gratitude community

52. the beautiful weather of Fall


53. ORANGE pumpkins

54. GIANT pumpkins

55. good reports

56. when situations out of my control go better than I could've imagined

57. when a night out at Farmers Market turns into a candlelight date with Surferman complete with cheesecake

58. having as much fun and being as blessed preparing for an event as the actual event

59. a fantastic evening of fellowship with church family

60. having a home that can welcome guests from near and far... relatives and new friends

61. fellowship around a campfire (on our deck) with relatives and new friends - it's nice when saints gather


62. the gogo boys - these two seem to be cut from the same cloth

Want to live the shortest, surest rule to Happiness? Become a Joy Finder? Consider joining the Gratitude Community! Just jump in with your own counting!

How to begin your own 1000 Gift List ::: How Gratitude Can Change your Life

Daybook October 26, 2009

FOR TODAY... Monday October 26, 2009

Outside my window... a beautiful, clear and warm day. I'm sitting on the sweaty parents' loft at gymnastics again. I should've bought an iced Starbucks instead of the hot one.

I am thinking... about what a nice day today has been. Grom has been listening better today.

I am hearing... high pitch screeching. It hurts my ears.

I am thankful for... God's protection. Grom got accidently poked near the eye with a pen at school today. After some tears and a wet brown paper towel (why do schools have brown paper towels?) he was fine... a bit swollen but fine.

I am wearing... navy capri, light blue 3/4 sleeve tee, croc flip flops

I am remembering... that I forgot to make a bunch of phone calls today. I dislike making phone calls.

I am going... on a dinner date with my boy. He gets to choose. I'm guessing we're going somewhere with macaroni and cheese.

I am reading... that same book I was reading last week... my mom told me to stick with it. I'm having trouble getting into it.

I am hoping... that Grom's good behavior holds for the rest of the evening.

On my mind... earrings. I've been making a bunch. I finally took pictures so I can post them soon. Here's my newest problem. I'm using recycled beads (from necklaces and such that have been taken apart. Sometimes the holes through the beads are bigger than the wire I used to make the earrings. It's very frustrating, the beads just slip right off. How do I make the holes smaller?

From the learning rooms... we are finishing the "apple" books. We made Honey Cookies that were not so tasty. They were sour. Surferman liked them.

Noticing that... costumes must be designed for people who live in colder climates. All of the coaches are dressed up and some of the kids... everyone in a costume looks h.o.t. I feel really bad for the toddler in the head to toe fur monkey costume. He has to be sweating.

Pondering these words... nothing. I guess I'm not in a pondering mood right now.

From the kitchen... it's a busy week so things will be simple. I'm looking forward to tomorrow when I'm going to roast up a bunch of veggies from Farmers Market.

Around the house... we put our new comforter cover on our bed. It's navy flannel and it's really too hot to be using right now, but I was ready for a change. I didn't wash it first, and boy is it shedding.

One of my favorite things... a clean (inside and out) car. Right now I have smashed up cookie all over my carpet.... sigh.

A picture to share...Grom's homework. It was E week. He included a photo of his buddy Elias and his grandma Elaine (who he colored like a clown for some reason).

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

What's for Dinner - October 26, 2009

Monday
~Ice Cream Party~
Surferman - yoyo (probably some LO Arroz Con Pollo)
Grom and I are eating out

Tuesday
~Ladies Fellowship Group~
~Care Team Meeting~
Roasted Veggies
*yams, green beans, brussel sprouts, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, onions*
chicken sausages
sourdough bread

Wednesday
~Everybody Pitch-in 4 Dinner~
~Kids Club / Bible Study~
Fuss Free Ravioli Bake

Thursday
Curry Chicken
kabocha squash cooked in coconut milk
rice

Friday
Steak and a Movie Night

Saturday
~Harvest Potluck~
Spaghetti Squash with Meaty Spaghetti Sauce

Sunday
~Family Dinner~
my parents cook

Check out other menu plans at Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday

Daybook October 19, 2009

FOR TODAY... Monday October 19, 2009

Outside my window... I'm at gymnastics watching Grom and a hundred other kids. It's a nice day. It's not a sauna on the parent deck.

