Lesson from a Migraine

It is always hard to think of suffering as having a purpose. Yet we know everything which happens in our lives is for a purpose. Therefore, if suffering is a part of life’s journey, then it also must have a purpose in our lives.

Migraines.

I have had them for as long as I can remember although not to the intensity as of late. These past few weeks have been the worst experienced, every one of my senses heightened beyond what was tolerable …

Light was brighter.

Sounds were louder.

Smells were stronger.

Taste was unappetizing.

And touch was unbearable.

To be honest, this last bout was quite difficult, I did not even know what to do for myself.  I’m simply weary. The dishes that somehow always fill up the counter, the laundry that piles up, the lawn that is need of mowing ~ again! Add to that, the farm is in full harvest swing, creating a very busy schedule. It's not like one can just stop and wait for these to pass...

However, during these times an understanding has come to me. As I lay on the big comfy chair, I’ve come to realize that God does not bring us difficulties, or suffering, just for the sake of suffering. It always has a purpose.

When I have no next move, or I’m totally empty, utterly spent, with not one ounce of energy left in me... I’ve come to discover how much I need quiet, to just still myself before Him, despite the busyness. 

because it’s what happens in the quiet times

I forget that He calls us to stillness, to a deep sense of calm. That He speaks most clearly when I am most quiet. That even through my headaches, He shines clear. This is real life, and real life can be messy and sometimes we’ll get a headache or two or even everyday for a month. And that in spite of the headaches, weariness or busyness, we can be still and know …

Funny what can be learned in the midst of a migraine.

Blessings

mhmm monday

This easy, no-cook “summer porridge” from this website has make-ahead convenience and is packed with nutrition to get your day off to a healthy start.   It's a perfect serving size and an easy grab-and-go breakfast straight from the fridge {it's eaten cold} when made in individual mason jars.

Raspberry Vanilla Oatmeal

Ingredients:
1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned rolled oats
1/3 cup skim milk
1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon raspberry jam, preserves, or spread
1/4 to 1/3 cup raspberries (cut each berry in half), or enough to fill jar

Directions:
In a half pint (1 cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, vanilla, and raspberry jam. Put lid on jar and shake until well combined. Remove lid, add raspberries and stir until mixed throughout. Return lid to jar and refrigerate overnight or as long as 2-3 days. Eat chilled.
Enjoy!

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 30

How can it be that another week has gone by?

I so want these summer days to go slowly. I want to soak them up and soak them in. It’s hard to believe that it is the last Saturday in July already. Summer is almost halfway over. I am really hoping that the remaining month of summer does not continue to pass as quickly as the last month.

But I digress...

Several years ago, we had two trees that were starting to rot and become a threat of falling down, so we took preventative measures and had them cut down, only to leave two unsightly stumps still in the ground. Which we mowed around, trimmed up and kept avoiding the obvious. We needed to rent a grinder and have these stumps removed. Each summer we would talk about it, but sadly never did anything.

Until this week.

The company our youngest son works for has a grinder and when he came over for supper one night this week, he told us about his day which included grinding stumps. I was quite pleased when he asked his boss if he could do a couple of stumps for us, and then right after supper… yay! 

Our two unsightly stumps have been reduced to mounds of soil and wood chips. It was exciting to watch him operate the remote controlled grinder and to take such great care in doing his job well.

What was your beautiful thing?

Blessings

One-Third

At the beginning of the year, I set for myself 14 goals to achieve in 2014. One said goal was to read 150 books throughout this year which originally stems from this challenge, that was shared by Krystle.  Being an avid reader, I knew I was up for it.  And by 28 weeks into the year I made it… only to extend it, as I wasn’t finished reading, and then shared some of my fav`s.  Then for this year, I figured I could increase it even more.  But since we’re more that halfway through the year and I am only one-third of the way through, I am not too hopeful that I will be accomplishing this somewhat lofty goal.

