Hoppin' New Year!

Here's to a good new year! In the southern United States, eating Hoppin' John on New Year's Day is thought to bring a prosperous year filled with luck.  Whether it's true or not and there seems to be some debate about it, I choose to do it! Why? Because I'm superstitious? No.  Just an excuse to have a tradition and eat some good ol' southern food. And did I mention they are delicious? 

Super easy. Totally a pantry recipe.  Don't forget to soak the beans.    

Hoppin' John Black Eyed Peas

4 slices of bacon
1 medium onion, chopped
1 t. salt 
1 lb. dried black eyed peas (soaked overnnite) 
1 (16 oz) can of diced tomatoes w/ chilis 
1 t. chili powder
1/2 t. black pepper
3 cups water or broth (Chicken or vegetable)

In a large saucepan, cook bacon til crisp, remove.  

In bacon fat, sauté onion over med high heat until tender adding salt.    

Add the peas and, tomatoes, spices and water (or broth).  

Cover and cook over medium heat for 45 minutes to an hour (until peas are tender). Adding additional water or broth if necessary.  

Serve garnished with crumbled bacon.  
Shot of hot sauce (optional)

Brown Bread in a Can

Teaching Scarlett about the finer things in life.  Lol  Have you had this? Don't knock it til you try it.  Toast it and top with cream cheese... ugh, it's the best! 

I need to try and make this from scratch.  It's super molasses-y.  Yes, that's a word.  A really good, yummy word.  

#northeaster #breadinacan #brownbread

Reindeer

How cute is that?  I love it.  Her school entered her in the district for this piece.  My little artist.  

#ScarlettGiulia

God is Working in our Waiting

We may not know why we are where we are. May even feel this is not where I'm supposed to be. This is not how I planned it. Or even God has forgotten me. 

Be encouraged in this advent season, where we see that God is in the waiting, always working for us. What He desires is an obedient heart in the places we often feel just "shouldn't be this way". In that obedience and faithfulness, He is working His plan in us, sanctifying us. Just like the shepherds.. "watching over their flocks by night".. a lowly of low jobs, outcast on the side of a hill in the desert as hired help, on the graveyard shift.. yet faithful in keeping watch in the lowly duty they were given. Then the most important message was sent to them one dark night, long ago.. Christ has Come! Emmanuel, God is with us.

Wherever you are today, lift up your eyes.. your Savior has come and God is with you. 

#advent2014

It's that time of year!

#Christmasbaking #ScarlettGiulia

Cookie Exchange

Ooh baby! Might not make it to the cookie exchange! 

#christmas2014 #baking

Merry Christmas Card

Love how these cards turned out! Simply to Impress.. great deal and good quality.  

#ScarlettGiulia

Christmas Tea

We had our annual women's ministry Christmas Tea and one of my favorite parts of the tea is getting to decorate a table.  This year I went with rustic, country charm. 

A printed burlap square over a vintage white bed cover

with embroidered edge was a quick and easy table cover.

 A cut birch logs gave height and dimension.  A tiny tree with antique

mercury ornaments in all their faded luster and glory.  So much fun.
My newly toothless helper! 

I think the odd use of Scarlett's toddler cowgirl boot was my favorite! 

My friend Sarah's "mad hatter" table

Princess of the Little People

Sorting all the little people she doesn't want to let go of any.. What's a mama to do?! Gotta make room for Christmas! 

#growingupishard #ScarlettGiulia #blurryphotobutIstillloveit

I'm overwhelmed by You

I see the works of your hands.. 

Snow!

The exclamation of "snow!!" Right upon waking.
#priceless #childlikewonder #scarlettgiulia

Grateful

... for much this year. The blessing of waking each day and watching this little one grow so beautifully. Love of family, friends and our loving church family. Above all that God is faithful! Out of darkness, into the light .. in Jesus' sacrifice which brings us from death to life. This I believe. Happy Thanksgiving!

It's a burger kind of night..

Pretty amazing to me! Scarlett's burger art on her ipad.

#petiteartiste #scarlettgiulia

Chicken pot pie kinda night

PNW amazemountain

gorgeous PNW day

#PNW #MountRainier #Tacoma

Our neighbors

"Mama! Why are they all staring at me?"

#noseyneighbors #countrylife

My Anchor

Life is a series of storms.. and if we don't have our anchor in the heart of who God truly is, we are going to get tossed about.
God reveals himself to us in HIS WORD. Do not let your background, your experience or your thinking shape God into the God that you think He is. Dive into scripture (grab your bible) and find out the truth of WHO HE REALLY IS. He reveals Himself from page one to the end for you, for today. But you've got to be in it to know it.

Just a few jumping off points... Lamentations 3:22-23 2 Thessalonians 3:3 James 1:1-13 Deuteronomy 7:9 Psalms 119:90 Psalms 36

#excitedtoreadtheBible #standingfirm #knowingGod #Biblechallenge

Here's a great song that I am in love with right now from Crowder.. inspired the graphic above. 

