by Kimberly | Sep 10, 2013 | creatives, food, Vegetables, vegetarian, Women
I love sweet friends. This girl has been a friend since high school – our cheerleading days – and we got reconnected on FB (that is the blessing of Facebook), then when I went to Denver a few years back we got to hang out and take some beautiful photos, now she is loving her garden and seeing all the beautiful things she can create from it.
What I learned this week about being Creative: I’m not a gardener. It takes a lot of time. There are many other interests in my life that take up that time. But, I can and do enjoy goodies from other people’s gardens. I talked with Jayme last week and she agreed to come up with a new recipe, show us some of her garden, answer some questions – and hopefully inspire you to live a fresh, local life! Another way I love this story – is because it started when J was growing up. Moms/Dads – you have a huge influence on your children in many way. Don’t neglect the non-spiritual ways you influence your children!
1. How did you begin your creatives lifestyle?
Growing up, every Tuesday night, my mom would conduct “Home Together Nights.” We would select recipes to reproduce, as a family, and we would laugh, create, and bond together. My sister and I still make recipes from those memorable evenings, and we are much more adventurous and creative in the kitchen, and in other areas, as a result. A creative upbringing definitely made it easier to embrace a similar lifestyle as an adult, but having a garden, working within the hospitality and restaurant industries, training as a sommelier, and traveling to different parts of the world have greatly shaped the way that I view my place in the world, as well.
2. What drives you to continue (especially in a time of convenience)?
As I answer this question, I am up late, tending some stock. It would be so easy to simply throw away the day’s carrot greens, chicken bones, and onion skins and conveniently purchase stock at the grocery for my next batch of soup. However, I feel a strong sense of responsibility with the bounty we have been given and the talents we possess; I feel a deep pull to squeeze every gift to the very last drop, reuse it, repurpose it, and share it. It is intensely rewarding. Almost always, I save money by doing and making things, myself, and the more adept I become, the more beneficial and far-reaching my deeds become. I take immense pride knowing that I am capable and knowledgeable to provide for myself and my family. Creativity applies not only to the artistic realm, but it also applies to the practical realm.
3. What is the thing you’ve learned most about yourself in this creative journey?
The mess-ups and mistakes are usually the most memorable, educational, and exciting. I do not always operate on this precept, but I really try to learn from my perceived mishaps. For example, I try to sketch or write about something I am creating each day. A lot of times, those messy sketches or scribbled words become foundations for a future project. If I were to discard them because of their imperfections, I would limit my creative potential. I tend to be very good at limiting myself and comparing myself and my progress to others. That aspect of my personality is challenging. I am trying to let go, unleash what holds me back, and get my blank canvas absolutely messy, both literally and figuratively.
4. What is your favorite recipe?
My favorite recipe to make is zucchini cake. You can find my recipe here (link:
http://hollyandflora.com/2012/08/26/theres-no-such-thing-as-too-much-zucchini/). However, this gardening season, I have had an abundance of eggplant, herbs, and tomatoes, which prompted me to create this recipe for my version of an eggplant tapenade/caponata. Being in the midst of a kitchen remodel, I have not had access to a stove, dishwasher, proper storage options, or even a sink, which is why I have had to create new recipes, using either a grill or crockpot.
5. What has been your greatest joy in this creatives process?
I am very much inspired by my garden. I feel that it feeds almost every area of my life right now. I am inspired by its color, its movement, its inconsistencies, its demands, its continual state of flux. I find inspiration from its parallels to our daily lives. So many of life’s lessons can be likened to a garden. The seasonal change of a garden mirrors the growth of an individual, but gardening is not just about an individual effort. I have found deep satisfaction involving myself with the gardening community here in Denver.
Grilled Eggplant “Caponade”
Ingredients:
20 small fairytale eggplants, halved, stems removed (or substitute 2 medium regular eggplants, quartered)
8 medium to large heirloom tomatoes, quartered
1 head of garlic
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
juice of one lemon
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 bunch green onions, finely chopped, whites and greens together
1/2 cup olives, chopped (mostly Kalamatas, with some mixed green olives)
1/8 cup capers
1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
1/8 cup freshly chopped basil
1 tablespoon freshly chopped thyme
salt and pepper, to taste
dried chili flakes, to taste
Steps:
1. In a deep saucepan, simmer the tomatoes in 1/2 cup olive oil, over low to medium heat, for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until most of the liquid is gone, and it starts to thicken. The longer you can draw this process out, the better and more concentrated the taste will be.
2. In another pan, add the peeled and separated garlic cloves to 1/4 cup olive oil. Simmer over low heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned and caramelized. Remove from heat, set aside to cool, and then chop coarsely. Do not discard the oil!
