Inspired Kara

Community Dinner

2012-02-16T13:11:00.001-06:00

Every Monday night we gather together with fifteen of our neighbors for a family dinner. We are united not only by neighborhood boundaries, but by our desire to build genuine community through studying, speaking and sharing the Gospel. Monday's are sweet time of conversation, laughter, insane amounts of good food, and lots of red wine. We spend time sharing how our weeks have been, playing and drawing on the chalkboard wall with the two amazing kids in our group, telling the stories of Christ's redeeming work in our lives, admitting where we're struggling and where we need prayer, taking communion, and discussing how we can encourage and serve our neighbors.

We feast together. As we gather around the table for a meal our community is strengthened and knit together, and this is precisely why I love food and why I love to cook.

Living intentionally in community is not always easy and certainly can be a strain on comfort and free time, but it also incredibly rewarding to see the Holy Spirit at work within our group and our neighborhood. God calls us to live in community. Practically for our group it looks like this: helping our neighbors move, helping our group member get around and grocery shop with a broken leg, hosting bar-b-ques, lazy Saturday breakfasts and super bowl parties, inviting our neighbors to events, delivering meals, meeting for coffee, daydreaming up a community garden, meeting with small groups to study and memorize scripture, praying for one another, going to the hard places in conversation and challenging each other in where we are not believing the Gospel, celebrating birthdays and weddings and anniversaries, babysitting, attending neighborhood association meetings and community fundraisers, opening our home outside of Mondays and worshiping together at church on Sundays.

If you are interested in the idea of Missional Community, I encourage you to watch this video. I cry every single time.

Be Mine, Valentine

2012-02-14T09:32:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day to my:

Best Friend, Husband, and Impromptu Dance Party Partner.

I love you, Jake. For Always.

Stout Braised Short Ribs

2012-02-13T15:31:00.002-06:00

This meal is warm, comforting and the perfect dish for a Sunday dinner with friends. Please forgive my lack of photo with this recipe, but ribs braised for 3 hours make for less than attractive photography. Picture or no picture, these were SO GOOD I just had to share.

Stout Braised Short Ribs from Gourmet Magazine, 2005

1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon paprika (not hot)

1 tablespoon curry powder (preferably Madras)

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons black pepper

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon dry mustard

4 to 4 1/4 lb beef short ribs, cut into 4-inch pieces

(Short ribs are expensive so I only used 2 pounds. It worked wonderfully and easily served 4)

4 medium leeks (white and pale green parts only), chopped (2 cups)

3 tablespoons olive oil

4 medium carrots, chopped (2 cups)

3 celery ribs, chopped (1 1/2 cups)

2 Turkish bay leaves or 1 California

1/4 cup chopped garlic (5 to 6 large cloves)

1 3/4 cups beef broth (14 oz)

2 (12-oz) bottles stout

2 (14- to 15-oz) cans diced tomatoes

Instructions

Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 375°F.

Stir together brown sugar, paprika, curry powder, cumin, pepper, salt, and mustard in a small bowl until combined.

Pat ribs dry and arrange in 1 layer in a shallow baking pan or a shallow dish, then generously coat all sides of ribs with spice mixture. Marinate, uncovered and chilled, 1 hour

Wash leeks in a bowl of cold water, agitating water, then lift out leeks and drain in a colander.

Heat oil in pot over high heat until hot but not smoking and quickly brown ribs on all 3 meaty sides (but not bone side) without crowding, in batches if necessary, about 1 minute per side. Transfer meat to a large plate, then add leeks, carrots, celery, and bay leaves to pot and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

Add broth, beer, and tomatoes with their juice, then add ribs with any juices and remaining spices accumulated on plate and bring liquid to a boil, uncovered. Cover pot and transfer to oven, then braise until meat is very tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Skim off excess fat from surface of sauce. Discard bay leaves.

Serve with buttered egg noodles and crusty french bread for sopping!

Short ribs improve in flavor if braised 1 day ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled, covered. Reheat, covered, in a 350°F oven until hot, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Making these ahead of time not only improves the flavor, but makes serving this dish to guests super stress-free also!

DIY Valentine's Day Garland

2012-02-10T10:31:00.000-06:00

This really may be the simplest DIY of all time. I think this took me about 5 minutes total to put together and hang up. Let's be honest, It probably doesn't even justify a "DIY Post", but with so many adorable garlands making their way around the web it's nice to have one you can knock out in a few minutes and call it a day.

Kara's 5 Minute DIY Valentine's Day Garland:

1. Get some cheap paper valentines day heart doilies. You can get these at any craft store for around 2 bucks for a pack of 25 or so. I had these left over from some bridal shower invites I made several years ago.

2. Grab some twine or string. Baker's twine is cute!

3. Thread the string through the holes that already exist on the paper doilies.

4. Hang that sucker up and smile every time you walk by!

Have you been decorating for Valentine's Day?

Shoe Was My First Word

2012-02-09T10:03:00.000-06:00

I'm currently obsessed with two very different pairs of shoes. One practical. One fabulous.

Darn you Kate Spade!

1. Tom's Alessandra Natural Leather Ballet Flats, $79
2. Kate Spade Karolina Heel, $298

Buttermilk Roasted Chicken

2012-02-07T13:22:00.000-06:00

There is nothing more comforting than roasted chicken. So when I saw this recipe for Buttermilk Roasted Chicken from Smitten Kitchen, I knew I had to give it a try. This is a very simple recipe. You prep everything ahead of time and brine the chicken in buttermilk and smoked paprika for a day (yum) ... so it comes together quickly - perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

Buttermilk Roasted Chicken: Adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients:
2 cups buttermilk
5 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed or copped
1 tablespoon table salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika, plus extra for sprinkling
Lots of freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 to 3 pounds chicken parts (I used a pre-cut whole chicken from TJ's)
Drizzle of olive oil
Flaked or coarse sea salt, to finish

Directions:
1. Whisk together the buttermilk, garlic cloves, salt, sugar and paprika.
2. Place chicken parts is a lidded container (I used a pyrex 9x9).
3. Pour buttermilk brine all over chicken, place lid on container, and gently shake to coat chicken.
4. Let the chicken brine overnight in the refrigerator.
5. When ready to roast, preheat the oven to 425 degrees, remove chicken from the brine and arrange in a cast iron skillet, or other baking pan.
6. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, paprika, and coarsely ground black pepper.
7. Roast at 425 for 30-45 minutes. The juices should run clear.
8. Enjoy! I served the chicken with baked potatoes (with goat cheese!) and roasted Brussels.

Let me know how it turns out!

2012-02-06T14:29:00.000-06:00

Today is my 28th birthday. I'm not sure how to write about my own birthday, so here are a few random thoughts some birthday related, some not:

1. I am incredibly blessed to have a husband who ~~puts up with~~ understands my love of celebrations. He totally gets it and it makes me feel over the moon about him. He surprised me with a trip to see Ryan Adams (favorite), we went to a delicious meal with my family, he puts up with me making everything in February birthday related ...

my birthday manicure!
my birthday trip to whole foods!
my birthday nap!

And, today he sent me the most beautiful ranunculus bouquet to my office as a surprise. I am one lucky girl, there is no doubt about that.

2. It's funny to think about what I used to imagine life would be like in my "late twenties". House, yard, kids, dog. So silly Kara. I'm far more happy with how things are at 28 in reality... a beautiful pet hair free flat in the city and the freedom to explore said city with my friends and husband.

3. With each year that passes, I find myself with a stronger desire to be creative. I'm working past the thinking that my opportunity for "being an artist" left with college. I'm focusing instead on how to pursue beauty now... making meals meaningful, setting a beautiful table, decorating our home, scattering our table tops with fresh floral arrangements, learning how to use my camera, trying my hand at sketching, and dreaming up what a self-employed career in design would look like.

4. I love community. I love what it means to do life with others by inviting them into my big ol' mess of a heart. I'm forever grateful for how blessed I am by my community and this year I want to learn what it means to intentionally serve them.

5. One of my dearest friends in the whole wide world is making me a lemon cake tonight. I'm really excited ... like an embarrassing amount.

6. I love my blog and my blog friends. Thanks for making life that much sweeter.

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

2012-02-03T21:27:00.000-06:00

Brussels sprouts have totally made a comeback, as I'm sure many of you know. There are a million recipes like this out there, I know. But these are a favorite around our house so I figured I'd share!

