Think-links

How has your week been?

Here in the Mitten, we are on our second week of most days' temps being above freezing. Wow! It feels fairly tropical. And a couple days even flirted with 60. I have had my windows open several days. Out with the old, and in with the new. Big sigh...

I have fresh green growth were my bulbs lie buried. That is encouraging. Spring is showing it's face in many, many ways. I have yet to see any crocuses, but I know others have in my area. I'm looking...

I have been running outside, in the early mornings. Spring training is in full on mode. I ran two 7 mile runs this week, plus a 4, a 3 and a 2. Every week the miles are increasing, as is the speed of said miles. One of my routes includes a 1/2 mile span that overlooks our city. That scenic view was topped with a colorful sunrise this morning. It was a reminder of why I love early mornings. And why I love to run in the early mornings. I'm not going to say that I love running...

I spent a fair bit of my week doing spring cleaning. The boys' room got the run down, and then I washed my own bedroom walls. And all the linens. Everything looks and smells fresh. Spring cleaning is kind of a funny thing. I always can tell when I've done it, but if you'd asked me before, I would have said my house was clean. All that sunshine and fresh air emphasizes all the licks and promises of the winter.

We are counting down the weeks until summer break. And we hit a milestone this week. Only 9 more to go! Which is almost a quarter of the year, but still. It is so close I can taste the freedom! On the one hand, I want those weeks to fly by. On the other hand, the 9 weeks corresponds pretty closely with our 25k race, and I want every single one of those weeks to crawl by. I'm not in panic mode about training, but I still have a lot of miles to pick up in 8 weeks.

Here are a few things I've been reading around the web this week...(when I wasn't cleaning or running)

A Stay at Home Parent is Not a Luxury "So in some ways, yes, we are lucky that I can stay home. But a luxury is a nonessential item. An indulgence. What I do is essential, and certainly not self-indulgent."

How the New Christian Left is Twisting the Gospel. Very thought provoking. "In order to safeguard the trajectory of young evangelicals, we must uphold the authoritative Word of God. It is imperative that those in a position to influence millennials have transparent and honest discussions about the culture wars evangelical youth are already engaging. Otherwise they will be silent and accepting in the face of persecution and false doctrine."

What is Spiritual Abuse? "It is not a coincidence that these abuse prevention policies are often known as safety policies. Because if shepherds are doing their job right, the sheep are safe. They are protected. They feel secure. And they don’t leave the church en masse."

I am on Day 20 of No Chocolate! Whew! Some days I miss it. Most days I don't. I need to have a game plan come April 1. Something realistic. Dessert one weeknight and one weekend day. That's it. I've been holding pretty close to that this month, and I think it is good.

While I am abstaining from chocolate, I know you aren't, and so I decided to share one of my most favorite and most consumed forms of chocolate.

Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I know that everyone has their favorite recipe. Mine is a bit different. I use butter, shortening, and peanut butter. But, not a lot of peanut butter, because they aren't peanut butter cookies. They are chocolate chip cookies. I also use real vanilla. The cookies are melt in your mouth soft straight out of the oven and good dunkers on the subsequent days. I also love to freeze my cookies, and then dunk them. I love the frozen chocolate-ness, and the way they still soak up the milk and get kind of chewy soft.

I generally make cookies every week or two. My kids aren't thrilled when the cookie jar is on empty.

Okay, I've got to stop talking about these or I am going to highjack my own resolve.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1-1/2 cups white sugar
1-1/2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp water
4-1/2 cups white flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups (12 oz) chocolate chips

-Heat oven to 375 degrees.
-Cream the shortening, butter, peanut butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla, and water, and beat well.
-Add the flour, baking soda and salt, and stir in, scraping the bottom of the bowl, until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips by hand.
-Place teaspoons full on a greased baking sheet about 2" apart. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-11 minutes, until lightly golden on the edges.
-Cool on the sheet for 2 minutes, and then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Have a magnificent start of Spring weekend!

Helpful Links and Creamy Bacon Mushroom Soup Recipe

We are getting back into the swing of normal life. At least, our brand of normal.

A week of school completed, which means one less to complete before the end of the school year. Good food is being eaten. Exercise is happening. Taxes are being compiled.

