Hey Guys!

Check out my Mom's recently opened Etsy shop, The Rusted Angel. Super cute vintage/french countryside/shabby chic inspired items!

Thanks!

xoxo
Abbi

Blast from the past!

I just found the journal that I used while I was on a missions trip with friends from my church back in 2009. Has it really been that long? Oh my gosh. Well, I'll give you a little taste of what I wrote. Here are entries detailing my first and second of fourteen days in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa.


Last night, we arrived in Rwanda. We flew from Phoenix, to Chicago, to Brussels, and on to Kigali. It was almost 22 hours of continuous travel, and totally exhausting, but completely worth it, seeing Rwanda by car at night! We're staying in the Africa New Life missionary house, which is gorgeous. We have tons of fresh pineapple and had eggs, banana bread, and tea for breakfast this morning. I woke up at 6 am and listened to the birds sing for about an hour or so before I got up and went outside to take pictures. It was cold and lovely outside in our courtyard (we are enclosed in a safe compound.) We have a few rabbits running around! Today, we will be visiting the Genocide memorials. I'm excited, but also kind of scared.

BROOTAL HIKE.

4 miles, the last mile or so uphill, enter me: feeling like an asthmatic. But it was good exercise and a great way to see the city of Kigali stretching out around us. It's so peaceful and every single person we passed by said "hello" to us (though they were probably laughing at the Mzungu's (white people) trying to ask all the kids their names!). It is mind blowing to think a genocide happened here not so long ago. After our hike and snack we went to the memorial, which was so beautiful, but saddening. One of the mass graves had windows in it, making the coffins inside visible. So Sad. Afterwards, we has coffee at bourbon, the Starbucks of Rwanda. It was in a shopping building, and we were seated next to the entrance to a supermarket that had a big elephant statue in the doorway. A few of us decided to walk around, just curiously exploring what the store had to offer. We went home around three, relaxed and I played catch phrase with Katrina, Rob, Denise, Carissa, and Alli, complete with British accents, of course. Dinner was rice, lamb stew, veg and of course pineapple! I had another fanta...I need to cut back! Currently waiting for everyone to finish devotions while Becca, Denise and Cheif Chiko (Cheifko?) are at the bank. Oh! I forgot, we went to the actual hotel where "Hotel Rwanda" was filmed! Hotel Du Milles Collines. Denise met her future husand: Dr. Passionfruit aka Mr. iPod Adapter. Haha!

Quote of the Day: "500 Kobil to Kobil Minutes".

Currently I can't get the song "Secret Crowds" by Angels and Airwaves out of my head. "Let me heal you/carry you higher/watch your words spread hope like fire/secret crowds rise up and gather/ hear your voices sing back louder". I've decided that sounds an awful lot like a song about God. Just sayin'... Well, it's probably devotionalizing time, then sleep!

7.31 pm Rwanda time = 10.31 am Arizona time.

Breakfast was folded up beef taquito type things. Tea here is délicieux, of course. It's cloudy outside. Today is 'clean Rwanda' day, so while the street crews work to pick up trash and generally beautify the outside, we will be at home 'till noon. Then, it's off to Good Shepherd Community Church w/ Simon Nziramakenga and his lively wife Keddress. She has the most amazing hair and the cutest little gifts for me whenever she's in AZ. I'm not sure what we're going to do today at the church. I'm currently relaxing on the couch with tea and a fully charged iPod. So is Alli, and Matt is devotionalizing. It's 8.02 am here, 11.02 pm Arizona time. Probably too late to catch anyone on facebook. Oh well, tomorrow.




and there you have it.Two of the most intense and beautiful days of my life.


xoxo y'all.
stay lovely!

Stuffed French Toast

I decided this morning, in a fit of hunger, to make something delicious for breakfast. Using a picture I had seen on pinterest as inspiration, I made "stuffed" french toast with sweetened cream cheese and bananas.



I used thicker toast than I should have, and ended up taking the top piece off and eating it separately so it wouldn't be to dry.



It's a simple recipe, and so delicious!

Fry up two pieces of french toast on medium heat.
(that's bread dipped in whisked eggs and a dash of milk, for those who don't know)
I like to leave mine until it's nice and crispy!

Mix about a cup of whipped cream cheese and about 2 tablespoons of granulated white sugar.
(sugar can be more or less, depending on preference of sweetness)

Slice up a banana, or whatever fruit you so desire. Strawberries or blueberries would be delish, too!

Make a sandwich by spreading cream cheese mixture evenly on both pieces of french toast, and adding fruit.

Assemble, and enjoy!!



Happy Snacking,
XOXO Abbi

Happy January, everyone!

After a really fun and relaxed Christmas, we rung (rang?) in the new year by playing cards, setting off driveway fire works, and watching the re-run of the ball drop. Oh Dick Clark and his spray tan. But it was fun! I so enjoy time with Randy's family.


My resolution for this year is to start eating healthier foods as well as exercising more. I need to fit into my dress. Just 4.5 months to go :)

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Prescott and Christmas lovliness!

Just to give you an idear of how cold it was, I was wrapping my scarf around my face and zipping up my jacket as much as it would.

We also bought coffee just to hold. Poor Randy was gloveless!


Before the temperature dropped and the snow started, it was quite nice.




Running to the car and stopping to take one last pic of the lovely courthouse in Prescott's town square.


And lastly but not leastly, the Christmas village set up at my house. One of the only traditions we have, besides watching White Christmas *sigh*. I love that movie!


Happy (almost) Christmas!
XO
Abbi

I just love this.

I found this on a funny wedding blog but it's just such a lovely picture!



Men in fedoras and ladies in tea length dresses, kitten heels and fur.
They sure knew how to dress in the 50's
:)

XOXO
Abbi

ENGAGEMENT PICTURES!

They're finally here!! The lovely and talented Anna Christy of [a]photographie worked her magic one balmy afternoon in downtown Phoenix. See for yourself!









Just a "few" of my faves!! Isn't she just UBER talented?!



Still dying over them!

XOXOXO
Abbi