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Crisped Pancetta

Ingredients:
- 2-4 big handfuls of brussels sprouts. (I buy the bags at TJ's)
- 2 Tablespoons of olive oil
- Coarse salt
- Fresh cracked pepper
- 2 Tablespoons of olive oil
- I package of diced pancetta

Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Slice each sprout in half.
- Spread all the sprouts out on a jelly roll pan lined with a silicone baking mat
- Toss with olive oil
- Shower with coarse salt and fresh cracked pepper
- Drizzle with maple syrup and stir to coat
- Bake for 30 + minutes until fully roasted and soft in the middle. They may be a bit charred,
don't worry.
- While the sprouts are roasting, crisp your pancetta in a pan over to stove and drain on a
paper towel.
- When the sprouts are done, toss with the pancetta and serve.

Enjoy!

Salted Caramel & Chocolate Shortbread Bars

2012-02-03T14:26:00.000-06:00

It would be an understatement to call these a "hit". They were DELISH! I brought these to a dinner and every single one was gobbled up. The saltiness is just perfect if I must say so. I assembled these over the course of a super busy two days and they came together quite easily. They also store and travel well. If I were you, I would add these to the "must make list".

Salted Caramel & Shortbread Bars from: Annie's Eats

INGREDIENTS:

For the shortbread layer:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

½ cup sugar

For the caramel layer:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 cup sugar

4 tbsp. light corn syrup

2 (14 oz.) cans sweetened condensed milk

For the chocolate layer:

8 oz. semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

1 tsp. light corn syrup

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Fleur de sel or sea salt, for sprinkling

To make the shortbread layer, preheat the oven to 325° F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a small bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir with a fork to blend, and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until well blended, about 1-2 minutes. With the mixer on low speed blend in the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan and press in an even layer over the bottom of the pan. Bake 15-18 minutes or until golden. (If the crust puffs up a bit while baking, just gently press it down while it is cooling.) Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely.
To make the caramel layer, combine the butter, sugar, corn syrup and condensed milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, stirring constantly. Continue simmering and stirring until the mixture turns an amber color and thickens slightly. Pour the mixture over the shortbread layer, smooth the top, and allow to cool completely and set. (I chilled at this stage to ensure that the caramel layer would not melt when the warm chocolate was added.)
To make the chocolate glaze, combine the chocolate, corn syrup, and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour evenly over the caramel layer and use an offset spatula to smooth the top. Allow to cool for a minute or two and then sprinkle with fleur de sel. Chill, covered, until ready to slice and serve.

Maple Roasted Butternut Squash

2012-02-02T11:11:00.001-06:00

Roasted veggies is the way to go people. You can roast almost anything. It's quick, easy and delicious, especially if you douse those nutrients in maple syrup. These little squash squares are the perfect quick and simple side dish without compromising taste.

I don't have an exact recipe, so bear with me as I explain. I promise it's super simple.

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

2. Take however much squash you want and peel and cube it. Or buy it pre-cubed from TJs!

3. Spread all those darling little cubes out on a rimmed baking sheet. If I were you, I would line it. I LOVE and I mean LOVE my silicone baking mat for roasting and baking, I highly recommend you get one.

4. Drizzle the squash with olive oil and toss till coated.

5. Shower with kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper.

6. Drizzle with around 1-2 table spoons of maple syrup and toss till coated. Use your judgment on how much. Trust your gut when cooking. It's usually right.

7. Pop those suckers in the oven and bake for 30 - 40 minutes until tender when poked with a fork.

8. Enjoy while brainstorming all the other veggies you can roast up with a touch of sweetness!

My Favorite Makeup Products

2012-01-24T15:19:00.001-06:00

I'm not that great at makeup. I could never give you a tutorial on how to have the perfect smokey eyes, but I do LOVE makeup. I feel like I've finally really narrowed in on the "dream team" of products. So, I thought I'd share. Do forgive the long post, but I figured you guys would want to know why I love this stuff so much. Being that I always love a product recommendation, would you share your current favorites in the comments? You're the best.

1. Smith's Rosebud Salve ($6): This stuff is A MUST. This gives your lips the perfect hint of coral color and keeps them super duper moisturized. It's the perfect all purpose gloss. I can't imagine using anything else.

2. Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Foundation($50): I had to face the fact a long time ago that I am a full coverage foundation kind of gal. I don't have the kind of skin where you can get away with a tinted moisturizer or a little bit of powder. I've tried about every foundation under the sun, and this one wins, hands down. It provides coverage without being heavy and leaves my skin looking smooth and luminous. It's pricey, but worth it. A little goes a long way.

3. Benefit's POREPfessional Primer ($29): This primer leaves your skin feeling amazingly smooth and minimizes the appearance of pores. You can even dab a little on later in the day to touch up your makeup. I've tried many a primer, and this is, by far, my favorite.

4. Benefit's Bronzing & Highlighting Duo ($28): This is a blush, bronzer and highlighter all in one. It provides the perfect amount of shimmer without looking like you never gave up on body glitter. I love it.

5. Urban Decay's Naked Pallet ($48): If you've seen this in person, you don't need any convincing. This is the PERFECT eyeshadow pallet. It gives you options from simple matte daytime eyes, to the smokiest eyes EVER. This pallet is the only eye shadow I use anymore. There is really no need for having a makeup bag full of tons of random shadows when you have this. It's perfect. Can't wait to get my hands on the second edition.

6. Lorac's Take a Brow ($22): Even on the days I barely get all pretty, I fill in my brows. I think it makes me look less dead and dreary. I love this product because it gives you two shades for fine tuning your filling and a way to keep those pesky suckers in place. I've tried pencils and other powders. They hardly compare.

7. Dior DiorShow Mascara ($24.50): After sampling this in the store I knew I had to have it. It lengthens and volumizes your lashes without them being all gunky and gross. Your eyes still look human and feminine, not like clumpy spiders. As a bonus, it smells really nice.

That's it. Do you love any of these products like I do? Have you tried something recently that just makes you feel all glam and pretty? Do share!

2012-01-23T09:39:00.003-06:00

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Little Changes

2012-01-16T23:13:00.000-06:00

I rearranged a few things around our home today. Sometimes switching things up makes such a difference.

I moved a box we planted herbs in this summer up from the basement to use as an end table for our new chair. I love the little cubbies!

I moved a broken dining room chair into the bedroom as a night stand for Jake.

I added a lamp where there wasn't one before. We were given this lamp for free, all it needed was a new switch.

I moved some bottles from our fireplace mantle to the coffee table.

It's the little things. My home feels al cozy and primped. I love it. Don't be afraid to rearrange and repurpose, friends. It's like shopping for free, and you can't go wrong with that.

Snaps.

2012-01-09T22:28:00.000-06:00

I got a new fancy schmancy DSLR camera for Christmas. Obviously I'm super excited. I also have no idea how to use the thing, but I have been roaming taking lots of random pictures.

Warning, picture posting might get excessive. My apologies in advance.

Winning!

2012-01-06T13:24:00.003-06:00

We bought a beautiful new grey mid century style sofa and it is being delivered this Saturday. I'm so stinkin' excited.

We've been living with old puffy couches with white slip covers. If any of you have lived with slip covers, you understand just how much I'm rejoicing over never having to deal with them again.

We opted to get rid of our loveseat, so I've been chair hunting for quite some time. My favorite was this vintage reproduction from Urban Outfitters. After admiring it online, they finally got one in our store. We found it to be a bit rickety and overpriced for the quality.

So imagine my excitement when I walked into the antique store by my house last night on a whim and found this beautiful vintage mid century chair for less than half the price of the one from Urban.

I love the color.

It's super sturdy.

... And comfortable!

SOLD!

Turns out the guy who owns this booth had brought this in only an hour before I got there and the staff at the antique mall was taking bets on how fast it would sell. Talk about perfect timing!

I can't wait to start putting our "new" living room together!

A Holiday Backdrop

2011-12-20T11:52:00.001-06:00

You may or may not know that we've started a little Photo Booth business, Lloyd and Lady, on the side. If you live in St. Louis, or anywhere nearby, and know a party in need of some awesome pics just let me know.

I thought you guys may want to take a peek at the holiday backdrop I created inspired by the oh-so-amazing Confetti System. Perhaps I'll do a little DIY for you all so you can make a fun confetti system garland at home. It is super easy and super cheap. All you need is tissue paper!

The Perfect Pear

2011-12-16T10:24:00.000-06:00

The Christmas Story

2011-12-15T21:22:00.000-06:00

These videos are from St. Pauls Arts and Media's kids program and they are fantastic. Maybe the cutest thing I've ever seen. Enjoy!

How to Soften Butter Quickly

2011-12-14T15:36:00.001-06:00

How many times have you been all set to bake something delicious and you realize you forgot to set out your butter to soften?

This happens to me literally every single time. I always quickly microwave it but that inevitably leads to half melty soft butter, not perfect for creaming butter.

