in the kitchen

do you love it or hate it when there are lots of people in your kitchen?

i love it.

especially when everyone is cooking alongside me.

we invited jess, her mom kathy and her sister ann over for dinner after the craft fair
to get to know heather, sarah and julie a bit better.

it was an all girls' night!  
craig had taken the boys to a football game so the house was full of girls.
lauren took all of these pictures.

we made chicken enchiladas...using the laptop as a cookbook...how very 2009.

sarah was appointed queen of the cream puff squares.

 

together we made a YUM-O dinner.  mmmmmmm!
and dessert.

fyi....we did not use syrup for our enchiladas.
while we were cooking annie heated up some left over pancakes and ate that...and had some juice.
and we're fancy...no placemats...paper napkins....the cleaning chore chart still on the chalkboard!
i can't get it all done...thank goodness.  now you know for sure that i am normal...i think.

waffle is always in the middle of a party.

kathy brought some Cora dresses for the etsy girls...they each have little girls at home.

don't you want every one of them?!
i know there are 100's of people waiting for their shop to reopen....patience ladies....patience.

even annie got to choose one....she loved that.

hope.
promise.
healing.
all in one picture.

it was so nice for all of us to get time to talk in real life....not just email.  
that was one room FULL of creativity!
we discussed sewing machines and homes and fabrics and blogs and all kinds of goodness...even martha!

the whole weekend was a bittersweet blessing.
God had it all planned out.  
He knew from the beginning how big these women's hearts are.
how much love there is to give.
there is nothing we can say to make jess feel better or her arms not feel so empty.
but we can support her and show her His love the way Christ calls us to do.

i read this translation of Philippians 4:13 from Kenneth Wuest in our bible study...
"i am strong for all things in the One who constantly infuses strength in me."  
i liked the idea of Christ infusing us with strength.
constantly.

Comments

[mansi]

It seems , i missed the party..haha..

I truly look forward for your blogs as they are full of life, joy, colors & excitement.

Nice blog..n..plz keep blogging daily as I miss your blog.

[Sandy]

Looks like a wonderful time.

I LOVE the picture Lauren took through the window...you've trained her well or she's a self taught natural one of the two.

Thanks for sharing.

[Katie]

how awesome that you guys actually got to meet in person!!! Looks like you had a great time!!!

[adrienneK]

lauren took really good pictures!! those dresses are adorable!

[Summer]

Beautiful! That verse truely touched me, thank you!

[Dina]

what a beautiful post - sounds like an amazing time for all of you.

p.s. I adore having a kitchen full of people helping cook!!

[Flower Patch Farmgirl]

I LOVE having my kitchen filled to the brim! Those enchi's look yum. And I've been thinking so much about Cora and her Mama and Daddy lately. My Sister in Law's best friend just suddenly lost her 6 month old this week to a brain tumor. It all happened w/in a week and it's just devastating. And yet, we know, God is sovereign. It gets so confusing. I love the thought of God infusing them with strength even today,as they bury their precious Annie.

[Secret Mom Thoughts]

Looks like a great time.

[Jess]

it's so great the way God worked it all out. it's amazing how he puts just the right people in our paths.

[Emily@remodelingthislife]

i think these are your most beautiful photos ever - for just their beauty and for the story they tell

[sarah w]

Lauren took some awesome pictures this past weekend!
"Bittersweet Blessing" ... truly the only way to describe this weekend.

I loved cooking and eating with everyone (even if I was a bit timid about those creampuffs)
I hope that in the future I'm able to gather amazing women in my kitchen to cook, laugh, love on each other, and eat yummy food.

[Christina]

So heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. It's so wonderful to see that there is such a strong community of people there who can show her that love, and share it with one another as well.

[Kristine Robb]

wow - lauren's photography is impressive! great job!

yes, LOVE the dresses. must have one! (or more!)

i like this too: the idea of Christ infusing us with strength. thank you for sharing the visual.

glad you had such great fellowship!

[Maria in CT]

My favorite verse from the Bible...Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. I like your version with Christ "infusing" strength! What a beautiful visualization.

