Denial is Just Not a River in Egypt (A Weight Loss Post)

All this reflection during the New Year has brought me face to face with some unpleasant truths.

~ Leggings need only be worn when the hinnie can be covered.
~As much as I would like to argue about it that Salted Caramel Nutella Josiah found in the clearance section at Target has sugar. Lots of sugar.
~There has never been and will never be such a thing as "The Laundry Fairy."
~ If I want to live in Abundance this year I have to take better care of myself.

It's true. I am in better health than I've been . I weigh considerably less than I did a few years ago. I'm just stuck. I've let some bad habits creep back into my lifestyle.

It's easy for me to go retreat to my happy place. In my happy place, I am thin. I have great hair. My laundry is always done. Our homeschool happens every day without hiccups, arguments or struggles. We don't have to worry about money....

Maybe you have a happy place too. Unfortunately, if we spend too much time wishing our cares away we don't do anything to confront our issues.

It's called Denial.

This year I am taking a good hard look at what I need to restart my weight loss.

Here are a few issues as I see them. I'm just being honest. If you are having similar struggles I suggest you make a list.

1. I haven't weighed in a while. I simply know that the scale is not going to make me happy.

2. I haven't been faithful to take my blood sugar every day. I misplaced my blood sugar machine and conveniently used that as an excuse. God apparently has my number. I found it a few weeks ago.
When I am faced with my blood sugar every morning I know if my choices have been good ones.

3. Some of my clothing is a bit tighter than it has been. If my intention is to go down sizes... I need to reevaluate what I am doing.

4. I haven't been faithful with my food diary in a while.

5. My exercise routine hasn't been consistent. I don't have a PLAN.

Now that I've identified some of those issues I am making the plan.

For me, what has worked in the past is that I make this healthy lifestyle part of my job. I need a plan of action. I have to start where I'm at. Many times we start out good and strong. We throw ourselves headfirst into a rigorous eating and exercise plan. I know better than that. I need to redevelop habits that have taken me where I want to go.


Let's address my issues. At least, the ones I listed above. I don't have time to even get into the rest of them.

1. Because I know my obsession with the scale, I am going to chose one day a month to weigh and measure for the time being. Remember that sometimes your measurements will reveal more how your body is shifting than the scale.

2.  Monitoring my blood sugar is not only important for my general healthy, it is also a good indication of my eating habits. If I am allowing hidden sugars and starches into my diet my blood sugar will let me know. I plan to take my blood sugar every morning before breakfast. 

3. I am going to reward myself for my efforts.  Nothing makes me feel better than a pretty blouse and some dangly earrings to match. I don't have a massive amount of clothes, but I have plenty to see me through for a while. I have a gift card to one of my favorite clothing stores my mother-in-law got me for Christmas. I am not going to use it or purchase clothes (even from the thrift store) until I need to move down a size. This is going to be a big reward for me.

4. You would be surprised how keeping a food journal can keep you on track. It's being accountable. I keep track of my food at Sparkpeople.com, but you can use any system. I plan on recording my food every day. It will help me confront those impulse snacks...well...I've been impulsive about.

5. We are members of the Y and been blessed to take advantage of what they have to offer. However, during the month of December we seldom went. I have resources on hand to exercise at home and I plan to utilize those and my Y membership. I have a more specific plan, but in general I want exercise consistently 15-20 minutes every day. This might be a workout at the Y, using an exercise DVD...I also want to keep track of my steps eventually, but that is down the road.


These are very doable goals. They don't require me to spent an enormous amount of money. I can complete them without taking huge chunks of my day, yet they will all assist in helping me achieve my goal.

So here is your assignment (if you choose to accept it). Identify some key issues. Maybe you rely of fast food as your menu of choice. Maybe you don't drink enough water. Maybe you are having trouble snacking late at night.

Choose one or two habits than you can cultivate that will assist you in tackling some of those issues. Don't worry about the big stuff. If you need to work on one habit a week. Don't give up and don't strive for perfection. If you fail...no big deal. This doesn't mean you give up. You just pick up where you left off.