Well, I recently learned the best little trick. I think you will find it as handy as I did. It works perfectly!

A Wreath Making Soiree

2011-12-07T11:03:00.002-06:00

This past weekend I gathered together some of my favorite gals for a brunch and wreath making extravaganza. It was an absolute blast. I provided the wreath forms and mimosas and the girls brought decorations and food to share. You can see my finished product at the end of this post. I hope this becomes a yearly tradition! How much fun would an ornament or garland party be?!

My husband is creepy.

Yours is the Earth Giveaway

2011-12-06T21:22:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the late post, I've been sicky sick this week. 

Our winner is ... 

LAUREN!

Lauren, please email me at KaraGehret(at)gmail(dot)com to claim your prize!

Thanks everyone for entering! Don't forget to check out Yours is the Earth!

This is why we're married ...

2011-12-02T12:46:00.000-06:00

Hilarious.

Happy Friday!

Yours is the Earth: A Giveaway

2011-12-01T13:09:00.002-06:00

Friends, it's Christmas time. And, if you're anything like me you love food and you love giving unique and special gifts. Well then, I have just the shop for you.

May I introduce: Yours Is The Earth

My oh-so-super-duper-talented friend Allie and her super-duper talented friend Jamie have teamed up and launched an incredible shop filled to the brim with delightfully whimsical gifts, prints, bags and more. Perfect for your favorite foodie, or yourself!

Here, take a peek at just a bit of the cuteness that awaits you:

So adorable, right?

I'm delighted to offer one of my readers the Yours Is The Earth 2012 at a glance calendar. Imagine how lovely this would look in your kitchen!

Here's how to enter. Follow these 3 short and simple steps:

1. Follow this blog

2. "Like" Yours is the Earth on Facebook

3. Comment here

Winner will be chosen by random on Monday, December 5th.

Good Luck!

2011-11-30T11:10:00.001-06:00

It's quite easy for my mind to wander to the same place often.

Oh how I wish I could make a living doing something creative, beautiful and enriching. Today I'm dreaming of what that could be. Cooking, Food Styling, Photo Styling, Event Styling, Photography, Graphic Design, My Photobooth, Baking, Coffee Roasting, Cocktail mixing. Something.

I just feel stuck where I am. The same 4 walls for the same 8 hours every single day. Don't get me wrong, I'm so thankful for my job. I just wish there was something more to my daily grind. I would love to work from by big barn door table or my favorite coffee shop, from under a quilt, or right by a window.

Certainly I can't be alone, right?

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

2011-11-28T16:11:00.003-06:00

I know Thanksgiving is over.

I know it's time to move on to minty chocolately things.

But just in case you're like me and you're willing to extend all things pumpkin far past their threshold of seasonal appropriateness, I come bearing a recipe.

I give you Pumpkin Crunch Cake.

It's freakin' delicious.

Recipe found over at Chef Dennis.

I made a couple minor changes from his recipe. I used pecans instead of walnuts and did 2 layers instead of 4.

Crunch Topping

3 Cups Pecans, finely chopped
3 Cups Vanilla Wafers (about 75 cookies)
3 Cups Brown Sugar
3 Sticks Butter

1. Melt Butter
2. In a food processor, pulse cookies to a fine crumb
3. Then Pulse walnuts to a fine chop
4. Add in Brown Sugar and mix well.
5. Add in Melted Butter and blend together.
6. Divide mixture into 2-4 Cake Coated Cake Pans, pressing into bottom and spreading it evenly into the cake pans. Reserve about 2 cups of the mixture which will be baked to use on the sides of the cake.
7. Set pans aside and begin cake.
8. Pre heat Oven to 350 degrees.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake
1 1/4 Cup Sugar
1 1/2 sticks of Softened Butter
1 16 oz can Solid Pack Pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
2 1/2 Cups Flour
1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla
1 Tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 1/4 Teaspoons Baking Powder
3/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
3 Large Eggs

1. In your mixer beat sugar and butter for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy, scrapping down the bowl frequently .
2. Add In Pumpkin and all the rest of the ingredients, except the eggs. Mix just until blended.
3. Add in the Eggs, one at a time just until blended.
4. Divide batter equally into your 4 prepared cake pans, smooth it out and make it as even as possible in the pan.
5. Place remaining crunch mixture in another cake pan or pie dish and allow to bake for the same amount of time as the cakes.
6. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you use 2 racks to bake on in the oven, at the halfway mark rotate the pans.
7. Allow pans to cool about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire racks and allow to completely cool.
8. break up the extra crunch mix to very small bits to use to decorate the cake with.

While your cakes are baking prepare a Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
3 8 oz packs Cream cheese
16 oz Marscapone
2 sticks Softened Butter
1 lb Powdered Sugar
1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla

Whip the cream cheese, marscapone, and butter till very smooth and creamy
Slowly add in the 10x sugar while mixer is on low setting
Add in Vanilla and mix well. Set aside till needed.

After your cake is completely cooled (you can even refrigerate for a few hours) begin frosting the layers and putting the cake together. After you have assembled all the layers with some frosting between them, start to spread the remaining frosting on the sides and top. When finished frosting, coat sides and top with your extra crunch mixture

A Simple Centerpiece

2011-11-22T15:17:00.000-06:00

Sometimes the best centerpieces are thrown together at the last minute with stuff you have just laying around. Be inspired, friends. You don't have to go buy gobs of decor to make your Thanksgiving table warm and inviting. Your decor doesn't even have to be orange and tan. Go for your style, grab what you have laying around and create a warm and inviting table for your guests without spending a dime.

Case and point ...

Love. Love. Love.

2011-11-13T12:35:00.000-06:00

Head over heels.

New Sofa

2011-11-10T15:41:00.000-06:00

We've been hunting around for a new sofa for quite awhile.

We love the clean lines of the Mid Century Modern styles, but they can get a bit pricey.

I found this sofa on Craigslist today for $450. It has the original upholstery, but brand new cushions underneath! I don't love the color, and would like to have it recovered with grey. Does anyone have experience with having a sofa recovered? Any clue on what it would cost?

Programs, Menus, and Mad Libs ... Oh My!

2011-10-25T20:52:00.006-05:00

I had the privilege of designing programs, menus and mad libs for some really great friends. It was such a joy to celebrate with them last weekend. We really love them. They are the friends and neighbors you could call up at 3am and wouldn't bat eye to help you with whatever you needed. Everyone needs friends like that.

I was quite pleased with how these turned out. I'm just dipping my toe into the world of design and I am LOVING it. I have some cute birthday party invites to share with you soon as well. Do you need invitations, programs, menus or something else? Let me know! I would love to work on a project with you! Just shoot me an email.

Take a peek...

Pinterest as a Meal Planner

2011-10-20T13:36:00.001-05:00

I got a brilliant idea today ...

I decided to make a specific Pinboard on Pinterest for my week's meals so the recipes are at my fingertips. I kept all the recipes on my normal food board. This way, I can delete the board after the week is over. Cool, huh?

I meal plan weekend to weekend because it's when I can get my shopping in.

Here's a peek at my meal planning board and what we'll be enjoying this week ...

Obviously I'm craving comfort food. What are you all making this week?

DIY Felt Flower Wreath

2011-10-10T09:13:00.000-05:00

There's been some adorable felt flower wreaths popping up on Pinterest lately. Take these two beauties, for example ...

So, I took it upon myself to attempt to make Pinterest inspiration a reality. Mine may not be as beautiful as the inspiration.. and I may have made it at midnight last night... and I may have cheated and just pinned everything on with straight pins ... but I love it, and it's cute and it made me smile when I walked out the door this morning. And that, my friends, is what creative DIY is all about.

Kristin's Wedding

2011-10-03T09:01:00.001-05:00

I've known Kristin since 2nd grade. Almost TWENTY years. And this weekend it was my joy to stand by her side as her Matron of Honor. It was a Gehret family affair.

I did all my MOH duties. This included forgetting the ring. AT THE CEREMONY. As in her aunt had to sprint out of the wedding and go get it. Whoops. Geez. Thank goodness for a gracious laid back friend like Kristin.

Jake did the ceremony music. Band of Horses and The Tallest Man on Earth. It was AWESOME. And Jake's incredibly talented sister took the pictures. Seriously, she's amazing. If you live in STL or Southern Illinois and you need a photographer. She is it.

Take a peek ...

For Your Listening Pleasure on This Fine Friday

2011-09-30T11:15:00.000-05:00

Sprucin' Up.

2011-09-29T15:27:00.000-05:00

I'm continually working on making our little flat more of a home. It's important to settle in and feel comfortable no matter how long you're planning to be in your current home. I think it brings peace, at least for me.

