What I'm Into: February 2017

 

February is wrapping up and a new season is soon to be underway. It's still very much winter here. The season I'm talking about has to do with Theatre Life. We're down to a week of performances for our current show which will leave us with rehearsals for one production.  The results of the line-up of upcoming auditions will clue us into what's next.

I'm currently planning a trip to MA SC MA SC MA. I know I JUST got back to blogging, but I'm not sure what my time away will mean for this space. We'll find out!

In the meantime, here are a few pictures from my Mom's 50th and some things I've been into lately. 


What I'm Watching

That Girl on Amazon Prime. Not sure how I've never heard of this...it's amazing. 

Roman Holiday, The Finest Hours, The Lake House, Brigadoon. 

One show I want to check out is called Letters from Ladies. My Mom found this one and it's basically a tv show version of a podcast.

In the Kitchen

Super Bowl food: veggie dip with bread, wheat thins, and sesame crackers; pigs in a blanket; bbq little smokies.

A dinner of southern sides (macaroni and cheese, bbq beans, cornbread, and carrot slices for good measure) after I had a mishap with our Instant Pot that ended with the pork roast not being done in time.  Beef stroganoff. French toast.  My grandma's spaghetti. Buttermilk biscuits. A blueberry coffee cake that was mistaken for store-bought. Also, this cake, these sandwiches, these meatballs, and this soup.

I'm back to craving chocolate chip cookies alllll the time. I used to make them at least once a month. Maybe I should do that again.

For my Mom's birthday, we went the nostalgic route and had chili cheeseburgers and onion rings. It was my very first time eating a chili cheeseburger and I really have been missing out!

Around the Internet

Woolf's essay "Street Haunting" inspired me to write about the February morning I spent with it. I also read Dickens's essay "Night Walks" and Franklin's article on getting a good night's sleep.

This article really resonated with me. I'm not a wife. I'm not a mother. But, I keep house for five and sometimes THAT becomes my identity and how I determine my worth.

Found Podcast - the jury is still out on this one. It's an interesting concept.

The Splendid Table Podcast - America's Test Kitchen Radio Podcast was one of my top five. ATK has gone through some changes and the podcast ended. I've been looking for a replacement and I may have found it!

My newest goal is to express my excitement over the books I'm reading the way she does.

I've been reading the book of John lately. There is always more to learn and God is faithful to teach us!


Linking up with Leigh!

What are you into?

What I'm Into: January 2017

The beginning of January found me eager and ready for everything that was ahead. Christmas and New Years gave me just the amount of time that I needed to recharge, regroup, and prepare for the new schedule that would begin with the new year. The main change that came with January was the fact that my brother and sister would be rehearsing for three different shows. In addition to the regular events of daily life, rehearsal schedules have a way of filling up the corners. 

We've stayed afloat! God has been good to grant us health and the ability to sleep well. There have been plenty of home cooked meals. We've even had time for the occasional movie night. For the first time in my life, I'm actually sad to see January go. Yes, it is COLD. Yes, we are still covered in snow and ice. Yes, we probably have months of winter ahead of us. Somehow, I finally have what Wallace Stevens calls "a mind for winter" and I'm praising God for that mind and the joy that this winter has brought to me! 

You ready to hear about what I've been into?

What I'm Watching

We watched several movies: Wildflower, Fannie's Last Supper, A Song for the Season, The Finest Hours, Nancy Drew, South Pacific (Harry Connick Jr. version), and the old Witness For the Prosecution.

We got started on several TV series: the latest Sherlock, Series of Unfortunate Events, and Love Bird. 

As far as I know, they're all on Netflix (with the exception of Sherlock). I'm most excited about Love Bird, which happens to be a foreign show my friend Erin recommended to me. It's Turkish and also features a fair amount of French. 

From My Reading Chair

I'll have a post coming up with reviews of each of the books that I read in January, but for now, I'll tell you that I finished four books, made progress on two, and abandoned two. 

Two of the books that I read featured a man named "Teddy Hennessy" ("The Season of Second Chances" by Diane Meier and "A Week in Winter" by Maeve Binchy). Weird, huh? The men were both early to mid thirties and were Momma's boys. One was Irish and one was from New England. 

The last book that I finished was Louisa May Alcott's "The Inheritance". If you need a good, quick book, grab it. 

I'm currently reading the 5th Harry Potter book. I took a break from Harry Potter because my sister wasn't in a reading mood. She's back in the game now. Since we're reading them together, I plan to finish this one before picking up whatever comes next on my to-read stack. 

