Summer is most definitely upon us and I have absolutely NO desire to want to turn on the oven. If you are in 100+ weather can you blame me?
So I've been really excited to try some summer salad recipes. My favorite fruit is watermelon. I remember as a child eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's just a super sweet treat that I enjoy. I've also discovered feta cheese. I know, I'm super late to the party. So when I discovered a marvelous recipe for a watermelon feta salad from Shauna Niequist book, Bread and Wine, I knew I HAD to try it.
{Recipe}
Ingredients:
8 cups watermelon, cubed
8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
10 ounces arugula
3 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
1/4 of a red onion, finely chopped
2 limes
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions:
Cube 8 cups of watermelon, and let the cubes marinate in the juice of one fresh squeezed lime for several hours.
Vinaigrette:
Combine the fresh squeezed lime juice and zest from the remaining lime, white balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar, and olive oil. At serving time, toss arugula with half the vinaigrette, and combine watermelon, feta, red onion, and fresh mint. Layer the watermelon mixture over the arugula, and drizzle with remaining vinaigrette.
Serves: 6 to 8
If you have any potluck or BBQ's coming up this salad is perfect! Let me know how you like it.
What is your favorite summer meal? Maybe I'll add it to my meal planning for August.
from my kitchen,
Danielle
Monday, July 14, 2014
Monday, July 7, 2014
How to style a {tiny} patio space
Hi friends! I'm so excited to share some news with you!
Drum roll please... Alright, this summer my Hubs and I are moving to a condo. [Insert loud shout of excitement here!] We are so thankful for this awesome opportunity. We are gaining some more storage space and a much larger living room. Overall a heck of a lot more square footage. Don't worry, game nights and movie nights are totally happening! So naturally, with a move, comes the packing. [Dun, dun duuun...] Our adorable little apartment is full of half packed boxes and piles of things to toss or sell. Our sweet new condo has a sliver of a backyard, it's basically a patio/courtyard and I couldn't be more excited!
from my heart,
Danielle
Drum roll please... Alright, this summer my Hubs and I are moving to a condo. [Insert loud shout of excitement here!] We are so thankful for this awesome opportunity. We are gaining some more storage space and a much larger living room. Overall a heck of a lot more square footage. Don't worry, game nights and movie nights are totally happening! So naturally, with a move, comes the packing. [Dun, dun duuun...] Our adorable little apartment is full of half packed boxes and piles of things to toss or sell. Our sweet new condo has a sliver of a backyard, it's basically a patio/courtyard and I couldn't be more excited!
Now I've already been dreaming up what we could do with this space. (I told you I'm pretty excited!) So now, I've come up with 5 must haves for our outside space.
1. Lighting. I'm thinking of streaming cafe lights around. I've even spotted a DIY for solar lamps. Don't worry, its on my "to do" list!
2. Seating. With any small space you must get creative when thinking about seating. Also, be mindful of cramming a tiny space with furniture, that might make it even smaller. I'm dying to try out a wrap around bench and maybe a few chairs for extra seating and store them away when not in use.
3. Decor. I would love to go for a fun friendly vibe that can easily be turned into a soft romantic vibe, when the sun goes down. I'm imagining some great dinner dates out back with my Hubs. Candles, plush comfy pillows, and a lovely table top with some pops of color!
4. Table. I would love a large wood table. Something for hosting outdoor dinners. We will have to see with the limited space. Another idea that crossed through my mind was having 2 small tables pushed together for when we have larger groups over. When we have a smaller crowd we could store away the second table! Remember, its all about being creative with your space.
5. Greenery. I've always wanted a lemon tree. I have no idea why, but I've always wanted one. I hope I can get one when we move! I would love to keep my little garden, but maybe transfer some plants into the ground. One of the patio walls is cement [its hideous] I plan to grow an ivy wall to cover it up. Or maybe I'll make an herb wall? What do you think?
Its gonna need some major TLC. right now it has a few planter boxes and paver stones. This space is BEGGING for a little love. I'm looking forward to this project!
So these are just some dreams for our outdoor space. I plan to do an update after the move when things progress out there and the move settles down. What is something in your backyard or patio you love? Maybe I need it too. ;)
Its gonna need some major TLC. right now it has a few planter boxes and paver stones. This space is BEGGING for a little love. I'm looking forward to this project!