I've been slow to hang up decor and organize our bedroom, but this week I've been tackling little projects here and there. Some are super visible, and some are just making sure the drawers are in order. Both make you instantly feel better about the state of your home. I just love our little place.

Here are a few things I've been up to lately:

I hung up some vintage frames and a mirror above my dresser, and organized all those drawers underneath. I guess I should have moved my ugly hamper out of the shot, but oh well, that's real life.

I took another vintage frame that just has been sitting in a "do something with me someday" pile and decided to utilize the missing back and hang my most frequently used necklaces and glasses on the wire. This took all of about 10 seconds to complete and instantly made a huge difference.

I also spruced up my look a bit with new highlights and new bangs. I miss my bangs when they are gone. One day I'll learn to go in between full cuts and colors and get my bangs trimmed. Someday.

What small victories have you had lately in making your house a more cozy home? Do share!

Couches I Currently Want on Craigslist

2011-09-22T22:25:00.000-05:00

Yellow tufted loveseat for the sunporch - $300

Antique tufted leather sofa - $975

Florence Knoll Lounge Sofa - $2650. Yowzers.

They are all so different?

Love em?

Hate em?

Thomas Keller's Butternut Squash Soup

2011-09-19T14:48:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite thing I have made lately, and I don't even like squash soup that much. I've never met a Thomas Keller recipe I didn't like and this one is no exception. It's fall in a bowl, hearty and filling. This soup took awhile, but it was worth every second. And now I have half of it frozen for a rainy day. Hooray!

If you're really lucky, some of your best friends will come over and bring you fresh baked bread and wine to enjoy with dinner.

Thomas Keller's Butternut Squash Soup with Brown Butter, Sage and Nutmeg Creme Fraiche.

1 3-to-3 1/2-pound butternut squash
2 tablespoons canola oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 sprigs sage
1 cup thinly sliced leeks
1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots
1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
1/2 cup thinly sliced onions
6 garlic cloves, smashed
2 tablespoons honey
6 cups vegetable stock, more if needed
Bouquet Garni made of 8 sprigs thyme, 2 sprigs Italian parsley,
2 bay leaves and 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns, all wrapped in a
packet made of 2 green leek leaves
1/4 cup creme fraiche
Freshly grated nutmeg
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon minced chives
Extra-virgin olive oil.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a small baking sheet with aluminum foil. Cut the neck off the squash and set it aside. Cut the bulb in half and scoop out and discard seeds. Brush each half inside and out with about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the canola oil. Sprinkle the cavities with salt and pepper and tuck a sprig of sage into each. Place cut-side-down on the baking sheet and roast until completely tender, about 1 hour. Remove the squash from the oven and let cool, then scoop out and reserve the flesh (discard sage).

2. Meanwhile, using a paring knife, peel away the skin from the neck of the squash until you reach the bright orange flesh. Cut the flesh into 1/2-inch pieces (you should have about 4 cups).

3. Put the remaining canola oil in a stockpot over medium-high heat, add the leeks, carrots, shallots and onions and cook, stirring often, for about 6 minutes. Add the diced squash, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook gently for 3 minutes, reducing the heat as necessary to keep the garlic and squash from coloring. Stir in the honey and cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the stock and bouquet garni, bring to a simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the squash is tender.

4. Add the roasted squash and simmer gently for about 30 minutes for the flavors to blend. Remove from the heat and discard the bouquet garni. Transfer the soup to a blender, in batches, and puree. Strain the soup through a fine sieve into a bowl. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning. Let the soup cool, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

5. Place the creme fraiche in a small chilled bowl and stir in nutmeg to taste. Whisk until the creme fraiche holds a shape. Cover and refrigerate.

6. Gently reheat the soup until just hot. If it is too thick, add a little more vegetable stock. Heat a medium skillet over high heat. When it is very hot, add the butter and rotate the skillet over the heat as necessary to brown the butter evenly, scraping up any bits that settle in the bottom. As soon as the butter is a hazelnut brown, pour it into the pot of soup -- keep a safe distance, it may sputter -- then stir.

7. Ladle the soup into six serving bowls. Top each with a dollop of creme fraiche. Grind some black pepper over the top and sprinkle on the chives. Drizzle a little olive oil over the top. Serves 6.

Adapted from ''Bouchon,'' by Thomas Keller. Recipe found here.

Pinterest in Real Life

2011-09-16T12:10:00.000-05:00

It's a great feeling when you implement a tiny bit of Pinterest inspiration in real life. It makes the addiction to the covet machine, as my husband calls it, seem worthwhile. I'm slowly working on getting the pieces to make Sunday Crossbow's outfit on the left a reality in my closet... thanks to a very popular Pin. But, in the meantime it's fun to add hints of inspiration to my current wardrobe. Isn't her look just perfectly fall?

So friends, what fashion trends are you following on Pinterest?

What are you planning to make happen in real life?

p.s. please forgive my low quality iphone photo. Yikes.

Fall

2011-09-13T17:02:00.000-05:00

Just a few warm and cozy things that make me exited fall is around the corner.

Can I get an amen?

1. cardamom honey caramel pears

2. cinnamon roasted peaches.

Can anyone tell me what kind of pan that is? Is it a wok?

3. roasted brussels with bacon and apple

4. cutie fall garland made from tape

We Will All Be Changed

2011-09-09T12:11:00.001-05:00

Take a little listen and enjoy some new music. This song is SO good.

Happy Friday!

We Will All Be Changed by Seryn

Peaches & Sweet Mascarpone Cream

2011-09-01T11:45:00.003-05:00

Pink Basil's Recipe

I saw this picture on Pinterest and may have said a few joyful expletives in excitement over how much I wanted to chow down on this immediately.

LOVE.

MASCARPONE!

I had a girls night this week and some peaches that were about to be past their prime. So, I knew what I had to do.

I didn't have the right jars, so ramekins had to do...

How to Make it Happen:

1. Cut an X across the top of your peaches and blanch them for about a minute. Let em cool, and those skins will peal right off.

2. Chop up the peaches. Sprinkle some sugar over em in a big bowl. You now have "Macerated Peaches"! Fancy, right?

3. Get a little tub of Mascarpone. If you've never tried this goodness, trust me you want to.

4. I added in a couple of dollops of vanilla bean paste. Vanilla extract will do, but use the REAL kind. I added in some sugar and just a little blue agave syrup, because it looked cute at Trader Joe's and I wanted to try it. Lame, I know. Add in a splash of cream if you want to thin it down a bit.

5. Layer up your cream and peaches in your favorite container. Let's be honest, those jars are the cutest of all.

6. Top with some mint from your crazy growing like wild mint plants on your front porch.

7. Refrigerate for awhile so everything in that jar/glass/ramekin gets all cozy together.

8. Serve at girls night with sweet white wine and wonderful discussion.

Speaking of peach and mascarpone, you also may want to make this tart I posted forever ago.

And in other news, who wants to finance my new camera so I can take kick butt food pictures? Any takers? :)

A Chalk Doormat. Thank you, Pinterest.

2011-08-29T09:34:00.000-05:00

I feel like my Pinterest addiction is justified when I actually DO one of the projects I Pin.

Granted, this took about 2 seconds, but how cute is this?!

Here's the inspiration...

And, here's our cutie new front door ...

How has Pinterest been inspiring you lately?

I know I've posted this before...

2011-08-23T16:47:00.000-05:00

I'm just not over it yet. Forgive my sappiness, friends.

Tapas

2011-08-17T11:52:00.000-05:00

We had a tapas get together last night and it was delightful.

I made empanadas and spanish roasted almonds. There was baked goat cheese, salad, spoon bread, dip, shrimp, prosciutto wrapped asparagus, champagne sangria and all sorts of yumminess. It was such a low-key and stress free mid week party because everyone brought something and all hands were on deck for clean up. Hooray!

When will I ever learn to take real pictures? I always forget!

Our Wedding: The Programs

2011-08-04T22:43:00.004-05:00

Slowly but surely I'm going to start sharing some glimpses of our wedding. Let's start with the programs.

These were a handmade, hand stamped, hand glued, hand tied labor of love. And, I don't regret it at all.

The first page had a beautiful quote ...

"It was as though grace and peace was bestowed on them out of the sanctity of marriage itself, which simply furnished them to one another, free and sufficient as rain to leaf. It was as if they were not making marriage but being made by it, and, while it held them, time and their lives flowed over them, like swift water over stones, rubbing them together, grinding off their edges, making them fit together, fit to be together, in the only way that fragments can be rejoined.” - Wendell Berry

I loved them.

So much.

One page was graced with the most incredible words
written by my husband to our guests.

