by sherricrandall | Jul 8, 2025 | Recipes
Summer Sunset Dinner Menu
Main Course
Grilled Chicken & Beef Kabobs
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 lb beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 red bell peppers, cut into chunks
- 1 red onion, cut into chunks
- 1 zucchini, sliced thick
- 12 cherry tomatoes
Marinade:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine marinade ingredients in a bowl
- Marinate chicken and beef separately for 2-4 hours
- Thread meat and vegetables alternately on skewers
- Grill over medium-high heat for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally
- Cook until chicken reaches 165°F and beef reaches desired doneness
Appetizer
A nice colorful veggie tray served with ranch dressing and hummus fits perfectly with this meal. In addition to the veggies add some miniature naan bread.
Sides
1. Watermelon Feta Salad
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cubed watermelon
- 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 4 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 1 small lime
Instructions:
- Cut watermelon into bite-sized cubes
- Add the crumbled feta and mint leaves
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze and the juice of 1 lime
Serves 6
2. Grilled Corn Salad
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 4 ears corn, husked
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Grill corn over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally
- Cool and cut kernels off cob
- Mix with bell pepper, onion, and cilantro
- Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, and chili powder
- Toss salad with dressing and season with salt
Instructions:
- Arrange tomato and mozzarella slices alternately on a platter
- Tuck basil leaves between slices
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
- Season with salt and pepper just before serving
3. Lemon Herb Potato Salad
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs small red potatoes, quartered
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 green onion, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Boil potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes
- Drain and cool slightly
- Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, and green onion
- Toss warm potatoes with dressing
- Season with salt and pepper, serve warm or at room temperature
Dessert
Summer Berry Shortcake Trifle
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 1 store-bought pound cake, cubed
- 2 cups mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Fresh mint for garnish
Instructions:
- Toss berries with sugar and let sit for 15 minutes
- Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form
- Layer cake cubes, berries, and whipped cream in a glass bowl or individual glasses
- Repeat layers, ending with whipped cream
- Garnish with fresh mint and serve immediately
Mocktail
Sparkling Peach Basil Refresher
Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe peaches, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 cups sparkling water
- Ice cubes
- Peach slices and basil sprigs for garnish
Instructions:
- Make basil simple syrup: Simmer water, honey, and basil for 5 minutes, then strain and discard basil leaves , cool
- Muddle peach slices in a pitcher
- Add basil syrup and lemon juice
- Top with sparkling water and ice
- Garnish glasses with peach slices and basil sprigs
by sherricrandall | Jun 12, 2025 | General
Twenty-four years ago, my husband and I embarked on a journey that would forever change our lives—the decision to adopt a little girl from China. With three energetic boys already filling our home with laughter, our hearts had room for one more precious soul.
During the waiting period, our family was camping on our property in the Colorado mountains. The backdrop was beautiful as we looked at Pikes Peak, a gorgeous lake, wild flowers and wildlife. While our boys took a nap, inspiration struck. In a simple notebook, sitting outside our camper, I penned a story that would become our family’s treasured tale. That evening, gathered around dancing campfire flames, I shared it with my sons. Their eyes sparkled with delight as they begged, “Again, Mom! Read it again!”—a chorus that would echo through many bedtimes to come.
After 18 months of paperwork, prayers, and patience, we finally boarded a plane to China to meet the daughter who already lived in our hearts. The moment she was placed in our arms, our family circle was complete. My dad, with tears in his eyes, called her “the cherry on top” of our family sundae—the perfect description for this sweet little girl who made our family whole.
As years passed, the campfire story evolved. Each of our children inspired a character, and even my husband found himself transformed into the wise owl and mayor in later versions. I had the joy of sharing this tale in my children’s classrooms, watching young faces light up at every reading.
As our little ones grew into young adults, the story was carefully tucked away—just a digital file sleeping in my computer. Until recently, when a series of heartfelt conversations and the loving encouragement of my now-grown children inspired me to finally breathe life into this long-cherished tale.
Adoption can sometimes feel like a delicate subject to discuss, but my deepest hope is that this gentle story will open doors to meaningful conversations and provide comfort to those whose lives have been touched by adoption’s beautiful gift.
At its heart, this is simply a story of love—transcending borders, circumstances, and biology. As you turn these pages, I hope you’ll be wrapped in that same warm feeling our family felt around that mountain campfire all those years ago, and that you’ll treasure the illustrations that now bring our family’s journey to colorful life.
