Church Fail

So Daniel and I have been searching for a church home in the Dallas area now that we are all settled and that task has proved to be quite difficult. Perhaps it's because we attended the best church in the world, Cross Timbers in Denton. Boy do I feel dumb for not going absolutely EVERY Sunday no matter what and getting even more involved.

The church we tried last week reminded us a lot of church back home. Spending a lot of time talking about how you must be saved and how to prepare for life after this world. I know this is a big part of it. But when you already are saved you're ready to go out and help others. It was also the way the sermon was presented. We also went to the early service and might perhaps try the contemporary service and give it another go.

This weekend we tried another church. One that I had attended once years ago when I first moved to Denton. From the moment we stepped in the door I felt overwhelmed and got a sick feeling in my tummy. We found our seats in the 'ampitheater' I felt like I was at an opera house or a concert hall. And I could have been ok with that but I just felt uncomfortable. The worship began. Which is something I always look forward to. Then the singer belted out a Christina Aguilera song. I'm all about contemporary service and music but come on. Once the song was over the lead pastor stepped on stage and began to talk. Something about him just gave me a bad feeling in my gut. Another song started up and about halfway through I looked at Daniel with a wrinkled nose and my 'this is painful' face. He did the ole head turn to the door. I did a head nod 'yes' and we walked out before the worship was even over. As we walked through the doors Daniel said, "Thank you." And I said, "No problem. Sorry for making you dress up for nothing."

Maybe some will say we judged this church too soon and that we should have stuck it out. But our gut feeling was that we had to get out as soon as possible and an hour later would have been too long.

So our search continues for a 'Cross Timber-esque' church.

If you are currently at a church you love or know of one in the Dallas area, we'll take all the help we can get. :)

Around the Corner

I have been an awful Bride-to-be blogger!!!! I cannot believe Daniel and I are getting married in just 3 short days! I don't know where the time has gone.

The planning is over and the getting it all done is actually here. We are very ready! We're ready for Saturday night to get here. We're ready to see all of our  family and friends and enjoy a great time afterward.

I can't wait to post the bridal pictures by our awesome photographer (Brynne Owen) and then very soon our wedding pictures!

After the wedding we'll get to enjoy a 'rest' day on Sunday before heading out to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands early Monday morning. We are having dreams of the beach and can't wait to do nothing but lay around, eat and drink. I can't imagine not taking a honeymoon right after your wedding, it feels like we deserve it after all this planning! ;)

So wish us luck that everything goes somewhat according to plan. Although, I don't even feel like stressing about it. As long as we're there at that chapel ready to say, "I do" I'm not sure what else there is to worry about. :)

Recent Happenings

Much has happened lately and we have been very very busy. But of course nothing could ever be bad if these ladies are around. We always have a great time together and I'm glad I got to spend my 25th birthday with each and every one of them.

 We spent the day at Sneaky Pete's enjoying the outdoors and then had a cookout at Jenny & Claude's where I enjoyed meat for the first time in over 10 months. It was delish. ;)

After dinner the storms kept us from venturing to Fort Worth to celebrate a friends birthday so we stayed in and Erin Tobin, Daniel & I decided to play Wineopoly. Never again will we play regular Monopoly, who wouldn't love to play a came that has you "cheers" as you pass go. It's definitely our new favorite game.

 Princess turned one on the 26th of April and sadly this is the only photo I have from the party. :( I wanted more pictures of her in her tutu I made her but it's hard to get a one year old to sit still and plus cupcakes and presents are much more fun than cameras. She got spoiled of course, and I wouldn't have it any other way. :)

 At the request of Erin, I made Kinley's birthday cupcakes. We thought they came out pretty cute and watched the color scheme perfectly. :)

 If you've known me over the past 10 years you've seen this bad boy. Yep, after 10 years with the red wagon, we have parted ways. It was a bittersweet moment but we sold it to a dear dear friend and will still get to see it regularly, so I really can't complain. Especially when we got this last week.....

We got a new Cruze last Wednesday and have been ridiculously impressed by the gas mileage. We've gotten it up to 44 mpg even those it's been averaging over 35 most of the time. This is a huge difference from our trucks with their 17 to 18 mpg. Yeh, you could say we're totally stoked!

And lastly, we are searching for our new home at this very minute. Classes are officially over today, for good. Daniel will still be taking classes through the summer but online. With him working in Dallas and me interviewing for jobs in Dallas, it's no secret where we will be heading. We are looking to be in a new place hopefully by the first of June but no later than the middle of June. We are loving the Lakewood/White Rock Lake area and have concentrated our search there. Please pray for us that all these new changes go smoothly. Finding a new home and the entire moving process is never fun, but the end result is. So I look forward to getting past this next month and having a new home!

In wedding news, Save the Dates are out! The dress came in! Invites are ordered! Showers are being planned! Registry's are done! And there are officially 108 days until "We do!" :)

1st Sale

I sold this little number yesterday on Etsy to make it my very first sale!