To our friends and family:

It’s hard to find adequate words to express our deep gratitude for your participation in our wedding, as well as your participation in our lives both past and future. Firstly, we want to thank our parents for being incredibly patient, generous, and loving…and for making this day possible. We love you very much and aspire to live up to the standards of dedication and sacrifice that you have modeled for us. To the rest of our friends and family, we are grateful to each one of you for your love, encouragement, and prayers. Most of all, we are grateful to God for blessing us with such a rich and beloved community.

We look forward to sharing our lives with you, intertwining our joys and sorrows with yours. We look ahead expectantly to sharing the delight of delicious dinners, the settled warmth of long conversations that last late into night, the exuberant joys of weddings and newborns. And we take comfort in knowing that neither you nor we will be alone when the time comes to face unexpected illness, relational hardship, or the death of a loved one. Today, we say our vows to one another, but we are also making a unified vow to you: we will always be yours just as you are ours. Thank you for your committed support and love.

- Jake and Kara

Love.

2011-08-02T18:22:00.001-05:00

What more can I even say?

Repurposed Wedding Decor: Bottles

2011-08-01T18:13:00.001-05:00

I still have not shown you guys my professional wedding pictures. How crazy is that? I guess I need to load those on my computer.

I thought it might be fun to show you some of the ways we've repurposed our wedding decor. Luckily we didn't buy any traditional wedding decorations, so we've been able to use most of it in our home.

There's a ton of stuff we've repurposed from the wedding, so I'll make a post for each, cool?

I wanted an alter filled with vintage bottles and ranunculus, so that's just what we did. The antique store in Jake's hometown was a treasure trove of cheap bottles. Thank goodness!

And now we get to have an adorable centerpiece for our dining room table!

I'll take that over ferns and candelabras any day.

Cute, huh? And, there's way more where that came from ... Hooray!

Peach, Mozzarella and Prosciutto Salad

2011-07-23T17:14:00.000-05:00

It's hot here.

Like over 100 degrees, heat index at 115 hot.

So, this salad is perfect. Flavorful peaches, fresh crisp mint, salty prosciutto ... yum.

Jamie Oliver's Peach and Prosciutto salad with Mozzarella:
3 ripe peaches, quartered and peeled. You remove the skins my slicing an X in the top of and boiling for 30 seconds. Skins will come right off.
1 large ball of Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese
1 bag of mixed lettuce leaves
4 slices (approx.) thinly sliced Prosciutto ham, torn into 3 lengths
a small bunch of mint
olive oil
balsamic vinegar

Place the mixed leaves in a large salad bowl and top with quartered peaches. Tear the ball of Mozzarella into bite size pieces (tearing looks much better than slicing) and place around the peaches. Drape the Prosciutto on top of everything and sprinkle with a few mint leaves. Drizzle the olive oil and Balsamic vinegar around the bowl and lightly toss. Easy!

Let's Go Away

2011-07-21T20:03:00.000-05:00

Today I wish I was back in Charleston with my husband exploring historic buildings and eating delicious southern fare.

Roasted Beets With Goat Cheese

2011-07-20T23:03:00.001-05:00

I love beets. Love them. And after a neighbor brought roasted beets to a recent BBQ, I knew I had to try my hand at making them at home. There is something quite magical about trying something new and working with real, fresh vegetables.

Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese
4-7 beets
A few garlic cloves
Olive oil
S&P
Goat Cheese
Zest of one orange

Scrub the beets, wrap in foil with whole garlic cloves, olive oil, salt and pepper. Cook at 375 for up to an hour, depending on the size of your beets. Let cool till you can handle and peel beets. Chop, top with chunks of goat cheese and orange zest. ENJOY!

Warning: peeling beets is MESSY. My kitchen looked a bit like a crime scene, so be careful and clean up right away before that crazy beet redness dyes anything. But, it was well worth it. This recipe was healthy and nourishing indeed ... which is exactly what we've been hunting for.

Heathy, Filling, Nourishing

2011-07-14T13:29:00.000-05:00

{Via Pinterest}

My dearest blog friends,

I need your help.

I'm on the hunt for healthy, filling and nourishing main dishes for next week.

Will you share your favorites?

Love-
Kara

Kinfolk

2011-07-13T16:22:00.001-05:00

Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful.

Have you guys heard of Kinfolk Magazine yet? It is sure to be amazing and launches in 2 days. A magazine focused on real and honest meals that are not over styled and more about community than anything else. Music to my ears.

Here is their manifesto. It's incredible.

Kinfolk from VsTheBrain on Vimeo.

DIY Makeup Magnet Board

2011-07-11T20:05:00.001-05:00

This project was oh-so-simple and I'm oh-so-in-love with it.

DIY Makeup Magnet Board
1. Take an old cookie sheet.
2. Hang it on the wall.
3. Affix magnets to the back of your makeup.
4. Put your newly magnetic makeup on the cookie sheet.
5. Jump up and down and do an organization celebration dance. No more gross messy makeup bag!

I want this cookbook, please.

2011-06-24T09:30:00.000-05:00

grace

2011-06-23T14:10:00.000-05:00

{found here}

Learning to Cook

2011-06-16T11:30:00.000-05:00

"Cooking matters because people matter. Feeding the hungry and welcoming the stranger are signposts of the Christian life. There are countless opportunities and ways to live these out, but learning to cook is a good place to start." - Andi Ashworth

This article is long, but worth reading ... and I think you should.

Learning to Cook, and Why it Matters

Food & Theology

2011-06-15T16:18:00.000-05:00

Remember The Communion Dinner?

The following video was the "trailer" for the event that they sent out to the conference attendees. And, they just posted it online. I've been waiting to share this video for oh-so-long.

This video literally brought me to tears. I believe growing, buying, preparing, and sharing food in community is undeniably sacred. It is a gift from a very real and very loving God.

My Husband Has Soul

2011-06-13T10:12:00.000-05:00

Here is some proof.

He's way cooler than me. That's for sure.

Cookies

2011-05-29T14:16:00.000-05:00

There are only a couple of recipes I guard very closely.

My chocolate chip cookies are one of them.

It's my mom's recipe, and they are the BEST. If I've given you my secrets to these cookies, consider yourself very loved.

What recipes do you keep a secret?

Bringing it to the Table

2011-05-23T09:22:00.000-05:00

I started reading this book this weekend.

I've already cried, and now I'm dead set on starting a garden as soon as possible.

I have a sneaky feeling the way the Gehret household eats is about to be turned upside down.

Kentucky

2011-05-20T14:34:00.002-05:00

Jake and I are off to Louisville this weekend. It's a short 4 hour drive from the STL and we plan on filling up our weekend with...

touring bourbon distilleries and tasting of course!

indulging in yummy local Eats

from here ...

Proof on Main

and here ...

732 Social

sipping on a mint julep ... or two

And worshiping at Sojourn.

May I just say, I love when Jake has the weekend off.

If you've been to, or live in, Louisville and have any recommendations for us, let me know!

Vote!!

2011-05-18T07:00:00.004-05:00

I've told you about Mission: St. Louis before. Remember that jaw-dropping wood plank wall?

Well blog friends of mine, I've got a favor to ask of you... and I promise it won't take too long at all.

Could you watch this video?

Mission: St. Louis is in the running for a free truck from Toyota. It may seem simple, but this truck will transform the way they do ministry.

Would you watch, and then would you go vote?

We are privileged enough to be friends with several folks who work for this organization, and I can tell you something... they are making a real difference in our city. The best part is, the end goal isn't just to paint a wall or rehab a kitchen, or satisfy a physical need for these families. They are getting in very real relationships and transforming their hearts, and from that ...transforming the neighborhood.

How could you not want to be a part of that?

So will you help us out? GO VOTE NOW!!!

Update: They won the truck! Thank you to everyone who voted. Hooray!

Happy Birthday Jake

2011-05-17T10:16:00.002-05:00

Jake,

It's a once in a lifetime kind of thing when you are privileged enough to share your life with the man of your dreams. There aren't chimes ringing from heaven or sun beams bursting out of the sky surrounding every moment. There's something better.

The everyday.

The smiles. The smooches. The mundane.

The little things.

And, I'm count myself far more than lucky that I get to share those things with you every single day.

You are my best friend...my family. You are home sweet home.

You are my favorite dance partner...my favorite singer...just my favorite.  

You are a joy to sit across the table from and my favorite cooking companion. 

You are incredibly creative and gifted. 

You are a good and gracious man of God.

You are my husband. 

And, I don't deserve one bit of it. 

I hope we have years and years and years of birthdays together. 

But more importantly, I hope we have years and years and years of just the everyday. The mundane. The little things. 

Loves - 

Kara

Dear Jake ...

