Category Archives: Food
Ten Reasons I’ve Been MIA
It’s been awhile since I’ve gone ten days without a blog post! For you hangers-on, here are ten reasons for my absence: 1. We went to Florida for Spring Break, and in some comically-timed [or divinely ordained] sequence of events, … Continue reading
Posted in Art/Beautiful Things, Family, Family Activities, Food, God, gratitude, Kids, Marriage, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Nature/Outdoors, Play, Vacation
Tagged Florida, Recreation, Spring Break, Travel
4 Comments
Shovel It In, Kids. And Quiet Down While You’re At It.
How long does it take you to eat your lunch? And what’s on your lunch menu, generally speaking? Today I surprised my oldest and snuck up to school with a bag of processed goodness from a certain “Clown-Based Establishment” in … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Discoveries, Education, Family, Food, Kids in School, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Rants, Things I Don't Understand Thursday, Things that are STUPID
Tagged Capri Sun, Chips 'Ahoy, cookies, Eating, Food, Golden Arches, Lunch, lunch box, McDonald's, Potato chip, school, school cafeteria
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Valentine’s Day Part 1: Spread Some Love
Don’t we all wish there was a fool-proof recipe or some sort of silicon mold that promised to shape our children into the caring, generous, love-filled humans we want them to be? Or perhaps some magic powder we could sprinkle … Continue reading
Posted in Compassion, CRAZY kids, Decor/Organizing, Discipline Issues, Education, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, Food, God, gratitude, Holidays, Home, Kids, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Neighbors, Play, Random Fun, Recipe/Kitchen Success!, Seasons of Life, Things I Love!
Tagged Awana, character education, compassion, cookies, Family Fun, Family Time, generosity, Home, kindness, Love Wins, sharing love, Spreading Love, teaching your kids, Valentine's Day
2 Comments
Easy Meal Idea With a Side of Smiles
If you’ve been a long-time reader, you will know that my kitchen prowess is, well, a bit unpolished. That is to say, I should have auditioned for Anne Burrell’s Worst Cook in America. I’m sure I could put on quite … Continue reading
What Women Tell Me: Finding Freedom From The Secrets We Keep, by Anita Lustrea
“As a girl and young woman, I memorized hundreds of Scripture verses in vacation Bible school and in Sunday school. I grew up memorizing the hymn book. I didn’t, however, grow up understanding much about God’s grace and freedom.” [pg. … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Discipline Issues, Discoveries, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, Food, Friends, God, gratitude, Growing Pains, Heartbreak, Holidays, Home, Kids, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Literature/Books, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Music, Nature/Outdoors, Neighbors, Play, Prayer, Seasons of Life, Social Justice, Summer, Travel, Uncategorized, writing/work
Tagged Anita Lustrea, Bible, Christianity, Divine grace, God, Moody Bible Institute, Moody Radio, Religion and Spirituality, secrets, Sunday school, theology, United States
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New Year’s Eve Traditions
Contrary to the throngs of Time-Square-pounding, diamond-clad, smoky-eyed, horn-blowing ladies waving their champagne flutes to the thumping beat of the Black Eyed Peas, I was at home this New Year’s Eve wearing hoops and yoga pants, sporting mascara-free lashes and … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Family, Food, Friends, Gifts, gratitude, Holidays, Home, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Neighbors, Recipe/Kitchen Success!, Seasons of Life, Thngs I Love!, Uncategorized
Tagged Black Eyed Peas, China Dinnerware, Crystal Glasses, Dick Clark, Family Traditions, Grape juice, Michigan, new year, New Year's Eve, Ryan Seacrest, Time-Square
2 Comments
The Lure of Summer
My blogging aspirations for the summer have, quite obviously, fallen flat, dying the pathetic death that comes with goals left unattended. The weight of summer presses in on my heart and I am drawn, again and again, away from this … Continue reading
Posted in Discoveries, Family, Food, Friends, God, gratitude, Home, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Nature/Outdoors, Neighbors, Play, Random Fun, Silly Lists, Summer
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[A Different Kind of] St. Patty Green
Contrary to most St. Patrick’s Day festivities I’ve been privy to, we’re steering away from shamrocks and ale and making a B-line for healthy greens this Wednesday. Not because I’m a prude who doesn’t like cabbage or has nightmares about … Continue reading
WIN THIS BOOK!
