accessories · Christian Life · Praise

That Looks Good On You!

You put on your new blue blouse, which happens to accentuate your blue eyes, and all day long you hear, “That color looks so good on you!”  Or you find a dress that fits you perfectly and step out from the dressing room and your teen daughter says, “Oh Mom! That dress looks like it was made for you; that looks so good on you!”

Image result for full length mirror in dressing room

 

We love it when we find that “just-right look,” don’t we?  I have something for you to wear that will look perfect on you – as a matter of fact, I have God’s Word on it!

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
Psalm 33:1

To be “comely” means attractive.  This verse is telling us that praise looks good on a believer of Jesus Christ!  I’ve made plenty of bad fashion choices in my lifetime, but when I use my mouth to praise the Lord, I’ve put on a perfectly beautiful accessory that will always look good!

How have you used your words today?  Are they negative, complaints, whining or sarcastic?  That doesn’t suit you, if you know Christ.  Run to the dressing room of prayer, ask for forgiveness, then use your mouth to praise the Lord for Who He is and what He is doing in your life.  That will look really good on you!

With praise to our God,

memories · Uncategorized

Getting Over Hump Day

Sometimes weeks roll by, each day the same, boring by nature.  We get to Wednesday, “Hump Day” and we are told if we can just get past it, we’ll roll right into the weekend and we will have survived another week.

0610162141.jpg

Is survival the best way to face a week or each day?  I don’t think so.  Scripture reminds us that we should number our days and apply our hearts to wisdom.  If you find yourself just limping through this week, why not change things up a bit and add some fun, some life and some interest to even today?  Here are some suggestions:

  • Drive to work on a different route, if you can.  Take the country roads, if possible.
  • Pull the sun roof back a little, or roll down a window and get some fresh air.
  • Ask the Lord to show you someone with whom you could stop and pray today.
  • Do something different at lunch. Take your lunch and eat it at the lake, a park or outside at the restaurant.
  • Go out for ice cream at a drive-in after dark.  Splurge on the sundae.
  • Take time to sit on the front porch and just be still.  Watch the traffic or read a magazine or book you’ve wanted to start.
  • Search ideas for a new hair style.  Change the way you fix your hair – even if it’s just parting it differently or adding some curl.
  • Go to bed early and sit in bed and read a passage of Scripture with your mate before you turn off the lights.
  • Go out for breakfast somewhere you’ve been wanting to try – that bagel place, the local pancake house or Cracker Barrel!
  • Have your Bible reading outside early in the morning.
  • Pray for the neighbors as you walk past each house in the neighborhood.
  • Get a new color of fingernail polish and paint your fingernails.
  • Find an interesting You Tube video and watch it while you do your hair in the morning.
  • Make a sweet bread or muffins to take and deliver to someone who needs encouragement.
  • Go through the drive-through restaurant and “pay it forward.” (Pay for the person’s order in line behind you.)
  • Make plans to have someone over on Friday night.  Make up a fun menu – grilled pizzas, or S’mores.  Make it easy, but plan for fun.
  • Watch a movie outside after dark on your lap top or tablet.
  • Write a note to someone and tell them how much you appreciate them.  Send it in the mail.
  • Journal about the best part of the day.

The possibilities are endless.  The point is, don’t just endure the week.  Make every day count, because they each do!

Refresh your week,

Christian Life · Uncategorized

Why I Posted a Fashion Video

The purpose of my blog is to refresh  women in their hearts, homes and lives.  I desire to give encouragement, inspiration and biblical insights in those areas.  Why, then, would I post a video last week that included outfits?  Let me explain:

  • Dressing and putting outfits together is something we all do every single day – it’s a regular part of our lives , so I would like to remind us that putting an outfit together can refresh yourself.  What we wear tells others what’s in our hearts before we even open our mouths. They see, they notice, they make judgments.  Our clothes are part of our testimony.
  • I desire to teach that our outfits can bless or disgrace.  So many women just throw clothes on, giving little thought to what it looks like on them.  I think it’s because often there’s an attitude of “So What?!  I want to be comfortable!  I don’t care!  Big deal!”  That kind of attitude says so much.  Scripture tells us to dress modestly.    We can do that and also be neat, stylish and looking our best.  As I shared little tips about how to keep a top in place, or show how to wear summer clothes that are cool, but still cover, I desire to show that others can be blessed, rather than embarrassed by our attire.
  • I desire to remind us that putting outfits together doesn’t have to be a drudgery, neither does it have to be something we make an idol.  Buying certain staple pieces and switching them around can give many different outfits.  Have fun and add pieces of jewelry or a scarf and make it look completely different!  On the other hand, we don’t need to be consumed with clothes and shopping every minute of every day.  Give it some forethought and make wise purchases of good items that will last a long time.
  • I also want to remind us that we don’t have to spend a fortune to have nice clothes.  Bargain shopping, Goodwill stores, and clearance racks can be our friends when it comes to buying what we need for our wardrobe.  I’ve seen some Instagram accounts that make me wonder if shopping is all they ever accomplish.  We should never make clothes an idol, and there are ways to dress nicely without being consumed with fashion – that is not my goal, nor is it something I want to be known for!

The bottom line is that I want my testimony to be one that would exalt Christ, and my outfits shouldn’t distract from that.  I believe it is possible, and it’s with that heart that I posted the video, and would post another one perhaps in the future. My God is El Roi – The God Who sees; He knows my heart.  Others only see the outside.  My outfits should reflect what’s inside in a gracious, lovely way.

Whether therefore ye eat or drink, do all to the glory of God.  I Cor. 10:31

I really desire to be on the alert about my clothes and what they say to others.  Therefore, I’m always looking for new ways to do that, and then to pass along to you what I’ve learned.  Thank you to so many of you who encouraged me after the video.  Thanks for understanding my heart.  May the Lord be glorified each day we walk out wearing yet another outfit!

