Same Kind of Different As me

I just finished reading this book! I can honestly say that it should be life changing.  I won't say much about the content of the book because my family reads this blog and one of them (Julie) hates to have any information about the things she reads or watches.  It is hard to imagine the struggles these characters endure and more astonishing to know it's real people.  If you feel like God is trying to soften your judgemental heart, then this book may assist you on that journey. May we all remember that God created man in his image. Therefore, EVERYONE is an image bearer. How far we have fallen from that image, but none the less that is what we all are. I hope this book changes my life forever.

Perfect Green Beans

If you have ever visited the Pioneer Woman's blog you know she starts a lot of her recipes as the perfect whatever.  Well this is not her recipe but my mom's.  You will only love these if you are ready to let go of the southern cooked all day green beans and a huge fan of garlic. Ok here you go!


Perfect Green Beans
2-3 handfuls of green beans (depends on how much you prefer)
3 garlic cloves
1 Tbsp olive oil (maybe more)
1 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce (maybe more)
a couple Tbsp of water

Snap ends of green beans.  In a medium - large sauce pan at medium high heat add olive oil, green beans, and garlic on top.  I don't like sauteeing the green beans first because I think the flavor is richer this way.  Stir frequently until the green beans start to turn bright green, then add water and soy sauce and cover with lid.  The water helps the green beans to steam and cook more evenly.  I usually open often and stir and just taste the green beans until they are the right crunchy-softness.  I prefer not to mushy, but they need to steam at least 5 minutes.

Marinade
We found this marinade for fish and used it on Tilapia.  The website was Life123.
2 c. olive oil
1 c. dry white wine
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 garlic cloves ( i used 3)
1/2 tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste
Let marinate for at least two hours for grilling.  Also we have a very similar recipe for pork chops or fresh ham you just leave out the wine and paprika and add honey.

Scary, me grilling!

Ok, here's our meal. Grilled tilapia, perfect green beans, and olive bread 

(recipe from Pioneer Woman's blog) served with a glass of Chardonay!

It really was good!

Training Day!

Ok, I'm kidding that is too intense for this post, but I'm sticking with it.  Today I woke up at 6 am and said "can I do this?"  I would like to clarify that what I will refer to as running is really best described as "not walking, but definitely not running either!"  Saturday I decided it was time to start running again, for like the 10th time since Andrew and I got married 1 1/2 years ago.  This is not to say marriage is the problem; I've said before I'm an inconsistent person, and this is just the proof.  Since it's crazy hot here in the Midlands of SC, I've decided if I want a shot in sticking with this I need to get up before work and run.  So yesterday and today I've managed to roll out of bed and hit the trail across from our house.  It's been good, but I'm definitely exhausted. I don't know how I will manage to battle the humidity in August if it's alread this bad(scary).  So the goal is to be able to keep up with Papa Clark in his next 5k.  Papa Clark has recently ran a 5k and placed 2nd in his age group!  Big shoes to fill, or keep up with in this case. 

Punkin' Patch

On Saturday, Andrew decided it was the day to plant our pumpkins.  They have to be planted in June to be ready for October.  So hopefully we will get to show you their progress!

Andrew tilling the ground!

Soaking the "hills" before planting seeds!

Ok you can guess, planting seeds!

Ok, well there's our pumpkin patch.  We'll let you know how it goes!

one nation UNDER GOD

Most Americans have recited those words at least several thousand times throughout their life.  However, our nation acts much more as if the government calls the shots than as if they were listening for guidance and direction.  These thoughts were brought on by the timing of the primaries for the Governor's race and reading the next chapter "Feet of Trees" in Searching for God knows What by Donald Miller.  He talks about his path of rejecting the god he created in his mind and then finding the true and living God, the Bible describes.  Miller speaks of televangelists and politicians that use god to support their ideas and purposes.  Remember passages where Zacharias was "gripped with fear" when seeing the angel, an angel, not even God, just a heavenly host terrified him.  Others when an angel encountered Joseph in a dream and said "Do not fear", it seems fear is just a given when confronted with God and his heavenly hosts.  America does not fear the Lord. Instead, we have become too comfortable with the forgiving God, and we've forgotten that his forgiveness came at a huge cost; His only son's life.  We take God too lightly and mold him to our likeness instead of the opposite. As we listen to politicians let us remember to not make them our god. Yes let us pray for our leaders, but not pray to them.  When your favorite politician speaks about God, use scrutiny and wisdom and ask "is this how God describes his ways and plans?" This is what I know for sure about God's priorities:
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22: 36-40
I don't know about you, but I could easily spend my life working on those two!

Work Hard, Play Hard

Andrew and I have an almost two acre yard, so it takes a while to get the yard work done. This is ok, because we both love to cut grass. It works for us. So we also moved some bushes to even out the front, planted some amarillos, and mulched the flower beds. After working hard, we took Gage to the pond. She was a puppy through the winter, so this was her first real chance to swim. Andrew did some training lessons with her. Everything looks prettier with mulch! Too embarrassed to show you those canas before the mulch!

A Balanced Diet

Well we all know that it's important to eat your fruits and veggies. Andrew and I have been trying to be better about it as well. Apparently, we have not given Gage a diverse enough diet. On Memorial Day Monday Gage and I were enjoying the morning on the deck. I looked over and noticed she was enjoying the plums that had fallen from the plum tree. Sorry Gage you're right fruits are an important part of a healthy diet. Also, the last picture is the produce that Andrew and I picked out of the garden on memorial day: our first two cucumbers, two bell peppers, a ton of green beans you can't see, a lot of zucchini, and one squash.