For those who are interested here’s my list to date:
#1 The Ocean at the End of the Lane ~ Neil Gaiman
#2 The Hypnotist’s love story ~ Liane Moriarty
#3 The Good Daughters ~ Joyce Maynard
#4 Every Secret Thing ~ Susanna Kearsley
#5 Labour Day ~ Joyce Maynard
#6 First Love ~ James Patterson
#7 Practical Jean ~ Trevor Cole
#8 Proof ~ Jordyn Redwood
#9 Suspect ~ Robert Crais
#10 Red 1-2-3 ~ John Katzenbach
#11 On the Island ~ Tracey Garvis-Graves
#12 Justice for Sarah ~ Erica Spindler
#13 Covet ~ Tracey Garvis-Graves
#14 In the Blood ~ Lisa Unger
#15 What she left Behind ~ Ellen Marie Wiseman
#16 The One I left Behind ~ Jennifer McMahon
#17 Husband Lover Stranger ~ Suzanne Forster
#18 Black and Blue ~ Anna Quindeln
#19 Heart Broken ~ Lisa Unger
#20 Forever Interrupted ~ Taylor Jenkins Reid
#21 Mr. Perfect ~ Linda Howard
#22 XO ~ Jeffrey Deaver
#23 Hollywood Divorces ~ Jackie Collins
#24 Too Close to Home ~ Linwood Barclay
#25 Divergent ~ Veronica Roth
#26 The F*** It List ~ Julie Halpern
#27 Fear Nothing ~ Lisa Gardner
#28 The Husband’s Secret ~ Liane Moriarty
#29 Fragile - Lisa Unger
#30 Tell Me ~ Lisa Jackson
#31 Chai Tea Sunday ~ Heather Clark
#32 Unspoken ~ Dee Henderson
#33 Dark Justice ~ Brandilyn Collins
#34 Everything to Lose ~ Andrew Cross
#35 An Unexpected Grace ~ Kristin von Kreisler
#36 Wish you were Here ~ Mike Gayle
#37 Missing You ~ Harlan Coben
#38 I’ve got You under my skin ~ Mary Higgins Clark
#39 The Collector ~ Nora Roberts
#40 The Shepherd’s Voice ~ Robin Lee Hatcher
#41 Amethyst Heart ~ Penelope J. Stokes
#42 The Puzzle Barktree ~ Stephanie Gertler
#43 The Mephisto Club ~ Tess Gerritson
#44 The Truth about Delilah Blue ~ Tish Cohen
#45 Letter from a Stranger ~ Barbara Bradford
#46 The Queen of New Beginnings ~ Erica James
#47 The Fault in our Stars ~ John Green
#48 Inside Out Girl ~ Tish Cohen
#49 The One and Only ~ Emily Giffen
#50 The Search Angel ~ Tish Cohen
#51 Beautiful Day ~ Elin Hildebrand
#52 Unlucky 13 ~ James Patterson
#53 The Sweet Spot ~ Stephanie Evanovich

You’ll notice several of the same authors, a few new names and perhaps some monikers you’ve never heard of.

What are you reading these days?

Blessings

mhmm monday

From this website comes a super yum new way to enjoy coleslaw.

Slimmer Summer Slaw 

Ingredients:
1/4 head red cabbage, shredded (about 2 cups)
1/4 head green cabbage, shredded (about 2 cups)
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 orange bell pepper, cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 yellow bell pepper, cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 cucumber, seeded and cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 cup sugar snap peas, cut on the diagonal
1 pint Sunburst tomatoes, cut in half

Dressing:
2 tablespoons non-fat plain Greek yogurt (I used Fage)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper

Directions:
In a small mixing bowl, whisk the vinegar, sesame oil, and yogurt until well combined. Whisk in the salt and pepper. Set aside.
Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, toss the cabbages, peppers, peas, cucumber, and tomatoes. If serving immediately toss with dressing. Otherwise, dress the slaw salad right before serving.
Enjoy!