Welcome to our story. Welcome to our heart.
by sherricrandall | Jun 11, 2025 | Recipes
Peaches and Cream No Bake Dessert
Ingredients – Filling and Crust
3 medium peaches, chopped into small pieces
Juice of 1/2 lemon
3/4 c. granulated sugar, divided
8 graham crackers
1 1/2 c. small pretzels
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3/4 c. heavy whipping cream
2 – 8 oz packages of cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. whole fat plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Topping
2 medium peaches, thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons honey
Directions
In a small pot over medium heat, cook the peaches, lemon juice and 2 Tablespoons of sugar until the peaches start to breakdown and the liquid is syrupy. Let cool
While the peaches are cooling, place the graham crackers and pretzels into a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs are formed. Add the cinnamon and salt and mix again. Lastly add 2 Tablespoons of sugar and stir until combined. Add the melted butter and mix thoroughly. Press this mixture into a 9 inch pie plate and refrigerate for 1 hour
Using an electric mixer on medium high speed, beat the whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Transfer to a large bowl. In the bowl that the cream was whipped, now add cream cheese and yogurt and mix until smooth. Add 1/2 c. sugar and vanilla. Beat until combined.
Fold in the whipped cream and gently fold in the cooked peaches.
Pour the filling into the prepared crust, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate over night.
When ready to serve, slice the two peaches and toss and coat with the honey. Spoon the peaches over the pie and slice and serve.
This is super easy and is a perfect no bake, make ahead, summer dessert!
Enjoy!!
by sherricrandall | May 9, 2025 | General
There’s a holy rhythm to motherhood—a divine dance that begins with that first cry in the delivery room and continues long after your children have children of their own. As I have journeyed through the seasons of mothering, each phase offered its unique challenges alongside moments of indescribable joy. For me, the title “Mom” is perhaps the greatest honor I’ve ever been given, a responsibility bestowed by God that transformed me in ways I never imagined possible. I have experienced my mothering phases like this…
The newborn fog – Those first precious months were a blur of midnight feedings and overwhelming love. Your body is healing, your heart is expanding, and sleep becomes a distant memory. The challenges are real—the physical exhaustion, the constant worry, the feeling that you might be doing everything wrong. But oh, the joy of those tiny fingers wrapped around yours! The miracle of watching your baby’s first smile, knowing that God entrusted this perfect soul to your care. In those exhausted moments, remember that you are exactly the mother your child needs.
The toddler whirlwind – As your baby grows, so does their determination and curiosity. Suddenly, everything is “mine” and “no” becomes their favorite word. The challenges shift from physical demands to emotional ones as you navigate tantrums and boundless energy. Yet this phase brings the delight of witnessing your child discover the world—their contagious laughter as they splash in puddles, their pride in mastering new skills, their uninhibited joy in the simplest pleasures. These are the days when a kiss truly can heal all wounds, and when you’re reminded how God sees each of us through eyes of unconditional love.
The shepherding years – The days of sending them off with lunchboxes and watching them forge their own friendships brings a new complexity to motherhood. They are able to dress themselves and brush their own teeth and most days feel like you are on repeat. You’re guiding them through friendship troubles, academic pressures, and growing independence. The challenges can be heartbreaking—you can’t solve every problem or shield them from every hurt. But witnessing their character develop, their confidence grow, and their unique gifts emerge brings immeasurable pride. In this season, you’re really guiding them to hear God’s voice alongside your own.
The teen years – Perhaps no phase tested my mother’s heart quite like adolescence. The push-pull of wanting independence while still needing guidance can create tension in even the closest relationships. Yet these years also bring deep conversations about faith, values, and dreams. The joy comes in glimpsing the adults they’re becoming—their convictions, their compassion, their courage. Trust the foundation you’ve built and the God who loves them even more than you do. I know, easier said than done.
The adult children blessing – The relationship shifts again as they build their own lives, perhaps becoming parents themselves. The challenge becomes finding your new role and navigating this adult relationship with grace. But oh, the profound joy of friendship with your grown children! Of seeing them walk in their purpose and perhaps passing on your legacy of traditions and faith to another generation. Remembering to allow them to make their own mistakes which leads to their mark on this world.
Through every season, I have found that motherhood is a mix of ordinary daily tasks and a sacred calling. Whether by birth, adoption, fostering, or mentoring, the privilege of nurturing the next generation is a reflection of our Heavenly Father’s love. On the hardest days and the most beautiful ones, you are doing meaningful work and your investment matters. You are leaving a legacy – because once a mom, always a mom.
To every mother reading this—you are seen, you are valued, and your love is making an eternal difference.
Wishing you all a very Happy Mother’s Day!
Blessings!
Sherri
by sherricrandall | Apr 18, 2025 | General
The other day I walked past a chain link fence in downtown Nashville adorned with prayer ribbons gently moving in the breeze. In the midst of honky-tonk music, traffic, and tourists, these silent wishes stopped me in my tracks.
We rush through our days making noise, chasing goals, scrolling feeds—while prayers like these form the quiet backdrop of our humanity. Whispered hopes, silent gratitude, desperate pleas—they’re happening all around us, even when we can’t hear them.
In our loudest moments, these threads of connection remind us what matters most. The noise fades, but our prayers remain, tying us together across time and circumstance.
What’s your quiet prayer today?
