the perfect blend

Truth to Table

2016-05-06T14:33:00.001-06:00

To say life is chaotic, stressful and filled to the brim is a bit of an understatement right now. Andy has been working long hours and the kids have been keeping me on my toes, not to mention that Spring in our home is one of the busiest seasons. Do I dare say it again... life is full.

Because of this I am constantly trying to fine ways to quickly go deep in studying God's word. I do great for awhile but then find myself in limbo searching for the next study or word of encouragement. I literally stumbled across this amazing resource called Truth to Table.

I follow Bianca Juarez Olthoff on social media and she posted the link to a series on this website that she had just finished on the Psalms. As I dug more into the website I found so many amazing and refreshing devotionals and sermons. Pop on over to their website and take a look for yourself.

I hope it blesses you as much as it has me.

Meal Planning Printable

2016-04-14T14:10:00.000-06:00

Grocery shopping is NOT my favorite thing, especially when I have to push that bulky, obnoxious car cart... (after I frantically Lysol the car down and make sure everyone is buckled, I set off with the best intentions not to knock over a display full of something breakable or worse... a human being. Yep, it truly is a love/hate relationship.) It does become a bit more bearable when I am not wandering the aisle trying to decide what to make for dinner and know that I can be in and out with a week full of meals for my family.

Magnolia has just made my life easier. Instead of writing down my meals on random pieces of paper, that inevitable get thrown away, they have created a simple and beautiful place to write down what I need as well as the planned menu for the week. Then, before I head to the store, I can either snap a picture of the list or tear off the "market list" portion to take with me. I'm so excited.

image from: magnoliamarket.com

You can find the printable here.

Happy shopping (if there is such a thing...)

Carving Pumpkins

2015-10-30T15:25:00.000-06:00

A few years ago, I heard an amazing sermon on the Jack-o-lantern. It explored the significance of it and what it truly represents. Since then I have never looked at a carved pumpkin the same. In all our ugly, Christ still wants us!

Our pastor talked about how we need to look for ways to be ambassadors for Christ no matter what we are doing or where we are. He started out carving a pumpkin and began talking about how, when you think about it, we as humans are a lot alike. We are gross, smelly and pretty empty inside. When Christ gets a hold of us and cleans us out, He begins forming us into His likeness. Then, he started carving the face of the pumpkin... he described how we all have an appearance or emotion, sometimes silly, sometimes sad, sometimes happy and this makes us who we are. When he finished the face and closed the top of the pumpkin, he reminded us that we are dark inside. We are empty, giving nothing to those we come into contact with.

He then put a candle in the center of the pumpkin. The flame was burning bright and strong. It gave off the most beautiful glow. As he turned the lights out, he explained that with Christ we can be a light to the world. No matter if the world around us is cold and dark and ugly.

So, as your walking around your neighborhood or simply handing out candy at home, remember the carved pumpkin, remember the simple truth of Christ. He is our light, even when we are gross, empty and all kinds of ugly. He is there to redeem us!

3 Ingredient Beer Bread

2015-10-11T15:54:00.000-06:00

I love this recipe. It's super easy and perfect for

Fall soups or just a yummy afternoon snack. Enjoy!

3 Ingredient Beer Bread

Ingredients

3 cups self-rising flour
1/2 cup sugar
12 oz beer
Butter (melted), optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Spray a bread pan with cooking spray.
Gently mix together the flour, sugar, and beer until it is throughly combined. The batter will be thick. Make sure you like the kind of beer that you are cooking with. The flavors will come out once it is cooked.
Pour the batter into the bread pan and bake for 40 minutes.
When 5 minutes are remaining, drizzle with melted butter.
Take out of the oven and let sit for five minutes in the pan, remove and let cool completely before slicing.

Weekend DIY {Pipe Shelf}

2015-08-19T16:42:00.004-06:00

So many people have been asking about the pipe shelves that Andy and I made for our family room. I thought I would give you some quick instructions to help you create it in your own space. This project was fairly simple and required a weekend to complete!

