Month: October 2020

Posted on

Six Books to Add to Your Fall Reading List

Do you have an ideal day? The one where everything aligns and you can do anything you want? Maybe it’s at the beach or sitting by a cozy fire, maybe a lakeside retreat, or a day spent shopping with girlfriends. I love all those things too, but by far my favorite thing is to be somewhere quiet enjoying a good book. If you know me at all then that comes as no surprise! The past 6 months have provided many opportunities to do so, and I’m not a bit mad about it.

Today, I wanted to share a few of the books I’m currently reading. When I was younger I couldn’t read more than one book at a time and I found it difficult to understand those who were able to read multiple books at once. However, as I’ve gotten older my ability has changed and now I read many books simultaneously. I can’t seem to get enough. Bring me all the books!

Here’s what’s on my “reading table” at the moment.

The God Who is There
by D.A Carson

The author D.A Carson (Ph.D.) is a research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author or editor of more than forty books and is one of the leaders of the Gospel Coalition

I’m reading this book for an online class I’m taking entitled “Christian Story” through the Village Church’s Institute. The class is an 11-week study that covers the basic storyline of Scripture. The goal of the class is to help disciples understand, explain, and participate in the true story of the world in deeper and richer ways. His book “ takes you through the big story of Scripture to help you know what you believe and why you believe it.”  

I’ve been a Christian my whole life. My parents were believers. My grandparents, most of my Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins too. But, sometimes we can believe things without knowing why we believe them. We take on the faith of our family, which is wonderful, but at some point, you have to make it your own. This is a journey I’ve been on for many years. To examine what I believe and sort out what I don’t. To know and understand my faith in a way that I can explain and share with others.

The book is written a bit like a textbook and I’ve got to put my thinking cap on when I’m reading it! 

Favorite Quote so far: “He made us, and we owe him. If we do not recognize this simple truth, then, according to the Bible, that blindness is itself a mark of how alienated from him we are. It is for our good that we recognize it, not because he is the supreme bully but because without him we would not even be here, and we will certainly have to give an account to him.”  -From Chapter One

Who should read this book? This book is for anyone who wants to know more about Scripture in a deeper, more life-transforming way. Whether you’ve ever read the bible or not.

10 Ways to Fall in Love With Your Bible
by Shanna Noel

Shanna is a resident of Washington State (just like me) and is the founder and owner of Illustrated Faith and the Bible-journaling community.

She starts right off the bat confessing that she hasn’t always loved her bible! I love it when authors are honest and transparent with their readers. Isn’t that the truth for many of us? We have struggled to have a meaningful quiet time with the Lord and often come up feeling like we’ve failed. This can lead to making excuse after excuse for not getting into the Word. 

Shanna’s book is straightforward and she gets to the heart of the matter and has some fun and easy ways to make bible reading more rewarding and engaging. 

It’s a very easy read with a journaling challenge at the end of the book. 

I’m about halfway through and have really enjoyed it.

Favorite Quote so far: “Mark it down – your progress in holiness will never exceed your relationship with the hold Word of God” ( Nancy Leigh DeMoss).

Who should read this book? Anyone wanting some creative ideas for engaging with Scripture.

Women of the Word
by Jen Wilkin

Jen is a speaker, writer, and teacher of women’s Bible studies. 

I have several of her other books and they are wonderful! I’m also doing an online study of the Psalms that she is leading. She is probably one of my favorite Bible teachers. 

Her book outlines a study plan that follows the 5 P’s: Purpose, Perspective, Patience, Process, and Prayer. 

I finished this book earlier this year, but keep it handy to reference often. There are so many good truths to wade through I need to refer to it often to cement it into my mind.

Favorite Quote: “The heart cannot love what the mind does not know. This is the message of Romans 12:2-3 – not that the mind alone affects transformation, but that the path to transformation runs from the mind to the heart, and not the other way around.”

Romans 12:2-3 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given you.”  NLT

Who should read this book: Anyone looking for a more in-depth study method. 

Becoming Elisabeth Elliot
by Ellen Vaughn

Ellen is a New York Times bestselling author and former vice president of executive communications at Prison Fellowship and collaborated with the late Chuck Colson on a number of his seminal works.

