food
Blueberry Fellowship
From Two Ellie via Pinterest
I’ve been meaning to post about this incredible buttermilk-blueberry breakfast cake I recently made because it was just that AMAZING {or at least I thought so} and because I made it for something really special. I have this incredible group of women in my life. They are the kind of friends that you know will do anything for you and you will do anything for them. They love Jesus and want to serve and love Him in radical ways and compel me to grow in Him and to become more like Him. At the end of 2011 we decided we should start to meet monthly in the new year. We all need that break from our lives when we can get around the table and just be.
It’s a safe place.
A loving place.
A caring place.
And a prayerful place.
We talk about what God is teaching us, how He is challenging us, our roles in life, our jobs, our marriages, our ministries, our kids, our dreams and everything in between. It’s not a gossip circle, it’s not a time to complain, it’s not a time to whine. It’s a time where we are real, honest and raw about the joys and struggles in this life. It’s a time of encouragement.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
This group of ladies and this fellowship we’ve started is something I wanted for years and sought God for for quite some time. Our friendships didn’t all form over night. And we all certainly didn’t come to know each other well in an instant. In fact, one of these ladies I’ve known for 14 years and another I’ve known for three. But in His perfect timing He organically grew all these friendships and intertwined them to bring us to this place. As women it is so often a deep desire in our hearts to connect and feel like we belong. But it isn’t something that happens overnight. Seek Him if this is a desire of your heart. And trust Him. Over time He will bring you into fellowship with other women whom you can pour into and who can pour into you. Don’t force it. Let Him do it. I just know He will :-)
I wanted to make something special for these ladies and had found this recipe on Pinterest {you can follow me there by clicking on the radio button on the right} and thought what a perfect occasion! Make it for yourself and share it with some friends, I’m fairly certain all of you will love it :-)
Good times
via things about love on pinterest
Not often, but sometimes there are weekends that are so fulfilling they simply make going back to work on Monday a little easier.
Friday was spent at my favorite little neighborhood eatery where we talked about our future and some immediate decisions. We may have also bought some of these vintage types. What we will do with them I have no idea, but for the steal we got them for Mr. Z was a happy camper. One day I dream he’ll have his very own “man room” {a.k.a. his own office with a flat screen and comfy couches and a pool table} like my dad has, perhaps we can save them until then? I suggested I make a garland out of them. He didn’t like that idea.
Saturday morning was a tasty breakfast at another favorite spot in this windy city we call home. We met a friend who was in town from Dubai, a friend I gained through marriage. Every time we hang out with him and say goodbye I tell Mr. Z how much I wish he still lived here. Such a blessing to know such wonderful people.
The afternoon was spent doing three loads of laundry, making banana bread for fun and spinach artichoke dip for the evening’s activities. We left the house a little before 5 p.m. and headed to the suburbs. We were both looking forward to the evening but had no idea just how much fun we would have. There is something so sweet about an evening with new and old friends, full of laughter and good food.
For church the next day we decided to surprise some friends who recently, in the last five months, have come on board at a church as the pastors. It was such a blast to surprise them. The looks on their faces when they saw us were priceless and the happiness in our hearts was too.
We ended the afternoon with our small group, sans one member and ended the afternoon with much to think about and consider in light of whom our God is and how to live this life honoring Him.
And after baking a dozen or so chocolate chip cookies Mr. Z and I began planning our little staycation to celebrate our one-year anniversary in a little less than a month! Looks like there might be a spa involved :-)
I lay my head down tonight grateful for the relationships God has blessed us with, the roof over our heads, His presence in our lives and the means to celebrate milestones in fun ways. Going to bed tonight with a heart full of thanksgiving.
Read Moretreat
went to treat restaurant this weekend. highly reccomend it. good food and reasonable prices. didn’t hurt that i was in good company.
Read Morei heart the slow cooker
for christmas i asked for a slow cooker cookbook. i often find recipes online but there’s just something about having a few good cookbooks on hand. something about propping them up in the oh-so-handy book holder while cooking makes me feel like a real cook… although i guess real cooks don’t need cookbooks, huh? no matter, i love cookbooks and i love my slow cookers.
i work full-time and in these early months of marriage i try to have dinner ready when mr. z gets home. who knows if this ambition will wear off, i hope not, i know he really appreciates it. anyway, so the slow cooker is a great friend. coming home from work and knowing very little prep is needed to make sure dinner is ready allows me to work late without worrying, squeeze in a workout or a skype date with long-distant friends, or just sit on the couch and relax before it’s time to eat.
okay, enough of an intro, what’s the point of this post?
dinner tonight came from the slow cooker and one of the TWO slow cooker cookbooks i got for christmas so i thought i’d share.this recipe is from the pillsbury fast slow cooker cookbook. it was pretty good but i think it could have used a little more flavor. not sure what yet, but will be playing with this recipe a bit in the future.
spanish chicken
1 3/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breast , cut inro 1-inch pieces
1 lb italian turkey sausage links, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large red bell pepper chopped
1 cup chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1 can (14 oz) quartered artichoke hearts, drained
1 can (4 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained
spray 3.5-4 quart with cooking spray. mix all the ingredients through the tomato paste in the slow cooker. cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours.
just before serving stir in artichokes and olives. cover, cook until hot.
serve over rice.
Read Moreyum…
i love to cook and my husband loves to eat anything homemade–truly a perfect match :-) ha! i thought i’d blog about a few things i’ve made lately. first, the open-face turkey sandwhich that my mom introduced me to years ago has become a favorite of mr. z’s.
ingredients:
fresh baked bread (i don’t make my own yet, but the bakery in the grocery store makes pretty tastey bread)
dijon mustard
arugula
deli thin sliced turkey
red onions
green apple
havarti cheese
stack ingredients on the bread and place it in the broiler on low and remove from oven after the cheese has browned or before it slides off! so stinkin’ good :-)
turkey goodness
cranberry scones! these are probbaly one of my most favorite things to make and they are quite easy. here’s the recipe i like to follow and some pics of the final product below. enjoy!
a few things to note, i omit the nuts and tend to use dried cranberries instead of fresh only because the store doesn’t always have fresh. also, if you like to bake anything that requires a cookie sheet i highly recommend getting a silpat or two. they help keep your cookie sheets pretty clean and enable even baking on your cookies and scones. another fabulous gift from my mom.
Read More