We’re living temporarily in California, so Fall is…different, but we’re still trying to do some of our traditions, like making first-day-of-school chicken pot pie, watching Brian’s Song, and making lots of apple-y and pumpkin-y things. Here are a few fun links from this week!
I don’t know if I’ll get a chance to make these this year, but aren’t they adorable and so easy!??
From Instagram this week – book recs and hospitality how-to’s.
I glimpse a small patch of bright fire red in the middle of still-green maple leaves as I bike through my neighborhood to Starbucks early in the morning, greeting dog-walkers and porch sitters with their first cup of coffee. Cardinals chirp and I imagine they are discussing plans to head south.
It’s not cold yet, but there’s a change in the air. The mornings are cooler and soon it will take all day for the sun to warm the earth, barely struggling up to the high, like a middle school boy trying to do chin-ups, then sliding quickly back down.
Yellow buses lumber through the neighborhood doing practice runs and we notice that dusk tiptoes in earlier. I smile at “bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils”. I want to light candles, make soup, bake muffins. Things are changing.
Whether you’re back to packing lunches and driving carpools, adjusting to a new baby in your home, or anticipating a change in employment, moving to a new city, or trying to accept a “new normal” without a loved-one, Fall marks a season of change. And even good change can be hard.
I’ve enjoyed a glorious summer at home in Minnesota. This week I need to head back to California where my husband has an interim pastoral position. I’m so thankful for home and summer, but I’m also thankful I’ll be reunited with John and our west-coast daughter and son-in-law.
I look forward, “adventurously expectant” (Romans 8:15 MSG) to what God has next, but still… It’s got me reflecting on how to “choose life”(Deuteronomy 13:19) while also in the midst of the grieving that inevitably comes with change.
Here are three practices I’m engaging in:
1. Honor Traditions
In seasons of change, traditions are comforting and reassuring. Throughout Scripture God institutes festivals and celebrations that are woven into the rhythm of the year to help us remember His faithfulness.
One of our traditions through the years as our daughters were growing up, was a “first day of school dinner” to which we invited two single friends on staff to join our family. They are like surrogate aunties for our girls. We always had homemade chicken pot pie and share “first day” highlights with laughter and thanksgiving.
What traditions can you continue to embrace (or even create) during a season of change?
2. Reflect on Relationships
Change in location or circumstances often means change in relationships. Some people you’ve seen regularly will seemingly vanish from your everyday life.
Transition is a good time to do a relational Examen. Reflect on the people in your life.
Are there any relationships where there might be unresolved issues?
Who are the friends that remain steadfast through changing seasons? How do you continue to nurture those relationships?
Are there places where God is prompting you to reach out and make new friends?
Recently, God convicted me that there was a past relationship where I hadn’t sufficiently checked in to make sure there wasn’t unspoken pain. I felt like maybe I hadn’t adequately cared for this person in her time of transition, so I set up a coffee to ask how she felt. Is there someone you’ve been too busy to see in this new season? Might they be hurt?
3. Focus on the unchanging character of God
What are the attributes of God, the glimpses of grace and goodness you can call out each day as a counter-weight to the circumstances which may feel out of control or stressful in seasons of change?
If you have kids, can you share “God-sightings” around the dinner table?
Or journal about them? Or have a texting agreement with a friend – each of you texting how you remember God’s attributes each day?
The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
psalm 33:11
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness
lamentations 3:22-23
So, those are my thoughts on what helps when change seems to throw me a loop. Maybe just pick one to focus on each day this week.
And what ideas would YOU share? If you receive this in email, just click on the title at the top and it will take you to the host site where you can leave a comment.
And…Just for a fun bonus, here’s the chicken pot pie recipe I use. Maybe consider making it and inviting some new friends over!
Crust
1 box Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
Filling
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 3/4 cups chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
1/2 cup whole milk
2 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken (I splurge on rotisserie chicken already deboned)
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
** I usually cut down on either the broth or the milk, and I add about a Tablespoon of “Better than Boullion organic chicken base” Can also add sautéed mushrooms. Steps
1 Heat oven to 425°F. Make pie crusts as directed on box for Two-Crust Pie using 9-inch glass pie pan. (I pre-cook the bottom crust for about 10 minutes so it doesn’t get soggy with the filling)
2 In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until well blended. Gradually stir in broth and milk, cooking and stirring until bubbly and thickened.
