Thankfulness

When I reflect back over this year I am thankful most for two things.

The first being the way God has stretched me in my faith walk with Him. Through several different Bible studies, God has revealed Himself to me in a new light. I have come to a better understanding of why He's allowed some thing to occur in my life that I had thought (at the time) to have been a hindrance. It's pretty awesome the way He can speak to us when we really search His heart and His word. I'm so very grateful for the way He's blessing my life as I learn to hunger for more of Him.

Second being, my Addison. I'm inclined to be forever grateful for her little life. She's growing so fast, and when I see her blooming, I am so in awe of the gift she is to me and Ron and the world. My heart is so full of love for her some days, I think it will burst. With tears, I thank God again for this precious gift of a long awaited child. My Addy girl.

May you all find peace and rest in Christ's astounding love this Thanksgiving season.

Fall Recipes!

Some of you recently asked me for the recipes I made last weekend when my friend Jenn was visiting. So...here they are! I hope you enjoy as much as we did. If you get a moment, leave me a comment and let me know what you thought of the recipes! :) Happy cooking!

Thai-Style Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups of Pumpkin Puree or one 15 oz can of pumpkin

1 14 oz can of veggie broth

1 1/2 cups of mango or apricot nectar

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 5 oz can of evaporated milk or unsweetened coconut milk (I recommend the coconut milk)

1/4 cup of creamy peanut butter

2 tablespoons of rice vinegar

Several dashes of hot pepper sauce or 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper

1/4 cup of snipped fresh cilantro

Sour cream or plain yogurt (optional)

dried Thai Chile peppers (optional)

1. In a large saucepan combine pumpkin, broth, nectar, ginger, and garlic. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 mins, stirring occasionally.

2. Whisk milk, peanut butter. vinegar, and hot sauce until smooth. Stir in cilantro. Ladle soup into bowls. If desired, top with sour cream and/or garnish with Thai Chile peppers.

Acorn Squash with Sausage and Corn Bread Stuffing

Ingredients:

1 8.5 oz package of corn muffin mix

4 small acorn squash (12 to 16 ozs each), halved lengthwise and seeds removed

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper

8 oz of bulk pork sausage

1 cup coarsely chopped onion (1 large)

1 cup sliced celery (2 stalks)

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tablespoon snipped fresh sage or thyme

1/2 cup of chicken broth

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare and bake muffin mix according to package directions for an 8x8x2 inch baking pan. Cool corn bread in pan. Cut into 3/4 inch cubes; set aside. Reduce oven temp to 350 degrees.

2. Meanwhile, lightly grease a 15x10x1 inch baking pan. Sprinkle cavities of squash with salt and pepper. Arrange squash halves, cut side down, in prepared pan.

3. Bake squash halves, uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes or until tender. Remove pan from oven. Using a wide metal spatula, carefully turn squash halves over.

4. Meanwhile, in an extra-large skillet cook sausage, onion, celery, and garlic until sausage in browned and veggies are tender. Drain off fat. Stir in sage. Add corn bread cubes; toss gently to combine. Drizzle with broth and melted butter; toss gently to moisten. Spoon stuffing into squash cavities, mounding the stuffing.

5. Bake, uncovered, about 30 mins or until top of stuffing is golden brown and mixture is heated through.

Hope you enjoy these recipes! Have fun with your fall cooking!

The Problem with Idols: Desires Gone Crazy!

Hi from the outer banks of North Carolina!! This is the first time in a while I've been able to blog...life with a very busy two year old is full most days. I'm happy to be back for a bit-I'm enjoying some much needed quiet time with my Savior today.

My small group has been studying No Other Gods by Kelly Minter these past few weeks. I can't tell you how revealing it has been...I feel like I've grown by leaps and bounds through these studies. It's amazing how the simple things in life, even the good things, can rob us from God and the beautiful plan He has for our lives.

Idols are not necessarily only things on our bad list, but they can be things that are so good. Kelly says "Ah, and yes, the worst gods of all can be people. They are easy gods, but never good ones." When pleasing people, looking for their acceptance, or using them to fill the void only God can fill is taking first place in life, then we're idolizing them and denying God's ultimate gift of love. How many times in my life have I done this? Too many, way too many times.

