Summer Sundays in Texas
Good morning! Welcome to Summer Sundays in Texas…a weekly lifestyle post.
Summer Sundays in Texas are posts where I reflect on the past week, and look ahead into the next.
Sometimes we discuss what is on our outsides, but most often these posts are about our insides.
When reflecting on this past week, I must begin with the joyous rain we received!
My plants are so happy…it was needed…and welcomed with open arms.
Last summer was, in one word, brutal. Though still hot, this summer is feeling a bit different…see if I still say this in August and September!
Right now, as I write, I am looking at glorious, billowy clouds and listening to soothing instrumental piano music. So peaceful.
Why don’t you get your favorite morning beverage…and a cozy spot…maybe even on your patio…and join me for Summer Sundays in Texas.
SUMMER SUNDAYS IN TEXAS: COOKING ON FATHER’S DAY
I began last week sharing with you family events over Father’s Day.
This is the salad I took to our Father’s Day dinner hosted by our new in-laws.
It is so easy…(warning, there is a lot of nuts in this salad).
Tear up some butter lettuce, fresh spinach leaves in a large salad bowl and toss together. Top with two cups of sliced strawberries and one cup of blueberries. Then add a 1/2 cup of roasted walnut pieces.
I then take a cup of roasted pistachios and grind them into dust in the spice grinder and sprinkle all of this salad. Toss.
I did not have time to make my own Poppyseed Dressing, so I tried this new (to me) dressing and it was good.
PRIMAL SEED DRESSING ON AMAZON
I have always loved this salad with Poppyseed Dressing. This is the first time I have added the dusted pistachios and I liked the flavor it added…but it is also good without.
Our lovely hostess had a wonderful hors d’oeuvres table which included this jam.
Oh my goodness…Mr. B and I both loved it. I came right home and ordered it. It is sooooo good. Especially with your favorite cheese and crackers.
TERRAPIN RIDGE FARMS HOT PEPPER BACON JAM
She also set out fresh figs from the backyard fig tree.
Aren’t these lovely?
Here is her dishes for fresh spices which she found in Mexico City. This sets right by her stovetop.
Next time we are in Mexico, I want to look for something similar…I just loved it and now that I am creating more of my own spices I was really taken with it.
She found the tiny wooden spoons separate from the dishes.
SUMMER SUNDAYS IN TEXAS: VBS
Summers in Texas are packed with choices at a variety of churches for Vacation Bible School, and it blesses me that these are still alive and packed.
I attended the last day program for two of my grandchildren this week and what a blessing it was to watch them sing and smile through their songs.
Thanks to all the churches who do this because it is a ton of work.
Yet, so needed in this world today to point children toward God, goodness, joy, friendship, art and music.
As I looked around the faces of the volunteers, I saw many who are older women.
We are needed for a plethora of different endeavors in this world.
SUMMER SUNDAYS IN TEXAS: REJECT INVISIBILITY
Hold that thought of where we are needed and consider this….many do not volunteer due to lack of self esteem and feeling invisible in this world.
This quote is from my pastor and his sermon last week. It is powerful for us to consider…our time is not up…it is now…and we can make such a difference in the world.
Our wisdom is needed…our experience is needed…and our love is needed.
I do not know of many places that would turn us down if we just walk into the room like God sent us there and say, “I would like to help and volunteer.”
Thank you for joining me today for Summer Sundays in Texas.
Summer fun is the theme next week…so join me. We began some great conversations last week, that I might continue the thoughts…
Right now I just want to encourage you to be your best at the age you are and enjoy where you are.
STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
A special thank you to everyone who shops with my SHOPPING LINKS…your support is everything and keeps me here!
Lovely post, Pam. What a joy for you to see your grandchildren singing and smiling! Nothing better. I volunteer on a variety of things and have met so many wonderful people and learned so much. It really opens your mind to the world. A “summer fun” thing I like to do is take a stroll around the neighborhood at “the blue hour” which is right before twilight. It has cooled down, the air feels and smells good, the birds sound different, the sky is getting ready for nightfall. A peaceful way to wrap up your day. Happy Sunday! ❤️
I have such sweet memories of attending yearly VBS events as a child, and I have volunteered several times as an adult to help. I have realized that the majority of VBS teachers are like me , school teachers who have summer vacations. Your salad is one I often enjoy along with a homemade poppy seed dressing I keep in the fridge for fruit as well as salads. I’m happy that you got rain; we have only had a sprinkling here in South Georgia where our temps have been 100°+, and our grass is very crispy. Might be bad to hope for a tropical disturbance but that seems the only way to get some rain.
Love your twilight walks, Marcia. Dusk and dawns are my favorite times. There is something about the lights in homes at twilight that have always been comforting to me.
That is how we got it! So thankful. I have a good friend whose family has a ranch in Mexico and the drought has been horrific. I was happy for her that the heaviest rain went into that area of Mexico where they were losing livestock to drought. I hope you see some soon, Celia. I agree that many school teachers love to assist at VBS. So thankful to them all!
A very uplifting post! So sweet about the grandchildren.
They love VBS and it was the first time for the youngest to go…she loved it. Thanks so much for being here, Deborah.
Just want to let you know how much your posts mean to me. I may never buy the fashions you share or prepare the foods you do , but I look forward to your posts (visits) every day. You bring me new ideas and smiles each day.
Thank you for sharing your ideas with all of us.
You are so welcome, Dorothy. Thank you for the encouragement…I am so glad you are here.
Glad you finally got some rain. We could really use it here as its been in the 90s which is hotter than we usually are and its been a long time since we had a drop. My plants are not very happy today. I so enjoy reading about your family and the get together. Our church hasn’t announced the them for the vacation bible school yet. Always so creative and the kids really enjoy it. And I will chime in on the hot pepper bacon jam. Its a favorite condiment of ours and I highly recommend it. Its available at Publix market in the deli section. Happy Sunday.
Thanks Kathie! I thought the jam would be difficult to find, but now I am finding it at several places…popularity must be growing. IT is so good. Hope you see rain soon.
VBS at my church was last week, & the theme was “It’s a Wild Life”. The kids & helpers took over today’s service, & what a joy it was! Your salad sounds delicious. I have ordered a similar one at a nearby restaurant & love it. They add grilled chicken breast to it, so it makes a lovely dinner during these hot summer days.
It’s really good with grilled chicken! I have done that before. It is such a joy to watch the VBS shows!
The VBS mention brings back so many great summer memories for me! I grew up in a smaller rural church where volunteers were scarce. It became a rite of passage for the junior high and high school girls to help out with VBS, and I remember how grownup I felt the first year I was on the volunteer side, officially no longer a “little kid.” It is always such a pleasure to read your Sunday thoughts for us and catch up on any posts I missed during a busy week. I love your pastor’s quote and have saved it for encouragement in any new situation, whether a new volunteer assignment, a first date or visiting a new Sunday School class. I rejoice that your area got rain while already wondering how long we will go without it up here in the DFW area. When I got in my car after a local theater production this afternoon, the thermometer read “103,” in spite of my shady parking space. Here’s to our mutual survival of another Texas summer!
I am a retired elementary school teacher; loved my job and the families I served. This was in a neighboring community. Now I am glad I have time to volunteer in my own little town. It’s a way to give back and pay things forward. Our communities need us — and by being involved, we will NEVER be invisible! Just follow your passion and ask how you can help. (I am now a “forest teacher”, helping young students learn about our local environment.)
Thank you for all you do, Heidi. And for encouraging others!