I switched working days this week, for the next 2 months. My regular sitter is spending two months in Hawaii with her sister who is having a baby soon. My pinch-hit baby sitter is in college and can only swing Tuesdays. So, I'm switching from Thursdays to Tuesday, working from noon to 5:00. It went so well this week. I was surprised. I got a ton done. I am looking forward to having the ends of my weeks more available than they have been for a year or so.

Since it is Friday, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite links from around the web this week. But, today I want to focus on three helpful links...

Amazon Smile. Shopping Amazon through Amazon Smile allows you to support your favorite charity just by shopping. A percentage of each of your purchases is donated to the charity you pick. It takes about 2 minutes to sign up, and then you simply shop Amazon through Amazon Smile. It works the same as Amazon.

Take Them a Meal. This website provides a convenient way to organize meals and other things (can do cleaning, babysitting, etc) for those in your life who need the help. Think new moms, or shut ins, or people recovering from surgery. This allows a broader audience than a say, a church sign-up sheet. I think it is about the best thing since soft spread butter.

Modern Mrs. Darcy's Daily Kindle Deals. Anne Bogel has this page on her blog, and she updates it every day. Each day she lists anywhere from 10-20 books that are on sale for your Kindle. Most of the books she lists are on sale for free to $3.99. Her list was the primary reason I could travel to Spain with materials to read, but without hauling any big tomes. I'm hooked. I scan her list everyday or so, to see if there is something listed that I'm wanting to read. Check it out.

Well, though I am desperately hoping for spring-just like all of you-I'm still stuck in winter-just like most of you. Which means that I am still filling our menu with soups. I think we are eating three over this period of two weeks.

One of my favorite soup recipes that I have discovered this winter is Creamy Bacon Mushroom Soup. It's pretty self-explanatory, and it's delicious. What's not delicious about mushrooms, bacon and cream? Even if you are dairy free, you must admit it sounds delicious...

It is quick to assemble, and tastes great with fresh rolls, and a salad.

Creamy Bacon Mushroom Soup
20 bacon strips (1-1/4 pounds)
2 pounds sliced fresh mushrooms
2 medium onions
6 garlic cloves
2 quarts heavy whipping cream
4 cups chicken broth
10 oz (2-1/2 cups) shredded swiss cheese
6 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
6 Tbsp water

-Cut bacon into 1/2” pieces. In a large (4-6 quart) pan, cook the bacon over medium heat until
crisp. Using a slotted Spoon, remove to paper towel, reserving 2 Tbsp of the drippings.
-Meanwhile, chop the onions. Slice the mushrooms (if not sliced). Mince garlic.
-In the reserved drippings, sauté the onions, mushrooms and garlic until fragrant and tender. Stir
in the cream and broth. Gradually stir in the cheese until melted.
-In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water until smooth. Stir into the soup. Bring to a
boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add the bacon and serve.

So, what are you predicting for March? In like a lion, out like a lamb?

You'd better eat your soup while the lion is roaring!

5 Ingredient Cheesy Chicken Breasts

It's been a great week. Can I say that with a huge sigh?! Looking forward to the week, it was crazy busy with preparation for our trip, plus tax stuff, and lots of SPD stuff. (because we are going on a 2-1/2 week long trip to Spain)

But, God provided. God stretched time and multiplied efforts. God extended grace to let good enough be good.

Freckles got his braces taken off on Wednesday. He is thrilled. I am thrilled. Way less slurping is coming from his corner of the table at meal times.

Our annual winter party is tomorrow night. I reverted back to a Cheese Tasting Party, because it is so sophisticated. And it's easy to pull together. I am really looking forward to connecting with a bunch of our good friends before we leave.

This week marked our fourth weekly date. I think we are making this a habit. We are vacillating between Wednesday nights or Thursday nights-whatever works best for our family and schedule. This week we are picking out cheeses for our party.

Oh, and btw, this is my 800th post here. Wow! I think that is pretty cool!

Some links to make you laugh and think.

The pic my brother posted to my FB wall
when I described one of Meres' recent outfits.
Btw, this is absolutely true of Meres. Every day.

Let's Go Sailing...(America's Funniest Home Videos)

Tell Your Friends How Much Money You Have (Blake Mankin). This article made me think. He has some really good reasons to talk about something we consider very personal-finances. And there is a whole list of great (and practical) questions included.

