Simple Summer Squash Salad

Simple Summer Squash Salad

Summer food should be pretty.  The sun is shining.  The gardens are bursting with fragrant herbs and brightly hued fruits the way God imagined and created them.

While I didn’t grow the items found in this summer salad, I did buy them at the Whole Foods in Buckhead (a delightful shopping, eating, and living area of Atlanta).  This Whole Foods takes the cake on any one I’ve been in.  The produce alone would be reason to keep coming back to it again and again.  I remember the first time I took our older son in there.  He exclaimed “watermelon” while looking at the sample containter of beautiful red, completely juicy, delicious watermelon.  (And that was the first time he had said it!)

IMG_1275

And another favorite thing I love about this salad is the dressing.  I do love to make my own, but when you’ve found a simple summer vinaigrette such as this one: Brianna’s Real French – why waste the time in making my own?  It is slightly tangy and fragrant and rests lightly on any food you put it on (this salad and our pink grapefruit salad are our two favorites).  And if you want to know where to get the delicious Yard Blend that I use in this side dish, contact my friend Jayme over at Holly and Flora.

So, without further ado – here is a perfectly simple summer side dish that would be a great accompaniement to your next light summer affair.  Get some crusty bread, cheese, wine, berries, and this – night well made.

This recipe was inspired by Laura’s.

Simple Summer Squash Salad
Author: 
Recipe type: Vegetable
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 2-3
 
Simple summer squash in a light vinaigrette with salty, smooth goat cheese
Ingredients
  • 2 yellow summer squash, sliced in ribbons
  • 1 zucchini, sliced in ribbons
  • 2-3 T Brianna's Real French Vinaigrette
  • pinch of salt and pepper
  • ½ tsp of Holly & Flora's Yard Blend
  • 2 T crumbled goat cheese
Instructions
  1. To slice ribbons in your vegetables, I used the side of my box grater with the long grating option.
  2. Toss your sliced vegetables in everything but the goat cheese. Let marinate for about 20 minutes
  3. Crumble the goat cheese on top before serving.
 

 

 

This Week in the Charming South Kitchen

Queso Quiche

Later this week, I’ll give you a “state of the blog” address.  After a long discussion earlier this week, I will be narrowing my focus here on the blog and in life – and be able to really master one area and serve my family, those who come into my home, and our church well during this season of life.

Here’s what I’m making this week:

BBQ Pork Chops (recipe forth coming)

Roasted Chicken with a Dill Aoli on Sourdough (Sandwich of the Week)

Pretzel No Bakes (Two Peas just had a little baby this past week – congrats!)

Smores Pie

Summer Salad

Squash Salad with Grilled Chicken

Migas and Bacon

Pink Grapefruit Salad

Pumpkin Muffins (bring on the fall)

Green Smoothie for breakfast (my husband drank one the other day and said he felt amazing all morning.  Its a wonder what healthy foods will do for your body!)

The picture above is of a queso quiche I made late last week and I am eager to share the recipe with yall – since we certainly ate it all quickly.

Enjoy.  Please tell me what foods you are cooking this week!

No Bake Fudge S’mores Pie

National Smores Day

Don’t you love how life teaches you lessons?  We all have days where we learn valuable lessons that will profit us to use them in the future.

Like don’t go out without an umbrella if skies are threatening rain.

Don’t date guys who don’t love Jesus first and foremost.

Always wear the same shoes – vital.

Love above all else.

When you get hurt (and you will), don’t hurt in return because it doesn’t do anyone any good.

Leave your heart open for new relationships and friendships.

And this S’mores Pie.

No Bake Fudge Smores Pie

I found out on Instagram yesterday that today is National S’mores Day (who is in charge of making these things up, anyway?).  So, all I had to do was get a few things from the store and this pie is all set for when we get home from church tonight.  It is dark, fudge, not too sweet, and topped with fluffy, sugary goodness.  Slightly burnt edges – just like the perfect campfire marshmallow before you smush it between some chocolate and graham crackers.

