2013

Maybe a theme for this year will eventually emerge, but for now, 2013 is going down just as a generally delightful 365 days.

There were some high points and lower points, and a lot of average, daily-grind-kind-of days in between. Average can seem lackluster at first glance, but there's a lot of refining to be done -- and faithfulness to be found -- in the daily grind.

And there's something to be said for that.

But regardless of theme (or no theme, as the case may be), it's always a treat for me to reflect on the highlights:

favorite fiction book 

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

most challenging book
The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy (and Kathy) Keller

best and priciest meal
Chicken Fried Steak at Hot & Hot Fish Club in Birmingham

most memorable celebration

Sending a note of encouragement to one person a day, for forty days during Lent

favorite new recipe

Hard to say, but this granola is high on the list

new tech item
Bluetooth speaker

favorite movie

The Butler

favorite chill trip
Charleston, South Carolina, with Nikol and Kellie

new travel destination

Danville, Virginia (commencing even today!)

most challenging scripture
Exodus 24, because it illustrates this so well

biggest disappointment

This half marathon

most painful moment 
The relentless calf cramps from said half marathon

proudest craft moment (that may cover the next 3 years)

The ultimate play mat

spent my birthday

With Dad, Mom and Pat in Birmingham

most awesome mode of transportation
The segway. I wish I had a reason to ride one every single day.

greatest freedom
Having no cell phone for a solid day while at Augusta National

moment that made my heart the fullest
Hearing Little Man say my name with confidence and a toothy grin

biggest purchase

A plane ticket to Italy, to be used in 2014

favorite new iPhone apps

PodCruncher
New York Times Crossword

favorite new beverage

Water flavored with Blueberry Lemonade MiO

best quick trip
Savannah

marked off the bucket list
The Masters

favorite song
“Hosanna” by Jill Phillips

favorite album
Bring Your Nothing by Shane and Shane

I sure hope 2013 afforded you some special superlatives, and that the year ahead is brimming with promise. Happy New Year!

thankful thursday #162

I never complain about my Christmas vacation.

I have the opportunity to see various combinations of friends and family whom I don't see enough during the year. I attend the occasional bowl game as a fan, not on business. My work email is virtually inactive for ten business days. I sleep in a little.

It's usually a nice balance of rest and relationships. No complaints.

This year I'm particularly excited to be road-tripping up the Eastern seaboard between Christmas and back-to-work day.

I'm celebrating a friend's birthday in Charleston; passing through Little Man's house in North Carolina just to hug his neck one more time in 2013; visiting another friend in Virginia who I miss terribly; and saying hi to some other friends and family in Atlanta on my way back home.

As I look forward to this adventure, I'm thankful ...

... for friends and family who take me in when I crash their cities ...

... for some excellent alone time in my car along the way (it really is an introvert's dream travel scenario) ...

... to have a car that can get me safely to all these places (God willing) ...

... for some flexibility I'm afforded by driving ...

... to be spared the incivility of the human race while traveling by air ...

... and for the time to spend leisurely enjoying the people in my world whom I love.

Are you packing every bit of goodness you can into 2013? I hope so.

And if you are, don't forget to go on and be grateful!

calm and bright

Every year the Christmas season feels more and more chaotic and commercialized. And when we're fighting hard against the consumerism and the crazy of it all, we can miss the sweet, peaceful moments.

Like sipping cider, listening to your favorite Christmas tunes, and enjoying the tree lights in the comfort of your own living room.

Or maybe the candle light service on Christmas Eve.

Baking something tasty for your neighbors who had a tough year.

Hosting friends and family for a meal around your table.

The calm and bright moments.

If your Advent season has been harried, take a breath today and enjoy some calm and bright moments with your cherished family and friends.

Merry Christmas!

wait for it

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in the world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

About four years ago, my brother and his wife were coming home to Athens for Christmas for the first time as a married couple. It seemed that they'd never make it out of the Ft. Lauderdale airport.

Despite an early arrival to the airport, a surprisingly expedited trip through the security line, and boarding at exactly the right time, two hours passed, they deplaned, and waited (im)patiently for “further information” from the airline.

They, like so many other holiday travelers, had packed up for ten days, managed to squeeze gifts for friends and family into their luggage, and longed for nothing more than to board the plan and get home.

And so, they (and we) waited.

Oh, the test of waiting! There are seasons in my life where the wait seems unbearable, or at best, annoying. I have worked, prepared, done everything in my power to do, only to be told, "Not yet."

Admittedly, those are pretty self-centered times for me, as I find myself demanding of when God will give me the answer I’m listening for, or the results that seem most agreeable to my plans.

Why isn’t this going the way I thought?  And when, for the love of all that’s good, will this fall into place?

And well, sometimes, the great Creator and Planner of our universe chooses to make us hold out just a little – or a lot – longer. He has more refining to do.

And so, we wait.

For believers, our life here on earth is, in many ways, quite the holding pattern. Naturally, we long for circumstances, opportunities, people, possessions, and answers. But I wonder if those temporal longings are sad, empty substitutes for our deepest, sincerest desire: a safe landing in our eternal home.

And so, we are waiting.

We are waiting to be without pain and sorrow, and dreaming of reunions with loved ones. We are waiting for our perfect bodies. A day where we spend our days in constant communion with our Savior. We await that place, where someone has spent what seems like forever preparing a place for us.

We are longing for ... wait for it ... Home.

let's make a holiday dessert of sugar explosion

Shall we?

You should prepare this for a holiday party as soon as possible. It's just that good.