Here’s what you’ll need: (makes one shelf)
– 3/4″ flange (x 10 – 8 for wall; 2 for ceiling)
– 3/4″ x 10″ pipe (x 8)
– 3/4″ x 18″ pipe (x 2)
– 3/4″ 3-way tee (x 6)
– 3/4″ x 10″ pipe (x 6)
– 3/4″ 90-degree elbow (x 2)
-Wall anchors and screws (we used wood molly/screw combination)
-Wooden planks – 4′ x 10″ (x4)

PREP:– Wipe pipes to remove any residue or excess oil/grease (if you purchase the piping from an online store, like we did, they will have grease on them. I used baking soda/water and a rag to get most of the residue off and it worked well.)
– Cut shelves according to wanted size (4′ x 10″ in this illustration); stain if desired. (we used a ebony colored stain from Lowes)

Step 1
Use a 3/4″ 3-way tee to connect your 3/4″ x 10″ pipe and attach 3/4″ x 10″ “horizontal” pipe. Attach 3/4″ flange to open end of “horizontal” pipe.

Step 2
For the bottom shelf, attach “vertical” pipe to 3/4″ 90-degree elbow. Attach “horizontal” pipe and flange.

Step 3
Attach top “vertical” pipe – 3/4″ x 18″ – to the top of 3/4″ 3-way tee and screw flange to open end of pipe. Note: Make sure you are attaching the piping to a stud.

Step 4
Hold assembled unit against the wall and flush with the ceiling. Use a balance to ensure it is straight and mark the walls to screw anchors. After inserting anchors, align unit and screw in place.

Step 5
As we were using 4′ x 10″ wooden planks, we placed the 2 assembled units 3′ apart to allow the shelves to overlap by approximately 6″ on either side.

Step 6
Place wooden plank shelves in unit and that’s it! You may have to adjust dimensions depending on the placement of your studs.

I am so happy with the way it turned out! My hubby is one amazing craftsman!

making home.

2015-07-06T15:16:00.000-06:00

We are slowly getting settled into our new house and daily it's starting to feel like we belong here. Our brave boy has already occurred some battle scars from the unfinished backyard and our sweet girl spit up on the carpet the week after we moved in (at least we made it a week!), so I think we can call it home now.

There are so many things that I love about this house. There are too many to list but here are a few of my absolute favorites!

the kitchen windows
Growing up our house had a kitchen window over the sink. I loved having a view when I washed dishes. Didn't make the chore too bad after all. The city lights are gorgeous at night too.

the piano room
My parents acquired a new piano for my sister and when they needed to find a new home for the old one, the one I learned how to play when I was little, my in-laws graciously babysat it for me. Now I finally have a place for it in my own home. It is so fun to dabble on it when I have a free minute and I love hearing Levi 'play' from the other room.

the fireplace
everyone that has walked in has mentioned that our house feels like a 'fall house'. I am so excited to cuddle up with a hot cup of coffee on a crisp day and watch the fire... and Christmas! I finally get a place to hang our monogramed stockings. Eeek!!!

the garden
Let me just start by saying that my hubby is amazing! Before anything else went in he made me a garden box and helped me plant it. Even though we got a late start on it, it's flourishing! So excited to eat some farm to table veggies in the not to distant future!

most of all... it's these faces that make it home.

It's just a house... with SO many memories.

2015-04-24T15:58:00.000-06:00

A friend posted 10 things she loved about her house right before they moved out. I thought it was the most amazing idea and a great way to put it in writing so as the years fog our memories about this beloved place, we will be reminded of how amazing our time here truly was.

{Oh, sorry! Did I forget to mention we are moving? Yep. That's right... onto a new adventure. We decided to put the house on the market and within 6 hours we received our first offer. This was great and all, except the fact that we needed to find a new house and we hadn't quite figured that out yet. With the way the market is, we had to put this house up, get under contract and then a seller might, just maybe, take us seriously. Stressful you ask? No, not at all... especially with a 2 year old and 8 month old. I WAS FREAKING OUT! This whole time we knew God wanted us to take this leap of faith and trust him. We felt him pushing us to our knees and surrendering all of the details to Him. It wasn't easy by any stretch of the word, but when He speaks... you better listen! Long story short, we accepted an amazing offer on our house and within 24 hours God provided a beautiful new home for us. We had sold our home, and were under contract on another all in one weekend! INSAIN!}

It is so hard to pick just 10 things that I love about our home, but in order to keep this post relatively short and avoid having to re-do my makeup (if I don't already have to... from crying) I'll keep it to 10.

One.
This home brought a new chapter in our lives as we build it from the ground up and started our grown up life in it. We began big people jobs and came back to our oasis.

Two.
The joy (and sweat&tears) of making it home. From laying sod to planting trees to creating a garden space with yummy fruits and veggies.