3 Stir in chicken and mixed vegetables. Remove from heat. Spoon chicken mixture into crust-lined pan. Top with second crust; seal edge and flute. Cut slits in several places in top crust.
4 Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown. During last 15 to 20 minutes of baking, cover crust edge with strips of foil to prevent excessive browning. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
As I post this, we are adjusting to the reality that this crisis is going to stretch on much longer that we had thought – feeling more like global extended rehab than a quick trip to the Minute Clinic.
It has the potential to bring out the best in us, but also may reveal some issues in our relationships that we’ve been glossing over. My prayer continues to be that we won’t fill our time with just a different set of numbing distractions, but will come out on the other side of this kinder, humbler, stronger, more self-aware.
So, here are some resources that I pray won’t be distractions, but add value and joy to your physically distanced day!
Thanks to my sister-in-law, Susan for passing along this song so appropriate for this season.
I was fascinated by this photo essay called The Great Empty, showing famous places around the world and what they look like during this time of isolation. This emphasizes for me that we are all in this together – it is a global challenge that connects us all.
I love this storyabout a restaurant in California that is giving people the option of paying for catered meals to be delivered the departments of local hospitals as well as offering regular take out!
Also I’m encouraged by so many creative ways we’re finding to stay connected!
For our part, we’re decorating and driving in a birthday car parade tomorrow morning. Stay tuned for pictures on Instagram, and daily devotional thoughts on my Stories.
We’re also all retaining our ability to laugh with and at each other!
This season has been a great one to try new recipes since I have a captive guinea pig (John)! The other night I made this – super easy, few ingredients and yummy!
But in addition to jokes, there are thoughtful Christians trying to bring salt and light and love to a dark, contentious time.
Willow Creek Community Church has mounted a campaign during this time of anger and divisiveness that has taken off. Read about it here.
There are some excellent sermons being preached that bring a biblical perspective to this season. This is one of the best I’ve heard – by John Ortberg. He looks at several elections in the Bible and then offers some takeaways. Take a listen.
Be Involved. Get information from people we agree with and disagree with. Vote.
Be Civil.
Be Confident (in God). God is not worried about November 8th.
And two minutes of gold from Andy Stanley!
Many people feel like they don’t have any good choice for president this election. I get that. But I’m distressed when people tell me they are not going to vote. This is a hard won privilege we have in the U.S. Please don’t take it lightly. John and I have already voted absentee – easy peasy! Cue the West Wing theme song!
Lastly, if you want some deliciousness to pass around while you’re watching the election returns (or a football game!) I want to share a great recipe from my friend Ally.
Cheesy Party Burgers
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 ts. salt
1 ts. pepper
1 ts. mustard powder
1/2 ts. smoked paprika
2 cups diced onion (that’s about 1 whole onion)
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 10 oz. can Ro-tel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chiles, drained (I used mild)
12 slices cheddar cheese
12 dinner rolls (I used Pepperidge Farm slider buns)
Glaze:
1/2 cup butter
2 TB brown sugar
1 TB Worcestershire sauce
1 TB mustard
1 TB sesame seeds
Preheat oven to 350 and coat 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Brown the ground beef, onions, and add rest of ingredients.
Put half of buns in bottom of 9×13 pan.
Top with ground beef and cheese slices. Finish off with top half of buns.
Mix the ingredients for the glaze in a pan on the stove and pour over buns. Can let sit for awhile.
We started Memorial Day weekend off a little early last night with a spur of the moment dinner out, soaking up the beauty of our town. So full of gratitude!
Whenever you start it, I hope you all have a delightful weekend, perhaps sharing the sentiment of one of my favorite Instagram posts:
And if it’s been a bad week, just shake it off!
