Refreshing Rain

It is not hard to think of what to be thankful for this week.

It has been months since we have had any rain,

and because of that, the area is/was battling wild fires in the mountains and national parks.

I am thankful for the rain that we received on Tuesday and Wednesday.

A nice soaking rain.

While we are still behind in the rainfall totals for the year,

the showers were timely and helpful in the fire fighting efforts.

I am also thankful that the rains helped to knock down most of the remaining leaves ...

and so today I will rake (or hill billy rake (i.e. mow with a bag).

Bring on winter ... whatever that means in NC 😉

Badges of Honor

I have mentioned that I am studying the Virtuous Woman

with two young ladies in our church.

I am thankful for the rebuke that she is to me.

I need her reminder.
She is diligent, she cares for others, she cares for herself.
She has developed useful skills.

Why do I need her reminder?

Because I, like so many others, like to show off my badges of honor.

I like to find one thing that I do well and emphasize that.

I want to downplay or totally ignore my faults and weaknesses.

I know it to be a natural reaction - 

As I teach, students often have to be coaxed to admit areas of weaknesses.

We need the serious examples.

I love the verse that says, "She strengtheneth her loins."

I am fairly consistent in my exercise regimen.

It can become my badge of honor.

I "rise while it is yet night"-

can I show off that badge too?

But really,

what do I have to boast in?

I struggle with "words of kindness."

I battle "idleness" and feel that I lose so often.

Can you identify your "badge of honor?"

Church attendance?
A certain dress standard?
A Bible version?
A denomination?
Busyness at church?

Something else?

Why not put it in the drawer

and focus on earning or shining some other badges?

Ministry and Fellowship

As I read in Acts on Thanksgiving day,

these verses just jumped out at me.

It is easy to forget the brethren - 

to focus on "growing the church" - 

to take for granted those around us.
It is easy to see people who "have it all together"

and think that they have need of nothing.

Acts 13:43
Now when the congregation was broken up,
many of the Jews and religious proselytes
followed Paul and Barnabas:
who, speaking to them,
persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

Believers need encouragement to stay faithful, to rely on God.

Acts 15:36
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas,
Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city
where we have preached the word of the Lord,
and see how they do.

The missionaries did not forget the converts -

they returned to check on them.

Who will you encourage today?

Let The Holiday Season Begin

I greatly enjoyed the Thanksgiving weekend.
I hope you did as well.

My weekend was pleasant primarily because hubby was home
and that always makes for a fun time.

We had a pleasant Praise Service at church on Wednesday night.

We enjoyed dinner with some of our church family on Thursday.

We spent Friday and Saturday relaxing and exercising.

We also decorated our home for the Christmas season
and cleared out one whole tote of decorations.

We enjoyed some extra rest and of course the time together.

Today was business as usual.

I spent the day cleaning from the "time off."

We enjoyed some turkey soup as we step away from the treats again.

The house smells of pine as the candles burn away.

We are looking forward to a calm month.

No more Saturday workdays for hubby.

No extra activities at church.

Happy Thanksgiving

I love this time of year.

I grieve that the season of Thanksgiving is so easily glossed over.

Last night, we had our praise service.

The Kindergarten teacher in me dug out the crayon box to outline my testimonies.

Red
The Crimson Tide
Our College students (1/2 of them cheer on the Alabama sports teams)
who are such an encouragement to me

Orange

Oranges, peppers, squash

A reminder of the blessing that a new diet has been in relieving a lot of allergies and ailments

Yellow - Green

John Deere

God has given hubby a stable job with a good company

Blue 

An F-150

Nearly 15 years ago, a man in a blue F-150 began waiting around for me after the school day.

God met so many needs in my hubby.

He is faithful, understanding, and a great provider.

Purple

The Virtuous Woman

I am thankful for the challenge of this Biblical example.

I am also thankful for the two young ladies who join me for Bible study

each week to be challenged by her.

I am thankful for their holding me accountable for memorizing God's Word.

Pink

A little pink baby in NY and the absence of pink babies in my home

I am thankful for the reminder that the gift of life is in God's hands.

I am thankful for the burdens that push me to prayer and fasting.

Silver

A Ford Focus
I am thankful for a new car.

After 8 years in NC - God granted a car with AC.

Brown

Dirty Little Hands

I am thankful for the piano students that I can share with each week.

Black

Dark Days

2016 has been a rough year for me, but God is faithful in the dark days.

There is One who cares for me more than friends or family ever could and He never fails.

