lovely life

Pumpkin Crumb Muffins (recipe)

To me, there is no better way to start the day, than with a homemade muffin and cup of coffee. That is truly the best thing about the cooler weather. Slow mornings spent baking are my favorite. It’s also the only time of year when I drink hot coffee. (If you know me, you know that I drink iced lattes 99% of the time, but when eggnog hits the shelves, I am there!–let me clarify, I am not into eggnog lattes. Warm eggnog is vulgar. I use a splash of eggnog in my coffee as creamer. It’s honestly something I look forward to all year!) These muffins are (dare I say the “M” word?) so moist and delicious. They will be your family’s new favorite morning treat! So grab a cup of coffee and let’s get baking!

Ingredients:

3/4 of a can of pumpkin puree

1/2 cup avocado oil

1+1/2 cups sugar

2 large eggs (at room temp)

2 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup water

1+1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp nutmeg

For the crumb topping:

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 stick melted butter

1/4 tsp cinnamon and a sprinkle each of; nutmeg and ginger

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line your muffin tins.

In a large bowl whisk together; oil, sugar, eggs, water, vanilla and pumpkin puree.

In another bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together. Flour, salt, baking soda and spices.

Add dry to wet and combine. (I recommend a Danish whisk. They are awesome!)

In another bowl, add the dry ingredients for your crumb topping. Pour in melted butter and with a fork combine so that it comes together in a crumbly topping.

Pour batter into muffin tins and top with crumb topping.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 15-17 minutes depending on your oven.

BEST Hallmark Christmas Movies, Ever!

*EDITED 11/2022 This was written in 2019 and I don’t think Hallmark movies, especially Christmas movies are as good anymore. But these are all great oldie but goodies ;)* I get asked often, what my favorite Hallmark movies are. So I thought I’d share some of my favorite Christmas movies from the last few years, for you to keep your eye out for them on your TV this Christmas season.

There are several things I look for in a Hallmark movie for it to be on this list. Most importantly is, “Would I watch this again?” and every movie on this list I would and have watched several times. In fact, a few of them I have probably watched at least 10 times. Yes, haha seriously!

I not only look for a movie that is cute and romantic, but a fun story line. I love when the story takes a different twist. Also, humorous. I love to laugh, so when a movie has me laughing that is even better! But, of course there are times you just want a more heart felt movie and I have a few of those on this list too.

All of the movies I picked for this list are ones I watch year after year (with the exception of Christmas under the Stars, which is from this year 2019.) Several of them are on my DVR all year long and I watch them when I’m longing for the Holidays. I broke the movies down into two categories but no category outweighs the other. They are all cute and funny and heartfelt movies.


Top 5 in no particular order:


Window Wonderland. –Super cute and funny! Paul Campbell is in this one and he is one of my favorites! He is such an authentic character. You really find yourself feeling like he genuinely cares about the people he is acting with. He and Chyler Leigh are store employees, both going after the window dressing job at a big department store during Christmastime. You are taken along with them during the holidays and family time all while watching them both create their window displays leading up to the big Christmas window display. I highly recommend this movie.


A Very Merry Mix-Up. –I don’t want to spoil this for you. Even though if you look up this movie, it will tell you what happens. Haha. :) But if you don’t know, don’t spoil it by reading what happens. Just watch it. You won’t be disappointed. It is different from other Christmas movies because of the “mix-up” and that mix up reminds you that, timing is everything! It is a super sweet story and I watch this every year. I actually just watched this the other day.


Christmas Getaway. –The actors are both from the show, The Last Ship which my husband and I used to watch. Travis Van Winkle and Bridget Regan. They are both great actors which helps make this a great movie. A travel writer and a widower and his daughter end up at the same Christmas lodge due to being double booked and the travel writer finds herself living out a good old fashioned Christmas for the first time since she was a child, thanks to a Christmas check-list the widower’s daughter is working on. Super cute movie.