2011-05-13T15:11:00.003-05:00

I like you because I don't know why but
Everything that happens is nicer with you
I can't remember when I didn't like you
It must have been lonesome then
I like you because because because
I forget why I like you but I do

So many reasons
On the 4th of July I like you because it's the 4th of July
On the fifth of July, I like you too
If you and I had some drums and some horns and some horses
If we had some hats and some flags and some fire engines
We could be a HOLIDAY
We could be a CELEBRATION
We could be a WHOLE PARADE

See what I mean?
Even if it was the 999th of July
Even if it was August
Even if it was way down at the bottom of November
Even if it was no place particular in January
I would go on choosing you
And you would go on choosing me
Over and over again.

{full poem}

Our Fridge

2011-05-06T16:13:00.002-05:00

Our fridge makes me so happy right now.

Happy enough to blog about it!

Just look at all the goodness on here. I love having such creative friends.

We've been getting more and more REAL invitations, and I just love it. I get happy every time I walk in our kitchen.

The whole spread.

Darling Kentucky Derby Invites from Allie Ruth Design!

The most adorable birthday invites ever. They are coasters!

Do you have Penzy's? I love this bumper sticker they give you. Below that is my meal planning chart. I should probably blog about that. 

It's the little things, right?

Honey Butter Glazed Pork Tenderloin

2011-05-05T09:23:00.001-05:00

This meal was SO freaking good. I suggest you make it very, very soon. It's so easy and so yummy. It would be embarrassing for you me to tell you how much of this I put away last night.

It's funny how sometimes the best dishes have the fewest ingredients.

I had a pork tenderloin sitting in the fridge and had no clue what to do with. Google to the rescue!!

Feast your eyes on the sub-par i phone photos of what I came up with. I wish you guys could smell through your screen. It would be awesome. Promise.

Honey Butter Glazed Pork Tenderloin
(via Momma's Hen)

4  tbs butter

2  tbs honey

1  1/2 pounds pork  tenderloin, trimmed

1/2  tsp Cajun seasoning

1/2  tsp black pepper

1/4  cup water 

Kara's addition:1 Granny Smith apple 

Preheat  oven  to 375 degrees. In an ovenproof pot, heat butter and honey over medium  heat until melted.  Sprinkle  pork tenderloin with Cajun seasoning and  black pepper.  Brown each side for 5 minutes.  

Place  pan in  oven and roast for 7 - 10 minutes.(This took me WAY longer to reach a healthy 145-160 degrees, probably double the time)  Transfer the pork to a plate  covered with foil to rest. 

Add water to pan and stir over medium heat.  (Here I added in very thin slices of Granny Smith apple and cooked them down with the sauce). Simmer until sauce is reduced to about 1/2 cup.  Slice pork on the  diagonal and drizzle sauce over top to serve.

Enjoy!

What have you made lately that just totally knocked it out of the park?

I'm Always Wanting a Wood Plank Wall

2011-05-04T14:12:00.000-05:00

So, our church started a non profit called Mission:St. Louis. You should really check out the work they do, it's wonderful!

Well, they just moved into a new office and posted pictures of their new space yesterday. 

It's BEAUTIFUL!

Isn't this space just awesome?! How could you not be happy to go to work there. I love love love the yellow painted stripe on the wall. 

This even further solidifies my deep desire to have a wood plank wall in our home one day. 

A girl can dream!

More Music From Jake

2011-05-02T11:02:00.001-05:00

I'm tellin ya ... Jake's Good Friday arrangements were amazing.

Here's another song he did.

I think it's gorgeous. Jake sings quite a bit more on this one.

I'm so incredibly blessed to have such a talented husband whose desire is to help people know and believe the Gospel. It's an honor I just don't deserve.

Click the play button to listen ...

O Come and Mourn by Jake Gehret

O come and mourn with me awhile;
O come ye to the Savior's side;
O come, together let us mourn;
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified.

Have we no tears to shed for him,
while soldiers scoff and foes deride?
Ah! look how patiently he hangs;
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified.

How fast his hands and feet are nailed;
his blessed tongue with thirst is tied,
his failing eyes are blind with blood:
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified.

His mother cannot reach his face;
she stands in helplessness beside;
her heart is martyred with her Son's:
Jesus, our Lord, is Crucified.

O break, O break, hard heart of mine!
Thy weak self-love and guilty pride
his Pilate and his Judas were:
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified.

A broken heart, a fount of tears,
ask, and they will not be denied;
a broken heart love's cradle is:
Jesus, our Lord, is crucified.

O love of God! O sin of man!
In this dread act your strength is tried;
and victory remains with love;
for he, our Love, is crucified.

Not What My Hands Have Done

2011-05-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

I heard this hymn at church for the first time last week.  

These words by Ho­ra­ti­us Bo­nar are amazing. Read and be encouraged.

Not What My Hand Have Done

Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load.

Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace;
Your power alone, O Son of God, can all my sin erase.
No other work but Yours, no other blood will do;
No strength but that which is divine can bear me safely through.

Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.
Thy love to me, O God, not mine, O Lord, to Thee,
Can rid me of this dark unrest, And set my spirit free.

I bless the Christ of God; I rest on love divine;
And with unfaltering lip and heart I call this Savior mine.
His cross dispels each doubt; I bury in His tomb
Each thought of unbelief and fear, each lingering shade of gloom.

I praise the God of grace; I trust His truth and might;
He calls me His, I call Him mine, My God, my joy and light.
’Tis He Who saveth me, and freely pardon gives;
I love because He loveth me, I live because He lives.

Smooch!

2011-04-29T14:59:00.003-05:00

SO CUTE!

SO FAIRYTALE!

{source}

My Favorite Hat ...

2011-04-29T08:47:00.001-05:00

Yep, I woke up in the 4:00 hour to go watch the Royal Wedding with my friend Erin.

There is so much to say about how beautiful it was.

But let's get real. I was obsessed with the hats. OBSESSED. I'm absolutely dead set on having a fun ladies brunch with hats.  Who's in?

Here was my absolute favorite of the morning. 

It is so insane. 

And, I love it. 

Did you watch? What was your favorite part?

Were You There?

2011-04-28T09:00:00.001-05:00

My husband arranges really beautiful songs on a regular basis.

This year he led our Good Friday services and they were absolutely incredible. The service was reflective, reverent, and really incredible ...despite the message of sorrow.

I'm pretty sure the songs he chose, wrote, or arranged were his most beautiful yet.

Here is one of the tracks from Good Friday. I thought you guys would enjoy it.

Note: This isn't Jake singing for the majority of the song (except for a few brief cries of "crucify"). It's an incredibly talented volunteer on his team.

Click this image to listen. (Track will open in a new window)

Weight

2011-04-27T09:44:00.001-05:00

I have gained SO much weight since our wedding. Like a serious amount.

Now, I'll be honest, there has been a lot of food, a lot of Easter candy, and very little exercise involved. Like almost none.

I finally bought a scale last night, which was a mistake. And, I may have had a little bit of a girly breakdown about it (Lord, help my husband).

Here's the deal:

I have not really found any exercise I enjoy. I can make myself do it to not get any fatter, but it's a daily struggle. It always has been for me and always will be.

But here's the bigger deal:

Food.

I used to be able to just hop on a diet and loose several pounds. I had no issue eating tasteless bread, fake butter, pre-packaged and frozen meals, fat free and melt-less cheese ... all with very little calories.

But, the more I've grown to love food and cooking, the more that kind of eating seems absolutely impossible. I can lose weight eating "healthy" calorie free food. But that's not really healthy at all, and it tastes like crap.

I like olive oil, not cooking spray. 

I like real butter, not gross fake margarine. 

I like REAL bread, like with substance.  

I like prosciutto and pancetta and bacon. 

I  love goat cheese, not Laughing Cow cheese. 

And, burgers. 

Heavy cream makes things taste more delicious.
I love baking. It's my favorite thing to do.
Flax seed doesn't actually taste good.

Cooking boneless skinless chicken breasts and steamed broccoli every night sounds absolutely miserable to me. I love cooking. I love challenging my skills. I love trying out new recipes, and I like them to TASTE GOOD.

I like REAL food.

So, what's a girl to do? I know the answer is more fruits and veggies, but it's just HARD!

So, I need help. What have you been cooking lately that is nourishing, but still tastes good? 

What can I make that is  NOT a baked boneless, skinless chicken breast?

Any of you foodies with me? Or, am I crazy? 

How do we balance a love for GOOD food and cooking GOOD meals with feeding our bodies well and not getting fatter?

Sorry for the brain dump. It's just all there is to talk about today. 

The Civil Wars

2011-04-25T12:33:00.001-05:00

This weekend was just all around wonderful.

Exhausting, but wonderful.

