Summer Sunset Dinner Menu

Summer Sunset Dinner Menu

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:

  1. Combine marinade ingredients in a bowl
  2. Marinate chicken and beef separately for 2-4 hours
  3. Thread meat and vegetables alternately on skewers
  4. Grill over medium-high heat for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally
  5. 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:

  1. Cut watermelon into bite-sized cubes
  2. Add the crumbled feta and mint leaves
  3. 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:

  1. Grill corn over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally
  2. Cool and cut kernels off cob
  3. Mix with bell pepper, onion, and cilantro
  4. Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, and chili powder
  5. Toss salad with dressing and season with salt
  • te

Instructions:

  1. Arrange tomato and mozzarella slices alternately on a platter
  2. Tuck basil leaves between slices
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
  4. 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:

  1. Boil potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes
  2. Drain and cool slightly
  3. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, and green onion
  4. Toss warm potatoes with dressing
  5. 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:

  1. Toss berries with sugar and let sit for 15 minutes
  2. Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form
  3. Layer cake cubes, berries, and whipped cream in a glass bowl or individual glasses
  4. Repeat layers, ending with whipped cream
  5. 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:

  1. Make basil simple syrup: Simmer water, honey, and basil for 5 minutes, then strain and discard basil leaves , cool
  2. Muddle peach slices in a pitcher
  3. Add basil syrup and lemon juice
  4. Top with sparkling water and ice
  5. Garnish glasses with peach slices and basil sprigs
Lessons Of Joy From Africa

Lessons Of Joy From Africa

I recently spent 10 days in Africa, Kenya to be precise. It truly was an amazing experience.  As I have reflected on my time there , I keep returning to the unbelievable thought of how joyful the people are. I witnessed real hardship. Families living without electricity and running water. A shortage of food and medical care. Lack of schooling opportunities and unsafe living conditions due to crime and shelter inadequacy.  So how can people be so joyful when I just told you all they have to overcome to survive each day?

I believe one of our MomCo leaders gave me insight to answer that question.  Her name is Favour and she is an incredible woman.  She lives in Zambia and her heart for Jesus and young moms is truly inspiring to me.  I have had the pleasure of spending time with Favour several times now over the last few years and each time I leave her presence inspired.  On our first day together I asked her how she was doing and she answered, “ I am doing well, by the grace of God.”  When asked if she had a good night sleep or if she was learning a lot at the leadership summit she would answer, “Yes, by the grace of God.” Favour has a deep faith in God and truly lives out her faith even in her genuine responses to ordinary questions.  She lives every day by the grace of God.  Reality is if you are reading this, you are alive, by the grace of God.

I also learned a lot from the African culture which I think helped me to understand their joy despite their circumstances. Here are a few things I observed…

  1. Strong Community – Many African cultures emphasize communal living and close-knit relationships.  This helps provide emotional support and a sense of belonging.
  2. Resilience and Optimism – Despite the many challenges, I watched the African women show up and work hard to provide for their families each and every day.
  3. Deep Rooted Culture – Music, dance, storytelling and festivals are central to many of the countries in Africa.  These activities create shared moments of happiness.
  4. Connection to Nature – Many Africans live in close harmony with nature. I think this creates a sense of peace and appreciation for life.
  5. Faith is Important – Faith plays a significant role in many African societies.  Having faith in Jesus and the promise of eternal life provides comfort, purpose and a positive outlook.

I am even more convinced that happiness comes from our circumstances and JOY comes from the Lord!

Lemon – Raspberry Bundt Cake

Lemon – Raspberry Bundt Cake

Lemon – Raspberry Bundt Cake

Ingredients for the cake

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour ( plus 3 Tablespoons for raspberry prep )

2 tsp. baking powder

2 sticks of unsalted butter ( room temperature )

1/2 tsp. salt

8 oz. cream cheese ( room temperature )

2 c. sugar

4 large eggs ( room temperature )

2 c. fresh raspberries

1/4 c. fresh squeezed lemon juice

2 Tablespoons lemon zest

Ingredients for the frosting

4 oz. cream cheese  ( room temperature )

1/2 stick of unsalted butter ( room temperature )

1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

dash of salt

Ingredients for the decoration

1 c. fresh raspberries 

zest of one lemon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Prepare bundt pan by coating the pan with butter and flour

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the sugar and lemon juice and zest and beat until creamy ( about three minutes).

Add the eggs one at a time and beat an additional 1 minute.

In a small mixing bowl. Place the fresh raspberries and sprinkle with the 3 Tablespoons of flour. Toss until the berries are coated and then with a rubber spatula fold the berries into the cake batter.

Bake for 55- 60 minutes, until golden brown and tooth pick test comes out clean.

Let the cake rest in the pan on the counter for about 20 minutes before inverting the pan onto your cake stand or platter.  Allow it to cool an additional 30 minutes before frosting.

Prepare the frosting, beating until smooth and creamy then proceed to frost the cake.  Arrange the fresh berries and lemon zest on top.

This cake is super easy, so pretty, and perfect for Easter or a Springtime Brunch.

Enjoy!

