I wrote this a few weeks ago while I was supposed to be getting ready for graduation. The thoughts hit me so hard that I simply had to take a few minutes to quickly jot them down.
I made the mistake of starting to read Dave Zahl’s newest book, The Big Relief, in between college graduation activities for our eldest. Oh, don’t get me wrong - just a few pages in and I’m reminded of why I love hearing him preach, his podcast, and reading anything he writes. Dave’s mixture of wit, explanation, and understanding always speaks to me. It was simply the wrong time for me to be reading, as I am already emotional, because it reminded me of two things: his discussion of grace took me right to how our Grace was aptly named, and it reminded me just how much I miss church.
I’ll save the discussion of the “grace” part for my full book review, but I needed to jot my church thoughts down right now, even though I’m supposed to be getting dressed to watch my daughter walk the stage.
It took years for our family of five to find a church we all loved. I had grown up in the Episcopal church (as did my husband, briefly), but none of the local ones would do our premarital counseling as we were getting married in a different diocese. So when it came time to explore churches with our kids, I didn’t even look at any of the Episcopal ones. Then I went to a funeral at Christ Church and immediately knew I wanted to bring the kids to a regular service to see if we liked it. I felt peace, the kind of peace I had not felt in years, sitting in that pew. Long story short, they all did, and our family became not only regular members, but volunteers, especially when it came to the children acolyting.
Fast forward to 2020 and the decisions the big wigs of the church (not our local leaders) made. Y’all know I believe in keeping it real, so I’m going to say the church let us down big time. I was severely disappointed in a significant part of our lives being ripped away, especially at a time Grace needed it as she prepared for adulthood. We have a large ministerial staff, and over two years, NOT ONE SINGLE leader reached out to see how our family was doing. That kept me disappointed, but the anger didn’t creep in until Harlow needed a religious letter for his Eagle Scout, and one minister would not answer any of his emails or mine. (Thank you to our former children’s minister for saving the day and writing so eloquently about Harlow’s heart.)
When the church shut down, Harlow was only one class away from being confirmed. The following year, he went back for a few classes he didn’t need to repeat (if you know him, this makes perfect sense), and we attended his Confirmation. Not going to lie, I was there with a bitter heart. My mama bear instincts still felt this place had seriously let my children down. But then something interesting happened.
Our youngest wanted to go back to middle school youth group as soon as it opened. Not only that, but she wanted to attend the 5 o’clock service before, have dinner, and then stay for youth group. I was fine with that as long as I didn’t have to go. So off she went, and she’s been doing that for at least two years, all by herself.
Well, last weekend, it was her turn to be confirmed. I went because I had to … and several people greeted us who genuinely missed us. The bishop gave a sermon that spoke straight to my heart, and suddenly, I felt at peace in that pew again. I don’t know if I’ll turn back into a regular attendee who also volunteers, but I do know I finally feel at home again.
Greek Frites: A Crispy, Herby Twist on Classic Fries!
When life gives you potatoes, make fries! And not just any fries—Greek Frites! We’re talking golden, crispy, herb-loaded fries topped with feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, and the most addictive garlic-lemon dressing ever.
You know I can’t resist a recipe that takes something simple and turns it into a total flavor bomb. And that’s exactly what’s happening here. Greek Frites are basically what happens when your favorite Mediterranean salad and crispy fries get married and throw the best party ever.
Why You’ll Love These Greek Frites
- They’re super customizable. Want more veggies? Pile them on! Extra feta? Always.
- It’s a one-pan wonder (well, maybe two). Perfect for busy nights or impromptu lunch feasts.
- Kid-friendly but definitely grown-up approved.
- It’s fries… but elevated.
Ingredients:
For the Fries:
- 3 large russet potatoes, cut into fries (up to personal preference whether to peel or not)
- 1 cup panko (or other breadcrumbs, but this one gives a nice crisp to the potatoes)
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
For the Toppings:
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 small or 1 medium tomato, diced
- 1/4 cup sliced Kalamata olives (I like more, so adjust to taste)
- small bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped (can also use dried)
For the Sauce (this recipe is doubled because I like extra on the side. Feel free to halve it)
- 1/2 c mayo
- 1/2 c plain Greek yogurt
- 4 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
How to Make Them:
Step 1: Prep & Roast the Fries
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Add panko, oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oil either to large plastic baggie or a bowl, combining well. Add potatoes and either shake well or stir to coat. Spread them out in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for about 35 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
- Add mayo, yogurt, and lemon juice to a small bowl. Add onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, and salt to bowl, stirring well to combine. Set aside.
Step 3: Top It Off
- Once your fries are out of the oven, immediately sprinkle them with crumbled feta, diced tomatoes, sliced olives, and parsley.
- Drizzle generously with sauce.
Step 4: Dig In!
- Serve your Greek Frites warm with extra dressing on the side because trust me, you’ll want to dip everything in it.
Pro Tips:
- Make it a meal: Add grilled chicken or gyro meat on top for a seriously satisfying dinner.
- Air fryer option: You can absolutely air-fry the potatoes at 400°F for about 20 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Extra crispy fries? Soak your cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes before roasting.
These Greek Frites are the kind of food you make once and then crave for weeks afterward. And they’re totally crowd-pleasers—perfect for family dinners, game day spreads, or just an excuse to treat yourself.
Try them out and let me know what you think! Better yet, make them tonight and thank me later. 😄
