Beauty From Pain by Superchick

I haven't heard this song in quite some time, but I randomly started singing it a couple nights ago. It just resonated so much with me - I listened to it three or four times in a row. It's a somewhat dark song, I suppose; but I find it beautiful. It's raw and honest, yet offers hope that "there will be a dawn," and "there'll be beauty from pain."

http://youtu.be/M-GPbYcTDbQ

Beauty From Pain by Superchick

The lights go out all around me

One last candle to keep out the night
And then the darkness surrounds me
I know I'm alive but I feel like I've died
And all that's left is to accept that it's over
My dreams ran like sand through the fists that I made
I try to keep warm but I just grow colder
I feel like I'm slipping away

[Chorus]

After all this has passed, I still will remain
After I've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain
Though it won't be today, someday I'll hope again
And there'll be beauty from pain
You will bring beauty from my pain

My whole world is the pain inside me
The best I can do is just get through the day
When life before is only a memory
I'll wonder why God lets me walk through this place
And though I can't understand why this happened
I know that I will when I look back someday
And see how you've brought beauty from ashes
And made me as gold purified through these flames

[Chorus]

Here I am at the end of me (at the end of me)
Tryin' to hold to what I can't see (to what I can't see)
I forgot how to hope
This night's been so long
I cling to Your promise
There will be a dawn

[Chorus]

Forgiveness by Matthew West

What an amazingly beautiful song this is! Forgiveness can be such a difficult thing to do - forgiveness of ourselves and others. But, our God has already forgiven us, and it is by His grace that we can forgive others.

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:12-13)

http://youtu.be/h1Lu5udXEZI

Forgiveness by Matthew West

It's the hardest thing to give away
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don't deserve

It's the opposite of how you feel
When the pain they caused is just too real
It takes everything you have to say the word...

Forgiveness
Forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride
It moves away the mad inside
It's always anger's own worst enemy
Even when the jury and the judge
Say you gotta right to hold a grudge
It's the whisper in your ear saying 'set it free'

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

It'll clear the bitterness away
It can even set a prisoner free
There is no end to what its power can do
So let it go and be amazed
By what you see through eyes of grace
The prisoner that it really frees is you

Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
Help me now to do the impossible
Forgiveness

I want to finally set it free
So show me how to see what Your mercy sees
Help me now to give what You gave to me
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness, Forgiveness
Forgiveness

Bruschetta Chicken

Jeremy and I tried this recipe for dinner a few nights ago, and it was delicious! We'll definitely be making this again. It was even good the next day as leftovers - and I'm not a leftovers person. And, if you have picky eaters... you can just leave the tomato mixture off, and just have parmesan-crusted chicken. This is a great recipe, and pretty easy to put together. Enjoy!

Bruschetta Chicken
Adapted from Lindsey Meredith

Ingredients:

© 2012 Jamie V.

Chicken Breading:
1/4 cup flour
1 egg, beaten
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied
3 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp breadcrumbs (or garlic croutons)
garlic powder
1/8 to 1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 to 1 Tbsp butter, melted

Tomato Mixture:
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (drained)
2 to 2-1/2 Tbsp basil
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 Tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 °F.
2. Grease baking dish (8x8 or 9x11).
3. Mix flour, garlic powder, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
4. Place beaten egg in separate shallow bowl.
5. Dip each butterflied piece of chicken into flour mixture, then into beaten egg. Place chicken in baking dish.
6. Combine parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and melted butter, then sprinkle / spread onto chicken.
7. Loosely cover baking dish with foil.
8. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until top is browned and chicken is cooked through (use meat thermometer).
9. Drain tomatoes (may want to chop them up a bit more). Combine with basil, olive oil, minced garlic, and salt and pepper (to taste).
10. Spoon tomato mixture over chicken, and return to oven for 5-10 minutes (or until tomato mixture is heated through).
11. Allow rest for a few minutes, after you take it out of the oven.
12. Serve and enjoy!

Missing PapPap

My PapPap passed away 10 years ago, today. I can't believe it's been that long. The memories that I have of / with him are such a cherished piece of my heart.

I wish that PapPap and Jeremy could have met each other. I think they would've really gotten along well. But, Jeremy and I started dating a month or so after PapPap passed away. But, I know that he's looking down from heaven and smiling that Jeremy and I have each other.