God is starting to clear out some of the junk in my heart and leading me to his guiding light that fills my soul as nothing else can.

I feel really blessed to have been led to this study. God is really using this as a time to draw me closer to Himself...and I'm loving the new, fresh journey.

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." Vs. 7 "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Vs. 8 "Come near to God and he will come to you. Wash your hands, you sinner, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:1-4, 7 & 8.

Hot Chocolate? Yes, please!

Who doesn't like sweet, creamy hot cocoa? Well, I guess some people don't, but around here we love us some rich hot chocolate on a cool fall evening. I've tried a few recipes over the years but I have to tell you that I found a good basic hot cocoa recipe last night.

We had some friends over for a bon fire, one of our favorite things to do in the fall, and I decided to try a new hot chocolate recipe. I searched online for a short bit and settled on one I thought sounded interesting...it's base is sweetened condensed milk. The sweetened milk is in place of sugar. The recipe was super easy and boy was it delicious! All our friends loved it! Ahem...and so did Addison (who I tried not to give too much to since it was 9 pm and the sugar and caffeine...ahh-you get the picture). So, I thought I'd share it here. Give it a try, I think you'll like it!

Here's the link to the recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/creamy-hot-chocolate/detail.aspx

What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops...

What if sometimes the pain we feel is a way for God to draw us closer to His side? We pray for provision, comfort, protection, wisdom, healing, and prosperity. But what if all the while He hears each spoken need, yet He longs to give us more of himself? Sometimes we doubt His love and wonder where He is while we suffer in loneliness. He longs for us to have faith to believe.
The stirring in our heart is God's way of saying..."I'm here, trust my Word."

"So what if your blessings come through raindrops, what if your healing comes through tears, what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near?"

What if my greatest disappointments are God's way of saying this world is only a temporary resting place, your home is in Heaven. People will disappointment you but I will always be here for you. I hear every tear and cry that comes from the depth of your soul. "And surely I am with you always, until the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20.

What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

God's goodness is far and wide. From the smallest
hair on your head to the tips of your toes. He cares.
Today, tomorrow and forever.

Ministering Together = Love Expressed

Our little family of three held hands together as we crossed a busy street tonight. Visiting people together as a family is something we've been doing since Addison was born. My heart is warmed when we can go together as a family and love people just where they are. It's an honor to teach that discipline to our daughter so that one day, when she's ready, she will express God's love for His people in her own unique way and remember all the times we served together as a family.

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace, whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies-in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11.

My heart is blessed and full tonight.

Coffee Break

My husband was so generous this morning and allowed me the day to myself! How cool is that!? The last three weeks have been so busy with preparing for company, Addison's second birthday party, cooking, cleaning, and channeling a strong willed child :) I've really enjoyed all the company and parties that July had to offer. And now as I look towards August, I don't think our lives are going to slow down any. So it was nice to slip away this morning to Starbucks and have some quiet time with my Lord.

He brought me to study Hezekiah today. What an AMAZING King he was! I learned so much about his reign and what he did right in the eyes of God and where he struggled. "This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing that was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered." 2 Chronicles 31:21. God even saved his life~! Say what! He turned the sun back shadows and gave Hezekiah 15 more years of life.

Don't get me wrong, there were times Hezekiah was afraid but according to 2 Chronicles 32:1 we can be faithful to God and centered in His will and still be attacked by the enemy. Sometimes faith is the absence of fear. Other times faith may be choosing to believe God even when your heart is melting with fear. Perhaps, then, faith is tested by what we do with fear, not whether or not we have it.

Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed. When they were afraid and uncertain about their circumstances, they prayed.

How we respond to life and what happens to us will greatly impact our children and grandchildren. Our actions, both good and bad, will have consequences after we are absent from the earth. While we are enjoying the bliss of heaven and the mercy of God's grace, our grandchildren still could be reaping painful consequences of situations we've sown. Our, they can be enjoying the benefits of faithful lives by the great-grandparents who have gone before them.