The lesson I learned in making this pie?  Buy a culinary torch.  It will just do you wonders and save bunches of time (because my life as a full-time mommy comes first to my adventures in The Charming South Kitchen, so I’ve gotta use those nap times wisely).  At least I was able to sip on my McDonald’s diet coke while I was waiting for my lighter to slightly burn the edges of the marshmallows.  (I adapted this recipe from Brown Eyed Baker)

No Bake Fudge S'mores Pie
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: Pie
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8-10
 
No need for a campfire or an oven for this pie. Chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows.
Ingredients
  • 1 graham cracker crust, chilled
  • 6 oz bittersweet chocolate
  • 2 oz dark chocolate
  • ⅓ cup plus 1 T heavy whipping cream
  • 1¾ teaspoon light corn syrup
  • 3 T unsalted butter
  • ¾ bag large marshmallows
  • handful mini marshmallows
Instructions
  1. Heat the cream and light corn syrup on stove until slightly boiling (you don't want to overheat it because it will burn).
  2. Pour the heated cream mixture over the chocolate and stir until smooth.
  3. Add the butter and stir until creamy.
  4. Gently spread the chocolate mixture in the bottom of the graham cracker pie crust
  5. Place the marshmallows on top, gently pressing them into the fudge filling.
  6. Heat with a torch or match or however you want to light them, to the crispiness of your liking.
  7. Let come to room temp before serving
  8. Cut slices and serve.
 

Marshmallows

 

This Week in the Charming South Kitchen

Charming South Kitchen

Do your weeks ever change on the fly and fly by all that once?  Well, ours definitely changes from time to time, depending mainly on my taste buds and my time in the kitchen.  So, I’m going to start just posting menus for the week but not really putting days with them unless they go with a specific moment in our week.

This week I have several friends coming to visit.  And I’ve totally changed our eating.  And we get a raincheck to celebrate the mister.  All good things.

Garden Fresh Baked Frittata featured on my favorite AR eggs company’s site.

Greek Chicken Burgers with Tzatziki sauce and grilled zuks

Chicken Casserole with frozen vegetables

Crock Pot Maple Pork Chops (with greens)

Green Smoothie

Salad featuring Red Grapefruit and Avocado – perfect taste of summer

And there you have it. As you can see – pretty grain free.  I think its hard to go grain free for breakfast (eggs get boring) and lunch (because I love sandwiches and pizza)!  But, its working so far and I feel better!

 

Banan

 

Creatives: Southern Celebration with All She Wrote Notes

posted in: creatives, Uncategorized | 1

All She Wrote Notes

Do you ever find someone so delightful that they leave a lasting impression on your soul?  Do you ever taste food and enjoy company for what it truly is – an artform and a perk of living in the south?  Do you ever watch a storm roll in and hope that it doesn’t rain to ruin in your party and pray that it does just so you get a chance to feel the rain on your face and dance in some puddles?

All of this happened while I was in North Carolina this week and eating dinner with the lovely Maghon Walker of All She Wrote Notes: the totally southern calligraphy gal that loves gold, food, running, and all things celebration.

We ate dinner (my first time) at Top of the Hill which is a staple for any UNC-Chapel Hill grad.  Then we stopped by the decadent Sugarland Bakery down the street (which provided our wedding cake) and in between stopped and took some photos of the shimmery Maghon.

Maghon Walker

Why calligraphy?  Because she loves to celebrate.  Most of her calligraphy orders are done in order to help someone celebrate?  My new motto is intentionally creative – so this was perfect.  She is creative – and helps people celebrate.

Celebrations come in many forms: birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, promotions, or you could just celebrate the fact that it is Thursday – and you need something to celebrate.

Franklin Street

Maghon also directs new creatives (so, anyone, really) to not try to copy others and their work.  Be your own and you will be successful.  So many out there find a certain style of lettering and copy it and call it their own.  In the writing business that is called plagiarism and in same goes for the lettering front.  Be your own person – find your own style – be successful at being you!

