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?

sibling love

I've been thinking so much about siblings lately.

I'm one of three.

And then there are these two new siblings in our family.

Recently my uncle turned seventy. There was a small surprise party, and a slew of family, both expected and unexpected, came to celebrate.

He was surprised.

All three of his siblings were there.

I love it when these four are together. They have such good stories from growing up. They laugh a lot. There's usually a corny musical break-out involved.

They're generally wonderful at celebrating each other, and enjoying time spent together. To have known that for as long as I can remember is such a gift.

On the road home, I reflected on these four. They are each different, of course, but I love their common thread. Beyond their memories, the laughs that erupt when they're together, and their singing, they share a beautiful undercurrent of a desire to help and serve other people. Their kids, their friends, their churches, their neighbors.

If siblings are ever meant to leave a collective legacy, based on some divine thread of DNA, I cannot think of a better one.

So for these three.

And these two.

I don't know what our legacies will be, as units. I'm not even convinced we have much control over it.

But I'm so glad for the inspiration from the generation before us.

thankful thursday #219

Let's discuss the random thankfulness for the week, in pictures. Yes?

Before I left on a marathon travel week last weekend, I did a little purging.

Not really. I did a lot of purging. It's good to feel some space.

I met the Littlest in person! He's pretty sweet.

When he wasn't as peaceful, this ball was a savior.

He likes to bounce, you know.

And then, because it's the week of the babe, I visited this gal and her newbie.

I'm so thankful my job gets me to parts of the country where my far-away friends are. Those visits tucked in between meetings make for delightful trips. Truly.

And of course this one. It's miraculous I bound him for more than two seconds for a quick snap. He is such a joy.

It's been a full week, and I feel rich from the thrill of it all.

What happy is filling you this week? Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #218

I have so much to say about this photo.

For now, though, while my heart melts away, I'll just be thankful to have these two littles in my world. How lucky I am.

What's got your heart melting this week? Go on, be grateful!

quinoa burgers

What? Yes.

I might call it a quinoa cake, instead of a burger. It's a mockery of real burgers, I think, because those are worthy of a delicious roll, gooey condiments, melty cheeses, and special toppers.

And this rascal is not intended to be a vehicle for those good things.

But it is a creative way to package quinoa, one of my favorite new protein-packed side items. So there's that.

I think these are particularly tasty when cooked in a cast iron skillet (thank you, Lori, for the hand-me-down). And you have to commit to the low-and-slow method. Otherwise they'll burn and fall apart, which is a complete waste.

Quinoa Burgers Cakes
Makes 6-8

2 rounded cups cooked quinoa (follow directions on package)
1 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 c. low-fat cottage cheese
1 medium carrot, finely grated
3 eggs
3 Tbsp. all purpose flour
2 green onions, chopped (including white parts)
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
olive oil for frying

1. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together, except the olive oil.


2. Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet on medium low heat. Mixture will be slightly sticky, so using a large spoon or 1/4 cup measuring cup, drop mixture into the pan and lightly flatten to about a 1/2-inch thickness.


3. Fry until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes on each side.

I should also note that surprisingly, these are very fine to reheat.

So if you're digging on quinoa like me, try them for a punch of variety.

thankful thursday #217

One of my least favorite questions to field from others (no matter how sincere) is this:

What's new in your world?

(And to be honest, I ask it of others regularly. Whatever.)

Because a snarky response like this generally rolls through my mind:

I'm still working at the same job, continuing to pay my bills, goin' to church, occasionally traveling, volunteering here and there, blahhhh.

Not much new most of the time, at least on the surface.

There are certainly seasons where subtle shifts take place, like last fall, and there are times when bigger changes happen that are private, and in other stretches my heart is in transition.

In other words, not the makings of a conventional, comfortable answer to a conventional, comfortable What's new?

While some subtle shifting began many months ago in my world, some tangible manifestations are coming forth, including some new friendships that take time and energy to nurture.

Last night, after a nice long run with one of these friends, we went in our sweaty workout clothes to enjoy Mexican food on a restaurant patio with live music. Because why not?

It was nice. Easy conversation, openness and transparency. New. Refreshing.

A nod to Spring that made me grateful.

What things are coming up new in your world? Go on, be grateful!

i finally tried kale

The super foods.

I tell you, between my newfound love of quinoa, coconut oil, and now kale, I barely recognize myself.

This past weekend I made this taco skillet, which was a low-risk, non-intimidating way to ease into the kale craze. I also serve it over a bed of spinach and kale, so I pack in some extra nutritional something-or-other as a bonus. Or so they tell me.

