The Mothership

We have been evaluating our family dynamics from morning routines, to evening routines, and seeing where we may have taken a turn from our initial intent. Tim asked me to read the book 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family by Patrick Lencioni. I highly recommend this easy to read tool. We are at the beginning stages of putting it into practice. In one of the activations, you are to strategize about your family values. One of my family values would be for my children to know the Bible and understand God in a real, living, way that can imprint their identity and also help guide them to where God can use them in the world.  But who's got time for that?!?! We are all out here trying to do our best. Our family during many months of the year can run ragged and maybe only all sit down to eat together twice a week. The values and focus we want to impress upon our children can get lost in the daily shuffle of “doings” if we are not careful and intentional with our time. I want to prioritize...

I looooove me some lemon. Nothing really screams spring to me than lemons and blueberries together in a gooey cake. So here is a simple recipe using a cake box! I am a fan of cake boxes. I love going all the way scratch when I can - but if I am limited on time and want a little flair then sometimes I use a box instead. If you want to do it from scratch - the recipe for my yellow cake is listed below the main recipe. Enjoy! Ingredients: 1 yellow cake mix 1 vanilla instant pudding mix (3.4oz) 4 eggs 1/4 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice Zest from one lemon plus more for garnish (I would buy two lemons and use 1.5)  1/4 cup of warm water 1/3 cup of cooking oil 1tsp vanilla 1&1/4 cup sour cream (or Greek style yogurt) 1 cup of white chocolate chips 1 cup of blueberries For icing/garnish 1 container of cream cheese icing 1/2 a lemon zested A few more white chocolate chips for sprinkling on top.  Recipe: Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a Bundt cake pan Mix all ingredi...

After an emotional week - both ups and downs comfort food on a crisp spring day sounded like it was needed. I used a plant based “cream cheese” this time because of my daughter’s dietary needs. But I have made this with regular cream cheese and it is also great. You can make your pie crust or buy Pillsbury - I will die on the hill that there is no ready made crust that is any better. We prefer chunkier veggies and more of them so there is less “cream” in the pot pie. This only took 20 minutes to prepare - including the chopping. It was on the dinner table within the hour. We served this with biscuits. My next challenge is to create this in a vegetarian version.  INGREDIENTS: Sauté oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or veggie broth).  3 chicken breasts, cut into chunks or bite size.  Salt Pepper Garlic powder Onion powder 4 celery stalks, chopped into bite size 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced bite size 1 brick of cream cheese 2 heaping tablespoons of flour 1/2 cup of vegetabl...

I walk in to the kitchen and find myself in the middle of a conversation between Tim and Carolyn. Even though the boys are loud, and honestly myself too, Tim and Carolyn seem to be having a very intimate conversation before school. As I'm running through all the tasks at hand that need to be accomplished before they each walk out the door, Tim finds the space between the minutes to make them count. The boys are jabbering on and on about bodily functions and nonsense words whilst tying shoes. Meanwhile Tim and Carolyn could be in their own booth at a cute diner fully engrossed in their discussion. I'm fortunate enough that this is not the first time this scene has played. He loves talking with her...with all the kids. His time is limited and his words are few. But something the kids and I have no doubt about is that most words he speaks are weighed. Tim doesn't say much without first thinking it over. Here is what I hear between the chaos: T: Do you know how much I love your...

Helping people is kinda my jam. I love helping people. Probably to the level of helicopterish. I am sure some have felt as if I have interfered with their space and taken over. Maybe even offended at the thought that they needed help. But, I can say it comes from the best part of me and I am a work in progress. If you are my friend or in my vicinity...you will be helped...whether you like it or not. JK - I have better boundaries now at my ripe old age of 38. But sometimes I CANNOT help myself at helping others and if you love me you'll take this trait and utilize it. If you aren't my friend, yet, then so sorry, steer clear. All joking aside, I really do love helping others with the best of intentions and from the bottom of my heart, without trying to be weird about it. God has knit this trait so deeply in my being that he made the Acts of Service Love Language my least favorite of all the five. Just like any trait if it is stewarded well with boundaries it can be a release of c...

Tim’s family is gracious enough to be guinea pigs on some of my recipes. I wanted to make a vegetarian option of Skyline. The Bengals are going to the Super Bowl so, there has been a shortage of packets of the seasonings for making your own. So I thought I’d give it a try. This recipe was inspired from The Chunky Chef. ***this had a kick, so depending on how much heat you like and how fantastic your chili powder is, I would do more or less of the chili powder.  *** if you use this with ground beef, sauté the beef before adding it to the sauce.  4 cups of water 1 oz. Unsweetened baking chocolate 1 (6oz.) can of tomato paste 2 Tbsp of chili powder 2 tsp cinnamon  2 tsp garlic powder  1 tsp cumin 1/4 tsp allspice  1/4 tsp ground cloves  1/8tsp black pepper 1 tsp salt  1tsp sugar 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar  2 (12oz) packages of meatless crumbles ** we served this over potatoes but you can also serve over spaghetti  Recipe: In a pot, add the water...

  I love any meal that is ONE pot and everyone loves to eat. While this is not vegetarian, I have made with veggie crumbles and it was very tasty too.  RECIPE: 1.5 lbs of ground beef (or 1.5 bags of meatless crumbles) Saute oil 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 white onion, chopped 3-4 large carrots, peeled & sliced ***Optional*** 1/2 container of crimini mushrooms, diced 1 (10.5oz) can of diced tomatoes in chilies  1 container of cherry tomatoes, sliced in crosections ( to save time you could add two cans of diced tomatoes instead of chopping fresh tomatoes) 30 oz. Of tomato sauce 3 cups of beef or vegetable broth (or water) 2Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 packet of dry Italian dressing mix 16oz. Macaroni pasta (I used Banza chickpea pasta noodles) ***Optional Toopings*** Cheddar cheese, chopped parsley, chopped, basil, oyster crackers, sour cream Turn instapot to saute mode. Add a bit of cooking oil to pot. Place ground beef In and sauté till no longer pink, mixing and stirri...