Jen Russum

Lovely Little Things

Lovely Little Things

Hello to a dear friend visiting from Seattle.  Hello little pie pumpkins on my kitchen table. Hello deep red skinnies. I couldn't wait another day to wear you, even though it's still in the 80s or 90s here. Hello relaxing weekend camping. I want to go back to the mountains soon! Hello future baby daddy. You look so cute when you practice :) Hello pumpkin pie blizzard. Would it be bad to eat you at least once a week? Hello day date in Tucson with my blog best! Hello s'more thingies that the SIL brought home. You are like marshmallow crack. Hello first day wearing boots and a scarf this fall {and hello ASU bathroom}. Hello giddiness over fall fashion... and making it work with a tank when it's 90 degrees out! The little things are the loveliest. |Linking up with Hello Hue and InstaFriday| ... Read more

Flowers Fade Friday: A Sinner Redeemed

Flowers Fade Friday: A Sinner Redeemed

I was listening to a song the other day and it referred to believers as sinners. I forget the exact lyrics but something like "weary sinners" or "desperate sinners" before a great and mighty God. Whatever the exact words were they got me thinking about how I don't think of myself as a sinner often enough. In those moments when I am feeling entitled, selfish, and anxious over not getting what I want when I want it. When I am desperately seeking for control or going through each day with an ungrateful heart. I need to be reminded... Sinner. I am sinner. I do not deserve the abundant gifts in my life. I do not deserve health. Relationships. Money. Contentment. Who am I to go through life with a haughty heart focused on what I think I deserve instead of a heart focused on the One who gives me grace everlasting in spite of my sin? Lord, remind my proud heart of what I truly am. A sinner to the utmost. But at the same time, I often forget my true identity. I am a sinner, to be sure, but I am a sinner redeemed by Christ. As often as I think too highly of myself, I also think too lowly of myself. When I feel uncertain of my worth, uncertain of how to use my gifts, uncertain of how to walk boldly in Gospel obedience... I then belittle God's strength in me. I am a sinner. I need to be reminded of this constantly. But I also need to be reminded that I am a redeemed sinner, able to carry out with excellence all the things God has called me to do. I am able to live in joy. Able to preach the Gospel. Able to love others extravagantly.  Able to walk confidently to the throne of grace. Able to commune with God daily. Able to use my gifts boldly. Able to forgive lavishly. Able to walk confidently on the narrow path with my head held high, my eyes fixed on Christ, knowing that I am a precious daughter of the King. Fear cannot stop me. Worry cannot paralyze me. Sin has no hold on me. I am a sinner but a sinner redeemed. I can live life to the full because of the grace of Jesus poured out on me.  May we never forget the weighty cost of our sin or the glorious riches we have in Christ. ... Read more

Simple {seven ingredient} banana bread

Simple {seven ingredient} banana bread

I have been searching near and far for years on end for the perfect banana bread recipe. But you know what I've figured out? They all pretty much taste the same. I've tried all the fancy recipes that include "secret" ingredients like sour cream or buttermilk, and they are great. But I don't usually keep sour cream or buttermilk on hand, so I have to buy extra ingredients for these recipes and a good portion of it always goes to waste and blah, blah, blah. So when I saw this recipe for an easy banana bread that only requires seven ingredients that I always have on hand {and you do too, assuming you are looking for a  banana bread recipe because you have some overripe bananas sitting in your freezer}, I was all in. The result was delicious and there was no buttermilk required. Not that I have anything against buttermilk. What you need: 2 cups flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup butter {one cube, softened slightly} 3/4 cup brown sugar 2 eggs, beaten 3 overripe mashed bananas What you do: 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a bread pan with cooking spray. 2) In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. 3) With your mixer, cream together softened butter and brown sugar. Add beaten eggs {I just whipped mine up with a fork first} and bananas. Beat on a medium-low speed until well-blended. 4) Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just until moistened. The consistency will be somewhat thick, almost like a thin cookie dough. 5) Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake for approximately 60 minutes at 350 degrees. It's done when a toothpick comes out clean! See... how easy is that? Now just try not to eat the whole loaf in 24 hours like I did {with a little help from my husband}. Except you probably will. Just sayin'. |Linking to: Stonegable, Rattlebridge Farm, Something Swanky and Gooseberry Patch| ... Read more