I am thinking... about the rest of a busy and eventful week.

I am hearing... lots of kid noises and the Karate coach yelling short syllable unintelligible words.

I am thankful for... a new iPhone app (free!) that I found that might be a missing piece in digitizing my brain book. Now I just have to remember to keep my phone charged.

I am wearing... black capri pants, blue tee, trainers. I left my orange sweater in the car.

I am remembering... Fabulous Fun Friday and wishing my friend was here at gymnastics with me.

I am going... to get a lot done tonight. I have to. Things are a mess and laundry calls.

I am reading... The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. My mom gave it to me as Christian fiction. I'm only a few pages in. It's good so far, but I can tell it's not marketed as Christian fiction.

I am hoping... time flys on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On my mind... poop.

From the learning rooms... Grom and I are still reading books to go along with Apple Pie. We're going to make an apple pie this week and some honey cookies.

Noticing that... I'm very different from all the other moms. I hope it's a good thing for Grom.

Pondering these words...from verse of the day email

"But "he who glories, let him glory in the LORD." For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends."

- 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (NKJV)

From the kitchen... Three pans full of Arroz Con Pollo were put together in record time this afternoon. Two for this week. One for the freezer. Yay for meals in the freezer. I'll post the recipe this week.

Around the house... I'm watching too much television. The new shows started and I had to check a bunch out. Most of the new shows aren't very good, so my tv time should be reduced soon.

One of my favorite things... going to Farmers Market with Grom on Monday afternoons... watching him pick out the perfect dry farmed watermelon... and smiling as he muscles it back to the car. Eating said watermelon is another favorite thing. You haven't had a watermelon until you've had a dry farmed (non-irrigated) watermelon.

A picture to share...

I fear he gets his seriousness from me.

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

gratitude community

30. an evening spent crafting with good friends, especially when "crafting" is sitting, talking, knitting and eating homemade chocolate chip cookies

31. finally finding the right class and the right coach for Grom's gymnastics

32. fish tacos

33. fancy "origami" folded napkins to finish off Grom's first independently set table. It might not pass my Home Ec teacher's standards, but as long as we have utensils and water...

34. playing the same silly game over and over and over in the car with Grom, listening to him laugh and laughing myself.

35. digital cameras that catch the beautiful moments in a routine life

36. time spent with the boy building things with Superstructs. We take turns being the builder and the parts supplier. I love all the funny names we made up for the pieces so the other knows what to look for... keepons, doubledoubles and bluethingys. And that the storage can that for no good reason didn't come with a handle, fits perfectly in a TJ's shopping bag for portability.

37. a new crop of babies due at church

38. blue Beachcomber ice cream that makes boys happy and raises money for our PTA

39. cuddling on the couch and reading books with Grom

40. hot roasted corn with lemon and parmesan cheese at Farmers Market

41. my family's safety during the storm

42. rain... we need it so much


43. being without power... it was fun to have dinner by candlelight and to wander around the house with flashlights

44. power restored in time for a good nights sleep and a reason to talk with Grom about appreciating things we take for granted

45. a lovely group of women who I've been meeting with once a month for the past 17 years because we share a love for quilting... it's not about the quilting anymore, it's about friendship

46. strong, safe hugs from Surferman

47. a fast trip to a barber shop and a little boy who sat so still

48. going to the drive-in with my boyfriend for a wild, meatball filled double feature

49. icy cold water in a venti reused Starbucks cup

50. Grom's optimism and confidence in his lego creations... why wouldn't they want to put a picture of his house in Lego magazine?

51. Miss Sandra who is happy to wear a Grom scarf

Want to live the shortest, surest rule to Happiness? Become a Joy Finder? Consider joining the Gratitude Community! Just jump in with your own counting!

