Eeny Meeny Miny Moe

Warning: If you are not from Memphis/Nashville there might be some names that you don't know...but I am sure you can fill them in with ones you do...

So I have had something on my mind lately...and it's kind of a touchy subject and one that most people don't really talk about even when they talk about it. We kind of skirt around the issue and then we make reasons why we feel the way we do and it makes it alright...so here we go..

I grew up in a small city called Memphis...hehe. I kid...it was actually rather large...much larger than the city I now take residency in. I loved Memphis. Some might find this odd...seeing that Middle and East Tennessee don't really acknowledge its presence. For 17ish years it was home. Now I didn't live in the heart of Memphis...who really did...we all claimed our suburb. There were many things that made it feel like home...Kenwood Lane, Katie, Maura and Laura, the Wendy's on the corner of Stage and Bartlett Blvd., Bartlett High School, Wolfchase, Hickory Hollow, Mall of Memphis, Oak Court(all depending on what decade it was and when it was not being held up by gun point), oops don't forget Raleigh Springs...and lastly one place in particular made my life in Memphis feel like home...Bartlett Baptist Church. I went to Bartlett Baptist Church for most of my life. I went there through children's programs, handbell concerts, Hanging of the Green, choir practice, youth trips galore, Gentle Breeze, Midnight Cry, special solos, giving my life to Jesus and my baptism. If those doors were open...I was pretty much there...but not in the "my parent was a minister and I was there if the doors were open and now I am having to learn what church really means" way. It was an extremely positive and influential place in my life. But there were many things that happened while I was there that many would consider not so positive. We went through three pastors...with space in between, we went through a couple youth ministers, we had a church split which caused maybe 30-40% of our congregation to go start their own church, we went through a couple college and career ministers, we talked about relocating and rebuilding um for pretty much my whole life...having different offerings etc to support this goal, and we never moved while I was there. Now with those stats you would probably say..."Wow, why did you stay?" Because God was there. Because if God wasn't there I would have never given my life to Him, my brother would have never given his life to Him, and my dad would have never given his life to Him as well. I have come to learn that God is in the messy. He actually loves being in the messy. But why do we always leave? What makes us run? Why are we so quick to check out of a church the moment it doesn't fit the picture that we have painted it to be. What makes us skip from church to church to church dissecting every aspect of it...sorting the things we like, love and the things we could never deal with. I do not want to belittle those that God has called away to another church, I know that He does this and it is out of obedience that you go...but I am also sure of something else...God does not call us to dissect his "body"...the church... on our way out.

Since moving to Nashville it has come to my attention that there are a cornucopia of churches to choose from...from where I am sitting in my bed typing right now there are 5 churches in a 5 miles radius of me. I just did a google search and it says that there are 405 churches in Nashville. 405. Think about that number in a different light...what if we had 405 Publix's or 405 Pei Wei's(yum) or 405 Targets(hollar!). It's a lot of one thing! Too much of one thing? When you move here a lot of people tell you to just kind of "shop around" and see what really fits you...where you feel connected...honestly what fits your needs. So that's what people do. They shop. Here are some labels that some of the Nashville churches have received.( these have not been given by me...they are pretty known by the people of Nashville...at least those who have "shopped" before) This church is really all about the teaching...you will sacrifice with the worship...but the teaching is great for those who really want to dig deep. This church is extremely traditional...they are still pretty much doing things how they have for the last 100 years. This church is the new..."college student" church...aka "cool" church. This church has really good teaching and worship but everyone has coach bags and drives fancy cars. This church really reaches out to the homeless and missions. This church meets in a theater so its very inviting. This church is old and outdated...they need new leadership. This church has lots of money and spends it on "non-important" things. Does anyone else see the pattern? Me...me...me...with a little side of me...and just a little bit more me on top. Oh wait...don't forget about me. Why do we feel the need(myself included) to belittle God's church to the point of giving them a label that defines who you think they are and what they are about. So much that you make people feel guilty for which one these choose..."Oh, so you chose the less teaching more worship...interesting." "Ohhhh so looking your best and "fitting in" is what matters most to you." "Man, I wish you cared more about missions". " So you are still pretty old school in your thinking about biblical issues" You laugh and say...whatever...this doesn't happen. Uh yeah. It does.

