two great tastes...

I had a fantastic evening in the kitchen.  It was pizza night.  I was completely in the mood for barbecue pork pizza.  I had everything I needed except the barbecue sauce.  And with the truck having work done, I was without a vehicle to pick up the sauce at the store.  It took a while to find a recipe that was possible with the ingredients I already had in the house.  Apparently Worcestershire sauce and molasses are very popular ingredients....I'll pick some up the next time I'm a the store, but there are some recipes that do not call for either. 

The one I used was super quick and easy and as the page recommends I would spice it up next time...with some fresh ginger and perhaps some other tasty hints.  Here's a shot of Grandma's Mama's Mama Sauce:

I did add the last of some chipotle pomegranate sauce I had in the fridge, just for fun :)  

Here's a link to the page where I found the simple sauce:  best bbq sauce recipes

I had in my mind that fried onions would be good on this pizza, so I sliced some onions, dipped them in milk and drudged them in flour and fried them in canola oil.  

(Eat your heart out, French's)  I will now make my own onions for green bean casserole.  

So, I made a 1/2 whole wheat crust pizza topped with the barbecue sauce, some leftover smoked pork tenderloin, mozzarella cheese, fried onions and bacon, of course. 

Pre-bake:

Finished product:

A delicious dinner has been had....and there are leftovers for tomorrow. :)

weekend highlights.

Celebrated my first year anniversary of ministry and service at Trinity by attending the same event that began my call to ministry in this place: The Harrisburg YouthQuake.  I have many things to reflect upon...and that will come after a good night's sleep, but in the mean time, here are some highlights.

Twinkies.
Laughter.
Singing.
Dancing.
Somersault. (just one.)
Questions.
Prayers.
Highs & Lows.
Anniversary cards & greetings.
Taco salad.
Engaging presentations.
Generous adult volunteers.
Wax lips.
Toe socks & flip-flops.
Times to admit our weaknesses.
Bananagrams.
Hugs. 
30 minutes on the elliptical. 
Sneezes.
Pizza.
Inspired adult leaders.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Energetic youth.
Repeated opportunities to be our undignified selves.
Being remind that we are loved and we are never alone. 

Praying for the youth and leaders that were quaking this weekend as we all return home back into the ordinary days filled with unexpected moments.  May each moment reveal God's grace in our lives.  

Until tomorrow . . .  

ordinary turned extraordinary.

So the highlights of relaxation over the past few days definitely include brining & smoking salmon :)

There was some tasty dry rub on two racks of ribs:

And two tenderloins that were also cozy on the smoker...

And while the BBQ was doing its thing, there was a pot on the stove at a gentle boil:

This first shot was when we were making the wort.  

Soon this will be found in bottles:

I can't wait to try it.  

I do have to say, too, that there have been moments of respite each day, even in the midst of a busy schedule, that have allowed me to stop and breathe.  

When I sit down and end up with a purring cat curled up on my lap - it's very relaxing and nap inducing.  

The amazing moment from today, however, came as I was preaching at our contemporary service tonight.  I was talking about how we, as ordinary, regular people are called to take part in God's amazing mission to love and bless and save the whole world.  I said, who teaches our Sunday School?  We have one right here tonight...

And a young woman, who graduated last year from a special education school and who is unable to read, but is a volunteer with the 3 and 4 year old Sunday School class, said me.  And I said, yeah, ordinary people, like you and like me.  

And I said, well, who greets people for worship?  And the young lady said, my papaw did this morning.  I said, does he have special powers to greet?  And she said, yes!  I said, yeah, God gives each of us the gifts and talents we need to be a part of God's mission.  I felt like I was preaching to the choir....that this young woman is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through her words and actions...and sees others doing it as well.  I tell ya, in the midst of asking if we are all called to share the good news of Jesus, and hearing this young woman say yes, was the gospel moment I didn't know that I needed today.  That, who am I to be a part of this amazing mission when there are others around me living out their call so boldly.  Yet in that same moment, I was/am so thankful to be serving in this congregation and in this community...being nourished and fed in bread and wine and in the fellowship and companionship in the body of Christ. 

Until the next grace filled moment . . .

what happened yesterday?

As I look back on yesterday...I'm not really sure what I did to relax....and that's not a good thing. 
My colleague and I have been talking about how we're both really tired this week...we just feel that this week, things just keep coming.  I guess it was good yesterday to have a later start to the day, so I got a nice run in at the beginning of the day. 
I did spend some time in the afternoon getting caught up with my words with friends games....and while I perused facebook for a while the cat was napping on my lap.  Perhaps she was trying to show me how to relax. 
I purposely worked on a bunch of thank you notes for the folks who helped with the major renovations on my house so tonight I could really relax. 


Today, I made it out for a nice walk after work...even though it was sprinkling just a bit.  I had some fun in the kitchen making a pot of chili and some cornbread....and getting caught up on yesterday's Daily Show & Colbert Report.  I've also enjoyed some guilty pleasure tv watching:  which includes Toddlers & Tiaras (just this once, not a fave) and now I'm flipping between Hoarding: Buried Alive and Top Chef: Texas. 

Once lunch is packed for tomorrow and the running clothes are clean for tomorrow's run...then it's off to bed. 

Until tomorrow . . . .

ribs and a walk.

So yesterday was a full day. 
At the end of our confirmation class, we walked over to an older member's home to sing happy birthday to her.  We sing happy birthday to folks in worship the week of their birthday.  First of all, she lost her husband passed away two months ago and she hadn't made it to worship yesterday morning because she had to put her cat down.  (how sad.) So, we walked to her house and sang happy birthday.  What a great way for the youth to be the body of Christ in the community. 

My respite came after contemporary worship when my boyfriend and I were invited out to dinner with my colleague and his family.  We enjoyed a tasty dinner and a walk to and from the restaurant. 

Today's moment of rest came this afternoon.  I went for a nice walk, it was a bit chilly, but it was great to just get out of the office and move. 

I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring, I guess I never really do....but I'm sure it will provide an opportunity for rest.

Until tomorrow . . .

beer and truffles

Today's moment of relaxation is brought to you by the Craft Ale House .

I enjoyed a tasty Flemish Sour Ale from Monks It was a favorite stomping ground for a bunch of us while in seminary in Philly.  It was wonderful to have a really tasty brew.  That was paired with a tasty spinach dip with a toasted baguette.  After that I thoroughly enjoyed a pizza with wild mushrooms and truffles....topped with arugula.  Super yum!  I had a tasty Bells Winter White Ale along side of it.

Let me just say that the very relaxing evening followed some shopping and a walk along the trail because it was 60º today. And while the beer and the food were both amazing, the company was the best part. I'm so lucky to have an amazing man with whom I can share many adventures, be myself and just have fun. 

All in all a great day...but a most relaxing and enjoyable evening.

Until tomorrow . . .

a movie...er....a nap.

I had a great 6 mile run this afternoon and when I got home I figured I'd have some lunch and watch a movie. 

Well I was half right...I did have some lunch, but then instead of enjoying Muppet Treasure Island, I ended up napping with the cat.  I guess that was my resting time for the day.  Which is good, because we had 5th quarter tonight at church after the girl's basketball game.  It was good to be rested up before hanging out with several hundred high schoolers. 

So now it's off to bed.

Until tomorrow . . . or later today . . .