We are made to conquer mountains

I just had to share my love for this key chain with you all !
Not only is it gorgeous but It's also a beautiful reminder every time i start my car or unlock my front door that by faith we are made to conquer and overcome all obstacles that come our way, no matter how big or small!

The Key chain is from Christina Nicole , I love all of her work and also recommend checking out her jewelry it is so lovely and all handmade.  Ive got my eye on this beautiful necklace for my next purchase!

And if you enjoy a beautiful instagram feed as much as i do be sure to check hers out Here !

I hope you are all having a great week !

Zucchini Muffins with Chocolate Chunks

Ingredients :

2 eggs

1 cup of shredded zucchini (i usually use a little more one whole medium sized zucchini for extra moister)

1/2 cup of canola oil

1tsp vanilla

1 cup of sugar

1 1/2 cups of flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 Bag of Trader Joe's Chocolate Chunk 

Heat oven to 350

Spray Muffin pan with non stick cooking spray 

In a large bowl beat eggs with mixer until foamy. Stir in shredded Zucchini, canola oil and vanilla. Add remaining ingredients and mix by hand with a wooden spoon. Add chocolate chunks, i used a little more than half of the bag =) Pour batter into muffin pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. 

I've had a bag of chocolate chunks from Trader Joe's that have been sitting on my counter staring me in the face all week! I couldn't find a recipe anywhere that i already had all the ingredients for….but i did have a zucchini that needed to be used and all the ingredients for my favorite zucchini bread recipe. So i decide to just make them into muffins instead and add the chocolate chunks. They were a hit around our house just like the bread usually is!
You can find my mom's original Zucchini Bread Recipe in an old post HERE. Its one of my favorites ! Enjoy !

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 "A portrait of kyler once a week every week in 2014"

Breakfast with Kyler. I think it's time for another hair cut, this kid's hair grows like wildflowers (pun intended).
Hope you all are having a great week ! 

Kale, Carrot and Lentil Soup

• Ingredients :
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 large carrots, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup green lentils
• 8 cups low sodium vegetable broth
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme 
• 2 bay leaves
• 5 cups kale, chopped with stems removed
• salt and pepper to taste
• 
  
• Instructions

1. In a large pot over medium heat, add in the olive oil than Add in the chopped onion, and carrot. Cook until softened and slightly brown. Add in the garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, and lentils. Mix and cook about 1 minute.
2. Add in the vegetable broth, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Stirring once or twice.
3. Add in the copped kale, cover and cook for 15 additional minutes. Add more salt and pepper if needed (since i used low sodium broth i needed a bit more salt ).

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 "A portrait of kyler once a week every week in 2014"

This weeks Photo ...

Kyler pouting because I won't let him run off the edge of the cliff. 

"A ship is safe in harbor , but thats not what ships are for "

There is something about being at a harbor that just warms my heart. It brings back such fond memories of many summers spent in Maryland on my uncles boat. Lately Kyler and I have been spending a lot of time at the harbor, watching the birds soar around and experiencing many beautiful sunsets. I am so thankful for peaceful moments like these where I can stop to take in all the beauty around me.

These past couple months have been very hard for me, very eye opening but hard none the less ... i don't quite have the words to share all that i have been going through, but once i do i will be sure to share it with you all. Until than i will leave you with a very encouraging devotional i read this morning from the book Jesus Calling. 

          "My face is shinning upon you, beaming out peace that transcends understanding. 

You are surrounded by a sea of problems, but you are face-to-face with Me, your peace. As long as you focus on Me, you are safe. If you gaze too long at the myriad problems around you, you will sink under the weight of your burdens. When you start to sink, simply call out, "help me jesus!" and i will lift you up. The closer you live to me, the safer you are. Circumstances around you are undulating, and there are treacherous- looking waves in the distance. Fix your eyes on me, the one who never changes. By the time those waves reach you, they will have shrunk to proportions of my design. I am always beside you, helping you face today's waves."

Enjoying the Little Things

Now that the holidays are over and things have slowed down a bit I am challenging myself to take out my camera more and start snapping pictures of everyday life. I am thinking of starting a new series on here called "Enjoying The Little Things" - Pictures of the little things during the week that make me smile or make my week just a little bit brighter. Anyone can join in on this, I would love to see what brightens up your week ! Here are a few photos from last week !

1 // Coffee and Breakfast ( I love slow mornings!) 2 // Those sweet little hands and toes! 3// Favorite new necklace from PoppyandFern 4/5/6 The weather has been beautiful here in San diego, we have been spending all our time at the beach lately 7/8/9 We took a day trip to Palomar Mountain in hopes of finding snow but there is still none ! Crossing my fingers we get some snow on the mountains soon !

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Joining in on a 52 project this year. "A portrait of kyler once a week every week in 2014"

Lately Kyler has been into lining up his toys in a row, so every morning he crawls into my bed with a handful of trucks and lines them up on my windowsill and i don't mind one bit cause it gives me an extra 30 minutes of rest ! I was so glad my camera was near by and i was able to capture this adorable smile !