lately in february

in my kitchen:

crock-pot meals, {when I googled for a picture of my crock pot,
it came up titled ~ vintage}

lasagne, pizza {chicken, broccoli & feta}

and my new favourite ~ baked chicken with asian sesame dressing

on my night table:

red 1-2-3 ~ john katzenbach, in the blood ~ lisa unger, covet ~ tracey garvis-graves,
justice for sara ~ erica spindler, blood and ice ~ robert masello

through my speakers:

bx93
 

search engine history:

mennonite girls can cook, huron county library, selloffvacations, this new recipe website,and facebook {sadly, i didn't make it}

readings in my bible:
gospel of john,
one year daily devotional for women ~ daily inspiration from God’s word

enjoyment:

walking, library club, reading, family time  

tv shows:

survivor {new season just started}, big bang theory, criminal minds

movies:
runner runner, epic, the croods, the butler

how about you?  what have you been doing lately?…

blessings

Library Club ~ book #2

The Library Club met last night to discuss the book “Practical Jean” ~ Trevor Cole.

From the cover
“Here in Kotemee, all anyone can say now is, thank God I was never a good friend of Jean Vale Horemarchs.
Jean Horemarch is a loving daughter and a devoted friend. But after spending three very trying month caring for her dying mother, Jean is struck by a forceful sense of doom. She has seen the future in her mother’s final, painful days, and it looks very dark indeed.
Jean decides she can’t sit idle in the face of her new certainty. As she returns to her normal life with Milt, her substitute teacher husband, Jean focuses on the most important people in her life - her close female friends. She resolves to do for them what she couldn’t do for her mother. One by one she will protect them from the torment of growing old.
So, with resourcefulness and a firm, belief in the rightness of her cause, Jean begins a new project. And sleepy Kotemee will never be the same…”

Basically, if you find the description to be amusing, you’d think you would want to read more… and from the websites I checked out, {Goodreads, or the national post} it was given great reviews.

Personally I found it to be a disturbing {and I like a good murder-mystery} and fairly dark story.

I really, really, really wanted to love this book. But it certainly did not appeal to me. Practical Jean just isn’t very good. I’m not sure I could recommend it ~ especially to my best friends.

Blessings

mhmm monday

Today's mhmm comes from this website.

Bacon Beer Cheese Soup with Chicken 

Ingredients:
6 slices thick cut bacon
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
¼ cup butter
¼ cup flour
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons ground chile de arbol (or cayenne pepper; to taste)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 cup beer, Belgian style wheat beer (Blue Moon)
1 cup chicken broth
2 cups half and half
8 ounces mild cheddar cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
chives
croutons
Directions:
Warm an 8 quart pot over high heat. Using clean scissors; cut bacon into pot. Cook bacon until lightly crisp, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, cut chicken into bite size pieces.
Remove bacon from pan and place on a plate. Add chicken into bacon grease to cook. Stir occasionally until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken onto plate with bacon.
Cut butter into 1 tablespoon pieces and add to pan drippings. Whisk in flour and spices. Add beer, broth and half & half. Whisk to combine and bring to a bubble. Add cheese whisk to combine, stir until you have a smooth mixture. Add Worcestershire sauce, chicken and bacon. Stir to combine
Allow to simmer until ready to serve, stirring occasionally.
Garnish with chives and croutons. serves 6-8
Enjoy!

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 8

After the week we had, I found myself feeling kind of down, very tired, and quite overwhelmed with just about everything!

And then my dear friend Lorraine brings me this little gift,

a beautiful Primula in a pink and purple {which by the way are my favourite colours} planter sleeve.

Primula according to their blog “are a sweet, little plant that can be enjoyed indoors until done blooming, then planted outside” More on Primula here.

This little bit of sunshine definitely brought a brightness to my week!

What was your beautiful thing this week?

Blessings

Be still

It’s a heavy sort of morning.

Outside, the blanket of white beauty makes the world a little prettier. The scene outside my window look much more like a photograph than reality.

But it’s real … and a very real reminder to my heart this morning.  I am reminded that just as the blanket of snow outside makes everything a little prettier, so is His Love.

It makes things beautiful.
 
He hears prayer, He calms troubled hearts, and He proves over and over that He is Love. And that He is Good.

In this season, I am learning a few lessons… I cannot walk this journey without Him. Over and over again, there have been reminders from Him. Sometimes quiet whispers, sometimes not-so-quiet.