I was overjoyed to say the least.

So I packaged it up and sent it all the way to New York this morning. Daniel and I think it's pretty cool that a little New Yorker baby will be modeling something that I made right here in my very own home. ;)

I hope it's the first of many more sales to come because I'm loving every minute of getting to make these sweet little outfits for wee ones. :)

Overall Charm - ETSY SHOP

Well, after much thought, I've started an Etsy shop online. I've been wanting to do it for a long time and I'm not sure why I didn't. I think it was because I had a job.

It's so hard to get started on Etsy, your competition is steep. So I've also decided to post on my blog about new items that I make. Daniel and I have also talked about me getting a spot at the McKinney Trade Days come May. (I still need to make lots of inventory otherwise I'd do it in a couple of weeks.)

My shop consists of mostly baby goods. One of a kind dresses, overall, tops, bibs and such. I will also be making tutu's, after making one for Kinley's birthday I've decided to give them a go. I'm going to concentrate on baby and children for a little while and then start tackling home goods once I see where this all goes.

The main thing that is different about my shop is that instead of purchasing fabric from places like JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby or some place like that, I spend my time searching for different and unique fabrics at vintage and resale shops. All items are upcycled to keep my shop more environmentally friendly.

So here are the items I have up on my shop so far. It's not much yet, but I will be adding items almost daily. So if you are interested or know someone who would be interested in purchasing please pass along the word. I do custom orders on everything so just ask. :)


This upcycled dress was made out a skirt. This style is called the Amalie dress. My favorite part is definitely the keyhole back

These overalls were purchased at a resale shop and I added a little cuteness to them. This style is called the Ryla Overall.



Visit  http://www.etsy.com/shop/OverallCharm?ref=pr_shop_more or go to Etsy and type in Overall Charm at the top of the search bar. It will take you to my shop, Overall Charm. Keep checking back if you're interested, many new items to come soon. :)

A Few Engagements...or 20

I can't say thanks to our photographer Brynne Owen enough for the moments she captured of Daniel and I.

Daniel and I had been going a little back and forth before our engagement shoot. When I told him we were having engagement pictures taken he said, "Oh the one for the newspaper." I said, "Yes."

About a week passed and I told him a few ideas I had about our pictures and I was trying to decide which outfits to wear. He said, "Outfits. I thought we were only taking one picture."

I realized I might should have explained things a little better.

But after he got over the initial shock that it wasn't just one picture we started looking at other engagement pictures online. We decided that we didn't want pictures that looked exactly like everyone elses. Daniel was more worried about this than I was I think. But after doing lots of looking and thinking about what it is we wanted out of our photos, we talked with our amazing photographer and she said it all sounded great!

And here are a few (like 20) of my favorites.... ;)

 We shot the bus pictures at Daniel's grandpa's land. Daniel's grandpa passed away a few years back but I think it's a fun way to let a piece of him live on. Daniel and his brothers along with cousins used to play in this bus when they were kids. I also learned that when it snowed the whole family would go sledding on the hood of this bus because they could all fit while someone pulled them behind a truck. Such fun memories! I'm glad we can always have a piece of that hanging in our living room.

Like I said, we wanted something different and we wanted something fun. We knew that a lot of pictures are posed which still come out as gorgeous pictures but we also wanted something a little more candid. Something to capture our true smiles, laughter and happiness that we get to see on each other everyday. I'm in love with a man that makes my heart jump everyday that I'm with him. I'm in love with a man that makes me want to shout out how wonderful it feels to be in love. And I'm in love with a man who feels exactly the same way about me, and we want the world to see how great it is to love one another unconditionally. And how you're never to old to have.....a water balloon fight. ;)



Thanks again to our photographer Brynne, we can't wait to have you capture the rest of our wedding journey. Another thanks to our parents for all their help as well, we couldn't do it without you guys!

Bridesmaids & Cake Toppers!

My goal for our wedding is to...

1. Never forget why this wedding is happening. Love.

2. Have a good time.

3. Make it affordable & resourceful.

4. Environmentally conscious.

5. Unique to us. I want people to see our wedding resemble us. Nothing generic.

6. DIY! I'm the DIY Queen and plan to put lots of my crafty skills to work over the next 6 months.

My first DIY project was asking my bridesmaids to be in the wedding.

I made them cards with bridesmaid poems on them and just because I was feeling extra girly I made doll cut outs of them. ;)

Erin Gandy - Matron of Honor, Erin Tobin - Bridesmaid, Jenny Smith - Bridesmaid, Jenna Mosley - Bridesmaid, Mitzi Tsukahara - Bridesmaid.

I can't wait for all the fun planning and girl time together with some of my favorite girls!

My next DIY project, peg people cake toppers.

