Birthdays are for celebrating. It is the day that God brought a person into the world: the personality, the eyes, the eyelashes, the fun, the spirit, the name – everything about the person – God wants us to love and hold.
One way I love to celebrate birthdays is by having food. Celebrating over meals and friends and fun times is such a joy!
Some of my favorites from yesterday’s party:
The smell of the charcoal heating up to grill some delicious burgers.
Sebastian stuffing in little pieces of canteloupe and devouring a cookie with yellow frosting: therefore, having yellow frosting everywhere.
Elijah staring at his cupcake and then stuffing it in his face.
Friends sitting around enjoying relationships – over good ol’ American food.
Yellow everywhere! It was a happy party with a happy color!
Here’s what we had:
Burgers (thanks to my brother for the “recipe” and my neighbor for making them and the Mister for grilling them). Perfectly cooked!
Crescent Dogs (so yummy!)
Baked Beans – may never make another bean recipe again – and I loved serving it my Papa’s cast iron skillet
What a great, delicious day. Thanks to all who came, brought stuff, and ate, and laughed, and celebrated our little boy with us! Here’s to many more birthday celebrations to come!
Sorry for the slow post week, but we had a great reason and a sad reason.
Sad: Sebastian had some medical issues that he is healing from which made for late nights and slowish recovering days.
Great: Little E Mister turned two yesterday. We were gearing up for his party and hosting friends and blowing out candles. I wanted to send this little recap to celebrate the boy!
Two years ago: wow – how much life has changed. E was born in Durham, a week late, a 3rd degree tear, infection after delivery for me, and a 4 day NICU stay for him. Thank you DUKE! That early morning totally changed our lives. From the get go e was amazing, slept through the night at 4 months and hasn’t looked back. (below photo by Erica Cooper)
Then we moved to Little Rock, AR and his first birthday was celebrated with all the many friends that had been a blessing to us during the first year in Little Rock.
In his second year of lift, he gained a baby brother and continued to grow: learning how to walk and getting teeth and learning some fun words. We said so long to our friends in Little Rock and now reside in Marietta, GA. We had a fun party with hamburgers and hot dogs, grapes, chips, and baked beans. Plenty of desserts for everyone. Early in the day we had cinnamon rolls and went to the zoo where we saw the parakeets and road the train and played in the splash pad. What a great day.
This little boy holds so much joy in all of his expressions. He is a full out little boy. We are trying to teach him that Jesus wants his heart and that we all need Jesus. He loves giving hugs and being hospitable.
(Disclaimer: I will say at the forefront that I do NOT suffer well. I don’t like to suffer; and I really don’t know who does. And I have also learned much from writing this post. So, I hope this post is a blessing to you as well. Thank you for your sweet comments on the last several “faith and life” blogs I’ve written. You have been sweet community to me.”)
Probably in the world’s eyes I’ve not suffered a lot in my life. But, I’ve learned that suffering is indeed felt and experienced differently by different people. I’ve people in my life who:
– have children who have suffered long with different forms of cancers or disabilities
– have wombs that are barren and can’t have biological children
– have lost parents or grandparents
– have adult children who aren’t living for the sake of the gospel
– have family members lost in a natural disaster
– have lost jobs or friends
– aren’t sleeping because of babies in the home who are struggling to get on a schedule
– have absent spouses who don’t pursue Christ and their marriage
I wrote this post while waiting for a women’s event to start. When I got home from the women’s event my husband was holding our infant and said something was wrong. He never goes to sleep on him and his breathing was very labored. He had inhaled a small teething tablet into his windpipe and now it is stuck beyond the coughing it up point. We all had a restless night pondering what to do – and decided this morning to take him into a pediatrician. She immediately requested x-rays. Now we are waiting for the results and a plan of action. That is a form of suffering. Just as an example.
Below are 6 things that I’ve learned as I’ve pondered suffering for the last several months:
1. Suffering is inevitable. (John 15:20, 1 Peter 4:12) No matter what form your suffering takes – suffering will come to you (whether you are a Christian or not). For Christians, the Bible says that since Jesus suffered, we will suffer too. We should expect it. We should not be surprised when it happens – whatever “it” is. Suffering isn’t necessarily because of our sin. Jesus was perfect, but knew suffering. We may suffer for righteousness or we may suffer because of our sin. Either way, suffering will be in our lives. That is why we pray all the more fervently “Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 21:1, 4)
2. Suffering should lead us to humility. The reason I don’t suffer well is because I have come to the realization (through the help of the Spirit) that I don’t think I should suffer. My point of reference is other sinners around me. I don’t think I should suffer because I’ve not sinned as much as other people. But, thankfully the Spirit is showing me that I am indeed a sinner, and my suffering is sometimes because I sin and sometimes it is just because that is the will of God for my life.
