Strawberry Field Forever

Well there can't always be outfits and sunshine now can there.

Last week I found myself galavanting around a huge field packed

with rows of strawberries. As I picked and pick and picked, and chatted

 with a friend I slowly but surely picked way more than I expected.

I took home a huge bowl of strawberries wondering what in the world

I was going to do so that half or more didn't go bad sitting in that dang bowl.

I chopped them up and put them in oatmeal. I made up some shortcake

and topped it with these red delicious treats. And I even woke up early one

morning and whipped up some strawberry muffins to share.

And as I continually found uses for these mouth watering, flavor packed

strawberries, I also found myself humming a little tune I grew up hearing

thanks to my Beatles fan of a mother. "Strawberry Fields Forever."

I can't even type the title without singing it.

Does this ever happen to anyone eles? The childhood song stuck in your brain.

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.

In the world you will havetribulation.

But take heart; I have overcome the world.

A Love of Mugs and Muggles

The fun things about this outfit:

Shoes & Bracelet & Shirt - Thrifted, Necklace - HandMeDown from Mom, Jeans - Old Navy

This may have absolutely no relevence to you right now...

But I love mugs! 

I just love them.

I'm not a glass or a cup kind of girl. I like drinking from mugs!

(and straws but that's a different story)

I'm not sure where this strange love started, or how and why

it had developed, but alas, it has. 

My lovely mother and I went to Vegas to visit my sister

a while back and we all three went to see Love... the cirque

amazingness featuring Beatles music. In the gift shop, I totally

purchased a mug. It's huge and awesome... 

but the next day we hit up a local thrift store... 

and I found this gorgeous turquoise mug for only about $1 

and I purchased that bad boy too... Love it just as much!

(after I washed it).

Next week I am about to unfold the story of the best mug I have ever

held in my hands in my whole life. You wont want to miss it!

It's getting a little bit crazy up in here, and I might as well

tell the world because life is just that strange and beautiful sometimes.

P.S. I've set a goal for myself to read at least the first 2 Harry Potter

books this summer (big deal because I'm not a reader by any definition of the word)

.... and I'm Nailing It... halfway through book 2 and can't put it down. 

Maybe I should start setting more lofty goals! 

But hey... Muggle goals... whatcha gunna do?

James 3:17-18

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, 

open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Tasty Tuesday - Chicken & Brat Kabobs

Welcome to Tasty Tuesday. 

I have never in my life used a BBQ before. I've eaten plenty of yums

straight off the BBQ, I've ordered somethings at restaurants that have 
the word "BBQ" in it, I've been invited & attended BBQ's as events. 

But never have a used a BBQ in all of my life.

So in an effort to participate in being a human, I thought I ought to try.

And so the idea of Kabob's entered my head and whisked me away to drool land,

where we all lived happily and carnivorously ever after... Care to Join?

Here's what I did!

Disclaimer: I did mine in a different marinading order and think the way
I typed it below is better than what I did... 
Thus a lil difference in photos and directions.

Ingredients: 

8 Chicken Tenderloins

5 Beer Brats

2 Large Green Peppers

(add more colors if you'd like)

1 Large Onion

1-2 bottles Teriyaki marinade 

Note: Need long skewers

Directions:

Let's start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.

No really, when you wake up at the beginning 
of the morning, get the Brats on to boil.

You don't need to cook them 100% but at least 50% cooked.

While they're boiling, get the Veggies washed and cut. 

Cut them in large pieces about 1x1 inch at the smallest. 

(I think mine where closer to 2x2 inches)

This is especially important for the onion, seeing as how we're all

used to dicing or thin-slicing for those lil cry-babies.

When the veggies are cut and the brats is cooked to your liking,

Get your raw tenderloins and brats on the cutting board and cut them up.

Same thing, cut that meet to about 2 x 2 inches.

(not an exact science friends, just don't make them tiny)

Now that everything is cut (including any additional veggies you want)

Put it all in a gallon freezer zip lock bag and pour in 1-2 bottle of the

Teriyaki marinade. (this is your preference)
I might even suggest you put your chicken in a separate bag to 
marinade and combine it all when you skewer it later.

Let that sit in the refrigerator all the live long day, 

while you go about frolicking in field, picking daisies 

and any other major priorities you have to get through. 

About an hour before you want to eat, take that bag of goodies out

and start skewering it. I'm pretty sure I just did a healthy rotation

of all 4 things over and over and over again. 

But hey, you can live on the edge and put two peppers together if you wanted to.

When you're all skewered up, take it out and light up the BBQ.

(or as I did, have someone light up the BBQ... Maybe I still haven't used a BBQ?)

Lay out your Kabobs and cook until meat is finished.

I went ahead and sliced a baguette up with butter and garlic powder,

wrapped it in foil and put it on the BBQ too. Carbs people, I love 'em!

Enjoy!

^{Psalm 68:19-20}

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.

Revive my Soul

The fun things about this outfit:

Shoes & Dress - Clothing swaps, Necklace - Free, Belt - Thrifted

Well it's been a whirlwind of a weekend, that may or may not be

expounded upon in the coming weeks. But It was a wonderful one, too!

