Motherhood — Sarah J. Hauser | Food, Faith, Creativity + Motherhood

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Sarah J. Hauser | Food, Faith, Creativity + Motherhood

Hey Friends! I'm Sarah - wife, mama, writer, food photographer, and omnivore from Batavia, Illinois.

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I've learned two things about many of us in the last 24 hours. ⠀
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1. We don't enjoy parenting like we hoped (or at least a particular stage of parenting). ⠀
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and ⠀
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2. We feel really guilty about it. ⠀
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Guilt seems to be a heavy weight many of us carry. But we have to understand where our "guilty feelings" come from.⠀
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They can be like pain from an injury. The pain tells us there's an issue to deal with. If that's the case, if our guilt actually points to a sin issue, then we confess, and He is faithful and just to forgive us. Godly grief produces repentance. So we repent and live with freedom and joy knowing that our sin has been dealt with on the cross. We live in a new way because we've been changed by that reality. ⠀
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But so many of us carry around self-inflicted guilt that comes from things like comparison or unrealistic expectations. ⠀
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This has been a struggle for me personally, and after reading comments yesterday, it's clear I'm not the only one. ⠀
So let me offer 3 diagnostic questions when we feel guilty. ⠀
1️⃣ Is this feeling of guilt because of a sin issue? ⠀
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2️⃣ Is this feeling of guilt because I'm trying to do something beyond what God’s called me to—which then leads me to exhaustion and overwhelm?⠀
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3️⃣ Is this feeling of guilt simply because of a cultural, family, or self-imposed expectation that’s not necessary for me to fulfill—and may even be unhealthy?⠀
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Friends, these all need to be dealt with differently. Too many of us deal with unmet expectations like a moral failure. Or sometimes we dismiss our sin by saying it's merely a self-imposed expectation.⠀
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There's much more to dig into here, and one IG post doesn't even crack the surface. I shared some more thoughts on IG Live (which should be available until tomorrow afternoon), and I want to keep this conversation going. ⠀
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👉🏻Tell me: Is this something you wrestle with?⠀
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Too many of us walk around with a crushing weight of guilt on our shoulders when we could be parenting with the freedom and joy that comes through Christ. I'm a textbook example of this. ⠀
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"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:57). ❤️🙌

A while back I shared a few thoughts on IG about the difference between loving our kids and enjoying our kids. It seemed to resonate with quite a few of you. ⁣⠀
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I'm sharing a little more over on the @coffeeandcrumbs IG feed today. ⁣⠀
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Whether you had a sweet day with baby snuggles and picturesque family outings or one filled with discipline, crying toddlers, and spills—or all of the above—don't forget that enjoying our kids and loving our kids are not the same thing. ⁣⠀
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And my guess is you're pretty good at the latter. ⁣⠀
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Visit @coffeeandcrumbs on IG to read more!⁣⠀
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[📷: @alliecoffeeandpassport]

Let's talk about cookbooks.⁣ 📚⠀
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When's the last time you cooked out of a cookbook? I use and love them, but not as often as I'd like. When I'm scrambling on weeknights, I end up Googling the ingredients left in my fridge and seeing what comes up. Or we eat leftovers. 😜⁣⠀
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But there's something about reading and cooking from a beloved cookbook that the Internet can’t match—just like, in my opinion, reading an ebook just isn't the same as holding real pages in your hand. ⁣⠀
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A couple weeks ago in my stories, I asked if anyone would be interested in doing some sort of online cookbook club, and so many of you responded yes! So, I'm starting to gather ideas and see how this could work, and I need your feedback!⁣⠀
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👉🏻 Tell me: What cookbook would you love to cook from more often? Maybe it's a well-worn one you want to dive deeper into, maybe it's one that's been on your Amazon wishlist for a while, or maybe it’s one that’s a bit out of your comfort zone. ⁣⠀
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Whatever the case, I’d love to hear from you! Let me know in the comments below!

You know those days that start with the four-year-old flooding the bathroom, and then that crying four-year-old wakes up a now screaming one-year-old? That was today. ⠀
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And yesterday was...rough. Not my best parenting day. I’ll just leave it at that. I woke up this morning feeling grateful for a new day and a fresh start. But then sometimes Friday’s ain’t all they’re cracked up to be. ⠀
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Sometimes “fresh starts” involve flooded bathrooms and screaming children, and I don’t look forward to them all that much anymore. After all, there will be tears and messes tomorrow, tantrums and spills for the foreseeable future. ⠀
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It gets easier in some ways, sure. But standing too firmly on the hope of “easier” eventually proves it to be shaky ground. So I too easily grow weary and cynical, tired and anxious about what’s ahead. ⠀
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Philippians 4:6 tells us to be anxious for nothing. But you know what comes directly before that famous verse? ⠀
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“The LORD is at hand.” ⠀
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That’s why we don’t have to be anxious. The kingdom of God has come, and God is in the business of re-creation, healing, redemption.⠀
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The LORD is at hand.⠀
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Our hope lies not in easier, but in the fact that Christ has come and will one day come again—bringing with him the fullness of the new kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. ⠀
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That’s a hope to rest on, firm ground that won’t sink or crumble beneath our feet. ⠀
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Maybe it’ll get easier. Maybe it won’t. Our “fresh starts” may be ripped and tattered by 10am. But his mercies are still new. He’s still working. He’s putting everything back the way it’s supposed to be. ⠀
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The LORD is at hand.⠀
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Happy Friday.⠀
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“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians‬ ‭4:5-7‬⠀
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[📷: From that time my hubs and I went on vacation in Sedona. And for a week, it really was easier. 😂]

