Friday Favorites

Happy Friday everyone! I have had a lovely birthday week over here, and I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people both here on Kwaj and back home to celebrate my birthday with! Y'all sure know how to make a girl feel loved!!

As always I am linking up with Erika, Narci, and Andrea for some Friday Favorites! 

ONE

J Crew Flutter Sleeve Top

I'll be honest...I was spoiled rotten this year for my birthday! I got lots of new clothes, like the shirt above (on sale now at J Crew Factory!), this button down which is also from J Crew factory but is sold out...

some shorts from...you guessed it...J Crew, a new bible cover, and what is promising to be my new favorite cookbook...

If I could skip summer and go straight to Fall I totally would! Who's with me?!

I loved all my birthday gifts, and I can't wait to wear all my new stuff! Yay!

TWO

Since I am on my new healthy eating/diet kick, poor Johnathon has no choice but to healthy eat right along with me! He has actually been very encouraging, and has eaten things I would never have thought he would eat this past week (I'm looking at you zoodles!). There has been an MVP recipe that I was first introduced to back when people on island were bringing us meals after Hadley was born. My friend Kristin brought us this amazing Hominy and White Bean Chili that was delicious, and no matter how much I ate of it...I ALWAYS LOST WEIGHT! It's amazing! Johnathon really enjoys it to, so I knew I had to share it with y'all! I couldn't find the source online, so here is my friend Kristin's White Bean and Hominy Chili Recipe:

White Bean & Hominy Chili

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder, or more to taste
1 jalapeno chile (optional), seeded and chopped
One 14.5-ounce can crushed tomatoes
3 cups slow-cooked or two 15.5-ounce cans navy or other white beans, drained and rinsed
One 16-ounce can hominy, drained and rinsed
1½ cups water
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

**I switched the recipe up a bit and did 1 can of northern beans & 1 can of chickpeas instead of 2 cans of navy/white beans and loved it! You can really throw in whatever bean you prefer and I'm sure it would taste delicious!***

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cover, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder and cook about 30 seconds longer.
2. Transfer the mixture to a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add the jalapeño, tomatoes, beans, hominy, water, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper; cover, and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.
3. Just before serving, stir in the cilantro and taste to adjust the seasonings.

THREE

I saw a headline on some news site about Sadie Robertson posting a video about breakups on YouTube. I always liked her on Duck Dynasty and Dancing With The Stars, so I clicked it so see what she had to say. Y'all...I have to tell ya...I wish I was that put together at 17! I was listening to her talk about going through a painful breakup, and I couldn't believe how poised, mature, and positive she was! As a new mom, I get so excited when I see someone who is providing a great example for my child, and I just kept thinking that I hope Hadley has that much confidence and faith in herself and God when she gets to be that age! Good for you Sadie Robertson...keep being an awesome role model!

 FOUR

It wouldn't be a Friday Favorites without including some of my favorite things Hadley's been up to this week! We hit up story time at the library this week for Drop Everything and Read Day, and Hadley was super pumped to discover that they were reading If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. I usually spend most of story time chasing her around the library, but she sat in my lap the whole time and listened really well to the story! I was impressed! They always have a craft after story time, but Hadley isn't quite old enough to do them yet, so we hung out on the beanbags with the usual suspects...

Hadley was so excited to see her friends...especially Maya who is just back from vacation! Welcome back Maya!

 

...and Hadster had some in depth conversations with Ms. Paula about the elephant on her dress...

 

 

...and we finished story time strong by stacking the foam cushions, and jumping on them...as you do...

 

 

...and then Hadley came home and took a three hour nap! We LOVE story time! 

 

FIVE

 

 

Sorry to post another YouTube video, but...I'm not sorry! I love Francis Chan! I love him most because he takes on uncomfortable topics that Christians like to skim over, and addresses them head on in such a great way. I stumbled across this sermon this week and I wrote down so many things from it that I loved, that I just had to share it with you! I know it's long, but if you feel like you are needing to hear a message to re-energize and reinvigorate your calling as a Christian, then I think you will get a lot out of hearing what Francis has to say!

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend ahead! We will be continuing the birthday shenanigans this weekend with a pool side cookout with friends! I'm excited!