To encourage you and to keep myself accountable one of my goals includes to be more transparent with those ups and downs of transforming a body and a life. I haven't been as consistent as I would like to be. My plan is to post every Wednesday about my progress. It is going to be a challenge for me. I'm about as fond of a tight schedule as I am that "suck-your-gut-in" underwear I squeeze myself into every Sunday.

Thank you my friends for being such an encouragement during this process of mine. I'm just hoping to return the favor.

What I'm Fixin' This Week!

One of my New Year's Resolutions is that I become more consistent with my meal planning. To be honest I am fairly dependable with meal planning...at least with our main meal. My problem is all the in-betweens. Especially when it comes to what I need to be eating. I spent much of December just grabbing what was handy.

Here's the truth, my friends. I didn't lose 80 pounds grabbing what's handy. Remaking your life and habits takes work and a lot of deliberate planning and preparing.

So my goal this year is to get back to what I know works.  Sometime back I posted my meal plan for the week every Monday. I want to start doing that again. I know that it helps when I see what other folks are fixin' at their houses. It gives me inspiration. I also want to provide a little bit of mealtime inspiration myself.

Just something to remember when looking over my menu. I follow the THM (Trim Healthy Mama) principles. We also commute every weekend to our job as Associate Pastors in another town. My mom feeds us...which is absolutely fabulous. I am only including the 5 days I planned for this week.

Monday

Chili - I'm using leftover beans for this batch.
Saltine Crackers - My guys like a little crunch. I'll just enjoy the chili.

 Tuesday - My 'at-home-day'...it is precious to me. If I'm going to make something special during the week this is the day. I also like to do any chopping, storing (whatever) for my eating plan.

Slow Cooker Hillbilly Pinto Beans (my recipe) - I'm putting these on before I go to bed on Sunday night...which will be easy. Downton Abby starts season 5!
Greens (frozen from my Dad's summer garden) - I like this recipe from Tyler Florence...only I use swiss chard and don't cook them quite as long.
Cornbread (for my guys)


Wednesday 

Alfredo  with Dreamfields Pasta - If you love alfredo sauce you have to try this recipe from The Pioneer Woman. It will make you want to smack somebody it's so good. I made it last night with shrimp and broccoli and I spent the whole night looking for random people to smack. True story. Dreamfields pasta is supposed to be better for all the low carb eaters, but sometimes I just have my sauce over spaghetti squash or zucchini.

Tossed salad (the larger the better!)


Thursday - This day is our Reading Club day. Because we are gone for several hours this is a good day to put something in the crockpot.

Crock Pot Spicy Chinese Chicken - this comes from a recipe I have at home.
Baked Brown Rice - Alton's recipe is the best.
Stir Fry Broccoli - I use a bag of frozen florets and quickly give them a whirl in the pan with a tiny bit of oil and garlic. Every meal needs a little green.


Friday - Our family day! And Josiah's swim team practice. I like to cook something homey on this day if I have time.

Crock Pot Balsamic Pork Roast
Loaded Cauliflower bake
Green Beans (canned from my Dad's garden this summer)


What's on the table at your house this week?

I'm linking up this post to orgjunkie.com.

A Bean Primer: Black- Eyed Peas

You have heard me talk about how much I love beans. There has been been a song written about this magical food. I don't repeat it.

For the next several week, I want to give you all my trustworthy bean cooking tips and recipes.

You're welcome.

I'm not sure how long I can keep this up. I cook beans every week, but frankly I might get tired and want to share recipes for everything I know about..say...turnips.

I don't know much. So that will be a short series if it happens. Don't get me wrong...I like them. I just don't cook them 42 ways.

Beans. This week I want to share a New Year's Tradition in some parts of the country. Now I, myself, am a hillbilly. I never remember eating Black-eyed peas on New Year's Day. Until. We moved to the Mississippi Delta. Our first New Year's there we went to a party and among the chicken wings and little smokies was a bowl full of black-eyed peas.

I was honestly thinking, "One of these things is not like the other." Don't get me wrong. Beans, in general, are the hillbilly's national food. But I've embraced tradition (at least most years) and have started fixing blacked-eyed peas on New Years...even though we've made our way back to the hills of my forefathers. Those hills being the Ozarks. My forefathers being perfectly respectable hillbillies.

