2015 (and a kind-of thankful thursday)

Guys. How'd December 31 get here so fast?

 

This blog has suffered this year. A little of it was schedule-related, but mostly it was (un)inspiration-related. Maybe the un-inspiration comes when schedules crowd my thinking. Or maybe I didn't feel inspired, so I filled up my time with other things.

 

Chicken or the egg, I don't know.

 

It makes me glad for this annual recap, because it reminds me that my life is full, even when my writing seems empty. And that there is rhythm, ever-infused with faith, family, friends, and food. And the occasional Netflix binge.

 

That is a glorious rhythm.

Here's evidence: 

 

book i couldn't put down

It Starts with Food by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig

most challenging book
Finding Faith in the Dark by Laurie Short

most indulgent meal
Grilled Large Sea Scallops at Cafe Dupont in Birmingham

most memorable celebration

Two friends becoming engaged to their beaus within 12 hours of each other

terrible-for-you-but-really-tasty food obsession

Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug, as seen here

proudest culinary win
This charcuterie board. I was so pleased with myself.



favorite movie

The Gift. A good psychological thriller.

favorite spontaneous trip
A quick two-hour detour to Detroit, Michigan, to see family I don't see often enough

 

best quick vacation

Asheville, North Carolina, with Emily

most life-giving bible study 
Joshua: Every Good Promise Fulfilled by Jen Wilkin 

netflix addiction

Bloodline

favorite new recipe
These salmon cakes, a la Whole30

most festive trip

Two Christmas concerts in two days, in Nashville with Nikol



marked off the bucket list 
Basketball game in Cameron Indoor Stadium

 

most peaceful moment 
At a remote bed and breakfast and spa about 30 minutes out of town

proudest craft moment

The t-shirt gallery

spent my birthday

Dinner with Dad in Birmingham, then with mom and friends for brunch and at Locked In

biggest surprise
Completing Whole30 with very little weeping and gnashing of teeth

 

greatest freedom
Not counting calories, fat, or anything else during Whole30

moment that made my heart the fullest
Seeing my mom and her siblings celebrate their brother's 70th birthday



biggest purchase

Probably the new garbage disposal, and associated plumbing labor. Or the garage door repair. Gyah. 

favorite new beverage

For festive celebrations, this Cranberry Orange Mocktail

best quick trip
Mobile, Alabama, to run the flattest 10k known to man

sweetest new addition
The Littlest!



songs i repeated a million times
“We Will Feast in the House of Zion” by Sandra McCracken
"You Never Change" by Austin Stone Worship

favorite albums
Psalms by Sandra McCracken
This Glorious Grace by Austin Stone Worship
Creation Waits by Jenny Pruitt

Happy New Year, friends. May you find your very own glorious rhythm in 2016.

the time i did whole30

Yesterday was Day 30 of my Whole30 experiment.

There is no need to explain what that is, because listen, there are a bazillion websites and blog posts that do that well enough. The program's basic rules from the actual source are here, for those interested.

On those bazillion websites and blog posts, there are stories of motivations and results and lessons as wide-ranging as the personalities of the people who participate. Not so surprising.

Also not surprising, I have my own takeaways, and sometimes I need to get all the abstract in my brain out into the written word, and into order. So here we go.

why i did it 

a simple experiment //  I read It Starts With Food this past summer in about a day-and-a-half, sitting on the beach. I don't know why I found it all so fascinating, but I did. I wondered if I could do it, doubtful I could ever eliminate dairy from my diet for even a day, because me and cheese. We are tight. But for about the twelve previous months, I'd overhauled my eating habits, and felt like dairy could potentially still be a stronghold. In many ways, this was a simple experiment to see if that was the case.

an exercise in discipline //  Years ago I was notorious for extreme new year's resolutions, but lately, not so much. I have trained for half marathons before, and lately, not so much. These kinds of physical disciplines are helpful to me, and while they're hard, I miss them when I'm not practicing them. Thirty days seemed like a reasonable period to exercise this particular discipline.

why i didn't do it

to lose weight //  There were no scales involved before, during, or after the thirty days, and I only measured results by how I felt.

