Good Friday

My mind, my energy, and my emotions are a little all over the place this Easter. As my friend Glennon (okay, not really my “friend” but I feel like she is) of Momastery says, life is brutiful these days. A little beautiful and a little brutal. But isn’t it always?

To me, this weekend is that in a nutshell. Today, Good Friday, is brutal; leading to Easter, which is beyond beautiful.

My shereadstruth devotion this week has been all about Holy Week and the story of Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, burial and resurrection. As I’ve read each morning, I’ve truly been in awe of the sacrifice that God made, watching his only son, his precious baby boy, die an agonizing death, to save me. Wow. Really? He loves me that much.

I think that’s what Easter is really about. A realization that we all need saving; we aren’t perfect. Actually, we are a little messed up. And thankfully, that’s okay. That’s what salvation is.  My devotion said it perfectly this morning.  When Jesus looked up from the cross in Matthew 27:46 and said, “It is finished,” that’s what I think he meant. Your salvation is complete, Eve. There is nothing you can do to bring you any closer to being saved; I’ve already done it all.  It is finished.  That is amazing to me - emotional, moving and amazing.

Easter, a day we CELEBRATE His Resurrection, is around the corner, and I’m excited! We will have a full weekend of family, church, Easter baskets, housework (one week to go!), and oysters. Yes, oysters!  We may not be spending this Easter in Beaufort, with a sunrise service on Hunting Island, like last year, but there will be oysters.

“What I ate Wednesday”

Breakfast was a Chobani Greek vanilla yogurt, whole wheat English muffin with a Tablespoon of almond butter, and grapes. And coffee, of course, with a little half and half. 

I ended up saving the grapes for a mid-morning snack.

William was home for lunch and before I picked Wills up from Mother's Day Out I planned on having a sandwich with him.  However, there was only enough sandwich meat for his, so I ended up heating up leftover chicken and broccoli from the night before.  Sorry for the lack of picture.  I was rushing to get to Wills in time.

The theme of dinner this week is quick and easy. We don’t have much time to cook or sit down and enjoy a nice meal each evening while running around the house painting, cleaning out closets and drawers, washing linens, hanging mirrors, and screwing on doorknobs. I loaded a naan flat bread with marinara sauce, veggies, mozzarella cheese, and a few pepperoni and made a spring mix salad with balsamic. I ended up eating half and saving half for lunch tomorrow  going back for the rest. :)

Wills is sound asleep; American Idol is on in background; I’m finishing up toiletry baskets for each bathroom; William is doing paper work. Not a normal Wednesday night around here but a productive one nonetheless. But, I am sipping on red wine and sneaking a kiss from my husband every now and then. As some things change, some always stay the same.

Where is Masters week?

Things are a little  a lot hectic at our house. Masters week is days away, and well, let’s just say, we are putting in hours a day trying to finish the last room addition to the house. 

Wills is doing his best to help out and organize his snack cabinet. He takes it all out, stacks it up on whatever this box is that he found in the mudroom, and puts it all back in.  :)

After yesterday’s demeanor, I decided this morning that I needed a new outlook to the week ahead. I woke up, read my devotion, and went downstairs singing this song. William was already up and working and had been most of the night.

"Singing: Don't worry about a thing, 'Cause every little thing is gonna be all right.

Rise up this morning, Smile with the rising sun. Three little birds, each by my doorstep. Singing sweet songs, of melodies pure and true. Saying, This is my message to you.

Singing: Don't worry about a thing, ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be all right.” 

It’s true; everything will be fine; we will make it. But, I’m going to sing Bob Marley all the way to Master’s Week, just in case I forget. Until I drive under those moss laden trees, breathe in that salty air, and arrive in Beaufort, I will be singing.  And praying.  It can’t get here fast enough.

A Night in Greenville

There is something about a man with a guitar.  I love it.

William and I headed to Greenville, thanks to a Christmas present from Sissy and Tony, to see George Strait.  From the moment we left, we vowed to be in the moment with each other, escape the realities of home, and enjoy ourselves.  And we did!  It was such a treat to be alone with my husband, in a city that reminds me of Athens, without much of an agenda other than the concert.  The night was ours!

We enjoyed snacks in our hotel room pre-concert.  Chicken salad and cheese and crackers.

A toast to a night together.

I stopped to take a picture of this cute downtown street and didn't realize until this moment that William had his pants tucked into his boots.  True story.  I guess when he slipped them on neither of us noticed that he didn't take the time to fix his pants.  We both started laughing when we looked at the picture.

We paused for a sidewalk Jazz band.

