Dinner Party Cheat Sheet

I am so smitten with this “How to set a table” print by Cake with Giants! The watercolor and pencil illustration has such a charming quality to it, and makes the perfect cheat sheet for a classy, cool dinner party.

Pumpkin Bread Time

I've been holding out on the Fall goods because it's been almost 80 degrees in the afternoons, but when I left work yesterday I had an itch for pumpkin bread. I should be honest and say the urge was probably propelled by all the mouth-watering Fall desserts popping up all over Pinterest, but hey. I found this recipe and decided on this one because it wasn't 100% indulgent. :)

Ingredients

• one 15 ounce can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)


• 3 large eggs


• 2 cups sugar


• 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt


• 3/4 cup water


• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract


• 2 cups whole wheat flour


• 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour


• 2 teaspoons baking soda


• 1 teaspoon baking powder


• 1 teaspoon salt


• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (simple All-Spice can also be used)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray two large loaf pans with nonstick baking spray. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, eggs, sugar, yogurt, water and vanilla. Whisk until combined.


2. In a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Add these dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir until combined but do not over mix.


3. Split the batter between the two loaf pans and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on the size of your loaf pans -- mine are extra long so it only took an hour. A toothpick or a knife inserted in the middle should come out clean when the bread is done baking.


4. Let cool 10-15 minutes in pans before removing to a wire rack to cool completely....

then happily enjoy!

Fresh Start: Freedom to Choose

Only I can teach others how they can and cannot treat me.

Interesting statement, isn't it? But when it sinks in, it makes a good deal of sense.

Like many other women, I have stories of mean girl dealings. The only season that left a major mark on my growing up was in 7th grade. The whole year there was this girl who, if I'm being honest, was ruthless. Purely for her own satisfaction, because I (much like I am now) am far from confrontational or dramatic. Thankfully, my mom and I had a close relationship and when I told her about these happenings, she gave me advice I will never forget: in situations like that, the bully wants the satisfaction of knowing they get under your skin, offend you, hurt you, tear you down, shake you... if you don't give them that, don't show them that, they'll stop (or at least be shocked, and later get bored).  

As I've grown older and matured relationally, that advice is still relevant, but now has an added element: I can't control someone else's behavior, but I can control how I respond. I can also determine how those behaviors will impact or not impact my life. I teach them how they can and cannot treat me based on what I allow them to do, and often that comes from what I believe about myself.

I have the freedom to choose.

I have the Holy Spirit inside me to guide me in speech and action.

I have the wisdom to define myself by who God has made me to be - not by the things people say, think, or believe about me. Someone once told me that I owe it to myself to take care of myself as much as God loves me.

I often forget to look at it in this light, but I think it's important to remember. I'm not loving someone by letting them bully me. I'm not really loving someone by letting them speak down to me. It can get a little distorted, but respecting myself enough, as one beloved by God, to stand up for my soul, to choose grace or a higher road... I think that is fine and good.

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"Stop sleeping with liars."

On nights when I'm in a funk, I crave inspiration. Motivation to a new perspective, away from myself. Here are the places I landed...

"Accepting yourself will prove to be one of the biggest journeys of this lifetime. Pack the bags. Bring the toothbrush. March for the door and go. That journey is worth taking.

We make choices every single day. That’s what we do. Life is just a stacking of yes and no questions. Yes, I want this. No, I don’t. Yes, this is worth it. No, it isn’t. And each choice takes us farther and farther from away from the person we did not end up becoming. You make the choices though. And you get to pick the person who will stand in the rear view mirror. You get to decide if you’ll miss that person you didn’t become or not."

Hannah Brencher, in a life manifesto here.

A new project driven by Christine Caine, Propel.

“Renounce all self-reliance, self-exaltation, and self-rule, and find your calm, quiet, deep soul-contentment in God.”

John Piper, here.

Sweet potato spice bites? Yes. (Sorry, stomach's growling.)

A playlist to keep your Fall going strong.

Even if you aren't in a funk, maybe these can perk up your Tuesday night.