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 29

technically it started last Saturday, when out the blue our youngest son popped over after work, to say hey, sit under the shade of the apple tree and just catch us up on his life.

then on Sunday ~ we were invited to our daughters’ and son-in-laws for lunch and spent the afternoon together- where we chatted. walked the trail, chatted, played some games, chatted, watched the FIFA cup, chatted, making it the most wonderful day.

and finally, Monday ~ my friend Maria was taking a road trip to Orillia to settle some accounts for her father’s estate and was looking for a travel buddy. I quickly volunteered knowing this would give me an opportunity to see our son. So we made the long drive, shared lunch with him, and while she went to her appointment, I stayed at his apartment, helped to do some cleaning and thoroughly enjoyed my quick visit.

my kids ~ yeah, they're my beautiful thing!

What was your beautiful thing?

Blessings

It was today

Today’s date will forever be etched in my brain…  it’s the day our world changed.

I’ve written about here, here, here and here, and while there isn’t much else to say, I simply couldn’t let this day pass without at least mentioning it and the promise I received. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11
{New International Version {NIV}}

Blessings

Not to-do

For my days at home I tend to create a list of things to do. I cross them off as I get them done, but when I over plan and try to accomplish an unrealistic amount of chores, I feel like I don't quite measure up to the world's standards. After all, I should be able to get everything done.

Have you ever wondered how you’re going to get through the day?

Have you ever sunk to your knees and wished for the day to just be over?

What does one do at those times when it seems like we have hit a brick wall, the end has come, or the bottom has simply fallen out?

Those tough days? It seems that I have had more than I can count. When I am in an active season of my illness, it’s all I can do maintain the status quo. During those days, I’ll be honest, if someone told me to count my blessings I’d probably have wanted to punch them in the face! Sure I know I’m blessed but sometimes I get so consumed by my problems I can’t see beyond them.

AND YET

As I sit here typing, windows open, the sound of birds chirping, I am thinking what a great week it has truly been. Now parts of my week may not have been “fun” and yet, God loves to provide for us. His blessings are often what we need to get through the tough days.

So what does one do?

I have learned over time that there are just some things that I do not have to do. And sometimes it helps me when I list those things, like;
* Pick up my phone.
* Check on the world through facebook.
* Clean the toilets.
* Wash the pile of clothes sitting in the wash hamper.
* Re-do my toe-nail polish.
* Read the new book that came from the library.
* Watch a movie.
* Get groceries.
* Brush my hair.
* Organize another closet.
* Consume sugar.
* Be on anyone else’s time frame.
* Stay awake.
* Shove one more thing into this already full day. After writing a list like this, I always feel like I’ve gained some sense of control back. Like I do own my life and my choices, and I’m not being swept away. 
 
Knowing that I can trust the God who is able … to make deserts bloom, create rivers in the middle of a wasteland, make a way when there is no way. As a matter of fact, there is no limit to His possibilities.

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times,

having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

2 Corinthians 9:8 {New International Version {NIV}}
 

What would go on your “not to do” list right now?

Blessings

mhmm monday

Girls just want to have fun … right?

And this website knows how to make that happen... with The Girls’ Night In Martini. 

Martini

Ingredients:
3 ounces vodka
1 1/2 ounces amaretto
2 ounces Bailey's cream
1-2 ounces half and half (to taste)

Directions:
Fill your martini shaker with ice. ~ Wet the rim of the martini glass and garnish with sugar, dots, etc... not necessary but nice
Pour in vodka, amaretto and creams
Shake! shake! shake!
Pour into garnished glass.
Enjoy!

Try it next time you’re having the girls over for a couple of drinks! It’s fun ~ and yummy. Sweet without going overboard.

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 28

If you're looking for me, today, I’m outside soaking up some sun ~ reading. It is no secret that my favourite past time is reading. In fact I love to read more than anything. And sadly, other things ~ like cleaning ~ tend to get neglected. I’m a bit of a book nerd and tend to be quite choosy about what I read. There are just too many good books out there to waste time reading bad books. A book really has to grab my attention and keep it, or I’ll replace it with one that does. I am a bit of a book snob. I am. I admit it.

Now, my first choice of genre would be murder mystery, {James Patterson, Erica Spindler, Karin Slaughter} I do however love a good romance {Emily Giffin, Nicholas Sparks, Jodi Picoult} now and then too. I love it when I find a new author {Tish Cohen, Stephanie Gertler,  Liane Moriarty}.   I’ll find myself lost in another world with reading, getting totally absorbed with the storyline, falling in love with the characters and all their quirks, in fact at the end of one such book, I was in tears when the main character died.

