A little of this, and a little of that...

Where did I last leave off?

BSF (Bible Study Fellowship)!

We are studying the book of Genesis. It is amazing how looking at such a familiar story piece-by-piece can change your perspective. I never thought about how Genesis really is the basis for what we Christians believe. We are only on chapter 4, but I have learned so much thus far. I am loving this study!

Family time!

Ben has been traveling some again, but we have been trying to be more deliberate about spending quality time together as a family. Our babes have an early bedtime, so our weekdays don't have enough hours for anything outside of home that includes Ben. Don't get me wrong- one of my favorite things is being at home with my family. Side note: It is a personal struggle of mine to try to play "catch-up" on household stuff when Ben is home on the weekends; you know, those things that you just can't do when you have little ones in the house. So, a couple of weeks ago we got to do my absolute favorite thing- go hiking. I carried Lottie and Ben carried Rush. We got rained on, and Ben saw a bear! (I am glad I didn't see it; let's just say I have a reverent fear of black bears.) But we had a great time! The kids did really well for being in the packs for 8 miles. Rush even hiked part of the trail, including 2 river crossings (I covered my eyes). It was refreshing for my soul.

Stay tuned... we haven't been backpacking since I was pregnant with Lottie (September 2011) and we want to go soon (sans babies). I'll certainly post about it if we can make it happen!

We also went to a fun little fall festival near our house last weekend. Rush had a good time looking at all the antique tractors and we enjoyed the apple fritters! Sunday last week, Ben and I got to go on a long run together, as we are prepping for a half-marathon next month. I'm not sure what I've gotten myself into!!!

Baby stuff!

Our sweet little Lottie is nine months old today! I know what my mom was talking about now when she would tell us to stop growing up! She is such a sweet little girl. She is has been very mobile now for about 2 months, though I would not call it crawling. We have a couple of nicknames for her style: "inchworming" & "mermaiding!" Her two bottom front teeth came in a couple of weeks ago, and now she's working on more- thank God for modern medicine. Lottie loves her big brother; even when he is tackling her or standing on her or whacking her with a bat, she smiles and giggles. I hope that someday they will be able to be true friends. Time really is flying, and from what I hear, it's not going to slow down.

Toddler stuff!

Our (not so) little Rush will be 3 years old in a couple of weeks! Whoa! Who knew parenting a toddler boy could be such an emotional roller coaster?! Rush is such a fun little boy! He is constantly in motion; he loves all things sports, but more than anything he likes to make up his own games with balls, rackets, and golf clubs, e.g., throwing golf balls on the roof to see if they will get stuck in the gutter! He is his father's son! What a blessing to be chosen to be the mommy of this little ball of silliness, creativity and physical coordination!

Rush has also become a full-blown sinner. I would label him as "strong-willed," but I am sort-of "anti-label," AND- aren't all toddlers strong-willed? I wouldn't know since he is my first. I digress.... We just call Rush our rebel. We can tell that he is going to always struggle with going against authority. I am praying hard that all of our little talks about sinning and obeying/honoring God are not going in one ear and out the other, and that someday the repetition will make it (the Gospel) "click."

If you think of it, please pray for me as I react to direct and repetitive disobedience. I realize that this is an issue that every parent deals with; I know I am not alone. But I am a sinner too, and an emotion-filled one at that! I do not want my reaction to my children's disobedience to have a negative effect on their heart's response.

Cooking!

I've been able to be a little more creative in the kitchen lately (which I love, but don't have as much time for anymore.) Last Friday, I whipped up two loaves of homemade bread- banana bread and pumpkin bread. They were amazing and made my kitchen smell like heaven!

While Ben was out of town last week, I decided to make a vegetarian dinner for myself. He doesn't mind vegetarian, but I usually don't have any leftovers if I make something with no meat- he eats it all in one meal! Eggplant sounded good to me, so I went with this one from Rachael Ray (you know I love her!). I had made this once a long time ago, and I must have forgotten how good it was. Oh my! I am still eating the leftovers, and I will be sad when they are all gone. This meal was SUPER-EASY to make. Highly recommend it! Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), divided

8 slices day-old Italian bread

1 large eggplant

4 beefsteak tomatoes or 8 plum tomatoes

2 medium zucchini

1/2 cup basil, torn

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

Preparation

Pre-heat the oven to 400°F.

Fully grease a baking dish, using the first 2 tablespoons of EVOO. Line the baking dish with the eight slices of bread. Drizzle another 2 tablespoons of the EVOO over the bread.

