Babies...proof of God's possibilities

I got to squeeze (ever so slightly, of course) my sweet new nephew today. I'm in love. Don't you just stare in amazement at a newborn? They are such perfect miniature people. I'm just in awe. 

 

I thought it was precious how Luke wanted to hold him. Hope we can get in some more squeezes real soon. 

On the Table for the Week of July 28th

Some days I wish I had a chef, and a house keeper, and a grocery shopping service. A girl can wish, huh? I'm having one of those days today, but I think I shall persevere...I think. We'll see. ;) Here's what I'm thinking will be on the menu this week:

Monday-Salmon Patties with Dill Sauce over a bed of lettuce
Whenever I find a good recipe for a dill sauce I'll update this post. Just assume it will probably be something like a little mayo, a little sour cream, a bunch of dill, and some salt and pepper, probably with a splash of Tabasco. You're welcome.

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Tuesday- Slow Cooker Lentil and Brown Rice Tacos

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I love tacos...and slow cookers...and other stuff. Tacos are so easy. Add easy with slow cooker, and you have just become my best friend. :)

Wednesday- Asparagus and Artichoke Frittata
Frittata is Italian for "whisk some eggs, pour them in an oven-proof skillet, and throw in whatever you have in the fridge." It's one of those things I just love, because there are no rules. If you have some leftover broccoli or veggies or a jar of artichoke, or even some pasta, it's all fair game. Give the veggies a rough chop, add some salt and pepper and whatever other seasonings you like, a little chopped garlic (or not), add some Parmesan or Swiss cheese, and pop it in the oven until the eggs are firm. Here is a recipe from Suzanne Somers' book, Get Skinny on Fabulous Food. It's one of my faves. I discovered her books more than a decade ago (that can't be right. I'm not that old! Geesh!) She's so inspiring...and has great recipes!

Thursday- Hamburgers  Taco Turkey Burgers
Because why do the same ole thing when you can kick it up a notch or two? Our big kids will arrive home from camp and be pleased as punch that we're having these babies for dinner. We will probably cook up some sweet potato fries too. I can't wait! I wonder if ours will look like this?

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Friday- Something on the grill outside with lime and cilantro and a cold drink, because have you been outside lately? It's like a meeeellion degrees. I might melt.

Saturday- Carolina Style Hot Dogs
I think I should have been born in North Carolina...seriously! I love everything about that sweet state, and I've only visited a couple of times. Will you just look at this awesome dog?!

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Saturday can't get here fast enough. And, I get to meet my newest nephew! Baby Easton is so precious! Can't wait to kiss his sweet cheeks!

Sunday- I don't know. Maybe we can go out. Or maybe we'll all just eat cereal for dinner. Reminds me of my Memaw and Papaw when I eat cereal for dinner. :)

So, do tell! What's on your menu for this week? Hope it's a good one. I have garage sale planning on the agenda and taking Cora to the pool. She's solo this week with the big kids at camp and all. She misses them. I do too...a little. They have all started fussing and getting on each other's nerves, like all.the.time, so it's kinda nice to have the respite, if I'm honest (and I usually am.) What are your plans for the rest of summer break?

I'm linking up to Menu Plan Monday. Click the link to visit the linky party on Laura's blog and see all kinds of other weekly menus.

Good thing

Brownies a la mode after an evening of swimming is a good thing. Yummmmy

And mostly homemade salsa...it's a very good thing too! 

Per my sweet friend, Stacy:

Start with a jar of salsa (any cheap jar will do)

Add:

•A couple or three cloves of garlic

•a jalapeño or two, depending upon how spicy you like it...I like it haute like my man! ;)

•28 oz can of tomatoes

•a large handful or two of cilantro

•a bell pepper if you have one

•a smidge of sugar if you like

Blend all together in a food processor or blender. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips or use as a topping for nachos for dinner that you topped with the chopped up leftover rotisserie chicken you bought for the delicious jambalaya you made Friday night. (I'll share later. Remind me.) I've died and gone to food heaven!

I miss you

Hello little blog space. It's been too long. I don't know how the days rush by leaving me no time to sit down and write. I miss being here recording my thoughts, fun things we have done, the ways the kids are changing, and my meal plans. I need to figure out a new groove, a new rhythm...need to. It's now past the half way point of summer, and we have had some fun, but it has been nothing like I had in my head. It seems things rarely turn out the way I had them in my head, though. I hope these next few weeks of summer bring some more fun and relaxation, some good meals, and hope. There have been some pretty significant changes going on in my life, but more than that, so much sadness around me. Sometimes it's too much. I don't know why God chooses to work the way He does. I keep clinging to the fact that He has it all figured out, and I don't.