405 churches. 405 churches and we are still not satisfied with the choices. This city should be shouting at the rooftops praises to His name...instead were just kicking each other around.

Soup Sunday

So it's that time of week again... today was an especially great Sunday! This morning our church had their last service in the movie theater that we have been meeting in for the last 5 years. The manager of the theater got to work at 6:00 this morning to pop popcorn for the whole congregation! We celebrated where we have been and where we are going! Next week we start meeting in our new place...the Warehouse!! We are so excited!! Whit was flying in this morning from Columbus where he was playing with Plumb....all the sudden in the midst of me singing at church I looked over and he was standing beside me! There might have been hugs and such exchanged.:)

It has been such a rainy time here in Nashville...it rained three days last week...then today...and I looked at the week forecast and what do you know...everyday this week! But secretly I kind of like it...because I think its means that on the other side of this wet mess will be "true" fall...the kind of fall that needs a light jacket...that kind that makes you want to go pick apples and dip them in caramel...oh is that just me?!...you know...bliss fall.

So with all that said! Whit and I made a really really yummy soup tonight that I made last fall and Whit l.o.v.e.d...so since he had been gone a lot for the last 2 weeks I picked it! We made the soup and got all cozy on the couch and are now watching the Emmy's....I love award shows and soup and quilts and Whit.:) SO try this soup this week and it can keep you warm and dry through the flood!

GERMAN SAUSAGE AND CABBAGE SOUP

INGREDIENTS
1 T margarine or butter
3 cups coleslaw blend (from 16oz. pkg.)
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 t caraway seed
12oz. precooked kielbasa, cut into 1/2 inch slices.
3 cups frozen hashbrowns (you can use a bit more if you like)
2 14 1/2 oz. cans chicken broth
1/4 t ground black pepper


Melt margarine in large stockpot over medium heat. Add coleslaw blend, onion, and caraway seed; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender.

Add all remaining ingredients; mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Side notes: Okay...okay...I know what you are thinking...I don't like coleslaw, I don't know if I like kielbasa and what the heck is caraway seed...I'm telling you...all the ingredients come together to make a glorious combination...you don't taste one particular thing. I will say though that I take out all the purple pieces of the coleslaw before adding it...not a fan:)

We like to pair this soup with "Jiffy" cornbread. Yumbo.

Hope you enjoy!!

Boot Scootin' Boogie

...because Fall means you need a new pair of boots....meet my new pair.:)

With an oink oink here...

Okay. So I don't usually get on board when people get scared and frantic about some disease that is going around...I usually get annoyed with how they scare everyone into a frenzy. But today I was watching Dr. Oz and he was talking about the swine flu and how they are estimating that 50% of the population will catch this specific flu, younger adults, pregnant women and children are more susceptible then the "regular" flu that usually effects the elderly on a higher degree. Dr. Oz is all about the prevention, he believes with most things it can be prevented rather then waiting till afterwards to deal with the issue. So because I love you all I wanted to give you the 5 things Dr. Oz said that you can do in order to prevent you and your family from catching the swine flu this season.

1. Get your flu shot. Doctors believe that if the flu shot you receive for the common flu helps then it will also help in fighting against the swine flu, plus its a bonus...you won't get the other flu either! Side note: I've already gotten mine:)

2. Eat Probiotics. Eating yogurt and soy products. These are healthy bacteria important for digestive health which in turn help fight the flu.

3. Washing hands regularly and using anti-bacterial hand sanitizer. Honestly I don't do this a lot. At all. But it's rare I get sick...hmmm.

4. Vitamin D. Flu breakouts usually happen in places with low solar radiation. During the winter we tend to get less sun exposure which produces low Vitamin D in our bodies...so supplements are needed. Those who take these have better luck avoiding the flu. It also helps to get out into the open air...we tend to stay in our houses during these months.