Debbie Macomber’s Trading Christmas. –This one is an oldie, but a goodie. It’s from 2011 and the actors are a little older, but they are all really funny and great established actors outside of Hallmark. I watch this movie like clockwork at the start of every Christmas season. The story line is super cute with a widowed mom (Faith Ford) who tries to surprise her daughter in college by flying across the country to visit her for Christmas but when she gets there her daughter is out of town with her friends. She does a house swap and she meets a new love interest (her house swap guy’s brother.) Simultaneously Faith Ford’s friend travels across the country to visit her, but finds out she is doing a house swap and meets the house swap tenant and love unfolds…..Super cute!


The Christmas Ornament. This is a heartfelt and sweet movie. It stars Kellie Martin which I love and Cameron Mathison. Kathy (Kellie Martin) plans to avoid any holiday traditions that bring back memories of her late husband until she receives an ornament from a handsome shop owner. She keeps looking for signs from her late husband on what to do, as its her first Christmas without him and through a very sweet friend and a new budding romance, she finds that you can open your heart to love after loss. It has cookie baking and Christmas trees and ice skating and love. Everything you could ask for in a Christmas movie. Just watched this one. So sweet!


CUTE. These movies are all plain old sweet. Classically cute, and funny Hallmark Christmas movies.

Crown for Christmas. -Danica McKeller is one of my favorites so naturally this is on my list. A maid (Danica) in a fancy hotel gets fired right before Christmas. One of the King’s servants who was staying there at the time, overheard what happened and offers her a job as a governess to the King’s daughter. The girl is opposed to her being her governess at first, but then starts warming up to her and decides that she would be a better match for her father than the Countess who he is supposed to marry.

Christmas Getaway.

Coming Home for Christmas. -Danica McKeller stars in this sweet movie as well and is about a family coming together for Christmas, thanks to Danica’s character who reminds them of some of their favorite Christmas memories and traditions. There is also a little love triangle going on. Two brothers fighting for her affection.

Help for the Holidays – This is one we all watch together as a family every year. It is about one of Santa’s elves that goes to a family disguised as a nanny at Christmastime and helps them remember the meaning of Christmas and the importance of family. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and your family and cozy up to watch this one!

One Starry Christmas -An older one, but a favorite for sure. Reminding you to take a chance and not be afraid. And my favorite story line of all, timing is everything!

A Very Merry Mix-Up.

A Christmas Melody. -Lacy Chabert is a single mother who moves back to her hometown and reconnects with her past. Mariah Carey is one of the (not so friendly) mom’s at the new school her daughter goes to. There is music, love, Christmas magic and Santa. Really cute!

Love you like Christmas. – Timing is everything! Let’s just leave it at that. Love this one!

Holiday Engagement. -Another oldie but goodie! 2011, Bonnie Somerville gets dumped just before Christmas and she is going home for the holidays so she hires an actor to stand in as her boyfriend….little does she know, he is actually falling in love with her.

Debbie Macomber’s Dashing through the Snow. -Totally different story line. Really cute with two great actors. My favorite, Andrew Walker and Meghan Ory. She gets stranded at the airport at Christmastime and accepts a ride from Andrew Walker who isn’t honest about who he is…..

Debbie Macomber’s Trading Christmas.

Christmas Next Door.

A Christmas Detour. -Candace Cameron Bure and Paul Greene are traveling during the holidays and become stranded. They don’t like each other much because she is stressed about getting to her fiance’s home for Christmas in time to meet his family before their upcoming wedding and Paul Greene is trying to do anything but get home for Christmas because he is hurt about something in the past….

Window Wonderland.


HEARTFELT. These are all a little more sentimental and tug at your heart strings.

Christmas in Evergreen (there is also a Christmas in Evergreen, Letters to Santa. Both are cute.)

Christmas in Angel Falls. 

Miss Christmas.

A Christmas to Remember

A Bramble House Christmas.

Christmas under the Stars.

The Christmas Ornament.

I hope this list helps you get your Christmas movie watching off too a great start. There are more movies I could probably add to this list, but these are my all time favorites, that never disappoint! If you watch any of these, I’d love to hear what you think.

