Seeing Sunshine

Even in the darkest of days

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Ways to Sleep Better + A Bedtime Prayer

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When my husband was gone for a month of training, I spent a lot of time with family in other states. But the days I did spend at home alone, I had the hardest time sleeping. It wasn't just that I missed my husband laying next to me, it was also the fear of having no one to protect me. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever felt so much fear before -- which was silly because I was safe in my locked house. I honestly believe Satan was throwing his flaming arrows toward me (Ephesians 6:16) to prevent me from receiving God's peace and getting a good night's sleep. Fortunately, I had many ways to help me Continue Reading

Save the Date: It’s Party Time!

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Guess what ya’ll! Something new and exciting is about to happen at Seeing Sunshine. Bust out the confetti! I’m throwing a party! A Facebook party! Yes, put on your party hats! What’s a Facebook party? It’s where all you party animals get into your comfy pj’s, grab a snack (I recommend something sweet) and join me on your computers to interact with each other and win some prizes. That’s my kind of party! The party will be Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. EST. That’s the first day of fall! Yes, we are celebrating my favorite season! If you are still not too sure what I’m talking about, let me Continue Reading

Italian Beef

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Sometimes I feel like all we eat is chicken around here. Probably because I don't like hamburger, as I've told you before. But I do like beef. Just not in hamburger form. So I started making Italian beef, and it is delicious! It is juicy and flavorful and has a zip to it! Here's what you'll need: Roast (round or rump) Italian dressing mix Banana pepper rings Onion Garlic First, put the roast in your crock pot. Sprinkle the Italian dressing mix on top. Pour the whole jar of pepper rings on top -- peppers and liquid. Mince the garlic and put it inside the crock Continue Reading

Berry Cobbler

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Remember that time we picked fresh blueberries and froze part of them? Well, I figured out what to use some of those frozen berries for. My husband loves cobbler. It's possibly his favorite dessert. So I wanted to make him some when he came home after a month of training. I knew his belly needed some real home cooking from his wife! I think he was pleased! Here's what you'll need: Berries (whatever kind you want, it can be a mixture) Sugar Butter Flour Baking Powder Salt Milk This recipe is so easy! I had to let my frozen blueberries thaw, so it you are using Continue Reading

Blueberry Pie

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My husband and I recently went to a blueberry farm to pick fresh berries. The farm had 13 acres of blueberry bushes, and we picked one gallon to take home for ourselves. Fresh blueberries are the best! It was such a fun little after-work activity. This farm doesn't spray any pesticides or insecticides on their crops, and we got a whole gallon of these delicious little bluebs for only five bucks! We froze some of the blueberries and set some aside to eat fresh or use in cereal or pancakes. Then we also set four cups aside so I could make a blueberry pie. As soon as I had all the Continue Reading

My Dream Home

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Right now, Travis and I live in an apartment. We love almost everything about it. Being in the military means we are going to be moving several times. It's kind of exciting to think of where we'll end up next. But Travis doesn't plan to be active duty for the rest of his life. At some point, we'd like to settle down into a "forever home" as I like to call it. Even though we aren't anywhere near that phase of our lives, it is fun to dream about. We enjoy driving through neighborhoods and pointing out which houses we both like. We enjoy talking about our dream home, listing things we'll want Continue Reading

Pesto Mushroom Bites

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Sometimes, my husband likes to cook. I love it because it means I don't have to. He likes trying new creations. One day he came home from work and had hit up the grocery store. He had several ingredients that weren't on our list. Soon the knives were coming out and the oil was being poured into a frying pan. The smell was amazing, and I pondered over to the kitchen to see what was being made. I have to admit, what I saw didn't look too good. But I tried his creation. To my surprise, it was really good. In fact, I asked him if I could have more, and the next day I asked him to make it Continue Reading

Neighborhood Ice Cream Social

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Remember when I wrote that post about striving for hospitality? Well, I didn't want my hospitality toward my neighbors to end with a plate of brownies. I wanted to do more. Late one night, as I laid in bed trying to sleep while my mind did the opposite of sleep, I remembered reading a post called How to Host an Ice Cream Social This Summer. (Read that post here.) The idea stuck with me. Everyone loves ice cream, right?  I worked all the details out in my head that night before eventually falling asleep. The next day, I told my husband about the idea, and to my surprise, he wanted to do Continue Reading

Strawberry Icebox Cake

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With summer parties and get-togethers in full swing, I wanted to share this recipe I tried a few years ago with ya'll. It's one of those desserts you don't have to bake, which means less heat in the kitchen. Strawberry Icebox Cake is cold and full of fresh strawberries. Here's what you'll need: Strawberries Heavy Cream Powdered Sugar Vanilla Graham Crackers Dark Chocolate Chips First, you'll wash and slice all your strawberries. Set them aside. (Try not to eat them all before you use them!) Next, you'll be making homemade whipped cream. Start by whipping the part Continue Reading

The Strive for Hospitality

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I have a desire to be hospitable. I would love for people to know me as someone who opens her home to others, someone who bakes treats for others just because, someone who makes you feel welcome, and someone who helps and serves without being asked. I want to strive for hospitality. I honestly long for the opportunity to host get-togethers and welcome friends into our cozy apartment. For months, I'd been wanting to take baked goods to our neighbors. It just hadn't happened. I could tell you it's because I was just so busy or because I always forgot to buy the ingredients at the store or Continue Reading

French Dips

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When Travis came home from the field, I wanted to make him one of his favorite meals. I welcomed him home with French Dips, Hash Brown Casserole and Cookie Dough Pizza for dessert. It's safe to say he was very pleased. Since I've already shared the other recipes, it's time to share how to make French Dips -- courtesy of my mother-in-law. Here's what you'll need: Roast Water Soy Sauce Rosemary Thyme Garlic Powder Bay Leaf Peppercorns Sub Buns This recipe is so easy to make. Put your slow cooker liner in the crock pot so you'll have less of a mess to clean up Continue Reading

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