Post Labor Day Post - My Week In Review

I hope everyone enjoyed their summer. I spent the majority of summer working and researching  career paths as well as colleges in close proximity to Philadelphia to transfer to. Labor Day weekend has since passed and most if not all the little kiddies are back in school. I have another week and half to go before E is back in pre-school. I honestly can't express how grateful I am for the new change in my schedule allowing me more time at home. My days have been mundane at best. Some are spent working, others are spent at home or out running errands. I'm not complaining, I promise. I was told by a co-worker a short time ago that I have "one speed." This is generally true. My mind and my feet are set on "GO!" Towards the end of the summer, I experienced some serious exhaustion that landed me in the hospital. I have since slowed down tremendously. My evenings for the past few weeks have been spent in class. I decided it was in my best interest to pick up a trade, Medical Assisting to be exact. I'm completing this program while I figure out where I will be completing my bachelors degree in psychology at. I have wanted to gain healthcare experience for some time for personal and professional reasons. It was never in the cards for me at least not before. As of right now I am thoroughly enjoying what I've learned so far and looking forward to starting my clinical labs in the next few weeks. Below is just a quick recap of my week. 

Lunch break - original tart and sour apple frozen yogurt with the works.

E. My favorite little helper holding her project we made - Glitter sensory bottle. 

Sprinkles, Sprinkles, and more Sprinkles.

Final product - Mini Caramel (butterscotch) Apples.

Recipe: Easy Mini Pop-Tarts

Alright guys so the week is not quite over yet, but nonetheless it has been a hectic two weeks. More about that to come in another post. I promise it's a good kind of hectic/crazy. 

In other news I've finally mustered up the courage to give this Mini Pop-Tart recipe a try that has been on my mind since I first stumbled upon it on Pinterest. Now, me personally I'm not that much of a baker although I am warming up to it since my most recent success. Anyway onto the recipe; it is super easy and it was a pretty big hit! It does help that they are the cutest little tarts ever. Below I will share my version of the recipe using frozen pre-made pie crust. I hope you guys enjoy! 

Ingredients:
- 1 box frozen pie crust (comes with 2 rolls, this yields 9 mini pop-tarts)
- 1/2 cup fruit preserves (you can also use nutella, fluff, etc.)
- 1/2 squeezed lemon
- 1 egg (to make egg wash)
- cream cheese (I used whip to measure with ease)
- sprinkles
- gel food coloring (2-3 drops)
- 3/4 cup confectioners sugar

Supplies:
-fork
-parchment paper/non stick baking sheet



Directions:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Unroll the pie crust onto a clean, dry surface. At this point I inspected my pie crust which did have some cracks so I decided to cut away those cracks and to make things event I cut the crust into a square shape.

3. Evenly cut your crust into 4 long strips. Again cutting those into smaller rectangles. Keep in mind you'll need two small rectangles to make (1) pop-tart.

4. Crack your egg into a small bowl, whisk it. Using a brush, dip it into the egg wash and brush the surface of rectangle.

5. Next, put a small dollop of your filling onto the crust. Try not to put too much as you still need to be able to close the edges. Apply the egg wash to the other piece of crust and set on top. Using your finger tips press down along the edge of your newly formed pop-tart.

6. Taking a fork you want to press down along the edges like you would with raviolli to give your minis that signature pop-tart look.

7. Once you've finished putting together all your mini pop-tarts set them on either a non-stick baking sheet or one lined with parchment paper.

8. Put in the oven for 15 minutes, let cool.

9. In a bowl; mix 1 tablespoon cream cheese, 3/4 cup confectioners sugar, the juice from half a lemon. Add 2-3 drops of gel food coloring if desired. Apply frosting to pop-tarts

10. Add sprinkles, Enjoy!!

What I'm currently reading

Over the last few months I have been making an effort to reconnect with God and my faith. I have been battling my own demons for several years and am finally breaking free of the hold they have had on me. There are many things I've done of which I am not proud of, but I know my God is forgiving one. I have been searching high and low for a good devotional for daily reading and happened to come across these two gems while out yesterday. 

"Fervent" by Priscilla Shirer is not your average prayer book. Shirer's aim is to teach you how to pray with a specific and strategic plan. I love that! How many times have you settled down to pray and you feel yourself talking aimlessly. No? Okay so maybe that's just me but I'm sure there are others out there as well who have never quite mastered how to really pray with a purpose and for that I am so happy to have found this book. Not only does it teach you how to pray, but Shirer also discusses how the enemy is constantly at work and details how to fight back with prayer. 

"God, Grant Me Serenity - Devotional Prayers for Mothers" is a small collection of prayers for mothers. I personally like this one because there's a prayer for everything when you need hope, patience, etc. It's also compact which is nice for when you are on the go.

I'm hoping these books will keep me occupied for the next few weeks before bible study starts. If not I have plenty of others on my to-read list. 

Do you have any favorite devotionals or books for Christian Living? If so leave them in the comments below. 

Changes

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;"

- The Road Not Traveled, Written by: Robert Frost

    The time has come to yet again... Transitioning from one point in your life to another doesn't always come with great ease. I have never been one to divulge too much information, but I will say that I have reached the point of acceptance with this impending change. Certainly, I am not in the same place I was this time last year. This is my chance to reassess my goals personally, academically, and professionally. I'm sure this is what was intended for me to get back on track and see the bigger picture. Now, make no mistake I by no means have fallen off track. I will say that these past few months I have somewhat put my life on autopilot. Perhaps I needed a mental vacation. Whatever the case I am prepared to take on life full force. 

No Resolutions

"New year, new me." We see it posted on every social media platform possible as the new year rolls around. Shortly thereafter comes the lengthy to list of changes to come. Why is it so many of us opt to put off the things we'd like to change until later, tomorrow, or next year? Don't wait until the new year to set resolutions or goals. Set goals for now, and live for today.