Tuesday's find Nate and I inhaling dinner as he has a 6pm class and I leave a few minutes later for Zumba.
Tonight was no different.
I boiled some eggs, chopped up some deli ham, and threw together whatever I found in the refrigerator for any easy dinner of chef salads. And as Nate and I sat down to devour the contents on our plate, Nate proclaimed it my "signature dish," to which my fork paused in mid-air and my response "Huh?" rang out in confusion. I couldn't remember making a chef salad in a long time. And I'm pretty sure if questioned about my signature dish, chef salads would not have come to mind. He explained that when we were dating, we ate them all the time at my old place. Mind you, that was less than a year ago! While it seemed vaguely familiar when he mentioned it, I barely remembered that as being a memorable part of our dating experience or a frequent meal. It also made me start to think about what other things in my life are "signature" that I'm not aware of.
I think it's amazing what little self awareness I have at times. Or perhaps it's a case of a bad memory as I often struggle to remember what happened the day before. I suppose if I can't remember yesterday it's hard to remember a pattern of behaviors!
But on the flip side it is humbling to have a person to point out those things that are uniquely you. Even when you don't realize it. Because it says they've been watching. They care.
And this is what I found beautiful about being married today.
Nate knew something about me that I didn't, or I had forgotten.
And I had the gift of him reminding me.
There were little treasures in that moment.
But now that I know he is paying attention, I think I will start working on a new signature dish.
I don't want to be known for chef salads.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Celebrating!
Birthday's are great opportunities to celebrate people in your life. Yesterday we got the pleasure of celebrating Mom's birthday here at our apartment. We invited Mom and Tom down to celebrate Mom's special day with the lure of making the birthday meal.
And then the fun began!
What to cook?! I wanted it to be special for the occasion, so I wanted to do more than grill some burgers, but at the same time it needs to be fairly simple in ingredients. Mom doesn't like much "fanciness" in her food. However, I will give her credit that recently while at a work dinner party (that I got the invite to be her guest) they had calamari as an appetizer and she ate it. I about fell off my seat in shock. But I digress. In most cases simple ingredients are the key to Mom's heart. If you are talking no salad dressings or condiments, you are talking Mom's language.
So I began reading my cookbooks as my past time this week on a quest for the perfect meal. I bookmarked pages, made mental notes, and made my final selections.
The menu that shaped up and was served:
Italian Stuffed Mushrooms
Salad
Bruschetta Chicken
Angel Hair Pasta
Birthday Confetti Cupcakes
And since the main course was the first attempt at the dish, I am happy to say it turned out great!
It was topped off with a restaurant feel of cloth napkins and napkin rings, two forks in the cutlery placement on the table...I mean we are talking F.A.N.C.Y.
But in all seriousness, it was a really enjoyable evening. I appreciate their willingness to travel to us so we could do that.
And with the sun shining today and summer on the near horizon, I get even more excited about all the places I want to explore and check out. Nate and I were realizing that there are several places that one of us has eaten at but the other hasn't and still a few places we both would like to go to but haven't made it to yet. So we started brainstorming a list and for the sake of remembering, I'm writing it down.
The Pittt-Anderson
Sohm's-Pendleton
The Nile-Anderson
Bread Ladies-Greenfield
The Lemon Drop-Anderson
The Toast-Anderson
Bonge's Tavern-Perkinsville
Good's Candy Shop-Anderson
Nancy's Pizza-Fishers
addendum 5/2
Mama Carolla's-thanks Katy!
And then the fun began!
What to cook?! I wanted it to be special for the occasion, so I wanted to do more than grill some burgers, but at the same time it needs to be fairly simple in ingredients. Mom doesn't like much "fanciness" in her food. However, I will give her credit that recently while at a work dinner party (that I got the invite to be her guest) they had calamari as an appetizer and she ate it. I about fell off my seat in shock. But I digress. In most cases simple ingredients are the key to Mom's heart. If you are talking no salad dressings or condiments, you are talking Mom's language.
So I began reading my cookbooks as my past time this week on a quest for the perfect meal. I bookmarked pages, made mental notes, and made my final selections.
The menu that shaped up and was served:
Italian Stuffed Mushrooms
Salad
Bruschetta Chicken
Angel Hair Pasta
Birthday Confetti Cupcakes
And since the main course was the first attempt at the dish, I am happy to say it turned out great!
It was topped off with a restaurant feel of cloth napkins and napkin rings, two forks in the cutlery placement on the table...I mean we are talking F.A.N.C.Y.
But in all seriousness, it was a really enjoyable evening. I appreciate their willingness to travel to us so we could do that.
And with the sun shining today and summer on the near horizon, I get even more excited about all the places I want to explore and check out. Nate and I were realizing that there are several places that one of us has eaten at but the other hasn't and still a few places we both would like to go to but haven't made it to yet. So we started brainstorming a list and for the sake of remembering, I'm writing it down.
