Archive for May, 2009
Recipe Swap Sunday: Grilled Stuffed Zucchinis
Last summer I bought this cookbook from the host of License to Grill. Unfortunately, I bought it so late in the season, I didn’t have much time to try any the recipes. Instead I littered it with post-it notes and promised to do better this summer. So far everything I’ve tried has been fantastic! If you like to grill and enjoy flavor-saturated meals, you might want to get your hands on it.
Zach does not like zucchini and even he said this recipe was “yummy.”
Grilled Stuffed Zucchinis
- 3 T olive oil
- 1 c red onion, finely chopped
- 1 t minced garlic
- 1/2 c dried bread crumbs
- 1 T fresh oregano, finely chopped
- 1 T chives, finely chopped
- 1/2 t kosher salt
- 1/2 t freshly-cracked pepper
- 3 medium zucchinis, trimmed and cut in half lengthwise
- 1 T lemon zest
- 1 c grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 c freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1/2 c chopped red pepper
Prepare grill for direct grilling at medium-high heat.
In a saute pan heat 1 T oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Saute until translucent, but not browned, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat. Add bread crumbs, herbs, salt and pepper; mix until combined.
Season zucchinis with salt and pepper and drizzle with oil. Grill flesh-side down for 3 minutes or until nicely charred. Remove and allow to cool slightly. Use a melon-baller to scoop out centers, leaving a 1/2″ border.
Chop the zucchini flesh and add to the onion-breadcrumb mixture. Add cheese and diced red pepper. Mix well. Stuff filling back into zucchini shells.
Oil the grill. Place zucchinis stuffing-side up on the grill and cook for 8 minutes with the lid down, or until filling is warm and cheese had turned golden brown.
Serves 6.
BONUS: In the picture you’ll see I serve this with marinated steak. Here’s my quick and easy steak recipe. 
Marinate skirt steak in Balsamic Viniagrette for at least 8 hours. (Do not trim the steak before you cook it. The fat moistens the meat as it grills. If you trim it first, your beautiful steak will dry up far too quickly.) Grill to an internal temperature of 145° F for medium-rare, or until it reaches your preferred doneness. Enjoy!
4 comments May 31, 2009
Prayer Siesta
Why is it so hard to pray?
There are so many things weighing heavily on my heart this week, things I know need prayer. Sick friends, unbelieving family members, marriages — upcoming ones, sustaining ones, breaking ones. (Is anyone else out there grief-stricken over Jon & Kate? I could barely stomach the season premiere this week.) Our nation needs prayer: our politicians, our diplomats, our soldiers, our culture. As the school year comes to a close I want to pray for our kids, our teachers, our summers. So many things! And yet I find it extremely difficult to pray longer than two consecutive sentences.
Maybe praying isn’t the difficult part. Maybe my trouble is the stopping part.
Photo courtesy dreamstime.com
I’ve written about the ineffectiveness of multi-tasking before. It makes us forgetful (because we’re trying to remember too many things at once), distracted (because we’re trying to do too much at once), and ugly in our people skills (because we’re more focused on productivity than relationships). I ascribe to all these things! I know they’re true. I preach them. Yet I have difficulty stopping.
I pray while in the shower, claiming it’s the only place I’m uninterrupted by family needs, but even then I interrupt myself with to-do lists, grocery lists and random thoughts about blogging. I try to blog, but get distracted by thoughts about writing, gardening and what I should wear to swim lessons later this morning. I try to play with my kids but bring my Kindle in case they get bored with me or I get bored with Duck, Duck, Goose and the repetitive swing-pushing. While making dinner, I clean the kitchen, run another load of laundry, catch up with friends on the phone and help the kids finish a puzzle. No wonder my meals are never perfect and my prayer life is dehydrated!
