What's For Dinner: 'Caprese Grain Bowl July is here, isn't it? The days are long and warm, bursting with activity for some, and for others, a hopeful search for a cool, shady spot to simply be . I find myself somewhere in the middle. There's a particular kind of energy that comes with summer – sometimes invigorating, sometimes just plain draining when you're someone who recharges best in solitude. It’s a bit like trying to hold onto the fleeting beauty of a summer sunset; you want to soak it all in, but also know that rest is coming. During these busy-but-beautiful weeks, my thoughts often turn to meals that offer a breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively. I don't want to spend ages over a hot stove, nor do I want anything too heavy that will make the evening feel even more sluggish. What I really long for is something that feels both nourishing for the body and kind to the soul – a thoughtful assembly of simple things that points back t...

Recruiting instead of selling and making that clear in copy Photo by aw (@wwwawdesign) The late summer air is thick and still as I sit here, the cicadas a hum in the background, a gentle reminder that August is settling in. My mind has been circling a particular thought lately, one of those subtle distinctions that feels hugely important when you finally pause to give it real space. It’s the difference between trying to sell something and trying to recruit someone, and what that means for the words we put out into the world. It’s a tension I’ve felt keenly in my work, in community — even sometimes around the dinner table when my husband and I are discussing plans with our adult daughter. We often talk about "selling" an idea, a product, a service. We craft pitches, highlight benefits, smooth out rough edges with persuasive language designed to make an outcome seem irresistible. The Subtle Shift in Intention Selling feels like a transaction, doesn't it? My...

Background photo by Allen Rad on Unsplash Today is International Bikini Day . There’s always something to celebrate.

What's For Dinner: Panzanella July is fully upon us, isn't it? The world outside my window is buzzing with a vibrant, sweaty sort of energy. For someone like me, who often finds comfort in the quieter corners of life, this time of year can be a beautiful paradox. The sun insists on its presence, and the garden, bless its heart, demands attention. Yet, there’s a sweet invitation in these long days to slow down, to appreciate the simple rhythms of creation, and to let go of the need for grand plans. It’s a season that reminds me of grace – how good things often come in unadorned packages, like a perfectly ripe tomato. And when the warmth of the day lingers into evening, the thought of standing over a hot stove feels less like an inviting activity and more like a test of endurance. That's where Panzanella steps in. It's a dish that embodies summer simplicity, turning humble ingredients into something truly special with minimal fuss. Panzanella is, at its hea...

Daily Prayer: Waking Up to a Soul's Deepest Craving Photo by Nathan Dumlao (@nate_dumlao) "My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness." — Isaiah 26:9 There's a particular kind of internal hum that starts even before the alarm clock has the audacity to go off, isn't there? For me, it’s not always the urgent mental list of work deadlines, or remembering to text my adult child back, or even the vague nagging feeling about that pile of clean laundry still waiting. Sometimes, it’s a quieter, deeper pull. A yearning that feels ancient and entirely separate from the demands of my very modern, very busy mid-week, late-spring existence. The Echo in the Night, The Whisper in the Dawn Isaiah 26:9 speaks so directly to this. “My soul yearns for you in the night.” The night is when my guard is usually down. The external world finally qu...

Background photo by Junior REIS (@juniorreisrn) Happy Independence Day! Here's a little sparkler of a fact: While we enthusiastically light up the night on July 4th, the Continental Congress actually voted for independence two days earlier, on July 2nd. Founding Father John Adams even believed future generations would celebrate on the 2nd! That grand quest for independence, in a much quieter, less parchment-bound way, plays out in our everyday lives too. Think of it as the freedom to declare your pajamas acceptable attire all day, or the profound liberty of choosing mismatched socks because, well, you can. It's the small, personal declarations that make life uniquely yours. Even if the loudest fireworks aren't quite your scene, or if your ideal parade involves a comfortable chair and a good book, there's always something to celebrate. The simple joy of a day off, the perfectly grilled (or store-bought) burger, or just a moment of quiet, uninterrupted peace....