Halloween Muddy Buddy Mix

I embarked on this adventure on a spontaneous whim this morning, and it was just that, an adventure. My man has a good sized sweet tooth, and he loves candy corn AND muddy buddy mix. Naturally this seemed an obvious snack to make for my man, an edible extension of love. He went hunting, I went for ingredients.





Sticky, messy ingredients, guys. It you could've seen me you would've chuckled, but it was fun to make, and made me feel super festive.

Ingredients:

9 cups Corn or Rice Chex Cereal

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 1/2 cups candy corn

1 1/2 cups Reese’s Pieces

2 cups pretzels (can be the minis, regular, sticks)

Directions:

1. Pour Chex Cereal in a large bowl and set aside.

2. In a microwave safe bowl melt chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter together on high for one minute. Stir and return to microwave, microwaving in 30 second increments until melted together and smooth. Stir in vanilla.

3. Pour chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the cereal and gently stir to coat.  I like to put on a pair of kitchen gloves and use my hands to toss the cereal in the chocolate so I don’t crush it.  Place cereal in a large zip lock bag, pour powdered sugar in, seal and shake until evenly coated.

4. Spread cereal out on to wax paper and let cool completely.

5. In a large bowl combine cereal, candy corn, Reese’s Pieces, and pretzels.  Store in an air-tight container.

It could be the hit of the party! Good luck, have fun getting messy :)

Fresh Start: Less But Far More

To me, sometimes a fresh start can be the same as a clean room and organized schedule. Other times, it takes a little more effort and thought.

My intention with this self-challenge is to inspire and make room for the most important things in my life. J and I have been married for two months but still (obviously) learning life together - we'll always be learning. That means devoting intentional time together, being mindful of words, behavior, and how we spend our resources.

We all have goals, to get more organized, feel inspired, eat healthier, read more. BUT we also want a less complicated and burdened life! They seem to make the perfect oxymoron. With October almost over, that means two months until the end of 2014.

There's a quote from Jesus Calling that inspires and challenges this series.

“How much better is it to walk close to Me, depending on My strength and trusting Me in every situation. If you live in this way, you will do less but accomplish far more. Your unhurried pace of living will stand out in this rush-crazed age. Some people may deem you lazy, but many more will be blessed by your peacefulness. Walk in the Light with Me, and you will reflect Me to the watching world.”

It’s not about adding more to do our to do list, but freeing up our lives of things that simply aren’t as important for what is important. I hope each post that comes out of this self-challenge inspires you in some small way to accomplish your goals or simplify things to make an unhurried life.

Here's to a fresh start....

Kielbasa, Peppers, Onions, and Potatoes

I've got until the end of October on this paleo kick, and my husband has dubbed me the best recipe finder in our little world. We made this the other night and it was delicious, and pretty simple.

I am the queen of "one pan/pot meals." You know the kind, heat up one big skillet, and chop and throw as you go. Before long, the meal is complete with flavorful ease. Granted, for time's sake, this one needed a small skillet to heat up the kielbasa.

This particular meal came together in about 15 minutes, with both of us chopping and heating. With only four main ingredients, it's quite perfect for busy nghts or those when you don't want to spend an hour in the kitchen. I like using the turkey sausage because it's less greasy, so I'll admit I plan to stay on alert for when it goes on sale.

Ingredients:

• 1 (14 ounce) package turkey kielbasa, cut into 1/4 inch rounds


• 1 green bell pepper, diced


• 1/2 yellow, red or orange bell pepper, diced


• 1 onion, diced


• 3 small or 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced


• olive oil


• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. In a big skillet (we used our wok), heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add the potatoes to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, around 8-10 minutes, stirring a few times to ensure even browning.


2. In a separate skillet, brown the sliced kielbasa for around 5 minutes in 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium high heat.  Leave the kielbasa in the pan until ready to add to main skillet.  Add the peppers and onions to the potato skillet and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.  Cook for 5 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally.


3. Add the kielbasa to the main skillet and mix everything together.  Serve nice and hot!

It had been a pretty, cooler day so we filled deep bowls and ate outside. Enjoy!

What I've Learned... from the first two months of marriage.