Daniel did not like that I posted these on facebook. He did not want anyone else to see them (I didn't know he would take it so badly;) lol He said he didn't like the idea of someone else taking my idea and everyone making their own. He's so cute. ha ha 

They make me happy and make my laugh when I look at them though, that's how I know they're keepers!

Other DIY projects are being worked on and I will be trying to stay caught up with wedding plans as I tackle them.

Oh! I almost forgot! We have a venue & photographer & Mom and I are going dress shopping on Saturday! Wish me luck!!!!

I Said....

YES!!!!!

We're ENGAGED! Needless, to say, we are VERY happy!

Daniel popped the question on January 30th in a quiet little park not far from my apartment on our 4 month anniversary.

Anyone who has been around us didn't seem to find it surprising at all that we got engaged after that short amount of time.

We both have said that we knew from the first time he came to visit that we were meant for each other. Funny how that happens. You spend your whole life looking for your person and when you find them, you just know there's no one else.

We're already busy wedding planning. In fact, we're close to done.  Ha ha.

I will be marrying the man of my dreams and becoming Mrs. Daniel O'Neal on August 27th of this year.

Many more wedding details will be making their way on this blog very soon so stay tuned. :)

Recent Recipe Favorites Around Here

Lentil Soup

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried basil
I teaspoon italian seasoning
1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups dry lentils
8 cups water
2 cups spinach, rinsed and thinly sliced
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Directions

There were crazy directions, but I just cut everything up and threw it in the crockpot for about 4 or 5 hours. It was delicous and healthy.


Eggplant Parmesan

2 eggplant, peeled and thinly sliced
2 eggs, beaten
3 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
4 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
1 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese, shredded and divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon dried basil

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes on each side.
3.In a 9x13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
4.Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.

It was such a nice alternative to spaghetti without meat. Since that's what people who don't eat much meat can be reduced to.


Veggie Pot Pie

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
8 ounces mushrooms
1 clove garlic, minced
2 large carrots, diced
3 new potatoes
2 stalks celery, sliced 1/4 inch wide
1 cup fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped into 1/2 inch pieces
2 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoons soy sauce
1 recipe pastry for double-crust pie ( I used this recipe, it's my favorite! I used it for all sorts of pies!)

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2.Heat oil in a large skillet or saucepan. Cook onions, mushrooms, and garlic in oil for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in carrots, potatoes, and celery. Stir green beans, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down to a simmer. Cook until vegetables are barely tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
3.In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch, soy sauce, and 1/4 cup water until cornstarch is completely dissolved. Stir into vegetables, and cook until sauce thickens, about 3 minutes.
4.Roll out 1/2 of the dough to line an 11x7 inch baking dish. Pour the filling into the pastry lined dish. Roll out remaining dough, arrange over the filling, and seal and flute the edges.
5.Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the crust is brown.

I can't say enough about this recipe, it was absolutely delicious!


Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup

Ingredients

1 pound shredded, cooked chicken ( We used the organic Kroger brand)
1 (15 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce ( I made my own, I think it's wierd to buy enchilada sauce, perhaps b/c I'm half Mexican)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups water
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth (I used veggie broth)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 cup black beans in a can or already cooked
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
7 corn tortillas
vegetable oil

Directions

1.Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, green chiles, and garlic into a slow cooker. Pour in water and chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir in beans and cilantro. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours.
2.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
3.Lightly brush both sides of tortillas with oil. Cut tortillas into strips, then spread on a baking sheet.
4.Bake in preheated oven until crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes. To serve, sprinkle tortilla strips over soup.

I added avocado to garnish on top. This was such a light healthy dinner.


There are just a few of the recent recipes I've been making that have quickly become favorites for both me and for Daniel. I'll try to add others as we make new things. :)

Packin' Up.

Well, over the holiday's Daniel and I had a lot of firsts. Our first Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's with each other and our families. We really enjoyed every second of it. I wish I would have captured more pictures of our first holiday season together, but I was too busy loving every minute of it.

In the midst of the crazy holiday's Daniel and I packed up all of his things from Austin and moved him to Dallas.

Before I met Daniel I had been pondering my next move to be Austin once my lease was up in June. So naturally when we met it seemed perfect that he already lived there.

But as more time passed and we talked more about the things that were important to us, like our families and more time together, the plan changed.

Since we are both from Athens (although we didn't really know each other until September) and both of our families still live there, it just didn't make sense for us to be far away from our families. Austin would be almost 4 hours away and Dallas in less than 2.

Daniel began to really look into whether or not it would be possible for him to transfer to his company's office in Dallas or not in October sometime. After much anticipation his job said that they could transfer him by the first of the year.

He put his apartment on Craigslist and it was sublet in just a few short days.

So we packed up his things and moved him north last weekend. :)

We are very happy with our decision to get him up here sooner rather than later. Another 6 months of long distance could have been done but if we could help it why not do something about it.

So last night we cooked dinner...ON A WEDNESDAY NIGHT! And couldn't have felt more excited, blessed and ready for more weekday dinners :)