weekend update

Ask me what I did this weekend-- go ahead, ask.

Well, to answer your question, I did nothing. Nothing at all.

Other than working a few hours on Saturday, the past couple days have been full of a whole lot of nothing. The hubs has been most of the weekend on the couch coughing and sneezing himself silly. He's was sick and I was tired. We were a bucket full of fun. But it was so needed, not the sickness, but the rest.

Sometimes all that we need is rest. Rest from the week. Rest from work and stress. Rest from constantly moving and pushing ourselves to get it all done. And that is just what I got this weekend. It was really needed. Even though I have only been back working for a week, it really took it out of me. I think I've slept better this past week than in a really long time. So doing nothing was a blessing.

I hope you got a chance to find time for some rest this weekend.

Until next time...

Bread & Wine

 

If you've been around my corner of the blog world, you've probably noticed that I enjoy the occasional tasty dish and sharing it with good people. As a matter of fact, I've written about it a few times, like here and here. Cooking and good food are a big part of my story, so naturally when I found out that my favorite author was writing a book about life around the table, I was stoked. 

You've also probably heard me say that Shauna Niequist is my most favorite writer. I love pretty my much anything she writes, whether it's on her blog, an online article or a book. She has such a beautiful way of looking at life and the world and puts it into words better than anyone I've read. Plus, she just seems cool-- I'd be friends with if she offered, just saying. So, when I found out that I would be getting an early edition of her upcoming book to read and review, again, I was stoked.

I inhaled Bread & Wine just about quickly as I do a piece of chocolate cake. I couldn't put it down. I looked forward to each opportunity I got to pick it back up again. Shauna's short story writing style has a way of pulling you in, in such a way, that grabs at your heart. Her stories aren't necessarily of big life events, although a few are, or tragic tales, although a few are, but of the ordinary day to day. 

If you read anything she writes, it's pretty easy to tell that Shauna loves to entertain and cook, but most of all, she loves the people in her life. One of the best features of this book is that serves, not just as another great memoir, but it includes the recipes that are connected to her stories. It seems that Shauna has a natural gift for bringing people together and typically, the most common method is through food. So after you read the story about her tale of running a full marathon-- you can read about the harvest salad that she loves so much when she was training. (Side note: I made that salad on Monday and it got a big thumbs up!) Or you can find a recipe for flourless brownies, or watermelon and feta salad, or mango-curry chicken, or risotto or her favorite enchiladas. You get the idea. And I've tried multiple recipes and haven't been disappointed yet.

Regardless of the great recipes, I fell in love with this book because something about creating community around the dinner table and being real and present with those you love resonates so deeply within me. It's something that we need much more of in this life. Her writing energized my soul in its own way and I plan to read it again, very soon. But even if you aren't much of a reader, at least check out the recipes.

Definitely check out Shauna and more of her writing on her website. 

Oh, and you can purchase the book on Amazon, too.

Shauna Niequist is the author of Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet, and Bread & Wine. Shauna grew up in Barrington, Illinois, and then studied English and French Literature at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. She is married to Aaron, who is a pianist and songwriter. Aaron is a worship leader at Willow Creek and is recording a project called A New Liturgy. Aaron & Shauna live outside Chicago with their sons, Henry and Mac. Shauna writes about the beautiful and broken moments of everyday life--friendship, family, faith, food, marriage, love, babies, books, celebration, heartache, and all the other things that shape us, delight us, and reveal to us the heart of God.

high five for friday

today I'm linking up with from my grey desk to share my best from this week.

it's been a pretty good week in our household. even though we're not in florida, we've had some nice weather and some exciting happenings.

1. we spent Easter weekend with both families- lots of driving but it also gave us the opportunity to see the beautiful double rainbow. a wonderful reminder of God's promises.

2. our wedding album finally arrived today. love love love being able to look at the pictures. it's perfect!

3. we've had an extra set of (four) legs this week. my in-laws are on spring break so we've been dog sitting. we love having two fluffy puppies around the house. they play and play all day long and they really are best friends.

