New Year's Eve Reflections

14 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
Wayne getting a new job! and with that we’ll be moving!

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Having 3 different friends move away from the area.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Having one of those same friends move back.

4. What was an unexpected event?
My father-in-law passed away ~ I found it hard to be a support for my kids when I was also grieving.

5. Pick three words to describe 2014.
Intentional, Heart-warming, Thought-provoking.

6. What were the best books you read this year?
Forever Interrupted ~ Taylor Jenkins Reid
An Unexpected Grace ~ Kristin von Kreisler
Mean Streak ~ Sandra Brown
Keep Quiet ~ Lisa Scottoline

7. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
My family ~ all you gotta do is read my beautiful things each week and almost ALL of them include my family.

8. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
Doing a daily devotional really brought me to a closer relationship in knowing God more intimately and deeply.

9. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
Learning to accept the way I am.

10. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
Having a deeper understanding of who God is and what he’s done for me.

11. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
Continuing to walk each day, despite my health issues.

12. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
I’ve learned to be more intentional about who I spend my time with.

13. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
Learning to play 2048 - internet game

14. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
By looking back over each week and writing about it for my weekly beautiful thing post. It really helped me to realize of all that I have to be thankful for.

Your turn ~ go ahead answer as many or as little as you'd like...

Blessings

Grey Day

Can you believe we are about to embark on a new year? 

2015 is just around the corner. When a new year approaches, it seems to roll in with much hope. There are 365 days in a year. No more and no less. And even though most of the days on my calendar are blank, God has a plan and a purpose for every single one of those days.

It’s at this time of year that most people often reflect on the year that is ending and make some plans for the year that will begin. Call them whatever you will ... plans, goals, or resolutions.

As I sit here this morning, I’m doing the same thing. Reflecting on my one word for 2014 and praying over the word for 2015.  

After a wonderful time of celebrating Christmas with our family combing food and games and chatter and hot tubbing and photo taking, today it’s quiet… almost too quiet, it feels kind of like a mental hangover.   It’s been a couple of days since the kids were all home for Christmas and while we had an amazing time together, I now feel a little lost… sure, there’s that post- Christmas cleanup and that huge to-do list that’s gotta get done, buuuuuuuuuuut, it isn’t the highest priority ~ all I really want to do is find a really good book grab more tea and settle in for a day of hibernation! 

Do you ever have those days when nothing seems to go right?

I’ve been there. Done that. Bought the T-shirt.

Trust me it’s not easy!

Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad…and sometimes it’s downright ugly.

Even though the day has started off a bit ‘off’ and grey there is a promise tucked away and I can take a deep breath and be reminded of the joy that will come…

… might be time for some power playlisting to get me moving.

Blessings

mhmm monday

This website shares these cocoa waffles studded with chocolate chips and finished with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. It’s a “Treat Yo’ Self” kind of breakfast.

Doubles Chocolate Waffles

Ingredients:
 1-½ cup All-purpose Flour
½ Tablespoons Baking Powder
½ teaspoons Baking Soda
½ teaspoons Salt
2 Tablespoons White Sugar
1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
3 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa
⅓ cups Vegetable Oil
2 Large Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1-¼ cup Buttermilk
½ cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Sliced Strawberries And Bananas (optional)
Whipped Cream (optional)
Chocolate Syrup (for Serving)

Directions:If you need to keep the waffles warm so they can all be served at the same time, preheat the oven to 200ºF.
Dig your waffle maker out from the back of your cabinets and preheat it. I usually put a paper towel or wax paper under the waffle maker to make clean up easier.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugars, and cocoa. In another bowl, whisk together oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Batter will be lumpy.
Depending on the size of your waffle iron, you may need more or less batter. I used about a ½ cup for one waffle. Pour batter onto hot waffle iron then scatter evenly with a small handful of chocolate chips. Close the waffle iron and let cook—it could take anywhere from 4-8 minutes. I find that mine are just about perfect once the steam has mostly subsided.
Carefully remove waffle from iron and place in a single layer on a baking sheet in a 200ºF oven to keep warm.
To serve, top waffles with slices of fresh strawberries, bananas, a swirl of whipped cream, and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. This made 5 waffles in my iron, but if you have a large Belgian waffle iron, it will probably only make 3.
Enjoy!

Blessings

Kick the Bucket

Anyone remember this?

