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Tuesday, July 9, 2013

sugar cookie recipe and a little bit of kitchen love ... ♥


the summer is already starting to fly by
every year i say the same thing...
i will not let summer fly by
i will not let summer fly by 
but sometimes it does anyways ... 
even still, i'm determined to make a summer bucket list and complete at least half of it. 
our summer seems to start later here. weather wise and when school ends. 
school starts the first week of September ... so i feel like i'm still sorta ahead of the game. sorta.




the past few tuesdays we've been making & taking cookies to daddy's work
last week we tried this recipe for no-roll sugar cookies that i found via Pinterest
it was simple & quick




i've been feeling the weight of not doing enough for others
and pointing out to my girls, that contrary to what society tells us, 
the world does not revolve around them... or even around our family. 




there are kids we can sponsor, people who are sick that we can help, 
or even just for our neighbors. is there something we can do for them? or bring to them?
are we paying attention? to what's going on outside of our little box.
all around us. everyday.



that's the only way. they only way something will be seen as different in us.




not to point towards religion.
religion is empty. it's void.
not to point towards rules
what we should wear, or what type of music we should listen to 
... what version we should read.
rules are empty.
and they fall on the deaf ears of a world 
that has already pinned the Creator as next to non-existent.
no... i don't want to point others towards rules

i want to point towards a Savior. 
the One who is meant to fill the void.
the One who sets us free.
free to live in His Truth & in His Grace...
and striving to find a good balance between the two.




anyways ... that's what's been on my heart lately
and with all this baking goin on, i'm thinking about how thankful i am 
for our home, our kitchenit's spacious and comfy ... 
so much revolves around this room.
my kitchen sink gets a lot of hours out of me :)
i love sprucing it up, adding little things that make it a fun area to spend time in
i found a little white pedestal dish at the thrift store, and put our hand soap & a bottle of lotion on it right near the sink




then i saw these lights on Pinterest and fell in love
and then decided to make a few strands of my own




i strung them over the sink and later found the aqua bird cage at hobby lobby 
threw that and some pom pom flowers into the mix
and now it's like a little party 24/7 right over my kitchen sink :)




to make your own lights, all you need is a string of patio or Christmas lights 
(got these white ones at Target in the outdoor stuff) 
and some cupcake papers. snip a little hole in the base and fit over the bulb
then repeat. like a hundred times
but it's worth it.




at night when we go to bed i turn off all the other lights and leave these on :)
they're like night lights in the kitchen ♥





much love ♥
linking up here:





39 comments:

  1. Where to start! So true about needing to help others and the world not revolving around us. It's a very valuable lesson to teach children these days (and ourselves!).

    The cookies look so pretty and yummy and those lights with the bird change and tissue balls are perfect! I might need to do that above out sink just because we don't have a light there and it is a little dark at times. :)

    Have a great summer!

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    1. go for it! you'll love it so much! ♥ thanks for the visit!

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  2. I adore everything about this post! The pretty lights, the poms, the kitchen love. But most of all, the reminder to point my girls to Christ while serving others. I too have been too busy thinking and wanting to bless the new neighbors down the street. Or the missed opportunity to feed the homeless man that the girls still ask about and both my husband and I deeply regret. I need to DO IT. Love your tender heart friend. Thank you for this. :)

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    1. love you girlie ♥ come over so we can bake together :)

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  3. Wonderful lessons you are teaching...and your kitchen sink looks lovely! I am sure your hubby's work loves Tuesdays :)

    Nora

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    1. ha! they do enjoy it! thanks for the comment ♥ have a great week

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  4. Great post, Jame! Love you!

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    1. i was just thinking about you today...always that way :)
      i miss you a lot lately. and the kids ♥ love ya

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  5. What a very sweet post! Thanks for a kind reminder! Love your cute lights, they are adorable and love that turquoise cage with the flowers too! Hope you have a lovely day! OOOO.... and thanks for sharing your cookie recipe! YUM! xo Holly

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    1. thanks so much Holly! the cookies are yummy :) go make some girl! ♥

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  6. It's all good Jaime! Thanks bunches for the encouragement : )

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    1. thank YOU Kerry! for your sweet support ♥ much love to you tonight

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  7. Your fairy lights look so pretty! I may make some to loop over my daughter's bed! Thanks for sharing your recipe. It looks perfect to try with the kids during the rainy days they are calling for this week! Much love to you and yours!