I'm challenged today to live an even more faithful life to the Lord. Spending more time in prayer and trusting for His provision and leading in my life. I can only hope to leave a impacting legacy of faithful service, hope, and trust in the Lord for my children and grandchildren.

Trust-Why is it so Hard Sometimes?

Today I am transparent. I'm working through some things in my life where I need to solely rely on God for His provision and guidance. It's really hard. Really hard. I talked with my Mom last night and she reassured me that things are going to work out "just fine." She's been praying alongside me. That's comforting. At this time her strength is superior to mine; I can glean so much insight from her right now.

Without the Lord in my life, I don't know what I would do. I have to make a daily, if not hourly commitment to trust Him because He knows all things. He works all things for our good, right? "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we (Ron and I) have been called according to His purpose. I feel at ease reading this verse. He works all things for good! Ahh...

So I will wait. I will sit upon His word as my foundation and trust He will see me through. I trust He will move on my behalf.

Kale Chips

So I've always been afraid to try darker greens like kale and swiss chard. I love spinach and most all salad greens...but the darker ones...um not so much. I always thought they tasted so bitter and unappetizing. But since I've been trying to eat healthier and feed my little one a more varied diet, I thought I'd try kale chips. I had read an article in a magazine by Ellie Kreiger about Kale chips about a year ago...but never got around to making them myself. My friend Alison recently made some and her soon to be two year old loved them...so I said "let's try it!"

The first thing you want to do is tear the greens off their stems and wash them thoroughly. Then you want to use a salad spinner to get all the excess water off.

After doing that you want to place the newly washed leaves in bowl (I did two rounds of this because I had a lot of kale) and sprinkle with 1 T of olive oil and kosher salt. Toss the kale around in the bowl with the oil and salt.

Place the kale in a single layer on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake in a preheated 300 degrees oven for 15 minutes or until they are crisp and slightly brown around the edges.

Kale has so much going for it! Check out these stats!

• Filled with TONS of Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Iron
  
• Calcium

Give it a whirl, see what you think :)

Zucchini Grinders

Hi friends! I came up with this recipe on a whim one day a few years ago and it's been a staple on our rotating menu ever since then. I thought I'd share it with you; it's a great recipe to try if you have an over abundance of zucchini from your garden.

Serves 2

2 T of olive oil

1 T of minced garlic

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 a large onion sliced or diced (whatever you desire)

1 large zucchini cleaned and diced

1/2 to 2/3 cup of spaghetti sauce

2 individual ciabatta rolls (or long crusty rolls)

4 slices of provolone cheese

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add onions and garlic. Saute until softened. Season with salt and pepper. It's important to season every layer when cooking. :)

2. Add the diced zucchini to the pan and cook 5-10 minutes or until soft. Again season with salt and pepper.

3. Add the spaghetti sauce and cook until warmed through.

4. On a large baking pan cut each roll and spoon zucchini mixture onto each roll. Top each roll with two slices of provolone cheese.

5. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Enjoy!

My husband told me tonight that this was the best non-meat meal he's ever had. I was so happy to hear it!

The zucchini while it was sauteing.

Give it a try, I think you'll like it too!

Breaking Free!

I am about to burst! I just had to share about a new Bible Study I've been doing calling Breaking Free by Beth Moore. I know the study has been around since 1999 but I just bought the updated version and started it last week. I have to be honest, I haven't done a "Bible Study" during personal quiet time in a long time. This study is amazing!! I'm thrilled at all the Bible history I'm learning-I eagerly await the time each day when I can come, sit and rest awhile at His feet...

I encourage you, if you are not currently studying God's Word, jump right in, try a new study. His Word is true and fulfilling.