He reminds me that life isn’t about the doing, it’s about the being.
 
It’s learning to have a quiet heart… one that can be silent enough that when He speaks… I can actually listen. I have to admit that I’m not so good at that.

He just asks that we be still… and that involves so much more than just stopping.  We need to be intetentional about choosing to sit and be.

Right now, He’s asking one thing of this heart…

To be still.

And what He’s asking of me means a lot of things. For so many reasons, but especially after these past few days.

Blessings

Sweet Surprise

After I came home on Friday night from working at the centre I was surprised to see this.

Making me feel just a wee bit guilty about this post.

What a sweet surprise!

Blessings

mhmm monday

Today`s mhmm comes from this website

COWBOY CHOW

Ingredients:
14 ounces low-fat smoked sausages, cut into bite-size pieces
1 cup chunky salsa
1 cup BBQ sauce
1 {10oz} can whole kernel corn {I omit}
1 {15 ½ oz} can kidney beans
1 {53-oz} can pork and beans
½ cup chopped onion

Directions:
Place ingredients in the cooker and stir together. 
Cover and cook on low for 3 - 6 hours.
Enjoy!

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 7

 

My father-in-law passed away this week. It’s been an emotionally draining week. {kinda glad I already had the previous two posts loaded in the que, ready to go, as it’s been a difficult week to process my thoughts} Those who have done this before can understand how difficult this week has been. It’s unbelievable to think that grieving can take that much out of you.  

 This is not the first funeral my kids have attended, it is however is the first grandparent that they have lost and my heart aches for them as they grieve this loss. My daughter said it very well on her blog “Dealing with death isn't easy. It's a little easier if you know that life that isn't meant to be forever. God promises us so much more, something that is much better: eternal life.”

As the family gathered together at the funeral home to make the arrangements, at the church to put the service together and then again today to write a family tribute remembrance to be read at the funeral, I found that spending the time together was very therapeutic.

It’s at times like this when one is thankful to have family…

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” 

Galatians 6:2 {New International Version {NIV}}
 

What was your beautiful thing this week?

Blessings

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day can be a really tough day. No, you aren’t reading that wrong. You see, my husband is not the most romantic of men. He’s not one for buying flowers, or chocolates. He’s not the most touchy-feely kinda guy either. And he doesn’t even say I love you too often. Using that line from an old joke “I told you 'I loved you' on the day we married, if it’s any different I’ll you know!”

We don’t have the kind of story that people write love songs about. Nor do we sit across from each other all wide-eyed and hopelessly in love.

And each year I find that I am setting myself up with an unrealistic expectation that he’ll bring me flowers… give me something with chocolate… write me a love note… take me on a date… say, “you complete me”… or … you get the idea. Maybe right now isn’t the best time to read a Nicholas Sparks book or watch a romantic movie. It feels like the problems in my marriage are highlighted throughout this whole day of expected romance. I know that there are times when I am complicated and overly sensitive. And I tend to let my unmet expectations become tomorrow’s frustrations.

I often struggle this time of year … and it’s highlighted even more when friends are all over social media sharing their romantic nights/weekends, it just doesn’t sit well with me. These types of posts tend to make me feel as if we are the only ones that don’t have it all together. Sometimes I feel like I was gypped in the husband department and then I start to compare his bad traits against others’ best traits - not really fair huh? It’s so easy for us to paint the picture that our lives would be better “if only.” 

But then I am challenged to check my heart on this. I mean really check my heart. Instead of waiting to be loved, I should make the decision to give love.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 &13 {New International Version {NIV}}

At the end of our life, we won’t be able to look back and remember most of the hours of our days, but we will remember what those hours produced.
Love is where life lives.

