Treasures

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

Thornton Wilder

I Was Tripping

I have run in many beautiful places. One of my favorite places to run is the 10 mile loop around Lady Bird Lake in Austin, TX. This path is mostly crushed granite. It is flanked by several varieties of trees. The Boardwalk section takes you right over the lake. It is a gem in downtown Austin and, as such, is a very busy trail.

One morning, about two miles in to my run I came to a bridge with wooden planks. A lady was walking on the bridge ahead of me. She wore comfortable pants, a button down light weight yellow top and, to my horror, a black bra underneath! Dark bras under light shirts have always puzzled me.

I was deep in thought about this outfit when I tripped on an uneven plank. I flew forward. With arms flailing I caught myself before I face planted! This kind woman made a comment about my good recovery. Embarrassed, I ran off quickly.

I learned a good lesson from this. Judging others will trip me up!

Veggie Combo Pizza

This is my favorite pizza. But I'm the only one in the family who will put this many veggies on a pizza so I understand if you think I'm crazy. But you won't be sorry if you get brave enough to jump out of the pepperoni box and try this! It's delicious!









I started with a store bought thin pizza crust. I added a little spaghetti sauce to that. Then I added a thin layer of mozzarella cheese. After that I had a great time adding everything on the right! Okay, not all of that! That wouldn't fit on one pizza! I had ham slices, broccoli cut into small pieces, orange and yellow peppers chopped, chopped red onion, zucchini (which I actually chopped smaller after I took the picture) and pineapple tidbits. I covered these toppings with more mozzarella cheese. I put my fabulous pizza into a preheated oven at 425 degrees for about 8 minutes or until the cheese looked melted and a little browned.

I could probably eat this every day!

My rating: 5 stars
Boys say: no thanks Mom!

The Monkey and The Bee

The Monkey and The Bee 

by CP Bloom

Illustrated by Peter Raymundo

This is a funny book with very few words. The same words repeat over and over but in new ways as the story progresses. The pictures and the words tell the story here. 

I hope these book reviews are inspiring you to read with your child(ren)!

Mad Cow Tacos

If you live near Austin you probably know the restaurant Torchy's Tacos. But did you know they have a secret menu? I learned about this recently and ordered the Mad Cow Taco from the secret menu. I really liked it. When I took my husband and boys to try it they all liked it too. 

But not all of you are lucky enough to live in Austin! So, here is my version of the Mad Cow Taco for you to enjoy at home.

1.5 lbs skirt steak

2 limes, juiced

1/2 c extra virgin olive oil

2 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper to taste

Place the steak in a large ziplock bag. In a bowl mix the rest of the ingredients. Pour this mixture into the bag with the meat. Let marinade in the refrigerator for two hours. After two hours take the bag out of the refrigerator and let sit on counter for 20 minutes. Heat grill. Remove steak from bag, discarding bag and remaining marinade. Cook steak to your taste. Let the meat sit for five minutes before cutting into thin slices.

small flour tortillas, warmed

shredded colby jack cheese

1.5 c corn, warmed

1/2 can black beans, drained and rinsed then warmed 

avocado, sliced

cilantro, chopped

your favorite cilantro ranch type dressing

To assemble tacos place the meat on the tortilla and then add desired amount of the rest of the ingredients (corn, beans, etc). It's best to have warmed tortillas but it's tricky to do that for a family of six! I use this tortilla holder my wonderful friend Anna gave me to keep the tortillas warm after I warm them on the stove. Then when we all sit down to eat everyone gets a warm tortilla at the same time.

While visiting my aunt this summer I was able to do a little cooking with her. For one recipe she pulled out these herb scissors. I'd never seen these before! These are so great! I found them at my local grocery store and have been using them regularly. They are helpful in this recipe to cut up the cilantro quickly and easily.

Switch out the flour tortillas for corn ones and you have a gluten free meal you can smile about!

Husband rating: 4 stars

Boys say: thumbs up 

Laura's Gift

When I decided to run a marathon I had friends who thought I was crazy. I have to admit, I understood where they were coming from. It sounded crazy to me too. Why would a person run 26.2 miles in a day? It’s one thing to like running. It’s another thing to run a marathon.

Training for a marathon was a major commitment. I had to learn how to fuel my body for hours of continuous exercise. I had to steadily extend my long runs to build my endurance. So I signed up for races of increasing length to prepare for the marathon.

At the end of my first half marathon my legs were wobbly and tired. But I had done it! It gave me the confidence to put my name in the lottery for the St. George Marathon. I was one of the 7,000 lucky runners chosen that year.

About a month before the marathon I ran a 20 mile training run. I started up a canyon in the mountains. As I came to the mouth of the canyon I felt good. I had run this path many times before. I had the trees around me, the river to one side and I was feeling strong. In the valley my speed remained consistent. I was rocking out to my tunes through the neighborhoods and eventually back along the river.

