Oven potatoes....

You will need:

Red potatoes (roughly 4 per person - they are pretty small) *my friend, Jen, calls them 'new potatoes'... but I see that they are red... and have always called them red potatoes*
1 package of dry italian dressing
Salt
Pepper
EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
*Parmesan shavings (optional)

Something you must know... I have never really been a big potato fan, I know - who am I, internet - I'll never really know.  BUT my friend, Jamie, made me try these one night at her house... and I have been having a love affair with these potatoes ever since.  I want them constantly... but haven't made them very often.  I will tell you that last night - when I made these... they were the best batch I've ever made! I'm 95% certain it was the cooking show commentary... #justsayin

You should probably know that I typically don't like potatoes... unless they are in the version of fries, tatter tots, hash browns, or sometimes I even like garlic mashed potatoes.. but thats about it... so the fact that I like these... should say something :)

1. pre-heat oven to 450 degrees

2. Cube red potatoes and put in bowl

3. Coat with EVOO generously (but not drenching) and add package of dry italian dressing and mix well... this is where you get to get your hands dirty... get em' in there and mix those suckers up.  Ok, internet... I get really excited about this part  #sorrynotsorry

side note.. they kind of look like apples... but they aren't... they are gloriousness about to become heavenly...

4. Grease a cookie sheet and spread the well coated potatoes leaving as few stacked as possible

5. Stick them in the oven for 10 minutes then use a spatula and flip them and put them back in the oven for another 10-12 minutes (this will vary depending on the amount you're cooking and the level of crispiness you like).  I really like it when they are mostly golden brown and crispy... yum-o!

Optional: (6.)  My friend Jamie puts shavings of parmesan cheese on top of them right as they come out of the oven-- which tastes amazing!  We just never have shavings of parmesan so we forget to pick some up and we love them regardless!  

We ate them with some hot dogs that I grilled in a skillet on the stove - I figure you don't really need directions for that.  Jen was really excited about posing for my blog! #natural  Also, I took a picture of my beautiful fiesta ware plates, because I feel like most of my food pics show us eating on our MU plates... which lets face it-- is what we use 1/2 the time.  So these are usually all dirty and in the dish washer when I decide to blog what I'm cooking... or maybe plastic is just plain easier to use most of the time... #sorrynotsorry

Let me know if you try them!!

True gut check...

This last Sunday morning, PBC brought the truth like none other.... as usual.  It was such a beautiful message.

Let me give you a little set-up here... on Sunday mornings we have been going through a study in Matthew of the sermon on the mount.  We started with the beatitudes which rocked my world, then we moved on to the next section which was titled 'Getting to the heart of the matter' which again shook my world in the best way possible, and this last sunday we continued to another section of the sermon which has been called 'watching our righteousness' and it has started with a bang... getting right to the core.

This message was NOT beautiful because it was:
-easy
-something I already have down
-stroking my ego
-something someone else around me needed to hear
-surface level goodness without any real conviction/challenge

There is nothing beautiful about those things...

No... it was beautiful because it was:
-hard to hear
-required some true introspection on my part
-humbling
-honest
-truth spoken with such a love for the body of Christ
-one of those messages that will be on repeat to make it stick

We discussed Matthew 6:1-18 and what saving righteousness looks like... PBC told us that 'the affirmation we seek, determines the legitimacy of our righteousness'.  That right there is enough to make me stop and take a moment to evaluate myself.
____________________
PBC provided 3 principles that help us evaluate our legitimacy:

1. consider the reward you want
      -do I want human affirmation?
      -do I live with the constant aim that others see and view me as spiritual?

2. consider what you want from people
      -do we desire other's praise?:
           -do I want to be seen by them?
      -do we have a longing to be noticed?
           -to be satisfied in my ministry... do I need to be noticed by others and recognized publicly?
      -do we pursue elaborate expressions?
           -this kills righteousness  

3. consider what you want from God
     -what characterizes someone who wants divine affirmation?
          -God is the focus
          -satisfaction in unrecognized actions
          -God is ultimately valued

'gratitude and thanksgiving should be given... not something we are seeking'

'our human nature craves self glorification'
__________________

I would suggest that this is exceptionally difficult for someone like me... who's dominate love language is 'words of affirmation'.  Yikes... never thought I'd be faced w/this reality of how easily I can misplace who/where I desire my affirmation.  Since this message... the Lord is showing me areas of my life where I struggle w/this misplaced desire from others rather than Him.  It's hard... yet perfectly necessary... and for that I am thankful.

