Couldn't Pick Just One

Ps 145:13-21 

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, 

and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

The LORD upholdeth all that fall, 

and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

The eyes of all wait upon thee; 

and thou givest them their meat in due season.

Thou openest thine hand, 

and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

The LORD is righteous in all his ways, 

and holy in all his works.

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, 

to all that call upon him in truth.

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: 

he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

The LORD preserveth all them that love him: 

but all the wicked will he destroy.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: 

and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

I just couldn't pick one verse.

I have been reading this psalm almost daily for nearly 4 weeks.

Nearly every verse speaks to me right now.

We have a great God!

Still Grillin'

We hit another winner  - 

sometimes the emeals are a big hit,

and other times they are just average.

Tonight was a success.

Asian-Grilled Pork Chops

1 lb of porkchops (the recipe works for a little over 2 lbs)

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp sesame oil

1 Tbsp sriracha hot chile sauce (I used chili oil)

juice of 1 lime

1/4 c chopped cilantro (I buy mine in a tube in the produce section when it is not in the garden)

4 cloves minced garlic

1/2 tsp each - salt, pepper

marinade chops for at least 1 hour

grill.

Easy as that!

This week:

Sunday:  Grilled Chicken

Monday:  Asian-Grilled Porkchops

Tuesday: Beef and Sausage Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Wednesday: Jerk Tilapia with Cilantro-Ginger Oil

Thursday: Chef Salad

Friday:  Cajun Slow Cooker Roast

Saturday: Pork Chops with Speet Potatoes, Oinion and Pears

This Day

Every day is a gift.

Choose to be thankful.

I am so thankful for the cooler temps that came in with the first day of autumn.

Enjoying the open windows, 

the cool morning walks and jogs,

the cuddly sleeping weather,

even the drippy rain!

Well-placed Trust

Proverbs 29:25 

The fear of man bringeth a snare: 

but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Where am I looking for approval?

Am I looking to men?

Do I fear looking "bad" in the eyes of others?

Do I seek to please God first?

Do I do what He wants and trust Him with the results?

I needed this verse today.

It has been one of those weeks when I feel run down.

Typically that means that I am not saying "no" when I need to,

because I seek the approval of others.

I need to rest and trust in the Lord.

On the Agenda

It is a beautiful, cool day...

perfect for cleaning the oven

and

working in the little guest room.

The self-cleaning oven will not smell so bad with all of the windows open.

Hopefully the final bedding will dry quickly out on the line.

Welcome Fall!

I gladly welcome my favorite season of the year.

I love the colored leaves,

the autumn fruits,

the cool mornings...

When I finish this blog post,

a Peach Crisp is going into the oven.

Then my typical weekly cleaning

with the addition of light fixtures

and the fall cleaning of the guest bath.

The cleaning has gone slower than normal

because we have a little extra on our plate right now.

Hopefully things will be slowing down next week.

I took a break from my typical workouts last week,

so I am also back to exercise this week.

I am excited about a cool Autumn "wog" this morning.

Last week I particularly benefitted from a meal plan.

There were so many days that flew by and when 4:30 came around,

I was glad to have a plan.

Without it, I would have spent every evening at Chick-fil-A

or at a restaurant with a fairly decent salad offering.

This weeks menu:

Sunday: Chili

Monday: Garlic and Thyme Pork Chops

Tuesday: Almond Chicken

Wednesday: Tilapia

Thursday: Onion Mushroom Steak Burgers

Friday: Turkey Meatloaf

Saturday: Sauteed Chicken and Apples

One more down ... Two to Go

The ends of my weeks are busier than the beginning, 

so the cleaning slowed down.

I finished the Living Room on Wednesday,

and the first guest room today.

That leaves one guest bathroom

and the guest room with the majority of the storage.

I will probably start those early next week.

I also need to do the light fixtures in each room

and the fridge and stove in the kitchen.

Slow and steady wins the race.