My favorite part of the study for today was when Isaiah got his call from God in the year King Uzziah died. In the scripture it writes "In the year Jotham (King Uzziah's son) became king, I saw the Lord." Isaiah 6:1. "Not the existence of something new but the removal of something old (King Uzziah who everyone loved but was lost in the sin of pride died, and then his son took over after), opened Isaiah's eyes to the kingship of God. At no time is our vision more capable of seeing God in His rightful place than when the focus of our former attentions has been removed from our sight. Sadly, however, the removal of our earthly king could be to no avail. Like the people of Isaiah's day, we can choose to be everseeing, but never perceiving."

God knows just what we need to hear, doesn't He? I love how he gently nudges me to listen to Him here...

The final note of the study for today says "May we voluntarily dethrone every Uzziah and every Jotham in our lives and put them in their rightful places. Only then are we free to see the Lord seated on a throne, high and lifted up, as we journey to our destination."

My Little Chef in the Making

Addison is growing fast! Super fast! Lately she's been talking up a storm, exploring everything, and wanting to "see" what I'm cooking or baking. So today I decided to pull up her stool and see if she could actually "see" what I was doing, without falling off the stool in the meanwhile~lol. :) She actually is tall enough that she could "see" very well what I was doing so I gave her a little cooking lesson on how to grate cheese. She LOVES these spinach and cheese squares I make for her (thank you Christine Robinson for the recipe over 13 years ago!). I had to grate a pound of monterey jack cheese for the recipe. And don't you know, she stood there so still on her stool and watched me grate and talk about what grating was and everything! All the while she was nibbling on the cheese :) That's my girl!

Later on I made chocolate chip cookies but she was too busy playing to "see" what I was doing. I too got busy doing others things...like playing outside, to finish the cookies, so I had put the batter in the fridge. After dinner I said "Addy let's bake the cookies!" She was happy to stand on the stool again and try to help scoop the cookies onto the baking sheets.

Today was so fun! I've been excited about the upcoming stages of her development, while enjoying the one she's actually in. I love to cook more than bake but I think I may have a little chef on my hands~she and I can learn and grow together. She really enjoyed being in the kitchen with me too! I love being a mommy. It's the best job in the whole world!

Later on tonight she was saying "cookie, cookie mama" so I said "ok Addison I'll be right there to get you one..." And don't you know she ran into the kitchen, climbed up on that stool that I had forgotten to put away and had grabbed a cookie and had it in her mouth in no time! I was amazed. She's a smart cookie if I do say so myself ;)

A New Experience Pops!

I bought this trail mix, Wasabi Wild at Aldi tonight...sidenote: can I just say again, I LOVE ALDI! Love it! Anyway back to the story...I've heard so much about Wasabi over the years but the one thing I always hear is that it's hot! Being one that likes spice but not too much heat (I can handle jalapenos) I was always leary of trying anything flavored with it. Tonight while shopping to stock up on fruits and veggies for the week I saw this mix and decided to buy it (it was only $2.99! A steal for trail mix!) and give it a whirl.

Ahem...let me say, I am a wasabi fan now! It's yummy! It gives this nutty and sweet trail mix a kick. Not too much either...but just enough. I'm hooked!

Here's for trying new things! What have you been trying new these days?

Cake Pops!

The other day I got this very cool little appliance (Yes, yet another small kitchen appliance to store, but trust me it's gonna be worth it!) at Kohl's on sale. I love sales. Love them! Especially now that I'm getting more into coupons and making my dollar stretch. I had a 30% off coupon for Kohl's and saw this in the ad as an early bird special. The light bulb came on my head and I said "cake pops for Addy's birthday party!!" The maker was $29.99 originally and I ended up getting it for $14! Cha ching! Smiling :D I'm going to try and make our sesame street friends for Addy's party as Elmo is our theme this year. She LOVES Elmo~so do I actually...I love his little voice, wink, wink. Can't wait to try my new kitchen toy!

Maytag Rocks!

