Favorite Foods from Pinterest

Another stunning Oklahoma sunset.

So, Pinterest. Some days it's a just a lazy way to pass time, other days I'll scour it to find DIY Christmas crafts, birthday gifts, or meals to make with the food I have on hand. There's a fine balance in there somewhere. I haven't found it yet.

Out of my 2,000 + pins, I have only attempted a handful. Some succeeded, others... not so much. These recipes below, though, have won a gold star from my taste buds. I think you'll enjoy them, too.

• Julia Child's Eggplant Pizzas - Okay, it took me three times to figure out how to properly cook the eggplant, but I was determined. It could have been that I was too hungry to wait for the cook-time. Third time's a charm, though. These babies are so yummy and a great alternative to pizza.
• Quinoa and Sweet Potato Chili - YOU GUYS. This chili is so good.  And incredibly filling. I love the texture of quinoa. It plays nicely with the black beans and sweet potatoes. I followed this recipe to a T, but I imagine it'd be good however you decided to season it.
• Taco Soup - Good 'ol taco soup. It was a big hit with Kevin, so I feel like that's a success in and of itself. This is perfect for those chilly days. It's extra yummy with tortilla chips sprinkled in, and the flavor is even better the next day.
• Avocado and Grilled Corn Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette - I have saved the best for last. This is hands-down one of my most favorite things to eat. Mandy made this for a Pinterest party we had a while ago, and I was instantly in love. I cannot accurately describe just how good this is, so you must try it yourself.

What are some of your favorite Pinterest recipes? Or maybe crafts? I love a good DIY.

Happy Monday!

For Fun

A panorama of my garden at the beginning of summer.

Making: mental Christmas craft list.
Cooking: sweet potato, black bean, and quinoa chili. So yum.
Drinking: A Braum's cherry limeade. They make the best.
Reading: my study of Isaiah with Mandy. Couldn't be more excited to delve into such a jammed packed book.
Wanting: no weeds in my backyard. C'mon winter.
Looking: forward to spending time with my family on the beach and starting my gardening class.
Playing: Dots. Too much Dots. I  just can't beat my high score.
Wasting: time filling out this silly guy.
Sewing: nothing. But I am watching Kevin hem some new pants of his right this second.
Wishing: I was sipping tea in Colorado.
Enjoying: picking my okra and giving it away to friends.
Liking: weekday fun with friends.
Wondering: WHAT'S NEXT? and I mean that in a good way.
Loving: New friendships.
Hoping: for lots of snow this winter.
Marveling: at the way God moves through our lives, but especially in our friends lives.
Needing: to get in shape...but I'll do that...later. 
Smelling: cool air. Fall has a smell, people.
Wearing: some cut offs and a T. Not too many bare leg days left.
Following: through with some half finished projects around the house.
Noticing: that I need more patience when I drive.
Knowing: God is moving.
Thinking: that I should go to bed at a reasonable hour, but I probably won't.
Bookmarking: dream cabins.
Opening: a bag of parmesan garlic chips.
Giggling: everyday with Kevin.
Feeling: expectant.

I wasn't born in the mountains...

But I got here as fast as I could.

It never gets easier to come back to Oklahoma after any amount of time here.
Hope to see you again soon, Colorado.

Sunday Morning Travels

Yesterday I woke up at 6 a.m. unable to go back to sleep. After tossing and turning for quite some time, I moved to the couch so I wouldn't wake up Kevin. The morning sun was beaming through my bathroom window and casting the most beautiful light on a round wooden coffee table my grandparents gave me. In that moment, my mind traveled back to when my grandparents lived in Dodge City, Kansas. I closed my eyes and took myself on a tour of their old house. I can still hear how walking up the stairs to their backdoor sounds in my mind, like springing rubber bands due to the echo of my footsteps. My mind wandered through every room and corner of their house, bringing giggles and warmness as memories from each room came to me.

They moved away from that house over 13 years ago. I drove by it 4 years ago for the first since they moved. It was amazing how much smaller that house on all the land seemed now that I was older. It's filled with new owners who have re-modeled all of my favorite elements, or so I hear from my grandparents. I dare not go inside in fear that my happy memories will be replaced with unwelcome newness. In this instance, ignorance is bliss.

I was thankful I couldn't fall back asleep yesterday morning. The mind can be such a beautiful place to travel.

A Very Berry Adventure

Erika and I woke up at 6:45 a.m. a few weekends ago to head out to Thunderbird Farm in Broken Arrow to scavenge for blueberries. There was a bounty of blueberries, and we were lucky to find a few strawberries and even some red, juicy raspberries. It was so peaceful to be out that early. The weather was quiet and beautiful. For three dollars a pound, we are sold on pick-your-own berry farms.

Want to pick your own berries? See if there is a berry farm near you! Click here.

A Season for Growing

Planting our seedlings. Photo by Erika

I love spring. I didn't even realize it until this year. Everything about it is hopeful and new. Vibrant and alive. I want my life to be like spring; to be able transition from something lifeless and dull to something so beautiful and inviting. I know it's getting there. We are all being made into Christ's image, a new creation! It doesn't get much more hopeful than that.

In other news, this weather has been so very unpredictable making the garden a soaking plot of cold mud. I think after tonight, we're in the clear as far as freezing temperatures go. And as thankful as I am for the rain (I truly am), I need my garden bed to dry out a little so I can get to planting. What a learning experience it's been so far. I told myself I won't get discouraged when things go wrong since I'm brand new at this. It's helped to have Erika as my trusty garden companion. Onward!