Are you a seasonal cleaner?

Or do you just do it as it needs done?

Or do you do a thorough cleaning each week?

Blessings Abound

While Fall cleaning,

I can't help but be thankful.

For cleaning?

Really?

I am thankful for the health to clean.

... to be able to climb the step stool

... to be able to scrub the floor

... to be able to move furniture

... to be able to see a cobweb

I am thankful for a home to clean.

... a home with plenty of room

... a home with a loving family

... a cozy home

I am thankful for the things inside the home.

... furniture to rest on

... appliances to lighten the load

... more than enough clothing to wear

God is so good.

And ...

even if it all goes away ...

He is still good.

Self-Control

Proverbs 29:22 

An angry man stirreth up strife, 

and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. 

Do you know of people who live in a cloud of confusion and strife?

Do you feel like you are always in a cloud of struggle?

Perhaps it is you! (or me!)

My disposition affects others.

Am I angry,

bitter,

furious,

upset?

I can be sure that it will stir up strife and sin.

So let the Spirit show His fruits in your life - 

practice love, longsuffering, and temperance.

Cleaner Breathing

So far, I remain on schedule.

I finished the laundry room and kitchen yesterday - 

Oh the dust bunnies hiding.

I obviously had not really scrubbed the floor since July, 

because I found exterior house paint on the floor :)

All gone now.

A few small changes which pleased hubby.

Today ... living room and first spare room.

I also need to mow the lawn, so I best get to it!

Make A Plan

I did finish the fall cleaning in the master bed and bath yesterday.

Just a few sighs of disgust at the dust bunnies under the bed,

but oh, the pleasure of clean curtains, blankets, pillows.

The plan for today?

Kitchen and Laundry Room

The Laundry Room becomes the catch-all.

It is also like a "mud room."

Not a lot of fun.

The kitchen - 

well, you know the fun of cleaning a kitchen ...

cupboards, grease, ...

Just plug along.

A Beautiful Lawn

Starting ...

The weather is starting to turn ...

cooler temps,

pleasant breezes,

the promise of fall.

With the change,

I get antsy to freshen the house.

So fall cleaning starts this week.

Today's Goal:  Master Bed and Bath

My fall cleaning includes washing curtains and blankets,

wiping down walls,

cleaning drawers,

organizing closets ...

This week's menu plan:

Monday: Ground Beef Ragu (moved from last week)

Tuesday: Dijon Chicken

Wednesday: Bacon-Turkey Meatloaf

Thursday: Dinner at a Friend's House

Friday: Smoked Sausage Mushroom Egg Casserole

Saturday: Garlic and Thyme Pork Chops

A New Office

This week I am grateful for my new office.

My old computer was giving me many hints that it would not hold on much longer.

Daily I feared that the 10 minute startup would not end in a welcome screen.

The DVD driver was dead, the screen driver died periodically, ...

So, we finally broke down and got a new one.

With the update in computers,

we also needed a new printer.

While I don't like the learning curve on new technology,

I am thankful for God's provision.

I am thankful for the faster processor.

I am thankful that both hubby and I can now share a printer.

I am thankful that I didn't lose any files (except those connected to my obsolete home publishing program.

I am saddened that my new computer can't use my old home publishing software - 

I absolutely loved the intuitiveness and ability of my Microsoft Home Publishing (c. 2000).

Does any one have any recommendations for a new program?

Not Even A Piece

Proverbs 29:11 

A fool uttereth all his mind: 

but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

How often do I want to open my mouth and give someone "a piece of my mind?"

A reminder:

speaking my mind is a trait of a fool

The wise man/woman is controlled by the Spirit.

Fruit of the Spirit ...

love, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance

Show the love that you desire.

Be patient.

Answer with care.

Keep strength under control.

Exercise self-restraint.

Fool or Wise?

Easily determined, not easily practiced.

Convicting or Encouraging Part II

Fall Treat

We are having a taste of fall today.