Two months married! It feels short and long all at once. I love living with another person who loves me like J does. There are great calls in marriage, expectations given by God -- love even when the other is unlovable, serve out of humility, etc -- but it's also simply fun.

In these two short months we've been married, I've observed many things, about God's desire for the institution itself, but also about myself. (Hallelujah grace.)

• Always believe the best -- good intentions.


• Before you respond, take a breath. Slow to speak, quick to listen.


• It's vital to daily ask God to lead my heart to love deeply, wide open.


• Make it a point to slow down at some point of the day/night, to reflect on how I'm blessed.


• Be intentional in asking questions about my husband's day, what's happening in his heart and mind.


• Celebrate the tiny moments, i.e. dance in the kitchen. Choose joy. It's important.


• Flirt, and have fun doing it.


• A short term memory and a forgiving heart can change the course of an entire day.

I love the man with my whole heart, but I know it's only two-months-married-deep. We've got a lot of life to go, but I wouldn't want to be in the trenches with anyone else. Thankful for who he is.

A Good Read: Unglued

I actually read Unglued a couple months ago, but it is still having influence in my life. The premise of the book is about making wise decisions in the midst of raw emotion. Now, I am quite the emotional person. I won't cry at a kitten, but I am extremely passionate -- about God, about people, about life, about love -- therefore, emotion. And lots of it.

"I may not be gentle by nature but I can be gentle by obedience."

HELLO. I can be quick to assume hurtful intention. Quick to take offense. Quick to react out of hurt feelings. I am not a terribly confrontational being, I often absorb and then communicate. And in those moments, I'm almost always not very gentle. Not having much faith.

“Feelings are indicators, not dictators. They can indicate where your heart is in the moment, but that doesn't mean they have the right to dictate your behavior and boss you around. You are more than the sum total of your feelings and perfectly capable of that little gift . . . called self-control.”

Now that is something I should probably preach to myself every day. I think this is a vital truth for all relationships, but especially marriage. God gives me the choice to choose. I can choose gentleness, kindness, joy, love, humility -- even when it seems ridiculous. Why? Because I hope. And I trust that God is Sovereign. I trust that He cares for me, that He wants the best for me, that He is working in every detail. Because of this I can have self control in situations where it seems impossible. I can have self control (choose openness) when I want to be quiet out of hurt, when I want to short because I'm disappointed, when I want to be unkind because I'm offended.

“It is beautiful when the Master chisels. God doesn’t allow the unglued moments of our lives to happen so we’ll label ourselves and stay stuck. He allows the unglued moments to make us aware of the chiseling that needs to be done.”

Thankful for gracious chiseling. God is not harsh when He chisels. He chisels away at my sinful nature because He loves me. He is my biggest cheerleader, and because of Jesus He is always pleased with me. So pleased He wants me to be the best Chelsea I can be, reflecting Him... so He chisels.

And how do I let Him? Ask for the Holy Spirit's help to be obedience, to know God's ways, to trust His promises.

Hope

Hope used to be simply a Christian buzz word to me. Faith, hope, love. You know, you see it on everything from a yard decoration to a coffee cup. It was a fluff word, another word for Christians to toss around regardless of whether they believe It wasn't until recently that hope became real to me. It wasn't until recently that I began to understand what hope truly is.

Hope is a sign of Christian maturity, not youthful naivety. "Suffering produces endurance..endurance produces character.. character produces hope." (Romans 5)

"Having hope in God means no one else finishes the story but Him, and everything really will be okay. We do not need to fear optimism. Life will still hurt and there is darkness ahead — but we have a Healer, a Counselor, a King, a Father, a Friend. We can get our hopes up: all the way up to Him." J.S.

This might not be news to you, but the gravity of that word - hope - was news to me. Great news!

1. Hope is the desire for something good in the future.

2. Hope is the good thing in the future that we are desiring.

3. Hope is the reason why our hope might indeed come to pass.

Usually, when I express hope, it's in uncertainty. But... biblical hope is not just a desire for something good in the future, but rather, a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future. 

To use the words of William Carey, ‘Expect great things from God.”

"Hope is something that should not waver, because it is rooted in the faithfulness of God. There should be moral certainty in it because the will and purpose of God are like iron, not chalk." John Piper

Something I realize is that there is no fight more urgent than keeping hope alive and well and hot.

