Right Now.

I am enjoying my coffee...seems to be the way to start the day.
Right now...
I am nervous about your new school
I am fighting a cold
I am planning 2 birthday parties...loving the August overload of birthdays

Right now...
I am praying for good friendships for all of us

Right now...
You and Bub are sleeping and I really need to wake you

Right now...
I can't believe we are getting another dog

Right now...
I want to freeze time

Source: sassyandalwaysclassy.tumblr.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Right Now.

right now I am enjoying my coffee and hazelnut creamer.  It is just something I cannot give up.
right now you are sleeping
right now bub is watching God Rocks and sharing his Crispix cereal with Bella.
we are going to IKEA this morning to get a chair for your new/old desk
right now I am wishing Round Top was open year round
right now I am thankful for answered and unanswered prayers

Right Now.

right now I am drinking half caf coffee with hazelnut creamer
right now you are watching Disney and eating muffins with butter and jam
right now brother is watching God Rocks
right now Bella is waiting for you to drop a few pieces of your biscuit
right now I am giving thanks for this life, for you, for Bub, for Daddy, for Bella
right now I am asking How Much Longer God? and praying for my family's heart to soften
right now I am asking for guidance with relationships that are so hurtful
right now I am praying for your new school, friends, faith and for us to grow as a family through this new experience

Broccoli Cranberry Salad

Who knew you would love fresh broccoli as much as you love steamed broccoli?

Thankfully, you and your brother are great eaters and broccoli happens to be one the top of that list.

I've made this salad before during our hot summer's but fresh broccoli never seemed to be your cup of tea.

Until now.

I always tell you when you grow older, you'll like more and more foods.

And this is becoming true, my dear.

Broccoli Cranberry Salad

2 large heads fresh broccoli, florets cut and washed

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup diced red onion

1/2 shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup pecans

Dressing:

1 cup Mayo (not Miracle Whip)

1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar

3 T. sugar

Salt and Pepper to taste

Whisk together dressing ingredients.  Toss in remaining ingredients.  Chill for several hours...or eat right away!  But chilled is best.

Serving suggestions:

Grilled chicken breasts with Salt Lick BBQ sauce, grilled corn on the cob, and diced chilled watermelon cubes.

Love you!

Mommy

Notes from Lizzie:

My fav part from the Broccoli Salad is the fresh broccoli because its good for you and its crunchy, too! also the combination I like best is the fresh broccoli and one or two cranberries!!!! It's DEVINE!!!!!

I hope you have fun making, eating and sharing this recipe with friends, family or just yourself!!!

XOXO!
Lizzie :)   

Be Kind

My dear Lizzie, Remember these truths:

I pray for you daily.

I love you more than I could ever say.

You are my most favorite gift.

Love,

Mommy

Welcome!

Welcome to Lizzie's Apron!

I love food.  It's my love language.  Food makes me happy along with my passion for my husband, my children, and photography.  (and some design projects here and there.)

My daughter, whose nickname is Lizzie, loves to cook.  From an early age, I found when we cooked together, she would open up in so many ways.  Talking, laughing, sharing.  As she's grew older, keeping her hands busy while cooking opened a door to her little mind.  I could see her thoughts and feelings as she stirred, measured, and cooked.

So many times, she would say to me, "mommy, when I grow up, will you give me all your recipes?"  And so this blog was born as way to keep the memories of our cooking adventures and save the recipes she loves so much with the hopes of her sharing with her own family one day...and share a story or two along the way.

What a gift my daughter and son are.  They have changed my life in so many ways and I pray I am able to teach them how to navigate through this crazy world we live in.

"Teach your children everything you know.  And if you must, use words."


(Many of the beginning recipes are from a blog I co-wrote with my dear friend.  Rather than letting them get lost in webspace, I have moved them here to Lizzie's Apron.  They are pretty good and family favorites!  You can find lots of recipes as well as projects created over the past 2 years at twofriendstwocities.com.  Enjoy!)

Yummy Crackers

Our first recipe to share.

Yummy Crackers!  Enjoy!

1 box multi grain crackers

1 cup light oil

1 packed Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix

1 t garlic powder

1 t red pepper flakes

Mix the seasonings and oil:

Toss in the crackers and toss...toss...toss.

Let the crackers and oil mixture sit for several hours to soak up.  And toss crackers occasionally too.

Lizzie's thoughts:

Personally, my favorite part is the yummieness, the color the red and green add to it, and lastly the FLAVOR!!!!!