Living as a Victorious Christian Woman

There are few sweet treats better than fall-themed sweet treats. There's something about the flavors, smells, and textures of fall foods that just make snacking that much better. And that doesn't necessarily mean pumpkin. Spice, yes! Over the years I've discovered, adapted, and created some of my favorite autumn-themed sweets. Let's look back through the archives and see if you'll find some new favorites, too. Click the links for go straight to the recipes and instructions. Leaf Sugar Cookies Fall-Themed Trail Mixes The Perfect Autumn Spice Cake Donuts Fall Spiced Pumpkin Cake Donut Hole Acorns Fall Apple Chips Candy Corn Popcorn Balls DIY Caramel Apple Bar Chocolate-Dipped Maple Sandwich Cookies Two-Ingredient Apple Pie Bites Applesauce-Laced Belgian Waffles Hazelnut Fluff Frosting

Have you ever done something outwardly that you definitely weren't feeling inwardly? I would assume it took about three seconds for something to pop into your head. We've all done things, talked to people, worked on projects, gone places that we really didn't want to do, say, complete or go. That's part of being an adult, right? You do the things because they have to get done, regardless of what your heart really says about it? Perhaps your heart isn't the right place to start. Our heart attitude changes from day to day, sometimes minute to minute, so how good of a judge is it, really?  Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye  even  to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:  And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he  is  gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Joel 2:12-13 What the heart is good for is convicting us of s...

As autumn temperatures begin to set in, I needed one more beautiful summer planner spread. I found these beautiful wildflowers and butterflies stickers, and I paired them with Bible verses perfect for the season. In a world and time when things seem a little dark and dreary, let's lighten up this one little corner of our world this week!  Alternating down each page, I used the largest images - one per day - as focal points. With those in place, I added the Scriptures and prayers in between to balance each page and give me a daily reminder of how much I need the Lord's love, grace, and mercy in the week to come. The tiny, color butterflies tie each set of words and images together. My prayer for this week is that God will set right the pain and difficulties that came out of nowhere last week, protect His people from the evil that's permeating our communities, and point us on toward the indescribable eternity with Him that is coming. I'm blessed beyond measure to have pla...

I'm telling you, puppies shouldn't be allowed to be adorable. Like Diesel, cuddled up with his brother's half-stuffed stuffed dachshund. He just needs to stop being so cute. See? Faces. And eyes. And half-smiles that melt my heart and make me want to give them all the treats. It's just not right. Even in profile they're cute. Cooper is all puppy, all adorable, and mostly dachshund, and you can see it in that face and those ears! Not to mention the cute little nose. Noses, I tell you - noses! Even when their noses are buried in the leaves sniffing the aromas of everything outdoors, they're cute! Even when they don't know what they're tracking, they're cute! We've always said that Diesel is Cooper's world - anywhere the big dog goes, whatever he does, the little dog is his shadow. But Diesel also makes sure he knows where his little brother is at any given moment. Even while Cooper is digging for mole holes. And when they've been outside fi...

Ever wondered what it takes to put thousands of books in one place, price them affordably, and get them into the hands of readers who will love them? The  annual Pages for Pennies used book sale brings together book lovers, generous donors, hardworking volunteers, and community partners for a bargain-filled event that benefits local organizations, mine included. But a successful book sale doesn't happen by magic. It takes planning, teamwork, plenty of elbow grease, and a whole lot of books! Pretend for a moment that you'd like to start a sale of your own. Here's everything you need to know in 10 easy steps. Running a Book Sale Step #1:  Open the Donation Doors to the Public First things first: You need books!  Spread the word that you're accepting donations well before the sale. Give people plenty of time to clean off their bookshelves, clear out the kids' old favorites, and finally part with those novels they've been meaning to pass along.  Make donating as eas...

Here's a thought - take your traditional slow cooker meatballs to a new, autumn-themed level with a few simple ingredients that create a more complex, restaurant-quality flavor. Dijon mustard is the secret weapon, cutting through the sweetness of the apple cider and maple syrup with a refined, savory tang. Fresh thyme brings an earthy, autumn-harvest flavor, while a hint of cinnamon and allspice adds warmth without making the dish taste like apple pie. A splash of Worcestershire sauce rounds everything out with a rich, savory depth that makes these meatballs feel right at home on an elegant fall menu. For the finishing touch, take a few extra minutes to simmer the sauce on the stovetop before adding it to the slow cooker. This simple step concentrates the apple, maple, and spice flavors, creating a glossy, rich glaze that clings beautifully to each meatball instead of leaving them swimming in a thin cider sauce. The result is a warm, inviting fall appetizer with just the right bala...

