Month: July 2018

Tuesday’s Treats #131

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Tani Thai

Location: Buford, Georgia

This is a newer restaurant in Downtown Buford. If you’ve ever been downtown, it is in the same location that Adam’s once was. The owner and staff are very friendly. The atmosphere is very nice, and the food is delicious! … and I’m not even a frequent visitor to Thai cuisine! 😉

A friend and I went here for lunch one day to try it out, and we had so much fun as we split all of our dishes and treated it as a 4 course meal. We started with the shrimp cones. Oh My! These were scrumptious!! I’m sorry we didn’t get a picture of them. We gobbled them up too quickly, but they were whole jumbo shrimp wrapped in a type of egg roll, served with a tangy-spicy sauce. I’d go back simply to get these!

Next, we decided to have soup and salad. We ordered the coconut mushroom soup with chicken and the Tiger Tear’s salad with chili-lime seasoned grilled beef and sweet peppers and fresh greens. Both were delicious and just spicy enough to bring a little warmth.

The entree was the Masaman Curry with yellow coconut curry, onions, sweet peppers, avocados & cashews, with your choice of chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu, served with steamed rice or brown rice. We chose chicken with steamed rice, and we had no regrets! It was incredible! The heat was just a little warmer than the soup, and when I go back again, I’ll go up one notch, but it had such a wonderful flavor…and the steamed rice is a nice heat reprieve for your mouth!😂

For dessert, we ordered the coconut cake. Oh my goodness, talk about moist! It’s moist and sweet cake, served on a plate of raspberry and lime sauce, but it wasn’t too overpowering sweet; however, I wasn’t able to completely finish that huge slice. The raspberry sauce was delicious and cut a bit of the sweetness, but the this picture doesn’t do justice to the actual slice!

We will definitely go back. …well, it’ll probably have to be a girls’ lunch, as it was before, as my husband isn’t too keen on this cuisine, but I’ll definitely go back. 😉 If you’d like to find their address or check out their menu, here’s the website.

Note: For each dish, you get to choose the level of heat (scale 1-5), and even though I enjoy quite a bit of spice, I was a little hesitant and unsure of the level of Thai (curry) spice; so, we chose 2 for the salad and the soup and 3 for the main entree.*

Ps. Here’s an interesting article that might help you when deciding on the level of Thai spices…

UPDATE: Returned visit a few weeks later: everything was still delicious. I ordered almost the same thing, except I opted out of the soup this time and changed the appetizer to the cheese rolls. These were amazing! If you like crab ragoons (done right), you’ll love these. These do not have crab, but they are made with that same cream cheese goodness all wrapped and rolled up in, what looks like, a mini egg roll. My friends got the fried rice and the garlic, honey chicken. These were great dishes as well.

Also, note: if you are like me and don’t much care for fish oil, get the salad dressing on the side or not on it at all. Apparently, this wasn’t on the salad the last time, but this time it was. They quickly and graciously amended it, but it was a definite surprise on that first bite. The waiter said some have to become accustomed to the taste…

Tuesday’s Treats #130

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Boll Weevil Cafe & Sweetery

Location: Riverwalk – Augusta, Ga

This place is amazing, and what they do well, they choose to do amazingly well. It is definitely a cafe, sandwich style; so, please don’t come here searching the local burger and fry joint. There’s plenty of these in the surrounding areas; however, if you want an incredible sandwich, or even, a delicious dish of shrimp and grits, this is the place to go grab lunch!

Try the Curious George, The Jerk or even the Grown Up Grilled Cheese for a great and yummy choice of sandwiches. Don’t forget the delicious soups they have to start: corn chowder, tomato apple or turkey and rice, but be sure to save room for the incredible desserts to finish off the meal!

You can go by the display case or just look over the menu they bring, but I bet your ability to choose might be a tad bit difficult. Death by Chocolate, Strawberry and Red Velvet are just a few of the cake choices. Turtle Crunch, Cookies N’ Cream, and Blueberries and Cream Cheesecakes are each absolutely AMAZING, and there’s also Tiramisu and Key Lime Pie! Needless to say, the choices are just about endless, and I haven’t had a dessert here I didn’t like! Oh! I almost forgot. Be sure to order a cup of coffee, and you’ll be delighted with a little side cup of chocolate sauce and whip cream to make your own mocha, too!

Check out their menu and location here, and after lunch or dinner, take a stroll along the Riverwalk, and you won’t feel so guilty eating all this yumminess!

A Trade Off

/ The WheatandTares

Sometimes, I have to remember that I don’t have to continue in my weakness, thinking somehow, it’s going to magically turn into greatness. When the Scripture says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13) that’s what it meant!