[your cool friend Cheryl]

My laptop is my cookbook most of the time, too! How glamourous I must be!

Glad you had fun :)

[Shirley Wood]

I want to live in Newton, KS! What awesome people you all seem to be. I read your blogs with tears and a lump in my throat. There is a reason the Macs live there....all of you who surround them with love and comfort food!

Also, could you blog one day about your sewing machines? I am shopping for a new one and need some guidance.

[Shirley Wood]

I want to live in Newton, KS! You all seem to be such awesome people. I read your blogs with tears and a lump in my throat. There is a reason the Macs live there. You surround them with love and comfort food.

Could you blog about your sewing machines? I am shopping for a new one and need some ideas.

[merlin]

The picture of Jess's baby-belly made me cry. I would add "courage" to your list. Such courage. Thank you for sharing such an emotional photo, it truly says everything that can be said.

[Kate]

Thank you so much for the beautiful updates about Jess. It's amazing how you feel like you know someone when you are sisters in Christ.

[juliann brenner]

really lovely post.... And Lauren is very talented.

Juliann

[melissa]

If I had a kitchen like yours I would love to have all my girlfriends helping me cook dinner! But, the military only gives ya so much room....even with 4 kiddos! :o)

As many have said, I would love to be in Newton. You girls seem like so much fun. It obvious you have a genuine love for Christ and others. I just might come visit Beki one day...and then we can all get together. (does that seem stalkerish??? I promise I'm no stalker! LOL)

Melissa

[melissa]

i forgot to say that lauren is VERY talented!! just like her momma!

[Meaghan]

What a beautiful post. I loved that visual of Christ "infusing" us with strength. I should memorize that verse.
I discovered your blog a little while ago, and have been hooked ever since, but I have never commented. I want to let you know how much I love all of your creative ideas. I'm a stay-at-home mom (my youngest is an Annie, too!), former art and third grade teacher. I also live in an old house we're working on, and love to sew, make art, and cook. I've tried two of your recipes and both have been hits (stuffed shells and chicken with biscuits). Now I want to try the enchiladas..yum.
Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for sharing so much and for being such a "normal" ;-) mom/wife/person who brightens my days and gets my creative juices flowing! You crack me up and sometimes make me tear up. Great combo!
~Meaghan

[Dana D @BoysMyJoys]

Seems like a most beautiful weekend!
Lauren took great pictures!

[Laura Phelps]

as soon as I recognized Jess' face in the pictures, the tears began rolling.
that is one BEAUTIFUL, FAITH FILLED, LOVING, SUPPORTIVE, BLESSED, MIRACULOUS, CREATIVE, LIFE GIVING Kitchen!!!!!!!!!
even with the syrup....

I am filled with such love and hope right now after having been "invited" into your kitchen...

[Stephanie Carroll]

I don't like people in the kitchen, but mostly because we are in our first apartment and even when my husband is in there with me, I feel like I can't breathe.

So, here's to praying we're blessed enough for our first home to have a big ole kitchen to hold all of my friends and family! I would love that.

[Darby]

Meg, What an awesome post. I haven't commented lately but I'm still reading every post! As I read I kept thinking, "man I wish I could have been there!" What an awesome group of women, what a wondeful night... Lauren really captured it and what a wonderful retelling of it!!

[pam]

Wow, Meg. What a memorable weekend. You have such a wonderfully big and warm heart that makes your home so welcoming.

Awesome pictures, Lauren!!

[Rach]

I TOTALLY do the whole laptop on the kitchen counter cook book thing. I am going to kick myself the say I spill something on it too! :)

[Erin]

I'm OK with most people in my kitchen.....except the MIL. When we moved into our new place she came over and rearranged my kitchen, insisting I had everything in the wrong drawers and cabinets.
NOT COOL!

[Michelle]

So happy to see the pic of Jess's growing belly. She's still in so many prayers.

