Friends, Happy September! Fall is my favorite time of year. I mean, how can it not be with cooler days for hiking and nights for camping, the smell and warmth of a wood stove in the morning, fuzzy socks and boots. Sprucing up the house for fall (adding a few touches), getting a few comfort dishes cooking. It’s always a great treat when friends are visiting our area, and they stop by for a visit or a meal!

So today I’m sharing my Happy September Favorites!

Happy September Favorites

What’s your favorite fall doormat? I have not updated mine yet, but I love Melissa’s choices.

I fell in love with these Born booties. Born is my favorite brand because they fit my feet so well, and last for years. What’s your favorite color? I love the Peltro Distressed look!

Don’t forget for hiking, we love Shelta hats! Or, are you sticking to home and planning a tailgate party? (more…)

The post Happy September Favorites and Hurricane Harvey appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

Today is the day my 31 Days of Warm Connections series comes to an end. I’m actually sad about it ending, and honored to have shared how food and people and different hospitable moments are all intertwined.

If we wait for perfect situations or moments in life, they may never come.

If we are on alert, ready to listen to our hearts, ready to extend a helping hand, to put our imperfections aside and reach out even when we don’t feel like it, to think and plan ahead, to take care of our families and our homes, to put our worries and expectations aside … then we are ready for some serious hospitality.

Tomorrow is a new day. It’s November 1 and the hype of the holidays begins.

Hype is not my favorite word, but it really rings true if we don’t keep our heads, settle in to the true meaning of gathering with friends and family, slow down and relax … breathe … enjoy.

This is my goal for the next few months. As we take the time to eat with others, I want to enjoy every entertaining or hospitable moment that comes my way.

Food is a way to connect human beings with one another. It unifies, we share our heritages, and even if we don’t always agree, the main ingredient comes down to love.

Alton Brown says it well: No one will cook as well for you as someone who loves and cares for you.

Warm connections around the table, hearty and strong, help make us who we are.

And they stay with us forever.

Do you have a goal the next few months, for keeping your sanity and being able to enjoy the holidays ahead?

Tomorrow’s a very “exciting” day. Come back to enter to win THIS beauty, a KitchenAid Food processor. Perfect timing for all of the holiday cooking and baking ahead.

Get caught up, Days 1-30 of 31 Days of Warm Connections, HERE.

The post Warm Connections {Day 31}: Taking the Time to Eat With Others appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

Passion for the art of the brew is rare. For many, brewing has become automatic or drive-thru. At Storyville, they help you find a coffee ritual that creates space, that invites you to think, to create, to dream …

Here’s our story …

My husband and I go camping in our VW Westfalia at Union Creek any chance we get. We actually take advantage of the beauty in the Pacific Northwest quite often during spring, summer, and fall, as our favorite campsite is only 45 minutes away. It’s an inexpensive 24-hour getaway for us, and one that we try to encourage others to do as well. It’s sad that the season has come to an end for us.

Of course it’s easier to pick up and go with our VW camper van, but if you get your stuff organized and ready for “last-minute,” you’ll be amazed at how refreshing a one-night getaway can be.

Paul and I love to sleep in, start a roaring fire, and then it’s time for our morning treat.

Coffee.

Even in the winter months if we get away for one night, without the campfire, we still love our coffee together.

Warm connections come from “just sitting,” fresh espresso, talking and dreaming with the one you love.

How do you enjoy coffee in the mornings?

The quality of Storyville coffee starts here:
It’s incredibly fresh
It holds its structure well when ground
It doesn’t fall apart
It’s sweet and savory
It has a great floral-ness and a slightly nutty flavor
You don’t have to shop for it
You can sign up for weekly delivery to your home

We learned about this unique coffee by attending an International Justice Mission in-home concert a few years back. I hope you will take the time to read more about the IJM mission, here.

(This is not a paid advertisement, I’m only sharing my views about something we love.)

The post Warm Connections {Day 30}: Intimate Moments with Storyville Coffee appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

Thinking ahead to springtime, now is the time to plant bulbs of garden dreams to come.

Or, in my home, entertaining dreams.

