Mary's Song

Sometimes I get worried about what I write about, whether it will be funny, interesting, or have some sort of added value to others lives. I get wrapped up in focusing on what it is I'm writing. But today, I'm just going to write whats on my heart and mind.

Today I read this...

And Mary said:

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, 

for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; 

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

~ Luke 1:47-55

Imagine, you were told that you were going to give birth to the Son of God. Woah. Yet, as you can see, Mary faithfully accepts what God has asked of her. She has such a beautiful heart and trusting spirit. She is humble and gracious for the gift that God has planned for her. You don't see her saying, "but that's not part of my plan." "Don't you know this is going to make people ask a lot of questions and they just won't understand." She simply says, "I am the Lord's servant."

Mary is someone who I know I need to be more like. To accept the path before me with no questions or concerns, but to trust and know that God's plan is so much greater than anything I can imagine. Even though, the future is uncertain. Even though, I am in a phase of transition and preparation. I need to adopt Mary's attitude.

Something to remember not just at Christmas, but all the time.

Blessings to you this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Vacation

Lately...

 

1. Christmas cookies -- Sugar cookie, dipped in chocolate with peppermint crumbles. Delicious!
2. Ornaments -- beginning
3. Wreath -- finished product
4. Salt dough ornaments
5. Homemade vegetable stock -- great to freeze for future use.

One more day til Christmas vacation!

Dreaming

Today, I can't stop dreaming. Dreaming of so many things. Dreaming of this past weekend. Dreaming of the unbelievably gorgeous wedding of this girl. Dreaming of my own wedding. Dreaming of the future. Dreaming of Christmas, which is coming oh so soon. Dreaming of a white Christmas.

Usually when there is less than a week away from Christmas, all I can do is think about Christmas and all the fun and celebration that lie ahead. But not today, today my heart is focused on something different. Another celebration. Today I am wedding dreaming.

I can't seem to stop listening to this song today. And it has me dreaming of walking down the aisle to marry Jake. I know I promised I wouldn't spend too my time talking about weddings on my blog, but today it's whats on my mind. I'm dreaming of forever today.

Ashley and Charlie's wedding was stunning...really...stunningly beautiful. It was a great celebration and I'm so glad that I got to be part of that day. It made me increasingly more excited for our wedding. If you want to see some of my wedding planning inspiration, you can check it out here.

No matter what though, at the end of the day as long as I'm married to Jake...it will be a successful day.

PS- 6 days til Christmas...are you done shopping?

My newest fondness

I have taken a recent fondness to jewelry. I've always enjoyed it, but never really spent much time focusing on what I was wearing. I usually wore pieces that were given to me that had a lot of sentimental value. But, (my future) favorite Aunt Sheri has started selling this. After collecting a few new pieces to my collection, I have really started changing up my jewelry style.

I find myself deciding on my outfit by what necklace I want to wear that day. It has completely opened my eyes to my awareness of jewelry. Today I am wearing this...

I love putting on something simple and jazzing it up with a statement necklace. So fun! And I'm almost to the point of needing a new jewelry box. But thanks to this site, I can just find one on there and DIY!

Speaking of doing it yourself, I have really started to take a liking to finding new craft projects. I always liked them in theory, but I have started attempting new creations and I'm having so much fun with it. It probably helps that it's Christmas so everything seems just that much better.

In honor of these last 12 days of Christmas, I have been doing a Christmas craft or activity each day to celebrate the season. I have made salt dough ornaments (which still need to be painted), made sugar cookies (which still need to be decorated), and made a gingerbread house.

We attempted to make a beautiful gingerbread house, but it came out looking like this.

It's a lot harder than you think...at least to make it look good. At least we enjoyed it. Also, please take note of the the roof (he's my favorite part).

Tonight, my craft involves paint, ornament, a hanger and some hot glue. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Until then, celebrate the season. Merry 9 days til Christmas!

A Christmas movie or two...

This weekend was filled with Christmas, relaxing, great food and great friends. It's one of those weekends that leaves you feeling refreshed and ready for the week. It was a much needed success.

