thankful thursday #93

In Athens this past weekend, I was so grateful for a nice run on campus.  It's always good to see signs like this:

Always good to be home.

Got to see so many friends and family, and we were all happy and grateful to celebrate Little Man's dedication and first birthday:

We also surprised Dad with a little early birthday happy that turned out to be such a hit:

(No, it wasn't the play scape in the background.)  So grateful for the healthy competition those corn hole boards provided!

Speaking of birthdays, today is my dad's!  In his honor (Happy Birthday, Dad!), this is one of my favorite pics from the weekend:

He's such a happy granddad.

I haven't seen this sweet gal in entirely too long.  I was really thankful to have hugged her neck:

This weekend at home with family was special to have, before my weekends are ripped right out of my hands.  It was like icing on the cake.

Happy Labor Day weekend, friends.  I hope you find much to be thankful for.

Go on, be grateful!

flee from me, carbs

I had a hankering to cook last night, and as usual, Food Gawker served up some great inspiration.

This recipe for Creamy Chicken Enchiladas was calling my name, but my conscience was screaming, Tortillas will suck you into Carb Land in a bad way!  I couldn't ignore it.

Determined to indulge in the cheesy goodness, but flee from the carb temptation that tortures me so, I decided to sear chicken breasts, and pour the creamy enchilada filling on top.

It needs some tweaking, I think, but for a first-time experiment, it was pretty tasty, and it was quick and easy.  Here's what transpired:

The Chicken Enchiladas That Weren't

1 lb. chicken breast cutlets (or breasts that you've butterflied)
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 c. panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
2 Tbsp. butter
1 10-oz. can Rotel tomatoes with green chilies*
1 8-oz. package cream cheese
1 c. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Green onions for garnish
EVOO, salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


2. Heat a couple of tablespoons of EVOO in a skillet over medium high heat.


3. Season chicken with salt and pepper.  Bread each piece by dipping first in egg, then in panko.


4. Sear chicken for just a minute or so per side.  (The goal isn't to cook it, but to get it pretty and golden and crispy.  It will finish cooking in the oven.)  Place in a greased 9 x 13 dish.


5. In a separate skillet, heat butter over medium high heat and sauté the Rotel tomatoes for about 5 minutes.  Add the cream cheese, and stir until melted.


6. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the chicken.  Top with Monterey Jack cheese and sliced green onions.


7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.

* I didn't drain the tomatoes so that the juices would help the cream cheese take on a more creamy texture.  If you choose to drain them, I imagine it might be thicker, with a little less heat, but don't quote me on that.

** You may also want to go with the mild variety if you're hesitant about spice.  I used the original flavor, and it was pretty punchy.

Happy cooking, folks.   Get out there and show those carbs who's boss.

thankful thursday #92

As it goes since the great Fall, no matter how great of a job one has, work is work, and you gotta be thankful when you have a good day.

I've written once before about a particular day when I could've wept I loved my job so much, but days like that aren't my norm.

But, I do have the opportunity a few times a year to attend menu tastings, which allows me the good fortune of eating very delicious food, in very large quantities.

Tuesday was one of those blessed days on the lovely campus of the University of Georgia, where I was  grateful to be feasting on this menu, provided by Proof of the Pudding, one of my most favorite caterers:

Smoked Catfish Dip

Cranberry Cream Cheese Torte

Southwest Wedge Salads

Chicken Caesar, Ham and Arugula, and Thai Shrimp Wraps

Low Country Crab Cakes with Lobster Cream Sauce

Tequila Citrus Glazed Chicken Breasts

with Avocado Orange Salsa and Cilantro Jasmine Rice

Grilled Corn with Chile Butter

Peach Bourbon BBQ Flank Steak

Dessert Display

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies, Dessert Shooters,

Citrus Cream Cheese Crumble Cake, and Peach White Chocolate Brownies

Seriously, people.  I did love my job that day.

And incidentally, if you ever find yourself rushing through Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport, you might consider grabbing a sandwich from one of Proof's kiosks.  I can vouch for them.

How are you feeling about your job this week?  Thankful for something in it, I hope.  Go on, be grateful!

to carter, on the occasion of your first

"All the world is a birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much."
-- George Harrison



Dear Carter Christopher,

One year ago today, we were booking plane tickets and scrambling to meet you like crazy people, and our family has not stopped acting crazy ever since.

