Zaycon Fresh

Zaycon Fresh is a company I came across in the last few months as I was roaming the internet for ways to save money. They are a company that provides meat direct from the farm to the consumer without a middleman. This means that the meat is fresh and is not frozen, defrosted and then refrozen again. The catch is that you have to buy the meat in large quantities. However, if you have a deep freezer this is no problem or you can do what we do and split the meat with other people. The meat is cheaper than the store plus I always get emails about different sales on items. My latest purchase was chicken breast for $1.59/lb. They have a wide range of meat choices ranging from ground beef to shrimp and they are always adding more. I will say that the only sketchy part about the whole thing is that you pick up your meat off the back of a truck, haha. The pick up locations are usually in a church parking lot and the truck does have the company logo on it. Unfortunately for my New England friends this company does not have any pick up locations in the region. They do have many in the south and mid-west. Here is a link if you are interested in giving it a go https://zayconfresh.com/refer/zf806535

Below is some pork I purchased from Zaycon recently. 

Buttermilk Pancakes

Growing up we had a tradition of always having waffles for breakfast on Saturday. We carry on this tradition, even to this day, when we are all gathered together. As a single person, making one waffle is no fun or worth the time to pull the waffle maker out so I would make pancakes instead. I've slowly tweaked my recipe over time and found one that I like. (Funny pancake story: I remember when my roommate in college was blown away by the fact that you could make pancakes from scratch. Let's just say she discovered a lot that year in the kitchen.)

Buttermilk Pancakes
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons (tsp) baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Little less than 1/4 sugar (I always guess on the sugar)
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1-2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
Add fruit, chocolate, or spices (optional)

Your griddle should be on medium. Your batter should be thick. It should drop onto the griddle, not spread. Turn over the pancakes when there are bubbles forming on the top. 

Must Have Summer Drink

Oh summer. Summer is one of my favorite seasons because it means sun, beach, outdoor fun, fresh produce, cookouts, and my birthday. Although, it also means the most quintessential summer side dish is back....Watermelon!! Who doesn't like watermelon? It's refreshing, sweet, juicy, and brings back childhood memories. A few years ago I came across Watermelon Lemonade and decided to make some. I hadn't made any since but since now living in the south with a blazing summer heat I figured some watermelon lemonade at VBS would be just the thing. It was a hit! (Plus it makes such a pretty color) You can find many recipes for it online but I would say they one could make it without a recipe. Just make it according to what tastes good to you. I'll list the ingredients below.

Watermelon (I like the personal size ones)
Lemon Juice
Sugar/Simple syrup
Water

Put the watermelon flesh in a blender and blend for a few seconds until watery. Pour it through a strainer to separate the pulp and seeds from the juice. I would suggest to start with 2 cups of watermelon juice and 1 cup of lemon juice. You can add more of each if you desire. Then add some boiling water and the sugar. The boiling water helps to dissolve the sugar better. Once the sugar is dissolved, add cold water. Mix and taste. Add more of whatever ingredient according to your taste. If you buy lemon juice there is usually a ratio of water to lemon juice on he bottle.

Start with a basic watermelon lemonade first and then branch out from there. I've added mint leaves to mine before.

Enjoy your summer lemonade experiments :)

According to the World's Standards

Have you ever felt like you’ve failed? Especially at life? A few weeks ago I had this overcoming feeling that I had failed at what I “should be” doing in life and what it “should” look like. I felt like I wasn’t making a difference. I’m 28 years old, married to my wonderful husband of 10 months, graduated college 7 years ago with a Bachelors and two Associates degrees, and am currently a church secretary. In those 7 years after graduation I had one job that was in my career choice and it lasted for about one and a half years. I wasn’t fired, I chose to leave for various reasons. My college hammered into us that we needed to climb the ladder in our field. We needed to do all that we could to further ourselves. I saw students dropping out of one club in order to be in another one that would get them “connected” and give them experience in their field. I have seen classmates post on facebook and Instagram about their jobs in our field and to be honest, I have often thought about unfriending them because of this, but that wouldn't make me feel any better. 