White

Forgiveness

When I received Christ as Savior,

he clothed me with a robe of Righteousness - His righteousness!

Come Thou Fount

Songs of thanksgiving in my mind this week as
we prepare for a Psalm and Praise service tomorrow night.

And, in case you are having trouble finding reasons to be thankful.

Come Thou Fount

Come Thou Fount of every blessing

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

Sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,

Mount of God's unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Hither by Thy help I'm come;

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger,

Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be!

Let that grace now like a fetter,

Bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here's my heart, O take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above.

A Month Later

Yes, I have been gone for the longest stretch ever.🕐

One week was just the general blahs with some stressors that zapped me of interest in blogging  - 

then a week of prep for a trip to NY - 

then a week in NY without internet - 

then a week of recuperating from the cold I brought home from NY.

And now we are in the throws of the holidays.

It is not hard to be thinking of food this week.

Wednesday will be a day of prepping and cooking.

Since being in NC, we have done two different things for Thanksgiving.

2-3 times we went out to eat - Ryan's Buffet, Denny's ...

A couple of times, we were sick ...

we most often spend the day with our church family.

This year it looks like a party of about 18 with some additional drop-ins after family celebrations.

Wednesday will find me preparing the turkey, baking squash, preparing sweet potato casserole (a request from one of the college students), making a cranberry salad, making a pumpkin roll, and trying a new recipe for an apple pie sweetened only with apple juice concentrate.  The other half of the meal will be prepared by our pastor's wife.  I will also be making a lasagna to feed the college students before church Wednesday night.

My go-to turkey recipe will be used again.

It produces a moist and flavorful bird and has yet to fail me.

The turkey is 24 lbs this year.

My mom introduced me to cooking bags which I still use -

easy, faster cook time, no basting.

I stuff my bird with lemons, onions, garlic and bunches of thyme.

I also coat the outside with butter, lemon juice, and thyme.

I bake per the instructions on the oven bag and follow by making some gravy out of the drippings.

I hope you enjoy your day with some holiday favorites.

Remember in the midst of it all to take care of your health.

Practice moderation and seek for ways to increase your veggie intake.

Skills

Today I am thankful for the dads in my life.

I am thankful for the skills that my dad gave me,

the work ethic he tried to instill,

the experiences he provided,

the exposure to LOTS of things.

I am thankful for hubby's dad.

Again, the skills he taught,

the work ethic he instilled,

the experiences,

the exposure.

More and more often,

I run into people without basic skills.

Basic home maintenance, basic auto knowledge, an awareness of tools and how to use them.

They were not given the teaching in these areas

and have not taken the initiative to learn on their own ...

and they are in a sense "crippled."

I am thankful for the skills I have learned

and for those who have sought to hone those skills,

for those who have been willing to teach.

Inspired Again

Do you have moments that change you?

Moments that spark change?

Moments that encourage?

I have some of those.

To hear about broken families (especially in the church)

always inspires be to keep my marriage fresh,

to communicate as I should,

to put my all into my "job."

This week was one of the other inspirations.

It just takes a move - 

helping someone to move his/her life,

the entire contents of his/her home.

I am inspired again to look with new eyes.

I do not want my "things" to hold me down.

I do not want to hoard.

do I love it?

do I use it?

does it help my home or hinder me?

I have a small pile started and will work more next week.

Always

Psalm 55:17
Evening, and morning, and at noon,
will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

So much to pray about ...

so glad that I have a God who hears and answers.

I just need to be faithful.

Just A Little Tip

Once again, my schedule is out the window ...

there is a church family moving locally, and a family down health wise that needs some yard care,

and it is midterm week for our college kids (goodies in the mailbox are called for)

BUT ...

I am pleased that I am still getting much accomplished.

Tonight I was making Grilled Chicken Pizza for hubby's lunch box tomorrow,

as I returned to my "preheated" grill ...

no flame, no gas.

Then I remembered a tip that was given to me once.

I was told that even though my tank seemed empty,

the gas was just "gelled" at the bottom.

The tip was to turn the tank upside down.

I did so for about 2 minutes ...

and voila ...

gas to cook the chicken.

BTW - the pizza looks really good.

I also got a batch of granola made tonight,

and a batch of graham crackers so that I can attempt a Chocolate Eclair Cake tomorrow.

Supernal Comfort

Psalm 34:18
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;
and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Aren't you glad for that comfort?

It was a day when I needed that reminder.

Supernal - being or coming from on high, heavenly, superlatively good

A Schedule

This week,

I am thankful for my schedule.

I sat down over the weekend and made an hourly schedule.

