Everything

Will you be thankful for the busy schedule?

Thankful for the work before you?

Thankful for the disappointments?

Thankful for the heartbreak?

Thankful for the interruption?

What are the trials teaching and developing.

You can be thankful for the discipline you are developing,

the patience you are learning,

the sympathy you are developing,

the trouble the interruption keeps you from.

I am preparing for a lesson on the 10 lepers this Sunday.

Only 1 - a "stranger" - was grateful.

We have so much - Give God thanks.

Are You Ready?

There is nothing like "new love."

Nothing like a "first love."

Being associated with a college,

we are often surrounded by "sparks" and questions.

When am I ready to marry?

I suppose that there are many answers,

but the answer that often hits my lips first is ...

... when you are ready to give of yourself for the one you love forever.

Marriage is not about "catching" someone and then living like a single.

It is not all about dates and one-on-one time.

It is not about sweet gifts and surprises.

It is about serving another -

It is about putting someone else first.

I love dates, gifts, surprises

and I also love the work that keeps the love behind these things alive.

The way you "get" them is the way you "keep" them.

Holiday!

I suppose that it is a greeting card holiday,

but I don't have to give them my money to celebrate it ...

Today is ...

Kiss Your Mate Day!

To the married readers ... enjoy the day!

Cooking Up Another

While it is still about 2-4 weeks away,

the next book is getting closer.

There are about 20 pages left to edit ...

the cover arrived this morning ...

then we just have to do a reading of the proof copy.

We are looking to a little extra time coming up ...

college students head for home,

renovation work at the church wrapping up,

the text of the next book (Philippians) is still only in the beginning stages

...

This Week's Menu:

Sunday:  Grilled Hamburgers

Monday:  Grilled Lemon Chicken

Tuesday:  Lemon-Thyme Grilled Tilapia

Wednesday:  Rosemary-Garlic Chicken

Thursday:  Quick Minestrone

Friday:  Chicken and Broccoli Stir-fry

Saturday:  Southwestern Quiche

Health and Strength

I have mentioned many times that my hubby is my personal trainer -

he and some online video trainers.

During these past 2 months,

I have been more and more encouraged and thankful for strength and health.

I am thankful to be challenged to lift more,

to push harder,

to challenge myself when I want to quit,

to change,

to think about every move.

I am thankful to be stronger today than I was 13 years ago,

or even last year.

I am also thankful that the carpet at church is almost complete - 

only the platform is left.

Peaches Are Not In Season

I guess we get a little spoiled in America.

I just figure that I should be able to find any food, any time.

One of our adopted children left me a marriage challenge for each day of the week.

Hugs, smiles, love notes, ...

a favorite dessert.

So I asked hubby - 

He wanted a crisp.

Apple, blueberry, or Peach-blueberry.

He chose peach blueberry.

Only for me to discover 4 almost rotten peaches at Wally World,

and absolutely no peaches at the local grocery.

So I made it with frozen peaches.

We haven't dug in yet ...

but he sure was excited by the thought of it.

Ruby Red Slippers

I have felt like Dorothy in these past two days - 

what a pleasure to be in my home.

The piles are dissipating ...

the counters are clear ...

the garden has been weeded ...

the walkway is weeded ...

the porch is swept ...

the laundry is current ...

dinners are quiet and unrushed ...

I am a home body ... and I like it.

Home Sick

I am back.

Last week just seemed to be a "stay afloat" type of week,

so I left the blog-o-sphere for the time being.

The work at church is nearly complete - 

last week finished the painting

and I spent 2 days searching for fabric for valances in the Sanctuary.

I did not find what I was looking for, but I have ordered some swatches online

and have one more local place to try.

It is good to be "home" again.

We once had a friend that did not socialize long - 

he would claim that he got "home sick."

I relate to that more and more each year ...

I just love to be home.

This Week's Menu:

Sunday:  Church Dinner - Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Cucumber Salad, Homemade Applesauce, Blueberry Crisp

Monday:  Grilled Chicken with Lemon Rosemary Vinaigrette

Tuesday:  Leftover Turkey, Gravy, and Stuffing

Wednesday: Pineapple Chicken over Rice

Thursday:  Greek Pork Roast

Friday:  Chicken Piccata

Saturday:  Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Breezes and Pot Scrubbers

I am late on my post - 

Thursdays are typically my day to run errands.