Make sure you are subscribed to my blog to be in the know for my next Hallmark movie list.

Happy Hallmark Watching! Elizabeth

The heart behind Grace in His Beauty.

In Spring of 2016 I started Grace in His Beauty as an online women’s ministry after I felt a nudge from Jesus to “be BOLD” and share my faith with other women. Each day I would pray and then post on Instagram whatever the Lord had put on my heart to share that day. It was so rewarding hearing, “This is exactly what I needed to hear today.” Almost 4 years later, and I still get excited when I hear those words!

I started noticing in the last year or so, that Instagram has become, (I don’t think this is a surprise to anyone so I’ll just say it point blank.) FAKE. Yep. I said what we all are thinking. So I started watering down what I was saying on my captions because I wanted people to *actually read* what I was sharing, before scrolling on to the next photo. I would pour my heart into a caption that I knew God wanted me to share, but then I would delete it and rewrite it in as few words as possible. The final straw was at the beginning of this year after a drunk driver drove through our house before Christmas and turned our world upside down. After not being online for a month, I posted a long caption sharing a very personal message about what happened. And on that post I got several AUTOMATED comments saying things like, “This is so cool. Great shot.” or “Love this so much.”

I have never shared this on here before, but I felt so angry and frustrated because I knew that more people were FAKE and robots were responding to my post that was so real and raw and vulnerable. I then started feeling like, what is even the point in pouring out my heart if no one cares? Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. “Elizabeth, you are listening to the enemy. He wants you to feel defeated because he knows what you are saying is from God. Stop watering down your messages and let them see God through you.”

So here I am, pouring out my heart once again. Sharing what God has put on my heart to share. I am rededicating Grace in His Beauty to the Lord. I pray that in 2020 (wow! how is it almost 2020?!) I can continue to share all that the Lord has put on my heart to encourage and inspire other women around the world through this blog and Instagram. I pray that my words will lovingly reach the hearts of those who need to hear them and change their lives forever.

Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone)

Elizabeth

Let them see YOU in me.

Life is not a competition. It’s not a board game, where the person who collects the most money and property wins. It’s not about who is the prettiest, the smartest or who has the most followers on social media. Your looks don’t determine your worth and neither does your career, your relationship status or how many upcoming coffee dates are on your calendar. Your worth and beauty are found in Christ. You will find that you are most satisfied in life, and will feel the most beautiful when you are glorifying God by letting HIM shine through you. Not shining so that others can see you.

There are so many movements now telling us to “love our bodies,” to be “who you are,” and to show ourselves “self care.” People are eating this stuff up all while forgetting that the truth of most people’s unhappiness about themselves lies in the fact that they are only working on making their outsides beautiful. So why aren’t we trying to live and love like Jesus and not like the “Influencers” on social media? Why aren’t we trying to make our HEARTS beautiful?

Answer me honestly….Don’t worry, I can’t hear your answer. Are you spending more time making sure that your outside is beautiful, rather than your inside? Read that again and be honest. When was the last time, you spent honest to goodness quality time in the Word? When was the last time you prayed a heart felt prayer of THANKSGIVING not just a prayer listing your requests to God. What is your heart’s desire? Do you want people to know YOU? Or are you shining a light so that others can see God through you?

We spend so much time and money working on our outwards appearance. We do our hair, nails, makeup. We go to the esthetician and get a facial. We color our hair to hid our grays hoping to erase a few years off our age. BUT imagine if we just spent half that time working on our hearts. Digging deeper in the Word. Spending quiet time with God. Working on making our inner beauty more beautiful than our outer beauty.

A super simple prayer that I have said for as long as I can remember is, “Lord, let my inner beauty shine through my face.” You see. I have struggled with pretty bad acne since I was a teenager and there were many days I didn’t want people to see MY face. I instead wanted them to see my heart, because I knew it was beautiful because Jesus rules it. It’s funny how hard most people work on making sure they look good all while forgetting that looks fade, but a beautiful heart of someone who loves the Lord will never fade.