I knew that it was just lofty, a broad frame ...

... and sure enough, this week was not made for that schedule.

Monday had a two hour block knocked out,

Tuesday and Wednesday, I started each day with very large headaches,

today, my piano lesson times were changed.

BUT ...

that schedule has helped me to get more done.

The outdoor shed has been cleaned,

the gutters have been cleared (time 1 this season),

the cobwebs have been knocked down outside,
mildew has been scrubbed off the gutters,

new meals have been chosen and executed,

hubby and I are back to studying the modern Hebrew language.

Some weeks may allow me to follow the schedule to a "t,"

but in the mean time, it is inspiring me to be more productive.

Accountability

Everyone needs it,

but who really wants it.

I have recently asked some people to be accountability partners.

Hubby is helping me with the Couch to 5K program again.

So far, with his encouragement (and pushing),

I am already 2 minutes ahead of the last two times I went through the program.

I am not surprised.

The time goes quicker and I am challenged to not slow him up too much.

I have also asked two young ladies in the church to help me with verse memory again.

We are studying the Proverbs 31 woman together,

so we are learning 2 verses of that passage each week.

They were also working on James (which I have memorized in the past),

so they are helping me to review that book.

As we study Proverbs 31,

we also give each other challenges.

So far we have challenged each other ...

... to be more trustworthy,

... to do things before being asked,

... to do the unlovely job for other people,

... to consider others before ourselves,

... to proactively work on our health,

... to look for and meet needs,

... and to prepare for the future in a reasonable way.

Each challenge must be met with a specific example.

While it is hard to be vulnerable to others,

the accountability is really helping me to make the most of each hour,

to put Bible memory back in the forefront,

and to challenge my physical strength.

Are you accountable to anyone in a specific way?

Why not?

It might surprise you how much it will help you.

It Doesn't Matter the Season

Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name JESUS:
for he shall save his people from their sins.

It is not just a verse for Christmas.
I read this yesterday morning.

He was given the perfect name (s).

He only could save - 

because He is perfect, holy, righteous, forgiving ...

He died for me and He died for you.

He alone could save - and does save.

Always Tweaking The Plan

I know, I have not been very faithful,

but I think I have a plan worked out that will give me more time to share with you.

The past months have changed my schedule,

and I have not really thought about all of the "little" things,

so they have been forgotten or pushed to the side.

Over the weekend, I made a schedule to put some of those "little" things back in:

blogging, Hebrew lessons, piano practice, hand lettering, more snail mail ...

My schedule was not the only thing that needed tweaking.

After nearly 16 months on a repeated 30 day eating plan,

we were getting bored.

Back to the drawing board.

We had learned so much on the plan and our bodies had responded so well.

I loved the simplicity of shopping and cooking to meet my caloric needs.

Hubby responded well to less processed food and had a much improved allergy season.

How could we improve it?

My plan was to take our 7 favorite breakfasts and cycle through them.

Take 7-9 favorite lunches and cycle through them.

The variety would come through dinner.

I am now back to searching the internet for new favorites,

or revamping and revisiting old ones.

Last week, we enjoyed Cheeseburger Pie from the Alpha-Bakery Cookbook
put out by Gold Medal Flour.

Of course, I tweaked the crust recipe for our Gluten-free diet,
but it was just as good as we remembered.

One of our new favorites is Philly Cheese Stuffed Peppers.
I tweaked the recipe to use a few less mushrooms - 

and Steak-umm for the flank steak.
Did you know that Steak-umm is 100% beef?

I was shocked.

Philly Cheese Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients

2 green bell peppers

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

1 (4-ounce) container baby bella (cremini) mushrooms, sliced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 small onion, diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

8 ounces Steak-umm

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

8 slices provolone cheese or mozzerella

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400° F. 

Spray an 11x7-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.

Boil green pepper halves in water 2-4 minutes.  Drain.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, red bell pepper, onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion and peppers have softened.  Add Steak-umm to the skillet.  Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and cook for 2 to 4 minutes. 

Place the green bell pepper halves open side up in baking dish. Line the inside of each pepper half with slice of cheese.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer ½ cup of the flank steak mixture to each bell pepper half.

Top each pepper with the remaining ½ slice of provolone cheese.

Bake the peppers for 10 minutes in preheated oven until cheese is melted.

Thank You!

My brother posted the "thank you" below to those of you who have given of your 

time to pray for baby Timothy.

My brother and the 8 children are travelling to Rochester today to visit with Timmy and mommy.