4. the Easter bunny brought me some lovely, purple tulips. i love having real flowers on the table.

5. the weather has finally decided to act like spring. the hubs and i enjoyed sitting on our back deck watching the sunset-- and not be freezing.

oh, and i got a job. yay! it happened pretty quickly, just in the last week. i start training on monday and will be doing social media and website work at a local women's boutique. clothes, shoes, writing, social media-- yes, i am excited.

i'm ending this week feeling just showered in blessings. so thank you, thank you, thank you.

happy friday!

lately -- i'm back!

Well hello there! Please excuse my two week hideous; it's been a busy few weeks -- plus I was in Florida for eight of those days, which was awesome. So let me catch you up.

The hubs and I took off a little over a week ago, to head to Florida to visit with some of my family and soak in some sunshine. We spend the days enjoying the sun, the men went golfing and the ladies sat by the pool. We ate yummy grandma food, played cards and enjoyed being together. We also spent three days in Disney territory, which is one of my most favorite places to go.

We spent lots of time walking down Main Street, jumping from ride to ride and enjoying being at the most magical place on earth. Really, I'm a child at heart. And the sunshine was so welcome after a long, cold winter. I even got a little burned, but I tried not to complain because at least I got to wear shorts.

It was hard to come back to the cold mid-west, but we had a nice surprise waiting for us when we got home. My cousin's sweet baby girl was born while we were in Florida. She came two weeks early and was just 5 lbs 5 oz, but she is healthy and beautiful. She is the first great-grand baby in our family and I'm pretty sure she is going to be spoiled with lots of hugs and kisses. She is so tiny and so sweet. We spent most of Easter weekend ogling over every little facial expression and noise she made. She will not be lacking of someone to hold her, that's for sure!

But now that vacation and the Easter holiday is behind us. We're getting back into our daily routine and I will be posting more regularly again. And be watching for my upcoming book review of my favorite author's new book Bread & Wine. Loved this book -- it's chuck full of life lessons and awesome recipes. Be sure to check it out. But for now, thanks for checking back in.

Until next time...

let's be frank

This morning, I woke up and looked at my window, expecting to see even more green grass than yesterday. Instead, I saw the complete opposite-- another six inches of snow. Just when I thought spring was on the horizon, another lake effect snow party arrives. Needless to say, I was less than assumed. I followed up by my typical morning routine: coffee, breakfast and email checking. Recently, I have been holding my breath each time I open my email. Hoping for some activity that shows my job search is finally bearing some fruit.

Sigh, nothing.

For those of you who need updating, I left my prior job when we relocated. When we first moved north, I didn't expect much job activity because it was the end of the year and near the holiday. I didn't figure many people would be looking to hire at that point, so I didn't fret much. I had a couple bites, a few interviews, but nothing panned out. It wasn't until a couple weeks ago, that the word "frustrated" began to surface.

Let's be honest, job searching is tough. I knew it would take some time, but I also thought it'd have had a little more activity than I've had. Maybe I am being naive about the situation, but I've been to this frustrated place before and at that point, I blamed it on the fact that I was a new graduate. I'm out of excuses this time. One of the hardest parts is that most jobs come from having connections, and we're pretty unconnected here. So, my wonderfully patience and understanding husband has suggested that maybe I change up my approach. I met his remark with much resistance, because I didn't want to admit that he was probably right.

Although, it may sound like it, I'm not unhappy with all my free time. I've been able to do a lot of things that I couldn't if I were working all day. Our house is probably the cleanest it will ever be and I've had lots of opportunities to try out new recipes or DIY projects. I love being able to do things I enjoy, but a part of me also craves to be back in the working world. To be contributing to something outside of myself. And that is where I am today.