I'm telling you that this is the only way to cook them. I am sure a little old southern grandma somewhere in Mississippi could school me, but this recipe won't steer you wrong.

You don't have to soak black-eyed peas like you do other beans. I put a few inches of water of my beans and let it boil just a few minutes.

While that was going on I chopped up a couple of stalks of celery (weeds and all), an onion and a few cloves of garlic. Don't waste those celery weeds!

You can cook these beans without any ham or meat protein, but I think it just adds something.  Traditionally, I believe that salt pork is used. I got this package of ham slices and pieces because (a) I forgot the ham bone I was going to take home at the in-laws house from Christmas and (b) I am planning on using this ham for a few more meals. You don't need much. Just roughly chop some up.

After my beans boiled a few minutes, I drained them in a colander and picked out all the rough looking beans.

I then put my onions and celery in a pot with a little drizzle of olive oil and sauteed them until they were just a little browned. Notice my rather worn wooden spoon. You will be pleased to know that this poor fella has been relieved of duty and I purchased a nice, new set of wooden spoons at T.J Maxx.

 I then added my beans and my garlic. You can see the ham in the picture below. Don't put it in quite yet. You need to give your beans a good toast. I also added some pepper, just a bit of salt and thyme. I just stirred and toasted everything up.

I want to talk about my chicken seasoning. MSG does strange things to me so I like to use this stuff I got at a Mennonite Grocery Store. I make my own when I can, but I don't have any room to store anything. We live in a small space and it takes quite a bit of effort to store the basics. Don't even ask me about toilet paper!

The thing is is that I also add my chicken seasoning to the beans while I am toasting. You don't have to do this. I am not even sure if it makes a difference. It just seems fancy. And that's what I always go for.  Fancy. This particular brand calls for 2 tsp. per 1 cup of water. I used 6 tsp. total.

A shout out to my mom-in-law who got me this adorable Rachael Ray Olive Oil Dispenser for Christmas. Love it! It's red. Need I say more?

After the I felt the beans were nice and toasted (just a few minutes or so), I put the ham in and then 4 cups of water. If you are using chicken stock now would be the time to add it. I set the temp a little lower and let it simmer for about 45 minutes.

Now there are some good beans!

And there you have it. A yummy bowl of black-eyed peas. Guaranteed to chase away all those chilly winter blues.

Here is a more detailed recipe. Such as it is. You can see that I care more about making it cute than I do about giving you any usual information.

Hope you enjoy! Next week I'll be sharing a hillbilly standard. My husband's favorite White Beans and Ham.

My Word for 2015: Abundance

Have you created a New Year's Resolution?

I have a few. I like to take some time during the New Year to reexamine my goals, my life and my priorities.

Sometimes I need to get my brain and heart back in line with what is important to me. Something that helps me focus is finding a word that encompasses my heart's desires.

This year my word is Abundance.

I don't know about you, but sometimes I can get so caught up in the trivial things. Or overwhelmed with those not so trivial things.

Despite my circumstances, I want to live a beautiful life. Living a beautiful life doesn't mean I have an abundance of material possessions or those things that the world thinks of as valuable.

It means that I take joy in the small things....that I am grateful for those little moments. It means that I live with purpose and that I am good to myself. It all so means that I share what I have with those around me...even if it is a good word or smile.

One of my goals this year is to share with you what I am learning and what I am living...the good and the bad. We need to encourage each other in this journey!

Have you thought of a word for your New Year?

A Look Back: My Most Viewed Posts for Every Month of 2014

It's that time of year.

What's left of it.

It's time we all take a look back and reflect upon the previous year. Personally, I haven't had much time to do much of anything..Let alone reflect. My goals for this week have been simple. Take down the Christmas stuff. Catch up on the laundry. Scrub the kitchen. Organize our homeschool. And...plan some stuff for the blog.

And on this very last night of 2014 I can proudly say that I have put up the Christmas stuff. And I really don't think I can admit to that. It is still in boxes and tubs in the front room waiting to go to our storage unit.

It is not for lack of trying. I really need a maid. Or at least the ability to grow an extra set of hands.

