Almost exactly two weeks ago, with my tummy doing flip-flops, I drove into Abilene for the second time in my life. This time coming from the West. It’s been a whirlwind since that day! It took a lot of time, money (SO blessed by the giftcards), and patience from Dad (he was a champ!), but…
I used to LOVE any kind of breaded chicken as a kid. Dipped in honey was the best way. Or ketchup. But usually honey. I haven’t had anything like that in years, but on a cool day this summer, I had a handful of chicken breasts and decided to experiment and make up a grown…
My dad said something to me over two quails, BBQ wrapped shrimp and sweet potato fries on Saturday night and it’s weight on my heart surprised me. “Bend is no more beautiful than Abilene.” Given a different conversation and a different time, I might have argued with that statement. Bend Sunrise I knew what he meant…
12 miles of snow covered trails, wildlife, quiet, beauty and a dear companion. While my day began freaking out about this: It soon became this story: “How precious are My children who are awed by nature’s beauty; this opens them up to My holy Presence. Even before you knew Me personally, you responded to My…
This week’s Meaningful Midweek is going to be short and sweet. I have a Statistics Midterm that I have to get to (and have been studying frantically for all morning). One of my favorite things I have done up here in Bend is to volunteer for Agricultural Connections! Each week, I get the pleasure to…
I’ve just seen The Princess Bride for the first time! It lived up to all my hopes and expectations after hearing quotes for years. It’s especially good at McMenamins and with a bottle of red wine. In honor of my first viewing, I’ve named these chocolate almond bars with sea salt after Princess Buttercup. A…
Our lives run at a million miles a minute. Women say 6,000-8,000 words per day. Men: 2,000-4,000. We thrive on a full calendar. Social media keeps our brains and thumbs on a treadmill of status updates, photos, recipes and DIY ideas. And I think sometimes we just need to unplug… Each morning in Sant Cugat,…
Sometime in the Spring my sister, Laura, started trying to convince me to spend my summer in Bend. I told her she might have to “twist my arm.” So she started sending me text messages and pictures of wine, fresh produce and cute puppies. She also promised adventures. You know how I love adventures! I…
If you missed it last week, Wednesdays are Meaningful Midweek day! Were you as silly as I was as a kid? I would check the mail every day I had the chance! And I was lucky to get mail once a month. I checked it every day though, just to be sure. There’s something about a…
Ever since Jenna posted this recipe, figs and bacon have been dancing in my dreams. Don’t worry about the fact that was 9 months ago. Little details. Have I ever told you that I’m always thinking about food? I’m usually planning lunch in my head while I am eating breakfast…it’s a problem. I fell in love…
Sarah Lynn Smile 