Homemade pot pie (thanks Brookey!)

Shepherd’s pie (thanks Chef Ramsey!)

Plates were licked, so Success!

What yummy meals have you made lately?

I got to thinking about love today.  The love I have for my Mama, my Joey, my Hilary, and my (as yet unconceived) children is all so different.  I’m looking for creative ideas to express those different loves to my loves this Valentine’s Day.  Any thoughts?

You bear God within you, poor wretch, and know it not

I’ve been sitting with that idea for several days, and it really resonates with me.

Would you like to do an experiment?  It’s probably raining where you are, so an experiment where you don’t have to go outside might be nice…

Will you sit with the idea that God is inside you for a few days, and let us know how it goes?  I hope you do…

There.  I admitted it.

I usually don’t think of myself as creative.  Creative is my aunt, who is an author.  Creative is my friend, who takes such beautiful photographs.  Creative is Martha, not our Martha, but the other one

You know what?  I’m done downplaying it.  I’m creative too.

I bought myself a notebook at Target on New Years, and I’ve been consciously making time to write.

How do you nurse your inner creative sparks?  And how do you keep yourself and the others you share your life with from downplaying your own and their own creativity?

We talk about stuff we do seldom as something that happens “once in a blue moon.”  So, I’ve been thinking about my “blue moon” stuff, and realized some changes I want to make.  A letter I want to write.  A chore I ought to do.

What is a blue moon thing for you?  I’d love to help you do it

There was much eating of food and spending time with family.  I was reminded of what is really important–not the gifts, but the reaffirmed bonds.  I’m grateful for that.

How was your Christmas?

How can we show the people we share our homes and lives with that they are always loved?

I stole the list idea from Hilary (who may have “borrowed” it from Oprah…)  What are some other ways we can be grateful?  And how can we encourage gratitude in our homes?

We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land, But it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand; He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain, The breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.

He only is the Maker of all things near and far; He paints the wayside flower, He lights the evening star; The winds and waves obey Him, by Him the birds are fed;  Much more to us, His children, He gives our daily bread.

We thank You, then, O Father, for all things bright and good, The seed-time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food; Accept the gifts we offer for all Your love imparts,  And what You most desire, our humble, thankful hearts.

(a shameless plug, but my own blog has more thoughts on Thanksgiving…)

The other night my wonderful fiance introduced me to my new favorite meal–a Frito boat.  It was fun to eat (I felt about 5) and super yummy.  Enjoy

Ingredients:

1 small bag Frito corn chips per person

1 large can chili

grated cheese

Instructions:

1) Heat chili

2) Open bag of corn chips

3) Grate cheese

4) Pour chili into bag of chips and top with cheese

5) Eat!

Does anyone have any fun (and maybe slightly embarassing…) meals to share?  Frito-Lay ingredients admired but not required