Blessings

A ~ Z a walk down literary lane

Found this one day as I was perusing the web and thought it would be fun:

Wandering down Literary Memory Lane ~ A through Z
Author you’ve read the most books from:
James Patterson
Best sequel ever:
Revenge wears Prada
Currently reading:
Labor Day ~ Joyce Maynard
Drink of choice while reading:
Tea
E-reader or physical book:
Physical book. Always a physical book. I have an e-reader thing and I just don’t like it. There something about holding an actual book.
Fictional character you probably would have dated in high school:
Huck Finn
Glad you gave this book a chance:
The Truth about Dandelions ~ Hayley Linfield
Hidden gem book:
While my sister sleeps ~ Barbara Delinsky
Important moment in your reading life:
Anytime I find a new author
Just finished:
Every Secret Thing ~ Susanna Kearsley
Kinds of books you won’t read:
True Crime
Longest book you’ve read:
The Dome ~ Stephen King
Major book hangover because of:
Had to check with UrbanDictionary.com to understand what a book hangover was. “A book hangover is when you finish a book but can’t quite return to reality because you’re still living in the world of the book.” Karen Kinsburys’ Redemption series with the Baxter family.
Number of bookcases you own:
One
One book you have read multiple times:
Redeeming Love ~ Francine Rivers
Preferred place to read: gives you all the feel from a book you read:
My chair and half, right beside the corn-stove

Quote from a book you’ve read that inspires you:
I don’t think I have one.
Reading regret:
50 Shades of Grey ~ E.L James
Series you started and need to finish {all books are out in the series}:
Women's Murder Club ~ James Patterson {book 13 just came out}
Three of your all-time favourite books:
Sail ~ James Patterson, Covenant Child ~ Colleen Coble, Firefly ~ Kristin Hannah
Unapologetic fangirl for:
James Patterson
Very excited about this release more than all others:
Unlucky 13 {Women's Murder Club}~ James Patterson
Worst bookish habit:
Folding the corners of the page to keep your spot
X Marks The Spot:
Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book: Fresh Brewed Life ~ Nicole Johnson
Your latest book purchase:
Si-cology 101 ~ Si Robertson {gift for my son-in-law}
ZZZ-snatcher book {the last book that kept you up WAY late}:
The One Good Thing ~ Kevin Alan Milne

So how about you?  26 letters, share 26 facts about your bookish self.

Blessings

mhmm monday

Um, wait a minute, isn't today Tuesday?

Yes, yes, I do know that today is Tuesday and that my “mhmm” is a bit late ~ sorry about that, had a slight change in yesterdays plans... Mondays are usually a day at home to recover from the weekend and get back on track with meal making which is why I like to keep posting the Monday mhmm. But Krystle had a consult early in the morning and she finds it easier with two of us at the centre.

So today's mhmm comes from this website, not a soup recipe but delicious just the same.

Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken

Ingredients:
6-8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or 4 chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1/3 cup water
2 packets minute rice, optional
1/2 tablespoon (or more) sesame seeds
3 scallions, chopped

Directions:
Place chicken in Crock Pot and lightly season both sides with salt and pepper.
In a medium bowl, combine onion, garlic, honey, ketchup, soy sauce, oil and red pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or high for 2 hours.
Remove chicken to a cutting board, leaving sauce. Shred chicken into bite-sized pieces; set aside. Prepare rice according to package instructions.
In a small bowl, dissolve 4 teaspoons cornstarch in 1/3 cup water; add to crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Cover and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes, or until slightly thickened.
Add cooked rice to 4 plates, top with chicken and spoon sauce over top. Sprinkle evenly with sesame seeds and chopped scallions.
Enjoy!

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 6

On Thursdays, I attend a Ladies Coffee Break/Bible Study at our church and normally I head straight there and afterwards pop in to see my daughter.

However, I believe God lead me to stop in before Ladies Coffee Break, and here’s why…

When I arrived at the centre the open sign wasn’t turned on, the ‘A’ frame sandwich board wasn’t out, no light were on and the building was locked up tight. For a moment I panicked and thought I was to work, but realized that since I had already been there on Tuesday, I doubt it was planned for me to be there two days in one week. Then I really panicked and thought she was sick or hurt and my imagination ran wild. So I called my daughter and while I was thankful to talk with her I was quite distressed to hear of her dilemma. Her key wouldn’t work, giving her no access to the building. So naturally I tried my key, but to no avail. You can read about that adventure here! 

After the building was opened and she was ready to start her day, I then proceeded about my day. Enjoying my Bible study though the Gospel of John, treating myself to lunch with my dear friend and since I was to stay in town until Worship team practice that night, I decided I would surprise my daughter and give her the afternoon off and I would work at the centre for her. However, when I arrived she was in the middle of a consult, who signed up and paid in full. {Praise God!} and as we were busy putting the new client file together, the consult from yesterday that didn’t sign up, called and was now ready to sign up. So she ended up doing a back to back consult which also resulted in another client signing up and between all that we serviced several existing clients taking us right up to closing time. {whew!}

You see, I don’t normally stop in anywhere before going to Ladies Coffee Break and most times I just pop in afterwards to say hey and then I need to head for home. But this is what I find so fascinating, God knew what Krystle’s day was going to be like and he already prepared me to stop in before and to plan to be around all afternoon ... I am in awe of when these God-moments happen!

