Gifts From My Mother

My gift and love for creating really came to me from my own mother. Probably all have experienced at some point in your life being embarrassed of your parents, mainly during your teenage years. But I think that feeling of embarrassment was sourced in our own insecurity of not knowing where we fit into the great big world yet. Now that I have found my place in this world I am now proud to admit that the gift of creating has come from my mom. I love my mommy. My mom used to collect seeds in national parks, and when my dad told her not to do it, she'd hand us the bag. We used to go for walk and pick what we called curly weeds and caterpillar weeds in Senegal. We were always hauling home rocks from any camping trip we were on. We even packed to accommodate and expect it. We dug up beautiful plants and replanted them in our yard. We picked giant bouquets of wildflowers and enjoyed them on the dining room table sometimes even with a baby chameleon as a live exhibit that we found along the way.

So I am proud of my mom, and now I have come to a full appreciation and love of the art of collecting beautiful treasures and celebrating the glory of God's creation in our own home. I have come full circle. I've truly become my mom in some sense of the word and I'm not embarrassed to admit it now. Now my kids get to be embarrassed of me.

This is a wreath made out of acorn tops. I collected them with the intent to create beauty to celebrate God's magnificence in our own home!

Fragments of Beauty

These bottles sit on my windowsill over my kitchen sink. Since I spend so much time in my kitchen and at my sink it's a great place to put Bible verses, and capture little reminders of God's magnificent creations out doors. My girls always bring me flowers with no stems so this is a great way to show them I love them, by treasuring their presents. Just wanted to share my little fragments of beauty with you.

Ravioli With Creamy Garlic Alfredo Sauce

Total time- 46 minutes

Prep.- 40 minutes

Cook- 6 minutes

Yields- 4-6 servings

Level- Easy



Ingredients

Dough:

- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

- 1 cup very hot water

Chicken:

Cook chicken breast in chicken broth, garlic, sage, thyme till cooked through

Filling:

- 3/4 cup whole milk ricotta

- 1 finely shredded chicken breast

- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

- 1 cup cooked spinach

- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil leaves

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Sauce:

- 2 tablespoons butter melted

- 1 1/4 cup half/half or heavy cream

- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika

- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper


Directions:

For the dough:

In a large bowl combine the flour and the water. Using a wooden spoon, stir to combine into a large ball. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes.

For the filling:

Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl and stir to combine.

To form the ravioli, cut the dough into 4 evenly sized pieces. The dough should be slightly sticky. Add extra flour as necessary for rolling, but use only a little as necessary. Form each piece into a 2 by 6-inch rectangle. Recover the dough with the plastic wrap.

Lightly dust the work surface and a rolling pin. Working with 1 piece of dough at a time, roll the dough into a 4 by 19-inch rectangle. Place 9 rounded teaspoons of filling about 1-inch apart down the center of the dough. Fold the dough over the filling. Press down around the edges of each of the ravioli with your fingertips. Cut the ravioli into small squares and press down around the edges again with your fingertips to seal. Place the finished ravioli on a baking tray and continue forming the remaining ravioli.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add half the ravioli and cook until the ravioli float stirring occasionally, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain into a large bowl and cook the remaining ravioli.

For Sauce:
Melt butter. Add pepper and paprika. Pour in half/half and sprinkle on cheese. Cook on low till creamy.

I wrapped a few uncooked up and froze them to see how they would do being thawed out and cooked. Will let you know what that process happens.

God Thinks You Rock The Casbah

This is simply a beautiful picture of how much God loves you and I.

http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2008/11/god-thinks-you-rock-casbah.html

The Marriage Bed

If you want to have a good laugh read this one. It's so totally sadly true and hilarious all at the same time.

http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/03/marriage-bed.html

How To Be The Perfect Mother

This was such an awesome post from a favorite blog of mine. This woman is real. She doesn't try to make herself something she isn't. So all you mom's out there, read this. It's great.

http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-be-perfect-mother.html

New Beginnings

Today we started a new semester of Women's Minstry. For me that means a new year leading a group and opening a my heart for what God has to teach me. This summer which was full of back porch evenings and exploring felt much like I was wearing sweatpants and house shoes on the inside, in my heart. Comfy sweatpants and house shoes give me a reason to hide in my house and do as little as possible. Spiritually sweatpants are a huge hindrance to my growth. So it's now time to get on my jeans, my sassy boots and get back to growing.

This semester we are going to be working through the book of Ruth. Little book, huge lessons. Ruth by Hebrew standards was an foreigner, but in God's eyes she was faithful. God calls us to be faithful in the little things. We are all part of His great story, may you be faithful in the part He has called you to be.

This morning I remembered to breath. Very simple, but very important thing. Last year, my first time leading I forgot to breath and literally almost passed out. So I'm encouraged. A year ago at this time I was just starting to explore the option of medication for anxiety/depression. Since then I've found a medication that has completely turned my life around and given me my life back. But God reminded me very quietly yesterday not to put my faith in the medication I was taking, but to continue to place my faith in Him, my comfort and my rock. So here we go, stepping out into a new year, with new possibilities.

I'm excited about this year. There is much to be learned ahead. In 4 months I turn 30. For many this may bring them fear thinking about getting older, but I'm excited. Excited to turn a new chapter in my life. Excited to leave being my 20's, which have been very important years, but very painful years of growth.

30 means endless possibilities, the anticipation of walking with God for years to come, hope and a challange to grow into a more positive person. I want to live another 30 years and look back when I'm 60 and see a life well lived. A life full of purpose, reason, and giving the best of what God made me to be to others.