When I wrote my version of a bucket list, I didn’t have a plan in place for how exactly how some of these items would happen. It was quite interesting watching as these different events/activites occurred. Some happened the way I thought, others not so much, and some… well they didn’t happen at all, and you know what? ~ that’s ok too! But what’s most interesting, well to me anyway ~ is that while my intent was to step out of my comfort zone and try some new things I ended up trying others ~ it just goes to show you that we can make all the plans we want, but that doesn’t mean it’ll happen.

So here’s the list and I’ve linked-up some posts to give you an update of what I`ve accomplished.

Develop a better discipline in my life by spending time in God’s Word each day. Reading a daily devotional and writing my thoughts each day {or sometimes two in one day - because let’s be honest here, some days I forgot}
Attend a music concert. Went to an NHL game.
Participate in a 10K run with my girl.Walked the Macnaughton/mMorrison trail {11K}
Learn to say “no” without feeling guilty. This is still and will likely continue to be a work in progress!
Continue blogging at least two or three times a week.
Take a road trip with girlfriends.  My mom, sister, daughter & I went to Port Huron for a weekend of shopping.
Serve in my community {food bank, church, library} July, EBC hosts a daycamp where I volunteered to serve in the Kitchen elective
Get this tattoo. Adding this to 2015.
Make a difference in someone’s life. Stepped out of my comfort zone and made a friend.
Write a book. Made my parents an 50^th anniversary book.
Learn something new {language, skill, craft}.  Spent time with my girl making cards.
Get my belly button pierced. Adding this to 2015.
Read 150 books in the year. {on book 98}
Ride the train. Took a ferry ride when we supported our girl for her marathon. 

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 52

From this post you can clearly see we needed to update our family photo… so when all the kids came home for Christmas we took the opportunity after a delicious dinner of roast turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, and coleslaw to quick snap this photo.

We then headed outside and took several more including this one.

Knowing that I would need the photos to add to this post, my son-in-law sent the photos attached with this note "Hello Mother, I have been advised to send you two pictures before we leave today, so here they are. Have a great day blogging and reminiscing of your wonderful day spent with me. ;)   g-man"

 

Totally made my day!

 

Having my family home is always a blessing.

What was your beautiful thing this week?

Blessings

Merry Christmas

From Us!

Blessings

Just Think

I am a planner, a list maker, a ‘I like to know what is going to happen before it happens’ type of person. I totally get excited as the new year approaches. It is a new beginning. A fresh start of our plans for the upcoming year. A time to make new lists!

Devotions {time with God}, I believe are an instrumental part of our faith walk. Being purposeful in reading a good devotional book alongside the Word equals wonderful time of growth in our faith.

So when I read
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}}I get excited thinking about the plans He has for me more than any list of plans I can make for myself. It’s not easy to let go of the ideas or plans that I have made because really, no matter how many plans we have, how many lists we make, our path is not our own. He has already made our plans. He knows our path. There is simply is so much we do not know and do not understand, and yet we can trust that HE is taking care of it all. He has a reason for everything. Each season in our life is made perfect in His timing with His plans for His purpose.

Somehow, we’re almost at the end of the year 2014 and as I look forward to what 2015 will bring, I am praying that I would see His hand in every part of my life and that I would be only in those places where He has placed me to fulfill His special purpose for my life.

Just Think ~ Roy Lessin
Just think, you’re here not by chance, but by God’s choosing.
His hand formed you and made you the person you are.
He compares you to no one else–you are one of a kind.
You lack nothing that His grace can’t give you.
He has allowed you to be here at this time in history
to fulfill His special purpose for this generation.

As the year comes to an end, I encourage you to take some time and spend it with God, and may you be reminded that He has great things in store for each of us. He has a plan for us to shine His light the brightest. Our future and our dreams are safe in His hands. 

Can you even imagine the plans He has for you!?

Blessings

mhmm monday

As Christmas is fast approaching, I find myself looking for different recipes to serve the family.  So when “the girls” shared this recipe, I thought I'd add it to our Christmas day brunch!

