Mrs. Rogers Neighborhood

How ironic that New Jersey is called the Garden State, because we spent a lot of time playing in Bill's Aunt and Uncle's garden.  His Aunt Kristin showed us everything they had planted and we helped to pick the harvest and learned their methods and techniques.  The picture above is one days worth of spoils, and made some really yummy salsa if I do say so myself :) Our time in New Jersey was wonderful and relaxing.  I was so thrilled that this is how our trip began.  We visited the local brew pup, cooked dinner together and made drinks, stopped by the cider farm, played games, saw historical sites, walked through town, went to a farmer's market, shopped a little and spent time in our comfy clothes lounging in their home by the fire or eating snacks on the deck.  Honestly, it could not have been more perfect.  When Kristin pulled up to the airport with coffee for everyone in thermoses and tea for me, I knew that this time together would be wonderful.  Even after

Sometimes a hymn hits me in church like a ton of bricks - the significance of it overwhelms me.  Two weeks ago we sang these words and every one dripped off my tongue like water for my soul.  Isn't it amazing the effect something can have on you?  It refreshed my mind set and gave me such a future perspective and reminded me what is truly important.  I hope it has the same effect on you. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds and drives away his fear. It makes the wounded spirit whole, and calms the troubled breast Tis' manna to the hungry soul and to the weary rest. Dear name! the Rock on which I build my shield and hiding place My never failing treas'ry filled with boundless stores of grace. Jesus, my Shepherd, Brother, Friend, my Prophet, Priest and King My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, accept the praise I bring. Weak is the effort of my heart, and cold my warmest thought But wh

I ngredients 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced 2 medium carrots, shaved into ribbons with a vegetable peeler 4 radishes, thinly sliced 2 crusty hoagie-style rolls 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from about 4 limes) 2 teaspoons honey 2 tablespoons chopped cornichons or gherkins, plus 1 tablespoon brine from the jar Kosher salt 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (from 1 small chicken) 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus cilantro leaves for topping 1 tablespoon Asian chile sauce (such as Sriracha) Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Soak the red onion, carrots and radishes in ice water for 5 minutes, then drain. Split each roll in half lengthwise to make 4 pieces. Transfer to the oven to toast. Whisk 1/4 cup mayonnaise, the lime juice, honey, cornichons and brine, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the chicken, onion, carrots, radishes and chopped cilantro and toss. Mix the chile sauce and the remaining 1/4 cup ma

Before I tell you about our East Coast trip and how each part of it was even better than we could have imagined, I want you to know that the culmination of it all, the Dunsterville wedding, was absolutely breath taking.  I know everyone thinks that their family is the greatest and no one could compare, but there is a certain magic in mine that I know nothing could ever touch. The older we get the more sincere we become.  I feel like each person has changed for the best over the past few years, but above all else, my siblings have just grown up.  This celebration felt meaningful and special.  I cannot possibly put it into words.  It sparkled and glowed and couldn't possibly have been as fabulous as I am remembering it. I will do a blog next week with more pictures and anecdotes and specific memories, but what I wanted to say today was this...  Congratulations Faith and Josh!  As our speech so colorfully said, you were meant for each other and are such a wonderful co

The past month has been a blur. I feel like I can't even begin to catch you up on the whirlwind of amazing moments. In the next few weeks I want to sit down and share about my East Coast Trip, the Dunsterville Wedding, some fall recipes and so much more.   Please keep being patient with me while I gather pictures and memories and compile them into a few blog posts that hopefully will give you a glimpse into my life :) I'll be back soon...I promise. Until then, I hope this makes you smile!