We got to see the Civil Wars on Saturday. We had the most phenomenal spot right up front.

It was an incredible show. I love going to shows, but not nearly as much as I used to. I get tired. Yep, I'm getting old. But every now and again, a concert is just magical. This was one of them.

Good Friday

2011-04-22T09:45:00.000-05:00

Isaiah 53

Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
For he grew up before  him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
He was despised and  rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces 
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded  for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep  have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is  silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
By oppression and  judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
And they made his  grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong  his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in  his hand.
Out of the anguish  of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will  divide him a portion with the many, 
and he shall divide the spoil with the  strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the  transgressors.

Red Blazer

2011-04-21T13:49:00.000-05:00

I work on campus at a university.

This means I see a bazillion girls in awesome outfits all the time. It's like walking through a fashion blog.

I saw a girl crossing the street today in almost this same exact outfit. Her blazer was a tad more structured.

{ Source }

Needless to say, I am now in the market for the perfect stripped t-shirt and a red blazer. Now, I just have to find one.

My Absolute Favorite Spaghetti Sacue Recipe

2011-04-19T10:12:00.003-05:00

I'm making this for my community group on Wednesday. It is my absolute favorite, and a labor of love ... but it's worth it.

Slow cooked pork shoulder, salty pancetta, sweet italian sausage.

This stuff is serious comfort food, and it slow cooks all day and makes your house smell AMAZING.

Make it.
Don't substitute the meat.
Don't substitute the freshly grated pecorino cheese

Food & Wine's Slow Cooked Sunday Sauce on Spaghetti

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 pounds trimmed boneless pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch pieces
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound sweet Italian sausages
3 ounces pancetta, sliced 1/4 inch thick and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
8 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup dry red wine
One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, chopped, juices reserved
One 28-ounce can tomato puree
2 thyme sprigs
1 rosemary sprig
1/2 cup water
2 pounds spaghetti
Freshly grated pecorino cheese, for serving

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Season the pork with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat until richly browned all over. Transfer the pork to the slow cooker, cover and turn it on to high. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the sausages and cook over moderate heat until browned all over, about 10 minutes. Transfer the sausages to the slow cooker.

2. Add the pancetta to the skillet and cook over moderate, stirring a few  times until the fat has rendered, about 7 minutes. Add the onion, garlic  and carrots and cook, stirring a few times, until softened, about 8  minutes. Add the red wine and stir to release any browned bits on the  bottom of the skillet. Boil the wine over high heat until reduced by  half, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and their juices and the tomato  puree and bring to a boil. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker and  add the thyme, rosemary and water. 

3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours. Transfer the  sausages to a bowl and cover. Cook the sauce for about 2 hours longer,  until the pork is very tender. 

4. Transfer the pork to a bowl and shred coarsely with 2 forks. Coarsely  break up the sausage. Return the meats to the cooker and simmer the  sauce for 30 minutes longer. Discard the thyme and rosemary sprigs and  season the sauce with salt and pepper. 

5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook,  stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain the spaghetti and return  it to the pot. Stir in half of the sauce. Transfer the spaghetti to a  platter and top with the remaining sauce. Serve right away, passing  cheese at the table.

I'm an Aunt Now ...

2011-04-13T09:09:00.000-05:00

One of the really wonderful things about marrying into Jake's family is instant nieces and nephews!

I'm an only child, so I'll forever be niece-less and nephew-less on my side. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change a thing. Being an only child is awesome.

Anyways, it's great that I get to be "Aunt Kara" now!

Jake's older sister has 3 super cute kids and it just so happens one of them recently had a third birthday, and we got to go celebrate. 

Her name is Kebor. 

She is adopted from Ethiopia. 

She is awesome. 

She loves lipstick (chap stick) and when we asked her where she would like to go if she could go ANYWHERE in the whole wide wold.... she said COSTCO! 

Jake's younger sister, Jordyn, takes the best pictures, don't you think? You should really go look at her blog. I could do a whole other post on how awesome she is. Really, she's one of the most beautiful women I've ever met.

Go visit her here!

Ricotta, I love you.

2011-04-12T10:08:00.001-05:00

This little treat makes the best breakfast, snack,or dinner when your husband is away. 

2 slices of toasted and salted homemade bread

Fresh Ricotta

Local Honey

Strawberries 

A Splash of Balsamic. 

Yum. 

Yum. 

Yum.

This is also delicious with roasted pears or baked apple slices.

I love warm weather food.

Bread Making

2011-04-08T10:28:00.001-05:00

I made our bread for the first time ever this week.

It was such a joy. It may have taken forever, but it was well worth it. We are now spending the week noshing on yummy, whole wheat bread. I think this will quickly become a weekly tradition.

There's something really special about spending more than 30 minutes on a recipe and preparing something that will serve your family well. I spend a lot of my time in the kitchen praying over our home, my husband, and the people who will eat what I'm making. I cherish that time. It's full of worship.

There's also something really special about your house being filled with warm bread smells. There is really nothing better.

I used Summer Harms' Honey Whole Wheat Recipe. It turned out perfect, and she really just has the cutest blog ever. You'll love it. I know you will.

My favorite way to enjoy a slice of toasted homemade bread is with a good ol' fashioned 'mater sandwich. If you've never had a tomato sandwich with Duke Mayonnaise, I feel sorry for you. I can't wait for tomato season to get here.

I am so my mother's daughter.

Happy Friday! Go do something fun this weekend, OK?

Someone wants a new couch

2011-04-07T15:00:00.002-05:00

I'm currently lusting after this oh-so-beautiful mid-century modern sofa for...

TWO HUNDRED BUCKS.

Dear super wonderful person who owns this sofa,

Please email me back about this sofa. Ok? Thanks so very much.

Love, Kara

Things around the house that make me happy ...

2011-04-06T11:53:00.004-05:00

Ranunculus. These goofy little flowers are just my absolute favorite. It's a good thing they are only $4.99 at Trader Joe's!

Basil. I'm pretty sure this needs no explanation. I heart you Basil.

Cucumber Water. I'm trying to be a little healthier and drink more water, and I've finally tricked myself into liking it. Cucumber slices make my least favorite drink taste delicious, and they also look darn cute, don't you think?

The Chalkboard Wall. One whole wall in our dining room is chalkboard. I'm really loving what is going on there right now. There's pretty much no better way to welcome your guests to the table than with a good ol' Wendell Berry quote about community.

A community is the mental and spiritual condition of knowing that the place is shared, and that the people who share the place define and limit the possibilities of each other's lives. It is the knowledge that people have of each other, their concern for each other, their trust in each other, the freedom with which they come and go among themselves

- Wendell Berry

The Covering House

2011-04-05T10:16:00.012-05:00

I'm fortunate enough to know an incredible woman who is giving her life to starting a home for girls under 18 who are rescued out of human trafficking and sexual exploration in the US. Watch this quick video to learn a little bit more. These are clips from a documentary produced by George Clooney about the issue at hand called The Playground.

It's easy to feel helpless when you are confronted with such sad and shocking news. But we don't have to be helpless. We can do something.

I don't have a huge audience with this blog, but it's one of few platforms I have to get the word out about this shocking and heartbreaking problem in our country.

So, I'm asking you just to take a few minutes and let me tell you a few things:

There are an estimated 300,000 children (or more) who are currently being trafficked ...sold for sex... and are being manipulated into a lifestyle of addiction and abuse in the U.S.

The average age girls are forced into prostitution is THIRTEEN.

THIRTEEN.

These girls don't get to have dance parties to Justin Beiber, have sleep overs at their girlfriend's homes, run around and act silly, pass notes in class, or talk to their girlfriends about their crush at school. They don't get to play sports, or ride horses, or get a normal teenage girl attitude with their mom. They don't get to buy their first dress for a dance or be a cheerleader.

They don't get to be a normal thirteen year old girl.

They get to be sex slaves.

There currently only 100 BEDS to provide rescue to these girls in the ENTIRE country. 300,000+ girls being trafficked, 300,000 modern-day slaves, 300,000 little girls being forced to have sex with older men and there are only ONE HUNDRED beds to accommodate their rescue. 

There is obviously a huge problem.

This is where The Covering House comes in. This is the home my friend is starting, and I'm lucky enough to be a part of helping with this organization. What we need is awareness and support to be able to purchase the home so we can provide more beds for these girls.

I could go on for hours about this issue and why there is such a large need for awareness, but it would take several posts ... and maybe there will be.

What I need is help from my blogger friends.

- Are you a graphic artist who would be interested in issuing an art print, or series or prints, for resale to support this home? 

