Back From Vacation!

Well, it's been a long time! So sorry it's been so long, but a lot has been going on since my last post. For instance, I turned 30! Not as big of a deal as I was fearing, however, it happened and now it's over! Because of this momentous birthday, my wonderful husband took me on a little vacation to Sedona, Arizona. It's this trip that I wanted to write about today!

First of all, I want to give you a little background. Growing up, my family and I traveled quite a bit. However, most of our trips were either to the same places, or a least the same general areas. I have seen a decent chunk of Europe and have also visited our Southern neighbors in Mexico a few times. That being said, I have made it my goal to see all 50 states before I die. Now, I don't want to just drive through a state and count that as my "visit." I really want to experience a little bit of each of our states. Therefore, my first trip to Arizona was very impressive and I believe that I "experienced" quite a bit.

I'm not sure what you all know about Sedona, Arizona, but it's a small town about 2 hours north of Phoenix. It's kind of in a valley surrounded by the most beautiful red mountains you've ever seen. Since being married, my vacationing has changed a lot. Growing up, when on vacation, we made it our goal to see how little we could do over the course of our trip (with the exception of those oh so wonderful educational trips!). This usually meant sitting on a beach, reading, and eating. However, because my husband is a bit hyperactive, this doesn't fly for him. We have to be doing something at almost all times. While it's not quite as relaxing, it really does show you a lot more of where you are. So, needless to say, we spent most of the trip exploring all the amazing red rock formations, both on foot and on horseback. It was amazing. How anyone can look at a place like this and not believe in God is just amazing to me. It was truly one of the most spiritual places I've been. While I've seen the mountains in both Colorado and Utah, this seemed so different. I think it must have been the mixture of mountains and desert along with the distinctive red color of the earth. It was extremely healing.

While on our trip, I coerced my husband into taking a horseback tour through some of the country. It was fabulous. However, I enjoyed meeting the owner of this ranch almost as much as the actual ride itself. He was in his late 70s and owned the full working ranch where we rode. He has owned and lived on this ranch for 40 years, and grew up and lived on his Grandfather's ranch right next to it before that. As we were driving to the horses, he calmly pointed out where he had taken his first steps as a baby and commented that his last steps would probably only be a few hundred yards from that. His ranch is run by himself, some of his children, grandchildren and a couple of great-grandchildren also run around the property. While I found this to be so amazing, he really stopped me in my tracks when he started talking about his family being completely sustainable. I'm not sure why this took me aback. I guess when I think about the "green" movement and about people moving toward sustainability for their families, I think about young adults. After talking to Richard, though, it made me realize how wrong that thought process was. He told us about how he has taught each of his children, grandchildren, and soon the great-grandchildren how to grow all their own food, how to ride a horse, and even how to make their own diesel fuel from the corn they grow. Also, he made a point of saying that he taught each of them how to shoot a gun to kill their food, not to harm. They kill and butcher their own cows for food. He said that he wanted each of his offspring to know what it felt like to kill and to understand the permanence of such an action. While I was astounded by this, he simply stated that this is what they've always done on the ranch (with the exception of the fuel which is pretty new). It made me realize that this goal I have for my family is exactly what families have been doing for centuries. I must say that it was very refreshing to have that perspective thrown at me again! Once again, if I listen, God chooses all sorts of ways to talk to me!

When God Speaks Through Your Children!

First of all, I just want to thank everyone who sent me ideas for daily devotionals. I will use all of your ideas and suggestions. Thank you! Second, I just wanted to share a quick story about my daughter that really reminded me how God speaks to us through so many avenues.

Our family typically prays before dinner each night and when doing so we all hold hands, while my husband says grace. While we are very diligent about saying our thanks before dinner, that is really the only meal we pray before. Today at lunch, the kids and I took our seats around the table to eat a quick bite. I had gotten both children settled, blown on their grilled cheeses, filled cups, etc. I was just taking my first bite of my leftover Chicken and Rice from the night before (see recipe below), when my daughter looks at me accusingly and says, "Mommy, don't eat yet, we haven't thanked God." As I sit there staring at her with my mouth FULL of chicken I'm taken aback. Since it took me a bit to respond, she dutifully stuck out her fat little hand for me to grasp so that we could pray. Needless to say, after swallowing my bite, I grabbed both of their soft little hands and we blessed our meal. It shames me that it took my 3 year-old child to remember to thank God for all of our meals, not just dinner. It is times like this that remind me that God is speaking to me all the time, and that I just really need to be quite and listen. When he has to use my very loud 3 year-old to bring me to attention, I know that I haven't been as quiet and reflective as I need to be. Once again, thank you Lord for 3 year-old children!