Cluttered Lies (Becoming Minimalist). 6 lies that keep our homes and lives cluttered.

Use Your Words (Shauna Niequist) The power of the spoken word. Use them to breathe life.

So, today's recipe isn't even sort of healthy. Well. I supposed the chicken is healthy. But, oh.my.word.

Do you see that? Chicken wrapped with bacon, dipped in eggs and stuffing crumbs, baked, and then topped with Velveeta.

Big sigh...

So, selling points...

1. Everything is better with bacon.

2. Meres loves to participate by handing me slices of bacon to wrap around the chicken. So, your child can help you too.

3. Everything is better with bacon.

4. The chicken stays super moist on the inside, but has a fantastic crunchy outer layer.

5. Does anything not improve when wrapped in bacon?

6. This recipe is reminiscent of chicken cordon blue, but it's way easier to make. WAY easier.

5 Ingredient Cheesy Chicken Breasts
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 pounds)
8-12 slices bacon
1 egg, beaten
1-1/2 cup herb stuffing crumbs
1/2 lb Velveeta, sliced

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Crush stuffing crumbs with a rolling pin to make finer.
-Place egg in a shallow dish and beat lightly. Place crumbs in another shallow dish or a bag. Lightly grease a 9x13” baking dish.

-Wrap each chicken breast with 2 slices of bacon.
-Dip each piece of chicken in egg and then is stuffing crumbs. Lay each coated piece in the pan without them touching each other.
-Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Top each breast half with a slice of cheese. Continue baking for 10-20 minutes or until the chicken is brown and the cheese has melted.

Nope, I can't think of anything not improved with bacon...including your weekend!

Sesame Chicken and Broccoli Stir-fry

The internet is such a huge thing, with millions of voices and opinions shouting for your attention. But, it is no where near all bad. There is good content that encourages me, challenges my thinking, and makes me laugh.

Like this...

source because, seriously, who has time to do all this AND sew?

How to Stay Sane on the Internet by Emily Freeman. She includes a 15 point manifesto on what she will and will not do on the internet. So practical.

Burn the Candles by Shauna Niequist. A reminder to do the special for our own enjoyment.

Countdown to Church by Mornings with Jesus. I busted a gut over this.

When You Can't Shake, Shake, Shake it Off by The Gospel Coalition. I think the thought shared in this article about praying for another's pain when our own unforgiveness and and bitterness surface, is so practical. 

Surviving Whole Foods by Kelly MacLeari. I think there may be some language but it's satire at its best. 

this is just for fun because fresh baked bread is so beautiful...

I've been having fun these past few weeks playing with my new camera lens and many new recipes. We have tried 5 new recipes this week. I can't even remember what our old favorites used to be. We have so many new favorites that I have discovered in the past year or two.

One of our new favorites is stir-fry. I shared the Chicken Asparagus Stir-fry a couple weeks ago. I like stir-fry because they are generally fairly quick dinners. They are chock full of vegetables. And they are mostly gluten-free and dairy-free. Not that either are a factor in how I feed my family, but they are great recipes to have on hand for company.

Today I am sharing another stir-fry recipe. Sesame Chicken and Garlicky Broccoli. It only has 8 ingredients, so it is fairly streamlined and simple.

What I like about actually cooking this recipe is the smell of the sesame oil as you heat it in the pan. It is a slightly toasty scent, reminiscent of bagels.

So, for stir-fry, the most time consuming aspect is the chopping of the veggies. This one only had broccoli, which made it quick. I have another stir-fry to try one of these days. It has carrots, 2 kinds of peppers, onions, broccoli and maybe even asparagus. That's a chopping time commitment.

Sesame Chicken Breasts with Garlicky Broccoli (Stir-fry) 

1-1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 tbsp sesame seeds
1-1/2 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup Chinese black bean garlic sauce
3/4 tsp black pepper
1-1/2 tsp garlic powder
6 cups broccoli florets

-Cut the chicken into 1” pieces. Chop the broccoli.
-Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.
-Add the sesame seeds and stir to coat the chicken with them. Cook 1-2 minutes, until the seeds turn golden. Add the broth, black bean sauce, and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
-Sprinkle the garlic powder over all the broccoli, and arrange the broccoli over the simmering liquid. Cover and simmer until the broccoli is crisp-tender, 3-5 minutes. Serve over rice (brown or white) with salad if desired.
*I actually used 8 garlic cloves instead of garlic powder, bc I didn't have garlic powder. It worked just fine.
-Serves 6.