 

LOVE the lyrics to this song..

"..I don't have time to maintain regrets when I think about the way that He loves us.."

Bask in His love for you in this moment, wherever this post may find you. His love is so great that He knew your life from beginning to end and what you feel in this moment. His love is so great, it kept Him on the cross to take our place. 

Don't let what's been done to you or what you've done be greater than what JESUS did FOR YOU!! 

having fun with journaling with art lately

"..I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." - Jeremiah 31:3

He loves us,Oh, how He loves us. 

He is jealous for me,Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy. 

When all of a sudden,I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,And I realize just how beautiful You are,And how great Your affections are for me.
And we are His portion and He is our prize,Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking. 

And Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,I don't have time to maintain these regrets,When I think about the way...that HE LOVES USOh, How He loves us.. 

song lyrics from "How He Loves" by John Mark McMillan
© 2005 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI))


#changingperspective #eyesliftedup #overflowJESUS #aliveinChrist

Tell your story

If your past is brokenness, sorrow, disappointment or just a mess.. it is exactly what He can use. Our testimony flows from our brokenness.. God's redemptive story in us. This is what God can use to reach the world and be able to share the gospel. It is a beautiful thing! 

Be brave, be winsome, use your influence and share your story.  You never know what God has planned. 

#shareyourtestimony #overflowJESUS

A Life Not My Own

...so much better. When I lay my life down, I have purpose. Beautiful purpose and know my life will have meaning in this world, at the hands of God to use how he sees fit.  

What a jolting quote.  At least to me it was.  God has been changing my perspective on our brokenness and this is transformational.  To thank Him for the brokenness of our hearts and lives.  Even writing that seems almost too radical.  But an obedience to the word of God is the one thing that has brought radical change in my life. This goes right along with that our lives are not our own.  When we choose to follow Jesus, we lay down ourselves and life becomes about His purpose through us.  How can you use this broken life, Lord?..  it is Yours today.    It becomes less about self, our desires.  It brings healing to how you view your past or even present.  He has a master plan.  And ultimately it is for beauty, His beauty.  It's His beauty He desires to bring to our lives out of the ashes.  Freedom from brokenness.  That he might be glorified in the earth. 

Isaiah 61:3 (esv)
to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

There is no such thing as a private life, or a place to hide in this world, for a man or woman who is intimately aware of and shares in the sufferings of Jesus Christ. God divides the private life of His saints and makes it a highway for the world on one hand and for Himself on the other. No human being can stand that unless he is identified with Jesus Christ. We are not sanctified for ourselves. We are called into intimacy with the gospel, and things happen that appear to have nothing to do with us. But God is getting us into fellowship with Himself. Let Him have His way. If you refuse, you will be of no value to God in His redemptive work in the world, but will be a hindrance and a stumbling block.

The first thing God does is get us grounded on strong reality and truth. He does this until our cares for ourselves individually have been brought into submission to His way for the purpose of His redemption. Why shouldn’t we experience heartbreak? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us collapse at the first grip of pain. We sit down at the door of God’s purpose and enter a slow death through self-pity. And all the so-called Christian sympathy of others helps us to our deathbed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, as if to say, “Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine.”

If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours?
-Oswald Chambers

I don't know about you, but "a slow death through self-pity".. I was bound in that for a long time. And when I look around today, I see most of the church is too.  May we grab hold of Jesus' hand and spend time with Him.  In the word, in worship, in doing good works... we are changed in only His presence.  I'm challenged in that beautiful word, how about you? 

Beautifully Broken

Our brokenness is the bow that God uses to launch the arrows of freedom into others lives. - Louie Giglio 

Love that quote.  Total "aha moment" for me there.  Changing perspective to view brokenness not as weakness or disappointment but what God relishes in us to use in this broken world. God desires that no one should perish. Your story, your past, your mess, your brokenness is exactly what God can use to proclaim the mystery of the Gospel and bring others to salvation.  The mystery that He heals the brokenhearted, sets the captives free.. share your story. Start with where you were broken.. that's a connecting point to a broken world. 
Let's be Jesus and the change in this world, not a Christian version of the world!

God uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. It was the breaking down of Jacob's natural strength at Peniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. It was the breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb, by the stroke of Moses' rod, that let out the cool waters to thirsty people.
It was when the three hundred elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support.
It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that se obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Jesus took five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house. It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that His inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and live.
It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by DEATH, that it's inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus, on and on, throughout history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual life, God must have BROKEN THINGS.
Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in worldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken ofttimes in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon, and using for God's glory. "The lame take the prey," Isaiah tells us.It was when the three hundred elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support.It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that se obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Jesus took five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house. It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that His inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and live. It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by DEATH, that it's inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus, on and on, throughout history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual life, God must have BROKEN THINGS. Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in worldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken ofttimes in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon, and using for God's glory. "The lame take the prey," Isaiah tells us.