In the Kitchen

My favorite thing about our January schedule was that I was able to cook MOST nights. I've realized that cooking dinner is pretty much THE thing that makes me feel centered. I know that's silly, but if I can't cook or haven't cooked in a while, things just feel "off". I'm not sure if that's part of what God used to help me get through this month, but I'm grateful for the opportunity to keep people fed. 

We ate lots of soup and bread this month. I've been in a baking mood too, so I there were cinnamon rolls and cake just because. Pizza and salad also made a regular appearance. If it was up to me, chili and cornbread would take its place in February. 

Some of the dinners were quick: sloppy joes with tater tots and fruit, biscuits and gravy with fruit, tacos, black bean "taco" salad, and the chicken and dumplings I'm about to tell you about below. 

Some of them took a little more effort: enchiladas with all the fixings, spaghetti, steak and gravy, breakfast casserole, and waikiki meatballs. 

The newest gadget is our Instant Pot. I was super skeptical. But then, Marra and Terri told me about the chicken and pork chops they made in 15 and 20 minutes. Plus, Tracy got one and got rid of her crockpot. So....My Mom was right. Again. So far, we've made a pork roast, a beef roast, "baked" potatoes, and Chicken and Dumplings. The potatoes took 25 minutes. I love baking a whole bunch of potatoes because you can do so much with them: hashbrowns, baked potato soup, twice baked potatoes, add them to breakfast casseroles, and you could probably do potato salad too. What should we make in this contraption next? 

I'm trying my hand at making meat go further and repurposing roast leftovers (my latest success was mock-philly cheese steaks with that roast beef we had left over). 

What I'm Listening To

This month, I've been listening to the BBC's Radio 4 Extra while I cook dinner. At first, I was listening to whatever was live. Then, I got hooked on the audio drama of Dorothy Sayers's "Busman's Honeymoon". I think it has expired, but you can listen to "Little Women" as well as "Poirot". 

I've also been listening to "From the Front Porch" which is my current favorite book podcast. 

Lately I can't seem to stop recommending Piper's sermon series on the book of Ruth. Several of my friends are listening to it and I've been listening to it again too. I've been recommending it for six years now, so you know it's good! 

And...Lecrae's old album "Rebel" when I'm out and about.

It's the beginning of another month and we've got a good thing going. Our routine is predictable and yet flexible. It should be good!

I'm linking up with Leigh who is the genius behind these What I'm Into posts.

What have you been watching, reading, cooking, and listening to? 

What I'm Into: October 2016

October held a little bit of EVERYTHING. Good news, bad news, visits with friends, more plays, a new phone numbers, and lots and lots of rain. There were a few sunny days and I made the most of each one! On one of them, I bundled up to go for a hike with Abigail. She left for MA on Saturday and I'm going to miss her. I keeping meeting MA people. 

Anyway...It's over now, but this is what I've been into lately!


What I'm Watching

My brother and I have been watching Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell. It's strange, but pretty perfect for fall. We like it!

We had a movie marathon Saturday in October. It was cold and rainy and (most of us) had nowhere to go. My Mom and I kicked things off bright and early with Still Alice. My sister joined about half way through. Then we watched Lady Jane Grey to celebrate the fact that I was done writing up the piece on her. Then, we watched Wildfell Hall. It was LONG and I didn't watch all of it. After that, my brother watched Castaway for school. We had watched it the night before with the kids from his co-op, but he had rehearsal, so he didn't get to watch the movie with them.

We watched The Imitation Game one Sunday evening and while there were some weird/inappropriate parts, it was mostly VERY well done.

Now that we're almost done with JS&MR I was really hoping to find a show to get into, but I haven't yet.

What I'm Reading

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon  - This was on my summer reading list and it took me FOREVER to get through. After renewing at the library, I finished it just in time for the final "no renews left" due date. I did enjoy it, I just don't think I was in the mood for THAT kind of book.

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner - After my Mitford slump, this was the perfect book to shake things up. In fact, it's THE best book I've read in a while. If you haven't read it, don't wait. There's a reason why everyone was talking about this book when it was published. It's a story full of characters and wisdom that will stay with you for a while. I also read these books.

When I wrote this post, I was reading "Mansfield Park" by Jane Austen for the FIRST time ever. I really enjoyed it! I like Fanny even though I'm pretty sure we're not supposed to. I couldn't figure Edmund out. I kept wondering if he was friend or foe.