So these are just some dreams for our outdoor space. I plan to do an update after the move when things progress out there and the move settles down. What is something in your backyard or patio you love? Maybe I need it too. ;)
from my heart,
Danielle
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Fear over Faith
This is the blog I couldn't write for years. The subject that was always the hardest and that I tend to shy away from. The biggest fear I have.
Fear can hold you back.
Fear can paralyze you.
Fear can control you.
Fear has been an idol in my life. Particularly in the area of children. When my husband and I were dating we had "that conversation". You know the conversation of "how many kids do you want". Don't act like you haven't thought about it. (I'm serious). When I told him I didn't want to have children you would have thought I told him I didn't want children to exist in the world. He was shocked and seemed disappointed that there was something we actually disagreed on. My dear husband has always dreamed of having a family he can care for, love on and ultimately teach sports too. ;) He definitely values children and has always desired a family with the idea of children. Now, I am not saying that I do not value children. But when I told him I didn't want to have them I was ultimately saying that my fear is greater than my trust in the Lord.
I can't remember when my fear started or where it stemmed from. I remember telling my roommate at the time, who also didn't understand why I wouldn't want to have children, and she just sat and prayed with me, and cried with me. A lot of woman are vocal about their desire to have children and how they desire to have them sooner than later. I'm usually shying away from those conversation or changing the subject because it would typically lead me to tears at the thought that I didn't have those same strong desires. I wrestled with this frustration, and fear for a long time. If I'm honest I still do. However now, I realize that back then when I would say I didn't want to have children it was really my fear saying I'm scared to have children. I truly desire to have a family of my own. I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to those dreams and desires. But when that fear creeps in, it literally wrecks my heart and paralyzes me to even think about actually having them. So my "simple" reaction is I don't want to have them. When that is the farthest from the truth. The "what if's" creep into my mind. What if I can't have them? Will my husband and family still love me? What if i'm a terrible mother? What if I fail? To be clear, my husband is not pressuring me to have children today or tomorrow. But, sometimes, when the conversations start and the "baby" word is said, I clench up and am literally brought to tears of the idea that I may not be able to give him the children we both desire. I remember when I told my husband about these fears for the first time and he told me he would love me either way and that he was trusting in the Lord for His plan. If I'm honest, at that time I'm not sure if I believed him.
I wrestled with this fear. Pleading, and asking for answers. Shoot, I think I demanded answers as if that's the way God works. You know, throw a fit over something I cannot control and God will just let me peek into a glimpse of His plan. Yeah right. Pretty sure my mind couldn't handle a tiny glimpse of His perfect plan.
How could I truly believe the Lord to be faithful in all areas of my life EXCEPT this one? This was the little piece that I couldn't give to the Lord. This deep fear and insecurity that I kept holding onto, and bottling inside. In my case, fear ultimately became an idol. I was a slave to these thoughts and feelings. Jesus didn't die on the cross so that I could be controlled by this fear.
To set the record straight I do enjoy babies and children. Sure, I may not know every little thing about them and yes, sometimes I cry when I hold them. Okay, that happened once. (sorry baby Grey). But the reality is that my heart is so wrecked by those fears that I miss out on the JOY because I'm choosing fear. I'm choosing to not trust that no matter what happens, children or not, God is enough and if that is not in His plan for us I will embrace what He does have planned for us. I will lean into that and know its all for His glory. I need to remind myself of that truth when the fear creeps in. If I'm being honest, It happens more than I let people think. Its an internal struggle that I am bringing to light, knowing that my God is bigger than my fears and frustration. I want to chase after the Lord choosing Joy even in the unknown. I want His desires to be my own, while I fully trust in Him.
Most of all, what I'm learning with my husband right now in this season is that we want to be content where we are. Not to worry or stress on the what if's but to sit, and soak and truly enjoy where the Lord has brought us in this moment and to continue to choose Faith over fear.
from my heart,
Danielle
Fear can hold you back.
Fear can paralyze you.
Fear can control you.
Fear has been an idol in my life. Particularly in the area of children. When my husband and I were dating we had "that conversation". You know the conversation of "how many kids do you want". Don't act like you haven't thought about it. (I'm serious). When I told him I didn't want to have children you would have thought I told him I didn't want children to exist in the world. He was shocked and seemed disappointed that there was something we actually disagreed on. My dear husband has always dreamed of having a family he can care for, love on and ultimately teach sports too. ;) He definitely values children and has always desired a family with the idea of children. Now, I am not saying that I do not value children. But when I told him I didn't want to have them I was ultimately saying that my fear is greater than my trust in the Lord.
