Liebster Award!

So having a notification saying that I have been nominated for an award was the best ending to the worst three hour long night class! Morgan at New Found Love nominated me and I was so touched- You, my friend, are the sweetest!

This award showcases bloggers with less than 200 followers.  I'm still new at this whole blogging thing, but it's been so much fun!

Rules

{one} Thank the blogger who nominated you.

{two} Answer the 11 questions given by the blogger who nominated you.

{three} Nominate 11 bloggers and give them questions to answer.

Questions from Morgan:
{one}What made you start blogging?

I found a lot of my favorite blogs from Pinterest and some of my favorites inspired me to make one of my own! I love to cook and bake, so I knew I wanted to share a lot of recipes, pictures from photo shoots I've done, and teacher lessons when I become an elementary teacher.  It's been a great way to connect with some fabulous ladies!!

{two}What blog do you visit/read the most?

There are SO many!! Do I have to choose just one?? I love Nicole over at Bloom- that girl is just always such an encouragement.  Also, I love Iowa Girl Eats.  She has a lot of great recipes that are on my list to try for sure! Jamie at Southern Simplicity is another favorite!

{three}What did you used to want to be you "grew up?"

Okay, so I've always wanted to be a hairstylist/country music singer (the two go together so perfectly, right?).  I was always (and still am) the girl that will say no thank you to reading a magazine because I am honestly intrigued with how my hair stylist cuts my hair.  I loved to watch her cut and style it and later I would find myself trying to "do" my hair like my stylist would.  The country music singer is added on because I would spend countless hours singing to Sara Evans and Martina McBride in my room. 

{four}What is your favorite holiday tradition?

My favorite favorite favorite holiday tradition is at Christmas time.  Every Christmas my parents give my brother and I an ornament that has to do with something we were interested in during the year. They give us an ornament because by the time we move out of the house and have a tree of our own, it will already be decorated with ornaments! Looks like my tree will be filled with Barbie and Wizard of Oz characters...

{five}Where is your favorite place to shop?

Target. All the way. I can find anything and everything there. 

{six}What is your favorite rainy day movie?

Can I just say Netflix for this one? Netflix has become my weakness.  Oops :)

{seven}Where is somewhere you have always wanted to visit?

I've always wanted to visit the east coast, especially Connecticut in the fall- I've heard its absolutely beautiful!

{eight}What or who inspires you the most?

My momma inspires me the most :) She is one strong, independent woman.  Love my momma!

{nine}Dog or cat?

Dog. Definitely a dog. Golden retrievers melt my heart!

{ten}If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Shoots, this is difficult.  I'm such a homebody and love my Nebraska.  But I would love to live somewhere in the Caribbean for a bit- that wouldn't be so bad. :) 

{eleven}What is your absolute dream job?

My absolute dream job is to teach first grade having my masters in counseling with a photography business on the side! DREAM!

I'm Nominating: 

Megan from Life of a College Girl

Lauren from Peach State of Mind

Melissa from Simply Sweet Melissa

Elise from Cheers Y'all

Taylor Rae from Something Turquoise

Alyssa from The Lesson Plan Diva

Ryann from Unspeakable Joy

Carrie Louise from God, Grace, Grits

PolishedandPink

Jillian from Sealed with Lovely

Victoria from Anchored by Faith

My Questions:

1- Favorite song at the moment?

2- What is your favorite season?

3- If you could add one piece to your fall wardrobe, what would it be?

4- What's the best blogging advice you've received? 

5- What's that one food that you could eat forever and never get tired of?

6- Biggest pet peeve?

7- Where do you see yourself in five years?

8- Where is your favorite place you have traveled?

9- If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be?

10- What is one thing that's on your bucket list?

11- Current favorite TV show/movie?

Thankful for this! Can't wait to hear what you all have to say!

{Katie}

Easy "Caramel" Apple Dip Recipe

Happy Tuesday!

