pumpkin cookies

In my quest for all things fall, I have been baking anything and everything that is "pumpkin or spice."

My first stab at ginger snaps was a huge success : ) So, for the Aggie Game last weekend (29-24 vs. Bama - WHOOOP!!), I tried some pumpkin cookies I found on a blog.They looked so easy, and anything with only 3 ingredients is a must-try!

Ingredients:

1 can of pumpkin
1 box of Spice Cake
1 cup of chocolate chips*

*This can be replaced with any other item you like in your pumpkin! (Pecans, nuts, m&m’s…the list goes on!)

Steps:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Mix together the pumpkin and spice cake.

3. Once the mix is smooth, then add the chocolate chips.

4. Scoop the cookies onto your cookie pan with parchment paper (I found the dough to be rather gooey, I think it works best to put it in the fridge for 30 mins or so for easier scooping)

5. Bake for 15 minutes.

6. Enjoy your own little taste of fall!

printables

So, being married has definitely given me sufficient motivation to find ways to cut costs in as MANY ways as possible. Justin and I love to give gifts, but this is one cost that marriage has forced to lessen  : ) So, in the spirit of Christmas, which encourages us all to live more simply (HA : ),  I wanted to share a low-cost, personal option to gift giving!

I found a blog that offered 101 Free Printables!! All of which are adorable, and would make great home updates or personalized gifts!


Here is a look into our latest venture into the craft world. Justin's sister had a birthday last month, so I found some scripture printables, bought some frames at Goodwill, and VIOLA! A personal gift that costs us a grand total of $8!!!

I spray painted all the frames gold, inserted the printables, and there ya go! I was really pleased with how they turned out! I'm looking forward to using a few of those free printables to add to our little home : )


(Yes, I realize, I gotta get better pics than with my silly iPhone, maybe one day.....)






Love.
L.

too precious.

The Christmas Story from St Paul's on Vimeo.


So, in the spirit of November, (aka pretty much Christmas time already) I couldn't resist posting this ADORABLE video.


Enjoy.




Love.
L.

lovin this today

weekend

Weekend in Dallas with the whole Keenum fam! Our weekend included shopping, laughing, games, eating, and even seeing a play!

a beautiful shower on Sunday afternoon for this beautiful lady! April is a dear friend and it was so fun celebrating her and showering her with gifts for her new home!!!

love.
L.

october love.

What a month October has been! We got our first hint of cold weather here in College Station, and suddenly, fall started appearing EVERYWHERE. Since living in our own place, I became a tad obsessed with the natural elements of the season and desperately racked my brain for creative {cheap} ways to bring a bit of the fall excitement into our home. So, my dear friend Kate and I made a Saturday morning trip to the farmers market in Bryan. Kate bought lots of veggies to continue her healthy eating, but since we do not eat healthy foods in our house.....(HA!) I took the opportunity to find some beautiful fall decorations for the Robbins home!!!

Unfortunately, I did not buy EVERYTHING you see, but the top left picture is the fall update to our home.



In other news....

Our FCA Fields of Faith Rally in Bryan. We worked for 2 months to make this event happen! Such a success!

I got to meet up with some of my favorite girlies from Abilene for a fun girls weekend in Waco. We got manicures, ate LOTS of food, and laughed and laughed! So refreshing and fun!

My birthday was on the 23rd! I got so spoiled with gifts and calls from family and friends. A dear friend gave us a gift card to Luigi's, a fancy Italian restaurant in CS so I was spoiled with an AMAZING birthday dinner!!

So with a sigh and a smile I think back on our first October as the Robbins. Eventful and sweet. I'm ready for cooler weather to come and stay, and to maybe have a night at home with the hubby, cuddled up and drinking tea.


Love.
L.

life

yes.

expectations, go to.....

If it wasn't obvious from the lack of a post in the past month, moments to sit, process and enjoy have been few and far between. It doesn't help that our house is currently lacking in the internet department.....we don't have it. My favorite past time of browsing, piddling and perusing has been greatly decreased, whether to my dismay or benefit is up for debate. It does cause a bit more productivity in my life I'd say.


The journey to becoming a "wife of noble character" has been not quite the adventure I expected (a word that is used here, but is quickly becoming a 4 letter word in our house). I spent the first few weeks of our marriage cleaning continually, washing every dish as it was used, making the bed every morning, and cooking dinner. Every night, every day, every spare moment. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't slaving away to a tyrannical husband who demanded the highest for me. I was TOTALLY digging having my OWN home to keep up with my OWN way. So, when in the past few weeks dishes have all but become mountainous, Justin runs out of clean clothes, and we have eaten out 6 of the past 7 dinners, I became a tad bit depressed : (    ((whimper whimper))

4 weeks, and few minor major meltdowns later, I am realizing a few things that I think every married woman should know. WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THIS! Oh wait, they did, but my silly little (expectations) got the best of me. So, a few truths that I am repeating to myself, today, tomorrow, maybe forever.

1. My husband loves me, and it is not contingent on the present order/chaos of our house.
2. I am in college, I have tests, I cannot cook dinner every night. Oops.
3. I am a woman. That means I am feminine. I DO NOT have to prove this fact by being the ultimate housewife of the year.
4. Jesus is my hope---not a clean house, or a perfect marriage, or a made up face every day.
5. I have a full and happy life, so what if I miss a few classes or bomb a few tests. EEEEEK
6. God is for me. He is for my marriage.


So, I will choose to believe that every day. It took a little reminder, in the middle of a meltdown. Sitting in a coffee shop, a song came on screaming "EXPECTATIONS, GO TO HELL."


and I agree




love.
L

an inconvience rightly considered.

 
With school, work, friends, church, maintaining a marriage, and taking some breaks here and there--all vying for our attention, you could say life has been quite a whirlwind for the Robbins! It is literally a DAILY effort to believe that we are thriving, not just making it by. I can definitely say, in the midst of it all, coming home to our place, to my husband has given me a sense of consistency and security that I am so thankful for. We are believing that God has us on this journey, and He is shaping us daily more and more into our destinies.

My continual prayer for our little family is to have the mindset to live in excitement for the adventures we encounter, to be a little more spontaneous, believe God a little more than yesterday, and love each other with growing passion every day.

A few of our adventures as of late...

Our trip to Glen Rose to visit Fossil Rim with Justin's family

!

Rejoicing with our good friend Kate at the Grand Opening of her new store, Northgate Vintage!!

Celebrating Justin's birthday in style on Sept. 6! I love my hubby!

So, with a thankful and peaceful heart we will take the days to come with passion and excitement!

"An inconvenience rightly considered is an adventure. 

An adventure wrongly considered is an inconvenience"

love. 

L.

a family

It seems strange to start a blog post now, so much is happening and has happened, we will never get caught up. All the same, here we are, starting a blog. Justin and Lauren. A newly formed family, and forming our lives together!

As a quick summary of our summer:

We traveled to the Dominican Republic for a mission trip

tied the knot on July 7th : )

moved in to our new home! inside pics to come later

and met Elizabeth at the airport to welcome her home!

So, as we have officially been a family for a whoppin' 37 days, I am praying for more unity in spirit and love! You've seen a small glimpse of the start of our journey. Stay tuned for to come.



love.