confessions of a control freak.

Hi. My name is Hope, and I am a control freak. I like to plan, schedule, and prepare for every possible situation. I like to know the when/what/where at all times. Especially the "when." Patience is not my strong suit. Never has been. But you may have heard, when you pray for something, God gives you the situations to use what your asking for. For me, that is always patience and He always delivers the circumstances that require it. Moving, studying, job searches, dreams for the future, etc.

What usually contributes to my impatience is comparison. Dustin and I had a conversation recently about the Joneses. You know that proverbial family that we all try to keep up with? The one who has the "dream" job, house, family, car, pets, life, etc. Dustin made a great point. As a society, we are no longer trying to keep up with the Joneses-- we are trying to out-do them! We see what "they" have and we have to have bigger, better, newer, faster, etc.

I had never thought of it that way. Probably because I am too busy thinking about what I want. I'm often guilty of making a plan in my head of how I want things to pan out and the timeline that it should follow that works for me. Did you notice the words in those last two sentences? I, my, me. How selfish my control freak, impatient tendencies can be! Lately, God has especially been speaking to my heart about patience and a desire for His will. Yes, I believe God wants to give us the desires of our hearts and that we can present our requests to Him. But what I don't always do is pray for His will to be done, not mine.

My sweet friend Sophie made this canvas for me. You can support missions and her beautiful work through her Etsy shop, LetteringfortheWorld. The words are the title of one of my favorite hymns and one that was included in our wedding. I have it on our wall that we see right when we come in the front door. What a great reminder it has been! While the song has always been special to me, I have been thinking about it even more lately. The hymn doesn't say "Be thine own vision" but rather "Be Thou my vision"-- I want God's plans for me to be my vision, not my plans for me. I want His will, not mine.

This morning I was reading Psalm 143. Don't you love when you re-read a familiar text and it hits you with a fresh message? I know I do. Verse 10 leaped off the page and into my heart.

Teach me to do your will, 

for you are my God;

may your good spirit 

lead me on level ground. 

Teach me to do your will. Wow. I have been praying that God would shift my desires align with His will. When I read that David, the man after God's own heart, asked God to teach him to do His will, I was so encouraged. Not only by an example of someone who experienced similar feelings, but also by the example of the words to pray. You better believe these words will be in my heart and on my lips. Not only do I want to pray that God's will be done, I want to be taught to do it. 

This is the song that the local Christian radio has been playing lately has also spoken to my heart. I've mentioned before that I love when God gives me several reminders. He knows I need them! The song is called "Lift My Life Up" by Unspoken. The lyrics are beautiful. Here are some of my favorites:

All my dreams, all my plans

Lord I leave it in your hands

I lift my life, lift my life up

Have your way in me

…

Take my life and let it be all for You

For a control freak, it isn't easy to let go of plans and dreams. I want to hold onto them and do what I can to see that they are carried out and obtained. But as a believer, I know that I am called to have faith in the One who knows better than my heart and mind could even imagine. His plan and ways are perfect. So I am doing my best to leave all my dreams and plans in His hands. I am praying that I will be taught to do His will, not mine. I want to desire Him above all. 

Thank you for letting me share a bit of what has been on my heart lately. I pray that His word and these songs speak to you as much as they have spoken to me. If you're a control freak like me, I pray that we allow Him to teach us to do His will. I pray that we desire that He have His way in us. 

Have a blessed day!

sausage cheddar quiche with a spaghetti squash crust.

My husband's job requires him to travel a lot. While I miss him very much when he is gone, I do enjoy the time in the kitchen that allows me to try new dishes that he may be reluctant to eat. I adore pretty much every vegetable and can be completely satisfied eating those alone-- don't get me wrong, I love a good steak as well. Dustin, like most men, has to have meat at every meal. I like to experiment with vegetable gratins, sauces, and other fun things that I think he wouldn't be crazy about when he is gone, and then fix the meals he enjoys when he is home.

Cooking spaghetti squash has been on my to-do list for what seems like forever. For those looking for a gluten-free alternative as we often are, this pasta-shaped vegetable is a great option! I have wanted to use it as a pasta substitute for some time now. I follow a lot of foodies on Instagram, especially those who post gluten free or Paleo recipes, since we avoid gluten as much as possible. When I saw a post about using spaghetti squash as a crust, I thought it was an interesting idea. Since Dustin was out of town earlier this week, I figured it would be a good time to try it out.

