Recipe for Sofrito

Recipe for Sofrito

•2 Bell Peppers 🫑

•2 Onions 🧅

•One Bunch Cilantro 🌿 coarsely chopped

•One Whole Garlic Bulb 🧄 chopped

•1/2 cup Olive Oil 🫒

•1 tsp. Salt 🧂

Process in blender until all ingredients are combined. Store in covered jar in refrigerator up to one week, or freeze in ice cube tray, pop out cubes, put in sealed container or freezer bag and store in freezer.

Sauté in a bit of olive oil for one minute when you start cooking. Or throw a cube into a pot of soup! Lends a wonderful fresh flavor to chicken, fish, pork, beef, stews, beans and anything else you’d like to add it to. We even add it to guacamole!

My 14 year old enjoys chopping and prepping all the veggies for this—it makes the kitchen smell amazing, and will elévate your rice and beans from a staple to a gourmet entree. If you’ve ever used the pre-made stuff, once you try this, you’ll never go back!

Super easy, stores in the freezer (we make this about once a month), and not only brightens any dish, but also adds sneaky veggies in for your picky eaters!

What are some of your favorite easy meal prep tricks?

#Sofrito #SofritoRecipe #KidsIntheKitchen #FamilyMeals #MealPlanning #WhatsForDinner #PickyEaters #EasyRecipes #FreshIngredients #MomLife

Embracing the Less Than Perfect

Shout out to all the Mama’s embracing the less than perfect. To the ones whose backyards are far from Instagram worthy (hello, fellow city dwellers!), but get daily use, making mud pies and staining knees, patchy grass and all. To the ones who don’t have the dreamiest toys, but whose kids’ imaginations have the freedom and space to delve deep into uninterrupted play. To the ones who aren’t supermodels, but walk and skip and swim alongside their wee ones when asked. To the ones who can’t afford all organic, but are setting balanced plates in front of hungry mouths multiple times a day.

Real life isn’t perfect, and it certainly isn’t Instagram. What matters more than picture perfect is you, Mama, and the daily showing up you do for your kids, over and over again. You are the one that was chosen, handpicked for this role, and God knew what you’d be working with, patchy grass, ugly countertops and all, when He called you to it.

I invite you today to revel in the less than perfect. How can you celebrate what you’ve generously been given? You, yes you, with all your beautiful imperfections, are called to mother your children with the environment and resources you’ve been given; they are good gifts from a good God. How can you use them well today?

What are some imperfect gifts that you are thankful for?

#LessThanPerfect #MomTruth #UrbanBackyard #BackyardIdeas #1000HoursOutside #MindfulMotherhood #IntentionalParenting #Mudpies

One Thing Well

You can’t do it all, Mama. But you can do one thing well today.

Sometimes in the rush to get everything done, attend to all the needs, put out all the fires, check off all the boxes, we come to the end of the day and can’t even for sure say what we did.

The days meld into one exhausting day (or night) after another. Diaper changes. Cooking. Dishes. Car pools. Arguments. Spills. Schoolwork and emails. I’m here to tell you that even though I think you’re Superwoman, even Superwoman herself can’t to it all. It’s simply not humanly possible to finish well all the tasks we’re called to do in a day.

And so for some of them, it’s ok to be mediocre. And some of them, it’s ok to not do them at all. But at the end of each day, make sure that you have done one thing well.

What is that thing for you today? Reading and savoring a favorite storybook with your kids? Sitting down and setting a timer for 15 minutes and saying “yes” to your preschooler’s pleas to “play family” or “play cars” or “play Legos”? Taking 20 minutes outside with your kids, off your phone and simply savoring Spring? Sitting down for a 3 Marker Challenge with your oldest? Finally making those cupcakes you’ve been wanting to bake?

Doing one thing well doesn’t have to be a big thing. It can be one small thing. But day after day of “one thing well” builds a lifetime of treasured memories and relationships with those little people you’re called to love. And it helps you feel good about your day too, no matter how it may have veered from what you thought it would be.

What “one thing well” will you do today?

