tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28726149124409446022024-03-27T00:44:21.054-05:00Simply Keeping the HomeDesiring to keep my life so simple and clutter free that I can keep my focus on my God,
my family, and my home following the principles for women found in God's Word.hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.comBlogger2017125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-61464988213404398712024-03-23T17:27:00.002-05:002024-03-23T17:27:28.593-05:00In Its Place<div style="text-align: center;"> AH! The shelf is done.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hubby was gone all day Thursday and Friday,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so I put my finishing skills to use.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5inWVyPILgF1iSzyM9r9Zsqr5SwLY16lqJa8D5RiVHDqPoj4e-z88RiN4Heak-SIk9_tqJPf1jFjkTtRlul-kB-YO0oDrzkAMUY1kohdUUcbekYyN_5ubRUOlZZW7Sgk8cYJjsZQUvcx0tSj_qA1sJyIzZWg9f8NrLbZr3DAg9Of7bL6JVoIFUPa7FCI/s4624/20240323_171931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5inWVyPILgF1iSzyM9r9Zsqr5SwLY16lqJa8D5RiVHDqPoj4e-z88RiN4Heak-SIk9_tqJPf1jFjkTtRlul-kB-YO0oDrzkAMUY1kohdUUcbekYyN_5ubRUOlZZW7Sgk8cYJjsZQUvcx0tSj_qA1sJyIzZWg9f8NrLbZr3DAg9Of7bL6JVoIFUPa7FCI/s320/20240323_171931.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This time, I tried a paint wash.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I used equal parts elephant gray chalk paint and water.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I brushed it on, let it soak a minute, then wiped it off.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Almost goof-proof, because you just wipe off any mistakes!</div><div style="text-align: center;">The other benefit is that you can still see the wood grain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicd561AYiD8WfddHchsJi7HJVD8Fd4mZsFr1QTui6hE2JgaOIQZAsDbS37Xf4aSvoWiTsMXaZwVD3-UgcQTX2-S3BK7IzhELl8pEFxOL3hnksW0BoRJg4UMIqEBKItz_yDYfCuIWjZNUDXOqjBca_dcDd4ThtCo0cD4nTKZWhsZcf7AET2bITDT7M_YqE/s4624/20240323_171955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicd561AYiD8WfddHchsJi7HJVD8Fd4mZsFr1QTui6hE2JgaOIQZAsDbS37Xf4aSvoWiTsMXaZwVD3-UgcQTX2-S3BK7IzhELl8pEFxOL3hnksW0BoRJg4UMIqEBKItz_yDYfCuIWjZNUDXOqjBca_dcDd4ThtCo0cD4nTKZWhsZcf7AET2bITDT7M_YqE/s320/20240323_171955.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>After "staining," I wiped it down with a dark paste wax.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today, hubby added some metal hardware and put it in place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is not "styled" yet - but I will be experimenting for a bit to come up with something useable and decorative.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also look forward to having a space for my nativity come Christmas!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now it is off to finish prepping for the bus ministry class tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The usual teacher is away, so I have a little more to plan.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-82575692383062120652024-03-22T15:35:00.006-05:002024-03-22T15:35:53.854-05:00Habit Stacking<div style="text-align: center;"> I have read or listened to quite a few books on Habits.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A disciplined life that accomplishes what needs to be done relies on habits.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Many of these books include the idea of habit stacking.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Link habits together to make new habits.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One habit that I work on is water drinking.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Common thought says that you drink half of your weight in ounces of water.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That's a lot of water for some of us!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found that I could get through the morning with hardly a sip and then had to drink a lot before bed - </div><div style="text-align: center;">not a great idea!</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, I needed a way to get started first thing in the morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In comes habit stacking.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEghKRwGltSgCHDd4dWUWKPI1iP5Fef5JUWHUVxT4UNgj1a_t-ruxHLfPpUFy7tqOUnEXVMq8eIPyB3XlsvjsVPw1p-PV_sTcFi48HmRwKiXzl86zwrd-frffcmxntvoyNxbMTS-y7vOnNR0tG-bSBsZoADCxP2GJwz33YjTUb7FGR8UdEPp7YW3P4_Rg/s4624/20240322_152138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEghKRwGltSgCHDd4dWUWKPI1iP5Fef5JUWHUVxT4UNgj1a_t-ruxHLfPpUFy7tqOUnEXVMq8eIPyB3XlsvjsVPw1p-PV_sTcFi48HmRwKiXzl86zwrd-frffcmxntvoyNxbMTS-y7vOnNR0tG-bSBsZoADCxP2GJwz33YjTUb7FGR8UdEPp7YW3P4_Rg/s320/20240322_152138.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My personal Bible study is typically between 6-7 in the morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That is a habit that is regular and reliable.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Perfect - lets get 24 oz down before breakfast.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I habit stack.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Typically I read at least 4 chapters in the Bible.</div><div style="text-align: center;">After every chapter, I take 10-12 sips.</div><div style="text-align: center;">By the time I close in prayer, my first cup (24 oz) is done.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If all else fails, I have started well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Water is crucial in your diet - </div><div style="text-align: center;">yes, other fluids can hydrate, but none are as great as water.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It keeps the digestive tract moving,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it cleans the kidneys,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it keeps the brain clear,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it keeps your joints moving clearly,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it helps control blood pressure,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it helps carry nutrition and oxygen in the body,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it helps in body temperature regulation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-43092777995446529242024-03-22T09:00:00.009-05:002024-03-22T09:00:00.156-05:00Random<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0I9d4FB2YsRLqtduMqOaWeMcpsbtnWuKr3sI18ZFlaHF_eIKLhvZDedk7RbY4oa7D3lF1ifZdYn6V-nMzrKbW1400dBlJ385GXSo1Sxr0OfyM5mR7yLLOVYPhA7Qa_yryGqsCgS1ApYF3zfUmJ3hxXcz1kVtTe0-uo3QkLFvy_Jq5U3ztvFsTW8q3Sw/s1494/chrome_qrcode_1710861121391.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="956" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0I9d4FB2YsRLqtduMqOaWeMcpsbtnWuKr3sI18ZFlaHF_eIKLhvZDedk7RbY4oa7D3lF1ifZdYn6V-nMzrKbW1400dBlJ385GXSo1Sxr0OfyM5mR7yLLOVYPhA7Qa_yryGqsCgS1ApYF3zfUmJ3hxXcz1kVtTe0-uo3QkLFvy_Jq5U3ztvFsTW8q3Sw/s320/chrome_qrcode_1710861121391.png" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's always nice to have the option of an <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/676882976521502557?check_in=2024-04-15&check_out=2024-04-20&guests=1&adults=2&s=67&unique_share_id=c6404027-3a73-4419-b40c-5119e864c574" target="_blank">Air BNB</a> for guests right in your culdesac.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course, it is subject to availability!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just watch out for those fees :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-19692665187031286572024-03-20T16:30:00.001-05:002024-03-20T16:30:00.131-05:00Designed for A Particular Spot<div style="text-align: center;"> Last Saturday, hubby built me a shelf for the Living Room.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It will house some general everyday supplies,</div><div style="text-align: center;">some throw blankets,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a plant (or 2 or 3 or ...),</div><div style="text-align: center;">and our printer which has been homeless since we moved in!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLe2A2CoUw33BExlyd7RFf2X043veOqThRtdkfUcT33UZ1HL-JPmMYuc3lS7tCN1R9z1SvdjPiGbYM5gfBqffskO63sqT7gXB0VhwZNhaGoAskPEyZzXCsXjGEb1UdZXIe1HkT8BRwJH0mcF3o7-d0Lrwv3sY_PttoCTPSUspRAb6-Yub8Sg1rYwhr78/s4624/20240319_132459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLe2A2CoUw33BExlyd7RFf2X043veOqThRtdkfUcT33UZ1HL-JPmMYuc3lS7tCN1R9z1SvdjPiGbYM5gfBqffskO63sqT7gXB0VhwZNhaGoAskPEyZzXCsXjGEb1UdZXIe1HkT8BRwJH0mcF3o7-d0Lrwv3sY_PttoCTPSUspRAb6-Yub8Sg1rYwhr78/s320/20240319_132459.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Currently, it sits in the garage waiting for a certain woman to paint or stain or stain and paint.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think I want to experiment a little on some extra wood for a new type of finish, but we will see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I look forward to seeing it in its new home and having the fun of decorating it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I enjoy making my home unique and making our home meet our needs.</div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-89056242483656858482024-03-19T13:50:00.004-05:002024-03-19T13:50:51.504-05:00Green!<div style="text-align: center;">No, not money!</div><div style="text-align: center;">No, not Shamrocks!</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Though we did celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a <a href="https://detoxinista.com/healthy-shamrock-shake-vegan-paleo/">Shamrock Shake</a> and some Corned Beef and Cabbage)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Green as in plant life.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can tell that I am eager for Spring when it seems to come SOOOOO slowly!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today is the first day of Spring, but it hardly feels that way outside.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But from the inside, things are greening up and the sun makes it looks like it should be warm.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am enjoying the view from the front room. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VQ1frO0MWHdOF2XEM6SoSPipncw7DW4hGCbHJIi8opHLPWHGGd1_THkgyHTuaJw_hKagC-uS_dWm6wdShkrl5TQcl-Wt0E3oefx5pSM-fmTzEeGZmSuKZGprxWaKxf87Xp5PYuJpCJxhfWrTMQgpL8upwybZFOH0xoCnD2-5bqy614oYrbyMNb0EKuE/s4624/20240319_133034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VQ1frO0MWHdOF2XEM6SoSPipncw7DW4hGCbHJIi8opHLPWHGGd1_THkgyHTuaJw_hKagC-uS_dWm6wdShkrl5TQcl-Wt0E3oefx5pSM-fmTzEeGZmSuKZGprxWaKxf87Xp5PYuJpCJxhfWrTMQgpL8upwybZFOH0xoCnD2-5bqy614oYrbyMNb0EKuE/s320/20240319_133034.jpg" width="144" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBNaNFgSiFCzkUPiU7WWRqEO-6bj4YUWAGSNGGOLwWNOGdET7qswrxseFhxXHVoXXNlp1qxHe1yIIjTu6W_jdfVxwsU0XyThlOJKiwdOI4U1KT_8RDwmbUgM1lw7CBS4IR1qfTufQL5CbIpA5_J77NeWlsf4fpfv7o1AKFrDuAoaalhPslcdGkzYdm_M/s4624/20240319_133015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBNaNFgSiFCzkUPiU7WWRqEO-6bj4YUWAGSNGGOLwWNOGdET7qswrxseFhxXHVoXXNlp1qxHe1yIIjTu6W_jdfVxwsU0XyThlOJKiwdOI4U1KT_8RDwmbUgM1lw7CBS4IR1qfTufQL5CbIpA5_J77NeWlsf4fpfv7o1AKFrDuAoaalhPslcdGkzYdm_M/s320/20240319_133015.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I planted some purple hyacinths and yellow tulips around the cherry tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will look forward to their return each year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The creeping phlox is blooming and spreading in the front rock garden</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and a few winter pansies that don't really match are enjoying the last of the cool weather.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I look forward to filling in the tree ring with SunPatiens this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We watched 2 or 3 homes around the neighbor that planted these beauties last year </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and they bloomed from May to October.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This spot is particularly hard because of the full sun it gets in the afternoon,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but these beauties may be up to the challenge.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhgHqY4a2CZgcmLKw57A3u5CBXqgmuevpVGkyseyts1Ix3gPTIk4n5AouXjzkrDKTmMph5-CZhIzWgilVo2WtR3NLjir4AY8wAYVNWYYEREJ-ikyMn_O8NiX5jtQCsAr6jDOcvhZIFm1dJXCYZzf6DYXUY82X4AYAjXTkaBKPWbIKgV1h2JIIejwcQf8/s4624/20240227_080848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhgHqY4a2CZgcmLKw57A3u5CBXqgmuevpVGkyseyts1Ix3gPTIk4n5AouXjzkrDKTmMph5-CZhIzWgilVo2WtR3NLjir4AY8wAYVNWYYEREJ-ikyMn_O8NiX5jtQCsAr6jDOcvhZIFm1dJXCYZzf6DYXUY82X4AYAjXTkaBKPWbIKgV1h2JIIejwcQf8/s320/20240227_080848.jpg" width="144" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NPGwDtedJrrcSA4o-jYDHEoCVSnEbo4OuMWkYs2oEPFH8dgMn2pXrGN3dKL8nP4vv1IBXpZPC8XdcYauI__kmhc02QIqdSJRrY9vTBmd-HgHELAKRRJsy6sfyHs_ycfhf9ZIHDzifR2HeS969lQKnTIQy3gchuXaUR27idENARMoGgfxK6Gi1JZT05E/s4624/20240319_132428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NPGwDtedJrrcSA4o-jYDHEoCVSnEbo4OuMWkYs2oEPFH8dgMn2pXrGN3dKL8nP4vv1IBXpZPC8XdcYauI__kmhc02QIqdSJRrY9vTBmd-HgHELAKRRJsy6sfyHs_ycfhf9ZIHDzifR2HeS969lQKnTIQy3gchuXaUR27idENARMoGgfxK6Gi1JZT05E/s320/20240319_132428.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After 2 weeks ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">grass is greening and slowly filling in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I even mowed last week!</div></div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-51884772061942797992024-03-06T15:40:00.004-06:002024-03-06T15:40:52.013-06:00Teaching Giving and Friendliness<div style="text-align: center;"> It is hard in the days of wickedness that we live in.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It must be fearful to be a parent in this day and age.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who can be trusted?</div><div style="text-align: center;">How can you teach friendliness to your children while also teaching about strangers?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiQkTA-vcBrYMYxAvRP6w8W4QmWsBzhijs8d_1_untV90SQfW3um9Iwmq0JCjx2D866vhZ11rmVRq9TJ6rH5yVi5Afh6vNXSaokn9O0Xq4ABBASnnIu3NYQOBbR4NtDTWE9tYPTuZuspj18kEGLoudDteLw3LBxX-g5bGzfWBYaDF-RAAbK2MpKn1bq4/s4624/20240306_153304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiQkTA-vcBrYMYxAvRP6w8W4QmWsBzhijs8d_1_untV90SQfW3um9Iwmq0JCjx2D866vhZ11rmVRq9TJ6rH5yVi5Afh6vNXSaokn9O0Xq4ABBASnnIu3NYQOBbR4NtDTWE9tYPTuZuspj18kEGLoudDteLw3LBxX-g5bGzfWBYaDF-RAAbK2MpKn1bq4/s320/20240306_153304.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My tablet and its happy face is an example of a momma who was/is doing a good job.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was visiting a local Walmart one early Saturday morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;">As I sat on a bench waiting for hubby to finish some business,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I saw a little boy giving a sticker to someone he met while leaving the store.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It made me smile.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I smiled even more as he said to his momma, "I want to give that lady a sticker." (ME!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">His momma looked a little concerned not wanting to bother me,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I said "hi" and asked him what he had.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe he received a sheet of stickers from the greeter, or maybe he had picked stickers out in the store.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I asked if he wanted to put it on my shirt. He didn't.</div><div style="text-align: center;">On my jacket. He didn't.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He wanted to put it on the back of my hand - my wrist actually.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was such a simple act, but made my day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I got back to the car, I put my sticker on my tablet -</div><div style="text-align: center;">a reminder to be kind and giving to others.</div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-75363707883379385882024-03-05T18:43:00.003-06:002024-03-05T19:29:38.631-06:00But It's A Healthy Fat ...<div style="text-align: center;">I am a child of the 80's and definitely remember the "no fat" and "low fat" labels of that decade.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The increase in heart problems in America led to a reaction to remove all fat from our diets in order to be "healthy."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, the experts were wrong.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is good to avoid or limit saturated fats in the form of beef and bacon,</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is good to avoid transfats in packaged treats.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is good not to overdo it with butter and cheese.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Moderation is always authorized.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But - there are actually HEALTHY fats.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Olives, nuts, seeds, olive oil, avocado, fish ... all full of healthy fats.</div><div style="text-align: center;">These powerhouses are also high in calories and can easily be overeaten if not careful,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but their healthy fats have so many benefits.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3wkVWRzg1wCmnlaniUdQOdR0LKC113R7-cZelUrMkwp6xrMbI0dbqFj0Dxf1yszDWcmFErXfB9XRH6mAjIe2yaZQObVb1ccV0sdGYjICaBInyll9F4tZ3LeaW1cpfDRI8PV_xZ8BtrMdKa7wEg7lGs5JY2znsCJSZNhlS51Ah0kJbFQSk7bT8FsbDSc/s500/good-kinda-fat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3wkVWRzg1wCmnlaniUdQOdR0LKC113R7-cZelUrMkwp6xrMbI0dbqFj0Dxf1yszDWcmFErXfB9XRH6mAjIe2yaZQObVb1ccV0sdGYjICaBInyll9F4tZ3LeaW1cpfDRI8PV_xZ8BtrMdKa7wEg7lGs5JY2znsCJSZNhlS51Ah0kJbFQSk7bT8FsbDSc/s320/good-kinda-fat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Creaky joints? - lubricate them by drinking water and eating healthy fats</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mind a little foggy? - clear it with some healthy fats and boost your mood while you are at it</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cholesterol levels unbalanced? - need to regulate LDL, HDL and triglycerides? - yep, healthy fats will lower LDL and triglycerides and raise HDL</div><div style="text-align: center;">Prediabetic? - manage blood sugar with those healthy fats</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tummy trouble? 70 percent of the immune system is in the gut and healthy fats (especially plant based fats) feed the good bacteria in the stomach and help the stomach do what it is supposed to - break down foods, absorb nutrients, and fight infection</div><div style="text-align: center;">Struggling with overeating? - healthy fats keep you satisfied for longer</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not sleeping well? - healthy fats may improve sleep</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fighting inflammation (allergies, arthritis, frequent sickness, aches and pains)? - healthy fats can help</div><div style="text-align: center;">Struggling with a slowing metabolism? - again, try a healthy fat to fuel it properly</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The low-fat craze might have been a good idea,</div><div style="text-align: center;">EXCEPT that we still wanted our food to taste good.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, out came the fat, and in went the fillers and sugar!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I prefer to go for some valuable healthy fats.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In fact, today I made some avocado pudding/mousse.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is DELICIOUS and full of healthy fats and fiber.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It also can be made with more natural sugars (I chose maple syrup)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-jh7QolLefBMoTzctbLZaOy5wJ7zpvFAyYEAjskJnrBSJkssYmA2Hre0Ulsbt6kSGT5m9n_ubVnD71ZIEBf6f64EiUq_wsxazi9d5RlN0uwuAUt0vY5PmY0mG35FlESKfZMa0It1goDWsjtxYWSxxrKQRMjMjXdZ9R_CT-U-NDT9zNjxreob-azPKxA/s4624/20240305_135545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-jh7QolLefBMoTzctbLZaOy5wJ7zpvFAyYEAjskJnrBSJkssYmA2Hre0Ulsbt6kSGT5m9n_ubVnD71ZIEBf6f64EiUq_wsxazi9d5RlN0uwuAUt0vY5PmY0mG35FlESKfZMa0It1goDWsjtxYWSxxrKQRMjMjXdZ9R_CT-U-NDT9zNjxreob-azPKxA/s320/20240305_135545.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The pudding is just mashed avocado, cocoa powder, and maple syrup.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you wanted a little more protein, you could serve it with a dollop of peanut butter.