Summer Love

The gentle breeze, carrying with it the glimmering light of day.

The unfolding smile of a stranger with eyes held on laughter.

The roar of a crowd, gathered with childlike anticipation.



Spending the afternoon in the arms of a loved one.

The wafting aroma of peanuts, popcorn, hot dogs, and pretzels. 

The booming voice of the announcer across the loudspeaker.



Glimpses of the eternal through the beloved, all american game.

Laughter, love, tears, and joy intermixed, joining strangers together.

It’s summer love; hearts together, all rooting for one victory.

Joy in the ordinary. 

Celebration Pasta

The day is short and time sweeps by.  Are you making the most of the time at hand? 

Is there celebration for the gentle breeze through the trees or the shimmering light of summer?  Taking time to pause and reflect, opening hands to be thankful for what is right in front of us.  The still of the day or the chaos at night.  We are growing thankful.  Slowing down to take in the slightest glimpse of glory; right here in our midst.


These past few weeks we have had much to celebrate.  For us there were the big and the small, intertwined.  From the closing on a new rental property to the cooling days of summer.  From a glass of red wine to the unexpected gifts given.  For answered prayers and the gentle laughter amongst community.  There is much around to be thankful for and this meal is perfect for the breaking of bread with two or twenty.  Taking in the bounty of summer and placing it on the plate; it’s summer in a mouthful.  Bright, playful, and awesome all at once.

Celebrate today.  The littlest of things to the grand, once-in-a-lifetime achievements.

”…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father 

in the name of our Lord Jesus Chrust…”  

Ephesians 5:20

Celebration Pasta
Inspired by Me
Serves 2-3

Sauce:
3 Large Ripe Tomatoes, diced
2 Cloves of Garlic
3 T Olive Oil
Splash of Balsamic Vinegar
1 t dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste

Dried Pasta

Fresh Basil
Parmesan Cheese

1.  Prepare pasta.  While the pasta cooks, add oil to pot set at medium high.  Let the oil heat for a minute or two and then add the garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes being sure not to burn the garlic.  (I add a tsp of kosher salt to the oil at this point) Add more oil if necessary.

2.  After the garlic softens and is aromatic, add the tomatoes.  Stir occasionally and let them break down.  Add the splash of vinegar and oregano and let simmer for aobut 10 minutes.  Taste.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Plate pasta, add sauce, and finish with fresh basil and cheese.

3.  Enjoy pasta and life to the fullest.

Who Can you Call?

Today via a favorite blog of mine I found out about a great deal for calling cards/blog cards/mommy cards.  After perusing the site I was sold and went for the great deal.  Basically Minted is having a great promotion right now:  They are offering 25 free cards + a holder to keep in your purse or diaper bag for the cost of shipping only.

I do have South Face business/calling cards made by the amazing Anne at Gaddere, but I didn't have any cards linking to the blog.  So I went ahead and put in an order for some since this is such a great deal.

The cards are super cute and fun, with vivid colors and funky designs.  Check them out!  Here are some of my favorites from Minted's website.






Happy Shopping!

Settling in Deep

Even goes the tide and with it goes my heart, settling in deep.  Ways of life whip past, journeys begin and end, and with the fell swoop of daylight we begin again, taking it all in.

Being reminded over and over of simple truths from mouths of men aged long ago as well as wise men in the here and now.  Change comes slowly, but it comes, gently urging hearts to conform.  Waiting is but now; the return on the pause of life is abundant joy, worthy of the jilt of life, I suppose.

In these walls, daylight spills over awakening hearts and minds, and while there are no secrets here, the mood of the day is stilled.  We consume ourselves with life words, from the life giver, opening hands to catch the tender rays of sparkling light. 

With the length of days, so it is with abiding, gently growing shorter as the harvest draws near, rendering our hearts the satisfactions longed for.  Here, in these walls, we are living abundantly, with the fervor and love not of ourselves. We lay ourselves at the door, ushering in the Spirit to consume us.

Walking, running, hoping, loving.  When your heart opens to the giver of all good things, what do you find?  Is there a deep resignation to the will of the One who leads?  Is there a stutter to your step as you try to steady weak knees as He says “go forth”? I find myself often residing with Peter, gazing down to rustling waves rather than lifting heavy eyes north to find hands that hold, steady and firm.

Today let us shift our gaze north, star gazing at the One who knows them by name, opening hands to be held firm, offering hearts to be gently molded for joy, and lives to be lived fully for the day.  For the day is enough; let us hope.  The morrow will wait, and all the while, let us petition for more of Him who gives abundantly.  

”This I have recalled to my mind, therefore I have hope. 