the hardest part

game days, parties, and generally being social //  When I'm working a football game day, I am a sucker for a chicken tender. It was tough to pass those by for four weeks. There was also a party I attended where the food spread was sheer torture. Party food is my favorite, so munching on the sad, raw vegetables without hummus or dip or anything good felt like a very sick joke. When I met friends for dinner, I ordered a salad with no cheese, bacon or croutons and took my own Whole30-compliant salad dressing. A little embarrassing, but not the end of the world.
 
what surprised me

it's not that hard //  It just really wasn't. I loved eating big meals, three times a day. I loved trying new recipes, and new foods I'd previously been nervous to try. (Ghee just sounds creepy.) Now prior to these thirty days, I wasn't eating fast food and the likes every day, so perhaps my habits weren't so hard to break. But really, to quote the book, It is not hard. Beating cancer is hard. Birthing a baby is hard. Losing a parent is hard. Drinking your coffee black. Is. Not. Hard. That's truth, people. Perspective is everything.

i did not experience unlimited energy //  Of all of the testimonials I read, 90% of them told of boundless energy, beginning around Day 15. Waking up before one's alarm kind of energy. I didn't have that. I'm not sure I'll ever experience that, for any reason. I did not feel sluggish, but I certainly still rely on my alarm.

reverse cravings //  My cheese cravings, which I thought would be unbearable, were practically non-existent, and still are. My sweet tooth, which previously was mostly non-existent, unexpectedly reared its ugly head. I wanted to face plant into a bucket of chocolate chip cookie dough. I haven't yet, but I might do it soon.

what i learned

there is sugar in everything //  When you can eat nothing with added sugar, and you're reading labels like a crazy person, you discover a whole lot of food has a whole lot of sugar. I will probably always read labels moving forward. It's astonishing.

there is freedom in not counting anything //  With the exception of some basic guidelines on how much protein to eat per meal, there is no counting anything. I felt liberated from the bondage of counting calories, trying to hit macro-nutrient percentages, and weighing food portions. It was glorious.

my tips for success 

read the book //  You can learn enough information to successfully complete the program from online sources (and the aforementioned bazillion websites and blog posts), but you may not understand the whys of it all without reading the book. I felt well equipped with knowledge throughout the thirty days, confident in what was allowed, and what wasn't.

choose wisely your 30 days //  It is no accident that my thirty days ended two days before Thanksgiving. You will likely not avoid every dinner out with friends, but doing this challenge over a vacation or holiday is asking for a fail. Be smart about your timing, and you'll be better prepared to win.
 
meal planning is king //  Over the previous year, I had made a concerted effort to plan and prepare my meals so I wouldn't rely on fast food in a pinch, or eat out for no reason. So for Whole30, this was not a hard shift for me, but I know it was a big part of helping me stay disciplined. It took the guesswork out of what was in my food.

find favorites before you start //  Pinterest and Google will yield so many recipes and meal ideas, your head will want to explode. But, do a brief dress rehearsal ahead of time to identify a couple of dishes that you like. You can rely on those when you need a boost. I had a handful of recipes that I loved to cook, but I also convenience items in my freezer that were good in a pinch.

get a buddy //  A friend and I tackled this together. Our conversations for thirty days were Whole30-centric, and while slightly obsessive, necessary. We compared tips, recipes, and general frustrations. And we shared countdown chains.

what i'll do now

feast //  The book encourages a period of calculated re-introduction of foods, in order to identify specific ways those foods impact your body. I will not participate in this method, for I will be feasting with my family on outrageous amounts of gluten and sugar. Because Thanksgiving. It's what we do.

balance //  Then I will feel terrible, because that's what gluten and sugar do for me, and I will re-calibrate. It will take me some time to strike the balance, but I imagine I will eat with heightened awareness and choose my indulgences carefully. There's wisdom in moderation, but also in fueling my body well.

Have you tried Whole30? What were your takeaways?
 

thankful thursday #233

Last weekend in North Carolina I spent some time with the littles.

Little Man isn't so little anymore.

He's talking and thinking and plotting and feeling like a real person. He wears rain boots and pops an umbrella under clear blue skies.

Because why not?

He tickles me so.

And then the Littlest. Gracious, he is a happy one.

Every time, that grin.

When I was getting ready to leave, Little Man told me I shouldn't go, and that I should stay and play some more.

Broke me into a million pieces.

And when you're broken like that, it's good to find something to be thankful for. I'm grateful today that God willing, I'll see them again in just a few short weeks for Christmas.

Lord, let it be so.