In the Kitchen

My "special" tea. One cup of piping hot Lipton black tea, 1 tsp. honey, 1 tsp. lemon juice (I use the bottled kind by ReaLemon). I woke up with a sore throat back on the 13th and one cup of this chased it right away.

I made Ina Garten's Skillet Lemon Chicken. I love watching Ina make chicken. She uses the flavor combo featured in this recipe to cook chicken any way she can (in the oven, in a skillet, on the grill...), making it made me feel fancy. It's effortless and I think it will make a great company dinner. I paired it with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans (I boiled them just until they were tender and then sauted them in butter and some garlic powder, I prefer the powder because of the texture that it creates as it sticks to the green beans).

I also made biscuits and gravy, german sausage with funeral potatoes, a loaf of cinnamon raisin quick bread, beef stroganof, and my favorite crock pot pork chop dinner. One night, things got desperate and I made a black bean "taco" salad which involved the dregs of the tortillas chip bag. I took a turkey breast from the freezer and turned it into three meals (chicken alfredo, chicken enchiladas, and chicken pot pie soup). It was good to do so much cooking again, even if I did go nearly crazy trying to come up with meal plans.

My proudest kitchen moment happened when I brined and fixed a really amazing beef brisket following my sister's strict instructions! This four and a half pound beauty fed us WELL for like three or four days. YUM.

I went crazy on the soups in September and then kind of backed off in October....We'll see if I make more of them in November.

It's the wrong season, but I still love these. There are six words hidden in this one.

On the Living Room Floor

We've also been playing more games again. We had Aubry over one day to try out Code Name. It is a TON of fun and seems to be best played with exactly 4 people. Which happens to be perfect.

My sister and I have been playing a lot more Mille Borne again. We also played Monopoly once or twice (we play it for 1 hour and see who is ahead at the end of the hour). She tromps me. She's figured out my strategy.

After the Castaway party we taught our friends to play Empires. That game never gets old! I've got my name alll picked out for the next time I get to play it.


As you can see, October was full. I didn't even mention the rehearsals or the shows that my brother and sister have been at nearly every night. We're here. We're alive. And God gives us many great things to enjoy along the way.

What have you been into lately?

What I'm Into Right Now

FYI: I'm having major issues this afternoon. The font won't cooperate with formatting and when I click "update" to save changes on the formatting to see if it worked, a new post is created. Something is wacky, but I'll fix it as soon as I can. :) 
 I've had this post sitting in my draft folder collecting additions for a few weeks. As I write this, the air is crisp, but the sky is blue and the sun is shining. I can hear my neighbor's lawn mower which reminds me that summer is still hanging on. I love the way summer hangs on. Don't you? 

Everything that I predicted about the first weeks of September was right on. We've been coming and going at all hours of the day and night. If you care for a recap, here it is:

On Sunday, Aubry texted us to invite us over to the S's house for hot chocolate and a hang out. It was nearly 8:30pm...I went, but it felt so strange to head out at that time of night. We stood around visiting and snacking and pretty soon everyone decided to pull out some games. My sister played cribbage and I joined the rest of the people for some Liar.

On Monday, my brother had his first day of homeschool co-op, my sister surprised me with a three part birthday excursion (pictures and a post to come!), and my birthday dinner was squeezed in between the latest round of auditions and call backs.

Tuesday through Thursday were full of the usual things like more boxes being brought up and rearranged, helping my sister pack for her upcoming trip to Ohio for her friend's wedding (since when is my little sister old enough to have friends getting married???), appointments, house viewings (still nothing on that front), shopping for a dress for said wedding, and basically, the feeling that EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING ALL AT ONCE.

Last night, my brother had a performance during CYT's orientation session. Afterwards we (all of us + a slew of their theatre friends) went to see Finding Dory. Have you seen it yet? Oh, man...I cried. I think I enjoyed it even more than I did Finding Nemo. And just think, I almost didn't go!

So, that's life. Now, to get to what I'm into.

My Reading Chair

Fall reading is probably my favorite reading. The days are growing shorter, but there is still room to take a book outside when the sun warms the side of the house every now and then. During the fall months, I love cozying up with historical fiction, biographies, literary fiction, or a really good mystery. I'm currently reading "Dead Man's Folly" by Agatha Christie.

I'm super intentional about the books I read in the weeks leading up to putting another candle on my cake. This year I chose two books. You can read more about them here.

The two books from my summer reading list that I will be suggesting for a good long while are: "The Lake House" by Kate Morton and "Rediscovering Holiness" by J.I. Packer.

