Cooking Light During A Busy Week

It has been another crazy week. I told Todd I would be interested in getting a check-up with my doctor to see how high my blood pressure is. Really, it has been one of those weeks. But I'm slowly starting to crawl out of the madness and the events I'm planning at work are beginning to fall into place (praise the Lord!)

Okay, no more complaining. I promise.

My cousin Hannah stayed with us on Tuesday night and convinced Todd and me to go to the Station Inn to hear bluegrass music. We are not the biggest fans of bluegrass. A co-worker asked me to describe the night in three words. I said "I.left.early." Ha! But it was really great to catch up with Hannah. She's a ton of fun and makes me feel like a kid again. She always has a huge grin on her face and finds the positive in everything. The world needs more Hannah's.

I totally forgot to get a picture of the two of us while she was in town, so I grabbed a couple that we have taken over the past few months.

Me and my cousins Stephanie and Hannah (right).

Somehow between the demands of work, a sick-day at home and family visiting, I was able to throw together a quick but really tasty meal this week. I've been reading Cooking Light lately and found a recipe for Pan-Grilled Snapper with Orzo Pasta Salad. Recipe here. I substituted the snapper for tilapia (tilapia is cheaper and just as good).

The next recipe up my sleeve: Mozzarella, Ham and Basil Panini. Recipe here.

Alright, I need to stop looking at food. I'm just glad these are all "light" recipes!

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They Say It's Your Birthday

Last night we celebrated Allison's 27th birthday. The night started at Arrington Vineyards, one of Allison's favorite places. We had a picnic dinner with close friends. The weather was beautiful - a perfect night for a birthday dinner outside. Arrington is this great little vineyard owned by Kix Brooks from Brooks & Dunn. It's just a few miles outside of Franklin. It's the perfect place for a date or dinner with friends.

Todd and I arrived a little early, so we thought we would snap a few pictures before everyone arrived.

Our friends arrived and the party began. It's not a real party until the girls start posing for pictures!

We ended the night back at Jeff and Allison's for homemade ice cream and a "drive-in" movie. It's so great having friends that make you feel like a kid again. I can't imagine my life without them.

Happy Birthday, Allison!

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Seeking Rest

My head is about to explode. The demands of work and life are full force and I'm hanging on by a thread. In no way is this post a "my life is so awful, please feel sorry for me" post. I love my life. I really do. It's just that there are times when I don't think I can juggle all of the balls I have in the air. I'm starting to feel like one of those balls could drop at any minute and the stress is getting to me.

God's timing is so perfect. Last night Todd and I were sitting on the couch, both on our laptops because I have been so busy that I'm taking work home with me and have to combine our couple time with work time. I'm not thrilled about it. I wrapped up a few emails and could hear God's soft whisper, "Tara, put that down and spend time with Me. You can't keep going at this pace and I won't let you. Stop what you're doing and look to Me."

So that's what I did. I closed my laptop, crawled into bed and opened my devotional to the date July 21. Sometimes God makes me laugh. I literally laughed out loud as I read the page. How does He do it? :)

Rest in My presence when you need refreshment...Many people turn away from Me when they are exhausted. They associate me with duty and diligence, so they try to hide from My presence when they need a break from work....As I spoke through My prophet Isaiah: In returning to Me and resting in Me you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength.

Oh, how I needed to hear those words. Life is stressful in good ways. I'm so thankful that I have a job that I absolutely love. I'm thankful that all of our family has visited and continues to visit this week. I'm thankful to own a home that needs to be cleaned. But at the end of the day, all I need is a Savior who sees my weakness and in His goodness calls me by name to sit with Him and hear His voice.

A couple of weeks ago I was reading Southern Living (I really mention that magazine a lot. Maybe they should pay me?) I found the most amazing resort. What I wouldn't give to pack my bags and head to Austin for a week with my favorite guy. I think this place could help me relax. Do you agree?

If you don't hear from me in the next few days, I may have packed my Bible, kidnapped my husband and boarded a plane for Texas...

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Meet Me In St. Louis

We're home! I survived last week although I came back to a lot of demands at work. I left on Friday with one boss and came back today with a new one, but that story is for another time.

Last weekend my family visited from Missouri and we went non-stop. I'm starting to wonder how both my parents and in-laws have more energy than I do. Hopefully I'll be that energetic in my forties!

Before heading to St. Louis, I gave my family a quick tour of Nashville. They have been here several times, but we visited a few places that they had never been. We managed to go to a few places I had never been either which was fun.

Since the weather was perfect, we headed down to Centennial Park to see the Parthenon.

My brother and sister, Drew & Shaye

My Dad & Step-Mom - This pose was my dad's idea!

The goddess Athena - inside the Parthenon

We went to the Opry Mills Mall to do a little shopping, but on our way we stopped at Cooter's. My brother Drew is the biggest Dukes of Hazzard fan you will EVER meet. Sitting in the General Lee made his whole trip. He couldn't stop talking about it.

Saturday we were up early and off for St. Louis to watch the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cards lost, but it was still a fun game and a great time with my family.

It was hard to watch them leave, but we had a wonderful time and can't wait for next year's family vacation!

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East Coast and Back

I'm back from my trip to the Carolinas. It was an exhausting trip (I'm still trying to catch up on sleep), but it was a great visit.

On Sunday I flew into Durham to visit my mom and my sister Cami. I took Cami to Foster's for lunch. It was as delicious as ever. We both had the roasted turkey sandwiches (turkey, brie and spinach on homemade focaccia - yum!) Cami has just recently rededicated her life to Christ, so it was such a great opportunity to spend time with her and encourage her in her faith. I'm so proud of her and thank God for what He is doing in her life.

Me & Cami at Foster's Market in Durham, North Carolina

After leaving Durham, I headed to Spartanburg, SC for a radio visit with Matt Maher. It's trips like this that make me love my job. A woman had called the station to say that Matt's song "Your Grace Is Enough" helped her face each day after her 17 year old daughter was killed in a car accident last year. Matt surprised her at work and sang the song to her. She became very emotional thanking God for using Matt's music to comfort her. It was such a humbling experience and I'm so thankful that I could witness it.

I met a lot of great people including the station's intern Amanda who kept me laughing the entire time, and our new friend Trevion. I wanted take him home with me!

Our last stop was in Charleston, South Carolina. I wish I would have had more time to spend there, but I'll have to visit again and bring Todd with me. What a beautiful city!

Matt and I ate lunch at Hyman's Seafood Co. I knew I would love this place when I saw on the menu that it was voted the best seafood restaurant in South Carolina three years in a row by Southern Living magazine. Honestly, that magazine has never let me down! My mahi mahi sandwich was unreal. I know a couple of weeks ago I wrote about the mahi at Daily Dish. I stand corrected. Hyman's has the best mahi I have ever had!

Charleston is such a beautiful place. I hope Todd and I make it down there together soon.

My parents are on their way to Nashville now, so I better get back to cleaning the house. We're heading to St. Louis this weekend for a Cardinal's game, so I'm sure I'll have updates soon.

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