How to begin your own 1000 Gift List ::: How Gratitude Can Change your Life

What's for Dinner - October 19, 2009

Monday
Arroz Con Pollo (one for tonight, one for Wednesday)
green salad
tortillas
fruit

Tuesday
Pizza (Dominos)
green salad

Wednesday
~Everybody Pitch-In 4 Dinner~
Arroz Con Pollo

Thursday
Honey Baked Lentils
rice
veggies

Friday
~Fellowship Dinner~
green salad
pasta

Saturday
CORD or ?

Sunday
~Family Dinner~
my folks cook

Grom's Bookbag - How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World

We have a fun Five In A Row book to read this week, How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman. It has a bunch of books to read along. It will be a week full of apples, other apple pie ingredients and the far away places they come from.

The Amazing Apple Book by Paulette Bourgeois
A Cow, A Bee, A Cookie and Me by Meredith Hooper
How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the USA by Marjorie Priceman
Johnny Appleseed: The Legend and the Truth by Jane Yolen
What Food is This? by Rosemarie Hausherr
Apple Harvest by Calvin Harris
Children Just Like Me by Barnabas Kindersley
And Everything Nice: the Story of Sugar, Spice and Flavoring by Elizabeth K. Cooper
Apple Valley Year by Ann Warren Turner
The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson
Robert Frost by Robert Frost
The Growing Up Tree by Vera Rosenberry
The Biography of Sugar by Rachel Eagen
The Biography of Spices by Ellen Rodger
The Apple King by Francesca Bosca
Pancakes, pancakes! by Eric Carle

We also have a video - Apple Farming for Kids

It's going to be a yummy week. I'm sure we'll make an apple pie and do some apple projects.

The Sugar Free Challenge - October 12

The week of the challenge is over.

I can't say it was a success, but it was eye opening. Often I realized that I had eaten "sugar" after the fact. It was frustrating.

I did a good job of looking for HFCS. I think I avoided it completely... well until today when I had a Pepsi (actually about 6 ounces of a bottle - I tossed the rest). My Pepsi addiction is waning.

I will continue working on avoiding refined sugar.

Daybook October 12, 2009

FOR TODAY... Monday October 12, 2009

Outside my window... it's dark and we expect rain (yay!) soon.

I am thinking... about "new" cars and all the cool features I want... like great gas mileage and handsfree phone and audio controls. Orange would be nifty.

I am thankful for... a husband who can fix my ride

I am wearing... black pants, an orange short sleeved sweater, black socks, black shoes

I am remembering... "back in the day" memories from church. Impending change is making me nostalgic.

I am going... to pick my parents up at the airport tomorrow. I think Grom and I will make a big sign just for fun.

I am reading... A Time to Dance by Karen Kingsbury

I am hearing... music that makes me remember my love of alternative pop music when I was in my 20s. I wonder if the Smithereens are on the Indian Casino Concert Tour?

I am hoping... that it pours. We need the rain.

On my mind... Halloween...yuck.

From the learning rooms... we are finishing up our books about fall and will be back to a FIAR book starting Wednesday

Noticing that... I still haven't tamed the school papers monster. I can never find the paper I need. Today it's the school calendar. Last week it was the lunch menu. Grom missed pancake day.

Pondering these words...

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)

From the kitchen... I really wanted to try kabocha squash this week, but I couldn't find one at Farmers Market. I found some butternut squash. I hope it will work in the recipe. If you're headed to Avila soon, let me know. I think you can get me one there.

Around the house... we have new sheets and a new duvet cover. I'm looking forward to the cooler weather so I can pull out quilts I've made. I love our cozy bed.

One of my favorite things... buying treats for Grom especially when it's healthy sweets like white raspberries.

A picture to share... actually 2

I was trying to get a picture of Grom's toy sitting on our dining room table (for another post). The boy who hates to have his picture taken had to get in the way.