The other day Kellie posted a rest challenge. She calls it S.IESTA!: Stop. Intentionally Establishing Stillness Takes Action. Her purpose is to, over the summer, routinely rest for a set period of time each day, to stop whatever she and her kids are doing and take a break. Now, I don’t have trouble resting. I read all. the. time. I watch tv with my hunky spouse every night, and I play with the kids every afternoon. Rest comes easily to me. Prayer, however, requires a stop. I want to be more intentional with my prayer life. Yes, I pray regularly now, but how much better could it be if I were more purposeful? How much more of what God is doing could I witness if I scheduled time to just talk with Him each day? I don’t mean reading His Word. Anything that involves reading I do with a voracious appetite. But praying. Can I stop — really STOP — each day to pray?
What about you? What can you be more intentional about this summer?
5 comments May 28, 2009
Mama Loves …
Today is Tuesday which means Mama Loves. This weekly exercise based on Philippians 4:8-9 started as an effort to see the positive side of parenting, even in the midst of weariness. Oh, you know I love my kids, but there are days when I try to remember what life was like before them. Over time this feature morphed into a declaration of praise over whatever God did for me that week. It has been many things: sobering, joyful, encouraging, affirming. This was a great week, but I didn’t ha
I spent the weekend painting. Well, Saturday anyway. Somehow (probably by my own admission) someone at church discovered I went to art school (a long time ago). This nominated me as the go-to-girl for any major art projects, specifically the highway signs. Our church owns 22 acres on the highway. The only way on or off campus is by the highway. We make a lot of highway signs. Each year I paint a giant piece of plywood with the logo of that year’s VBS program. This year they upped the ante by tossing in a couple extra signs for use in the Memorial Day parade. That was this weekend. That means I had to have the signs done before Monday’s celebration. No problem. A simple investment of five hours on Saturday produced this (three almost identical signs: one 4′ x 7′ and two 2′ x 3′)
And this.
I’m not opposed to sunlotion. Really! It was a cool day and I never burn. In fact, this is my first sunburn in over six years. The last one was BC (Before Children) in St. Lucia.
Mama does not love sunburns. I’m not even really fond of painting highway signs, but I’m glad I did it. I’ll be happy to do it again next year. Why?
When I was younger, when I first became a Christian at the age of fifteen, I needed to be involved in everything. I needed people to see me and my ministries. I needed people to acknowledge that I was doing something good, that I was growing and bringing glory to God. I was in drama, choir, mime, evangelism, sign language, teaching, VBS — you name it! I was in front.
As I matured in my faith and in my relationship with Christ, I learned to step back. It was difficult at first because the front was where I garnered my value and confidence. Being less seen seemed like a step backwards. But in stepping back (not in maturity or sincerity, but out of the spotlight), I offered others the opportunity to use their gifts more. I also learned the value of being a foot. The Apostle Paul wrote about the parts of the body of Christ, the church. We each have different gifts, but we are all valuable. We are all important! The ears are just as important than the eyes; the feet are needed just as much as the hands. In my immaturity, I placed greater significance on certain ministries and shamefully looked down on others.
I love feeling comfortable enough in my God and my gifts to go unseen.
Add comment May 26, 2009
Tortellini Salad with Chicken and Snap Peas
I love salads! Since today marks the unofficial beginning of summer, the season of salad suppers, I thought I’d post my newest recipe. This is a “Tanya Original.” It’s light, but filling. Makes a great meal in itself. Even Rick said so. Bonus: it offers a great way to use leftover chicken. Hope you like it!
Tortellini Salad with Chicken and Snap Peas
- 1 pkg refrigerated Mozzarella & Herb Tortellini
- 1 large, boneless chicken breast (or 1 ½ c cooked chicken, diced)
- 2 t olive oil
- 1 c cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1 c sugar snap peas
- ½ cup carrots, sliced
- ¼ c Creamy Caesar dressing, more or less to your preference
- ¼ t garlic salt
- Crispy Onions
Cook tortellini as directed. Drain, then rinse with cold water.
While the tortellini is cooking, sauté chicken in olive oil until cooked through. Season as desired. (I used a dash of All Season on each side.) Cut into ½” bite-sized pieces.
Combine cooked chicken and tortellini with next six ingredients in serving bowl. Mix well. Top with a light sprinkling of crispy onion pieces. ENJOY!