If you have an hour- I'd encourage you to listen to the message here and select the message titled 'Watching Our Righteousness - Part 1' from November 4, 2012.

If you listen to it, I'd LOVE to know your thoughts on what you hear!

what a special day...

For so many reasons...

I got to exercise my right to vote in a presidential election for the 2nd time!

I have a little different perspective on this day this year... Probably bc I'm so much wiser now... right, internet? ;)

This day.. I am filled with patriotism to my core- and this year a new found love and respect for the military... My brother has excitedly given in to the Lord's call for his life to join the army. You can't even know how proud of him I am. (don't worry- I'm workin on a future post about this special guy)

But not only do I feel extremely blessed to be an American... I feel so blessed to be a child of God today.

The election season is plagued with nasty commercials highlighting politicians rudely jabbing at one another back and forth.... And spending millions and MILLIONS to do it.

Today has wonderfully forced me to consider my Savior.. I'm so thankful that no amount of money could ever make me deserve the grace He places over me. No news adds are required to compete for His love.. no debate to prove my dedication or passion for Him... None of those things...

It's so beautiful and humbling to think of the sacrifice that He made for me... The grace and mercy He continually shows me... And I can do absolutely NOTHING to deserve it.

What kind of love is this... Wow.

In this election season.. I am thanking God for choosing me to be one of His children.... I did nothing to deserve it... I've done way more things that DON'T deserve His love and grace...

His grace... such a beautiful, beautiful thing - today and everyday.


#mindblown

#launchlove

Beauty draws us in.





This truth is one I've been reminded of so many times since reading Captivating for the first time in college.  In fact my self and my suite-mates had decided to have a 'contract' of sorts where we decided not to date for the entire semester, and instead read this book together and focus on the Lord rather than focusing on the search for Mr. Right- which all 3 of us were focusing on this way too much.  While that proved to be an excellent approach for our hearts, it may not be necessary for everyone to go that drastic.  for me... it was a requirement.

fast forward...

A couple of years ago, in our young adult ministry 'Launch', we split up into guys and girls and did a 'body image' study for a good 10-12 weeks-- it did start out as a body image study and we talked a lot about our insecurities and what the world tries to tell us beauty means.

But honestly - it turned into much much MUCH more than a 'body image' study... however the name stuck somehow - I think it reminds us of where it all started the first time around... and how we must have a true understanding and view of ourselves to align with the Lord's view of us.  This alignment is so essential to achieving the definition listed below of what a beautiful woman of God is like.. how she thinks.

So here is the list us 'launch ladies' made of how a beautiful woman thinks in regards to herself... and others:

-doesn't think about self as central focus
-Godward thoughts
-to think comfortably
-undeceived thinking - seeing things as they really are- as God sees them
-pleasant to self - compliments herself- not vainly but truthfully
-humility that isn't self-abasement
-thoughts of others without jealousy
-willingly compliment others and accept compliments
-not critical of others (gossip)
-not easily insulted
-love authentically
-enjoys others without competition

notice what is NOT a part of this list... not a single mention of how she looks, dresses, what trends she follows, what crafts she is good at, what meals she can cook, how she styles her hair.

isn't that seriously so beautiful?  those things didn't even come to mind when we were brainstorming this list... for a moment those things were not the focus.  Oh how I pray for more moments like that.

************

well- I guess you can call this episode 1-the intro... we have touched on so many things that I'll have to break this down into different posts to get it all in- and do it justice :)


what comes to mind when you think of characteristics of a beautiful woman of God?

Nothing says fall like...

APPLE PIE, ya'll!

Let me set this up for ya... this has become a sort of tradition around the T family.  Scott's mom and her mom would get together and make several pies at a time and freeze them and bake them as necessary throughout the year (or two) :)  So... when I married into the family... Scott's mom and I decided to keep the tradition alive!  It is an afternoon full of pie making and typically no pie eating.  BUT this year we had some yummy hot apple cider while we were elbows deep in apples and flour.

so lets get on with it... you will need:

For the crust:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup milk
3/4 cup vegetable oil

For the filling:
4 cups of sliced red apples (typically 4 good sized red apples)
1 3/4 cups sugar
2-3 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)
2 tbsp flour
shake of salt
butter

Pretty simple ingredients... sadly I didn't get a picture of all of them together... #sorryaboutit

But I did get a great pic of my mother-in-law making a batch of crust!

