These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...
I thought I would take a small post and share an issue of A Seat At The Table…a twice monthly email that I send out. The first email of the month is some of my favorite things, the second issue of the month is encouragement, a devotion or simply musings from my heart. You can subscribe at the bottom of this page if you would like to receive these directly to your inbox.
I don’t post them here on the blog, but this month I figured I would give you a peek at the Favorite for August below:
Happy Thursday Kindreds!
Happy August - Back-To-School month here in the Old Pueblo. Actually, you are receiving this on a Thursday and that means this is back to school week - today being the day that the rest of the schools have the first day of school. Now, even though it is August and school is starting I feel like, since I started it a few emails back, I should give a countdown update! So...here is your official Christmas count - 142 days until December 25th!
I am giggling as I type that last sentence because I just spent an entire afternoon in the pool with good friends - and Christmas was the LAST thing on our minds in the 100+ degree weather! I actually am taking the next few days off of work, and several more next week - simply to breathe and pause - so the pool was a blessed break at the end of a hard month, before the start of a busy season. I even had to find grace for myself in that I didn't release a podcast episode last week. I'm getting ready for Season 2 and I needed to allow myself space to rest. I hope that you allow yourselves grace for rest.
Since it is the first Seat At The Table of the month, that means it is time for some more of my favorites. Here you go!!
My Favorite Book for the Month:
Last year I co-facilitated a leadership group and when we finished, after 10 months, none of us wanted to part ways. So we decided to convert into a book club. Our first book is Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. We haven't met yet (mid-September) but I've already jumped into this book and I love it. This book came at the recommendation of one of my pastors who reads like a lion devours an antelope - so I take his recommendations on books very seriously. For me to take time to read fiction, it has to capture my attention quickly and be REALLY good (I am a non-fiction girl). To sum it up best is a brief overview by the publisher: "Gilead is an intimate tale of three generations, from the Civil War to the 20th century: a story about fathers and sons and the spiritual battles that still rage at America's heart. In the words of Kirkus, it is a novel "as big as a nation, as quiet as thought, and moving as prayer. Matchless and towering." GILEAD tells the story of America and will break your heart."
My Favorite Podcasts for the Month
Who here knows about Veggie Tales? Maybe you listened or watched them as a kid, maybe you listen or watch them with grandkids. We love Bob & Larry here at the MacLaren house! What this Gigi loves in addition - the fact that Veggie Tale creator, and voice of Bob the Tomato, created and co-hosts a podcast called the Holy Post. It is incredibly insightful, will challenge your thinking (which is a good thing) and will make you laugh (while it may sound like 13-year old boy humor, New of The Butt has me intrigued and giggling each week!). Take a listen and I promise you will be delighted.
My Favorite Product for the Month
You know I am a coffee lover - my day doesn't start without 2 cups. However, that is about all I can handle for the day. That said, there are several days a week I need a pick-me-up in the afternoon and I don't want my hear tot jump our of my chest by consuming a 3rd cup in one day. Enter Verb bars. I found these last Fall and they are amazing. Thankfully I was able to taste them before losing my taste and smell, because I knew they were good enough to continue ordering even while I wait for those senses to return. My favorite flavors are Cookie Butter and Peanut Butter Chocolate. They have caffeine from green tea and do not cause jitters at all ( note to self - do not eat after 3pm!).
My Favorite Playlist for the Month
One of my favorite books I have shared and even read from on the podcast is Sacred Ordinary Days. Well, they have put our several playlists and I love the Ordinary Time playlist. Ordinary time is the time of the church calendar between Pentecost and Advent - of no major 'season' so to speak. You can find this playlist on Spotify, and most likely Apple Music.
My Favorite Recipe for the Month
Snickers Salad
I could eat an entire serving bowl of this and not even feel bad about it! So yummy. It is a great cold dessert for the hot months.
Ingredients
3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup whole milk
8 ounces Cool Whip (homemade recipe)
6 granny smith apples
1 1/2 cups chopped Snickers bars , 6 full size bars
Instructions
Whisk together the vanilla pudding and milk and let sit for 5 minutes before gently folding in Cool Whip.
Add in the chopped apples and Snickers bars and refrigerate until ready to serve.
And that is it for this edition of my monthly favorites. I am having fun sharing some of these with you and I hope you like some of them as well.
Until next time…go out and find a creative way to make someone smile!
Be Blessed!
Stacy