One thing I love about spring is, if you plan your yard and garden beds right now, you can have fresh flowers from early spring until late fall – a perfect touch for a simple table.

When we moved into our house, we were blessed with some amazing plants, but there was plenty of space to add more beauty.

Planting Bulbs Now
– Starting in late summer, gather different varieties of bags of bulbs and store in a cool place
– On several Costco runs, I’d stock up by buying one bag here and there (an easy way to spread out the cost, they also have coupons often)
– Before the frost comes, draw your flower beds and design where you want more flowers
– Plant the bulbs, making sure you follow directions on the packaging for the right depth
– Make sure your current beds are cleaned and pruned, which allows you to see the open areas
– Use a shovel or a tool to help dig the holes; even a large kitchen spoon will work
– Make sure the growing tip is pointing up; cover with soil and water the area
– Spread mulch over the planted area to prevent freezing and thawing
– Keep the “design” and use it for future reference, so you know what you’ve planted
– For inspiration, tape the design on the inside of the kitchen cabinet

The last tip, I love. Every time I opened my kitchen cabinet in my “old kitchen” I saw and looked forward to what I had planted.

I was able to plant bulbs this last week (we still have beautiful, sunny weather in Oregon). My design is going “inside the cabinet” and I can’t wait to be inspired for spring, for snipping a few flowers here and there for my tables, and for even a small bouquet to take to a friend or a neighbor. I’ve added a small vase when taking a meal to a family.

It’s a warm way to give and brighten up a person’s life, just because you will know they appreciate the thought, but also a simple way to show love.

Warm connections come from the beauty of nature. All we have to do is think ahead … in our case, fall into spring. Plant your bulbs now.

What bulbs come up every year in your yard? And have you started the bulb-planting process this season?

Get caught up, Days 1-28 of 31 Days of Warm Connections, HERE. I also found a really cool website on planting bulbs … it’s called DigDropDone.com. Check it out.

The post Warm Connections {Day 29}: Fall into Spring by Planting Bulbs Now appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

Surely the apple is the noblest of fruits. – Henry David Thoreau

Everyone who has, at some point in life, received a knock on the door with a fresh pan of goodies or pie or cake delivered to their home, knows exactly how my neighbors felt last night when I myself did the knocking.

When our friends Roger and Faye delivered the boxes, coolers, bags full of apples, from their fruit trees, I couldn’t help but get a little giddy inside. My parents did not have fruit tress but my Aunt Lillian worked at Harry and David her entire life. So every year at fall we’d be blessed with a huge box of apples. You know, the good kind. Not the mushy or mealy kind. The crisp and almost perfect kind.

For years now Roger and Faye have made their favorite apple dessert, and now they’ve passed it on to me. It’s easy, it’s tart and tasty, and it’s good for neighbors.

Make a pan for yourself or your family, and one or two to take to neighbors HOT out of the oven.

Sharing Tips:
1. Look at your fruit bounty and see if you have enough to bless others with.
2. Do you have extra pans in your cupboard for baking?
3. Keep on hand “throw-away” pans that you don’t need back.
4. Mark your name on the bottom with a Sharpie or tape if you want your pan back.

If you follow my neighbor Ellie’s advice, never return a pan empty (of course this is just a suggestion).

Warm connections come when we practice simple gestures of kindness that really only take a little thought to plan out.

When’s the time you doubled up on your cooking or baking and shared it with others?

Print

Gluten-Free Apple Goody Dessert Recipe

Serve this apple delight warm with premium vanilla ice cream. Yum!

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Sandy Coughlin

Ingredients

• Golden Delicious apples
• Cinnamon/sugar mixture
• 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats for normal recipe use Quaker Oats
• 1/4 cup Gluten Free flour I normal recipe use all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup melted butter

Instructions

• Slice Golden Delicious apples into pie plate or small baking dish. (I use 6-7 apples for 9″ pie or 4 apples for smaller dish.)
• Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon/sugar mixture, if desired.
• Mix together 1 cup oats, 1/4 cup flour, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter, and spread evenly over apples.
• Bake at 350 degrees for half an hour covered, and half an hour uncovered.
•  

The post Warm Connections {Day 28}: Apple Goody Dessert Recipe appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

It was a much needed and longed for night.

