Daily Prayers

When I was teaching one year I had a very challenging situation. One day a friend knowing what I was up against gave me some prayers. There was a prayer for morning, midday and evening. Honestly at first I thought it was strange. I thought to myself, I know how to pray, why do I need to read scripted prayers? After I read them I knew why my friend gave them to me.  It was such a sweet gesture and they have really helped me slow down 3 times a day and consistently pray. I use these prayers as a guide for my conversation with my Father and often whatever is on my heart and mind is weaved throughout as I read the words. They are just too good not to share so I created a printable. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

The Unexpected

I've been trying to soak up as much as I can while I'm still here in PA. In case you missed it we're moving back to Colorado.  One of the things I definitely wanted to make sure I did was enjoy as much of the Fall colors as I can. I do have a fear that when I'm back in CO I will long for the variety of trees and plant life that I grew up with and that I'm used to. I pray that I will fully embrace all that's special about CO. 

I decided to spend the day at Longwood Gardens recently. I thought it would be a great way to experience Autumn. They are having a Chrysanthemum festival which I was really looking forward to. Autumn has been a little strange where we live in the Poconos  there are some trees that are completely bare and some that are just starting to change. I hoped at Longwood Gardens it would be different and the trees would be vibrant and at peak.  I walked all around the property looking for trees in their full Autumn glory. 

They were harder to find than I expected. 

Then I found this vibrant Japanese Maple. 

Of course what garden wouldn't be complete without a railroad display? Thomas the Train & Friends were fun to watch, they even had blinking eyes. 

I was so busy looking for Autumn colors that I almost missed one of the most beautiful displays of color in the whole garden.  I had high expectations for colorful trees. Little did I know I would find Autumn colors in the Roses taking their last breath. 

I'm thankful their intoxicating sent drew me in closer. 

They were Magnificent! 

It's hard not to have expectations. Of course just like anything else having expectations can be a positive thing. I know for me personally having too high of expectations just means there's a much bigger fall when things don't turn out like I expected. I'm going to strive to not let my mind run away with expectations and stay open to the unexpected. After all the unexpected can be much better than we ever could have imagined. 

I'm at another transition in my life, a time when I'm not quite sure what the future will hold. I'm working on not letting the expectations take over and just living out each step at a time as it happens. I'm not sure what to expect of this blog during this transition. I've been writing posts ahead so I have great stuff to share but I'm not sure how long it will last. It's possible I may be absent from this space, for a time but don't worry I will be back. Do me a favor and don't have too high of expectations and I'll try not to either!

I'll be sharing the rest of the pictures from my day at Longwood Gardens soon. The Chrysanthemum Festival was amazing!

Peach Mate

This will take you back to the care free days of summer where you spend long evenings outside sipping on a jar of tea, at least that's what it does for me. I took all the pictures for this recipe at the end of Summer just when the leaves were barely starting to think about changing. I've been wanting to share this recipe for quite sometime.

We are a Sweet Tea lovin family. We've always kept a pitcher of the liquid gold in our fridge year round we've introduced it to Mid-westerners, Westerners and Yankees. As you might have gathered from recent posts I'm trying to be the healthiest I can be. Having sugary filled water at my disposal isn't exactly what I would consider best for my health. Even though I only ever drank sweet tea with dinner I still wanted to find an alternative. That's when I found Mate. I actually found Mate years ago but just never realized I could replicate it amazingness at home. When I found a couple bags of Mate on the discount rack at my local grocery store I decided it was a good time to start experimenting. Have you ever heard of Mate? 

My husband actually introduced me to Mate. Over a summer in college he worked in Colorado, in Historic Manitou Springs located at the foot of Pikes Peak. There is a place at the end of town called the Mate Factor Cafe. Since he was working nights he frequented this place for a drink called Mate that would give him the energy he needed to make it through the eventful nights which often consisted of chasing off bears and an occasional streaker.

My husband of course fell in love with Colorado so when his company wanted to move us there (the first time, you might have just read a previous post and yes we're moving back) he jumped at the opportunity. When we lived there he took me to this place and I couldn't get Mate out of my mind. I would crave that drink. We actually lived in Denver so we couldn't get it often but when we were within a 30 mile radius of this place we would always stop by. Now I'm thrilled to be able to make something much similar to what we had at the Mate Factor although nothing can replace the experience of actually going to there, which it looks like I will be able to do soon! If you're ever near Manitou Springs you've got to check out this place.

You might be wondering what Mate is? Mate comes from Yerba Mate which is an evergreen plant that's leaves are used to make a tea enjoyed traditionally by many South American cultures. There are many health benefits to drinking this tea. From what I understand it has more antioxidants than green tea and is filled with vitamins and minerals. I have read that it can help control allergies, reduce stress and cleanse the body. We've made the swap from traditional sweet tea to Mate and aren't planning to go back. All of our guests who've tried it really like it too and always ask how to make it.