I can't remember when my fear started or where it stemmed from. I remember telling my roommate at the time, who also didn't understand why I wouldn't want to have children, and she just sat and prayed with me, and cried with me. A lot of woman are vocal about their desire to have children and how they desire to have them sooner than later. I'm usually shying away from those conversation or changing the subject because it would typically lead me to tears at the thought that I didn't have those same strong desires. I wrestled with this frustration, and fear for a long time. If I'm honest I still do. However now, I realize that back then when I would say I didn't want to have children it was really my fear saying I'm scared to have children. I truly desire to have a family of my own. I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to those dreams and desires. But when that fear creeps in, it literally wrecks my heart and paralyzes me to even think about actually having them. So my "simple" reaction is I don't want to have them. When that is the farthest from the truth. The "what if's" creep into my mind. What if I can't have them? Will my husband and family still love me? What if i'm a terrible mother? What if I fail? To be clear, my husband is not pressuring me to have children today or tomorrow. But, sometimes, when the conversations start and the "baby" word is said, I clench up and am literally brought to tears of the idea that I may not be able to give him the children we both desire. I remember when I told my husband about these fears for the first time and he told me he would love me either way and that he was trusting in the Lord for His plan. If I'm honest, at that time I'm not sure if I believed him.
I wrestled with this fear. Pleading, and asking for answers. Shoot, I think I demanded answers as if that's the way God works. You know, throw a fit over something I cannot control and God will just let me peek into a glimpse of His plan. Yeah right. Pretty sure my mind couldn't handle a tiny glimpse of His perfect plan.
How could I truly believe the Lord to be faithful in all areas of my life EXCEPT this one? This was the little piece that I couldn't give to the Lord. This deep fear and insecurity that I kept holding onto, and bottling inside. In my case, fear ultimately became an idol. I was a slave to these thoughts and feelings. Jesus didn't die on the cross so that I could be controlled by this fear.
To set the record straight I do enjoy babies and children. Sure, I may not know every little thing about them and yes, sometimes I cry when I hold them. Okay, that happened once. (sorry baby Grey). But the reality is that my heart is so wrecked by those fears that I miss out on the JOY because I'm choosing fear. I'm choosing to not trust that no matter what happens, children or not, God is enough and if that is not in His plan for us I will embrace what He does have planned for us. I will lean into that and know its all for His glory. I need to remind myself of that truth when the fear creeps in. If I'm being honest, It happens more than I let people think. Its an internal struggle that I am bringing to light, knowing that my God is bigger than my fears and frustration. I want to chase after the Lord choosing Joy even in the unknown. I want His desires to be my own, while I fully trust in Him.
Most of all, what I'm learning with my husband right now in this season is that we want to be content where we are. Not to worry or stress on the what if's but to sit, and soak and truly enjoy where the Lord has brought us in this moment and to continue to choose Faith over fear.
from my heart,
Danielle
Monday, May 26, 2014
BBQ Lemon and Garlic Kabob Recipe
This recipe is one of my recent favorites! Its super simple and feeds a lot! We had 12 people gathered for the Holiday and my husband and I barbecued Lemon and Garlic Kabob's!
What you will need:
On grilling day, cube the peppers and slice the onions. Once the grill is heated up and ready to go, put these babies on the the BBQ (we put 6 on the grill at once) Keep them cooking for 4-6 minutes and then turn them over for another 4-6 minutes.
What you will need:
- 2lbs skinless and boneless chicken breasts
- Marinade (I used Lawrys Lemon Herb marinade.)
- 1 tbsp Lemon Pepper Spice
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder Spice
- 2 Red Peppers
- 2 Green Peppers
- 2 Yellow Peppers
- 1 Yellow Onion
On grilling day, cube the peppers and slice the onions. Once the grill is heated up and ready to go, put these babies on the the BBQ (we put 6 on the grill at once) Keep them cooking for 4-6 minutes and then turn them over for another 4-6 minutes.