Every year when Christmas comes around, I always tell myself I'm going to do all these different Christmasy things. I usually don't nearly accomplish as much as I'd like, I swear Christmas comes faster every year.

One of my most favorite things to do during the holidays is to snuggle up, drink something warm and watch Christmas movies. This weekend, I did some of that. I got a few marked of my list and it doesn't seem to matter how many times I watch them, but there is just something about movies that gets me in the Christmas spirit.

Here are some movies still left on my list...

• The Nativity Story
• White Christmas
• Miracle on 34th Street
• Frosty the Snowman
• The Family Stone
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
• Elf

So, if you have a desire to watch any of those, just let me know!

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Time to pack up...again

It's funny how quickly life changes sometimes. There are just some things that are out of our control. Ok, scratch that...most things are out of our control. And I like to have control, or at least that is how I've lived most of my life. But I feel as though I have taken a turn for the best. I have slowly started to let hold of my life and the desperately need/desire to keep it "in control" and am slowly learning to ride the waves.

For example, I have to move. Yep, that's right. I'm moving again. Where to you ask? Well, I don't know yet.

You see, I had a really great set up going. I was subleasing a house from a man who was serving overseas in the military. Good news...he came home...5 months early! I am extremely glad for him to be safe and home. But now, that makes me...home-less. The old me may have just about flipped a brick, but not this time. Did I mention that I need to move by the beginning of January? No, ok well I need to move by January 1.

There have been or could be some other slight changes in the picture, too. I'll let you know if any of those things change. But for now, I am in need of finding a place to store my stuff and lay my head for the next 8 months. This is my newest adventure. I am just assuming that God has something interesting in the works and I am just not let in on the secret yet.

But that got me thinking today, about how quickly life changes and just how you never really know how you or someone else's life may change in a simple phone call. So remember this today...

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

It's time again to pull out the dusty boxes. Hang the garland and lights. And of course, put the ornaments on the tree. This is what we did last night. Although, I didn't have a Christmas tree, so we picked one up this weekend as we did Christmas shopping (which was wildly successful!). So, we found a 4 ft. pre-light artificial little tree to suffice for this year. (I'm a real tree kind of girl).

This year as I pulled Christmas ornaments out of the box and slowly unwrapped them, anticipating what memories laid inside the tissue paper, the feeling was a bit different. Even though, I love Christmas and everything that comes with it, something felt a bit different...not quite as Christmasy as I remember. Then I realized, this year is different. This year I am unwrapping ornaments at my house; not the home I grew up in. This year, I was surrounded by my fiance and puppy; not my mom, dad and brothers. This year, I wasn't listening to Alabama Christmas playing loudly. Although the ornaments were the same, it's just wasn't the same.

This season of life is one of transition. As I am preparing to marry the man of my dreams and create a new life with him (which I am so excited about), it is a time of transition. This is the last year I sign my long last name on Christmas cards, and exchange it for a shorter, more historical one to share with my future hubby. This is a year of starting/thinking of some new traditions for my future family and remembering the traditions that hold such deep joy in my heart.

I am truly excited for the new stage of life, I will be entering. But as someone very wise once told me, "To every Yes, there is a corresponding No." And even though I am not married yet, it is a time of preparation and transition into that stage of life. There is great joy in what is to come and deep sadness of what used to be. It's one of the unspoken challenges of making this life altering decisions.

Yet, it is a blessing to have such great joy and people in my life no matter what season I am in.

Top left - One of my first Christmas ornaments

Top right - The reason we celebrate

Bottom left - Winnie's first Christmas ornament

Bottom right - Another first Christmas ornaments

Middle - The Angle at the top of my tree

The finished product

 And to end...always a picture of this precious pup.

Lately, still thankful

It's been a while. I've been busy with Thanksgiving festivities that I haven't spent much time writing. So this is what's been going on lately.

I had Wednesday off from work, so I got to spend it doing things I don't normally get to do. Like sit and drink tea and read on the couch in my pj's. 

And I got to hang out with this sleepy puppy.