And to be clear, we are crazy about you.

You have this hair that's mysteriously red, and has stumped us all.  We have no idea from where it came, but it just oozes with vibrant personality.

Your eyes are striking blue, and they are saucer-big.  They perfectly and transparently communicate your glee, your curiosity, your good nature.  I suspect they will always be the open windows into your soul.

The outdoors is your happy place.  You are relaxed and content on a ride in your stroller, or in a swing.  The breeze on your face casts a spell on you like nothing else.

You know instinctively that laughter is right and good.  When we giggle, I think you like the idea that maybe you're the reason for it, and you work to keep the happiness flowing.  I hope you always believe that laughter makes everything better.

From the day you decided to show your face in this world, your mom and dad have simply been exploding with joy and pride over you, as they should.  Seriously, look at these faces:



For kicks and giggles, I asked their thoughts on a few questions:

I'd describe Carter's personality with these few words:
mom: Happy, friendly, and loving (like his daddy), and stubborn (like his mommy).
dad:  Amazingly happy, then curiously stoic in a matter of seconds.

The cutest thing Carter does that melts my heart every time is ...
mom: Smile and duck his head a bit, as if he is shy (we know better!).
dad: Hearing his belly laugh.

The un-cutest thing Carter does is ...
mom: Yell in the car for the sake of yelling.  He will promptly quiet if you sing to him, though.  Consequently, if I never have to sing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," "She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain," or "Wheels on the Bus" again, I would be okay with that.
dad: Flail himself backwards when he is sleepy or hungry.

Since having Carter, my favorite thing about him being a part of our family is ...
mom: That he allows us to see life through the eyes of a child again and appreciate all the small, wonderfully simple joys of life ... the wind in your hair, swinging on a swing set, laughing so much you can barely catch your breath.
dad: That he is the source of the greatest and funniest stories that Katie and I can't get enough of sharing with each other, and just laughing.

One time during the past year when I thought I was going to lose my mind was ...
mom: When he decided that 5:00 a.m was an appropriate time to start his day.  After many, many, MANY pep talks, he has reconsidered and now sleeps until at least 6:30! We never underestimate the power of a good pep talk!
dad: Spending one more night in the hospital after he was born.

I laugh every time Carter ...
mom: Raises his eyebrows and gives me his "big eyes" face.
dad: Stops what he's doing, leans to one side, and turns an intense shade of purple (you know what he's doing).

After his first birthday, I'm most looking forward to ...
mom: Seeing him walk and hearing him eventually say "Mommy."
dad: What he'll sound like when he talks to me.

You are their greatest treasure, Little Man.  They will be your biggest fans for as long as you walk this earth, and they will celebrate every milestone with you, no matter how big or small.  You can count on that.

In return, you have shown them how strong and capable they are, how they can survive on very little sleep (although they'd prefer not to), and how deeply they can love beyond what they ever dreamed possible.  You've taught them that love isn't a limited resource that has to be divvied up, but infinite and exponential in nature.

As for me, I am smitten with you.  I've always been excited for friends and family who've had babies, and I thought that I'd feel the same about you.  To my surprise, my love for you goes way beyond "excited."  It is uncontainable, and wild, and unprompted.  I try hard not to be that girl, who talks about you all the time, or flashes pictures without being asked.  But I confess, sometimes for a break in my day I will scroll through the latest pictures of you on my iPhone.  I just love seeing your sweet face.

We can't even remember what our family was like before you were here, and we don't want to.  You are just the greatest, and we love every minute of watching you grow into the one God created you to be.

Happy First, Little Man.  We love you a ton.

let me google that for you

I can't stop thinking about this video we watched in church this morning.

It was based on this actual Google search: "Why are Christians so ..." followed by a single letter, prompting the words that most frequently complete that question in Google searches across the world.

Here are a few examples, to better illustrate:

Why are Christians so ...

arrogant
annoying
angry

or

closed minded
cruel

or

stubborn
selfish
self righteous
stuck up

or

unchristian
uptight
unhappy

and the one that hurt the worst,

unlike their Christ.

Go on.  Do that search on your own.  It's no joke.