Serves 2-4.
Happy Memorial Day, all!
4 comments May 25, 2009
Last Day for CCBR Giveaway!
Today (Saturday) is the last day to win FREE books at Christian Children’s Book Review! Today’s offerings are especially great. In fact, I wish I could enter!! Since I help manage the site, I am ineligible, but you’re not. You can win one of these fabulous books simply by leaving a comment on the correct post over there. Follow this link to enter.
Add comment May 23, 2009
Q(s)4U: David and Bathsheba
Okay, I really need some feedback today.
Next month I’m teaching an adult Bible study during our VBS program at church. (Let me interrupt myself to say I love the way our church does VBS! It’s a HUGE production, but it’s fantastic. They offer something for everyone and every age. Parents can minister or be ministered to; they can feed young hearts or be spiritually fed themselves. It’s great.) The class I’m teaching is on the five women listed in Matthew’s genealogy of Christ: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. My favorite part of teaching a class is doing the study and prep beforehand. I LOVE it! I’ve especially enjoyed creating this study because each of these women are so interesting, their stories so complex.
But I have some questions. I’d love to get your perspectives on David and Bathsheba.
Question #1: Was “the act” volitional on Bathsheba’s part or not? I’ve read conflicting sources. I’ve always thought it was not, that David’s taking her was a royally-sanctioned rape. Were subjects allowed to reject the king? If so, did that liberty extend to women called into his quarters? But some sources paint Bathsheba as a temptress who intentionally seduced the king. Some even suggest she and David knew each other, that they harbored a blossoming romance thwarted by her arranged marriage and subsequent seclusion as Uriah’s wife.
Question #2: Why did God choose HER to be an ancestress of the Messiah? Bathsheba was David’s eighth wife. He had other sons before and after Solomon. Why did God choose Solomon, and by extension Bathsheba, as the Messianic line? And, of all the women who contributed to Jesus’ family tree, why was she found worthy enough to mention in Matthew? How many women were left unnamed? And yet this woman, accomplice to adultery, murder and deceit, is clearly listed. Why?
I have my theories on the second question, but I’m really torn about the first. What do you think?
** As a clarification, in response to James’s comment below, the first question is just out of curiousity. I would like to know, but the answer won’t affect my study at all. My study focuses on the lives of these women with the main point being God’s grace. The second question — the why question — is the crux of the study. I’ll share more about my thoughts on this in a later post.
8 comments May 21, 2009
Dear Drink Manufacturers
Why must any drink be seasonal? Can we not have all drinks available year-round? Yes, I understand supply and demand. People demand what is in lower supply which then allows you to up the prices and gouge me and my wallet when my finicky taste buds are most vulnerable, having been deprived for months seemingly without end. But why? Doesn’t this qualify as torture? I mean, I’m not drowning, but I kinda think I might be.
Starbucks,
You created the only bottled coffee I would ever drink. And then you made it better: Dark Chocolate Peppermint Frappaccino. It’s divine! But I can only purchase it from November to December. Why? Why, oh why? To make matters worse, if I stock up (which I have tried) the drink expires by the end of March. This does not please me. Why are you selling cold coffee in the winter anyway? What am I to do on a hot summer day when all I want is a lusciously cold chocolate peppermint coffee beverage? Your barristas can’t make them for me in June. Even if I beg. Please rectify this situation.
And Mr. Samuel Adams,
I’m sure some will argue with me, but in the opinions of me and my husband, your Octoberfest brew is the best thing you make. Why limit its sales to the month of October? Yes, I recognize that October is actually in the name of the beer, but please think outside the box, gentlemen. I know it’s not actually made in October; I’ve purchased it in September on a few occasions. When I have an especially strong craving for Corned Beef and Cabbage in May, I need a good beer to accompany it. I want Octoberfest. Perhaps you could just relabel it for each month of the year. I would be happy to buy Mayfest, Junefest, Julyfest, even Febfest, if they all tasted like October.
Thank you.
