“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
{John 15:1-4 ESV}
With Thanksgiving only one week away I wanted to share one of our favorite side dishes. And it’s healthy to boot! And yes, my husband and I are still incredibly shocked that we fight over the last one.
– Roasted Brussel Sprouts –
We found this recipe on Food Network by the very talented Ina Garten. And we were both very hesitant to try it. But when you see something this gorgeous and photogenic at Trader Joe’s you have to at least try it. And do not cover it up in cheese sauce.
Recipe copied from here.
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut off the brown ends of the Brussels sprouts and pull off any yellow outer leaves. Mix them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Pour them on a sheet pan and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Shake the pan from time to time to brown the sprouts evenly. Sprinkle with more kosher salt, and serve immediately.
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We add a little bit of freshly grated parmesan cheese and lemon juice and let it cook for a few more minutes. I’m sad to say that my children will not eat these. At least the two year old and four year old won’t. Maybe as they get older?
So if you’re looking for a new and healthy dish to add to your Thanksgiving table I promise you won’t be disappointed with Roasted Brussel Sprouts! Go check out the reviews over on the actual recipe page!
Blessings!
This past weekend I went out to meet some ladies for coffee. This is a big deal considering I rarely ever leave the house. Not because I’m a hermit, just because we do life in our house. We’re in the stage of life where playdates are difficult to attend because of homeschooling or sicknesses. So getting to go out {alone} is a nice break from the everyday.
I returned a couple hours later to my family. I shut the car door, walked to the porch, opened the front door and walked in. No big hoopla awaited me. Now, whenever my husband comes home, whether it be from work, a business trip, football practice, grocery run, etc, my kids stampede each other to see who gets to hug him first! I’ve even gotten in on the fun and snuck outside to give him the ‘first’ hug. It really is fun. However, my jealousy surged when the same expression of love wasn’t shown to ‘mom’. I walked in and they were lying on the couch watching a movie. And boy-oh-boy did I let them hear it!
“Oh I see! Nobody cares if I’m home! But if DAD comes home you guys are knocking your sisters out of the way!”
{and just a side note, I really wasn’t saying it in anger, I was just pointing out the obvious. Jesting almost.}
The excuses came pouring from their lips. But I couldn’t hear them. I just nodded them away.
And then it happened.
Hours later, near dinner time, my second daughter approached me with a piece of paper. I held back tears as I read words that could only be written from her heart.
I don’t know why she wrote about my looks but I imagine at some point I must have mentioned something. I mean, as mothers, don’t we occasionally slip about how we didn’t get a shower or how we don’t look as put together as so-and-so? I do wish I knew what it was that I said so I could apologize. But nonetheless, I won’t lie, my first thought was how sweet this was. My second thought was that my loving husband had put them up to this. I was very thankful to hear that he hadn’t. My Evie had written this ‘contract’ on her own and had each of her sisters sign it.
And I became the prodigals sons brother. I wasn’t satisfied with the daily love they showed me, I wanted the grand appreciation. I wanted the running to the door when I was already being spoiled with hourly kisses and hugs. As I read the note over and over I was broken to the core.
“Gratitude begins when my sense of entitlement ends.”
I truly want to get to a place where I am content in all situations. Apparently I am not there yet. But we are all learning. We need to show just as much grace to our children that we want them to have for us. I am filled with so much eucharisteo when I consider all of His grace and the grace my children and husband show me. May I reflect all they have shown to this humble creature.
“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
{Luke 15:25-31 ESV}
Blessings!
Take the time to enjoy the season you’re in.
This time in your life may be the most hectic, hair pulling, just making you want to scream kind of season. Enjoy it.
You may be having the best days of your life right now. Blessings pouring from His gracious hand. Enjoy it.
You may be wondering what is making this time of your life different from the previous season. Everything is so constant and never changing. Enjoy it.
Life can change in a heartbeat. Do you ever catch a nostalgic smell in the air? One that races you back through time to your childhood? Remember that. And think of all that you have gone through to get to this moment you’re in right now.
Remember also that if you are a parent of young children we are helping making memories for our little ones. Now. Right now. Through your own actions and words teach them how to appreciate the moments we are given.
Count all of it. Every. Single. Moment. As His amazing grace.
Blessings!
As we draw closer to the holidays we search for ways to give. To serve others. To help those in need. One program we’ve always participated in is Operation Christmas Child. Churches and businesses usually have drop off centers. So this year I began printing off our labels that we affix to the shoe boxes that are filled with all sorts of goodies for those in need. As I removed the labels from our printer I was hit with the realization that we already have children that are in need. You see, every time we add a new member to our family we add a new child to sponsor. And I am ashamed to say that we have never once written these children. We got our first child nine and a half years ago. Needless to say he has aged out of the program since then. But there is no excuse for us not reaching out to the rest of these sweet children. And so we finally did. It is never too late, right?
We packed up our children and headed to Target. With a list in hand we sought to buy things that the children ‘needed’. Colored pencils, hair ties, paper, stickers for fun, etc.
The children set out each envelope and filled them appropriately. I then wrote a letter to each one and addressed the packages.
How I wish we could see the look on their faces when they get their personalized mail bags! And how badly I want to apologize for taking so selfishly long to connect.
We have learned how important it is to give these children hope. To let them know they are being lifted up in prayer. Thank you, Lord, for this opportunity to serve You.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
{James 1:27 ESV}
Edited: Since this post was written we have added one more child to sponsor. We decided to go through Food for the Hungry and we’re all very excited to write a letter to our sweet little girl in Uganda and send her a care package as well! Here is a photo of some of the family making that difficult decision of who to sponsor.
Blessings!