My mom has a great quiche recipe that I have always loved. It is a perfect blend of meat, cheese, and vegetables. What is not to love about that?? When I was menu planning for this week, I originally thought about making her quiche with the gluten free crust I used in my Vegetable Pie. Then when I saw this spaghetti squash crust idea, I had to use it. People often think of eating quiche for breakfast, lunch, or brunch but I always love breakfast foods for supper and my mom always made this quiche for suppers growing up. Plus the leftovers are great for breakfast!

Sausage Cheddar Quiche with a Spaghetti Squash Crust

For the crust:

Slice a two-pound spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and place cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake at 400* for 40 minutes or so. You want the squash to give a little when you press on it. Once done, let cool until you can handle it and remove the seeds. Then take a fork and rake out the "spaghetti" strands. Place the squash in the bottom of a greased pie plate and press up along the sides. Sprinkle lightly with salt.

For the filling:

4-6 eggs, whisked

3/4-1 lb sausage

4 ounces mushrooms, sliced

1/4 cup diced green pepper

1/4 cup diced onion

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon parsley

a dash of garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

Brown the sausage, green pepper, and onion until the sausage is no longer pink and the vegetables are soft. While sausage is browning, combine eggs, cheese, spices, and herbs. Pour the egg & cheese mixture over the crust. Top with sausage and vegetables. Bake at 350* for about 35-40 minutes or until  cooked through and firm on top. 

Notes: I tweaked my mom's recipe a bit. Her recipe adds milk, uses less eggs, and more cheese. Make it your own. Use different meat (or no meat), veggies, or cheeses. I arranged my mushrooms on top just for fun. Momma always mixes hers in. Also, depending on how shallow or deep your pie plate is, you may have to adjust your ingredients so that you don't overflow! My pie plate was on the shallow side so I used about 3/4 pound of sausage and 5 eggs. To help with cleanup, my mom always puts a aluminum foil lined pan under dishes that may overflow in the oven. Such a smart woman. I loved this recipe with the spaghetti squash crust! The squash gives the savory filling a slight sweetness. Y'all know I love sweet with savory! I am curious to try pre-baking the spaghetti squash crust alone for a few minutes to see if that would make it a bit crisper. I'm not sure how that would work but if I try it I will let you know! I have yet to convince the hubs to try this. He claims he doesn't eat food that starts with the letter "q." He makes me laugh constantly! But I really think he would enjoy it. Maybe I can persuade him to eat one bite of the leftovers. Of course that is assuming I don't eat them all myself!

So according to my planner, today is National Day of Encouragement! I remembered this morning that my bible includes a great checklist of ways to build others up in 1 Thessalonians 5:11-23. I copied it down in my journal and wanted to share it! I love a good checklist and I love encouraging others. What better advice for encouragement than straight from scripture!?

Let's make a special effort today and everyday to encourage those around us! 

Have a blessed day! 

7 on the 7th: so fresh & so clean

It is September 7th which means that it is time for sharing some more of my favorites! This month I thought I would try to have a theme. I am getting back in the groove of cleaning and keeping up our home after Dustin has graciously done so while I was studying. I figured it would be a good time to share my favorite "cleaning" things. Before I do, I want to get this out there-- We do not have a spotless house. My husband works in agriculture which means he has dirt on his boots and hands. I am the most clumsy person I know which means I drop things (coffee grounds, oil, makeup--everything that's so fun to clean up) and make a mess. Plus, we have two puppy sisters which means craziness and dog hair are inevitable. One thing I have always heard and loved is that houses are made to be lived in. While I do appreciate cleanliness, organization, and order-- I don't want to have some unrealistic expectation that our house will always be perfectly neat. That said, I genuinely enjoy cleaning. It is like therapy for me. I used to clean a friend's house during the summers as job. I have always loved to help friends pick up their rooms growing up. So while I avoid holding my self to a standard of perfection, I also just like to clean. Here are seven of my favorites...

1. a cleaning schedule

I grew up in homes where we had a day designated for cleaning and we did everything at once. Sometimes this still works well for me if I am having a crazy week. Here over the last few months though, I have been trying to develop a schedule that works for me. Each day I have only a couple of tasks that don't take much more than 30 minutes to an hour. I love having a to-do list and knowing what needs to be done. Of course life happens, and some Tuesdays the bathroom doesn't get cleaned or the dishes pile up in the sink and on the counters. Having a simple list each day to help keep things tidy as you go along prevents the overwhelming day or days of cleaning that can happen. 