3. Pre-heat the grill on high heat, and then turn down to low heat. Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and lightly salt. Grill the fairytale eggplants for two minutes on each side. If you are using regular eggplants, grill four to five minutes on each side. Remove from the grill, set aside to cool, and then dice into 1/4 inch pieces.
4. Once each component has cooled, mix the tomatoes, garlic, and eggplant in a large bowl. Add the last quarter cup of olive oil, as well as the oil that you reserved from simmering the garlic.
5. Add the lemon juice, vinegar, onions, olives, capers, and herbs to the mixture. Stir to integrate.
6. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes to taste (I used about 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of chili flakes).
This recipe tastes great the first day, but even better the next, so feel free to prepare in advance. This recipe yields about four cups and keeps, refrigerated, for a week. Serve with crostini or grilled bread. What are some other uses for this recipe? Serve alongside hummus or crumble in feta or serve on top of baked or grilled salmon and pork tenderloin.
Be on the lookout for spice rubs, spice blends, and notecards all inspired by Jayme’s garden! And Be Creative!
by Kimberly | Sep 9, 2013 | weight loss
Being almost 9 months pregnant (yes, pregnancy is really ten months for those who are wondering – or 40 weeks)…may not be the best time to think about your weight loss goals – but I’ve got a lot of them coming up in the next year, so get ready.
One of the new changes to this blog will be one day a week – hopefully – a fitness/living well update. We have already started to make some eating changes and that is fun and challenging and teaches me new ways to be creative in the kitchen (though today I’m making strawberry cupcakes – don’t worry – they are for someone else). But, I know that in a marathon race to lose 110 lbs (by the end of this pregnancy and down to where I want to be and where I have been) – I’ve gotta cook, eat, and exercise creatively.
We don’t have money for a gym membership right now – nor do I have time to go do that with (soon) two boys under 14 months. But, here are some ways you can beat the exercise humdrums and shed those pounds, meet those goals, or just tone up!
1. Set goals. This was the biggest thing for me in my past weight loss journeys. I had to set small attainable goals. I did Weight Watchers and met lifetime during my almost 3 years in Louisville. These must be small. For me…the best goal is travel. I go places and want to see people and take pictures. So, I want to look the best I possibly can at that time. So, I pick out clothes, a goal weight for that trip – and set my mind to it!
2. Believe that you can do it. If you don’t believe you can do it – no amount of influence from others will help you. You have to do this because you want to. However you need to encourage yourself – do it!
3. Have encouragement buddies. I began running during my time in Louisville. I had several friends who were great encouragers to me in my losing weight and running journey. My husband will be my biggest fan. He wants me to be healthy – and after having two babies in two years of marriage is not the best recipe to stay healthy!
4. Don’t be a slave to the scale. Someone in Louisville asked me one time not to weigh – because the number on the scale had become an idol to me. She was right. Whatever the number on the scale said in the morning affected how I felt about myself that day, what I ate, and how much I exercised. Nothing else seemed to matter. You are more than a number on a scale. The numbers can be a good indicator of your overall health, but not the only thing. Have those jeans that you long to wear – hanging where you can see them – so that might deter you from eating that second cookie.
5. Perservere. I’ve lost almost 70 lbs before. I know I love my clothes, style, accessories, and how I feel and look when I get to my goal weight. I know 110 lbs is not going to be easy. But, I have all of 2014 (and after S is born, the rest of 2013) to get to it. It’s a marathon. Go do it – be creative. Get out and do new things. I can’t wait to be healthy enough to go running again – and hike Pinnacle Mountain with my husband and boys in tow.
Maybe the book I’ve started writing about the gospel and food will eventually get written. It is a matter very important to my heart (and my body).
by Kimberly | Sep 4, 2013 | Books, marriage
Whoever said being married to a pastor was easy – hasn’t been married to a pastor. Let me explain and in that explanation, tell you why I chose (and liked) Jared’s book The Pastor’s Justification – a book for pastors (not pastor’s wives).
When I went to seminary, I went for the purpose of getting further training so I could do what I wanted to do: disciple. If marriage came with that, great. But, at 23, that was not my main goal. I was there to learn how to do ministry and engage in ministry. I did meet girls there who said they were there because they knew they were called to be a pastor’s wife and seminary was the place to find single men entering the ministry.
Now, 14 years almost after entering seminary, having been married to a pastor for almost 2 years, I can tell you that there really is nothing glamorous about being a pastor’s wife. And that is why I chose to read Wilson’s book. And it’s a good one.