The Pittt-Anderson
Sohm's-Pendleton
The Nile-Anderson
Bread Ladies-Greenfield
The Lemon Drop-Anderson
The Toast-Anderson
Bonge's Tavern-Perkinsville
Good's Candy Shop-Anderson
Nancy's Pizza-Fishers
addendum 5/2
Mama Carolla's-thanks Katy!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Identity
Any of you who have an older sibling probably have some good stories to share about your childhood. I know I have some good ones stored away. My family never moved from our small hometown so both my brother and I had the blessing of long friendships and deep roots in one place.
My brother is two and a half years older and we were three years apart in school. While I suppose we were housed in the same elementary at the same time, it wasn't until I was a freshman in high school and he was a senior, that I remember existing in some of the same space in the school and bumping into one another.
It was also the first time I remember being "linked" to my brother in the minds of teachers. Many teachers remembered having my brother and because our last name had a unique spelling it was easy to identify us as siblings. However, I always got antsy when a teacher made that link, "Oh, I remember your brother." And it wasn't a bad thing, my brother was good in school, a good athlete, and a friend to many. I was proud of my brother. (At this age we were getting along well, I think the reality that my brother was leaving for college soon changed our perspectives.) I got antsy and uncomfortable because I didn't want the teachers to assume the person I was based off their experience of my brother.
"I am my own person,
get to know me for me,"
I wanted to tell them.
Fast forward a decade.
Less than a year ago I married a pastor. He might be in school phase at the moment but he is a pastor at heart, and looking forward to getting back to pastoring a church. And I know God has a sense of humor because it never ceases to amaze me that things I could never imagine doing or being, find a way to become a reality for me. If you would have told me at any time prior to marrying Nate that I would marry a pastor you would have gotten the expected response: laughter. You see I also have quick assumptions when I hear the word "pastor"...But God in his perfect timing brought us together during Nate's schooling without the audience of a congregation. I could easily get to know Nate for Nate, without additional pressures. I appreciate being able to gradually ease into this role.
Last night, Nate and I were talking with a missionary about his (and his family's) experience in Russia and then now their new placement in Trinidad through Global Missions. And we began sharing some of our own thoughts about what the future might hold.
As we shared, the future seemed more tangible, and I began feeling similar thoughts of when I was in high school and I was fearful that teachers would assume who I was because they knew my brother. When I think of being a "pastors wife" I begin mentally protesting "I am more than that! I am my own person." Nate is called to pastoring. I am called to love and support Nate. And him, me. And while I know this to be true and I don't question whether or not Nate and I can find our balance. I struggle with the labels and perceptions that come with being a pastor's wife.
I know my identity will continue to be shaped over the next few years (and lifetime) in this area as I navigate this world of being married to a pastor, and through it all I pray that God continues to mold me into the person he would have me be.
My brother is two and a half years older and we were three years apart in school. While I suppose we were housed in the same elementary at the same time, it wasn't until I was a freshman in high school and he was a senior, that I remember existing in some of the same space in the school and bumping into one another.
It was also the first time I remember being "linked" to my brother in the minds of teachers. Many teachers remembered having my brother and because our last name had a unique spelling it was easy to identify us as siblings. However, I always got antsy when a teacher made that link, "Oh, I remember your brother." And it wasn't a bad thing, my brother was good in school, a good athlete, and a friend to many. I was proud of my brother. (At this age we were getting along well, I think the reality that my brother was leaving for college soon changed our perspectives.) I got antsy and uncomfortable because I didn't want the teachers to assume the person I was based off their experience of my brother.
"I am my own person,
get to know me for me,"
I wanted to tell them.
Fast forward a decade.
Less than a year ago I married a pastor. He might be in school phase at the moment but he is a pastor at heart, and looking forward to getting back to pastoring a church. And I know God has a sense of humor because it never ceases to amaze me that things I could never imagine doing or being, find a way to become a reality for me. If you would have told me at any time prior to marrying Nate that I would marry a pastor you would have gotten the expected response: laughter. You see I also have quick assumptions when I hear the word "pastor"...But God in his perfect timing brought us together during Nate's schooling without the audience of a congregation. I could easily get to know Nate for Nate, without additional pressures. I appreciate being able to gradually ease into this role.
Last night, Nate and I were talking with a missionary about his (and his family's) experience in Russia and then now their new placement in Trinidad through Global Missions. And we began sharing some of our own thoughts about what the future might hold.