[Jerri]

Meg, this is an awesome post...I gave you an Honest Scrap Award so if you have time, link to my blog and participate. I think your girls night looks awesome! I find myself singing the lyrics...I can do all things, who Christ who gives me strength...but sometimes I wonder what he can do through me??
PS I have said this before but I LOVE Waffle...keep saying when our doggie goes to heaven that I am done but then I see your Waffle and I don't know...

[Debra Cripps]

Wow it looks like such a great time!

[jeanne]

What a wonderful night with creative, loving women. I need the Lord's strength daily. Wonderful post.

[Diana aka "knzus"]

My kitchen isn't very large, maybe 8x10 of actual moving-around-in-space, but we live with it and make it work. When family come, about half of us will be in the kitchen yacking, never mind that most have to stand. I don't mind people in my kitchen... unless I've been sick and can't get the dishes done or something. Unfortunately, my kitchen is the next room to walk through from the livingroom. Never have liked that, but oh well. So happy to see Jess healthy and with you guys... she and her family in a lot of prayers! What wonderful time spent all you gals have had. What a blessing it is to me that you share your life online like this. You are such a godly woman and it shows in all you say and do.

P. S. LOVE Waffle... so ADORABLE.

[julie]

I LOVE YOUR ENCHILADAS!!!!!!!

[Starnes Fam]

So many wonderful things to round out your successful weekend. Happy for you guys. And, I love how Waffle always wants in on the fun.

[pve]

I love your honesty and your cooking looks good too.
Can hardly wait to see what you do in 2010.

[Becky @ Farmgirl Paints]

I never get tired of your posts. I just love having a peek into your life. What a fun evening...dinner with friends. That's why we invest in them, so when hard times and good times come we can hold each other high. Thanks so much for sharing.

[the wild raspberry]

beautiful words.

[christine]

how amazing! seriously, that picture of jess's belly in the foreground and the cora dresses in the background brought tears to my eyes. so much is conveyed in that perfect shot. you have an amazing way of capturing the moment and saying so much in an image.

on our way back home from garage sale-ing this morning, we were behind a car from kansas. made me think of you gals :) we would've loved to have been there for the dedication, and my daughter (who helped make & sell things for the playground) was disappointed that we could not. your pictures really took us there, though. so, thank you.

may God richly bless you and your sweet family. thank you for inviting us into your home & lives.

[DreamGirlLisa]

What a great post, looks like a blast. I checked out Cora's playground link you posted, what a sad and heartwarming story. I can't even imagine what they have gone through. Lucky she has you for support and good times :)
P.S. I could handle everyone one in my kitchen if mine was as big as yours! :)

[Angela]

Oh, wow. That last picture totally made me cry. Hope, healing. Wow.

And I really want some chicken enchiladas now. Without syrup. ;)

[Tiffany Morris]

Can't wait to make your enchilada's! They sound so YUMMY! Love the picture of Jess, her belly and the dresses. So encouraging for her. She seems to be so strong.

Hugs - Tiffany

[elizabeth holder]

Hey Happy Birthday
I don't know if it is today or yesterday, but I remember you blogging last year, and realized mine was the day after yours and I sent you a birthday email then. Hope your weekend is wonderful.
I would love to be part of something like your dinner someday, I think it would be awesome.
i am a bit jealous {in a good way ;)

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1407964423]

Meg, I have been reading and learning from your blog for about a full year now! I love your house your craft and your sense of humor! Now I know who you remind me of, has anybody ever told you you look just like Carly Simon? Well, You do!
Jen;)

[Renee]

Made your enchiladas for Sunday dinner. OMG, so good. I couldn't stop eating (thankfully they're relatively healthy)! Thanks for sharing. xoxo

[Meredith Salmon]

Made the chicken last night and we loved it. Thanks

[Viktor]

Posted on You know, I had a similar preolbm in reverse. I have two boys and the eldest (age 5) is fascinated with cooking, so me and his Mom wanted to get him an Easy Bake Oven for his birthday last February. However, they only came in pink. We knew he wouldn't care and I really didn't think it was a preolbm, but it still gave me pause. We ended up not getting him one for another reason (all of the mixes are made in factories that have peanut exposures and he's allergic), but it still kinda bugged me that cooking was considered a girls-only activity.