10 on 10- May

The 10th of May turned out to be a simple day at home, catching up on things around the house and enjoying the beauty of this season.


The first and best part of my day.


Breakfast


Lingering morning in pjs


New art for the chalkboard


Laundry. Typical.


Pasta salad for lunch


Gorgeous Spring day required a walk. It was a must.


Strawberry season=prepping, freezing, and making jam. May the delicious-ness last all year.


Chicken salad's and croissants for dinner


Evening check on the garden.

Zucchini Sticks-Tasty Tuesday 4

One of my very favorite things about this time of year is all the fresh fruits and veggies. I've even started a little raised bed full of vegetables in our backyard this year that I'm semi-obsessed about. (Got any tips or tricks? PLEASE share!!!!) I daydream about just stepping out my back door and "picking" our dinner. But until then, there's an adorable little produce stand about 20 minutes away from us in the next town over and I tend to make it a weekly shopping trip. Last week was my first produce stand visit of the season and it practically made my week, but I did admittedly go a little overboard with my purchase. No worries though because that just meant I got to make one of our favorite, favorite side dishes twice last week. And today I'm so excited to share it with you all. It's super easy, super healthy and super delicious. What else could a girl want? (Except to pick it from her own backyard of course...)




Zucchini Sticks
Printable Recipe
Zucchini (The amount will just vary depending on how many you're feeding. For just my husband and I, 2-3 is perfect)
2-3 egg whites, beaten
1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
Garlic salt to flavor

(All of these amounts will just depend on how much you plan on making. Typically I personally just skip the measuring and eyeball it on this one.)

Preheat oven to 425. Place egg whites in shallow dish and beat with fork until a little frothy. Then in a large ziploc bag combine the dry ingredients and shake well to mix. Get your zuchchini's and chop off both ends, then in half, then cut into wedge-looking "sticks". Line these 3 dishes up to make yourself an assembly line!



Now simply dredge the sticks in the egg whites first, then drop them in the bag 2-3 at a time and shake well to coat!! Place them on a greased cookie sheet and drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil.



Just pop them the oven for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Now...you can definitely stop there...and be completely satisfied. However, if you want to go extra crazy with these, I suggest a dipping sauce. Our favorites are a little Ranch dressing, or homemade tartar sauce. Which couldn't be easier to make, but just in case you've never made it before...stay with me.



I usually use light mayo to keep this dish on the healthy side, I just didn't have any on this particular day. But by all means, if you want to-try it! As for the measurements? I really just do it to taste. Just add a little of each and taste and adjust until you get the perfect flavor.

And now I give you...



These really are insanely delicious, the breading gives a nice slight bite to the outside, with perfectly cooked zucchini on the inside. Also, a few days later we made them again with both zucchini and yellow squash with the exact same ingredients and methods except we sliced them instead of cutting them into wedges and called them squash chips. Whatever you call them, or however you chop them, just try them.
Printable version found here!


Linking up with these lovelies:
http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/2013/05/tempt-my-tummy-swiss-steak/
http://mandysrecipebox.blogspot.com/2013/05/totally-tasty-tuesdays_13.html#more
http://www.nap-timecreations.com/2013/05/tasteful-tuesday-link-party-513.html
http://www.growinghomeblog.com/2013/05/grain-mill-giveaway-and-homemaking-link.html
http://www.time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/2013/05/titus-2sday-link-up-party.html
http://www.chef-in-training.com/2013/05/tuesday-talent-show-84/
http://www.gooseberrypatch.typepad.com/
http://raisinghomemakers.com/

Blue Tassel Project

Last week I was talking about how God had spoken to me throughMiriam in Numbers on the importance of living intentionally and the dangers that lie before us-and our families-when we don't. I haven't been able to shake that, probably because I'm not supposed to. Still, the day would get hectic as they tend to always do and I felt like I was losing focus. I needed something tangible, something visible, to remind me of what was important, and what was not. To remind me to live out the hours in my day with intention, even when things don't go like I planned. To remind myself of my calling and my purpose, instead of getting caught up in the "me" game.

Fast forward to the next day or so when I came across Numbers 15. As soon as I read these verses, I knew what I had to do.