I thought it appropriate to share the most popular post of each month of 2014. Some of the results surprised me. There are a few reviews, a smattering of random thoughts and an occasional odd post.

Who am I kidding? All my posts are odd.

On to the Countdown! (I really feel like someone should drop a ball or throw some confetti at me)

The most viewed post of December was from a journal post I found from several years back. Maybe I should start posting more of these. My journal from 6th grade is especially enlightening.

December ~ A Reflection: Down and Out

In November, I shared my story of infertility, loss and adoption. This was really hard for me, but it apparently struck a chord. Part 2 was the most viewed post of the month.

November ~ Born of My Heart (part 2)

October brought many reviews, including this one for iWitness Books. We just visited a Bible museum and got to see some of what we had read about in these books up close and personal!

October ~ A TOS Review: iWitness Books

These Johnny Appleseed Printables I created in September received a lot of love.

September ~ Free Johnny Appleseed Printables

More Printables! I need to make more. I really need to clean my kitchen first!

August ~ Free Grocery Store Printables for the Kiddos

In July, I got to review great products from Diana Waring Presents! So much fun!

July ~ Experience History Through Music

I talk about Josiah's dyslexia quite often on the blog. Here are some of the reading strategies we employ.

June ~ Summer Reading Strategies for Struggling Readers

Another TOS Review for a great product!

May ~ A TOS Review: Logic of English

In April, I posted a series about getting your boys in the kitchen. This particular one was popular!

April ~ 5 Days of Culinary Adventures for Boys (Kitchen Boot Camp)

Need some New Year inspiration and a plan for housework. This review might be for you (the rhyme was free!)

March ~ A TOS Review: Motivated Moms

For the month of love, I wrote about my own personal love story.

February ~ A Love Story

I have no idea why you liked this particular post for January so much. Maybe you were just looking for some random advice from a fruity gal? In any event...read it again. You might need it for 2015!

January ~ Take My Advice (or Not!)

See you in the New Year!

A Christmas Letter ~ 2014

So I am sitting here posting from our Christmas headquarter's this year. Somewhere in Illinois at my Bro-in-Law's House.

Instead of stuffing my face with all of the candy and cookies that are just in arm's reach, I thought I would share a end of the year Christmas letter with you.

Such as it is.

When thinking about our comings and goings this year, I really don't have much to report.

We are simply....uninteresting folks. A little crazy. But uninteresting.

But here it goes. You have my permission to make up more colorful adventures if it makes the reading go easier.

This guy turned 13 in November. He's gotten a few zits and grown a few more inches.

This is his 3rd year on the YMCA swim team. He also has taken up cycling with his Dad. During the spring and summer they will ride together every Friday. Generally about 12-15 miles or so. Which gives me plenty of time to sit on the couch and contemplate being busy. I do it well.

We do homeschool and Josiah's favorite subject (other than lunch) is history. He also attends a PE class twice a week at a local university and we have a reading club every Thursday.

Josiah tends to be a Super Fan of his flavor of the moment. For several years, he loved Indiana Jones. He dressed up like Indiana Jones. He recreated his favorite scenes from the movie and wanted to be an archaeologist. Then he went through his Star Wars phase. This year the "flavor" is Football.

Mind you...he doesn't actually play football. He just has decided it is possibly the coolest sport on the planet. He has asked to be called Peyton Manning on more than one occasion and talks football stats like a pro. It is a bit frightening for this Non Sports Fan Mama. I just don't get it.

He is the Master Power Point Technician for Worship Service at church. He does a much better job than I do. I tend to daydream.

But I good reason to.

Isn't he the dreamiest?

The Studly Muffin and I celebrated 23 years of mawage this year!

He is still working as the Associate Pastor at our church and at Gospel Publishing House. His big hobby is Cycling. During warm weather he rides approx. 60 miles every weekend.

In September, Troy completed his 2nd Bike MS. It is 150 mile ride from Springfield to Joplin and back. I'm so proud of him. He has all of the dedication and discipline I only wish I had.

He was able to purchase a new bike this year. It's current home is in our living room. Yep. We love that bike.

Obviously, my guys love to be together. They are my loves.

And then there is me.

If you read my blog at all you probably know everything there is to know about me.