Enjoy your weekend!

10 Staple Recipes...

Alternately titled...A Well Stocked Kitchen...

What are your go-to recipes? The ones that regularly make the menu or are always on standby in case of crazy days?

I have several. Quite a few of them center around pasta. What can I say? Pasta is quick. Everyone in my family loves it. Plus, in the time it takes for the pasta to cook, I can have the topping all put together.

Here are some staples I always have on hand...

-1 to 2 pounds of short pasta, like penne or cavatappi
-rice
-dry onion soup mix
-shredded yellow cheese, 1-2 pounds
-chicken thighs
-boneless, skinless chicken breasts
-cream cheese
-heavy cream
-parmesan cheese
-tortillas
-salsa
-potatoes
-sour cream
-bacon
-evaporated milk
-baking chocolate squares
-baking cocoa
-pesto (I make a batch & freeze half)
-ground beef
-cream soup


Here are links to my favorite go-to recipes. They are all quick, easy, and family favorites. They are familiar. These are the recipes my family terms comfort food...

Chicken Enchiladas
Depression Meatloaf
3 Ingredient Pesto Chicken
Green Noodles
Alfredo
Macaroni and Cheese
Oven Fried Potatoes
Chicken and Rice
Brownies
Lava Cakes

What recipes does your family go back to again and again and again? For more fresh ideas for meals, check out my sister site, She Plans Dinner.

Day 5: Read a Book

rest of the series (here)

Today's challenge for our New Year, Renewed You: a Fuller and Happier Life in 2014 is to read a book. Any book. Fiction. Non-fiction. Not a blog or a newspaper-a book.

Reading books is beneficial to your health. It sharpens the mind. It can relax you and help you sleep better. (who hasn't fallen asleep while reading a book?) Reading books can build your empathy for others. Reading broadens horizons and challenges thinking.

Books may be the last frontier...

Our chief excuse for not reading is that we have no time. Between jobs and spouses and children and chores and life, time flies away. But it is possible to find time to read. It would be an excellent way to use that extra 15 minutes you've begun adding to your day.

tips to carve minutes out of your day to read. (here)

Here is my Best Books of 2013 list. It includes both fiction and nonfiction. (Mr. Hippie has noticed that I have been reading good books these days. Meaning not only fluff & stuff)

Disclosure...I  read and sift. I don't agree 100% of everything in all these books, but there are nuggets in each that challenged my thinking and changed my life. (titles are links)

Bringing Up Bebe- a French parenting book that had some good ideas. Some of which I'd known and forgotten by number 4. Some were brand new to me.

Bread and Wine- I just finished this after receiving it at Allume and reading tons of good reviews. I loved her stories and I am looking forward to trying our her gluten free/dairy free recipes on my friends.

Grace for the Good Girl- this book was a breath of fresh air. Grace-oh how I need it!

Lean In-this book is about women in the work force. It challenged my thinking, and there was a lot that I could empathize with even though I've only held one job.

Outliers-in this book Malcolm Gladwell ask the question, "what makes high achievers different?" Good read with lots of stories and facts.

Our Oldest Enemies-this book has been on my to read list since it was published almost 10 years ago. It spans the history of the USA's relationship with France and tied in well with our unit studies this year.

Ivanhoe- I tried reading this while a teen and couldn't get past the language and word pictures of the first chapter. But, I love it now. Give it a try for some wholesome historical fiction.

Gifts from the Sea-the most beautiful book I read last year. Short musings on sea shells and such and tied in nicely with life seasons. I am taking this on vacation with me next month. Soothing. Encouraging. Devotional.

Where'd you go, Bernadette?-I must confess that I picked this one up merely for it's title character's name-which is the same as mine. A fun book about prejudices and dreams.

The Girl You Left Behind-not sure how I heard of this one, but I am sure glad I did. A novel that is set in WWI and modern times. The land is France, the idea is the German occupation, and the clincher is a piece of art.