 In the Kitchen 

It's been all about comfort food lately. Think of dinners that consist of things like bbq chicken with mashed potatoes and peas (made this on the 29th of August). Speaking of dinners...We're still not back into the swing of me having people around to cook for. Not cooking really throws me off. I'm hoping we figure it out soon. I need to cook and they need to eat GOOD meals.

I'm excited to do more baking. Cinnamon rolls (check), biscuits, banana bread (check), cinnamon raisin quick bread, and who knows what else I'll dream up.

I made a batch of Clam Chowder the last time it rained and I can't wait to put soup back into rotation.

I'm treating every tiny watermelon I buy as "the last one" while secretly hoping that I can keep picking them up for $2.96 for weeks to come (update: I'm pretty sure the last one, was the last one).

Sneak peek at the birthday shenanigans from Monday.

Around the Internet

This typing game my Mom found. My best score so far is a high of 115 wpm, an average of 96 wpm, and anywhere from 76-100% accuracy.

FB Memories. I'm really into seeing what I posted and what people shared with me over the years. Lately, I keep seeing REALLY good things that I posted five and six years ago. Those were some TOUGH years, but looking back on what I was choosing to dwell on is really encouraging to me now.

This video. We have this table too. I may or may not be the genie behind its powers.

Oswald Chambers' words on abiding in and obeying Jesus Christ came just when I needed a good swift kick in the pants!

What are YOU into right now?

What I'm Into: February 2016

This morning, I'm sitting at the writing table that I set up in the corner of the bedroom that I share with my sister at The Queen's Cottage. It's near a big window (complete with window seat) and the morning sun is streaming in. I've just finished sending a few emails, eating a blueberry muffin, and topping off my coffee.

The end of February has been beautiful. It's still super cold, but the sun has been shining and I love discovering all the sun spots in this house. We've got about a month left here at The Queen's Cottage before it's time to start going back and forth between here and our other house.

We've all got mixed feelings. My anxiety feeds off of uncertainty and unrest. I've got a lot of taking it to God to do. A lot of not borrowing tomorrow's troubles. A lot of enjoying today and trusting that every trial is God's way of teaching me to be Shepherded by Him.


What I'm Watching

The Life of a King on Netflix. SO good. 

Murder She Wrote and Kitchen Basics with Ina Garten on Netflix. These are my go-to shows that I watch in snippets while I eat lunch or on Saturday mornings. 

Brigadoon. It's a February tradition that I love.

In The Kitchen

I've got lists of great menus from this month. It's great to look back over them for inspiration. Some recent favorites:

Crockpot porkchop dinner (with apples and stuffing)

Enchiladas with refried beans, rice, and salad

Sausage with alfredo and broccoli salad

meatloaf with mashed potatoes and greenbeans

blueberry muffins with homefries and sausage patties

I'm currently craving a big ham with all the fixings, spaghetti, biscuits, and salad bar. Hopefully we'll work these menus in soon.

 
At My Writing Table

One of my writing goals was to make a space for writing. I accomplished that and I have been spending a lot of time there. Some of my writing has shown up on this blog, I've been preparing guest posts for other blogs that will be going live over the next few months, and I've been putting some work into my novel.

You guys, I'm really writing and it feels so good! Writing time 2016 is going full speed ahead. Here are a few samples in case you missed them:

Six Months to Live

A Strategy For Beholding God: Purposeful Prayer

Inspired by Marina: An Essay On The Writing Life

Around The Internet

Rach introduced me to a FREE tool that allows bloggers to find out what people REALLY think about their blogs. I did it and discovered that I need to make some changes, especially in the font department. Any reccomendations for a good font for the body of my posts?

You remember that song, "Where I Come From"? My favorite Southern Gal wrote a version of her own. Read it and write your own. It'll be fun!

Monica is planning her garden. Are you?

As always, I'm linking up with Leigh. What are you into?

What I'm Into: January 2016

January flew by in a flash! We celebrated Epiphany quietly with attifs and grape leaves, my sister got back from her trip, my youngest brother turned 16, and another round of theatre production started up again (this time they're working on TWO shows at the same time). We've been attending membership classes at the church we've been going to since August. It's been a great way to start another year!

What I'm Watching

I created my own little writing workshop for myself this month. It started out with this short interview with Neil Gaiman that I watched about ten times and then snowballed from there. I've got a post planned for February with more details, so stay tuned.

We finished our second season of Worst Cooks of America on Netflix. What's not to love about Flay and Burrell and a bunch of people who seriously can't cook??? Nothing, I tell you.