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Or if you need some extra antioxidants,</div><div style="text-align: center;">sprinkle some berries on top.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Two possible recipes:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://detoxinista.com/detox-choco-cado-pudding/">https://detoxinista.com/detox-choco-cado-pudding/</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/avocado-chocolate-mousse-vegan-healthy/">https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/avocado-chocolate-mousse-vegan-healthy/</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The recipes call for blenders or food processors,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but if your avocados are ripe, a fork should do the trick.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I recently added a little food processor to my arsenal and it works GREAT for this little treat!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hhOMI1LeATKfWWCT2dzY1wZbkY0eTMgKhcszCmn_jMVX_gLHg4Xw0KJVkeROHpbOXdUU2rbvrxSOIBzH0CqEJoXDvdxqLLNYGzbGTGpyLLwfdBJLSxHo4ZcDwslsZnhSL6T4VKy9axsIW3c08wP_WEKJIaKGm8NR_HNVuc8yfYpaGwqs6QBqTNeJxiY/s4624/20240305_173018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hhOMI1LeATKfWWCT2dzY1wZbkY0eTMgKhcszCmn_jMVX_gLHg4Xw0KJVkeROHpbOXdUU2rbvrxSOIBzH0CqEJoXDvdxqLLNYGzbGTGpyLLwfdBJLSxHo4ZcDwslsZnhSL6T4VKy9axsIW3c08wP_WEKJIaKGm8NR_HNVuc8yfYpaGwqs6QBqTNeJxiY/s320/20240305_173018.jpg" width="144" /></a></div></div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-78897310339689292742024-03-04T18:24:00.004-06:002024-03-04T18:24:56.923-06:00A Public Service Announcement<div style="text-align: center;"> Usually, I research EVERYTHING.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is easy enough to GOOGLE anything and everything,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but sometimes, I just figure that I will trust the experts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, you need to do your own research.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Because we have known so many people who needed blood transfusions,</div><div style="text-align: center;">hubby and I like to donate blood regularly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last year, we finally got into a rhythm and were donating almost as often as the Red Cross would let us - about every 8 weeks!</div><div style="text-align: center;">In 7 months, we gave 4 times.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I recently went to the doctor and discovered that I had some very odd blood work.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had not recuperated from my last giving.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Though not anemic, I was super close</div><div style="text-align: center;">And my oxygen carriers were small and pale.</div><div style="text-align: center;">With a few clicks on the computer,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I found that it is actually recommended that men wait 12 weeks between donations,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and that women wait 16 weeks between donations.</div><div style="text-align: center;">OOPS!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So there is your public service announcement.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unless you are one of the 1 in 300 who make extra iron,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you may want to ignore some of the Red Cross calls to schedule your donation and give yourself a little extra time to recover.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know I sure will!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And yes, I am following my own <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/preview/2872614912440944602/7668916161958457894">blog advice</a> on building Iron.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Plenty of green leafy veggies, lots of beans, "brown cows," and lots of fish and chicken!</div><div style="text-align: center;">And for awhile, I will make sure that my daily multivitamin has iron.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaINqYfOs9TwoD6a-75IjCU_sMG1KsgzT6E3Z1rnI4D5YbPG9bS_pJ8b2OAdYss4jjrCyqCer6IKclc7CXzPLr5AGozI8icZm8InQROzNaM96oKgrVb4iDsQ2LyYg-HLcql-T1MRmZbSA5C9wvxwrXn6BNWVCA-_YkZQdH6brHOAJiAC8I3v6AsSE_oI0/s4624/20240229_182252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaINqYfOs9TwoD6a-75IjCU_sMG1KsgzT6E3Z1rnI4D5YbPG9bS_pJ8b2OAdYss4jjrCyqCer6IKclc7CXzPLr5AGozI8icZm8InQROzNaM96oKgrVb4iDsQ2LyYg-HLcql-T1MRmZbSA5C9wvxwrXn6BNWVCA-_YkZQdH6brHOAJiAC8I3v6AsSE_oI0/s320/20240229_182252.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-45207146581658973942024-03-01T08:32:00.001-06:002024-03-01T08:32:47.591-06:00Do People Still Do That?<div style="text-align: center;"> I recently began a new homemaker project - </div><div style="text-align: center;">and one that I never thought I would do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have recently taken to darning socks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hubby's work boots appear to "eat" socks, especially at his big toe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7tV22-HLKAp2bxjvvxXv_GGcSPqxjCauWP9-kCrQDtmnCJq21WP0XnZGUUQgdA6u1rrybZyV9DsUAxaPnin2grjWLwZ2G3pRXjhOCMfGQtU_98ywa-cEIaTJ4l8c3ADkK9j08425zTeC1xgLRBHdcsf0CxOzql0zMrqmXNBR07bwnTH4-1fwbtk2ynE/s4624/20240229_182506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7tV22-HLKAp2bxjvvxXv_GGcSPqxjCauWP9-kCrQDtmnCJq21WP0XnZGUUQgdA6u1rrybZyV9DsUAxaPnin2grjWLwZ2G3pRXjhOCMfGQtU_98ywa-cEIaTJ4l8c3ADkK9j08425zTeC1xgLRBHdcsf0CxOzql0zMrqmXNBR07bwnTH4-1fwbtk2ynE/s320/20240229_182506.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For a while, the bad ones just became cleaning rags.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They were perfect for staining wood or applying polyurethane.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, then it seemed like I was making sock purchases too often.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hubby suggested darning the socks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How hard could it be?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Turns out,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it is not hard.</div><div style="text-align: center;">With a doll head to keep the hole spread and some thicker thread,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the holes were soon fixed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj6m0U5q2BjmO2RNRKd0wTq0MvYZPDQpiyO-n-r2nzyLOn83CHdZy9HOJ80ohgqO0IMzFmEHZq_k89YQA5jhT1pvUY1Ez41THA4AC13ezUvWnKCrQLBY30BW8YDpCJaCteGrAzGVmGGapH62iXcEe6LVIezfM-IASBOtFKPYUDbsczbzDZIWfQdge694/s4624/20240229_182643.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj6m0U5q2BjmO2RNRKd0wTq0MvYZPDQpiyO-n-r2nzyLOn83CHdZy9HOJ80ohgqO0IMzFmEHZq_k89YQA5jhT1pvUY1Ez41THA4AC13ezUvWnKCrQLBY30BW8YDpCJaCteGrAzGVmGGapH62iXcEe6LVIezfM-IASBOtFKPYUDbsczbzDZIWfQdge694/s320/20240229_182643.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7cBk4gCn5hnMPYjHH7-srkTYDlCODd02QRuSi6eIzj8ZEvDdIxPbWmkUoxp3gqtzmdqHg_gTE1XCSNZXJstnNB54mxblEGTT5P-FXx-tviwx8GWOdoB3uY-3CbDZ-eN-BEy5L8eIueGn3gyKx37l0k5Qq9BMw53DGG9d6wFwTeOvdrO_0PEdm1xGiw0/s4624/20240229_182540.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7cBk4gCn5hnMPYjHH7-srkTYDlCODd02QRuSi6eIzj8ZEvDdIxPbWmkUoxp3gqtzmdqHg_gTE1XCSNZXJstnNB54mxblEGTT5P-FXx-tviwx8GWOdoB3uY-3CbDZ-eN-BEy5L8eIueGn3gyKx37l0k5Qq9BMw53DGG9d6wFwTeOvdrO_0PEdm1xGiw0/s320/20240229_182540.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While it won't be my favorite pastime,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and no one will show my work as a model,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it is prolonging the life of a few socks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-25051483818969127322024-02-29T18:10:00.001-06:002024-02-29T18:10:31.370-06:00Are You Ready?<div style="text-align: center;"> We don't get an abundance of visitors.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We live outside of the "easy" drive for church friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Family gatherings are few and far between.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I want to feel like my guest room and guest bathroom are ready if someone were to drop in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This post will not apply to many readers because either</div><div style="text-align: center;">1) you have guests often</div><div style="text-align: center;">or </div><div style="text-align: center;">2) all of your bathrooms and bedrooms are used regularly</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But there may be a few folks who can benefit from this tip.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Keeping the guestroom ready just involves freshening the bedding once a quarter if it has not been used.</div><div style="text-align: center;">For the guest bath, I "rotate" the towels.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My home has a neutral grey tone throughout.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have chosen to accent with sage and denim blue in all rooms.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I have 3 sets of towels:</div><div style="text-align: center;">blue, sage, and a deeper sage.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7HLkJLvownkV0Wp5SZEs3HK7L6G7ZxGX4M4vMO3SQfgwyxQEZJFyUGiL1bvUADnE81yk1VAi56_44oP2pJLjkclg5_yASnXpajh9jMZOhyphenhyphenicu0P-TjPBkCNLiimqhESpjgjemfqrt33O7kwbudt9GmqCeF-F_6xrckNwClpIZD-mQq2sDwSEThzwEJ0/s4624/20240229_175835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7HLkJLvownkV0Wp5SZEs3HK7L6G7ZxGX4M4vMO3SQfgwyxQEZJFyUGiL1bvUADnE81yk1VAi56_44oP2pJLjkclg5_yASnXpajh9jMZOhyphenhyphenicu0P-TjPBkCNLiimqhESpjgjemfqrt33O7kwbudt9GmqCeF-F_6xrckNwClpIZD-mQq2sDwSEThzwEJ0/s320/20240229_175835.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Each Monday when I clean,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I take the towels from the master bath and throw them in the wash.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I take the towels from the guest bath (if I have had no company) and put them in the master bath.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I take the third set of clean towels and put them in the guest bath.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So weekly, I have freshened the towels for guests.