(bonus) Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade- The title says it all. Mame's and Patrick's adventures are hilarious. There is borderline content, but I love this book. Good to read over and over again.

For more great book ideas, check out Modern Mrs. Darcy's Best Books of 2013 link up (here). Also, Sheila publishes a book review Monday-Friday on her blog The Deliberate Reader. I've found a lot of good book selections from her. Btw, she read over 230 books in 2013. With two young kids. Just sayin.'

So find yourself a book and start reading today.

31 Days: New Year, Renewed You

I know most bloggers who attempt a 31 days series do it during the month of October. Well, October isn't a good month for my life schedule. Plus, I march to the beat of my own drummer. So, I am embarking on a 31 days series this month, in this new year.

The popular premise is that a new year brings a fresh start. Which is why people make New Year's Resolutions.

But, resolutions often don't stick. Good intentions made the first of January have often petered out by the first of February.

My goal with this series is to introduce small changes into your life that will make it fuller and happier on a daily basis.

Jesus said in John 10:10, "I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full." (abundantly)

I think full and happy lives start with  the JOY formula. Jesus-Others-You. When these three categories are in the right order, you will have joy. When you are investing in all three things, you will be living life to the full.

Some of my posts will deal with our relationship with Jesus Christ. Some will deal with how to invest in and serve others. Some will deal with investing in ourselves. Taking time for those things that are purely for our own personal enjoyment and betterment. They will all be (relatively) short posts that center on an action you can take today. For a fuller life today.

Please join me on this journey of Joy. Make this year your year of renewal. Full life. Happy life.


I will update this list day by day to include topics and links...
1-Introduction to 31 Days-New Year: Renewed You
2-First Things First
3-Life is Lived in Hours
4-The Crucial Conversation
5-Read a Book (includes 11 of my favorite reads from 2013)
6-Paint Your Wagon
7-It's on the List
8-Walk the Walk
9-Saving for a Rainy Day
10-Practice Makes Perfect
11-The 2 Bag Purge
12-Blessed to Give
13-Be Thankful
14- Write a Thank You Note
15-Expand Your Horizons
16-LOL
17-Buy Fresh Flowers
18-Turn up the Tunes
19-Play a Game
20-You Made Your Bed
21-Volunteer
22-Just Say NO
23- Let Your Lights Shine
24- Do the Dreaded Task 
25-Random Act of Kindness
26-Day of Rest
27-Poetic Justice
28-Plan a Party
29-Breath of Fresh Air
30-Cut It Out
31-I Hope You Dance

Most Popular Posts of 2013

Here are the my top 10 posts from this year. Check them out if you missed them...(all are links)

1. Hippie Method: Frugal Eating
2. 20 Inexpensive Summer Dates
3. All is Right in My World (Pesto Chicken)
4. Key Tips for Organizing Kid's Clothes Rule of 5
5. New Year, New Styles
6. 10 Strategies for Conquering the Chaos of Toys
7.  Junkin' it With BHG
8. Home Schoolers Get it Free
9.  Not Techie Home Schoolers
10. I'm Back

But, those 10 posts only present part of the picture. They are the posts with the highest views, but they aren't necessarily what I consider my best posts of the year. Heart-baring and good writing aren't always pin-able. (Pinterest was my biggest traffic source this year.)

These next 16 posts are the ones in which I invested a piece of myself before I hit publish. They are posts of heart and weakness, grace and dependence. (captions are also links)

-The Posts You Never Publish
-Christian Polar Paradigms
-Purity Vs. Virginity
-Forgive Me Father, for I have Sinned
-Blogging: A Trust

What Moments Do You Struggle to Enjoy?

Who Knows You?

Harassed and Helpless

When Motherhood Knocks You to Your Knees

Becoming a Student of Providence

Art of Home Making

Makes a Man Healthy, Wealthy and Wise

Sound the Retreat

Protesting Symbiotic Blogging

Not Just the Eye of the Beholder

A Lick and A Promise

These posts represent a tenth of what I wrote in 2013. Over 250 posts prayed over and published. I hope that each time you visited Barefoot Hippie Girl you were challenged and encouraged and motivated to keep on keeping on.

Happy Monday!