I've just started watching Ocean Mysteries on Netflix and while it makes me laugh A LOT (grown men sneaking up on wild sea lions to rescue them because "who knows what will happen to them if WE don't help them"), but I've watched two episodes, so I must like it.

Last night we watched this adaption of Jane Eyre on AcornTV.

In the Kitchen 

After being inspired by my Aunt Alice's Christmas Eve dinner, I whipped up some twice baked potatoes for the first time. It won't be the last time.

One of the biggest hits this month happened when I did a mash up of this recipe and this recipe to create some of the best pork chops I've ever had.

My favorite cook book is the 1950's Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book. Last weekend I made the "Lemon Fluff Pie" from it and while it didn't hold up, it was super good. If you see that book for sale, grab it. You won't be sorry!

Next up: Parkin (thanks to Dorothy Sayers) and baked carrot slices (thanks to Amanda). 


On the Living Room Floor (What We're Playing)

On my sister's trip to SC, she learned and came home with a few new card games. We played them nonstop for weeks.

First up was Dead Man's Draw also known as "the pirate game" which is a pretty fast paced game that quite a few people can play at one time.

Then there's James Bond which is an even FASTER paced card game that an infinite number of people can play (you just keep adding decks of cards).

An old favorite is Spot It, but we've never actually owned our own deck for that. Now we do. :)

My sister and I also played Ticket To Ride...I think I've won ONCE in the years that we've had this game. She, on the other hand, wins ALLLLL the time.

Can you find the six words hidden in this picture?

Around the Internet

Those ^ pictures have been going around on FB and I stop my scrolling every single time. I think I enjoy them so much because they remind me of the Highlights Magazines my Grandma used to get us subscriptions to (magazine subscriptions make GREAT gifts for kids).

Tropical Traditions is having a MAJOR sale through Sunday. Check it out HERE. We're talking, 50% off on a gallon of coconut oil. You don't want to miss it. 

My friend Jay shared this recent Q & A session from Ligonier's January conference with me. You might enjoy it too!

I really want to have a mid-winter party like the one they have at The Kelly Writer's House with lots of soup and great literature some day. 

I discovered Lori's blog this month and I'm excited about offering a guest post over there in a few months!

What are you into? 

Link up with Leigh so that we can see your posts too! 

What I'm Into: December 2015

I can't believe that it's already been five months since I've taken part in Leigh's link up...December's highlights go to: A Charlie Brown Christmas, movie nights, baking "parties", the sermon series on Psalms (and Christmas carols) at church, driving around looking at Christmas lights with my sister, the masquerade ball, my sister's trip to SC (the airport part was TOUGH, but the facetime sessions are hunky-dunky), a million and one trips to the library, Christmas Eve shopping with my Mom, and of course, the Star Wars premiere.
 
What I'm Watching

Speaking of Star Wars...We stood in a blizzard, I loved it, and I can't wait to watch it again. I wrote all about here.

We're still making our way through my stash of Christmas movies...We go for the classics around here. During the week of Christmas, we watched Holiday Inn, It's A Wonderful Life, and Christmas in Connecticut. 

We also watched 84, Charing Cross Road (with Anthony Hopkins). Read the book and then watch the movie. They both are the kind I wish I could crawl into! 

Did you know there's a sequel to Phantom of the Opera? We didn't either...Until we watched Love Never Dies. 

In the Kitchen

Christmas cookies were the highlight of December. What's your favorite recipe?

This month I've tried several new recipes. Here are the top three: Roasted Cauliflower, Roast Beef (the leftovers make excellent sandwiches), and Chocolate Cake (I did this as a cake and baked it for 35 minutes. Next time I'm thinking about skipping the egg.).

Even though I've been doing a fair amount of cooking, snack dinners are still going strong. I recently discovered that salami and havarti cheese are a combo that I can't seem to get enough. Get yourself to the Wal Mart deli counter and order some Prima Della Hard Salami and Havarti Cheese sliced as thin as they can get them. 

And...I've taken to finely chopping romaine lettuce and putting it on nearly every sandwich. 
 

My Reading Chair

I finished: "The Gift of Christmas Present", "December Stillness", and "Home for the Holidays".

I gave up on: "Mr. Ives' Christmas" and "There's Something About Christmas".

I'm working on: "Waiting On God", "All Dressed In White", and "Selected Poems and Letters of Emily Dickinson". I'm STILL making my way through "Gone With The Wind" which is the first book in a long time that has me desperately wanting it to go on forever.
 