I want to spend every minute I can outdoors, but our forecast has a bunch of rain in it so I may get into some of the books I want to read…
Unfortunately, my friend Michelle won’t be getting outside. I went to see her in the hospital today where she’s on bed rest waiting for her 3rd baby to arrive. She’s longing to be outside this weekend, but is doing the important work of growing a baby!
As hard as it is to be patient, she shared encouragement she got from the Lord on a hard day (she’s already been in for 3 weeks!). They did an ultrasound and not only did it show this clear, tiny foot…
but God brought to mind Proverbs 16:9 which she wrote on the back of the picture.
In their heart, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
What a great reminder for anyone waiting for anything this weekend!
Summer’s almost here and that means salads, so here’s a new recipe I like… I found the original on Pinterest.
Ingredients
1 bag spring salad mix
1 bag romaine
I made my own bacon bits but burned them so ended up using a 3 oz bag of Hormel real applewood smoked bacon bits
1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries
1 large granny smith apple, chopped
1/2 cup toasted pecans or almonds
5 oz Gorgonzola or blue cheese crumbled
Directions
Clean lettuce, place in large bowl and top with ingredients – toss.
Tips
You can add more or less of each ingredient – do what you prefer.
Chop the apple right before serving to prevent it from browning.
This salad is great with grilled chicken tossed on top for a meal.
I’m thinking I might try a variation and replace the fruit with blueberries and add red onion
Mary’s Sweet Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients
1/2 cup vegetable oil or canola
1/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons good balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard (or a little squeeze of Grey Poupon mustard)
Few twists of fresh cracked pepper Or use 1/8 tsp of reg ground pepper
That’s a little bit of what has delighted me this this week. What about you?
Sharing some “soul food” that brought me joy this week…
First, a little Instagram delight for all you mamas limping to the finish line of the school year.
Oh my gosh, we all need some good news and uplifting stories these days, right? This first video was sent to me by daughter Maggie and brought tears to my eyes. Such a beautiful picture of community and caring.
And this one…Wow, what a Jesus-like picture.
I read Secrets of a Charmed Life this week and loved it! It takes place during World War 2 in London and is totally engrossing. I couldn’t put it down as the author weaves the stories of two half sisters and their unmarried mother through the Blitz and beyond. Such a great story that keeps you guessing to the end.
I took dinner to a new mama this week and had small group dinner too, so it was a great excuse to try out this new recipe. Holy buckets! Definitely a winner! (I’m not very good at cutting or food styling, but trust me…yum!)
SNICKERDOODLE CHEESECAKE BARS (original recipe here I always change them)
Ingredients:
FOR THE CRUST:
1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full size grahams)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
FOR THE CHEESECAKE FILLING:
2 packages (8oz each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
FOR THE SNICKERDOODLE LAYER:
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp kosher salt
2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
FOR THE TOPPING:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
DIRECTIONS:
Spray Pam on a 13×9 baking dishPreheat oven for 350 degrees.
In a food processor, pulse graham crackers with sugar until fine crumbs. Add in melted butter and pulse until combined.
Press crumbs into bottom of prepared baking dish. Using palm of your hand (or bottom of a cup) press crumbs firmly until they are pressed into the bottom of the pan.
For the cheesecake filling, beat cream cheese with sugar, eggs, vanilla and cinnamon using the whisk attachment of an electric mixer. Beat until fluffy and smooth (about 3-4 minutes). Pour over graham crust.
For the cookie dough, beat butter with sugar for 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat thoroughly. Add in baking powder, salt, flour and cinnamon and beat until fully combined. Scoop dough by large spoonfuls onto the top of the cheesecake layer. Try to use your fingertips to spread gently until cheesecake layer is fully covered.
In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon topping. Sprinkle generously over the cookie dough layer.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, middle may still “jiggle.” That’s okay. You want the cookie layer to be completely cooked and browned. Remove from oven and cool completely. Once cooled, cover with foil and refrigerate for 4 hours, or overnight. Cut into squares and enjoy. Keep leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Ok, so I really thought I was on top of things since we stayed home for Thanksgiving. All that extra time to get a running start on getting ready to get ready for Christmas I thought! Well, not so much. The blog seems to be coming especially slow, but I’m present, and being present IS a present so I’m counting it a win.