.JPG) |
| This is them before they were grilled! |
from my kitchen,
Danielle
Sunday, May 18, 2014
The Nesting Place - a book review
When Lee and I moved into our apartment, I was so excited to be able to make our place cozy and inviting, while adding touches of our personalities in it. I loved being creative in this way. I'm pretty sure my ideas for our home, based off my pinterest board, changed every day. The color schemes changed, and of course I would attempt to put our couch in "just the right spot". My dear husband didn't have a ton of input when it came to decor which was nice to have the freedom to complete this the way I wanted. We didn't have too much decor of our own so I knew I would have to be creative with our "newly wed" budget! I made a list of DIY projects and things to purchase. Some pieces are easier to just buy then to try to replicate. However, a constant battle in my head was my perfectionist. I wanted the whole home, room by room to come together and top it off with a neat and tidy bow. Yeah, I went little crazy...
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When I read this book, The Nesting Place it was like Myquillyn was in my head! As a renter wanting to have freedom, but being limited to what I could do, her ideas were refreshing and helped me see what I could do by thinking outside of the box. I love her willingness to see things as they are, and not how to make them perfect but to admire the imperfections. Her examples of being in a perfect home and feeling as though you don't want to ruin anything is very relatable. Her motto of "It Doesn't have to be Perfect to be Beautiful" is so challenging and yet relieving at the same time. It challenges me to see decorating without the pressure of perfection. Our home will be beautiful to us, and my husband and I will enjoy it. We aren't afraid to live in it, or make it a little "lived in" because well, we live here!
To see more from The Nester, visit her website
from my heart,
Danielle
When I read this book, The Nesting Place it was like Myquillyn was in my head! As a renter wanting to have freedom, but being limited to what I could do, her ideas were refreshing and helped me see what I could do by thinking outside of the box. I love her willingness to see things as they are, and not how to make them perfect but to admire the imperfections. Her examples of being in a perfect home and feeling as though you don't want to ruin anything is very relatable. Her motto of "It Doesn't have to be Perfect to be Beautiful" is so challenging and yet relieving at the same time. It challenges me to see decorating without the pressure of perfection. Our home will be beautiful to us, and my husband and I will enjoy it. We aren't afraid to live in it, or make it a little "lived in" because well, we live here!
To see more from The Nester, visit her website
from my heart,
Danielle
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Full Plates
Hypothetically speaking let's say I have a friend, we will call her Sue. Sue likes keeping busy, she enjoys being around others. If she could she would have coffee with everyone. Sue never likes to say no to invites, even if she really doesn't have time. Sue likes to keep her weeks full, and rarely take a break.
I'm Sue. I've struggled and sometimes still do struggle with time management. I can be overcommitted. I like every hour of my day planned and filled. I do not enjoy telling people "no" which has left me at times, stretched thin. Over months of learning the hard way, and left feeling exhausted, I've learned how to say "no" and admitting to people I have a hard time saying this word. I would run around looking like one of those chickens with their heads cut off running off to the next thing. The Bible clearly points out that Jesus often took time away. It says in Mark and Luke that Jesus often withdrew to be alone. As much as I love my time spent with others, there are times where I need to be alone. To reflect, to sit in quiet. The best part is that its totally okay.
One of the worst things we can do is to tell someone yes, but in your head you are saying no. Matthew 5, encourages us to make the word yes mean yes, and the word no mean no. In other words do not commit to something you shouldn't. Especially if it is just to please others. Instead, take the time to check yourself, check your time, and check your intentions.
I've learned how to plan time with others in healthy ways and have learned that people won't and should't be upset if I do say no. My plate doesn't get bigger over time, I have the same 24 hours a day as everyone else. So the more aware of time management I am, the better life will be.
What does time management look like for you? How do you balance life? I would love to hear your thoughts!
from my heart,
Danielle
I'm Sue. I've struggled and sometimes still do struggle with time management. I can be overcommitted. I like every hour of my day planned and filled. I do not enjoy telling people "no" which has left me at times, stretched thin. Over months of learning the hard way, and left feeling exhausted, I've learned how to say "no" and admitting to people I have a hard time saying this word. I would run around looking like one of those chickens with their heads cut off running off to the next thing. The Bible clearly points out that Jesus often took time away. It says in Mark and Luke that Jesus often withdrew to be alone. As much as I love my time spent with others, there are times where I need to be alone. To reflect, to sit in quiet. The best part is that its totally okay.
One of the worst things we can do is to tell someone yes, but in your head you are saying no. Matthew 5, encourages us to make the word yes mean yes, and the word no mean no. In other words do not commit to something you shouldn't. Especially if it is just to please others. Instead, take the time to check yourself, check your time, and check your intentions.