Peach Mate is our favorite but cranberry is a close second. What makes this Mate so unique is the addition of juice concentrate. Don't be afraid to experiment with flavors and find one that you like. The steps to making Mate are not hard and don't stress if you don't have a French press.  Just put the Mate in a pot of water and bring to a boil, let steep, then using the lid pour the liquid into the pitcher leaving behind the tea leaves.

If you prefer hot tea or just want a cup one day, no worries; pour yourself a mug of Mate from the fridge then heat it up in the microwave.

If you have difficulty finding Mate you can always buy some from the Mate Factor's online store. Or my go to place is Vitacost. If you're new to Vitacost click HERE to get $10 off.

 I hope you ENJOY this recipe as much as we do!

Wordless Wednesday

It's all Starting to Sink in...

My husband got a promotion and his company is moving us. This is all happening so fast I can't even fully comprehend it. I'm happy, I'm sad, I'm nervous, I'm scared all at the same time. It's not like this moving thing is new for us. We've lived in 4 different states during six years of marriage and 5 different homes. This move though is different in so many ways.

We hoped to be here in PA for at least 5 years. We jumped right in and bought a gorgeous farmhouse to call home that has a creek flowing through the backyard. I'll admit this farmhouse wasn't love at first site for me. But when I finally did fall in love I fell hard. 

I have so much to be grateful for. I can't believe I was given the gift of calling this farmhouse home, even if it was for a short time. It has been such a wonderful experience and the fact that we get to leave on a happy note is a huge blessing. There are so many who've experienced being ripped away from the homes that they love because of tragedy or uncontrollable circumstances.

I realize I never even said where we are moving. I had my husband be the bearer of the good and bad news to family and friends. But I myself never said the words out loud to anyone until the lady in Saladworks tried to give me a rewards card. I told her I didn't need a card because I was wouldn't be the area much longer. So she asked where I was moving and that was the first time I said out loud, I'm moving to Colorado.

Even though I was desperate for human contact, considering I've been alone for the last week, I left the store quickly because the tears were coming and I couldn't stop them. Now that the floodgates have opened they aren't easily closed again. I cry because we adore Colorado. I cry because here in PA we live much closer to our families and we will be farther away again.  I don't cry because we have to sell our home, I cry thinking about how blessed someone will be to live in it. I pray that if they don't know God they find him because of his amazing display of creativity all around this place. I cry because of all the hopes, dreams and plans that seem lost.

I often thought about what it would be like to have children here. They would have so much fun pitter-pattering through the creek and collecting critters.

I knew right what I would do if I got pregnant, where the nursery would be and how it would look. This house needs a family in it. I remember right after we moved in the elderly lady across the street was shocked to discover we didn't have children. She said, "well why would move into such a big house, you must get pregnant right away!" If only it were that easy... I'm still not sure if I can even have children which I'm starting to make peace with. 

I was always dreaming up new ideas for the property around this farm house. I wanted a couple goats and some chickens. I had a plan for where the chicken coop would go too. I wanted to build it right under the screened in porch. There's even a window under there that leads to the basement, where I wanted to build shelves and nesting boxes so that I could just reach through and grab the eggs. Wouldn't that be awesome?

I've often wondered why it was difficult for us to completely settle in PA. Soon after we moved in our only neighbors moved out. I found a place to throw pottery and it ended up to be something different than I thought. I got my own kiln but had to do some rewiring before I could use it, which never happened. We visited more churches than I can remember, going for weeks even months at a time to some and still never made connections beyond surface. I had a very difficult time finding a job and when I finally found one and got into a routine I was laid off. Could all of it be because we were being protected. What were we supposed to learn from all this only to end back up in Colorado?

I'm looking forward to being in Colorado again. I feel so thankful the move is to somewhere we're already familiar with. It just seems like there's so much to think about before I actually get there.  How long will it take for our house to sell? Where will we live next? Where will I be for the holidays? How long will I be apart from my husband? Will my dogs be okay through this transition? 

My husband is in Colorado right now and has been for the last week. That's one of the biggest challenges of moving for his career. I usually have to spend time alone while he goes ahead to the new job. He gets to have experiences and build connections without me.  I feel as though I'm riding on his coat tails. It seems as if I have no identity of my own, I just follow him around where ever he goes. Every time we've moved I've had to give up my own career and dreams that I've begun formulating. When we move people are waiting for him and know his name, they chose him for his new position. He even had a nice breakfast put together for him on his first day at his new job. When I finally arrive to a new place it goes like this, "oh you're the wife." So there is my identity "the wife" that they've already heard and formed opinions about. It's so hard to keep starting over and I can't tell you how many people think it sounds so great and they always say, "well at least you don't have kids." That doesn't really make moving any better. How else do you connect with people in a new place? Mom's have it easy there are so many support groups and people out there who they can connect with just because they have kids. Nobody cares about people without kids they automatically think everything is easier and they have it all together. Well it's not always easy and sometimes it's downright lonely. 