Are you looking forward to seeing loved ones for the holidays? Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #232 (of the let's chat variety)

If anyone is struggling to feel gratitude, can we all just come together and be thankful together for autumn?

The crisp morning runs, the cozy sweaters (not quite here in the 'ham, but almost), the changing colors in the tree tops, the cups of hot tea and hot chocolate.

These are good things. Things I love and appreciate.

And as a bonus, since it's been an un-blogging season of late, how about a quick catch-up visit?

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Speaking of those cups of hot beverages, I bought a pair of new mugs for myself last weekend.

I've had the same mugs for years and years, and I still love them, but I wanted a mug with a smidge more capacity. I adore sipping hot tea in the mornings after my run, at my kitchen table with Pandora playing, and most mornings I want it to last longer.

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I've started using a brown eyeliner (Covergirl Perfect Blend, in Mink) as lip liner. Counter-intuitive, right? But man, when you blend it well, it's like magic.

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This weekend in my work travel, I get to see my middle bro, sans family. I'll miss the rest of them, but I'm sure excited our paths are crossing in a random city.

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Guys, I'm committed to Whole30, starting Monday. I read It Starts With Food this summer, and I'm intrigued enough to try it, at least once. It's not much more than an experiment for me, but I'm a wee bit excited for the challenge.

And a lot bit nervous. It's important to note that my 30 will end two days prior to Thanksgiving. Because I'm no fool.

...................................

Happy Thursday, folks. Whatever you're sipping, and with whomever you're chatting this week, go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #231

Recently I wrangled the littles for a quick snap.

It was a scene, as anyone with babies and active toddlers would know. It went down like this:

And we eventually landed here.

Behold, all eyes on the camera. Smiling, meh. Eye contact, yes.

We take what we can. And we are grateful.

Have you managed one small win this week? Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #230

Two weekends ago I worked a very late football game in my old stomping grounds at Mississippi State. When I left the stadium at 1:30 in the morning, I loaded my car and pulled out of the parking space, only to discover (quickly) that my tire was flat.

Not low. Flat.

Three twenty-something men loading up their tailgate nearby came to my rescue and replaced the flat with my spare before I could ask for help. Their dads meandered over -- tailgating is a family affair -- and supervised, chatted with me about the game, and offered an air compressor to check the air pressure before they left.

Now listen. This was a well-lit area, fans were still waiting for traffic to clear, and I had friends and colleagues with me. I was not in danger.

But oh, to be reminded that there are still good people out there, sober after an SEC football game, and willing to help out a single gal.

As I drove off campus, I literally said aloud, God bless Mississippi men. I loved that they knew how to change the tire in the first place, they offered and were genuinely happy to help, and they didn't mind getting dirty.

Those men made their wives proud that early morning outside Davis Wade Stadium.

And they made me thankful.

Have you had a stranger lend a helping hand? Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #229

This week has been riddled with adulthood woes. Dropping some change on a garage door repair, a new tire (because the one I had to buy six months ago took a beer bottle to its chin).

For good measure, a dash of disappointment unrelated to any of those creeped into my heart, too. Because why not.

Saturday I get to see the little darlings.

Our time together will be nestled between work obligations. Brief, and per usual, not long enough.

But I'm grateful to get some perspective, and some purity and innocence, if only for a breath. (And if only they're on their best behavior.)

Do you get to peek at something simple and happy this weekend? Go on, be grateful!

pizza in a bowl

Not really. But this recipe tastes like a way healthier Italian sausage pizza to me.

It's adapted from Cooking Light, and I love it because it's quick, hearty, better as leftovers, and only uses one pot -- all ingredients of a winner in my book.

It would probably also be extra-cozy in the fall -- it's stew-ish -- but man, it's so good. Let's pretend it's fall.

Sausage, Cannellini and Tomato Ragout
Serves 4-6

1 lb. bulk Italian turkey sausage
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 c. chopped onion
1 Tbsp. unsalted tomato paste
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 c. dry red wine
3/4 c. unsalted chicken broth
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
Dash of crushed red pepper
1 (14.5-oz.) can unsalted diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (15-oz.) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2 tsp. fresh oregano (or 1 tsp. dried)

1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook sausage for 2 minutes, stirring to crumble. Remove sausage from pan and drain on paper towels.
2. Add oil to pan and swirl to coat. Add onion, and saute 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and garlic; cook 1 minute, stirring continuously. Add wine; cook 1 minute, scraping the pan to loosen the browned bits.
3. Stir in stock, salt, pepper, red pepper, tomatoes and beans. Reduce heat to low and simmer 8-10 minutes, until slightly thickened.
4. Add sausage and oregano.