Three.
It's the place we found out we were pregnant with both of our sweet babies. We also brought both of them home from the hospital here.

Four.
Where our strong boy learned to sit, stand, crawl and walk and where our sweet girl found that sitting wasn't so bad after all...

Five.
Our covered back patio allowed for baby pool playtime, summer patio dinners, and lunchtime fun.

Six.
The front porch where we sat on our porch swing and waited for Daddy to drive in. It was also the perfect spot for morning devotionals and watching the storms roll in. (oh, and I can't forget the calming effect on screaming newborns!)

Seven.
Our driveway acted like a racetrack to see how fast Lightning MacQueen and Tow Mater could speed down it.

Eight.
In the Winter our backyard became the perfect toddler sledding hill (wasn't too steep or fast and gave our boy all the confidence in the world).

Nine.
The yard became an oasis for our puppy to get away from loud kiddos and a great place for a nap in the sun. It was also home to a crabapple tree, burning bush, and rhubarb plant that was gifted to us by family.

Ten.
The neighbors surrounding us and the blessing that they have been in our lives. We will forever cherish the conversations over the fence and the graciousness that each one of them has shown us.

This house has become so much more than we ever imagined it would and we are forever grateful for the opportunity to have taken care of it. The memories we made here first as a couple and then a family are priceless. We learned how to become parents here and love each other through it all. It became home.

(I made it through... only went through a few kleenex boxes! ha)

We are so excited for the next adventure and the memories we will make in our new home. God is so good and we feel extremely blessed by it all.

Gifts and Giving Back

2015-03-29T16:51:00.000-06:00

A friend of mine brought over the sweetest gift after our girl arrived. Well, let me rephrase that, she brought over many gifts for us as they were purging and packing for their next life adventure {you can learn more about their amazing, crazy, exciting journey here} but this one made my heart melt.

In the bag there was the most amazing book for our boy and a beautiful onesie for our sweet girl. All in the name of an organization, Chosen and Dearly Loved. Come to find out my friend and the founders of the organization have know each other for some time now.

Chosen & Dearly Loved believes that every child is valuable, and whenever possible, belongs in a loving permanent family. Our mission is to love and care for children with special needs: those often the most likely to become orphans and least likely to be adopted. We are currently working to help care for rescued children in orphanages, engage local communities on their behalf, preserve families where possible, and support adoptive families when adoption is best.

Our hope is to devise new strategies that increase awareness and participation on behalf of orphans with special needs, and we believe everyone can play a part in helping these children live a better story. Together we can confront one of the biggest and most heart-breaking challenges of our time, and experience profound joy and purpose by doing so. Together we can make a life-changing difference – one child at a time. Each child is worth it!

How awesome is that? If God places it on your heart to find out more or shop some super cute stuff you can discover for yourself here.

Okay Mamas... this one's for you

2015-02-17T14:29:00.000-07:00

Let my start by saying the transition from one to two kiddos has been rough. Way harder than I ever thought. So worth it, but tough... I guess I underestimated the challenges of having two babies constantly needing my care and attention (let alone having to make dinner, do a few loads of laundry so we had something to wear, not to mention clean the house, and a hubby that I wanted to care for and spend quality time with). It wasn't anyones fault, just how life went with a 2 year old and newborn. About a month ago I hit my breaking point and needed a course correction (and sleep...).

A friend told me about a new addition of a book that was about ready for release. I went straight to Amazon and ordered my copy of Hope for a Weary Mom. If you are at all like me, I knew it was going to be a challenge to get some time to myself to even read the first page, but it was going to happen. I needed some mommy encouragement and this was just the right medicine.

Let me tell you... it is amazing. I am no where near finished with it but it is meaty and I am only on chapter 3. There is something about hearing other moms tell you that they are struggling with the same things that picks you up and keeps you going. A talk on the phone with a dear friend gave me a jump start and a new perspective on my role as a mama of two, what that looks like in ministry and how I can encourage other moms that are going through the same struggles.

I love talking to other mommies about what it is to be a mommy and the distractions that take us away from our most important job. I am the first one to admit that I get sucked into the to-do list for the day that I push away precious opportunities to roll around on the floor with my boy... beware wrestling with your two year old can cause eye injuries... (but that's a whole other story).

I definitely feel like I am on a better path and have my head on somewhat straight again. Not perfect by any means, but refreshed and resting in the promises of God and the hope that only He can give.