On My Blog 

I shared my Peppermint Syrup recipe. 

Kiki challenged me to share 5 Things About Me.

I came face to face with what it means to wait on God in real life.

My top six favorite books from my fall reading list.

What are YOU into?

 

What I'm Into: July 2015

In The Garden

As much as I love the garden preparations that happen each spring,  the green that summer brings reminds me of the beauty of living things!

In the flower beds: The bachelor buttons need some serious deadheading. The morning glories are creeping right up toward the top of the arbor. The cosmos are as beautiful as ever. The other flowers that I don't know the names of are keeping right up! My mums are confused again...They've been blooming for over a week.

In my little vegetable patch: The last of the snap peas are coming on. I'll keep them as long as they stay green, but they're dying off one by one. I've harvested green beans twice. I love going out to the garden to pick beans and then taking them inside and serving them for dinner that night. I haven't had a cucumber yet....but surely they'll be coming soon!

I'm thinking about putting in a second batch of peas and MAYBE trying to grow some zinnias yet. Fall is coming QUICK, but I always garden on the side of believing that there will be time.

In The Kitchen

This Leek Soup was pretty good alongside BLT's. My sister added bacon and cheese to her soup.

I organized all the recipes in my recipe book. I had a bunch of tried and true recipes tucked here and there that needed hole punched and filed. I also had a pile of recipes that I haven't tested yet that needed to be sorted and categorized. After about 30 minutes, the recipe part of my brain was ALL in order!

Watermelon, blueberries, lime, and ginger found their way into my Vitamix and the result was SOOO good.

Last week, my sister made this cake. It was her first time at making a cake from scratch by herself. She really set the bar high! Jay came over to help us cut into it and stayed for a game of Mille Bornes (which he won, btw). You must make it. You better invite people over to share it with or you will proceed to eat it all.

My Reading Chair

I finished  five books: "The Melody Lingers On", "The Mapmaker's Children", "The Children's Story", "Holy Is The Day", and "The Prayer Box". You can read my thoughts on each one here.

I gave up on: "Lost In A Good Book".

I'm working on: "Keep In Step With The Spirit" and "The Story Keeper".


Around The Internet

These cutting garden tips are something I'm going to keep in mind. I've come to love the idea of English Cottage Gardens ever since I started my own cutting garden three (ish) years ago.

Apparently, they dumped some planes in the ocean after WWII instead of taking them back to America. Looking through the pictures of the aftermath made me think about the men who spent so much time on and with and in these planes and the lives they returned to (or didn't) when the war was over. The planes may be at the bottom of the ocean, but the memories live on. It seems like the perfect picture of the absolute absurdity of war.

Last summer I discovered "chocolate birthday cake" milkshakes at my favorite diner. Maybe I can make my own with this marshmallow sauce. 

Moms letting their toddlers pick out their clothes taught them one thing: nobody really cares what we have on.

What have you been into this month?

As usual, I'm linking up with Leigh! 

What I'm Into: June 2015

What I'm Watching

I've done a lot less watching and a lot more reading this month!

I got into The Next Food Network Star on Netflix. It's MOSTLY good.

My Mom and I watched a movie called "The Words" on Netflix and it was also MOSTLY good.

In the Kitchen

The summer meal plan is still going strong! It's been so nice to KNOW what we're eating without giving it much thought. Fruit night is officially my favorite. I'd eat fruit and cheese all summer long.

The grilling is going well. My adaptation of these BBQ Pork Burgers got a blue ribbon! They had me at "grilled pineapple".

Strawberry Shortcake also hit the spot!

What I'm Reading

You can see what I read in June and get a short review on each book here. There were quite a few. If I had to pick one favorite it would be Watership Down by Richard Adams.

I'm really excited about July's list!!! Mary Higgins Clark's latest release (she's got THREE books coming out this year, so you'll be hearing me talk about her more than usual) is the one I'm most looking forward to, I think.

I'm currently studying the book of Galatians too. Over the last week I've been going over what it means to (in the words of John Piper), "submit my mind and the attitudes of my heart" to this Word.


Around the Internet

My Mom showed me this video. I cried. Have you seen it?

I heard about Sorted Food on America's Test Kitchen Podcast. I haven't looked around a bunch, but their accents are a-okay by me! If THEY had a podcast, I'd definitely listen!

I've really enjoyed reading about Amy's latest vacation! Her pictures are GORGEOUS.

God wrote a book. We all need to read it!

What are you into? 

I'm linking up with Leigh.  