3. Suffering has two ends: God’s glory and my good. God gets much glory in our lives when we suffer well. Tim Keller, NYC pastor and author, writes in his book on suffering: Suffering is unbearable if you aren’t certain that God is for you and with you.” (58) When we suffer well – God gets glory in this sin-filled world. And what do I mean that it is for my good? I’m learning as I study the Bible not to take verses out of context (something I learned mostly while in seminary and still practicing the discipline today). Philippians 1.6 says God will complete the work he began in you at the day of Christ Jesus. Mainly…Paul is meaning that since God the Father sent Jesus to purchase your salvation on the cross…that he will sanctify you and you will be perfect when Christ returns. We won’t look perfect here because we will still dwell in this sinful world – but once Christ comes we will be like him! Praise the Lord. I look forward to the day when my sin will no longer hurt me and will no longer hurt those I love.
4. God wants us to suffer well with joy. Note: I didn’t say with a smile on our faces. Joy is something that is of the Spirit and is only found in Christ. Joy runs deep. Joy is not based on our circumstances. Joy is something that can seldom be explained. I think of a mom of two adopted littles who is not able to have biological children of her own. Her hope and joy in Christ hasn’t decreased over the 7 years I’ve known her. She focuses and perseveres in Christ and His Word. She is hopeful and thankful. I think of a set of parents whose young son has struggled with cancer for over a year – and in that time the father has lost his dad and he himself is suffering with intense back pain. His hope stays on Christ. His joy doesn’t come in the fact that his son has cancer – but that his Christ is bigger than cancer.
5. Suffering is meant to bring us to Christ. When we suffer, we tend to look inward, find hope and strength or comfort in things that we can supply for ourselves. That is not the point of suffering. Christ, when he suffered, went to the Word and went to his Father. When we suffer – do we run to Christ or do we turn to other things that we think will bring us comfort. For me, the thing I turn most to is food (or shopping). Christ is kind to me when he gently reminds me that food will not make me feel better when I suffer, but ultimately it will leave me shameful and more deep in despair. John Piper says this of my favorite male author Jerry Bridges, “he writes with depth about suffering because he has gone deep with Christ in suffering.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
6. We should serve others even in the midst of our suffering. I’ve known so many families over the course of my life who live this out well. I know families who constantly have their door open and their home filled with people, even when going through immense struggles. I know women who love on others in their lives even when they are hurting. Paul, who was in prison during the writing of some of his letters, served the church (and not himself) by writing these letters even when his hands were in shackles. 2 Corinthians 1:4)
Mexican Food. Easily my favorite comfort food. Give me a big bowl of fresh guacamole and some tortilla chips and I’m a happy camper. You can’t go wrong with anything Mexican. I do like making it at home, but don’t usually – I guess I would rather go out and get it.
We had a date the other night – and I love cooking for our babysitters. I decided to make homemade enchiladas and hoped the recipe turned out well since I didn’t even try it before we left the house. Half the pan was gone by the time we arrived home – great amount for a meal’s worth of leftovers for us the next day.
Rotisserie chickens are good and all from grocery stores, but I also like making my own roasted chicken. Especially for recipes like that – because I usually can’t find a tex-mex flavor rotisserie chicken in the deli. This one was so easy and I did it the night before while the mister and I were watching one of the our favorite summer shows.
You can serve this with red or green enchilada sauce and whatever side dish you want – we chose black beans (which I doctored up with lime juice and some avocado)
Roasted Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Recipe Type: Casserole
Cuisine: Mexican
Author: The Charming South Kitchen
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4-6
Mexican comfort food at its best!
Ingredients
1 whole chicken
taco seasoning
6 whole wheat tortillas (medium size)
1 1/2 cans red enchilada sauce)
1 can refried beans
1 onion
1/2 cup canned corn, drained
1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1 small can chopped green chilis, drained
3 cups mexican blend shredded cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450.
Rinse and pat dry a whole chicken. Remove inner parts of chicken if any. Put in a pan and drizzle olive oil on top. Sprinkle (ok, a lot) of taco seasoning on top.
