Ever un-ready.

Everything is lining up. This is the summer I've waited for, planned for, and desired for years in coming (let me count: 2011-2005=6 years). Fluffy cat; check. Cozy home; check. Yard for a garden; check. Time and motivation to write; check. Gardening/canning gear, summer sewing projects, cute baby girl; check, check, check. Fun home town to enjoy; check. New friends to invest in; check. Summer;       .Wait, let me try that again. Summer;        . Something is unmistakeably wrong here. Or that is how it seemed to the girl who likes routine, being home, and waiting for things to come about just as she planned and expected them to. That sorry state of a girl would be me.

Yet within this little heart of mine is an abundant amount of room for change and renovation. It seems that I am constantly dragging the furniture of my soul across the room. Huffing, puffing, and scraping the dusty floors as I go. I desire a welcoming and well kept place for the ones I desire (or the One I desire), yet I'm found moving around the same old junk and dust and damaged belongings (e.g. the couch the cat scratched up). I do specifically remember asking for change and renewal. And the heart to follow my God wherever He would lead me. So why do I fight the change when it comes? I don't think I included my ideal summer plans in the picture.

Matt and I want to be servant hearted. And open and willing for the Lord to use us and most importantly, to trust Him with our future and His goodness in the way He has planned the events in our lives to draw us closer to Him and nearer to His likeness. Fortunately (or unfortunately as some of us would be tempted to think), this includes our summers.

To some, spending eight weeks in Wisconsin Dells, WI would be far from difficult. To others, it's the wrench that got their goat.

So, when I read Matthew 6:33 & Luke 9:23 in the midst of having a personal pity party, I feel challenged. 
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well" (directly following a passage speaking about worry) Matt 6:33 NIV
"But if anyone would follow Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me." Lk 9:23 NIV

But then Isaiah 30:18 and Zephaniah 3:17 addresses the issue of my heart. Who is this who desires to change 'my plans'?
 But God's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you.
 He's gathering strength to show mercy to you.
God takes the time to do everything right—everything. 
Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones. 
Isaiah 30:18, the Message

'Jerusalem will be told:
"Don't be afraid. Dear Zion, don't despair.
Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he'll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs. 
Zeph 3:17, the Message


When I stop and think about how short our time is in this world, and how Christ Himself truly gave up so much more to suffer an unnecessary death (really, I might have given up on mankind with our history), I'm humbled and motivated to really let Christ be lord over every aspect of my life. Just not my kitchen. Kidding!  Besides, maybe I'll have my own garden of peonies, tiger lilies, and climbing roses and the One I most desire to enjoy it with in the nearer (than I imagine) future... I want to be ever ready for the change that does my heart best.

So, Wisconsin, you are 8 hours away from my dream summer, but I am trusting a God who knows me me most intimately! Bring on the renovation (and that new couch?)!

fluffy cat: check.  Lovely baby girl; check.

Flowers I left in Ithaca, NY; I do not regret at all the change He brought!

Staying Warm in Frigid Fargo: African Peanut Stew

To live in Fargo, one must be warm blooded...and creative. Especially if you aren't necessarily warm blooded (like myself). If you find your toes stinging, or numb, your nose drippy, but too frozen to know it, and your mittens molded to the shape of your fingers due to wearing them from morning to evening (and all while inside your home), then you're in need of some cozy recipes.

Today the wind chill was -38F. It was a must to become creative as I was experiencing all of the symptoms above (even with the thermostat set at 68 degrees F). I made this delectable African Peanut Stew, and only added some water as it was quite thick and rich right away. With a side of crispy bread, my husband and I found this was just the solution we needed tonight.

Good for bringing your core temperature up!

At the moment we sit by the fireplace with our belly's full of warm stew and crispy bread. The cat's sleeping next to the heat banister, and my sweet baby girl is in my lap loving the vibrant colors of the computer screen. My next task is to feed baby girl and then put on a pot of water for some sweet Chai tea.

Have I mentioned that I really love winter? It must help to have a cozy home and adorable family...and warm woolen socks. Praise the Lord for all these good things!

Here's to those in need of some warmth from your brain to your stomach to your toes! Enjoy. :)



Your friend,
Lindsay Kate  xo!


PS. I'm back and hoping to be more consistent with blogging! Sweet Evelyn is a delight to our little family. I love being her mummy!

Autumn, aquiver with color

 Lovely, enticing, and perfectly inviting fall came to us. And it still resides in Fargo, ND. Everywhere the eye turns is a leaf turning from green to electrifying golds trembling in the wisps of fall breeze. Yesterday, my husbands 'Saturday', or day off, we went to Island Park to read and enjoy the vibrant day.

My husband, the living book on tape...er...whatever.

Harry Potter: the last chapters!

I listen well while cutely holding baby...and smiling...perfectly natural...