Hump day is for cookie baking. And coffee drinking. And movie watching for my kids, apparently. 🍪☕️🎥⠀
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Save the recipe below for these White Chocolate Almond Shortbread Cookies! They’re the perfect afternoon treat. ⠀
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White Chocolate Almond Shortbread Cookies⠀
(adapted from @inagarten)⠀
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3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature⠀
1 cup granulated sugar⠀
1/2 teaspoon almond extract⠀
3½ cups all-purpose flour⠀
1 teaspoon kosher salt⠀
White chocolate and chopped almonds⠀
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Using a mixer with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until combined. Mix in the almond extract along with two teaspoons of water.⠀
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In a separate bowl, stir together the flour and salt. With the mixer on low, slowly pour the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Mix until ingredients are fully incorporated.⠀
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Place the dough on a floured surface and form into a log shape. Wrap the log in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.⠀
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Unwrap the dough and slice it into about ½ inch slices. Place cookies on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown.⠀
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Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on a wire rack. ⠀
Meanwhile, gently melt the white chocolate in a double boiler or at 15 second intervals in the microwave. Drizzle the melted chocolate on the cookies, and top with chopped almonds. Allow them to cool completely until the chocolate hardens. Serve and enjoy!⠀
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[Find 3 more shortbread recipes in the blog archives by going to sarahjhauser.com and searching “Mix and Match Shortbread.”]

I’m not a very flexible person—mostly in the emotional and mental sense, but if you saw me in yoga you'd probably agree it's in the physical sense, too. ⁣⠀
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I’m only flexible when I plan to be. 😂 Changes to our routine push me off kilter, and I struggle to find my balance again. This season of life—as “routine” as the days can feel—involves constant shifts and changes, adjusting and rescheduling.⁣⠀
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I'm slowly (very slowly) learning to bend a little more. Plans change. Kids get sick. Seasons last longer than you'd hoped. News weighs heavy. But being flexible doesn't mean you stop caring or forgo planning. It simply pushes you to stretch to a length or in a direction you didn't intend.
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That's also called growth. ⁣⠀
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So on this Monday night, if your week has already tipped in a direction you didn't mean, if you're worn or off balance, I feel ya'. But on the other side of that uncomfortable stretch lies deeper growth, a little more strength, and a bit more flexibility. ⁣⠀
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So happy Monday. Here's to making plans—and holding them loosely. Anyone else working on this? Double tap if you are!⁣⠀
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[📷: The meal plan I made last night already changed since I forgot to get the slow cooker going in time (yes, I know I need an @instantpotofficial). But at the last minute, @recipe_tin’s Oven Baked Chicken Breasts came to the rescue. Served ‘em with rice and roasted broccoli and all is well.]⁣

Take a breath. ⠀
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We made it to Friday. ⠀
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Whatever this week bombarded you with, whatever the weekend brings, remember:⠀
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🌿You are loved.⠀
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🌿There is grace.⠀
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🌿God is good. ⠀
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👉🏻Tag a friend who might need those reminders. ⠀
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Have a wonderful weekend!

Anyone else eat their kid’s’ leftovers for lunch half the time? 🙋🏻‍♀️⠀
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Sometimes I don’t mind it—like when they’ve had a turkey sandwich or, let’s be honest, mac and cheese. I love mac and cheese. ⠀
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But many days I end up scrounging without stopping to sit, and I crave the chance to eat like a grown up. Sometimes all you need is a good, hearty salad filled with all the things you like. ⠀
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This basically is a cheese/charcuterie board in salad form. I threw together goat cheese, chopped clementines, pecans, and some cured meat (you could also just use deli meat like ham or turkey) on top of arugula. Drizzle it all with some balsamic dressing and voila. Grown up lunch. ⠀
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What do you love to eat that your kids won’t touch?

Anyone else love breakfast for dinner? 🙋🏻‍♀️ Dinner tonight is this Bacon, Asiago + Spinach Breakfast Casserole from the blog archives! (This time I subbed in white cheddar for the asiago cheese.)⁣⠀
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What's on your table tonight?

