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.