I've learned how to plan time with others in healthy ways and have learned that people won't and should't be upset if I do say no. My plate doesn't get bigger over time, I have the same 24 hours a day as everyone else. So the more aware of time management I am, the better life will be.
What does time management look like for you? How do you balance life? I would love to hear your thoughts!
Danielle
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
My Love Tank
Lately I have been reflecting on things that fill me. Those sweet things that bring me joy that I like to do for myself. Sounds a bit selfish, but its not! Just as a car needs gas in its tank to move forward, we need to be sure to do healthy things that fill our tanks to be able to pour out and care for others! Of course I've asked around to some girl friends asking what fills them when they are drained, or on empty. I have heard a lot of different things like, going for a drive, going hiking, taking a bath, writing in a journal, going for a run. You get the picture, healthy things that they personally enjoy!
For me, it's a day with no agenda. I know, why not take an arm and a leg... A few weekends ago my husband and I had a whole weekend together with no agenda! Yeah, okay so it was kind of a planned "no agenda". Meaning, we intentionally made NO plans and did that so we could spend this intentional time with one another. We have pretty full schedules and weekends are our days where we covet the uninterrupted time to spend intentionally with one another. So this extra time was amazing.
I know it must sound strange to think that I'm married to him, so I must see him all the time. Well, yes, I do. However, I'm talking about intentional time with one anther. No distractions, no time frames. Lets be honest, after a full day I sometimes come home and try not to fall asleep while we talk about our days. Just like I plan time for my friends and intentionally pursue their friendships, my husband and I pursue our marriage. Its something I pray we wholeheartedly pursue daily. I try and strive to do this.
It was nothing crazy, or over the top. We pretty much stayed in PJs. We watched movies, went to the food trucks and just got to be silly with one another. It was sooo good for us to be refreshed in this way! My hubs, Lee, is my best friend and I love when I have intentional time with him. Its not hard for me to want to spend time with my husband, but life happens and sometimes we have fuller days.
It makes me realize just how much I truly cherish our time together. Its always a fun question when people, married or not, ask me what my favorite thing about marriage is. It truly is just time with Lee. Time to be silly with him, time to be serious, time to just sit and be, and of course time to serve him. I feel as though there have been so many wonderful things I've learned about marriage and being a wife. I mean, I can't believe there was a time in my life that I didn't want to be married, but that is a story for another time. ;)
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So, what fills your love tank and have you taken time to fill yourself up this week?
I want to encourage you to ask someone in your life if they have taken time to "fill their tank" this week.
from my heart,
Danielle
For me, it's a day with no agenda. I know, why not take an arm and a leg... A few weekends ago my husband and I had a whole weekend together with no agenda! Yeah, okay so it was kind of a planned "no agenda". Meaning, we intentionally made NO plans and did that so we could spend this intentional time with one another. We have pretty full schedules and weekends are our days where we covet the uninterrupted time to spend intentionally with one another. So this extra time was amazing.
I know it must sound strange to think that I'm married to him, so I must see him all the time. Well, yes, I do. However, I'm talking about intentional time with one anther. No distractions, no time frames. Lets be honest, after a full day I sometimes come home and try not to fall asleep while we talk about our days. Just like I plan time for my friends and intentionally pursue their friendships, my husband and I pursue our marriage. Its something I pray we wholeheartedly pursue daily. I try and strive to do this.
It was nothing crazy, or over the top. We pretty much stayed in PJs. We watched movies, went to the food trucks and just got to be silly with one another. It was sooo good for us to be refreshed in this way! My hubs, Lee, is my best friend and I love when I have intentional time with him. Its not hard for me to want to spend time with my husband, but life happens and sometimes we have fuller days.
It makes me realize just how much I truly cherish our time together. Its always a fun question when people, married or not, ask me what my favorite thing about marriage is. It truly is just time with Lee. Time to be silly with him, time to be serious, time to just sit and be, and of course time to serve him. I feel as though there have been so many wonderful things I've learned about marriage and being a wife. I mean, I can't believe there was a time in my life that I didn't want to be married, but that is a story for another time. ;)
Some photos from our relaxing weekend. In photo one Remy wasn't ready. Don't worry she was ready in photo two.
So, what fills your love tank and have you taken time to fill yourself up this week?
I want to encourage you to ask someone in your life if they have taken time to "fill their tank" this week.
from my heart,
Danielle
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