Monthly Memories | October

 

Peanut butter with cinnamon on apple has become my staple favourite this month. It's so filling and the perfect snack for after a walk or when coming home from uni.

 

Beach day number one. Benn surfed whilst I read a book. Perfect day,

but the water was a little too cold for me!

 

My 3 babies in the bath after a muddy walk through the bush. They loved the walk,

however, the bath not so much...

 

New bedding and the canvas paintings I made. I love our bedroom now.

 

My favourite quote from General Conference, by Dallin H Oaks.

 

Beach trip number two. The dogs came along this time and loved it. Benn fished and once again, I read a book.

 

Benn came home one day with the lovely big rose from the neighbours garden. So sweet.

 

 

Beach trip number three. I actually swam this time! The dogs came along too and you can read more about our wonderful day here.

 

 

I must say, it was a wonderful month!

Follow along to see more photos on my instagram @neivelouise and @the.aussie.osborns

 

Liebster Award Nomination

I've been blogging for over a year now, but the past two months or so I have really been consistent and found a great community here! I am so honoured to be nominated for this by both Shelby and Liv - Thanks girls!! You should totally check them out!

 

***Below I have answered 11 questions that Livi gave me, then I will nominate 11 other blogs with less than 200 followers. They will answer 11 questions and repeat the process.***


1. How did you decide on the title of your blog?
I wanted something catchy and fun. Plus I am finding it hard to find other Aussie bloggers, so I wanted us to stick out in the crowd! Also I may have taken some inspiration from the "Ozzy Osbourne's"....

2. What one word sums up the heart of your blog and why?
Honest. I try to be honest on here and give you a real taste of what I'm like, what I think and how I speak! I may not write very "professionally" at times, but I only ever do that in uni essays ;)

3. What’s your favourite pastime other than blogging?
Hanging out with my husband and dogs and/or listening to music. As a teenager I used to lay on my bed all day and listen/sing along to my favourite songs!

4. What is your favorite aspect of blogging?
The fact that it is permentant. I will forever be able to look back and reminise on our life.

5. Which recipe, project, or idea on my blog would you most like to try yourself?
I couldn't find one on Shelby's blog..
Liv I would love to try your Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Banana Bread, sounds wonderful!

6. Where does your blog inspiration come from?
It literally comes straight from my life! Either my experiences, things I hear or read and maybe something that I wish for.

7. What is one country in the world you would like to visit? Why?
America! Route 66 is a HUGE dream of ours.

8. If you have children, what are their names? If not, what are your favourite boy & girl names?
I'm one of those people that have a list of about 50 names, but I don't tell in case my favourite one gets taken. Sorry....

9. A long-lost relative leaves you a large sum of money. What do you do with it?
Buy a house, travel and save the rest! (I'm obviously hoping for a lot haha)

10. In your opinion, what is the best blog post you’ve written so far? (Include the link!)
 I'm not very good at talking myself up, so I'm going to go with the one with the most views...
*Attitude of Gratitude*

11. What is your favourite food?
Chocolate? Is that aloud. If not probably lasagna.

So, here are my nominations (based on number of Facebook followers for their blog page):

1. Rachel @ Officially Stoked

2. Trissa @ Trissa Marie

3. Samantha @ Moving Peaces

4. Daisy @ Simply Relished

5. Martha @ Seasons with the Strattons

6. Marissa @ My Old Heart

7. Natalie @ Polka Dots & Pampers

8. Amanda @ Fun in the Oven

9. Jessica @ Something Whimsy

10. Beth @ Bethie and the Boo

11. Alex @ With a Heart in Danger


These are the steps to accepting your award:

• Answer the 11 questions given to you by the person that nominated you (see below). Please comment on this post with your link when you are done so I can see your answers!

• In your post, link back to the person/blog who nominated you and give a little thank you shout out.

• After completing the questions, nominate 11 bloggers with under 200 followers on the social media platform of your choice, and give them 11 questions of your choice.

• Notify your nominees of their nomination, and provide a link to your post so that they know what to do.

These are your questions:
1. How did you decide on the title of your blog?
2. What one word sums up the heart of your blog and why?
3. What’s your favorite pastime other than blogging?
4. What is your favorite aspect of blogging?
5. Which recipe, project, or idea on my blog would you most like to try yourself?
6. Where does your blog inspiration come from?
7. What is one country in the world you would like to visit? Why?
8. If you have children, what are their names? If not, what are your favorite boy & girl names?
9. A long-lost relative leaves you a large sum of money. What do you do with it?
10. In your opinion, what is the best blog post you’ve written so far? (Include the link!)
11. What is your favorite food?

Congrats ladies, don't forget to spread the love!

Three Things: My Childhood

I have been wanting to create a little series on my blog lately so you can slowly get to know a little bit more about me and so I can make sure I never forget something’s about myself (cause that’s what blogging is all about right?). I love knowing random facts about other people and sometimes it's great to have a short post with a few little "things" about the blogger. I’m not sure how long it will run for or if it might just stick around forever, but I have enough up my sleeve for a couple of weeks, so I hope you enjoy learning a few of my little thoughts, feelings, experiences and maybe even some secrets thrown in if your lucky ;) So welcome to the first post! Make sure you come back next Thursday to find out more :)

Three Things I remember from childhood 

1. Living next door to my best friend. 

                I was so blessed to have such a wonderful childhood, I mean, what can be better living next door to your best friend. Oh yeah, living on THE SAME BLOCK. Her house was down the front, mine was up the back. Every afternoon (and most mornings) we would hang out. It was so much fun. We did basically everything together and shared everything too. Sleepovers in the middle of the week? Why not (yes on a school nights!!). We both had birds (who lived in the same cage, she had a ferret, I had rabbits, we both had mice, I had a trampoline, but we were aloud to stay up later at hers ;). We would make theme parks for our animals and always remember to celebrate their birthdays. We would go down to the lake to swim almost every afternoon or weekend. Ride our bikes to the local shops. Go on big walks around the lake and end up walking along the rocks around the point. We were the best of friends who had the best of fun together. We totally even buried a box with trinkets, letters to ourselves and letters to each other back when we were 10, which we still need to dig up actually (I really hope it’s still there)!! Even though we have different grown up lives now and only see each other from time to time, I will forever cherish the days lived on Beach Rd. 

Me holding "Smudge" and Grace holding "Crumb" - Our Mice.

I know these photos are a little blurry and off centre, but I
have always love them for some reason!

2. Making up dances and putting on a show

                 I’m pretty sure at least every weekend myself and a friend (mostly Grace) and I would make up dances. Either in my garage or her lounge room, then once we were “ready” we would have a dress rehearsal and then get her Dad to film us (on one of those old video cameras with video tapes, am I really that old!!??). If you were lucky enough, you probably even got some singing involved (let’s be honest, there always was). Our musical numbers were always supported by the classics of our 90s time; The Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Aqua, Venga Boys and probably heaps more.

3. Picking Mulberries.

                We had the BEST mulberry tree out the front of our house growing up. We used to pick buckets of mulberries every chance we could and eat them by the handful. If our mothers were lucky we would save some for mulberry pie or even just for our own mulberry war (sorry about the stains Mum). There was even a tree house built in the tree next to it, so you could get all the way up to the top! You know you have the best mulberry tree when constantly find everyone from your neighbourhood bringing buckets to make their own goodies.

First Swim of the Season!

On Saturday we spent some time at a channel leading out the ocean about 15 minutes from our house, with a few friends and our babies (aka – dogs). It was such a hot sunny day, giving us a taste of what’s to come in summer. The babies are really in their element when we are near any body of water. They whined the whole way there just waiting to get out of the car! 

Once arriving they bolted up the path far from the eyes view. Of course Benn had to chase after them whilst I grabbed all our stuff (trust me, I had the easier job). 

Once they saw the water there was no stopping them!