2. baking soda

I love this stuff. I use it everywhere-- the kitchen, the bathrooms, and on our carpets. We have it in our refrigerator to absorb odors. I put it down our garbage disposal to freshen it up a bit. I mix it with vinegar to get stains off the counters or sinks. I also mix it with essential oils and sprinkle it over the carpets before I vacuum to make the house smell fresh. I really enjoy the neutralizing odor properties of this stuff! 

3. vinegar

Vinegar is my favorite. I actually love the smell of it. That strong, acidic scent just makes me feel like things are clean. Of course the smell goes away but I still love using it to clean. After I put a little baking soda down the drains I follow it with some vinegar so that it can do it's thing. Y'all remember the volcano science experiments from fourth grade right? I often have a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle to use for anything. When I go to clean the tub, I fill it a little bit with hot water and pour in the vinegar. After it stands for a little while, the soap scum and residue wipes away! I also use vinegar each time I do laundry. Instead of fabric softener, I use about 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar. Same result, but so much cheaper and no harsh chemicals. 

4. lemons

When I think of lemons, I think of freshness. I can always remember my mom throwing lemon peels in our sink and turning on the disposal. I loved the way it made the air smell like lemonade. I still do! Lemons have antibacterial properties as well. I also like to mix lemon juice with baking soda to get a stain off the counter. Another lemon tip is to simmer lemon peels with vanilla and herbs to have a natural potpourri! 

5. products

I'll admit it. I am one of those "hippies" who likes to use safe, green, natural solutions. You have probably already guessed that by now. While I am partial to using all natural products for cleaning, I do have some brands that are my favorite as well. I think that it is important to make your own choices when it comes to your health and the environment. Choosing these products are what I think is best for us. There is no judgment for anyone reading that doesn't agree. Some that we keep on hand are Mrs. Meyer's, Method, and 7th Generation. These products can be pricey, so I try to look for discounts or coupons when I can. Also, since I use my homemade cleaners often, I don't buy a lot of these. I love the Lemon Verbena scent by Mrs. Meyer's. Method makes a bathroom cleaner that smells like eucalyptus and I love having it in the cabinet for easy access. I use 7th Generation dishwasher and laundry detergent. I keep intending to make my own laundry detergent but I just haven't gotten to that point yet. Maybe someday. There's no judgment here right? 

6. inspirations

How lucky are we to have the world wide web at our fingertips? Of course there are countless websites that provide cleaning tips and ideas. Real Simple is one of my favorites. Martha Stewart also knows a thing or two about cleaning. I also check out the websites of the brands I like for tips and coupons. While these online sources are pretty credible, nothing beats good ol' advice from the ones who know how to clean the best-- our mommas. I love when my mom, step-mom, Dustin's mom, or the other leading ladies of our family share their tried and true tips. I am not ashamed to pick up the phone and call my mom for her expert stain-removing skills. She's a pro! Dustin's mom gave me the best hint about purchasing health foods and supplies online at Vitacost. Definitely check it out! I have purchased everything from makeup, cleaning products, and cooking oils. When we got married Dustin's aunt provided us with a basket full of cleaning goodies and included this neat booklet of cleaning tips and solution recipes. I just love it! These women know what they are talking about! 

7. psalm 51:10

I really like the ESV version of the verse:

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

More important than a clean house and neat outward appearance, is a clean and pure heart that only God can provide. There have been so many times that I have gone through the motions or tried to make it on my own. Each of those times resulted in failure and disappointment. Only God can make our hearts pure and renew a right spirit in us. When my earthly desires or distractions start to cloud my view, this verse is my prayer. When I have a flat out messy, ugly attitude, He provides renewal and a right spirit. As I clean the house, or even as the laundry piles up, I like to remember and give thanks for the spiritual cleansing that we are given from Him. It's every cleaning lover's dream. 

I hope you enjoyed this month's 7 on the 7th! 

I would love to hear your favorite cleaning tips, products, & routines! 

Have a blessed day! 

life update with sweet & spicy meatballs

Hello there! Long time no see! Life has been crazy, busy and exciting in the Curtsinger household lately which has forced me to put blogging on the back burner. I am so glad that things are kind of settling down now so that I can get back to sharing regularly. I have had the recipe I'm sharing tonight for weeks now & I'm so glad to finally post about it.