A few years ago, I read unChristian, by David Kinnaman, and it was a turning point for me in my faith walk.  That's when cold, hard facts were staring me down, jerking my head out of the sand, and forcing me to accept the fact that we're doing a pretty lousy job of representing Christ.

When we were made in the image of God, it wasn't so that we would be like him (that's pretty self-centered, I'd say), but so that He would live in us, and so that we might bring Him glory as we carry out his purposes here on earth.

And so when we're arrogant, closed minded, self righteous, and unlike our Christ, that means we're not giving Him his platform, and that means the Google searches look the way they do.

Holy God, help me to better represent you and your character.  I confess I have failed miserably, but I also know you have overcome my shortcomings and will use even those for your glory.  And I love you for that.

right about now

Random bits of life happening in my world, right about now:

loving: this "cold snap" we've had the past week, where the temps haven't gotten too much past 90.  Oh, South, you've been so merciful this week.  Thank you.

reading:  Grace for the Good Girl, by Emily P. Freeman.  A challenging read for people like me who struggle with the truth that worthiness isn't achieved or earned, through performance, perfection, and busyness.

excited about:  heading home next weekend to celebrate Little Man's first birthday and his parents' dedication of him to the Lord.

missing:  the Olympics!  I was happy to have Bob Costas greet me every night when I got home.  Although I wasn't around to watch as much as I might've liked, I don't think I flipped a channel on that TV for two weeks.

trying to:  understand better some world religions.  The small group gals and I have found ourselves each encountering people who believe differently than we do, and that's a good thing.  And we find ourselves pretty ignorant about those faith systems.  We're reading this book together to get started.

enjoying:  a new haircut.  The bangs are fully grown out for the first time in about a gajillion years.  I'm diggin' it.

using:  Band-Aid's product for healing blisters.  I've got some doozies that need to do a fast disappearing act before football season starts.

wearing:  this new watch that the lovely Amy gifted me with for my birthday.  I'm far from "edgy" but I like this one's edge.  She makes a good statement, I think.

waiting on:  a vision for my living room.  I'm ready for new.  New furniture.  New color.  New spunk. Come soon, funding vision.  Come soon.

planning:  to start walking a couple mornings a week with my co-worker friend who just moved to my neighborhood.  Burning a few more calories can't be bad.

singing:  again with the church choir after a summer hiatus.  In other singing news, Colla Voce is going on its own hiatus for the upcoming year.  I will miss it, but not gonna lie, I'm looking forward to reclaiming my Monday nights.

needing:  these crazy cuticles to go away.  And gel manicures to a) have a lower price point, and b) not rip my nails to shreds.  Well, need is a strong word.  But I do want those things.

learning: that Christians -- including me -- are great at company lines, but pretty awful at just being Jesus.

listening: to "Let Him Fly" by Patti Griffin.  She sure does mellow me out.  And "Losing" by Tenth Avenue North.  Those guys sing the truth.

wishing:  the fall premier of Parenthood wasn't still four weeks away.  I've missed my Bravermans.  And I'm dying to know how Ray Romano fits into the mix this season.

doing:  a stellar job of paying someone else to wash and vacuum my car.  That nice man across the street even comes over to our office to pick our cars up.  He is so very good at his job.

praying for: my desires and heart to be aligned with God's.  I'm well aware that when that doesn't happen, disasters are imminent.

dreaming of:  my next vacation.  2012 has not been a banner year for Robyn-travel.  I'm feeling Maine next.  In this particular dream, it looks a little like this ...

... and then I snap back to reality.

Happy Friday, folks.  I hope your weekend is red-letter!

thankful thursday #91

On the heels of one hot mess of a controversy, these folks ...

... had already planned one of their infamous we-give-away-free-food-because-that's-what-people-really-want promotions.

This week CFA hosted a Breakfast Giveaway, and I'd made myself a reservation to pick up a free chicken biscuit this morning at my local store.  I enjoyed every last bite of those 440 calories.

There are those who choose not to patronize a company because they disagree on political, social, or religious issues that are important to them.  That's certainly a right to all of us born on American soil, praise Jesus.

But Chick-fil-A is just dang tasty.  Can I get an amen?