With so many different authors and so many genres to choose from, I'm glad the local public library has it all.

This quiz about what kind of Library user you are was circulating around Facebook and I was not surprised by my results…

Based on your responses, you are most like this type of library user:
Library Lovers
along with 10% of the public.

Library Lovers have strikingly positive views of public libraries compared with other groups, and with the U.S. population; they use libraries and library websites more than any other group, and most believe libraries are essential at the personal as well as the community level. This group’s members are disproportionately younger than the general population. It also includes many parents, students, and job seekers, and more respondents with higher levels of education.

 

Reading ~ it‘s a beautiful thing!

How about you? what are you reading these days - any good books or blogs you want to recommend?

What was your beautiful thing this week?

Blessings

Because

It all started with reading my devotional. One sentence was all it took for me to get focused. I am continually amazed at the timing of devotions. I can open up a book, written years before I am reading it and it speaks directly to where I am. They truly make me realize that God sees everything which takes place in our lives. And this week is surely no different. Today, I found this:

photo credit: Anneleise

Rest from the burden of a small god:
Because I have found the Lord.
Rest from doing things my way;
Because the Lord is my Shepherd.
Rest from endless wants;
Because I shall not want.
Rest from weariness;
Because he makes my to lie down.
Rest from worry;
Because he leads me.
Rest from hopelessness;
Because he restores my soul.
Rest from guilt;
Because he leads me in the paths of righteousness.
Rest from arrogance;
Because of his name’s sake.
Rest from the valley of death;
Because he walks me through it.
Rest from the shadow of grief;
Because he guides me.
Rest from fear;
Because his presence comforts me.
Rest from loneliness;
Because he is with me.
Rest from shame;
Because he has prepared a place for me in the presence of my enemies.
Rest from my disappointments;
Because he anoints me.
Rest from envy;
Because my cup overflows.
Rest from doubt;
Because he follows me.
Rest from homesickness;
Because I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

It has been a long, rough week. It is hard to think of suffering as having a purpose. Yet we know everything that happens in our lives is for a reason. Therefore, if suffering is a part of life’s journey, then it also must have a purpose in our lives.  When life attempts to throw me off balance, I CAN, through Christ, do all things {Philippians 4:13}. But it is a choice... and one that can only happen as I remain focused on Him.

Blessings

Bookwork

For as long as we’ve been married, Wayne & I have been farm business owners where we share the multiple tasks of running the business together. And for just as long, I have been the bookkeeper.  The lucky individual who keeps track of the accounts payable, accounts receivable, the cheque writer, the bank balancer, HST filer and anything else to do with record keeping. But as of late, I’ve gotten a few months behind in keeping the books up to date, again! OK, let’s be honest, it’s been six months - yep that’s right I haven’t even started 2014

Normally I love 'doing' the books. I get excited balancing to the exact penny, even though the accountant says I don’t need to. But as I sat at the computer yesterday, I found myself getting quite distracted by checking blogs, reading facebook updates, googling, sorting through e-mails and just about anything else I could find to prevent me from starting those books.

But then the hubs threatened, er I mean bribed me with a Friday night date to our favourite pub if I got started on the books. And with the rain falling outside it turned out to be a good day for book work. oh goody! So as I sat there entering data into the spreadsheet program, crunching the numbers and listening to the rain, I realized that I shouldn’t let myself get so far behind…

Is it because I am lazy and can’t manage my time well?  Or perhaps I am just slow or late about doing something that should be done until a later time because I do not want to do it.  Does that make me a procrastinator?

How about you? Do you do what needs to be done right away and then simply relax, or do you put it off until you're rewarded with something special?

Blessings

mhmm monday

This time of year when it's just to hot to cook supper, I love finding new recipes for salads... this webite shares this delicious salad.

