perfection

  farm fresh eggs

perfection.

delicious chocolate chips

perfection.

more signs of Spring

(don't these buds look like mini cabbages? I love the little dew drops inside them)

perfection.

 a short photo shoot with a sweet little girl

perfection.

-ella joy

what Christmas is to me (part 1)

A cup of hot steaming tea: To make it even better, throw in a blanket and a book...now, my friend, you're speaking my language! ;)

Everyone has their own drink that is soothing to them. For me it's tea, and for many others, it's coffee. But I've decided that I'm not going to be a big coffee-addict. Not that I have nothing against coffee drinkers, I actually think that I'm addicted to Star Bucks my self! But I'm not going to be the type of person who drinks like 5 cups every morning. So, I'll stick to my Black Tangerine Zinger tea, thank you very much...

 Warm Sweet Potato Bread: It might sound a bit odd "Sweet Potato Bread", but once I took that first bite I wasn't going back! We made some yesterday and I came up with the idea to add the white frosting. And I'm glad that I did cause it made the photos look all the better...and yummier!

Here's the recipe...
Sweet Potato Pound Cake: 
Nonstick baking spray with flour
3 cups all-purpose flour 
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt 
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 
11/2 cups granulated sugar 
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar 
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
2 cups leftover mashed sweet potatoes(or you can use canned)
4 large eggs, at room temp.
3/4 cup chopped pecans 

Preheat oven to 325 F. 

I've decided that I'm going to make a couple different parts to this post because there are just too many things to post about during this very special time of year!

Can you believe that it's already the eighth? Only 17 more days people! Aaaahhh! Can . not . wait!

Have a fantastic day!

-ella joy

Fall...we'll miss you

Well, now that Thanksgiving has ended *tear* ,I think it's safe to say that we should start preparing for one of the most wonderful times of the year...CHRISTmas(i like to write it that way)!!!
But, before I get too ahead of my self, ahem.
I'm going to use this time to say some of the things that I'm going to miss about dear Autumn...

I'm going to miss brisk sunny country drives on Sunday afternoons. Not like you can't do that in the winter, but it's not the same when all there is is snow on the ground...

I'm also going to miss the beautiful and vibrant leaves that re-appear on the same exact tress every October...

I'm going to miss the cute tiny gourds that we pick...

I'm going to miss playing outside. And I don't mean just playing in general. I mean playing normally outside without layers and layers of cloths on. I don't know about you, but here in WI, going outside in the winter without a coat on is practically suicide! Well, maybe I'm exaggerating but I'm telling ya... it's gets COLD here!
I have to admit though, I do like the cold. But it can get a little annoying after 4 months of weather that is 30 degrees and under...

There are lots of things that I'm going to miss about Fall. But I'm actually excited because there are so many things to look forward too now with December coming up! Christmas music is playing, I've even seen houses with lights up already!

I'll leave you with a word of encouragement:

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

Love:

ella joy

Random Blessings

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry everybody for not posting in a while!!! GUILTY
This is just a quick update...
1. The Neumann household has been quite busy the last week with my mom just getting back from the hospital on Sunday. Speaking of that...

2. My moms surgery went very smoothly! We are thanking the LORD for that, His mercies are are new every morning!

3. We are having a big family reunion the next week and a half :) Our families from Boston and Oklahoma are coming up for Thanksgiving! I am so excited, I'm doing a happy dance in my head right now ;)

4. I love cute little pumpkins!

 5. I also love old fashion shoots! The one in the big flowy dress is one of my best friends and cousin Lindsay!  These are both Bridesmaids dresses; Lindsay's was from our Aunt Sara's wedding and mine was from my moms :) We had a lot of fun with this...heehee

6. I've made it to 10 followers!...another happy dance :)

P.S. By the way I won the photo challenge! :)

Just a word of encouragement until we meet again:  
Be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
So we say with confidence, "The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man to to me?"

Truly: ella joy  
 

What I did today:

 Today I...

Got mesmerized(and a bit snap happy) with a beautiful Moth



Fell in love with my moms new adorable "Lully K" purse! Isn't it so cute? I just love that button! I think she better keep it safe or somebody might take it...

Found some gorgeous flowers at my Grandma's house. Don't they almost look fake! I got really close and it's a miracle that the camera even focused that well :) These flowers( to me) are evidence of a brilliant designer <><

Made Oatmeal cookies with Gracie. They were delicious! They were for my Aunt and Uncle and our cousins and I'm surprised that they lasted before we got to her house ;)


It was a great day today...

What did you do?




-Ella Joy



Update

We just got back from Up North and we had such an a fun time with family! And by the way... sorry that it's been a while since I last posted! We've been gone for the last week :(
        
The weather Up North was amazing!!! It wasn't humid like it is back at home,and there were no misquitoes, YAY!  At home(believe me, I'm not exagerating) they are swarming, it feels like you're under attack!

And also the lake was A LOT warmer than it usually is so we were in it all the time :) It's nice to have a lake to go to so you can cool off!

We were able to spend the week with our Aunt and Uncle, and cousins from Boston that we probably only get to see once a year. So that was really nice!


Something that I've been feeling, epecially since we've been going on a lot of vacations lately, is that once in a while it's just so nice to be at HOME! I don't know about you but this summer has been very busy for my family and we've been gone alot of the time. Ooohh, Home sweet Home!


I know that this might be off topic BUT, I have a prayer request for you all :) My Uncle that lives right next door to  me has a pretty seviere disease that is in his liver and colon. And actually if it gets worse it could kill him! But thank God it hasn't gotten that bad :) Latley he has been having some discomfort with the whole colon part of the disease and he could really use some prayer!
he's in Canada right now on a fishing trip so hopefully that will all go smoothly for him.

Thanks ya'll(I think that's right) ;)


Can you believe that school is soon starting up again? Summer just flys by without even saying goodbye to me every year :(  I just can never get enough out it!!!

I just wanted to post this because this is probably one of my favorite flowers. This picture I took in like 2 seconds cause we were in a rush to go somewhere. It's just so amazing to me that even whithout the focussing and futzing around whith everything this flower is still so breathtaking and beautiful! I just smile cause God can find ways show himself to us in little things like this :)

P.S. Sorry for the oddly posted picture! I Just wanterd to make it X- large so you could get the full effect!  hehe

                                                       Blessings: Ella Joy

Everyday Life:

             
                                                

 A great snack, it's really nice to eat healthy

 I call it, "Temptation" :)

This is a picture of my cousin Will,

we had a lot of fun with these blueberries!

I LOVE fruit! It's even fun to say haha

I think berries are my favorite fruit; rasberries

strawberries, black berries...

What's your favorite type of fruit :)???

Sincerly: Ella Joy

Beauty is:

                                  

   

                                               Beauty is:   

                                                      

 

        Beauty is:  Flowers

              (and even just plants in general) They are amazing!

            Just look at how intrecatley they were put together :)

                    It just blows my mind!!!

                                                    

This is a weed but its flower is SO

pretty, I actually smelled it and it

had such a nice fragrance! I would have never

expected a weed to smell really good :)

Beauty is: Music

I LOVE music! Not just listening to it but really making music.

 Something about it makes my smile inside :) God

knew what he was thinking when he invented it, that's for sure!

Beauty is: Color

The world would just be so boring without it!

Colors are wonderful !!!...especially pastels :)

Sincerly: Ella Joy