We then headed to Illinois for holiday gatherings. Thanksgiving day was spent at my grandmother's house, which is actually a first. Usually, that family gets together after the day, but this year we all made it to grandma's for turkey. It was so wonderful to have everyone together for the day. We caught up, we laughed, we stuffed our bellies more than once. We played cards, we talked weddings, job changes, moving, school. It was wonderful. Sitting by the fireplace, chatting, and sipping wine with my favorite people is the kind of day that warms the soul.

We also got the chance to see the rough draft of our family cookbook. I'll tell you more about it soon, but I will say that it is going to be awesome. I cannot wait to see the finished product.

The next couple days were spent lounging, enjoying doing a whole lot of nothing with my family. We went to a movie, laughed til coffee came out of our noses at Starbucks, celebrated Dad's birthday, and enjoyed being together.

Saturday, Jake and I jumped in the car and headed northeast to see Jake's family. It was very much the same thing. Fun, laughter, relaxing, food, and great people.

I am so thankful that Jake and I are so blessed with two families that are so dear to our hearts and who we cannot get enough of. It's truly something to be thankful for.

Even though Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas music has been turned on. It is still necessary to remember to be thankful. Thanksgiving isn't reserved for November and December, but throughout the whole year. For it is when we are thankful, that we really realize how blessed we are.

Thankful: Day 2

Today is Tuesday, but really it's like my Friday.

Why am I thankful today?

Do I really need to tell you? Today is Tuesday...and my Friday.

Also, last night I got to have dinner and a sleepover with my best friend. It was so great to have some quality, catch up time. It was much needed and much enjoyed. Tomorrow I am going home to Illinois. Back to the country, to the farm, to the home so dear to my heart. Back to my family and a big Thanksgiving celebration. It's going to be so great.

I truly have some of the best people in my life. These people are what make my life and spending time with them is what makes it all worth it.

Oh and Winnie, we cannot forget the Winster...

Thankful: Day 1

In honor of the upcoming holiday, I am dedicating the next few blog posts to Thanksgiving.

I have often heard that the way to prevent ungratefulness, envy and selfishness is to be thankful. Makes a good point. If you are focused on what you are thankful for, then you don't have time to think about what you don't have or things that you think you want.

So, what am I thankful for today?

I am thankful that it is Monday and that I have a job to go to. I am also thankful that today is my Thursday. And I am thankful for this past weekend.

This is what my weekend consisted of...

1. Coffee out of a mug.
2. Wedding planning.
3. Snuggling with my puppy.
4. Spending quality time with my future Mr.
5. PJs...all day long!
5. Delicious soup and corn muffins.
6. Snuggling up on the couch and watching a comedy/chick flick with the future Mr.
7. Sleep, and lots of it.
8. Church.
9. A big W for the Bears.
10. A great evening with my mom and grandma and wedding dress purchase!

Also, I ended up losing my voice and had a bit of a cough, so this weekend was exactly what my body and soul needed.

Stay tuned for more...

We made it...

Well, we all survived it...it's Friday again! It couldn't come at a better time. This morning I woke up with a cough and froggy voice (think Kermit), so obviously that means it's time for the weekend.
What is even more exciting is that I don't have ANY plans...well minus tonight. But tomorrow I am going to sleep in, snuggle with my puppy and boy, drink coffee from a mug, and enjoy. It has been almost two months since I've had a weekend at home.

I've been thinking a lot about homes this week. The other night I was watching My First Place and House Hunters. I love watching people dissect every details of houses. I usually laugh at most of what they say but I also love to see the different types of houses.

I cannot wait until the day where I can come home to the same house and know that I'm not going to have to move within a year. I'm going to be able to get live in a house that Jake and I own. To decorate and change and make memories in.

I want a porch so we can sit on the swing on summer nights. 

I want a wrap around porch so that I can watch the sun rise on one side

and the watch it set on the other.

I want a nice big kitchen where people spend most of their time. I want to host dinner parties and events. I want lots and lots of good smells coming from here. 

I also want a vacation house on the lake where we can spend our

weekends with friends and family

....someday.

Happy Friday, all!

Can it be Friday, yet?

I am going to be perfectly honest. It's only Tuesday but I really wish that it was Friday. I'm tired and ready for another weekend. This past weekend, I was down in good ole' Nashville celebrating the upcoming wedding of a dear friend.