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite recipes to make on a whim.  I'm telling you, it's the easiest, quickest thing you will ever make.  It only has two ingredients! I usually make this to dip apples, but you can use it with any fruit.

"Caramel" Apple Dip Recipe:

1 8oz block of cream cheese

1 cup of brown sugar

Directions: Mix both in a medium bowl until well blended and smooth.  

You can get about 4-5 apples out of this dip, so if you're wanting a little less just half the recipe! 

I told you it was easy! It tastes SO good- you get the cream cheese flavor, but then it is sweetened by the brown sugar. (And, it gets me to eat my apples so that's a plus, right?)  My mom used to make this for my brother and I when we were younger and we always devoured it.  When she told me how to make it, I was so surprised that it was only two ingredients to make up such a good fruit dip. And sorry I don't have any pictures (blogger uh-oh, I know)...they just never turned out good enough to show how this actually tastes!

Try it! Let me know what you think!

{Katie}

{My Weekend in Review} A Mother-Daughter Weekend

Well, it's Monday, friends! The weekend was nice while it lasted... the next thing to look forward to- Thanksgiving break! (18 more school days left for me until break, but who's counting...)

I had another great weekend! I mentioned in my Five on Friday post that my momma was coming to visit me for the day on saturday- it was so fun seeing her! We had brunch at my Kappa Delta house and then made the sweetest craft that I will treasure for sure.  We each decorated a jar and on popsicle sticks we wrote 20 things we love about mom/daughter.  It was such a nice way to let my momma know how much she means to me because, as we all know, life gets in the way and we forget to tell people how truly special they are to us! Also, reading what my mom wrote was hilarious because we had a lot of the same things written about each other and little inside jokes we have.  Like mother, like daughter? Love you, Mom!

                                         

We spent the remainder of the afternoon shopping at little cutesy decorating stores around town.  Perfect ending to moms day!

                     

I also spent some time with my besties at a little Halloween get-together we had at my friends apartment.  It was decorated for Halloween so perfectly.  It was a great time to laugh with friends, drink hot apple cider, and watch Halloween movies. 

                      

Weekdays, why must you come so soon?! Anyways, have a good day :)

{Katie}

Five on Friday {A Link Up}

Happy Friday!

I had a short week this week, but being sick with a cold makes for a long one.  And, as much as I love coming back to school, I will never get used to being woken up by sirens and cars of city life.  I'm used to waking up to birds chirping and turkeys gobbling. (Gobbling..is that even a word? If not, it is now).

Anyways, today I'm linking up with the 5 on Friday gals for some favorites of this week!

{ONE}
My mom is coming to visit me this weekend.  It's mom's day at Kappa Delta, which means we brunch and we craft- I'm so excited! And how cool is it that I get to see my mom again after seeing her just a few days prior? Answer: very cool.

{TWO}
I have been accepted to student teach for Early Childhood next semester! I am doing a practicum this semester at the same place I will be student teaching, so it will be great to be with the same little kiddos a whole year and really get to form a relationship with them!

{THREE}
This has been my go-to fall look lately.  I love blue and white stripes, scratch that- I'm obsessed with blue and white stripes, pair that with a watch, some boots, and some dark nails and I'm good to go! (Essie: Smokin' Hot; OPI: Rally Pretty Pink)

{FOUR}
This is something that girls in my house did a few weeks ago.  Everyone in my house had a letter for their name and girls went around and wrote words that described that person, or messages, inside jokes etc.  It's little things like this that just make your day and let you know you have incredible friends in your life! I am so lucky.  I'm also trying to think of a way to incorporate this into my future classroom someday.  Probably not with wooden letters though, that could get a little expensive.

{Five}
Have you seen this commercial?? It's the best one yet.

Well that's all, lovelies! Have the best weekend!

{Katie}

It's Been Awhile!

