Daybook July 29, 2008

FOR TODAY... July 29, 2008

Outside My Window... it's really dark. There is NO laundry hanging on my line. woo hoo!

I am thinking... about holiness. Garbage in/Garbage out. Cultivating my Servant's Heart. Dealing with people who just don't get it.

I am thankful for... people who get it. Sweet times with Grom. Cas.

From the kitchen... lots of fruit and veggies. I did a lot of cooking for Grom's birthday celebration. Going to keep it simple this week.

I am wearing... Blue night shirt and those same old Croc flip flops.

I am creating... I have a knitted washcloth in progress. I am cleaning my Studio and have some projects in mind.

I am going... to Maui with Surferman in 23 days!

I am reading... a biography of Hudson Taylor. A dear friend loaned it to me. I am really enjoying it. I was a bit worried it would be too deep or serious for me after the fluff I've been reading, but it's not. It's wonderful and probably part of the reason I'm thinking about holiness.

I am hoping... we'll find time to go to the fair. I love the fair.

I am hearing... Surferman's TV in the other room, the click clack of my keyboard and the tick tock of my clock.

Around the house... a beautiful new RED leather sofa unlike anything I could imagine. It's soft and wonderful. I can't wait to take a nap on it.

One of my favorite things... listening to podcasts of the Dave Ramsey Show while cooking dinner with Grom and waiting for Surferman to get home.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Find a swim suit for Maui.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Canoe Beach - Maui - A favorite spot.

photo by Peyri (Flickr)

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Tales from the CSA box - July 28

We are doing a good job of keeping up with our veggies with the exception of the kale. It wilts and looks ugly before I get creative and motivated to cook it up. I was looking forward to trying a new recipe with it this week, and wouldn't you know we didn't get any.

The tomatoes have arrived. They are pretty green this week. Hopefully they'll get better as summer progresses.

It's a beautiful box.

Can't wait for some fresh mint tea.

To Do... buy more bandaids

He must be growing. Clumsy. Running into things. Stepping off stools into space. I am constantly kissing boo boos, praying like crazy for God to heal ouchies, and going through my stockpile of bandaids.

Before you call CPS... today green marker made his finger hurt and he needed TWO bandaids to soothe.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Happy Birthday Grom!

...prepare for mom gushings...

photo by Thomas Hawk (Flickr)

You're FOUR! I thank God for His grace. I thank God for giving you to us.

You are amazing.

Never afraid to try out a new word - your vocabulary is surprising and sometimes hilarious.

Determined to the point of stubbornness - you want to be in control. You like to know what's going to happen. You're confident that your way is always the best. (not)

Always wanting to learn, always asking questions. You'd rather learn something than just be entertained. You want to know how it's made.

You know you have enough. You appreciate what you have. Trucks and trains are a few of your favorite things. Momo still holds a place in your heart and your bed.

You are the best dog ever. "Maui" is so fun to have around. You save my life on regular basis and can always find the way out of a dark cave. It's great the way you fetch things. Sometimes it's hard to transition back to boy when you should.

If peanut butter is involved you're all over it. If it's a vegetable... well they are all over the floor. (But don't think I'm giving up)

Irish music lulls you to sleep every night and you love Bible songs in the car, but the only songs you ever sing as silly songs you make up.

You are my ultimate helper boy. I love cooking with you - being your Sous Chef. You demand and wield a sharp knife with growing skill. Whether it's cooking, washing cars, pulling weeds, doing laundry... the list goes on and on... and you go on and on.

You are getting so tall, so fast, so tough. But prayer is as good for owies as band aids.

I'm sure there is more, but you've worn me out today. Tomorrow promises more fun.

I love you Grom!

Tales from the CSA box - July 21

I'm posting this a day late and without pictures because I was super sick yesterday. Don't know where it came from, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. I tried to "suck it up" this morning, but my body wasn't ready yet.

photo by dboy (Flickr)

Anyway this is about veggies...
Another nice box... cucumbers, zucchini, green beans(new), spring mix, romaine lettuce, parsley, cilantro, potatoes (new), kale, and raspberries.

There might have been something else, I was functioning at about 40% when I put them away.

I'm surprised we haven't seen any tomatoes yet.

It's also time to sign up for the Fall / Winter shares. I think we're going to go for it.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1

Lord, help me find my running shoes.

Photo by timtak (Flickr)

Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.

Selah

Psalm 61:3-4 NKJV

photo by .catina jane arts (Flickr)

Daybook July 14, 2008

FOR TODAY... July 14, 2oo8

• Outside My Window...My boy and his Grandpa are barbecuing (kosher reduced fat) hot dogs. The sun is shining. We are nearing the end of a beautiful day.

• I am thinking... about where else I (We - I'd bring along Surferman and Grom) could live and what it would be like. Am I too comfortable here, Lord?

• I am thankful for... everyone who came out to help with our church's VBS. Some people were a big surprise. Some were the usual suspects. I was blessed. I am thankful that Princess Beah is home and being a good baby for my sister.

• From the kitchen... a week of simple post VBS meals.

• I am wearing... black crocs, black capris and a beige t-shirt (which replaced my lemon yellow Power Lab tee that I wore all afternoon).

• I am creating... 100 snacks a day that incorporate a Bible Story. Today it was thankful face cookies - turn that frown upside down and SMILE, SMILE, SMILE. Remember kids, if God heals you of leprosy (or whatever SIN you hate here) you should be THANKFUL! Anyone else think we should have VBS for adults too?
  

• I am going... to get a napless boy to bed really early tonight, and try to get some stuff crossed off my to do list.

• I am reading... same Christian Fluff as last week. It's a short story romance novel written by different writers. I got it cheap at CBD. They always suck me in with their, "you can buy $x more and pay the same shipping".