___________

Mama,

God has placed you in your role as a mommy to love on your babies and show them what it means to live. He has given you tasks, often hard to except or complete, so you can encourage other mommies around you that are going through the exact same things. Keep up the great work and let Him lead you when you have nothing more to give.

___________

Weary? I would love for you to join me on this journey. Pick up your copy of Hope for Weary Mom here.

distracted by life.

2015-02-03T14:54:00.000-07:00

Not sure where to begin other than by sitting down with a Nalgene bottle of water and taking a deep breath. This past 9 months (yes, it's been that long since I have written) has brought me to my knees more than I can count. Thank you Jesus for loving me in my weary mess! I wouldn't have traded one second of it.

Early September brought the arrival of our precious baby girl. After discovering our little princess was breech we had to make some adjustments to the birth plan (to say the least...). After many tries to flip her on her own, including practically standing on my head, we realized she wasn't budging. The Dr's performed an ECV to manually flip her. This brought up the fact that I could go into labor at any point after the manipulation or they could break my water while trying to flip her. Scary stuff for only being 36 weeks along. Thankfully the ultrasound showed she was strong enough and completely developed so if I did go into labor they would feel comfortable delivering her. After a failed ECV I came home with contractions and at 6:30am the next day my water broke. Since she was still in the breech position we were off to the hospital for a emergency c-section. Yippee! Two hours later our sweet girl arrived. Pink and crying.... and nothing else mattered. God is so good.

Our little man turned 2 in November. He is an amazing big brother and loves his sister to pieces! Everyday we both learn something new and I am discovering quickly that he is way too smart for me. I am so thankful for the person he is becoming and love that he is my comic relief throughout the day.

My hubby has been my rock over these crazy months and I have no idea how I would survive without him. His encouragement and grace overwhelm me. He definitely is my better half. So blessed to be able to call him mine.

I'm on the edge of my seat to find out what 2015 holds for us. Check back soon for some exciting resources that I hope and pray will help your family as much as they have helped mine!

it's a......

2014-05-07T15:00:00.000-06:00

On Monday we got to see our littlest baby again. It's so fun to see all of their features and know that in a few short months we will be kissing that little nose and smooching those cheeks!

Yep! You guessed it! Levi is going to be a big brother to a little sister!!! We are so excited. Levi already is infatuated with babies and when I ask him if he wants to give the baby a kiss... he smooches my tummy. Love that they will get to go through life together!

What a gift. We are truly blessed.

Baby girl is healthy and growing right on track. We are thanking Jesus for the gift of another little one and praising Him for a healthy report. God is good.

Get Out There! #shesharestruth

2014-05-02T13:56:00.000-06:00

If you are anything like me, there has been more than one occasion that you have felt unworthy or not gifted enough to share God's love to the world. Thoughts like I don't know what to say, They won't listen to me, or even what if they ask me a question I can't answer?, have gone through my head over and over again. Through a lot of studying the Bible and learning from watching others, I have come to realize that everyone story isn't the same, our personalities are different or our gifts/talents mold the way we share our stories.

Will you take a sigh of relief with me? How refreshing it is to know that when we share about our personal experiences with Christ and what he has done for us, He will use them in ways that we could never imagine. He will put people in our life that need to hear the good news the way only we can tell it.

So, get out there... share your story. Let God do the rest! If that means a quick conversation in line at the coffee shop, or in the grocery store checkout line... do it.

From experience} The less I worried about the perfect opportunity or the right way to say something, the more opportunities I had to share a piece of my heart.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) explains it perfectly. It says...
Each time he said, My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

_________________

Want to learn more about #shesharestruth? Visit SheReadsTruth.com

SUNDAY IS COMING.

2014-04-19T16:03:00.000-06:00

Death stings... but there is hope! Sunday is coming.

Surprised by Motherhood.

2014-04-07T14:55:00.001-06:00

I am so excited to share this new book with you! A good friend introduced me to it and I can't wait to get my hands on it. I read the first few chapters from a preview online and didn't want it to stop! In this book you follow this woman and her journey to motherhood. Perfect way to prepare for Mother's Day... right?

Click here to watch the video! Enjoy. After watching it I think you'll want to get your hands on it too!

Here are the details!

Lisa-Jo (the author) is making available the first three chapters of Surprised By Motherhood for free!!!
Surprised by Motherhood releases TODAY! You can get it here. (or ask for it for Mother's Day!... which is what I am planning to do!)

This is not goodbye.

