If you were to peek into our home, you would see much planning and preparation that is being done by my parson husband as he gets ready to host the regional Fundamental Baptist Fellowship here in two weeks. By “here” I mean at our church. There will be about 75 pastors and their wives attending the two day conference. He has been hard at work for the last two years getting things ready for this event. It’s all meant to encourage the hearts and ministries of those that will be coming.

As part of that encouragement, my husband has asked the church members to “adopt” one of the attending families. They were asked to be their personal hosts; to greet them when they arrive, show them the facilities, sit with them in the services, and perhaps even provide a small gift.

A gift! What a great idea, but, whoa! What kind of gift? What could they use? What would be appropriate?

Have you ever received a hospitality basket? I have, and oh, my! They’re so nice, and really makes you realize that the people that gave it were thinking of you and glad to have you there!

I’ve gone ahead and put together at least a part of what I’m going to give to the family we’ll be hosting. Perhaps these ideas will spur some thoughts in your mind for a way you can show hospitality. Even if you’re not a part of what we’re doing, a hospitality basket could be given to someone visiting your home, your church, a new neighbor, someone in the hospital or nursing home or just at home not feeling well. Of course, you would need to adapt the ingredients for each type of scenario, but this might just get you started.

I purchased most of this at the Dollar Tree.  It’s amazing what you can find in there!

Cut cellophane wrap so that it will reach up above the container. Grab it from all four corners and scrunch it together, then tie it with ribbon.

I will probably also add a couple pieces of fresh fruit the week of the conference.  Our church is providing snack all day, so I just want to give them a little something they could enjoy in their room at night. We will also be giving each family a map of the area and a restaurant guide, so I didn’t need to include that in my basket.

Some other ideas for gifts instead of the gift basket would be:

Birthdays. Anniversaries. Christmas. These are all days of celebration. They are reasons to rejoice! But, as you very well know, every day is not a birthday, anniversary or Christmas. Most days are just normal days of dirt, traffic, messy diapers and spilled coffee. Solomon put it this way – “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” The author of one book put it this way, “Life is a grind.”

But you know what? We have a choice what to do with our grind. We can grit our teeth and furrow our eyebrows in a scowl and just endure, or we can choose to make the most of each day – even in the midst of the tough stuff of life.

Mothering can be a grind. But in the midst of diaper rash, strained peas on the floor and temper tantrums, what will you do to “ungrind” the grind? How about pulling out the flour and oil and making some homemade play dough? Or packing up the kids and heading to the park on a sunny day and enjoying your lunch in the sunshine? What about playing hide and seek with them at home, making a fun table setting to surprise Daddy at supper or going to the library for story time and staying long enough to check out books to read at home?

Marriage can be a grind. But in the midst of budgets, parenting, and broken dishwashers, what will you do to “ungrind” the grind? How about planning an over-nighter away a couple weekends (or months) from now? Have fun planning and anticipating the time away. What about checking out a Christian book on marriage (or downloading a free one on your Kindle) and reading together before you go to sleep? Why not stop for ice cream or coffee on your way to a normal activity such as going to the grocery store? How about taking time to click “play” on that hilarious You Tube clip of Tim Conway acting as the dentist and shooting himself with Novocaine? Laugh the night away!

Work can be a grind. But in the midst of the schedule, the drive, the stress, what will you do to “ungrind” the grind? Why not plan for a great lunch in the middle of the week? Meet your spouse or a friend and have something to look forward to. How about dressing up a bit, or polishing your nails or fixing your hair more than normal so you’ll feel really “sharp” during the work day? Check out a CD from the library and listen to a book to make the commute more enjoyable! Or work on Scripture memory cards while you drive, sing with your favorite CD or make a phone call (if you can drive and talk at the same time) and talk with a loved one while you’re traveling to your job.

We have to be intentional about “ungrinding” our grinds. But the Lord gave us minds to plan, the sun to shine, books to read, food to enjoy, mouths to smile, and music to sing, so enjoy it! These are all gifts from His hands. Enjoy the grind!

With love,

Last week I posted  about trying to make recipes from my Pinterest collections.  Today I feature another new recipe from my dinner board.  

Brown Butter Ravioli with Rotisserie Chicken, Toasted Walnuts & Crispy Sage
1 lb chicken breast with rib meat
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tbsp vegetable oil
9 oz fresh mini ravioli
2 oz (1/2 cup) walnuts
4 tbsp butter
1/3 cup fresh sage leaves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and thyme and rub over both sides of the chicken. In a dutch oven or large, oven-safe pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, skin side down, and cook for 2 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for two more minutes. Move the pot to the oven and continue cooking for 25-30 minutes. Allow the chicken to cool for 5 minutes, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Boil and drain the ravioli according the to package directions. Place the walnuts in a large skillet over medium heat and toast for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove and chop. Wipe the skillet clean, and melt 4 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet over medium heat. When the butter just starts to turn brown, add the sage and stir constantly for one minute. Immediately add the ravioli and stir to combine. Add the chicken and most of the chopped walnuts and stir. Plate the pasta and top with remaining walnuts.