1. First make the crust-- this is literally a dumping of the 2 1/2 cups of flour, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 3/4 cup of oil, and 1/3 cup of milk into the mixer and mix until the crust pulls away from the sides and sticks together.  It literally takes like 30 seconds... it is glorious!  Time to divide the crust into 2 and roll each 1/2 out.  So my mother-in-law discovered these little round pic crust rolling out guides (see picture below) that are a must have for rolling out pie crust into perfect circles!  Just put some flour on both sides before rolling it out and it won't stick at all!  So beautiful!  So in the bottom of your pie plate, be sure to put some flour and then add the 1st 1/2 of your pie crust.  

*Disclaimer:  this is a great and easy crust.. but I would not suggest it is the best pie crust I've ever had- my mom makes her grandmother's crust and THAT is the best pie crust I've EVER had... but it is also a family secret... or potentially... it takes too long to make* :)

2. Now, typically we add the 1 3/4 cups of sugar, 2-3 tsp of cinnamon, 2 tbsp of flour, and shake of salt to the big tupperware bowl first (we were a bit rusty and forgot to add the mixture until after the apples were sliced and ready to go).

3. Time to peel and slice your apples.  Now, for many years my mother-in-law did that all by hand.. even the first time I attending the event we did it all by hand.  Now we can whip out twice the amount of pies b/c of this amazing invention... thank you pampered chef for the apple-peeler-slicer-corer!  If you don't have one of these beauties... don't worry-- it doesn't take THHHHHHAT long if you're just making 1 pie. :)

4.  So we've sliced the apples, now it is time to mix the slices with the filling mixture.. ensuring each and every slice of heaven is coated with goodness.  Then pour the 4 cups of sliced apples into your crust.  Now take a stick of butter and add little cubes of butter randomly throughout the top of the pie filling.

5.  Now cover the pie with the crust topper (not sure of the technical term... so work with me here...)  And pinch the edges.  If there are any pieces hanging over the edge- just take a knife and cut off any excess crust.  Make a few slits in the top of the crust (be sure to only cut the top layer.. don't hit the bottom of the pan)

From this point we would cover with wax paper and a bunch of foil and put it in a 2 gallon freezer bag and write the following instructions:

-Coat/rub top with milk, sugar and cinnamon

-Bake @ 350 for 1 hr (straight from the freezer- no thawing necessary)

We usually write the date we made it as well and then store it away in the freezer until we're ready to enjoy it!  

Yuuuuuummmmmmm... I love a piece of warm apple pie with a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream... oh man oh man!  All of that making and no eating is getting to me... #musthaveapplepiesoon

so go try it and let me know what you think?!

November challenge...

So I'm linking up to a blog-- I'm not promising to link weekly-- but I'm excited to record my 'little moments' in this way!

So the month of November is going to be one I try to focus on gratitude.  I found this photo-a-day-for-a-month challenge and I'm accepting the challenge :)  Here is the list- each day I'm suppose to post a picture to instagram reflecting the item listed.  I'm excited to use this tool to drive my thoughts towards gratitude.  Feel free to join me- if you do... don't forget to comment on my blog so I can keep updated with your post a day!  I will try to utilize this new insta-friday link to update you on the progress of this challenge!

Day 1: favorite food #okjoesbbq

Day 2: smile -couldn't pick 1... had to show some of the people that drive me towards gratitude (not all... just a few)

So last weekend we did a video scavenger hunt with your youth group during our fall retreat, and I met a local celeberty!! This is me with Jillian from Q104 - she is a DJ on a local country music station.  :)  She is a pretty big deal around KC-- and she just happens to be the aunt of one of our youth ladies! So excited to meet her in person.  #nerdiknow

Spent some time blogging this week.. and I love ever second of it.

Sent some pieces of love in the mail this week

What was your week like?

Top ten...

current events in my life... (in no particular order)

1. I've scheduled a physical for Scott and myself.... anxiety is slowly creeping in

2. really wishing that there was a fort in my living room.. #weekendproject

3. currently cuddled up in my Mizzou blanket, next to my honey, with Molly laying on my legs... some of my favorite moments

4. just got home from the fall festival at church.. the costumes were adorable.. I opted for feeling like a little girl again...

5. community is not always easy... but I whole heartedly believe it is worth every tough moment

6. desperately wanting some pumpkin pie

7. currently loving my job and learning so much about all things HR and loving ever second of it

8. stoked to be in my brother's wedding in March... so happy for both of them... here is one of their engagement pics -- such a beautiful couple!!! (more on these 2 to come...)

9. having a hard time parting with my car.. but it must be done #dowhatyagottado

10. my house is in desperate need of my attention.. yet I continue to ignore it

what is going on w/you?!  Good, bad, and the ugly?