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This & That

Oh those that just know what they want. You know, that friend or cousin who somehow miraculously knew from birth they wanted to be a teacher, doctor, marine biologist, etc. and they stayed the path and that’s what they are. Those ones. They probably have lived in the same house forever- like their kids get married in the backyard kind of house. They are settled, grounded, content. I am not this person.

I have always wanted to do a million different things. I also really like to start things. Hey, it’s the fun part! I was just thinking, the other day, about all the things I have wanted to do or have done or tried. Here it goes…

Kindergarten teacher, nurse, CNA, wife, mom, medical assistant, wedding coordinator, doula, receptionist, restaurant hostess, Scentsy consultant, pastor’s wife, lactation educator, childbirth education instructor, author, worship leader, It Works! consultant, house flipper, professional party thrower, baker, entrepreneur of really anything, preschool teacher, massage therapist, teacher and preacher, blogger, financial aid assistant community college, esthetician, (I think that’s it).

And, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up! Jeez Louis!

My husband and I were just having a conversation with our son last night about the moves we have made and possible future ones. One thing I do love about the unknown is the trying. We tried. We are trying. How do you know if you don’t try? That was the heart of the conversation. Our children will know the lived out definition of trying. I don’t know if they will just know how they want to spend their adult years or if they will try out to find out. They do have the confidence of “everything will be okay” because, guess what?, it always is. It’s not always easy or fun or pretty, but it’s always okay. I’m not sure if knowing and being settled and carrying out your future focused and on a path already wandered is easy or pretty or fun. I would guess, not always. Either way, I think we all have a little bit of this and that. Some of us figure it out earlier than others. This is the beauty of life. The beauty of new beginnings and old familiarities.

So, cheers to the unknown, to the risks we take, to the steady path, to life itself. I pray wherever you are on this spectrum, that you be you. Don’t settle or shy away from the hard stuff or the risks or the unknown. I’m preachin’ to myself, just so you know…

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Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

No, I don’t. I’m all about honesty here. My 9 year old baby girl actually asked me if I wanted to join her outside for a snowball fight and I sweetly declined and countered with, “But I’ll build a snowman with you”. So, I put on warm clothes and headed outside to be a “fun” mom. Ha! But seriously, I want to be fun, just my fun doesn’t equal kid fun. Does anyone know what I’m talking about or are you all going to leave me here in my selfishness alone?

Okay, so we head out and immediately she tells me I’m making my snowball wrong. I haven’t talked about the Enneagram on here yet, and I don’t know how much I will, but if you know anything about it, I’m a 9, The Peacemaker. One thing about The Peacemaker is when they aren’t “healthy” or maybe not doing something they want to do it matters how you say things to them. Yes, you know where I’m going with this. I got irritated, real fast. I’m not proud of it, but it’s the truth. Thank You, Jesus, You calmed my heart immediately as I apologized and we built a snowman. An awesome one, by the way. He had gum “coal” for eyes that I got in a white elephant gift on Christmas, a plastic carrot nose, buttons and top hat, Russell’s scarf, and sticks for arms. He is ADORABLE! His name is Calvin and we love him.

I can hear the whisper of my Heavenly Father, end this afternoon with a snowball fight and tell her at the end it’s time to go in for hot cocoa. I love the simplicity of redemption. I would love if she only remembers the good part about this afternoon, but even more so, I pray she remembers I chose HER. I didn’t let my selfishness or pride ruin what ended up being such an incredible time. I love my girl, so so much and if that’s all she remembers, I’m good with that too.

P.S. So, I didn’t take a picture of our handsome snowman the day we made him. I did the next morning and as you can see, his gum “coal” eyes bled in the snow and now it looks like our Calvin has two black eyes… Oh, and he’s lost a button.

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Artichoke Antipasto Pasta

This dish is my of my family’s absolute favorites. I hope it will become one of yours too! This plant based dish will appease any eater, is easily doubled to feed a crowd, and see the notes below for other suggestions on how to serve.

Ingredients:

1 12oz jar Trader Joe’s Artichoke Antipasto

1 16oz package of Brown Rice Pasta (I use Fusilli or Penne from Trader Joe’s)

1 medium yellow Onion minced

3-4 cloves Garlic minced

1 bunch Asparagus chopped

1 12oz jar Fire Roasted Red Peppers chopped

1/2 pint of Cherry Tomatoes cut in half

Sun-dried Tomatoes (in the bag, not packed in oil)

Directions:

Prep all your vegetables.

Prepare pasta according to directions, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.

