The Frazier Christmas

Sunday evening, my grandmother threw a wonderful Christmas party at her home for her family, the Fraziers. We had a marvelous time sitting around the piano singing Christmas carols and enjoying one another. The evening turned out to be quite comical, from Uncle Bill trying on his new Christmas boxers from Aunt Debbie to the silly poses everyone made during picture time. As always, it was great to see family members that I so rarely am able to be around, due to geographical distance :) . Have a merry, merry Christmas!!!

Here are a few of the pictures that I snapped during our eventful evening.

Aunt Debbie, Uncle Charlie, Gran, Granddad, Jean, Uncle Bill, and Aunt Valera taking a group pic.

Aunt Debbie got Uncle Bill candy cane boxers for Christmas this year, and he tried them on in front of EVERYBODY!!!  It was hilarious! :)

Daddy with his cousins: Angie, Chris, and Bird(with their spouses).

Aunt Valera fixing herself a glass of pop :).

Christmas Lights!

This afternoon, my wonderful brother, Jackson, and I put up most of our outdoor Christmas lights. We had such a blast together as we planned out which lights were going to go where. One of the things that we share in common is that we are both HUGE Christmas fanatics. Even during the summer, we love listening to Christmas music! Pretty crazy, huh? We began listening to a teaching by Doug Phillips, but it was soon interrupted by fussy Annemarie, who wanted to watch her Barney show on the iPad we were using😄. We were able to finish it later, though :) .

Here's a few pics of how the outside lights turned out. We're hopefully going to add some reindeer we have hidden away in our carriage house next weekend :) .

New Artist: Lucy Spraggan

This past month, as I was watching some of the UK X-Factor auditions from 2012 on YouTube, I came across a female vocalist named Lucy Spraggan.  She sang an original that was amazing, but I don't recommend that you memorize the song and start singing it around the house :) .  The words aren't necessarily the most appropriate for someone like myself...haha!

"Last night I asked you to marry me, that's when I remembered the brandy"

I won't mention anymore of the lyrics, but I will say that she has a very interesting and admirable writing style :) .  She has a gift for using her words in a way that makes you feel drawn to what she's trying to say!  I must warn you, she does have some other songs that are similar to the song she sang at her X-Factor audition, but she also has quite a few that tell exemplary stories.

Here's one of her originals that actually makes me cry!  I'm not well known for crying over a song, but the words she uses to describe this story make my heart melt!  In another video, she mentions that this song was based on a real couple she met.  I hope you fall in love with this song as much as I did :) .

Tea & Toast

ArtLife 2012

This summer, Abbie, Jackson, Libby, and I were blessed with an opportunity to attend an amazing arts camp called ArtLife.  It was hosted by Bob and Teresa Nix, a remarkable Christian couple who have a monumental heart for young men and women who want to use their gifts to invest in the Kingdom of God.  Some of the passionate artists who came alongside the Nixes in mentoring and ministering to the young adults who came to ArtLife were Dan and Sarah Black, Jason Nix, Jessica Greenhaw, Michelle Patterson, Jennifer Wooden, Sarah Osterhus, Allison Cornell, and Kathy and Meredith Moore.

During the week of ArtLife, I was able to take an entire week of contemporary, hip hop, ballet, and modern dance classes from the most life-giving instructors! The encouragement I received from them helped me to push aside some insecurities that the enemy had been trying to use to make me feel like I was not gifted.  The enemy uses lies like that to keep us from growing using our God given gifts for His glory.  Because of the love they showed me and words of life they spoke over me, I am now able, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, to face those insecurities and tell them that they're not welcome in my life anymore. I can command all of the thoughts that tormented my confidence before to flee, and I can live everyday knowing I am God's child, that I am cherished by my Father.

There were times in the evenings where the dancers, and anyone else who felt led by the Spirit, could dance spontaneously before the Lord. In all honesty, that was the most powerful part of the week!  I find it amazing how free people can be in their movements when a room is flooded with the Presence of God; it pleases the Father more than we could ever know.  I know that God smiles over us when we let our selfish pride fall apart, and we worship Him without any thought as to who is watching us.