George Strait was simple and incredible.  His voice is pure, he is extremely handsome, and his music is timeless.  We loved the experience of his live show and enjoyed every minute.

Late night wings and beer? Of course. :)

Not Fruit Feast Day Three

I don’t think I should call yesterday a fruit feast. Instead, this will be more of a “What I ate Wednesday” post.

I sent a text last night to my yogi friend, Brook, that said something along the lines of my fruit feast was a flop. Then I decided to “live my yoga,” a concept they are teaching us in teacher training and stop assigning immediate meaning to everything. Instead, my fruit feast only seemed like a flop. Leaving it open and not declaring it to be such a failure, allows some sort of room to find a positive. There aren’t many, but in an effort to not completely deem it a disaster, here’s what I found.

Trying to eat only fruit, made me much more aware of what I was putting into my body, and as a result of trying to fill up, I ended up eating a pretty colorful variety of fruits and veggies. I guess that’s a good thing, right?

Breakfast started out really well. I had a chocolate shakeology with almond milk, bananas, and strawberries while I read my devotion. I decided, with Brook, to allow almond milk because it is non-dairy and somewhat necessary for me to enjoy my smoothies.

I was, again, pretty hungry mid-morning and had two tangerines.

Then lunch came and things seemed to go downhill. I went to Earth Fare in hopes to find something on the hot bar that was allowed.  Fruit, Hummus, Zucchini, Peppers, soup, anything satisfying? I was desperate. 

I left with a Holy Moly sandwich - not fruit - loaded with fresh guacamole, sprouts, tomatoes, and cucumbers. It was heavenly. Typically, I may not have savored a sandwich like this, but I was present to every. single. bite.  This is something I rarely do while eating, chasing Wills, and sending emails all at the same time. For the first time in a while, I slowed down, and really enjoyed my meal. A positive, maybe? 

Pause for the best part of my day…This precious angel wanted to hold his mommy’s hand all the way home from school, and he squeezed tight. Love him so! 

At this point, my fruit feast was over. Dinner came, and William made a pizza. It looked delicious, but in an effort not to make a complete mess of the last three days, I sautéed a bunch of veggies in olive oil, and then…

put them on tortilla chips. Finding the positive here? I’ve got nothing. 

  

I’m still trying to decide if this fruit feast is something I will try again before my teacher training is over. Needless to say, over the last three days, I loaded my body with fresh fruit, colorful vegetables, and a few grains. I feel great, energized, and excited about a Reeses Peanut Butter egg. Is it Easter yet?

I'm off to make macaroni and cheese for 40 people for a baby shower we are helping host Saturday night.  This  will be  seems challenging.  :)

Fruit Feast Day Two

The start of the day looked a lot like Monday. Breakfast was a repeat of fresh pineapple and strawberries.

I felt pretty hungry mid-morning and enjoyed an apple at the studio before practice teaching.

Lunch was the same tomato soup, avocado, and a banana.

I cleaned up the house, finished painting the book case, and prepared dinner while Wills napped. Overall, I felt really great and energized.

For dinner, we had friends over that we haven’t seen in a while, and well….I kind of blew it. Three days of fruit feasting turned into 1 and ¾ days. I am planning to finish strong on my third and final day.

For dinner, I had fruit and veggie kabobs filled with green peppers, red peppers, orange peppers, pineapple, mushrooms and onions. I filled my plate with the produce and then added a small scoop of mashed red potatoes and half a skewer of chicken. What can I say? It smelled delicious, was relatively healthy, and I went for it.

I wouldn’t be telling the truth if I said I wasn’t slightly disappointed in myself and wished I would have stuck to the fruit. But, tomorrow is a new day, hopefully full of fruit. See you then.

Fruit Feast Day One

“When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.” ~Baron Baptiste

I’ve been thinking a lot about patterns lately. God seems to be speaking to my heart about this idea of conformity and living outside the comfort of my patterns. My shereadstruth devotion yesterday spoke to me even more. Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

When we live with a little spontaneity, a lot of growth is possible. William and I are determined to be bold in breaking out of our comfort zones, letting go of patterns, and watching new worlds emerge. We are excited for what’s in store for our little family.

Is it coincidence that at the same time all of these thoughts are present, it’s time for my yoga teacher training fruit feast? I think not. These next three days are about breaking patterns in my diet, filling it with fresh foods and nutrients, and experiencing the vitality that emerges with a clean start.

Baron Baptiste describes the fruit feast as a time we give our "metabolic organs a chance to rest and renew" and "literally start to glow."