I dilly-dallied today because hubby has a 12+ hour day.

It appears that spring has left us this week.

I watched the little trailer get up to 84 and 85 the past two days.

I hate to turn the AC on before May - 

but we may have to if this continues.

I am thankful for the breeze that is blowing through this evening.

The trailer is down to 80 now and hopefully we can knock a few more degrees off before bed.

I am also thankful for a little crochet project to occupy me until hubby returns.

A little pot scrubber made of tulle - 

I have had 3 and just love them.

I wear them out and now I should learn to make my own :)

Give and Take ... the perfect balance

How about this balance - 

are you daily thankful for the little things, for the big things,

for the good days, for the rough days?

Do you appreciate each bite of food,

each act of kindness,

every breath?

We are guaranteed nothing.

How about applying it in the home?

Are you thankful for your family members?

Are you thankful for a home?

Thankful for any act of service given?

Thankful for the opportunity to serve others?

Just another perspective check ...

everyone needs it now and again!

Did You Realize?

So I divulged that my "treat" of the month has been Skittles.

(I also have a bag of Starburst Jellybeans to ration out)

...but

did you realize that Skittles "green" is no longer lime flavored?

The green was changed to green apple in 2013.

Not a big fan of green apple flavoring.

So I will eat the green first ...

then citrus yellow and orange ...

then still end with the purples and reds.

What do you think?

Green apple? or Lime?

While The Cooks Away ...

With the work continuing at church,

meals with ease are a real blessing.

Got to love the slow cooker.

I made this one on Friday not expecting hubby to enjoy it,

but I knew it would be filling.

I was wrong ... he loved it ...

and asked to see it again soon.

He knows my propensity to lose recipes,

or to keep trying new recipes without returning to the ones we like :)

I guess that is a fault I will have to work on.

Brown Beans (and rice)

1 lb uncooked pinto beans

2½ cups chicken broth

2 cups onion, diced

14.5 oz can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, drained

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon salt, 

1 teaspoon pepper

Add all ingredients to slow cooker.

Cook on low for 10 hours.

Serve over rice ... or corn bread ... or with biscuits.

This week's menu plan:

Sunday:  Hamburgers

Monday: Maple mustard chicken

Tuesday: Taco Salad

Wednesday: Italian Pork Chops

Thursday: Hubby away on business

Friday: Potato Egg Skillet

Saturday: Chicken Perfection

Just a Part

Today I am thankful that God allows us to share in His creation.

I am thankful to have the mobility to mow my lawn.

I am thankful for the green of the grass.

I am thankful to be able to pull weeds.

I am thankful for a weed-free walkway.

I am thankful to be able to put seeds into warm, damp soil.

I am thankful to be able to watch the little seedlings grow.

God could do it ALL alone.

He has the ability ...

...but he allows me to share in it.

He allows me to take pleasure in His creation.

I am thankful.

Happy Wife, Happy Life

If the maxim is true, then today hubby will have a good life.

This little wife is cheered with dirty hands and bright sunshine.

Today was garden day - not totally finished, but getting there.

Peas - check

Tomatoes - check

Peppers - check

Carrots - check

Lettuce - check

Beets - check

Summer Squash - check

Winter Squash - check

Melon - check

Pumpkin - check

Cucumbers - check

Basil - check

Oregano - check

I know that the boards around the plot are a bit unsightly,

but they were great for kneeling on ...

and maybe they will keep the weeds down close to the garden and make it easier to mow there.

Still to go in ...

onions

celery

green beans

The herb garden still has mint, cilantro, dill, and chives from last year.

The blueberry bush is coming along.

I put some asparagus crowns in the ground a couple weeks ago - 

we'll see what comes of them.

And if the dirt and fresh garden was not enough to cheer me,

how about some homemade lemon pumice soap for cleanup.

 - just another excuse to get dirty :)

It's like hitting the spa after all of the hard work!

The garden is "late" (to me anyway),

but it was a lot easier to work with more time to dry out.

There is still a corner that needs to be turned under,

but all-in-all it was a productive afternoon.

The soil is looking better each year -

hubby calls it a graveyard of egg shells and avocado pits and skins.

It does look a bit strange - but it definitely helps our miserable clay!

Many thanks to the seed providers and the soap providers - 

you know who you are :)