Slice the eggplant into 1/4-1/2-inch thick slices. Slice the tomatoes and zucchini the same thickness. Line the eggplant over the bread. Next, layer the tomatoes and zucchini. Sprinkle the torn basil over the veggies and drizzle the rest of the EVOO over everything. Sprinkle the cheese over the veggies, followed by the salt and pepper.

Bake, uncovered, for an hour and serve hot by slicing into squares.

Ineffective & Unproductive  

So, I have felt kind of "numb" lately (the last month or so). Couldn't really explain it; couldn't put words to a prayer about it; my spirit just seemed "dry."

This past week we added a couple of verses to a passage that we have already committed to memory (verses 3-7 & 10-11).

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:8-9

I have been trying to meditate on these qualities (mentioned in the preceding verses): faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, Godliness, brotherly kindness & love, and how I can "increase" in these in my heart. But I was still feeling pretty empty on Sunday. It was (again!) one of those instances where I heard exactly what I needed to hear while at church. (I don't know why this blows me away now, as many times as it has happened.) Our pastor preached from Acts (part of a series) about the ministry of the Holy Spirit (HS). The HS should enliven us (John 6:63), enlighten us (John 16:13), examine us (John 16:8), and empower us (Acts 1:8). As believers, we have no excuse for being ineffective & unproductive! Don't forget what you have been cleansed from! The Holy Spirit has given us everything we need to get through this journey called life. Be fruitful!

 

 

 

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread

1 egg
1 can pumpkin (1 3/4 cups)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup oat bran (or 1/3 cup oat bran + 1/3 cup ground flax seed)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds (optional)
Can also add semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 1/3 cup).

Preheat oven to 325* (425* for muffins).
Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl; make a "well" in the dry ingredients. Combine pumpkin, egg, vanilla, milk & applesauce into dry ingredients, stirring well. Pour into loaf pan or lined muffin cups; sprinkle top(s) with pumpkin seeds (optional) and chocolate chips if desired. Bake loaf 45 minutes-1 hour, and muffins (at 425*) 20 minutes. Enjoy!

Question

"What kind of excitement are you sensing right now as the Spirit "hovers over" (Genesis 1:2) your study of His Word?"

(From BSF notes)

Does your Bible study time ever get you excited? I will be honest and say that a lot of the time, for me, it doesn't. I am so excited right now, though, as I have begun this systematic study through BSF.

"Are you now aware of a life-giving movement of God's Holy Spirit drawing you toward God and preparing your heart to receive God's spiritual light?"

A good study is life-giving and invigorating to my soul!

Do you have a way of studying that makes you wanna shout? Please share!!!

On a much less serious note, look at this cute notebook I found for my BSF materials! I LOVE school supplies and this is first time I have gotten to buy any since 2004.

I am hoping that we can get a post from Ben soon... who's with me?!

September Freezer Recipes

Chicken Artichoke Bake (from Taste of Home)

• 2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 3 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 can (14 ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and chopped
• 1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1 package (6 ounces) long grain and wild rice mix
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup seasoned stuffing cubes

In a large bowl, combine soup and mayonnaise. Stir in the chicken, artichokes, water chestnuts, rice mix with contents of seasoning packet, mushrooms, onion, pimientos and pepper.

Spoon into a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish.

Freeze if desired.

Thaw for 24 hours in refrigerator.

Sprinkle with stuffing cubes. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 55-65 minutes or until edges are bubbly and rice is tender.

Vegetable Beef Soup ( quick, yummy & budget-friendly!)

• 1 lb. lean ground beef (you could make this with ground turkey or go vegetarian by omitting the meat all together)
• 16 oz. frozen mixed veggies
• large can of seasoned diced tomatoes
• 1 can condensed tomato soup
• 1 pkg. onion soup mix
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 cup water

Brown the ground beef. Transfer to a freezer bag or container with all remaining ingredients and freeze (if desired).

For slow cooker: Thaw slightly (or completely) and cook on high for 4 hours or low 6-8 hours.

For stove top: thaw completely and transfer to a large pot. Bring to a boil and simmer (covered but vented) for about an hour, stirring occasionally.

We are having this tonight! Perfect way to end a rainy day!

Changing Seasons

It seems like people in East Tennessee get the most excited about fall of all the seasons. I know there are lots of reasons for this, but here are some of my own:

• Perfect temperatures: more pleasant outside playtime, hiking, camping, eating dinner on the back deck, windows open in the morning and at night. 
• The food: I love using my slow-cooker and fixing all the yummy comfort foods that I associate with cooler weather.  
• The beauty: I feel like God gave me an extra little blessing by placing me in the Smokies. Wow! The leaves changing is an incredible sight to see! I love the colors of fall... if you have been in my house, you know this. I love all things brown & orange & red! Fall even has a certain scent that I love. [side note: speaking of scents, I went to Bath and Body Works to get some refills for my wallflower plug-in and I discovered a new one that I am loving: Plum Wine Amber... heavenly! ]
• Rush's birthday: this year is his 3rd! It seems like yesterday I woke up to my water breaking. I have fun planning his party, and this year will be extra fun since he actually has little "friends" that will be coming. He has asked for a "Choo Choo" theme. :)

Speaking of all things fall, I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I would like to make some homemade granola. I pinned a recipe for pumpkin granola a month or so ago and I have been waiting for the right time to make it. I gave it my own little twist...

5 cups rolled oats (I reduced by 1/4 cup & added 1/4 cup ground flax seed)
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
¾ tsp. salt
¾ cup brown sugar ( I reduced to 1/2 cup.)
½ cup pumpkin puree (I think it needed just a bit extra (maybe a TBsp) to add moisture where it is lost in reducing the agave.)
¼ cup applesauce
¼ cup maple syrup (I used maple flavored agave and reduced to about 1/5 cup.)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pepitas

1. Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine oats, spices, and salt. Mix well.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into oat mixture and stir until the oats are evenly coated. They will be moist. Evenly spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and stir. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the granola is golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and stir in dried cranberries and pepitas. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

it turned out to be very yummy! I took a picture of it next to one of the pumpkins from my dad & papaw's garden. :)

Nicole Nordeman has a song called "Every Season" that is one of my favorites. This is the verse about fall. I love how she captures the beauty of each season, but, of course, fall is my favorite!

And even when the trees

Have just surrendered

To the harvest time

Forfeiting their leaves

In mid-September

And sending us inside

Still I notice you when change begins

And I am braced for colder winds

I will offer thanks for what has been and what's to come

You are autumn

We memorized Jeremiah 17:5, 7-10 quite a while ago, and just this week we added verse 6. It is not the nicest verse, but a great reminder of how much we need to depend on the Lord.

"He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes.  He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives."

On another note...in true East Tennessee fashion, and as the wife of proud UT grad (I went there too), I will be spending this Saturday in a sea of orange watching the Vols take on the Gators. It will be my first time spending a day away from Lottie. I am looking forward to a fun time with Ben!

It's Not Good For Woman to be Alone

Ben was gone most of last week... I really hate it when he's gone... have I mentioned that?

 

He left on Wednesday morning and came home on Saturday evening. Not only was this a longer-than-usual work trip, but it came after a long weekend; I had been spoiled with his presence (one of the dialects of my love language) so it was extra hard to have him gone for 4 days! Did I say that I hate when he is gone?

 

By Thursday night, I was convicted (through the Holy Spirit and through a phone conversation with Ben) that I was relying too much on Ben's presence for my sense of security. (I almost don't know what to do with myself when he is away... does that ever happen to you?) So, after reading my bedtime devotional from "Utmost," I decided to journal out a prayer to the Lord to forgive me for not calling on him and to have a word that I could call on when I feel insecure. Here is an excerpt from my journal:

 

While I was writing this prayer, the Lord brought to my mind a line from one of my favorite memory passages: 2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness..." I am trying to grab on to this verse whenever I catch myself not relying on Him. It is not good for me to be alone, but I must remember who I need to rely on more! Thankfully, I have the Holy Spirit and a husband who remind me of these things!

 

DISCIPLINE

On another note, we memorized Proverbs 1:7 a couple of weeks ago and the word discipline was really laying heavy on my heart. I realized (it was being affirmed everywhere around me: pastor, Bible study leader, friend conversations, books- does God talk to you that way???!!!) that I need more spiritual discipline. So, I feel compelled to do two things:

1. get up early to have some quiet time

2. start attending Bible Study Fellowship

My first class was just this morning. I am very excited/intimidated by this in-depth Bible study.

 

I will only be able to do these two things through the power of the Holy Spirit. Boy, am I a weak little woman! But, "when I am weak, then I am strong!" 2 Corinthians 12:10 (emphasis added) I just want to be "fruitful!"