Christmas Trifle
Serves 8-10

1 box red velvet cake mix, plus ingredients needed to prepare (probably eggs and vegetable oil)
1 box cheesecake flavored Jello pudding mix, plus ingredients needed to prepare (probably milk)
1 8-oz. container Cool Whip
1-1 1/2 packages Oreos

preparation:
For best results, assemble the trifle the day before you serve it, so if you have the time and foresight, I recommend these steps a couple of days in advance. It makes assembly super-easy and quick.

Prepare red velvet cake and pudding, each according to package directions. Let cake cool completely and cut into 1" cubes. Chill pudding in refrigerator. Place Oreos in a large Ziplock bag, seal, and crush with a rolling pin or meat mallet.

assembly:
I assembled mine in a traditional glass trifle dish, but a large glass bowl would also be pretty.

Fold Cool Whip into the chilled pudding. Layer half of the red velvet cake cubes in the bottom of the dish, followed by half of the pudding mixture, and half of the Oreos. Repeat the layers, cover, and store in refrigerator overnight.

serving:

It really does look this pretty:



But when you dish it up, it's a hot, delicious mess. There's just no graceful way to do it.



Eat this among friends and family who don't judge, though, and I promise, you'll be a holiday dessert hero.

friday (christmas) lagniappe

Christmas is so close I can taste it! How about some Friday lagniappe to kick off the holiday break?

behold the lamb of God

On my first week in December in which I had no football game to attend, I went to this concert:

Andrew Peterson is so brilliant for having created this musical celebration of the whole story -- the big picture -- of Jesus. I'm so glad it's become a bit of a Christmas tradition in my world.

If they're ever in your neighborhood in December, pay them a visit. You won't regret it.

office festivity

We don't have a fancy office party, but we do sometimes require festive head gear on the last day of work.

We wore these gems during our holiday brunch and a tame game of Dirty Santa. (I'm over Dirty Santa, by the way. Is there no more creative Christmas game to play amongst friends? If you know one, please share.)

biscuit goodness

Speaking of our holiday brunch, the spread included some biscuits from The Alabama Biscuit Company, a cute shop that recently opened up near our office.

Local people, check them out. The ham and cheese biscuits are yumm-o.

bon voyage

Tonight my small group gathered for dinner and laughs to celebrate one that is stepping into a new adventure, and leaving our nest. We reminisced about travels, and troubles, and lessons learned, and goofiness. We prayed over her, and toasted her.

I sure will miss these gals all gathering around my dinner table regularly, but we wish this one bon voyage with much love and great expectations for her future.



Happy Friday-before-Christmas, people. May your weekends be spent as far away from malls as possible!

thankful thursday #161

In my office, I like to view a calendar that shows at least four months at one time. Usually it means ripping off four pages of a yearly calendar and sticking them up on my bulletin board.

It's a pretty low-class operation.

This week, in cleaning up my office and preparing for the holidays, I decided to step up my game and do something special for 2014, and now I'm ready to face the new year in style (literally):

(Of course I didn't design those. Please. It's what Etsy is for.)

I'm so grateful for creative people who are so darn genius, they sell instant printable downloads like these.

It makes the lives of the not-so-creative population, of which I'm a member, so much more festive.

Have you tapped into any favorite Etsy creations or design services? If you have, go and be grateful!

people that ooze

Little Man's Christmas program at school was yesterday.

He looks dapper, no? And ready for an audience?

Of course, his mom and dad watched (who am I kidding, they filmed) from the pews, and if any of his other family lived close by, we'd have been there too. In particular, both his granddads would certainly have been there wearing equally dashing sweater vests, I just know it.

Fortunately for Little Man, he has some surrogate grandparents who live across the street, and they were so sweet to support him at his program, just as if he was their own grandchild.

I was so pleased to know that, not because grandparents are replaceable -- they're not -- but because he's learning young that sometimes, people who aren't your blood can love you good and hard.

When I lived in Starkville, my surrogate grandparents were Mr. Bobby and Miss Judy. They swept me up as their own in very nearly the same moment that I met them that first time. They were warm and welcoming, good-natured and light-hearted.

Goodness, they were sharers. They shared stories, their home, their family, their holidays, and everything that mattered to them. They withheld no secrets; everything they'd experienced over 70 years was fair game. They celebrated happy days, relived their favorite memories, and mourned the heartaches.

I learned about their own love at first sight, and how they took a risk on each other. I learned about how an abusive childhood can be redeemed with some faith, determination and a good man's leadership of a lady. I learned that after a couple buries an infant, hope finds its way back into their hearts if they're open to it. I learned that physical ailments that haunt a person her whole life don't have to define her.

It was like this fruit of the Spirit inside of them was oozing out all the time onto the people around them, and I just got to lap it up.

Miss Judy met Jesus a few years ago, and I am so touched every time I talk to Mr. Bobby, because he honors her memory so well. He talks about her, tells her stories for her, and even though he'd rather her still be beside him, he just keeps on loving her and everyone else he knows.

I loved Mr. Bobby and Miss Judy. I still do. And I hope one day, Little Man can say the same thing about the people who let their love ooze out onto him.

a festive $12 salad

In the days this week sans wallet, my friends spotted me some cash. You know, so I could eat. Generous friends, I have.

Also during those days, I was invited to a dinner party to which I was to bring a salad. I was grateful to have that cash, but it had to stretch. I needed a salad that was festive, but one for which I had most of the ingredients at home.

This salad fit the bill and received rave reviews. I spent about $12 and 15 minutes to prepare it. Win!