When I graduated, however, I started working with the campus ministry as a semester missionary. I did that for two and a half years and then worked at a wine store (the job in my field). Which after about a year and I half I left. I started working as my church’s secretary and married my husband after a year and a half into that job and then moved to the south where I am a church secretary again. Mind you, during all of this I continued to bake on the side, trying to keep up what I had learned in school. It wasn’t that I didn’t look for a job in my field it’s that there a limited amount of jobs where I lived.

While at school I tried to join clubs that would put me in the right direction but climbing the ladder was never appealing to me. I started to become more involved in my campus ministry and that’s where I grew the most in all areas of my life. I met some of my best friends, I had a huge family through my church, I got to travel to Russia and China, and people who cared about me invested their time in me. I was also pouring into the generations that were coming behind me. I felt useful and needed. I felt like I belonged. I was happy and had something better to live for that just going to work everyday and trying to get ahead. I had all of eternity with Christ to live for.

I told my husband about how I was feeling and he helped to remind me of a few things. If I had not gone to school where I did I would never have met my friends, I would never have found the church I did, I would never have met him! “Just think of all the good that came out of you being there, what you learned and the people you met. Plus I benefit from your degree every day 😊” That’s basically what he said to me. He was right and I had totally forgot. I have often looked at the reason I went to school where I did was because of God and His plans for my life. Because let’s be honest, I would not have chosen to go to Rhode Island of all places if I had not been accepted to school.

Yes, according to the world’s standards I may be failing at life and am not where I should be. But why am I measuring myself against the world’s standards. We are told in Isaiah 40:6-8 that “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” This world is temporary. I am temporary. Everything has its time and passes away and so will this world. If I am living to the world’s standards then what do I have at the end of the day? I would never be satisfied. If I live by God’s standards, strive to be more like Christ every day, let His word be my guide, love my husband like I am commanded in Ephesians, and live as Titus 2 commands women, then my life is not wasted but satisfying. I am a vessel that God is using, even in the most minuscule ways, in this world for His glory. That is not a failed life and I need to remind myself of that daily. I need to remind myself of the gospel and what the Lord has already done in me and my life. I must remember to live for him daily and not myself. 

Quaint & Delicious, the Jefferson Diner

Monday morning was a lovely start to a gorgeous day. As usual we had to eat breakfast, so we met up with our beautiful friend Brittney at the Jefferson Diner. I'm picky about diners because of the years I spent in New Jersey, so I wasn't putting my hopes too high.

Side note: Diners started in Rhode Island, New Jersey just perfected them. But really, for a state that started diners it doesn't have that many of them. I haven't had much luck with diners in Rhode Island so far and am hoping there are still a few good ones out there.

A couple months ago LauraBeth drove past this little building, located on the corner of an intersection in Warwick, called the Jefferson Diner. The parking lot was always packed out, which means it must be good, but we just never went. Since most places in Providence are closed on Mondays (so frustrating) we decided it was the perfect opportunity to give the establishment a try and it was better than expected.

It was established in 1969, consists of six booths, a counter of stools and a very friendly staff. Decorated with brown checkered curtains, black vinyl cushions and classic round lighting fixtures, stepping into the Jefferson Diner was like time stood still. You could tell that not much had changed and with it came a feeling of comfort.

The menu consisted of two pages. One side was for breakfast, the other was for lunch. Keeping it plain and simple means they serve what they know they are good at. It also makes it easier for the customer to order because there aren't as many options to be distracted with. 

It took a little while for our order to be taken, but it was fine. Sitting there in the booth talking, I forgot we were in a society where people need things here and now. It was like a little vacation from the outside world.

  

We had one order of RAY'S "Too Good To Be True!" - Poached eggs on cornbread and homefries, and two orders of the breakfast sandwich special - An egg with cheese, tomato and bacon on a grilled english muffin with homefries.  