Put this on your radar for an easy weeknight meal -- it's really done faster than pizza is delivered anyway.

thankful thursday #228

I joined a new church about nine months ago, and last night I went to choir practice for the first time. I've been in church choirs my whole life, and every one of them have been so special to me, but not before this:

I dread being the new girl, introducing myself, the small talk, and all the other accompanying things generally painful for an introvert.

On the drive to the church, I processed these thoughts, and I was so grateful to have been raised in a family that valued church, and the community therein.

By God's grace, that foundation for me makes the discipline of integrating into a new local body, worth it on the other side.

In other words, the aversion to being the new girl loses, when compared to the alternative of not serving the local body, being an outsider, and missing out on community.

I'm not sure I'd see it that way if church had not been such a constant framework in my life for as long as I can remember, and I couldn't help but feel thankful and undeserving of that gift.

Is there evidence of God's goodness in your life that's so ingrained in your DNA that sometimes you just miss it? Go on, be grateful that it's there.

when you don't want a t-shirt quilt

I come from a t-shirt-lovin' family, and ooo I especially love the ones that are soft and well-worn.

Sometimes Most of the time, "well-worn" turns into "you really should throw that away," but you don't want to, because that t-shirt tells a story. It represents a memory. Throwing it away seems like throwing away the feels.

You know?

I cleaned out my t-shirt drawers back in the spring and parted with an embarrassing number.

But I also kept a smaller pile of memories to preserve. Much smaller. Around 18 shirts.

My crafting skills and patience capacity are not sufficient for the likes of a t-shirt quilt, so that was never an option. Instead, I chose to frame the designs and create a gallery wall in a strategic location of my house.

Namely this hallway that is rarely seen by anyone except me.

As with all my craft experiences, this one began in anxiety-inducing chaos.
 

You can see the only shining light there in the middle: my notepad, listing all t-shirts and respective frame sizes. I can never totally abandon the left side of my brain.

Following that planning session, when my blood pressure was stabilized, I spent a couple of hours scouring craft stores for frames that fit, and that were on sale by at least 40%.

And then I figured up in my head how many days I'd have to go without eating to pay for it all.

I won't give tutorial advice on how to frame them, because frankly, every one was different, and every one was a complete roll of the dice. Suffice it to say, scissors, tape, a pen, a screwdriver, and a functioning brain is enough.

There were a couple of misses. An off-centered cut once in a while.  A rogue pen marking here and there. It was a good exercise for me in accepting imperfection.

Once they were all framed, I loosely planned the layout. On a bed.

Don't mind that blanket up there in the top.

As for hanging, I worked from the center out, making a couple of adjustments along the way. Here is the first (and only) progress shot.

That black Peachtree Race frame was my start, and I moved to the left first.

During the hanging process, I got in a fight with only one frame. I won for now, but it'll be a miracle if that one is still hanging in 24 hours.

In the end I was pleased.

Completed my 2015 craft quota, which is exactly one.

And most importantly, avoided a t-shirt quilt.

to carter, on the occasion of your fourth

"Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle."
-- Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Dear Carter Christopher,

Four years old. I might want you stay like this forever.

Your expressions are wicked-funny. You speak with an inflection in your voice that is dreamily pure, every phrase and question dripping with a sweetness that I savor so much in these days.

On our recent beach vacation as a family, you jumped into the pool a bazillion times, each stunt increasingly daring. Even in your building confidence, you'd occasionally ask to jump in holding hands with your mom or dad, or me, or Pat. It was a subtle tension between your dwindling dependence on us, and my hope that you might always be inclusive and inviting toward those around you.

School has continued to be a good and healthy challenge for you, and while reaching new milestones is fun to celebrate, perhaps more rewarding is watching you work hard at the things that don't particularly interest you. One day this work ethic will be one of your best qualities, because responsible adults have to do things all the time that they don't like. You'll be better for having learned that discipline now.

I didn't think you could get any cuter, but then this summer you got glasses.

It turns out that idiosyncratic winking of yours wasn't a quirk, but an endearing symptom of struggling eyesight. My goodness, you are darling.