What has consumed my life the most lately is that I have been studying to take my exam to become a Registered Dietitian. I couldn't even tell you how many hours were spent reading, re-reading, writing, and re-writing, my notes over everything I learned in college. The prayers that were spoken over said notes were countless as well. I am so unbelievably thankful to finally say that I am a Registered Dietitian! I passed my test yesterday and I have never felt more relieved! I posted last night on Facebook that I felt like Satan was trying to defeat me yesterday. I really did feel attacked through the scheduling issues, technical difficulties, and overall disruptive testing experience, but in the midst of it all, I felt God's peace that passes understanding. I knew that He was right there with me and my source of strength. I felt the prayers of many loved ones being said on my behalf. When the woman told me that I had passed, tears of joy, relief, and thanksgiving made their way down my cheeks. "Thank you Lord" were the first words out of my mouth and then she hugged me and apologized for all the issues. I think she knew I just needed a hug. I have to give God ALL the glory. Without His peace, love, grace, and strength, I don't know how I would have even endured that situation-- & I don't want to know!

I also have had the best support from my family, friends, and husband. I have had so many words of  encouragement and reminders of Truth from loved ones. Dustin took over the cleaning, cooking, and laundry the last couple of weeks which was a HUGE blessing. My man can cook-- salmon, chicken, omelets, you name it! His willingness to let me do nothing but study as often as I could while he worked AND took care of the chores was absolutely amazing. Y'all know I love to cook and clean so it was not easy to see dishes that needed to be done, or even just fight that urge to experiment in the kitchen. I think Dustin and I are both happy that I can resume my role as the homemaker!

So about this recipe… I love it. (Of course I do, why else would I share it?) I have made it three times now. Twice before I really started studying and then again tonight. We tend to lean towards foods that are sweet and savory. This recipe is the perfect combination. I think the best way to describe the flavor is like the inside of an Asian Dumpling. We love dumplings. Again, like the other recipes I posted, I tweaked one I found to make it my own. The original recipe is from paleomg. Definitely check out the original!

Sweet & Spicy Meatballs

2 yellow onions, diced & sautéed 

1 lb ground beef

1 egg, whisked

1/2 cup flour

1 (8 oz) can diced pineapple, drained

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon siracha

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon coriander

1/2 teaspoon cumin

salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350*. Place sautéed onions in the bottom of a casserole dish. Combine all the ingredients except for the beef in a bowl. Mix well and then add the ground beef. Form into meatballs-- whatever size you want. Brown the meatballs in the same skillet or pan used to sauté the onions. Once the meatballs are brown on all sides, place them in the baking dish on top of the onions. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the meat is cooked through. Enjoy! 

*Notes: The original recipe calls for using a crockpot, which I will probably try sometime. I just wanted to make them in less time-- aka I'm impatient. I use less pineapple because I want just a little sweet and more heat. You can use whatever flour or meal that you have-- AP, GF, almond meal, etc. It just helps as a binding the ingredients together. The first time I made this, I left out the coriander and mustard seed that is in the original recipe and loved it. The next two times I used coriander and still loved it! Also, the meat mixture has been pretty wet each time I've made them so they almost turn into patties more than meatballs. Either way they are delicious. I served them on top of sautéed squash and zucchini with carrots. Add this recipe to your menu plan in the next week! I don't think you'll regret it! 

I'm thankful for more time to post again. I was limiting my time on the computer or my phone because of studying but it is nice to feel connected. Like I've mentioned before, I try to "follow" or "like" people or groups on social media who share encouraging truths. It is amazing how much light such posts can bring to your day and influence you to do the same! Thank you to the ones who have brightened mine so many times! 

Have a blessed day! 

influence.