I have been busy doing the usual things. Housework, laundry, dishes.

Okay. You got me. At least I try and do those things. Sometimes a nap calls.

We didn't get to go on vacation this year, but we did have visits from family.

We also got to participate in a Fun Walk. I know that for most of you walking a Mile is not a big deal. For me, however, it was everything. There was a time that I didn't know if I would be able to walk at all. It has taken many years, but the fact is that I made it. I was last....even the tiny kids out walked me. But I got there!

You can see my cheering section below. Fun Walk's are serious business. 

And my view was pretty great. I have some pretty neat opportunities this year. I got to speak to a group of YMCA employees and our local Y used me in a promo video. I got to talk about some of my experiences. I promise I barely embarrassed myself. I did forget to put an earring in. Yep. I wore one dangly earring through the whole piece.

I can't end a Christmas Letter without talking about our Pirate Cousin Camp.

My Mom and I hosted the 4th Annual Cousin Camp. We had more fun than anybody should have.

We are already planning this next Summer's cousin camp. We have the theme and everything!

You  might have to just stay tuned. I'm not ready to give away all my secrets.

This next year we are hoping for great things. God has been so good!

Mom and I are starting a new little online cottage shop (more info soon). This is a brand new venture so please keep us in  your prayers.

Troy and I  are praying that God just uses us and continues to grow our faith. We are always amazed at His faithfulness.

Our prayer for all of you is that everyone finds a real relationship with God. That you are blessed beyond measure and that you and yours treasure each moment together.

Merry Christmas (and have a piece of fudge on me...I am considering applying duct tape to my mouth)!

A Reflection: Down and Out

I was cleaning out a shelf the other day. This is not news in itself, but I was applying my usual "cleaning out" technique I have used since childhood.

As I pulled things off the shelf, I looked through every single item. I might have even read a book. It's hard to resist such treasures.

While looking through the books, I ran across a journal. I have journaled quite a bit through my life...though not as frequently over the past few years. I tend to leave my rambling for the blog.

Sorry.

This journal wasn't filled with my day to day lamentations. Instead it was filled with reflections. One particularly touched me. Not because I had written so eloquently, but because I remember the occasion vividly.

We were living in the Memphis, TN area at the time. I dated my entry January 19, 2000.

I think it's appropriate during this time of year to count our blessings. To be thankful for what we have and use what we have to bless others. I see so many suffering in our world. How can I possibly be discontent with my warm home, full belly and fuzzy socks?

Here is what I wrote.

I had seen the homeless before. Shabby, ragged, grizzled. Old men, old women. Grizzled young men, frazzled young women. I knew the moment I saw him that he was somewhere in between the old and the young. Shabby, ragged, grizzled....hopeless. 

He was sitting on the green iron patio furniture outside the health food market. What an odd combination. The busy professionals in their suits and ties picking up their bottled water and sushi. The enlightened college crowd with their organic yogurt and sprouted grains. 

Then there was the homeless man with his torn coat and matted hair. He spoke to me softly. All he needed was $1.20. He assured me he didn't drink and thanked me for being so polite to him. 

Was I polite? Could he sense that I was uncomfortable? His eyes. They were infected. Swollen and runny. I wondered at the past indignations he had suffered. I sat down my recycled paper bag full of grains and nuts and quickly scrapped up every spare cent from the bottom of my purse, the car...my pockets. I dumped the assorted coins into his cupped hand and apologized for all the change. 

He continued to thank me profusely and wandered back to the green patio furniture to sit back down. He hunkered over that bit of change...carefully counting it. 

Then he was gone. 

I imagined this was a daily routine for him. Begging for his breakfast, lunch and supper. I wondered about his life. Had his life before the streets been a normal one? Had he been happy? I wondered about what could have pushed to the streets. Dependency? Insanity? Life? 

It disturbed more than I would have thought.  I lay cuddled in my safe warm bed, in front of my color television set with my faithful cat. I am anticipating breakfast from a stocked fridge. I am ashamed of my discontentment, my anxiety, of my worry. Regardless of my trials and tests I have been blessed. Though not with health, but with healing. Though not with riches, but with comfort. Mostly, I've been blessed with hope. I pray that hope for that suffering man. May he find peace.