A picture of a young married girls heart:

I remember almost 11 years ago we moved to New Castle Indiana when Ron took the job as youth pastor at Memorial Wesleyan. I was thrilled about the move after just having finished one very (first I might add) difficult year of ministry with my husband in Kansas. We moved into a small home just beside a beautiful park; our first little home. When we were settling in we realized that we would need a washer and dryer for our new home. Needless to say we were on a very tight youth pastors salary type budget :) I told my husband that I would like a new washer and dryer, a really pretty set in red or blue (which were all the rage in 2001). He told me that we probably should just look for something used to save money. He is the logical one, and I'm the dreamer. I was bummed, really bummed. Reluctantly, I began to look for a used set for sale in the paper. Not too long after looking, we discovered a Maytag set for sale for $75. We called and set up a time to go look at the washer and dryer. The next day we took one look and we were sold!

That same set has lasted us 11 years of marriage!

My young, immature, and dreamy self wanted a new washer and dryer but God knew what He was doing...what a blessing those used appliances were to us!

Just yesterday we bought a new washer after over 13 years of marriage. And no, I didn't get my shiny/fancy red or blue front loader washer, but I did get an energy efficient, digital one.

Since those days long ago I've learned to be more careful with my money and wait upon the Lord for His guidance. It all seems to work out in the end.

Philippians 4:11-13

" I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

This I am daily striving for!

Snazz up a salad!

During my short vacation away last week I was able to peruse a few of my magazines. It was so nice to just sit and enjoy them! I subscribe to the Food Network Magazine and Everyday with Rachael Ray. I think I had like 10 magazines from over the last few months to catch up on. While I was enjoying reading my newest Rachael Ray mag I came across this recipe for Zucchini Fritters with Tuna. It sounded different and was appealing to my taste buds lover of all things tuna ;).

I made these little zucchini fritters tonight and the cold tuna salad that topped them. While the fritter is fried, the salad on top is light and is a nice contrast to the rich fritter it sits on. These were quite good, something to have on occasion (being that they are fried). I will add this recipe to my keeper pile :)

Zucchini Fritters with Tuna

One 12 oz can of tuna
4 scallions, coarsely chopped
1/2 cucumber-peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/4 cup of kalamata olives, sliced
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoon of mayonnaise
1/2 pound of zucchini, coarsely grated
1 cup of batter mix
vegetable oil for frying

Batter

In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, 1 tablespoon plus 1 tsp
baking powder, 1/4 tsp sugar and 1/4 tsp of salt.
Beat 1 cup of milk, 3 beaten eggs, 5 tablespoons of melted butter
and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil until smooth.

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine the tuna, scallions, cucumber, olives, olive oil and mayo.
In another bowl, combine the zucchini with the batter.
2. Fill a large skillet with enough oil to reach a depth of 1 inch and heat over
medium-high until it registers 350 degrees. Drop 1/4 cupfuls of the zucchini mixture
in the oil and fry until golden, about 3 minutes; drain. Top with the tuna
salad and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

Enjoy!

Contentment

I was flying home from a quick, but lovely trip to visit friends and family in Indiana and Michigan last weekend when I took this shot. I love flying, for many reasons. First of all it makes traveling so much quicker, as I'm not one for long car trips. But, I also love flying because it feels like you're floating on air, well I guess you are ;) I enjoy seeing the beautiful clouds and the different configurations they make in the sky.

On this particular day I was listening to my iPod while flying and was spending some long needed quality time with my Lord. The sun was shining through the clouds and it was almost as if I could feel the warmth of the Savior on my face. I paused and thought for a moment....I was content. Contentment has been a challenge for me to find some days...but today I was content. It's a grand feeling, something I want to continue to work on. This state of being called contentment, it really is a spiritual discipline.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3

This Girl I love

This girl is mine and I am her's.

1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this Child and LORD has granted me what I asked of Him."

I can never thank God enough for His most precious gift to me.

Everyone needs a bit of SONshine

I'm working on being a more positive person. However, in all honesty, it's been hard these last two weeks with rainy days after rainy days. Sometimes I feel cooped up in the house and have wondered on these days if the rain would ever end! Eventually it did end. These last few days have been gorgeous! I've enjoyed playing outside with Addison and tilling up our garden, preparing it for plants.