It was the last three miles of this run that were painful. I hadn’t prepared well the night before. I had never gone this far. And frankly, once I finally reached the end I didn’t think I wanted to run a marathon. I didn’t see any way I could run six more miles than I had just run.

The next week I visited with my friend Laura. When I told her I didn’t think I wanted to run the marathon anymore she said, “You have to. You can do it. It’s the best feeling.” Laura had run a marathon before. She knew the feeling of crossing the finish line. She knew it could be done and was worth doing. Her encouragement made the difference. I determined I would finish what I had started. I would run the marathon.

The day of the race was cool and rainy. As I neared the finish line of the St. George Marathon I was completely soaked but I was excited to be on that road. I saw friends who yelled out my name and cheered me on through those last steps. I saw my family waiting there with signs that said they loved me. I was so emotional I could hardly breathe. I’m not sure how it is for everyone but I can’t cry and run at the same time! Laura was right. Finishing the marathon was one of the best feelings ever.

I finished the marathon with the feeling that if I could do that I could do anything. But I never would have had this experience if it weren’t for Laura. Laura’s gift to me was a life-changing moment made possible by her encouragement.

I’ve learned many lessons through running. I’ve even learned how to be a better friend. I want to be like Laura. I want to be the kind of friend who helps others reach their goals. I want to be the kind of friend that tells them they’d be crazy not to set their goals high.

Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee

Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee

By Chris Van Dusen

I don't know how I missed Chris Van Dusen and his books on the first three children! I'm so glad I found him in time to cuddle together and read these clever rhyming books with my youngest son. 

The look of this book, like all of Chris Van Dusen's Mr. Magee books, is unique. The colors are vibrant. The characters make you smile. It's just the kind of fun every children's book should be. Make sure you add this one to your collection!

Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo and Flo

Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo and Flo

by Laurel Molk

These funny mice are always trying to catch something! And Flo wants to help. Our family enjoyed the artwork as much as the words of the story. Be sure to watch for Flo and her popcorn!

Courage

Something Beautiful

Mother Teresa once said, “My prayer is that you make your family something beautiful for God.” As I thought about this it occurred to me that if I were able to contribute to making my family beautiful for God that would be enough for me. In all my pondering about what to do with the time I have there really isn’t anything more important for me to do.

I love the simplicity of this goal. I can do my part to make my family wonderful. And not just wonderful but wonderful for God. God has given me this family. What I can give Him is what I make of it.

This changes how I see challenges in my family. I feel more patient with family members I struggle with because I now see this as a way to prove where my heart is. Is it full of anger and bitterness or full of love? Can I be loving with the goal of creating a better family for God? And really, the irony here is that I feel I am doing this for God, but by following His commandments I get the blessings, not Him! When I am loving and kind I feel happy. I have fewer, if any regrets. I feel His love for my family and for me.

I’ve come to understand that really loving someone is its own gift. When I do something kind for my husband I feel joy. When a son sits in my lap and we read books together I am happy. When I play games with my boys, when I’m totally present in that moment, I savor that time together. The immediate result of loving my family is I feel happy. I am blessed by loving.

It’s easy to miss seeing motherhood in this way, especially when my child decides to be the most stubborn human on the planet! But when I look back on our annual photo albums and recall all the happy times I see the frustrations in their proper place. They are things that happen, but they don’t define our family.

When I see motherhood as a way to love and serve others, even a way to make something beautiful for God, I don’t look at the everyday hard work of cooking, cleaning, nurturing, taxiing, playing, refereeing, teaching and disciplining as terrible work. I see it as the gift God has given me to make, little by little, each day, something lasting and beautiful.

On a morning run along a lake I passed a fenced-off condominium construction area. There were bricks, tools and debris everywhere. I had the thought that we make a big mess in the process of making something beautiful. There’s really no way around that!

Next time I feel like I’m in the middle of a mess at home, figuratively or literally, I’m going to remember that I’m building something beautiful for God.

Gratitude

Shrimpy Pasta

(Picture coming next time I make this! I guess we were hungry. I forgot to snap a picture!)

1 tsp olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

pinch of red pepper flakes

1 lb large frozen shrimp (cooked or not, deveined and peeled), thawed and tails removed

1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce

12 oz linguine noodles

Heat a large pot of water to boiling. Cook noodles according to package instructions.

In a large pan heat 1 tsp olive oil to medium heat. Add onion and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook over medium-low, stirring often, until onion is softened; at least 10 minutes. 

Add shrimp. If the shrimp has not been cooked heat it over medium heat, stirring often, until it is pink and then add the sauce. If the shrimp has already been cooked heat for only a minute or two and then add the pasta sauce. Heat through. 

Serve over linguine noodles. Pair this with roasted green beans and you have a great meal.