Maghon Walker

If you are in the need of anything southern and prettily lettered – contact Maghon and she will be happy to help you.

If you are ever in Chapel Hill – go to Sugarland and Top of the Hill.

If you are ever in a rain storm – dance in the puddles!

All She Wrote Notes Takes Sugarland

Kenan Hill Art

I do totally think the phrase suits Maghon to a T.  Thanks Averi for showing me your Kenan Hill Print.

Short How-To Study the Bible

posted in: Bible, Uncategorized | 2

How to Study the Bible

Most of us, if we are Christians, know that we are to read the Bible – the Word of God.  But, so many of us feel intimidated to open the book up so often times it sits on a shelf – even decorated pretty with flowers or other books – and collects dust.  Or maybe we just let others study the Bible for us and we are tempted to stay only with a book study with questions already done for us.

There is so much you can get out of studies already written, but I challenge you to dig deeper and study the Bible for yourself.  The good thing of being a Christian (among others) is the the Spirit lives inside of us and gives us His guidance when coming to the Bible to read it and gain wisdom, joy, and abundant life.

This blog post isn’t exhaustive, but I hope it is a start to your journey in studying the Bible or yourself.  And believe me, when you do this – it will help with your parenting and your marriage relationship and your relationship with friends and neighbors.  The Word of God is impactful for every area of life.

Start:

1.  I would start with a Bible (I use the ESV Journaling Bible – there are wide margins for you to take notes and there aren’t any notes from other authors – only the Word of God).

2.  Other things that would prove helpful to you are pens, pencils, and a notebook.

3.  If you are curious to what “experts” say – go to them later.  At least first sit down with just a Bible and the Holy Spirit and bathe in the Word for yourself.  It is living and active and you can understand it!

4.  First things first, take time to read through the Word.  Just read it.  Most of the smaller books of the Bible can be read in one sitting.  Do that.  While you are studying a given book of the Bible, I would encourage you to read it often.  Get an app on your phone and read it while waiting in line or sitting in the carpool line for your children.  You would be amazed at how much you remember when you read it often.

5.  Then I would challenge you to write it out.  Thats what the journal is first for.  Write it – even though  you have read it writing it will bring new findings to your mind.  Make note of those!

6.  Then ask yourself these three questions: (and there are other methods, but these are mine) – which I think are maximized for what you need for growth in The Lord and in the Gospel.  What does God say about himself in these verses?  What therefore do you learn about yourself in these verses?  How do these verses point you to the Gospel.

7.  For further study: look at commentaries, read or listen to sermons on that particular book of the Bible, ask questions, look at the rest of Scripture to see what the Word has to say about that passage.  But, first – let the Word of God speak for itself!  The Holy Spirit will be your Guide

You may be in a book of the Bible for a long period of time – but in time you will learn much about God, yourself, and the Gospel.  Let it soak in.  He is worth your time!

Sundays in the South

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Macon Georgia

Sundays in the South…

Church.  Porch Swings.  Family.  Lemonade.  Football.  Books and blankets.   Flipflops.  Sand.

All the good things in life.

If I lived in my dream home – I think this would be my working island (bar) in front of a glorious window to suck up all the sunshine and see the blue sky or enjoy a good stormy day.

I love lemonade – but I want to cut the sweetness of it.  Maybe this one would hit the spot.

Since I’m in the gym these days working on my shoulders – I think this dress in its glorious purple hue might just be a good motivation!

Sundays definitely mean football, but football is also played on Saturday – and I love the Gators.

Church: more than hats and gloves and cool jeans and loud concerts or short preaching.  More about community and the Gospel.  Build a culture of community (living the gospel) in your church and home.

 

Ephesians on Kindle (SO EXCITED)

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Ephesians

 

Big announcement: Prayers for the Journey: Ephesians edition is finally on Kindle!  That’s right – I have a self-published book on Amazon!!!