For me and my Augusta studio girls, we are including anything with seeds to be a fruit, that means tomatoes, squash, zucchini and peppers can all be part of the feast.

Yesterday was my first day and although it wasn’t perfect, it was definitely a break-through in patterns.

Breakfast was strawberries and pineapple. While I was pregnant with Wills, I ate my weight in pineapple. I could not get enough. Needless to say, it was awhile before I ate much pineapple again. Yesterday I realized what I’ve been missing. It was so sweet and delicious. 

Lunch was Amy’s chunky tomato soup. I searched and searched the grocery aisles looking for the tomato soup with the least amount of additives and simplest ingredient list I could find. This one was essentially tomatoes and spices. I added ½ of an avocado on top. 

I snacked on an apple on the way to get Wills from Mother’s Day Out.

After a 30 minute yoga practice on the back deck, I ate a banana with almond butter. I know almond butter isn’t part of the fruit feast, but I needed something a little more, and it was a better choice than almond butter on crackers, right? 

I was a little anxious about what I would eat for dinner, but my roasted squash, zucchini, green and red peppers in extra virgin olive oil and topped with the other half of my avocado from lunch was surprisingly satisfying. I also dipped red pepper strips in a little fresh guacamole that William had on his chicken fajitas.

All in all, a good first day.  Kabobs are on the menu for tomorrow!

Weekend Recap

Our computer was sick.  Sorry.

Here's how we spent our weekend.

Daddy painted.  The countdown is on for Master's week, and we still have so much to do to get ready for our renters.

Wills and I took a nice walk.

The three of us enjoyed our lunch on the porch.

During Wills' nap I had big plans for yoga...then this happened.  It was so pretty, and I desperately needed some sun.

Wills is constantly on the go making it very hard to get a good picture.

A grilled cheese on sourdough was the perfect Sunday evening dinner.  Part of my yoga teacher training is going through a three day fruit feast that starts Monday.  More on that to come.  Wish me luck.

Sunday FunDay!

Saturday turned into a late night, which meant extra morning snuggles and lounging with my boys. Wills and I had fun with the I-phone camera.  Pardon my scariness.

The weather was gorgeous. William worked outside trying to get the house ready for Master’s week (we have a long way to go,) and Wills and I played.

I enjoyed a Dogfish Pale Ale.

Someone insisted on wearing their light up Spider Man shoes with their Christmas pj’s. That’s cool, especially on Sunday FunDay. :)

Needless to say, Monday morning called for a potent dose of veggies. Greenberry Shakeology was just what I needed.

Enjoy the warm weather forecast. As soon as nap time hits, I am hoping to be outside reading in the sunshine. I can’t wait!

Tomato Crostinis

Appetizers are my favorite.  A good app can set the stage for a great evening.  Some of my best conversations with William are over wine and appetizers.  But, I'm so over cheese and crackers.  I'm bored with Fresh Market's spicy crab dip.  William doesn't care too much for spinach dip.  And jalapeno pepper poppers, although delicious, aren't kid friendly.

My friend, Jenni, brought these over to share with us a few weeks ago, and I knew, immediately, that I would be recreating these crostinis as soon as possible.  Saturday night seemed like the perfect opportunity.  We haven't seen one of favorite couple friends in a long time and decided to do something about that.  We missed Keith's birthday dinner, and their daughter, Owen, is turning 5 next week.  So, we decided to celebrate.

The Barefoot Contessa's Tomato Crostinis were a huge hit.  We ate every single one, and Owen loved them.

Here's what I used.  I prepared everything early in the afternoon to allow the flavors to have time to come together and just assembled it when our guests arrived.

I mixed 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 Tablespoons green onions (the recipe called for shallots, but honestly, I don't exactly know what shallots are and when I tried to call Jenni from Kroger, she didn't answer; I decided green onions would do the trick), and 2 teaspoons minced garlic.

Quartered grape tomatoes.

I mixed the grape tomatoes with the vinegar mix, added a 1/3 cup of olive oil, sea salt, pepper, and basil and let them soak.

In a food processor, I blended 6 oz of feta cheese with 2 oz of light cream cheese, 1/3 cup of olive oil, a freshly squeezed lemon, sea salt, and pepper.

All those toys, and this is what they choose to play with. :)

I sliced up a french bread baguette toasted the pieces on 425 degrees for 6 minutes, spread the whipped feta mixture, and topped with the tomatoes.  They were heavenly.  The flavors were perfect together.  I could have stopped here and called it a night.

More playing before bedtime.

A cozy outdoor fire was the perfect accompaniment to a beautiful evening, incredibly delicious appetizers, and great friends.