Red & Green Holiday Salad
Serves 6-8

1-2 c. pecan halves or walnuts
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 container of mixed greens (or spinach or arugula)
1 package of dried cranberries
1 container of Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
1 bottle of poppy seed dressing (I used Brianna's)

1. In a nonstick skillet, heat nuts over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously so they begin to soften and smell delicious. Add sugar, continuing to stir while the sugar melts and coats the nuts. This should only take 5-7 minutes.*


2. Spread candied nuts on a piece of wax paper to cool, breaking up the pieces so nuts are not in clusters.


3. To assemble the salad, layer greens, cranberries, Gorgonzola and nuts. Toss with dressing just before serving.

* Alternatively, in place of white granulated sugar, you can melt 4 Tbsp. of butter and 4 Tbsp. of brown sugar in the skillet with the heated nuts. The nuts are equally delicious, but less crunchy. Pick your favorite.

'Tis the season for holiday parties. Bon appetite!

thankful thursday #160

On my drive back from a work trip this week, I stopped at an obscure exit for gas and a restroom break.

I do this all the time. There was nothing out of the ordinary about this stop.

On the five hour trip home, I chatted on the phone to various people to pass the time. I do this all the time, too.

I arrived home way past my bedtime, climbed straight into bed, and slept like a rock. (Also very common.)

At the office the next morning, I reached for my wallet so I could file my receipts, because those expense reports, I do those regularly.

Except my wallet. My wallet was not where it always is.

And that's when I got that terrible pit in my stomach, because something wasn't where it should be.

Because my wallet. My wallet was in the obscure gas station. At least, the last time I remember having it, it was.

I called that obscure gas station, and do you know, that manager had my wallet? With all $6 cash, my debit card, and my company credit card?

It arrived on a very welcomed FedEx truck this morning, and if that's not a Christmas miracle for which to be thankful, I don't know what is.

Thank you, honest person who found and turned in my wallet with all its contents. There aren't enough people like you walking this earth.

Has your Christmas miracle shown its face yet? Go on, be grateful!

a snow, some work crafting, and a row of tubas

I'm fresh off of my annual trip to Indianapolis. It's a given that I'm happy to be home and sleeping in my own bed (Courtyard Marriott, your beds are surprisingly terrible).

But there were some fun moments to share!

You know I love a good snow, and I rarely get one. But Indianapolis delivered, and delivered big.

These beauts and I went to dinner ...

... and when we were happy and full, came out of the restaurant to see this.

Two of us couldn't help but to walk the mile back to the hotel in the snow.

We were adamant about snow photo ops!

I really couldn't swipe the smile off my face. It was so fun.

The next morning this scene caught my eye, with the pretty church, and the snow still capping the tree branches.

Of course we worked some, too! We created these memorabilia cases for each Big Ten team:

And in so doing, we learned that duct tape wads and foam board go a very long way behind the scenes to make a craft look great.

We are nothing if not resourceful.

For good measure, here's a snap of Ohio State's marching band (I mean, The Ohio State University, of course).

The tubas make such a visual statement, don't they? I wondered which one of them was going to dot the i at the game.

Good friends, good work, good snow, good fun.

I'm so pleased that the good outweighed the terrible beds bad.

thankful thursday #159, another post-indy edition

I could just say "ditto" to this Thankful Thursday post and be done with today's late Thankful Thursday, because let's be honest, my life often feels like it's on a repeat cycle. Just a-spinnin', with nothing new under the sun:

I was in Indianapolis for the past week, just like the two years prior. I am grateful football season has come to a close, just like the last twelve years. And I am more than pleased to reclaim my weekends, just like every other year around this time.

But that would be a cop-out.

There are lots of other little nuggets for which I was grateful this week, and they are worthy of some love.

For one, the night before I left, I sang in an Advent concert with Colla Voce. We did not sing last year, so it was nice to kick off my December again with music that tells the story of anticipation that we miss sometimes in the Christmas chaos. I was grateful for those pieces, and for how the voices blended to make something lovely.

At that concert, I was honored to see several familiar faces in the audience, those of old and new friends. Since my family is not local, I'm so thankful to feel support and love from these people. They are such a blessing to me.

It is good to be home, and to pause in gratitude.

What about you? Have you slowed down yet to say a word of thanks? Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #158

Thanksgiving is low-key around here, and it's welcomed.

I thoroughly enjoy a lazy morning, a brisk run, some killer food, a food coma nap, a college football game, time to read for pleasure, and a crackling fire in the hearth.

In the spirit of honesty, though, I can't help but feel a hint of sadness over the reality that our family isn't all together today.

We're not all together because generations before us have passed on. Cousins and aunts and uncles and siblings are spread across the country, celebrating with their intermediate families. Jobs prevent travel home. In-laws claim a share of children who belong biologically to another set of parents.

It's the way life goes, and sometimes it just feels incomplete.

Last year after Thanksgiving, I cried a lot at this realization. It all seemed so unnatural, to be separated from family, and frankly, discouraging, to accept the fact that those times will likely be few and far between for families like ours, who grow and expand and live a full life.

And so it goes. God never promises that our families will be together for all of time, and he never promises that we'll get the pleasure of enjoying all of our families at any one time.

I'm grateful to spend the time I do with any of my family, and look forward to the times undetermined, when we are all together at one time.

Be thankful for any and all family you had the privilege of seeing this year at Thanksgiving. Go on, be grateful!

hello monday (on tuesday)

Monday kind of punished me. Let's move on and greet the week today instead, shall we?

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Hello, second-to-last-football-game-I-have-to-work this year.

Was happy to do it by this gal's side.

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Hello, family and friends.