With these Soul food Fridays I try to share things that have delighted, inspired, or filled me. Where have you been present to Jesus? This week I found Jesus…
At a candlelight memorial service at our church in the hugs, and prayers and Word to me. “I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you.”
Over dinner with a friend, sharing heart and soul stuff, paying attention to Glory together…
In the immediate prayer support through texts and phone calls when I put out the word that I was wrestling and felt like the Evil one was taking me down…
In the rapt attention of 8 and 9 year old Hispanic students I tutor, listening to the story of Mary and Joseph making their way to Bethlehem, relating better than I can, to the hardships they faced.
In the surprise gift what showed up in the mail from a daughter who models Jesus’ kindness and thoughtfulness in ways that inspire me.
And in a very different vein…this amazing organization is sending 30 days of prayer for ISIS – reflection, prayer, and often a music video – to anyone who signs up. They use insights from the life of Saul/Paul who was transformed from an enemy of Christianity to a passionate evangelist. We ask what in the world WE can do, and Jesus says “Pray for your enemies.” So let’s DO IT!! It is an awesome resource!!
I was inspired by this video. We belong to each other!
And, I know this is late, but for anyone who has turkey leftovers throughout the holidays, here is the BEST Turkey Tetrazzini recipe from John’s mom.
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 ts. garlic salt
1/4 ts. white pepper (I omit)
2 Cups milk
1 cup half and half
1 TB of “Better than Chicken Boullion” or granular bouillon to taste
1/3 cup Sherry
2/3 cup parmesan
1/2 package spaghetti
2 cups cooked turkey or chicken
1 package of sliced mushrooms sautéed in butter (if you want, you can use regular salt above, and sauté some minced garlic in with the mushrooms.
You know the drill from there – make the white sauce, add the stuff, cook the spaghetti, and mix it up! SO good!
Lastly, a word from God that was reassuring to me during this busy season!
We’re going to get our tree now. Have a great weekend!
If you’ve been reading this blog for long you know my delight with Zechariah 4:10 that cautions “do not despise the day of small things.” so this week I thought I’d share some “small things” that have inspired or delighted me.
Twice in the past two weeks we’ve spent time in D.C. and every time I’m here I’m distressed by the many homeless people on the street. I bring a supply of McDonald’s gift cards to give to those in need, but it’s sucha small thing for such a big problem.
I was inspired to see this story about someone else doing a small act of kindness that is so thoughtful.
2. Can you tell what this is?
It may sound crazy but it is the trail of a worm who made it from one end of a clay tennis court to the other. I absolutely marveled at the courage and resolve of this little guy.
Did he get lonely? Discouraged? Scared? Did he consider that his efforts might end in failure or death? I know, I know…it’s a worm. But still!
This small picture of bravery made me think of small, but powerful efforts to resist violence in the Middle East.
This week John and I have been privileged to attend a leadership gathering hosted by The Telos Group, a remarkable organization committed to being pro Israeli, pro Palestinian, and pro peace. They have drawn together many of my heroes.
Robi Damelin, and Israeli mom who lost her son to a Palestinian sniper, working side by side with Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian whose 10-year-old daughter was gunned down by an Israeli soldier.
Daoud Nassar, a Palestinian Christian farmer surrounded by Israeli settlements and subjected to repeated persecution whose message is “We refuse to be enemies” and continues to respond to oppression with love.
Roni Keidar, a British Israeli living on the border to the Gaza strip, building bridges between people of all different faiths and political leanings.
Might you take a minute to pray for these hidden heroes who are doing small but courageous acts of love in hard places?
3. I’ve been reading a book with a small word for a title.
Mark Batterson wrote IFto unpack Romans 8, the chapter about God’s unshakeable love, verse by verse. I’ve been reading this devotionally, one chapter a day. Mark is inspiring and challenging as always. This is a book about possibilities!
4. A small dessert – Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes, a recipe I pinned from Cooking Classy. Check it out!