Top Favorite Read Aloud Picture Books

So, yes, this is a post in our home school series, but consider it also a heads up for great books to invest in as Christmas gifts for your children or someone else's children. The titles are links to Amazon or elsewhere. I am not an affiliate, so you clicking through to these books from here does NOT earn me any money. Just sayin'.=)

Btw...Amazon currently has free shipping for orders of $35 or more.

Our favorite read aloud picture books are our favorites based on a couple criteria...

classic story 

gorgeous illustrations 

teach good morals/character

1) The Complete Adventures of Curious George by Margaret and H.A. Rey- We love George's adventures and messes of mischief. So fun!

2) The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper. You want to get the version illustrated by Loren Long. Gorgeous!

3) Where Do Little Girls Grow? by Milly Jean Limmer. A friend of a friend wrote this book, and we have an autographed copy. The illustrations are very hippie-ish, and sort of weird. But it is a beautiful answer to a little girl's question.

4) Urso Brunov by Brian Jacques. This is a really fun story about a little bear away back when. It is a delight to read.

 5) The Tales of...by Beatrix Potter. These books are timeless, both the stories and illustrations. I like this particular edition because of the small size. They fit nicely into little hands.

6) Busy, Busy Town by Richard Scarry- what can I say? I am a sucker for his illustrations.

7) Cars and Trucks and Things that Go by Richard Scarry. The fun element in this particular book of Richard Scarry is Mr. Goldbug. He is hidden on every page.

8) Best Mother Goose Ever. I agree! There is no other edition of Mother Goose worth commenting on (in my humble opinion). Richard Scarry's illustrations and take on these rhymes will always be my favorite.

9) Greyfriar's Bobby by David Ross. We actually picked up this book in Scotland at a Kirk gift store for our kids. It is a sweet but sad story of love and loyalty.

10) Thomas the Tank Engine by Rev. W. Awdry

11/12) Tales of Young Americans...Scarlet Stocking Spy and The Last Brother. Trina Hakes Noble and Robert Papp make an amazing book team. The pictures are worthy of framing. And the history is very motivating to young minds.

What are some of your favorite picture books to read aloud to kids? Check out what tops these ladies' lists....
Chareen
Nicole
Lucinda
Julie

Well, it is Thanksgiving week, and I am taking a blogging break until next Monday or Tuesday. I am in Texas cooking with my mom, enjoying the Dallas Arboretum with my sister and niece and nephews, running a Turkey Trot with Mr. Hippie and just relaxing. I hope you have a wonderful week full of reminders of all you are thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

10 Tips I've Learned in 2 Years of Blogging

I am not sure if I mentioned this, but about a month ago, I celebrated my second blogiversary. Don't you love all the lingo that has sprung up with the rise of social media?

It has been a wonderful journey, and one that I don't plan to end any time soon. I really appreciate each one of you who take the time daily, weekly, or even only occasionally, to read what I write. Without you, I would still write. But, you all have added another level of wonder in that you choose to read my posts again and again. So, thank you. Thanks for your faithfulness, friendship, shares and comments.

I have learned so many things these past two years. I have learned how to be more precise and more descriptive. I have learned how to formulate my thoughts in a more logical way. I have learned the beauty of the rainbow, and the many shades of grey.

I have become more brave and willing to try new things-both online and in real life. Blogging has developed latent dreams and planted new ones.

I have learned that it would save me a lot of time, and calories, to photograph every recipe and adventure the first time through. I have learned that this world is smaller than I'd ever have imagined, but it is also much bigger. I have learned that some of the post I pour my heart into don't resonate with anyone else. And I am always amazed by what is popular.

I have found a groove that works for me now. A balance between philosophical and practical, spiritual and light.

On this 2 year journey, I've picked up some nuts and bolts tips that I shared over at Womanhood With Purpose. If you are a blogger or interested in blogging or just curious about what I may have learned, please join me over (there) today.

I have one other opportunity to share with you today. A friend of mine, Amber Lia, and her husband Guy, have a desire to produce family friendly, God honoring, people inspiring, good quality mainstream movies. (say that 10 times fast!) They have written a scrip, filmed a trailer and are now running a Kickstarted campaign to raise money for movie production. I would encourage you to watch this trailer, pray for the project and monetarily support them. Hollywood isn't going to produce good films if we don't support them. Let's get behind the Lia's and their company Storehouse Media. Let's pray them through this process and support them in any way we can. Okay?!