As we shared, the future seemed more tangible, and I began feeling similar thoughts of when I was in high school and I was fearful that teachers would assume who I was because they knew my brother. When I think of being a "pastors wife" I begin mentally protesting "I am more than that! I am my own person." Nate is called to pastoring. I am called to love and support Nate. And him, me. And while I know this to be true and I don't question whether or not Nate and I can find our balance. I struggle with the labels and perceptions that come with being a pastor's wife.
I know my identity will continue to be shaped over the next few years (and lifetime) in this area as I navigate this world of being married to a pastor, and through it all I pray that God continues to mold me into the person he would have me be.
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Wonderful World of Fasting
Monday has rolled around again after weekend full of activities.
Tangled
Birthday party
School of Theology banquet
Visit with a friend
Church
Motorcycle ride <---First one of the season!
Visit with Dad
Church Budget meeting
Inception
....
Nate and I decided we would both fast for Lent this year. Both of us have done similar things in the year to two before, but I would say overall it's relatively new for us.
This year Nate has given up coffee, and if you know Nate you know this is a significant loss. I am doing a water fast. So all beverages have been eliminated other than water. I have to admit around week 3 the desire for something other than water hit me strong. But we have persisted. Nate has placed his coffee grinder out of site and I keep the Brita water pitcher on speed dial. And it never fails to amuse me that Nate asks me what I want to drink for dinner every night.
Saturday at the banquet we attended we sat at a table with one of Nate's professors and her husband who nonchalantly threw out there that she was taking her "day of rest" early and instead of taking her break from Lent the next day she decided, due to the occasion she would take it Saturday instead.
Nate and I both looked at each other and then back to her.
"What did you say?"
She proceeded to explain that yes, for the 40 days of Lent you can actually take Sunday's off. That's how you get the 40 days of Lent between Ash Wednesday and Easter. If you didn't take the day off you get 46 days.
I then took Nate's glass of sparkling red grape juice and drank heartily. Yum! Lent is so much better when I have all the rules!
Nate has also thrown in some extra fasts for himself. A fasting fanatic I call him. This week I've decided to join him in a TV fast. And as you might notice the beginning and end of the weekend was capped off with movies, I did get clarification that movies are included in the TV category. Just checking.
So while I would normally be watching Ellen on my lunch break right now, today I write about fasting.
But fasting is not so bad now.
Now that I have Sunday's off.
Tangled
Birthday party
School of Theology banquet
Visit with a friend
Church
Motorcycle ride <---First one of the season!
Visit with Dad
Church Budget meeting
Inception
....
Nate and I decided we would both fast for Lent this year. Both of us have done similar things in the year to two before, but I would say overall it's relatively new for us.
This year Nate has given up coffee, and if you know Nate you know this is a significant loss. I am doing a water fast. So all beverages have been eliminated other than water. I have to admit around week 3 the desire for something other than water hit me strong. But we have persisted. Nate has placed his coffee grinder out of site and I keep the Brita water pitcher on speed dial. And it never fails to amuse me that Nate asks me what I want to drink for dinner every night.
Saturday at the banquet we attended we sat at a table with one of Nate's professors and her husband who nonchalantly threw out there that she was taking her "day of rest" early and instead of taking her break from Lent the next day she decided, due to the occasion she would take it Saturday instead.
Nate and I both looked at each other and then back to her.
"What did you say?"
She proceeded to explain that yes, for the 40 days of Lent you can actually take Sunday's off. That's how you get the 40 days of Lent between Ash Wednesday and Easter. If you didn't take the day off you get 46 days.
I then took Nate's glass of sparkling red grape juice and drank heartily. Yum! Lent is so much better when I have all the rules!
Nate has also thrown in some extra fasts for himself. A fasting fanatic I call him. This week I've decided to join him in a TV fast. And as you might notice the beginning and end of the weekend was capped off with movies, I did get clarification that movies are included in the TV category. Just checking.
So while I would normally be watching Ellen on my lunch break right now, today I write about fasting.
But fasting is not so bad now.
Now that I have Sunday's off.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Jumping in.
It's with some serious hesitation I've approached the world of blogging. Nate can attest to the fact I've been mulling over this idea for the last few weeks but not yet ready to take the plunge. I see the benefits of expressing oneself. I see the benefits of being able to stay connected with friends and family that are loved, but at a distance. I see the benefits of being able to chronicle this thing called life. But it's a little scary to put oneself "out there". The feeling of being exposed unnerves me a little.
But I've decided the good outweighs the bad.
And this is what has lured me in at last. Because I see that life will not be slowing down anytime soon, there are so many changes to come, and I want family and friends to be able to be a part, even if it's in this one small way... if they want to be.
So I'm jumping in.
But I've decided the good outweighs the bad.
And this is what has lured me in at last. Because I see that life will not be slowing down anytime soon, there are so many changes to come, and I want family and friends to be able to be a part, even if it's in this one small way... if they want to be.
So I'm jumping in.
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