Zondervan was gracious enough to provide me with a second copy of this book to pass along to my masses of spellbound and excited readers [cough]; to that end I am happy to launch a spiderweb contest to determine the … Continue reading
Posted in Contest, Discoveries, Faith, Family, Following Jesus, Food, Gifts, Giveaway!, God, gratitude, Home, Literature/Books, Matters of the Heart, Random Fun
Tagged Blog Giveaway, Contest, FREE BOOK, Gary Thomas, Prize, rules, win, Zondervan Publishers
12 Comments
An Apple At Dawn
It is before 5 am as I sit here with my apple. People who know me will realize that something is strangely amiss that I would be pulled from the warmth of the bed I love to descend to a … Continue reading
Posted in Discipline Issues, Faith, Fitness, Following Jesus, Food, Gifts, God, gratitude, Home, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Literature/Books, Matters of the Heart, Seasons of Life, Social Justice
Tagged "Pure Pleasure", addiction, clean water, dawn, detox, diet, FREE BOOK, Gary Thomas, gluttony, Haiti, hungry, rice, sleeplessness, submission, sugar, world hunger
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From “Pure Pleasure”
This coming February I will be taking part in a blog tour for Gary Thomas’ latest book, the phenomenal Pure Pleasure. When I was invited to do the review, the title intrigued me [subtitled: Why Do Christians Feel So Bad About … Continue reading
Posted in Discoveries, Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, Following Jesus, Food, Friends, Gifts, God, gratitude, Home, Literature/Books, Marriage, Matters of the Heart, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Music, Nature/Outdoors, Neighbors, Play, Seasons of Life
Tagged "Pure Pleasure", Book, Christmas, FREE BOOK, Gary Thomas, James 1:17, piety, pleasure, sex, Zondervan Publishers
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After-Hours Shopping = JOY
Friends, I have to say: If you’ve never ventured to the mall during the week of Christmas to enjoy Macy’s “open ’till 10″ schedule, or Kohl’s “open ’till midnight” promise, take advantage of it! Sunday night I managed to peel … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Discoveries, Food, Friends, Gifts, gratitude, Holidays, Home, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Music, Random Fun
Tagged busy, Christmas Shopping, groceries, Kohl's, Macy's, Meijer, peace, phone, Rivertown Mall
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No School!
Ah, the childlike joy of having school canceled–what thrill can compare in the mind of a 6 or 7 year old? Yesterday our kids had an unexpected day off due to a power-outage in their elementary building, followed up [with … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Food, Gifts, Holidays, Home, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Recipe/Kitchen Success!, Uncategorized
Tagged Blizzard, Breakfast, Christmas, cinnamon rolls, Montana, oven, raisins, recipe, Rhodes Bread Dough, Snow Day, yoga
2 Comments
It Must Be Raindrops…
I grew up listening to Oldies, and to this day I still enjoy a sugary doo-wop song or something that emerged from Motown at the height of its glory. I love The Platters, The Fleetwoods, Martha & the Vandellas…pretty much … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized, Family, Faith, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Seasons of Life, Kids, Home, Food, Heartbreak, Holidays, gratitude, Growing Pains, God, Gifts, Following Jesus, Matters of the Heart
Tagged Thanksgiving, Christmas, Appalachia, Appalachian Mountains, NBC News, Brian Williams, "R.A.M.P", rain, Angel Tree, menopause, Hershey's kiss, Salvation Army, guacamole, Bob Vila, Country Music, Chevy Suburban, Lowe's, Raindrops, Dee Clark, The Platters, The Fleetwoods, Martha & the Vandellas, American Graffiti, soundtrack, Motown, Doo-wop, Skype, "Making a Difference"
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Crack-Up Chicken
