Tea Time

There are few things more sacred to me than misty weather and a cup of hot tea. I'm still wrestling with the Lord about why I was born in an era where tea time is not standard in the every day. I have always admired tea time, from being a Jane Austen lover, but it was most incorporated into my life when my dearest Abbey became one of my roommates. Her heart for tea and the life-giving conversations it induces spurred my little seed of interest to bloom. Some of my fondest college memories are gathered around our steaming Anthropologie initial mugs sharing life and catching up. 

I'm envious of cultures that have sanctioned tea time. Every day there is a time for them to gather. Every day there is a time for them to pour into each other or just rest in each other's presence. Every day they get scones! (Okay, they probably don't have these every day, but they if they know what's good for their hearts...). I think what I love most about the ideal behind tea time is the set in stone community it generates. It's an hour a day where you can press in, push reset and move forward into your evening. The 8-5 work culture in this country leaves no room for 4:30 high tea. I guess that's why we've resorted to Happy Hours. But possibly there are days where you can take your own tea time. Press pause, reflect for 30 min, sip on your English Breakfast, check on your people and move forward into your next hour refreshed with a warmer heart. Maybe that means starting your morning slightly earlier? Or turning off the tube sooner one evening. 

What are some ways you can work to incorporate intentional tea time, community moments with your people?

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving at our house means rounding out our bellies till our eyes pop out, and we look much like the poultry that we dine on. Wait, maybe that's everyone's?

Mommatp sure can set a table. 

No thanksgiving has really looked the same for us. Some years it is spent with my maternal grandmother, others my paternal grandad joins the occasion. You never really know who it's going to be. This year, however, was especially different because my brother was not in attendance. Other than making me feel like I'd truly been ushered into adulthood, his lack of presence also made me extra grateful for the time I do get with him. When we both journey home for our Christmas break, we will want to play Monopoly and watch just one more episode of How I Met Your Mother. 

The holidays have so much buildup to them. You can't wait for them to be here for 365 days, and then after a 15 minute meal, they're suddenly over. I've recently felt a longing to not let time slip by unconsciously. This year incurred a lot of change for me as I got a big girl job, moved out from under my parents into my own place, and became a dog mother to Cambridge. I don't want to wake up and it be my 50th Thanksgiving and only then realize what I want in life. I fervently pray the Lord will show me what He has for me, constantly, so that my life will not go by unnoticed. Today I am thankful to be 24, happy, healthy and surrounded by the ones who know me deepest and love me best.  

Fat, Happy, Furry

Turkey Burger Domestication

I recently joked in an Instagram post about how as I turn from 24 years old and move closer to 25, I am aiming to become more domestic. Now before all the feminists rise up and slash that word down, I would like to say that this is a journey I finally matured into willingly and on my own. 

I feel this gnawing in me to create a home and meals for my future family that are not only delicious but also healing. There are so many options out there for us as Americans and we consistently choose the $5 frozen patty out of convenience. I want different for my future. To achieve that, I have to also want different now. 

Last week I attempted my first ever Turkey Burger. This wasn’t just any Turkey Burger mind you. Oh no. This Turkey Burger was stuffed with avocado and topped with fresh corn salsa. Brave, I know.

Don’t mind my cup towel place mats or lack of photog skills. One act of domestication at a time, okay?  

You can find this easy recipe here, her pictures are much better (until I grow more experienced, a lot of my recommendations and recipes will be found among those who have cleared the path ahead i.e. Pinterest): 

http://www.mynaturalfamily.com/recipes/turkey-recipes/25-of-the-best-ground-turkey-burger-recipes/

I had not really planned to place my attempt at the Turkey Burger in front of anyone else’s mouth. But when your Mexican calls and says the Italian is joining you for dinner, you roll with the punches. And I must admit, I rolled pretty well.  As you can tell, I wrapped mine in lettuce for a healthier option.  Other than that, no alterations were made in the making of this recipe.

What I loved most about this recipe was that even though it’s hearty enough for a man and tasty enough for a foodie, it’s also healthy and I didn’t have to wonder about what was in my food. 

For those of you who don’t know, I am not a cook. Or have not been moments prior. Brownies from a box have been my specialty since I was 17; and as I told Ree Drummond upon meeting the Pioneer Woman in an airport, I have only ever made a Texas Sheet Cake once. My mother and GranDale can cook and bake like your taste buds dream about. I, for one, have never dared to join the ranks. So I have to say, the fact that my Turkey Burgers were not only edible, but also yummy, makes me very proud. 

To Turkey Burgers and Domestication!