May the words of my mouth
    and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

This week’s “Photo-Friday” is going to have a bit of a food theme.

First, and you already know this, because of how much I enjoy great food.

Plus, and this makes me so proud, the fact that both our children (Andrew in Dresden and Naomi in Miami) not only cook well, but enjoy the process. They value both the creativity and the blessing of giving the good gift of a great dinner to their families and friends.

And then, really important, because this week in America needs to wrap up with good news, good vibes, and goodness in general.

The choice is ours…

This is our choice, to choose either light or darkness. It’s a decision always in front of each one of us. It doesn’t matter if we are a cashier, a doctor, a preacher, a congressperson or the President of the USA. Regardless of who we are, we have this choice to be either positive or negative, encouraging or discouraging, peaceable or angry, authentic or disingenuous, brimming with good news or festering with bad, turning to the light or to the darkness, driven by belief or cynicism, engaged in reconciliation or committed to division….

I choose light. I choose belief. I choose goodness.

I choose to celebrate, and one of the best ways to do that is to serve your family with great food and enjoy great conversation around the dinner table.

This week’s selections are fairly simple, other than the paella, and even that is looking more straightforward each time I prepare a delicious panful.

Enjoy; be inspired; be creative. And always choose to follow the light – DEREK

Chicken and biscuits with veggies: Classic, simple, very Southern, big impact!

Paella: Yellow rice, sautéed seafood (mostly shellfish) and veggies, serve with one of those classic biscuits. So good!

Pot roast burger melt: tender, flavorful, all in a potato roll.