Pantry in a bind?

We try to eat a good variety of non-to-minimally-processed foods. I try not to worry too much about "organic," although I would love to be able to buy all organic- it's just not feasible/reasonable for us (for foods that we eat on a regular or daily basis, I will try to buy organic.) More than anything, I try to offer our family a good variety of "whole" foods while allowing small "indulgences" here & there.

Here are some of our main staples:

Refrigerator:
milk (whole & 1%)
yogurt (either vanilla greek or Stoneyfield organic vanilla) I buy vanilla because it has the lowest sugar other thank plain yogurt, and you can add whatever fruit, nuts, granola, etc. to make it the flavor that you want.
REAL butter
shredded mozzarella, sharp cheddar & parmesan cheeses (We LOVE cheese!)
chopped walnuts & sliced almonds (They stay good longer in the refrigerator.) for yogurt, oatmeal & baking
salsa (Frontera is our favorite. We also like Garden Fresh Gourmet)
whole Wheat tortillas (for quesadillas, tacos, burritos, etc.)
apples (I rotate in pears & grapes some too.)
matchstick carrots
organic baby spinach (My MAIN staple- I put it in everything!)
broccoli
celery
red bell pepper (I cook a lot of Rachael Ray recipes, and this is a popular ingredient with her.)
eggs
whatever meat I may cook in a week
variety of salad dressings (I try to make a hearty & healthy salad to go with my lunch every day.)

Freezer (other than my freezer meals):
Alexia brand sweet potato fries
Alexia mixed vegetable varieties
32 oz. bags freshly frozen vegetables (mainly corn & mixed veggies for soups)
frozen chopped spinach (the cheapest health food out there, in my opinion)
Perdue lightly breaded chicken tenders for lunch in a pinch
any variety of soup for lunch in a pinch
some kind of ice cream
fresh no sugar-added berries

Pantry:
whole wheat pastas
instant brown rice
dried beans (mainly red)
ground flax seed (I refrigerate it once it's opened.)
whole wheat noodles
organic chicken broth for sauces, soups, casseroles, etc.
canned black beans (One of our MAIN staples.)
variety of canned, no salt added tomatoes (diced, sauce, crushed)
canned tuna
extra virgin olive oil
peanut butter
old fashioned oats or steel cut oats (one of our MAIN staples)
whole wheat or grainy variety bread (one of our MAIN staples)
wheat English muffins or waffles
variety of cereals (usually a granola-type... we don't eat much cereal, but we always keep it for  breakfast in a pinch.)
bananas (one of our MAIN staples)
raisins (one of our MAIN staples)
avocado
Blue Diamond almonds (we buy the BIG bags) (one of our MAIN staples)
coffee


I have found it hard to completely eliminate processed foods when it comes to snacks. Some of our favorite processed (guilty-pleasure) snacks are:

Whole Wheat Ritz Crackers
Cheese-Its Crackers
"Granola"/ Cereal Bars (I want to start making ours and freezing them, but haven't made the time yet... I'm thinking that will be a good winter project. I've been pinning some homemade recipes on Pinterest.)
Dole fruit cups (oranges, pears & pineapple are Rush's favorites) packed in 100% fruit juice,
applesauce of many varieties but always with no sugar added (Rush's favorite is Materne squeezable apple-cinnamon
Pirate's Booty Cheese Puffs (we like the white cheddar)
pretzels
tortilla chips
Nesquik Chocolate Syrup (no HCS, unlike Hershey)



I would like to share some of our quick/staple-ingredient meals about once a month in hopes that some of you will share yours with me. Here is one of my new creations from my staple ingredients:

Super Simple & Satisfying Southwest Salad

desired amount of baby spinach
1/4-1/2 cup black beans (always drained & rinsed)
1/4 cup frozen corn, thawed
1.4 cup matchstick carrots
chopped red bell pepper (if you have the time) optional
chopped broccoli (if you have the time) optional
sprinkling of shredded sharp (or mild) cheddar
drizzle of your favorite salsa (I like Herdez Green Tomatillo.)
1-2 crushed tortilla chips
fresh sliced avocado (if you have time) optional
fresh tomato (if you have it on hand)

Build your salad as you like.
Drizzle on the salsa & top with the tortilla chips.
Oh my- it's AMAZING!

We want to start juicing to add in some "zing!" to our diets. We are watching Craigslist closely for a really good quality juicer. Do you have a favorite machine or recipe that you could share with us?