If you didn’t grab the market list on Monday, hop over here and grab it so you will know the ingredients you need.

First things first, get that shrimp thawing and preheat the oven to 350!  If you aren’t a shrimp person but are intrigued, make this recipe your own!  I have no doubt this sauce will be excellent on just about any meat you can find.  Well, maybe not just any meat… but you know what I mean.

On to the sauce making!  I started by combining 1 cup of peach jam and 1 cup pineapple juice.  Make sure they are combined well and the jam has turned liquid-y then go ahead and add all other liquid ingredients – 2 tablespoons worcestershire, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 1/4 cup soy sauce.  Give them a good stir.

Now it’s time to add the good stuff.  Throw in a pressed garlic clove (2 if you live on the wild side), 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper and half a cup chopped water chestnuts.  Be sure the liquid stays below a boil and stir vigorously over medium heat to be sure all the brown sugar work’s it’s way into the sauce.

Set the sauce aside and cook your shrimp (or other meat) in a skillet with a touch of olive oil.  Be careful not to overcook the meat!  When it is about 3/4 of the way cooked, add in  half the sauce and be sure everything gets really well coated.  Then spread the coated meat on a cookie sheet and stick it in the over for about 10 minutes on 350 degree heat.  This will be sure the meat is finished cooking and the sauce is cooked into the meat.

Place it all in a serving dish and pour the rest of the sauce right over the top.  Then breathe it all in and prepare yourself for some amazing flavor.

Let me know what you think and how you made this sauce your own, I’d love to hear!

Something you need to know about our room…it’s DARK. We’re talking black sun screen mesh on the outside of the window then blinds and blackout curtains on the inside. I could nap at 2 in the afternoon and it will look no different than it does at midnight. Most of the time, this rocks, but this morning, when I’m trying to navigate to the bathroom, let the pups out and get dressed for the gym, and keep the room dark for my sleeping husband, it was a nightmare. I stubbed my toe on randomly strewn shoes at least three times, ran into the door jamb and finally resorted to crawling around to find my running shoes. I tried using my cell phone for light but it felt a lot like throwing a firefly in the air and pretending it’s a firework.  It felt like the darkness was everywhere.

As I sat and put on the shoes that I (finally) found, the Lord started speaking to my heart.  Some people choose to live in spiritual darkness just as thick as the physical darkness I battled this morning.  Some use it as a cloak to cover the sin in their lives, some are there because it’s where people have pushed them to stay through hurtful words or actions, and others choose it because the light is, undoubtedly, telling.  Every obstacle that I not so gracefully dealt with this morning would have still been there had the light been on but I would have been able to see each of them.  I could have stepped over those shoes I left in the middle of the floor, walked through the door without nailing my shoulder on it, and found my running shoes without having to resort crawling around.  That’s what makes living in the light so different.  It doesn’t mean things will be easy and no obstacles will cross your path, it means you have an ally.

Let’s choose to live in the light.  No more hiding in the darkness, falling into our own traps.  Be bold, be courageous and give yourself a chance to face obstacles that are flooded in the light of Christ that brings clarity and peace rather than obscured by the darkness.

Monday Market List – Asian Inspired Shrimp

It’s no secret now that James and I followed his call into the ministry and now reside in a small town in Central Texas and have the sincere privilege of serving a wonderful church and their youth group.  Our life now is drastically different than it was 7 months ago.  On any given day you will find me with a house full of students, no makeup, piled up laundry, just dance 3 blaring on the xbox, and the biggest smile you could imagine on my face.  It’s a crazy life but it’s ours and I love it.  

Being someone who craves intentional time with my husband and recharges best when I’m alone with a bit of quiet and a hot earl grey, the constant chaos has made me extremely aware of the importance of setting boundaries when it comes to time and sticking to them.  I learned quite quickly that if James and I weren’t pouring into ourselves, we would have nothing to give to the students we are called to serve.  I become crabby and James, well, he just hibernates.