Southwest Chicken Chopped Salad

Ingredients:
2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
1 whole green pepper, diced
1 cup rinsed & drained black beans
1 cup sweet yellow corn
2 whole roma tomatoes, diced
4 whole scallions, washed & sliced (white And Green Parts)
1 whole large romaine heart, chopped & washed
½ bunches cilantro, washed & chopped
2 cups crushed tortilla chips
2 whole avocados, diced

DRESSING:
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
½ tablespoons ranch seasoning
½ tablespoons taco seasoning
½ tablespoons lime juice (optional)
salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:
In a large bowl, stir all salad ingredients together, excluding the tortilla chips and avocado. In a small bowl, stir all dressing ingredients together until smooth. When ready to serve, toss salad with dressing then gently stir in avocado and tortilla chips.
Enjoy!

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 27

It’s been a whirl wind week… we took some much needed time away and spent the week camping at the Pinery, the Provincial park that’s close to home. We slept in, took leisurely walks through the many trails, biked to the store each evening to enjoy an ice cream treat and sat around the campfire each night, roasting marshmallows for the smores…

It was good to get away from the routine of everyday, to take a slower approach to life. Where we could focus our time on being together, not on housework, or yard work, or paying the bills, or cleaning the house… or any other of the multitude of chores that are needed around the farm house.

We need to learn to “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” ~ Robert Brault  We need to find blessings everywhere and take time to appreciate them, whether we are camping or at home. We don’t need to wait for the right time or until we clear the to-do list or feels like it. It should just come naturally. The best way to find the blessings is to look for them. Each day should be treated as extraordinary.

What was your beautiful thing this week?

Blessings

The Measure of a Friend

Friends.

God places them in our lives because He knows we need them. They need us.

Friendship is a gift from God.

Trusting someone with your friendship is a privilege we give to one another. Trust develops an assurance for when difficult times come {and you know they will!}, we will have someone who will stand with us, bringing us the inspiration we need to endure, to persevere.

Almost nine months ago a small voice inside of me said, “Go say hello and invite her for tea.” And yet. it was the biggest task God could have asked me to do. So, so out of my comfort zone… and for this introvert, that takes a lot of pretending to be braver than I am.

Sitting across from her, drinking tea, I could not have imagined how quickly our friendship would develop. The conversation flowed like we’d been friends for years. Easy. Comfortable. Deep. We laughed. We shared our life stories. We cried. We loved. There was a familiarity which brought the ease. The comfort. She knew me. I knew her.

Little did I realize that God was already working on my “One word” for 2014 back then…It takes intention to meet someone, to invite them for tea. An invitation do life together.

But when she announced they were moving,  I found myself wanting to close up the friendship shop and not reach out again. But as we enjoyed our last cuppa tea together, we pinkie swore to each other not to keep to ourselves but to do our best to step out from our comfort zones and intentionally reach out and develop new friendships with women that God will put in our lives.

Some friendships can only go skin deep. It can become all about smiling, quick chats about the weather and what the kids are up to before we rush off. But real friendship is actually about investment. It’s about showing you care. It’s about sacrifice. Giving. Love. It’s about being intentional.

So what is the “measure of a good friend”?

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg
even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.”
~ Bernard Meltzer

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart
and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”
~ Author Unknown

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another,
'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”
~ C.S. Lewis

“True friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable.”
~David Tyson Gentry

“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion,
who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing... not healing, not curing... that is a friend who cares.”
~Henri Nouwen

What is your experience of friendship? Have you been blessed in some special ways by your friends? Please share…

Blessings

Happy Canada Day, eh

We are extremely lucky, no that's not right, I don't believe in luck, I guess the word would be fortunate, yeah that’s a better word, we are extremely fortunate to live a country that allows us so many freedoms. Freedom of speech, of religion, of peaceful assembly, that slavery has been abolished. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never gone to bed hungry {except by choice} I’ve never really been too cold, or too hot. I haven’t had to deal with soldiers in my back yard or have had to flee my home with only the clothes on my back.

Living in Canada definitely has it’s perks...There are many things to be thankful for living in Canada. And while I am not the most patriotic person, I am quite proud to be Canadian.

What are you thankful for?

Blessings