How beautiful is that perspective? That is from a devotional Streams in the Desert a friend gave me and just perfectly illustrates where God has been taking me and changing my perspective on my brokenness.  I always viewed it as my handicap, something I was unfortunate to go through and had to learn from. Move on, overcome it and in the past.  Almost shameful.  Actually, it was exactly that.. SHAME.   It was what I thought isolated me from others.  And what a lie that is.  It is the very thing that God uses to connect us with others and even bring freedom into each other's lives.  I am amazed at how the things of God are opposite of this world. The enemy wants us to keep everything in the dark, hidden.  His main tools are isolation and shame. We need to strive against this.  

Sharing can seem overwhelming.  I believe we need God's help with this.  I believe God not only creates divine appointments when we ask but he also can give us boldness to step out of our comfort zones and share with others.   A prayer that I have found that has changed my life comes from Paul in Ephesians.  Point of reference, Paul writing from jail, asking the church for prayer.  I love that he doesn't ask them to pray for release from jail or his bondage.. that really shows his heart.  His trust and faith in God.  He knew his circumstances were in God's hands and he rested in that.  But what he did pray for was that when he opened his mouth that he would be able to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel.. salvation.  He knew it was a mystery and he needed God to bring the words.  I challenge you to join with me in praying this daily.  You won't believe what God will do.  

Ephesians 6:19 (amp)  And pray for me, that words may be given to me when I open my mouth, to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news [of salvation],

#changingperspective #brokenness #overflowJESUS #revolutionbeginswithme

Which will you let define you today?

I challenge you to be heavenly-minded, focusing on the Source and not the obstacles or bends in the river. 

If we are going to do what He has called us to do, we've got to believe the truth of His word and not the facts of our circumstances. - Christine Caine

Enjoy this beautiful autumn day in Jesus! xo

Reading

"STUCK" by Jennie Allen. Such a great book and at the perfect time.  Ready to do work.

"Women are hurting. A lot of us feel stuck. This is not a novel perception- this is human. We are stuck trying to be perfect. Stuck in sadness. Stuck feeling numb. Stuck pursuing more stuff to make us happy. Stuck in something we can’t even name. And most of our stuck places are invisible to the world. Which keeps us from dealing with them.
When I wrote Stuck, I dreamt of creating things that took women to deep places- real places. I think we may have learned so much about God- that we missed actually knowing Him.
I want us to live truth- not just memorize it. And this takes encountering a supernatural God. I pray this study will push you up face to face with Jesus, and in the process you will grow closer to the women around you- going to war with stuck places. The trenches are a good birthplace for the deepest of friendships.
I don’t know that the goal is getting unstuck. Our stuck places are the very places that make us ache for God, leading us to Him and His freedom. God’s never been one to tie up our problems with little pretty bows and send us on our way. We wrestle and as we wrestle on this journey, we depend entirely on him. We are inadequate to fix our lives…. and we have a relationship building God who likes to move in and settle in holes within us that hurt.

I want us to band together as women and grow and live and experience God." - Jennie Allen

Real Pumpkin Spice Latte

PSL is a thing. Yep.  First sign of fall and this Northeaster wants cozy sweaters and a nice hot cup of pumpkin spice latte.  But oh no, not from Starbucks.  Way too sweet for me.

While this is Starbuck's inspired, it resembles it not so much.. this version is much healthier, as sweet as you like and a whole lot of spice and wholesome real pumpkinyess (yes, that's a word). 

Recipe Notes:  
Now while you think the black pepper might be an odd addition.. it is really necessary to cut through the pumpkin and creaminess and give it a bit of edge that I find most delicious. Without it, it's just flat. And, yes there is cinnamon in pumpkin pie spice blend.. but it needs more to make this girl happy. The extra bit just makes it so good. 

Cream vs. Milk..  Some days I make this and simply add it to my regular coffee.  If I do that, I use cream and not as much as if I were using milk.  Now a true latte.. you will want to use 1 cup of milk per serving, so you will need to up that leaving the rest of the recipe the same.   Often that is too much milk for me, I like my coffee to taste more coffee-ish.. so just a little cream will do. 

Also can be made in a big batch and stored in the fridge.  Heat with milk or cream and coffee in a saucepan. Or quickly warm in the microwave, if you're into that, and simply swirl into your ready made coffee or espresso.  

Real Pumpkin Spice Latte  

Serves 2

• 3 T. canned pumpkin
• 1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 t. cinnamon 
• 1/8 t. ground black pepper
• 2 T. sugar  
• 2 T. pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 c. half and half OR 2 c. whole milk (see note above)
• strong brewed coffee OR espresso

In a small saucepan over med heat, whisk canned pumpkin and add in spices and sugar.  Cook 2-3 minutes.  Add in vanilla extract.  Whisk in cream or milk, depending on your choice of coffee or espresso.  
Strain into coffee or espresso, top with whipped cream & sprinkle of spice. Enjoy. 