- Are you an Etsy seller who would be willing to donate items for resale to support this home, or perhaps a percentage of your store profits? Or maybe you'd like to commission a special handmade item for the cause? 

- Would you be willing to help me organize a "handmade event" with several Etsy sellers where proceeds go to the Covering House?

- Would you be willing to post about this issue and the Covering House? 

- Are you in St. Louis? Would you be willing to help plan special events or coordinate fund-raising opportunities?

- Would you be willing to donate funds? 

- Do you have another idea I'm not thinking of? Is there a connection you have that can be put to good use?

Please feel free to email me with thoughts, ideas, ways you are willing to help, or if you decide to write a post of your very own. I would love to hear from you.

Kara & Julia

2011-04-01T09:55:00.001-05:00

I'm pretty sure everyone and their mom wanted a pegboard in their kitchen after seeing this beauty on Julie & Julia.

Some of you may even remember my  excursion to Julia's kitchen at the Smithsonian. Is it sad that I  was almost in tears? I didn't think so either. 

Well,  thanks to my oh-so-wonderful husband, we have a little Julia inspired pegboard of  our very own. It's not very big, but being that our kitchen has 3  drawers and ONE lonely cabinet, I'll take any extra storage I can get. And,  let's just be honest here, how cute does my rolling pin and cast iron skillet look  up there? 

Yep, Adorable.  

We used these super easy to follow instructions from Apartment Therapy.

I love making our house a home. And, I even more fun kitchen projects to show you soon. Hooray!

The Communion Dinner

2011-03-31T09:22:00.017-05:00

My husband has been at a conference here in town this week put on by Bifrost Arts called: Liturgy, Music & Space.

I think I could write several blog posts about what we've shared in through this conference this week and how it has encouraged and inspired us, and I just might.

But last night takes the cake. It was such an incredible and valued experience.

As part of the conference they hosted a Communion Dinner. A local chef, and seminary grad, who runs an underground dinner monthly here in St. Louis prepared a delicious family-style meal. We have been dying to check out one of these dinners, so you can imagine my excitement when I found out I got to be a part of this. He took time to share with us about the connection between faith and food and how it is no coincidence that we are called to break bread and drink wine corporately as communion.

This dinner enforced everything I feel about food. It's more than just nutrition, it's more than just delicious... It builds community. Community is shaped and celebrated around the table.

The tables were set around a around a group of musicians (including a harp!) who led us through a liturgy and hymn communion service. Then we all broke bread off of crusty warm baguettes, poured each other glasses red wine and shared in an rich and delicious meal.

My mind is already whirling with ideas about how we can replicate this in our home with our community, and I have every intention of doing so. Experiences like this can't just stay a memory. They're gifts given to be shared.

I only had enough light to catch a decent photo of the first course. So, here's a run down on what we ate. I will not do this justice since we didn't have a written menu, but I'll do my best.

First Course:
Communion - Bread and Wine

Vegetable Courses:

Endive in meyer lemon sauce with toasted pistachios
Red and golden beats roasted in molasses with feta and toasted walnuts
Roasted carrots (with some amazing sauce i can't remember) topped with goat cheese. Everything is better with goat cheese.
Potatoes fried in duck fat (thank you God.) topped with a salsa Verde made from fennel stalks

Main Course:
Melt in your mouth braised pork shoulder .. Oh Yeah.

I loved last night, and I only got to go because Jake had to work. Thank you Jake for passing along your ticket. I love you. I love you. I love you.

My heart is so full.
I love this week.

The Most Beautiful Centerpiece .... EVER

2011-03-31T08:00:00.002-05:00

I seriously can not stop looking at this photo. Over and over and over and over.

I love how this table looks. LOVE! Now, I just need an excuse to set the table all fancy-like.

Also, can I get an AMEN on these EAT napkins? Perfection.

Source: thedecorista.com via Kara on Pinterest

I loved this day.

2011-03-30T08:00:00.007-05:00

Real wedding photos are coming soon!

Here are my absolute favorites in the meantime.

Hooray for love!

Pardon the Mess

2011-03-29T12:45:00.003-05:00

I love the way simple and white blogs look.

I'm trying to get mine there.

And if you're reading in Google Reader - Hi Hello and Who Cares?! This doesn't matter to you one bit :)

Nerd Alert!

2011-03-28T09:36:00.013-05:00

I had the most delightful weekend.

Allie and her husband Ryan were in town
and we did about a million fun things.

Interesting and delicious cocktails from our favorite bar...

Sweet soulful songs from Will Hoge...

Yummy, yummy, yummy little egg pots for breakfast

It was just the best.

Also this weekend brought the debut of my newest fashion adventure.

Nerd Glasses.

Yep, I'm that girl. And, I love it.

I just love my life.

Worship

2011-03-27T23:06:00.004-05:00

It's hard to explain how full my heart feels right now.

Wrapped up in a quilt made by my great grandma.

Listening to my husband play and sing songs he's written.

Songs for us ...

to sing to our God...

full of truth.

This right here is worship.

And I'm thankful.

Hair Hair Hair

2011-03-25T09:42:00.007-05:00

Well...

I went dark.

WAY dark.

And, I LOVE IT!!

I feel oh-so-very-Zooey.

Also, something has changed my life infinitely for the better.

Two words: Dry Shampoo.

Holy cow. For a girl with puffy, fizzy, super dry hair that shouldn't be washed every day, this stuff is a God-send.It cleans your hair without getting it wet and adds tons of volume.

Let's face it drying and doing your hair is the worst part of getting ready. My mornings just got so much better.

Get yours here. Trust me. You want this stuff.

EAT!

2011-03-23T11:41:00.004-05:00

Look who is coming home to Jake & Kara's place.

Can't.

Freaking.

Wait.

17 inch vintage marquee letters . . .

Hooray!

Feast

2011-03-21T10:31:00.004-05:00

“Every real thing is a joy, if only you have eyes and ears to relish it, a nose and tongue to taste it. But more than that, food and cooking are among the richest subjects in the world. Every day of our lives, they preoccupy, delight, and refresh us. Food is not just some fuel we need to get us going toward higher things. Cooking is not a drudgery we put up with in order to get the fuel delivered. Rather, each is a heart’s astonishment. Both stop us dead in our tracks with wonder. Even more, they sit us down evening after evening, and in the company that forms around our dinner tables, they actually create our humanity.”

- Robert Farrar Capon

Wash me, Savior, or I die.

2011-03-19T18:49:00.009-05:00

I am in love with this version of Rock of Ages. I keep listening to it over and over and over and over.

Tonight it's while I make a big pot of potato soup for our Sunday community supper.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure

Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's demands
could my zeal no respite know
could my tears forever flow
all for sin could not atone
thou must save, and thou alone

Nothing in my hand I bring
simply to the cross I cling
naked, come to thee for dress
helpless, look to thee for grace
foul, I to the fountain fly
wash me, Savior, or I die

Wash me, Savior, or I die
Wash me, Savior, or I die

Wash me, Savior, or I die
Wash me, Savior, or I die

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

Wash me, Savior, or I die

Dressin' Up

2011-03-18T10:21:00.008-05:00

I have a few weddings coming up.

I want to get a new dress ... of course.

And boy have I found some cuties on Shabby Apple. I love their dresses because they are cut for real women and are absolutely modest!

Three cheers!

This adorable dress, Spanish Steps, is part of a giveaway at the oh-so-wonderful blog, That is All. Just so you know.

How nice is the Ingrid? I love the two tone and the ruffled top. The options for shoes are limitless.

I'm loving La Tour Eiffel. You can't tell from this picture, but it's an a-line cut - nice for the hips!

Now, I REALLY love the Gondola. However, I'm thinking puffy skirt + horizontal stripes = big ol' butt.

Thoughts?

Favorites?

Have you ever bought a dress from Shabby Apple?

What We'll Eat This Week

2011-03-14T10:09:00.006-05:00

Here's what we'll be chomping down on this week. I'm trying out a couple new recipes, and I'm sharing them with you!

Tonight: French Onion Grilled Cheese with roasted brussel sprouts.

How good do these look?

Tuesday: Crock pot roast with carrot and onions with smashed red potatoes and green beans

Wednesday: Grilled chicken salads with feta, golden raisins, apples and bacon

Thursday: Whatever Night. Jake has late practice, so we we have leftovers or BLT's

Saturday: Shrimp and Grits

Sunday Community Supper: A big pot of Baked Potato Soup

What have you made lately that's yummy?

This Bedroom is Perfection

2011-03-10T15:56:00.002-06:00

I want to go to there.

The exposed brick.
The reclaimed headboard.
The industrial ladder nightstand.
The ruffly white bed.
All of it.

I just love this style.

Thank you Apartment Therapy. You're the best.