Keep Walking

Proverbs 26:17 

He that passeth by, 

and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, 

is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

Once again, I am convicted be the proverbs.

I am a nosy person.  I like to know things.

I am reminded that there are things that I do not need to know about.

I need to just pass by sometimes,

I need to stop the line of questions at other times,

I need to change the subject sometimes,

I need to remind someone that I am not part of the solution or problem and need not know the details.

It seems to be a common problem for women.

Maybe not all women, but many that I know.

But I am reminded that that nosiness can lead to my harm,

just like grabbing a dog by the ears.

Take Heed!

Catch Up

We spent 12 hours yesterday working at church.

We have been meeting in a back room to save on energy costs,

but the room needed some updating.

The room was painted last week

and carpet laid yesterday.

OOHH!  It looks so nice!

Today, I am catching up on my cleaning at home.

I love the feel of clean and the orderliness after a day of cleaning.

This afternoon,

hubby and I are going to pick up a digital piano.

We are replacing the large upright in the back room with a digital.

It will save space and allow more versatility in other rooms as well.

And ... it doesn't need to be tuned.

By early next week,

I will have a new digital piano as well ...

really looking forward to it.

After the Workout

We are back in the swing of things.

Waking up early.

Working out hard.

Going to bed at a decent hour.

How quickly we broke some of our healthy habits.

I have been reading some health books

which have recommended boosting my weight training

to boost my metabolism.

Along with the increased weights came a recommendation for protein shakes.

I am not much for powdered drinks,

so we started experimented with something more natural.

It all started with a recipe on hubby's dark chocolate almond milk

and progressed from there.

I figure that it has about 15 grams of protein and 300 calories!

Protein After Workout Recovery Shake

1 cup milk (I use unsweetened coconut almond, hubby uses dark chocolate almond)

1 package gelatin

1 frozen banana

2 Tbsp natural peanut butter

1 Tbsp cocoa (I omit this)

Blend in blender until banana is smooth.

We have found this a very satisfying and filling breakfast alone,

or we add an egg or a piece of toast if the day looks busy.

We may try adding dried oats if we need or want a little something more as well.

You could also add avocado to the chocolate one for creaminess and healthy fats 

or add coconut oil to vanilla or chocolate shake. (of course this will increase your calories)

The meal plan for this week looks a little funny,

because hubby gives me a break in the kitchen for my b'day present.

Monday: El Alcapulco - Tacos de Carnitas (Pork Tacos)

Tuesday: Chipotle (Chicken Bowl)

Wednesday: Golden Corral

Thursday: Hot Dogs and Potato Salad

Friday: Chicken and Quinoa Chili

Hoops & Yoyo - Amazing Mom

Hoops and YoYo are so funny - quite an odd sense of humor.  Enjoy!

Two Things

This week, I have 2 things to share.

I am thankful for a new trellis that hubby built for me.

We were given some free wood and we had over purchased rebar for another project - 

so the project was free.

Now my trumpet vine can have a place to grow and "show out."

I am also thankful for music and the gift of music.

When I got married,

my in-laws graciously sent us their old Yamaha Clavinova - 

the piano that they used at their church in the Arctic.

Now it is over 30 years old!

Just about the time that Murphy visited,

the Clavinova decided that it had served its purpose.

I lost an octave of notes, followed by another ...

We were praying for a new digital piano - 

but praying specifically for a free one ...

for this is not a category that we had budgeted for.

I was recently given a gift toward a $500 digital piano.

Hubby plans to take me shopping tomorrow to try some out.

God is so good - and it is a blessing when he allows His people to put feet to their prayers :)

Strong in the Right Way

Proverbs 25:28 

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city 

that is broken down, and without walls.

This one is a tough one for me.

 - - to rule one's spirit - - 

control over emotions

control over anger

control over reactions

The analogy is of a city without walls - 

a city in disreapair

a city without protection

a city vulnerable

a city that is the shell of what it once was or what it could be

I do not want to be that "has been" city - 

that city that makes you cry to think of its former "glory days."

So to avoid it ...

with the Lord's help ...

I must rule my own spirit.

I am not to rule others.

I am not to blame others.

I am not to manipulate others.

I am to take care of myself and my actions.

Time Away

Hubby is nearing the end of his recovery period.
He will return to work next week.
Since he is feeling great but just not able to lift everything required at work,
we decided to take an outing this week.

houses made with timbers and brick

the doctor's house - 8 children

the burial ground - headstones uniform and flat to signify God's view of all men as equal

Last week a Groupon popped up for the Old Salem Village -
it is an old 1800 Moravian Village about 2 hours north of us.
It is much like Sturbridge Village in the north,
or Williamsburg and Jamestown in VA.

We packed up our lunch and hit the road.
We enjoyed the pleasant little village,
the reenactments,
and the quiet tree lined streets.

We enjoyed the change of scenery and routine.

Clean It Up

If you have read this blog any length of time,

you know that I love junk food.

Sweets, chips, crackers, nachos, fast food ...

And so,

I often have to reign it in.

After 4 weeks of recovery for hubby - 

not so great eating choices - 

too many "celebrations,"

and limited exercising ...

it is time to clean house again.

It is great to have the support of my hubby.

We are simplifying and cutting back.

Oh, I still have my sweets - recently it has been 4 jelly beans for dessert :)

We enjoyed some wraps for lunch

and because we were out all day and nothing was thawed,

we had scrambled eggs with salsa and cheese for supper.

As a treat we had strawberries and grapes and fresh mint with a dollop of whipped cream!

I sure am becoming a fresh herb lover!

This week's menu plan:

Monday - Scrambled Eggs

Tuesday - Picnic - wraps again

Wednesday - Lemon Chicken Soup

Thursday - Moroccan Pork

Friday - Skillet Honey Pork Chops

Saturday - Stroganoff

Friday Forum: Lost Arts

I was the queen of lost arts when I married 11 years ago,

didn't cook - much

didn't sew

hadn't practiced gardening and preserving

Hubby and I were tickled this week by some lost arts.

The lack of domesticity in girls.

The lack of basic maintenance skill in young men.

If the Lord allows us to have children,

I don't want them to be part of the "lost art" club.

I want to give them valuable skills to make them useful and helpful.

Perhaps you can help us with the list ...

What do you see as "Lost Arts"?

Note:

If comments are given, they are given as an "As I see it" view.

I am sure that the "lost arts" vary per region and situation.

Green

You have seen my "garden" home if you visit the blog with any frequency.

I love green.

It is restful.

It is the color of life.

I am thankful for all of the colors that God created.

During the spring months,

it is green that stands out.

fresh grass

growing seedlings in the garden

fresh leaves on the trees

LIFE!