I am only strong when I admit my weakness and allow Christ to rule and reign in my heart AND in my actions! I am only refreshed when I throw my weakness into His greatness! I am only encouraged and able to carry on when I release my pride and stop pretending to be strong and realize I am only strong because of Christ living inside of me!

Thank you, Jesus, I don’t have to muster up some pretend faith to be a valiant warrior when I am just a truly, the warrior is a child. Thank you for trading my weakest moments with Your strongest power! Thank you that you are able! You are faithful, and You are strong! ❤️

The Weight of the Broken

/ The WheatandTares

So many broken hearts all around me today. The weight of it all tugs on my own to weigh me down. My mind swirls with the endless possibilities, the various scenarios, circumstances, and outcomes.

One heart is trampled after years of devotion, self-sacrifice and provision. Deceit and lies run rampant. Another is captivated by mistrust and fear, threatening to become the self-fulfilling prophecy through the tears. Still another is full of anger, bitterness and rage while pretending to love and adore a fantasy fabricated within the mind.

Oh dear Lord, how do we help them? How do we stop the bleeding? Can we even intervene? The pain is so great. The brokenness seems beyond repair. Is there any glimpse of hope to be found?

The questions thrash about like tornadoes through my head. Twisting and turning without end. We look to a book, a counsel, a song or a situation to correlate, to somehow make sense of this unfathomable reality.

Yet, no answer can be found in the carnal. No solution can be brought forth in mere words. No ears have the capacity to hear the true heartbeat of the broken.

The only answer is Jesus. The only shred of hope is Him. There is no guarantee of tomorrow. There is no promise of reconciliation, or even redemption, without His mercy and grace.

It may sound too cliche. It may sound like just another punchline, but I have found He is the only source of Truth. He is the only anchor that holds. He is the only Rock that stands when the whole world falls apart, and you’re wondering if you can even take the very next breath.

I can’t even walk without holding onto His hand.

He is all I need. ❤️

Happy 4th Anniversary!

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Thanks to all of YOU who have read, inspired and encouraged me over the past four years! You are who make this blog interesting and worthwhile. These last four years have been a blast, and I look forward to many more! 😊💗

Like a Bomb or a Flower?

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I saw this photo the other day, and it made me think about its meaning…

A flower is…

Beautiful. Delicate. Created by the Master Designer. Needs water, soil and sunlight to grow and survive. Some grow perfectly on the windowsill while others flourish in a great garden. Some attract bees, insects and spiders, but most all invite a gentle touch, a sweet smile and a deep inhale and exhale of stress relief. Some open up with beauty in the early morning hours and close up to shield their fragility as the sun sets. Some can weather the worst of storms and then be crushed by the tiniest of hands.

Flowers can represent friendship, love, jealousy and celebration. They can bring healing with their fragrance and comfort with their beauty. They can bring joy to brighten a home and peace to a grieving soul. They have even been known to bring healing to an ailing body and peace to a tearful spirit.

A bomb is…

Intense. Intriguing. Resilient and steadfast for the moment. Needs human hands to be created, moved or altered. Needs nothing to remain as it is, only a man’s touch to flip the switch. Once set, it is just as fragile as a flower under a combat boot. Some are extremely complex. Some are too simple to be described. Some are designed by madmen, while others are constructed by a genius of authority. Some are made to bring harm, while others are invented to protect the innocent and defend the weak.

Bombs can represent danger, fear, desolation and destruction. They can also present honor, courage and perseverance through the darkest of nights. They can’t bring healing, but the when used properly, they can bring deliverance from fierce enemies. They can’t bring love, but when executed with precision, they can bring guardianship against terror. They can’t bring peace, but when stored and presented with life, liberty and pursuit of happiness in the forefront, they can create almost a holy hush that no one dare to unravel.

As a woman, I will choose to be both, a flower and a bomb. Yet, the only way to be perfected in each of these is to be submitted to and placed within the hands of Almighty God. For, He is the only entity who controls the air I breathe and protects the ground on which I walk. He is the only Deity who can bring gentle restoration to the bones and a fierce security to the mind, all in the same nanosecond. Within my own strength, I can be too breakable and too dangerous for anyone’s well being; yet, with His divine wisdom, I, and all those around me, are safe within His grasp, because of His eternal love, grace and justice.

Be Resilient Like a Chicken Nugget

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Friends and I were laughing as one shared the hilarious story of “slinging food” at her children on a Wednesday night on the way to church, because as a school teacher, she leaves school at 4:45, goes down the road to pick up child #4 drives across town to pick up her other day three children and husband from home, drives through fast food to get everyone chicken nuggets and make it on time to Wednesday night church! 😂 We all laughed till our sides hurt as she shared all the “mom tactics” to having children clothed and in their right minds with a dinner in their tummies, and her own self in her right mind; so, they could behave and have fun while in the evening program. One of the statements she made was, “Let me tell you. Those chicken nuggets are resilient! They bounce off windows and don’t splatter. They are easy to handle for little fingers. You can get the 20 for $2.50 and have change to spare, too!”