Don’t get me wrong: I love my husband, I love being married to him, I love serving him, and I love being his wife. I love ministry, I love doing ministry – but it is hard. It is hard to see your husband get beat up at work (not currently or literally, no black eyes yet). There have been times when ministry is hard and there are more times when it is a joy. It is hard to see him discouraged at times and wonder why the church would do that to him (because the church is full of sinners), and sometimes you just want him to be able to worship in church with you (but have to wait until vacation to be able to do that). As a friend who is also a pastor’s wife said, “Sundays make me feel like a single mom”.
Wilson, a pastor in Vermont, writes a very personal, very relatable, and insightful book for pastors. But, I also think it can be useful for pastor’s wives as well. Wives: if you want to know some of the heartache, pull, weight that is in your husband’s heart at times, read this book. Know how to encourage your husband in the gospel of Christ when he is discouraged. When your pastor husband feels like a failure and you don’t know what to do, this book might be insightful for you. Wilson takes many of the struggles that ALL pastors face and puts them up against our sinful spirit, and the grace and cross of Jesus. Our husbands aren’t successful because the numbers of the church increase or more people get baptized or the giving is on the up: they are successful because they are in Jesus.
Here are some ways you can read this book:
1. If you have multiple pastor’s wives in your church: read this book together. I think it would be great to have a monthly gathering of pastor’s wives, sip coffee or tea, eat a cookie or fruit, and talk about this book – be real, be vulnerable, and share what God is doing in your marriage.
2. Read this book with your husband. It will strengthen your marriage more than you think. You need to be in constant dialogue with your pastor husband. He needs to know where you are struggling and you need to know where he is struggling. Who else has that much insight into her husband’s heart?
by Kimberly | Sep 3, 2013 | Uncategorized
A helpful place to start when being a creative is: KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS.
My strength is not typography or painting. Of course I can see and know what I like and pick out quality lettering, but I don’t have the artistic hand like some people do.
The “some people” I am talking about today is Karisse and Kristel. Karisse and I go way back to Flagler College where we studied and did ministry together. Kristel is her younger sister. This sister-duo now owns an Etsy shop that specializes in canvas art: Anne of Green Gables (oh which I love so much!), Old Hollywood, Quotes, and lovelies that they make custom made for you.
That is what they did for me. I needed Sebastian’s artwork of his life verse done for his room. I started trying to do it myself and knew that it wouldn’t turn out “hangable”. So, I turned to Karisse. Let me just tell you – the finished product is amazing. My husband and I both love it and can’t wait to get it hung on his nursery wall (which is also the guest room for the next few years – if you want to come visit).
Karisse and Kristel use their creative abilities to make your home, office, nursery, etc a beautiful place – and they have some deals for you – KD316 readers!
1. Free shipping! You can get free shipping on any order or custom order using the coupon code: KD316. The code will be valid from Sept 3 until September 10. Special ordered pieces will be made and delivered by the end of September.
2. Giveaway! We will have 3 small canvases for you to give away to the winner of a drawing.
1. Go to the
Pretty Philosophie Etsy shop and “like” your favorite item- then write in the comments of this blog which is your favorite item and why.
2. Follow Pretty Philosophie and comment here saying that you are a follower and leave a Scripture suggestion for a future painting for a second entry.
3. Follow KD316 (on Facebook), or KD316 for a third entry.
Drawing will be September 10th.
by Kimberly | Aug 30, 2013 | creatives, Uncategorized
September brings another new month – and a new time in this blog. This blog, no matter the name, has been going on for almost 10 years in some form, and it is time for a change.
As I have been reading Jess Lively (a life blog) for a few years now (and loved her jewelry JessLC) I’ve come to know one thing about my blogging: I need to write about what brings me joy and love what I write about. I love theology – but lately, for reasons that I’ll keep between my husband and myself, I will choose not to spend much of my time writing about theology. Believe me, some posts will still exist: especially book reviews and CBMW topics and how to incorporate the Word into life, but this will not be my focus on this blog.
In the past months, I’ve been thinking about all of life as a creative. We were made in the image of our Creator and everything comes from Him. Our creativeness flows from Him. I love being creative: not knitting or crocheting or scrapbooking – but that’s just not my thing (and if it is your thing, keep doing so for God’s glory). I’m more creative in decorating, cooking, baking, food photography, photography in portraits and nature, traveling, style, writing, encouraging, etc. I also love seeing those around me see their world in a creative mindset and bent. So I will feature other creatives on this blog as well. I have many talented and creative friends all over the globe! 🙂
That is what this blog will be from now on. A mixture. I hope you enjoy the newness!