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God.’”
-Numbers 15:37-41

a blue cord on each tassel

That was it. I didn't have a tassel to put a blue cord on. But I did have blue yarn to make a tassel out of! So I made a tassel to tie on my key chain to remind me that living my life with Godly purpose meant beginning by living my day with Godly intention.

Before I go further let me stop and say...I don't see this object, this blue tassel, as something with power in itself. I'm not going anywhere near that. It is simply a reminder of HIS power that I need help remembering in the moment to moment of my day. Because when things are going terribly wrong, I know who He is as I hit my knees in prayer and flood my rug with tears.
When things are going wonderful, I know who He is when I realize I simply cannot thank Him enough.
But what about all the moment's in between? Am I still recognizing Him as Lord of all and living my life accordingly?
I don't want to just believe that, I want to live that with every fiber of my being, every second of my day.

So here's where you come in...I'd love to make a blue tassel for you as well. I think it's something we all struggle with as life get's busy, and if it helps me to have a visible reminder, maybe it will for you as well. It's just a small, simple thing that maybe you can just drop in your purse, or tie onto a handle on a cabinet in the kitchen or onto your keys. Whatever works for you. For all who would like to paricipate, I will also be committing to pray for you daily for the next 40 days. If there's anything specific that you would like to share, feel free to email me, but either way I promise to lift you and your life up in prayer daily.

Now for the logistics-there really are none? Everything will be free, no costs for you at all. No strings attatched either. You don't have to follow this site, or anything like that. (Of course if you'd like to, I'd love to have you!) But that's simply not what this is about. This is just about being more intentional about living out our day to day, hour to hour, lives for the glory of God. Because couldn't we all use some more of that?

If you'd like to participate, just leave a comment with your email address and I will be in contact with you shortly.

Linking up:
http://raisinghomemakers.com/

Blue Tassel Project

Yesterday I mentioned a project that God had laid on my heart and that I would be announcing on Monday...well I was always the kid who snuck illegal peeks at Christmas presents early too. So today I come with exciting news!

Last week I was talking about how God had spoken to me throughMiriam in Numbers on the importance of living intentionally and the dangers that lie before us-and our families-when we don't. I haven't been able to shake that, probably because I'm not supposed to. Still, the day would get hectic as they tend to always do and I felt like I was losing focus. I needed something tangible, something visible, to remind me of what was important, and what was not. To remind me to live out the hours in my day with intention, even when things don't go like I planned. To remind myself of my calling and my purpose, instead of getting caught up in the "me" game.

Fast forward to the next day or so when I came across Numbers 15. As soon as I read these verses, I knew what I had to do.

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God.’”
-Numbers 15:37-41

a blue cord on each tassel

That was it. I didn't have a tassel to put a blue cord on. But I did have blue yarn to make a tassel out of! So I made a tassel to tie on my key chain to remind me that living my life with Godly purpose meant beginning by living my day with Godly intention.

Before I go further let me stop and say...I don't see this object, this blue tassel, as something with power in itself. I'm not going anywhere near that. It is simply a reminder of HIS power that I need help remembering in the moment to moment of my day. Because when things are going terribly wrong, I know who He is as I hit my knees in prayer and flood my rug with tears.
When things are going wonderful, I know who He is when I realize I simply cannot thank Him enough.
But what about all the moment's in between? Am I still recognizing Him as Lord of all and living my life accordingly?
I don't want to just believe that, I want to live that with every fiber of my being, every second of my day.

So here's where you come in...I'd love to make a blue tassel for you as well. I think it's something we all struggle with as life get's busy, and if it helps me to have a visible reminder, maybe it will for you as well. It's just a small, simple thing that maybe you can just drop in your purse, or tie onto a handle on a cabinet in the kitchen or onto your keys. Whatever works for you. For all who would like to paricipate, I will also be committing to pray for you daily for the next 40 days. If there's anything specific that you would like to share, feel free to email me, but either way I promise to lift you and your life up in prayer daily.

Now for the logistics-there really are none? Everything will be free, no costs for you at all. No strings attatched either. You don't have to follow this site, or anything like that. (Of course if you'd like to, I'd love to have you!) But that's simply not what this is about. This is just about being more intentional about living out our day to day, hour to hour, lives for the glory of God. Because couldn't we all use some more of that?