One of my the most relaxing parts of the weekend was a couple hour

chunk I spent with another lovely human, just laying on a blanket in the sun.

Soaking up some rays, reading some books, 

*cough cough*

Painting my nails.

It was wonderful & relaxing. I'm realizing as life speeds up 

more and more as I get older, that I really have to cherish these 

moments of calmness and ease when the arrive.

Soak them in like water to a sponge, so that during those crazy times,

those rough time, and those pull-you-hair-out-with-a-smile-on-your-face time

I can just rely on that restful water I've absorbed and look forward to the next refill.

What a perfect segue into two verses, that remind me of where the true rest is found!

Matthew 11:28-29

Come to me, all who labor and areheavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.

Psalm 119:25

My soul clings to the dust;
give me life according to your word!

Ate the Whole Thing

The fun things about this outfit:

Dress - Target (uber sale), Necklace - Free Bin, Blue Shirt & Earrings - Thrifted

The Northwest likes to rain just when all us natives get our hopes up that 
summer had started, I take every ray of sun with every ounce of seriousness... 
aka... Soak. It. Up. 

With the sunshine comes to light a certain little love of mine 
known as FRUIT! I didn't even think to snag a photo of what I really 

looked like prior to these photos but I did snap one of the proof.

I ate an entire cantaloupe.

Yep.
 Is that considered a confession when you eat something in its entirety?

Well, I confess then! 
Because that cantaloupe and I became real friendly, real quick!

I snuck it onto instagram in between bites as I sat on the 
porch loving the warmth that can never outstay it's welcome!

I believe the word I'm looking for is "basking."
Yes, I was basking in the sun, cantaloupe in hand, 
not a care in the world moment.

Thank you Lord for the Sun!
Thank you Lord for Cantaloupe!

Quick side note before I share some scripture that I was loving today:
I have now typed cantaloupe incorrectly in so many different ways that
I think my computer just rolled it's eyes at me 
while it put that dang dotted red line underneath.

Romans 12:17-19

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the 
sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, 
for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 

Tasty Tuesday - Parmesan Meatballs

Well, here it is people! The first Tasty Tuesday.

Bloggers seem like they always have all these fun labels for what they post 
on what day they post it... I'm not going to lie, it took me longer than it 
should have to come up with that there alliteration. Oh well, I'm new at this. 

But enough nonsense, let me tell you about these delish meatballs, 

that I concocted the other day and immediately fell in love with!

Disclaimer: I'm really bad at measuring things when I'm making it up as I go.

For all of you who need measurements... I'm sorry! Now's your chance to learn to wing it!

Ingredients: 

1 pound Ground Italian Sausage

(I used 2 pounds because it was for lots of people, 
so keep that in mind when looking at the photos)

1 large egg (per pound of meat)

Chopped Spinach (I did half a bag)

1-2 Shredded Carrots (your discretion of quantity)

Healthy amount of Black Pepper, Salt, and Parsley flakes.

Generous helping of Parmesan Cheese

(Can't forget the cheese... this makes it!)

Old Fashioned Oats

(I always error on not enough and add more if needed after mixing)

Directions:

I always begin with the egg. Crack it, dump it, move on.

Put all ingredients in bowl over the eggs.

After all items are in the bowl, it's time to roll up your sleeves. 

Dig your hands in there and start mixing. If you're afraid of a mess, I guess

you could use a spoon or fork or something, but it wont be quite the same.

Once everything is well mixed, get your scoop out and start a-scoopin.

At this point I've lined my cookie sheets with parchment paper so there's less

clean up at the end. Space the meatballs about 1 inch apart. 
After I have them scooped out I roll them into more even balls by hand.
They aren't cookies, so they don't need a lot of room to spread out. 

I baked these at 425 degrees for 1 hour. Obviously that will vary based on the oven.

I hope you all enjoy!

2 Corinthians 10: 17-18

 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who 

commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Clothing Swap Score

The fun things about this outfit:

Boots - Target, Purse - from Basque Country, Necklace & 2 Gold Bracelets - Thrifted,

Leggings & Sweater - Clothing Swap (aka - free), Tank - F21

Well, as the sun comes out, giving smiling rays to tanning wonders everywhere,

the great Northwest didn't want us to forget where we've planted our roots.

And thus, It gave us a bit of rain these past few days. 

So while people everywhere are sporting tank tops, I'm just over 

here in Oregon sporting my tribal print sweater that I just picked 

up in a clothing swap. I've pretty much wanted one of these all year. 

Being a thrifty type of a gal, I couldn't bring myself 

to pay anywhere near what I saw them selling for. 

Oh thank you sweet patience.

P.S. Tomorrow I'll be sharing a recipe for the first ever effort to 

regularly share something other than outfits. Get ready for the Tastiness!

This Psalm was preached yesterday at church. 

I wanted to share a couple verses from it today.

Psalm 34:17-18

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears

and delivers them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.