While your pasta is cooking, heat a deep edged pan on medium-high heat. Add a few tablespoons of water (it should sizzle), add onions, and reduce to medium heat. Sauté for about 3 minutes. You may need to add more as needed to keep the onions from sticking. Now add the garlic and continue to sauté until the onions are translucent and the garlic releases it’s glorious aroma, about 2-3 minutes. Add your chopped asparagus and more water if needed. Sauté until asparagus begins to tender, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the roasted red peppers and pour in your jar of Artichoke Antipasto. Let the flavors blend. Now add cherry tomatoes, we just want them to wrinkle a bit, not get mushy. Add your cooked pasta and combine gently. I add some pasta water at this point to make the dish nice and creamy. How much you add is up to you. Throw in some sun-dried tomatoes or add as a topping to the individual servings. ENJOY!

Notes:

This dish is plant-based, vegan, vegetarian, sugar-free, and soy-free. Our family eats this as a full course, but you can easily adjust to your liking. Add parmesan or mozzarella cheese, grilled chicken, or seared steak. Serve with fresh-baked bread and a butter lettuce salad with balsamic vinaigrette.

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Chop Slice Dice

Trader Joe’s. Fresh Herbs. Farmer’s Market. Crisp Vegetables. Plump Fruit.

These are a few of my favorite things. The sounds, textures, aromas. I just love it! I, for real, tell the checker at Trader Joe’s nearly every time how thankful I am and how much I love and appreciate the store. It’s my happy place. And the flowers. Oh, the flowers! I have to say, too, I savor going alone. I can look, read, smell, and contemplate as long as I want to. With my list in hand and senses heightened I am like a hunter in the woods. I am gathering and preparing to nourish my family. It’s the good life.

Channel Islands Harbor Farmer’s Market in Oxnard, California is one of my favorite places I’ve ever been. The gentle harbor breeze, my canvas sac filled with baguettes and flowers, the sweetest juiciest strawberries, and the creamiest avocados ever!

When I get home with my goods, the fun continues. I carefully place the produce in my galvanized tray. Such delight when it’s brimming full! My refrigerated items are organized in their drawer and the dry goods are unpacked into jars in the pantry. Everything in its place ready to be prepared and enjoyed.

You many think I’m nuts or you may be like me. Either way, this is a place I find joy. I pray you have something that brings you joy. I pray it’s something simple. I pray it’s not difficult or expensive. Why? Because you will do it more. This is something I do that is considered an errand, a chore, but because I find such joy is has become sacred, special. I picture our family gathered at the table, making breakfast together on Saturday morning, and preparing the several PB&J’s for the week. Putting those special items my family requested in the cart is a way I can show them I love them, I hear them, and they matter to me.

Find something that brings you joy and DO IT!

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This is Significant

What to do when we don’t like our ordinary everyday life enough to even attempt to make moments sacred?

I can think of so many everyday moments that I chose to see as special. Even if just I realize it or take it in as extraordinary. For instances, when I pick up my daughter from school and that moment our eyes lock and we are so happy to see each other. Or hearing the kids laughing so hard. And when my husband walks in the door and I can’t wait to kiss his lips. These moments.

I don’t claim, ever, to have all the answers. I just want to share what I’ve learned and in turn, learn from you. So, what do you do when the everyday mundane wears on you so heavily that it’s hard to be grateful? Do you ever feel guilty because you’re sad and you really have no reason to be? I mean, sure life is not perfect and we all have areas to learn and grow, but I have a home and food and clothes on my back. I have Jesus. But sometimes I have a hard time pushing through the e v e r y d a y.

It can feel lonely and passionless. It can feel like all the million little things you do are pointless. The other morning I realized I will fix my children breakfast, pack their school lunches, and serve dinner for 22 years. Now, I know many of you reading this will have many more years than that, but the thought hit me while making making breakfast and packing lunches. Sometimes the really important stuff can seem so unseen, therefore we can feel unseen, unappreciated.

So, here’s what I am going to do.

I heard a snip-it from a sermon by Pastor Steven Furtick and he was saying the things that don’t seem significant (like packing lunches) say, “This is significant” as you do it. I’m going to say, “This is significant” and I’m going to practice meaning it. I’m going to show my Heavenly Father that I will be faithful with what He has gifted me.

In the mundane, in the everyday, I will keep on going. I will keep on looking for the moments I can hold on tight to, even if it’s in the midst of my hard. When I feel alone, I will pray. When I feel passionless, I will dance. In the million little insignificant things, I will chose to make them sacred. E V E R Y D A Y is a gift, even when it feels like just another day. I have found, it’s truly all about perspective.