Cook for about an hour or until done. (depends on the size of your chicken)
Let rest and cool then shred the chicken.
In a pan on stove, heat more oil.
Cook onion for about 3 minutes, then add corn, chilis, and beans to heat through – about 3 more minutes.
In a 2 quart casserole, start layering with enchilada sauce, then tortillas (I tore mine to fit the pan I used),
Then refried beans, chicken, onion mixture, cheese.
Repeat layer one more time for a total of two layers.
Top with tortillas, sauce, and cheese.
Bake for about 35 minutes on 350 until all the cheese is melted.
We have a HUGE week ahead of us in the Charming South kitchen household. Can’t wait to share it with y’all. The biggest event is my older mister turns 2 on Friday! TWO! Can’t believe it. So much has happened in two years. Two years ago we were living in Durham and now we live in ATL with Little Rock in between us and another baby. Wow – God has a purpose in all of this!
Juicing (because I have been feeling so bloated the past few weeks and need to feel comfortable in the skirt I want to wear to Elijah’s party (hopefully)
Burgers, Crescent Dogs, cupcakes, a school bus cake, and side dishes for the big party on Friday.
Jiffy Corn Waffles
Tuna Noodle Salad (a box – my mister loves it)
When I have one big thing that I need to cook for : I like to try to find shortcuts for the rest of the week. Leftovers, freezer meals, and some easy semi-homemade foods are a great fit. That way I don’t burn myself out in the kitchen (believe me it happens) before the big event!
I’ve always been told if you want to learn how to write…then read authors you want to write like. For that to be true in my life: I need to read Elyse Fitzpatrick and Shauna Niequist.
So, I supposed the same is true if you want to photograph, cook, design, create, etc…be inspired by people you want to emulate. Not copy them – but look at their work, and learn from their craft. We all need mentors in the area we want to be better in – so pick good ones!
Bread & Wine was given to me (2 copies actually) by sweet friends at our former church. I loved getting the little brown book boxes on our Rainwood front porch. Surprise! And I was then able to mail off a sweet happy package to a sweet dear old friend who loves family, wine, and food just as much as I do. That always makes me happy.
The cover of this book alone makes me want to read it – and that is a great thing. Why have a boring book cover? Don’t you want people to open it and devour its contents? I would. And Shauna’s cover makes you want to pull up in a comfy chair, have a chilled glass of wine, and settle in for the night.
This book was written – not so everyone can copy Shauna’s life, love, and pursuit of the table – but so that they can dream a little bit of their own: to happy family dinners, to good meals cooked for one – or 10, to life whether good times or bad – but learning how faith, family, and food (and maybe some wine or beer) interacts with that. One of the criticisms I read about Bread & Wine was that not many people can have the charmed life of Shauna and she seems to flaunt it. Well, can’t the same be true of Mark Twain and the Adventures of Huck Finn? Who wouldn’t want a carefree life of being always an adventure? Or can’t we say the same thing of every cookbook – thinking that every meal is going to turn out photo worthy and perfectly tasty and never burnt? Plateau status was not Shauna’s desire with this book – and nor should we be envious of any other life. God has given us our life to live, and I’m sure we never know everything about everyone else’s life.
Many of her chapters come along with delicious recipes. Here are some I want to try:
Blueberry Crisp (but I can’t keep them in the house long enough without Elijah eating them all)
Breakfast Cookies (always looking for quick breakfasts for the boys)
Goat Cheese Biscuits (hmmm, I do have goat cheese in the fridge)
Green Well Salad
Maple Balsamic Pork Tenderloin
Simplest Dark Chocolate Mousse
This book, while I didn’t agree with everything from the theology perspective, gave me many great things to think about. Here are some of my favorites:
“I feel honored to create a place around my table, a place for laughing and crying, for being seen and heard, for telling stories and creating memories.” (251)
“A heart of hospitality is creating space for these moments, protecting that fragile bubble of vulnerability and truth and love. It’s all too rare that we tell the people we love exactly why we love them – what they bring to our lives, why our lives are richer because they’re in it.” (176)
“Soup…it’s the cardigan with elbow patches.” (LOVE THIS QUOTE, 161)
So, go pull up a favorite glass, and enjoy this book. I look forward to reading more of Shauna’s writings.
Hump days are no reason not to search out fun things on the internet – so here you go! Have fun and tell me what you are finding interesting out there!