I'm so thankful for the sunshine today, but even more for the SONshine in my life. Without Him, life would be meaningless and hopeless. Even though on those seemingly endless rainy days, I still have a warmth in my heart from my Savior's love for me.

Ironically, as I write this blog it has begun to storm outside...but my Lord resides within and it's all dry and sunny here.

Knowledge is Freedom!

My husband was told at an early age (second grade) that both he and his mother were stupid. His insensitive teacher scolded him in front of his whole class only to find out later that day she herself was wrong, not the other way around. Sometimes life happens and sin enters our world. For Ron one day in second grade changed his life forever.

Learning for Ron has always been hard. Extra hard. "I had to work harder than other kids" he told me once. In doing so he grew more and more steadfast in his studying. He would work for hours on schoolwork when he was in high school. We believe Ron has a learning disability-dyslexia. Oh how I wish as a child he would have been tested so that he could have received help all those years. It hurts me to know he struggled so much in his earlier years with no added help in the classroom.

I share all of that to say...Ron is amazingly strong and dedicated.

Ron is winding down his Capstone Project (research paper) for his Master's degree this week. It has been a long 2 1/2 years for us all. I could choose to focus on all the hardships it has caused but I know that these challenges were for all of our good. My husband has learned so much through his education...things he would have never learned otherwise. I have seen him grow, change, strengthen, and find an even deeper calling to his ministry over these last couple of years. Which for me, is the ultimate prize in all of this.

I am so proud of him. Proud of what he's accomplished. Proud of who he is. And I can't wait to see where God will take him from here!

Way to go Ron! We love you~

Romans 8:28

²⁸ "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Taco Pie

My family loves tacos! Every time we have taco night around her it's like a fiesta!! We like soft tacos, hard shell tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and quesadillas. This week I searched for a different kind of "taco" recipe to try with my family...something outside of the box. I went to my favorite recipe site, allrecipes.com and found this recipe. I had to share it with you because it was FANTASTIC!

Taco Pie

1 (8 oz) package refrigerated crescent rolls (reduced fat if you desire)
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (1 oz) package of taco seasoning/or use home make mix
1 (16 oz) container of sour cream (reduced fat if you desire)
8 oz shredded Mexican-style cheese blend (reduced fat if you desire)
1 (14 oz) bag of tortilla chips, crushed

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lay crescent dough flat on the bottom of a square cake pan and bake according to package directions.
3. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the taco seasoning and stir well together (I added 3 tablespoons of minced onion to this). When dough is done, remove from the oven and place meat mixture on top, then layer with sour cream (I used reduced fat) and cheese, and then top off with the crushed chips.
4. Return to oven and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Cup Trifle

I made this superbly delicious dessert last Friday night for friends and it turned out perfect. It's not my recipe, but I had promised to share it on my blog. So here it is girls!

Ingredients:
1 9x13 pan of brownies, broken into chunks
1 cup chocolate chips
2 (3 oz) packages of instant vanilla pudding
3 cups of milk
3/4 cup of peanut butter
16 oz of cool whip
4 rounds of Reese's Peanut Butter cups

Directions:
1. Crumble brownie and set aside.
2. Beat the pudding mix and milk together on med low speed until blended, then beat in the peanut butter, beat until smooth.
3. Fold in 1 cup of cool whip.
4. In a large trifle bowl, layer 1/2 of the crumbled brownies, then 1/2 the peanut butter mixture and 1/2 the chocolate chips.
5. Smooth 1 cup of cool whip over the peanut butter layer, sprinkle with 1/2 the chopped Reese's bars.
6. Repeat with another layer of brownie, peanut butter mixture, chocolate chips. Top with cool whip and chopped Reese's bars.
7. Chill for 4-6 hours or overnight.

Enjoy!!
Let me know if you like it, I'd love to hear from you :)

Recipe obtained from food.com

Strawberries in March? In Central PA?

I have to tell you about a great little deal I got on 4 lbs of strawberries today.

Addison and I went to the butcher to pick up our organic ground beef and while we were out I decided to stop by a small country mennonite store (I blogged about this store before).