The healthy roundup.. Organic canned pumpkin, spices, sugar & vanilla. 

Raw canned pumpkin, add spices and sweetener over med heat.
You can substitute any sweetener you like.  Here I am using raw sugar
but I love to use honey, too.   

Key is to cook the pumpkin and the spices together.
Raw pumpkin is not a great taste, cooked is so much better.
Don't skip this step!

Looking good.. ready to add the cream or milk. 

Cream, half and half, milk.. your choice, whisk it in.
Here I am using half and half.  

Strain this mixture into your coffee. 

Topped here simply with cinnamon.
You could add whipped cream, of course. 

Anti-Inflammatory Health Tonic

This is a new batch that I tweaked of this recipe.  Wanting to add in a few more ingredients for their health properties, and it came out really delicious.  

We are taken down with a summer cold/flu monstrosity that has me aching, fatigued, runny nose, burning throat, loss of voice, head and heading toward chest congestion if I don't take care.  About 4 years ago, I completely gave up medicine and have resorted to a more complete Ayurvedic or Hippocrates belief.. "Let food be thy medicine".  I have a health tonic that I drink regularly in the winter at least every 2 days and I did not get any of the nasty colds or flus that went by.  And there were a lot! Having a 5 year old, we are in contact with germs quite regularly, like it or not. Still thinking about that bubble we should probably live in. No seriously, we didn't catch much.  Til now. Which when I think back, I have not been taking my super immunity boosting drink since cold weather left.  Hmm. I do believe it works.  

Well, back to the tonic.   This tonic has a base of turmeric, ginger, lemon, cinnamon, cardamon and garlic.  Sweetened with honey and balanced out with some lemon juice at the end of the simmering time, makes this drink actually enjoyable.  Well, it's not ice cream.. but still enjoyable in a healing, soothing way. 

Enough said, give it a try and get on the road to better already. 

Turmeric-Ginger Tea

1 piece of fresh turmeric root (1-2" piece), grated (or 1-2 t. powder) 

1 piece of fresh ginger root, (1-2" piece), grated

peel of 1 organic lemon 
juice of peeled lemon (easier if you peel first, then juice)

1 clove of garlic, smashed or use garlic press (important to let sit 5-10 minutes to allow the allicin to produce!!)

1 t. cardamon

1 piece of cinnamon

Place all ingredients in a pan with 2 cups of water, bring to boil.  Reduce and simmer for 8 minutes. Strain some into a cup adding lemon juice and honey to taste. 

Notes: 

I drink my 1st cup hot and place the rest in the fridge.  Later I can either heat up or enjoy iced.  It is good both ways. 

When making tonics, I believe it is crucial to use top quality organic ingredients.  Turmeric is not readily available at grocery stores but I usually find it at the health food store or farm stand. 

Cardamon I purchase at the grocery store in the Natural Foods section.. in the bulk spices section.  There I find organic cardamon.  I love it here and in chai. Yum!

Cherry Mojito Punch & Mocktail

Getting ready for a friend's baby shower this weekend.  Trying to think of punch recipes and going through the archives, thought I should post this as it is a delicious and refreshing option for the punch bowl!  Utilizing all the juice options out there..  This recipe is a good base for taking it several different ways, depending on the flavor you choose.  The original recipe is made with Ocean Spray Cran-Cherry Cocktail.  It is a great place to start.  But there are a lot of other options.  I don't necessarily buy from the Cran spray food giant.. but tend to lean more toward the healthier or organic choices out there.  But in a pinch.. this is a quickie that works.  For the shower this needs to be a mocktail (non-alcoholic)  but this made with vodka would be delicious, too.. if you wanted to spike it up.  Martha's Cherry Mojitos recipe that I posted here is another seriously delicious, but boozy option I used to make often.  

Cherry Mojito Mocktail and Punch Recipe

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 

4 oz. Ocean Spray® Cran-Cherry Cocktail
5 mint leaves
2 oz. Ocean Spray® Sweet & sour mix (or Mrs. T's)
2 oz. lemonade
Shake and pour into a 16 oz. glass (mason jars work great)
Add more ice 
Top with 1 oz. club soda and garnish with a mint sprig


For a large punch bowl add

4 (32 oz.) bottles of Cran-Cherry
1 (1 liter) bottle of Sweet & Sour mix 
1 (32 oz) bottle lemonade
1 bunch of mint, leaves separated off stems
Mix together, Add ice
Top with 1 liter Club Soda

The designer touch... Add some halved, pitted (fresh) cherries and mint sprig for garnish.