The Mothership

I have been on a lemon kick lately. And it’s feeling like summer. So I wanted to try a new salad fit for dinner. I found something similar to this on Pinterest but of course when I went to get the recipe - it wasn’t there. So I was left with a picture. I added a grocery list since you make three separate things and use like ingredients for each part. Hopefully, this helps your brain hurt a little less. This made about 3 servings. So here we go...inspiration from Pinterest. Grocery list (made about 3 servings): 1 lemon 1 large container of broth (at least 2 cups) salt pepper 1 English cucumber avocado oil 4 garlic cloves lentils, uncooked couscous, uncooked 1 brick of mozarella, or container of feta, or goat cheese pine nuts Ingredients: For the lentils: 1 & 1/2 cup lentils, uncooked 1 cup broth (or till lentils are covered) Dash of oil (I used avocado oil) 1/4 tsp. salt For the couscous: 1 cup couscous, uncooked bit of oil (I used avocado oil) ...

I love me some buttered lemon chicken with pasta - but I’m nearing 40 and have all this time to experiment. So, I changed the ingredients to be slightly healthier. A version to add protein for vegetarians is at the bottoms;) this is another where you can do a lot of the prep in steps and come back to it. Or do it all at once and cook at the end of the day.  Ingredients: - 3 chicken breasts - 1 lemon - 1/3 cup avocado oil (or other cooking oil) - 1 tsp paprika - 1 tsp onion powder -  6 garlic cloves - 1/2tsp red pepper flakes - salt - pepper - 1/3 cup broth (I used chicken broth) - 1 spaghetti squash - 1&1/2 cup chopped tomatoes  - kale, ripped into pieces, maybe 1 cup total   - regular spaghetti (for those who are not fans of spaghetti squash - shredded Parmesan cheese RECIPE :  1. First we marinate the chicken.      - place the chicken into a gallon ziplock. Zest half the lemon over the chicken. Squeeze half the lemon over the chicken. Add th...

Today, I walked into the grocery store, like many, many other Ohioans. They came to stock their fridge and pantry. And while I really needed eggs, and so did the twelve other people swarming the man restocking the eggs, I came to meander the aisles...really I did.  I came ready to fill my cart and take my time.  When I parked I found a space soon enough and expected to see plenty of people as I entered the doors.  But as the large automatic doors opened, I was overwhelmed with what was before my eyes. I grabbed my cart and as I passed through the large doors people were furiously scrubbing their carts for fear of contracting a droplet. I moved to the bananas and I heard a rude exchange between two individuals...over bananas. And you know what I saw written all over the faces of the employees, the shoppers, the PEOPLE... panic...anxiety...worry...nearsightedness.  It took me a minute to gain my bearings...I felt weird like I was in a movie where the actors thou...

Most recently a dear friend of ours passed away. She was such a light.  From a young age, Jan and Tim both took an interest in me.  Not just me though.  They saw value in all of the youth.  They encouraged us, told us hard truths, stayed up late to keep us honest on trips, and always provided a welcoming smile and face when our paths would cross again. She is a bright light that will surely be missed.  What a legacy of a servanthood, encouragement, support, and example of what a faith filled person emanates. Today she will be laid to rest and I will surely see others that ALSO served valiantly in our youth ministry. And to them I am ever thankful. Here are some words from Jan and Tim as they shared how important the youth program was for them. I was part of a youth program at Westwood United Methodist Church that I am for certain helped support me and guide me through my high school and college years. It gave me a community when I didn't find one at my school....

This recipe was given to me by a friend, Tori. She pushes me to try new foods that are simple and always with more than a motive of “it just tastes good.” She eats food with purpose and the bonus is it always tastes great. This recipe makes enough for Tim and I to have dinner and about 2 lunches each for the week. So thanks, Tori, for this simple, tasty recipe. Recipe: Ingredients: 1 large container of vegetable broth 1 purple cabbage, rough chopped  Garlic powder Salt 2 cups dry quinoa 4 cups of the vegetable broth from large container.  Garlic Salt Olive oil Balsamic vinegar *Parmesan shredded cheese, if desired. I used dairy free shreds. Begin by heating about 1/2 cup of vegetable broth in a large sauté pan. Bring to a boil.  Add chopped purple cabbage. Sprinkle garlic and salt over top. Give a stir. Cover and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally    While cabbage is cooking, in a separate sauc...

You have not lived the life of a first world parent until you have many stories of some kind of bodily fluid cleanup happenstance story. So many that you feel like no one else could have this many stories - but infact I can tell you that Susan down the street, as much as she is trying to hide it, ALSO has these stories under her belt. Let’s play a game of “Never have I ever...” where I name something and you lower your head in defeat if you have. READY?!?? NEVER HAVE I EVER...  Caught throw up in my hands...voluntarily  I’m gonna let that one sink in for a bit Never have I ever put my smiling baby up high in the air with their beautiful face looking down at you only to be directly vommited on with accuracy of a nuclear bomb.   Been changing a baby’s diaper and caught their poo in your hands mid change.  Awoken by the cry of someone breathing putrid smelling breath over you saying, “I fink I got sick mommy...” In the car on an awesome family vacation...

Struggles are real around here people. Struggles to make it through the days. Battles fought in the mind of identity, comparisons, and self worth. And this has been a struggle since I was little. However, my story never ends in defeat. The story always ends in victory. I know for some of us the battle is long, hard, and never seems to leave and for you...I am wholeheartedly praying. Praying for peace to break in and take hold. Because every time it does the battle has less casualties. I have come a long way, and ground is being taken and restored, but it has been a journey. I wanted to write about this to encourage anyone struggling with reading, writing, and comprehending. As a child, I was a struggling reader. I could read and decode the words on the page, but by the time I did, I had no idea what I had actually read. I would read, and reread, but not understand anything a text was saying. All the more, I hated writing and thought very little of anything I could produce. I hated re...