Friday's five things.

Dear Tori a.k.a. Toots, thank you for my surprise pressie that appeared in my mailbox today! Ever since you talked about this book on our lunch date in Austin, I've had it at the top of my leisure reading list. Thank you for being intentional about discipling my heart and blessing me this weekend. I'm super excited about learning what God intended for His creation!

Dear Mama, thank you for documenting every year of my childhood in hilarious home videos. Now that we have them on DVDs, I've enjoyed reliving each moment we shared together, especially the day when I was introduced to the cymbal monkey. Thank you for cherishing my years at home and preserving them for years to come!

Dear jersey sheets, thank you for making my sweet dreams that much sweeter. Although you make it humanly impossible to be motivated to leave the bed in the morning, I'm grateful for your fluffy luxurious coziness. You remind me to thank God I have a warm bed to crawl into every night.

Dear Master Griller a.k.a. Dad, thank you for coaching me on how to make the most succulent tasty steaks I've ever dreamed of. I'm honored to be your young grasshopper of grilling, oh wise one. Thank you for spending quality time teaching me life's most important lessons, including how to whip up a knock-your-socks-off dinner.

Dear loving Maker of the universe, thank you for beams of sunlight, warm breezes, and cloudless days. Thank you for cherry blossoms, tulip blooms, and patches of wildflowers. Your beauty and creativity is limitless, and for THAT I am abundantly thankful.

Check out some {Friday's five things.} you might have missed:

The first five things.
Friday's five things {1}.
Friday's five things {2}.
Friday's five things {3}.
Friday's five things {4}.
Friday's five things {5}.

What are you thankful for this Friday?

Sayonara Sadie girl.

Exactly one week ago today, my roommates and I made the mature {and heart-wrenching} decision to give Sadie away to her new family. Sadie left our loving arms and now lives with a youth pastor in Birmingham in the little bed he built for her. Mr. Sadie's-Owner-Pastor-Man is getting married soon, so Sadie will be adjusting to her stable life with two real parents in no time. We wish him luck with the precious biting monster...

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a shoelace? A one...

 A two...

 A three...CHOMP!

We gave her a fresh bath before her departure so she'd be smelling like a bunch of sweet roses when she reached her new home...

 {PRECIOUS.}

 Look at those sad eyes!

Surprisingly, this wasn't even my idea. I'm so glad we took a final snapshot with Sadie girl before we gave her up for adoption. She was the most adorable, cuddly thing that ever pitter-pattered into my heart.

Isn't she the most darling thing you've ever laid your eyes upon?

Interview day.

This is me pre-interview...

And post-interview...

The morning pump-up mirror talk is totally accurate. The scary delirium, not so much...au contraire, I actually felt like doing a few confident fist pumps walking out of there. Here's to hoping they felt as good about the interview as I did!

How do you psych yourself up for a big moment?

On my nightstand.

I see all these 20-something bloggers talking about all the captivating and riveting books they've been reading, and I turn green with envy. I'd love to read Crazy Love by Francis Chan or Radical by David Platt, but alas, I'm falling asleep to Crafting and Executing Strategy instead. Don't get me wrong, I'm passionate about Marketing and Supply Chain Management, but it ain't no light reading.

So just in case you were wondering, THIS is what's on my nightstand. {Ignore the dust bunnies please.}

What's on your nightstand?

Sweet deal.

This week I've been bribing myself with sweets. I promise myself solid hours in the library under the one and only condition that I'll reward myself with lovely chunks of yummy goodness {see above}. I cranked out 12 hours of productive work yesterday, and swung by Gigi's to snag a grasshopper cupcake on my way home. That fluffy icing was worth every powerpoint slide and hand cramp. Today's deal involves Haribo gummy bears... Back to work!

What do you look forward to after a hard day?

Even though the sky don't look so sunny today, you're okay.

Although there's a midterm project, dream job interview, and exam looming over the next five days, I've got some God-fearin' women sending up prayers for peace to the Man Upstairs on my behalf. His plan for my life is far greater and more exciting than I could ever fathom, and I'm holding his hand tightly looking forward to a wild ride.

Check out my theme song for this week...

"Lindsay's Song" - Ninth Hour

Click HERE to listen.

We'll walk beside still waters once again. Lose your mind, lose your mind.

Set your heart at rest one more time.

Throw away your doubts. Throw away your FEARS. And dance on by.

Even though the sky don't look so sunny today, you're okay.

Because the One who paints the night, He will be your light.

Let Him hold you in His arms, Lindsay.

And that's where you'll find PEACE. 

And He will wipe away your tears.

Lindsay, I'll pray for you, and you pray for me.

Won't you lay down, sister, lay down once more.

And let the wings of His love come and carry you away.

Cause He knows your HOPES, and He knows your DREAMS, so sail away.

Even though the waters look so troubled today, you're okay.

Cause the One who calms the storms, He will keep you safe and warm.

Let Him hold you in His arms, Lindsay.

And that's where you'll find PEACE.

Let Him wash away your fears.

Lindsay, I'll pray for you.

If He holds the birds of the air, and He makes the flowers bloom,

Don't you worry, no don't fear,

How much more precious are YOU!

So child of God, come rest your weary soul.

Come and take His hand, you don't have to walk alone.

Cause He will be your SHELTER. He will be your STRENGTH.

So hold on tight.

Even when the wind seems to carry you away, you're okay.

Cause the one who holds the stars, He is right there where you are.

So let Him hold you in His arms, Lindsay.

And that's where you'll find PEACE.

Cause He can wipe away your tears.

Lindsay, I'll pray for you. Pray for me.

How can I pray for you this week?

Smitten with stationery.

A few weeks ago I entered Summer Year Round's exciting giveaway, and my lucky-son-of-a-gun self won 10 thank you cards from Sweet Bella Stationery! I am so grateful for both of these girls' generosity. I chose these cutesy "Our Winter Home" cards printed on heavy white linen stock, which came with matching European flap envelopes.

On the same NOTE, I ordered some custom stationery from Minted last week {same printer as these babies}. I am so pleased with how it turned out!

Perfect for love notes and business letters alike, don't you think?

What is your favorite stationery? Where did you get it?

Sappy day re-cap.

Sunday afternoon, the oh-so-spontaneously-romantic boyfriend knocks on my door holding these...

...and this...

...and a cookie-cake-style, heart-shaped, icing-smothered cookie! He could have guessed that I was most excited about the cookie, which I demolished straightaway without thinking twice. It never had a chance.

I still don't know why Valentine's Day arrived at my apartment a day early, but I choose to believe that Mark wanted to avoid the forced and obligated romance of the scheduled holiday and thought to surprise me with sincere charm when I was least expecting it. Or the boys were already at the grocery store getting dinner ingredients and thought it would be convenient to go ahead and knock out the corny gifts while they were there. I'll pick the former, thank you very much.

Then, since I was so excited to show Markie my sentimental masterpiece, I gave him his pressie a day early too. Take a look at a few of my favorite pages from Mark's first year memories scrapbook {a project that's been in the makings for an embarrassing length of time}...

I'm still not seeing the light at the end of this scrapbook's tunnel. I'm about 1,000 pictures away from finishing our first year, and I'm trucking turtle-paced moseying along. Completing my masterpiece is one of my New Year's Resolutions that will not and cannot be broken!

The most adorable part of all was exchanging love letters before our dinner date on Monday. Love sounds so sweet in boy handwriting on studly monogrammed stationery. Needless to say, this year's day of sappiness was full of delightful memories I'll cherish forevs.

Any scrapbooking fiends or love letter poets out there? How do you share the love?

A Valentine surprise.

After exchanging mushy and sentimental gifts, which I'll spare you {at least until tomorrow}, Mark and I had a delightful dinner at the new happenin' restaurant in town called FIVE for Valentine's Day. The atmosphere was hipster-meets-hopeless-romantic, the perfect setting for our pretentious conversations and daydreaming about the future. Of course, we had to snap a quick pic before heading out the door...

{Notice anything peculiar about this picture? No, it's not Mark's beady auto-corrected red eyes or my awkward hand. It's a DOGGIE!}

Meet Sadie Mae. She was the runt of her beagle/mystery mix litter and was dropped off at our sorority house by some boy who didn't want her. {Cue the awww and tugging at your heartstrings.} She wasn't allowed to stay there, so one of my googly-eyed sucker roommates took her in. You betcha that between the four roomies, she gets super special star treatment and is already spoiled rotten! We are taking fantabulous care of her for the next couple months, but we know that we soon-to-be-graduated college women can't give her the love and attention {and backyard} that she needs to grow big and strong and happy. Don't you worry, we are going to find her a lovely home and will screen adopting families critically! For now though, we are having a grand time with our sweet pup Sadie.