The windows are open and the wind is blowing - 

rather overcast, but pleasant.

I am sure that summer is not completely gone,

but the glimpses of fall are encouraging.

Fall brings along peaches and apples.

I have always loved a good upside down cake - 

probably because we were often allowed to eat it for breakfast.

Hubby has not been impressed with the sticky-sweet treat.

I saw a recipe for a peach upside down cake here.

Since it uses less processed sugar,

it even won over my hubby.

Peach Upside Down Cake (Grain Free)

Glaze
⅓ cup honey
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1-2 ripe peaches, sliced (or about 1½ cup sliced frozen peaches)

Cake

½ cup coconut flour 

½  teaspoon baking soda

4 eggs

¼ cup applesauce

⅓ cup honey

1 Tablespoon vanilla

⅓ cup coconut oil, melted

¼ cup milk of your choice 

Instructions

Mix the honey, nutmeg, and cinnamon together. 

Pour into an 8 inch round baking pan that has been greased.

Place sliced peaches on top in any pattern you prefer.

Mix the coconut flour and baking soda together, making sure no lumps remain.

In separate bowl, beat the eggs.

Add the applesauce, honey, vanilla, and coconut oil and beat well.

Combine with the dry ingredients and stir in the milk. Pour over peaches.

Bake uncovered at 350° for 35-45 minutes (until the top is set). 

Cover with foil to prevent burning the surface and bake an additional 5-7 minutes, 

until top is light brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Allow to cool, then run a knife around the side of the pan (between the cake and the pan). 

Turn the cake onto a serving dish.

This week's menu:

Sunday: Chicken Perfection and Roasted Asparagus

Monday: Bacon Bell Pepper Sloppy Joes

Tuesday:  Ginger-Garlic Pork Chops

Wednesday: Corned Beef

Thursday: Italian Herb Chicken Alfredo

Friday: Cajun Burgers with Mushrooms

Saturday: Ground Beef Ragu

More Than Enough

Self-Destruction

Proverbs 29:1 

He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, 

shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Have you ever looked at an event in your life and wondered

"How did that happen?"

Perhaps you have looked at a family that came to ruin "suddenly" and been amazed.

Could this Proverb provide the answer?

Ignoring reproof and correction will lead to destruction.

In your own life perhaps you can trace back to the times you "hardened your neck."

You should be able to understand why your life was crumbling, imploding, falling apart.

The people around you that you wondered, "What happened? they were such a model family/individual,"

I could most certainly guarantee that there was some "secret" rebellion,

some mocking of righteousness,

some disdain for the concern and warnings of others,

some contempt for the work of the Holy Spirit.

Take heed (me too) - 

do not be stiff-necked.

Accept reproof.

Avoid destruction.

Convicting or Encouraging

More Veggies, Please!

Well, we are tweaking again.

The diet, that is.

Trying to up the intake of veggies.

So far it has been going well.

Much of the success has to go to the fact that many veggies have been thrown on the grill.

YUMMY!

Red Onions, Broccoli, Eggplant, Zucchini, Tomatoes.

The recipe - 

Easy!

Coat veggies in Coconut Oil.

Sprinkle with Seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic, Whatever)

Grill!

We use a grill topper which helps to keep the veggies from slipping through.

Our favorites right now are the red onions and the broccoli.

The meals have changed a little because I changed "emeal" plans.

We were following the gluten-free plan and it was great,

but switched to the paleo dinner plan (both gluten and dairy free) to cut out more processed foods.

So far we are enjoying the recipes even more and even feeling better.

This week's menu plan:

Sunday: Tex Mex Slow Cooker Chuck Roast

Monday: Dijon Garlic Grilled Pork Chops

Tuesday: Bacon Mushroom Turkey Burgers

Wednesday: Baked Tilapia

Thursday: Shredded Cajun Pork

Friday: Jamaican Style Flank Steak

Saturday: Herb Roasted Chicken Breasts