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    1. thank you sweet lady! that's next actually ... the girls want to make some for their rooms :) have fun ♥

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  8. I really enjoyed this post! The message I got from it, the cool lights, I enjoyed it all! Thanks Jaime :)

    Take care,
    Shana
    firefliesandbumblebees

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  9. I loved this post! I feel the same way about the religion and the rules...it gets in the way of the message. I want to share my love of God with someone not tell them what version of the Bible they should be reading. I believe God is so much bigger than that and will work his love through anything. Your blog and instagram posts inspire me and help me to reflect in my own spiritual life. Thank you so much!

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    1. thank you for this comment Khrissy! so glad you're here :) i appreciate you!

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  10. I love this post!! I agree about religion and rules! All we need is our Savior!! Love the lights!!

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  11. Lovely post. Jesus is the way to go...not religion. I'm sure your girls will see that from you. Your lights are so pretty. And the cookies look yummy!

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  12. Your post made my heart smile! Your lights and decor in the kitchen are so cheery and fun! Have a great day and summer!

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  13. Lovely post for sure ! Where did you get the measuring spoons

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  14. I was just reading a verse in my devotions this morning that went along with what you said...1Peter 3:15. It is always a good reminder to live my life where others can see the hope that is in me. I like what you said about it is not about showing them the rules. So true! I think so often we look at what others are doing "wrong" and not at the heart of the issue, being their need for a Savior and then helping them to grow and see how to live in His grace. Thank you for your post and your example. I love the name of your blog. My daughter and I have been going through a book by Elizabeth George called "God's Wisdom for Little Girls" and we talk often about making the things we do be worth more than rubies. The book is a kid's version of Proverbs 31, bringing it down to her level and making it relevant for where she is in her life in Christ. Wow! I just made that comment longer than I expected! :) God Bless you and your family!

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    1. love your sweet words Sarah ♥ and i love Elizabeth George! read a few of her books when i was newly married :) thanks for the visit & for the wisdom!

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  15. I love this post. I love your kitchen, I love those COOKIES!!!!!

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  16. I would love to make those lights! I need to spruce up my kitchen sink area...especially because of how much time is spent there. I'm going to try those cookies, too. Do you go to any local craft nights in the ROC area? I'd love to hear of some going on that I could attend.

    Amanda Rose
    http://sewmuchtosay.blogspot.com

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    1. thank you Amanda! be prepared to eat a bunch {hehe} they're yummy! :)

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  17. Thanks for sharing such a sweet recipe and I love the darling string of lights!! Such a cute idea, and I am going to have to try it!! Have some white lights already! Have a beautiful week Jaime! xo Heather

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  18. What a lovely heartfelt post and yummy cookies as a bonus!!!! xo

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  19. Dontcha just want to be sold out for Jesus? This post made me tear up, I know that you know that means a lot coming from me. :) love you. ~*Sarah*~

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  20. I just found your blog the other day, and I'm in love! I love the colors and photos. Those cookies look delicious! I have also been feeling convicted about not helping others enough. Sometimes it's all I have to take care of my family, but I definitely want to be intentional on helping others and teaching my children to do the same. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. thanks for the visit Tanya! so happy you're here :) i feel the same ... being a wife & mama is so tiring somedays, but the joy in serving others makes it worth the extra effort i agree! ♥ much love to you

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  21. Jaime, Jaime, Jaime what can I say, I love the way you are allowing Jesus to use you, and minister to others through this beautiful blog. I am so thankful that I found you! I can say you are my favorite one!! Thank you, thank you!!

    Of course I cant say enough about all your beautiful blog entries and amazing pictures, one of these days you will have to share with us what you are shooting with. God Bless you girly!!

    xoxo
    Cristiana

    PS Got my beautiful hoops and pennant, it was waiting for me after being out of town for two weeks. Even prettier in person. ;)

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  22. Beautiful and inspiring post! What icing you do you use on your cookies? I don't have any go-to recipes on hand. :) Thanks!

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  23. Thank you for sharing Dress A Girl! Best link ever :)

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  24. Thanks for sharing. I gotta ask - where did you get (or how did you make) your spice jars? I love them!

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  25. I LOVE the cupcake garland idea! SO CUTE! Visiting from Party Junk.

    ~Stacy @ Stacy Makes Cents

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