Upon arriving at the store, I saw containers of strawberries calling my name ;) I have a thing for strawberries, always have. I know full well that strawberries are not in season right now in cetnral Pennsylvania. I've seen them at the grocery store lately but have not purchased any because of cost, quality, and distant shipping methods.


But today after getting a closer look at those strawberries, which were bright red, I noticed that each pack was 32 oz and only $2.79~! AND to top that off they were organic! I quickly grabbed two containers of them and off Addy and I went happy to have our beloved strawberries so early in the season.


I know Barbara Kingsolver would say "no!" "Don't buy them because they were not locally grown"...but I did. The cost was tantelizing and the organic nature by which they were grown was right up my new healthy-eating-alley.


So strawberries we will have with our dinner and strawberry shortcake later this week!! All for $2.79 for 2 lbs!!

New Yum-O's

As most of you know I've been changing a few things in our family's diet after reading a book by Barbara Kingsolver, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. This book has CHANGED MY LIFE. Seriously. Because of this book and other research I've been doing, I've been particularly interested in finding things that don't contain High Fructose Corn Syrup.


The other day I was at a small country store run by Mennonite women and ran across these little spicy snacks. I was so pleased to find them!! And yes, they are yummy and a bit spicy-AND they don't contain any extra junk ;)


You never know what you're going to find from your local grocer.

Spicy Black Bean Corn Sticks-Delicious!

God's Gentle Nudge

I think sometimes we want God to write in bold letters across the sky what His perfect will is for our lives. That would be wonderfully simple, wouldn't it? I mean, c'mon how cool would that be?

Recently I've been dealing with an area of uncertainly in my life...just waiting for the Lord to speak to me and give me direction. I wanted the direction now. I didn't want to wait too long and miss a window of opportunity. My husband had been praying fervently about this as well.

Several months passed and Ron began sharing with me what he thought the Lord was laying on his heart. Outwardly I verbalized compliance with the decision but inwardly I was torn up about it. I wasn't sure God was telling me the same thing or if I was getting in the way of my own self.

Last weekend I attended CLAM (Christian Life and Ministry) convention. It was a day set aside for intentional spiritual growth. As soon as the first main session began I was feeling the Holy Spirit moving. Musical worship began and I started to feel more and more drawn to my Savior's side. When the worship team began to sing Everlasting God (by Chris Tomlin) I started to feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to wait on the Lord in this certain area of my life. The tears came like fresh rain on my face while the Holy Spirit warmed my heart with presence of the Almighty. I knew right then and there that God wanted me to wait on Him and that my strength would grow with His power because HE does no grow faint or weary.

God used this worship experience on this particular day though these particular people to nudge me back to Him by saying..."Robyn, wait on me." I felt the message so clear from what seemed like such an unclear situation a day before this event.

So I'm thankful that God did not write across the sky in bold letters what I was supposed to do because through His gentle nudge I was drawn closer to Him.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

I've been wanting to blog about this book for some time now and finally had a bit of free time tonight! Last fall when my friend Jenny visited me from Indiana she had this book with her. She told me about it and I was semi interested at the time...she really seemed to think there were some important messages in this book about sustainable foods and recommended I read it.


I actually kinda forgot about it until recently when my sister posted a comment about Kingsolver's interactive Vegetannual site and her other books, particularly, The Poisonwood Bible. After reading Jill's post, I decided to check this Animal, Vegetable, Miracle book out for myself.

Kingsolver and her family (husband and older daughter) co-wrote a book about a year of food life. She and her family "abandoned the industrial-food pipeline to live a rural life-vowing that, for one year, they'd only buy food raised in their own neighborhood, grow it themselves, or learn to live without it." The book is part memoir, part journalistic investigation. It really has opened my eyes to the old truth: You are what you eat.

It seems as Americans we want what we want when we want it. Take strawberries for example. It's sad how demanding we are for strawberries in the middle of winter. I live in central Pennsylvania and strawberries are only in season from mid June-late July (if blessed with a good crop). Do we even realize all the fossil fuels we are using up by having those, not so fresh, or ripe strawberries delivered to our local grocery store?