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

gratitude community

21. boy who chooses vacuuming as something fun to do

22. my mom who so willing watches Grom and his buddy so that I can help a friend

23. the confidence with which Grom "reads" his first books

24. perfectly brewed strong decaf coffee first thing in the morning

25. delicious fall squash

26. "family dinner" on Sundays... a room full of people with children underfoot and great food

27. my son who shows care and concern for others beyond his years or training

photo by Maggie Hoffman

28. making and eating applesauce (sans sugar)

29. friends who read my blog and talk to me about my posts

Join me as I count my blessings each week and look for the beauty and surprises God has for me in my everyday life.

What's for Dinner - October 12, 2009

Monday
~Beth Cooks~

Tuesday
bean & rice burritos
mexican rice
salad

Wednesday
~Kids Club training night~
Buffalo Chicken Salad
(my own recipe - I'll post it soon)
toasted sourdough bread

Thursday
Chicken Mango Curry (from freezer)
rice
kabocha squash with coconut milk

Friday
~Couples Home Group~
~Fellowship Dinner~
Pasta Pomodoro

Saturday
Mushroom Lentil Barley Stew
Crusty Bread

Sunday
~Family Dinner~
~my folks cook~

Check out lots of menu plans for this week at Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday

Grom's Bookbag - Falling into an Autumnal Mood

I didn't choose a FIAR book for this week. Instead we picked up a bunch of books about fall and seasonal things.  A couple of random book found their way into our book bag.

"Apple Harvest" by Calvin Harris
"Did You Say Pears?" by Arlene Alda
"Fall Leaves Fall!" by Zoe Hall
"Leaf Jumpers" by Carole Gerber
"Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert
"The Letters are Lost" by Lisa Campbell Ernst
"The Blueberry Shoe" by Ann Dixon
"Are You a Horse" by Andy Rash
"Johnny Appleseed: a poem" by Reeve Lindbergh
"I Like Bugs: the sound of B" by Alice K. Flanagan

Happy Reading!

The Sugar Free Challenge - October 6

I'm hanging in there.

My sourdough problem is bigger than I thought, but I'm not giving up.

More fresh fruit and no sweetened espresso drinks.

The Sugar Free Challenge - October 5

The Sugar Free Challenge is on.  So far, so good.

Today our oatmeal had stewed prunes added for sweetness.  It wasn't the same as my usual spoonful of brown sugar, but it wasn't terrible either.  Nothing I'd sign up to eat more of.  Since I have leftover for tomorrow, I'm going to have to get creative to make it yummy.

I bought some fruit to take to church to cut down any temptations for processed junk.  Did you know that a clementine has only 25 calories for all that goodness?  Just don't eat it in one bite.

I tried some Stevia in a cup of tea this afternoon.

Ugh... I just realized that I ate a piece of sourdough bread made with refined white flour.  Sayonara SLO dough... I'll miss you.

I can do this.

UPDATE! This is harder than I thought.  Tonight I grabbed a drink and then realized it was full of HFCS.  It's not something I usually drink, so I'm not sure what I was thinking. AND I realized that the marinade I soaked our chicken in was probably also loaded with refined sugar.   shesh!

I can do this.  Tomorrow is a new day.

Daybook October 5, 2009

FOR TODAY... Monday October 5, 2009

Outside my window... it's clear and cool... fall is here.

I am thinking... that I can't believe I have a quiet moment during the day to do my Daybook.

I am thankful for... a baby off a ventilator who seems to have turned a corner in his recovery.

I am wearing... black pants, light turquoise tee, grey sweater and my Birkenstock bowlers... fall is here.

I am remembering... that I have bills to pay and laundry to fold.

I am going... to drink more tea.  It's yummy and warming.  What is your favorite caffeine free tea?

I am reading... "A Time to Embrace" by Karen Kingsbury.

I am hoping... that a lot of people show up at the Softball BBQ Fellowship tonight, but I don't think it will happen.  Really I hope someone (besides us) shows up.

On my mind... change.  B.I.G. change.  I'm glad that God is in control.

From the learning rooms... it's a crazy week with the letter C.  We are also reading books about fall and leaves.

