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.

I 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.

It’s really important to have both. Your kids need your unique filter and outlook but they also desperately need God’s truth in the situation. Without that basket for support, things get messy real quick.

Here are some practical ways to navigate the difficult times with your children:

• Limit media exposure. Choose where to obtain the information you need to understand the situation, gather the information, then turn it off. Preferably during a time when your kids aren’t around. Or if your kids are old enough and you have the ‘basket’ in place, watch the news with them.
• Submit your fears to God. Yes, it’s terrifying that innocent people stood in the streets watching a marathon and a bomb exploded. And yes, it’s overwhelming when a tornado hits the Midwest. These things are devastating and scary. But you can’t let fear control you. That’s unhealthy. For you. And your children.
• Grab hold of God’s Word for your specific issues. There is a reason fear is addressed so many times in the Bible. My pastor husband tells me the word fear is mentioned 324 times. The word afraid, 211 times.  I’m guessing God knew it would be a problem. I have specific triggers because of my history. I bet you do too. Don’t let those triggers create strongholds you pass along to your children.
• Counteract culture with Truth. Realize your kids will get unsolicited information from their peers. You will, too. Counteract with Truth. Arm your kids with a verse when they are feeling fearful. Write it out for them. Remind them to pray and ask God for courage when feelings overwhelm. Do the same for yourself.
• Be a part of the solution. If tragedy strikes in your community, take your kids and be a part of the solution. Volunteer to clean up. Offer to care for pets. Make meals. There are a million little ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Jump in. Because this is the work of the Church.
• Finally … realize you are teaching your children, not just talking to them. You are training them how to respond in emergency situations. And you are training them how to respond to hurting people. What a huge responsibility. And what a huge gift.

This is one of my best ‘fear’ verses: Isaiah 6:3

When the world seems wildly out of control, the whole earth is still full of His glory. The whole earth. His glory. Because of this, I embrace the future.

What ‘fear’ verse do you lean into when life is scary?

This 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.

Bee Good Honey Butter

1/4 pound butter, room temperature * 3 T Bee Good Honey * 1/4 t.  ground cinnamon * 1/8 t. kosher salt

Combine the butter, Bee Good Honey, cinnamon, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Serve at room temperature.

Last week for 52 Sunday Suppers, Kristin and I decided to revisit a bunch of honey inspired recipes because we had a bee field trip over at Bee Weaver Apiaries followed by a cooking class.

This is Laura. She loves her bees. And she showed us the hives as well as enlightened us with all kinds of bee facts.

I was absolutely in awe of the bees … did you know baby bees eat ‘bee bread?’  Or that older bees (Laura called them elderly bees) main job is to go gardening and pollinate flowers? Oh, yes.

One more interesting note … these worker bees (all male) are cleaning up the mess we created tasting honey off the honeycomb. They’re clean freaks.

I know, crazy right?

Just look at these little guys. Working their booties off. To make something as WONDERFUL as honey. And not just any honey … it’s the BEST honey. Really.

This latest batch of Bee Good Honey has a kick of horse mint. I don’t know anything about horse mint except that when the bees get a hold of it and make magic, it’s un-bee-lievable!

Buy you some here.

You won’t be sorry.

Be sure to check out the rest of our honey inspired recipes. And stop by our 52 Sunday Suppers facebook page where we’ll update when we offer another bee field trip / cooking class!

Week 18 Menu

Amish White Bread

Bee Good Honey Butter

Bee Good Vinaigrette

Honey Spiced Chicken

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!

It’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.

Y’all know I’m all about diving deep in conversation at the table. That’s why I’m such a freak about conversation starters. So add in a birthday and you’ve got all out celebration + affirmation going on.

Goes something like this: You’ve finished a meal of all their favorites. The birthday cake makes an appearance at the table and then you say: Okay, it’s time to affirm the birthday girl. Who wants to start? 

Then one by one, the people at the table say something nice, affirming and encouraging.

Questions to think about:

What do you see God doing in that person? What three things are you grateful for in that person? How has the birthday girl or boy grown over the past year? What character qualities do you see? How have they made you smile, cry (in a good way) or laugh over the last year? How are they impacting their peer group or community for good?

Answer those kinds of questions. Affirm. Uplift. Throw all kinds of soul-ish confetti on your beloved birthday girl or boy.

