Things That Are Different Are Not the Same 3

I had forgotten this fun difference from our days in WA,

but butter sticks are different in the West.

They are shorter - squattier.

Same amount of butter per stick,

just different!

Safe Arrival

Another easy Thankful Thursday post.

As of 6:30 this evening,

our reason for being in Oregon arrived.

She survived the trek from Montana to Oregon

and will be getting settled again tomorrow.

God is good.

Safety on busy highways is nothing to take for granted.

We are also thankful to be part of a local church again.

We joined a body of believers in neighboring Corvallis

and will seek to be a blessing there.

The night we joined, I was playing the piano again,

and the song leader was out of town,

so I got to play with my favorite director leading.

The decision of a church to join was not easy,

but God is always faithful and provides for His children.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

 With all my refinishing, 

I never mentioned the products that I used.

Chalk Paint:

Annie Sloane is the key name in chalk paint, but you pay for it.

Rustoleum also had high ratings.

I did read that if you choose to use their white colors,

you need to use a different coating (because it yellows)

I have used this one quart of wiping stain for years and just love it.

It is so easy to use.

No drips,

no funny pooling.

You just wipe on.

Let sit.

Wipe off.

How perfect!

This dark roast is our favorite.

The pre-stain makes any stain go on better.

I go between two products for finishing.

I originally bought the dark paste wax for coating angle iron on our metal furniture.

It keeps it from rusting or getting my clothes rusty.

But I also put it on the grey chalk paint for a more aged look and liked it.

The wipe-on poly is just buffed into the stained wood and is so easy to use as well.

One of my most recent favorites ... more plants.

These were recommended for odor control.

And the "snake plant" is one of those plants that requires very little care (light or water) - 

perfect for the garage.

I repurposed shelves from our NC home for the back,

the holder is a hose clamp,

and I found the eye hooks in a drawer.

The shelves were originally stained with the dark roast,

I covered them with leftover grey chalk paint,

distressed with sandpaper,

and then sealed with the dark finishing wax.

Yes, it is probably odd to decorate a garage,

but it makes me happy -

Who doesn't want to be happy?

Especially while doing a workout!

Documented

Last time I worked on some furniture,

I forgot to take the before pictures.

I did a little better this time.

This is hubby's dresser.

It lives in a walk-in closet, so it was not a necessity,

but I could see us moving and suddenly having a mismatched set in the bedroom.

So it had to be refinished.

Here is the detail that we were removing.

Just some simple wood filling and a good sanding block made it disappear.

Top sanded and stained,

chalk paint on the dresser,

new black knobs.

Tucked in a little corner of the walk-in closet.

I made the mistake of starting this project on a very damp day.

This caused some headaches,

but we are just calling the problems a "distressed" finish.

I tell you, so that you won't make the same mistake.

Cookin' Up Some Cajun

Tonight's Dinner ...

Cajun Succotash over Brown Rice

A little tribute to the south, I guess.

One of the few ways that I find okra palatable.

I probably just don't know how to cook it,

so don't disown me if you love it.

Not a hard recipe,

and the only thing that takes time is the brown rice.

It is also VERY filling which is great when trying to cut calories a bit

or stretch the food budget.

Cajun Succotash over Brown Rice

2 cups brown rice (or whatever rice you like)

1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes

2 (15 oz) cans red beans (I used kidney because it is what I had)

1 (16 oz) pkg frozen cut okra

2 cups broth (vegetable or chicken)

2 cups corn kernels (frozen, fresh, or canned)

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning

Cook rice per package directions

Combine remaining ingredients in a Dutch oven.

Cover and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes.

Serve succotash over rice.

I think it needs more cajun seasoning and some salt as well.

Some members of the family also like to sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Things That Are Different Are Not The Same 2

Early in our time in OR,

we decided to visit a neighboring town to check out a Walmart Neighborhood Market.

(While we shop Walmart Super Centers all the time, we wondered what the differences were).

We were impressed with the amount of products that they carried in the little store

and even found some items that we had not seen since moving.

As we went to check out,

we were surprised that there were no plastic bags at the U-Scan.

"Wow!  they need to encourage their workers to restock!"

And as we checked out our order,

we were asked how many brown paper bags we wanted to purchase.

We only had one item,

so we just carried it out without a bag.

After doing some research,

we discovered that plastic bags were banned in this little town.

And if you wanted a bag, you had to pay for it!

I am sure that this is not the only town with this law,

but was our first run-in with it.

This is my last grocery run.

Yes, I carry my own reusable bags now.

Though they are not banned in our little town,

the state has legislation to ban them throughout the state.

So I am prepared if/when the law passes.

The bags are also more sturdy when carrying groceries home on foot :)

Things that are different are not the same.

A Little Bit of Chill ... A Better Night's Sleep

I'm sure that fall hasn't quite hit in every location,

but we are thankful for the little bit of chill that has come with fall in the PNW.

We are also thankful to see the grass "green up" again with the more regular rain.

We are especially glad for the cooler temps that allow us to have the windows closed (or nearly closed at night).

The master bedroom (the guest bedroom too) open to a fairly major road.

At least twice in our 4 months here,

we have heard major accidents at 2 in the morning.

One involved someone running a red light and hitting another car (we know because we could hear the driver's discussions after the wreck).

The other involved someone veering off the road and going through the "compound" wall that outlines our cul-de-sac - they missed our backyard by about 4 sections.

With the cooler temps, we can have the windows closed more

which cuts down on the racing noises and the crash noises!

