Tag: recipes (Page 1 of 4)

Soul Food When You’re Weary

September 10, 2021 /

Gosh we’re tired, aren’t we?

Yes, Covid is serious, and we have serious differences over protocols, and there’s a lot else in the world that seems more defeating than ever. We need to pay attention, to do the work of mourning and mending.

But we also need to take a break, to get outside and look up, bake something yummy, take a nap, laugh out loud, celebrate the everyday graces of God.

I hope that one of the following will make you smile or lift your spirits.

Have we ever said “pivot” more times in a year? We’re all in this together!

When you’re having a bad day, be gentle with yourself.

When you have a little bandwidth, consider blessing someone else with a care package or note of encouragement.

This arrived from daughter Katy who knows I love fall and baking. The book, “My Life in France” is just delightful, and I think of Katy every time I use the spatula – see recipes below 🙂

This soup and bread arrived when my husband had surgery recently, and the card below came on the exact date I was speaking about Moses to the staff here at church.

One of my favorite Instagram feeds to follow is Kelle Hampton (aka ETST – Enjoying the small things) From her I got the idea of creating a “You’ve Got Mail” care package. It’s been so fun to assemble!

  • A fall candle from The Grace Effect CALLED “Shop Around the Corner“! I ordered one and loved the scent to much I ordered two more!
  • A Starbucks gift card (for a Tall Decaf Cappuccino)
  • A bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils
  • A copy of The Skating Shoes
  • Daisy seeds (because “They’re the friendliest flower”)
  • Twinkle lights (because, duh, who doesn’t need more twinkle lights?)
  • A couple of “You’ve Got Mail” postcards and stickers
  • A pumpkin and a “Be Brave” sign from Target

If you want a fun “You’ve Got Mail” movie night, check out this post.

Another idea I got from Kelle are these realistic looking candles with remote control and timer!

In an attempt to bring Fall to California, I’ve been baking fallish things like

THE BEST ZUCCHINI BREAD EVER. (Note: I said best, not healthiest)

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. soda
  • 1 tsp. each: cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup oil
  • 2 cups shredded zucchini (if large, remove seeds first)
  • 3 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 cup milk

Grease 2 8 or 9″ loaf pans.

Mix eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla.

Blend in dry ingredients, then stir in zucchini.

Bake about 45-50 minutes @350. Cool 10 minutes in pan, then remove.

Come say hi over on Instagram?

Every day we pray this for our kids – that they would recognize some simple or dramatic evidence of God’s character displayed in their life before they go to sleep at night.

• Strength supplied in moments of weakness
• A text of encouragement
• A Scripture verse coming to mind at just the right time
• A sunset or seeing the power of creation
• A friend asking forgiveness

We want them to see Him just as we want that for ourselves.

How are you praying for your kids, your students, your nieces and nephews?

Share what you’re doing that’s bringing you joy or what others have done in the comments! If you get this in email, just click on the title and scroll down to the bottom. If you’re commenting for the first time, don’t worry if it doesn’t show up right away…it will!

An Abundance of Soul Food for a Time Such as This

April 9, 2020 /

Here in Minnesota our governor has just extended our “lock down” til May (something new), and snow is predicted on Easter (something old).

It’s an understatement to say that this Easter will be different than any we’ve ever known. I was struck by this image from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which I have visited many times. It marks the site of the crucifixion and tomb of Jesus.

I’m reminded of this verse:

You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

MATTHEW 16:18 MSG

Maybe having the trappings we have become accustomed to stripped away will help us to pay attention in a new way to the work of Jesus on the cross and in our lives!

Where will you be attending church online? Share in the comments!

As we carry on and look for the things Jesus wants to form in us during this time, I hope some of the following will make you smile or encourage you.

This warmed my heart.

And this…Instead of Boarding Up, Businesses Are Painting Their Storefronts With Uplifting Messages

I loved these ideas: 57 Things to Do With Friends When Social Distancing Beyond “Catching Up”, but 57 was a little overwhelming, so here are my favorites.

  1. Do a morning WFHOOTD (work from home outfit of the day) photo call-out in your group chat.
  2. Organize a remote game night; this spreadsheet has a bunch of good games for multiple players.
  3. Have a night where everyone utilizes the same ingredient (probably beans) or cooks the same recipe and then shares photos and/or eats together.
  4. Do a book club, or podcast club.
  5. Learn the same TikTok dances and show them to each other.
  6. And this one I’d add – memorize a passage of Scripture together.

You guys know that I love hanging out on Instagram because I try to follow and post images and stories that highlight beauty, goodness, and truth. Most mornings during the pandemic I’ve been posting a two minute devotional thought on my Instagram stories that I pray may encourage you.