To go with the ravioli, I made dinner rolls.  It’s pretty impossible to have homemade rolls fresh out of the oven on a Sunday, but this do-ahead recipe was great!  I made the dough, froze it, then took it out of the freezer for two hours before church. I then covered the pan and put them in the fridge.  When I got home they had risen to the perfect size to pop into the oven!  They taste like Sister Shubert Rolls!  What a great recipe!  It’s from Money Saving Mom site.  I’m so glad a friend at church put me onto this recipe. Thanks, Laura! They will be a mainstay in my freezer!  

30 Minute Rolls – I made half a recipe
3 1/2 cups warm water (115-120 degrees)
1 cup oil
1/2 cup honey
4 Tbsp instant active yeast
3 eggs
1 Tbsp salt
10 1/2 cups flour

Mix warm water, oil, honey and yeast. Let rest for 15 minutes. Add the eggs and salt. Mix in the flour and knead for 5 minutes.

Immediately shape into rolls (large egg size). Place on a greased baking sheet. Let rise 10 minutes.

Bake at 425 degrees for 8-10 minutes until slightly browned.

Freezer instructions: Shape dough into rolls and place on a greased baking sheet. Immediately place in freezer. When the rolls are frozen, take them off baking sheet and place into a freezer bag. To thaw, place frozen rolls on a greased baking sheet and let rise for about 2 hours. Bake at 425 degrees for 8-10 minutes until slightly browned.

Makes 45

I’ve had a great time with trying my Pinterest recipes.  I hope I’ve inspired you to try these recipes or perhaps some that you’ve pinned!

What’s been cooking in your kitchen?

With love from my country kitchen,

I love to find a great idea, don’t you?  I recently read about stashing in a beautiful jar all the toiletries you get when you stay at a hotel.  I logged that thought away.  Then one day when I was searching through clearance items at TJ Maxx, I found a pretty jar marked way down because it had no lid.  My mind ran to this idea.  I realized the jar doesn’t need a lid – it just serves as a container to house the toiletries.

So, I brought the jar home, filled it with my stash from trips, and placed the jar in my guest room.

When I’m expecting overnight guests, I also put one of the  little hotel soap bars in the shower.  I mean, really – who wants to use someone else’s half-used bar of soap?

Those little touches in the guest’s room and your bathroom can refresh your guest’s stay in your home, and make them feel really welcome.

Freshen up your guest room – even if it’s a room that is normally occupied by a family member, by filling a jar with items they can use while they’re in your home.  You’ll  be refreshing them them at the same time!

See you in church!

Be refreshed,

What power there is in touch. Yesterday while I was praying, I was leaned forward, my head in my hands, calling out to the Lord. While I prayed, my sweet kitty, Liza, heard me and jumped up on the arm of the chair (though she’s not supposed to be there!). She then hunkered down, and reached her paw out and put it on my arm and kept it there! I reached for my phone and snapped this picture. I know she has no emotion, but it seems something stirs in her when she hears me crying out to the Lord in prayer. It’s just so sweet.

Far greater than that, was later in the morning,  when I met up with some friends. The first thing they each did when they saw me was to embrace me tightly and share how much they’d been praying for me during this week of roller coaster emotions. They touched my heart.

There is so much expressed in God using another human to touch you. It shows the depth of their care. Our Savior touched those with whom He was showing compassion. People that touch others make a difference. Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference. It’s not necessary to give a bear hug. You could put your hand on their arm. Place your arm around their shoulders. Rub their arm. Pat their hand. Touch is soothing. Touch displays warmth and care. It brings you close. Maybe that’s why many of us hesitate…we’re afraid to get that close. Oh, how we need to push back our inhibitions and just do it; we need to show someone we care.

Maybe you’re not in close proximity to physically touch someone who needs your compassion; there are other ways to emulate that. Call. Pick up the phone and speak your compassion. My older daughter called me as we were headed to the accident scene, just to check on me. It touched my heart. Send a card. A real, in the mail, card. Send a text message right then. Don’t wait. I had one friend that sent a text to me near 2 a.m. because she knew we were at the hospital. That she would take the time that late to message me, was a blessing.

I’ve really been lousy at this most of my life. I’m praying the Lord will help me to show more compassion, of which I’ve been the recent recipient. It’s certainly made a difference…just like God’s Word says it will.

There is at least one person in your world who needs a “touch” from you – people are hurting all around us. With whom do you need to display compassion? Do it today.

With love,