This translates to better sleep!

Strength in Stillness

Recently, I did a workout entitled "Strength in Stillness."

It would have been nice had it been an "infomercial-type" workout that promised that you could build muscle and boost metabolism while sleeping, while sitting on the couch, while doing absolutely nothing.

But we all know that that is not how muscles are built.

But this workout was both a mind and a physical body challenge.

The "stillness" was in holding rather than moving.

Hold at the bottom of a plank.

Hold a squat.

Hold a lunge.

And in the process, stay focused.

Don't let your mind wander!

And despite the fact that it was not high intensity,

it did not promise lots of steps on my Fitbit,

the workout was HARD and I felt the work the next day.

I would not have chosen the workout on my own,

but it was part of a plan that I had committed to.

It was designed to "balance" my training.

My muscles were worked

and my mind was as well.

I wanted to move.

I wanted to "see" motion.

I wanted to get on to the next thing.

And I was reminded of how many times God works to give us "Strength in Stillness."

As I write, I look at a sign on the wall that says "Be Still."

It is so hard to wait.

It is hard to use gifts and abilities in different ways.

It is hard to be content in the present without jumping to the next plan or ministry.

Each time we change location,

there is a stillness that seems strange.

There are fewer demands on time.

There are fewer responsibilities.

(The reset button has been hit and the reboot takes awhile.)

As I did the workout,

I thought of the ways God is working in the stillness.

He is still here.

He is still teaching.

He can still use me.

He is still growing me.

It may not be the style of workout that I gravitate toward,

but it is still useful,

it still produces results.

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

A Help Rather Than a Hindrance

It is not a stretch to say that electronic devices can be 

... a distraction,

... a hindrance,

...a downfall,

... a source of JUNK!

But sometimes, they can be a help.

Since our move,

I have found 2 great sources of encouragement.

One is podcasts ...

especially those for homemakers.

I like to listen to podcasts while I clean, while I walk to town, while I prepare dinner, even while doing errands.

No ads, no foul music (at least none that I have come across yet), just encouragement to press on.

It is not always easy to find those with similar goals and desires.
The encouragement from someone else doing what I do is a blessing.

I have been encouraged to work harder,

to use my time better,

to reach farther in my ministry,

to get back to Bible memory.

And speaking of Bible memory.

One podcast even recommended an app that is helping me to stay more focused on my memory work.

I almost skipped the podcast because the topic was on teaching your children to memorize Scripture ...

but I did listen and was convicted of my own need.

I do not support all that these women believe or say,

but they have encouraged my service in the home.

The Thankful Homemaker

A Happy Home

And the scripture program is an app,

but they also have physical books.

And there are even rewards for memorizing!

Scripture Memory Fellowship

When in Rome

While we have a lot of coffee-loving friends around the nation,

the Pacific Northwest does seem to run on Coffee.

I have mentioned that there is a coffee "hut" on every corner.

Sometimes you can see 2-3 while standing on a sidewalk.

AND they are all busy!

For our anniversary,

hubby and I went to Panera for a meal.

As a special treat, 

we got one of their Madagascar Vanilla Almond Cold Brews.

We rarely order coffee treats out because ...

we feel like idiots trying to order,

often times asking for decaf causes great confusion

(or it doesn't exist and I buzz for a very long time),

there is no dairy-free option,

the cost is a bit steep.

As I looked at the ingredients with their willingness to customize ...

the idea came to me ...

Why can't I make this at home?

So for the past month,

we have been enjoying cold brew at home.

My first attempt was to make vanilla syrup.

Easy and successful ...

it only involved water, sugar, and vanilla.

I am still working on the pumpkin spice syrup,

my first attempt was not the best ...

but I won't give up.

I just found a vegan Pumpkin Spice Cream recipe

that will be tried VERY soon,

maybe less than 5 minutes from now so that it will be ready before I have my morning coffee (or teeccino as the case may be).

Things That Are Different Are Not the Same 1

As we left NC,

a friend mentioned that she wanted to hear of some things that were different for us when we arrived in OR.

What an easy thread of blog posts?

One of the biggest difference in OR ...

you can't pump your own gas.

Yes - it is illegal to pump your own gas.

While it is nice to stay in a nice warm car,

I also have to think to allow the time for someone else to get to my car,

to take my request,

to come back to my car to end the service,

to print my receipt.

Garden Haul without the Garden

I can't help but be thankful this week for the generosity of others.

We have been enjoying garden fresh vegetables ...

... tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and corn ...

... and in abundance!

These little beauties have become my daily snacks.

The abundance of tomatoes became a beautiful roasted tomato soup on the first cool, rainy day of fall.

God provides and provides abundantly.

I may not be able to garden in my little square,

but God has still given us some of the joys of gardening.

Bonus Room

Our new little home has a bonus room ...

maybe a catch-all,

maybe the music studio,

maybe just the place for extra furniture ...

It is open as you climb the stairs. 

I like to practice more when I don't have to look at a wall right in front of me.

The room also provides a place to stretch for hubby - 

especially when I am busy practicing.

And the "mess" on the floor.

Well, that is a project of family pictures to be hung soon.

I mentioned last week that I wanted to get some "fall" in the house.

I added some new throw pillow covers.

The ones in the living room say "Thankful" - such a great reminder.

Mums in peanut butter jars - I just love plants ... EVERYWHERE.

And upstairs - I covered some throw pillows with some cute hand towels.

Which also means that the hand towels in the bathrooms got changed out too.