hospitality Archives - Feathers in Our Nest

The Lifegiving Table Book

November 27, 2017 by Aliesha

Last month, a new book released by one of my favorite authors and speakers, Sally Clarkson! Her books have spoken life to my heart during so many challenging seasons of motherhood, and I anxiously awaited the arrival of her latest book, The Lifegiving Table! This book is about the ministry that happens around your table in your home each day, and how to reclaim that time for discipleship and kingdom purposes.

If you want to learn more about this book, you can watch the trailer below!

Doesn’t that freshly baked bread make you want to bake RIGHT NOW?

Last month we had a delightful afternoon tea time (me + the three oldest) where we enjoyed freshly baked scones, apple butter, clotted cream, and fall herbal teas. It was a sweet time of connection and conversation… much needed in the midst of a busy season of adding a new baby to our family! I would love to make Sunday afternoon tea a regular part of our family routine at least once a month!

God has given us all different strengths and passions, but rest assured that table time discipleship can happen with a wild crew feasting on pizza off of paper plates, or at a sweet little tea party for two. When we make those moments of eating together times of intentionality, we are able to pour God’s love and truth into our children. In doing so, we impact their lives eternally.

The Lifegiving Table includes many Clarkson family recipes, each one a delicious tried-and-true recipe for feasting together and showing hospitality. We’ve already made a few (the scones and clotted cream), and we can’t wait to try more!

I loved this quote from the book:

You can order Sally Clarkson’s new book, The Lifegiving Table, right here!

Aliesha Caldwell is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Oven Chicken Fajitas (One of My Go-To Meals!)

August 9, 2017 by Aliesha

Well since I’ve been making this delicious recipe in regular rotation for at least two years now, it’s about time I shared it with you!

Oven fajitas are the EASIEST way to make fajitas… no standing at the stove and stirring required! I’ve made these oven chicken fajitas for our family dozens of times, for company quite a few times, and to take to friends with new babies a handful of times as well! There’s been a baby boom at our church this spring/summer, and this has been my go-to meal for taking to my friends! (And as a reminder, you don’t have to know them to take them a meal!)

When I make this meal for new moms, I leave out the cayenne pepper (since nursing moms don’t typically want to eat spicy foods), and I throw in a pack of tortillas, a bag of chips, and sometimes a jar of salsa if I have an extra one on hand! I make black beans and rice to go along with the chicken and veggies. My favorite dessert to pair with this is my salted caramel cheesecake! Yum!

A little tip: you can make this entire meal, place it in freezer-safe containers, and freeze it! It thaws out really well and is totally delicious! I’ve also prepared the chicken and veggies (with olive oil and seasonings) and frozen them RAW to then thaw and bake at a future time. Both options work great! You can also make extra of the seasoning blend to make tossing this meal together another day a total snap!

This recipe makes enough for my hungry family (two adults and four kids) with plenty for leftovers too. When we have leftovers, we love to eat them hot over a bowl of rice or cold on top of a salad!

Oven Chicken Fajitas (One of My Go-To Meals!)

This is a wonderful meal to serve for company, to take to friends who have new babies, or to stash away in the freezer! The leftovers are wonderful served over a hot bowl of rice, or cold on a salad!

Author: Aliesha @ Feathers in Our Nest

Recipe type: Main Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 Tbsp. paprika
2 tsp. onion powder
3 tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. cumin
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper (leave out if you don't want it to be spicy)
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. corn starch
2 onions (I use yellow, but white or red work too!)
3-4 bell peppers, any color
2 lbs. chicken breast
2 Tbsp. olive oil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Combine spices (first nine ingredients) in a small bowl.
Slice onions and peppers into strips.
Trim chicken and slice into strips or cubes.
Place veggies and chicken into a large glass baking dish (9x13 or larger) and toss with olive oil. Add spice mixture and toss to coat.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender. Stir once during the cooking time.
For serving: serve on flour or corn tortillas with your favorite toppings (we like Monterey Jack cheese and cilantro), along with rice and black beans on the side!
Enjoy!

I adapted this recipe from Budget Bytes.

Hope you love it as much as our family does! Enjoy!

My House is Your House

December 9, 2016 by Aliesha

Certainly one of my goals in hospitality is to communicate to our guests: Mi casa es tu casa, or “my house is your house.” I want our guests to feel welcomed, loved, and comfortable, which is why I greet them warmly, light candles, and cook food I hope they will enjoy.

I was thinking about this phrase as it relates to my children. Do I really display this same attitude of hospitality towards them? Do I live like I think that my house is their house? Do I invite them to spread their toys out all over the living room and sprawl on the kitchen floor to play? Or do I act like my house is a pristine museum (the term “pristine” used very, very loosely)?

Before this realization, I used to find myself scrolling through my Instagram feed at lunch rather than engaging my children in meaningful conversation, something I would never do with guests around my table. I wouldn’t so much as glance at my phone during a dinner party.

I have found myself at the dinner table, instead of lingering around our table and drawing out my children’s hearts, rushing to clear the table, put away the food, and hurry everyone along towards bedtime. Would I rush my guests that way? Or would I intentionally sit and listen, letting the dishes wait for a few minutes (or hours)? I would assure my guests that the dishes can wait. I’d tackle them at 10PM before I would think of shooing anyone away from our table.

As I’ve been contemplating this, I’ve realized that for me hospitality towards my children at this particular season looks a lot like playing “fabric store” on Tuesday. Lighting candles at dinner time, and baking cookies for no reason on Thursday. Saying “yes” to Play-Doh even though it makes a royal mess. Decorating their rooms in colors that make them smile, and looking at them in the eyes during lunch while listening to their stories. It means loving them in all the ways I know how, and giving the best of myself to my children, rather than just saving the best for company.

Consider this post merely an “in progress” shot. This isn’t the “after;” this is the messy middle. An honest confession in the midst of my imperfect parenting as I strive towards this goal that Christ’s heart of hospitality would permeate every part of my being.

May God develop in me a true heart of hospitality, and let it begin first and foremost with my own family!

For more posts I’ve written on hospitality, click here.