After a short 10 minute walk from the car we were right on the point just past some bush land, nice and secluded so we didn’t have to worry about the dogs annoying people as they passed by. The current was quite strong and it was funny watching the jump in, float/swim away then get out and run back, only to do it all over again. I have a video but it won't let me upload it!

Where we went had a short swim/walk (it was pretty shallow) in the water across the current to a great sand bar. Benn was the first to test it out (with two furry followers of course) and when he came back to get Chloe, I thought I myself better muster up some courage to get into the water to (the water was FREEZZING). After while of taking one step at a time to lower my body into the water (and a lot of “IT’S SOOOO COLD”), Benn splashed water all over me and that was it, I had to get in now! After another minute of shrieking, I actually started to warm up (who would have thought) and we floated/walked out the sand bar. 

Coming back to shore was the hard part. When you’re floating slowly down stream you generally think the current isn’t too bad. But when you have to walk back up against it? Now that was hard. I really should have a set of abs after that seriously. 

(selfies because I swam and it had to be documented right?)

Such a lovely day and I can’t believe I actually got into the water (It’s only October people!!!). I really hate cold water (if you didn’t already figure that out), so I am pretty happy I went in. Although it’s now making me think of what Summer is going to be like, if I got in the water due to the heat in October, What will it be like in Dec/Jan/Feb!?

A lot more swims are coming I can feel it.

Sunday Seven

I've posted this little series before, but then stopped due to life. I think it's a great way to wrap up the week so I am starting up again, lets hope this time it sticks!

1.  I really love Sundays. They are my favourite day of the week BY FAR.
2. I am so in love with my husband. We have started "Family Home Evening" every Sunday night and we talk, eat, have a small spiritual thought and play board games - it's the best!!
3. As of tomorrow I will be 2 out of 4 assignments down for uni. I am so excited for this! However one of those is a group presentation which I am not so excited about
4. I officially have 11 days until uni is over for the year, but that means I have 14 days until prac starts - here come the nerves.
5. I have (kinda) been keeping up with my daily walks that I said I would do for my Spring Bucket List. It's like 3 or 4 days out of 6, so I am getting there!
6. I have decided to once again start my "No bread for Neive Diet". I seriously have an addiction to that stuff!
7. I have been SO tired this week. Hence not many walks. Like to the point where I snoozed my alarm every morning. Not the usual 10 minutes (thats like standard for everyone right?) but for 2 hours. TWO HOURS PEOPLE. Whoops.

My Fire.

I ave been invited to be apart of a series called #fireworkpeople and we have been asked to write a post about our big dreams and how we wish to change the world. If you are a blogger and haven't heard of fireworkpeople, then you need to! Such an amazing bunch of inspirational women who I am so grateful for. Always encouraging and uplifting each other and working together en ensure we can also give a little bit of light into this world. If you would like to read some of our posts, then head over to Ashley's page where she has linked us all up :)

I hope I can live up to the standard they have set! So here goes..

MY BIG DREAM.

Personally: I want to really love who I am and to grow as a person so I can be the best version of myself (cheesy).

Family: I dream of having a big happy family (double cheese). All I have ever wanted is to be a Mother, to raise my children in a home of happiness and love, and more recently a home of faith. If I do nothing else but this in my life, I will still be the happiest women ever.

Professionally: After finishing my degree (11 months left guys!!!) and working for a few years (Then Benn o do that as well (he is finished in 3). We would love to open our own childcare centre, along with a small homeschooling facility. I guess that is like the 10 year plan. Both of us being able to work from home doing what we love; teaching younger children whilst doing the same to our own.