This is Ashley. I met her during grad school. She was the quiet girl from Nashville who quickly became my survival method for grad school. Although we only spent that year together, we managed to form a friendship that is meaningful to us both.

We had a great time celebrating her last few weeks as a single gal, before she marries her prince, Mr. Charlie. I am so excited for them both. Ashley deserves nothing less than being treated with the utmost love and respect. And I know that Charlie we do all that he can for her.

But this weekend, reminded me of how I have quickly become an what I claim as an "old soul." I consider myself a night owl, but I am just not as quick to rebound after only 3.5 hours of sleep and a 6 hour drive to and from Nashville. Hence, why I am so tired this week.

Anymore, my idea of a great weekend involves conversation, good food, good wine, and good friends. I'm amazed at how my idea of a great weekend has changed. And honestly, I'm grateful for that.

I'm also amazed that Thanksgiving is next week! Where did November go? It just seems to be flying right by. There are already Christmas decorations up and I heard Christmas music the whole time I was at Starbucks today. I love Christmas, more than any holiday, but I am one of those that believes Christmas shouldn't start until the Friday after Thanksgiving. Let's not forget that there is still an important day to be celebrated.

I cannot wait until next week when I am back at the farm, celebrating all that we have with a family that I am so thankful for. And maybe eating some pumpkin pie...

It's getting to be that time of year again

Today I had a moment. One of those humbling kind of moments. It was after work and I was at the store. I needed to pick up a few things since I haven't gone grocery shopping for about a month...it was about time to get some milk and bananas.

Our small group decided to fill a couple shoe boxes for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. You can learn more about it here. It's a really great opportunity to give a child a boxed filled with Christmas gifts. The gifts can range from hygiene items, toys, mittens, etc. You pack all the items in a shoe box for a specific gender and age, then you drop it off and it gets delivered to a less fortunate child during the Christmas season. Like I said, it's a great idea. If you haven't ever done it, take some time to do this small task. It's well worth it.

As I was picking items to select for the boxes. I noticed myself watching the price of what I picked up, trying to budget the amount that I was spending. Now,I am no means trying to gain any sort of self righteousness in regards to my generosity. But, it eventually hit me...I was questioning how much I was spending on these children who have next to nothing but not thinking twice about paying $3 for a box of cereal. Does it seem like there is something wrong with that?

It sure seemed like it to me.

I am somewhat embarrassed and disgusted with myself. I felt convicted, guilty, and spoiled. As I was going to my comfortable, heated home to make a warm dinner then sit at my computer and blog, while possibly looking at a few new wedding ideas, there are so many people out there who are so much less fortunate for basic needs to be met. It really shook me. It bothered me how I was evaluating whether or not to spend $5 on a toy for a child who has nothing. Yet, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Christmas present for a sibling which costs much more than $5. I feel like I need to give myself a reality check.

It's getting to be the time of year that generosity is often sought after. We are asked to give and to donate and to volunteer. But I feel like this shouldn't be something that we do just during the holiday season. This should be a way of life.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." ~Matthew 25:40

We are commanded to take care of the less fortunate, the oppressed, the poor. I know I need to do a better job with all of my resources. At least it's something for me to chew on right now...

The value of a heart

It's Friday. Its actually the first week in awhile that I have worked all five days and its been a week. I'm exhausted. So, therefore I am so pumped that it's Friday.

Also, I am pumped because I get to introduce my family to my future-in-laws this weekend. Another first. This will be great. I cannot wait for them to meet. It's like the two pieces of bread coming together with Jake and I being the peanut butter and jelly. We'll all be one big, squishy mess.

When I was little (or at least up until middle school) when my parents would hug, I would run in between them and tell them I wanted to be the peanut butter. So I still stand on the fact that I am the peanut butter.

I am also excited because Jake and I found a reception site and a date. Yay! This is really going to happen! **I promise there will not be many more wedding blogs. I promise there will not be many more wedding blogs**

Something that has been a theme this week has been the concept that people need to know they're valued. People matter, they are important. People are why we are here on this earth. Getting to know people, hearing their stories, loving each other, helping each other, serving each other. This is the reason we're here, right?!?

