FNO Night. Cue angel chorus.

Tonight is FNO at church. God is so good. For those of you non-FBCS folks, FNO stands for Friday Night Out, an INCREDIBLE ministry that our church just began geared toward strengthening the marriages of young couples. Did I mention it's INCREDIBLE? The church provides childcare in a fun, safe environment on Friday nights from 6 pm to 9:30 pm for children in the 5th grade and younger. And here's the really awesome part.... it's COMPLETELY FREE!!!! The only catch is that to be 'eligible' to sign up the kids, you must attend a connection group (aka Sunday school) the week prior to the scheduled FNO. Show up for connection group=get rid of your kids (such harsh wording) for THREE AND A HALF HOURS on Friday night to spend with your husband. No sitter fees. No worries. How. Awesome. Is. That? Honestly when I woke up this morning and remembered FNO tonight, the angels in Heaven begin singing the Hallelujah Chorus. Haaaaaaaa le LU jah! Haaaaaaaa le LU jah!

I know many times I must sound like I want to sit my kids on the street corner and speed away, but let's be honest. I have three. Three that I love and adore and treasure, but I'm with those treasured little beings all the time. They need a break from me, and Matt and I need time together... ALONE. Last Friday night, Matt and I went to Ruth's Chris (Thanks, Gigi and G-Pops!!!) then perused the shops at the PH Promenade. It honestly felt like we were on a for-real date. Like a before-the-Slaughter-kids-came-along date. It was AWESOME for Matt and me, and we already have a wonderful relationship. I'm just thinking about those couples who are struggling to stay together and what an impact it can have for them. The church's decision to step up and make a difference with this opportunity is just amazing.

I wrote next month's Real Life article on the new FNO ministry and talked to several couples who participated last week. It's amazing what young couples are saying after last Friday night's FNO event. Just one night alone, together, really made a difference in their week not just between them as husband and wife, but between them and their children as well.

Tonight we're doing dinner and a movie. No Ruth's Chris.... UNLESS Gigi and G-Pops are making an offer. I'm just sayin'....

Oh, and I thought I'd share a recipe. I don't think I've ever done that on the blog before. I have some great ones, but this one just must be shared. When we ate at Ruth's Chris last week, we ordered a dessert called Fresh Seasonal Berries with Sweet Cream Sauce, and oh my.... Talk about the angels singing. It was SO good. So, knowing, I'd probably never get to eat it again... UNLESS Gigi and G-Pops offer... JUST SAYIN'!!!... I began searching for the recipe. I didn't find the exact match, but I DID find one very similar that is really really good and PERFECT for summer. Here it is.

Betsy Ross' Custard Sauce and Berries

Cleaned and cut strawberries, blackberries, raspberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons and 2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
4 eggs beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

In large saucepan, stir together sugar, cornstarch, salt and milk. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a boil; stir and boil 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir a little cooked custard mixture into beaten eggs; return eggs to saucepan; stir well to blend thoroughly. Stir in sour cream and vanilla; blend well. Remove custard to medium bowl, cover and refrigerate until serving. (This will not thicken up as it sits. Get it the consistency you like and remove from heat. Not too thick and not too thin.)

I serve layered in a clear glass or bowl. Sauce. Berries. Sauce. Berries. Maybe garnish with mint leaf. Your guests will be impressed! (The picture is the Ruth's Chris version.) HAPPY FNO EVERYONE!!