Who doesn’t like something warm on a cold night? Give me anything really that I can eat with a spoon – in a bowl – and I’d be happy, curled up on the couch, yoga pants on, slippers enveloping my feet, fire roaring – and a bowl of something warm.
This is a great chowder for just one of those nights. I’m continuing in my goal of cooking through all of Jenna’s recipes (that were on her site before Jan 1 2014) and am having fun with it so far. Here is her recipe:
broccoli cheddar chowder
Recipe Type: Soup
Cuisine: Comfort
Author: kd316/eatliverun
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4-6
Creamy chowder
Ingredients
2 T butter
1 medium sized bunch broccoli, chopped (about 12 oz florets)
1 russet potato
1 yellow onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4th tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 6 oz) – I used Vermont extra sharp white cheddar
2 T all purpose flour
3/4 cup whole milk
3 cups vegetable broth
More cheese for the top
Instructions
Blanch broccoli and set aside
Dice onion and potato and cook for about 5 minutes.
Add in the rest except the cheese.
When boiling for about 20 minutes (or until potatoes are done), then add cheese and broccoli.
I’m a little behind, but I am still loving this study of the OT. When I come across the written accounts throughout history of what God did – and who He was – I know that He is the same very God today and we can believe Him!
These are some of the ones that stood out to me in my readings:
1. God cares for his children.
2. God’s Word is true.
3. God speaks to His people.
4. The Word of the Lord is to be feared.
5. The Lord brought His people out of slavery.
6. The Lord will fight for you.
7. The Lord triumphs gloriously.
8. The Lord is my banner in my war.
9. The Lord is greater than all Gods.
10. The Lord is compassionate.
May these truths remind of who God is for you today!
This is where I am. Starting to train up our older son, who is almost 17months and already has the “no” word down pat! Definitely his favorite word. Trying to change it to godlfish, chicken nugget, yes, or something better than no. Our conversations with our older right now are consisting of “God says to honor our father and mother. And we don’t talk to our mommy and daddy that way” – those conversations don’t seem to be getting anywhere with him – but hopefully one day they will.
One story from my childhood…I grew up attending a Christian school. And I loved Sweet Valley High books in the 6th grade. It was the thing to read in the fiction area. I think I had most of them – and never know what happened to all of them. I had loaned one of the books to a friend, who took it home and was reading it at night by flashlight as to hide it from her parents. Her mom found it, called the school, and I got in trouble. My punishment…to write out Scripture. I would tell you what Scriptures, but I don’t remember what they were. I think I mainly saw it as punishment then.
As I’ve come into being a parent, and shepherding our boys’ hearts with my husband, we definitely want our boys to have hearts that are soft to the Spirit. We want the Word to break the stony grounds of their hearts and give them hearts that desire to please The Lord, love Him, and make Him known.
How we discipline and parent has an eternal impact. Here is how.
If we think that just because we quote Scripture in our home, make them memorize the Word, even for punishment, or memorize Scripture at the table or in family worship – that our children are going to automatically love the Word and have hearts that obey it…we are wrong.
The Pharisees in the NT knew the law and obeyed it – but their hearts were far from them. There are many who know the right words to say but inside they have cold hearts toward the gospel.
Here may be a better way to parent with the soul of your child in mind:
As you have the need to discipline:
1. Pray for yourself as you need to discipline your child. Pray that your heart would be one of correction for the purpose of training in the fear of The Lord and not out of anger, inconvenience, etc. Your heart matters.
2. Identify the heart of the problem. That may mean you first have to stop the outward disobedience, but there is always a heart problem.
3. Know verses that correspond to these heart problems. Whatever heart problem there is – Scripture has an answer! The Gospel is the answer!
4. Tell them those verses with a humble heart. Be humble before your kids. We are all sinners. That will go a long way with your children.
5. Encourage them to learn these Scriptures – and you learn them along with them. That will encourage them that they are not alone in their sin journey – and journey in sanctification.
6. If your children have received Christ – talk to them about how as believers our desire should be to grow in godliness and have hearts that please The Lord. Not out of have-to but out of want-to.
7. Pray for your children. Pray, aloud, in front of them, that the Spirit would soften their hearts towards the Gospel. Pray they would come to serve God as The Lord of their life and that they would obey His Word.
8. Pray for behavior change – but more importantly heart change. And know and rest in the fact that you can’t do anything about the heart change. That is all the fabulous work of the Perfect Holy Spirit.
And in that, as parents and as sinners, we can rest!