Matt reading 'Dare to Discipline', by Dr. Dobson. Preparing for fatherhood.
(despite what you may hear, this is a good book to read---go ahead & try it. You don't have to love it.)

Pik A Pie.

There is a sad story in Fargo. The pumpkins have gone missing. At least in the canning industry. Two years of a bad pumpkin crops leaves these winter surviving Fargonians depressed and pumpkin-pie-less for Thanksgiving. Thankfully, our CSA farm grew them & put them in our boxes this week.

As a wee babe is making her way into this family (hopefully SOON), I know time to bake pumpkins for pie will be hard to find. This Saturday I cut them up, cleaned them out, and roasted/baked both the pumpkins and their seeds. I've yet to remove the pumpkin peel and turn them into pies (I need to puree the pumpkin & spice it up, and then bake 'em up!) But, here's the process so far.

Pik-a-pie pumpkins.

Cleaned out, cut up, and roasted and ready to go (I added water to the bottom of the pan)

The pumpkin guts (for lack of a better term)

Gleaning the seeds from the muck.

Cleaned & ready to season (olive oil & sea salt to be simple)

Post-roasting. My husband had already discovered these by the time I shot a photo...

{Thank you, Mom and thank you, Dahlia for your help in learning this process!}

Never Leave Catnip Unattended.

A few nights ago the hubby and I decided to get some take n' bake pizza and a movie. We say goodbye to the sweet kitty as he purrs contentedly and run out to the car. It's drizzling in a most satisfying way outside. On the way to get our goods vibrant techno music plays as we discuss sweet nothings. Soon, we have a movie in hand and a double layer pepperoni pizza sitting on my lap. We pull into the drive, unlock the back door, walk in to the kitchen, turn on the oven, and get the plates & coke out.  All the while chatting and laughing...having a ball. Dimly in the background we hear an exaggerated 'meow' repeating itself like a stuck record player. Little did we know that a strangely hyper kitty had also had a ball while we were out. Matt walked into the dining room. From the other room I hear, "Wha?! What happened?!"

I peek my head out of the kitchen. My husband stood in a sea of catnip as the cat leaped and bounded all around the living room, "meow! MEow! meOW!" Someone found the ziplock I left out with the extra catnip (aka cracknip) in it. His pupils enlarged and his tail crooked, he gaped up at us. Play with me?!?! There was no hiding his activities while we were gone.  

Empty ziplock.

The damage.

Kitty revved up on catnip (notice his pupils...)

Anticipation

There's something about waiting that is completely good for the soul...and completely miserable (at times). I find that in this particular time in my life, I'm waiting for a lot of things. I'm waiting for baby to come. I'm waiting to crunch leaves under my booted feet. I'm waiting for my life's ambition to appear, shake my shoulders, and say "hey! I'm it! This is your goal!" Sometimes I want to scrap the slowly ticking time and burst into it so I can see how it all turns out.

Yet, there is gain in waiting. There's a reason dessert is saved for last.  Like the prince in shining armor who battles evils and challenges beyond imagining, there is a sweet kiss waiting for his chiseled cheeks. But only after he fights off the dragon (or evil step mother). His strength and character is put to the test---and grown through it. He may even have the anticipation and anxiety of finally running into the dragon. Or dreadful woman. But there is a hope yet beyond them.

Thankfully, there are no dragons on my block. Nor evil stepmothers. Merely a quiet, steady, and constant drum before me. And occasionally anxieties and problems that sneak their way into this house. For the days when it seems I can't wait anymore, or when a discouragement floods over me, may I ever turn my eyes to the one who has anticipated far more than I can ever have imagined. Christ had a most agonizing pain (physical, spiritual, and definitely emotional) waiting for Him at a hill of shame and guilt for criminals (of which He was not--He knew no sin). Yet, the hope of bringing new life for all was also ever before Him. It was for the joy set before Him. And it is that same hope He has given those who receive Him, who believe in His name.

 "I am still confident of this: 

       I will see the goodness of the LORD 

       in the land of the living.

 Wait for the LORD; 

       be strong and take heart 

       and wait for the LORD."

                  -Psalm 27:13-14

So while I drum my fingers and wait, I'll seek to take heart, be strong, and wait for the Lord. And enjoy the process while I'm able; and when I'm not, to look to the one who endured it all for all our sake. 


While we're at it, look what's finally begun to show its face....

Fall! And adorably warty gourds. If I were a gourd, this is what I'd hope to look like.

A lovely rainy day--these I truly cherish. Maxwell the first is something that was sweet at the end of a most anticipated wait. And so are those pumpkins outside. Now to anticipate pumpkin pie!

I couldn't resist...

I just had to post this. It was posted on a friends facebook page. It's a must see.

Check it out, it just might make your day: VIDEO