On another note, I fixed a super easy recipe last night for our family. This is very popular in our house because I double it and my husband takes leftovers to work the next day for lunch (it reheats marvelously). It's definitely a family favorite. Enjoy!

Chicken and Rice (this serves just 4, but I always double it!)

4 Chicken Thighs (bone in and skin on!)
1 Can Cream of Chicken
2/3 C. Instant Brown Rice
1/2 envelope of Onion Soup Mix

Preheat the oven to 325. Combine the cream of chicken and the rice. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish (when I double it, I use a 9X13 pan). Lay your thighs on top of the rice mixture. Sprinkle the Onion Soup mix on top of the thighs. Cover and bake for 1 1/2 hours.

Edible Memories

This weekend I made the trip back to my home town for the birthday party of a dear friend. While there, I stopped by my Grandmother's house to visit for a bit. My Grandmother has a recipe for the most delicious chocolate cake you are ever tasted (it has won a first place ribbon at the Missouri State Fair, no less!) and I had been meaning to get it for quite some time. So while I was visiting, I decided that there was no better time than the present.

As I was digging through her very large stack of recipe cards, I got to thinking that maybe I would take a few more recipes as well. After all, you can never have too many recipes (especially really goods ones that you grew up on!). As I made my way slowly through the stack I came across MANY recipes from my childhood and I began to notice that a few memories would pop into my head as I read over the ingredients for each dish. Who knew that memories of meals would bring so much emotion. In addition to remembering each of these tasty repasts, it also struck me how old many of these recipes were. They were all written in my Grandmother's nearly ineligible handwriting, and quite a few had already started to fade with age. There were even a few in there from her own mother. It got me thinking how precious these 3X5 cards really were. Needless to say, I walked out of there with a substantial stack of recipes that I am to copy (I think I'm going to scan them all so I can have them all in her handwriting) and bring them back this coming weekend. While my Grandmother is in great health for all of her 88 years, it brings me great comfort to have these memories in my possession. I, of course, fully intend on making each and everyone of them in the hopes that my own children will one day have fond memories of the same recipes that I loved as a child.

My challenge to each of you is to make sure to collect what you can about your family history, whether it be through stories, or as in my case, recipes. I had no idea how much these would mean to me until I started flipping through them, but it has inspired me to not only get more recipes from my mother, but to also hound my other Grandma for some of her memorable recipes (especially that fried chicken recipe!). There is truly no better gift to your families than to give them the gift of health in wonderful meals that were created in love.

And the flu came and went . . .

Hello all! Well, the stomach flu officially ripped through our household last week. Unfortunately, I was unable to eat any of the wonderful Chicken Noodle Soup I had made. According to my family, however, it was quite wonderful, so try the recipe!

Since starting this blog, I have had a few questions regarding CSA farms, what that means, and what that entales. I thought I would take this time to discuss the wonderfulness (is that a word?) of CSA farms. My family and I recently joined one in our area and will start receiving produce from it in mid-May. I can't wait! Basically, a CSA farm is a farm that has decided to take on "investors." You pay for your produce up front (at the beginning of the season) and thus take on the same risks as the farmers. If there is a drought or some sort of disease that harms a certain crop, then you won't get as much. However, if there is a bumper crop, you get more! By paying at the beginning of the year we have purchased a "share" of produce that their farm will generate during the growing season. In addition, our farm asks that you volunteer your time to help with the harvest and to help distribute the produce among all the families involved. That is where I hope to learn some more about gardening! It's a great alternative to going to the farmer's market each week. It's a little cheaper to do it this way and you get to help support your local economy while getting great, healthy fruits and veggies in return. If you are interested in doing something like this, you can find participating farms in your area by visiting this national website: www.localharvest.org/csa

I also wanted to draw everyone's attention to a very thought provoking documentary called Food, Inc. If you have or haven't heard of this documentary, I strongly suggest you put this into your Netflix list. It is a great movie. It takes a look at our country's food industry and really delves into the corruption of both the industry itself and the FDA - the association that supposed to be protecting us! Watching it really added some steam to this journey I've decided to take! I've many people tell me that it was life changing for them.

On a final note, I wanted to ask all of you if you had any suggestions on some good devotional books, or bible studies. I have been working really hard at becoming healthier in many areas of my life, but feel like my spiritual life still needs a lot of work. While my family and I attend church each week and are diligent Christians, I still feel like we have a lot of growing to do. I, in particular, need to work on my private time with God and my daily devtionals. So, if any of you have any suggestions I would REALLY appreciate it.

I hope you are all doing well and stay healthy. That stomach flu is ruthless!!!