Here it is Wednesday, again. I sometimes think time flies, and sometimes I think the weeks crawl by!
Here are some of my favorite things on the web this week.
This book is coming out. I’m very excited and Carolyn is one of my favorite authors. I look forward to hearing what she has to say about success and how we define it as women.
These bowls. Wow – such gorgeous plating options. I read an interview with her in this month’s Southern Living. I’m glad you can buy her creations on line, but I look forward to going there on a future visit to NC. My MIL would love that store, too.
My husband is wanting to eat more healthy, leafy greens. I think I might try this recipe soon.
I love spaghetti squash and her recipe looks so yummy. Perfect for cold nights.
I’m putting together my desk space which is right now (oh for the next 10 years or so) in our dining room. I’d love to make it pretty and functional as it is also our dining room – and all me and inspirational. So, I looked at hers for some inspiration.
And since I’m working on said desk space and baking cookies and have a baby who needs feeding – I’ll let yall go with these for this week.
Thanks to Groupon and splurging on the benefits of the Christmas season, the Mister and I gifted ourselves with 2 nights away this past December. What a delight and may become a tradition for us. It is a busy season in ministry and it is a perfect time to getaway with your love.
One of the nights of our getaway we stayed in a sweet bed and breakfast. Forget the tuille and Victorian everything – no, this one was more our style: relaxed and delicious and quiet. We loved the food, the location (even though it was cold), and the comfy room. In some bed and breakfasts, the food doesn’t live up to reputation: but this one left nothing to be desired. We broke fast on a delicious pineapple and pomegranate salad then feasted on herbed potatoes and a Monte Cristo that was perfectly cooked.
Our first floor room was complete with a deck that led out to the lake and a shower that I would love to have in our master bath at home. There was a library to “checkout” books and seats throughout the home that would invite you to sit and stay for hours.
I long to go back there in the warmer months to enjoy the lake: the birds, the canoe, and the sun and swings.
Over the summer the Mister and I took a “babymoon” to downtown Little Rock to do some exploring without the kiddos. One of the places we stopped by was this beautiful old mansion in the heart of downtown that is perfect for weddings, dinner parties, or photography sessions. I loved the details found in the lace curtains, the dishes laying around, the rugs, and sitting spots perfectly located near bright open windows with rays of sunshine pouring in.
If you need a place to take your bridal shots or wedding party planning – check out Trapnall Hall. You won’t be disappointed.
When you see the word “sinner” do you readily consider yourself among those who sin? Do you consider yourself a sinner? Not “I’m a sinner and Christ died for me – a theological statement”. But, “I’m a sinner and Christ died for me – position of the heart and truth statement”.
When I first read the title to this week’s chapter I immediately thought “God does love sinners.” Then I thought “No, wait…he loves me. I’m a sinner too.” This is a very hard theological truth to come to. To realize that sin dwells within us – me. You. Not just in people who cut us off in traffic or get our order wrong in the drive-thru line or those really bad sinners who are on those “said” reality shows that we would never consider watching (hear tone of voice here). No, we have to come to know that we are sinners, too. And Christ died for us and is in the work of daily sanctifying us!
And what is our response when we are sinned against? Whether it is our husbands, children, strangers, friends? Personally for me, irritability. I get irritated at them. I don’t think “Lord, work in me as I am in relationship with them. Shape all of us according to the image of Christ and your holiness.” No, I usually sin in response.
“Love sinners? Me? Hardly. Sometimes I don’t even like them, but He never let the coldness or puniness of my heart stop Him from loving me.” (pg 78)
One of my favorite stories from the Bible is that of King David and Mephibosheth. Mephiba-who? 2 Samuel 9. Go read it. It will rock your world in terms of grace. We, just like Moses and Elijah (two Biblical rock stars) are “redeemed sinners welcomed into the fellowship of the Son.” (pg 81)
Having lunch with a friend today we were talking about glory seeking. So easy to do in this world of social media, blogging, etc. But, isn’t this the exact opposite of what Christ did while he was here on earth? And on his second return trip to earth (in the future) he won’t need to promote because the whole earth will be full of his eternal glory (Philippians 2).
Do we really think about the “condescension of our Christ” (pg 87)? That he stooped low, that he was a carpenter, that he served lost people, that he ate dinner with sinners (some of those people that he ate with surely wouldn’t be allowed in our churches today, right)? Sinners wouldn’t look like us, would they? What if Jesus had had dinners with impatient mothers, stubborn wives, over-the-speed-limit drivers, time wasters, gluttonous people? Then could you relate? I could definitely relate more. I’m not a tax-collector. But, I’m all of the above. And Jesus provided a way for me to have a banquet meal with him. For this, I’m grateful.