Lovingly,

Denise Signature 100 px

 

dessert · grilling · Main dish. · summertime

The Grill’s Not just for Hot Dogs!

We’re in the middle of another session of Apples of Gold – the cooking/teaching mentoring ministry for ladies that I’ve had the privilege of being a part of the last three years.  Each week we learn cooking techniques, study Titus 2, and fellowship together around a home-cooked meal.  It’s a wonderful, encouraging and fun time!

Last Saturday the meal was all about the grill.  Here was our menu:flatbreads.jpg

 

Grilled Prosciutto, fig and Gouda Flatbread
Rosemary and Sea Salt Flatbread
Honey-Lime Grilled Chicken Salad
Grilled Pineapple with Coconut Whipped Cream

For Flatbreads:
Ingredients
  • For the flatbread:
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¾ cup warm water, plus more if needed
  • Olive oil for brushing
  • 6 ounces Gouda cheese, grated
  • A handful of arugula
  • 8 slices of Prosciutto
  • 8 fresh figs, cut into quarters – I used dried figs and they were just as delicious!

For the balsamic glaze:

  • 1 cups balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon honey

Instructions:

For the flatbread:
To a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, salt, and baking powder, mix well.
Add the olive oil and mix.
Add the water and mix until the dough comes together, either using your hands or a wooden spoon.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
Remove the dough from the fridge about 10 minutes before using to allow to come to room temperature.

Preheat your outdoor grill.
Divide the dough in fourths and roll out onto a floured cutting board into your desired shape.
Brush with the olive oil on both sides.
Grill on each side for about 2-3 minutes until you have good grill marks and the dough is crispy.
Remove from the grill and add your toppings.
Return the flatbread to the grill and grill only long enough until the cheese is melted.

For the balsamic glaze: – Make this while the dough is in the fridge

In a medium saucepan, add the balsamic and stir in the honey.
Bring the vinegar to a simmer over medium heat.
Simmer for approximately 30 minutes until the vinegar has reduced by ½, keep an eye it and check until it has the consistency of molasses.
Drizzle over the finished flatbread.

0720161340a.jpg

For Rosemary/Sea Salt Flatbread – 

Combine 1 tbl. finely chopped fresh rosemary and about 2 tsp sea salt.

Brush flatbread with olive oil and grill until browned.  Remove and brush with more olive oil.  Rub Rosemary and salt mixture over oil.  Serve warm.

Griled chicken salad

Honey-lime Grilled Chicken Salad

Ingredients

For Honey-Lime Grilled Chicken
  • 4 small chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
  • zest from a lime
  • juice from a lime
  • salt and pepper to taste

instructions

  1. In a bowl add the Honey lime chicken ingredients; olive oil, honey, cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
  2. Place each chicken breast between plastic wrap and gently pound using a meat mallet until chicken is about ½ inch in thickness. Place chicken in a large Ziploc bag and pour marinade over chicken. Marinate overnight.
  3. Grill chicken over medium high heat until cooked through.

For Salad:

Ingredients:

Spring Mix
Sliced Strawberries
Blue Cheese

Place salad ingredients on plate, top with grilled chicken.

Honey-Lime Dressing – 

1/4 Cup olive oil
Juice and zest of a lime
2 tsp Honey

 In a small bowl, whisk the juice of the remaining lime, the honey and 1/4 cup olive oil; season with salt and pepper.

Now for dessert:

Pineapple

Grilled Pineapple

  1. Slice fresh pineapple in one-inch slices.
  2. Sprinkle with a cinnamon/sugar mixture
  3. Grill on medium high heat 2-3 minutes or until soft and pineapple has grill marks.
  4. Garnish with whipped cream, and fresh mint.

Coconut Whipped Cream

Ingredients

Full Fat Coconut milk
Vanilla
Sugar

Place coconut milk in fridge overnight. The next morning, put mixing bowl and beaters into freezer for ten minutes.  Turn milk can upside down, open and pour off liquid.  Pour rest of milk into chilled mixing bowl.  Beat until whipped up.  Add 2 tbl sugar and 1 tsp vanilla.

This meal is so delicious!  Fire up the grill and get some restaurant worthy foods cooking on your back porch!  

With love from my country kitchen,

 

outfits · Pastor's Wife · summertime

What the Preacher’s Wife Wore

Well, friends, here it is – the first clip of “What the Preacher’s Wife Wore.”  It may be the last, but I had fun putting it together.  Bear with me – the videos aren’t the best – they’re dark, jiggly, wiggly and all over the place!  But I hope it will provide you with a little inspiration for your wardrobe and maybe a laugh or two!  Let ‘er roll…

Some of the store/sites I mentioned were:

Cents of Style – Great deals – Friday’s they send out emails about special deals!

Talbots – I miss the Lexington, Ky outlet, but they have some good end of the season sales! I love the classic styles.  Their clothes are a great quality and last a long time!

TJMaxx – I love the things I find there!  You just never know what will be marked down for a super-duper price!

Ann Taylor – I love their outlets!  Great petite selections!

Dillards – Man, when they have a sale, you can get some great deals!

Charming Charlie – Love their sale racks! I’ve gotten clothes, shoes, purses, scarves and jewelry in their stores!

My pendant necklace with the “A” came from a local gift shop – The Gift Box – a sweet store full of fun finds!

Versatility in a wardrobe is important! If/when I do another video, I think I’ll take the pieces from this first movie and mix them up for different kinds of outfits.  Maaaaybe  What do you think?

Refresh your wardrobe!

P.S.  The last slide on my video says RefreshHer..com – of course there’s only one .  !