catching up on the Hester's

Hey friends! I have discovered I am truly terrible at this blog thing. I apologize for not keeping everyone updated through here and Im sure I will wish that I would have done better in a few years. I figured since it has been a while I will kindly give you a life update.

Schooling

Chad has just begun his second year at Southern Seminary. It is incredible to see him growing and learning more about being in the ministry. I am so thankful for the professors here who are in his life and ministry. This semester he is taking Greek, Systematic Theology III, and an internship with our senior pastor, CJ Mahaney. We are so thankful for this opportunity for him to be poured into by such a humble, caring, and Godly pastor. I am taking a couple of classes this semester through the Seminary Wives Institute on campus. Many of the professors' wives teach the courses to help prepare the wives for serving along side their husbands. It has been a great way of getting to know other women on campus and also hear encouraging words of God's grace in their lives. 

Work 

Back in January, Chad was given the amazing opportunity to work along side some of the men of our church selling furniture for really great prices. It has been a blessing for him to be able to work full time and attend school full time through this job. I am nannying the two boys (4 years old & 1 years old) from a previous post still. It's a little nuts to think I have been there a little over a year and I am so thankful to still be there. The boys have grown so much and so have I. This job has been one of the best preparations for when Chad and I do have kids. The family is absolutely wonderful and thankful for how they have taken us in and loved on us.

For Fun

We love going for walks around our community, trying new local food places, playing cards, reading new books, cooking and baking (Chad likes the eating part), fellowshipping with sweet friends and their families, coffee dates, crafting, watching Parks and Recreation on Netflix, visits to the Louisville Zoo, playing basketball on campus, and the list could go on. :)

Fall

Tomorrow marks the first day of September which brings many exciting things to my mind. September means it's my birthday month which is full of happiness! It also means that fall is right around the corner bringing in my favorite clothes, food, football, cool weather, smells, trees changing, Thanksgiving, apple picking, and cardigans! Listed below are some fun fall favorites or things to try!

01 // Vests- oh how cozy this outfit looks!

02 // Cool weather means soups galore! Chad's mom makes the best corn chowder and I cannot wait to make it in a few weeks. (picture borrowed from pinterest)

03 // Georgia Southern Football

                                                                         

04 // Fall Scented Candles. Really want to try this Apple Pumpkin candle from Yankee Candle 

05 // Picking apples and pumpkins at this cute orchard, Huber's Farm.

06 // A great book to consider reading is Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin. I am thankful for how the Lord has used her to help us understand what it truly means to study God's word. The way she writes is as if she was speaking to you as a genuine and encouraging friend. 

Hope you have a sweet Labor Day friends! 

XOXO

Casey

Taco Thursady

I remember complaining about helping out in the kitchen when I was younger. I hated cooking....a few years ago I started to experiment in the kitchen. I found that it was really fun to cook and bake and it also made Chad a happy boy :) Now that I am a wife....I feel like I need to always create these amazing and spectacular dishes. Unfortunately, when you are on a budget it's hard to do. So you get to be really creative! 

The Husband and I decided to create a fun themed night once a week. On Thursday nights we will create some form of tacos using ingredients in the pantry and the fridge. Tonight was really fun creating this delicious dish! 

Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Majority of the time I am finding recipes on the internet (mainly pinterest) but this baby is my own :) I was pretty amazed at the turn out.

Ingredients (for 4 tacos)

1 lg chicken breast cut in small cubes

salt & pepper

garlic powder

2 tsp hidden valley ranch seasoning

squirt of lime juice

evoo (enough to coat bottom of skillet with a thin layer)

2 tbs buffalo wing sauce

4 small tortillas

Topping Options: lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, cheese, etc

For dressings we used ranch on one and then this sweet and light homemade dressing. We actually liked it better than the ranch. Here is the recipe below

Dressing Recipe: 

1/4 c vegetable oil 1/4 c sugar 1/8 c apple cider vinegar 1 tsp soy 1/4 tsp salt and pepper

**just mix all ingredients together

Directions

Heat oil and skillet on med-high heat

Cut chicken breast into small cube pieces. This just depends on the size chunks you would like in your taco. Season with a generous amount of salt, pepper, and spring with garlic powder. Toss the chicken in the ranch seasoning and squirt with the lime juice. 

Once the oil is heated place the chunks in the hot skillet. Cook chicken until golden brown and thoroughly done. Toss in the buffalo sauce. 

**Taste a sample- add whatever is missing :)

After chicken is done heat the tortillas. There are so many ways in doing this but my favorite recently has been to put them on a oven-safe cooling rack under broil for like 2-3 minutes until they are a little crispy. It gives the taco a great texture! 

Layer your tacos with chicken and whatever toppings desired!

AND ENJOY!

