Front Porch Fireworks

This was the scene that I ended the evening on last night, sitting on my sister and brother-in-law’s porch, watching the neighbors’ colorful fireworks (and hearing their kids ooh and aah over them).

I was also eating Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie and drinking a Prairie Bomb (if you know what I’m talking about, then you know).

I often find that some of my best reflections occur when I’m outside in nature or eating something delicious. You know what I mean?

As I sat there enjoying the rare cool night breeze, I was thinking that I have so much.

I have been given so much to live this life with…and I’m not just talking about possessions.

I’m saying God has given me (and all of you) so much to work with in this life. He has given me incredible relationships, friendships, my husband, my peaceful home, work to do and a chance to make a difference in so many ways.

Sitting on the porch was a good chance to think about how I’m using those things to make the world more beautiful, more live-able, more friendly.

I am a believer that every day makes a difference. Like one of my favorite bands, Switchfoot, says, “Is this the world you want? You’re making it. Every day you’re alive.”

I’m definitely not always the best at doing this, but I would like to try.

How do you find ways to make the world a better place? I would love to hear!

Vegan Ice Cream

I’ve been seeing so many recipe for dairy-less (aka vegan) ice cream around the internet these days.

And they look seriously delicious.

The Banquet Table

Toady, I’m taking a break from my usual recipe/food talk for some real talk about life.

Life is great. I love waking up to birds singing in the morning, making new relationships some days and finding little ways to help others.

I really love writing and sharing recipes and ideas on this blog, but sometimes I wonder what’s it all for?

I’m currently not making any money off this blog and I don’t have a million followers or a Food Network TV Show.

But I really love what I do here and that I can share things that I care about and love with this online community. And I’m incredibly thankful that you’re a part of this community.

And my hope is that this blog helps you be a more positive, creative person and share the love of food and relationships with your loved ones or new friends or anyone, really.

But overall, I hope that this blog helps me use my God-given skills to share things that improve people’s lives.

Souper Suppers on Arkansas Women Bloggers

Today, I’ve got a souper (get it?!) recipe for an easy, tasty slow-cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup on Arkansas Women Bloggers Foodie Friday post.

Have a read! (Click on “Chicken Enchilada Soup” to link to the post.)

How to Find Recipes

I often get asked how I find recipes and thought all of you out there might like to know.

First of all, I straight up love looking at food blogs.

Bloglovin helps me keep up with all of my favorite blogs (like Shutterbean, Joy the Baker, Smitten Kitchen, Pinch of Yum and A Beautiful Mess) and what they’re cooking and eating each week.

I’m usually on the hunt for simple recipes with a bit of a flavor flare. I also look for short ingredient lists and recipes that contain things that are already in my pantry or fridge.

Simple Saturday: Caramelized Onions

I don’t know if you are like me, but I’ve just never gotten caramelized onions right.

I go in thinking that they’re going to come out sweet and completely caramel-colored (like they do on TV) and they end up just being fajita-style onions slices with a little char.

I used to look at blog posts and dream of the day when I would unlock the secret to the caramelized onion.

And in the midst of making this wonderful quiche, I discovered something amazing. Bacon fat plus a cast iron skillet make the easiest, best caramelized onions.

Simple Saturday: Skillet Nachos

Well, I’ve still got the cast iron skillet on the brain even after yesterday’s post.

And I hope you’re already dusting yours off and getting ready to make something delicious in it.

Today’s idea is a fabulous one and involves chips, cheese, loads of toppings and your cast iron skillet!

Cast Iron Comfort Food

Recently I made a very important cooking purchase: a cast iron skillet.

I know that cast irons are great for Southern cooking and a good heavy-bottomed dish for eggs, bacon, potatoes, camping foods and oven pancakes. Although I don’t go camping much, I love my breakfast food, so I knew even if I just used the cast iron for those things, it would be worth it.

And boy was I wrong, because in the past month I really haven’t found much that I can’t make in my cast iron.

It’s especially great as I’m still in winter-mode and craving comfort food, like this Vegetarian Pot Pie.

New Year, New Blog

Hello and welcome to the new think fruitful blog!

I am so thrilled that you are here and I can’t wait to show you the blog’s new look on this new site.

After going to my first blog conference in September, I started thinking about moving my blog over to WordPress and getting my very own URL. And for the past four months I have been working away figuring out how I wanted everything to look and feel and darn it all if I didn’t have to fix every dang recipe card to have my new url.

But it’s all worth it! I hope you think it is, too.

Although I’m still fixing a few things, I hope you’ll find this new space continues to be a fun place to find new recipes, revive culinary memories and talk about all-things food.

Summer’s Swan Song

It’s a rainy weekend, which is making me think that summer is coming to an end.

And I guess since everyone’s back to a normal schedule and school is back in session, that the sweet freedom of days lounging by the pool are gone.

But, I’m kind of getting in a scarf and leggings mood, so I say bring it on fall! Oh, and soup! I’m pumped to make some delicious soups this fall.