talking to your children about tragedy

This morning, I managed to forget how to make coffee.

I knew something was wrong when the coffee maker started spitting and sputtering out hot coffee all over the counter. It was getting the job done, sort of, but in the messiest way. I couldn’t figure it out until I waited for the pot to finish brewing and peaked inside.

Apparently, I loaded up Mr. Coffee with a flimsy filter but no basket for support. The coffee was weak. The counter was a mess. So I cleaned it all up and started over. Luckily, I didn’t wreck the coffee maker.

talking to your children about tragedyI think sometimes that’s the way we handle talking to our kids about all the sad and horrific things happening in the world today. We are sure to use our filter of how we see things transpiring and how we feel about them. We watch the news and feel for those hurting.

But sometimes we miss the basket that is there to support the filter: God’s truth and His word. [Read more...]

Honey Butter

I shared the most delicious Amish White Bread recipe recently ~ and I honestly thought nothing could top it. But I was wrong. This …

honey butter with cinnamonThis tops the bread. In the most delicious way. It’s honey butter, y’all. With just a little bit of cinnamon. It’s sweet and slightly salty. An amazing melty wonder on freshly baked bread. Or toasted bread. My oh my. You gotta try it. [Read more...]

brave

I would have gladly danced in this video if Sara had only asked me …

I’m sure that doesn’t surprise my friends and family.

But really, I love these lyrics:

Everybody’s been there, everybody’s been stared down by the enemy.
Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing, bow down to the mighty.
Don’t run, stop holding your tongue.
Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live.
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in.
Show me how big your brave is …

get out there and have a big, brave wednesday!

birthday affirmations: a gift worth remembering

Because I’m still eating Lemon Rosemary Cake from Sara’s recent birthday celebration. And because there are only so many ways to know if you’re mothering right … I want to share a family secret.

rosemary lemon cakeIt’s something we started doing years ago. And it’s called Birthday Affirmations. Yes, that might sound weird or cheesy but it’s probably one of the most important things we do as a family. [Read more...]

Love Austin: wildflowers

I love Austin always. But especially in the Spring, when the wildflowers are in full bloom. Kate captured a little of the beauty upon seeing a field just around the corner from her parent’s house …

This field always catches my eye.

Indian Blanket field

Especially around this time of year.  [Read more...]

Confessions of a Christian Wife

This June, Will and I celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. That’s a lot of years. The crazy hard thing about marriage is ~ it’s a never ending learning experience. There is always something I’m figuring out as if for the first time.

Like last night, Will and I were able to pull away for a date night at one of my Austin favorites: Fonda San Miguel. While munching on chips and sipping a margarita, I was able to take a breath and reflect on our intensely crazy last couple of weeks. It was in that respite, I was reminded … there is an enemy of marriage. And if you believe as I do, that God founded marriage, it’s easy to do the math on who is opposed to it.

confessions of a christian wife susie davisBecause of that, I decided this morning to make some confessions out loud. To sit in my home and declare what I know to be true. [Read more...]

chicken tabbouleh to go

Good morning … it’s the weekend. And hopefully you’re just waking up, slowly sipping coffee and looking forward to a lazy Saturday. Okay, but who am I fooling? It’s the first Saturday in May. And if you’ve got kids, May is crazy busy.

And that’s why I’m sharing this super easy chicken tabbouleh to go. 

chicken tabbouleh to go{love these weck jars ~ also good for pie making!}

Only takes about about 30 minutes to prep this fresh, light meal ~ and then you can pack it up in jar, pop it in the fridge, and you’ve got a great grab and go meal. [Read more...]

Bread & Wine :: happy hour & giveaway!

Jami brought peonies and jasmine and champagne. And everyone brought a favorite bottle of wine.

peonies and tumblerThis little happy hour idea started weeks ago. As a way to celebrate Shauna Niequist’s new book Bread & Wine, test some new recipes and gather friends ~ new and old. My friend, Jen, and I landed on a date that would work for both our busy schedules. Then we each invited 10 friends ~ and texted back and forth til we landed on the perfect menu. [Read more...]

shelby kate & the focus of God’s love

Yesterday, I met my nephew’s daughter for the first time. This is Shelby Kate.

baby shelby

Isn’t she a lovey? [Read more...]

Soda Pop Pork

Oh, y’all. Do you ever have one of those weeks? This was for me. Sunday to Sunday packed with beautiful and terrible ~ it took it’s toll on me. Doesn’t real life do that sometimes? I’m entirely grateful my friend, Ronne, came to the rescue with this delicious BBQ post for 52 Sunday Suppers.

At our home, you can be certain of two things: 1) cantaloupe will always be served with salt and pepper (it’s a Southern thing that’s been passed down at least four generations), and 2) great meals with friends and family will always include meat (it’s a Texas thing that makes my husband smile).

soda pop porkNow before you worry too much about the marriage of Pepsi and pork, let’s praise the virtues of soda pop in recipes.  Like Dr. Pepper Cupcakes  and Seven-Up Biscuits. Mmmm.
[Read more...]