Noticing that... it's very nice to have trimmed trees.  All of our windows let in more light.  The house is cheerier.

Pondering these words... 

Posted at Everyday Mommy...

"Being a lover of freedom, when the revolution came in Germany, I looked to the universities to defend it, knowing that they had always boasted of their devotion to the cause of truth; but, no, the universities immediately were silenced. Then I looked to the great editors of the newspapers whose flaming editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their love of freedom; but they, like the universities, were silenced in a few short weeks… 

“Only the Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler’s campaign for suppressing truth. I never had any special interest in the Church before, but now I feel a great affection and admiration because the Church alone has had the courage and persistence to stand for intellectual truth and moral freedom. I am forced thus to confess that what I once despised I now praise unreservedly.” –Albert Einstein

The statement first appeared in an article entitled “German Martyrs” which was published in Time magazine on 23, December 1940.
     

From the kitchen... no sugar.  and Buffalo Chicken Salad.  I made it up for my lunch today.  It was delicious.  I covered canned chicken with Frank's Red Hot Sauce and then tossed it with some crumbled blue cheese, romaine lettuce, sliced celery and ranch dressing.  It could've used more hot sauce.

Around the house... it's starting to look like an episode of Hoarders.  I either need to get rid of this stuff or seriously have a garage sale.  Surferman is working Saturdays and I don't want to do one without him.  I guess the stuff has to go to the Good Will.

One of my favorite things... playing legos with Grom.  He's the builder and I'm the supplier.  He tells me the pieces he needs and I go through the bin searching and organizing.

A picture to share...

Grom made fast work of the short hay bale maze at the pumpkin patch.

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

gratitude community

I have been reading Ann Voskamp's blog, Holy Experience for quite a while. Her blog is beautiful and her prose is precious. She has a delightful way of expressing God's love and serving His word on her carefully crafted platters of words.  I have been intrigued by her collection of gratitude... her one thousand gifts (that now actually number 1190). I've decided to join in... to look for God's extraordinary blessings in my silly little life. Her banner will take you to more information. You'll also get to hear the nice music on her blog. I usually detest blog music, but have found myself going to Holy Experience just to listen.

1. boy who comes home from an afternoon of fishing with his dad smelling like bait

2. delicious deli sandwich made to my order - turkey, smoked cheddar, pickles and lettuce

3. a basket full of clementines

4. watching the sunrise through newly trimmed Cypress Trees from my warm cozy bed

5. enjoying the rest of a delicious deli sandwich the next day

6. an eye doctor who remembers details of my life 2 years later

7. healthy eyes that still see rather well

8. an evening out with new friends for coffee, tea and other froo froo hot beverages

9. that our Lord is bigger than our worst fears

10. Stacey's unwavering faith

11. sweet cas whose life becomes a song that she bravely shares

12. the people who come out week after week to sell their veggies, bbq, promote their cause and provide something frugal, fun and yummy to do with my family

13. Surferman's and Grom's barbecue sauced faces

14. impromptu date with Surferman parked at the beach watching the waves in the moonlight and talking about our dreams

15. a Pastor who is heeding God's call to go... to plant a new work in London

16. another Pastor who has always wanted to go and is heeding God's call to stay... to continue God's work here and tend to the flock

17. our church family who took the news amazingly well

18. my brother-in-law who celebrated a birthday this week... I couldn't have picked a better man for my sister

19. hot fudge ice cream "cake" that my sister made for the celebration

20. another week to serve the Lord, my family and friends

What's for Dinner - October 5, 2009

Monday

~Softball BBQ Fellowship~

Watermelon

something to BBQ?

Tuesday

Lazy Mom Lasagna

Garlic Bread

Salad

Wednesday

Rice and Beans

with Veggies

Fruit

Thursday

~dinner at Farmer's Market~

Friday

Rice and Bean Tacos

Saturday

~baby shower~

~birthday party~

raw veggies and dip

Sunday

~Pasta Dinner at the Arnolds?~

Check out tons of menus every week at I'm an Organizing Junkie.