Who knew? What I thought was simply a Christian buzz word held such power.

"Human beings are absolutely hope-shaped creatures. The way you live now is completely controlled by what you believe about your future." Timothy Keller

It requires an active, fighting hope in God to live twenty-four hours of every day as a saint, going through drudgery, and living an ordinary, unnoticed and disciplined existence as a disciple of Jesus. It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God—but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people.. believing God in the midst of self-doubt, worries of this world, choosing joy always, loving freely... by hoping.

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October Weekends

Fall weekends are some of the best. Campouts at the family cabin, pancakes around the campfire, a fun + fancy wedding with friends and family, afternoon apple picking with my only niece and two sweet nephews.

I can overthink everything and find a million ways to doubt myself. But I've come to realize that we’re only here briefly. And while I’m here, I want to allow myself joy. To remember that life is not about me. To live in the beauty of simplicity. In Christ. 

Flourishing Friendships

Best friends. Everyone desires one. We want soul sisters or brothers from other mothers and “Married to my best friend” is a popular decorative on social media bios. Oh, to have that one person - or handful of people - to whom you can eternally spill the deepest longings of your heart and soul! There’s no doubt that companionship is a fundamental part of life. Life is founded on relationships.

In our culture today, I think many have a inaccurate perspective on what deep friendship truly means. Somewhere along the way it's possible to lose sight of crucial elements that make up a best friend.

Sometimes we don't prioritize honesty. Often we choose friendship over truth. We value being included and accepted so we stay quiet and let issues pass. Being a person of conviction and encouraging your friends to be the same is the best thing you can do as a friend. I know a friendship is true and real if I can be my most honest self, honest and passionate, and the other person listen. I personally believe it's a mark of real care to say (in love) the hard truths.

I've always thought friendship meant an unconditional, steadfast love that accepts every person for exactly who they are. But as I grow up, I realize that a true friend is someone who gently and firmly drives her friends forward to the best they can be. This kind of friend encourages to right the wrongs and do things that grow them, even when it's tough or uncomfortable.

“A true friend freely advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues as a friend unchangeably.” –William Penn

True friendship encourages positivity. 

True friendship tells the truth. 

True friendship commends when it is deserved and confronts when it is necessary. 

I have a number of flourishing friendships in my life, a wonderful gift from the Lord. Some stood beside me as I got married. Others come and go but each make a special impact on the woman I am today.

{post inspired by darling mag}

A Big Realization

Recently I've found myself faced with this question: Am I loving Jesus, or am I more focused on how I'm growing, changing, "maturing in my faith," etc?

If you're anything like me, you may look at that question and say, Are those things different? 

That's where I've been, and I think I've been there my whole life: not really distinguishing those two things -- those two ideas were relatively equal.

If I feel I've grown spiritually from last year to this year, doesn't that mean I love Jesus better? If I know more of my Bible, doesn't that mean I'm loving Jesus more? If I choose this or that, doesn't that mean I treasure Jesus more?

Perhaps.

But, again, if you're anything like me, the second part of the original question -- focus on the growing, changing, maturing -- has stealthily formed itself into a sort of pride. By comparing myself to someone else's spiritual growth as a measure of my own, I'm hardly thinking of Jesus. When I feel guilty over not knowing more of the Bible, or calling it to memory easily when needed, I'm hardly thinking of Jesus. What I make a wise choice, and give myself a pat on the back... or when I make a poor choice, and throw myself into a pit of discouragement, I'm hardly thinking of Jesus.

Wow, right? Yeah, it struck me with a powerful force.

I realized. I confessed. I apologized. I asked for forgiveness. And then I truly saw myself....

A sinner. Broken, hopeless, selfish, prideful. I make choices everyday that offend and hurt God. I don't love well every second of the day. I am not always generous. But God...

But God!

At the cross of Jesus Christ I find a sacrifice sufficient to cover all my sins, past and present and future, and a righteousness sufficient to replace all of my unrighteousness. So when I come to God, I come not in my own righteousness but in the righteousness of Christ; and I come not with my own sins, but with those sins having been forgiven by Jesus Christ. Glory.