There are a lot of reasons that people blog. To share their family stories, to document a trip, to give style ideas or tips, to share recipes, to voice opinions, and the list I'm sure could continue. When I started this blog, my intention was to provide some of my favorite recipes and random moments in our lives. While I have done that some, I have not exactly stuck with the food theme and that is ok. You see, God has placed it on my heart to post more about Him and what He is doing in my life. Not just on this blog but in the social media world. Social media can get a bad reputation, and there are definitely times that it is abused, but there are also times that it can be so positive. I've tried to make it a point to "like" or "follow" people or groups that point me & others to Jesus. When my Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook feed is full of scripture, encouragement, and love, I can't help but be uplifted and want to share that with others. Sure, you may have moments that you feel you need to vent, or post about "that" person in the grocery store, or complain about the crazy weather or traffic. But if we made more of a point to post about the positives in life--and I believe there is always a positive, always a blessing to be thankful for-- would we not be encouraging each other more? There have been several times that I felt I needed to post a specific prayer request because I knew that my friends would pray with me. There have also been a few times when I felt convicted about a post I was going to do that I later would have wished I hadn't. There are just simply some things that should be left off of social media, handled in private, or just not even acknowledged. I don't ever want to seem like I have everything together or that I am some Pollyanna person all the time. I do strive to keep my focus on God, which then leads to a better attitude. But that is His work in me, not anything that I do. I have my own struggles as well. Selfishness, insecurities, worries, and more. I have learned that when I fill my mind with God's Word, that those struggles are so much easier to battle using the armor He provides (Ephesians 6).

So all of this is to say, I am wanting my social media outlets to be an influence for Christ. I want God to use my posts to speak to people. I want to be held accountable for what I do and say. A sweet, new friend recently called me and told me about the The Influence Conference. It is a weekend conference for bloggers & social media lovers to learn, share, and fellowship with others who are after the same goal: to make much of Jesus. It didn't take much for Brittany to convince me that the conference was where I needed to be! After hearing from her, reading more about the weekend, talking with Dustin, and praying for God to direct me where I should go, I felt that signing up was what I needed to do! The way He has orchestrated the whole thing is amazing! I am so excited to learn more from some women who have been an incredible influence in my life recently, share what God has done in my life, and meet some new friends as well! If this sounds like something you would be interested in, I encourage you to check out the link to the conference website!

A little over three months ago, Dustin and I lived in Kentucky. I was brand new to blogging. I didn't know Brittany. I had read a little bit of the She Reads Truth devotional plans but not consistently. I had never heard of the Influence Network. As we were moving, I felt in my heart more of a pull to have a structured quiet time. I picked back up on the devotional plans. I met Brittany and then she told me about the Influence Conference. I am fully convinced that God has orchestrated the whole thing and I'm so thankful. If you would have told me 4 months ago that all of this would be happening, I am not sure that I would believe you. I wanted to post recipes-- I still do & will (I have a great one that I can't wait to share!). But I want this blog to be more than that. I want to be more than that. My prayer is still to share God's goodness. For Him to use this blog and me for His glory, not mine. I have thought about deactivating my social media accounts to get rid of the gossip, inappropriate posts, negativity, etc. But then I reconsidered. Social media can be used for a much greater purpose-- to reach so many more people with the love of Christ, to encourage, to support, to pray with and for people, and to share God's Word. So that's my intention. Yes, I want to share random parts of our lives. I think God loves us in those random, special moments too! I want to share our favorite recipes that have allowed us to taste His goodness. But more than anything, I want to share His love and truth because it has changed my heart and life. At the end of the day, His Influence is what matters most.

Have a blessed day & be an influence!

7 on the 7th: a few of my favorite things

I have been thinking of some ways to share more on the blog. I always love when bloggers do posts about their "favorite things". I feel like it helps you connect more and also find out about random new things! So my plan is to post 7 of my favorite things on the 7th of each month. It could be anything like products, tips, recipes, songs, books, verses, things, etc. I think you get the picture… My goal is to share things that I enjoy with the hope that you get to know me a little better and maybe find out that we have mutual interests! I would love to hear your favorite things as well so feel free to share them in the comments!

1. The Number Seven

I chose "7 on the 7th" because 7 is my favorite number. It really became my favorite number when Dustin & I set our wedding date to be July 7th (07/07). Once we had that date set, it seemed like everything somehow pointed to seven-- my ring has seven diamonds on each side of the center stone, we got married at 4:30 (4+3+0=7), our minister's grandson is named Seven (no joke! he's adorable!), & then we knew that seven is said to be a "complete" number in scripture. All of those neat coincidences made the wedding planning even more special. To this day I get excited when I find a seven somewhere. This photo is a little hook I found at TJMaxx a few months ago. I just couldn't resist bringing it home! 