Durning this time when we’re homebound (and even when we’re not!) I love to travel vicariously through the following Instagram feeds. I feel like I “live” on a farm in the mountains of Virginia and birth baby lambs with Sweckerfarm, and stroll the English countryside with Suddenjourneys! Both post delightful Instagram stories every day – highly recommend!

I’m awed by the beauty of God’s creation with earthpix and usinterior

Here’s the current stack of books I’m reading
but one of my go-to’s for recommendations is Anne Bogel – check out this post.

If you want an uplifting series that embodies honor, and integrity, I highly recommend The English Game on Netflix! It’s by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) and is about the creation of soccer in England in the late 1800’s and the clash of classes at the time.

I don’t know about you, but these days I’m doing more slow cooker stuff that I can also split and freeze. Tonight I’m trying this from my friend Tonja of Tonja’s Table!

Easter meals are going to be really weird this year, amiright?? Is anyone sharing a meal virtually with family??

This egg bake (sorry I don’t have a picture) is our favorite for holidays. You make it the night before. Although it may sound strange, the two keys to making this great are English Muffin bread (From Great Harvest if you can), and Velveeta cheese (yes, you read that right!)

Cheryl’s Egg Casserole

  • 1/4 cup green onions sliced
  • mushrooms sautéed (if you want)
  • 1 cup ham diced (I just ask them to cut one thick slice of ham in the deli and then I dice it, but you can use bacon if you want)
  • 15 eggs scrambled (yes, cook them)

Make a cheese sauce like this:

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup (or more) Velveeta cheese added slowly in chunks to melt

Mix everything together and put it in a casserole. Refrigerate overnight.

Melt some butter and toss torn pieces of English Muffin bread with it. Cover the egg casserole with the bread crumbs and bake at 350 til bubbly.

Have a blessed, joyful Easter everyone and remember to share where you’re going to church in the comments!

5 Soul Food Questions for Autumn

October 11, 2019 /
  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!

Soul Food for the Dog Days of Summer

August 15, 2019 /

As I read back over this post before hitting “publish”, it seemed decidedly “ordinary” and “unspiritual”. But I was reminded of a good insight I heard, reflecting on the life of David who watched sheep, and ran errands for his brothers before killing Goliath and ruling as king. Opportunity is often disguised in the ordinary. May we be faithful in all the little things, and look for the invitations of God every day!

I’ve been astounded to hear that some kids in the south of the U.S. are already heading back to school this week!

via GIPHY

That is just. so. wrong. Let me say that if you lived in Minnesota (as you should), it would be illegal to go inside for more than 15 minutes until after Labor Day.

Not to rub it in, but most this is a picture of most Minnesotans this week.

via GIPHY

I feel like it’s taken me awhile to get into the swing of summer entertaining, but this past week I’ve upped my game, reaching out to some neighbors we want to get to know better, and friends we haven’t seen in awhile. I’ve worked for years trying to figure out the easiest go-to meals for when we gather people around our table so I can be truly present.

One of my easiest summer menus for guests is this:

  • Polly’s mother’s Crab dip
  • Flank Steak on the grill marinaded in Lowery’s Teryaki marinade
  • Corn spoon Bread
  • Suzie’s salad with peppers
  • Penny’s Ice cream dessert

The crab dip can be made ahead and heated in microwave. Ice cream dessert is made day before. Most of Corn spoon bread can be mixed ahead (just add Jiffy at last minute and pop in the oven)

Corn Spoon Bread

  • 1 stick butter melted
  • 2 eggs hand beaten in
  • 1 small can whole kernel corn
  • 1 small can creamed corn
  • 1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix (must be Jiffy to work)
  • 1 cup sour cream

Mix together in casserole and bake at 350 for about 45 min – hour. This recipe serves 6, but you can easily double it and put in 9×13 pan.

Here is Suzie’s Salad recipe:

  • Lettuce
  • Red and yellow peppers chopped
  • Green onions chopped
  • Craisins
  • Sugar snap pea cut in 1/2″ pieces

Cook 1 cup of almonds and 1/3 cup sugar in frying pan over medium heat til sugar melts and covers almonds. Cool on wax paper and break apart.

Dressing: 1/4 cup tarragon vinegar, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup oil

And Penny’s Oreo Ice Cream Dessert

Crust: 1 Pkg (35) oreos crushed (I put in Cuisenart) mixed with 4 TB melted butter. * Reserve 1 cup of crumbs for topping  

Filling: 1/2 gallon ice cream – whatever you want! I did a layer – 2 pints – of coffee ice cream and a layer of 2 pints of chocolate chip ice cream. Spread softened ice cream over crust. Freeze.  