It was like having some of momma's home cooking. You didn't want to put it down, well at least I didn't want to put my sandwich down. The homefries were cooked perfectly, which is important because sometimes you get them and they taste stale. These were fresh and seasoned to perfection. I only wish it contained more onions.

Looking and listening to the diner around us as we ate, you could tell it was a "usual" place for many people.

With cheap prices, great food, a comforting atmosphere and a friendly staff I could see why it was a "usual" in the lives of many.

If you are looking for a new place to try or a place that will take you away from the outside world for a while, visit the Jefferson Diner. I guarantee it will be worth your while. 

The Jefferson Diner is located at 175 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, RI, 02888

Bristol, Brunch & The Beehive Cafe

I LOVE breakfast!! 

I love everything about it and the fact that you can eat it for any meal of the day.
With this love, however, comes very critical taste buds. I mean, if you are an establishment that offers breakfast, you can't just serve a mediocre meal. You have to have flavor, creativity, and passion.

My partner in crime for most of these adventures if my best friend LauraBeth. Our goal is to try all the breakfast places in Rhode Island. We'll see how far we get.

We had been to one of our favorite little towns for breakfast before and on the drive we passed this cute two window cafe and always said we wanted to go back. You know how it goes. Well a few weeks ago we did.
In the town of Bristol, RI there is a small establishment called The Beehive Cafe. Now when I mean small, I don't mean a whole in the wall but it is a bit tight at times, which is not always bad.

As you walk up to the building, you are greeted by customers enjoying their morning meals, conversations & newspapers in the sun. As you open the door, the first thing you see is a counter and pastry case full of enticing breakfast or dessert goodies, which I'm not sure how you can resist.
All orders are placed at the counter, so grab a menu and read it outside or check out the menu online before going. It will make for a much easier time, because it can get crowded in the front room. They do have plenty of seating upstairs and they even have a little deck with three tables, which is where we sat. Outside but also shaded.

When you order your meal you don't get a table number but you get an animal figurine....a cute and quirky addition. Now LauraBeth judges a place not only by their food but also by their coffee. I on the other hand judge by the non coffee drinks they offer. I was very pleased with The Beehive Cafe. They had a very large three or four shelf unit by the counter filled with jars of tea. I was in heaven, but there were so many options it was hard to choose.

The menu was as equally enticing. There was not a plethora of options like some establishments, but they offered a bit of everything with a slight southern twist.

I chose to indulge my taste buds with the Coconut French Toast and LauraBeth went for the Lemon Cornmeal Pancakes. Oh my goodness was it delicious! Everything is made with ingredients sourced from local farms and cooked by people who have a passion for what they do. It just pours out into their food and you can tell. 

It was a warm Summer's day and so as we were leaving we couldn't not get a cool, refreshing drink. I believe I got the ginger mint iced tea, which was the perfect balance between ginger & sweet. You know that sound your mouth makes after you drink something satisfying that hits the spot? That's what this drink was. You just couldn't help yourself. 

If asked to describe their food this is what they say, "Food that busy people wish they had time to cook at home, but cannot. Comforting, recognizable, and made in small batches." 

Doesn't it send a warm feeling to your heart?

All in all I would definitely return to The Beehive Cafe any day and would suggest it to anyone looking for a cute place near the water for a good meal and experience. 

They serve breakfast and lunch every day from 7am - 3:30pm. Dinner, however is only served on Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 5pm - 9pm. 

Photo of the Week: Classic New England

When someone says New England to you, what do you think of?

When I think New England I think beaches, lighthouses, mountains, snow, history, and amazing little towns for exploration.

One of the biggest draws of New England is its amazing coastline and all that it entails.
The picture below was taken in York, Maine and to me just screams New England.

This is another one of the pictures I framed for the event at the New England Women's Conference. Once framed I fell in love with it even more and had no words to describe how classic New England it felt. The black frame makes it look sleek and causes the colors to just pop out of the picture.