Taco Skillet That Will Make You Feel Uber-Healthy
Serves 4-6

1 lb. ground chicken breast or turkey breast
1 medium onion, chopped
2 bell peppers, diced
1 can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
1 can cannellini beans (aka, navy beans or great northern beans), drained
1 pkg. taco seasoning
3 c. chopped spinach and kale (I found a pre-mixed bag in my grocery's produce section)
salt and pepper, to taste
shredded cheese of choice, for topping
black olives, for topping
green onions, for topping

1. Season ground chicken with salt and pepper, then brown in a Dutch oven, over medium high heat.


2. Add onion and peppers until softened.


3. Add canned tomatoes, beans, and taco seasoning, and stir to combine.


4. Add greens and allow to wilt.


5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.


6. Serve over a bed of mixed greens (more spinach and kale if you want to be like me) and top with your favorites. (The toppings are optional, but I recommend them!)

I've eaten leftovers for lunch twice now, and this is a solid reheater, too.

Try it. You'll feel healthier just by telling your friends the recipe has kale in it.

i've been thinking about traveling

Traveling is so trendy, isn't it?

If you scroll through your insta-face-tweet feeds, I bet you see your friends in the most iconic locations, all across the globe:

The Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Macchi Pichu in Peru.
The Grand Canal in Venice.
The Masters in Augusta.
The so-and-so resort in Mexico.
The African safari.
Napa Valley in California.
The Strip in Vegas. 
Skiing in Colorado.
The Today Show in the Big Apple.

Almost a year ago, I personally posted a snap of the day for two straight weeks while in Italy. I'm one of these people.

Aren't there some magnificent wonders to behold? I sure think so.

Every time I visit a place for the first time or hundredth, or stay in a fancy hotel, or dine at a famous restaurant, I'm so grateful for the opportunity, for the resources that enable me to enjoy those times, for the people willing to wander with me, and for the God-given interest I have in experiencing cultures outside my normal.

It's a luxury, and I know it.

And God forgive me, it can be an idol, too, if I'm not careful.

I know this, because I find myself irritated by the endless posts of others' wanderlust in my own news feeds, and in the honest moments, I can't help but consider how I view travel, and whether or not I seek unwarranted fulfillment therein.

Let me confess, there's a dark place inside me that believes that when I get to travel for fun -- exotic or otherwise -- other people may envy me. They may think I lead a life more exciting than I do. I may appear adventurous (which I'm not), or spontaneous (which I'm not).

When did I ever start to believe those perceptions are important? Am I the only one that has those twisted motives?

Now listen. Some of my dearest, purest memories with family and friends were sewn into my being in the context of travel. They are treasures in my life.

But they're not the treasures.

There are other treasures -- treasures that are hidden on the home soil, with every day people -- that, in many ways, are more beautiful because they're hard-earned. Not easy or fun or luxurious, or spontaneous, extraordinary or adventurous.

They happen when a wayward child returns to her family.

Parents of a disabled child are ministered to by friends in their darkest times.

Siblings FaceTime with each other to catch up.

A mentally ill adult finds balance, even if only for a day.

A baby is baptized as a covenant child.

A baby is born, for crying out loud.

Y'all, these are the treasures that don't happen because you spend a ton of money to experience the vacation of a lifetime. They happen because you go about the business of daily faithfulness of loving your people and looking intentionally for the work of a very present God, exactly where you live.

So go and travel. Vacation in places that interest you. Post your photos and tell your stories. Be grateful about it all.

And check yourself as I must, that you're not traveling to achieve attention, status, or to boast.

The best wonders to behold are often right in front of you.

coconut oil is all the rage

Have you cooked with this stuff?

Over ninety percent of it is saturated fat (gasp), but research of late says it's good for you.

It's like how in the 80s, real butter was b-a-d for you, and then a few years ago margarine was an even worse alternative. Or how eggs used to give people heart attacks, and now they're excellent sources of protein.

Whatever. Regardless, coconut oil in all its trendiness was asking me to try it.

And there's no better food with which to experiment than my beloved sweet potato.

These are so tasty. I can't explain it. The coconut oil is like good make-up: it doesn't overshadow anything natural, just enhances it. The sweet of the potato is the perfect sweet.

Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Oil
Serves 4-6

Sweet potatoes (about 1 small one per person)
2 Tbsp. coconut oil
Kosher salt and ground pepper
Cinnamon, to taste
3-4 Tbsp. honey

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.


2. Peel and dice potatoes. Dice 'em up pretty small, into around 1/2" cubes. (They'll cook faster.)


3. Coconut oil has a super-high melting point, so it'll be solid in a jar when you buy it. Scoop out two tablespoons into a small skillet, and heat over medium heat until liquified.


4. Place potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with the coconut oil. Toss to coat. Add a couple of dashes of salt and a pinch of pepper, and toss again to combine.


5. Spread potatoes into a single layer on a large roasting pan (or a rimmed cookie sheet). Sprinkle with cinnamon, and drizzle lightly with honey. There is no measuring for this, but go subtle. (Remember, we're going for enhancement, not masking.)


6. Roast for 25-30 minutes, or until potatoes are soft.

That's it! So speedy, easy, and delicious, and notably as tasty when they're reheated. And apparently good-for-you.

(Until the next study on saturated fats.)

Enjoy!