"Here is the latest picture to come home. His hands stay bundled now so he doesn't pull out his NG feeding tube again. He has been smiling more, which does his mommy's heart good.

My sister had been working on our family having a day of prayer for Timmy today, setting aside a day a month ahead of surgery to pray for him. As she told me "God knows what is needed and when" as the day of prayer falls a week into Timmy's hospitalization. She set up a schedule and there is a family member or friend praying for Timmy and us every half hour of the day today. You can see the schedule here. I know we have been encouraged by the number of people praying for us, and by my sister's planning and concern. I'd like to invite you to pray with us today. Then, if you want, to add your name in the blank third column by any time of day you're praying for Timmy and us as well. There is limited space, but if you click on a cell in column "D" or "H", you can add your name to any other names in there.

Thank you so much for all your prayers. Not sure if we will have any more updates today with driving up and back and all. Today should be another stable day, the plan is to not do another echo for a few more days, to increase his feeding volume from 75 cc to 80 cc every 3 hours, and to love on little Timmy.

Thanks again for praying. We appreciate you all."

If you missed the first day, why not choose a time on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

At 9 am I  prayed for some noticeable changes that will lead to a testimony of the power of prayer.

May I add my own thanks to all of you - 

you have blessed my heart as well - 

it is great to have help to carry heavy burdens.

God has blessed already in the day,

when I got up for the third time this morning,

hubby said "God is good.
He woke me up about 30 sec. before my prayer time at 1:30
and kept me awake to pray with consciousness.

I second that.
The weather was perfect that I could climb out of bed without freezing
and was able to stay awake in the early hours of the morning.

If you would like to "meet" Timmy,
check out his blog here.

A Day of Prayer

My little nephew Timothy was born with holes in his little heart. 

Currently he is in the hospital to gain strength and will be there
until God heals him or until a surgery can be performed..

We are planning a day of prayer on Monday, October 3.

I have broken the day into 1/2 hour increments,
but the prayer can be anytime 1-30 minutes within that frame.
The prayer chart is here.
**I fixed the chart on Friday 9:00 pm so that you can sign up without permission.**

We are praying for a miracle,

for Timothy to gain strength,

for strength for his parents,

for the children still at home,

for safety traveling between home and the hospital,

for those caring for the children at home,

for wisdom for the caregivers and doctors,

for wisdom in making decisions,

for grace and peace during difficult days.

When the chart is full, then we will send it to my brother and sister-in-law.

I know that it will be an encouragement for them.

For any family who sees this, feel free to send the link to other family members.

If you know my brother and want to share in the day as well - 

feel free to join as well.

Thank you in advance.

**Thank you to the Facebook Contingency who quite obviously spread the word.**

Workshop Closed

I have missed a few more weeks.

As I mentioned, we were revamping schedules, priorities, etc.

and the school year changes my piano lesson schedules - 

so with all of the adjustments, something had to give.

We have not been sitting idle though.

We have completed two more pieces of furniture.

The first was a replacement for a rolling heater that sat beside hubby's chair (his office).

He built a higher cart.

It has a drawer in the back where he can tuck his computer if it might be in harms way
 (i.e. I am cooking in the kitchen or we are having company)

and there is room underneath for the blanket for those chilly mornings of study.

It has already proven to be more conducive for study.

The second is a coffee table.

We have never had a coffee table and never imagined we would,

but since we were building it, it could be small and serve two purposes.

It is a coffee table and foot rest for the love seat,

and it can also be easily moved to be a bench if we need extra seating.

If we ever move, it could sit at the end of a bed or it could be a window seat.

A Break

This week, I am thankful for 3 breaks.

I am thankful for a break in the humidity earlier this week.
It was nice to be able to tidy the yard and gardens with cooler temps.

Even so, I am thankful for the humidity as well
which has provided us with green grass throughout the summer.

I am also thankful for the break I get this weekend.

We are excited to get to have some time with family this weekend.

While we know this is where God has us,

it is easy to feel alone so far from family
in an area where seemingly everyone grows up and stays around family

and this is a welcome visit.

And I am thankful for the end of Summer Break
which brings back the college kids.
They are a real "pick-me-up" and encouragement to our household.

Clearer Vision

Part of the "reboot" mentioned last week

is looking for new ways to minister.

When my vision started to fail at the beginning of the year,

I did live with the frustration of not being able to see my books or my piano music,

I went and got new glasses.

It only makes sense to want to see.

One of my struggles in life is the superficiality of women in the church.