4 comments May 20, 2009
Mama Loves: Worthy Sacrifices
After two years of enduring her begging, we enrolled Ellie in ballet last fall. At that time, I had no idea how expensive a year of ballet could cost. I affectionately call it our “money pit.” The costs of tuition, practice costumes, two pairs of shoes (one for ballet and another for tap), a special ballet bag, a recital costume, tickets, photos, teacher gifts and — well, I’m sure I’m missing something! — it all added quickly to a small fortune.
But then some sacrifices are wonderful. Some sacrifices prove themselves worthy in as little as two minutes.
I love it.
By the way, this was actually the video of the dress rehearsal two weeks ago. (We weren’t permitted to tape the actual recital because they had professionals working it or something like that.) Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to wait this long to post this?? The girls were more “together” at the actual recital. They’re just too adorable.
6 comments May 19, 2009
CCBR Giveaway
Hey! Just wanted to make sure you noticed the button on the right. Christian Children’s Book Review is hosting a book giveaway ALL THIS WEEK! Click over there to see what’s available today.
For those not yet familiar with CCBR, it is an award-winning book review site that specializes in faith-based children’s books. A team of four moms consider this a ministry. I currently serve as one of the managing editors. Stop by and let us know what you think! Browse the reviews, enter to win the contest and come back often. The site is updated several times each week. Reviews are categorized by age, subject, and ranking, so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. Also, if you love children’s books think about joining our team. We have a passion to help parents find the best literature for their children.
1 comment May 18, 2009
Another contest and a review
For Mother’s Day my wonderful, adoring, sexy husband bought me a Kindle. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT! At first, I felt it was too big a gift for a Hallmark holiday, but now I’m simply grateful he loves and knows me so well. After finally convincing a dear friend of the differences between a Kindle and a Ken doll, she confessed what a perfect gift this was for me. “Books are your life!” While my life consists of much more than books, I cannot deny my passion for reading. It has been clearly evidenced on this blog lately. Counting today, 6 of my last 8 posts have been about books. BUT tomorrow you’ll get a real treat: a video of Ellie’s ballet recital. I promised it, and it’s coming! So bear with me while I tell you about another fabulous new read. First the author’s contest, then my review.
THE CONTEST:
PJ Sugar’s first novel – Nothing But Trouble is popping up all over the country! Go Hunting for Trouble, and let me know where you see the book.
Email the author, Susan May Warren, the name of the bookstore where you found it (and the city, please), and she’ll put your name in a drawing for a preview copy of The Great Christmas Bowl, her Christmas Novella, coming out this fall! (Promo coming soon!) Send her a PHOTO of you and the book in the bookstore, and she’ll add your name 5x! And you’ll also be eligible to win a cool SUGAR Personal SPA BASKET!!
So go….Hunt up Trouble! All the details here: http://susanmaywarren.com/contest.html.
TANYA’S REVIEW:
This was a fun book! PJ, the main character, tries to escape her past only to find it follows her. She returns home after ten years away to find herself tempted by the same hunky boyfriend and the same trouble all over again. What happened to God making her a “new creation?” As she stumbles into a murder mystery and trips over a little romance and just enough redemption, PJ reflects pieces of each of us, the pieces that long to get it right but are never quite perfect.
Throughout the story, the author talks of Peter and Christ’s love for him. I loved this aspect of the book! It reminded me how God uses the imperfect to accomplish His plans. We need only surrender and let Him use us. What a valuable truth to a world of flawed people! The story is entertaining, yes, but it’s also tremendously encouraging. We all want to be perfect; we want those around us to think we have it all together. But God loved us while we were yet sinners. He loves us just as we are, mistakes and all. And He wants to use us, just as we are.
Back to the book … the characters were fantastic, fully developed and authentic. The descriptions and dialog were great. This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I can see why she’s won awards! She grabbed me on the first page and pulled me straight through to the end. Best of all, the end held a beautiful cliffhanger. I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series.
You can purchase the book at Amazon.com HERE.
2 comments May 18, 2009