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.”
(Lamentations 3:21-24)

Encouragement for the Weary

As dawn breaks on the new day, my heart and my head need to be shaken awake.  I long to sleep and rest and spend the day with You.  The gentle wake of reality hits as sun breaks through the shades and the day is upon me.  The needs of the day quickly make themselves known and work has begun; making, sweeping, helping, holding.

About the day I go, taking in my surroundings; friends, family, those unknown to me, living the life the has been accorded to them.  Babies cry, toddlers question, mommies groan under pressure, men are off to work.  Life is happening all around me; and here I am, grappling for enough strength to get me through this life all around.  Grace to listen to the day of mommies, strength to see the calendar laid open and my thwarted plans unveiled, faith to wade through the lies that await me. 

And along the way words spring up in my cavernous heart;

“Come to me all who labor and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

I await and find my being in the rest from the Father who knows we grow weary.  Who knows the ushering in of August has wracked my heart with grief.  Who cares so for my broken heart.  Who carries me through the echoing of mother’s continual talk of life with pattering feet.  He knows my every need, before the feelings every hit my heart.

My heart is growing weary, my tongue is tied only by His grace, and I know I’m not alone, traveling through the bunkers this world has laid among us.

And again, by His mercy I find myself echoing promises, for that is the only way I know to keep moving forward, step by step, through this life, through the day, through tomorrow. 

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

My eyes are set on autumn, the ushering in of a new season, praying that with the reaping of wheat there will be abundance for my soul.

It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it

Almost 5 years ago I said yes; to a man, to a commitment, and to our future.  For better or worse, in richer or poorer; these words were not in our vows. 

                                                                 our younger selves (2005)
Instead I promised:

-to be faithful to you and never leave you
-to respect and submit to your leadership
-to trust your judgement in leading me as God leads you
-to provide you with an abundance of encouragement and to communicate openly and honestly with you  
-to listen when you speak and keep what I hear
-to trust you and honor you and follow you 
-to be your helper and your most trusted friend.


These 4+ years have proved to challenge my faith and my trust.  Life has pulled on my heart strings as I open my hands, letting go of preconceived notions on how life is supposed to look.  Life with you isn’t preconceived, or according to the world’s plan, and doesn’t look like others’. 

In 4+ years we’ve done crazy things; bought 2 houses in the middle of a real estate meltdown and the Lord sold them, we sold our house in order to best create working capital, and now we embark together down a new road, following Him.  I fell in love with your spirit when we were dating; I’m recalling back how often you asked “Honey, what if I want to stop working and build boats in a barn, will you stick by me?”



Little did I know that phrase would be a metaphor for our future.  Flipping houses, selling houses, buying houses, renting houses.  It was a glimpse into your heart, full of passion and energy, and entrepreneurial spirit.  Naively I said yes, not fully understanding what you meant.  But I see it now, raw drive, extreme attention to detail and you take your provision job so seriously.  And I’m thankful. 




Every year a time hits when I’m reminded that I need to trust, not only you, but the Lord.  For His provision and plan. And with new eyes, I get a glimpse of this crazy, wonderful, passionate man I married.  Who with extreme passion in your eyes and a childlike giddiness in your voice, lights up our life with new possibility.  This brings change.

I’m not so good with change.  I like to plan things out as we dream together, without having to think we may be steered another direction.  Gentle pruning.  He’s pruning me to be better listen and trust and encourage you.  I’m becoming a better wife.  Day by day, moment by moment, I’m being reminded that life is not run according to me.  And through the pruning, my heart surges with new love for you and this amazing spirit the Lord has put in your heart.

Honey, I’m so proud of you.  And I’m sorry.  I know I don’t always appreciate the passion within.  It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been so, so worth it.  It’s our adventure; up, down, steady and crazy all in one. 

I love you just the way God made you.

Congratulations are in order today; to you and our new adventure!

Perfect for a Picnic

My salad is ready for a picnic, unfortunately the weather here in Minnesota isn’t quite perfect.  It’s a steam bath outside, with the heat index sky high.  So instead of a picnic at the band shell with the sounds of the Pops Orchestra serenading our humble meal, we’ll be taking the food inside, where it’s nice and cool.

When I think summer there are some of my favorites that always come to mind: corn on the cob, watermelon, fresh tomatoes, and panzanella.  That last one might have taken you by surprise but there is nothing I love more than panzanella salad with the freshest vegetables.  It’s a great switch from the ordinary garden salad and there are so many ways to adapt it to your tastes.

My first encounter with Panzanella was a few years ago when I acquired Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Parties cookbook.  This recipe spoke to me from the pages; I like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and basil.  I love bread.  This must be the salad for me!  And it was.  And in her new cookbook, How Easy is That, Ina switches it up and puts a spin on traditional Panzanella, turning it Greek with the addition of just a few ingredients.

This salad is about as humble and rustic as you can get, but believe me, the taste is anything but humble. It’s delicious!

Here’s a link to the recipe!