• I am hoping... that Princess Maggie will be home soon. That grace, peace and joy would reign in my home. That family would chill out and get back to loving and encouraging one another.

• I am hearing... wind chimes gently playing a melody and the sounds of car tires on PCH.

• Around the house... clutter and piles, piles and clutter. I'm tackling it the same way you eat an elephant. One bite at a time.
  

• One of my favorite things... screaming at the top of my lungs into my towel right after I dry my face fresh from the shower. I think of it as my pressure release valve. I don't know when I started doing it. I don't think about doing it, it just happens. The towel muffles so no one hears me (usually - besides they are used to it by now). I am not weird, don't even think it.
  

• A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: VBS! VBS! VBS!

• Here is picture thought I am sharing...Flowers Surferman brought me just because.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

What's for Dinner - Week of July 14th

Dinners need to quick and easy this week. VBS is in the afternoon. Grom has no chance to nap, so he'll have to be in bed early all week.


Recipes for this week...
Asian Cole Slaw
Cucumber Salad

Happy Eating! Read more great menu plans at Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

Tales from the CSA box - July 14

More yummy veggies this week!

Daybook July 7, 2008

FOR TODAY... July 7, 2008

• Outside My Window... Fog. Those days of June gloom we missed last month are making up for lost time in early July.

• I am thinking... about making a decaf americano with a splash of half-n-half. I've also been thinking about stress. God tells us to cast our cares upon Him. He cares about all of our silly things. So what about physical manifestations of stress - migranes, cold sores, rashes, zit outbreaks? Do the physical symptoms of stress come regardless of our spiritual state? If we have physical reactions does that mean we're holding something back from God? I wonder.

• I am thankful for... my sister (she celebrated a birthday yesterday), my husband (he rocks), chocolate.

• From the kitchen... Chili for a lunch at church tomorrow. Popsicles. Bento lunches.

• I am wearing... Grey pants, teal t-shirt, black flip flops. My hair is up in a barrette.

• I am creating... order in my messy chaotic world (I'm hopeful). I'm gearing up for a creative jag. I can feel it coming.

• I am going... to keep up with my quiet times with the Lord this week.

• I am reading... a silly Christian romance novel. So fluffy... sheesh.

• I am hoping... my nieces will be home soon, Grom's manners will improve, that I'll have time with a dear friend this week.

• I am hearing... the clock ticking. Oh, sweet silence.

• Around the house... Dining room without chairs - we are painting them. Clear flat surface in my bedroom - I'm decluttering.

• One of my favorite things... head poppin' off hugs from my boy

• A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Swim lessons (Grom), Hair cut and color (Me), Women's Tea with church.

• Here is picture thought I am sharing...

photo by emdot (Flickr)

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Tales from the CSA box - July 7

Chocolate! Today we got chocolate! It's Fair Trade, Organic, Vegan and DELICIOUS!

I'm starting to gather some weird stuff in my fridge. It's not that I don't want to eat it. I just don't know what to do with it.

Got any great recipes for kale and celery root?

photo by Joe Shlabotnik (Flickr)

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NKJV

Hope these work for me

393! Three hundred and ninety three bloggers posted 5-ingredient-or-less recipes yesterday and linked to them at Rocks In My Dryer for Works for Me Wednesday. Lots of them shared more than one recipe.

Here are the ones I want to try...

Margarita Chicken - Confessions of an Apron Queen
I love lime. I love chicken. This one sounds like a winner.

Vegetarian Chickpea Sandwich Filling - MeMarie Lane
I have some big cans of garbonzo beans I'd like to use. I've heard this is a lot like tuna salad. I think hummus tastes like cheese. If this tastes like tuna, cici beans prove to be very versatile. They have 3 names, what could be more versatile than that!

Zucchini "Crab" Cakes - MeMarie Lane
The zucchini in our CSA box are getting bigger and bigger. This looks like a main course way to incorporate them into our menu plan.

Easy Egg Casserole - Nerd Family Food
I love eggs. I love cheese. Another winner.

Strawberry Spinach Popsicles - The Thrifty Green Baby Guide
Grom and I have been making a lot of popsicles. Here's a tasty way to get some greens in him.

Easy Baked Ziti - Doodles' Place
Strawberry Chicken - Shalee's Diner
I think Grom will eat these up.

Buffalo Chicken Dip - Fried Chicken and Cheesesteaks
This sounds delicious, and... no bones.

LemonLimeAde - Jumping on the Bed
We want to stop drinking soda. This sounds like a refreshing alternative.

Works for Me Wednesday - Five-Ingredients-or-Less Edition

It's summer and cooking should be simpler. Who wants to be slaving over a stove when you could be enjoying a lovely late afternoon at the beach or in a park? This week Works-For-Me Wednesday is all about simple (5 ingredients or less) recipes.

Here's mine...
Crockpot Shredded Chicken for Tacos

Ingredients
3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 T. chopped garlic
1 wedged onion
2 T. chili powder
2 T. cumin

Directions
Put all ingredients in a crockpot. Cook on 4 hours HIGH or 6 hours LOW or until chicken is cooked through.
Cool chicken and shred.

Reheat chicken for tacos. Set out "salad bar" style toppings for make your own tacos - shredded cabbage, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, salsa, avocado, guacamole, chopped onions, chopped cilantro, hot sauce, lime mayonaise... the sky is the limit. Ole!

Find more 5-ingredient-or-less recipes at Rocks in My Dryer this week.

My kid cracks me up

Yesterday Grom came running in with this box the UPS man gave him.


Very excited he gives it to me and says, "I think it's a puppy".