Mother Love

There’s little else that makes it feel more like summer time than July 4th weekend, right?

I remember looking so forward to the 4th when I was growing up…spending the day at the lake, grilling burgers, eating watermelon, watching fireworks after dark. It seemed like that day was almost the quintessential summer day, and it was the best feeling to finally fall into bed at the end of it with sunburnt cheeks and scratchy eyes after a long, fun day with friends or family.

As with any holiday, such a big part of the celebration revolves around food and the conversations spent over a good meal. July 4th is no different, and I’m sure most of us automatically associate the smell of grilling hamburgers and potato salad and baked beans when you think of this weekend. I love a good burger, and we are definitely grilling some up this weekend!

Beyond having great hamburgers, you definitely need some tasty side dishes and great desserts to make your holiday weekend meals truly complete. Chips and veggies + dip are great, sure…but I’m hoping to try up some new dishes this weekend. Here are some fun recipes I have my eye on:

This bean salad looks super fresh and delicious.

…and this asian noodle one does too!

This avocado bruschetta would make a great appetizer.

…or if you’re feeling crafty, these cute caprese skewers would too.

Caramelized onions make the best burger topping!

Or make your own bbq sauce to slather on top.

If you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional hamburger, these turkey-feta burgers are super yum, especially served with Greek aioli sauce.

And while we’re running with the Mediterranean theme, this Greek quinoa salad would make a great side dish.

Fruit pizza is a fun and colorful way to end any meal!

Ice creams bars are on my summer bucket list.

This mango-coconut ice cream pie is always a good idea.

Round out the meal with some peach iced tea, strawberry lemonade, or set up an Italian soda bar.

Have a great weekend, dears!

What about you: what foods and smells and feelings do you associate with this holiday weekend? What are you cooking up for your friends or family?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Life isn’t perfect, and it’s not meant to be. But life…it is so full of beautiful moments, beautiful things, blessings – big and small. Sometimes we can lose sight of those things…those beautiful things about life. In the middle of the mundane and the sorrows and difficult seasons and hard things, it can feel like that is all there is. I find that my heart can so easily lose sight of gratitude and march right over into complaining about the things that aren’t the way I would like them to be…instead of really seeing all the things that are.

The other morning I woke up early, before Ben and Ayla were even stirring, and it was one of those wake-ups that you just knew wouldn’t let you go back to sleep. Instead of fighting it, I decided to get up, make a cup of tea, and spend some time with my journal. I rarely get out of bed that early these days, since I usually like to sleep as long in the morning as Ayla does. But this morning was beautiful and there was a ethereal mist over the lake and everything was still and new and fresh.

I started writing…just letting myself think on paper. I wrote about my husband…about how I never dared dream of being married to such a good, good man, one who romances and pursues me endlessly, who prays for me when I’m wrestling with lies and my own heart issues, who actually laughs at my really horrible sense of humor and likes my cooking, who lives his life with such integrity and honor and spirit. I wrote about my little girl…about how I never ever knew how much I could love a child like I love her…and about how her little life has already changed me in so many good ways…and about how she melts my heart into little puddles with her bright eyes and smiles and coos…and about the thought of watching her grow up and become who she is meant to be is one of the greatest joys and honors I will know. I wrote about the blessing of my family…about how God has redeemed and transformed us…about how much fun it is to sit with my mom and sister and crack the dumbest jokes and act like the silliest people and about how the laughter that comes from those moments are so good for my soul. I wrote about how it feels like God is giving us a season of change and hope and dreams…about how I see my husband finding new life as a daddy and as a businessman and as an individual…about how I feel my own heart coming alive in brand new ways that are both challenging and beautiful.

I wrote about how my heart felt so full and overflowing.

Life isn’t perfect, and it’s not meant to be. But there is so much good in life and I want to live with a heart focused on the good things and the beautiful things and the sacred things that surround me every day.

I found this gorgeous full heart t-shirt on from Sweet T’s Design Shoppe on Etsy a few weeks ago, and knew it was a perfect staple for my wardrobe the minute I saw it. It’s such a comfortable and versatile piece, and I just want to wear it all the time! And for a limited time, Sweet T’s is offering a fifteen percent discount to Beautiful Undefined readers on your purchase of any of their beautiful graphic tees or tanks. I’ve got my eyes on this, this, this, and this!

The fifteen percent discount code is good until July 15, 2015.

Enter code UNDEFINED at checkout for your discount.