Elisabeth Elliot was one of our mothers’ favorite authors. Her book “Keep a Quiet Heart” was one she kept on her table next to her chair in the living room. I have long been fascinated by a woman who could go back and serve the very people who took the life of her husband while serving as missionaries in Ecuador.  How was she able to do something so remarkable and selfless? I have only just scratched the surface of this book, just now on chapter 3, but my goodness, it is so good! I encourage you to get it if you possibly can. 

Favorite Quote so far: “Her story conveys all the discipline and patient suffering for which she was well-known in the often-repeated stories about the violent death of her first husband. But her most noble accomplishment was not weathering that excoriating loss. It was practicing-through both the high dramas and the low, dull days that constitute any human life-the daily self-death required for one’s soul to flourish.” 

Who should read this book? Anyone who would be encouraged and strengthened in their faith by the life of one ordinary woman who through God overcame great tragedy and allowed Him to use her life any way he chose.

The Warmth of Other Suns
by Isabel Wilkerson

Isabel is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and the first woman of African-American heritage to win this prize in journalism. 

To quote the back cover of the book “ Isabel Wilkerson chronicles one of the great untold stories of American history: the decades-long migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities, in search of a better life. From 1915-1970, this exodus of almost six million people changed the face of America.” 

The New Yorker says “This is narrative non-fiction, lyrical and tragic and fatalist. The story exposes; the story moves; the story ends. What Wilkerson urges, finally, isn’t argument at all; its compassion. Hush, and listen.”

The stories she shares are of real people. They are heartbreakingly hard to read, I can’t imagine living through them. Honestly, I can only read a few chapters at a time. I admit it; I am a wimp. It can be overwhelming, so I don’t plan on finishing anytime soon, but I’m giving myself a little grace. Sometimes you need to sit with what you read for a while and let it change the way you see the world. Even how you see and understand the past.

Favorite Quote so far: “What binds these stories together was the back-against the wall, reluctant yet hopeful search for something better, any place but where they were. They did what human beings looking for freedom, throughout history, have often done. They left.”

Who should read this book? Anyone who wants a better understanding of recent American history and the way it has shaped our country. 

Threadbare Prayer
by Stacey Thacker

Stacey is an author, blogger, and speaker. She is the author of six books and has worked with Campus Crusade.

This is my first book by this author, and it is a series of prayers for hearts that feel hidden, hurt, or hopeless. If 2020 has done anything I think it has made many of us often feel hopeless with every news cycle. 

THRED’BARE, adjective (thread and bare) “Worn to the naked thread; having the nap worn off; as a threadbare coat; threadbare clothing.”

The definition of thread bear feels right, it fits. I can certainly relate, can’t you? This year has left me feeling worn out, exposed, and naked on many, many days. The ugliness that seems to be the norm these days, the worry for others’ health and safety, the struggle to trust our leaders to lead us well, the day in and day out of a life that has been marked by change. It’s all been exhausting and there are days I struggle to put into words what I’m feeling because honestly,  it’s all just too much. That’s why I’m so thankful for a Savior who isn’t overwhelmed, isn’t threadbare, and hasn’t been taken by surprise with anything 2020 throws at us. He already knew and He’s already made a way through for me. And you, too! We just need to trust Him and lean on Him during hard days.

Favorite Quote so Far: “And I realize once again, Jesus isn’t threadbare holding on for dear life. He is holding onto me. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17)

Who should read this book? Anyone who is feeling worn thin by life.

Well, there you have it! Those are the books that I am making my way through. I’m sure some I won’t finish until the end of the year and I’ll probably add a few good ol’ “Who-done-its” along the way, I just can’t help myself! I hope I’ve encouraged you to dig into your Bible or maybe pick up a new book today. 

Now tell me: What’s on your reading table and why????

XOXOX,

Shan

**This is not a sponsored post. All books were purchased by us, and we receive no compensation if you purchase any through the provided links.

Posted on

10 Tips to Make Menu Planning Less of a Chore

Picture it.  My house, about 5:30 pm, every night… 

My husband walks in the door after work and finds me standing glassy-eyed, staring into our pantry, trying to figure out what to cook for dinner.  Finally, I decide on spaghetti.  Again.  But the ground beef is frozen and when I go to grab the jarred sauce while the pasta boils there is only one jar.  Not enough for a family of seven for sure.  Do I have a plan B?  Do I run to the store really quickly to grab another jar?  Do I dare ask my husband to go back into town to grab another jar?  Panic.  None of these are ideal solutions.  I eventually sort it out, but now it’s past 7:30 and we are just sitting down to eat.  The kids are tired.  I’m tired.  My husband is tired.  And we are ALL grumpy. 

