Blueberry Brisket~It's What's for Dinner Wednesday

I recently picked up a new cookbook, called Down South Paleo by Jennifer Robins.  We have made several of the dishes, and thus far all have been easy to prepare and quite delicious.  Last night's dinner was no exception.

Blueberry Brisket

Grain-Dairy-Nut-Egg-Soy-Nightshade Free

Yields 4 servings

Ingredients:
1/4 C olive oil (or preferred cooking fat)
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 brisket, grass-fed if possible (about 4 lbs)
1 large onion, thinly sliced
4 Cups organic beef broth, homemade if possible (we used Pacific brand)
5 cloves garlic, minced
6 large carrots, coarsely chopped
1 C blueberries

For Serving:
Mixed greens

Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat (we used our Staub dutch oven). Rub the ground pepper and sea salt on both sides of the brisket and brown in the oil for about 7 minutes, then flip the brisket over to brown the other side.  Once both sides of the brisket are nicely browned, place the sliced onion in the bottom of the stockpot, underneath the brisket.   Place the brisket back on top of the onion.  Pour the beef broth over the brisket and add the garlic, carrots and blueberries.  Bring to a simmer, cover and continue simmering for about 4 hours.  Remove the brisket from the pot, slice and serve with the vegetables and juices and whatever greens you wish.

The brisket was so tender.

Tonight we are having Savory Slow Cooker Pork Chops.  I'll let you know how those turn out.  I do post a lot of pictures of our meals over on Instagram, so be sure to follow me there, simplylkjblog.

Quotes and Word Art in Decor~

Those that know me personally know that I love a good quote.  I also love inspiring scripture verses as well.

When in comes to art in our home, I prefer the pieces reflect who we are and what is important to us. That is where I have found quotes and word art say it best.

Many of the framed pieces around our house I simply created on the computer using Microsoft Word, others were purchased and downloaded off of Etsy, while some were ordered as well...such as the Love is sign.

Here are some pieces that are displayed around our home.  I apologize for the lighting and glare ahead of time.  Bright summer afternoons in Georgia make for some tricky photography and I am no pro!!

A burlap bulletin board I made features several of my favorite quotes and sayings in my home office.

I created the "collect moments not things" print as a reminder of what truly matters.  The Hey Y'all and I am with you always prints were purchased on Etsy.  The verse is one that I clung to when going through testing for cancer a couple years ago.  Praise God, I did not have cancer!! These sit atop the expedite in my home office.

The "Our Nest" sign was purchased from Etsy. The galvanized metal memo board and our sweet pups essentials hooks were created by me.  The cards on the memo board are part of a set of 21 day inspirational quotes I purchased from my dear friend's shop, All Inspired Boutique, here in Atlanta.

If you read my post about the vignettes around our home, you would have seen this quote already.  Again, another reminder to celebrate each and every day.

This quote is from one of my favorite books, Bread and Wine, by Shauna Niequest.  You know we love to cook and hang out in the kitchen.  I don't recall whether I downloaded this from Etsy or from her website.

  

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I had little fun staining and painting the other day.  This sign hangs in our kitchen by our coffee bar.

I have shared these before, along with a funny story about my mom.  She asked where I purchased them.  I told her I made them.  Then continued to explain how.  My dad then says, "you could too if you knew how to use a computer!"  My mother is so not tech savvy.  She still has a T9 flip phone!!!

This was a hand lettered piece gifted to me by one of my sweet Bible study friends whom I taught with two years ago.  We were studying 1st and 2nd Corinthians last year.

Another downloaded from Etsy.  All I can say is AMEN!! 

Love this quote by Myquillyn Smith, of the Nester.

This is part of a gallery wall in our Master Bedroom.  Our anniversary date.  The bottom is hard to read. It says...from this moment...

Another I created.  Every day should be a good day!

This is also in our Master Bedroom.  I am so thankful that His mercies are INDEED new every day!!

This wood sign was purchased from Joanna Gaines shop. However, it is also sold on the artist's site on Etsy as well.  They are a couple that live right here in Athens, GA.

Love this quote by C.S. Lewis.  I am not 100% sure where I purchased this.  I believe it may have been a download on Myquillyn Smith's Hopeologie site.

This is another sign that hangs over my hubby's nightstand.  I purchased this from my friend's shop here in Atlanta.

There are a few others scattered here and there.  I love that most can easily be changed out if we should choose to.

Have a blessed day!!

Linking up with the lovely ladies for Thoughts of Home on Thursday.

Wheat Belly 30 Minute (or less!) Cookbook Sloppy Joes~

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, hubby and I (along with our youngest daughter who is in grad school at UTHSC) are working our way through a new cookbook.  Wheat Belly 30-Minute (or Less!) Cookbook by William Davis, MD.

We both have tried this Sloppy Joe recipe and LOVE it.  Sloppy Joes are a favorite of my sweet hubby's.  However, growing up with Manwich in a can, me not so much. EWWWWW!  However, my youngest brother's favorite so we had them quite often.  Double EWWWW!

