Keeping things simple with a smidge of Southern charm
If you had told me a year ago that I’d be sharing a recipe for Cajun Seared Scallops, I would’ve thought you had absolutely lost your mind. To tell you the truth, I’ve never been a seafood lover. Getting over the smell of fresh seafood has been a lifelong struggle for me. (Every time I catch a whiff I think someone just opened a can of cat food.) But with a little bit of gentle encouragement from my husband, I’ve turned things around just a tad.
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Even though it’s technically still spring, this 90 degree weather we’re having is giving us every indication that this summer is going to be a scorcher. When it’s hot outside, turning on my oven is one of the last things I want to do. I love to utilize my crock pot as much as I can during the warmer months, and last week I pulled out one of my favorite comfort food recipes – Slow Cooker Venison Pot Roast – and threw all of the ingredients into the pot to simmer to perfection just in time for supper!
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It may technically still be spring, but I can taste the sweetness of summertime on my lips. The long days, the hot temps and the fresh fruits and veggies harvested straight from the garden bring a new life to me that I long for all winter long. I crave the tartness of a freshly squeezed lemon in my drink, and my tummy rejoices over the dripping of an ice cream cone running down my hand. These little moments are the ones that bring me so much happiness, and I long to harness that joy any way that I can so that I can savor it all summer long! 
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Mother’s Day took on a whole new meaning for me 4 years ago. On Mother’s Day 2015, we packed our bags and buckled our newborn baby girl into her car seat and brought her home from the hospital after a long delivery 2 days prior. Since stepping into motherhood, I’ve gained a strength that I could’ve only gained by wearing the title of mother. I see other moms going through their daily struggles of raising children and am encouraged by their strength, and then I open my eyes a bit wider on a more global scope, and I see a new realm of strength that I have never seen before.
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Hey ladies – this post is for you! I’ll be discussing a few things that are a bit more feminine and personal in nature, so if you’re a male and this sort of topic makes you uncomfortable, feel free to pass this post on to a lady in your life! 😉
 Back before I had children and knew it all, there were certain things I swore I’d never do. My sister made the decision to cloth diaper her children, and it was something I initially snickered at. I’d never do that. I could not wrap my mind around the notion that anyone would take any sort of extra steps to diaper their child when we have the convenience of disposable diapers. And don’t even get my started on handling the really dirty diapers. I can look back at all of this and laugh now. Man, did I ever put my foot in my mouth on this one!
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Alabama weather can certainly throw you for a loop at times, but there’s no denying when summer finally makes its long awaited debut. That warm, sultry air that fills your lungs when you step outside in the morning brings every indication that the day is going to be a scorcher, and the first bead of sweat rolls down your forehead before you even make it to your car. Yes, the summer days are certainly hot, but the fun that comes with the summer season has me excited to pack my bags and head down to the beach for a weekend getaway!
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How are those New Year’s resolutions holding out for you now that we’re 5 months into 2019? I’ll be honest, I’ve been slacking a little on one or two of mine, but there’s one resolution that I haven’t been willing to budge on at all this year, and I think it’ll be a resolution that sticks around long after 2019 is over with! Quality time is my primary love language, and since becoming a mother of 2, the quality time with my husband has been becoming harder to come by. One of my top goals this year was to change that, and one simple way we’re doing that is having at least one scheduled date night each month!
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Did you know that May is National BBQ Month? It seems perfectly fitting, seeing as how the temperatures outside during the month of May are always perfect for getting (and eating!) outside and firing up those grills. My husband and I are big time barbecue fans. In fact, we love it so much that we served it at our wedding (which just so happened to be in May!). The smell of slow cooked BBQ has a way of instantly making me think of the sweet summertime, and my household will be celebrating National BBQ Month to the fullest with this fun little appetizer that’s loaded with flavorful BBQ goodness!
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Some of my most cherished items are handwritten recipes that have been given to me over the years from family members and friends. I have a rather large collection of cookbooks, including a few church cookbooks from various congregations nearby. This recipe for lemon poppy seed bread is one that was passed on to me from my grandmother-in-law after I nearly fell out in the floor over how delicious it was when she brought it out for dessert after Sunday dinner. I’m telling y’all, my taste buds were seriously rejoicing!
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Vacation Bible School will soon be kicking off all across the country, and team leaders and volunteers are busy gathering up materials, supplies and resources to make sure their VBS is an exciting and fun-filled time for all children (and adults) involved! Each year I put together resources for you related to the different VBS themes to help assist with the behind-the-scenes planning, decorations, crafts, snacks, etc. A lot goes into VBS each year, and it’s one of my greatest joys to help you out along the way!
Two of the most widely used themes for 2019 are In The Wild by Lifeway and Roar! by Group. I was surprised to see that the two themes were so similar this year, but thrilled nonetheless! Both themes are truly amazing, and the content is going to be a roaring good time!
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