I love the story of King David dancing through the streets of Jerusalem, completely ignorant to what those around him thought of his act of praise to his Creator.  Wouldn't it be amazing if everyone could just worship with their whole bodies and not be worried about what they look like?  If only we, as children of God, could make things simple for Him by letting go of our pride and vanity. We're called by Jesus to be different from the world, so why not start with letting God move us in whatever way He feels is best, physically and spiritually?

I am so grateful that God allowed me to get to know so many people who have the same vision for using the arts in the Kingdom of God as I do.  I'm looking forward to the things God has in store for next year!

http://www.artlifenow.com

Libby at the dance audition :)

 

Jason brought his entire recording studio to the SAGU campus for the music track to record the two songs they wrote.

Abbie's first time recording!

 

Michelle and Lila 

 

Jason and Michelle leading "You Won't Relent" during evening worship.

 

Abbie, Katelyn, and Shannon

 

Myself after a long day of dancing, dancing, and more dancing! :)

 

Libby and Tori on the last day of camp.

 

 

Jessica Greenhaw, Libby, and myself on the last day of camp.

Jackson snuggling his dearest Annemarie after an entire week without her.

Madison holding my precious one, Annemarie.

 

Bree with Annemarie

 

No matter where we go, people are drawn to our beloved Annemarie.  I believe that God has blessed her with the annointing to draw people into His Kingdom!

 

Annemarie was quite entertained by Will and his silly faces :) .

 

Barry and Michelle opening the show with a few of their incredible songs.  I love how they look at each other when they sing together!  It makes the words that are coming out of their mouths so much more powerful :) .

Abbie's music track homies: Brett, Josh, Will, Jordan, Jackson, and Alex.

 

Libby enjoying herself at the end of the performance!

Some of my new dance buddies :)

Jessica, Sarah Osterhus, Sarah Black, and some of the other beautiful dancers at camp worshipping in the back of the theater before the end of the week performance started.

 

Abbie and Michelle

 

Libby and Laney

 

Some of the dance track and myself dancing during the finale of the show :) .



 

Mike Huckabee on Evolution

Watch this!  Mike Huckabee gives a simple and precise answer to his thoughts on Evolution.  This definitely gives me a better understanding of how to express my belief in this often debated subject.  I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did :) . 

COMING SOON: A simple, healthy, and nourishing recipe the entire family will enjoy.  And guess what?  The ingredients are super budget friendly! 

Dinner From Dad

My Dad, not too long ago, went by the store and picked up a beautiful Greek salad mix for me while my mom was away. It had onions, tomatoes, thinly sliced black olives, creamy feta cheese, diced cucumbers, and bright green bell peppers.  Isn't he the greatest? He knows exactly what I enjoy eating!  It's sometimes feels like he can read my mind. I guess it's because our personalities are so very much alike. He's always thinking of ways that he can bless his wife and children, which is a characteristic that should be cherished. He is the most caring and thoughtful daddy I could ever ask for :) .

Well, here's how the yummy salad he bought for me turned out :) .  It's the perfect meal for a healthy eater who is tired of your everyday salads!

                                  

Cocoa Flavored Puffed Millet Crispy Treats

Rice crispy treats are probably one of my favorite desserts ever!  I love how their sticky, crunchy, and gooey textures blend together in perfect harmony.  But there are two downsides to them: sugar and carbs.  I decided to do a little google-ing, to figure out how I could pull off a lower carb, no sugar rice crispy treat.  I ended up discovering that puffed millet cereal possesses zero sugar and only 6 grams of net carbs per cup.  I later went to a blog called The Comfy Belly and found a rice crispy recipe made with puffed rice and honey.  I substituted raw agave nectar for the honey, which is low glycemic, less calories, and lower carbs.  I also replaced puffed rice with puffed millet.  After that, I began to experiment and have fun with the foundation of the recipe by adding raw cacao powder, to give it a chocolate-y taste.  

I hope this recipe helps you to continue your road to a healthier lifestyle :) .