Of course the big event of the year was that your family welcomed a new addition, and glory to God, you have embraced the Littlest like a natural. Your teachers say that his arrival was a catalyst for some of your most dynamic growth, which is true, but I would qualify that progress as important heart growth that should not be overlooked. You love to make him giggle, you are careful to check on him regularly, and you are wildly adoring of him.

I'm so encouraged and expectant of the big brother you will be to him, as you learn to love and protect another.

Here's what your mom and dad say about this past year:

I'd describe Carter's personality with these few words:
mom: Friendly, curious, strong-willed.
dad: A loving heart that is raging for independence.

Carter is happiest when he ...
mom: Is active! Jumping on trampolines, swimming, wrestling with Dad, kicking the soccer ball, or running on the beach.
dad: Is running, bouncing, jumping, wrestling, or playing with Jack and Mason.

Carter is not-so-charming when he ...
mom: Back-talks.
dad: Tells me I need to listen, not to talk back to him, and that he is in charge (all while stomping his foot at me).

My proudest moment as a parent this past year was ...
mom: There were so many. I am proud of how he loves his brother; how he overcame his fear of the swings; how he is working really really hard to write, even though he doesn't like it; how he tries to remember his memory verse from church; how he treats his friends; how much he loves and respects his dad.
dad: First, watching Carter become a big brother. He is so naturally good at caring for Luke and is amazingly patient and loving. And he can make Luke smile and/or laugh on cue. The other is just the astounding explosion of vocabulary and confidence with his social interactions. I am so proud when he engages people, and tells stories, and rattles off words I didn't even know he knew. He has worked so hard over the last year and there is such a noticeable difference.

One time this past year when I thought I was going to lose my mind was ...
mom: When I would get Luke back to sleep in the wee hours of the morning and turn around and Carter was awake and ready to the start the day. OR the time he pooped himself in the airport after being potty trained for 9 months, and had to fly home commando.
dad: Traveling home from Maine. There were two poops and Carter flew home without underwear on. I was disciplined out and was ready to just throw in the towel and leave him in an airport bathroom.

Carter's best qualities are ...
mom: He is a loving, sweet boy that is full of absolute JOY. His excitement for things is just amazing to watch.
dad: His tender heart, inherently tremendous big bro skills, infectious smile/laugh.

I was surprised this past year when Carter ...
mom: Handled being a big brother so well. It was a big change, but he handled it great!
dad: Recited the Pledge of Allegiance out of nowhere. This is up there with one of the proudest moments of the year. My heart was filled!

I laugh out loud when Carter ...
mom: Laughs. He has the best laugh. Even little Luke thinks so, because Carter's laugh always makes Luke laugh.
dad: Overlooks social norms and says hello to un-expecting strangers passing by. The element of surprise is so entertaining. (Lighten up, people!)

After his fourth birthday, I'm most looking forward to ...
mom: Watching the relationship with his brother grow.
dad: How Carter manages a mobile Luke, encroaching on his personal space.

It really is a miraculous dichotomy to witness, this business of growing up.

When I read these answers from your first birthday until now, they collectively reveal how your world continues to expand (as it should) in the physical realm.  And yet they are spun with these transcendent common threads, the sacred evidence that you are who you've always been, and who you were made to be.

They got me reflecting on identity, and how yours is taking shape over time, and in some instances, in a matter of minutes.

This year has been so transformative, as you are learning to be a friend to others and a big brother to Luke, and simultaneously stepping away from your only-child-and-grandchild persona. And over your lifetime, your worldly identity will continue to evolve, as your family, memories, friends, feelings, and experiences will all accumulate into what we pray mightily is a man who reflects Jesus in how he loves and serves people.

But Little Man, remember this: No matter how the world defines you, no matter the experiences or people that influence you, or the memories and feelings you bear, you will always be who you were made to be by the one true God. We pray for you a spiritual identity that will forever be chosen, beloved, secure and accepted in Christ, who will be faithful to remind you of that for as many times as you have to ask.

We love who you are becoming on this earth, but we look forward to watching you discover the eternal identity that will define you more wonderfully than any other.

Happy Fourth, Little Man. Our lives are richer because of you.

thankful thursday #227 (on a wednesday)

Tomorrow is Little Man's fourth birthday (?!), and his annual birthday blog post takes precedence over a Thankful Thursday post.

