this precious life.

 when i first saw the idea for a flower potluck* in the spring issue of kinfolk,  it immediately went on my spring bucket list.  but then life got craaaazy and here we are at the end of july!  so glad these ladies were able to join me in celebrating life,  summer and the beauty of God's creation! hors d'oeuvres : > crostini w/ mascarpone & pesto > cantaloupe, mozzarella & prosciutto skewers > savory herb biscuits > grilled peaches dessert: > berry cheesecake tart {*flower potluck > each person brings a vase to trade + several stems of their favorite flower. then everyone assembles a bouquet to take home}  

i am SO excited to share this little recipe with you!! beets can be an iffy thing. you love them or you don't.  "they bleed a gorgeous color", i always thought...  "but other than that, aren't they just similar to turnips?"  and turnips always make me think of molly, the american girl doll, and how she had to sit and eat  lukewarm mashed turnips as part of her sacrifice for the war effort.  i adored molly when i was little and always felt sorry that she had to eat those turnips! i digress! prior to this year, the only way i had ever had beets was pickled (still haven't found a kind i like) or in  russian borscht... a soup that was actually yummy (when served with dollops of sour cream of course!). then while in chicago with my aunt this spring for our birthdays, we ordered roasted beets and i fell in love!  they were chunked and served with pistachios and goat cheese and it was  the first time i'd ever experienced t...

this has been such a whirlwind summer of pouring into people that i've not taken enough time for me to spend with Jesus-- being refreshed & strengthened in Him. there. i said it. it hurts to admit that... because i like to adopt this mentality that i can sustain this kind of lifestyle on my own. but that's so, so prideful and the Lord has to break me of it over and over again. mostly by bringing me to the end of myself so that i fall prostrate at His feet. amidst a constant flow of travel, work & serving, i have spent time with the Lord & sought to do everything through his strength & will... but it's always been on the go; bits here & there.  i have not spent long amounts of time with Him or allowed people to pour into me. and that is so important. Jesus often refreshes/strengthens us by using other people just as much as He uses communion with Him to accomplish that. the seedlings of truth and life that He is continually planting in my soul nee...