Puffed Millet Crispy Treats

(Adapted from The Comfy Belly Blog)

Ingredients

1/2 cup raw agave nectar

4 tbsp butter

1/4 tsp sea salt

1 rounded tbsp raw cacao powder, or cocoa powder

3 cups puffed millet cereal

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Toast the puffed millet cereal on a cookie sheet in the oven for 15 minutes.
2. Heat agave nectar, cacao powder, salt, and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.  Let it simmer for 5 minutes, being careful not to let it burn.
3. Cool agave nectar mix for a few minutes, then add the toasted puffed millet and stir.
4. Scoop the mix into a baking dish and smooth the top with a spoon.
5. Let it cool for 15-20 minutes.
6. Slice it into squares, or any other shapes, and enjoy!

Fun Fact

Millet is one of the most nutritious whole grains you can eat!  It contains rich amounts of iron, B-vitamins, and fiber, which are all essential for a healthy lifestyle.  It also contains two times the amount of protein found in rice, and a large amount of magnesium, a vitally important mineral that keeps your nerves and muscles functioning properly. 

Dearest Annemarie

Annemarie has become such a big girl.  She's now officially crawling!  It seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital, swaddled in her soft pink blanket.  Now all she wants to do is move around, which makes me sad, because she wiggles out of my arms when I hold her.  

Here's a few pictures of what a big girl she's becoming :) .

She's crawling!

Somebody's having a bad hair day:)

Healthy, Lower Carb Carrot Cake

Yummy Carrot Cake!!!

Cake Ingredients
1 cup pecans, chopped
3/4 cup coconut flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup granulated xylitol
3 cups finely shredded carrots
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
6 eggs
3/4 cup raw agave nectar, or sugar free maple syrup
1 tsp lemon zest

Frosting Ingredients
16 oz cream cheese, or neufchâtel
1/2 cup butter
2 tsp maple extract
1 1/2 cups thinly shredded carrots
1 1/2-2 tsp NuNaturals stevia extract powder


Cake Preparation


Preheat oven for 350 degrees F.  Grease two cake pans and set aside.

1. Mix all of the dry ingredients together in one bowl.
2. Beat eggs in a small bowl.  Mix applesauce, agave nectar, and lemon zest into the egg mixture.
3. After the ingredients in both bowls are completely mixed, pour the liquid mixture over the dry one.
4. Mix the two together on medium-high speed.
5. Once thoroughly combined, pour the mixture into two greased cake pans, and slide in the oven.
6. Bake the cakes for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until you can stick a toothpick in the center and have it come out clean.
7. Once the cakes are finished. lay them out on two cookie racks or two cutting boards, and let them cool for an hour or so.

Frosting Preparation

1. With a hand mixer on high, beat the cream cheese and butter until they are thoroughly combined.
2. Slowly pour the maple extract in, as the mixer continues to to blend the butter and cream cheese.
3. Reduce the mixer's speed to low, and sprinkle the stevia in.
4. After all of the ingredients are combined, set the mix aside.

You can honestly use this recipe for so many more desserts than just a two layered carrot cake.  You could make muffins, cupcakes, carrot bread, or anything else that comes to mind :) .  I decided to make mine into a layered carrot cake, garnished with unsweetened shredded coconut and agave nectar drizzle.

One of the reasons I love carrot cake is because of its nutrients.  We all know how healthy carrots are for us.  Carrots contain a high amount of beta-carotene, which helps to activate the thymus gland. This gland triggers and stimulates the immune system to fight off bad bacteria and viruses.  It also plays a key role in  healthy skin and eyesight.  One thing I found interesting about beta-carotene is that that the amount in carrots increases when you cook them. 

Another ingredient in carrot cake that has significant health benefits is cinnamon.  Cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar and speeds up your metabolism.  Both are benefits that make your journey to losing weight and becoming healthier possible.

My First Turkey!

Ever since I can remember, my family has had large family meals together, around the holidays. I love to recall the aroma of steamed vegetables with exotic spices, the sparkling punch with dainty lemons, and then my favorite part: the turkey. It has a welcoming smell that no one can resist.  It makes me feel as if I'm a part of a Norman Rockwell painting.

A few months ago, while my mom was healing from Annemarie's birth, I made up my mind to cook a turkey. But there was one problem:  I didn't know how!  After a few tips from my grandmothers, and a little help from YouTube, I made a turkey!  I must say that it was quite fun.

Here are a few photos of how it turned out :) .