2. She Reads Truth

If you aren't familiar with She Reads Truth, I highly recommend you check it out! It is an online community that shares daily devotional plans. If you have a smart phone you can follow along with their plans using the YouVersion Holy Bible app. Just search through their different plans. If you don't have a smart phone, you can find their plans on their website. They have plans for several different books of the Bible as well as various topics. I have really enjoyed and gained so much from the ones that I have done. They also have Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram accounts that I enjoy following as well. The devotionals are so real and true. Each one is coupled with scripture so you are in the Word each day. Love love love it! Of all my favorites in this post, please remember this one & check it out! 

3. Aprons

I really love aprons. I was about 5 when I got my first apron. My Meme made it for me & I would wear it all over the house with nothing on but my Disney Princess panties-- not really a photo appropriate for the internet, & yes there is a photo! It is pink with my name appliquéd on it in plaid fabric. The apron is still at my momma's apartment. I think it would have hurt her feelings if I asked to take it-- plus it's not like it still fits. She's where I get my sentimentality. But I do have these lovely aprons that I adore having up in our kitchen. The green one was given to me by my former boss as a wedding present. I just love the vintage look it has. My momma gave me the one in the middle with cherries on it as a present for my birthday this year. The grey and blue one was given to me by my sister in law. Each one is so special to me! Bonus fact: Dustin made the wall hanger that they are on as a gift for our first anniversary when we were dating. He's just awesome. It started out pink and as a place I put my purses, then when we got married it was painted Florence (Annie Sloan chalk paint) and became a towel rack. Now it holds my aprons and I love it! 

4. Snail Mail

Who doesn't love snail mail!? As much as I love receiving mail, I love sending it even more! My momma taught me at a young age to send thank you notes and letters. We moved several times when I was little so I would write letters to my friends and family. I just love the thought of brightening someone's day through sending a card or letter. Texts and emails are nice, phone calls are even better, but there is nothing like an old fashioned card in the mail. Since we have moved from our hometown it has made my day to get sweet cards from dear friends back home. These vintage seed pack stamps are my favorite. I may or may not stock up each time I am at the post office. I will be so sad if they discontinue them. Pretty postage and stationary are just an added bonus in the whole deal. 

5. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

I must thank my MIL for introducing me to Annie Sloan. If you are not familiar with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and live in Western Kentucky, mosey on over to Flower + Furbish in Paducah, KY to pick up some of the best paint ever! *Side note: While you are there, allow Sara to design your wedding flowers or your home. She is a genius! She did our bridal party flowers! If you don't live in Western KY, I apologize for not knowing where there are other places to purchase this goodness. So about this paint-- the colors are divine, the application is so easy--no sanding/priming necessary, and the results are splendid! Dustin and I recently painted a corner cabinet in Old White and French Linen. I'm in love with it! I plan to share more photos of that project in another post. 

6. School/Office Supplies

It's that time of year--School Supply Season! I would be lying if I said I don't miss that part of each school year, even through college. In the early years, Lisa Frank folders, stickers, and pencils were THE supplies to have, right?! Then there was the classic, monogrammed LL Bean backpack that I still have. My first year of college I joined a sorority (one of the best decisions that I've ever made) and we received bags with our letters on them from our Big Sisters. In addition to the cute bags, there was/is always the dilemma of finding the perfect planner. I love planners. I have tried several (DaySpring, MyAgenda, Lilly Pullitzer, etc) and each one has been nice but I am still on the search for the perfect planner. I am to the point now that I may try to make one myself. I picked up these lovely supplies a few days ago at Target. The cute mini binder is perfect for me to store sermon notes, prayer requests, and other papers I like to hold onto. I may actually use it to make my new agenda for 2014. The gold striped binder I'm using as a journal for my quiet time. The Paper Mate Flair pens are my absolute favorites. They're like writing with a thin marker. I love them! 

7. Vinaigrettes

I couldn't leave out a recipe in this first post of favorites. I have been on a vinaigrette kick lately. I love vinegar--on fish, on greens, used for pickling, in dressings, and I even clean with it! I love the sour punch it gives. While a vinaigrette is far from complicated, I had never made one until recently. Basically it is oil, vinegar, and seasonings. So simple and so flavorful. Just mix everything together in a jar and use it for anything-- dressing for salads, to flavor roasted vegetables, as a marinade, or whatever suits your fancy. This particular dressing was a Moroccan Vinaigrette. You can follow the link for the full recipe. It is delicious! I have made it twice and enjoyed it on salad, sautéed with spinach, over roasted vegetables, spooned over rice, and added to Beef Curry. Once I finish this batch I plan to try other recipes. Like with other recipes I post, I love that it is using all whole ingredients. No long list of ingredients that sound like they belong in a science textbook. 