Glad that while I was working, you got to enjoy the game. (And that I got to pop into this pic!)

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Hello, cold and rain.

I wish you'd come on a day I never had to get out of bed.

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Hello, Thanksgiving.

You've come out of nowhere, but I'm glad you're finally here.

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Hello, Christmas decorations.

I'm mentally preparing myself for you.

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Hello, splitting headache.

Move on, already. You're slowing me down.

Wishing you a holiday week that's warm and cozy, headache-free, and spent with friends and family you love!

thankful thursday #157

Much to be thankful for this week!

Some excellent press happening for Kari and her book, Canyon Road. So proud of her.

Heading home tomorrow to see the fam. Love walking through that door.

There are two more weeks of the regular football season. Praise you, Jesus.

It's boots weather.

Had some unexpected encouragement this week.

Christmas shopping is well underway. All online. Glory.

Having a mini-reunion tomorrow with a couple of Peru trip friends!

Been running a little bit in the mornings. The wake-up calls are dreadful, but I'm grateful for the crisp mornings and gentle sunrises.

Hoping you have a weekend full of appreciation, especially for the ordinary things. Go on, be grateful!

for the love of church (dream)

Our church is in the midst of a season of vision and strategy.

We recently reflected on the past forty years of ministry, and now we are looking ahead, dreaming for the future as it relates to our place and our role in God's story.

While we've been praying corporately over this initiative, this dream board has been perched in our lobby, inviting anyone and everyone to share a prayer for our church:

These prayers come from all ages and stages and maturity levels, so they run the gamut. But do you see that one in orange? It says, Dream, as good as God!

I love that one. It's so bold, and it speaks to how our God is good, and how he has big, big plans for his people.

Or how about the one that says, Help those who can't help themselves, both spiritually and physically. That's a command for us. Oh, that we might be obedient to that call!

And speaking of commands, let's just Love. Yes? Yes.

Although it goes against our flesh that acts on individual interests and personal agendas, I hope sincerely for our dreaming to be done with a plural pronoun. Unified. Aligned with God's purposes.

At the very least, all of these sweet dreams come from broken people. We are certainly unified in that.

all hail the sweet potato, part deux

Here are my thoughts on sweet potatoes.

The summary is this: I used to hate 'em, now I love 'em, and I'm always looking for sweet potato goodness in a recipe.

Try this one! It's so yummy. (And I made it up, so pretend like the name is clever.)

Maple Sweet Potatoes with Gorgonzola
Serves 4-6

3 lbs. of sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1/2" pieces
1/4 c. maple syrup
1/4 c. EVOO
salt and pepper
1/2 c. Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.


2. Place sweet potato cubes on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle syrup and EVOO, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.


3. Spread potatoes into a single layer on the pan. Roast for about 20 minutes, stirring once half way through, and redistributing back to the single layer.


4. Sprinkle the Gorgonzola cheese evenly across the potatoes, and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the cheese barely melts. Serve immediately.

* Quantities are just guidelines. If you're needing to make more or less, plan for about 1 potato per person. And estimate the EVOO and maple syrup; I just drizzle evenly on the potatoes until it feels right. No need to be legalistic!

* Cooking times may also vary. Ovens differ, or you may like your potatoes firmer than I do. Let your nose guide you! Check them when they start to smell delicious, and go from there.

* I have what I call a magic baking pan, and NOTHING sticks to it. Ever. It occurred to me that this maple syrup may cause a problem, so you may try spraying your pan (although I think the EVOO should do the trick). No one loves to scrape burned sugar off a pan.

Couldn't you just eat your fall favorites every night?

thankful thursday #156

On some Sundays growing up, when Dad was out of town and Mom was in the choir, I'd sit in church with a friend and her mom. To keep us occupied -- and quiet -- during the sermon, her mom would place a King James Version bible in each of our laps, open them to a seemingly obscure passage, point to the chapter, and in so doing, silently imply our instructions.

I distinctly remember feeling like I was reading a foreign language. Who is "Thou?" What are they sayeth-ing?

Some things change: These days, I don't typically read from the King James Version bible.

Other things never change: Sometimes I still feel like I'm reading a foreign language. No matter the translation, some of the words still trip me up, and for whatever the reason, I struggle to understand concepts that seem way over my head.

Fortunately, though, this path of following Jesus isn't meant to be traveled alone! I'm feeling grateful tonight for the people in my life who hash out the Truth with me, give me permission to ask questions, share with me their insights, and encourage me to keep digging for answers.

I bet you have people like that around you, too? Show them some appreciation this week. Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #155

About six months ago, within a period of two weeks, two of my work siblings announced they were leaving. Their offices flanked mine, so they were closest in proximity, but they were also my closest friends at work. I was sad to see them go.

These days, I'm not quite so sad, because it's fun to see them living new adventures, and taking risks, and growing in new ways. But I sure do miss them.

Tonight I got to visit with one of them and his family (including their newest baby), and it was so great to catch up. I feel happy and full.

Some friendships are seasonal, and certainly some work relationships are, and while sometimes those seasons change, they don't altogether end. They look different. And maybe they don't ever feel the same, but they can still be fulfilling.

I'm feeling thankful tonight for this friendship, whose season changed, but didn't end.

When you think on your friendships, take a second to appreciate the ones that have weathered the changing seasons. Go on, be grateful!

a confession about resenting gratitude

I'm seeing all kinds of gratitude expressions this month.

Facebook is showered with daily thankful posts. Thankful trees are taking up residence in homes (like this one).

These are good things! I support gratitude. I've written 154 installments of Thankful Thursdays, for crying out loud.