© 2012 Jamie V.

It just occurred to me that I have yet to finish the mini-scrapbook that I started making years ago. It just became too much for me to handle, so it was pushed to the side. I'm going to start working on it again, so that I can get it finished in the next couple of months. I just read a short letter I wrote to him four days after he passed away, and it brought me to tears. I'm going to write him another short letter today.

He holds such a special part of my heart, and I'm so grateful that we had the time we did together.

I love you, PapPap!!!

Cheesy Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole

Jeremy and I tried these a few weeks ago, and it's absolutely DELICIOUS!!! It tasted great the night we made it, and as leftovers (and I'm not much of a leftover person). We'll definitely be making this again!

Cheesy Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole
Adapted from picky-palate.com

© 2012 Jamie V.

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup diced onions (approximately 1/2 - 1 medium onion)
1/2 cup celery, finely diced (approximately 3 stalks celery)
1 cup peeled and diced carrots (approximately 3 carrots)
2 Tbsp fresh minced garlic
2 cups shredded, cooked chicken breast
2 cups steamed white rice
16 ounce prepared wild rice (recipe recommends Trader Joe's, but we just prepared Uncle Ben's wild rice)
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic salt

Cheese Sauce:

4 Tbsp butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Top with 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Heat oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
3. Saute onion, celery, and carrots until softened, about 10 minutes.
4. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Stir in chicken, both rices, salt, pepper, garlic salt. Reduce heat to low.
6. To prepare cheese sauce, melt butter into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
7. Whisk in flour, salt, and pepper. Then, slowly pour in chicken broth, whisking continuously.
8. Whisk until thick and nearly boiling. Stir in cheese until melted.
9. Pour cheese sauce into rice mixture. Transfer to a 9"x13" baking dish.
10. Top with additional cheddar cheese.
11. Bake at 350ºF for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is melted through.
12. Serve.

Baked Cinnamon Breakfast Bites

Jeremy and I tried these a few weeks ago. I think we added too much of the crisp rice cereal and cooked them a bit too long (I've adjusted the cooking time below). They were okay, but we'll have to try them again to see if it's a keeper recipe.

Baked Cinnamon Breakfast Bites
Adapted from OhMySugarHigh.com

Baked Cinnamon Breakfast Bites

Ingredients:

1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup crisp rice cereal, coarsely crushed
2 Tbsp plus 1/2 cup sugar, divided
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter-flavored shortening
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425ºF.
2. Mix flour, crushed cereal, 2 Tbsp sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl.
3. Cut in shortening with pastry blender or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Add milk and stir just until moistened.
5. Roll dough into approximately 2-1/2 dozen 1" balls.
6. Mix cinnamon and remaining sugar in a small bowl.
7. Drop balls (one at a time) into melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
8. Place balls onto greased cookie sheet(s).
9. Bake at 425ºF for 12-15 minutes (careful not to overcook), or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
10. Cool for a few minutes in pan before removing.
11. Serve.

Audience of One by Big Daddy Weave

I've been listening to inspiring music today, and while many songs have touched me, this song jumped out to me. I think it's a beautiful (and timely) reminder that it is to our Lord that my life is devoted... He is my audience of one. I long to live a life that brings glory to His name, and sometimes I need to be reminded of what is most important in my life.

http://youtu.be/EFxVfAZj5Q0

Audience of One by Big Daddy Weave

I come on my knees
To lay down before you
Bringing all that I am
Longing only to know you
Seeking your face
And not only your hand
I find you embracing me
Just as I am

And I lift these songs
To you and you alone
As I sing to you
In my praises make your home

[Chorus]
To my audience of one
You are Father, and you are Son
As your spirit flows free,
Let it find within me
A heart that beats to praise you.
And now just to know you more
Has become my great reward
To see your kingdom come
And your will be done
I only desire to be yours,
Lord

So what could I bring
To honor your majesty
What song could I sing
That would move the heart of royalty
And all that I have
Is the life that you’ve given me
So Lord let me live for you
My song with humility

And Lord as the love song
Of my life is played
I have one desire
To bring glory to your name

[Chorus]

And we lift these songs
To you and you alone
As we sing to you
In our praises make your home

[Chorus]