family | A Life Of Patience

Tag Archives: family

September 23, 2014 · 11:28 am

Iron Chef Edition

Whenever my family gathers, there’s bound to be a battle.
A food battle.
An Iron Chef Battle to be exact!

Each summer we meet for a week for reminiscing, new memories, and of course eating deliciousness together. Picking a bushel of Maryland Blue Crabs is a given! Papa tells stories from flying planes in World War II and his adventures with the love of his life, Nana. Though she died eleven years ago, he keeps his wedding band on with pride. Guy time. Girl time. Family puzzles. And LOTS of good food!

Our Iron Chef tradition began with Battle Bacon: 3 teams, 3 courses each, 10 pounds of bacon (fat and all) consumed. Oh my word. Even our coffee tasted like bacon after that cooking fest! Scratch-made bourbon bacon ice cream with maple bacon sprinkles. Cinnamon pancetta carbonara. Spiced bacon-wrapped water chestnuts. And my personal favorite: Rice Krispy bacon treats with chocolate bacon drizzle.

Delicious.
Indulgent.
Elastic waistbands for days.

This year, we opted for a lighter palette with Battle Lemon! Our amazing friends, the Lawrensons, came as our honored judges. What a blast! As the house filled with citrus-tastic aroma, the kitchen buzzed with preparations.

Lemon ricotta dip with garlic and chives. Lemon parm popcorn. Marscapone gnocchi with brown butter lemon sauce. Perfectly roasted chicken with lemon sage stuffed skins. Lemon, lemon, lemon.

Dessert round bore the winning dish:
Lemon Buttermilk Pie. This simple dish from Food Network Magazine amazed us all. Creamy texture. Perfectly balanced lemon flavor. Not too sweet. Not too tart. Just right. This pie is sure to become a new family favorite. Trust me – you want to try this pie!

So get your citrus on and whip up some lemon buttermilk goodness today!

You’re welcome, America.

So God Made A Sister

As God looked upon the world He’d made, upon the family unit He established, He saw a heart cry for a specific life companion.

So God made a sister.

He saw children’s desire to explore and dreams of adventures far and near. He knew princesses would twirl, delighting in each other’s beauty as they wore dresses five times their size. He knew outfits held more fun when worn in tandem with a close friend. He created them to nurture and be nurtured, to inspire and to be adored. Before they could even walk, kindness lavished was needed.

So God made a sister.

He created daughters filled with joy, brimming over and longing to be shared with others. Laughter needing sharing, victories (even the smallest ones) needing celebrating, and griefs needing carrying by strong, sympathetic hearts. Secrets bubbled for entrusting as songs echoed in hearts craving harmony. Joys to share and burdens to bear.

So God made a sister.

He knew this fallen world could be cruel, whispering lies stripping value and beauty from rightful beholders. He knew a woman’s worst critic would often be herself and how desperately she’d need her vision readjusted by another seeing more clearly. As valleys low loomed and high mountains called for climbing, He desired entrusted history and friendship to never leave her side.

So God made a sister.

From sidewalks to school halls, down aisles and through delivery wards, He desired she not be alone. From Nana’s shoe closet to dress-up trunks, from prom dresses to wedding gowns, He desired her beauty be shared and celebrated. From little league to Varsity, from summer camps near to excursions abroad, He longed that His daughters experience adventures, make memories, transform from girls to women together.

So God made a sister.

In 1986, the world changed as a beautiful curly-headed ginger entered the scene. Her bright green eyes and dimpled smile sparked inspiration as her contagious joy filled every darkened space. Strangers became new-found friends and the insecure found encouragement. She shone light as though she’d soaked up the sun. Dance partner, adventure companion, sleepover snuggle bug, and persistent friend.

Through life’s darkest valleys, she would inspire strength and resilience among her family, often giving them cause to keep going when it seemed easier to give in to cynicism. Infectious joy, she would grow to hold wisdom beyond her years and compassion beyond reason. Love for the broken, kindness for the downtrodden, and enduring hope through it all.

God knew a family would need reminding over and again of His goodness, His faithfulness, His love through dark seasons to come. As darkness sought to tear apart, He desired they be knit close together. Someone to pray, someone to encourage, someone to inspire and trust. Confidant and best friend.