Here is a review of it on the CBMW site via my friend Courtney Reissig

If you haven’t heard of Prayers for the Journey – it is a kindle book devotional with journaling pages that literally walks through specific verses in Ephesians (or other books of the Bible) and helps wives know how to pray the word for their husbands.  I’ve been writing these since I got married, but have been learning about praying for my husband for two decades.

There are so many people to thank:

My parents and in-laws : thank you for always being an encouragement and my greatest fans

My Mister: thank you for being one who sanctifies me and prays for me – and also my first editor

Amy Torcasso: My designer – who also did the work on Treasuring Christ when I was writing it – but now we stay in touch through this!  Super talented and selfless

Sarah Popovczak: My editor for this edition of the Prayers for the Journey – she’s about to be a mom too!

Amelia McNeilly: A great publicist and encourager and the one who got this worked out for Kindle

Phyllis Robshaw: Amazing mentor and the one who lives out this act of praying for her husband and family and me – by praying the Word.

My Little Misters: Dudes that will make amazing husbands one day – and I’m already praying for them as they will be husbands to precious wives.

Margo Bowen: a mom of many and grandmom to many and a wife to one.  Thank you for loving my Mister as a son and for writing the introduction to this edition.

Future Editions: Nehemiah is available now on the blog for free.  Colossians is being typed up now and getting ready to be sent to my editor before she has her baby.  James is being written and prayed.  1 Peter is the the next one in the works.

Thanks all.  Please feel free to get the word out.  2.99 is a great deal and its for your kindle!

This Week in the Charming South Kitchen

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July is gonna be one busy month.  And since I’ve buckled down on the healthy eats (cleaner food, healthier food) to get off this baby weight and just weight I’ve put on since being back in Raleigh in 2010 – it may change things up a bit.

The Mister and I were talking in Hilton Head this weekend about how I’d miss eating fun food.  Most fun food is not healthy – like massive sweet potato pancakes drizzled with pecan brittle and syrup.  Doused with whipped cream – the real stuff.  I mean come on.  But, he helped me to see that you don’t have to cut out fun food entirely – just limit it and have smaller portions.  And make clean healthy food fun too!  It sure is pretty!

I also have a friend coming in town who loves to adventure, cook, and take photos as much as I do.  And we have a date night this week! 🙂

Monday: A kale quiche with havarti and turkey sausage

Tuesday: Panzanella and Grilled Chicken

Wednesday: Date night!

Thursday: Grilled Peach Pizza m Love and Olive Oil

Friday: Leftovers and random food all wknd since the Mister is at a conference.

Other times: macarons and zucchini muffins

What I Learned Today:

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blue hydrangea

I love living life with people and catching up with friends.  Today was one of those days.  And for me, catching up and hanging out usually teaches me something.  Today was no different.

I’m so glad friends are in our lives.  Especially during a season with much pain, I’m thankful for those friends that brighten your day and soothe you and make you feel right at home: no matter where you are.

Three things I learned today:

1.  Being known is something that is sweet – but you don’t want everyone to know you.  I really love having honest relationships with people (and even here on the blog). I love living life with folks and knowing what goes on in their lives and what God is teaching them – what they are walking through.  But, there are times when being known hurts and is painful.  You can do one of two things at that moment – and I think you have to know which moment you are in : walk away or persevere.  You have to decide for yourself with much prayer which one you should do in any given moment.  Walk away – maybe the relationship is a harmful one for you – you need to walk away.  But, in the most important relationships: your marriage, family, or tried and true friends – you persevere.

2. What do you want to be known for? How do people describe you to others? What do you want to be known for to either friends or strangers? There are some adjectives that I would love to be described as – and then there are some, that right now I’m not, but I want to be – so I know what areas I need to work on.

3. Travel – I love it. My friend travels for her job. She is not married and has the luxury of doing so. She packs up and heads out and pours into the community she is in for any given time. I love to travel and see the world. It is much harder with a husband and kids. But, I love living a life of an adventure. That’s why we are always in the car (except during nap time). I want to explore my area – which is ATL and is amazing to explore.

What are you learning right now?