Holy smokes! It's been a crazy couple of weeks.  Between midterms, fall break, then getting sick over fall break (boo!), the time has gone so fast!  Everything is finally slowing down again.

My fall break included a Keith Urban concert, a bonfire with my KD sisters, a visit to my favorite pumpkin patch in the world, and my grandpa's famous chicken and dumplings soup.  Lots of fall-ish things went on during break, none of which consisted of homework.  Let me tell you, I regretted that once I got back to school.

What a great break! But fall break is always such a tease.  Is it bad I have a countdown to Thanksgiving break? Check back soon because I have recipes to share along with other new posts!

{Katie}

Concert Times and Hayrack Rides

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

My fall break is next week so my professors are loading us up on homework and tests ( it's like they think we'll check out and go home early for fall break ;) ) So, with that being said, I'm not sure how many posts are going to get written- but I'll try!

As I mentioned briefly in an earlier post, I went to the Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley concert on Thursday.  My friend called me up one day and asked if I wanted to go to the concert, and to that I said OF COURSE! When we got to the concert, we had people help us find our seats.  Now, we knew that we had good seats but we didn't know how good.  The person helping us got closer..and closer.. and closer to the stage until we were in the second row. SECOND ROW people! Such an enjoyable night with with a close friend and great music!

Friday and Saturday were mainly spent with my Kappa Delta sisters.  I am so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life!
And- take a look at this talent: we had cupcake wars and while, this wasn't my team, this was my favorite and the obvious winner.

My dad and brother also came down to visit me at school this weekend.  We went to a bonfire with hayrack rides and endless s'mores. Have I mentioned how much I love fall?? The best.

Wish me luck to make it through the piles of papers and tests I have to accomplish before I'm free for fall break! Enjoy your Monday, friends!

{Katie} 

Five on Friday {a link up}

TGIF! This week went surprisingly fast but I think that's because I was so busy- slow down life!! Last night was so fun- I went to Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley Locked&Reloaded Tour. One word: Amazing! I saw Miranda when I was a freshman and now I'm seeing her again as a senior- a good way to start and end college, I'd say! And, it's safe to say I completely fell in love with Dierks Bentley. He is one beautiful man.

This week I'm sharing some my favorite quotes. I love words (weird? possibly.), especially when they are uplifting and encouraging! And to me, these are perfect.

found here

found here

found here

found here

found here

Patiently waiting, I have to keep reminding myself God's timing is the perfect timing :)

It's the weekend! Enjoy :)
{Katie}

Fall Looks I'm Loving

Hi everyone!
The middle of the week is here...closer and closer to the weekend.
And- It's finally getting to the point where I have to wear long sleeves all day - it's so great! I've been waiting for this cooler weather for awhile now.  During my (rare) free time, I've been on Pinterest (as usual), and I've been finding some outfits and outfit pieces that I'm in love with.  If I was made of money (poor college student here) I would buy them all!

Here are some looks I pinned to my boards that I'm loving this fall season.

Found here

I want to wear this everyday. Looks so perfect for fall time!

Found here

This sweater is so adorable! I just want to put on my leggings and boots and wear it right now (with a pumpkin spice latte in my hand, too).

Found here

Anything with a jean jacket screams fall to me.  Add the cozy scarf and I'm set!

Found here

I've been loving stripes with patterned scarves lately.  Normally I'm not one to go all "crazy"with mixing patterns but these combos I would definitely try. 

Found here

THIS sweater. The boots. The everything.

Found here

I would love this outfit to wear while teaching- looks comfy but still cute!  

What are some of your favorites to wear during the cooler, fall weather?

{Katie}

Recipe {Rice Bowl}

Ok, so I don't know about you all but I love Chipotle- especially their rice bowls.  So when I came across the Chipotle "look-alike" recipes I had to try.  I'm telling you- these recipes combined make the rice bowl taste EXACTLY like I ordered it from Chipotle.  I have compiled my favorites to make this one great Chipotle-like dish.  This is the perfect recipe to make for when you have guests over because it makes a lot.  For me though, I just like the leftovers (fact).