He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today. He is able, more than able, to handle anything that comes my way. He is able, more than able, to do much more than I could ever dream. He is able, more than able to make me what He wants me to be.

Here are some pics from our summer fun so far (unedited from my phone)...

a little Koolaid hair die for summer time

library movie day

VBS family night

paint party

crazy hair day at VBS...Carleigh has cupcake hair!

One cool dude!

Beach Bound Groupie Shot!

I love this one. Early morning fishing in the surf with his daddy.

Friendly game of horse shoes on the beach

You should've seen him getting into this thing!

"Sunrise, sunrise, looks like morning in your eyes" Norah Jones

fun on the 4 wheeler with Mr. Randy

Say cheese!

What a catch!

That's a keeper!

I finally caught one!

It was good day on the bay

Cooking with friends is the best

Glow fun

He's soooo fine! And a good fisherman too!

My little mermaid

sand volcano

We had our own "Paint with a Twist" party!

Having a ball on the 4th of July

A pretty dolphin showed up on our beach

skillet s'mores to ease the reality of returning home from the beach

grapes are looking good at the vineyard

How's your summer going? Have you met any goals, done something new, discovered something you hadn't noticed before? I hope you have a great week. Here's to hope!

Independence Day

One of my favorite things in the world is watching fireworks and reflecting on how thankful I am for the men and women who gave their lives so I could live in this beautiful land of the free and home of the brave.

We are spending this 4th at the beach with some precious friends watching fireworks up and down the beach as far as we can see. I'm in hog heaven. 

Happy Indepence Day! 

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

Summer fun

Our neighbors have a farm that has tons of blueberry bushes. I mean TONS! They have their best crop ever this year, and our family picked a few gallons Saturday morning. We were given a couple of instructions for picking. The last thing our friend said was, "all the ones you can eat are free!" All I could think of was the Bluebell Ice Cream commercial when it says, "we eat all we can, and sell the rest!" I don't think I ate a gallon, but it was close. Nothing quite says summer like a plump, juicy blueberry! 

After we rested up and got a few more things checked off our list, it was time to light the fire pit...my favorite! We cooked some bratwurst over the open flame and had the best brats wraps ever. Then we pulled out the marshmallows for the perfect ending to a great summer day! I even saw a firefly! It just doesn't get any better than that!

I need to "Let it Go" --Friday Favorites

Y'all, I'm having a real hard time with this end of the school year. Last week was Carleigh's 6th grade choir pop show. She sang a solo, which I wanted her to sing for me beforehand, but she wouldn't. I just wanted to make sure she was comfortable with the track we downloaded and that she knew where the entrances were, etc. She would hear nothing of it. I was a little bit nervous. Oh.MY.GOODNESS.GRACIOUS!! Sister did not disappoint! She was amazing. She walked out on that stage and owned it! Sixth grade!!

Bad shot, but here Carleigh is with her choir teachers

Here's a couple of minute snippet from her song

Cora and Luke were playing outside the other day, and Cora broke out the hippety hop ball. I remember playing with those...so fun! Seeing the kids playing on them brought a smile to my face. 

Carleigh had her last dance class of the season this week. While she was there and Luke was at an end-of-the-year choir party, Cora and I ran a couple of errands, then stopped by the spray park for a little fun before Carleigh's class ended. She had a BALL!! She has such a sweet little spirit. She came over to where I was sitting and told me thank you for taking her there...warmed my heart!

Carleigh's dance recital was last weekend. I can't even tell you how beautiful she was. I'll have to post more on that later to give it justice, but here's a snippet...

oh my {heart}

Here are a couple of my favorite links from the week...

A great article from the Power of Moms about teaching our kids the importance of Memorial Day. I think Memorial Day is so important, and I am disappointed, to say the least, that our school district decided the holiday should be a bad weather make-up day. I'm looking forward to sharing with our kiddos the importance of Memorial Day.

The Power of Moms also recommended a summer learning program called Brain Chase that sounds totally up my kids' alley. I can't wait to check it out and order it.

A friend of mine sent me a link to the She Reads blog. I'm excited about reading this summer. My boy wants me to read Summer of the Monkeys to him, which completely thrills my soul. I LOVE that book. My fourth and fifth grade teachers read that book to our class, and it is one of my favorites. {heart} I'm finishing up the third book in the Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers. Her books are so good. I love historical fiction, and these books send you right smack dab in the middle of the action. 

Y'all have a wonderful weekend!