The Fall of Soups

This fall, Tyler and I decided we will try a new soup each week. About every other week since last fall I have made chili soup, a big time favorite of Tyler's. We are finally starting to branch out! :-) This week a friend from church recommended the soup below after I shared how much squash I have and how my husband despises it. I altered the spices and a few of the other ingredients and voila! Guess what?? Tyler took a bite and said, "Wow!" 

Butternut Squash Soup

6 Tbsp chopped onions

4 Tbsp organic butter

1 medium to large, peeled and cubed butternut squash

4 cups vegetable broth

1/4 tsp basil

1/4 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

4 to 8 oz of organic cream cheese

Saute the onion in butter until tender. Add everything but the cream cheese. Note: If you don't have all these spices make it anyways!Use more of one or try marjoram instead. When the squash is tender add everything to blender or food processor and puree until smooth with cream cheese. I left some of the smaller chunks out of the blender and mixed it with the pureed mix. We liked this consistency best. 

WHOOPIE!!!

Is anyone else as excited as I am for fall?! Here are a few of my favorite things about fall: cool weather runs, cardigans without a coat, warm cups of tea, soup, snuggles, chilly mornings, and PUMPKIN. This year I made my own pumpkin puree for the first time. We have been a part of a community garden and picked up a few pumpkins the other day. It was easier than I expected to make the puree and I got lots of other Saturday tasks done while they were baking. Tyler and I made two AMAZING pumpkin recipes this weekend. Pumpkin Chili from Elise's blog (my husband even liked this folks!) and Pumpkin Whoopie Pies....

Doesn't the picture say enough??? Yummmyyy

The best part? There were many to share. Not to mention, they have no sugar and can be a guilt free treat. Enjoy!

...for such a time as this

Wow! Summer flew by and now I'm sitting here in front of the computer thinking, "It's been forever since I've blogged." There are a lot of things I'm looking forward to sharing with you all like my favorite natural cosmetics, thoughts on skin, fun adventures from our summer, and lots of recipes. Is anyone loving that it's fall? I sure am.

Today I wanted to share what God has been challenging my heart with the last few weeks. As I drive my normal trek to work, God keeps saying in a whisper, "Kristin, life isn't meant to be about you." Then in my head I say, "I know but what about _________ and ____________ and __________." Am I the only one that can get into this merry-go-round of thoughts all related to me??

I wouldn't say that I'm a worrier. However, I really like to be in control. Hence, I think about what I can do to make my life be what I want it to be. See the problem??

My second heart check comes when I realize I mostly want to help someone so I feel good about my impact in the world. Funny how Satan tries to deceive and twist motivation... I then take a minute to put myself in the other person's shoes and God gives me a heart of understanding and compassion.

Our God is full of grace and continues to remind me of the freedom that comes in a life with Him. He created life to be a joy-filled daily worship to Him and the times I see this most in my life is when I trust Him with the details of life and go full bore into loving Him and being Christ to those around me.

The picture below is from the movie One Night with the King. It is a movie about the story of Esther, one of my favorite characters in the bible. If you haven't read Esther lately, I highly recommend it. Esther is a common Jewish girl swept into a life of luxury with the King because of her beauty. The best part of her story comes when she casts aside her own wants/security to go before the king for her people. Her life is one that reflects TRUE beauty and purpose. It inspires me everyday through a post-it in my car that says, "Prepared for such a time as this - live a life not about me."

God we praise You for Your design of our lives and Your book of truth and Spirit that teaches us daily how to live a life of joy and purpose. Thank You for the story of Esther that reminds us that You can use anyone, yet You desire to use us. I pray that You give us the courage to speak, to act, to love... Help us to live a life not about ourselves and to have confidence that You will use us as we walk in obedience. Help us to hear Your voice. We love You. Amen

Esther 4:14 "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this."