5. Keep fit. Aerobic activity improves the exchange of oxygen to keep the immune system strong and lungs clear. Just remember to wipe down equipment at the gym before and after using.

Soooooo I hope you all have a healthy and happy swine flu free fall/winter. Oink! Oink!

Soup Sunday

SO for the past two years Lindsay and I have had what we like to call "Soup Sunday". This is something that starts in the Fall and continues through the season. We would swap back and forth every week in our soup recipe responsibility...we brought lots of yummy soups to the table every week and as you know most soups last you through the week...so that was a bonus! I will be honest in saying I was a little scared that SS would end now that I am married and consequently we are no longer roommates...but Lindsay reassured me that Soup Sunday would still continue in full force for the 3rd year. I thought that I would post the recipes every week so you can partake in the soup goodness if you choose. I probably will not be including pictures seeing that soups don't usually photo well...its not its best feature.

Today Lindsay is celebrating 6 months of dating bliss with David...so this soup was Lindsay-free.

TOMATO ARTICHOKE SOUP

INGREDIENTS
2 large cans tomato soup
3-4 small(14.5 oz.) cans of diced tomato
2 large jars of artichokes diced and quartered
2 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 cup heavy cream (yeah this isn't fat free:))
Pepper

This is extremely simple. All you have to do is pour/empty all the ingredients into the "soup pot" and let it come to an almost boil and reduce to a simmer. The number of cans you use for the the diced tomatoes and artichokes is completely up to you...whether you want a more chunky soup or not. I usually add more than it says...I like lots of artichokes in every slurp.:) Add pepper to taste(I use LOTS of cracked pepper). This soup makes a large pot so you can eat on this all week...and you will want to. Enjoy!!

We like to pair this yummy soup with grilled cheese...it's great for dunking!

Sam's 2nd Birthday!

Here are some cute pictures I took from Sam's 2nd Birthday party a couple weekends ago! We had a great time...I can't believe he is already two years old! Sam loves Curious George...he takes him everywhere and makes sure he is always included...so this party was CG themed!

Sam and Mom!

Sam's little cake!

I think he liked it:)

He started trying to eat the cake through the straw!



His very own John Deere Tractor.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!!
(can you stop growing up so fast!? Thanks.:))

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

So. I am not a huge fan of Martha. Stewart that is. You would think that jail time would humble a person...give them some perspective. But ohhh nooooo not for Martha. She is still all-knowing on all levels and is sure to let people know that every single episode, book, website, and magazine. I honestly think if I were a celebrity or a guru in some craft I would pass on the Martha Show....so that I wouldn't leave feeling like I know less about said craft. BUT all this said....she has some great recipes. Dang her. And with my love of fall and my eagerness to usher it in I decided to make a dessert that is full of pumpkin and spice...and everything nice:) I thought I would share them with you all! They turned out fabulous..or as Martha would say..."It's a good thing."

Ingredients

Makes 12 whoopie pies

• FOR THE PUMPKIN WHOOPIE COOKIES
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon ground cloves
• 2 cups firmly packed dark-brown sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups pumpkin puree, chilled
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• FOR THE CREAM-CHEESE FILLING
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Make the cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves; set aside.
   

In another large bowl, whisk together brown sugar and oil until well combined. Add pumpkin puree and whisk until combined. Add eggs and vanilla and whisk until well combined. Sprinkle flour mixture over pumpkin mixture and whisk until fully incorporated.

Using a small ice cream scoop with a release mechanism, drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Transfer to oven and bake until cookies are just starting to crack on top and a toothpick inserted into the center of each cookie comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely on pan.

Assemble the whoopie pies: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Transfer filling to a disposable pastry bag and snip the end. When cookies have cooled completely, pipe a large dollop of filling on the flat side of half of the cookies. Sandwich with remaining cookies, pressing down slightly so that the filling spreads to the edge of the cookies. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate cookies at least 30 minutes before serving and up to 3 days.

ENJOY!