Lots of new faces around here! Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. I usually hide behind food pictures, but I thought I’d take a minute to put a face to this account. ☺️ ⠀
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I’m Sarah. Wife to Colson, mama to twins Elijah and Isabel (4) and Josiah (1 1/2). I love cooking, and while we eat a bit of everything, I make a lot of paleo-inspired meals—often served with a side of bread. 🤷🏻‍♀️⠀
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If there’s guac, I will inhale more than my fair share. And cheese. And chips. Oy. You can have all the candy, though. I’m not a huge candy person—except for super dark chocolate. 🍫⠀
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I’m an enneagram 6, I think. I’m also a late adopter of most trends, which means I’m perpetually out of style. I will be super into the enneagram in about 5 years. I’ll probably get an instant pot in 10 years. Not sure I can ever pull off those jump suit thingys all the cool kids are wearing these days.⠀
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I write about food, faith, creativity, and motherhood, and it makes me pretty much the happiest when those four things intertwine. ⠀
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I’d love to hear from you! Introduce yourself in the comments below. Tell me anything—kiddos? Favorite food? Least favorite food? A trend you’ll never adopt?⠀
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[📷: I tried to find a more photogenic shot, but most decent ones were at least a couple years old. The most recent picture I could find of me was at Christmas tying up a rib roast with my dad. Random, but kinda’ perfect. Sorry vegan friends. 🥩😂]

Question for you...⁣⠀
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I’m trying to think more intentionally about family rhythms—simple practices we do on a somewhat regular basis. We’re (slowly) getting better at eating dinner together, which is just one of our “rhythms”, but I’d love to hear what you do! ⁣⠀
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👉🏻What family rhythms do you have? They can be simple or involved—Friday movie nights? Monthly dates with your kiddos? Saturday morning waffles? A certain song or book at bedtime? A phrase you say when you drop them off at school?⁣⠀
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Let me know in the comments! .
[📷: Cocoa + Cardamom Waffles from the blog archives.]

Can I let you in on something I’ve learned? ⠀
I thought I knew this—and maybe I did in my head. But it’s sinking into my heart in a much more real, tangible way this week. ⠀
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When we invite others into our stories, loneliness doesn’t get to stay, and the evil one no longer has to convince just us of his lies. If he’s going to get me to believe his accusations, now he has to convince everyone around me—because they’re daily preaching to my heart. ⠀
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When I hide away, it’s much easier for me to give into the devil’s deceit. I too easily believe lies about myself, about who I am, about who God is. Peter tells us, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). ⠀
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Left to myself, hidden away and alone, I’m easy prey. ⠀
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But when I let others into my mess, a friend leaves me a truth-filled voice message, I talk with my small group about our mutual struggle and how the Gospel speaks into it, my husband prays for me at the end of the night, I get texts from friends saying they’re praying for me, e-gift cards arrive in my inbox simply to encourage me...⠀
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This proverbial room is full of loving, life-giving people who speak truth loudly enough to drown out any devilish whisper. ⠀
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I am not alone. And if the evil one is going to lure me into believing any of the garbage he offers, there are a whole lot of Gospel-preaching people he’s gotta go through first. And that ain’t gonna happen. ⠀
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👉🏻Who are your people? Who will speak truth to you when you need it? Who do you need to invite into your mess? Who can you go to when you’re unsure if you’re believing the truth or a lie? ⠀
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We need those people. Let’s find them. Let’s be them. ❤️⠀
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[📷: Coffee-Rubbed Pulled Pork with Red Cabbage Slaw that I shared in my stories earlier this week. Leftovers from yesterday are on our menu tonight and perfect for sharing with your people. ☺️]

We did the walk of shame today. Do you know the one? ⠀
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It’s where you speed-walk through a store (in this case @ikeausa, which meant the exit was about 3 miles away) with a screaming child trying to keep up with you. At various points, you may have to pick up said child while another runs to keep up, and you push the third in the stroller while balancing in your arms the 3 things you came to the store for. You say a prayer of gratitude that you didn’t need to buy furniture today. ⠀
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Your vision narrows. You block out your surroundings as you wait in line, looking up only to realize the beeping you hear was because one child pulled some cord and set an alarm off. The employee kindly says it’s fine. You try not to cry. You don’t succeed. ⠀
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You toss your items in the bottom of the stroller and scurry out. One child still screams. But now it’s clear why—we didn’t get to the bathroom in time. Now in between sobs she yells about her underwear for the whole store to hear. Jesus, take the wheel. ⠀
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The week has barely started, and I already feel a little beat up. Maybe you do, too. ⠀
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So let me remind us both:⠀
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🌿You are not the only one who has ever had a kid meltdown in the store/doctor’s office/school/with a babysitter/fill in the blank. It happens. It sucks. You’re a good mom. ⠀
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🌿Your people will not think less of you if you can’t keep it together. If they do, they’re not your people. ⠀
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🌿Pause for a few minutes to reset and refuel. (My kids are watching the iPad while I type this.) Take a deep breath. And now another. Seriously. Don’t forget to breath. ⠀
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🌿You’ll laugh eventually about the ridiculous scene you and your crew made. Hopefully. You’ll at least be able to tell another mama, “I get it. I’ve been there. You’re doing great.”⠀
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🌿His mercies are new every morning. And every mid-afternoon. Thank you, Jesus. ⠀
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👉🏻Tell me: How do you reset after a frustrating moment/morning/day/week? What reminders do you need when you feel overwhelmed?⠀
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[📷: Cold Brew + Dark Chocolate Scones from a while back on @coffeeandcrumbs. Because some days you need coffee and chocolate. ☕️🍫]

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