Jesus was everything we didn’t know we needed. I love this thought that I wrote in margin. He is good, isn’t he!
Well, here we are – the end of the month. I’m trying to stay within my grocery budget for the first time – well, ever… My husband will thank me later!
So, we’ve got about 20$ left and I have to buy some things for the older boy.
Monday: Cilantro Lime Quinoa with Black Beans
Tuesday: Breakfast Tacos (because neither of us were hungry for them last week).
Wednesday: Chicken Salads. We love these – probably have them once a week. Healthy, quick, lighter dinner.
Thursday-Saturday – we are out and have date money! Yay!
Two things I’m baking: Snickerdoodles for dessert on Tuesday night – part of my ELR14 cooking. And I’ll package some up for the friends who are watching our littles this weekend. Cinnamon Toast Muffins: for Wednesday morning reading session and then for the Mister and I to take on our getaway.
What are you cooking this week? How do you stay on a budget when it comes to the end of the month?
Just for disclosure sake: I have permission from my husband to share this story. He said he learned a lot from it early in our marriage and he wants to make sure that others learn the same lesson for the good of their marriage!
We had probably been married three months or so and having oatmeal most of those mornings. I had always cooked my whole oats in the microwave. I figured that’s how you did it. I hit the button for 1.45 and let them do their thing. Mister gladly ate them and never said anything about it so I thought they were fine. Well, come to find out, he didn’t eat them that way. One morning he said something to the affect of I don’t like my oats cooked this way. I want them cooked longer and less sweet. I probably burst into tears when he said that. Why cry over oats?
I had been doing them wrong all that time and he was just now telling me? Some of you are probably saying what a sweet husband, not to make a big deal out of the small and eating them because he loves his wife. That’s a great response and that’s exactly what he did. But, that wasn’t good for me. You see…I want to please my husband, especially in the kitchen. I love to cook and I want people to love to eat what I cook. So, after I got done crying, I asked him how he wanted them and have tried since to make them that way. Yes, its a little more work, but it pleases him and he eats them and never comments on them anymore except to say “Thank you, can you make these every day this week?”
Moral of the story: if your spouse does something that irritates you or doesn’t please you, you may want to find a gentle way to tell them how you would like it. Marriage is for the long haul – you might as well be happy in the little things! Philippians 2.3-4 is a great verse for our marriage. We read it on the night we got engaged. So applicable! What I wanted to know is how to please my husband in the little things: how to fold his shirts, his socks, hot to cook his oats, make his bed, etc. I want to do these things to please him. If I don’t know, how can I please him?
Wives, ask your husbands what would please him? Make every effort to do these things. Husbands, please be honest with your wives! And thank her for cooking your food for you!
Cinnamon Raisin Honey Oats
Recipe Type: Breakfast
Author: kd316
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2-4
Simple, lightly sweet morning oats
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups uncooked oats (plus a handful)
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 T raw honey
1 tsp cinnamon sugar mixture
2/3 cup raisins
milk for serving
Instructions
Heats all on a stove top until boiling, stirring constantly, until desired doneness.
Welcome to Friday. Its been a difficult week to do anything in the way of exercise because all I want to do is go outside and walk – but that is hard when the wind is blowing, you have two under 17m and the air is arctic (compared to Florida sunshine and warmth).
So this weekend is supposed to be in the 50s so the Mister and I will get some walking in with the boys.
But, thought I would pass along some healthy blogs I’ve read this week – whether they are encouraging us to exercise or some delicious recipes – I hope you find a take-away in these links!
Be healthy this weekend!
My most memorable stuffed peppers are the ones my then boyfriend made on the night we got engaged. He knew I was doing vegetarian for a year and made some black beans stuffed green peppers. Here is a recipe for some pretty quinoa stuffed peppers. Add a side salad and its a perfect light and inexpensive dinner.
Two of my favorite things combined in one recipe: brussel sprouts and avocadoes! This is a beautiful salad that would be paired well with a lean meat or eaten for lunch with a slice of toasted sourdough (which makes every day better)
Healthy living includes mental health as well. Here are some timely tips from Jessica for living without un-needed guilt.
Enjoy some sunshine where you are this weekend. Enjoy the time spent with loved ones. And eat some good food! Read a book. Laugh with your kids. These are all healthy things to do!
