My Favorite Meals to Make When Company Comes

Casey and I have been trying to be more purposeful to invite people into our home. I'm learning that it's less about having a perfect home and serving a restaurant-quality meal--it's about the time spent with people we love. So I'm trying to worry less about what I feed people and just enjoy their company. Here are some of my go-to meals to make when company comes over.

1. One Hour Easter Dinner - I don't remember how I found this "one hour Easter dinner" by Chelsea's Messy Apron, but I decided to give it a try and it is a HIT! It's super easy because everything is made on sheet pans and it truly only takes an hour from prep to dinner table. The instructions are super clear so it's not overwhelming to have several things going at once. And it's DELICIOUS. The first time I made this, I couldn't believe how good the food was! I often skip the asparagus and put some green beans on the stove instead. 

2. Tacos - Tacos are so stinking easy and most people like them. Taco meat, refried or black beans, a few toppings (I usually keep it simple with just cheese, tomato, sour cream, and Tessamae's avocado ranch), and some chips and salsa. Simple. Delish.

3. Breakfast for dinner - Another easy one! I love that this one has so many options, too. Mix and match and take your pick! I like to pop some breakfast potatoes in the oven while I cook sausage or bacon, scramble some eggs, cut up some fruit, and maybe put some pancakes on the griddle. (An electric griddle is a game changer for making lots of pancakes at one time.) Some other easy ideas are french toast, plain toast with some yummy jelly from the farmer's market, and frozen hash browns. 

4. Mustard-Roasted Chicken Drumsticks - This recipe can be found in The Whole Smiths Good Food Cookbook. I've borrowed my public library's copy so many times I need to just buy the book. This recipe is so flavorful and easy to make. Serve with some sides like green beans, roasted carrots, breakfast potatoes (they aren't just for breakfast!), and crescent rolls.

5. Brownies - No, not for dinner. For dessert! Brownies are so quick to whip up, especially if you use a box. (I use a family recipe that is super easy and I always have ingredients on hand.) 

When all else fails, order a pizza and call it good. Really, it's not about the food. It's about the fellowship. 

Mugs and Musings: Thanksgiving in Summer (And all year round)

You know gratefulness journals? Those things have become popular. I saw one at Target yesterday. How many times have you read or heard somewhere that you need to "think of three things you're thankful for every day" or "Write down 5 things you're grateful for each day." Well, I've tried this on and off over the last few years. Make a list of three things, of five things... literally counting my blessings. For some reason it can be difficult to think of five things every day, despite the fact I have so many things to be thankful for!

Recently, I decided to approach the gratefulness thing a little differently. I love my morning porch time with Jesus and I bring my journal outside with me. I start off by writing my weekly praise verse. (This week it is Psalm 145:1 - "I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever.") Next, I move on to a section I call "Thanksgiving." I like to use the biblical word.

Here's how I do it: I just... ramble. I don't number my thanksgiving. I don't give myself a certain amount that I have to write. I don't think about it too hard. I just... write. And it is so much easier!

When I numbered my blessings, I felt like each number had to be important or special or big. Now that I just ramble, I can think of so many wonderful things I'm grateful for--especially the little things. I think it's so important to find the beauty and thanksgiving in the little things. I can't tell you how many days my thanksgiving looks like this: "The birds singing and the squirrels chirping; the cup of hot tea I'm drinking; my porch; the yummy pie I made yesterday..."

See? Little things! Simple things! Maybe they aren't "worthy of a number" but they are things I'm truly grateful for. Things I might not have thought of previously because they didn't seem "important enough." But... they are. Anything I am grateful for... that's important.