I know deep in my heart that God works In ALL things.

Romans 8:28
 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good 

to those who love God, to those who are called 

according to His purpose.

This is one of the threads of hope that I cling to daily. I must believe that Gods working in my life and that everything is orchestrated by Him for a reason. I never would have imagined that at 28 years old I would have experienced buying my first home and experienced selling my first home all in practically the same year. I've been in shock the last few weeks, almost paralyzed. Have you ever felt that way before? There is hope for whatever situation you're going through too. Whether it's big or small, to us it matters and that means it matters to God. I tell you what I've been on a few roller-coasters but this one has more ups and downs than any roller-coaster  I've ever been on before. 

I'm not going to worry I'm going to strive to be present in the moment and live life to the fullest wherever and whenever I am. If that's one thing I learned it's to focus on the NOW and not about what was or could be. Pray that I remember that and I take it with me wherever I go.

Sewing Class

Hello friends! Do you remember my DIY Ironing Table post? I've been getting a lot of use out of that table and have really been enjoying working with my sewing machine, Raven. I knew that there was quite a bit of ironing involved with sewing but I really didn't know how much. I finally started the Craftsy class, Sewing Studio: Fashion Fitting, Home Decor & More. The instructor really stresses the importance of ironing. I've learned a lot from taking this class and am proud to say I completed my first project!

I know it's just a pillow but I've got to start somewhere right? Besides I learned so many techniques that will carry over to future sewing projects. I was really impressed with how the French Seams turned out.

I was supposed to use muslin fabric on the back but I didn't have any so I used what I had. It's an envelope style, do you see those seams? Amazing right? No frayed edges showing!

I like taking classes this way because I can follow along at my own pace and replay things as needed. I can also take the class at whatever hour I want and even wearing my PJ's. When people finish a project they post pictures of their work, I like seeing how my classmate's projects turn out.  During the next session of this class I will learn how to make a skirt! If you're interested at trying a class yourself they have free mini ones available. You can find them all HERE. I'm interested in the Sewing Feet and Bag Making classes. Which one sounds interesting to you?

If you still don't know what Craftsy is here is some info they sent me to share:

What is Craftsy?
Craftsy is a worldwide craft community offering online classes. It also has a patterns marketplace where independent designers can sell their patterns; a supplies shop with great deals on yarn, fabric, and class kits; and a projects section where members share pictures of their latest craft successes. With over two million members and counting, Craftsy has something for just about everyone, in categories ranging from quilting, sewing, knitting, painting, photography, cooking, and more. 

Why should I take a class online?
Online education isn’t just for schools and universities anymore. Craftsy courses provide you the convenience of a world-class instructor in your home, whenever you want to learn. Online education, no matter what subject, is a great alternative to in-person classes for a number of reasons. 

With many online learning opportunities being on-demand, you are able to learn at your own pace, anytime. Online learning is a fantastic alternative to in-store craft classes for people with busy schedules or who have difficulty leaving the house. It also allows you to watch a troubling section over-and-over again, so you can see exactly how a technique is carried out, or refer back to your class for relevant concepts before beginning any new projects.

Maybe next time I get on Craftsy I'll see you there!  P.S. Craftsy is having a 24hr flash sale today, I'm gonna have to check that out. 

Hen of the Woods Recipe #2

With the weather getting colder there's nothing more comforting than a hot bowl of soup. I'll be honest I'm not much of a soup person but I think I'm becoming one. Up until this Wild Mushroom Soup the best soup I ever had was the Lobster Stew in Maine, it was AMAZING. What's you're favorite kind of soup? 

We harvested a lot of giant Hen of the Woods mushrooms and I used them in many dishes. I racked my brain trying to think of creative ways to use them. I really wanted to make something that would have mushrooms as the main ingredient so that we could enjoy their flavor and of course use them up.

That's when I thought of mushroom soup. I actually had never had mushroom soup before except the canned kind used in casserole dishes. I didn't want my soup to resemble the canned version in any way and it definitely didn't. This soup was so creamy and satisfying. It's the kind of soup you can't help but eat real slow because your soaking in the depth of flavor. We ate this soup every night for a week and we were sad when it was gone. If you don't have access to Hen of the Woods try any kind other kind of mushroom. I see a variety of mushrooms at our local farmers market every Saturday. I wouldn't go with just the standard Button mushroom but I know they are cost effective so you could mix Button mushrooms and Portabello with some Shiitake. The key is to use fresh mushrooms not canned.