Topping: Melt 3/4 cup butter and 3 squares unsweetened chocolate in a pan on the stove. Gradually stir in 4 well-beaten egg yolks, and 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar, and 2 ts. vanilla. Cook thoroughly and cool. Beat til smooth.   Beat 4 egg whites til stiff peaks form and fold into cooled mixture.

Spread over ice cream and sprinkle with remaining oreo crumbs. Pop back in the freezer.

In past posts, I’ve written about the spiritual practice of the Examen which I really like. This week I found an app created by Fuller Seminary . They offer guided a Examen for different focuses that uses video. You can close your eyes and just listen to the prompts if you don’t want to watch the video. You might want to check it out, or take 9 minutes and just let the audio below lead you through the practice.

Some favorites from Instagram this week:

@biancaolthoff

That’s it for now. Happy weekending!

Soul Food that Seeks to Make Space for Everyone

August 1, 2019 /
Romans 15:7 ESV from She Reads Truth

With presidential election debates starting, and tweets flying, I’m even more aware of how polarized we have become.

Add to that the isolation that can come with technology and social media and we can drift into loneliness and despair if we don’t fix our eyes on Jesus who made room for all of us.

Here are some resources that help us make space and understand others who are different from us…

If you are a Mama with kids still at home,

if you’re prone to comparison,

if you want to be an advocate for the unique way God created your kids,

if you want your kids or grandkids to understand and value others who are different from them, this is a book for you.

“If we make space in our lives for certain kinds of people, but not others, we will never know the fullness of God, or understand the depth of God’s love for humanity.”

I read Heather Avis’ first book (a memoir), called The Lucky Few about her journey with infertility and adoption of two kids with Down’s Syndrome and one from Haiti. Even if I hadn’t liked that book (I did), and even if I hadn’t heard her talk on this podcast, I think I still would have bought this book just for the title – Scoot Over and Make Some Room!

Another book I loved was this one.

What to Say Next is a fictional story by Julie Buxbaum is about a teenage boy with Aspergers and the friendship that develops between him and a girl who has lost her father in a car accident. This is not written from a Christian worldview, but is a beautiful story about community and understanding.

Also, check out “Tea with Strangers.” Fascinating article on what one man is doing to combat loneliness! https://nyti.ms/2Lo9QvL

And…One of the organizations I love that is working for peace and understanding among Palestinians and Israelis, is The Parents Circle. It was started by Israeli and Palestinian parents who have lost children in the conflict. They are unified by their losses. They work to promote understanding, reconciliation and peace. One of the fascinating ways they do that is through “Embroidering for Peace.”

Palestinian women to teach Israeli women Palestinian embroidery.  Through art and culture, we found a bridge to engage some who would normally shy away from  dialogue activities. 

the parents circle

Also, you might want to go back and look at the “Neighboring Challenge” series of posts I did a couple of years ago.

A couple of Instagram feeds I like that go with this theme…

This is so convicting! Let’s change this statistic! You can hold me accountable!

Lastly, some comfort food! How about inviting someone over for dessert this week? 🙂

Gail’s Peach “Pie” (it’s kind of like a creamy cheesecake with peaches on top – so yummy!)

“Crust”:

  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1 ts. baking powder
  • 1/2 ts. salt
  • 3 oz. NON-INSTANT vanilla pudding
  • 3 TB soft butter
  • 1/2 cup milk

Beat for 2 minutes. Pour into buttered 10″ glass pie plate. Place a large can of sliced, drained peaches on batter (but RESERVE 3 TB of juice).

Filling:

  • 8 oz. cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 TB reserved peach juice

Spoon over peaches leaving 1 inch around edges.

Topping:

  • 1 TB sugar
  • 1/2 ts. cinnamon

Mix and sprinkle over filling. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

What have you been reading, or learning about making space for everyone? I’d love to hear from you!

If you get this in email, just click on the title and it will take you to the site where you can post a comment. If it’s your first time, don’t worry if it doesn’t show up right away!

And if you’re interested in some smaller doses of inspiration, join me over on Instagram. (You can turn on “notifications” in the upper right-hand corner if you want to know when there is a post.)

Summertime Soul Food

July 25, 2019 /

On Fridays I share what I call “soul food” – stories and resources that I pray will help you connect to Jesus and others. May they be uplifting, and bring a smile to your face.

On repeat…

Is He worthy?
Is He worthy?
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy?
Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
He is.

He is.

Feel good story

Be inspired!

Enjoy a laugh at all the cuteness!

“Real” food = soul food? You may not think so, but connection, encouragement, prayer, and inspiration often happens around our tables so I include it!

I put this on my Instagram stories, and had so many responses, I thought I’d share it here too for those of you not on Instagram! Among the many comments, were suggestions to use this on eggs or salmon too, and someone said you can get a bigger, cheaper version at Costco! Anyone else want to weigh in? Post in comments.

