Then there was the Sunday lunch debacle. The one where James asked for a cookie and I declined to purchase one. So a few minutes later when he was back asking if he could have some cookie, I not only said “No” but I gave him a lecture on repeatedly asking me for things. Unfortunately, I realized a few moments later that a sweet friend had been offering to share half of his cookie with James, and because James was trying to obedient, he had been asking for permission to have the cookie his friend was willing to share with him.

I felt like dirt. (Yes, there were witnesses).

The post Tired of Perfect Moms? Me, too. appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

It’s Summertime!

When summer rolls around, I start thinking of things like watermelon, chilled in a river. Or my mom’s pasta salad. Or hamburgers sizzling on a charcoal grill. All key ingredients to a perfect summer cookout. Or just a regular summer day. I’m not picky.

This summer, I’ve added something new to my “It wouldn’t be summer without…” list. Well, really, it’s now on my “I need this every afternoon…” list.

Iced coffee … complete with homemade creamer.

My sweet friend, Carla, shared her recipes and tips with me as we sat on a swing and watched our boys race around a playground. I couldn’t have known when I sat there, typing her directions into the Notes section of my iPhone that I was already sliding down a slippery slope…

Because, as Carla says, this stuff will make you happy!

I’m hardly a food purist. I’ve consumed more than my fair share of random chemical goodness in my time. Even now, if someone showed up with a box of Sociables and a can of squeeze cheese…well, I wouldn’t turn my nose up at them.

But, I do try to at least pay attention and, when possible, avoid random chemicals and craziness in my food. Especially food that I consume on a regular basis.

So when Carla told me that she’d modified The Pioneer Woman’s iced coffee recipe AND that she made her own creamer to go with it…well…I was intrigued.

And by intrigued, I mean I went straight home and started whipping up my own batch.

Guess what…Carla was right! This stuff will put a smile on your face and it’s way cheaper than swinging through the Starbucks drive thru.

Try it. And then get back here and tell me how much you loved it!

If you’re local, come on by the house. I’ll share.
Maybe.
No.
I will.
I promise!

Iced Coffee
If you want to make a ginormous batch, you need to go to The Pioneer Woman’s site because she’s got it all figured out. (And, her idea of putting sweetened condensed milk in her iced coffee…sweet mercy!)

However, if you’d like to make a little less, just find an ancient plastic half-gallon pitcher. You know, the kind you have tucked in the back of a cabinet somewhere. Put a cup of ground coffee in it and fill it up with water. Then let it sit on your counter overnight. Twenty-four hours. A day or two. Whatever. It’s not an exact science. Then strain out the coffee grounds through some cheesecloth and put the remaining coffee in the fridge until chilled. It will keep for at least a week. Probably longer, but I wouldn’t know because that’s as long as mine has made it.

Now, when you want some, just pour it over ice. Voila! Iced coffee yumminess!

Of course, if you want that iced coffee to put a smile on your face, you’ll need to add some creamer.

Here’s Carla’s version:

Homemade Creamer

1 cup of powdered milk
1 Tbs. of vanilla
1/2 cup – 3/4 cup of boiling water
1/2 cup of sweetener (you pick your sweetener of choice here and you can always adjust it by adding more or less to your personal taste – I’ve used sugar and coconut palm sugar. Both worked great. Carla uses Truvia. I’m planning to experiment with honey and maple syrup)
Blend it up.
Then blend in 2 cups of milk (skim, half & half, heavy cream)

This will make about 32 ounces. Pop it in your fridge and enjoy in your coffee. It’s also A.MAZ.ING  over fresh strawberries or peaches.

I promise…you’ll be smiling!

Thanks to Carla for sharing this with me and allowing me to share it here on Out of the Boat!

The post Currents :: Iced Coffee and Homemade Creamer appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

Books: Recently read Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson and Undaunted by Christine Caine. Both were excellent and I highly recommend them. Stay tuned for my reviews.

Food: I’m avoiding wheat, refined sugar, and most dairy products for at least the next 30 days. I feel better…except for the part where I think I could tackle someone for a Reese’s cup.

The post Currents :: 03-03-13 appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

Books: Loved Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer. You should read it!

Grace and peace,

Lynn

The post Currents:: January 26 appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

Books: I’ve been reading all sorts of stuff. While on the cruise, I read Opening Moves by Steven James (excellent, as always), Trinity by Ronie Kendig (loved it), and The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (YA, fantasy, fun).

Writing: I’ve enjoyed getting back into the writing groove. My main characters in my WIP (work in progress) won’t shut up. And they are getting quite cozy. Love it when that happens!

Family: James is four and is really in to our Jesse Tree Ornaments. He’s clear that we celebrate Christmas because it is Jesus’ birthday, but he is very curious about “that Christmas guy” and how he gets in and out of houses. He seems to think this may be a little bit shady.

Music: I waited until December 1st to really get into the Christmas music, but I’ve got it playing everywhere now. My iPod playlist is a mixture of Brian Setzer, Mannheim Steamroller, Mariah Carey, Harry Connick, Jr., and Michael Buble. I have George Winston’s December CD in my van, and the Christmas CD from our church, The Best Time of the Year, in the kitchen.

Lynn

The post Currents ~ 12.08.12 appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

Books: I stayed up until midnight last night reading Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz. I am now officially a fan. If you like historical fiction, this needs to go on your to-be-read list. Check back next week for my official review.