Life Lessons from Breast Cancer

Life Lessons from Breast Cancer

Fourteen years !  That is how long I have been cancer free.  A lot has happened in those fourteen years.  A lot of life… to quote a favorite song of mine from Jimmy Buffet – “some of it magic, some of it tragic, but I’ve had a good life along the way.”

Lying in the hospital bed fourteen years ago after having a double mastectomy, I remember the anxiety and the pain and the uncertainty of it all.  It weighed me down,.It had me shallow breathing and struggling to get through each hour.  The first year was filled with doctors appointments and more surgeries and physical and mental recovery.  It was hard and yet it was beautiful to be surrounded by my loving husband, our family and friends.  I quickly realized by sitting in a lot of waiting rooms that not everyone was so fortunate.  Many sat alone and many didn’t have the resources or support to help them heal.  I met a lot of incredible women that year.  Despite rough circumstances they were clad in pink and ready to fight.  A club none of us wanted to be a part of yet somehow it was a gift that you were. Warriors fighting our way back to normalcy even if that normal was severely altered.  I met ladies who didn’t make it and others who are still going strong, living their best life.

I kept a journal during that time and I wrote down lessons I learned from having breast cancer.  A portion of that journal was featured in the book “ If I Only Had One Chance to Tell You… Inspiring and Encouraging Real-Life Stories” by Ana-Christina Wadle. I share these lessons with you today in hopes that they encourage you to live your best life too.  Having cancer changed my perspective.  I am beyond grateful to have had these past fourteen years where I got to see my kids grow up and be a part of all the chaos and fun. Life is precious, let’s enjoy the gift that it is.

My life lessons from battling breast cancer…..

My husband has taught me the power of loving someone unconditionally.  He has proved to love me for the essence of me and not just the physical me.  This has helped me handle the insecurities that I have about my scars and the breast – disfiguring that came with my mastectomies.

I have learned that 90% is still an A.  I don’t have a guarantee that I will be here tomorrow, so I strive to pursue excellence in all areas of my life; but I no longer seek perfection.  

I have chosen to go deep versus wide. By this, I mean that I am striving to go deeper with my relationships and time commitments. Gone are the days that I say yes to everyone and everything. I choose carefully what I say “ yes” to.

I learned to forgive others.  Forgiveness is powerful – if it is withheld, it damages. If it is granted, it heals.

I learned I am more effective in ministry when I share my struggles. I never want breast cancer to define who I am; it is just part of my story.

I choose to live a life of joy despite my circumstances. True joy comes from knowing the Lord and seeking a relationship with Him.

I hope you can take something from what I have learned and apply it to your daily life.  Enjoy the journey!

Blessings !

Sherri

Laughter is Good For the Soul

Laughter is Good For the Soul

I sat in the parking lot of the post office on a cold winter morning.  I could see the long line from where I sat in my car and I was feeling grumpy about the anticipated wait.  I had a heavy heart.    Grey skies loomed overhead replacing the normal bright blue skies of Colorado.  The whole day felt grey and heavy.

I was awakened that morning to alarming texts from friends who were sending out prayer requests for one of our friends who is battling cancer.  The outlook felt grim.  Then I received an email from another friend telling me of a friend’s child who was complaining of a stomach ache which turned into surgery which turned into another cancer diagnosis.  These are wonderful families and I just felt plain sad on their behalf.

I walked to the front door of the post office and while opening the door dropped several of my envelopes.  A young man stepped over the fallen mail without offering to help.  My grumpy meter was rising by the second  – that was until I got inline.  

In front of me was an elderly man and in front of him was a young mom with her little baby.  The elderly gentleman began playing peek a boo with the child and before you know it, the baby was laughing hysterically.  You know what I mean, those baby laughs that are so full of joy they make everyone around them begin to smile and laugh too. We all were laughing until our sides hurt.  We even clapped for the baby when she and her mom were leaving, and of course, on cue, she blows us all baby kisses goodbye.  My spirits were lifted by the laughter of this sweet child and the response from all those around me.

The lady behind me started crying.  She apologized for the tears and told me her husband had passed away earlier this year and she felt guilty for feeling joy and uncontrollable laughter.  I gave her a hug and told her I was so sorry for her loss.  I also probably over spoke and told her I thought it was ok to have joy.  Her husband wouldn’t want her to be sad forever.  She hugged me again.  I left the post office feeling lighter and as I walked outside, the sun began shining through the clouds. I stopped and prayed for my friends who were deep in hardship.  I prayed they would feel joy, that they would be able to laugh even when things were hard.

I think sometimes we are afraid to laugh while we are experiencing sorrow because someone might think our pain has passed or that our sorrow isn’t deep.  Laughter seems off limits or inappropriate to shine where there is the darkness of grief and sorrow.  My Christian faith tells me that because I place my hope in Christ, I can grieve differently from those who have no hope.  There are times when grief will have a tight grip on us for sure, life can be brutally hard at times.  Laughter gives us permission to say  – grief may have a hold of me but all of the life has not been choked out of me. I think laughter lessens the sting that sadness can bring. It is a gift to feel joy.

Let’s all be people who give each other permission to laugh, to experience joy even when our world circumstances say otherwise.  Let’s receive our joy from the Lord and encourage one another in this journey called life.