Now I know that was an unfair blanket statement,

but it seems like usually the women are talking about shopping and children

while the men talk about Spiritual things.

I asked myself why?  Why was I so slow to bring up spiritual things.

While I had a heart for the people that I was ministering to,

I had not truly developed a vision - a goal and a plan to meet that goal.

I have plans next week with two young ladies.

Plans to grow together, to provide accountability, and to share in ministry.
Plans to be specific in talking about spiritual things with a desire to make it "normal."

I am excited to see what happens with it.

Month of Growing and Stretching

We exercise regularly and realize that with exercise and improvement there is discomfort.

There are days when the muscles complain.

There are days of discouragement.

There are tweaks to the plan.
There are hurdles to climb.

But when the results start to manifest themselves ... it is worth it.

As I mentioned last Tuesday.

This has been one of those months of searching, of growing.

Not one without lots of tears,

growing pains,

and questions.

While the questions are not all answered,

there is hope in looking in new directions

and in searching for different results.

Chocolate Truffles

On Sunday, we had a fellowship dinner.

While I love the fellowship,

the prep. part ... not so much.

I did come up with a fairly easy list of things to take.

Hubby was most excited about the dessert ...

no not my oatmeal energy bites,

he was excited about the chocolate truffles.

I didn't try them,

but they looked fudgy...

and I trust my hubby on this one.

INGREDIENTS

12 ounces dairy-free chocolate chips

½ cup full fat canned coconut milk

⅓ cup natural nut butter

⅛ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

For Coating

Cocoa

Powdered Sugar

Chocolate Sprinkles

INSTRUCTIONS

In a sauce pan, heat the coconut milk, nut butter, chocolate chips and salt, 

whisking together until hot and smooth. Remove from heat.

Whisk in vanilla until thoroughly combined and smooth.

Chill for several hours (3 was just about perfect).

Assemble coating ingredients in small bowls. 

If very cold, let the chocolate mixture sit out for about 20 minutes to soften a little.
Use a spoon to scoop up about one tablespoon of truffle mixture.

Soften and shape into a ball using the palms of your hands.

Roll the ball in coating of choice.

Place on a plate or in mini paper baking cups.

Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

A Little Backwards

I do feel a little backwards today ...

today I am thankful that summer in NC does not last forever.

The heat and humidity we have experienced the last 4 weeks has been crippling.

It is very hard to get motivated to do anything.

So today I am thankful for the promise of fall and winter - 

cooler temperatures,

pleasant evenings on the porch,

warm drinks in the morning and evening,

...

I Still Do!

There is nothing like an anniversary to remind me of God's goodness and favor to me.

Today we celebrate 14 years of marriage.

From a little church in upstate NY ...

to rural NC.

I am so grateful for the man God chose for me.

It is hard to have a big celebration on a Wednesday with church,

but last week, we took a little trip to celebrate the wedding of some of our college kids.

We enjoyed the festivities and the time away from the regular schedule.

Yesterday, hubby's work took him to training nearer to the city,

so I joined him and we had a nice Asian dinner and a little shopping trip on the way home.

Tonight,

grilled turkey burgers, side salads, and steak fries.

Meal topped with Plum Cobblers.

Reboot

I have been a little scarce here recently.

Hubby and I have had a month or two of tough paths.

It has been one of those paths where you question where you are.

Are you where you need to be?

Are you doing what you need to do?

Are you distracted from what really needs to be done?

Are you helping or hindering?

While the path has been hard,

it has taken us to some good answers,

some changes,

some refocusing ...

a reboot.

More later ...

Quick, Easy, and YUMMY!

Since our meal plan does not change a whole lot,

I guess I am sharing a lot of desserts.

This one can be a protein snack, breakfast, or a dessert.

When I first tried them, I though - "Wow - a no bake cookie without chocolate."

Then I let hubby try - "It tastes like a no bake without chocolate."

So if you are looking for a no bake, no cook, not affected by the humidity recipe ...

Try this one.

No Bake Energy Bakes

• 1 cup (dry) oatmeal (I used gluten free rolled oats)
• 2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes (unsweetened)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup ground flax seeds
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or vegan chocolate chips) - I used raisins for chocolate free option
• 1/3 cup honey 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. 

Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.*

Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like.

Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Makes about 20-25 balls.

Update

Some of you have contacted me and let me know that you were praying for Nathan - 

our Pastor's son who had brain surgery on Thursday.

We are praising the Lord that the surgery went well.

He had nominal nausea and vomiting which was one of his major concerns.

He was able to leave the hospital yesterday and will be recovering at the Ronald McDonald House
 until his flight home on Saturday.