So for the next week, if you'd like to participate, just leave a comment with your email address and I will be in contact with you shortly.

Fab Friday 3

Happy Friday all!!! I have a really big announcement coming on Monday morning! It's something that God has laid on my heart and I'm so excited to share it with you all. Also, on the right side of the page you'll see you can now follow me on facebook and twitter for more fun! Now onto the fabulous that was this week....



1.) The quiet, stillness of the morning after the Mr. goes to work where it's just me and God and what He's showing me and doing in me.
2.) Heart shaped rocks on a perfect evening walk.
3.) Snacks on the go that remind me that summertime is just around the corner.
4.) White cheddar popcorn on sale for $1. I obviously didn't even make it out of the parking lot without digging in. I could live on this stuff.

I'm just now realizing there seemed to be a food trend happening with the fabulous-ness of this week...
One more fabulous thing from this week-it's shameful how many times I've watched and re-watched this clip this week.
Warning: only watch this commercial if you're in a place where you can laugh louder than appropriate.



Thank you Sonic guys, for always being so stinking hilarious.

Before I become a "Miriam"

Hey all!! I start today with a request of my own-God has laid a special project on my heart recently that I am wanting to see played out in this little blog! I'm still prayerfully figuring out the details and logistics but am very excited to see what God does with this! So if you would say a prayer for that endeavor I would greatly appreciate it! Hopefully early next week I will be able to share some more specific details on how you can get involved!

Now on to the real importance...as a wife I am called to be my husband's help mate. With that new role in my life has come a new urgency and greater call for purity in my life, because without that I am doing my husband a disservice. I'm not being the help mate I could be and not living up to my calling in our marriage. The only way that will I will ever prevent that and continue on to be what God has called me to be in our marriage that we seek to be a God-honoring union will be my prayerful and purposeful intentional living. We will never do it haphazardly or by coincidence, and we will certainly never do it without the power of God in our lives. So I surrender daily. I seek Him daily.

One of many examples of what happens when we don't surrender and seek Him to transform us daily? Check out Numbers 12:1-15 when Miriam (who's name means rebellion), the sister of Moses and Aaron, starts to seek herself instead of her Creator. While reading the story I felt irked at Miriam. Her brother is Moses for crying out loud, the most humble man than anyone else on the face of the earth (Numbers 12:3), who sees the Lord like nobody else. Miriam should be happy to even be blood-related to this man! But instead she stirs up an argument because she doesn't agree with who he's married to and because the Lord speaks through Moses instead of her. Anybody else thinking-get over yourself Miriam...who do you think you are to say how the Lord chooses to speak. But then my heart started softening. We've all had our "Miriam" moments right?

We've all been there, we all have moment's of "shifty eye syndrome", when we stop seeking God, when we stop seeing what's crucial to our purpose on this Earth, and we all of a sudden shift our view to the non-important, the "fluff". But isn't that how Satan is gaining victory in our lives and our marriages? These times that our eyes shift away from Him may not seem huge, maybe we're still aiming for things that aren't bad. We're not going after an inappropriate relationship, we're just not seeking Him as much we should. We're not hurting anyone, we're just not living as God-honoring as we should. We're not getting sucked into a life of addiction, we're just not maintaining a life of complete purity. But little victory by little victory, Satan is pulling the wool over our eyes by convincing us that these things aren't "big deals". He's winning. And we're letting him.

At the end of the story of Miriam she turns "leprous like snow" (Numbers 12:10). This may seem like something that affected only her, but it didn't. Because of her unclean state she was confined outside the camp for seven days. What's the big deal about that? Because of her impurity, the entire camp that was traveling from Sinai to Kadesh Barnea was stuck. Her sin, that appeared "little" at first, held up everybody until she was considered clean again. All of a sudden I saw myself in Miriam. The areas of imperfections, sins, issues in my life didn't seem so little anymore. They had the potential to hinder my entire family-I had the potential to hinder my family.

If there's ever been a time to seek God with every fiber of my being, it's now.
If there's ever been a time to put aside the sin that so easily entangles (Hebrews 12:1), it's now.
If there's ever been a time to live every day of my life with intention and purpose all the while humbling asking God to further my feeble efforts, it's now.

Before I become a Miriam and prevent not only myself, but my family from being who God has called us to be.

Linking up with:
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