{YAWN. Nighty night friends.}

What breed mix do you think Sadie is? Sadie's mom is a promiscuous beagle, and her daddy is a _______? Guesses welcome!

Love note.

Happy Valentine's Day sweethearts! I hope you are enjoying this opportunity to recognize your loved ones and make them feel appreciated and super special today. Take a look at my Valentine's Day cards from Minted...

Check out the love-related posts you may have missed:

Tune in.

Believe and be satisfied.

Sap-tastic.

Spread the love.

Valentine guest post.

A girl can dream.

Love month.

Last minute holiday happy.

Bridesmaid to be.

How do you surprise the lovely people in your life?

Last minute holiday happy.

{My Valentine happy for Markie. Can you guess what it is?}

It's not too late to do something sweet for the special friends in your life. There is still time for a DIY gift to make their day! Scrambling for ideas? Perhaps the following will inspire you to create something cute and meaningful...

• Craft a handmade envelope from a map, newspaper, or pretty sheets and stuff it with a mushy note.
• Bake a yummy dessert like this, this, this, or this.
• Put together a precious scrapbook of memories.
• Already have your present? Check out these gift wrapping ideas!
• Fold an origami Valentine note.
• Whip up an adorable jar of cinnamon honey butter.
• Tie these just my type ribbons to a box or a candle.
• Make a rosette ball in lieu of real flowers.
• Add these candycane hearts to ice cream scoops or cupcakes.
• MY FAVORITE: Wrap up a suprise ball like THIS.

If all else fails, you could always cook up a lovely candlelight dinner and/or watch the Bachelor with your girls. Whatever you do, don't let the day pass you by without telling someone how much they mean to you. It's worth it...promise.

What are your plans for V-Day?

Friday's five things.

Dear Sprayberry preschool kiddos, thank you for singing your hearts out with me while decorating lovely Valentine's Day cards for your mommies and daddies. I can honestly say I've never experienced a more enthusiastic "Old MacDonald." Your animal noises and card creations were all extremely imaginative! Thank you for brightening my day and reminding me how much I love craft time and juice boxes.

Dear Brad Paisley's dad, thank you for picking me and the roomies out of thousands of fans for FRONT ROW TICKETS to the Jerrod Neimann/Darius Rucker/Brad Paisley concert! We were perfectly content watching the musical heartthrobs from a few hundred feet away, but when you said leaning on the stage, I almost fainted like a starstruck Bieber fan. Thank you for giving us the night of our lives!

Dear Jackson's Bar & Bistro in Birmingham, thank you for serving me the most delicious dessert in the world: Ooey Gooey Fried Cookie Dough Rolls. Holy mountain of sweetness! There are no words for the tastiness of these heavenly chunks. Thank you for setting the bar incredibly high for this week's V-day desserts.

Dear one inch of Alabama snow, thank you for unleashing the giddy child within me. I shamelessly danced around Thursday morning in celebration of the snowflakes and icicles that cancelled my impossibly hard test! Thank you for turning Tuscaloosa into a beautiful winter wonderland.

Dear Mama, thank you for reminding me that I cannot and should not expect myself do it all. This week, I came to the humbling realization that I had to drop a huge commitment from my plate, and you were there to catch me. I strongly dislike giving up on anything, but you assured me that IT'S OKAY. Thank you for understanding my too-many-irons-in-the-fire, spread-too-thin, super-planner tendencies, and encouraging me to soak up the little things in life. Mama always knows!

Who tugged on your HEARTstrings this week?

Colossians three twenty-three.

My daily to-do lists are longer than ever this week, and I'm burning the candle at both ends. But you know what the cool thing is? God gave me a brain and solid common sense, and He is giving me opportunities to put them to good use. So by golly, I will. I will work at it with all my heart, as if working for you Lord...not for men, not for myself. But in YOUR name, for YOUR glory. Amen sistah.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Chopsticks.

Prepare to be amazed...

{I just purchased the sheet music HERE and bought the song on iTunes HERE.}

Watching this video reminds me that there is much joy in spicing up ordinary things.

How do you mix creativity into your routine?

Super bowl feast.

You would have thought it was Thanksgiving around these parts on Sunday. Everyone knows you can't do any root tootin' football cheering on an empty stomach! We made for darn sure that no one went hungry at our place...