A Book Review: Parenting Unchained!

I am excited to be a member of the “Parenting Unchained” launch team.

This is a terrific book that is not only for new parents, but seasoned folks as well.

Here is a little bit more about the book.

In Parenting Unchained – Overcoming the TenDeceptions that Shackle Christian Parents, Dr. James D. Dempsey reveals the ten most destructive lies about parenting. He writes from the heart about the way these lies infected his own parenting, and illuminates the Bible's powerful truths that counter each lie. Both Biblical and practical, each section ends with home activities to help parents take immediate steps to develop their kids' character--character that lasts when they leave home. 

The last chapters focus on the most important adjustments parents must make with teenagers to prepare them for independence. Weaving humor into strong warnings, Parenting Unchained points out the hazards that derail the parenting journey.

Here’s the honest truth. Parenting is a tough job. I also need to tell you that I spent the first 10 years of my adult life teaching other people’s children before Josiah came into our lives. I had 125 hours of Early Childhood Education under my belt as well as a decade of practical teaching experience. There were times I have looked that this child of mine and thought….”All that experience and education did not prepare me for this!” I have made my fair share of mistakes.

Parenting Unchained gets to the nitty gritty. Are you just a bit curious about some of those destructive lies Dr. Dempsey lays out in his book? I can tell you I have been guilty (or am guilty!) of more than believing one of them.

Here is an example. “You’re Capable; You Can Do This”

This is Deception #2 from Chapter Two: The Lie of Self-Reliance. How often have I relied on my own wisdom instead of God’s? The practical Home Activities at the end of the chapter were something I could really sink my teeth into. From the task of listing all of those people God has placed in your life to help you to finding a balance between “prideful self-reliance and unhealthy dependence.

This is another Deception that convicted me. God Only Cares About Rules. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Dr. Dempsey refuted this point by talking about God’s love relationship with us. Parenting in God’s Model Requires a Love Relationship.

So many times we focus on the obedience…not on the relationship.

The last few chapters really ministered to me. They all did, but Josiah turned 13 just a few weeks ago. I feel completely inadequate to parent a teen. I just don’t think I am doing it right. Where do my husband and I draw the line between sheltering him and preparing him?

Consider this deception. Life Should Be Easy. How many times have I personally fallen into that deceptive mindset…even though in my heart and circumstances I know it not to be true? This chapter (chapter 10) is entitled “Sheltered or Sent?” Dr. Dempsey encourages us to not just let our children go into the world, but to prepare them and send them. Send them a strong foundation of relationship and the unconditional love that God has shown us. And to send them out with a mental imprint of a genuine life lived before Christ. We all have a mission in this life. We are followers of Christ and we must prepare our children for this mission.

This is such a mighty call.

I can’t recommend this book enough. I know that there is something in it that will bless and challenge every Christian parent. Right now you can grab a Kindle version of the book on Amazon for only .99! Act quickly because I’m not sure how long it will be that price. However, I think it is well worth the splurge, not matter the cost.

About the Author…

Dr. James Dempsey and his wife Gail live in Austin Texas.He is a presenter and Family Ministry Consultant for National Center for Biblical Parenting. You can find out more about his ministry at D6Culture.com.

You can find Dr. Dempsey on these Social Media outlets. 

Dr. Dempsey on Facebook

Dr. Dempsey on Twitter

Parenting Unchained Pinterest Board

What's in the Bible Sale!

(aff. link below)

How's the Christmas shopping going? I'm almost done...yay! In the meantime, here is a good deal from What's in the Bible? We love these videos!

Random Thoughts (The Expired Tags Edition)

So I've been a bit of a turkey coma. And I've been stuck at home 'cause my car is illegal. At least it's illegal for me to drive...my tags are expired. More on that in a minute.

In honor of my Expired Tags I am going to provide you with a few Random Thoughts.

You've been warned.

1. So The Muffin took my car last week to get it inspected. Yes. I know that we were pushing it to the limit; That's how we roll. It was the end of November and my tags expired in November. We should of known better. But again...That's how we roll.