In our home, no one escapes affirmations. In addition, everyone participates. E-v-e-r-y-o-n-e. My kids kinda know that whoever they invite to a birthday dinner will be expected to jump in with affirmations. A couple years back, Sara invited six of her friends to dinner. And all six girls affirmed Sara. None of those girls had any ‘affirmation’ experience. In the end, most of them cried. Not because they were embarrassed and didn’t know what to say. Nope. They cried because it was so meaningful and powerful. Way more than a meal.

If you’re entering the birthday season at your house, bake cake and celebrate! (Oh, my. Gotta try Kristin’s Lemon Rosemary Cake. Everybody in my family loved it!) And let us know …

How do you celebrate birthdays in a meaningful way in your family?

Week 16 ‘Birthday’ Menu

birthday affirmations {conversation starters}

kristin’s lemon rosemary cake

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.

Especially around this time of year. 

Indian Blankets cover this field.

My sister and I try to stop at this field when the Indian Blankets bloom because they just happen to be my mom’s favorite flowers … and they just happen to bloom right around her birthday.

In a glass jar, the perfect gift.

written and captured by kate

flower info: Gaillardia pulchella (Firewheel, Indian blanket, Indian Blanketflower, or Sundance)

“why are you anxious? look at the flowers …” ~ Jesus

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.

Because 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.

1. I confess my husband is my top priority.

Aside from God, my husband is my first concern. Not my children or my job or my house or my hobbies. I will make sure my schedule reflects him as my top priority in time, effort and energy.

2. I confess my children are second to my husband.

I agree with God’s assignment of family priorities. Our children come second to our marriage relationship. I won’t let my natural inclination to worry over my children, care for them and pay attention to them distract me from loving my husband well.

3. I confess my husband is the spiritual leader of our home.

I trust God to lead our family through my husband. I will pray for him and believe God is at work in his life.

4. I confess my husband is not God.

I will not expect my husband to take God’s role in my life or the life of my family. It is God’s job to provide for, protect, save and heal this family. My husband is not perfect but God is … so I will lean into God for my our well being.

5. I confess my marriage is ‘until death do us part.’

I will remember my vow to ‘leave and cleave’ until death parts us. Period. The end.

Do you have some confessions you could add to this list? I welcome them …

PS> Want more like this? Join me for at Influence Network’s Tools for Married Life Class!

And that’s why I’m sharing this super easy 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.

I first tasted this version of Ina Garten’s Chicken Tabbouleh at Roxann’s house. She’s always introducing me to lovely new recipes.

And then I decided to make it for our Sunday Supper. It’s one of those meals you can make ahead … which is always helpful. Especially in May. ;)

Ina Garten’s Chicken Tabbouleh

1 cup bulghur wheat * 1 1/2 c boiling water * 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons) * 1/4 cup EVOO * 3 1/2 t kosher salt * 1 c minced scallions, white and green parts (1 bunch) * 1 c chopped fresh mint leaves (1 bunch) * 1 chopped flat-leaf parsley (1 bunch) * 1 English cucumber, unpeeled, medium-diced * 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half * 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Place the bulghur in a large bowl, pour in the boiling water, and add the lemon juice, olive oil, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Stir, then allow to stand at room temperature for about 1 hour. Add the scallions, mint, parsley, cucumber, tomatoes, 2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper; mix well. Season, to taste, and serve or cover and refrigerate. The flavor will improve if the tabbouleh sits for a few hours.

It’s so light and delicious, Kristin and I decided to pair it with her favorite cherry crisp for our collaborative effort going on at 52 Sunday Suppers.

 

Week Fifteen Menu

kristin’s favorite cherry crisp

chicken tabbouleh to go

happiest may!

This 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.Our Bread & Wine Happy Hour Menu:

Bacon-Wrapped Dates * Brannon’s Caesar Salad * Maple Balsamic Pork Tenderloin * Mini Mac & Cheese * Gaia Cookies

The morning of our happy hour, it rained in Austin. Praise be. We need the rain. I thought it might put a damper on the evening because we planned on having it outside. But by the time 5 pm rolled around … the weather was pretty spectacular.

All our friends found their way to our family cabin on Lake Austin. We made introductions. There was laughter. We ate delicious food.

Then we grabbed our tumblers, a couple bottles of wine and headed to the boat dock.

This is the thing in attempting a gathering: There is never time. There is always rain. And something always comes up. (Like how about I couldn’t get the oven to work? But then our neighbors, Todd and Lori, grilled it up for me impromptu? Fabulous people.)

But when we do slow down, we realize this is what life is made of … t-i-m-e with p-e-o-p-l-e. And that’s why I love Shauna’s new book. Yes, it’s filled with amazing recipes. (Oh, that grilled pork tenderloin y’all …) But more than that, she has this way of reminding you why it’s important to gather.

