Go and Give.

The world's way of pursuing riches is grasping and hoarding. You attain my riches by letting go and giving.

                                                                                                                    -Jesus Calling

Celebrate.

Thank you, my precious first-born, for making me someone who is celebrated today. For making me a mama.

You are my sweet song, and my heart of hearts.

You changed me the moment I knew of you, and am changing me every day still.

Thank you to my mama and my husband's mama for paving the way and helping me learn how I want to love my sweet boy. Happy Mother's Day to all you grandmothers, mothers, and mothers-to-be!

Strawberry, Spinach, and Goat Cheese Salad

Quick recipe today. This is my new favorite salad to eat for lunch. You really need to add the candied nuts, either pecans or walnuts. I have eaten it with slivered almonds, but it's not nearly as good. To make the candied nuts, throw about 1/2 cup of nuts in a small saucepan. Add one tablespoon sugar, and one to two tablespoons water. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon if you'd like. Barely boil/ high simmer, stirring frequently until the water disappears. When the nuts are sticking together and the water is gone, pour them out on a baking sheet and spread them out. Let dry. If they stay sticky, you probably didn't stir them long enough. They're still good to eat though!

 When your nuts have dried, add them to this salad. Throw some spinach, strawberries, and goat cheese in a bowl. I like a combination of poppy seed and raspberry vinaigrette dressing (equal parts) drizzled on top. Mix your salad up until the spinach is well coated! Enjoy!

If I make this for dinner, I have Matthew grill some chicken breasts to put on top and grill some buttered sourdough bread for the side. Easy and mostly good for you! Eli will eat this meal too, with the chicken, nuts, strawberries, and goat cheese, deconstructed. He doesn't like the texture of spinach plain!