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November

Not that I need it, but boy do I appreciate a reason to show and express my thankfulness. November is known as the “Thankful Month” and I love it! I decided this year to cut up card stock into 3.25×2.25 inch rectangles in orange, green, red, and yellow. A different color for each of us. Everyday this month we will write one thing we are thankful for and place it in a jar, our Grateful Grandmont’s jar. Yes, it has to be different everyday and it has to be done before we gather for dinner. To be honest, I’m not sure what we will do with them. Maybe read them aloud or put them away with our fall decorations to pull out next year and remember. I’m not quite sure, but I’ll let you know.

Remember.

Don’t forget.

Traditions, they help us to remember, to not forget. Traveling, hosting, preparing, and gathering. These capture every one of our senses. The smell of pumpkin pie, the sound of the timer of every 20 minutes to baste the turkey, holding the greasy “chicken stick” (aka turkey leg) as I say what I’m thankful for, watching my family just be together, and the taste of mashed potatoes on a fresh baked roll. Of course these just skim the surface. I could go on and on. Traditions remind us where we have been, how much the kids have grown. They bring us to laughter and tears. We tell stories of old, while making memories of new.

Guess what I just realized, seriously, just right now.

remEMBER

novEMBER

decEMBER

This cannot be a coincidence. More on that to come!

This November, I pray John 14:26 over you and me… “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” May we not only remember our traditions and past celebrations, but also what Jesus has done for us. Holy Spirit, I pray you bring to remembrance all that You have said to us.

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Car Dancing

This morning I was honored to be part of a conversation about courage and strength. These qualities seem to have a natural nemesis: fear. So, it got us talking about fear. One of the questions posed was, “What would your life look like if you lived without fear?”. My immediate response was, “I have no idea.”.  The ladies gave such eloquent, beautiful, thought out answers. Some said they would live more boldly and do more. Another shared that they would have more joy because they wouldn’t be so fearful of what the future holds. 

This question has lingered within me all day.

My conclusion: I would have so much FUN!

So, here’s the deal. Without overthinking or going into some internal weird place, I came to the realization that most of my decisions are fear based. Like, car dancing. Yes! You know when you really want to or you are, but then a car pulls up next to you and you either stop or simmer way down? Why? Well, honestly, deep down, it’s a fear they will laugh or think I am silly or crazy. I don’t even know this guy! Fear. It creeps in all too easily.

I began to pay attention to my every day, my ordinary. Do I compliment the stranger on her cute shoes? Do thank the cashier for always being so kind. Do I wear those new earrings? Do I strike up a conversation with the sweet lady behind me in the Starbucks line? I have a thing about complimenting others, particularly strangers. Ninety-two percent of the time I do it. I just do it! Once I really felt the Lord asking me to tell a woman how beautiful she was. I heard others around making comments that were less than kind. I found myself entangled in fear and I didn’t do it. I regret it and think about to this day. That was seven or eight years ago. I tend to think, how would I respond if a stranger approached me and said that? I think, I would be so blessed and it would make my day! 

What do I do when I see people car dancing? I watch, I smile, and sometimes a laugh pops out. They are so joyful, so into the song, so not caring about what anyone else thinks. They are my inspiration. I will forever and ever car dance. I will do it when I feel like it. I will do it when I don’t feel like it, because car dancing can change my whole day. It can turn my sadness or too seriousness or my anger into joy. Fear, in my life, is the illusion that I have control over things that I do not. No, I cannot control how a stranger responds to my smile or kind gesture, but I can be courageous and do it. No, I cannot jump into the future and see how my close friend will respond to a hard conversation we need to have, but I can have the strength to do it anyway. Living without fear would open up the floodgates to passion, joy, and adventure I can’t even imagine. I don’t think I’ll ever nail it, completely, but I will die trying. I’m going to start with dancing, in the car. 

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Fresh and Clean

What do you think of when you hear these words? 

A brand-new baby? Maybe a new pair of kicks? The beginning of each new day? A fresh coat of paint? That new car-smell? The changing of seasons? OutKast lyrics dancing in your head?

To me, one of the first things that comes to mind is a new house, a place to make a home. My family and I have moved quite a bit in the past seven years and I love me a new house. In fact, we have moved nine times. I have to admit, I enjoy newness, fresh beginnings.