2014-03-11T14:43:00.000-06:00

With the passing of my Grandpa a few weeks ago, I have been thinking a lot about the hope I have knowing that I will see him again. That this is not goodbye. I also think about family and friends that may not have found that hope yet and don’t share my same excitement or longing for heaven.

Don’t get me wrong, I am fully human and I pray that I will be around for a long while longer. There is so much that I still want to do, see and experience. But, when my time comes, I have overwhelming peace and know that I will be with Jesus for eternity!

I have been reading through the blog, She Reads Truth and a challenge was given to all who were willing to take it. They titled it, She Shares Truth. Every week, they give you a passage of the Bible to read and dig into. Then, they challenge you to write your thoughts about the passage on your personal blog or Facebook page. I thought this was an amazing opportunity to dig into God’s Word, so I took them up on the challenge. So, check back frequently for my take on these passages. I can’t wait to see what I find!

This week the assigned passage was Psalm 130. Again it was a great reminder of the hope I have. The hope we ALL have. How refreshing.

I love that in our darkest moments God hears our cries, our pleas for Him. That even in our worst filth, if we ask Him, He cancels our debts and FORGIVES! Friends, there is hope in Him. A hope of everlasting life in Heaven. Once you pray to let Jesus come and live in you, that can never be taken away. What peace!

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life”

Don't delay! Jesus is waiting, with open arms. RUN to Him.

2014 & New Lessons to Learn.

2014-01-15T15:44:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it is already 2014. Not sure where 2013 went... As I start settling in to a new year and new routine I am constantly reminded of God's faithfulness. His promise to meet us where we are at and teach us through our struggles and insecurities. So refreshing isn't it?

A good friend told me about some Beth Moore ebooks that were free on Amazon. Yes... free!
I went and downloaded as many as I could and in my mind randomly choose a dad by day study to start the year with. (The one I am reading through is Beth Moore's Believing God, Day by Day) I might have thought it was random, but God sure didn't. He knew that that particular Bible study would stretch and challenge me in all the ways I needed. Thank you Jesus for working in the midst of what I thought was "randomness".

The whole mission of this study is to truly believe God is/does what He says He is/does. Throughout my life I have always wanted to control every situation... and the older I have gotten, the worse it is.

I want 2014 to be different. I want to be able to live out my life in a way that shows others I believe and trust everything about Christ. Believe and trust His plan for my life. That He is in control.

While I was out running errands today, the song Lift My Life Up from Unspoken came on the radio. It is the perfect song for me this year. Take a look at the lyrics.

You brought me this far
So why would I question you now
You have provided
So why would I start to doubt
I’ve never been stranded
Abandoned or left here to fight alone hope your leading me home
So I’m giving you control

I lift my life, lift my life up
I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
You can have it forever
All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I leave it in your hands
I lift my life, lift my life up
Have your way in me
Have your way in me
If peace is a river
Then let it sweep over me
I’m under fire
I know it’s refining me
When I hear you calling out
I follow now wherever the road may go
I know you’re leading me home

I lift my life, lift my life up
I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
You can have it forever
All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I leave it in your hands
I lift my life, lift my life up
Have your way in me
Have your way in me

Take my life and let it be all for you
Take my life and let it be all for you

I lift my life, lift my life up
I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
You can have it forever

I lift my life, lift my life up
I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
You can have it forever

All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I leave it in your hands
I lift my life, lift my life up
Have your way with me
Have your way with me

Take my life and let it be all for you

So thankful to be the daughter of a King that never leaves me stranded or abandoned. What peace. How refreshing?

As I begin 2014 I have so much to be taught... and I'm excited for what I am going to learn.

Lautenbach Family Photo Session

2014-01-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

Loved the photo session with my family a few months ago. After many laughs, we finally got down to business. Thanks to our tripod, and parents assistance, we got some good shots. Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy.

Sinterklaas} St. Nicholas Eve and other Christmas Traditions

2013-12-08T16:40:00.000-07:00

Thursday night, December 5th we put our wooden shoes out and hopped for cookies when we woke up on Friday morning, December 6th. This has been a family tradition since before I was born and it is one of the best days of the year. Who wouldn't want cookies for breakfast. The secret recipe that we use has been in the family for many generations. Excited to pass it down when our babies get older!

Last weekend we headed up to the mountains to pick the perfect tree. I'd say we found a good one. Levi loved putting up the lights with Daddy and enjoyed decorating the house with me. The snow globe is one of his favorites!