Another key to the depth of this soup is creating a good base of flavors with celery, onion, carrot and garlic. It's important to cook these veggies until caramelized and brown then deglaze the pan with a liquid to release all the bits of flavor. I used Sherry but you could also use chicken broth.

This recipe is not difficult and is so worth making. It would freeze well if you want to double up the ingredients.

If you've never tried fried sage leaves they really make the soup special. They cook up in just a few seconds and you will be so happy you tried it. Then you can think of all the other dishes you could fancy up with a with them.

Hen of the Woods Recipe #1

Did you read my post about Hen of the Woods? I've fallen in love with these mushrooms. We've added them to all sorts of dishes in the last month; fittata, pasta and chili. Here's a recipe for a side dish I made, that was a big hit. If you can't get your hands on Hen of the Woods you could substitute any mushroom. If you're not a fan of quinoa try rice or couscous.

Something to Remember

Hen of the Woods

My family loves to be outside. We often take walks through the woods. The tranquility and beauty that we experience when we're outside often overwhelms me. My senses are overloaded, I feel so close to God, I adore His creativity. It's hard to take it all in. We are blessed to live in a place where we can experience this on regular basis. Our own back yard is a walk in the woods. Every time we walk through the woods we see something new. It's absolutely astounding. Our dogs are experts at finding new things. Recently we discovered Hen of the Woods.

Hen of the Woods is a mushroom that can grow very big. Have you ever seen one before? If you have an imagination they look like a hen sitting down. Another reason they are called Hen of the Woods is because they taste like a chicken breast, the same texture too. These are some amazing mushrooms! They do not have any poisonous look-a-likes so they are safe to eat. There are some people that do have sensitivities though so it's always best when eating wild mushrooms to try the smallest of bites first and wait a couple days to make sure you're not sensitive. If you've never seen a Hen of the Woods before and you live in an area that has mushrooms start paying close attention during Fall when you walk through the woods. They grow at the base of hardwood trees like Oaks and Maples.

We are so lucky to have a giant oak tree right in our yard to enjoy. We've been able to harvest quite a few HUGE Hen of the Woods from it's base. 

I'm definitely not a mushroom expert but I've learned a few things from my experience harvesting them. Hen of the Woods have lots of folds which not only make the mushroom beautiful but can trap dirt and provide great hiding places for critters. 

When I harvest Hen of the Woods I cut just above the base making sure to leave a portion of the base behind. I also cut a little at a time and lift up the mushroom making sure there's nothing underneath. The first mushroom I harvested I just sliced it all the way through not really observing anything and I cut a salamander in half. That was disturbing. So take my word for it and harvest your mushrooms cutting a little at a time. 

Taking the time to harvest and clean your mushrooms will provide you with a huge reward. I do find a big difference in flavor and texture when I eat mushrooms that have been washed. So I don't recommend washing mushrooms. As long as you provide some time for the critters to evacuate, gently wipe them with a damp towel, then cook them, they will be perfectly safe and good to eat. 

Trust me if you ever get the chance to harvest your own wild mushrooms, do it! Don't be afraid, at least you have control over how clean you get them. You can only imagine what is missed when mushrooms are quickly being process and canned. We've made so many delicious recipes with these mushrooms. I can't wait to share some of them with you! 

Grocery List Printable

Today I'm doing a Friday Freebie! I don't know about you but grocery shopping can be a challenge. I find being organized to be the most helpful. It's still hard to figure out if you have all the ingredients for taco night, pasta night and meatless Monday all while keeping track of your budget.

I use to keep one of those pretty lists with a magnet on the back attached to my fridge. We would use it as a grocery list. Every time a staple item got low we would write it down and as I came up with menu ideas I wrote down those ingredients too. The problem is it got messy. The list never had enough room and it was all random. So what I would end up doing is take that list off the fridge and rewrite it before I went to the store. I would write the items in the order that my store goes in; so I would put produce items at the top, meats, cereals/grains, then dairy/eggs. Finally I had enough, it seemed silly to rewrite the grocery list and to keep spending money on those pretty little notepads. So I created my own 8 1/2 x 11 grocery list.

I keep it on the fridge and we still write things down as they get low or come up with meal ideas. The biggest difference now is there is lots of room on the list and it's broken up into categories. When I take the list to the store with me I usually fold it over so that only one category is showing. For example when I'm in the produce section I fold it so that I can only see the produce part of my list. It really helps me stay focused! Anyone else out there have ADD tendencies? This grocery list has been working really well for me so I decided why not share it with my lovely readers. Click the picture below to print and save a copy for yourself. You can even print 2 sided copies to save some paper. Let me know how it works out for you. Enjoy!