#OneThingWell

#MomTruth

#MindfulMotherhood

#Parenting

#IntentionalParenting

#3MarkerChallenge

#Legos

#Motherhood

Little Birdwatchers: A Nature Basket for Kids

Caught evidence of a little birdwatcher while tidying up yesterday afternoon.

For years we’ve kept a “nature basket” (a “nature capsule”) easily accessible to any child (or adult!) who wants to observe, learn or sketch about nature. It holds a small assortment of field guides purchased used (birds, mammals, trees and rocks & minerals); some books on animal footprints and wildlife native to NJ, and some kid proof binoculars and magnifying glasses.

Our nature basket has seasons…there are times when it sees daily use, and there are weeks and even months when it’s forgotten…but it is always returned to when Spring begins to bring new birds to the backyard, or when a new animal track is spotted in the mud.

It’s a simple tool that’s provided much joy and learning, and hours of fascination through the years—and it works for teens to preschoolers, allowing each to “research” and engage on their level.

How do you encourage your small ones to study nature?

#NatureStudy

#NatureBasket

#FieldGuides

#Birdwatching

#BirdwatchingWithKids

#BackyardBirds

#IntentionalParenting

#NatureCapsule

#LearningAtHome

“I’m Bored…”

It’s ok to let them be bored, Mama. The most wonderful play sometimes happens through boredom.

In our home, saying “I’m bored” leads to a few suggestions of things to engage in; “Perhaps you want to make an art project? You haven’t built with blocks in awhile. What could you create with Legos?”…or an invitation to join in with cleaning or household chores.

Sometimes, the child will choose to join me in whatever I’m working on. Sometimes, they’ll wander around a bit before settling in to the deep work of play. But I’ve come to realize that it is through boredom that the most creative and deep play can happen.

Why? Because kids are saying they’re “bored” because all their usual ideas aren’t appealing to them. And so allowing them to stay in that place, and creatively think and work through it, gives them the time and space they need to do well the work of childhood. Play.

The “I’m bored” statement in our home I’d usually a hopeful request for screen time. We almost never use screens as a solution to boredom; we’ve found it’s much healthier (and in the long run makes a much happier kid) when they walk through boredom into deep, engaging play.

*Pic of two of my “bored” kiddos and a timed building challenge they created out of being bored together.

#ImBored

#Boredom

#BoredomIdeas

#Play

#Creativity

#MomTruth

#Parenting

#TheWorkOfPlay

Some Thoughts on Capsules

There’s a lot of talk these days about “capsules”. I found a definition online that really resonated with me: a capsule is a concise, curated collection.

And I realized that I use capsules in a lot of places, not just in my clothing choices, but in much of life. In our family, we have a capsule pantry, a concise collection of groceries that we purchase over and over again to make the various meals that feed our family of seven.

We also have an art supply capsule, a simple collection of supplies that we always have on hand for whatever creative endeavors our kids or our family want to embark upon.

We have a toys capsule, with a carefully curated collection of toys that can be used by all ages, are flexible enough to use in a variety of ways and foster imagination. These are the tried and true “favorites” that have been going strong in our home for over 10 years.

We even have an outdoors capsule, comprised of a few items that we consistently use outside and suitable for small kids to teens.

In the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more about our family’s “capsule” approach, and the freedom and simplicity that has brought us.

What most intrigues you about this approach? Are there areas in your life where you are using a capsule, or where you think capsule use might be helpful?

#Capsule

#CapsuleWardrobe

#CapsulesandKids

#SimpleCapsule

#Organization

#SimpleLiving

#MealPlanning

#KidsToys

#MindfulMotherhood

#Simplify

#DeClutter

Easter NextDoor to a Cemetery

Our home overlooks a cemetery. If you look closely, you can see the tombstones out through our kitchen window.

We know a lot of folks buried there. My best friend is buried there. If you want to know people who are aware of their own mortality…it’s us.

And YET…

There is a transformation that occurs right before Easter every year in the cemetery. It’s one of the “seasons” that we as a family most look forward to. It starts with a subtle green coming over the dead winter grass. Buds begin to appear on the trees. More bird sounds can be heard, and robins start to make their nests.

And then, yellow crosses with flowers begin to decorate the graves. Folks from all over the country order them to be delivered to their loved ones graves. And suddenly, I’m not looking at brown dirt and gray stones, but rich green, buds and flowers—and crosses that point to a heavenly home.

