From the Heart, My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE, Sheet-Pan Chicken and Waffles AND McWane Center Randomness

Good Friday morn!

No time for idle chit chat. I have a 45-minute deadline to maintain.

So hold on, because here we go!

From the Heart - I recently listened to Bellevue Baptist's service from this past Sunday. Bro. Steve Gaines is doing a study in the book of James, and this particular sermon was about faith AND works, and how faith without works is dead. The scripture reference was James 2:14-26.

He read this poem as he closed, and I thought it was very fitting.

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.
I’d rather one would walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear.
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear.
The best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds.
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done.
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
The lectures you deliver may be very wise and true.
But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do.
I may not understand the high advice that you may give.
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA - Even though I enjoy rhyming words (very much), I am normally NOT a poetry person...

Mainly because I fail to understand a great deal of it.

But this was just as clear as could be to me.

And it isn't just for pastors!

I hope you'll take time to read the scripture reference and the poem in the very near future.

My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE - I have posted three of these before, but today I have four because ME turned one recently...

And Judy Kirk added the little portrait on the end to my collection!

I love the portrait, the subject of the portrait and Mrs. Kirk VERY much!

Sheet-Pan Chicken and Waffles

You will need the following:

Cooking spray
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (6 to 8 ounces each), cut on an angle into thirds
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
5 cups cornflakes, finely crushed
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 frozen home-style waffles
Maple syrup, for serving

1. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Toss the chicken pieces with the mixed sour cream, garlic powder, cayenne, half the lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a large bowl to coat. Set aside.

2. After crushing the cornflakes, put them in a shallow dish and stir in the olive oil, 1 tablespoon thyme and a pinch each of salt and black pepper. Coat the chicken in the cornflake mixture, pressing to adhere. Place on the prepared pan and lightly coat with more cooking spray. Bake until lightly browned on top, about 15 minutes.

3. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, and move the chicken to one side. Arrange the waffles in two rows on the other side of the pan, overlapping them. Bake, flipping and rotating the waffles halfway through, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165 degrees and the waffles are toasted and hot, 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Serve the chicken and waffles with maple syrup.

NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA - Of course, you can use your own homemade waffles. (On this particular night, I cheated!)

RANDOMNESS - McWane Center 2021 - It has been a little while since I've been to the McWane Center.

One year, two months, five days and...

You get the idea.

I was thrilled when most of us were able to meet up at one of my favorite places in Birmingham a few days ago. (We were missing Pop, Josh and Roxie, and we added Sarah Grace.)

There was a great LEGO exhibit on one of the floors.

This is what Bham Now had to say about the BRICKOLOGY EXHIBIT!

1. Building Tables. With hundreds of pounds of LEGOs for visitors of all ages, let your imagination loose to design one-of-a-kind creations. From dinosaurs and race cars to castles and airplanes, the options are endless.

2. Giant Jump Ramp. How do you like your race car — fast, flashy, big, small? Dream it, build it, then put it to the test on a Giant Jump Ramp.

3. Earthquake Tables. Think you can build the tallest, strongest and most durable LEGO tower? Find out by testing it on a vibrating earthquake table that’s so quivery it would make King Kong quake in his fur.

From Batman’s Arkham Asylum to a scale model of the Alabama Theatre, witness the creations of some of Birmingham’s most talented creators. Trust me, you’ll be wowed.

NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA - It really is that good!

The best pics I have of RT are of him looking down working furiously on LEGO creations, so you'll just need to remember how cute he is up close and personal from previous soccer pics.

You have to be super fast to get good pics of everybody, and I hate to admit it, but I don't appear to be as quick as I was 30 years ago.

I wonder why?

I hope your upcoming weekend will be a wonderful time spent with family and friends. Take care, and I'll be back in just a few days. (Sneak Peek below!)

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

P.S. We celebrated my Mother's Day this past weekend at a local park. Everyone was able to attend. Josh grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. The kids (and some of the adults) played hard. A good time was had by all! I'll post some of those pics next time.