Currently—November

        How is it November already? It feels like it was just August two days ago, and yet here we are, with only 52 days until Christmas! Here’s what I’m currently up to this October, I mean, November.

        I’m currently cooking all kinds of things. Although you wouldn’t think I’d be doing any cooking since I don’t have a kitchen, but I have actually been able to go back home fairly often to make myself some yummy lunches and dinners. I’m actually cooking anything at the moment, but this past weekend I was able to make mac & cheese, chicken enchiladas, and this super delicious dish called pizza casserole, which is sort of like the top of a pizza—tomato sauce, cheese, and pepperoni—and you put it over pasta, but sometimes I fill a tortilla with it just because I think that tastes pretty good. Anyway, that’s what I’ve been cooking lately.

Just ignore the fact that this pic says a different year, I just really think it's cool so I wanted to add it. 

        I have been planning fun events for my youth group at church. Although I am working alongside with the other volunteers who teach in our group—which is fine with me because I love both of them and since they have lots more experience than I do I feel like I could learn quite a bit from them—I now “officially” have the title of activities coordinator for our youth group. Lately we’ve been planning a tailgate for the Carolina vs. Clemson football game at the end of this month, full of food and plenty of games because we know none of us are really going to end up watching that train-wreck of a game. I’ve also been assisting in planning a Christmas party with fun games and secret Santa gifts. I’m pretty excited about it.

        I’m currently smelling my Pumpkin Pecan Waffles Wallflower from Bath and Body Works. I was looking for something fall smelling to spice up my room for the season, and I found this scent the last time I was at the mall and I pretty much fell in love with it. I really love things that smell like food, and this scent was perfect because it was strong, which meant I would actually smell it in my room, and because it is just the perfect fall smell.

 

        I’m currently appreciating, well, I’m not really sure how to answer this one. I know what I’m thinking…just kidding. In all actuality, there are so many ways I could take this, and I’m not really sure which one is the best. So, I’m just going to say, I’m appreciating the color of the trees this fall, I’m appreciating the way that all of my loved ones have really been backing me up lately—they all believe in me, even though I probably don’t deserve their confidence, and have not been afraid to show it. Those are the things I am currently appreciating.

        Lastly, I’m currently anticipating this weekend! Why, you ask? Because I am getting to chaperone my first ever youth trip! This really ties in to what I am appreciating, because the only reason I am even able to go, and with all my expenses paid for I might add, is because the youth leaders and board members of my church and our district NYI (Nazarene Youth International) president all believe in me enough to give me this opportunity. So, that’s what I’m anticipating, and appreciating.

        That’s what I’m currently up to! What about you? What are you up to this November?

        Happy November!

Linking up at Anne in Residence.


All credit for both pictures goes to the internet, which is where I found them.

High Five For Friday

        It’s Friday! I cannot tell you how excited I am for the three day weekend ahead of me! Now let me tell you a little bit about what has happened before this weekend…

        1. I finally received my copy of this gem! I have been dying to read it, so I was so excited when it came in the mail. I’ve already started it, and let me just say, it is wonderful. Roseanna M. White always does an exceptional job, and I can tell The Lost Heiress will not be any different. Here’s the synopsis:

                Brook Eden has never known where she truly belongs.             When her friend Justin uncovers the fact that she is

        possibly a missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves

        the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the                 North Sea and the estate of her supposed family.

                The mystery of her mother’s death haunts her, and                   though her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the 

        family and the servants of Whitby Park are not. Only 

        when Brook’s life is threatened do they draw close—but 

        will their loyalty come too late to save Brook from the 

        same threat that led to tragedy for her mother?

                As heir to a dukedom, Justin is no stranger to 

        balancing responsibilities. When the matters of his estate 

        force him far from Brook, the distance between them

        reveals that their friendship has grown into something 

        much more. But how can their very different loyalties 

        and responsibilities ever come together?

                And then for a second time, the heiress of Whitby 

        Park is stolen away because of the very rare treasure in 

        her possession—and those who can save her still aren’t 

        sure whom to trust.

        Doesn’t that sound wonderful? I cannot wait to finish this book and review it for you. Be looking out for that because it is coming soon!

        2. Everything is on track for my first giveaway! I cannot tell you how excited I am! Not only are giveaways super exciting, but the book I’m giving away (The Chase by Kyle and Kelsey Kupecky for those of you who don’t already know) is so wonderful! I’m almost done with my copy of it, and I really am loving it! It is such a great book and I am so glad they wrote it! I’ll tell you more when I post my review and giveaway on Monday.

        3. Sorry to have another thing about books, but I really cannot write a list of the highlights of my week without listing the amazing novel I just finished yesterday. A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter is by far one of my favorite books of all time. It really was so, so good. I can’t even tell you how wonderful it is without pouring out my whole review right here on this post. So, all I’m going to say is, come back tomorrow and read my review to see how much I loved it.

        4. We have (finally!) cleaned out the youth room at my church! It needed to be cleaned and organized so badly, so I am so glad we finally got around to it. And we moved the furniture into a more functional, and fun, setting, and I’m so excited to see how that plays out in the future. If you cannot tell, I really am so hyped about my calling into youth ministry. I just love it so much! Even though I don’t have my degree (yet) I can at least help out, and that means the world to me. All I can say is that there will be plenty more posts about anything youth related in the future.

        5. I helped throw the best surprise birthday party for one of my friends! It was such a blast just putting it together and working to keep the surprise (there were 22 other girls involved) but the best part was how genuinely surprised she was, and how much she loved what we had done. She was so completely and utterly excited and touched by the gesture, and I really loved seeing the expressions on her face as we carried out all of our surprises. And she has been such a blessing to us, so it really was great to get to bless her in return.

        Well, that is my week! Happy Friday and three day weekend to you!

Linking up at Spreading My Joy, Della Devoted, A. Liz Adventures, Meet @ the Barre, and The Diary of a Real Housewife.

All credit for the synopsis of The Lost Heiress goes to Roseanna M. White and Bethany House Publishers.