You see, the cemetery comes alive at Easter. Teeming with life alive. Bright green alive.

And that, dear mama, is the breathtaking beauty of His resurrection. Death has lost its sting. One day, there will be no more tears, no more sadness, no more sickness, no more DEATH. And my best friend, and my baby girl, and her baby girl, will dance together.

The hope of the resurrection is GOOD NEWS to those who are all too aware of our mortality. And for anyone who’s missing someone today, know that there is more to this life, and that today is a reason to celebrate.

How are you sharing the Good News with the little people in your life today?

#Easter

#HeIsRisen

#ResurrectionHope

#EasterCandy

#History

#MomTruth

#Cemetery

#TombStone

#Faith

Behind the Scenes of a Pastor’s Family

It’s the Saturday before Easter, Mama. How is your family spending today?

As we do many Saturdays, our entire family is working together to make sure everything is ready for Sunday worship tomorrow. Mr. 14 and Mr. 11 left this morning to help their dad film parts of the worship service to stream online tomorrow. As Children’s Director, I prepped some materials for the kids who will come to our in person service. Tomorrow morning, some of our boys will head to church early to join some other volunteers in setting out chairs.

It’s a privilege and honor to serve the King together as a family with our little urban church; and we know that most don’t see the hours spent or the sacrifices made. As you worship the King tomorrow, don’t forget to show some love and appreciation for your pastor’s family. Whether you see their labor or not, they work hard to worship, preach, teach and serve alongside of you—and as you slept or ate or celebrated with your own family, they were probably laboring in the vineyard.

#HolySaturday

#EveryMomentHoly

#PastorsWife

#PastorsWifeLife

#BehindTheScenes

#Worship

#Easter

#ResurrectionDay

#FamilyOnMission

Good Friday with Kids

It’s Good Friday. An important day. A solemn day. A day that forever changed our relationship with God.

Our family will spend part of today reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross. We’ll gather together, take out some paints, crayons, or pencils, and make art together while we listen to the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. Most years we read the story aloud from The Jesus Storybook Bible. Sometimes we use another children’s Bible so that the telling isn’t too predictable. Then we’ll watch a movie about the first Easter (one of our family favorites is “The First Easter” on Amazon Prime) and then take some time alone to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

We’ll regather for dinner and talk about our time. And of course, we have a houseful of kids, not saints, so the dinner conversation will be the usual, jokes, someone crying, talk about favorite video games and plans for the rest of the weekend. But the day will be just slightly different from the norm because we paused together. And that small pause can make an eternal difference.

Does your family mark Good Friday in any way? Is there a simple small tradition (perhaps reading the story at bedtime, or dating a special prayer at dinner tonight) that you could include before today is done?

#GoodFriday

#HolyWeek

#EasterTraditions

#EasterWithKids

#DisciplingKids

#EasterMovie

#EasterStory

#ArtWithKids

#FamilyTime

#IntentionalParenting

#FaithandFamily

#FamilyandFaith

A Simple Family Easter Tradition

Hey Mama, it’s almost Easter weekend. How are you going to share the Good News with your children this weekend?

In our family, we set a simple table for Easter morning breakfast that always points to Him and His story. Sometimes there’s candy. Sometimes not. There’s almost always a sign something like the one pictured (a free printable in a dollar store frame) and a book to read out loud together that reminds us of the gift of new life that Jesus offers. Some years, it’s a brand new book. Other years, it’s an old favorite. We light candles, sit together for an out of the ordinary breakfast (something as simple as store bought donuts—or one of Mama’s “special” recipes—works great!) and then Daddy will read the book aloud. It gives us a chance to pause as a family before the busyness of the day and all it’s obligations presses in, a quiet moment to sit at the feet of the King.

How does your family celebrate Easter?

#Easter

#EasterTraditions

#SimpleEaster

#EasterBreakfast

#EasterBooks

#FaithBuilding

#IntentionalParenting

#DisciplingKids

#FamilyTraditions

#Parenting

#MomLife

#FamilyTime

#FamilyTraditions

#EasterIdeas