It's Calling ...

I suppose that some of you cannot hear it ...

but,

Sunday we were in the 60's ...

and today ...

more of the same.

I look out at the sunshine and it calls.

The warmth,

the earth,

the grass.

Only one month to "pea" planting.

Must be patient,

but it sure is hard!

Was it Perfect?

I am still greatly enjoying my subscription to "e-meals."

We have been pleasantly surprised by the recipes -

taste, ease of preparation, variety, and balance.

I am saving all of the plans and will have a year's worth to reuse in 2015 and on!

Last Monday, I made "Chicken Perfection."

Hubby asked me "not to lose that one."

I am still learning how to saute without burning or just filling the house with smoke,

but we could still tell that it was a great recipe.

Chicken Perfection

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp paprika (I used smoked)

1 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp dried parsley

1 1/2 lbs boneless chicken breast cut in half

2 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp olive oil

Coat both sides of chicken with spice mixture.

Saute in butter and oil over med heat about 6 minutes per side.

We served with fresh green beans and oven roasted, rosemary fingerling potatoes.

This week:

Monday: Beef and Tomato Mac with Cheddar Garlic Biscuits

Tuesday: Mushroom and Feta Frittata

Wednesday:  Rosemary Chicken

Thursday: Cheeseburger Toss

Friday: Oven Baked Pork Chops

Saturday: Mexican Beef and Veggies

Sunday:  Leek and Potato Pork

Friday Forum: The Pastor's Wife

We moved to NC to study to enter the ministry.

While our situation still prohibits that today (at least in the way we thought),

I still believe that I may be a pastor's wife one day.

When we arrived in NC, I gathered advice from many pastor's wives ...

family members and those ministry wives we had met along the way.

I was given many ideas of things to read and learn and think through in preparation for the ministry.

I have worked on "ministry meals," flexibility, Sunday School curriculum ...

I continue to search for ways to better minister to others.

Yet, what should the character of a pastor's wife be?

While the Bible lays out twice the qualifications for a pastor,

I have heard many times that there are no qualifications for the pastor's wife in the Bible;

and besides, she is not the one who is hired by the church.

Hubby and I have hashed it out for our own benefit.

Our answer involves Proverbs 31 and Titus 2.

If the qualifications for a pastor are really just traits that all Christians should have,

but he is to be the example of these traits for the church;

should not the pastor's wife be the example of what every lady should be?

What do you think? 

Am I off target?

Does the Bible give any qualifications for a pastor's wife?

Because I know MANY pastor's wives,

I make a disclaimer that I value the role of the pastor's wife

and the difficulties in that role.

I am not seeking to belittle or point out any particular pastor's wife.

I ask this question for my own challenge and edification.

Protection

Hopefully the frigid air is behind us ...

it did remind me to be thankful, very thankful.

I am thankful for daily protection from wind, rain, cold, snow.

I am thankful for the heat.

I am thankful for a brick foundation that provides additional protection for trailer pipes.

I am thankful for our new home which is more air tight than our last trailer.

I am thankful for warm food and drink on a cold day.

I am thankful for the protection of warm clothing, shoes, and coats.

So much that God provides ...

... and I often forget to thank Him for.

Where is Your Trust?

Proverbs 20:24 

Man's goings are of the LORD; 

how can a man then understand his own way?

Are you making plans for the day?  the week?  the month?  the year?

No, I am not going to decry an organized, planned life - 

the Lord praises planning, preparation and order.

It is good to keep an orderly plan,

to have a schedule that allows you to meet the needs of others,

to provide an environment where all can succeed.

But is there room for God?

for His plans?

for His working in my life?

How are you doing?

Are your plans and goings just that - YOURS?

Leave room for God to work, to lead, to give His best to you.

BRR!

To all of my east coast readers ...

Grab a cup of coffee or tea ...

and try to stay warm!

chilly window pain - very pretty this morning

Maybe I can plan my spring garden to keep "warm" thoughts!

Protein Packed Smoothie

I found hubby a men's workout DVD for Christmas.

He really loves it and it motivates him like crazy.

I enjoy the workouts as well.

We even saw results in less than a month.

He also enjoyed sharing some of the workouts with our nephews over Christmas.

(Wish you guys lived closer - so we could all challenge each other.)

One "downfall" of the workout is a super-charged metabolism.

It is an effort to keep the belly full of good things that build muscle.

I looked up a protein smoothie recipe that would not require protein powder.

Hubby was not convinced at the first sip,

but has begun to request it for breakfast (when the house is not too cold).

Enjoy!

1/2 T coconut oil

1/4 old fashioned oats

1 c 0% Greek Yogurt

1/2 c 2% cottage cheese

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1-2 small banana(s)

2 c frozen fruit

2 c milk (we use almond milk)

Blend and enjoy.

This is 2 servings - but I think it would serve 4.

The recipe was billed as blueberry cheesecake - 

it was good, but not quite cheesecake :)

We make it with mixed fruit most of the time.


Weekly Menu:
Monday:  Chicken Perfection
Tuesday:  Shrimp Topped Baked Potatoes
Wednesday:  Cajun Pork
Thursday:  Beef and Tomato Mac
Friday:  Oven Baked Pork Chops

Friday Forum: Snow Day!

We woke this morning to extreme wind.

As I lay in the darkness,

I semi-hoped that I was hearing sleet or freezing rain with the wind.

If the roads were ice, hubby and I would just spend the day at home.

A long workout together,

a leisurely breakfast,

coffee or tea with our Bible reading,

leftover split soup for lunch - with some fresh made biscuits, 

...

It was not icy on the roads, though,

and we both had to meet our obligations.

It is cold though - just at freezing.

How do you like to spend a snow day?

Prayer Warriors

I am often brought to tears when someone reminds me that they are praying for me.

This is not the flippant saying,

but the heartfelt words that convey concern - 

concern that brings my needs before the Heavenly Father.

I can think of four specific people that have expressed such concern and love to me this year

(and I am sure that there are more.)

I am thankful for those who are prayer warriors on my behalf - 

those who seek to know my needs when I cannot even utter them.

One of my goals/resolutions in the new year

is to be more of a prayer warrior for others - 

to be specific,

to pray beyond the church prayer list,

to know people and their needs,

to pray earnestly for those needs,

to be an answer when I can.

Sometimes it is hard to be specific,

to carry the burdens of others.

Many times God has told me to put feet to my prayers.

Those feet might involve stretching myself.

Leave it in God's Hands

 Proverbs 20:22 

Say not thou, I will recompense evil; 

but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

Happy New Year one and all!

Welcome to 2014!
And Happy 1000th Post to "Simply Keeping the Home."

This verse caught my eye this week - 

probably because I struggle with a great desire for justice

(especially in the lives of others, to my shame).

As we drove to NY last week,

a car passed us going 80-85 mph.

Just a bit down the road,

that little car was stopped by some flashing lights.

Do you get the same thrill to see justice occur, to see wrongs tended to?

But ...

it is not mine to meet out the justice.

It is not mine to make sure that everything is according to my standards.

I have been working, with the Lord's help,

to try to judge others less and self more.

I don't know the whole story usually,

and the judging only ruins my own health and well being.

Wait -

Wait on the Lord - 

He is the righteous judge!