Friends, I encourage you to spend more time focusing on making your inner beauty more beautiful. And if you want, pray that simple prayer I shared with you. “Lord, let my inner beauty shine through my face.” I promise that if you wholeheartedly work on your inner beauty and seek the Lord and His will for your life, people will notice. Your inner beauty will shine through your face and no one can ever dull that sparkle.

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 31:30

xoxo, Elizabeth

Salted Caramel Latte {Recipe}

Salted caramel is pretty much a sure fire way to cheer anyone up. (well probably not someone who doesn’t like caramel….or salted things. –ok moving on.) Now add it to espresso and well, you are set for something glorious! It’s almost Fall which means everyone is like, Pumpkin Spice this and Pumpkin Spice that…while I’m over here like, Have you had my Salted Caramel Latte? Holy Yum!! This salted caramel is so rich and delicious, but so quick and easy to make. And the hint of fleur de sel gives it the sweet and salty flare that you won’t want to skip. This caramel is of course perfect for your espresso drinks, on top of ice cream and I’ve even used it while baking!

Ok, let’s jump right in to this yummy recipe!

In a small saucepan, melt 3/4 of a stick of unsalted butter with 1 cup of DARK brown sugar (not light brown.) on medium heat. Do not stir it. Do not mix it. Just leave it until it starts to bubble up. {about 5 minutes.} While you are waiting feel free to jump on Instagram and look through my lovely pictures. But don’t walk away because you don’t want it to burn! Once it is bubbling and the butter is fully melted, remove from heat and whisk in 1 cup of heavy cream and a few pinches of fleur de sel. I usually do 2-3 small pinches but you can add more if you’d like. I recommend starting with 2 and then tasting it and going from there. 

Transfer it to a mason jar  {because I put EVERYTHING in mason jars!} and let it cool for about 30 minutes. Then put it in the refrigerator. It will be pretty thin when you first make it, but once you let it sit in the fridge it will become thicker. You can keep it in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. I always make sure to buy a heavy cream with the latest date so that you know you have plenty of time. You don’t what it expiring in a few days! ;)

Chances are you are going to want to make a salted caramel latte with this because….well that’s what I’ve been telling you about, right? 

Here’s the recipe for my world famous {well maybe not world famous, but everyone who tries it loves it.} Salted Caramel Latte. I’ll tell you how to do it iced and hot. But iced is my preferred way to drink this…and every other drink. I pretty much only drink iced drinks. :)

What You Need:

-something to drink it in. obviously I drink mine in a mason jar cuz it just tastes better ;)

-salted caramel {make sure you’ve already made & refrigerated it, or it will be too thin.}

-milk {whatever kind you drink. I drink Organic 2%.}

-ice

-espresso

-squeeze bottle {for easy drizzling of caramel}

Directions:

If you have an espresso machine this will obviously be a lot easier…but if not, well….I’m not sure how you’re making this. ;) First, pour about 1/4 cup of milk into your steam pitcher. You are not looking to heat up the milk, you are wanting to create foam. More specifically, micro foam. {If that isn’t something you know about, it’s how they create latte art. You can google it.} Once you’ve steamed some foam, set it aside.

-Pull your shots. {single, double, quadruple….I’m not judging}

-Drizzle caramel in glass

-Put your shots in glass

-Scoop foam into glass (yes, even on an iced drink. it really is delicious, trust me you’ll love it!)

-Add ice

-Add milk

If you want you can put another dollop of foam on top and another drizzle of caramel. It’s all up to you.