What was your beautiful thing this week?

Blessings

On this day...

On this day, {love the info you can gather from Wikipedia} … but the one that’s most important for me is… in 1942, J. Grant Kaufman was born, not a historical moment perhaps, but it’s the day my dad was born.

How does one sum up their dad, or what do you say in a blog that will post a tribute to the man that helped conceive me, raise me and essentially helped to make me who I am today. Dad & I have always connected. As a young girl, I have many fond memories of Saturday mornings with my Dad. Whether we were baking {yes baking} or I was with him in his fuel truck as co-pilot. It didn't matter what we did, I always knew that when we were together, I felt important.

I am so proud to have this man as my father.

He is a wonderful example of giving more than expected, loving as deeply as possible and caring so well for his wife, kids & grandkids.

Happy Birthday Dad, may you have a wonderful year, full of great health, happiness and many, many blessings!

Blessings

Things

It’s hard for me to write today’s post. It’s something that has been hard to accept, and if I‘m being honest, it makes me feel kinda bad.

You see over the last couple of months, we’ve had quite a lot to deal with. There has been some extra things going on, creating more tension. And I thought I was fine; I thought I was coping; I thought I was managing. But then I realized that I am tired. I mean really tired. Living with an auto-immune disorder  does that...

That’s ok, I thought, I’ll get some early nights, take some extra vitamins and surely in a few days, I’ll feel better. Except. I haven’t.

And then I start to feel overwhelmed with things. The simplest task starts to feel too much to cope with. It was starting to weigh heavy on me, but I kept pushing myself, thinking that it would pass in a few days, but it didn’t. I was trying so hard, giving every last bit of myself to keep my house clean, the dishes done, the laundry washed, dried & put away, run the errands, help at church, get the groceries, spend time with my husband and my friends and my family and… and I had nothing left for anything else.

I started to wonder where all this was heading. And more importantly ~ How could I get back on track?

And when I woke up this morning I realized, I needed to pause for a few days. To take some time out. To be, rather than do. To spend some time with God. 

To rest.

I’m trusting God that He is leading me to rest and has things covered while I let things go for a few days. And I’m trusting that this rest will help me to be present in the way I need to be so I can enjoy time with my family and friends again.  And hopefully this rest will give me the chance needed to be able to cope with the other things in life again.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”Matthew 11:28-29 {New Interntional Version {NIV}}

Blessings

mhmm monday

Each Monday for the past month, I've been trying these new soups/recipes, and so today’s recipe comes from this website.

Southwest Chicken Soup

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 large cloves of garlic, minced
4 cups turkey stock, or alternative of chicken or vegetable stock
3 cups water
1 can tomato soup
2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
1 113g (14oz) green chilies
1 cup frozen corn
1 540 ml (19 oz)can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups cooked rice, brown or white
2 cups turkey, chopped fine, or use chicken or extra vegetables in place of turkey
2 tbsp taco seasoning powder
1/2 tbsp lime juice
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Place oil in a large soup pot and heat. Add onions and garlic. Saute for 3-4 minutes.
Add stock and water to pot. Stir in tomato soup. Bring to a slow boil.
Add remaining ingredients. Stir and turn down to a medium/low.
Cook soup for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Adding salt and pepper as needed. If you want it spicier, add more seasoning powder.

mhmmm good 

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 5

Growing up as the middle child with an older brother and younger sister, I didn’t appreciate my siblings. Thankfully however, I grew up and realized the value of what I have. My sister has become one of my dearest friends. She’s one of the people that I can pour out my heart to, knowing that she’ll listen. 

We talk about everything with each other, offer advice, share wisdom and support each other throughout the everyday of our lives. Even though we don’t see each other very regularly, when do take the time to get together, like we did this week, we just talk and talk and talk …

“Our roots say we're sisters, our hearts say we're friends.”

~Author Unknown

 

Having a sister as a friend is one of the best things I could ask for. Knowing that she will always be there for me, no matter how far away we are or how busy we get in life.

What was your beautiful thing this week?

Blessings