If I'm being honest, though, I caught myself in a little wrestling match with cynicism over this "month of gratitude," because it all seemed trendy, forced, and obligatory.

There, I said it. I'm a terrible person. Because I thought things like this:

These thirty days of gratitude are going to turn very quickly into thirty-one days of consumerism and greed, come December 1.

Why aren't we as intentionally thankful every other month of the year?

That "thankful" person complains every other day of the year on Facebook.

Behavior modification is temporary, but heart transformation is not.

Are my own attempts to practice intentional gratitude just as futile?

See what I mean? Cynicism's dirty like that. (As is my judgmental nature.)

And then I dug a little deeper, because who in their right mind would take issue with sweet, intentional expressions of thankfulness? (This girl, actually, and she's not proud about it.)

I've been studying the Old and New Covenants in the Bible recently, and when Jesus ushered in the New Covenant, a myriad of supernaturally beautiful things occurred. In particular, I am love, love, loving this promise that God made to his people:

I will remove their cold, stony heart, and replace it with a warm heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19b, Voice). 

Let that sink in.

To those who humble themselves, and accept the offer to live under the direction and authority of the Holy Spirit, our great God is faithful to give us a heart capable of transformation. Capable of contentment, and eternal perspective, and joy. Grateful in all circumstances.

And because I think he's more interested to see us settle into a permanent posture of thankfulness, rather than a short-term behavioral shift, God's working overtime to take our new, warm hearts of flesh, and fashion them into vessels that overflow with gratitude.

Including mine. (Glory to God!)

So if our thirty-day gratitude challenges, or our thankful trees, or our Thankful Thursday posts are the tiniest evidence of that work, then let's be grateful for it.

Lord, may I steward well this new heart you've gifted me. I know it's wired to pour out goodness and kindness and gratitude, but only when you're the One filling it up. Let my heart overflow with gratitude for a lifetime, and not just for a month.

the granola where less is more

Back in February, I made this granola, which was tasty, but apparently not tasty enough for a second batch (yet).

But then I received this recipe from a dear friend, and it was worth trying because I had all the ingredients on hand. And it screamed fall to me.

And this one's so good, I'll be making a second batch in a few short days. Not even exaggerating about that.

Meghan's Granola
(because she sent it to me without a name and it deserves a name)

3 c. old fashioned oats
1/2 - 2/3 c. sweetened coconut flakes
1/2 c. sliced almonds
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1/3 c. honey
1/2 tsp. kosher salt

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In a microwave or in a small saucepan on your stovetop, melt the butter with the honey and salt. In a mixing bowl, toss honey and butter mixture with the rest of the ingredients. Spread onto a cookie sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool, and store in an airtight container.

* The recipe actually calls for unsweetened coconut, but sweetened is all I had. Maybe that's what makes it so delicious?

* I had closer to 1 cup of almonds, so I did increase the butter and honey amounts to 4 Tbsp. and about 3 ounces (you know, just a little more than 1/3 c.).

* There are a few good nuggets/clumps, but mostly this is loose. I suppose to get more bite-sized pieces, you could add more of the honey-butter mixture, or use less of the dry ingredients.

* Some folks like their granola extra-crunchy, so just keep baking away until it's perfect for you.

* I've eaten mine as cereal, as well as a mix-in with vanilla Greek yogurt, and it's divine. (And I like green grapes as my other mix-in. So. Good.)

Happy munching!

let's chat (about fall goings-on)

The clocks have fallen back, and the temperatures are dropping. We should chat, and celebrate the goodness that is fall, no?

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I'm a little bit obsessed with these shoes I bought a couple of weeks ago. Wear them almost every day. Would it be terrible to get a second pair (only with the discount, of course)?

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Speaking of shoes, Nikol's and my fall shopping tradition has been delayed too long. (How did it get to be November 3rd?) Thank goodness that on Friday, it will commence.

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My Christmas cards will be ordered soon, following my annual whine session. I'm so grateful for creative people who can make my ideas become reality.

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I signed up for a cooking class next weekend called "Preparing the Perfect Holiday Menu." As if I'm hosting a holiday meal. Please.

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By God's grace I managed to turn the power off and on fix my own ice maker, sparing me yet another visit from a service man. I dodged a bullet.

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Until last night, when I turned on my beloved Keurig for my first hot beverage of the season, only to have it laugh in my face. I had to walk away before I went crazy and bought a replacement without troubleshooting first. I live in the House of First World Problems.

What're you chatting about with your friends, in this most wonderful season of (f)all?

thankful thursday #154

Sometimes I get lucky.

Last weekend I landed the chance to enjoy a Michael Bublé concert from a suite, and well, in my world that qualifies as lucky.

I loved spending time with some of my favorite people, including this gal:

We had a belated birthday celebration for her, including fresh flowers, dense chocolate cake, and random strangers singing "Happy Birthday" for all to hear. It was good times.

And Michael Bublé as the backdrop wasn't terrible, either. While we know I have good friends who love him more than I do, I still enjoy him in concert.

It was nice to have a little fun tucked into my busy season. Made me thankful.

And you? Any fun surprises in the middle of your every day? Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #153

Just over a year ago, I had this awkward conversation that, along with other personal experiences, got me thinking hard about the issue of church segregation.

About how, if I feel like the church has cordoned off the single population, or the young families demographic, or the senior adults, then I should think about my part in bridging those gaps.

In other words, what was I doing in my own life to better connect to people outside my so-called category of friends?

I wasn't doing much, unfortunately. So I decided to pray more intentionally for opportunities to visit with other people, specifically women older than me, outside my group of single friends. And even more specifically, married women, because they are the ones with whom I often feel the most disconnected.

