Random

I'm one of those people that keeps many tabs open in my browser until I've had a chance to write about them, forward, save, etc., etc. Josh thinks I'm nutso and that it's my own fault when my computer slows down or goes wonky. I say it's the price I have to pay for saving such valuable information. I'm a real martyr like that. No need to thank me.

One of my Facebook friends posted a status update that I really thought was inspiring. I'll copy it here:

On this day, God wants you to know

... that the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang the best. Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right'. Start where you are, work with whatever is at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.

How awesome is that?! The day I read this I was feeling pretty down on myself about my jewelry design because I had shown it at a festival and didn't sell a single piece! Many people loved the designs and commented on them, but not one single person made a purchase! I understood that it was more of a family festival and not a craft festival and that most people weren't looking to spend a lot of money, but I still felt pretty down about not making any sales. Then I read this and I realized that the festival was a learning experience. (I already knew that, but this quote really made me think about it.) I didn't have a wide range of prices on my products. Maybe if I had some lower priced items I would have sold some things. I'm thinking that I will try to add some inexpensive (but still quality) earrings, bracelets and necklaces to my designs. That way when I'm at an event like the one last weekend I'll have jewelry to appeal to a wider range of people. I'm taking this bit of knowledge gained as one of those "better tools" found as I go along.

Yummy New Pizza Recipe!

This pizza is TO DIE FOR! (Yes. All in caps. It's really that good!) My friend Stacey and I split a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share. Sometimes we get something like just one butternut squash, just as we did this week. Rather than slice the squash in two and each of us only get a small piece we decided to share a meal together. I found this great recipe for Butternut Squash Flatbread with Cheddar and Pine Nuts (Oh, heaven!) and we decided to try it. It was wonderful! We made a few changes to the recipe to customize it to our taste (Read: MEAT). See below for the recipe and a picture that Stacey took of the finished product.

Butternut Squash Flatbread with Cheddar and Pine Nuts
(& CHICKEN TOO!)

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced (We added the chicken  because we didn't want a pizza without meat, but if you prefer a vegetarian pizza you can leave the chicken out of the recipe.)
garlic powder, minced onion, onion powder, salt, pepper, thyme, olive oil

1 pound store-bought pizza dough, thawed if frozen (we used Trader Joe's herb dough)
1 pound butternut squash - peeled, seeded and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced (we used yellow onions from the CSA)
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (we also got these fresh from the CSA)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper (we used fresh ground pepper)
1 1/2 cups grated extra-sharp cheddar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Shape the dough into a large oval (we did round pizza shape) and place on a cornmeal dusted baking sheet. (We skipped the cornmeal.)

In a non-stick pan cook the chicken with the olive oil and spices listed on the second line of the ingredients list. When the chicken is done, set aside.

In a large bowl, toss the squash, onion, pine nuts, thyme 1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. (We didn't measure the oil or any of the spices. We just added to taste - we both like LOTS of flavor!) Scatter over the dough, add chicken, and sprinkle with the cheese.

Bake until golden brown and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes.

Stacey and I both really enjoyed this pizza. My husband said he enjoyed it and then admitted later that he thought it was the worst pizza he's ever eaten. (????????!!!!!) But then, he's not a big squash fan so you can't base your decision to try this recipe off of his judgment. Evan ate and loved the pizza so that's something. Right?

Loving My Reality

Lately I have been resenting my job as a housewife/mom. Not the loving my family part, but the work part. Ugh! Then I came upon this post through online linking from one blog to another and I am beginning to see it another way. I need to "fall in love with my reality." The author described very clearly some of the things I struggle with. The endless cycle of laundry, cooking, cleaning up from cooking, feeding Evan, cleaning Evan up after eating, changing diapers, disciplining him when needed, taking him out of the house, grocery shopping with a toddler in tow.... I need to stop fighting it and accept that this is my life and see it as a blessing. I GET to do laundry for my family, I'm PRIVILEGED to cook and clean to keep us eating healthy meals and living in a clean house. I'm BLESSED to have a son and to change his diapers, feed him and keep him happy while at the grocery store. (And if you know anything at all about my pregnancy and the struggle that we had to stay pregnant you would wonder how I could even forget that Evan is a blessing. A miracle!)

The next time I start my inner griping and mentally fight the list of things I have to do I'm going to try to remember this post and approach my reality with a thankful heart. Maybe if I change my attitude those tasks won't seem like work anymore, but really be the blessings that they are.

Funny how God has a way of putting a mirror in front of me so that I'm forced to examine my own heart. I'm so grateful that He loves me enough to bring me face to face with conviction.