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When I first began homemaking, I would not have been able to do this - </div><div style="text-align: center;">I had themed bathrooms.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They were so fun and I enjoyed them immensely.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who doesn't like little fish or rubber duckies?</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I do like the simplicity of being able to use any towel in any bathroom</div><div style="text-align: center;">and even being able to hang them in any bedroom because the colors all coordinate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today was one of those longer project days.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hubby was not going to be home for lunch,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so I could make a mess.</div><div style="text-align: center;">One of my jobs was to clean the "rust" off the lights in the bathroom.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We couldn't believe that there were rust stains already, but ...</div><div style="text-align: center;">...I found this little product and it worked great.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsmnGFaeOFc8O10MY6ER5zZMk7aC_fErjA_UBf7mKxqmfUv66wVZGj53KrdHX1sziMD3Pnlmyo8ERbLGhW9swq1mILlNkKRoXO6s0dZTW8kk2LJG8cJLr8eMteLIVHw8xxUQDPA917Y6RYL4KmoByo_U19nt4JoUGtyW9-gqs4Q3p-9QdO46GnzqDxJc/s4624/20240229_175919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsmnGFaeOFc8O10MY6ER5zZMk7aC_fErjA_UBf7mKxqmfUv66wVZGj53KrdHX1sziMD3Pnlmyo8ERbLGhW9swq1mILlNkKRoXO6s0dZTW8kk2LJG8cJLr8eMteLIVHw8xxUQDPA917Y6RYL4KmoByo_U19nt4JoUGtyW9-gqs4Q3p-9QdO46GnzqDxJc/s320/20240229_175919.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk9xIjLMLGfDSuzfJKTH4OQ-HXVNyRU6D2lusJS6EgnJFguDFc7K8VJIMACb4vBKvlVNIqZFXGjnS1FcTS-3I2EaDsoHTEKdtnpYZtp6zmIWct9oDcBR2ghHZj9_qF6mC74JloXpyp2uH-e9gN7gfhOGn2Tass8mO5n7Zi4k3GOuDZZW9xAfAnQnuAno/s4624/20240229_175953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNk9xIjLMLGfDSuzfJKTH4OQ-HXVNyRU6D2lusJS6EgnJFguDFc7K8VJIMACb4vBKvlVNIqZFXGjnS1FcTS-3I2EaDsoHTEKdtnpYZtp6zmIWct9oDcBR2ghHZj9_qF6mC74JloXpyp2uH-e9gN7gfhOGn2Tass8mO5n7Zi4k3GOuDZZW9xAfAnQnuAno/s320/20240229_175953.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another job was to get rid of Valentine's and Winter's decor in favor of the Spring decorations.</div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-14089922210605625452024-02-28T07:12:00.001-06:002024-02-28T07:12:38.640-06:00What Does Your Floor Say About Your Diet?<div style="text-align: center;"> As I clean on Monday and throughout the week,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't help but marvel at how quickly the kitchen floor gets dirty.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It seems that it is always in need of a good sweep.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On Monday, while on my hands and knees,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I looked closely.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My floor says a lot about what we have been eating.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikH1HGXEzhkhZ4EFOdYb5MpI8gdM8-Fp58qlgm36qoWxmJ6r6OvnDUxB-2y1DM9GEs0RJoklSWzPWj9PAdJPZkIIz1Xh_S-fVXju2aowsYPTkmrdXnsO1jxp1scVwdk5yVYj2Q80pFjCYBB1eIhvcboo3DILVgjoUy8BSNJAm6vjwwibLVnrBQRkLABI/s4624/20240226_140921.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikH1HGXEzhkhZ4EFOdYb5MpI8gdM8-Fp58qlgm36qoWxmJ6r6OvnDUxB-2y1DM9GEs0RJoklSWzPWj9PAdJPZkIIz1Xh_S-fVXju2aowsYPTkmrdXnsO1jxp1scVwdk5yVYj2Q80pFjCYBB1eIhvcboo3DILVgjoUy8BSNJAm6vjwwibLVnrBQRkLABI/s320/20240226_140921.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This little snapshot shows a piece of kale, a red onion paper, and a pepper seed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Often there might also be rice, quinoa, or a stray pistachio or cashew.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The job seems endless,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but as I tidy the floor AGAIN,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful for the good food that God provides and the energy and strength it gives.</div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-5783750242079894272024-02-27T18:47:00.002-06:002024-02-27T18:47:11.541-06:00Spring, Spring, Spring<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsqKNw7PEwXLiKAhz0I7L5nhMxpHLTJOHRA17vnXvC0WYj-JG-aZA0ir6BnfZJ3pi1ghn7OmpfaLh5THYiBJ98E_dPjHvTblPf37eBBoC3iD_h9MSkvTgxHKxhBgvWWhqiz8fL0Q-B_g7op80D8gjYtvCUQmx2B50GsZ8vd9ChaHdn9MqwXa0BzpSnhs/s4624/20240227_080848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsqKNw7PEwXLiKAhz0I7L5nhMxpHLTJOHRA17vnXvC0WYj-JG-aZA0ir6BnfZJ3pi1ghn7OmpfaLh5THYiBJ98E_dPjHvTblPf37eBBoC3iD_h9MSkvTgxHKxhBgvWWhqiz8fL0Q-B_g7op80D8gjYtvCUQmx2B50GsZ8vd9ChaHdn9MqwXa0BzpSnhs/s320/20240227_080848.jpg" width="144" /></a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On this particularly grey day,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the cherry blossoms are extra bright and cheery - they almost seemed to glow this morning (at least in real life).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are the first show of Spring on our property.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is still a "baby" tree, but this little snatch of Spring is encouraging.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We actually killed a lethargic wasp yesterday probably a queen coming out of hibernation,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I put out 2 hummingbird feeders and a hummingbird swing yesterday,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the robins have been hopping across the lawn,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and I am trying to decide when to break out the mower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The weather yesterday was just about perfect and we enjoyed a return to a "pleasant" run for our exercise.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course, we still have a few more cold snaps,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but we can be thankful for the life that is showing.</div><p></p>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-580297769858598522024-02-19T09:45:00.001-06:002024-02-19T09:45:23.787-06:00We Didn't Forget to Celebrate<div style="text-align: center;"> As all faithful readers know,<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saturday was "Donut Day" here.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">22 years ago, hubby and I shared our first date at an Italian bakery in Latham, NY.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since then, we have celebrated each anniversary in February with a donut or two.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, I wish that first date had been a bit healthier ... but we have made adjustments as necessary.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitr96-MWwevYtkW7OiJiPlN5q3M62KIw_hkKC8bP0fwa5ZBMRebjjyhqhBP6yIi_w_r0bod1TzGDfxH0J5pP3lUxl0TvW-Tw0HG6jarCe0PF-JOqaZX0HSRGVoQJenTngSPRjgLkMxZfwPUO69xU9y0OeLNBo6n7Pet9jQRqNzsk1kdedNuKuhgDDHF9I/s246/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="246" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitr96-MWwevYtkW7OiJiPlN5q3M62KIw_hkKC8bP0fwa5ZBMRebjjyhqhBP6yIi_w_r0bod1TzGDfxH0J5pP3lUxl0TvW-Tw0HG6jarCe0PF-JOqaZX0HSRGVoQJenTngSPRjgLkMxZfwPUO69xU9y0OeLNBo6n7Pet9jQRqNzsk1kdedNuKuhgDDHF9I/s1600/download.jpg" width="246" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJhkzNBDFESgz0zDjhpjit5fMwim4THS06eiSotW_V6K8AbW3OF6ivQRqhYsmuTPlKYhL0x-CRyKKeXOlzOTCp61LpZsBBe6St4yR6vAmnyRvb-MSi0SS3GO5qbxoTHPDhE4ljxj8K1t-F43bdSFd7mbJ-yD_PH_fL9Al4wrU1iJ4ewVOuhOizR3PQQM/s250/6201330-asterisk--asterisk--asterisk--asterisk--asterisk--2T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="250" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJhkzNBDFESgz0zDjhpjit5fMwim4THS06eiSotW_V6K8AbW3OF6ivQRqhYsmuTPlKYhL0x-CRyKKeXOlzOTCp61LpZsBBe6St4yR6vAmnyRvb-MSi0SS3GO5qbxoTHPDhE4ljxj8K1t-F43bdSFd7mbJ-yD_PH_fL9Al4wrU1iJ4ewVOuhOizR3PQQM/s1600/6201330-asterisk--asterisk--asterisk--asterisk--asterisk--2T.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Donuts from the freezer section</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIv2tHJp4D0GLx-wbpjM11yYirUQbBBYtw3XOsRakq6C8_Q2HNYx0ojBroNWshZ0FbRxdUCwzxY8Xa-ryb646Ci5aOSmjhJET6STHSC79NGEypLNT6kUpD4mjCWFXepnXOD2VNUB5Sgg_P7xdZsg78LpRJeXOn-0cbl2BDNRe6s4dtaohu8x_8_yvQrBE/s640/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIv2tHJp4D0GLx-wbpjM11yYirUQbBBYtw3XOsRakq6C8_Q2HNYx0ojBroNWshZ0FbRxdUCwzxY8Xa-ryb646Ci5aOSmjhJET6STHSC79NGEypLNT6kUpD4mjCWFXepnXOD2VNUB5Sgg_P7xdZsg78LpRJeXOn-0cbl2BDNRe6s4dtaohu8x_8_yvQrBE/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">homemade donuts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95fVQUhtJL7PXno7OXf_1VQ9pgXrolBuzjBXVjQWzS7Onj75hK_3QWYutr1QJSvQqWmSTNsQirMSXkXsxMV2Y6ryvNbs5gutpTRJMkLEgQgvQaQgPRO94F0NfsAQrswka7E6Jzsba3r_UYV13dhkvvFTOHIJxh17THlaNPK6RW5-2DWh6UzfRsGpjxP8/s3264/20220217_200134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95fVQUhtJL7PXno7OXf_1VQ9pgXrolBuzjBXVjQWzS7Onj75hK_3QWYutr1QJSvQqWmSTNsQirMSXkXsxMV2Y6ryvNbs5gutpTRJMkLEgQgvQaQgPRO94F0NfsAQrswka7E6Jzsba3r_UYV13dhkvvFTOHIJxh17THlaNPK6RW5-2DWh6UzfRsGpjxP8/s320/20220217_200134.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Benny's Donuts - Corvallis, OR</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0avKsbM_LQ7x4qgMxs5FoMTpGf97Dt4johYBm1bmx-R8E_f_G74HKVSRtc2ZXyumJb3mezj596WjvRar5mVmAhuagfn09XeMDlF1pOOXIVMu6IzgyROoAA5GLeI2adkzJJVpHG5yksHGtxZm8vTrjE0WyMjGWEywhcrMpg-aZQC1wnKlQQcB1iCPrYgU/s3264/20230325_111743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0avKsbM_LQ7x4qgMxs5FoMTpGf97Dt4johYBm1bmx-R8E_f_G74HKVSRtc2ZXyumJb3mezj596WjvRar5mVmAhuagfn09XeMDlF1pOOXIVMu6IzgyROoAA5GLeI2adkzJJVpHG5yksHGtxZm8vTrjE0WyMjGWEywhcrMpg-aZQC1wnKlQQcB1iCPrYgU/s320/20230325_111743.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>Groovy Gus Mini Donuts - Bowling Green, KY<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Hubby was actually working out of town on Friday and Saturday.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It seems that the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisvills has slated "Donut Day" each year as one of their show dates (I guess they are not faithful readers).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I did join him at the show on Saturday afternoon with a lunch salad in hand.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He wrapped up his responsibilities around 6 pm and we headed for home.