Turkey Salad

I accidentally stumbled upon the most delicious summer turkey salad — and now I’m obsessed! I’ve been ordering whole turkeys from ButcherBox and cooking them myself, and lately, I’ve been seriously craving the dark meat. It’s so flavorful, especially cold.

Anyway, I remembered how much I love turkey with balsamic dressing at Thanksgiving, so I decided to wing it and make a summer version. I threw together a quick homemade balsamic dressing using some organic balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, a little bit of oil (just a touch, since my gallbladder-less stomach has not appreciated the holiday indulgence, ha!), plus salt and pepper.

Then I tossed it all with fresh arugula, chopped carrots, green onions, cherry tomatoes, celery, and cucumbers. The combination was absolute perfection — tangy, savory, crunchy, and super satisfying without feeling heavy.

I’m calling it: this is officially my new go-to summer salad. It’s easy, clean, and hits all the cravings. Definitely putting this one on repeat.

If you are interested in Butcher Box, you can get a FREE* Custom Classic Box ($169 value) and FREE ground beef for life.

They let me refer three people a month. Here is a code: but if it doesn’t work, email me for a new one! Ashley.e.a.fisher@gmail.com

https://shop.butcherbox.com/partners/try-bb-free?coupon_code=EGTB-6906741-WCsHlMh8&utm_source=referral&utm_medium=copy_link

Fourth of July Shirts

What started as a fun little Instagram idea quickly turned into me sewing shirts on the way to the beach. It’s not my first time making holiday shirts, and I really hope it won’t be my last. There’s something about creating something with your own hands that just makes the memories even sweeter. I hope your holiday weekend was full of sunshine & laughter and the people you love. 

Psalm 63 & a tiny bit of lately

When I read this version this morning, I knew I had to share. It is just so beautiful. “You have been my constant helper; therefore, I sing for joy under the protection of Your wings.”

Psalm 63

A song of David while in the wilderness of Judah.

1 O True God, You are my God, the One whom I trust.
    I seek You with every fiber of my being.
In this dry and weary land with no water in sight,
    my soul is dry and longs for You.
    My body aches for You, for Your presence.
2 I have seen You in Your sanctuary
    and have been awed by Your power and glory.
3 Your steadfast love is better than life itself,
    so my lips will give You all my praise.
4 I will bless You with every breath of my life;
    I will lift up my hands in praise to Your name.

5 My soul overflows with satisfaction, as when I feast on foods rich in marrow and fat;
    with excitement in my heart and joy on my lips, I offer You praise.
6 Often at night I lie in bed and remember You,
    meditating on Your greatness till morning smiles through my window.
7 You have been my constant helper;
    therefore, I sing for joy under the protection of Your wings.
8 My soul clings to You;
    Your right hand reaches down and holds me up.

The Most Abundant Life

Luke 9

23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily[expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake, he is the one who will save it[from the consequences of sin and separation from God]. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed [here and now] of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the [heavenly] Father and of the holy angels.

This passage is a deeply sobering and yet beautifully clarifying call from Jesus. It’s not an invitation to comfortable Christianity or cultural faith—it’s a call to costly discipleship.

Jesus starts by saying, “If anyone wishes to follow Me…” This is for everyone, not just the especially holy or strong. But the condition is clear: we must deny ourselves—not in the sense of self-loathing, but in the surrender of selfish ambition and the constant pull to live for ourselves. It means letting go of the need to protect our image, chase comfort, or find life in temporary things. In a culture that screams “find yourself,” Jesus gently but firmly says, “lose yourself… for My sake.”

Taking up our cross daily is not a metaphor for everyday struggles. It’s about choosing surrender every single day—willingness to endure hardship, rejection, or even suffering for the sake of being faithful to Christ. It’s dying to the false life we’re tempted to build, and trusting that the truest, most abundant life is found in following Him.

Jesus then gives a paradox: if we try to save our lives—chase our own security, success, and comfort—we’ll lose what matters most. But if we lose our lives for Him, if we’re willing to look foolish, to go without, to live differently—we’ll gain what can never be taken away. Eternal life. Peace. Wholeness. Union with God.

People Pleasing

Happy Summer! There is so much to say about the end of the year and other things, but for now…

Recently, I was asked about my weaknesses and this one came to mind. Through a series of prompts, I got ChatGPT to write me this devo of sorts about people pleasing. I thought it was very well said and so I wanted to share. 

May 31

Pleasing God, Not People

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” — Galatians 1:10

We often went out of our way to serve and care for others, not out of genuine love, but from a deep longing to be accepted, praised, and affirmed. But did they ever agree to carry that burden for us? Only God is capable of fully meeting our needs. Expecting others to fill that role leaves us empty and frustrated.

In Christ, we learn that our identity, confidence, and sense of worth must come from Him—not from the praise of people. “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe” (Proverbs 29:25). When we strive to be “nice” to earn love, we often end up feeling anxious, resentful, and bitter.

As the Holy Spirit teaches us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and walk in freedom (Galatians 5:1), we begin to release our people-pleasing tendencies. We fix our eyes on Jesus, allowing Him to renew our hearts and transform our thinking (Romans 12:2). Through His healing presence, we experience the peace and joy that only He can give—one day at a time.

Depending on Christ as our source of strength makes us spiritually resilient. As we stop relying on others to give us worth, our confidence grows—not in ourselves, but in who we are in Him. “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)

Prayer for Today:

Lord, help me be aware of when I fall back into the trap of trying to earn love through people-pleasing. Teach me to seek Your approval above all else. Fill me with Your love so I can give to others from a full heart—not from neediness or fear. Help me rest in who You say I am.

LATELY

It is Finished