Husband rating: 4 stars

Boys say: thumbs up

Pomegranate Power

I thought I'd get creative with some pomegranate juice I had left over from a recipe. This is what I came up with:

1 1/2 c pomegranate juice

1 c frozen blueberries

1 tsp chia/flax seed mix

1 banana

1 c frozen peaches

1/2 c vanilla greek yogurt

Mix all ingredients until smooth. If you need to go dairy-free I think this would still be good even without the yogurt.

My rating: 3.5 stars

Better Lunches

By this time of year you might be getting sick of making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for your kids to take for lunch! You check the lunch menu at school and decide that you'd rather make lunch than have them buy nachos (really? how is that a lunch?) or hamburgers or pizza, yet again. You want your children to have healthy eating habits and, unfortunately, that school lunch just isn't cutting it. But what can you and your children pack for lunches each day? Here are a few tip to mix it up and keep it healthy.

• This time of year I start making soups again. Last night I made Chicken Wild Rice Soup and had enough left to pack in a thermos. This thermos is the perfect size for a lunch box. And it's nice that the boys can have a warm lunch some days. If you don't have time to make soup buy the canned kind. Maybe you could get a Mexican chicken soup and add apple slices, tortilla chips and guacamole. You can also send left over pasta, stew or chili. There are ways to make it fun and give the kids something to look forward to.
• When you need to keep a lunch cold these ice packs are very handy. They give you more options when you're making a lunch. You can find these in the grocery store or even online at sites like Amazon.com.

• Try ham and cheese on a bagel. I don't know why but anything on a bagel seems more fun to my boys. 
• Make a turkey wrap. Inside a tortilla put honey mustard, turkey, provolone cheese and spinach leaves and wrap it up. 
• Club sandwich-If you've made bacon that morning save some for a sandwich. Bacon, turkey, cheese, lettuce and a tomato will make a sandwich that is filling. Don't forget the whole grain bread.
• Peanut butter banana tortilla. Yes, you read that right. I know, I think it's weird too, but my kids like to have a tortilla with peanut butter on one half. Then we slice a half a banana and put those slices on the peanut butter. We fold the tortilla over and you have something my 6 yr old will eat! 
• Peanut butter and honey sandwich. On whole wheat bread this sandwich will give the kids some energy but leave them with some protein that will keep them going for a while. We like the thick honey that comes in tubs.
• For little ones you can get away with finger foods for a lunch. Put turkey, ham slices or even jerky, cheese slices or string cheese, crackers, and veggies or fruits all in little baggies. It's a fun way to have something different for lunch.
• For sides try to avoid the chips. It's easy and quick but there isn't anything good in them for your kids. Always reach for the fruits and veggies first. Kids don't always like veggies, but they do like to dip their food. I have bought compartment tupperware where one part is smaller for the ranch and one part is bigger for the baby carrots, sugar snap peas or cherub tomatoes. I find my boys will eat their apples if I cut them up at home instead of putting a whole apple in their lunch box. Grapes, chopped melons, strawberries, bananas are all good options. Also, yogurts and string cheeses are good side options. This is where those ice packs will come in handy! And don't forget the plastic spoon so your little one can eat the yogurt.
• I would recommend not putting a treat in the lunch box every day. It creates a habit of always having something sweet after a meal. That's not a good habit! Every now and then makes it a treat. Every day makes it a habit.
• Don't forget to add a note! Once in a while I'll put a note on the napkin or on a sticky note and toss it in with the lunch. It's a fun way for my children to know I'm thinking about them while they are away from home. My mother used to do this for me and it made me feel special. Draw a funny face, tell them something you appreciate about them, tell them you love them. These little acts create positive moments that strengthen a relationship. 

Pineapple Yellow Curry

I was in Trader Joe's the other day buying more bbq sauce when I saw a jar of Yellow Curry Sauce. That reminded me of a pineapple curry dinner I had at a Thai restaurant once. I loved that and wanted to make something similar at home. This is what I came up with:

Pineapple Yellow Curry

2 tsp olive oil, divided
1 chicken breast or 2-3 pork chops, cut into small pieces
1/2 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/2 yellow pepper, chopped
1/2 cup pineapple tidbits
1 jar Trader Joe's Thai Yellow Curry Sauce (or more depending on how saucy you want your dinner)

Coat a pan with 1 tsp olive oil and heat to medium-high. Add the meat and cook, stirring frequently, until cooked through. Remove meat to a plate and cover with foil.

Add the last tsp of olive oil to the pan. Add the onions and carrot. Cook over medium heat for 7 minutes. Add the peppers. Cook, stirring often, for 7 minutes.

Pour the sauce into the pan. Put the chicken and the pineapple in the pan. Mix to coat everything and heat through. Serve immediately over your favorite rice.

Husband rating: 4 stars
Boys say: thumbs up