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We arrived home around 8 pm ready to clean up and relax.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not to miss the celebration,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I prepared the "Donuts."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Due to the lateness of the evening</div><div style="text-align: center;">and some health needs,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the donuts got REALLY healthy this year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXPPzJWBaYmawvdSWAjOR-DNKou8Gj3M8Fa8WiIIW6Xe30ENY7n9plxNPv-4j8tNdN80Yi2qekdy31WRjxfSkFpBP52KJlMtFNmrbAmOpA4Eedq5nhXLGgg0dRU9P2qRYO1NsTG8cDjgyVSvbYNqrLrswYmft10Q4fEz7Bu5QE5W4yGgOeYEYOIlOzPE/s4624/20240217_200446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXPPzJWBaYmawvdSWAjOR-DNKou8Gj3M8Fa8WiIIW6Xe30ENY7n9plxNPv-4j8tNdN80Yi2qekdy31WRjxfSkFpBP52KJlMtFNmrbAmOpA4Eedq5nhXLGgg0dRU9P2qRYO1NsTG8cDjgyVSvbYNqrLrswYmft10Q4fEz7Bu5QE5W4yGgOeYEYOIlOzPE/w400-h180/20240217_200446.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year, they were apple ring donuts drizzled with almond butter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hubby's had a drizzle of chocolate syrup too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A couple of the "donuts" even had some unsweetened coconut flake sprinkles!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is always a way to remember the special events.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Life may get busy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Diets may change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't forget to celebrate the ones you love!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-66998970092382968512024-02-19T09:15:00.005-06:002024-02-19T09:15:53.016-06:00Because I Needed Some "Sunshine"<div style="text-align: center;"> As I said last week,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love Valentine's Day,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I do recognize that prices are inflated for such a flower and candy-centered holiday.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hubby often just gets me a helium balloon.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am as cheered by a balloon as Eeyore (which is surprisingly cheery).</div><div style="text-align: center;">And sometimes a live plant joins the offering.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And thus we avoid some of the gouging.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While I shopped on Friday,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the highly inflated prices were highly deflated.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Since hubby was out of town for 2 days,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I bought myself some $4 sunshine.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Don't worry, he approved)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And for a few days,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the decor in my bathroom is elevated with some yellow roses!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM6RWTmuctrbyEgkzMypYHfjjmEaxlJNXE9k7E2xkpYXmg61OlIyJTh0JvuJhMkk_l3Zk0B5wKpqhF-kt74TC41nkkhqf_FLG7q27anSVip7YcgMLlIjZAxmaWLfA6yxHSHrT32m6Db9aud6sMxGLpo1EHerJgb4ssNy35O-SEXuiwBW2rN1NxV2rEyE/s4624/20240216_110440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM6RWTmuctrbyEgkzMypYHfjjmEaxlJNXE9k7E2xkpYXmg61OlIyJTh0JvuJhMkk_l3Zk0B5wKpqhF-kt74TC41nkkhqf_FLG7q27anSVip7YcgMLlIjZAxmaWLfA6yxHSHrT32m6Db9aud6sMxGLpo1EHerJgb4ssNy35O-SEXuiwBW2rN1NxV2rEyE/s320/20240216_110440.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-47461349873734523292024-02-15T09:00:00.004-06:002024-02-15T09:00:00.237-06:00Every Good Gift ...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Lobster; font-size: large;"> Jeremiah 10:6<br /><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Lobster; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">thou art great, and thy name is great in might.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Lobster; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It is a week of rejoicing here.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">As of Monday, we officially own our home.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Whether we lived in apartments our whole life,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">whether we moved from trailer to trailer,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">whether we own a home or not,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">God is always good and always great.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Yet, this week, we are in awe at His blessing to us.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">We know all things are possible,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">and yet so often we still limit God.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">As we would roam around our neighborhood in Oregon,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">we would dream of a home like this.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It seemed like just that - a dream.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">But God gave, and gave, and gave.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjtEzkZoYuPWa0m4mb4pq5kR9WFbU8o_0LdhjQbfcYLhrMLjs78i_ZhohFAHP6Ty6EyTrzcYJ6WCN_YZmV41BgZz46y_jh7TpK9D5l3GUrFQhu_85wm4FVP3etlkroiUdEmGsCVG5fldLclooXJ5jsuMbdwhUPnFARMDAJ0svcr-o2BGjK89_qmVwKxs/s2400/Screenshot_20240212_131623_Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjtEzkZoYuPWa0m4mb4pq5kR9WFbU8o_0LdhjQbfcYLhrMLjs78i_ZhohFAHP6Ty6EyTrzcYJ6WCN_YZmV41BgZz46y_jh7TpK9D5l3GUrFQhu_85wm4FVP3etlkroiUdEmGsCVG5fldLclooXJ5jsuMbdwhUPnFARMDAJ0svcr-o2BGjK89_qmVwKxs/s320/Screenshot_20240212_131623_Chrome.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">And what else ...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">At the church Christmas program, the church organ broke.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It began playing one note all on its own and would not stop until it was turned off.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It was not particularly useful anymore.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">We had been searching for months anyway knowing this organ was not really suitable for the space we had and was probably on its way out.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Last week, God blessed the church with a "new-to-us" organ.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">The church that sold it sold it for less than 1/2 of what it was truly worth.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Not only that - the church that sold it was not more than 30 minutes away!</span></span></div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-78126210203618658502024-02-14T14:54:00.001-06:002024-02-19T09:48:12.453-06:00In Defense of a Day<div style="text-align: center;"> It's been another while,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Another season, I guess when life demanded more from me and did not allow for writing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, it seems for a time, that things are quiet and I am feeling a little more on top of things.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course, I am looking ahead to spring.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Each day, I look out looking for signs of growth,</div><div style="text-align: center;">looking for the greening of the grass.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There is a sign of life on all of the trees - cherry, serviceberry, and apples!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last week, I even made a preemptive strike on any crabgrass that is thinking of joining my lawn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But, back to the theme at hand.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today is Valentine's Day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have always enjoyed it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">As I child, I enjoyed the school parties and treats.</div><div style="text-align: center;">As a teacher, I definitely enjoyed planning a Valentine's Day party for my students.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And ever since 2002, I have enjoyed a Valentine of my own.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I met hubby on February 10, 2002.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We talked for longer than a hello on Valentine's Eve (he quite disturbed the prelude at church).</div><div style="text-align: center;">And of course, any long-time reader knows that "Donut Day" is just around the corner (the anniversary of our first date - 2/17.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I often hear that today is a pagan holiday.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hear that it is a ripoff.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hear it is a gimmick.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hear much about the hype.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While it may be all these things,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it is also a day to express love.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who doesn't want to know that they are loved and remembered?</div><div style="text-align: center;">It doesn't cost anything to say "I love you!"</div><div style="text-align: center;">It doesn't cost much to jot a note of appreciation.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We celebrate big in our home.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We decorate the house.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We send out Valentines to little people who are mostly taller than me now.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We don't always have big gifts or fancy dinners - </div><div style="text-align: center;">but we honor the day and the love that God has shown us that we can in turn show to others.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last week, hubby bought me a plant and a traditional helium balloon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qPsZgcizflwnVrWzifDa2BuO68abk0t447NJv895l1r9onY5N4mYufUAoGrNj4lBTPgwExlyXoQad-Eslh5DxDivMoQcyFmRfOfBnyB0UTyZicDKnbmB4adu2_a0CtOX_UY_EE1xaeGS8L87ejnd7ukiNfPeTpbcstseZwrQoSZ-72JlQ2gMVDOe2R4/s4624/20240214_143138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qPsZgcizflwnVrWzifDa2BuO68abk0t447NJv895l1r9onY5N4mYufUAoGrNj4lBTPgwExlyXoQad-Eslh5DxDivMoQcyFmRfOfBnyB0UTyZicDKnbmB4adu2_a0CtOX_UY_EE1xaeGS8L87ejnd7ukiNfPeTpbcstseZwrQoSZ-72JlQ2gMVDOe2R4/s320/20240214_143138.