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One Comment» Continue ReadingMushrooms. You either love them or despise them. I happen to find them absolutely wonderful! I love all kinds of mushrooms–shitake, portabella, enoki, button, cremini. I love them in all forms: in stews, sauteed over steak or a burger, stuffed with sausage, as a burger substitute, sliced hot bacon spinach salad, marinated, skewered and grilled…did I cover all the bases?!? You see, I’m a fan of mushrooms. My family, on the other hand, is not. They will tolerate them in my ugly soup, stout stew, fricasee, and coq au vin. But, an all-out brothy, flavorful mushroom soup? Well…I think I may be the only one who appreciates such meals in this house. Thankfully, my recipe for such a soup is so simple and quick to fix, I can make a small batch for myself anytime the mood calls for it…which is always, usually. *I’ll just warn you now…This is one of […]
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» Continue ReadingIt is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between. If that is too much for you, you should at least read one old one to every three new ones. Every age has its own outlook. It is specially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period. And that means the old books. -C.S. Lewis My husband loves old books. He talks about dead old guys as some of his favorite people…friends that have influenced and encouraged him in thinking, in parenting, in walking with God. I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time making time to read, and when I do, I’m reading something current and immediately relatable. But I’m […]
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» Continue Reading“In your pursuit of godliness, have you left Jesus behind?” This is the question Elyse Fitzpatrick aims to have us consider throughout her book, Because He Loves Me. She shares, “Among those who would classify themselves as serious Christians, who study the Bible and want to please God, my guess is that the thought of revisiting the gospel seems like a step back into kindergarten. To put it another way, if I told you that this is a book about the gospel, would you automatically assume it’s for unbelievers?” Is that you? I know it’s often me. Because He Loves Me is one of the most influential books I’ve read in the last few years. I’m eager to share it with you! If you have been looking for refreshing in your soul, a rejuvenation of your understanding of the gospel, a freedom and joy within your walk…this is the encouragement you’ve […]
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» Continue Reading“God’s grace is manifest in not letting us be content with anything but Him. Every hollow feeling in the heart is a catalyst to drive us to Him.” -Paul Washer There is no doubt that motherhood is the most stretching, challenging, humbling, exhausting, and rewarding undertaking I’ve ever endeavored. The last 10 years of my life –the journey as a mom– has been the source of my most sleepless nights, my most anxious fears, my deepest desires, and my most desperate moments as a grown woman. And there are so many things we run to when we feel desperate… We run to food. We run to friends. We run to things to buy. We run to the internet. We run to status updates. We run to entertainment. We run to busyness. We want our thirst quenched, but so often, we fail to run to the Living Water, the Word of […]
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» Continue ReadingI am so pleased to introduce the sponsors of GraceLaced for the month of January. Please take advantage of the discounts and giveaways that some sponsors have offered to GraceLaced readers for this month. Announcing a new book from The Confident Mom! Become the Confident Mom You’ve Always Wanted to Be: 31 Strategies to Improve Your Confidence as a Woman, Mother, and Family Manager, by Susan Heid, will be released January 14, on Amazon.com. Here’s a little about the book: “Being a mom and family manager is a difficult and demanding job—one that often leaves moms questioning their decisions and abilities, ultimately lowering their self-confidence. But one must lead with confidence to ensure that family values are not compromised by the many distractions a family might confront. Become the Confident Mom You’ve Always Wanted to Be: 31 Strategies to Improve Your Confidence as a Woman, Mother, and Family Manager provides key strategies to help moms make solid decisions […]
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» Continue ReadingWhat do you do when you have a wine and cheese party, and have several blocks of decadent cheeses leftover? Fontina, Gruyer, Jarlsberg, Chevre? I hope to share a few cheesy recipes in the coming weeks, but today, I’m sharing a super simple combination for a fancy grilled cheese–the ultimate comfort food. This sandwich would be even better on sliced artisan, rustic, or sourdough loaf. I didn’t have anything but whole wheat sandwich bread, so that’s what we used. What you need: sliced bread butter, coconut oil, etc. sliced gouda slices of ham (or bacon!) apple slices Just a tip…I love to layer gouda, then apple, then ham, then another thin layer of gouda…so everything sticks together nice and gooey. Yummy with a bit of dijon…perhaps some apricot or fig preserves? Delish. Try it with my homemade tomato basil soup! Comfort food, elevated. Enjoy!