                         

Super Bowl Munchies

My two favorite things about Super Bowl every year is the food and commercials. Since it is snowing outside...we decided to celebrate with just the two of us at home. A while back I found a recipe for wings and haven't had the reason to make them until tonight. I think we found one of the best wing recipes I have ever had. It may be better to fry them but baked tasted pretty awesome. Another great treat I have discovered is triple chocolate chip cookies! They taste just like the ones Subway uses- possibly better! I wanted to share both these recipes with you :)

Buffalo Chicken Wings

Ingredients

SAUCE 

I ended up needing to double the sauce recipe- maybe I just put too much on each wing...dunno

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup hot sauce (Frank's Louisiana Hot Sauce is the original and the most traditional)
• 2 tablespoons Tobasco sauce (adjust to taste depending on how hot you want the wings)
• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar I used light brown sugar and put 2 T instead of 1
• 2 teaspoons cider vinegar

WINGS 

• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon table salt
• 3 lbs chicken wings, separate at the joints
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch (For frying. Omit if Baking)
• 3/4 cup flour (For baking. Omit if frying)
• 1-2 quarts peanut oil (For frying. Omit if baking)

Directions for baking

1. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and lightly grease with cooking spray.
2. Place flour, cayenne pepper, black pepper, red pepper, paprika, and salt in a  large resealable plastic bag and shake to mix. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
3. Add the chicken wings, seal, and toss until the wings are well coated. Place the wings onto the baking sheet, then place the baking sheet in the refrigerator. Chill for at least 1 hour. 
4. Preheat the oven to 400F.
5. While the wings are chilling, melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. whisk in hot sauces, brown sugar, and vinegar until combined. Set aside until wings are done chilling.
6. Once done, dip the wings into the sauce mixture and place back onto the baking sheet. Bake for 22 minutes, then turn the wings and bake for another 22 minutes, or until wings are no longer pink in the center.
7. Enjoy!

Directions for frying

1. Preheat the oven to 200F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Heat 2 1/2 inches of oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 360 degrees.
2. While the oil heats, mix together cayenne, black pepper, paprika, red pepper, salt, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Dry the chicken with apaper towels, and places them in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the wings and toss with a rubber spatula until evenly coated.
3. Fry half of the chicken wings until golden and crisp (about 10 to 15 minutes). Transfer the fried wings to a baking sheet with a slotted spoon, then transfer them to the oven to keep warm while you fry the second batch.
4. Meanwhile, create the sauce as above. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Whisk in hot sauces, brown sugar, and vinegar until combined. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. Once all the wings are cooked, pour the sauce into a large bowl. Add the chicken wings, and toss until the wings are uniformly coated. Serve immediately.
6. Enjoy!

Easy Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• Chocolate or Devil's Food Cake Mix How could it get any easier??
• 1/2 cup oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Directions for baking

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Combine the cake mix and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
3. Using a mixer, mix in the oil and eggs. I had to add a little more than 1/2 cup due to it being really thick.
4. "Fold" in the goodies You could really put anything in there....
5. Spray cookie sheet with Pam or line it with parchment paper
6. Spoon dough onto sheet The best part is that you can choose how big you want them! 
7. Bake for 9-11 minutes If you want them to stay soft....go more like 8-9 minutes
8. Enjoy!

Meeting at the Red Desk

As a wife of a seminary student, I have found that it is easy to fall into a mindset that this season in life is all about your husband preparing themselves for ministry and you are just there for the ride. Only one semester in, I already have to fight the temptation daily.  I am so thankful for Christ dwelling in my heart and the constant reminder that this season in life is about Chad and I being prepared and equipped to serve the Lord together. It is important for this partnership to be disciplined in studying scripture both together and privately. I fail daily with desiring to mediate on the words of the Lord and choose to make excuses instead. I am blessed to have a husband who prays for my spiritual growth daily and encourages me to pursue godliness. Today I walked into the living room to find this beautiful red desk and a letter of encouragement

Our prayer is that this desk will be a place where I meet the Lord daily and serve as a landmark of a deeper and growing relationship. While sitting at the desk for the first time and reading a chapter from Disciplines of  a Godly Woman, I came across these words by John Wesley. Let this be my daily prayer.

O God, fill my soul with so entire a love of Thee that I may love nothing but for Thy sake and in subordination to Thy love. Give me grace to study Thy knowledge daily that the more I know Thee, the more I may love Thee. Create in me a zealous obedience to all Thy commands, a cheerful patience under all Thy chastisements, and a thankful resignation to all Thy disposals. Let it be the one business of my life to glorify Thee by every word of my tongue, by every work of my hand, by professing Thy truth, and by engaging all men, so far as in me lies, to glorify and love Thee