What I'm Into: May 2015

 

What I'm Watching

Gortimer Gibbon's Life On Normal Street via Amazon Prime // This kids show has been a lot of fun for the whole family to enjoy together!

Life With Elizabeth via Pop Flix // Betty White was a HOOT when she was young! I love her mannerisms.

Mr. and Mrs. Murder via Acorn TV // My Mom discovered this one and I'm so glad she did. This is an Australian show about a couple who work as "the cleaners" who come in to clean up gruesome crimes and usually end up helping to solve the case. I really love watching them interact with one another!

In the Kitchen

At the beginning of the month, I adapted this oreo frosting recipe  which inspired my sister's 17th birthday cake.

We've been grilling hot dogs, hamburgers, and steaks. We're definitely switching over to our favorite "it's wayyyy to hot outside for me to even be hungry right now" foods!

I attempted to make potato salad using a recipe I found in the latest Country Living. It needs work! Do you have any tips?

On Thursday night I whipped together a quarter batch of this toasted marshmallow syrup for my iced coffees. I had a latte with it yesterday and I think it worked! I want to do a blind taste test with a latte from my favorite coffee shop.

Last night we pulled out grape leaves and pita bread from the freezer and I made a hummus to go along with it. TIP: If you ever have an excess of leftovers, pop some of them into the freezer and they will be SURE to save the day next time  you're short on time or initiative!

What I'm Reading

I'm currently finishing up my May Stack and getting a head start on some review copies I'll be posting about soon.

I'm especially enjoying "From Good to Grace" and Melody Carlson's latest release.

I've been slacking in my Bible reading. That really needs to change.

What are you into?

Have you tried any new recipes lately?

I'm linking up with Leigh!

What I'm Into: February 2015

In just a few days, February will be behind us! This was a month of really getting back to normal. I keep telling myself that signs of spring are everywhere. Play practice continues, soup suppers have begun for Lent, and my friend Heidi's baby should be here any time.

I really enjoyed celebrating my Mom's birthday this year. The dinner and dessert was a group effort! My Uncle (and aunts) assisted me from the East Coast was I attempted to make my Grandma's Spaghetti and Meatballs. I jumped in over my head with the cake...My Mom came to the rescue with the decorating and my sister joined me in laughing at my helplessness. More on all of that later!


What I'm Watching

I'll give you a list:

The House of Anubis (done)
Downton Abbey (almost done)
The Great British Baking Show
Cut Throat Kitchen
Alton Brown's Good Eats
The Great Courses: Gardening
Grantchester

And now I'll tell you more about each one:

We finished The House of Anubis and Downton Abbey is nearly over, so I've been on the look out for new shows. Somehow, I stumbled down the rabbit hole of cooking shows.

The Great British Baking Show. We got a Roku last month and I'm loving the PBS stuff they have. I discovered this show over last weekend. I'm already hooked! I really like Norman and Kate...but then there's Luis whose food always looks soooo fancy and Nancy who reminds me of myself and Richard who isn't afraid of anything. I don't really know who I'm rooting for!

Cut Throat Kitchen. This came as a result of my recent obsession with Alton Brown's Good Eats. Cut Throat is sort of harsh, but I really enjoy watching people overcome each challenge.

Ron and Julie gave me several gardening videos from The Great Courses. Since the cold weather is back, I've been watching a few of those each week! 

Oh and I almost forgot...We also discovered Grantchester this month! It's a mystery show on PBS set in the 1950's. So far, it's been hit and miss with the themes though.

In the Kitchen

We had a lot of old favorites this month. To name a few: Meatloaf, Chicken ala King, Baked Potato Soup, and my Grandma's London Broil.

Spumoni Cake rounded out my Mom's italian birthday dinner perfectly!

Chicken Tortilla Soup warmed us up on a day that was more winter than spring.

Last week we (my Mom, sister, and I - and maybe my brother) teamed up to make egg rolls, fried rice, and some dipping sauces. Then I made hamburgers. And then we teamed up again for taco bar. See the theme there?

Sunday Brisket via this cookbook was a real hit on Tuesday night. 

What I'm Reading

I've got what I hope will be some great books on the way from the mail order library! (For those who may want to know: "Maisie Dobbs" by Jacqueline Winspear and "The Lottery Winner" by Mary Higgins Clark.)

In the mean time I'm reading "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ" by John Piper , a review copy of "By Your Side" by Candace Calvert, and a collection of essays by EB White.

Stay tuned for a look at my winter reading list in the next week or so!