But job searching is kind of like the weather. You just have to wait and trust. Wait and trust. Wait for it to warm up and trust that the seasons will change. Wait for the flowers to bloom and trust that new life will soon appear. Wait for the right opportunity to come across my path and trust that God will provide it in His timing. Wait and trust. Wait and trust. Wait and trust.

high five for friday

Today I'm linking up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk for High Five or Friday.

I'm not sure where you're finding yourself today, but here it is beautifully sunny and bright outside. A much needed day without snow fall. This morning, I have been busy making travel plans. We have a lot of fun trips coming in the next few months. In just twelve days, we will be traveling to the sunshine state to visit with some of my family. Later this summer, we will be traveling back to Florida to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary and then Texas for our first anniversary and a wedding! After all this snow, I am so thankful to be traveling to places with lots of sunshine. But as for now, I will be enjoying some gruyere and fresh berries and share my top five favorites from this week.

1. i got to spend a whole afternoon with my childhood best friend and her sweet (soon to be) one year old. I just love that little girl and it was so great to have some quality time with them both.

2. i'm not actually sure if this is high five worthy -- but I finished the third season of Downton Abbey. I fell in love with the show and have spent the past couple weeks watching all three seasons. (let us not forget...I'm "in-between" jobs currently.) But to be honest, I'm not happy with the final episode. That's all I'm going to say.

3. yesterday, I explored the antique shop downtown. I will be returning soon.

4. the hubs and I have recently been playing lots of Yahtzee. I found it at the store for four dollars. seriously! we've been playing regularly and it's always a good time, especially because this is one game where I actually win.

5. i finally got back into a zumba class and i am loving it. i've even managed to meet some people. yay!

happy friday to you all. I hope you enjoy today, wherever you are!

food & family: part II

As you recall, I began telling you the story of how our family cookbook came into existence. It all began with a simple dilemma: wanting to have the recipes that our family has come to love over the years. So my cousin Laura, the same creative genius who threw this shower a few weeks ago, came up with the idea to put together a family cookbook. Side note: if you don't know my grandmother-- she is one of the best cooks ever-- seriously. ever. A lot of the recipes were foods we share together at her house. We talked about this cookbook every time we were together; and finally, two years ago, we decided it was time to stop talking and start doing.

The family began compiling favorite recipes and sending them to my cousin, who soon ended up with over 100 recipes. We like food, obviously. This is where the family cookbook idea turned from a collection of our favorite recipes to a masterpiece.

My cousin Laura works as an art director for an ad agency in

downtown Chicago. She is wildly talented in design, photography and baking. Her plans for this cookbook became something we could only dream about. And she took this project on full force.

Along with my grandma and other family, Laura baked, cooked, tasted, tweaked and photographed each recipe. She spent a couple weeks over the holidays working side by side with our grandma learning the secrets to each recipe, because its usually hard to make anything as good as grandma does. (And we've learned, more often than not, the secret is real butter!) Regardless, she spent hours upon hours ensuring that each recipe in the book was understandable and photographed, so each cook would know what that end product would (hopefully) look like. She also threw in some tips, facts and sections of helpful secrets to achieve success with each recipe.

It became quite the project and we were all so anxious to see the end product. Little did we know the treasure we would end up with. After two years of many hours dedicated to this family project, the day came when we each got our own copy. And what we ended up with was far greater than any cookbook could ever provide.

Yes, it had our favorite recipes but it also included the story of how our family came to be, with pictures and short stories, which so beautifully encompassed who we are as a family. It's so much more than we could have asked for and we are all so thankful for Laura's eye for perfection and detail and her endless desire to make a great family keepsake for all of us to share.

To be honest, I used my cookbook at least once a week, cooking and baking foods that I love. My favorite is when each time I open it to see the faces of those I hold so dear. At least for me, it allows me to keep a bit of home with me wherever I go.

If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and check it out on Blurb. You can even order your own, available in both soft and hard cover. Just click here!

**Right now you can also save 25% through Monday. Just use the code WINTER25 at checkout and you're all set.

Thanks for sharing in my family story and if nothing else, enjoy drooling over these photos!