I need to be challenged in that way: to relate to women that I wrongly assume are incapable of discussing anything other than their families.

And so the process began, and the Lord has been faithful to introduce some new friendships in my life, slowly, and gently, over a period of many months.

Tonight I spent the most delightful two hours with one of these women, and oh, I am grateful for it. It was surprising and unexpected, but I am hopeful it is the beginning of many more hours to soak in some stimulating conversation.

There is so much to learn, and wisdom to glean, from the people living very different lives than we do. Here's to de-segregating!

Do you have a friend like that? Go on, be grateful for them!

it's the great pumpkin, little man

Little Man is sprouting up so fast, and I am grateful for every second I get to watch him grow.

On my visit this past weekend, he was on the mend from a wretched fever, so spirits were not super-high. But despite that sadness and his short attention span, we did manage to get a few snaps at a little pumpkin patch of a local church.

These little guys were called "Wee Bees Little."

Cute, no?

Little Man was intrigued by this one.

He didn't want to let it go, either.

Eventually he did let it go, right onto the concrete, and it lost its stem. Oops.

You know those signs in stores that say, You break it, you buy it? That happened.

Little Man sat on these monster pumpkins for about 2.5 seconds.

And then he was ready to call it a day.

His eyes do not lie.

Happy fall, people. Do you have your (im)perfect pumpkin picked?

thankful thursday #152

Tonight marks my eighth football game, in as many weeks.

It's particularly significant because it lands on a Thankful Thursday, it's happening in the great state of North Carolina, and it officially marks the start to the second half of this travel season. The light at the end of the tunnel is starting to peek through.

It is a good day. Worthy of gratitude.

And I get to hug these bones tomorrow.

(I wonder if he loves a new pair of jams as much as I do.)

Is there a light starting to shine at the end of your tunnel too? Go on, be grateful!

life unedited

The thing about blogging, and insta-face-tweeting social media, and texting and emailing is that you get to edit your image. Life looks glamorous, like a highlight reel.

Lest anyone feel that I withhold the messy parts of my world, here's a little gem from my week:

I don't think I'd checked my mail in over a week.

And lest anyone think I'm showered with fan mail, about four pieces of that stack were keepers, not because they were handwritten notes, but because they were bills.

Can I get an amen here, people? Tell me your lives are messy too?

a salad that men may or may not scorn

Salads aren't perceived as manly; I know this. Some salads, though, are particularly susceptible to a man's scorn. They usually involve fruit, a gourmet cheese, candied nuts, and/or a vinaigrette.

This is one of those.

But it is oh-so-delicious, especially for fall. And more importantly, it is make ahead-able, so you can assemble it just prior to serving.

Grilled Pear, Gorgonzola, and Pecan Salad
 Serves 12-15

for the dressing:
1/4 c. (2 oz.) balsamic vinegar
3/4 c. (6 oz.) extra virgin olive oil
pinch of kosher salt
pinch of coarse ground pepper

for the salad:
2 containers of your favorite greens (I used one spring mix, and one arugula)
6-7 Bosc pears, cored and sliced about 1/8" thick
about 2 c. pecan halves, toasted
1 container Gorgonzola cheese
dried cranberries, optional
extra virgin olive oil
kosher salt

1. Combine vinegar, olive oil, pinch of salt and pepper, and whisk until emulsified (or use a salad dressing shaker -- it makes the measuring and mixing super simple!). Set aside.


2. Drizzle olive oil (a couple of tablespoons) on a grill pan and heat on high. Place pear slices across the grill marks, sprinkle with kosher salt, and grill about 3 minutes on each side. They'll turn a glorious golden brown. Repeat until all pear slices are grilled, coating the pan with oil as needed, and set aside to cool.


3. Once pears are all grilled, use the same grill pan to toast your pecans. Drizzle olive oil on the pan, toss the pecans to coat, and heat on medium heat for a few minutes, until they begin to release their aroma.


4. Refrigerate all ingredients until serving. To assemble, place greens in serving bowl, and toss with vinaigrette (add a little at a time until you get your desired flavor -- don't feel obligated to use it all). Add cheese and pecans, and toss to coat. Top with pears and a handful of dried cranberries, if using.

a note about the dressing: If you're only making the salad for one or two people, and want to make less dressing, keep the 1:3 ratio of vinegar to oil, but even that's not a hard, fast rule. Make it to your taste.

a note about the greens: Arugula is scary to some people, because it has a sort of peppery taste, but it's an excellent contrast to the sweetness of the pears. If you're feeling adventurous, give it a try! (It also looks prettiest, in my opinion, and can be mixed in with other greens if you need to ease yourself in.)

a note about the pears: Grilling the pears seems tedious, since they need to be turned individually, but stay the course. It's worth it! And, you could probably sauté them if you need a short-cut. Once they cool, they are fine to refrigerate overnight before serving, but you could also serve them on the salad warm.

a note about the nuts: I adore walnuts, and think those would be delicious, but I have gobs of pecans in my freezer that I was happy to use. Pick your favorite!

a note about the cheese: You can use blue cheese, goat cheese, or maybe Feta if you prefer. I think any would be yummy.

a note about the cranberries: I thought these would be a nice little pop of red and autumn, and they were, but I felt like they might've brought a little too much sweet to the party. Take or leave them; the salad will stand on its own.

I took this to a church potluck, and for the record, it was scorned by only one man, and enjoyed by the others. Be bold and serve it up for your next gathering!

friday lagniappe

Right after I graduated from college, I lived in New Orleans for nine months. That place simply bursts with personality and charm, and in the most endearing way, it's laced with a little bit of crazy.