Hot Fiesta Dip
{adapted from Cooking Light Complete Meals in Minutes}
+ 10 oz. can of whole-kernel corn, drained
+ 1 1/2 cups refrigerated fresh salsa
+ 3/4 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
+ 2 tablespoons chopped green onions

1. Combine corn and salsa in a microwave-safe 9-inch pie place. Cover with plastic wrap; vent. Microwave on HIGH 2 minutes or until bubbly.
2. Sprinkle cheese over corn mixture; cover and let stand 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Top with chopped onions.
3. That's seriously it.
{Best served with Tostitos hint of lime tortilla chips!}

Chicken and Mushroom Quesadillas
{adapted from Cooking Light Complete Meals in Minutes}
+ 1 teaspoon olive oil
+ 1 cup presliced mushrooms
+ 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
+ 1/8 teaspoon salt
+ 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
+ 1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
+ 1 tablespoon sherry
+ 2 (10-inch) flour tortillas
+ 1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast
+ 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive to pan; swirl to coat. Add mushrooms, sliced onion, salt, and pepper to pan; saute 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, and saute 30 seconds. Add sherry; cook 30 seconds or until liquid almost evaporates.
2. Arrange half of mushroom mixture over half of each tortilla. Top each tortilla with heaping layer of cheese and 1/2 cup of chicken. Fold tortillas in half.
3. Wipe pan clean with a paper towel. Heat pan over medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add tortilla to pan. Place a heavy skillet on top of tortillas; cook 2 minutes on each side or until perfectly toasty.
{This yields two generous servings. I doubled this recipe for the roomies! Best served with Southwest Salsa...recipe to follow.}

{I apologize for not having a photo of the final product. I confess that I was too busy 1. critiquing the half time show and 2. forcing Mark to try his first mushroom...which he detested!}

Southwestern Salsa

{from Cooking Light Complete Meals in Minutes}

+ 1 teaspoon canola oil

+ 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

+ 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander

+ 1/2 teaspoon salt

+ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

+ 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

+ 1/2 cup prechopped onion

+ 1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic

+ 1/3 cup chopped plum tomatoes

+ 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

+ 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

+ 1 (15 1/2 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained

+ 1 (8 3/4 oz.) can whole kernel corn, drained

1. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion to pan and saute 1 minute. Add garlic to pan and saute 30 seconds.

2. Transfer onion mixture to a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients to onion mixture, tossing well.

{Again, no picture. Before I could think about snapshots, I was already half way through the cookie dough. Dessert is the only real reason why I finish my meals anyway!}

We had a BALL in the kitchen this weekend. What did you cook up for the Super Bowl?

When it rains.

Tune into what my stormy Monday sounds like:

1. When It Rains - Eli Young Band

2. I Do - Colbie Caillat

3. Loving You Is Easy - Ben Rector

4. Good Night For Dancing - Josh Abbott Band

5. Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not - Thompson Square

6. Jumping Bean - Nelo

7. Ain't No Reason - Brett Dennen

8. Texas Angel - Honeybrowne

9. Is This Love - Corrine Bailey Rae

10. Need You Now - Glee

11. Poison and Wine - The Civil Wars

12. Hit The Lights - Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne

13. Stormy Monday - Eva Cassidy

14. Prayin' For Daylight - Rascal Flatts

15. Love2Baby - Christian TV

Check out the playlists you missed: HERE and HERE!

What are you listening to this week?

Friday's five things.

Dear creative side, thank you for unleashing yourself last night and manifesting in this heartFELT wreath. Thank you to The Idea Room for inspiring my craft fest during this week's episode of Jersey Shore. And props to the roomies for helping me tediously cut out hundreds of red felt circles! The work was worth the cheery wreath that now welcomes us home.

Dear Mr. Groundhog, thank you for ringing in warm, fresh, flowery Spring! I am beyond thrilled that winter's yuckiness won't be plaguing us for much longer. Although I don't quite understand what a woodchuck's shadow has to do with Mother Nature, I appreciate the hope and lifted spirits around here!

Dear blogging community, thank you for taking me under your wing. You have been so supportive and encouraging through your comments, emails, and tweets! Special kudos to Evi, Sarah, and Christine for posting my love month post. Thank you times infinity plus one!

Dear DePalma's Italian Cafe, thank you for making every weekend that much more exciting! Your cheese and sausage breadsticks, portobello mushroom ravioli, and tiramisu give my Friday nights a tad bunch more sparkle. Many good memories and hearty laughs have transpired over your delicious glasses of wine!