I really would love to go to this. Its not possible, but still I’d love to go.
I’m doing some series-planning in my head about boys and books. Here is a good list according to age. What books do you read to your children under 3 and how do you keep them sitting still?
All you “I have to do everything” people out there (hello, me) read this by my friend Sharon.
A girl I was briefly able to know during my time in Louisville – is such a breath of fresh air in the blog world. I love her mom-real-ness, her creativity, and everything else.
This 20-something chose to describe herself in 5 words: what would your five words be: Mine would be: introvert, creative, loyal, emotional, lover-of-my-men (1 husband, 2 boys)
I missed a great blogging conference with friends in Arkansas – but a friend posted her thoughts on food blogging.
Sharing food and getting to know new friends – what’s not to like?
I read a post from Molly about having a freezer meal party – and then a new friend posted on our Facebook group about having one. I jumped in. While the prep was heavy on the front end – we had dinner for that night and I have 4 (now 3) meals in our freezer for those busy nights or hard mothering days when I don’t feel like cooking.
A note on cooking for the freezer: I’d rather not do it all the time. Its ok. Some mothers rely on it heavily – I’m more spur of the moment in our cooking, at least weekly, and love to make things fresh and right then. I usually can get quite a bit done during nap time or we just eat later after the boys go to bed. But, for those who love do it – thanks for finding ways to provide your family healthy foods. Keep it up!
This recipe for chili is from a wife, momma, and athlete. My husband has loved it – and loves the spice in it. I’m sure you can cut back on the jalapenos if you like your chili with less heat. Thanks Delaine!
Spicy Beef Chili
Recipe Type: Soup
Cuisine: Beef
Author: Delaine Brannen
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8-10
A hearty and spicy chili
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
2 onions
4 ribs celery
4 T canola oil
2 cans tomato paste
1 28 oz can pinto beans, drained
3.5 T jalapenos, chopped
3.25 T chili powder
3.25 T cumin
2 tsp basil
1.5 t oregano
2 tsp garlic powder
2 T salt
1 can corn, drained
Instructions
Cook the ground beef. Set aside to drain on some paper towels.
Cook down the onion and celery in some canola oil.
Combine all the rest (except corn) and add 3-5 tomato paste cans of water.
Simmer on low for an hour.
Test the seasonings and see what you need to add (if anything).
Add corn right before serving.
Top with cheese, sour cream, bacon, avocado – anything. Serve with fritos, spaghetti, or cornbread.
One of the true joys about living near the mountains is picking apples. We actually picked apples in Canada on our honeymoon. So fun to do something you enjoy with the man you enjoy most in the world.
Picking apples is great exercise and you get healthy food out of it – just don’t get most of your exercise from doing squats to pick up the ones from the ground. Worm eaten apples aren’t worth it.
I also remember crab apples. My grandparent’s dirt road used to be lined with apple trees and we would run up and down the roads, getting dirty and eating sour apples. Ah, the joys of childhood.
I can’t wait to take my boys apple picking – to see their joy when they can hold what they pick in their little bitty hands and hold it up as if to say This is my apple! They love wandering around with anything in their hands, so apples will be just the treat for them!
This recipe is topped with some delicious additions to make it even better. First, I most give a shout out to the Mister. He said he would like this cake better with a caramel sauce. I’ll work on that babe. Talenti Gelato is amazing and their containers make great desk accessories – and its made right here in Marietta where we live. Their Tahitian Vanilla Bean is rich and deep. (Side note to any Talenti people reading this: can my boys and I come do a tour and taste testing?) Then I tried my hand at melting down red hots in apple juice – and it worked as a chewy magic shell. It basically made the dish pretty.
Apple Scone Cake ala mode with Red Hot Drizzle
Recipe Type: Dessert
Cuisine: Cake
Author: The Charming South Kitchen
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 stick unsalted chilled butter (cut into pieces)
1 egg
1/2 cup (minus 2 tbsp) milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 granny smith apple, thinly sliced
3 tbsp sugar
cinnamon to taste
Instructions
Mix the dry with the butter and run it in your food processor till you get coarse crumbs.
Add in the liquid and combine.
Put half of the mixture on the bottom and side of a deep dish pie pan (that’s been sprayed). Dough will be sticky.
Thinly slice two apples and arrange on top of the dough.
Then drop the rest of the dough on top like drop biscuits. Top with cinnamon and sugar.