Does any of this sound even a tiny bit familiar to you?  If so, I may have something that can help you out a bit. It’s Menu Planning.  Stay with me here.  Menu planning is not a contract and it doesn’t have to be an ordeal. It’s not a miracle cure, (or even the answer for everyone), and it does require some sit-down time in advance for planning, but it can be done fairly simply and quickly with a few tips and tricks I’ve learned. Menu planning isn’t for everyone, and that’s ok!  But it has made a huge difference in dinner time around our house and if you struggle with deciding what to cook at dinnertime, it might be worth giving it a try for your house as well.

Menu planing was a novel concept for me, my mom did not make a formal menu of any kind while I was growing up. But I had a friend who made had been making a menu for as long as I could remember. Just watching her make her menu is what got me started thinking it might be a good option for us.   

One thing you’ll need to decide before you sit down to plan your menu is how far out you are planning.  Do you like to do things weekly? Do you want to consider paydays and budgets?  There were times we were paid once a month and I planned that entire month of meals all at once.  Other times I planned from the 1st of the month to the 15th and then the 15th to the last day of the month.  Now I tend to plan just one week to a week and a half at a time.  There is no right answer and it may take some trial and error to figure out what works for you.  It may also change from one month to the next.  Don’t give up, keep tweaking to figure out what works for your family.

I’ve been making a menu fairly regularly for nearly 15 years now.  But it wasn’t always perfect or pretty in the beginning–for a while there it was pretty hit and miss.  Some weeks I would put together a menu and other weeks I would skip it and I’d be right back where we started.  Other times I’d make the menu,  but never make it to the store for the ingredients to make the meals.

Which leads us to tip # 1. The first thing I learned was to keep ingredients for some “Quick & Simple” meals on hand at all times.  Things like chili and cornbread, spaghetti and green beans, tacos and refried beans, frozen pizza, and fish sticks and macaroni and cheese.  They are simple meals and work in a pinch, and I had almost a whole week’s worth of ideas to get me by.  If I was sick and my husband needed to cook he had some easy options he could throw together quickly.  If my day went sideways or I simply didn’t plan well, I could always pull out a faithful standby and have something hot on the table shortly after my husband got home. And believe me, we ate some variation of those items quite often for a while.

One I started using a menu, I dreaded dinner time a little less.  But it would still drive me nuts when I would get asked multiple times a day, “What’s for dinner?”  I was already writing my menu out on paper so all I needed to do was post the menu somewhere everyone could see it.  This actually benefited us in two ways: people could answer their own questions, and I would see the menu hanging on the fridge and that would remind me to pull whatever needed to thaw out of the freezer! I started out scratching my menu out on whatever scrap of paper was available but pretty soon I started using pretty notepads or lots of colored pens to brighten up my menu.  Now, I write my menu in my day planner along with reminders for when to take things out to thaw.  I’ve created two printable menus you can download and print out for FREE.  One has WEEKDAY HEADINGS and starts on Monday.  The other is BLANK and you can fill in whatever days work for you.

If you’re alive in this world today, (man, woman, mother, father, working, staying-home, whatever), then I know you are BUSY!  Let me encourage you to make friends with your slow-cooker and/or instant pot.  I intentionally plan at least one “set-it-and-forget-it” type meal each week.  This has saved my sanity on several occasions.  From breakfast casseroles to baked potatoes to cooking a frozen roast in your instant pot, Pinterest has a plethora of recipes to try out.  

In addition to slow-cooker meals, I intentionally add no-cook nights to each menu. We almost always have some leftovers after meals and most things reheat beautifully, either on the stovetop or the microwave.  But they don’t always get eaten before they go bad.  By adding nights that I don’t cook to the menu I force myself and my family to “forage for food”. If the leftovers get eaten before our planned no-cook night, hallelujah!  We transition to a ”whatever-you-can-find-for-dinner” night.  This might be macaroni and cheese, top ramen, hot dogs, peanut butter sandwiches–anything my family can prepare on their own.  (Sometimes we even just have a bowl of cereal! Breakfast for dinner anyone?!) Bonus tip–on no-cook nights, use paper plates.  It’s a win-win all around. 

