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Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Four Ways to Pray During Times of Uncertainty

Times of uncertainty are definitely upon us, as we navigate the times of wildfires, locusts, and pandemic viruses. Now is the time we should lean into Jesus.

I have been wide awake during the middle of the night on multiple occasions over the last few weeks. I recently read in my Lenten Devotional a passage that has really stuck with me:

"In various eras throughout history, humankind has become so impressed with our own accomplishments that we have brought into the lies that chaos can be eliminated through human diligence and perseverance. Disease can be eradicated, wars rendered obsolete, and poverty eliminated."

This isn't true! We can't do any of those things without our King. Jesus will show and guide our way, but we must believe in him. Evil is creeping in and when chaos and fears rear their ugly heads, we must lean into Jesus!

I woke up again this morning with unparalleled anxiety. I was shaking. I began reverently praying and then crying. I spoke with a dear friend and told her that Jesus is trying to tell us something. He is! We must listen!

I proceeded on my morning routine, shaken. I read my devotional and then began to think about the words. Maybe what Jesus is trying to tell us is that we are so proud of ourselves; the cynicism, the routine, the monotony of our society that we turn a blind eye and neglect our faith. He is now making us examine our own hearts before Him as we bear witness to our sins and our mistakes.

Jesus is trying to make us stop, be still, relish in Him. Be with the people that matter. Lean into our faith and stop the evil around us. What are you doing to be more like Him, to confide in Him, to get you closer to those pearly gates?

When I can't do anything else, I stop and pray.

Four Ways to Pray During Times of Uncertainty:
1)Reflect on Scripture. Use a prayer straight from the Bible.

2) Pray with others.
This maybe harder than usual, but we can FaceTime, Zoom, or just pray with those around us.

3)Ask others to pray for you.
This one is so hard. Asking someone to pray for you, being so vulnerable can sometimes be the moment you are closest to God.

4)Thanking God for his grace and refuge through every high and low.
Pray with your paper in front of you and talk through each thing you've written down.


Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Seattle Travel Guide


Pike Place Market 

 

Restaurants Inside Pike Place
-Piroshky Piroshky 
-Market Grill 
-The First Starbucks
-Beecher's Handmade Cheese Cafe (try the "World's Best Mac & Cheese)


Gum Wall under Pike Place Market 
{a  S E A T T L E  must}



Starbucks Reserve 







I came here with a colleague one night for Happy Hour. Would definitely recommend ordering multiple small plates and sharing so you can taste multiple dishes. The atmosphere was fun. Coffee shop vibes with wine, live plants and chic decor. The servers were perfect, delicious food and dessert! Try this one out! 



Taking a trip up to the top of the Space Needle is iconic and touristy but I feel like you have to do it at least once! It's a little pricey but the history behind this landmark is especially cool. If you don't do it for the history lesson do it for the homemade BBQ chips and a glass of rose! The views are okay too!








I met some sweet friends inside the Space Needle one afternoon while wandering the city by myself. 
We ended up going down to Cloudburst Brewery for some beers and more exploring around the city. 
I had the Two Scoops & it was absolutely delicious! 


Seattle is a beautiful city full of recycling, edgy vibes. I would love to explore more especially during the summertime and without the chaos of a pandemic virus. Restaurants and schools were {already} closed and the tourist and local populations were almost nonexistent. Much like what has finally reached the rest of the country now. 

Restaurants I would have loved to try:


Monday, May 27, 2019

Tomato Pie



I saw the recipe for Tomato Pie via Natalie at Designer Bags & Dirty Diapers, then did a little more research and adapted the recipe to suit mine and my family's tastes. The only problem is I wish I would have made this sooner! This recipe will be a staple in our nightly dinner routine, all summer long! Served up with a side salad and it is the perfect meal or even great for brunch.

Tomato Pie
4-6 medium sized tomatoes, sliced thinly
1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayo
1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
2 T. parsley, chopped
2 T. green onions, chopped
salt, pepper, and garlic powder
2, 9" refrigerated pie crust
handful of cherry tomatoes, various colors

Directions:
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 
  • Cook bacon on cookie sheet 15 minutes until crispy. Crumble. 
  • Bake pie shell for 10-15 minutes. 
  • Wash and slice tomatoes and lay on paper towels to dry out. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic. Pat dry to remove extra moisture. 
  • Allow tomatoes to drain on paper towels for 30 minutes to an hour. Layer tomatoes in the bottom of par-baked pie crust. 
  • Add half the crumbled bacon on top of the layer of tomatoes. 
  • Put a second layer of tomatoes on top of the bacon. 
  • Top the second layer of tomatoes with bacon. 
  • Mix sour cream, mayo, cheese, and herbs. Season as needed. 
  • Add the mixture to the top of the tomato pie. The mixture will be thick, use spatula to smooth out. Spread to cover the entire pie. 
  • Bake at 375 degrees F for 25-30 minutes depending on oven. Tomato pie should be brown and bubbly. 
  • Allow pie to cool before slicing. Reheat if desired. Tomato pie will be slightly messy, if you slice into it too early. 
  • Enjoy this tomato pie both hot and cold! 