But that's no reason to ignore gratitude (although I've had no trouble omitting it of late). Wednesday will do.

It's rained every day this week, and I mean the stormy kind. Fat rain drops, hard downpours, some thunder rolls, and a bit of lightening. And when it's not down-pouring, it's threatening, or it's drizzling, and the air is heavy.

It rains in the afternoon, at night, and before the sun comes up, and twice this week, my early morning runs have been cancelled.

Running before our city awakes is a hard discipline for me. And admittedly when it's raining and I get the blessed text message that we're cancelling, I love to curl back up under my covers and sleep a little longer.

But running is also an important rhythm for me, and my days are better when they start with running. My word, my sixth grade self would not know me right now.

This morning, we were gifted a tiny opening, and the opportunity to run a few miles before the rains came. I was thankful to reclaim that rhythm today, even for a morning. Maybe I won't get it again for a few days, but if so, I'll be grateful for when the skies clear.

Do you have a rhythm you've missed lately? I bet you appreciate it when you get it back. Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #226

August is, in the rhythm of my work calendar, the blessed calm before the storm. It is slower during the weekdays, and weekends are quiet and protected, in preparation for the coming season of travel.

Of course, when the storm does hit, it is hard to remember the calm that preceded it. I'm an expert in compartmentalizing and grinding and pushing through, which are strictly survival strategies, but the calm. I miss it in the storm.

I'm feeling grateful this week for the calm weekend ahead, and for the awareness of it, for it is fleeting.

When you're in the calm, are you thankful for it? Go on, be grateful!

i'm obsessed with these shrimp

Recently a couple of girlfriends and I spent a weekend in a small town tucked in the mountains of north Georgia. It's not a place to which one goes to be seen; it's a place to enjoy the view, stay in my pajamas all day, and nap for no reason other than because I feel like it.

Now I do love a fine restaurant experience, but in these times (and tiny towns), I love to cook and stay cozy at the cabin.

This dish is one I'd made several times before, but it was especially perfect for this trip. The ingredients are easily packable (no grocery store run needed), it only takes 30 minutes from start to finish, and there are zero leftovers. Ever.

Since then, I've cooked this dish a gazillion times and can't get enough. It's wicked-easy, but has just enough sophistication to jazz up a routine weeknight.

Garlicky Baked Shrimp
Serves 2-4

1 lb. large or extra large shrimp, peels and tails removed
3 Tbsp. white cooking wine
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
4 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 c. Panko bread crumbs
2 Tbsp. chopped parsley

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees, and grease a small casserole (I use an 8" square).


2. In a bowl, combine shrimp, wine and garlic, and toss to coat. Spread shrimp evenly in the baking dish, and season with salt and pepper.


3. In a small bowl, use a fork to mix melted butter, Panko bread crumbs, and parsley. Top the shrimp with the Panko mixture.


4. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and opaque.

I love to serve this with steamed broccoli and a green salad, to keep things super simple. Prepare those sides while the shrimp bake, and everything comes out ready to go at the same time.

And some other tips, because I can't help but over-share:

"Serves 2-4" is a joke. I could eat the entire pound of shrimp myself, so you'll need to adjust for your crowd. Seriously, these shrimp are like candy.

As for the shrimp, I've used frozen and fresh, depending on whatever is on sale, and both are fine. Just get large or extra large. 

So I can have the ingredients always handy (except for the shrimp), I use a parsley herb blend that comes in a refrigerated tube, like this:

You can find it in your grocery store's herb section, and it's an even substitute. Easy peasy.

That is all. Now go treat yourself to an easy and delicious meal.

catch-up monday

Listen up. Here's some of my summer in a quick photo purge.

And as a bonus, these first few from our company retreat have a very fine yellow filter.

I work with these gals all the time.

They're so fun.

And this one. She and I share a very deep love of Mississippi State, having both served there for many years.

She's so great that I spent two weeks in Italy with her. I can't say that of many.

These two I've known as coworkers and friends for 14 years. (What?!) Some of my very earliest memories of my career are with them. (That was back when we didn't know what we were getting into.)

We worked hard, but in the end there was this sunset that brought my heart rate back down.

Some girlfriends and I went to see a movie. These are work friends, too, and sometimes we dress alike.

Not on purpose.

This one got spectacles.
 

I wasn't convinced he could get much cuter, but he did. I can't take it.