Looking forward to temperatures climbing above freezing this week. Not a fan of Siberian weather!

Week 5

2013-11-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

Wrapping up November thankfulness. This was so good for me in so many ways. It can be so easy to get caught up in the mundane and forget about things you are thankful for. Or, for that matter see the thankfulness through trials. Tough stuff. Not easy to be thankful for things that hurt.

Thankful for pre-naptime cuddles and stories with my boy

Thankful for dinner with great grandparents, who made the trip from Pennsylvania to meet Levi

Thankful for family and sharing a thanksgiving meal together

Thankful for alone time with my hubby

Thankful for God's creation and beautiful weather to cut down our Christmas tree

I hope you continue to join me in a mindset of thankfulness. It has totally changed my mindset on the way I go about my day.

Week 4

2013-11-26T16:25:00.002-07:00

Thankful for 16th birthday's and family to share it with

Thankful to connect with overseas missionaries for lunch

Thankful for Grandma and Auntie's willingness to babysit, so I could have a coffee date with a friend

Thankful for days at home to snuggle with my boy and get a few things done

Thankful for warm coffee shops to catch up with friends after signing carols and lighting Castle Rock's Star

Thankful for quiet Sunday afternoons

Thankful for productive days

Week 3

2013-11-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

Thankful for quiet mornings to be with Jesus

looking for a Bible study to get plugged into, check this one out.

Thankful for beautiful fall days to enjoy with friends

Thankful for my hubby who truly values time with his family

Thankful for 16th birthday surprise parties

Thankful for relaxing Saturday's to spend as a family

Thankful for a church family to share life's joys are hardships with

looking for a church to call home? check out Pathmakers Church for more information

Thankful for quality mommy time with my little man

Week 2

2013-11-11T16:24:00.004-07:00

A few days have passed, but that doesn't mean I am not thankful.

From now on I am going to post weekly instead of daily November thankfulness posts.

I'm Thankful for...

Time to get away and enjoy life without the everyday grind

God's creation, watching my boy experience new things and sunset walks in the corn fields

Restful Sunday afternoons to recharge before a crazy week.

Warm blankets and hot cider to keep me warm, as the next storm rolls in.

The day a boy stole my heart... forever.

2013-11-07T21:29:00.001-07:00

I am thankful for him.

Thankful for this moment.

Thankful for a year of memories.

Thankful for a growing personality.

Thankful for a boy who changed me forever and taught me more in a year that I could have dreamed.

Happy Birthday! I love you buddy.

Day 5&6

2013-11-06T15:38:00.001-07:00

Thankful for three hour naps and time to get a few things done!

Thankful for beautiful fall walks and friends to share meals with*.

I am making this dish for dinner tonight! Can't wait to try it. I tweaked it a little and added chicken and peppers. But, you get the idea. Super simple, healthy and a great meal for a chilly fall night!

Blow your MIND" Tomato Basil Pasta! - No Straining, just Stirring

(Please click on pic then click SHARE so recipe saves to your timeline. You can refer back to it later!)

Pasta, Tomatoes, Veggie Broth, Olive Oil, and Seasonings (details below)

Throw it all in the pot, INCLUDING the uncooked Pasta, and cook! - Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. The starch leaches out of the pasta and makes a rich, warm sauce for the noodles. The other ingredients cook right along with the pasta

Ingredients

12 ounces pasta (I used Linguine)
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with liquid ( I used zesty red pepper flavor)
1 large sweet onion, cut in julienne strips
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
2 large sprigs basil, chopped
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth (regular broth and NOT low sodium)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

Place pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, in a large stock pot. Pour in vegetable broth. Sprinkle on top the pepper flakes and oregano. Drizzle top with oil.

Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and keep covered and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes or so. Cook until almost all liquid has evaporated – I left about an inch of liquid in the bottom of the pot – but you can reduce as desired .

Season to taste with salt and pepper , stirring pasta several times to distribute the liquid in the bottom of the pot. Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese.

Day 3&4

2013-11-04T15:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday turned into a crazy day between our boy getting up early, running off to church, lunch and nap time and then coming home after a great event... the day got away from me. Now, I'm playing catch up. Here we go.

I am thankful that 6 years ago today the man of my dreams got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I truly am the most blessed woman in the world. My man is the best!

engagement photo. November 2007

Thankful for a warm, dry home during these blustery late fall days. We take for granted what we have when it is at our fingertips all the time.