So here's the run down on how my Chipotle rice bowl looks:

I start with the rice.

Cilantro Lime Rice (recipe from here)

1 T oil or butter
2 c basmatti rice
3 1/2 c water
1/2 c lime juice
1/2 t salt
4 T cilantro, chopped

Heat oil in saucepan. Add rice and cook over med-high heat until rice turns opaque white. Don't brown.
Add lime juice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 20 min.
Fluff with fork and add cilantro.

Then I layer on the carnitas (pulled pork, essentially) 

Carnitas (recipe from here)
4-5 lb pork shoulder
1 onion
1 T corriander seed
1 T cumin
1 T oregano
1 T thyme
1 T juniper berries
2 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
8 oz can of tomato sauce

Salt and pepper the roast. Sear on all sides. Put in crock pot.
In same skillet, cook onion until soft (5 min) Add garlic and spices. Cook for 1 min more.
Add chipotles and tomato sauce to deglaze pan.
Pour on top of roast. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred roast and return to sauce.

Then I put mounds and mounds of corn salsa on.  Seriously- this is what makes the rice bowl. 

Corn Salsa (recipe from here)

6 Ears Sweet Yellow Corn
2 Poblano Chilies
1/2 Red Onion
2 Red Jalapenos
1/3 Cup Chopped Cilantro
1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Roast the corn and Poblano chilies on a grill or BBQ and let cool. Cut the corn off the cob. Dice the Poblano chilies, onion, and red jalapenos. Combine all the ingredients and season to taste.

To top it all off I add my favorite salsa or chopped tomatoes, black beams, cheese, and sour cream (which, to make it like Chipotle's, just add a little milk to the sour cream).  There you have it!

Feel free to add your own toppings of choice- this is just what I put in my rice bowl! This recipe does take some time, but it's well worth it! 

So, friends, grab a margarita, relax, and enjoy! (This is the perfect comfort food for fall, too!)

{Katie}

Just One of Those Days..

It's Monday again- that means only 4 more days until the weekend!!

You know those days where even though the day drags on and there are so many things you wish you could be doing, yet you are just in awe of how blessed you are? Today was definitely one of those days for me.  I couldn't quite put my finger on why I was feeling this way, but I think the Lord was just showing me my blessings all day long! 

For example, I was sitting in my 3 hour long class this afternoon, I had a headache and was overly tired, but then I just thought of how lucky I am to be sitting in a classroom at a University learning content that's meaningful to my career.    

Thinking positively today about all the Lord has blessed me with made this Monday not so "Monday-ish".  

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Only a few (plus a couple) days until the weekend! 

Also- check back tomorrow for my favorite crock-pot rice bowl recipe!

{Katie}

October Has Arrived!

I'm telling you what- this week has been crazy! It's homecoming week at the University of Nebraska, so helping to make the float has kinda trumped doing homework (oops!) Just kidding, but really professors, must you give so much homework the week of homecoming?? Also, a side note, I started watching Once Upon A Time on Netflix over the weekend and I am ADDICTED. Such a bad idea considering I don't have time to watch it during week, yet I watch it anyway.

Aside from all the crazies-- OCTOBER HAS ARRIVED!

via Pinterest

It's finally my favorite month!  (Is that weird that people have favorite month?) The leaves have been changing colors, candy corn is in full stock at the grocery store, and in the morning hours I can wear a sweatshirt and not drip of sweat.  The first day of October has been glorious.  I found this little bucket list via Pinterest and I really want to see if I can stick to it this fall and accomplish the things on this list- we'll see how this goes!

source

I hope everyone else's first day of October was great as well! Halfway to the weekend! Feel free to follow my Fall Pinterest board here where I pin way too much on the season I'm most obsessed about!

What do you love to do this time of year?

{Katie}