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Monday, November 17, 2014

The Weekend + A Giveaway

This weekend was a good one in the Lew household!

Rob had a game, we relaxed, baked a little and Rob and his buddy watched football while I painted. Just kidding. Roberto did most of the painting while football was on. We actually had a lot of fun doing it! Mind you it was only two walls. But still, it felt very "adult" of us! You know?? Weird. 

So anyways the weekend is over which always is a little sad. Anybody with me??

So how about a great giveaway to brighten up your Monday??

bailley | nelle
karli | katie | hayley | crystal
lindsay | becca | amy | andrea
bex | kristin | karissa | lauren

 I am getting together with Karli from September Farm and these other great ladies to offer you a chance to win some mula! $145 to be exact! How great would it be to win a little extra spending money for all that Christmas shopping you have to do?! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Monday friends! Here is to a fabulous week!

P.S. Karli sponsors awesome giveaways each month. Wanna be a part of the next one?? Check out your ad space options HERE.

 Linking up with B Loved Boston Carly, Bella and  Join the Gossip.
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Thursday, November 13, 2014

Thoughts for Thursday

Here our some thoughts of mine this Thursday, basically a random jumble with some very entertaining stories. Read on...

- Grapes...you cannot find them here without seeds. And it was driving me a little nuts. And then...I was in the grocery store yesterday and they had two bags of seedless grapes! Who knew something so small could make me so happy??

- Last weekend, I was emotional, like really emotional. I was a site to see that is for sure. It was just one of those days (or few) that I was just not adjusting to life here in Poland very well. I was focusing on all the difficult things about being in a foreign country...the language barrier, the no car thing, the lack of close friends, of a church, and so on. Basically I was focusing on all the negatives. But then it was a a new day and God granted me peace and the realization that I needed to change my attitude. Because there are so many positives to living over here...so many wonderful opportunities, tons of time with my amazing husband and just the opportunity to dive into a new culture, to learn and to grow as a person and as a couple. So basically I am giving myself grace, knowing that it is ok to have hard days but challenging myself in those hard moments to refocus on all the positives instead. I know I am not the only one who gets emotional right?!

- We went on a double date last night (a positive- having a great Polish couple to hangout with.) to the movies to see Interstellar. Robert and I both really liked it. It is very sci-fi and long, but a good movie.

- I am currently making homemade granola and it smells ah-mazing. Let's hope it taste that way. If it is good, look for a recipe post coming soon!

- Hot tea is my new jam. Isn't it weird how your taste buds change over the years?? I have never liked hot tea before and now I can't get enough.

- I am so excited to put up a Christmas Tree! From what we have been told, you can buy a real one at certain stores here. Sadly, there are no Christmas Tree farms like last year, but real trees and that makes me excited! But I think I am going to have to wait a few more weeks before they start popping up.

- I am trying my hardest to hold out on Christmas Music until after Thanksgiving. Will it happen?? Your guess is as good as mine.

- So I am learning a little Polish, the very basic stuff. I definitely know how to say "I do not speak Polish" in Polish, that is my life saver. But even when I say that, half of the time people will still try saying stuff to me in Polish and I get this awkward I'm so sorry look on my face. I am sure it is pretty entertaining to witness.

- I got to snuggle a baby last weekend. And I know I say this a million times, but man it is the best.

- I made cinnamon rolls from scratch Sunday morning. And they wouldn't cook fully in the middle and looked disastrous. Just one thing that brought on a cry fest (it was the tip of the iceberg- I am crazy I know). Even though they were a little uncooked and hideous, they tasted to die for. Thankfully, Roberto talked some sense into me before I threw them away. Check out the recipe here.

- If you are needing some good podcast/sermons to listen to check out Willow Creek ( Bill Hybels). These were recommended to me by a friend and each one is so great, especially the Simplify series.

- Lastly, I want to say THANK YOU to all of you who read this space of mine. I cannot tell you how much it means to me and how grateful I am. Y'all are the best.

And because no post is complete without pictures... A throwback Thursday to 2 years ago because I miss these sweet friends of mine!



Have a wonderful Thursday, friends!

 Linking up with Annie, Natalie and Joey.

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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love a simple chocolate chip cookie, and throw some oatmeal in there?? Yes, please.

This recipe was passed down to me from a friend and it is plain delicious. Perfect to wrap up to take to a neighbor or friend and perfect for your after dinner dessert.



Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
2 cup oatmeal
1 1/2 packages (12 oz. bags) of chocolate chips (whatever type/size you would like)
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

Directions
Mix butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla together. In a separate bowl mix flour, salt and soda, then add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Fold in oatmeal and chocolate chips. Refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight. Bake at 365 degrees for 10 minutes.


I made these with my little siblings back in the states and then stuffed them in these Target dollar section bags closed with a sticker. Add in a mix of adult and kindergarten gold sharpie writing...and you've got the perfect little Thank You gift!



Enjoy!
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