1. What are you thankful for?

We have been traveling a LOT this fall and I am so grateful for all our experiences, but you know what I am most thankful for? In each place we visited it was like God had a divine appointment for us – an important conversation that we didn’t expect – with someone who needed encouragement, or wisdom or just a listening ear. I am so thankful for these sacred moments and the sense of God’s presence in the midst.

I also could not stop taking pictures of the trees up in northern Minnesota!! So grateful for fall beauty!

Can you even stand how gorgeous this is??

I’m all about gathering people and connecting – whether around a bonfire, a table, or on a walk, and Fall is the perfect time for this, right??

2. Who are you going to gather around your table (or bonfire, or pumpkin patch, or trail?)

For one dinner I’m hosting, I mailed the invites on postcards from the place we honeymooned. I asked the people coming to bring a side dish representative of where they honeymooned or traveled on a recent trip. Someone who went to Door County, Wisconsin recently is bringing a cherry pie. Since we were in France in September, I’m making a French Wine and Mustard Chicken recipe.

3. What are you going to cook/bake/or have others make?

Here are a couple of super easy recipes I’ve been making on repeat.

Yummy Buns

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 ts. salt
  • 1 ts. pepper
  • 1 ts. cumin
  • 1 ts. mustard powder
  • 1/2 ts. smoked paprika
  • 2 c. diced onions 91 whole)
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced (I use minced garlic from a bottle)
  • 1 10 oz. can Ro-tel tomatoes (I use mild, but you can go spicy if you want)
  • 12 slices cheddar cheese
  • 12 Hawaiian slider buns

Glaze for topping:

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 TB brown sugar
  • 1 TB Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 TB mustard
  • 1 TB sesame seeds

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Bottom:

  • 1 pkg. yellow cake mix (SET ASIDE ONE CUP DRY FOR TOPPING – I always forget this part)
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1 egg

Mix and pat in bottom of greased 9×13 pan

Filling:

  • 1lb can Pumpking pie mix (Not just plain pumpkin)
  • 1 small can evaporated milk
  • 2 eggs

Mix and pour over bottom

Topping:

  • 1 cup yellow cake mix saved from above
  • 1 ts. cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup margarine cut into the mixture with sharp knife

Crumble topping over filling and bake @350 45 minutes. Don’t over-cook. (I’ve had the bottom get too done. It’s supposed to be just barely set.) Serve with ice cream FTW!

4. What will you talk about?

Let’s face it. I can be a bit much for some people with my enthusiastic question-asking! I don’t want to always have an “agenda”, but keeping some good questions in mind can make the difference between a fun evening, and one that is both fun and meaningful. Here are a few to get you started:

I love this question from Letterfolk who I follow on Instagram

And some that I like to ask:

  • What’s been the most surprising thing to you about __________? (marriage, parenthood, your job, retirement, your recent trip…)
  • What do you need most from God in this season of your life?
  • What’s one funny story from your wedding or honeymoon?
  • Share about a favorite meal you had – was it the food, the location, the conversation, or the people you shared it with that meant the most?

5. How are you connecting with or serving people different from you?

Maybe make some cookies and share then with someone of a different political party or religion?

I’d love to hear from you! How would you answer any one of these 5 questions? Share in the comments!

I’d love to have you join me over on Instagram! Come say “Hey!” and have a great weekend!