Our friends invited us over for what I call an “early Thanksgiving Dinner,” because any time we experience gratitude in our hearts, isn’t it Thanksgiving?

Fresh green salad, tender roast beef, flavorful potatoes and perfect carrots and sweet onions, sweet and spicy corn hash, homemade rolls and real butter.

Nothing is better than homemade.

Warm connections are built around the opportunity to reconnect with and encourage close knit friends. Many times it starts with food.

Close knit … being real and authentic, feeling free to break into song, sharing our deepest hearts, concentrating on the richness that comes out of quiet and gratitude.

It’s hard to explain what happened after we ate dinner.

We lit a fire. Flames joining us together in a profound way.

We snuggled. Some didn’t know each other well, but we walked away as “family.”

She placed her hand on my shoulder. I felt loved and accepted.

The guitar was handed to him. The outside area felt warmer, the people became quieter, the fire became our secret escape for focusing on God.

They sang to us, a song of healing and love. How beautiful, to break into a song of praise.

He asked about our lives and ministries. We feel small, but when embraced and encouraged, we’re challenged to give and our perspective changes.

She told her story. Every time she speaks, love and grace and mercy flow from her lips.

We sang together. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.

We talked about spiritual matters. The words from our lips became sources of great affirmation and hope.

The pie was served, a perfect crust. Tart apples, a tiny bit of ice cream, and bold coffee. Cutting edge, sweet, courageous.

They had to leave early. Home to a special needs son.

Food is the conduit to what comes next.

What comes next is up to us, in how we want to spend our time on earth, with our time and talents, our attitudes and perspectives, and how we love.

When’s the last time you experienced a dinner that impacted you or your family?

Get caught up, Days 1-25 of 31 Days of Warm Connections, HERE.

Winners of last 2 giveaways are: Bev from Bev Cooks won the Bush’s Beans giveaway, Kirstin from Loving Life, Jan from Jan Udlock, and Kim from Art of Domestic Living won Melissa Michael’s new eBook. Congrats, Ladies!

The post Warm Connections {Day 27}: Love Through Close Knit Friends appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

“Things in life are always changing and shifting. In order to grow, we must change also, and our commitments must change to match the changes happening in our lives.”-Joyce Meyer

It was hard hitting “send,” but I knew I needed to do it.

I emailed Sarah Mae to let her know my heart was torn in coming to Relevant this weekend. My decision didn’t have anything to do with anyone else or the conference itself, I just knew where I needed to be … my heart was calling me “to be home.”

Sarah’s reply was so gracious, kind, and understanding: I think you are a wise woman and you will never regret maintaining integrity with your family.

And then I emailed my friends, Ann, Tsh, and Melissa. I needed to know that I was doing the right thing.

All confirmed responses, but it was still hard.

Too many distractions, too much noise, it was time for me to stay home after a busy month of travels (all beautiful, incredible experiences).

I’m a mom of 3 teens, and although I’d say we have very self-sufficient kids (yes, they do their own laundry and cook)–one in college, one a senior heading to college, the third a freshman in high school–I’m still the driver, the banker, the scheduler, soccer games to attend, violin lessons, deadlines and house duties to manage.

I believe in “you will simplify when you prioritize.”

When I originally said “yes” to coming to Relevant to be a speaker, close to a year ago, I didn’t realize how busy this season would be. I’m also blessed to volunteer my time for my husband’s work, which God is doing an amazing work in right now.

Life is full and good, and I am blessed. But I don’t like to be hurried, I want to put my heart into my commitments, and I don’t want to feel anxious.

“Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are.” –Joyce Meyer

“The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is, on the contrary, born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything else–we are the busiest people in the world.” –Eric Hoffer

Warm connections come when we follow our hearts and listen to the still small voice, when we know ourselves well and don’t go outside of what God enables us to do.

I’ll be home for my 2 kids’ varsity soccer games (and my husband’s – he’s the boys’ coach), my daughter’s first homecoming dance, and other meaningful family “things” that will occupy my time and keep me busy, I’m sure.