And this one will not stop smiling.

All summer long. So happy.

Meanwhile, I've been darting all over the place for meetings. On one of those jaunts, I actually drove a Dodge Dart.

I couldn't help this snap. Those Darts. They're tiny.

On another one of those jaunts, on an airplane, I landed back home around 2:00 a.m. That was not worthy of a photo, I tell you.

I turned 37. I felt loved in so many ways.

My parents celebrated with me. My friends. I ate like a queen. I laughed til I cried. My mom's carrot cake. I loved that birthday.

There is more to share. It's been a summer full. Has yours been, too?

thankful thursday #225

Ooo wee, it's been a minute!

Gratitude. I need some. Shall we?

For all the traveling of late, thankful some of it was vacation.

Even though it wasn't for long, thankful some of that vacation included Little Man and the Littlest.

For some of the other work travel, thankful it was with and for people I really like to spend time with.

When a friend lost his dad last month, thankful I had a travel break that allowed me to mourn with his family.

In between all the travel, thankful to have had the chance to catch up with friends with long overdue visits.

Of those friends, thankful they are new and old, near and far.

Despite the heartbreak and pain running through the veins of people I love, thankful the Lord is not surprised by any of it.

When I wept silently in church a couple of weeks ago, thankful for the mystery of the Holy Spirit that convicts and comforts at the very same time.

What have you been appreciating (over the last month, gyah)? Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #224 (and bacon-wrapped dates)

I was invited to a friend's house this week for an hors d'oeuvres dinner, each person bringing their own dish to share.

It breaks every rule in the Book of Common Sense, but I experimented with a new recipe for the occasion, despite the fact that there would be people there who I'd never met.

Risky, I tell you. Ris. Ky.

But, as they say: no guts, no glory. And I'm thankful today for the glory.

Oh, these are naughty. In the very best way. They're single bites of goodness, so you may find yourself popping the entire two dozen into your mouth without knowing it.

(There are worse things.)

They require a little bit of time on the assembly, but as one who always balances cost and benefit, the benefit wins here. Trust me, and try them out at your next gathering -- even if you don't know everybody! They won't fail you.

Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Makes 2 dozen

8-oz. package of pitted dates (or around 24 dates)
1 4-oz. package of goat cheese
1 package bacon

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees, and line a large baking sheet with foil. (It'll be the easiest clean-up you'll ever know. And be sure that baking sheet has sides to catch any grease that goes rogue.)


2. Slice open each date lengthwise, careful to keep one side closed. I like to slice all the dates first, for the most efficient assembly.


3. Next, scoop goat cheese (maybe a teaspoon or so?) into the center of each date, and close each one back up. The cheese serves as a very delicious glue of sorts.


4. With a good knife, cut the entire package of bacon in half, so that each strip of bacon is now half as long. Wrap each date in a half-strip of bacon, and place on your pan, seam-side down.


5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until well browned.


6. Drain on a paper towel, and serve warm or at room temperature.

Sometimes a little bite of goodness makes for a very thankful heart. Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #223

This morning, my regular face cleanser was packed in my suitcase, so I used some back-up that hangs out permanently in my shower, for these very instances.

I used this particular cleanser for the first time precisely during a week last fall, in which I had my feelings hurt. The scent of that cleanser washing over my face took me right back to that sadness like a time machine.

Smells and sounds do that for me.

On the surface, maybe I'd wish that didn't happen. That the sadness couldn't creep back into my soul quite so easily, or unexpectedly.

It goes both ways, of course. Those smells and sounds trigger feelings both welcomed and not. Ones I want to remember, and ones I wish I could forget.

But after I felt the pinch of sad, I remembered the Lord's goodness and kindness to me during that time, when friends' faithfulness toward me was sustaining and life-giving. And I was thankful.

What sights and smells and sounds have sparked memories for you lately? Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #222

On the Thursday before Memorial Day, seven years ago, I flew to Wilmington, Delaware, for one of the most joyous weekends in the history of our immediate family.

We welcomed one of my favorites to our family.

 

(Aren't they handsome?)

We had all sorts of fun dancing.

Saw festive fireworks.

(And the Liberty Bell while we were nearby, because why not.)

 And we have these darlings to show for it, seven years later.

Every May, my perpetual calendar reminds me of that weekend, and every May, I'm grateful for it.