When you are planning your menu, pull out your family calendar, and plan around your schedule. The first thing I write on my menu is anything I need to know about the upcoming week.  Kids work schedules, birthdays, date nights, sports, church events, etc. Then I fill in meals based on those events.  Maybe your kids are involved in an activity that takes you away from home one night so you purposely plan to have some kind of portable dinner that can be made earlier in the day, like sandwiches.  Or maybe your husband will be out of town and so that’s when you plan your no-cook night and everyone indulges in cereal.  Perhaps you will be the one gone for the evening so that’s when you plan a slow-cooker meal.  Knowing what’s happening in your week will help you make choices about what to cook when.  

Sometimes it feels like the choices for what to cook are overwhelming.  If that’s where you find yourself when sitting down to make your menu, one tip that might be helpful is to stick to a pattern and use a template to help make deciding easier.  Something like Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, Slow-Cook Wednesday, Left-over Thursday, Pizza Friday, can help you narrow your meal choices into categories.  Again, arrange your template to work with your family’s basic schedule.

The thing that made the biggest difference for me when putting together my menu, especially when I was doing two or more weeks at a time, was when I put together a Dinner Docket.  A docket is a list of things to be considered.  I used to pull out every cookbook I owned and also pull up Pinterest when I started planning.  It was not only a mess, it slowed me way down.  I would forget to add meals I knew my family enjoyed and instead ended up with a list of more complicated meals with ingredients I was usually missing. Finally, I sat down and started a list of all the meals my family likes, sorted by category: chicken dishes, ground beef dishes, meatless dishes, etc. I would add one or two new meals from Pinterest or a cookbook I wanted to try. Then as those new recipes proved to be delicious, I simply added them to the Docket.  When it’s menu planning time I look on my Docket and check my “list of meals to be considered.”  My Docket is written in the back of my planner, but I’ve created two printable versions that you can download for FREE.  One has CATEGORIES already written in.  The other is BLANK for you to write whatever category you’d like to sort your Docket by.

If you are still feeling overwhelmed with choices, you can always ask each person in your home what they would like to see on the menu.  There are seven of us in my family so I would get quite the list of suggestions.  I didin’t always put everyone’s suggestion into one week, somethines I would make note of them for later menus, but it was nice for each person to see their favorite meal pop up on the upcoming menu.

A menu plan won’t do you any good if you never have time to make it to the grocery store to do a full-on shopping trip.  Be kind to yourself and utiize online shopping and grocery pickup whenever you can! Look through your pantry and refrigerator first to see what things you already have or what needs to be used up and then as you make your menu and find things you need, add them to your grocery cart right then and there. Schedule your pick up and you’re good to go.

Remember, a menu is not a contract.  It’s a proposal.  Feel free to shuffle your meals around as life happens and things come up. Some days I wake up and I just have no desire to make what I planned that night for dinner, so I don’t.  Because my menu is not the boss of me.  Maybe I’ll swap it with another night, maybe I’ll cook one of my pantry standard meals, maybe I won’t cook at all!  I can push that meal off to another day or even next week or month.  One of my friends plans a menu, but instead of puting them on specific days, she just writes them on index cards and shuffles them through the week as her life goes along.  She still has a plan and all the groceries at her fingertips, but she’s tweaked menu planning to fit what works for her.

Shannon and I talk a lot about learning to live prepared rather than reactionary and a menu is a great tool that helps me do that in one area of my life.  When I have a plan my afternoons and evenings go much more smoothly, I’m tempted to eat out less often–which really helps the budget, and we tend to sit down at the table together as a family more often. 

I’m curious if you make a menu?  If not, what holds you back?  I hope you find these tips helpful and that you’ll give menu planning a try. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments and I’ll share any wisdom I may have.  Don’t forget to download and print out your FREE Menu Worksheet and Dinner Docket (links below).  Take a picture of your upcoming menu and shar it with us in Instagram, be sure to tag TheSweet Tea Sisters so we don’t miss your post!

XOXO,

Doe

Weekly Menu with Day Headings

Weekly Menu Blank

Dinner Docket with Categories

Dinner Docket Blank