Let's Eat!

I am a firm believer of eating.  And the idea of TV dinners and golden corral is not what I'm talking about either.  Like I said before, I'm all about presentation.  Put a good meal in front of me, with the mood set, a group of friends & family, or even just a good old friend... and I am set!  Some of my dearest times with people have been over food.  We were created for community, and we've been created to eat, whether it's spiritually eat or physically eat.  SO!  I thought I would pull a little recipe off of my family food blog: Shake Your Foodie.  Please go check it out and try some of the incredible recipes out and let us know how it went!
My incredible, loving, extraordinary, selfless, amazing mother came up with the sandwhich and I came up with the soup.  Both are to-die-for, we love to create!  You should also check out her art blog: bordersBEgoneART.  Here we go!

Sunny Ports on Ciabatta:

Here's what you need:

• 4 Ciabatta Rolls
• 4 large Portabella Mushrooms, stems removed
• Olive Oil
• Italian Seasoning
• Fresh Ground Pepper & Sea Salt
• Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, about 6 ounces (please don't use the brick kind as it just won't come out as yummy!!)
• Oil Packed Sun-dried Tomatoes
• Fresh Spinach Leaves, stems removed
• Pesto Mayonnaise

Here's what you do:
-Heat over to 400 Degrees
-Arrange the mushrooms, stem side up, on pan and drizzle each with 1t. olive oil, 1/4 t. Italian seasoning and a good grind of the pepper & salt
-Roast in oven for about 15-20 or until fork tender.  Drain off any liquids

-Cut the Ciabatta rolls in half and place in oven, right on the rack, to lightly toast
-Remove rolls from oven

-Spread bottom and top with desired about of Pesto Mayo (recipe below)
-Pile up with the spinach leaves, the Portabella (stem side up to hold the cheese nicely), a slice of fresh Mozzarella and approximately 1T. Sun-dried Tomatoes. (Don't drain since some of the oil makes it delish!)

Serve immediately while the mushrooms are still warm

Variation:  You can drizzle the finished sandwich with a bit of Balsamic Vinegar to give it an extra good taste.

Serves: 4

Pesto Mayonnaise

1/2 c. Mayonnaise
2 T. Prepared Pesto

Mix together.  Store any leftovers in the frig. until you get the next craving for these
"very yummy sandwiches!"

 Tuscan Tomato Bisque

Here's what you need:

• Large Can of Tomato Juice
• 1 Cup of Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1 Tablespoon of Dry Italian Seasoning
•  Fresh Basil Leaves
• 2 whole carrots, pealed & diced
• 3 Fresh Tomatoes, Diced
• Crushed Black Pepper
• Dash of Olive Oil

Here's what you do:

In a large pot cook diced carrots in a dash of olive oil until almost done.  Then add basil leaves & diced garlic, Cook for 2-3 more minutes.  Pour in a can of tomato juice, 3 fresh tomatoes diced, and Tbs. of dried Italian Seasoning.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes.  After simmered, add 1 cup of heavy whipping cream & crushed black pepper & a pinch of salt.  

Serve hot in bowl, with whole fresh basil leaves on top for garnish!

Now eat up and enjoy your night :)

An Alive Heart...

         We all have things that make our hearts come alive.  Whether it be a friend you haven't seen in a while, knowing that you are loved, spinning in a wide open field, hearing your favorite song come on the radio, taking a road trip, or past memories... Whatever it may be, it's a part of you and maybe you didn't even choose it to be... but it's what makes everything else seem like it's going to be okay.  We've all had these things placed inside of us, not by mistake, but on purpose.  In the book of Genesis it talks about how we have been made in the image of God [or 'Us' - Father, Son, Holy Spirit].  I like to think that those little things that seem silly that make me come alive, are actually things that Jesus likes to do as well, and that He enjoys too, and are a bit of His character.  Why?  Because He made me like Him...
         Lately I've been trying to love myself.  When you love Jesus, you love what He has created, and to not love yourself, would be to not love something He has created.  I use to think it was selfish, or conceited to love yourself... until I had revelation that He actually WANTS me to love myself.  Because out of it comes respect, protection, adoration & worship to the King of Kings.
         When we live with an alive heart, people see it and are attracted to it.  You can't be happy and not show it.  We feed on each other a lot of the time.  What do you want people to receive from you, or feed off of you?  A happy and alive heart that is spilling over with kindness and acceptance, or a spirit of unbelief & despair, that creates you to be self focused and downcast on yourself?
So here are the things that make my heart come alive, or a few of them.  I hope you can find some joy in them...

Roads trips with my friends

Loving little children & spinning around with them in my arms

A GOOD meal

A cup of coffee over a nice conversation

God

Warm arms to hug in time of need

Wind

My family

My church, River Life Fellowship

A HUGE field, with blue skies and wheat

Campfire & music

A brisk morning

Dancing in worship like nobodys watching

a place for the heart

Writing

Bundled up in the winter in a convertible with coffee :)

Coffee

Jesus

Riding in the car w/ my mom playing Keith Urban

The mountains

A bouquet of daisys

The beach

Drum Circles

Feathers

Holy Spirit
Peace
My friends

Heart conversations with my dad

Knowing I'm loved... And loving from that place

Revelation

Just a few :)
What makes your heart come alive? What are the rhythms that keep you going?

A Bit Of Today...

I like to say I have a pretty wonderful and exciting life.  I get to travel the world, with people who are new and constantly become some of my dearest friends, lead a team of 5 girls with my co-leader Kellye, and love on people with a love deeper than myself.  Whats the point in living if you aren't doing what you love?  We are all created to be loved & love... So here's a little way that I express that.

I play with kids in a community that is protected by gangs.  These kids are adorable, and in need of deep love.
Here are a few pictures that I've taken since spending time with them.

Tuesdays Buttons!

Good morning Tuesday readers!!  Ever have those does where it's summer and all you want to do is go outside and have it be about 50 degrees? I do, I'd grab my cup of Starbucks and head out the door with my new scarf!  I don't like Winter too long, as it tends to hurt my joints... but!  Who doesn't love it for the fashion, the cozy nights, and a warm fire?  Here is another one of my scarves that I made for when I go home :)

On the left is the front & the right the back.  I used a double stitch with

this scarf as well and sewed in two wooden buttons to the back.

 

       

Can't wait to share more with you.  Have a beautiful day filled with love & light.

I just can't help myself!

Hello ladies & gents.  I hope your weekend was fabulous.  It's Monday!  Which for you is your day back to work, so I hope it is starting lovely.  For me though, It's my day off - PTL! haha. I am also extremely excited because one of my best friends, Kellye Vetter, is coming home today.  It's a beautiful day!

I've been following a lot of different things on Pinterest, mainly the fashion, and have become completely obsessed with a few things.  One of them being fashion for little kids.  I just can't help myself!  Looking back throughout the decades of clothing for kids [oh my goodness some of the things I use to wear!] compared to now, it's crazy how much it's grown, but I also love how some of it has come back and there is such a variety, not to mention how adorable the kids look in them.
Here are a few things that I love: