husbands birthday

Happy Birthday to my husband, who turned 22 yesterday! He celebrated by eating deliciously saucy honey BBQ wings at B-Dubs and opening pretty boxes filled with new threads from J Crew. Since it's his birthday, I thought I would point out some of the simple reasons why Jordan is awesome (because the little things are worth celebrating too). 

Jordan Shepherd is awesome because he...

has hidden talents (I just found out that he can play bass guitar. uh, what?!!)

is technology savvy 

can build a masterpiece out of straw wrappers 

has a contagious adventurous spirit

gives others room to shine while he remains humble

loves to learn

makes everyone feel like they are a part of his club

is a really good drummer

cherishes his family

has a really handsome face

is more selfless than anyone I know. 

 I could go on all day, but for now I'll leave it short and sweet. Speaking of sweet, you know what else is great about birthdays?

 Cake. 

I can't wait to eat some on Saturday (cheat day)! 

Jordan took me to Indy for my birthday.

We had already celebrated with everyone else, but it was time for the two of us to have a date night. We spent the whole day together since both of us got called off of work. Our first activity was working out before we left. We ran around my neighborhood in the humidity. I didn't last very long. By then it was lunch, so we got creative and made Hawaiian chicken with salad and noodles. Cooking has become our new hobby.



We left for Indy and headed straight to Teavana. Jordan's gift to me was cast iron tea cups to match my pot. He let me pick out the one's I wanted in the store, and I chose the black cups with dragonflies. I also got some German Rock Sugar, and two new fruit teas: Peachberry Jasmine Sutra, and Pear-Lemon Panache.





PF Changs was our last stop. We go there almost every time we're in Indy. We both ordered Egg Drop soup for starters. My meal was Lo Mein and Jordan had orange chicken. We were satisfied with our choices, and like always we needed a to go bag for our leftovers.






The day was a success. Jordan made it perfect, and I enjoyed every moment.

Birthday Weekend!

It was a blast.

Jordan and I celebrated my birthday Thursday night with his parents. We went out to dinner at The Mill and came back to their house for strawberry shortcake and gifts. I was so thankful when I open my present to find a gift certificate for an hour long massage.







Friday we drove to Battle Creek and celebrated with my parents and sister. We went to Olive Garden for dinner, and then came home to watch family videos. We were all dying laughing at the memories from my childhood.

This is the cast iron pot my parents got me for my birthday. I have been wanting one of these for a very long time. My tea tastes like heaven now that I have this to steep it in.




Saturday I spent the evening with my closest friends Elise, Marie, and Haley. They decorated Marie's house and had my gift of honey and goodies waiting for me on the table. We made a healthy meal together, and I brought my new cast iron teapot so we could all drink tea afterward. Just staying in and talking with my girlfriends was just what I needed on my birthday.




My friends know me too well. They stuffed a handmade basket with two kinds of honey, coffee from Costa Rica, A little ceramic honey jar, a bumblebee organic candy bar, flower rings, and a Target gift card!









Birthdays always make me feel loved.

I am so blessed to have people around me who build me up and help me to become a better person. I see so many girls who only have shallow friendships without any foundation. There are so many surface level relationships that fade. But I have true, genuine friends that inspire me and push me to grow spiritually, and I know that is hard to find these days. These girls are my beautiful sisters in Christ. And we are such a united group of friends even though we are hardly ever together. We have a lasting bond that only comes from the Lord. Our friendship is truth, and it is all so good and pure. I am thankful. I don't know what I would do without them.

All things honey

Honey is one of my favorite foods. I am fascinated with bees and honey in general. I put it in my tea, on my bread, or I just eat it plain. My birthday is coming up, and I am thinking of getting some New Zealand artisan honey.

I've had my eye on this particular flavor from J.Friend and Co. The description lures me right in.

"Clarence Valley Vipers Bugloss Honey is a rich buttery colour. It is a very sweet delicate honey with a distinctive vanilla taste, light pollen and floral notes. It is a good all-round honey. Mild enough for most cooking it will add delicate honey flavours to any dish, sweet or savoury. A good match for strongly flavoured cheeses such as blues, hard cheese such as aged Cheddar or Parmesan or even pungent washed rind cheese."

YUMMMM.




I can just imagine the taste of one large spoonful of Vipers Bugloss honey. But imagining isn't good enough.

I think purchasing bee accessories along with my honey would be fun. Maybe I will get this cute print to match.