Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving from our little indian!  

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1 

Roasted Green Bean Not-so-casserole

Thanksgiving is less than a week away! That means its time for menu planning and recipe choosing.

Every Thanksgiving I was in charge of green bean casserole--in all of its creamy, cheesy goodness.

Ever since having a baby and breastfeeding, I have had to start watching what I eat. I am still working on losing some baby weight, and we discovered Lucy has trouble digesting any dairy products through my milk.

Cows milk products can cause some babies to be extremely fussy and gassy. So gassy in fact, that they have trouble actually burping or getting the gas out. So I cut dairy out of my diet. {Which is sad. Very sad.} But when you have a screaming baby who you can tell has a terrible little tummy ache, you will eat only cardboard for the rest of your breastfeeding life if it will make them happy!

So I have had "fun" trying to find dairy-free but delicious substitutes for my favorite meals.

If you are going low fat or dairy-free this Thanksgiving, these roasted Green Beans with bacon and caramelized onions will not disappoint. They are roasty and delicious with flavors of roasted garlic, nutmeg and mushrooms {which are missing from the pics, because the husband detests mushrooms and I have to cook them on the side}. This is true love people.

Roasted Green bean Bacon and Garlic Not-so-casserole
1 lb snipped and cleaned green beans
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
2 slices of crispy cooked bacon, diced
4 cloves of garlic, thickly diced
1 tsp nutmeg
salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
4 cremeni mushrooms, thinly sliced (not shown)

Preheat oven to 425. Toss green beans, bacon onions, garlic and mushrooms in olive oil, nutmeg, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes until onions are caramelized and green beans are soft (but not mushy) and not longer crisp.

What is your family's go-to veggie for Thanksgiving?

How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.  Psalm 31:19

Day-After Buffalo Turkey Salad

When I was growing up, the days after Thanksgiving were some of the most terrible of days for me.

Because we had to eat leftovers.

And I do not love leftovers.

Especially after stuffing ourselves silly the night before and then mom and dad expected us to eat the same exact thing all over again. Ugh.

Mom tried to mix it up. She made turkey salad with the leftover turkey.

But I would whine and say, I don't like turkey salad. I don't even like chicken salad.

But then I always had a secret bite and it was delicious. But instead of liking it, I wanted to pout instead, because we were having the same thing for dinner. Again. Like 3 days in a row.

Now that I'm older, and much much wiser, I actually relish the after-turkey day turkey salad making. I think because I understand that its just plain not cool to waste that much turkey.

And because I get to be in charge of what I eat the day after thanksgiving. Even if I give myself the same rules. {Leftovers}. I still get to decide. So it automatically becomes more fun.

This year I added some Franks Red Hot. And it was a great choice. One that I made all by myself.

So put your sweatpants back on and have some fun with your leftovers.

Buffalo Turkey Salad
2 cups leftover turkey, chopped
1/3 cup celery, diced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1/3 cup mayonnaise with Olive oil
Seasoned Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
1 tsp garlic powder
Franks Red Hot, to taste

Combine all ingredients, stirring until creamy and chunky. If too dry, add more mayonnaise. If not spicy enough, add more Franks!

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17

Thankfulness

Today is a day for giving thanks.

For gathering around the table with the people you love, or the people you've just met, and invited into your home.

For appreciating the people in your life and reflecting on the year that you've had.

I thought about my family and the year we've had. And it was a doozie.

My big sister and her family moved to Texas.

I found out my little sister is also moving 1.5 hours away in January.

My in-laws had a house fire and had to vacate their home.

I lost my job.

And yet, I am so grateful amongst all of these trials that happened this year.

Because, you see, God didn't just stop there.

There was a mountain after the valley.

Last weekend, I went to visit my big sister in Texas, and she loves it there. And I can see her building a beautiful home away from home in Texas.

My little sister is moving 1.5 hours away to follow her dreams of becoming a nurse.

My in-laws got the okay to move back into their upgraded and dazzling RENEWed home, yesterday.

I got a brand new job. And it rocks.

God doesn't just bring a valley into our lives and then walk away. He has a plan. And the plan usually involves a lot of time on our knees, begging. And it involves a lot of people in your life coming together and surrounding you with love. And then we find ourselves, once again, on our knees, in thanks.

I am so thankful life isn't easy.

And that, amidst all the heartache, pain, and trouble in this world, there is beauty. Beauty so grand, that it can only be seen from a mountaintop. A mountaintop that we could only find, on our way up out of the valley.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"In everything give thanks." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Mediterranean Hummus Dip

Where WAS I this past week?

I know, I know, I'm a total slacker, and haven't blogged in a week. I'm having withdrawal. I hope you are too.

I was away for work and then made my way off to visit the lovely city that features these:

Yup. Those are the World's Largest Cowboy boots. And they're in San Antonio, TX.

Fun Fact: They are 40 feet tall and 35 feet wide. And I couldn't stop staring at them as I was driving by. Like, craning my neck backwards to watch them.

I was visiting my big sis who just moved semi-cross country to San Antonio.

And it was a blast.

We went to a wedding, which a) served Margaritas for FREE, and b) the guests stood up and broke out in applause when the bride came in??

So, it was basically what I imagine traveling to Mexico might be like, but with the Texas logo stamped on everything.

And mi amigo, let me tell you, it was quite the place. I can't wait to go back.  OR to break out into applause at the next wedding I am at, just to test it out.

So... this hummus has absolutely nothing to do with Texas.  Or mexican food. Or weddings.

But its delicious and you'll thank me for being random later. And you'll thank my mom for introducing me to this heavenly mediterranean dip. And then you will thank the plate after you lick it.

And as this is the week of thanks, and of being thankful, it may just be the perfect appetizer to kick off your Thanksgiving feast! {Look at me covering all my bases.} Yep. That's what happens when I'm gone for a week.

I promise I'll get my act together shortly.

Mediterranean Layered Hummus Dip


8 oz. Pine Nut or choice hummus
1 small vine ripe tomato, diced
6-8 Calamata olives in brine, diced
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup feta cheese crumbles.

Spread hummus evenly over a serving dish. In rings, add tomatoes, calamata olives, onions, and feta cheese.

*You can also add cucumbers, but I forgot.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15