Friday, May 10, 2019

Mother's Day Brunch










Simple Brunch at home are possibly my favorite. Well, I probably like them in a restaurant more, then I don't have to do the dishes. This quiche is a tried and true recipe. Swap out the bacon for some ham, sausage, or whatever you prefer as well with the veggies and cheese. I love making this a little more fancy by setting the table, adding fresh fruit, mini muffins from the supermarket, and serving mimosas. Coffee is standard. Hope all of you beautiful mommas have a fabulous Mother's Day! Enjoy!

Bacon, Spinach, & Swiss Quiche
6 large eggs, beaten 
4 oz. plain Greek yogurt 
1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups chopped spinach 
1 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
1, 9" refrigerated pie crust

Directions:
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 
  • Combine eggs, Greek yogurt, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl, food processor, or blender. 
  • Layer cooked and crumbled bacon, spinach, and cheese in the bottom of the pie crust, then pour the egg mixture on top. Bake for 35-45 minutes until the egg is set. Makes 8 servings. 

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Garlicky Green Beans with Pine Nuts



These Garlicky Green Beans with Pine Nuts are single handedly the most uncomplicated side dish EVER. They really pack on the flavor. Simple ingredients, easy steps, lots of bang for your buck. That girl is a real crowd pleaser. I hope you enjoy!

Garlicky Green Beans with Pine Nuts 
1.5 lbs. of green beans
1 T. avocado or olive oil
1 T. butter
2 T. garlic, minced
1/3 cup pine nuts 

Directions:
  • Steam green beans in microwave or in a pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 2-4 minutes. 
  • Then heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute. Add the pine nuts and cook until golden brown and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Drain the green beans and transfer to the skillet. Add  salt and pepper and toss to coat. Transfer to a serving bowl. 

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

In Five Years..

I read something today, that really made me think. The question comes about often in life and in education, where will you be at in five years? I am, honestly, not sure why this question seemed to intrigue me so much today, as it never really has before. Sure, I have goals, dreams, desires. But really, where will I be in five years..?

The fact of the matter is.. I am a completely different person to who I was five years ago.. This person that I am now, writing this, didn't exist at all.

Experiences change you.

People change you.

Bitterness changes you.

Love, happiness, grief, desire, restlessness, hope.

Feelings.

They all change you.

This person of five years ago, didn't exist at all. Will the same thing happen in the next five years..
I sure hope so.

Staying stagnant, isn't something I plan to accomplish. I want to live. I want to be free. I want to experience all of the things. Planned. Or spontaneous.

When people say, "You've changed.." I want to say, "You're damn right!.. I have!"
I want to take MY world by storm. Caution, what's that?

Change isn't something to fear. It is something to embrace.

So, where will I be in five years? I can't wait to find out..


Friday, February 8, 2019

These Are the Days of Our Lives

I'm not perfect. I struggle. I am hard on myself. We all are. My mind wanders. I don't always pay attention. I take these precious moments for granted. I doubt myself. But the moment when he puts his tiny hand in mine, whispering over and over, "Momma, I love you. You are the most beautiful girl in the whole world." I wish time could stop. Slow down. Let me savor these moments, just a little while longer.

This stage of life, is the one, where every old person you meet, tells you, "You're going to miss this." And while you don't want to accept the harsh reality, you know it's true. I am going to miss...

This stage of life, that is full of sticky fingers, messy houses ridden with toys, ear infections, and crying over snotty noses and spilt milk (literally). When your babies snuggle together on the couch every Saturday morning watching cartoons, waiting for the coffee to brew so you can make donut runs in your pajamas.

It's the days when you call your mom in the middle of the night crying because you don't want your babies to grow up, and simply wondering how she used to do it all.. This is also the stage of life where getting to watch your parents become grandparents might be the greatest thing you'll ever witness.

These are the days when your amazement and wonder is lived through the eyes of your children... as they celebrate Christmas, see fireworks for the first time, and pretend they are astronauts soaring into space, (when in actuality they are jumping off your couch for the forty-seventh time in the last twenty minutes).

This is the stage of life where everything is new, fun and magical. Days filled with costumes, little league, dance parties, bubble baths, play dates, and birthday parties.

Motherhood is single handedly the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done. I wouldn't change 5 am wake up calls with slobbery kisses for the world.



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