Digging In

 Today's warm weather inspired me to go work in the garden. We are so close, folks! I was really pining for some good winter weather, but after today, I think I'm ready for spring. I love the life and color it brings with it. Veggies, fruits, flowers, leaves, grass! Know what I mean?

 I guess it's warm enough for weeds to start sprouting up, because I spent most of the day picking them out of the dirt. Gotta get some newspaper and mulch down to stop those suckers.

Hope you all had a restful weekend. Let's get to livin'!

p.s.- Major props to all you fashion bloggers! I was embarrassed just having Kevin take these photos for me.

Resolution Check-In

 (via)

I thought it'd be fun to check-in and update on how my resolutions are going so far. Am I the only one that can hardly believe it's almost March? I am looking forward to daylight savings on the 10th; an extra hour of daylight!

Talk less, love more. Well, maybe you should ask Kevin and my friends and family on this one. I can only say I hope I am doing better at this. I have realized I haven't said many things that make me feel extremely guilty right after they escape my mouth, so I guess that's good. Onward!

Have a successful garden. I've got my online cart all loaded up with organic seeds from High Mowing Seeds. Just waiting til payday (tomorrow) to purchase them. Erika has so enthusiastically offered to help me garden, so I am doubly pumped to get started! We hope to be sewing some seeds indoors within the next 2 weeks.

Get more involved with my neighbors. Wah-wah...FAIL. Well, I have talked to my neighbor to the West more than I have in the past. He is very kind. He looks kind of mean and rough, so I guess that shows me not to judge a book by it's cover. 

Go to school. I haven't done it yet, but by gosh, I plan on doing it in the fall. I just haven't decided if I want to get my BS in Horticulture or if I just want to get a certificate of Horticulture. What should I do, bloggersphere?

Learn to knit. Oh gosh, I wish. I need at least 2 more hours in the day! 

Read more. PEOPLE. I have read more in the past 2 months than I can ever remember reading. So far I've read Love Does by Bob Goff (I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS ENOUGH!!!!), I'm almost finished with Beth Moore's So Long Insecurities, and I'm almost done with Pride and Prejudice. All these books I highly suggest.
Kevin and I were going to try to read through the whole Bible for lent. We've read every day, but just not the suggested 30 chapters in order to meet that goal, which I've decided is OK. It's not about how good I am at keeping that goal, it's what God does to me and through me and how he is glorified in the process. It's been good to get into the Word every day. I love learning more about God's character. Next on the list: 7 by Jen Hatmaker and Follow Me by David Platt.

Give more without complaining or worrying. I'm not sure about this one either...Kevin would probably be a better judge of this than myself. After reading Love Does, Bob Goff has inspired me to be, as he calls it, "secretly awesome." So...maybe it's a secret how I'm doing with this goal!

How about you guys? Are you being too hard on yourself? Or not disciplined enough? Or your resolutions brought on even more resolutions? I'd love to hear!

Hello, 2013!

 This is my verse for 2013. I don't usually tend to reflect back on the year and make resolutions for the one ahead, but for some reason, this year has been different. I was actually overjoyed when 2013 began. I'm only 2 days in so far, but it's already been a fragrant reminder of God's grace. He has given me another day/month/year to begin anew. Another opportunity to live the life of love and freedom He designed for me. I'm just feeling so thankful for that, because this past year was not my best "loving"-wise. So, yes...Paul, thank you for reminding me that I am a new creation in Christ. The old is gone, the new is here! That is good news my friends!

Without further adieu, here's some things I'm hoping to work on or even accomplish in 2013:

Talk less, love more. I mean talking in all ways possible. But mostly talking less about me loving people, talking less about wanting people to love other people, etc. and actually LOVING PEOPLE! It's a revolutionary idea. And one I need to do, Lord help me. I did too much talking in 2012.

Have a successful garden. Corn, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, okra, kale and much more. I've spent a long time dreaming about this, and dang-it, I'm gonna do it. I've got my garden plot about 75% complete. If I can get it done by March, I'll be on a good track for getting things planted on time to have a fruitful harvest.

Get more involved with my neighbors. I'm sad to say I only know the names of 3 of my neighbors. I'm hoping I can step out of my little bubble and be bold enough to talk to strangers right across the street. Maybe I'll bake them cookies...

GO TO SCHOOL! This one is in all caps because I never thought I'd want to go back to college. I'm planning on taking a few classes this fall for horticulture. It sounds nerdy, but I love everything that involves getting my hands in the dirt. I can't wait!

Learn to knit. Sweaters and mittens and hats, oh my!

Read more. I'm talking everything: The Bible (most importantly), the books I got for Christmas, and more nonfiction. I just don't read enough nonfiction. It's good for the imagination! Maybe I should finish Harry Potter. I'm on book four, and have been...for 2 years. Whoops.

Give more without complaining or worrying. More money, more time, more resources, more of anything I can. I want my heart to be transformed to look more and more like Jesus. And like Anne Frank said, no one ever became poor by giving. God's always been so faithful to provide, so I need to be more faithful with what He's given me.

I'm sure I'll think of more throughout the year, and gosh, I sure hope to be able to progress in most of these. It's going to be a great year for seeing how God molds me further into who I'm created to be.

Welcome, 2013. It's going to be a good one!

p.s.- Thanks to Meg, Mandy, and Catherine for inspiring me to make a list!