Marriage, I'm told, is a hard thing. And as a single gal, I'm thankful to have theirs to show me that the best things come from the hardest things.

Happy anniversary, you two. Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #221

Colla Voce's concert was on Monday.

I had fretted over it, because I was under-prepared and not sure that we'd have one soul in the audience other than my faithful friends and dear mom.

Dress rehearsal was, to put it mildly, not confidence-building.

But the show goes on anyway. Every time.

We ascended into this choir loft, backed by majestic stained glass.

And we sang, our voices shored up by the organ pipes surrounding us.

It was not perfect, but it was heartfelt.

And there were many more souls in the pews than my faithful friends and dear mom.

I was thankful to participate.

What have you participated in recently? Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #220 (of the throwback variety)

Magic happens around a dinner table and good meals, I believe.

It's been one year since I was in Italy with seven other girls, two of whom I knew well, one a little less well, and four I had never met.

When I reminisce about that trip, it is still remarkable to me that what could have been a recipe for disaster, in fact was not.

Because this.

It was our first dinner meal together, and we happened on a restaurant that apparently had no room at the inn.

The hostess said they had no tables for a party of eight, but the owner thought otherwise.

He led us into the alley behind the cafe, unlocked a roll-up door, and ushered us into his private wine cellar. The staff set folding chairs around that rustic farmhouse table, poured us some wine, and offered us a perfectly charming space where strangers became friends.

Isn't that so fun?

I wish I were back there often. The smells, the tastes, the sights, and the laughs. Oh my goodness, the laughs.

And that table is where it all began.

I'm thankful for that table, that wine, that food, and for such a sweet memory, one year later.

When was your last family dinner? Whether just yesterday or one year ago, go on, be grateful!

right about now (the one where the rain has temporarily stopped)

Other than the torrential rains we've had around here, here are some random bits of life happening in my world, right about now:

snacking: often on Greek yogurt, with a small handful each of chopped walnuts, coconut flakes, and chocolate chips for mix-ins. It's my latest go-to sweet snack. (Because for all of its awesome, quinoa can't satisfy every craving.)

loving: Stack candles. As with most fragrances, my favorite is rarely another's, but I haven't sniffed one I didn't like. I think they're perfect hostess or housewarming happies, but they're also a nice treat to keep your own home smelling dreamy. But regardless of your purpose, it's a sweet story to share in a smell-good package. They are available in several shops around Birmingham, but you can order online, too.

reading: this book, that was just awarded the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

excited about: a Mother's Day outing next weekend. My cousin and I are taking our moms out for a girls' day of brunching and antiquing here:

 

I think I'll be overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all (just a peek on here gives me anxiety), but it'll be worth it. Time spent with the moms is one of the best gifts.

missing: this guy's baby smell.

trying to: be diligent about running in the mornings while the humidity is low and the temperatures are pleasant. Because well, it's fleeting.

enjoying: the fact that I purchased a couple of Christmas gifts recently. In April. I've told myself forever that I'd like to buy gifts throughout the year to ration out the spending. Maybe this is my year.

using: these gardening clogs when I go outside to feed the koi every morning. Just wearing these is the closest I'll ever come to gardening, I think. And they're pretty geeky. A lot to be proud about here.

wearing: a lot of Gap clothes this spring. That store is so hit-or-miss for me, but the sales have been clutch, and the styles have been fun.

waiting on: a recommendation for a series to binge-watch on Netflix. Bloodline was my latest win. What was yours?

planning: how to best slice up and frame some selected t-shirts from this purge project:

There are a few in a separate, much smaller pile that I'd like to save for the memories. And I'm not tackling a t-shirt quilt, for sure.

singing: a boatload of wrong notes in preparation for a concert next week. Dress rehearsal last night was ugly. Pray me through it, guys. Pray me through it.

needing: to finish the photo book from Italy 2014. Now I know why wedding photo albums take a year to complete. Mercy.

listening: to Sandra McCracken's new album, Psalms.

I'm telling you, people: Get this album, and listen to it over and over again. The psalms are life-giving.

learning: that I should listen to songs of scripture like those psalms more often. Those truths permeate my heart so much deeper when I do.

wishing for: good things as this one transitions into big-brotherhood.

If we're lucky, we grow up with siblings who become friends, but when you're three, you don't know that potential. So far, so good.

When it's not raining where you are, what're you up to, right about now?