I loved those people! They are warm, social, and know how to celebrate anything well.

Their accents are thick and varied, although not especially Southern, and I never got past the ways of their language. They'd say:

"I have to be at the stadium for 6:00." (Why not "at" or "by?" Never understood that preposition choice.)

A serve-your-own dinner was boofay style, and if you ordered a po' boy at a restaurant, the waitress asked if you wanted it "dressed" (translated: with lettuce, tomato and mayo).

The ladies in my office would regularly "make groceries" (a.k.a., going to the grocery store).

"Lagniappe" might've been my favorite nugget of vocabulary; it means something extra given, for free, and for good measure. Like the 13th beignet in a baker's dozen.

Or in my case, it's something extra on the blog that has no real substance, other than, just wanted to share it. For free. For you!

So, some random Friday lagniappe for you:

• Have you seen The Butler yet? It's old news now, but it is so. good. Sort of Forrest Gump meets The Help. And I wept in all of the above. If you haven't already, consider this my glowing recommendation and go see it!


• For you gals with longer hair, do you have one of these curling wands? I was a skeptic, but it's pretty great! If you can successfully avoid the flesh burns, the curls are lovely.


• At the end of September, I considered doing a 31-day blog challenge in October, with one post every day of the month about one topic. What a joke that was. And the right decision to not commit.


• I think these shopping bags are just the cutest! Wouldn't they make groceries so much more fun?

Happy Friday, folks! I hope it's filled with people you love, and a little lagniappe for good measure.

thankful thursday #151

Do you know this shoe? By Yosi Samra?

I ordered her today. I hope she fits, and has as much spunk in person as she does in her picture.

That cheetah print is a pretty flashy neutral, if I do say so myself. And I'm still in the market for the perfect flat for traveling. But wanna know why I really ordered her?

A 40% discount. That's why.

Thank you, Katie Couric, for offering up some clutch discounts on your show yesterday.

Shallow gratitude this week, folks. Allow me that, will you?

What about you? No matter how big or small, go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #150

"Housekeeping ain't no joke."
-- Louisa May Alcott

Confession: I'm a terrible housekeeper.

Here are my strengths:

I keep clothes off the floor and in the proper drawer or hanger for the most part, and most "things" are kept in their designated place.

No dishes stack up in my kitchen sink; I'm persnickety about that. And my dishwasher is almost always clean and unloaded.

Beyond that, I don't have much to brag about.

The hard core chores, like mopping, dusting, scrubbing toilets and tubs, washing tiles and wiping baseboards? Blah.

During my fall travel season, I occasionally receive mileage income, if I drive my own car for day trips. I earmark appropriate amounts for fuel and maintenance, and sometimes with leftover funds, I splurge on a cleaning service.

Oh, man. There's just not much better than coming home to a sparkling house.

That's happening tomorrow, people. And I'm dang thankful.

Splurged on anything lately as a special treat? If you have, go on, be grateful!

hello monday (big game in the hometown)

I was in the hometown this past weekend for work, and I feel so fortunate to get to see family while I work. There was just enough relaxing down-time to make this Monday harder-than-average to face.

But face it I will, with some friendly hellos.

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Hello, home.

It's the quintessential Athens photo, but I especially loved the lights in this one.

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Hello, big win.

Did you see that game? It was electric.

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Hello, calm before the storm.

Before it was electric on Saturday, it was peaceful on Friday.

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Hello, front door goodness.

It's only "goodness," of course, because it was gifted to me, and I didn't have to wrestle with hot glue or any other art supply that gives me anxiety. Crafty friends are good friends.

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Hello, happy note on a Monday morning.

Even a parking pass in the mail can be cheerful, when you take the time to make it so. Thankful for my friends who do.

Fall's making her entrance, people, so give her a hearty welcome and greet the week!

thankful thursday #149

It is good to be home.

Driving past my old high school, and then slowly through our neighborhood, because deer are always lurking near the roads (three of them, this evening).

Hearing about news around town.Thinking about my friends who never left town, and how the roads we've traveled are so different, and yet equally treasured.

Enjoying a home-cooked meal. Flipping through old photo books for no particular reason. Sleeping in my old room.

It's good to be home with family. And I'm thankful.

What do you love about going home? Go on, be grateful!

for the love of church (plural pronouns)

There is a song we sing at church called "The Lord Our God," and it shows lots of love for plural pronouns. Like this:

The Lord our God is ever faithful,

Never changing through the ages.

From this darkness You will lead us,

And forever we will say:

You're the Lord our God.

Or like in this verse:

Yes, we can know you are good.

Or like in this bridge:

We won't move without You.

You get the idea. It's about God's people, worshipping and responding as one, unified body.

Recently I read in Exodus 24 the story of Moses relating all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments, to the people of Israel. In one accord, with one voice, they answered, "All the words which the Lord has said, we will do" (v. 3).

I can't stop thinking about that verse, because while it may seem like an over-zealous, impossible promise, I can't fathom a more appropriate response, since they'd beheld God's palpable presence at Sinai.

And they responded together. Using a plural pronoun.

Christianity is the only religion in the world where followers experience an intimate, one-on-one relationship with God, and glory, that's a thing of beauty!

But I think sometimes while we're happy to indulge in all the warm fuzzies of a personal relationship with Jesus, we miss the beauty of the Church, and its value as individuals functioning as a unified body. We miss the power that comes from a corporate solidarity, in agreement on God's character and sovereignty, and committed to moving together.