I know people say this all the time, but, every little bit does help. $1, $5, $100. Loaves and fishes.

For more information, you can read Amber's heart in her blog post (here) and/or check out the details and perks of the Kickstart campaign (here).



Have a magnificent Monday!

Suffer the Little Children

I am rather passionate about several things...coffee and dessert, history, teaching and children's ministry. If you want to see me rather hot under the collar, marginalize children or children's ministry. I'm telling you, I will give you an earful.

How is it that Jesus Christ loved children, yet His people often treat them and those who minister to them, as trivial? Not very important? Second rate?

Suffer the little children to come unto Me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven...

Joanna Kay Photography

The topic Misty gave her contributors this month was Ministering to Children. I prayed about what to write, and when I sat down, this is what poured out. (actually, what I told Misty when I sent it over  was that it kind of splatted out) It is a post written totally from my heart, and I cried when writing it. Emily Freeman asked the attendees at the Influence Conference last fall, "what makes you cry?" Well, this topic does. It's my passion. It's my heart. Please follow this link over to Simply Helping Him and read my heart.

Finding the Perfect Gift

Christmas time is sneaking up on us. Thankfully it is still four months away. Which means I can put off shopping for another 3 months. And planning for another 2-1/2.

Planning and shopping for the perfect gift. The one that will be used and appreciated. How often we search and search for the perfect gift for someone and come up empty and frustrated?

I love that one of the titles of God is the Giver of Every Good and Perfect Gift. (James 1:17) God is able to give good and perfect gifts because He intimately knows each one of us, He owns the universe, and nothing is impossible for Him to accomplish.

God gives us gifts for nourishment, healing and to use to serve Him. Join me over at Womanhood with Purpose today (here) to read more about gifts and ministry.

See you there!

You'll Wish that Summer Would Always Be Here

-Imbibing Nat King Cole's song...Hazy, Lazy, Crazy Days of Summer

-Idyllic summer week...lots of bike rides-even our first one as an entire family; a Celtic concert where I got to clap my hands, tap my toes and smile as my Love danced with my girls; picnics & sunshine...

-Epic day out, after an epic day in (aka real, every day life). Day in, Meres had so many accidents-including peeing on someone else's driveway-I almost cried. Plus I popped my bike tire. But, on my day out I got my business accounting up to date for the year, which has been a long term goal for me that has never happened. You know, to actually do the accounts before tax time. I also ventured the downtown (and out of my comfort zone) of our burg to a new PB to see the mural a friend painted (I didn't have my camera for a pic. this link will take you to some pics she posted.) and I went for a salon pedicure. Groovy music, darkish room, massage. Perfection...

-Awesome quote of the week. Plus awesome new site for free stock photos.

photo source

-My ah-ha moment lately was that I am less organized than goal oriented. But, I do strive for a system of simple organization. One that doesn't take tons of effort to set up or keep up.

Today I am sharing over at Simply Helping Him: Simple Organization. Join me there?!

-My current pile of books. Some fiction, inspiration, how-to, and thought provoking.

saw a similar pic on Pinterest. BMV and I worked together through many photos to get this one.

-My nearing the end of summer recipe for you...

Don't know what is up with the blurry bottom of the photo, but the top looks pretty good...

This salad puts a unique spin on normal taco salad. It is chock full of healthiness and goodness in the form of chicken, black beans, lettuce and tomatoes.

Chicken Taco Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
Salad
8 cups thinly sliced lettuce
2 cups roasted and chopped chicken pieces
2 large tomatoes, diced
1 large red or white onion, diced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 15 ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained.

Here's what you can do...mix all this together in a big bowl, or mix everything but the lettuce and serve on a bed of lettuce. Your choice. On top of the lettuce lasts longer...

Vinaigrette
1/4 cup chopped, seeded tomato
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 T olive oil
1 T cider vinegar
1t grated lime rind
2 T fresh lime juice
1/2 t salt
1/4 t cumin
1/4 t chili powder
1/4 t black pepper
1 garlic clove, peeled

Combine vinaigrette ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour over the chicken mixture-with or without lettuce.

Serve with tortilla chips, and sour cream and salsa, if desired.

What was phenomenal about your week? What are you looking forward to this weekend?