For the women (sisters, many who I’ve met, many who I was so looking forward to meeting) at Relevant this weekend, know that my heart is also with you, as you’ll be encouraged, challenged, and inspired. I can’t wait to hear all about it.

Have you ever given up important activities for “home?”

Get caught up, Days 1-25 of 31 Days of Warm Connections, HERE.

The post Warm Connections {Day 26}: When Your Heart Calls You Home appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

My friend, Melissa, from The Inspired Room, just wrote her first eBook and I could’t be more proud of her accomplishment. It’s long past due and today 3 people get the chance to WIN a copy!

Melissa’s simple approach to authentic living is inspiring and catching! Through her new ebook creation, Not a DYI Diva, she encourages us to find our own way of homemaking, by not letting perfectionism get in the way.

She shows, in a beautiful way, that hospitality matters and starts with us–in our homes, in the ways we show people we care, and in our attitudes toward others in our everyday lives.

I love this! I hope everyone buys her book because it’s fantastic!

Yes, warm connections start in the home. And with or without a family, I love the thought of helping teach the next generation the importance of living an authentic life.

Today Melissa and I are giving away 3 copies of her new book!

If you can’t wait to see if you’re one of the winners, head over to The Inspired Room to purchase your copy for $3.99 and check out Melissa’s comment contest going on.

COMMENT:
In what ways do you struggle with perfectionism when it comes to being hospitable in your own home? Or, do you feel that your attitude has anything to do with being a hospitable person?

TWEET:
Tweet this giveaway today (1 entry)

FACEBOOK:
Become a new friend of The Inspired Room on Facebook (1 entry)
Become a new friend of Reluctant Entertainer on Facebook (1 entry)

(contest ends Wednesday at midnight, 10/26/11)

Keep up with all the 31 Days of Warm Connections, HERE.

The post Warm Connections {Day 25}: Find Your Own Way of Homemaking & Not a DYI Diva Giveaway! appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

If you want to change up your menu a bit for Thanksgiving this year, you’re going to love this post today!

Recently I was in Montana with these friends, who I consider very “warm” friends. I never dreamed I’d have friends all over the country when I started blogging 5 years ago, the connections being far more than acquaintances.

This group in particular is like family.

(Cheryl, Katie, Aggie, and me) :)

What are warm friends? When there are feelings of acceptance, love, lots of hugs, smiles, laughter, compliments, invitations, conversation, and encouragement.

Cumin Chicken with Black Bean Stuffing

Today I want to share with you Jeffrey Saad’s Cumin Chicken with Bush’s Black Bean Stuffing recipe. It’s fantastic and a great main dish to serve for Thanksgiving this year.

How comfortable are you cutting up a whole chicken? At our recent retreat, we got a great lesson from Jeffrey on how to cut a chicken.

W also did some grilling. We had 2 variations of the recipe, both turning out fantastic.

The taste and flavor from tossing the tortillas on the grill, and mixing in with the peppers to make a “stuffing” was brilliant!

A delicious, tasty black bean recipe that just may replace your Thanksgiving stuffing!

ENJOY!

Print

Cumin Chicken with Black Bean Stuffing

Jeffrey’s Saad’s tasty black bean recipe that just may replace your Thanksgiving stuffing.

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 4 -6

Author Sandy Coughlin

Ingredients

• 5 pounds whole chicken
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 tablespoon cumin seed
• 3 tablespoons agave syrup or honey
• STUFFING : 1 each green pasilla chile*
• 1 each jalapeño pepper*
• 4 each corn tortillas 6 inch
• 1 can 15 ounces BUSH’S® Black Beans or BUSH’S® Reduced Sodium Black Beans, drained and rinsed
• ¼ cup chicken stock
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
• 6 wedges lime