Next time you're struggling to find a love for the church, pray that we'll be using plural pronouns more readily. We will be stronger for it.

for the love of church (legacy)

"God has honored the vision, the effort, and the faithfulness of all those who have come before us in the life of this church..."
-- Valleydale Church, 40th Anniversary Legacy Celebration

I don't know why, but God chose to use imperfect people to accomplish his purposes, and the vehicle through which that happens is the local church. That means the church is serious business, because it's the presence of the kingdom of Christ here on earth.

Today our church celebrated its fortieth anniversary.

Forty years since nine families met in the basement of a man's house, as they practiced obedience to a call on their lives.

Forty years of joys and sorrows; encouraging times and disappointments.

Forty years of bearing witness to the faithfulness of God toward his people, not because everything has been easy, or because his people deserve it, or worked hard enough to earn it.

Just because faithful is who he is.

He was faithful when the church experienced growth, as he was when people left in bitterness. He was faithful during successful capital campaigns, as he was when there wasn't enough money to pay the bills. He was faithful when a full-time pastor was in the pulpit, as he was when there wasn't.

During our celebration today, we heard from former pastors, dating all the way back to the 70s. They spoke of how they were shaped and challenged by their time in service, and how they learned that God is worthy of our trust.

Former members were invited back as a sort of homecoming, and it was powerful to see generations of a church body come together in celebration of a purpose greater than any disagreement or human failing.

It was a sweet time, and I felt humbled to have spent even a portion of those forty years as a part of this community of faith.

Forty years is a blink in the eye of eternity; we know that. And anything good that comes out of the church is only because God has chosen to do that through us; we know that, too.

But what a right and good thing, to honor the legacy of the men and women who sacrificed much, so we could play even a small role in the greatest love story ever told.

thankful thursday #148

When I was little, I spent lots of mornings at tennis courts, while my mom played matches, or practiced with friends.

Sometimes I'd perch in the umpire chair; it was such a grown-up view. Other times I'd venture out to collect tennis balls that had been lost in bushes, under bleachers, behind walls, over who-knows-how-many months. I'd earn a nickel for every ball I found.

Eventually I started hitting with Mom after her matches, and as I got older, played on my own teams, and under coaches that were not my mom. As an adult, I've played sporadically on community teams, and enjoyed some very fun people while doing it.

Tennis courts have held fond memories for me.

I've not played regularly in a few years, but was inspired by a recent birthday gift to hop back onto the courts. So I scheduled a lesson for this week at my gym.

I knew it would not be pretty. I really did.

I was not, however, prepared for the pro to say this to me on a water break:

You don't look very good. Is your hand shaking?

(Yes, yes, it is.)

My heart rate had not seen a number that high, probably since I ran endless suicides on the courts in high school. My muscles are beyond sore; I know this because blow drying my hair is a challenge.

Not. Prepared.

And even still, it was fun to be back on the court, working my strokes again, and getting some instruction. I'm thankful today that I survived that lesson, and for all those memories made at the courts growing up.

What memories are you appreciating this week? Go on, be grateful!

right about now (the one where i'm spinning)

At any given moment, there are random bits of life to share.

Even in seasons of spinning we have something to chat about.

loving: this picture.

I snapped it in Cullman last month, in this store.

reading: these books.

I give the scoop on those here. But as a brief update, Sweet Water has turned a little crazy. Beware.

excited about: a recent clearance find at an office supply store. It's reminiscent of my file tote from a couple of years ago, but it's a little bigger. It was $6, so I happily upgraded to accommodate my growing mess.

missing: some work buddies who flew the coop a couple of months ago. Football season trash talking isn't the same around here.

trying to: do this.

enjoying: this little gem of a bluetooth speaker.

It was a birthday gift that has delivered tunes to my morning routine every day. It makes mornings so much more bearable.

using: this lately.

The Dictionary app is handy for when I'm on the go, but I do enjoy going old-school at my desk sometimes.

wearing: a hair tie like this on my wrist every single day.

Everyone raves about how these don't leave a crease in your hair, post pony-tail. I would disagree and tell you they do leave a crease in my hair, albeit a less-crazy crease. With that said, they don't pinch, and that's good enough for me.

waiting on: season premieres of a couple of TV shows. I wish I weren't looking so forward to them. But I miss the Bravermans, and the Crawleys. Like they're real people. So sue me.

planning: some travel to commence in exactly 224 days. Packing lists can never start too soon.

singing: with Colla Voce again this fall. After a year off, it'll be good to make music again.

needing: a serious kick in the pants to get back to a gym routine. And for this sinus cold to vamoose.

learning: of some (more) dark corners of my heart that the Lord is oh-so-gently bringing into the light. My friends and I typically react to this uncomfortable refining process with a melodramatic Oh, the dross! The DROSS.

listening: to my JJ Heller station on Pandora. I'm so over local radio, and the songs they play over and over again. Pandora must be one of the greatest inventions ever. Do you agree?

wishing: my flight tomorrow morning did not require a 4:45 a.m. wake-up call. It's no secret that I'm not a morning person, but 4:45 is practically the middle of the night. Wrong, I say. Just wrong.

doing: birthday gift planning for the baby bro. I don't know what I'll land on, but it won't be one of these, guaranteed.

praying for: the supernatural strength to "delight in insults," like Paul manages to do in 2 Corinthians. It seems like an uphill battle, if I'm being honest, but I don't think faith is supposed to be easy.

dreaming of: just one, sacred month where I am not required to stroke a check for a home repair. That would be amazing.

These are the goings on in my world, right about now. What's happening in yours?