It must be said: I have the best husband ever. I know, you’re ready to fight and give me 10 reasons why your significant other is better, but no. Tonight my daughter was in “a mood.” Are you picking up … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Family, Food, Home, Kids, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Marriage, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Uncategorized
Tagged craziness, dinner, laughing, parenting, smiles
9 Comments
Sick House
Our two boys came home with some kind of bug this week, leading to a couple days home from school and confined to our sick house. A visit to the doctor yielded a “deep chest cold” diagnosis, for which … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Food, Gifts, God, gratitude, Heartbreak, Home, Illness, Kids, Marriage, Social Justice
Tagged Africa, cold, Flowers In The Attic, homeschool, Sequence, sick, VC Andrews
5 Comments
Two Joys
1. I found these adorable earrings right after I wrote “Little Sparrows” and fell in love with them immediately. Being a girl with short hair, earrings are an essential to getting dressed. Without them, I feel totally boyish and naked. … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Discipline Issues, Family, Food, Gifts, gratitude, Home, Kids, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Motherhood/Mommy Duties
Tagged Cedar Point, county fair, dinner, Etsy, garlic, meatloaf, rosemary potatoes, sparrows
4 Comments
O-for-2: What’s new?!
Prepare yourself for shocking news. My little recipe experiment is heading straight for the toilet. Do not pass, go, do not collect $200–head straight for the toilet. On the double. Episode 1 Tuesday night I made mushroom-Swiss burgers with sweet … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, CRAZY kids, Family, Food, Kids, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Rants, Uncategorized
Tagged allergic reaction, Antitrust, Asian food, Dinner flops, Ezekiel bread, fresh mozzarella, Mushroom-Swiss Burgers, poison, Ryan Phillipe, sesame seeds, sweet Potatoes, Tim Robbins, Wednesday Nights
4 Comments
Scouting the Divine
I hit the jackpot today with my addictive talk-radio habit: Midday Connection had Margaret Feinberg on discussing her new book, Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey. I was so touched–I cried, my chin … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Discoveries, Faith, Food, God, Growing Pains, Literature/Books, Nature/Outdoors
Tagged bee-keeper, farmer, Jesus, Margaret Feinberg, Midday Connection, Scouting the Divine, shepherd, vintner
2 Comments
Tales of Kitchen Woes [take 61]
Our attempts at trying to eat healthier have basically translated into simply using less cheese and more grill. I’m trying, really I am. Trying to stick to proteins and vegetables, occasionally some bread, but making an effort at reducing creamy-ish, … Continue reading
Posted in CRAZY kids, Family, Food, Home, Kids, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Motherhood/Mommy Duties
2 Comments
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
Yesterday I got to go along with my nearly-4-year-old on his preschool field trip to a local farm. We visit this farm nearly every year, and I have to say, God’s lovely autumn creativity is rivaled only by the delicious … Continue reading
Tales of Kitchen Woes [take 43]
For the love of all that is good and holy and remotely edible. I swear to you that I can’t get a break with my attempts at preparing decent food–ever. A little back story: I am undergoing a grocery-related spending … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Family, Food, Heartbreak, Home, Kids, Kitchen/Culinary Woes, Marriage, Motherhood/Mommy Duties
Tagged abstinence, Awana, Carla, chainsaw, chicken nuggets, Costco, Daylight Savings Time, football, hot dogs, Jack Bauer, Jetson's, Pantry Challenge, Post Raisin Bran, serrated knife, sloppy joe's, Top Chef, vintage
7 Comments
Vacation from my Vacation
If you’ve read any of my previous posts from this week [thank you, dear faithful 7: your checks are in the mail], you already know that I was blessed with a few days away with my husband. I tagged along … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Discipline Issues, Family, Food, Growing Pains, Kids, Marriage, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Neighbors, Random Fun, Rants, Seasons of Life, Vacation