Normally I make my usual trip to the farmers' market (on Tuesday's to be exact) and get what I need for the week. But I never really thought about where it was coming from. When I asked these "local" farmers' market vendors where their produce was coming from, most of them said, Maryland or from other outlining states. Not local. They did reassure me that in the summer more of the produce was local. It's important to ask where our food is coming from. It's ok to ask questions.

So I started thinking. Why don't we just buy from our local farmer and eat what is in season? Yes, we may have to sacrifice what we really want but it's SO much better for our environment, economy, and health to buy locally grown foods that are sustainable. This book has challenged my impulsive, selfish eating patterns that I have so grown accustomed to.

I hope our little family can make a difference in the world by deliberately eating food produced from the same place where we work, where we live, and breathe.

I thank the Lord for compelling me to read this book. Even with small changes, I hope to bring glory to Him by being a better steward of what's He's given this Earth to help sustain us...even though we're only passing through...

Cooking Extravaganza!

My dear fun loving friend Jenn came to visit last weekend and boy did we have a BLAST!

We cooked until our hearts content, laughed, made silly voices, played with Addy, rested, went to the movies, shopped, and all in all had a great time.

I love getting together with Jenn because she lifts my spirit. She is so joyful and high-energy. Something I am not. Type A I would call her, and I love her for it.

She's my cooking buddy. We're always e-mailing, messaging, texting, or calling each other about recipes to try, ideas to explore, and creative things to do with our kiddos. So before she even came the two hour drive from the Allentown, PA area, we made our menu.

Saturday night: Fondue party!!

Swiss and Gruyere Cheese Fondue

Served with: steamed veggies, crusty bread, apples

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fondue (TO DIE FOR!!)

Served with: marshmallows, pretzels, strawberries, bananas, apples,

graham crackers, and BROWNIES (double the chocolate)

Sunday lunch:

Homemade pizza half with mushrooms (for Jenn's sake, I highly dislike ;)

and half with spinach and Roma tomatoes~! Yummy!

Sunday afternoon we made homemade buttery herb croutons

Monday lunch:

Falafel two ways (baked and friend)

served on mini pitas with cucumber sauce

We parted ways on Monday afternoon, our bellies and hearts full.

Thanks for the fun weekend Jenn!

Deep Empathy

My heart is overwhelmed tonight.

My childhood family friend, Karen, lost her husband of 13 years earlier this week. They have three beautiful children: Aidan 13, Arielle 9, and Amberly 7. Their family has been totally shattered by this devastating loss and my heart is just absolutely broken for them. The knowledge of their loss has been heavy on my mind...

So I ask you, will you join me in prayer for this family? Will you uplift them before our Lord and Savior who I know is the only one who can provide them comfort right now?

Thank you!

February: A month of Intentional Love

I love the opportunity the holiday of Valentine's Day gives us. An opportunity to intentionally love on others. I know we "love" each other all throughout the year...but in February it's celebrated more and cherished as most special.

My mom is amazing. Recently, Ron and I went to a Pastor's and Spouse's Retreat. She came up from Maryland to take care of Addison for two days. I always know that Addison will receive great care when she's with my mom. The two are so sweet together.

I got these cute heart plates from Target. I love that store!!

This year I decided to do things a bit differently for Ron. Instead of doing one thing for him or getting him one gift, I decided to do something special for him for the first 14 days of February. This pictures shows a few of the little treats I have for him.

Addison's card to her Daddy. Starting her off young, will hopefully instill in her a love for others and a caring heart.
Busy at work "coloring" which lasted about...well...um like 3 minutes ;)


Chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting for a young adult get together we had recently. My mom gave me this cupcake tower for Mother's Day last year and I've really gotten a lot of use out of it. I think it's so pretty!

Candy, 'cause you can't celebrate the month of love without a bit of chocolate!!

Our new pretty pink tablecloth and garland all ready to celebrate the month!

I hope you and yours share in a month of intentional love where there are many hugs and kisses, and heart warming memories made.

Matthew 22:37–39
Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'