So there's my first of what I hope to be many, 7 on the 7th. I hope you enjoy the randomness as much as I enjoyed sharing it! Please share some of your favorites! I love hearing from readers! 

Have a blessed day! 

waiting.

We've all been there. Maybe you're there now. Waiting. Waiting for school to be over already. Waiting to graduate. Waiting for that vacation that's been planned for months. Waiting for that perfect relationship to come along. Waiting for the job you've always wanted. Waiting for the pain from hurt feelings to go away. Waiting to feel settled in and connected in a new place. Waiting for test results to return that provide hope rather than despair. Waiting for a family. Waiting for the sickness to end. Waiting for a moment's rest because there just aren't enough hours in the day. Waiting for the joy that is promised to come in the morning.

Waiting isn't ever enjoyable. I can't say that I have ever been glad when I go to an appointment or out to eat and the receptionist or hostess tells me that my wait is going to be longer. Really?? I'm already hungry and you're telling me that I have to wait even longer to get my cheese dip?? You know the feeling! Regardless of how I feel about it, waiting is inevitable. It is a part of life-- our moms are always right! What I am starting to learn now is that my attitude while I am waiting is my choice. I can choose to be impatient, bitter, frustrated, disappointed, and a lot of other negative feelings. Honestly, I have felt all of those. But I can also choose to cling to the One who promises hope and a future. I can look for ways to praise Him in the midst of the waiting. I can thank Him for all he has done, is doing, and will do because there is always something to be thankful for. When I shift my focus from me, to Him, my attitude shifts as well. Of course there are moments when I share with God my feelings of disappointment or despair. I believe that He wants us to be real with Him! But I also feel like we could be missing His voice in our lives when we are caught up in our frustrations while waiting. I know I have been so blinded to the blessings around me because I was so fixated on the thing I was waiting for. Lord, please help us keep our eyes on You. One way that helps me keep my focus on Him is time each morning in His Word. Starting my day with a fresh cup of coffee and my Daily Bread has drastically changed my outlook and walk with Christ. Having His Word and Truth to focus on and remember throughout the day is so strengthening, especially in times of waiting.

I've mentioned before that I feel that God knows I need multiple reminders of lessons He is teaching me. Often I feel those lessons come through music. While I have zero vocal abilities and minimal musical talent--although I played a mean clarinet in middle school band (Go woodwinds!)--I love music of all genres. I am especially partial to country. One of my earliest memories is being at my Nana's and standing in front of the tv singing along to the CMT music videos-- Shania, Diamond Rio, Alabama, Martina, Faith, you know who I'm talking about! I have also always loved hymns and the songs played on Christian radio stations. The combination of beautiful notes and words of truth is heavenly. Several of our wedding songs were hymns that have been my all-time favorites-- Be Thou My Vision, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Holy Holy Holy, and more. I am an emotional person, without a doubt, and the words in the songs we sing on Sundays (& throughout the week if you listen to the radio or your iTunes) often moves me to tears because they highlight God's beautiful, never-ending love for and devotion to us. A couple of songs have recently been on my heart to share with you. They have helped me tremendously in my times of waiting.

The first is "Help Me Find It" by Sidewalk Prophets. The lyrics are just perfect. "...If there's a road I should walk, help me find it. If I need to be still, give me peace for the moment..."

The second is "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller. Again, beautiful lyrics. "...While I'm waiting, I will serve you. While I'm waiting, I will worship, While I'm waiting…"

What is so awesome about these songs is that I seem to hear them so often when I get in my car. The good thing about listening to Christian radio/Pandora/Spotify/etc is that you will always be encouraged and reminded of truth. For a while there, literally every time I got into the car I heard "Help Me Find It." That is not an exaggeration. For some, hearing the same song over and over would drive them nuts but in this case I was so thankful to hear that message repeatedly.

It has been on my heart for a while now to share these words and songs with you so I had to do it this morning. I hope that they are as comforting to you as they are to me. While we wait, let's choose to worship and serve. While we wait, I pray that God will give us peace for the moment. I would love to hear what songs or verses are helpful to you in moments of waiting. Please share!

Have a blessed day!