On the Blog

The getting there pictures and Asheville pictures from our trip south have been a big hit!

I introduced another goal of mine for Through * For * By in 2015 and I'm calling it A Month of Saturdays.

Sometimes God meets you while you garden in February and you write about it.

Ask & Answer returned with questions about traveling, memorable years, inspiration, and winter. It thrills me that your answers are still coming in! What do you want to Ask & Answer in March?



I'm linking up with Leigh! 

What I'm Into: January 2015

January 4, 2015

After spending new years with friends in Georgia and then Epiphany with my Aunt Linda, the rest of January had a hard time competing! I'm thankful that winter hasn't been too harsh, because that probably would have done me in.

I have sooo much to tell you....I haven't been able to figure out where to begin, but let's start here with something familiar!


What I'm Watching

The House of Anubis obsession continues.

Downton Abbey provides a nice break on Monday nights.

We watched Glory Road the other night and laughed at the the spots we always laugh at. That movie never gets old! 

I'm looking forward to watching Brigadoon and finding a new show too! I mean, we're almost to the end of House of Anubis. Any suggestions?

In the Kitchen

We hosted two birthdays, multiple dinner "parties" (that just means we have friends join us), and made a ham dinner just because I was in the mood for one.

Two of the new things that happened in my kitchen were:

This cake.

These muffins.

All of that cooking got me right back into the swing of things. I love working in the kitchen! What's the latest recipe you've tried and loved?

What I'm Reading

You can always check out my goodreads!

I'm currently reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, "A Severed Wasp", and "At Home in Last Chance". 

Next up is "All the Light We Cannot See" with Read It. In case you're wondering, Read It is a goodreads book club and you should definitely join us! Click HERE to learn more.

On the Blog

I shared my word three words for 2015. Who knew a trip to the south could teach me so much?

We played another round of Ask & Answer! You can always e-mail your questions or leave them as a comment (even in this post!!!).

Mondays and Downton Abbey and Martin Luther King Jr.  made for a good chat. 

We're never done talking about books around here! This is what my Bible reading plan looks like and this is a reading challenge I'm tackling this year.

And now...I've got a big redesign scheduled to be launched in just a few days. Consider yourselves warned! I hope I love it and more importantly, I hope that you love it! My goal is to make this space more enjoyable to read and easier to navigate.

What are you into? 

I'm linking up with Leigh! 

What I'm Into: November 2014

November 8, 2014

November was something else!

I spent the month listening to Christmas music, trying to figure out the weather, and stocking up for WINTER.  

My brother and sister finished up their CYT class. We tried out Texas Roadhouse (the concensus was: Good food, lousy atmosphere. I think I'm getting old!). 

I got to see Heidi two different times this month! We made soap at her house and hung out at mine. I really wish we just lived right next door. I met a new friend named Joe and he's already taught me a great way to clean my microwave. 

My brother won the turkey at the Turkey Bingo this year (and Jay was the other winner at our table)! We had an early Thanksgiving at Jay's last Sunday and as usual the day was well spent and lots of fun!  Our table held new guests for Thanksgiving and we've been in game mode the last few days. 


What I'm Watching

I kicked the month off with a Christmas movie, but now I can't even remember which one!

We watched "Maleficent" two nights in a row.

"Gentleman's Agreement" (1947) is by far the best movie I've watched in a long time.

I've been watching "All About Eve" (1950), but I keep getting interrupted before I can finish it.

November 24, 2014

In the Kitchen

I made Joy the Baker's Brown Sugar Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting from THIS book for my brother's 22nd birthday!

Porcupine Meatballs are an old favorite.

THESE dinner rolls were amazing. The only thing I'm going to change is to divide the dough into more rolls so they aren't quite so big. 

6:37 this morning

  
What I'm Reading

I've come to the end of my fall reading.

I really enjoyed "The Small Rain" and "My Life in France".

"The Christmas Cat" was my first Christmas book.

 I've been reading "Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Book Store".  I'm still making up my mind about it. Have you read it? What did you think (no spoilers please!!)?

I've got some great reading ahead of me in December...First up is a book club read that you're invited to join in on! Learn how to sign up HERE.

On the Blog

Liebster Awards are a great way to learn more about people.

I wrote about friendships.

Kiki and I hosted The Circle together! You can still link up.

A quick christmas read and my recipe for gingerbread hot cocoa all in one.

Lessons From My Mom.

You're Invited to "Read It" my brand new Goodreads book club!

What were you into in November? 

I'm linking up with Leigh for her "What I'm Into" link up!