What determines the value of a person? Is it their material wealth, their work status, how much they volunteer, how many times they go to church?

It's about the heart. It's about what goes on in the heart. One of my favorite sayings that I have to remind myself is "to remember that everyone you meet is fighting their own battle".

You just never know what people are going through. So be the light in their life today.

Try it...see what happens.

Happy Weekend!

25 & Engaged

This may have been the most exciting, exhilarating, emotional, tiring, wonderful, exhausting week of my life.

Engaged and 25. I still can't believe it, either one actually.

Friday was my 25th birthday. I spent the day with my mom and best friend...wedding dress shopping! Yep, one week in and we're already shopping. You see, normally my mom and I go shopping for my birthday. This year we got to do something a little extra....wedding dresses. It was awesome and kind of hard. I never realized how many different options, variations, alterations, styles, prices, and stores there really were. I'm pretty particular as to what I want so we're going to keep on shopping!

I finished the day with my gorgeous fiance at a wonderful restaurant and some time for us to just celebrate life!

Then Saturday morning, we headed off on our next journey to try to find the perfect reception site. I have one in mind (not sharing that detail yet). We're hoping to get a date set soon! We had some other side trips, such as the apple orchard. See our weekend in pictures...

 PS- My side of the engagement story coming soon...

The Engagement Story - His

Fellow readers of the K.I.S.S blog:

My name is Jacob Paul Revere and I will be your celebrity writer for this lovely blog posting. I have never had any interest in “doing” a blog, but since my lovely wife-to-be has encouraged me; I am sitting here writing to you all.

The wonderful engagement story is something that every single woman in America dreams, wishes, and fantasies about upon birth.  Think I am exaggerating, just talk to Shana!  The goal behind me writing to the extensive amount of followers is to simply provide a different perspective on the wonderful and amazing day that Shana said YES! It all began one day back in January of 2011 when I realized that Shana was the one that was meant for me.  At that time, she had given me so much and been an integral part of my life.  I realized that I didn’t want to spend another day without her.  She was the other half of me that I didn’t know I needed (yes Sha I said need!!  Haha inside joke). I began on January 17, 2011 to write in a journal where I could funnel all of my thoughts and aspirations into a place that Shana would not be able to see or hear.  And so began the proposal journey.

I had spent many days thinking about the how and when and where and why, but I didn’t have any true direction until the wonderful Groupon email was sent to me.  The Hot Air Balloon Corp. got my business and that is where I started the foundation of the proposal plans. I knew that I needed to schedule the hot air balloon ride at a time that would allow other activities afterward, because I was defiantly not going to have the day be like a re-run of the Bachelorette where Jason gets in a hot air balloon, gets on a knee and asks some random chick named Moniqua to marry him, even though he has been cheated on the whole 32 days he has known her. Anyway, I began planning for after the balloon ride which is when I involved the lovely friend, Lauren, into the plan. She was brought in to tie-up loose ends, as well as help out with some other thoughts. So, here is what I came up with…

THE PLAN:

• Hot Air Balloon Ride: 8 am – 11:30 am
• Alternative: ???
• Indy Zoo: 12 pm – 3:30 pm
• Alternative: Children’s Museum
• Picnic at Park: 4 pm – 8 pm
• Alternative: Any park in the greater Indy area

THE ACTUAL EVENTS:

• Hot Air Balloon ride was cancelled
• Parked car to watch sun rise
• Car battery died
• Called Uncle Bud and Aunt Sheri for a jump and went with them to breakfast
• Went to Indy Zoo (no problems…great weather)
• Lauren successfully dropped off the warmed food and placed it in the trunk of my car
• Went to park and found the entire Indy Mexican population having a fiesta (250 people total)
• Went to other park (thank you Lauren) ate dinner, dessert, shared the journal, and asked the women of my dreams to marry me.
• Tears of joy, the word “Yes, of course” over and over again, jumping, screaming, kissing, more jumping, laughing, and more crying!

To summarize, I hope you all have enjoyed this celebrity blog posting and that I have enlightened you on the engagement story of J and (future) Sha Revere!