It's easy to get caught up in the analyzation of my actions, and I realize my motive for doing this was because I was trying to make my own good. Focusing on my growth/righteousness and not the Lord in His greatness, holiness, mercy, unconditional love.

On my best, most loving, most generous, most God-honoring day, I am still a sinner. That will never change until I'm in eternity with Him. But, because of Jesus, here on this earth I can love Him just as I am. With my handicapped heart, never-going-to-be-perfect self. Hello, freedom. So I continually ask myself, am I loving Jesus in this? Because He saves me, and loves me. I believe it with all of my grateful heart. 

Praying this truth's roots grow deep.

{Inspiring word from Matt Chandler on similar subject.}

Dear Photograph

I recently discovered Dear Photograph. A super sweet photoblog in which users “take a picture of a picture from the past in the present,” resulting in little time portals that make me want to dig out my childhood photo albums immediately. If I had all the time and resources in the world I'd retrace my steps for some of my favorite photos and do this. Wouldn't you?

This Vessel Needs Rest

Fall might be my favorite season. Amidst crazed weekends centered around football, and all the festivals that seem to break out, and school getting busy, for me, it still seems like time slows in the Fall. It's wonderful.

I'm in an interesting place. One of Bible-diving, Holy Spirit-asking, wisdom-seeking, inward and upward-looking moments. Finding a balance between caring too much and caring too little. A battle of my heart's focus -- is it me? or is it God?

I'm the woman who analyzes motivations. I overthink my intention for doing something. Everything. This can be helpful, in terms of conviction and will and self control and the like... but is a stumbling block when it comes to resting, trusting, freedom, believing Grace.

J encouraged me to create my own "goals/boundaries." Take fitness and eating: I analyze every choice, usually resulting in guilt, comparison, or a pat on my own back. (Both are not okay. One is a complainer, the other is a campaigner. That's for another conversation). Instead, I can say,

I'm going to exercise 4-6 times a week. If it's three one week, "Hey, I want to try and make more time for that next week." If it's 6, "Sweet!" And with food...

I'm going to give myself three meals as freebie meals, whatever I want to eat. I guarantee Chick-fil-A breakfast will become a weekly occurrence. :) The other nights I'm going to do my best to eat more intentionally, cleaner.

Or social media. If my goal/intent is to share bits and pieces of my life with close friends I don't see often, and I know they keep up with my photos, it doesn't matter how many I post! I can freely share however much I want, and the people who are bothered by it can unfollow me. Right?

My truest intent for my activity on social media is creative expression, and story-telling.

To be sometimes inspired by lovely, God-fearing, strong women on Twitter. Expressing my passion for capturing moments on Instagram. Keeping up with across state friends on Facebook. If I ever feel like I am out of that circle, then maybe I need to ask myself some questions.

In J's words, it broadens the scope, so you don't feel like you have to analyze every single small choice, but can look at it in a different light.  It welcomes a certain kind of freedom into life. It will limit the amount of moments I find myself comparing myself to others, because I met the goal I wanted to reach, and it was/is enough. The thought-energy and focus that would otherwise be turning wheels in overanalyzation can be used in other, more life-giving areas. Hallelujah! I think it's a cool idea, and am currently brainstorming and asking the Lord for wisdom on how to implement it into my life.

"If the vessel of our soul is still being tossed by winds or storms, we should wake the Lord who has been resting with us all along, and He will swiftly calm the sea." Brother Lawrence

October, I'm back!

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty smitten about the fall season. 

The month of September was a good one. Full of busy work days and new experiences with my husband.



This weekend has been a fun one, a great beginning to October. Birthday party for a family friend Friday night, Saturday adventures in south Georgia (where the above picture was taken) and then a good friend's wedding, and a nice Sunday today.

Still praying through my activity on social media, my place, what I want it to be -- but I do miss this space to document and share and write. So I'm back until further notice, posting whenever my heart fancies. I want this to be an atmosphere of inspiration and story-telling, not one of comparison and perfectionistic expectations.

PS - I love being married. It's super fun.