Enjoy your porch!

 

A little inspiration for your weekend if the weather cooperates - go outside and enjoy your porch!

Strawberry Picking

 

Mother's Day

 

We had a nice, low-key day yesterday including a picnic and walk in a lovely neighborhood! My favorite kind of simple and sweet slow day!

Naturally Sweetened Hot Chocolate

This post may seem out of seasonal order, but on an unseasonably cool Sunday afternoon, I just finished a mug of hot chocolate and wanted to share this idea with you!

In my quest to reduce sugar, I have enjoyed this concoction several times. You can play with the measurements to suit your tastes, but this is what I've stuck with so far.

1 c milk of choice

2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbsp. maple syrup

Place cocoa and maple syrup in a mug. In a glass measuring cup, heat milk in the microwave. Pour hot milk into cocoa and stir to combine. Slow down and sip. 

Enjoy!

Girls Outing

 Rachel and I recently went to the outlets and enjoyed a little afternoon treat! It was so cute to find this mini donut to match her regular sized one! Fun memories made!

Art for Dinner

We host community group at our house every Thursday evening and several of us ladies take turns making the entree and then everyone contributes sides, drinks and dessert. A couple of weeks ago, a friend brought quail for dinner that had been given to them and they had tons of it. When there was a lot left, we pulled it all off the bones and I made two large pot pies from the meat and broth I got from cooking the bones. 

It just felt like such a community and group effort and generous provision for the quail to stretch so far! The morning of, I was in an artsy mood and decided to decorate the tops with pie crust scraps I had collected in the freezer - I was super pleased with how they turned out and it was really fun.

I wanted the Be Still one to look like a tree but it reminds me more of a bundle of balloons! Either way, it is cheerful and it was a joy to put my beauty-maker on and get creative.

Be Still

 

At our church staff meeting last week, we heard the challenge and reminder to pull away and find time for solitude and quiet. A time to sit and listen to the Lord without filling it up with noise or even myself talking to Him. Sometimes we just need to be still and listen.

We had fifteen minutes right then to find a spot. I headed out to the trail that runs alongside our office space, walked a short distance and found a little bench. Listening to the birds chirp and sing was so calming and my spirit was refreshed and awakened just in the short time of fifteen minutes. 

This little pause changed my whole outlook for the week and in the very best way. Maybe you need this reminder too? Read 1 Kings 19 and remember the quiet whisper of God's voice that Elijah experienced. Find a few minutes to sit with no agenda other than to listen and be in His presence.