HOW I WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

I really feel like as a teacher I have the power to make many small changes within the world and therefore a ripple effect of change begins throughout the world. The impact that teachers have on young peoples' lives is so powerful and significant. 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, 40 weeks of the year and then constantly seeing those children throughout the school over the course of 7 years - that is alot of face time.  I have the power to be a child's biggest support or worst enemy, the power to help them love learning or hate it, to have hopes for their future or to dash any dreams. I take on full responsibility for that and I really hope that I can influence all my students for the better, to be the best they can be and to have high hopes for their future. By doing this, I can help to change their lives and their world. For anyone else who is thinking about or currently studying to be a teacher, or maybe you already are one I highly recommend this short clip by Ria Pierson: Every Kid Needs A Champion. She speaks on the importance of relationships that you have with your students and for me, that is something that really rings true to my heart and I feel that is of greatest importance in the classroom. I have always loved children, hence wanting to have a large family of my own one day, so I can see no better career for myself then to help teach and raise the next generation. 

MY ENCOURAGEMENT TO OTHERS.

My encouragement to others would be to do what you love. If you don't know what that is then keep searching and praying until you do. Find your passion and use this to the best of your ability to reach out to others, even if it is just to encourage them to find their own passion. I was never a massive lover of school, so I find it strange that I love studying at university so much. But it is so different when you do what you love.When your whole heart and soul is put into something, you are bound to make an imprint on the world in some shape or form.



If you would like to know more about #fireworkpeople, click on the links above, comment here or send me an email! We would LOVE for you to be apart of it!

Guest Post: Serving Others

Find yourself by serving others

Some of you may know the famous quote by Gandhi “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”, which really rings true to my heart. There have been many times within my life where I have engaged in service and found myself. I’m not talking about some massive epiphany, but characteristics I maybe though I didn’t have or didn’t associate myself with.

That’s not to say that I always throw myself at these opportunities every moment of the day, life is so busy and complicated sometimes it’s hard to find the time to give service to others, but there is always a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment and emotional reward after – for everyone involved......

I had the honour of being a  guest blogger over at Moving Peaces today, for her series on Finding Self. This post continues on with 4 tips on how to find yourself by serving others. Read the rest here.

Trials Help Us

I recently bought this book "Written on our Hearts: Invitations from the Old Testament" By Emily Freeman and I highly recommend for you to all go and buy it. Because it is such a wonderful thing to read! Short stories about all that's written within the Old Testament and linking these powerful messages to our modern day. Sometimes reading scripture can be a bit confusing and heard to understand, but this book really goes through some important part sin "plain" language. It has really helped me see more clearly the things I can learn and how to apply these lessons to my life. I wish I could share the whole book with you, but that would be copyright and then you wouldn't go and buy it for yourself! 

One story that really rang true to my heart is found on page 16 and relates to chapter 50 in Genesis. It speaks of how trials are there to help us, not harm or stop us. Wait, what? Trials actually help us? This may sound silly, but I had never really looked at it in that light before. I get so wrapped up in my own issues, some small, some big that I find it really hard to see how my trials could be helping me.

This line really captures the message so beautifully; "In the end, isn't the place where I ended up after all those trails the exact place God needed me to be?".  When the Lord gives us trails, he is not only testing our faith and endurance, he is also shaping the way in which he wants us to head. I guess that's why so many people say "Life just threw me a curve ball". Yep it (or he) did and you need that curve ball. It may not be what you wanted, but it will help you get to where you need to be.

We need to make sure we are asking the right questions, rather then "why?" which may not give the answer you seek. But asking; "Am I in the place of God?". We can always trust that God can turn our trials into good.

After reading this, it had a profound affect on the way I looked back on past trials and how I am coping with our current ones.

- Short on money? How grateful I will appreciate having money once we are both working.

- Illness? How blessed I am to have great health most days.

- Family issues? How grateful I am to have a family.

- The only one of my faith in my family? How blessed I am to have faith and to be an example to them.

Don't get me wrong there are days  that get me down and all I want to do is curl up in a ball and not think about my trails, let alone be grateful for them. But I am human and we all have down days, how I choose to respond and work through my trials is what matters most. 

Another great part about this book is with each story there is a question posted for reflection which sums up the story and so you can really get the most out of each lesson. 

 How do you cope with trials?
Do you have a book that has really opened your eyes?