You may not have 10 youth over at your house on a regular basis but I’m wiling to bet you each have something that consumes you.  Hear me when I say that the things that consume you may not always be bad… we love our youth like crazy and hanging out with them is a blast… but when the only time I saw my husband without someone else in the room was in the morning before he left and at night when we finally head to bed and the only alone time I got was when I was in the shower…too much of a good thing became a bad thing.  It could be a job, a hobby, a friendship, an in-law (oh yes, I went there), your children, or even the T.V.  Whatever it is, it’s time to claim ownership of it and be sure that you are the one determining the boundaries instead of the other way around.

Take time this week to make yourself aware of where your time is most spent then measure it up against your priorities.  If they don’t mesh, make some changes.  Harness that schedule of yours, set some healthy boundaries and then… breath a sigh of relief.

I have no doubt 2012 will hold many more experiences and through it all, I want to have the perspective that I have right now.  I feel like I’ve just gotten a brand new journal and I opened the cover to begin writing a whole new chapter of my story.  A chapter dedicated to servanthood and love.

In 2012, I’ve resolved to work on a few things in particular.  I want to be a much better homemaker than I currently am.  I’m a firm believer that a healthy home environment is vital so I’ll be working to figure out a system to manage our house well so that we can enjoy it as much as possible.  I want to spend more time on working towards professional goals and figure out how to integrate it into our wonderfully busy life.  And I want to be much better at preserving memories of the everyday.  Whether it’s through instagram, journaling, or blogging I’d love to be able to look back and see more about the details of our journey through the year.

So, enough of the sharing it’s time for DOING!  Here’s to grabbing hold of this new year and making it the absolute best it can be.

Love to you all!

xo,

Lauren

My quiet morning made me think of one of my favorite Christmas carols, Silent Night. I can hardly imagine what Mary must have felt after she had Jesus.  After the visitors left and the tiredness of labor started to settle in…and she was left with nothing but her thoughts and the quiet.  I hope she treasured that first night with Jesus.  Knowing he wasn’t hers to keep but most certainly hers to hold… at least for that moment.

I’m  so grateful that Mary trusted the Holy Spirit, I’m grateful that Joseph listened to what seemed impossible and believed, and I am so very glad I know Jesus Christ.

I wish all of you the most blessed Christmas.  I am certainly grateful for you being so kind to read my blog and be a part of a community that cares about marriage.  I hope today finds you surrounded by people you love, yummy food, presents, and most of all, the spirit of Christmas.

love, lauren

header image source via Pinterest

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Hello Everyone,

I’m so excited to do a guest post for the holidays! 2011 has flown by for me and I am looking forward to 2012 with anticipation. During this season there are usually lots of parties, traveling, and time with family. My post will focus on Holiday travels and events. So here we go.

When it comes to traveling whether it is by car, plane, or boat (I’d love to hear if this is your method) the main thing to keep in mind is comfort. Do not travel in high heels and an uncomfortable outfit. Do wear layers that you can take on or off as needed during your trip. Start with a basic pant or legging that is not too tight. Then wear a comfortable undershirt whether a plain T or long sleeve T. Add a cardigan and scarf and you are ready to go! Pack a bag with gloves, necessary toiletries, and even a change of clothes in case your flight gets delayed or traffic holds you back. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes for walking through an airport. You can still look put together, but don’t have to sacrifice comfort.

With so many outfits out there for your holiday parties I’ve got some simple tips to get you started. My first thought as always is comfort. Many clothes out there right now are way too low cut, tight, short, and unflattering to most body shapes. So I’m going to recommend what I feel looks best on women of all shapes and sizes J

Start with a dress that is not too short. You will feel more comfortable walking around in it all night.  Something not too far above the knee will be appropriate for most all occasions. An a-line dress is flattering to most all figures. Ladies, it conceals the hips and allows you to move freely while enhancing your waist. Tights are a sure way to cover up any leg imperfections and they now come in all colors and patterns.

When you are picking a dress go for texture, sparkle, and comfort. Feminine details such as lace, sleeves, ribbons, and color details are sure to make your outfit stand out without screaming for attention. I love to pair a soft dress with a strong jacket.