Today I have been reading through some of my old journals. It’s amazing how old thoughts can bring new, fresh perspective. I looked back in October 2017 at an entry where I was enjoying the beach in Port Hueneme. I was walking along the shoreline, listening to the waves crash, my toes warm in the sand, searching for sand dollars. I have been to this particular stretch of beach many times as this was one of the moves we made in the past seven years. We lived 3 blocks from this beach. I have found at least one sand dollar EVERY single time I’ve searched, but not today. Not a trace of one.

See, sometimes we go to the place, the familiar place, where we find that thing, the thing we need. We think, if I can just get back to that place, that time, that memory, that routine, that feeling, I can find what I need, I can find myself, I can find that peace. Come to that place, but search for something new. You will find what you need, it just might not be what you expected. New, we need new. We need fresh.

Sometimes we go to these places that are so ordinary and familiar to us and they are made sacred. Moments happen that we cannot longer call mundane or routine or just because. They are imprinted on our hearts, they change us. Expect something new, something sacred in an ordinary moment, a familiar place. Beautiful things are coming. Fresh and new is upon us. Choose to see it, feel it, embrace it.

Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is!– Isaiah 43:19 (MSG)

This Scripture takes the pressure off of us. We don’t have to work so hard at trying to find what we need, or what we think we need. He gives us simple instructions: Be Alert and Be Present. 

We have an opportunity right now, today. It’s a fresh month, a new season. Let’s be present in our ordinary moments and make them sacred. 

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The Turkey!

“The turkey is still in the freezer!” The first thought I had when I woke up this morning. It jolted me to full consciousness as I ran down the stairs to put it in the refrigerator! What a way to start my day. This got me thinking… a turkey jolted me out of bed. Not many things can jolt me out of bed. I’m a deep sleeper and I love it. Not only did it jolt me out of bed, but it kept me out of bed. As many of you, I have much preparations still to make before the beloved “Turkey Day”. I still need to grocery shop, clean my house for company, and finalize my centerpieces. We may not all host, but we all prepare in one way or another. For most, this is the biggest meal of the year. 

Sometimes I think we get down on ourselves too much that it shouldn’t be all about the food. This is a time to be thankful for all we have, not be greedy with this huge meal when others are starving. Yes, I can agree. But, I also beg to differ. I’m going to be honest here… it’s not my favorite food. Don’t get me wrong, I can eat my weight in mashed potatoes and rolls, but that’s about all I like. My favorite part, why I prepare the way I do, is what the food does to us. It causes us the GATHER and SIT AT THE TABLE. It’s the one meal of the year we sit for a long time and talk and laugh and yes, say what we are thankful for. 

I don’t know what your Thanksgiving looks like, but let us take this opportunity at the table to “break bread and eat food with gladness and simplicity of heart” Acts 2:46c.

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Legacy

Legacy… Generation to Generation…
What does this mean to you? 
As we get closer and closer to the Holiday Season, it’s this time of year I think about what traditions we hold dear, what my children will remember, and possibly what customs they will carry on one day. I think sometimes we can idealize legacy with the thought, “If I don’t do something big and super important than I don’t have a legacy.” I know I have thought this and sometimes still do. 

Well, we know the Man who lived the greatest life and left the most important legacy of all, Jesus. I started to really think about His life in it’s entirety. Yes, He gave the ultimate sacrifice, dying on the cross for every sin we will ever commit, tearing the veil so we can commune with Him at all times, and then rose again defeating death, FOREVER. He ascended into heaven and promised to return for us. Every generation to come that acknowledges Jesus as their Creator and Savior is part of this incredible legacy. 

For a moment, lets look into the way Jesus lived His life. Before His big, super important (the most important ever!) moment at the end of His days on earth, He did a lot of “little, mundane” things. He had 12 best friends that He spent time with, ate with, laughed with. He was a faithful Son to His earthly parents and Heavenly Father. He gave His full attention to little children, widows, and sinners. He told stories and fed the hungry. Those whom were close to Jesus and knew Him, they don’t only remember His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection. They remember the sound of His voice, the way His arms embraced them with His hugs, the look in His eyes when He healed people’s broken hearts. 

We get the chance to leave an incredible legacy, just like Jesus did. He is our ultimate example of how to live. Lets laugh with our loved ones, look into their eyes when they have a broken heart, hug them tight… just because. Legacy does not mean changing the world hundreds, thousands, millions at a time. Legacy is our children, our families, our friendships. It’s not being a savior, it’s trusting in our Savior. He did the BIG SUPER IMPORTANT… We get to do the “little”, everyday. I bet if you asked one of Jesus’ disciples what they remember most about Jesus, it would not be His death, it would be something about His everyday, unwavering character. Ultimately, it’s all about love.

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 22:36-39