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Yesterday, he invited me to lunch at the place of my choosing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_Dspl7eQ25RHAcODZVmQijgvbU-CXXYPND7d5lTo7ANEAtz7M5Y6ci_y7J3fCF227tgZF2qLmMnMCwtn4oXLgh0kmdS04O2TX-mtpzIfd_mD-DLVRATjoHjWofzofZZQwxRPYdFP4-HjprAB5R8VPvm8dN6-bjsa_c-ANsNSnwMDktnHSJwnAwmrNWc/s4624/20240214_143210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_Dspl7eQ25RHAcODZVmQijgvbU-CXXYPND7d5lTo7ANEAtz7M5Y6ci_y7J3fCF227tgZF2qLmMnMCwtn4oXLgh0kmdS04O2TX-mtpzIfd_mD-DLVRATjoHjWofzofZZQwxRPYdFP4-HjprAB5R8VPvm8dN6-bjsa_c-ANsNSnwMDktnHSJwnAwmrNWc/s320/20240214_143210.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today he took me to my new favorite restaurant in Bowling Green.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He took me a few weeks back for a Saturday breakfast.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The place is called "Cafe Kindness."</div><div style="text-align: center;">All of the smoothies are named after the fruit of the spirit.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed healthy smoothies only sweetened by dates and/or bananas.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today we enjoyed chicken salad toasts and "it's Greek to me" toasts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARVoqQhMUQxz4Ys3-ZhTXrBMcl68OM4RDWU-a00dSk_fjTX2YFG8oAeJPVWv18i22hTNQSOeQdcDmx1vCbQ7uw2o2guEk5gwBPzbWLToxOb62vzwpfv5DK821rjc9GamhLd-P4Z_uSqCLlUMi0P4sVtDPujCHScSt8QLITw0Uyu0pceS4QBjQh0enh9w/s4624/20240214_115221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARVoqQhMUQxz4Ys3-ZhTXrBMcl68OM4RDWU-a00dSk_fjTX2YFG8oAeJPVWv18i22hTNQSOeQdcDmx1vCbQ7uw2o2guEk5gwBPzbWLToxOb62vzwpfv5DK821rjc9GamhLd-P4Z_uSqCLlUMi0P4sVtDPujCHScSt8QLITw0Uyu0pceS4QBjQh0enh9w/s320/20240214_115221.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then we shared a Smoothie!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So while there may be some downfalls to the day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The day may have a sordid history.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think there is something sweet to sharing a special day now and again</div><div style="text-align: center;">and letting others know that you care for them.</div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-83688330566269284392024-01-15T10:00:00.008-06:002024-01-15T10:00:00.142-06:00Winter Memory Verse<div style="text-align: center;"> Once each month,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I get to help in the bus kids' class during the morning worship service.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Typically, I teach the memory verse.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This week was no exception.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since we were expecting some kind of winter weather,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I decided to build the verse review around snow, specifically snowman building.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the verse:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-8sQc3GmrV_xFCOpJ6DqkWa0DfYNVledo0K6-7JdFdeijkQZS4TO1e_ozXGfR-VObFJf-iS8eVZopcoa8LP3_WVSTxrPhEVb9pJUWP06YXXCw0fSOxug-csXEDuv3X6MHqeHZc6ZGUDPRsg3fupwodBUeG20LYzVT5y_c8FHyUGlAxQSukemqIuEaGc/s4624/20240113_162035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-8sQc3GmrV_xFCOpJ6DqkWa0DfYNVledo0K6-7JdFdeijkQZS4TO1e_ozXGfR-VObFJf-iS8eVZopcoa8LP3_WVSTxrPhEVb9pJUWP06YXXCw0fSOxug-csXEDuv3X6MHqeHZc6ZGUDPRsg3fupwodBUeG20LYzVT5y_c8FHyUGlAxQSukemqIuEaGc/s320/20240113_162035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love my pocket chart. It is great for memory work!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We recited the verse and then removed words of the verse.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is nothing new.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But ... on the back of each piece is the name of a "part" of a snowman.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The boys and girls competed to build their snowmen.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They could earn an eye, a stick arm, a hat ...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWmruS_O7SntaNxRWWNeu0IcSBE5bT2ggq2qLYTLXBbGPOZWHHsB-u3xUrn9M-0-EpFwmJWiW9lb534PqSNcpUIGXy-_QLZm_8cxPLHYRW9b3OKcUz78y9q-2A-9OmXK8J4cDj-3Kw_IEhNVTZHBhkN6A3yk5KyVpExL4ACnrKChxCBRtEDr04Pdk83k/s4624/20240113_162027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWmruS_O7SntaNxRWWNeu0IcSBE5bT2ggq2qLYTLXBbGPOZWHHsB-u3xUrn9M-0-EpFwmJWiW9lb534PqSNcpUIGXy-_QLZm_8cxPLHYRW9b3OKcUz78y9q-2A-9OmXK8J4cDj-3Kw_IEhNVTZHBhkN6A3yk5KyVpExL4ACnrKChxCBRtEDr04Pdk83k/s320/20240113_162027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If the boys were working harder,</div><div style="text-align: center;">they got to remove a word and get a snowman piece.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If the girls were more attentive,</div><div style="text-align: center;">they got to remove a word and get a snowman piece.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I could even let both teams go on the same turn - if they were working hard enough.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The idea worked great with full participation and good spirits.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The girls won, but not by too much.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-45922746536624079362024-01-15T09:06:00.007-06:002024-01-15T09:06:52.478-06:00Winter Snow<div style="text-align: center;"> In our last move,</div><div style="text-align: center;">one of the deciding factors in a move</div><div style="text-align: center;">was to avoid snow country.</div><div style="text-align: center;">After years of Arctic life (hubby) and NY life (me),</div><div style="text-align: center;">we were content to avoid months of snow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RUewRpZ9wMt8dnlWO3dyXIdM7u86PCti7QL24nEQIaN1Mdxkl-ICA0Bdaf7w3xeafxTVRqFq7HMolmL_apWReVQwhgbDs6ex031-Bp6oD_hqXjX332qjjyeIySSglnN5d1aEPLOcjm63qlUe5ExJ1AEIIrlyp9Lt9ag8lHAOP0CErh1GyTwEZUd7yXQ/s4624/20240115_085438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2084" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RUewRpZ9wMt8dnlWO3dyXIdM7u86PCti7QL24nEQIaN1Mdxkl-ICA0Bdaf7w3xeafxTVRqFq7HMolmL_apWReVQwhgbDs6ex031-Bp6oD_hqXjX332qjjyeIySSglnN5d1aEPLOcjm63qlUe5ExJ1AEIIrlyp9Lt9ag8lHAOP0CErh1GyTwEZUd7yXQ/s320/20240115_085438.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This morning, I shoveled for the first time in years,</div><div style="text-align: center;">not because we haven't had snow, but because I either didn't have a shovel, or I had a gravel driveway :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see that our wild winter snow gave me quite the workout - a whopping 2 inches.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will enjoy looking at the snow for a few days,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I am glad that our "big storms" can be shoveled away in 30 minutes or less.</div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-49826009999785376192024-01-13T16:46:00.005-06:002024-01-13T16:46:41.061-06:00Flashbacks<div style="text-align: center;"> This past week was like a "flashback" for me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">About this time last year, I joined hubby in Orlando, FL while he had training.</div><div style="text-align: center;">When his plans were being made this year,</div><div style="text-align: center;">there were some events in my future that had not found a place on the calendar yet so I stayed home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So for 4 1/2 days, I was reminded of my days as a military wife.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The days were long and quiet.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I did get a lot of cleaning, sorting, and "pitching" done.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I could be thankful for more communication than the "good ol' days."</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so glad for cell phones!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And to greet hubby on his return this afternoon - </div><div style="text-align: center;">a batch of cookies.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The blogger who gave me the recipe labels these the "<a href="https://detoxinista.com/the-healthiest-cookies-ever-paleo-vegan/">Healthiest Cookies Ever</a>!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzo9EeWBbanAO4kAwU_zhO5oOa4uXopJ4KY7OgZvcbxODKRkgWzc0tPwnW_2rIWBHW7X_w-HHOex2SW5ZdSEdCABD2Nv-ICiMGnhKV81dU4hyphenhyphenhPqX-Kq2LZbF2ehOOT98LOnr5BejHuvFdEGR7N2yXMYZALee4eNhwHJTLGDTQLilZo8_RKFEDodBrCw/s4624/20240113_164327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzo9EeWBbanAO4kAwU_zhO5oOa4uXopJ4KY7OgZvcbxODKRkgWzc0tPwnW_2rIWBHW7X_w-HHOex2SW5ZdSEdCABD2Nv-ICiMGnhKV81dU4hyphenhyphenhPqX-Kq2LZbF2ehOOT98LOnr5BejHuvFdEGR7N2yXMYZALee4eNhwHJTLGDTQLilZo8_RKFEDodBrCw/s320/20240113_164327.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The ingredients were simple :</div><div style="text-align: center;">walnuts, dates, flax seed, water, vanilla, salt, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and chocolate chips</div><div style="text-align: center;">Healthy fats, unprocessed sweeteners, fiber ... Wow!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I halved the chocolate chips (using only a 1/4 cup) as well as grinding them a bit in the food processor.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I used "cocoa nibs" for missing half of the chocolate chips.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hubby ate 4 as soon as he walked in the door.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Score one for wifey!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now it is time to serve up the <a href="https://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2011/10/eat-the-rainbow-black-bean-soup.html">"Eat the Rainbow" Soup</a> for dinner.</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you haven't tried it yet,</div><div style="text-align: center;">this might be a great week with the plunging temperatures!