This recipe may have changed my mind.  While there is a recipe for Basic Sandwich Muffins in the cookbook, we chose to use Udi's hamburger buns this go round for convenience and times sake.

Sloppy Joes

Prep Time:  10 minutes
Total Time:  30 minutes

1 lb ground beef, we use lean grass fed beef
1 small onion, chopped, we prefer organic
1 green bell pepper, chopped, again organic
2 cloves garlic, minced, or 1 tsp garlic powder, we use an organic jar variety
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce, Muir Glen organic
1/2 BBQ Sauce (recipe to follow)
1/2 tsp sea salt

In a large skillet over medium- high heat, cook the beef for 5 minutes, or until no longer pink. Add the onion, pepper, and garlic or garlic powder and cook for 5 minutes, or until vegetables soften.  Drain.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, and salt.  Cover and cook for 10 minutes.

Again, we served on Udi's Gluten Free Hamburger Buns along side Organic Gluten Free Tater Tots.

BBQ Sauce Recipe:

Ingredients:

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 TBS chili powder
1 TBS olive oil
1 can (28 oz) tomato puree
2 TBS molasses
1 TBS apple cider vinegar
2 TBS mustard
1/2 tsp ground red pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 TBS onion powder
Sweetener equivalent to 1/4 C sugar, we used Stevia.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook the garlic and chili powder in the oil for 3 minutes.  Add the tomato puree, molasses, vinegar, mustard, red pepper, salt, onion powder, and sweetener.  Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and cool before storing in the refrigerator.

Prep Time:  5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Makes 3 cups

The sauce recipe makes enough for several of the meals in the cookbook!

Enjoy!!!

Vignettes around our home~

Well hello!  Yes, I do realize I have only posted twice since late May.  I decided to soak up all that summer has to offer this year.

We've taken a few trips the past few months, worked a ton in the yard, and are once again gearing up to the host the Baylor Send Off party in a couple weeks.  We are thrilled that 38 young people have chosen to attend Baylor from the Atlanta area this fall.

Today I thought I'd share a few vignettes from around our home and some of my favorite things.

Love seashells this time of year, and well truly anytime of year. Displayed with a few of my favorite design books.

I was recently gifted the silver basket and small cordial that had once belonged to my Granny, so I combined them along with a silver bowl I had purchased at the Ballard Design outlet.  I filled them with more shells, starfish and a moss ball purchased at Hobby Lobby.  Books:  Good Dog from Garden and Gun, such sweet stories and Savor by Shauna Niequest author of another favorite book of mine Bread and Wine.

Atop the piano in the library a few of my favorite books by author Luanne Rice, beach themed along the New England coast where I grew up.  The picture is one we took of our girls down in Grayton Beach Florida the day before Hurricane Opal hit.

This vignette just fell together.  It sits atop our smaller wine cabinet in our dining room.  The picture above it is actually our wedding invitation blown up and framed (frame from Pottery Barn).  The vintage wooden crate I first spotted on Kim's blog, www.savvysouthernstyle.net after she had made a trip to Queen of Hearts Antiques here in Atlanta.  I knew I had to have it the minute I saw it, but it was a couple months before I actually made a trip over.  It was our anniversary and the weather wasn't great, so hubby suggested we grab a bite for breakfast and then go by the antique store to kill some time.  I couldn't believe my eyes when the first row we walked through I just happened to look up and there it was...high up in a dealer's booth. Hubby said it was meant to be. Yes, yes it was.  You see, the wording on the crate says Fox Hollow.  That is the name of the street where I lived when my hubby proposed to me on Thanksgiving day 28 years ago.  The silver cutlery are pieces handed down from his mom and the silver tray in back another piece recently gifted to me that belonged to my Granny.  This is definitely a sentimental spot for me.

The top of our bar cart in the dining room, along with a hidden bowl of dark chocolate Hershey Kisses for when that craving hits.

Open shelves in our dining room as well.  The print is one I made up on the computer using Word and a cute font I downloaded.  A reminder that Everyday is indeed a Special Occasion!

A vintage dough bowl with some greenery is the centerpiece for our dining room table for the summer months.  If you can't tell by now, I am a huge fan of the green, brown and white combo!

And lastly, I just love our giant clamshell filled with succulents.  These were found at my dear friends shop here in Atlanta, All Inspired Boutique.  They look so real!!

We've been working our way through a new cookbook as well, The 30 Minute Wheat Belly Cookbook, and have enjoyed many great dishes.  Will share a few soon.

Have a Blessed Day!

Linking up for Dishing it and Digging it with my friend Linda.
Linking up with the lovely ladies for Thoughts of Home on Thursday.

Happy 4th of July~

Reposting from a few years back, but still true today!

Praying you all have a blessed holiday with family and friends.