Avocado toast ftw!

I also posted on Instagram about this magical Polly’s mother’s crab dip that may help you solve the problems of the world.

Ingredients:

2  8 oz. packages cream cheese
1/3 cup mayo
1.5 t prepared mustard (Coleman’s)
3 t sherry
1/2 t salt
1/2 t onion juice (opt.)
4 t confectioner’s sugar
1/4 t garlic salt
2 6oz. cans of crab meat or fresh (I tried canned, but didn’t think it was as good) Crackers

Directions: Mix in double boiler, adding crab last. Thin with milk if necessary.
Serve in pie plate with crackers

I’d love to hear from you! If you get this in email, just click on the title and it will take you to the site where you can post a comment. If it’s your first time, don’t worry if it doesn’t show up right away!


Soul Food Books and a Recipe

June 28, 2019 /

Happy Friday! Hope you are savoring summer – getting outside, grilling good stuff, biking, swimming, doing chalk drawings with your kids…whatever! I am just so content and grateful to be back at home in Minnesota for this season. It’s my favorite!

Here’s the pile of books I’ve been reading (or re-reading). As you can see, there’s quite a variety. The last time I read The Hiding Place I was in college! It, and Kisses from Katie (not pictured) are wonderfully uplifting reads. We need more redemptive stories like them!

I hesitate to endorse books, because everyone’s taste is so different, but the book I read that was probably the most engaging is not on this pile because I got it on kindle. I thought Maybe You Should Talk to Someone was fascinating and well-written!*

I posted this with some thoughts about community on Instagram today, but I thought I’d share the recipe here.

Quay’s Mexican Appetizer

Layer:

  • 8 oz. cream cheese softened and spread in pie plate
  • Pineapple salsa
  • Shredded Mexican cheese mix (Cheddar/Monterey Jack)
  • Chopped green onions
  • Can add chopped black olives if you want.

Microwave for 1 minute (or so) and serve immediately with Tostitos bite-sized tortilla chips.

Happy 4th of July!

*Contains some language that may be offensive.

Books, Recipes, and Resources To Refresh You This Summer!

May 28, 2018 /

Woohooo! Summer finally arrived in Minnesota! April 15th we had a blizzard, and May  25th we had 90 degree plus temperatures. Oh Minnesota, you keep us on our toes! When summer finally arrives, cabins open and church attendance drops by one million percent because no one wants go go indoors ever. And it’s all good. We play hard while we can.

Summer is my jam. I feel more fully alive than any other time of year. Summer is lakes and biking and picnics and good books and refreshment. So I thought I’d share a few of my favorite things from the past month.

First, books. But even before that, a disclaimer: I find it really hard to review books because we all read through the lenses of our age, experience, and current circumstances. Something I think is “Meh” you may think changed your life. Ok, onward…

Continue reading

A Few Thoughts on Hospitality and Seasons of Life (and a recipe)

March 1, 2018 /

I’m all about gathering people. It’s my passion whether it’s around a charcoal fire in Uganda, or for coffee at Starbucks, or a backyard BBQ. I’m in a season when sometimes I can partner with others to add some special touches, but hospitality is about blessing, not impressing. 

You may be in a season when hospitality is ordering pizza and inviting people into your mess is a powerful ministry! Go for it!

I had an older, mentor-type friend years ago when we lived in Washington D.C. One weekend we invited she and her husband over for dinner. At the time I had a newborn and 20 month old and I seriously think I served them Hamburger Helper.  It was a good thing I didn’t know she was a gourmet cook!

She set a formal table that was lovely, serving dinner in several courses. Her meals were a work of art. When this couple reciprocated and we went to their house for dinner, our first course – peanut soup – had a decorative swirl of sour cream on top. For dessert she served us individual white chocolate mousse in the shape of a heart in a pool of raspberry. She and her husband were gracious hosts and we enjoyed wonderful conversation in their home. But she couldn’t understand why no one invited HER over for dinner.  Her closest friend had to gently tell her that once someone had come to her house they were intimidated. No one could host a dinner party with the same excellence or formality.

Another mentor, Sibyl Towner once said, “Hospitality is when someone leaves your home feeling better about themselves, not better about you.”

Whatever I do,  my goal is to communicate “You’re special. I want you to feel loved and cared for.” but that doesn’t mean it needs to be “Martha Stewart meticulous”.

Continue reading

Soul Food Friday

January 25, 2018 /

Happy Friday Friends! Hope it’s been a good week for you! Husband John has been out of town so it’s been quiet around here. As an extrovert I’ve been striking up conversations with any stranger I meet. If you have a cute dog, or a baby, or basically are breathing and glance my way, watch out! Hope you enjoy the soul food buffet this weekend.

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