may never understand.  I tell my kids almost every day what the Bible says about our words…they can give life or death…our words are so powerful.

“What we do and say right now matters. Will we respond with hate and fear? or shared grief and love? Ending cycles of violence starts with us in word and deed.”

THIS article talks about how we can’t blame the Black Lives Matter movement for the Dallas police officer’s deaths.  So good.

“Prior to the shooting, the protest on the streets of Dallas was peaceful and controlled. It was led by protesters who spoke out against the police killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. The deaths of these black men, which happened on consecutive days, catalyzed outrage and prompted protests in cities across the country. However, just because the movement aims to end police violence against black lives does NOT mean it encourages violence against police by black people. Black Lives Matter has never, ever insinuated that other lives don’t. And dismissing the movement’s real agenda ignores the torment and terror protesters faced Thursday night, too.”

Lauren Casper’s post HERE is crazy good.

“Battle lines are drawn and friends and family step firmly to their “side” while screaming at the other. We don’t need more enemies. We need more love.  Friends, not only is it possible to be deeply grieved by both the deaths of Alton Sterling & Philander Castile AND the deaths of 5 Dallas police officers… it is necessary. We belong to each other.”

THIS from Nate Homan brought hope.

And as a momma of 3 black children these two articles made me weep.  Please take the time to read and hear a different perspective than you might have heard before or even thought about.

Black Moms Tell White Moms About the Race Talk

Death White Parents of My Black Child’s Friends: I Need Your Help

Thank you again.  I hope you know I sincerely mean that.  You don’t have to visit my small place in the inter webs.  You don’t have to read my thoughts, feelings and words.  So truly, truly…thank you for doing so.  Means the world to me.

A few things this rainy Monday in Nashville:

Our sugar detox finished up yesterday and shockingly we’ve decided to keep at it because Josh Kelley and myself are feeling amazingly good.  I’m not drinking my one-a-day spark anymore (that was my caffeine) and not crashing around 3 everyday like I use to so this is awesome.  We’re eating all meals at home which is saving us money to use on better things like others.  And we both shed a few pounds as well.  I totally recommend Marta’s sugar detox…it’s no gimmick and it’s all about eating basic and easy.  I’m a believer.  And I can’t say how prep-work was huge for me and making life just easier in general.

This crockpot pot roast is insanely good and provided lots of extra lunches.  Just make it like now.

We legit didn’t cheat at all.  I even baked 1000 cookies and served a Dairy Queen ice cream cake…this is madness people, madness, but I’m so glad we stuck with it.

And let’s not even discuss my feelings about passing on a caramel apple bar at church last night.  Holy Moly!

Josh and I did eat some amazing Ethiopian food for a quick lunch date today.  GOJO in Nashville is crazy good…so much so, we decided while eating we were going to have an Ethiopian Christmas party for our family and have them cater.  So flippin’ good.

My big Noonday Collection party is this Thursday.  I promise not to feed you a bunch of chia seeds and flax, hahahahaha.  I haven’t gone that mad party people and you know I believe baked goods can change the world…still do 🙂  Anyways, I’m food planning and getting ready for a fun ladies night.  I cannot wait. I’m already making my gift list for all the things I’m going to purchase too…think Christmas!!!!!  This is the perfect time to purchase with a purpose.  I only support companies I whole heartedly believe in and Noonday is high, high on my list.  They’re amazing.

The more people who purchase the more goodies I get to pick out for a big thank you giveaway.  It’s going to be too fun.  And if you can’t make the party or live out of town just head over HERE and make your online purchase and our party still gets the credit.  Thanks in advance for supporting such a great group of artisans all over the world.

 And I made 235 key fobs last week.  This may sound like an exaggeration, but it’s shockingly not.  Made South Holiday Market here I come.  I’m going to work my tale off for the next 20 some odd days and try and make this thing happen.  Grab a ticket today and come by my booth and say…I’ll probably give you a hug!

Happy Monday.