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-48740657246067038092024-01-13T16:18:00.005-06:002024-01-13T16:18:45.108-06:00When You Can't Let Go of the Christmas Lights ...<div style="text-align: center;"> I spent the past week spring cleaning and putting away Christmas decorations.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There was only one small problem ...</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was such a dark, grey week and the Christmas lights sure brighten the house.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We have not purchased a Christmas tree here in KY,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but we do hang a lit garland and put ornaments on it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO9BfQQSB7RAq_eoe_50-fLAKVbJmF9YTEk2ZNBu5wRp9pgQWwqo2RQfD3fE0UkYpEKM5GT21-OELFNX56SoE03bkXcUYdxKKh1Eq185yyPyg3N8hA9dfYPOv2ZzXMvi7kG0Rcm_EbNY1qHiM4MUpm1-vdcLMZ4ld2WidY_M4NL0-LJyHYQwUd9QuWis/s3264/20221208_065118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO9BfQQSB7RAq_eoe_50-fLAKVbJmF9YTEk2ZNBu5wRp9pgQWwqo2RQfD3fE0UkYpEKM5GT21-OELFNX56SoE03bkXcUYdxKKh1Eq185yyPyg3N8hA9dfYPOv2ZzXMvi7kG0Rcm_EbNY1qHiM4MUpm1-vdcLMZ4ld2WidY_M4NL0-LJyHYQwUd9QuWis/s320/20221208_065118.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZYXOKfYLoJRruW5dakHvoUFN37pgHO6WYMlsN5ZTxtCfnlbN2CeapKCy0Bmp5s4wWjk2g0ZbAIYVY4frKRHC-Oz8cAaUyZpdB8_-o681xRYY8O-m9xo2RjKkE2Wa-66uinLobkcjwAfF0oGXe2B3vpcBjckJAo9RPB8VFQEaT95TkV4gSUiJ5LwNI0A/s3264/20221208_065210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZYXOKfYLoJRruW5dakHvoUFN37pgHO6WYMlsN5ZTxtCfnlbN2CeapKCy0Bmp5s4wWjk2g0ZbAIYVY4frKRHC-Oz8cAaUyZpdB8_-o681xRYY8O-m9xo2RjKkE2Wa-66uinLobkcjwAfF0oGXe2B3vpcBjckJAo9RPB8VFQEaT95TkV4gSUiJ5LwNI0A/s320/20221208_065210.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I took the Christmas ornaments off of the garland</div><div style="text-align: center;">but left the hearts (for Valentine's Day) and the pine cones (for winter).</div><div style="text-align: center;">It still needed just a little something ...</div><div style="text-align: center;">How about some red ribbon?</div><div style="text-align: center;">How about some heart "berries"?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5g3i4eY1MSIDK3efV5gr_gTrikGU2NR2ZOOEartBEphUOmqd9V9umbqRdKMnG0Ki2LjWJ82CM9Vplq4KY4ciFnv9yP39sd5IWUiiVafECH_fbipVUnFqrbbJskGnEyLkCbTDGrS1S-MuFFRu67lf3fbUObALdaPzwZwFsQsTpaHP26mFOxlJiWOqS-c/s4624/20240111_181023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5g3i4eY1MSIDK3efV5gr_gTrikGU2NR2ZOOEartBEphUOmqd9V9umbqRdKMnG0Ki2LjWJ82CM9Vplq4KY4ciFnv9yP39sd5IWUiiVafECH_fbipVUnFqrbbJskGnEyLkCbTDGrS1S-MuFFRu67lf3fbUObALdaPzwZwFsQsTpaHP26mFOxlJiWOqS-c/s320/20240111_181023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There - now I can have Christmas lights through February!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I did put the rest of the Christmas decorations away -</div><div style="text-align: center;">and if we do get a winter storm early next week,</div><div style="text-align: center;">my lights will continue to be "cozy."</div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-25658240753003438092024-01-09T22:28:00.004-06:002024-01-09T22:28:50.555-06:00When You Long For Spring ...<p style="text-align: center;"> ... YOU SPRING CLEAN!</p><div style="text-align: center;">The weather has been cold ...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and wet ...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and somewhat miserable ...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">... so I decided to spring clean early.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLUpntCvLbVgxTniGR6APQMCradsGvxSsekqnQ7X4n5knzHemm_7hKqGZuZ-sGslDNCq18kpv0LL4TKig0xPfYUyQWa5V85v_AHORJjumvL4rF3M7-dpQYrKp8qzl8zxZPYeIwZtKic6ZPivSgQQDJ25v8y_f3luddkfnjocdzE3POXkLvG-XDRYTkUA/s550/spring-cleaning-clipart-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="550" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLUpntCvLbVgxTniGR6APQMCradsGvxSsekqnQ7X4n5knzHemm_7hKqGZuZ-sGslDNCq18kpv0LL4TKig0xPfYUyQWa5V85v_AHORJjumvL4rF3M7-dpQYrKp8qzl8zxZPYeIwZtKic6ZPivSgQQDJ25v8y_f3luddkfnjocdzE3POXkLvG-XDRYTkUA/s320/spring-cleaning-clipart-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the process,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I realized that the timing was perfect.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Christmas decorations come down and make a mess.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There is less laundry because the clothes can be worn for more than one day so the washer can run with linens, pillows, and curtains.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My days will be free when spring actually arrives, the days warm up, and I want to be outside with the flowers, trees, and grass.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It feels good to clean after a little "bout" with some bug or another.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And who doesn't like the smell of "clean" when the house is all closed up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So that's what I have been doing -</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just the kitchen and garage left!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe it is not spring,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I can pretend.</div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-76689161619584578942023-12-26T18:52:00.002-06:002023-12-26T18:52:29.232-06:00Getting Ready to Give<p></p><div style="text-align: center;">It is the season of giving,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and hubby and I will do just that tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We try to donate blood as often as we are allowed,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but we had taken a break during a time when we needed to stay strong</div><div style="text-align: center;">and a time when we tried to keep our ability to fight sickness at its peak.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Giving blood is easy, but it will leave us weak for a day or two.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The week we donate, I specifically tailor our eating toward increasing hemoglobin.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You cannot give if your count is too low.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We have never been turned away, but I don't want to start now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So the week we donate, we avoid coffee and tea - </div><div style="text-align: center;">both inhibit the absorption of iron.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This morning, I made my smoothie with both vitamin C oranges and iron-rich pea protein.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The vitamin C helps to absorb the iron.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also included spinach for folate which increases hemoglobin production.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed leftover cranberry meatballs as a grilled sandwich for lunch.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Meat is the best source of iron.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then for supper,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I boiled up some turkey bones and made this <a href="https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/old-fashioned-turkey-soup/">Harvest Turkey Soup</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqVlCpj9hp2yyyrwSYSmRUYZAtTSfN_9jqkQR1cGfnYgQTFptWafyveLnxxpBhfUi5eS2bhfuEvpGUG9gzxB-CZ91NhKqIBfzrcK10_T3cIPvp96vUHiVj9XlxZScqtvmPz5WaZuaWi-T20MVi7u-isX4Yi8onRgOFZxdjj9W_BQv4qVWhkDQaZsgp6Bo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqVlCpj9hp2yyyrwSYSmRUYZAtTSfN_9jqkQR1cGfnYgQTFptWafyveLnxxpBhfUi5eS2bhfuEvpGUG9gzxB-CZ91NhKqIBfzrcK10_T3cIPvp96vUHiVj9XlxZScqtvmPz5WaZuaWi-T20MVi7u-isX4Yi8onRgOFZxdjj9W_BQv4qVWhkDQaZsgp6Bo" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Instead of frozen spinach, I used Kale</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I threw in about a cup of lentils.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The turkey, lentils, and kale will all boost hemoglobin or iron levels</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the tomatoes have vitamin C for absorption.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a powerhouse soup that we will enjoy again for lunch tomorrow before giving blood.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, and to drink for a snack today...</div><div style="text-align: center;">a brown cow ...</div><div style="text-align: center;">A glass of milk with blackstrap molasses in it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It is good hot or cold.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh - and we were thinking about the donation even on Christmas day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a beautiful <a href="https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/raw-citrus-beet-salad/">beet salad</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The raw beets were a beautiful color for Christmas Day!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Beets are known for increasing blood flow.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That's pretty helpful when you are trying to fill your bags during the donation.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-85550163666338191862023-12-26T18:32:00.002-06:002023-12-26T18:32:27.843-06:00Let's Roam!<div style="text-align: center;"> On Saturday, hubby and I used another "experience gift.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had seen some digital scavenger hunts advertised online</div><div style="text-align: center;">and there were a number available in towns around us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So we purchased one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The idea was good,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we enjoyed walking around a different town,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I feel as if the company that was producing them could have put a little more into them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We "explored" Franklin, KY.