Instructions

• Cleanout inside of chicken, rinse chicken inside and out with cold water. Pat dry with paper towel and cut chicken into pieces.
• Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper and lightly cover with oil. Mix cumin seeds with agave syrup and set aside.
• Set one side of clean, well-oiled grill to medium high heat and the other side to medium low heat. When grill is hot, using tongs, place chicken skin side down on hot side of grill until there are nice grill marks (about 5 minutes). Then flip chicken over (skin side up), place on cooler side of grill, close grill lid and let chicken cook (3-5 minutes for breast meat; 12 minutes for bone in leg/thigh meat).
• In the last two minutes of cooking, brush cumin seeds and agave syrup on both sides of chicken and cook each side for one minute. Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 160 degrees  F.
• Remove chicken from grill and let rest at least 10 minutes before serving.
• For Stuffing: Using metal tongs blacken chile and jalapeño peppers on the grill for 3 minutes per side. Place chile and jalapeño in small bowl, cover with foil tightly. Let sit for 10 minutes. Once cool, wipe skin off (do not rinse under water). Discard stems. Discard seeds (unless you want it spicier). Chop chile and jalapeño into ½-inch pieces. Set aside.
• Using metal tongs, place tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds on each side or until slightly charred. Chop tortillas into ¾-inch strips.
• Pour black beans in medium-sized grill-safe pan. Add chile, jalapeño, tortillas, chicken stock, paprika and ¼ teaspoon salt. Place the pan directly on the grill and heat just until mixture comes to a boil. Remove pan from heat and set aside to cool briefly.
• Serve chicken with a side of black bean stuffing and garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.
• *Substitution: Use ½ cup canned roasted chiles in place of green pasilla chile and jalapeño pepper.

(Top photo of the Bush’s group courtesy of Crackle Photography.)

The post Cumin Chicken with Black Bean Stuffing appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

Learning to love our neighbors and friends, and seeing a need and filling it, brings warmer connections in life.

In many seasons of life, I’ve learned to give to others.

Giving reminds people that you care, and that they matter.

My two girlfriends in town both lost their mamas last week. Even though both moms were elderly, 89 and 92, no matter how “ready” you think you’ll be to let a loved one go, it’s hard.

I asked myself what I could do to bless these hurting women. Flowers and cards are great, but what would be a more personable touch, especially since I lost my mom in my early 30s and understood their pain. I determined to bring a meal to each of my friends. (One in a basket, one in a lined box. Boxes work great, too!)

With one friend, I got to see a recent video and hear the laughter of a very special lady.

With the other, I got to view (and soaked it in) a slideshow of her mother’s life.

Both beautiful. Both loved. Both lived long, fulfilled lives.

Both left grieving daughters and families.

Sometimes we have to say “yes” to looking deeper at what we can do for others.

Warmer connections come from the heart.

And when we actually learn to fulfill another’s need, it grows our hearts.

When’s the last time you let someone know that you cared?

(My friend, Sheila, from Eat 2 Gather, is providing 31 Days of Meals 4 Sharing, if you’re in a rut and need some fresh ideas on how and why to give to others. I’ve been blessed by her posts! I also have an entire section on “taking meals to others” in my book, The Reluctant Entertainer.)

If you missed previous days to 31 Days of Warm Connections …
Day 1: Secret Ingredient to Warmer Connections
Day 2: Bringing the Beauty of Autumn to Your Table
Day 3: Multi-Generational Pear Applesauce
Day 4: Canning Suncrest Peaches with a Friend
Day 5: How to Find Contentment
Day 6: Encouragement with Easy Pear Cobbler
Day 7: Bush’s Garbanzos, Chicken, and Quinoa Soup for a Sports Family
Day 8: More About Others
Day 9: Technology Versus People
Day 10: The Table Experience with Bush’s Beans
Day 11: Dreaming of Autumn Guests
Day 12: Gathering Around a Homemade Life
Day 13: Sisters in New York City
Day 14: Giving to Those in Need
Day 15: Enjoying Everyday Sounds
Day 16: Life’s Small Moments
Day 17: Well-Designed Kitchen Counter
Day 18: “Now Time” and 5 Years at RE
Day 19: Taking a Chance and Chocolate Caramel Bars
Day 20: Harry and David, Nostalgia and Hospitality
Day 21: Even in a Messy House
Day 22: Happy Autumn at the Front Door

And be sure to check out the rest of the 31 Day Participants!

The post Warm Connections {Day 23}: Letting Others Know You Care appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.