It was such a comical moment, and, honestly, I’m not a great fan of chicken nuggets, but our kids loved them in their early years, and that simple statement made me start thinking…

Chicken Nuggets ARE resilient! We could learn a lot from that little nugget…

1. They are crunchy on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside. It’s ok to have a little tough skin to survive through life’s ups and downs, but be sure to stay soft on the inside. Keep your heart humble and your soul full of grace and love. Don’t be so tough on the outside that you harden all the way through. Nobody wants to encounter all that.

2. They don’t fall a part easily. In this day and age, we’ve got to have a little strength to who we are to survive. We can be, and need to be, cushy soft on the inside to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patient and with those other fruit of the Spirit. However, all the hyper-sensitive, can’t disagree with someone for fear of “hate speech” actually makes us a weak people and a crippling nation. Toughen up, people. Be resilient and live life full of strength and grace!

3. They come in large quantities for inexpensive prices. Be able to give the good parts of yourself away to lots of people and don’t be too demanding of what they give back. Now listen, I’m not giving you permission to be used and abused. If you tend to be a doormat, please understand, this point isn’t for you. What I’m talking about is giving your love in a hug, an encouraging word or time spent with a friend. I’m talking about sharing laughter, making a memory or spending time with those you love. Share these things in large quantities, and don’t be demanding of a condition to be met for you to share it. People need to know you care.

4. You can’t eat just one. Be the kind of person who is contagious, magnetic and engaging to those around you. Be the sort of friend others aspire to be. Be the type of leaders others seek after. Be the person of whom others just can’t get enough.

5. They are great in just about any sauce or condiment. Diversify your tastes, your likes and your knowledge. Extend your horizons. Learn something new. Try, taste, or even listen to something different than before. You never know, you might like it, and you may even find a new friend along the journey.

Tuesday’s Treats #129

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McCray’s Tavern

Location: Lawrenceville, Ga

McCray’s Tavern has the best warm pimento cheese dip within 50 sq miles!! It is delicious! Now, the last time we went, the grilled tortilla slices were a little crunchier than normal, but it was still yummy.

The Philly Cheese and the shrimp and grits are scrumptious! They have burgers, fries, chicken, salad, and so much more!

Now, for the dessert department! Yes, both of these desserts taste just as DELICIOUS as they look!! Yum!!

Here’s the website for you to check out.

Tuesday’s Treats #128

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

The Village Tavern

Location: Alpharetta, Ga

This place is great. The staff is nice. The food is yummy. But the warm butter cake is A. M. A. Z. I. N. G!!

This restaurant fills up quick during the lunch hours of the weekdays; so, be sure to get there early, or better yet, just call and make reservations for the time you need. The warm pimento cheese dip is definitely a great start to a great meal. The salmon is absolutely delicious. We also ordered the blackened grouper, but it wasn’t quite the favorite. The shrimp and grits was tasty, but the shrimp was boiled or steamed rather than blackened, as I like it, and it had a lot of bacon in the dish. I’m probably just a little more partial to the Charleston-style preparation to shrimp and grits, but if you like your shrimp and grits prepared this way, you’ll love the dish. If seafood isn’t your style, they have a plethora of items to choose for lunch, but be sure to save room for dessert!

There are several desserts that look delicious, and one in our party ordered the creme brûlée. She said it was wonderful, but I have to say that warm butter cake is ABSOLUTELY delicious!! Be sure to share it with a friend, because even though, you’ll want to scarf down the whole thing, your tummy might just not thank you for it later. Lol! I’m still having cravings for this thing, and I’m begging my husband for a return date very, very soon!! 😊

Here’s the website for more info.

Sweet Aroma

/ The WheatandTares

Love this. Hope you will, too…

Sue's Pen 2 Paper Blog

The child stands at the edge of heaven. She’s curious about what goes on below and stands quietly while pondering all that she sees.

Waves of strife waffle up to her, streaks of stress zip past, anger thunders through the clouds, and as she is about to turn and walk away, The Man appears beside her.

She looks up at His face and with furrowed brows asks, “Is there no love there?” He kneels down beside and places His arm around her small shoulders. She nuzzles up closer to Him.

“Listen with your heart,” He tells her. She cocks her head a little and  scrunches up her face as though that helps her to tune into her heart.

“I don’t hear anything” she finally states.

“Close out the sounds of anger, hate, and dissension.” He whispers.

She tries again.

A sweet aroma engulfs her and she suddenly jumps away from…

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