Tagged Aldi, Apollo 13, cavity, charades, chiropractic, Christmas, Dark side of the moon, Great White, Pacific Ocean, Shauna Niequist, Swanson's broth, Sweet Baby Ray's, Tom Colicchio
3 Comments
Sugar Two Ways
One of the great things about being gone with my husband, aside from getting a brief vacation from Mommyland, is getting to do stuff together that we don’t do at home. Such as ordering pizza and eating it in bed … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Random Fun, Uncategorized, Vacation
Tagged culinary theories, margaritas, Monday Night Football, pizza, salt, salty & sweet, sugar
4 Comments
Lessons from the Orchard, Part 1
Sometimes I feel like I’m overly emotional. I mean, yes, I am a woman enduring cyclical hormones, but still, I don’t know how many people tear up at the sight of a lovely old tree or because painfully beautiful harmonies … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Family, Food, gratitude, Kids, Nature/Outdoors, Random Fun, Seasons of Life
Tagged Apples, Autumn, brothels, Crane's Apple Orchard, Creation, Fall, gift, gout, Grace, gratitude, Hormones, Indian Summer, Monkeys, Orchard, Pies, slums, starfish, tears, Thankfulness, tides
4 Comments
Treasures In Jars of…Ragu
Yesterday was grocery shopping day. The flour and water paste I was contemplating was a viable option, but in the interest of not stunting my childrens’ growth, I fled to the store for something with a bit more color. And … Continue reading
Posted in Chores/Duties/Jobs, Decor/Organizing, Family, Food, Home, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Uncategorized
Tagged Burn Relief Gel, Cottage Cheese, Dune, Dwight, Florida, grocery shopping, Hasmat, horseradish, leprosy, Messy House, OOPS!, penance, Ragu, Small curd, Thai Premium Fish Sauce, The Office, Tupperware, Yellowstone Hot Springs
2 Comments
“Things I Don’t Understand” Thursdays: Kitchen Tornadoes
It seems like I spend most of my time in the kitchen. You can’t relate…can you? Breakfast prep and cooking. Breakfast clean-up…but wait…the dishwasher needs unloading first. What? A mid-morning snack? Let me just get that for you…and your five … Continue reading
Posted in Decor/Organizing, Family, Food, Friends, Home, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Neighbors
Tagged Children, crafts, Family, flip-flops, hot chocolate, husbands, kitchen, mess, Messy House, Motherhood, Murphy's Oil Soap, Neighbors, Oprah, President, President of Bolivia, snacks, tidy, washing vegetables, wrestling
2 Comments
Of Chalk and Bees
In all fairness, I should say that my kids, overall, did a fantastic job of being good helpers with happy hearts today [I’ve discovered that threatening to take away their bikes for the day is a huge motivator! What will … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Food, Kids, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Random Fun, Vehicles
Tagged bacon, Birthday Party, Clunker, Credit Union, dementia, Gingko, Honey Maid Bees, jalepeno poppers, Messy Car
3 Comments
Just Another Day at the Beach
Yesterday was a perfect, cloudless, blue-sky day–the kind of blue that looks like an inverted Caribbean Sea hanging motionless above a busy world; blue that is deep and changing and ever-present. Carolina Tarheels Blue. Hudsonville Ice Cream Packaging Blue. J.Crew … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Food, Kids, Marriage, Motherhood/Mommy Duties, Nature/Outdoors, Random Fun, Uncategorized, Vacation, Vehicles
Tagged beach, Bucket List, Caribbean Sea, Carolina Tarheels, Fricano's Pizza, Grand Haven, Grand Haven State Park, Hudsonville Ice Cream, J. Crew, parking spots, shoes
3 Comments
Lessons From Donuts and Garages
The fact that I’m still thinking about that donut after a whole week should tell you something: either I’m a sugar addict and revel in all my indulgences–or–I’m worried about my ‘haven’t had a waistline since baby #1′ and don’t … Continue reading
Posted in Faith, Family, Food, Home
Tagged Bobby Flay, cheap substitutes, donuts, Father's Day, garages, junk, Lunch, Meijer, Top Chef
2 Comments