October in Iowa means going from dramatic storms and flooding rains to 85 degrees and bright, beautiful sunshine in a matter of hours. This weather uncertainty led me to create a beautiful, flower- and bird-filled planner layout that will sparkle and shine regardless of what's happening outside! The bright colors of the flowers and 3D metallic edges on the birds practically make these images fly off the page. For this spread, I started with the largest flowers in the set as my anchor points and scattered them down each page. Then I went back and matched up each large bouquet with smaller blooms and added a sweet bird to each cluster. As you can see from the pictures, the birds practically glow in the light - I can't wait to see this spread for the next seven days. My prayer for this week is that our hearts will glow as brightly as these images in my planner. There may be a lot in the world that's evil and ugly, but the Holy Spirit living inside us can outshine it all when w...

There’s just something about fall flavors that makes you want to slow down and get cozy. Cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla, and warm spices seem to belong together, whether they’re tucked into a fresh-from-the-oven cinnamon roll or turned into something sweet enough to share with friends. And while I love a good cinnamon roll, this month I decided to take those classic comfort-food flavors in a slightly different direction! Our monthly fudge series has been giving me an excuse to turn all kinds of favorite flavors into little squares of sweetness, and I couldn’t let fall pass without adding cinnamon roll fudge to the lineup. This recipe combines the familiar flavors of a gooey cinnamon roll with the rich, creamy texture of homemade fudge. It’s the kind of treat that feels right at home with a cup of coffee or cider on a crisp fall afternoon and, thankfully, you don’t have to wait for the weekend to make it! Before you start, mix 1 cup of sugar and 3 tablespoons of cinnamon to make a mix y...

If there's one thing about Jesus we can rely on, it's that He'll tell it like it is.  In Matthew 17, a father brings his demon-possessed son to the disciples for an exorcism, but they fail. Falling at Jesus' feet, the desperate father begs Him for mercy on his son's behalf. Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.  And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Matthew 17:15-16 I often wonder about Jesus' tone of voice when He says certain things. While I certainly believe He never would have been disrespectful or short-tempered, I think we can agree that there were times when He was frustrated and concerned. Then Jesus answered and said,  O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. Matthew 17:17 The man is not an unbeliever, but Jesus tells him that his belief needs some work, some gr...

And suddenly it's the final quarter of the year. October always feels like I'm torn between trying to play catchup from the past 9 months and excited that fall and the holiday seasons are here. My planner layout for this week is both a tool to organize my thoughts and goals for the next few days, and a beautiful woodland scene full of mountains and trees and animals. It's definitely a draw to keep opening it and keep working in it. Each day of this weekly spread has a different small journal box, accented with a leaf or a feather. Then the box is paired with a mountain scene and an animal or phrase. I love these little vignettes, sweet and relaxing, designed to clear my mind and make me smile. And there's still plenty of room to write out my meetings and to-do lists, especially with the extra blocks - I'm planning on getting a lot accomplished! My prayer for this week is that we'll each find places of peace and tranquility, whether it's in the pages of our p...

Every year at the end of September, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources starts sending out the annual Color Watch Report. They divide the state into sections and give an update on what trees are changing color, what colors you might see, and how far into the autumn change they are. I'm sure from these photos you can tell what color Southern Iowa is right now - green! If you look very closely at these photos from around our house, you can clearly see multiple shades of green. Our area has apparently forgotten that fall is here and it's supposed to be morphing into beautiful hues of yellow, orange, and red. They missed the memo because of the differing amounts of rainfall over the past few weeks, and now they're going to have to play catchup in a big way. From ground level on our property, you can just begin to see a few hints of fall around the edges. One tree went yellow last week and has already dropped most of its leaves. We're not speaking to him any more. But t...

September is one of my favorite months of the year! The last weekend of September is when our community hosts the Pages for Pennies used book sale, and the proceeds go to support three local nonprofits. Even while sorting books, organizing the sale, working the sale, and cleaning up afterward, I still made time to read some pretty great books of my own! Dinner With King Tut by Sam Kean. One of my birthday books from Danny, this fascinating book explains how experiential archaeology is bringing the people and stories of the past into the forefront, not just the stuff being found in the ground. The author learns about everything from atlatls and trebuchets to how to tan hides and what insects make the best protein-packed meals. Along the way he weaves fictional accounts of what those discoveries might have looked like into the present-day accounts of the historians working to keep these everyday lives alive. The Witness and The Enchanted Barn by Grace Livingston Hill. I'd still readi...

After a long week of rain every day and a community event that required going in and outside multiple times, I'm ready for a couple of planner layout that are bright and beautiful! I've been saving up these autumn animals for just such an occasion, and they've found a perfect home here the upcoming month. The monthly spreads in my planner are where I keep track of my blog posts and ideas. I usually choose a few larger images as anchors across the two pages, then fill in with a "random stamp" effect with the smaller stickers. This gives me lots of room to write, plus some pretty adorable critters to look at all along the way. This time around, I only combined two sets for the spread - the four larger leaves in the corners are from one set and the animals, acorns, and small leaves are from another. Half the fun of putting a planner layout together is finding the bits and pieces you need to make them interesting, cohesive, and fun to use. This past weekend was our Pa...