Shoes can make a statement during the holiday season. Here is the only place I give in a little when it comes to comfort. I love a pretty shoe. Add a colored heel to spice up your outfit, wear closed toed shoes with dresses, and peep toe with pants.  I’ve put together 6 examples to give you an idea for different holiday occasions from a formal dinner party to a date night.

If you don’t have a specific party or event to go to this year I suggest you pick one day to do a date night with you husband, boyfriend, or girlfriends. It’s fun to get dressed up! Grab your favorite pair of heels and dress and go out. It’s that time of year J my last tip when celebrating this season is to keep the accessories and makeup balanced. If you go for a smoky eye, go with nude lips. Big necklace, small earrings. Don’t over do it. It’s about letting your natural beauty shine through. If you go overboard it won’t look like your normal self and you are likely to feel awkward and uncomfortable.

I wish you all an amazing holiday season! Enjoy every moment you get to share with family. Don’t take anything for granted. Most of all take time to give back to those who don’t have much this season.

Until next time!

Annette Roxy

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   Hopefully your packing sighs have turned into sighs of relief now that Annette has helped you in the wardrobe department.  I know I feel better!  Thanks so much to Annette for taking time during the holidays to help us out with our wardrobe woes.  Merry Christmas week everyone!

]]> http://lovemilkandhoney.com/dressing-for-the-holidays/feed/ 0 http://lovemilkandhoney.com/sea-lillie-giveaway/ http://lovemilkandhoney.com/sea-lillie-giveaway/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:57:57 +0000 Lauren Kelly http://lovemilkandhoney.com/?p=2635

**WINNER**

The Winner of the Sea Lillie giveaway is MICHELLE!!  Her Special beach memory was so fun!  ::

Michelle: When I lived near the beach, my sisters, mom, and I would sometimes go down on the first day of school and, since we were homeschooled, do our school work there. For some reason we didn’t get much work done ;)

Congratulations, Michelle!  Send me an email to lauren{at}lovemilkandhoney{dot}com to claim your prize!

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As I’m sure you can tell, we have the best sponsors here on love, milk & honey and Sea Lillie is no different.  They are fairly new on the scene here at love, milk & honey but I have undoubtedly fallen quite quickly in love with both Kaela & Nicole and their lovely jewelry.  Their blog is a must read in my book as they share endearing thoughts from their everyday lives and what it is that inspires them to do what they do.  Today I have a special treat for those of you who are looking for the perfect gift to put the finishing touch on your Christmas shopping! Our friends at Sea Lillie are giving away one of their Aqua Nautilus Necklaces to one of you, dear bloggie friends!

Here’s a bit about the peice:

Aquamarine Nautilus Necklace in Sterling Silver – 22 inches

“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach – waiting for a gift from the sea.” -Anne Morrow Lindbergh

This gorgeous nautilus seashell is adorned with an aquamarine briolette. The pair dangle from a sterling silver chain. This beauty measures 22 inches long.

We didn’t see a thing all morning but we had a lot of fun.  Sometimes it’s worth doing things that you aren’t quite sure about or that may not be within your comfort zone for the man who has your heart.  James was overjoyed that I ventured into his world this morning and let him share something he loves with me.  Take a chance to do that this week, ladies.  You never know, it could be fun! :)

And just for a little proof, the header image is a fun instagram taken at about 5:30 this morning… what on earth has gotten into me.

Happy Holiday Cooking!

From Pinterest ::

Hot Corn Dip via Gina Marie’s Kitchen

Parmesan Knots via Real Mom Kitchen

 From the Store ::

Hot Wings

(always a crowd pleaser!)

From Tastefully Simple ::

Warm Spinach and Artichoke dip

(if you have not become well acquainted with Tastefully Simple yet… you are missing out!  They rule my kitchen!)

From my Family’s Recipes and coming soon to the blog::

Homemade Peanut Butter Bars

Wassail (spiced cider)

Brown Sugar little smokies

Do you guys have any favorites to serve or munch on at Holiday Parties?  Weigh in!  I’d love to hear and share some of your favorites!!