Family: My calendar has FIVE firsts next week.

1. James’s 1st day of K-3. He was annoyed with me last week because I wouldn’t leave him when we met the teacher. Not expecting him to shed a tear come Tuesday. He’s so much like me it’s scary.
2. James and Emma’s first night of Cubbies. I’m thrilled about this and so thankful to be a part of a fellowship of believers who are excited about making Cubbies an option for Emma!
3. Drew’s 1st day of mom’s morning out. I might be sad on Thursday, but right now, I’m giddy with anticipation. A whole 4 hours to myself—somebody pinch me!
4. Emma’s 1st day of gymnastics. I’m hoping she’ll love it. Her RTS-sister, the adorable AnnaKate, has been going for a year and it’s one of her favorite activities.
5. James’s 1st soccer game. This is going to be fun. At his first practice, he was more interested in running off the field to get a swig of Gatorade than he was about playing. But I’m not sure if there’s anything cuter than him running around in his soccer shorts, cleats, and shin guards.

The post Currents :: September 1st appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

This week’s currents…

Books: Have you ever read anything by Jenny B. Jones? She’s a hoot. Fun YA/chick-lit. I stayed up way too late several times this week reading So Not Happening.

(This begs the question…was I staying up late because of the Olympics, or do I just have a bad habit of staying up late?)

Writing: A friend from church made my month when she took the time to tell me she’s been encouraged by the blog. I had no idea. Love it when God lets me see a sliver of what He’s up to.

Life: I am on a diet. At this point, it is not a lifestyle change. It is a “DIE”t. I am dying for a Coke. And for sushi. And pizza. So of course, as I’m sipping on some unsweetened tea and munching an apple—and not happy about it—what do I run across but this quote from Paul Tripp…

“God calls you to deny yourself then blesses you with the indwelling Holy Spirit so you will have the power to say “no.”

…Drat.

Family: At 12:23 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, all the upstairs rooms were tidy.

TV: I got behind on this season of Covert Affairs so I took the time to catch up. All in the name of research, of course. And maybe because I have a wee crush on Auggie.

Wonders: I don’t know if there is a nicer way to end a day than with one of my children softly snoring in my arms.

Does.Not.Get.Any.Better.

Weirdness: I cleaned out the the kitchen junk drawers (yes, I said drawers, with an s, as in plural). A few of the *treasures* I discovered:

• 7,234,872 tiny rubber bands
• 6 carmex lip balms and a lipstick – my lips will be super smooth for weeks
• 4 rolls of Scotch tape – which would explain why I can never find any when I need it
• A stash of beads from a rash act of craftiness
• An undetermined number of chargers and headphones (undetermined because I’m going to need an hour to untangle them)
• 8 tubes of sample size toothpaste (don’t ask)
• $3.78 – which is more than enough for me to snag a mocha frappe from McDonald’s…which I won’t…because I’m on a diet.

May your weekend be filled with wonders and weirdness!

Grace and peace,

Lynn

The post Currents :: August 18 appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

Where do you live?

I don’t mean geographically. I mean day-to-day. Hour-by-hour. Minute-by-minute.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and I’ve come to this conclusion.

I live in that murky place where fear and faith collide.

You might not realize this, but I know a few things about fear. I’m not afraid of heights, spiders, small spaces, or long bridges.

I’m afraid of people.

People like you.

I’m not afraid of being in crowds and I don’t have panic attacks at the thought of going to a party. But I do spend a ridiculous amount of time worrying about what people think about me. Did they like the last blog post? (Maybe). Did I talk too much at that party? (Probably). Are my clothes so boring that I’m a good candidate for What Not to Wear? (Likely). Am I the butt of many a joke when I’m not around? (Hard to say).

Of course, the most important question is, Why do I care?

I know who I am. I’m a child of the King. I was created in the image of the Most High. Designed by my Maker for a unique purpose in His Kingdom. My personality, likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses are all a part of His master plan.

I know this. In my head.

But my heart struggles to live where faith trumps fear. Every day is a battle between my desire to stay in the boat and the call to step out in faith and walk on the water.

That world out there—out of the boat—is a wild place. There are rip-currents of confusion and tsunamis of criticism. Staying on the water requires faith in and focus on the One who calls.

Sometimes I jump out and run for it before my mind can stop me. Some days I hang onto the sides, heart racing, unable to move.

Most days, I’m right there where my fear and faith collide. I’m out of the boat, but I’m not necessarily on the water. I start strong, but then I waver. I get wet—a lot. I sink, cry out, fall into grace, and time and time again, my Savior steadies my steps and mercifully allows me to try again.

Every blog post, every word of fiction, and every devotion you read that has my name on it is a little piece of me. A visible souvenir of the war between my desire to live hidden and my desire to live obedient.

I don’t know where you live. I don’t know what God’s asking you to do. I don’t know what risks you need to take.

I do know that it’s worth it. And if you’d like to share what God is calling you to do in the comments, I’d love to pray with you as we step out in faith together.

Psalm 119:133-135 ~ Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man’s oppression that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant , and teach me your statutes. (ESV)

The post Where Do You Live? appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.

The currents of my life . . . where wonders and weirdness collide.

May your weekend be full of wonders and weirdness!
Grace and peace,

The post Currents :: August 11 appeared first on Lynn H. Blackburn.