Thank you for your prayers.

Prayer works!

Peace and Prayer

Today our church is having a day of prayer.

Perhaps you noticed the link on the side.

Our pastor's son is having a surgery today - 

5-6 hours.

It is comforting to have the peace that prayer brings.

I am thankful to know the Prince of Peace and the Great Physician.

I am thankful that nothing escapes the hand of the LORD.

He is in control and orders all of our steps.

If you think of it,

would you pray for Nathan today.

His surgery starts at 7:45 am and will end between 1 and 2 pm.

Looking Forward

I just finished reading the book of Isaiah this morning.

You can't help but rejoice in thinking about a future reign of a perfect, righteous leader.

I can't help but be comforted to think about a time when good will be rewarded and evil dealt with justly.

"And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice,
and your bones shall flourish like an herb:

and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants,
and his indignation toward his enemies."

Isaiah 66:14

God is the just and righteous King.

He is in control of every event and circumstance.

Since it hit me so hard this morning,

I must have really needed this reminder.

Another Fish Recipe

Well, another week got away from me.
Last week we were in Raleigh while hubby had training.
I always enjoy being near a large city and out of the "sticks" for awhile.
I never get quite as much accomplished as I mean to,
I think that the change of schedule doesn't sit well with me.

We did enjoy our time together with a concerted effort to walk together each day.
We celebrated hubby's birthday with a few uncharacteristic treats -
a DQ, Gigi's cupcakes, and a Frosty -
not all on the same day :)

Now we are back on plan after enjoying the break.
Here is another fish recipe for the faint of heart.
It requires no frying which is a positive in my book
and the sweet potato keeps it moist.
It would also be good with some tartar sauce.

Salmon Sweet Potato Cakes

Ingredients (Makes 6 medium cakes)

10 ounces canned wild, skinless, boneless salmon (drained of any liquid)
1/2 cup sweet potato, mashed
1/3 cup almond flour 
1/4 cup celery, finely chopped (can sub bell peppers, carrots, green onions)
1 egg
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. pepper

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Combine all ingredients and mix well.
Place mixture in the fridge for 15 minutes to allow to come together.
Pre-heat oven to 425.
Drop 1/3 cup measures onto baking sheet – forming 6 medium-sized cakes.
Lightly press down in center to flatten.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Remove from oven, flip cakes and bake for another 10 minutes.

Tilapia Tots

We eat fish once or twice a week,

but we were getting burned out on the "usual."

Typically, I put some white fish in a pyrex with coconut oil

and seasoned with pepper, salt and parmesan and cooked.

It's a good recipe, I was just getting tired of it.

So, I went to my friend "google."

We tried Tilapia Tots.

They were a nice change with some homemade tartar sauce.

Little protein bites and low in carbs (if that is important to your diet.)

Not super fishy for those who are a little squeamish.

Tilapia Tots

1 lb tilapia fillets or other white fish
2 eggs 
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup almond meal
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder 
1/4 tsp salt

Bake the fish fillets until they flake with a fork at the thickest point. 
Place fillets in a medium bowl and flake.
Let cool 5 minutes before stirring in the eggs.
Add the cheese to this mixture.
In a small bowl, combine almond meal, baking powder, lemon pepper, garlic powder and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir.
Use a scoop to place the fish mixture in mini muffin tin.
Bake for 20 minutes at 375*. 

Makes about 18 tots. 

How Will I Age?

I have forever been a people watcher. 

I love to be in crowds or in cities so that I can just watch people.

Actions, reactions, expressions, interactions.

One of the reasons that I practice Thankful Thursday

is that I want to make thanksgiving a habit.

I have watched people age in 2 ways:

Some become grumbling and complaining and are not a joy to be around.

They practice an entitlement mindset.

Some are thankful and focused on others and are an encouragement at every turn.

They practice the mind of a servant.

I would like to be the second.

I want to be thankful for each thing God has given.

I want to be thankful for each food on the table - even if it is not my favorite.

I want to be thankful for the efforts of those who are carrying the load that I no longer can carry.

I want to be grateful for each day of health and strength - even if it includes aches and pains.

So I practice Thankful Thursday.

Today I am thankful for the ability to walk, to move freely.

I am thankful for the small town I frequent most mornings on my walk.

I am thankful for the strength that I have increased over the years.

I am thankful for the ability to keep learning about the mechanics of my body so as to keep it working well.

How will you age?

Will you practice thanksgiving with me?

Will you remind me when I forget?