Happy Angel Feastdays!

Today is the feast of the Guardian Angels and Saturday was the feast of the Archangels. Being that my household is affectionately called "The Angels" we had an Archangel party at our adviser's, or as we like to say Guardian Angel, house. In deciding what to contribute to the party I decided to scope out an angel themed item. I liked the idea of Devil's Food Cake with swords stuck in the top (to represent St. Michael defeating Satan), however, in fear of not being able to find small swords I decided instead to make these cookies.

While I was intimidated by the amount of steps required to make these cookies I decided to forge ahead with baking confidence and take a stab at them (get it haha still keeping the fighting theme). I was really afraid they wouldn't look any thing like angels wings but I turned out thoroughly surprised that they actually did look like angel wings.

Some photos of the process.

The cookies ready to go into the oven.

I got really festive and first put three "halos" on the platter to represent the three archangels, Sts. Rapheal, Gabriel, and Micheal.

The cookies all ready for the party, see they do look like wings (I will admit they only look like angel wings when you know they are supposed to be angel wings.)

And one photo of a few angels and cherubs.

So there you go. I hope you are enjoying these weeks full of feast days!

Live Joy.

Pinterest Challenge Week 3

Next up is...

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

I normally don't bake things that have so many steps because I just get overwhelmed but I am glad I did, this cheesecake was delicious.

It didn't exactly look the best but I am sure if I pulled up the tinfoil and put it on a platter I could make it look presentable.

This "challenge" thing is reminding me how much I wish there was a "did this" button on pintererst.

Live Joy.

Thrifting.

Nothing says a Saturday in fall like a little thrifting with the roomsies.

First we stopped by a garage sale. I am such a sucker for garage sales.

Leaf platter $1.25 and a Giani Bernini cross over purse for $1

Next we went to Goodwill. I like the Goodwill in Steubenville because it is smaller than the one back home and thus less overwhelming. Here is the loot.

Don't you just love the owl detail on this belt!!

And I just love this mug, I thin it is so gorgeous!! (Sorry I can't figure out how to get it to upload flipped.)

Yellow Platter-$2
Mug-$0.50
Sweater-$4
Jeans-$7
Owl Belt- $2.99
Other Belt- $2

I love Saturday's thrifting because you are able to find unique items that are good for the environment and the bank account.

Live Joy.

Pinterest Challenge Week 2

Up this week was a suggestion from my Stacey and she found it here.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

I used the site for the recipe to make the syrup.

Because I don't like really sweet sugary things I used only one cup sugar and a half cup of agave nector. However if I was going to do it again I would do the same thing but do twice as much of the four spices so that I could use less sugary syrup to get the same amount of flavoring. (Are you still getting the vibe that recipes are inspirations rather than rules for me?!)

The lattes were tasty and if you are wondering about dairy options I used rice milk and it turned out just fine.

Let me know if you try it.

Live Joy.

What I Wore Today

So I love other bloggers posts about what they are wearing so I thought I would periodically post a series of photos of what I have been wearing even though it feels incredibly awkward and vain to take so many pictures of myself.


Summer Sunday---Mass and visit with Grandma



Now tell me honestly, does this outfit fit my age?

Saturday---Lazing around in the house doing homework, Lord's Day and Gilmore Girls Party

You already saw this outfit once with the new necklace post but I thought I would show it again so that you could see the whole outift.

Ignore the wet hair and nerdy pose. The jeans are the best part of this outfit. A friend didn't like them anymore and gave them to me. Score!!

Sunday---Mass, hanging out, and Angel commitment

I don't normally do mirror shots but my roommates were gone and I wanted to get a picture of the outfit for this post.

I had white wedges on for Mass and have been wearing my brown Birkenstocks throughout the rest of the day.

Saturday---Thrifting and such

The dress is my roommates, one of the best parts about college living!

Sunday----Mass

Live Joy.

Fall-i-fying.

So in line with this whole autumn pinterest board, I have also ensured that our house has a little fall-i-fying. I didn't go crazy, that will come at Christmas, and even then I have to save some for real-life-family-mortage-home decorating.

Really once this post is done you will be like why did I even bother mentioning it because it really is only a few things but a few little things really change the atmosphere of the whole place.

I already had some fall looking flowers from home so I just put those in a pretty glass next to our gold lamp and my beloved Belgium Madonna and Child Jesus.

Next took a little creativity and alot of indecision. I literally went back and forth in Wal Mart from the glass bowls, to the candles, to the beans and back to the candles. In the end I am very happy with the end result and love how it makes the house smell so delicious. The whole thing is a combo of a square glass bowl, dried chick peas, and a mulled cider candle.

I also had some stuffed scrawcrow-ish dolls that we hung up on our "gallery wall". So what else could I do after fall-i-fying the house but sit down with a Our Lady of Guadaloupe mug full of cranberry apple tea and just take in fall with friends.

Live Joy.

Grow Where You Are Planted.

Fr. Dominic Foster gave an inspiring homily today.

He began by comparing St. John Vianney to Fr. Mike Scanlen. Simplified, his point was that St. Vianney wouldn't be a saint if he had false pride and none of us would be here, at Franciscan, if Fr. Mike Scanlen had false humility. Both grew where they were planted.

We too must prosper where the Lord has us. Live in the moment. Embrace the current place you are in your vocation. Wish not for things you don't have but enjoy the things you do.

Grow where the Lord has planted you.

Live Joy.