Five Things Friday.

1. Holy cow, it's been rainy here in Utah. Obviously, that got me thinking about how to look cuter whilst getting wet. Bring on the rainboots, I say! Here are some SUPER cute and affordable ones, all around $30 or under: 

Polka Dot, Peacock, ZigZag, Stripe

2. And speaking of gloomy winter weather, I will now share with you my sacred recipe for the ultimate winter comfort food: Rice Pudding. I have perfected it over many harsh winters, and I think it is pretty much one of the best rice pudding recipes out there. I eat it hot. I eat it cold. I eat it for breakfast, I eat it for dinner. It is DIVINE. And easy. And I will now share it with you. I only ask that you treat it with the respect something of this sacred nature deserves. And eat it with cinnamon on top. 

                                        

W's Perfect Crockpot Rice Pudding 

{Yes, this is how I expect you to label your recipe card.}

8 cups milk

1 cup long grain white rice
{yes, truly 1c rice to 8c of milk, its seems off but go with it}
1 cup sugar. 

Combine in crockpot, stir well, and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for about 5. Usually I put it it in around 10 am and when we get home from church at 4 it is ready...just cook it until the rice expands and fills the crockpot and becomes bite tender.

Once it is ready add:
1/4 cup of half and half
9 tablespoons of water
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
Add ingredients to crockpot, stir together, and let cook for another half hour.

You're done! And in heaven. You're welcome. 

3. Excuse me while I kill you with cuteness: 

That's my kitty C, resting in his new favorite place, right on the baby bump. Yep. Cute. I think the babe inside tells him secrets and that's why he likes it. Just presh. 

4. I HIGHLY recommend reading these 3 fantastic articles I came across this week (yep, this technically makes it 8 things Friday. Don't worry, there is no extra charge, you're just lucky):

• In honor of MLK Jr. day, read this fantastic sermon he gave on conquering self-centeredness. Inspired. 

• In honor of my having frequent crazy and vivid pregnancy-brain induced psyco-dreams where my husband dies nearly EVERY time (SERIOUSLY, brain?) read this lovely post by Jo on this lovely book and on not taking those you love for granted. 
• And...in honor of being freaked out at the idea of being a first time mom, and for all of you Momma's at home with your first little one, read this empowering article on being a first time Mom. 

5. Guys. I'm not a big Taylor Swift fan. I think as a person, she is pretty bomb and sharp, but musically, it's just not my thing. However, I DO adore the Civil Wars, and this collaboration between them is pretty great. AND it's for the Hunger Games soundtrack, so there's that. Have a listen. It's quite lovely. 

And that's that!
As usual, happy Friday, have a fab weekend, love you, mean it, etc., etc.

OX/W.