A beautiful whirlwind

The last week has been nothing but a whirlwind. The most awesome, blessed whirlwind. I still don't think the "engagement reality" has truly sunk in. Jake and I keep saying "we're getting married...to each other." It's so different in my mind now as a reality as opposed to something I've been dreaming about since I could dream. I find myself staring at my ring, or messing with it because I'm not used to it yet, or thinking that I need to take it off because I forget that I am in fact getting married!

If you don't know me, let me tell you that I LOVE weddings. I love all things wedding. Really. My dream job is to be a self employed wedding planner. So now that I get to plan my own wedding, it's so surreal. So there is the engagement daze, the wedding planning but most importantly...the marriage.

I can't wait to marry Jake. I cannot wait to come home to him every day. I can't wait to share an address with him, a name with him and a life with him. Even seeing how much time, energy, thought and love he put into the engagement just blew me away. He continually shows me how incredible he is. I still can't believe I get to marry him. It's just so cool.

He's going to be an awesome husband. I cannot wait to share in the wedding planning stage with him and to see our families, friends and love come together to celebrate something that is right in the world.

But for now, back to laundry, trying to find a date, and getting excited for my 25th birthday! Woah! Engagement and birthday in one week. It's going to be a good 25th year of life.

PS - Engagement story coming soon.

Friday Fun Day

Today is Friday. I'm not at work today. I am not working on Monday. I'm loving being at home sitting on my comfy baby momma chair,  you can see it here in the nook. I loved waking up and being able to read, journal and drink my coffee out of my favorite mug. I loved being able to work out and get ready, while watching the Food Network. I love being able to get prepared for this upcoming Homecoming weekend with my cheerleaders. I love that I'm going to go shopping and get a mani/pedi. I love that its not raining outside. I love that I get to see some great girls tonight. I love that I will see old friends tomorrow. I love that I get to spend some extra time with my boy this weekend. I love it all.

I miss the 'ole days when I could be at home in the mornings. I love being at home. I feel refreshed today. I like my job, but sometimes it gets it the way of people, relaxing, and enjoying days at home. So, I am enjoying today. I am so blessed that sometimes I get overwhelmed. I'm trying to soak it all in.

I hope you are enjoying your Friday too.

But for now, I'm off to do some pampering. Happy weekend!

Home, sweet, home

This past week/weekend, I had the privilege of going back to Illinois for a few days. And what a great few days it was! Usually, when I go home I get a rush of nostalgic feelings and thoughts. Driving down the country roads bring me back to lots of good memories. Smells, sounds, sights all can trigger things that have managed to slip my mind.

Something I often think about is how much I appreciate genuine people. I appreciate the farmers, the hard working blue collar people, the simplicity of the area. Not that where I am from is such a completely foreign place. But it is different. It's simple.

I spent time sipping coffee with mom and grandma. Spent time with my brothers. I met a new baby cousin. I went to my rival high school football game to watch my cousin cheer. I saw familiar faces and lots and lots of corn.

Every time I go home, I also feel the pangs of how much I miss being with my family. For me, there is nothing that replaces them. I miss them dearly and I miss seeing them on a bi-daily basis, or at least having the option. Family is so deeply routed in my soul.

One of my most favorite times is consists of coffee, cake, mom and grandma. There is nothing that beats great conversation, great coffee and unbelievable cake! You just never know where the stories and laughter will lead. This time, they managed to lead us to digging through the attic and pulling out my grandmother's wedding dress. So cool. I just love hearing her stories.

 Oh yes, and talk about cake. This is a new favorite recipe. I made it with pumpkin and it was incredible. My grandma made it with sweet potatoes and it was just as good. If you like pumpkin, this is a must!

Pumpkin or Sweet Potato Cake

2 cups pumpkin or sweet potatoes)

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup oil

2 cups flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon allspice or cloves

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

Combine all the ingredients together. Bake in a cake or jelly roll pan for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool and frost with icing.

Icing

3 oz cream cheese

1 ¾ cup powder sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

¾ stick soften butter

1 tablespoon milk

Mix until spreading consistency. Spread over bars.