****

***This is in no way a sponsored post I have just really fallen in love and want you to as well!
All words in Italics come directly from the book***

Creative Cooking | Benn's Vanilla Cookies

So Benn has been bugging me for weeks to make some plain vanilla cookies (booooriiinngg). I am a little bit of a chocolate lover and if I'm going to spend hours baking cookies, I'm going to make what I want right? But I thought I should try to extend more kindness to my husband and what better way then through his stomach. I was in a rush so I made up the most simplest recipe that I could think of, but let me tell you, do not try this if you are on a diet or wish to stay away from sugar in any way. I've been a little naughty eating some of the cookie dough but NO MORE. I've been experimenting with a few "no sugar" recipes, so hopefully I can master one and share it with you all soon. 

 

I reckon these taste like a really sweet version of shortbread cookies. I have never made shortbread and i don't even know the recipe, but that's just what I thought when I ate one (okay maybe it was 3....). ALSO, this recipe is for 2 batches. So keep that in mind if you don't want too many...

Benn's Vanilla Cookies

Ingredients

• 3 cups of self-raising flour
• 1 1/4 cups of white sugar
• 2 cups of dessicated coconut
• 500 grams of melted butter
• 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
• 1 egg

Method

• Melt the butter and mix through the sugar until dissolved, leave to cool
• Add the vanilla essence and egg
• Add the flour and coconut
• Stir through until ingredients are mixed completely
• Use hands to roll into small balls
• Place on baking tray and bake for 17-20 minutes at 150 degrees
• Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 mins before placing on cooling rack
• Enjoy! (but don't eat too many or you may feel a little sick like I did...)

 

 

Currently

A picture from the weekend, 4WDing to a secret beach location

Reading: Written on our Hearts by Emily Freeman. I'm going to write a post about this soon, because - wow.

Watching: Big Bang Season Seven

Trying: To get a whole bunch of blog posts written and scheduled ready for next month when I will be on university prac everyday for 4 weeks!

Eating: Cookie batter from the cookies that I am making for Benn - whoops!!

Pinning: Healthy Treats - I need to kick this sweet tooth craving out!!

Loving: That I have dance class tonight, need to work off these naughty cookies!

Discovering: My confidence.

Enjoying:  Today's day off uni, I got so much done!

Thinking: About all the blog posts I need to write!

Feeling: A little sickly and guilty (cookie dough)

Hoping: That I will make the right decision about something that is troubling me.

Listening: Birds chatting away ouside my window.

Thanking: God for giving me the strength and courage I need.

Starting: To trust in the Lord more then I used to.

Our Bedroom

As promised from my Spring Clean post, here is a little sneak peak into our bedroom. We often leave this room last on our list to make pretty and ensure it is cleaned to perfection, mostly because no-one really ever goes in there except ourselves. But I have really loved making a bit more effort in there the past few weeks, and the recent added touches of a new quit cover, pillow and canvas's really gives it that extra something.

DIY Chevron Canvas's I made. With a picture of my little family blown up in the middle. It used to be a blank wall above our bed, but this is so much better I love it.

New bedspread from Kmart. And I didn't even realise until I opened it but it is reversible!! So cool. We basically got to bedspread for the price of one!?

 

My "side". Book and magazine as I read before bed every night, a photo form our wedding, one my favourite scriptures (Ether 12:27) (the other is my wallpaper on my phone, 2Nephi 31:20) and a canvas with a love letter Benn made for me when we had been dating for 6 months (awww). The pin board is something I made to hold all my necklaces, however, I then decided to put it next to my bed with photos and quotes that help inspire me.

 

Benn's "side". Full of manly trinkets and things that he holds dear. Some of these things he has had since he was a little kid and when he used to live on his own.

 

The dresser is basically covered with all my stuff (sorry Benn). Perfumes, moisturiser, jewelry box, nail polish and quotes again. I love my quotes! haha.

I won't show you the other side cause our wardrobes are just big and boring, but there is a little portion of our room and I love it :)