2. 9 times out of 10 my car will not pass inspection. The realities of driving an older car are grim. But cheap. Bertha the Buick is paid off. This time she needs an inner tie rod and some sort of back light. I called our family mechanic (who is my brother...who by the way is not really a mechanic at all, but just a whiz at fixing things). He was working double shifts and told me he couldn't get to it until this weekend. Being that it is now December....

3. You know how you have wonderful plans and then...BAM! Well. My experience hasn't been that dramatic. I was actually excited to have a week at home. I had a really good excuse for staying home. No Wheels! I was going to do laundry. Clean off my table. Wrap Christmas presents. Do crafty stuff. And make my family yummy meals. Sigh.

4. I am really one of those kinds of people who need to eat holiday meals at other people's houses and then just go home. Otherwise I eat leftovers. You know what I mean. Leftover turkey. Leftover mashed potatoes. Leftover gravy. Leftover pie. And more pie. We had 9 pies! And a birthday cake.

5. I have spent this week in a fog and with achy bones. My corner of the couch has been well-used. I need to clarify something, I suppose. We actually went to my Mom and Dad's for Thanksgiving. We all cooked (when I mean "we" I mean the girls). Then we stayed put. Mom and Dad went to OHHH-Klahoma to watch Baby Sister's Middle cutie in The Nutcracker. She was performing with the Moscow Ballet. Very special stuff. Meanwhile, The Muffin, Josiah and Cousin Maddy had the run of the farm...and the leftovers.

6. I'm simple. Nothing I like better than a good book, some quiet and a piece of pie.

7. Sadly, Pie doesn't like me.

8. And then there was my Birthday Boy. 13 on Thanksgiving!!!! We celebrated with Grandma Teague's Redcake Recipe (only I made it green). I could say I made it green because I wanted it to match his "Football themed" birthday, but I made it green because I found .49 green food coloring at the Discount Grocery. Which is just about as good as The Thrift Store.

9. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures. At least not right now. We took pictures on my Mom's camera. I was digging frantically in my purse for my camera. Never found it until we got home Sunday night. I'll share ASAP. Josiah is a bit obsessed with Football. Just a bit.

10. Do you have your tree up? We don't. So sad. Our Christmas stuff is in a storage building in another town. We were going to go out tomorrow morning to get it, but The Muffin is working overtime. The plan is to go Saturday some time. After, of course, my brother takes a look at Bertha the Buick. Such drama! I've told myself I at least need to get my table cleaned off before bringing home the Christmas buckets. Instead I've been doing a little bit of this and that(while sitting on my corner of the couch).

11. So Thanksgiving evening the Girls (my Sis-in-law, my nieces, my mom and me) all sat around the table and colored. We were some coloring machines. My mom has started designing some beautiful Zentangle coloring pages. Part of her job is teaching Art to Seniors at the Nursing Home.There are some therapeutic benefits to Zentangles.

Isn't he just as cute as he could be?

This is one of my favorites. She can't keep enough copied for her sweet old folks. Anyhoo. We spent Thanksgiving night just coloring and laughing. It was a precious time.

12. As part of my devotions and quiet time, I doodle. I have been doing it a while. It helps me focus and meditate. Right now I am doodling Scripture for Advent. I think this is Day 3.

This is Day 1.

This is Day 4 (which was today). I'm still not quite done. It has been a wonderful way for me to really get the Scripture in my heart.

13. They don't take me too long....but can you imagine the laundry I could have been doing? It is hard to look around and see things undone when you have made a commitment to spend time in the Word and Prayer. But it is so important to make that time the priority.



14. We had a sad loss on Tuesday.

My sweet Great-Aunt Nadine passed away. She and Josiah adored each other. They were great friends. We actually got to see her on Sunday. Josiah got to hug her neck and even wheel her back to her room. I can't tell you what a blessing it has been to be able to share this precious lady with Josiah. Every time she saw him she said, "You know I love you, don't you?" Those who knew her loved her. She was kind and funny. Josiah has been sad. He's asked a few more questions about death. He is worried what would happen to him if something happened to his Dad and me. This morning he came in and told me, "At least, I will be able to see her in heaven."

Isn't that a wonderful thought?

Have a beautiful and blessed evening, my friends.