Dear reality TV, thank you for giving me an excuse to let my mind turn to mush for a couple hours each week. Thanks to you, I get to escape my crazy wonderful life and briefly be a part of t-shirt time on Jersey Shore or cry with Cristina Yang on Grey's Anatomy or yell at Jenelle on Teen Mom. For a second, I get to be someone else and realize that the only life I want is my own. For that, I am grateful!

What are YOU thankful for this week?

Valentine guest post.

TGIF friends! Today I have a special treat for y'all. Fellow Memphian and my former DDD Rush Chair, Sarah graduated from the good ole U of A almost two years ago and is now a super successful financial genius in Houston, TX (future home of yours truly). She started her blog cubicle sanity a year ago and is on her way to blogger fame. I'm so excited to having her guest posting today! 1...2...3...GO!

Good morning Sweet Pea readers! I am so excited to get to meet y'all and share my His and Her list for Valentine's Day this year!

Valentine's is right around the corner and I hope you are as excited about this day of LURV as I am. Whether you are spending it with your best gfs, a special man/boy, or alone with Bluebell Cookies n' Cream, I hope you have a fabulous 14th!

Dear Saint Valentine (aka: Manfriend),

What better way to celebrate this Holiday than by expressing your undying love and affection for me through one of these fabulous favorites of mine?!

Any are sure to please...and if you feel so inclined, I'd gladly accept them all!

Valentine's Wish List by Sgforbis featuring snake skin shoes

Tory Burch 'Reva' Metallic Snake Embossed Leather Flat, $150

Hematite & Sterling Silver Earrings, $525
Amazon.com: Keurig B60 Special Edition Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing..., $152
Wild Fig & Cassis Home Candle, $65
"Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics" Cookbook, $35
Make a Little Wish | little home | John Lewis, 3.50 GBP
Emma, Penguin Hardcover Classics, Jane Austen, Book - Barnes & Noble, $14
Penguin Classics – Pride & Prejudice, 13 GBP
Penguin Classics - Jane Eyre, 13 GBP
Penguin Classics - Little Women, 13 GBP

But don't worry Saint Valentine, I will surely reciprocate with tons of kisses, candy, hugs, and maybe even a prize of your own!

Valentine's For Him by Sgforbis featuring black jewelry

Polar F7 Women's Heart Rate Monitor, Black, 100 GBP

Vineyard Vines Spring Mens, $50
Vineyard Vines Spring Mens, $50
Vineyard Vines Spring Mens, $50
Kiehl's Since 1851 Facial Fuel Scrub for Men, $17
Heart Shaped Truffle Assortment - 9 chocolate truffles for Mother's..., $16
Grey Clarisonic Classic, 155 GBP
Elsa Peretti®Ballpoint pen, $100
Xbox 360 250GB Kinect bundle official for Nov 4th - SlashGear
Boxford Femme - Sac et Maroquinerie : Longchamp.com
bose earphones

After all, you are the world's BEST valentine and oh, how I do love you. Muah!

Yours Truly,
Sarah <3

Thanks so much for having me over to Sweet Pea Amber.


Thank YOU Sarah! What ideas do you have for the special peeps in your life?

Dance with me baby.

This has been a hectic and schoolwork-laden past couple weeks for the roomies and me. Perfect solution? I'd say a girls trip is in order! We just purchased tickets to the Ben Rector concert in Birmingham, which calls for a fist pump and a desk-appropriate dance party. If you are unfamiliar with this silky smooth crooner {which you really shouldn't be if you've seen Two Pease in a Pod}, just know that he is the Justin Beiber of collegiate sorority peeps. Nuff said.

What concerts are you tickled pink about this year?

Cookbook handmade with love.

When I came home from my exciting trip to the ranch, Mama surprised me with the most heart-warming, tear-jerking, mouth-watering gift - a handmade cookbook. Cue the lengthy hugs and hand-over-mouth speechless reaction. She spent months gathering my favorite recipes from friends and family, printed them on velum, had a heyday at the scrapbooking store, and created this beautiful piece of kitchen art.

Did you feel that tug at your heart strings? Yeah, she's great. I sure do love my mama.

What is your favorite cookbook?

Blessed.

So I get this text this morning that TOTALLY made my day. A sweet friend sent me some virtual props letting me know that one of my YouTube videos was an encouragement in stressful times. Well sweet friend (who I won't embarrass by naming you here), you have encouraged me today.

My profile is not my most flattering angle and there are a few hiccups, but what the heck.

Senior Recital, May 2007

How have you been blessed today? What are some ways that you bless others?

Love month.

© Sweet Pea | Amber Ashleigh 2011

What does February have in store for you?