I'm grateful I get to eat where I want, when I want, and in this case, for free.  Chick-fil-A, you have my business.

And I'm darn thankful for those 440 calories of deliciousness this morning.  It's going to be a good day.

What are you appreciating today?  Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #90

This week I traveled for work.  Lots of airport time.  Lots of airplane time.

My trusty Kindle was tucked in my backpack, as it always is, never far from reach. 

I finished the chick lit book I was reading (no, it was not Fifty Shades of Grey, thanks very much).

I revisited this challenging book called Grace for the Good Girl that I've been plodding through for a couple of months.  (Do you know these books?  The ones that kind of hurt to read, so you have to pace yourself?)

I listened to a couple of podcasts of interest at the airport in Manhattan (Kansas, that is, where there is one gate, and nothing to do or see).

During one of the podcasts, a book was mentioned that I mentally noted and placed on my want-to-read list.

It didn't hang out there long.

This morning, even before I went to the gym, I snatched up my Kindle and downloaded that thing in the blink of an eye.

Impulsive?  Maybe.  (I really should get through that hard book before I take on another one.)

A blatant manifestation of instant gratification?  Absolutely.

But is anyone else so thankful that books are so darn accessible?

I love that Kindle.

What're you thankful for this week?  Go on, be grateful!

stylish

This past weekend marked the annual tax-free shopping weekend in our state.

My sweet friends from Starkville came over for some back-to-school errands, and after ten hours or so, I felt like we had absolutely manhandled our city.

You know what I'm sayin'?  Outrageous amounts of people.  Insane traffic.  Lines for the fitting rooms.

It takes it out of those of us who don't wear comfortable shoes you.

It was great to be with friends, though, and as a bonus, God really was gracious.  He provided some pretty incredible parking spaces throughout the day.

I also landed a couple of new wardrobe pieces, including this pair of potential game-day shoes:

(Thank you, Christmas VISA gift card.)

Speaking of new clothes, about a year ago, I confessed to feeling clothed in Christ because I was putting on this t-shirt, and not because I was putting on the biblical garments of our faith that Paul addresses in his letter to the Ephesians.

I wasn't representing Jesus to the world in the ways that matter, and I wondered if the Church might need to consider a corporate makeover.

After our shopping spree on Saturday, I was handed a sermon on this very issue on Sunday morning.

In Ephesians 4, Paul makes clear that for those of us who claim to have encountered Jesus, a new style should be evident in our lives, because we have "put on" attributes that reflect the character of Jesus (vv. 22 - 24).

Yesterday our pastor boiled those attributes down to these five:

Trustworthiness (v. 25)
Does my word mean something to others?  Am I speaking truth, avoiding half truths, exaggerations, and omissions?

Reasonableness (vv. 26 - 28)
Do I express righteous anger over injustices and oppression, or unrighteous anger when my personal agendas are frustrated?  Do I repeatedly play over in my head, or retell the stories, of "that time I was wronged?"

Encouragement (vv. 29-31)
Do I speak only to build up others, or do I employ sarcasm to bring others down? (Sarcasm always has a victim, he says. Ouch.)  Am I aware that everything I say has an impact on someone, and not just the person to whom I'm speaking?

Forgiveness (v. 32)
Do I really understand that I was forgiven long before I ever sinned?  Do I extend forgiveness quickly, or do I hold a record of wrongs?

Compassion (v. 32)

When I'm frustrated with someone, do I stop and consider what might've happened in their lives that very morning?  Are they grieving a loss?  Worried about a child?  In danger of losing a job?

When I juxtapose my style to the style that Jesus commands, I feel, well, pretty un-stylish.

But it's the purpose of sanctification, and the price of a life surrendered to the Great Stylist.

He is all about an extreme makeover.

thankful thursday #89

You know what this month is?

It's my last month of weekend freedom.  Work travel is four short weeks away, and while that does not excite me, I can be grateful for these last weekends I can still claim as my own.

It's the month that this guy ...

... turns one.  Can you even believe it?  I sure can't.

But I'm pumped.

And, it's the month that summer starts its (really) slow fade into fall.  Cooler weather is (kind of) around the corner.  I think my heart just skipped a beat.

August, you are bittersweet, but I will choose to be grateful for you.

What're you appreciating today?  Go on, be grateful!