Colder Weather

The folks back home in Georgia will gasp (as we did) when you read this:
We are already expecting some snow tonight! ... "Just a chance of a dusting" is what people are saying. But the fact that it's October 31st and there's a chance of snow is startling to people who are used to Georgia weather. I mean, I can remember some south Georgia Christmas gatherings where dad was wearing cargo shorts. So this is a little unusual for us! Something I have learned in the few short months we've been here : The weather here is crazy. It's up, it's down, and it changes in the blink of an eye. As one of my patients told me, "If you don't like the weather, just wait 5 minutes. It'll change."

It is taking me back to many a Halloween night as a kid in the midwest, trudging through snow with our pumpkin buckets and winter coats over our costumes. The feeling of my cheeks cold, wind blowing through my hair, is just absolutely rejuvenating. Maybe it reminds me to be child-like, laugh and play more, worry less. So today, as cold and rainy as it was, I bundled up and the dogs and I enjoyed a walk in the rain. They loved it, I loved it, and I'm thinking I'll make it through this colder weather season just fine.

(At least I am saying that now.. We'll see how I fare when there is actual snow and ice on the roads and I have to drive somewhere! Look out for that, world!)

Carrot bread with Cider and Olive Oil (from the Smitten Kitchen)
Another perk of the cold weather - baking is even more enjoyable than usual...
Nothing like the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg filling the house 

Happy Fall from us in Kentucky!

I mean, how cute are they??

Love, 
Rach 

Spicy Sausage Quiche

It is cooling off here in Kentucky, and I have to confess that I love it! The leaves are changing and falling outside of the window, the air is cold and invigorating. It is the kind of weather that reminds me of the fun of growing up in North Dakota. I used to play outside (in the snowbanks) until my mom had to drag me in, cheeks bright red and stinging from the cold. Something about the change in seasons makes me feel like a child again...I still love to take the dogs out and play, not coming back in until my cheeks are flushed and I feel refreshed by the cold, clear air. I am thoroughly enjoying the seasons, a perk of living a little bit more north!

This recipe is perfect for any time of year, but I made it recently and wanted to share it for fall. I use my favorite pie crust recipe, but you could use store-bought as well and make it an even easier dish. You just pour the ingredients into the unbaked crust, bake for an hour, and the outcome is a delicious blend of flavors that remind me of queso dip, in quiche form. What could be wrong with that??
The great thing about quiche is that you can serve it for a breakfast/brunch, or even a lunch or supper if served with a side such as salad or roasted vegetables. We have eaten this at all times of the day and love it every time.

Spicy Sausage Quiche 

Yields: 1 quiche, 6-8 slices 

1/2 lb. ground hot sausage 

2 eggs 

1/2 c. sour cream

1/3 c. milk

1 1/2 c. cheddar cheese, grated

1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes, drained 

9" pie shell, unbaked 

Preheat the oven to 350. 

Prepare the pastry crust in a pie or quiche pan and set aside.

Brown the ground sausage on the stovetop; drain and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, and milk.

Stir in the cooked sausage, cheese, and drained Rotel tomatoes. 

Pour the mixture into the pie crust and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. 

Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. 

Enjoy!
Love,
Rach

Birthday 27

I am now 27... I think... Does anyone else have trouble remembering what year you are on?
Of no matter, I love celebrating birthdays!

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated birthday. I spent the weekend away from the hospital-- with Kip, my brother Joel, and my parents who came to town for the weekend.  Kip took me out for a doughnuts-and-coffee-breakfast at Nord's (best doughnuts in the world except for my grandpa's). I then made this chocolate cake. (Delicious and uncomplicated!) We had a Parks and Recreation marathon and took the dogs for a walk. Once my parents made it in from Ohio we enjoyed a late night Italian dinner at Buca di Beppo. By the time we were home from dinner to open cards and gifts it was nearly midnight, I had the "P.M. Jollies", and we laughed about silly things until I cried. As the icing on the cake, one of my very best friends had her baby boy on this day, and my heart completely exploded.

We spent the remainder of the weekend together, mostly laughing and thrift shopping.  Enjoying the simple grace of a Sunday lunch, lingering around the table and taking time to listen more and rush less. Reminiscing. Sharing leftover cake. Dogs lying at our feet, in no hurry either.

It was a weekend full of very simple things, yet it was wonderful. Meaningful. Memorable. Why?

It wasn't the high-calorie splurges, facebook posts, or gifts. It was togetherness, love, laughter... the graces of God highlighted in every scene. It got me thinking about birthdays... how they are always good days because you decide they should be. A special day to celebrate life. Spiritually speaking, we can celebrate this every day.

God has been so good to create us all : purposefully, specifically, creatively, uniquely, exactly as He intended. He has given us SO much, not because we are great and worthy, but because He is. There is no one who loves and gives and serves like the Lord Jesus.

 So, I want to love every day like it's my birthday. As children of God, this is the joy of Christ available to us. We are always chosen, beloved, blessed, safe, secure, and loved. We can celebrate every day like we matter, because we do. And those around us do too. What if I approached every day with significance, importance, humility, thanksgiving? What if I treated everyone in a way that made them feel special, reminding them they are precious?

In the mundane times,
in the grandiose moments,
in those freeze-frame still life pauses where everything feels perfect and you just want to remember it forever,
In the painful and confusing,
in the moments where I fail and I know it...
I just want to learn to love each day. It is all grace. It is all good in the hand of a good and faithful God. Let's celebrate life!

breakfast : unashamedly eating several donuts with our coffee 

Late night dinner between two of my faves 

Sitting around the lunch table = the best

Thankful to be their daughter