If you would rather this be a hot salted caramel latte, all you need to do is;

-steam your milk

-pull your shots

-drizzle caramel in cute mug ;)

-pour shots into mug

-pour in steamed milk

-drizzle top with more caramel

-if you want sprinkle a dash of fleur de sel

If you make this, I’d love to hear what you think! Take a picture and tag me on Instagram. 

xo,

Elizabeth

Comparison is a Jerk

Comparison. Plain and simple, is a jerk. Sometimes we get so caught up in “creating the perfect life” that we forget to just LIVE our life. We try to create a life that is pleasing to look at from an outsider’s view. But ask yourself, are you making the view for all involved on the inside as pleasing? Think about that for a minute. It is way too easy to start comparing our lives to other people’s. (strangers on the internet, people you pass on the street or see on tv, without truly knowing anything about them.) We get ideas in our head of what our lives (and ourselves) “should look like” and then we forget what living a good life truly means.    Continue reading →

Living for a Purpose. On Purpose.

 
It is so easy to look back on life and think about all the things you could have done (better, faster or just done period.) Asking yourself, “What is my purpose?” TODAY I urge you to look back at things with a different perspective. I want you to look back and see your life through God’s eyes. See all the good. See all the small victories and accomplishments and CELEBRATE them! Don’t get caught up in the “what ifs” and the “should haves.” That will only weigh you down.

Continue reading →

Am I Beautiful?

As women we often find ourselves asking the question, “Am I beautiful?” We may not be directly asking someone, but I am sure at one point or another you have asked yourself that very question.  Which then leads me to ask you this question. Do you think you are beautiful? More importantly, what do you think “being beautiful” truly means? Continue reading →

Elizabeth’s Cold Brew Coffee {Recipe}

Elizabeth’s Cold Brew Recipe:

8 cup French Press (I have a few different ones, but this one is great and inexpensive!)

8 Tablespoons of Coarsely ground coffee

Filtered Water

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

3 tsp. brown sugar {optional}

In your French Press add 8 Tablespoons of your favorite coffee. Sprinkle 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon (adds flavor & has a lot of health benefits!) and 3 tsp. brown sugar. I add this if I’m wanting to sweeten it up a little more, though cold brew coffee is naturally sweeter than regular coffee. If you are going to use store bought flavored creamers, you can omit this step.

Once you have added your coffee, cinnamon and brown sugar, fill the French press almost to the top with filtered water. (leaving a little bit of room for the top to be put back on.) Stir carefully (I usually just use a straw) to combine and cover with foil or the top to the French press. Make sure not to press it down though! Store in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours. Not more than 24. 12-15 hours is best. I usually do this in the evening before bed so it is ready to enjoy in the morning! 

Serve over ice. Some people like to dilute the cold brew with water, though I personally don’t suggest doing so. I do love to add a splash of creamer though. One of my favorites is this one.

 

Tips for Success! 

Use filtered water if possible. Cold brew or not, it’s always a good idea to use filtered water when making any sort of coffee or espresso drink.

Don’t Rush the process. Make sure you steep it at least 12 hours, which is why I make it the evening before and let it sit overnight. But on the other hand, don’t leave it in the fridge too long. 12-15 hours is perfect!

Cool Beans. Ok I just wanted to say “cool beans.” haha! But seriously, I always suggest buying whole beans and then grinding them yourself as you need them. BUT, make sure your beans are coarsely ground for perfect results. 

Ratio to make a bigger batch. 4:1– 4 Cups of Water to 1 Cup of Coffee. 

Best if: Stored in the fridge in an air tight container, like a mason jar. Use within a week for best taste. But let’s be real, it’s never lasted that long in my house. haha. The best way to enjoy it is to, invite a friend over on a warm afternoon and enjoy it together! :)

Any questions on changing this recipe up? Feel free to email me or send me a message on Instagram.

xo,

Elizabeth :)

Joyful in Hope

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase , “Choose Joy.” a hundred times before. Maybe you’ve even said it yourself. But what does “choosing joy” really look like? We have a choice every day to either have a positive or a negative attitude. Both take effort, but they each have drastically different outcomes. Perhaps you are like myself, and you struggle with fear and anxiety so you think choosing joy may seem harder. Tough times will still come, but joy will make it easier to deal with whatever comes your way. One of my favorite Bible verses says, “Be joyful in hope. Patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12. Let’s dig into that a little more and see what “choosing joy” really means.  Continue reading →