What’s becoming clearer and clearer to me is that the most sacred moments, the ones in which I feel God’s presence most profoundly, when I feel the goodness of the world most arrestingly, take place at the table. It’s not, actually, strictly about food for me. It’s about what happens when we come together, slow down, open our homes, look into one another’s faces, listen to one another’s stories. ~ Shauna Niequist

Our happy hour was about all that. It was about listening to stories and watching the water. It was about thinking out loud about how God speaks … and where we find ourselves in his story. And it was lovely. But I have to be honest.  It was also about this …

That would be Jen pointing her finger at me.  Pointing.her.finger. Because I challenged her to jump off the boat dock for charity. Sheesh. Just because that dock stands 12 feet over the water. And just because it was a teensy bit cold out. Whatever.

But really.  Here’s the deal. I want this for you. Not Jen pointing her finger … no. ;) I want you to have a Bread & Wine lake house happy hour kind of night. I want you to have those sacred moments with people. The kind over delicious food and deep conversation.

So here’s the good news! It’s a Bread & Wine giveaway just for you!

To enter to win 2 copies of Shauna’s new book (1 winner gets 2 books!! One for you, one for your happy hour Jen friend) ~ tell us, what’s your favorite thing to make or serve when you invite people over?

Giveaway ends Sunday May 5, 2013 at midnight CST. Winner will be contacted via email. Winner must live in the contiguous United States. 

GIVEAWAY CLOSED >>> Marisa Pistolis is the winner!!

Isn’t she a lovey?

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you she was the center of attention. Kate (Shelby’s aunt and namesake) was doing her newborn shoot.  Here she is coaxing Shelby back to sleep …

And here is her amazing (and gorgeous!) mama, Sabrina, changing her outfit.

It was all ooo and aaah with Shelby. And gracious, it’s easy to understand why … just look at her.

We were all mesmerized by her baby perfection. Every little move and smile and breath. She was the undeniable center of attention.

We get that with babies. Because they’re so tiny and innocent and helpless and adorable.

But would it surprise you to know that you are the focus of God’s love? That his wholehearted attention is centered on you?

I believe it for Shelby. Because I feel she deserves it.

But I’m not tiny and innocent and helpless and adorable. At all.

And yet … the Word says it’s true.

Praying for you today. That deep down you’ll know he loves you. And that he’s thinking about you. Because you are the focus of his love.

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).

Now 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.

In this recipe, the acid in the soda pop tenderizes the meat, and the sugar caramelizes beautifully as the pork is grilled. The smoky sweet-tart barbecue glaze works well on both pork ribs and pork loin. Yes, I’ve grilled both. In a single weekend. By request. That’s the sign of a great recipe. The marinade and sauce also work well on grilled chicken, if you have a family who wants to mix things up a bit (just reduce the marinade time to 4-6 hours).

Soda Pop Pork: (makes 2 racks of pork ribs or one 3-3.5 pound pork loin)

Place pork ribs or trimmed pork loin in a large resealable plastic bag, and add a 2 liter bottle of cola mixed with 2 T. minced garlic. Let brine in soda for at least 24 hours. When ready to cook, remove pork and discard cola.

Cranberry Ginger BBQ Glaze: 1 cup cranberry juice * 1/4 cup orange juice * 1/4 cup lime juice * 3 t. chopped fresh ginger * 1/2 cup diced onions * 1 clove garlic, minced * 1 cup catsup * 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce * 2 T. red wine vinegar * 2 T. chipotle powder * Dash of salt * 1 t. black pepper

In a medium saucepan, add juices, garlic, onions and ginger, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid has reduced by 1/3. Add remaining ingredients and continue to simmer until cranberry sauce has been incorporated well. If desired, pour sauce into a blender or food processor and mix until smooth.Grill pork until meat thermometer registers 155. Brush barbecue glaze on pork during the last 20 minutes of cooking. Reserve a small amount for drizzling and dipping (for those who want just a bit more). Let pork rest for 10 minutes before serving.

written by ronne

PS.  Be sure to check out 52 Sunday Suppers collaborator, Kristin’s blog. Her balsamic strawberry recipes for salad and dessert are the perfect compliment to Soda Pop Pork.

And if you haven’t liked the 52 Sunday Suppers Facebook page, stop by and say hi! That’s where we update menus weekly.

Week Fourteen Menu

ronne’s soda pop pork

kristin’s balsamic strawberries