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» Continue ReadingThis entire project has been an effort to make for a more open floorplan for our growing family, but also for our family to continue to effectively share our table and home with others. All of it is FOR Him, and TO Him, and FOR His glory. The satisfaction of remodeling doesn’t last but for a little while…unless the lasting joy of it’s beauty and functionality is shared and used for something greater than personal enjoyment. Praise God for the opportunity and ability to do this reno. We are so grateful. What a difference a week makes! You saw how the house looked prior to the 40th birthday celebration last week…and thankfully, though we were unable to complete the kitchen in time for the party, we did get the house in presentable condition (with several late nights and the help of a handful of amazing friends and family.) The front room (which […]
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» Continue ReadingIt was about 17 years ago when I first noticed the man I have now been married to for almost 15 years. We were at a Christian collegiate organization’s small group function, and playing a get-to-know-each-other game. I don’t remember much about it except that each person had to share something he would NEVER do in his lifetime, and one thing that he’d love to do in his lifetime. As my turn was approaching, my mind raced with all the things I feared and would never be willing to do (um…pretty much anything that involves flying or bouncing in the air with a harness on!) I anxiously awaited my opportunity to sound like a sissy when Troy’s turn came up. I hardly knew him, and had not really noticed him until that night. He was one of those that hid from the limelight, so I’d spent much of my early months […]
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» Continue ReadingEveryone warned me about remodels and renos. I knew it would be especially difficult when you are doing all the work yourselves, on a tight budget, in a house full of children, and within a short time frame. Throw in Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a 40th birthday, and we’ve got a well-rounded season of stretching and opportunity for patience-training. And so, here we are…week seven, and days before my sweet husband’s 40th birthday. Floors are done, counters are going in tomorrow, baseboards are in and caulked, ceilings and walls are tape, textured, and painted. There’s still much to go, but I thought I’d show you the progress… Our front room/kitchen used to look like this: Not anymore! We took out the wall dividing the front room and the kitchen, the archway, and the pantry that ran along another wall. The planking on the floor is covering the section of the foundation […]
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» Continue ReadingI’m not a naturally hopeful person. In fact, I’d describe myself as realistic with a heaping dose of melancholy. Left up to my natural state, I’d likely think myself into a tizzy, work myself into depression, and drive myself and others around me nuts. I have it in me to be such a feeler and such a processor of all things that I can burden those around me, expecting more of myself and others than they were ever meant to give. You see, something in the heart of every person is longing for MORE. We’re all longing for the new beginning, the fresh start, the clean slate, the exciting future. But for those of us who are no longer wide-eyed children, for those of us who’ve walked the road of pain and disappointment…we’ve seen and felt reality: That just because the calendar turns to January 1st, not all things are […]
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» Continue ReadingFor all of us who are tired of trying in our own strength. For all of us who are worn out from chasing what was never meant to satisfy. Jesus is the hope of nations…He’s the hope for the weary soul. I’m praying that you will experience rest in Christ alone this Christmas. Much love to you, dear readers, as you celebrate the wonder of His coming and His coming again. Merry Christmas! Now let’s link up in community… Welcome to GraceLaced Mondays, a link up dedicated to sharing any and all blog posts by like-minded lovers of grace–God’s grace! Grace is found in the everyday when you are intentional about taking note of it…and I invite you to share your story, great or small, of how everyday moments are full of Grace. *Link back to GraceLaced –so your readers can find us here– by copying and pasting the […]
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» Continue ReadingYesterday was a bit of a disaster. It was the kind of day that made me think I believed in putting my kids in front of TV for hours and hours. It was the kind of day that made me frustrated to have five noisy boys who play loud and argue louder. It was the kind of day that started with good intentions and ended with much repentance. I could blame it on the kitchen remodel. Because yes, it is still total chaos around here. I could blame it on the first day of Christmas break. Doesn’t it seem like first day of break is always a bit weird? I could blame it on the pressure of being completely behind and unprepared for Christmas. Nope, not one present wrapped under the tree. I could blame it on the pregnancy hormones. Is it normal that I’m responding to stress with crying […]
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Hello, friend...I'm Ruth. Welcome to GraceLaced, where you will find my imperfect, but grace-filled musings on the Gospel, motherhood, crafting, art, domesticity, cooking, and the often-times overlooked joys of finding grace in the everyday of life. Read my full profile here.
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