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiF53LIECnaF-MfhgxFKceTVQTlghte4BebQFmmAa8KxdJqfwvAKA_xX-M3H4xltibzOrdbB-btGc0ZwBhuUCHaZEFnMljggs5gqsBZpLv8a5q3KW0nYXec-dcKDUxVNz-3q-3CCKt_1QHxHVXZ6dUOo8F3T4t9lWq2wFSfQhH6uiEdhei6Kg7796XJ5Y/s3840/d1e6f676-a420-4009-82a8-c2007290d29b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiF53LIECnaF-MfhgxFKceTVQTlghte4BebQFmmAa8KxdJqfwvAKA_xX-M3H4xltibzOrdbB-btGc0ZwBhuUCHaZEFnMljggs5gqsBZpLv8a5q3KW0nYXec-dcKDUxVNz-3q-3CCKt_1QHxHVXZ6dUOo8F3T4t9lWq2wFSfQhH6uiEdhei6Kg7796XJ5Y/s320/d1e6f676-a420-4009-82a8-c2007290d29b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACN8y2HC8gJc8Tl2UA-G1sqmHLKZkowFLznHIT2vjIAq1iCKZW8NVtyG36Z72n7IKuOFFiS5LyPox3elm6snZNGf0KZcbHZvDET1BNorpUqBbKcaqgo5yaaNcPNnBPWgRD6kwbN1A6WVZza394GbfTJOAG8FRh1gjf7fBKNWlM3Tcz5Bdp09rEFBoipw/s1200/81a2029e-3aa8-4cd8-8903-e2c2dc86f9cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACN8y2HC8gJc8Tl2UA-G1sqmHLKZkowFLznHIT2vjIAq1iCKZW8NVtyG36Z72n7IKuOFFiS5LyPox3elm6snZNGf0KZcbHZvDET1BNorpUqBbKcaqgo5yaaNcPNnBPWgRD6kwbN1A6WVZza394GbfTJOAG8FRh1gjf7fBKNWlM3Tcz5Bdp09rEFBoipw/s320/81a2029e-3aa8-4cd8-8903-e2c2dc86f9cc.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the town square was decorated beautifully</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Franklin is well known for horse racing,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but had a few more historical locations.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The hunt gave small maps that led primarily to "historical" place markers.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then the hunt asked questions that could be answered from the markers</div><div style="text-align: center;">and asked for silly pictures of team mates doing activities similar to things mentioned on the markers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our scavenger hunt was produced by "<a href="https://www.letsroam.com/s/axtnjm">Let's Roam</a>."</div><div style="text-align: center;">I felt as if they were overpriced at even the reduced online price.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had upgraded to a "date package" and could see nothing that would distinguish it as romantic or couple-oriented.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It did create a fun way to explore historical markings</div><div style="text-align: center;">and it did provide a lot of "steps."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-22021447766941063602023-12-22T15:42:00.003-06:002023-12-22T16:30:00.732-06:00My Favorite Gifts<div style="text-align: center;"> Many years ago, hubby and I stopped exchanging large physical gifts.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a bit hard for my hubby whose love language is physical gifts,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I can only wear so much jewelry, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;">In their place, we gift EXPERIENCES!</div><div style="text-align: center;">We make memories together and they are my favorite gifts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When we lived in Seattle, we attended the Messiah 3 times for Christmas.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In North Carolina, we were not able to see the Charlotte Symphony because they often performed on Wednesday nights, but we did see it once at Bob Jones University.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We made it to one performance of the Messiah by the Portland Symphony before Covid took outings like that away.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last year, life just got away from us and the tickets were sold out before we got to them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But this year ...</div><div style="text-align: center;">we got on it early.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oIaSjlOeUmu0FTs8Rwl7T6rDrZkpYJDjaImBetqPQ9Zx_NeV8DvEonjv_mHKqGEqL3EdCrE8iNA_5VCvC1wmM6-1JM4oEdyHya_vuUR9oyvnjxWbVWT2l_H9p4cWjR0ML_1s4a16u2ClcVuvJZzWlzOFaFeWAzjOO7TGiVpZek1eqAzPsBvpUHZ7XAE/s2048/269889222_10157985868081910_8562922897632685594_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oIaSjlOeUmu0FTs8Rwl7T6rDrZkpYJDjaImBetqPQ9Zx_NeV8DvEonjv_mHKqGEqL3EdCrE8iNA_5VCvC1wmM6-1JM4oEdyHya_vuUR9oyvnjxWbVWT2l_H9p4cWjR0ML_1s4a16u2ClcVuvJZzWlzOFaFeWAzjOO7TGiVpZek1eqAzPsBvpUHZ7XAE/s320/269889222_10157985868081910_8562922897632685594_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We heard the Nashville Symphony this year.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hubby bought the tickets and bought me a new dress</div><div style="text-align: center;">and we greatly enjoyed a trip into the city (our first to downtown Nashville since moving).</div><div style="text-align: center;">We also shared the night with 2 families from church.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The music of the Messiah is magnificent,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but the text ... pure Scripture praising our Savior whom we celebrate this season.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hubby has also spent many evenings this year trying to find Christmas lights in town with me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Downtown B.G. is lit up and tonight we will look around some neighborhoods for some more displays.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9eZiBwm8jaVMg_Bpba5KEzxXZSEPBTNEtFfPU1QEUkfREesU_KloSwnd2wZRWTtdgOMD4uc-_70zOp9wGth5O-jATd64Nlsdlx059y2hcKyLr3YAM5WJIYPWflY0Zi6w5zwK9n6Tb9_Il2iTXdHe5Ba7TIx05iWaXewjHHCeGInK__cQMZKTJj9XhgA/s4624/20231208_192436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9eZiBwm8jaVMg_Bpba5KEzxXZSEPBTNEtFfPU1QEUkfREesU_KloSwnd2wZRWTtdgOMD4uc-_70zOp9wGth5O-jATd64Nlsdlx059y2hcKyLr3YAM5WJIYPWflY0Zi6w5zwK9n6Tb9_Il2iTXdHe5Ba7TIx05iWaXewjHHCeGInK__cQMZKTJj9XhgA/w400-h180/20231208_192436.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So it looks like some folks try to visit as many National Parks as possible,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and maybe I am trying to hear the Messiah at as many different cities as possible.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe next year, we will try the Louisville Symphony :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are trying one more experince gift tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stay tuned ... I don't know when I will post about it,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I will share ... I promise!</div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872614912440944602.post-81782419910779781262023-12-22T15:22:00.005-06:002023-12-22T15:22:32.469-06:00Fun Discoveries<div style="text-align: center;"> The past 3 months have had a lot more travel for us than usual.</div><div style="text-align: center;">About half of the time, I was traveling by myself,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but hubby made about half of the trips with me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On one of our last trips,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we were going to need to stop for dinner.</div><div style="text-align: center;">While many people wouldn't think twice about that,</div><div style="text-align: center;">with an allergy or two, it is not as easy as stopping at any Mcdonald's.</div><div style="text-align: center;">With a lot of travel, we have also tried to limit the stops to Chick-fil-A.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So on the last trip,</div><div style="text-align: center;">hubby asked me to look around a certain exit for a gluten-free pizza place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, I looked and ran across something that I knew hubby would like even better.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The restaurant was called CoreLife Eatery.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It specialized in healthy eating and balanced nutrition.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Each dish had veggies and protein and grains.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There were probiotics and prebiotics.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The dressings were hand made.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So we stopped.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was delicious.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I revamped an Asian-inspired Sesame Ginger Tofu bowl by switching the tofu to chicken.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hubby had a bowl that had kimchi, cabbage, and Korean Chicken.</div><div style="text-align: center;">...and we splurged for special drinks.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I LOVED the Vanilla Cinnamon Apple Fig drink that tasted like apple pie in a glass.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hubby tried a beet lemonade that was also very good AND beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KKkSy0dcf2feASTHeWTyJAV88fzZl0AOrnCmwrt5ZW82IpwkfFDeCYxc7sxJTmoD154YnykW_vMyaTiGbvqWXEwh-FLJRc_hS-lXygYLsTXydpPidFKxQt0o0Ow6Iu2M5Hl5s0AlYiiPgF-JIII1gAqZRso1TB1oiRFJwyT67QM8tNDJJKjmup60DdY/s4624/20231212_163635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KKkSy0dcf2feASTHeWTyJAV88fzZl0AOrnCmwrt5ZW82IpwkfFDeCYxc7sxJTmoD154YnykW_vMyaTiGbvqWXEwh-FLJRc_hS-lXygYLsTXydpPidFKxQt0o0Ow6Iu2M5Hl5s0AlYiiPgF-JIII1gAqZRso1TB1oiRFJwyT67QM8tNDJJKjmup60DdY/w640-h288/20231212_163635.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See the beets, broccoli, kale, carrots</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbhBHns6k71Wep8MhIi7B4Xk2qkRtkCQGnu0SL2I1Z70GNrGbKu8t_LcD0kyqXFiOT5RQPxfUhVfsQ9CQwDCCDuXZpfInzwtb-XjfZ0pCyYG9dwca2lbAMWXhmDUMXAlVP2PIs5cbnO4DxM4tVJx4UpnsyPPiFDlGWI8Oazi_QUGzSR4y02QJfQx2N-c/s4624/20231212_163628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="4624" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbhBHns6k71Wep8MhIi7B4Xk2qkRtkCQGnu0SL2I1Z70GNrGbKu8t_LcD0kyqXFiOT5RQPxfUhVfsQ9CQwDCCDuXZpfInzwtb-XjfZ0pCyYG9dwca2lbAMWXhmDUMXAlVP2PIs5cbnO4DxM4tVJx4UpnsyPPiFDlGWI8Oazi_QUGzSR4y02QJfQx2N-c/w400-h180/20231212_163628.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">look at that beautiful beet lemonade</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So ... if you are traveling or happen to live in a town with one of these establishments ...</div><div style="text-align: center;">give it a try. (Yes, Vestal and Indy both have one!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">I recommend ordering online so that you can see all of the options for changes and substitutions ...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and definitely try the Vanilla Apple Fig drink!</div>hatingclutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17123686783396955848noreply@blogger.com2