Sugar Plum Brunch Ring

Ingredients: (yields 1 brunch ring)
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoons salt
1 large eggs
1 tablespoons instant yeast
3 1/2 - 4 cups flour
1/3 - 1/2 cup candied fruit, small pieces
3 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:
In a glass microwave bowl beat together first 6 ingredients until frothy.
Microwave one minute at a time for 3 minutes, whisking well every minute. Mixture should be warm like that of a baby bottle.
In a large bowl stir together yeast and 3 cups of the flour.
Pour warm milk mixture over flour and yeast. Add the candied fruit and stir until mixture begins to come together.
Knead adding remaining flour until dough is smooth and not sticky. You may need to add a little more flour if your dough is too sticky. Knead well for about 10 minutes.
Cover bowl of dough with a clean, lint free kitchen towel and place in a draft free place to rise for one hour or until double in bulk.
After first rise, punch dough down and pinch off golf ball sized pieces of dough. Roll each ball in melted butter and place in lightly greased bundt pan so that dough balls are touching. The dough balls will fill the bottom of the bundt pan. If you have extra just place on top of others.
Cover, and again place in a draft free place and allow to rise 3/4 of an hour. Dough ring will have risen to double or more.
Bake in oven preheated to 350º for 20-23 minutes. Remove from oven and turn out onto cooling rack.
Ice with a thin drizzle icing of 3/4 cup icing sugar thinned to a thick drizzle with 2 teaspoons melted butter and either 2-3 teaspoons of milk or maraschino cherry juice. Using the juice adds a little flavour and colour to your icing.
Tip: When kneading the dough I like to have 1-2 extra tablespoons of oil close by and add a little at a time along with the remaining flour. It will help the dough not stick to your hands and helps to make a nice smooth soft and none sticky dough. This dough produces nice bubbles from the yeast as you knead it. If you don't care for the candied fruit you can substitute with raisins. Candied fruit is worked into this sweet dough that bakes up into a pull apart ring. Maraschino cherry juice adds a hint of pink to the icing drizzle.
Enjoy!

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 51

Sunday’s are quite often a family day. After spending time with our church family in the morning we quite often find ourselves with “the kids” for part of the afternoon.

I usually end up going for a walk through the trail with my girl, while the farmer takes his afternoon nap… as we walked through the trail this past Sunday, we came upon a little tree all decorated for Christmas, and it instantly put a smile on my face. So naturally we took a picture.

Each time I get one of my kids to take a picture of something, the next thing out of their mouth is “oh mom, are you going to blog about it”… they say that like it’s a bad thing.   Ok sure, maybe I put more of my private life “out there” but I like to have a record of these things.

Anyway, as we continued to walk and continued our talk, I was reminded again of all the things I am truly thankful for.

What was your beautiful thing this week?

Blessings

Scheduled Rest

It’s late. I’m exhausted. And yet I can’t fall asleep.

My husband is upstairs and has been for the past several hours. And my brain is running 100 miles an hour over a to-do list. So I got up again, trying not to wake the snoring bear, and write down a list of these things hoping that having them on paper is the answer to getting the sleep I need.

I’m not a creative night owl {maybe you are?}. I’m actually the girl that requires about 8.5 11 hours of sleep to feel human and prefers to get all of her creative and business work done mid-day ~ because I am not a morning dove either.

More often I find that the creative juices really get flowing in the middle of the night. It’s the time where ideas are generated and when my mind is still and peaceful. Where it’s free to wander and dream. It’s during these times of rest when I really feel connected to God on a deeper level.

And yet, too often I find that I avoid resting during the day by:
reading this mindless article we found on Facebook
glaring at Pinterest trying to force a spurt of creativity
simply staring at the to-do list, overwhelmed
rushing from one activity to another
never saying no, even when we know we should
tackling every thing on the to-do list as if the world depended on us to finish. Perhaps we may need to schedule a rest. Or have it scheduled for us! … like the past two Wednesdays when we found ourselves without hydro for the afternoon. 

If that doesn’t slow you down, I don’t know what will. It seemed like a bit of a test for me. What will I do now since I cannot sit at the computer ~ checking in with Facebook, looking up more fun things on Pinterest, doing the books, e-mailing and writing?

Yet when we rest we are able to take a closer look at what we think, where we spend our time and how we go about our days. Being more intentional about our whole purpose!

What are some ways you can create rest during the busy season, even with the power still on?

Blessings

Are you ready?

There are only nine shopping days left… {counting today}

Are you ready for Christmas?

I think I was asked that seven times the other day. And each time I wanted to respond with

“do you mean

… are we done with our shopping?

… have I finished started the Christmas baking?

… is the tree up and the house decorated?

… were the Christmas cards mailed?”

Or do you mean, is my heart ready to prepare Him room?

Is it that people really don’t know what Christmas is all about? Or do they not know what else to ask at this super-crazy-busy time of year?!?

Each year I watch my favourite Christmas classics and each year Charlie Brown’s friend Linus reminds me what Christmas is really all about.

It causes me to pause and smile.

So, am I ready?

On the outside, it may look that I am with our tree, decorations, presents, baking, Christmas cards sent, etc.

But my heart? I think it needs a little more preparation.

I plan to spend these next few days preparing this heart of mine by reading the account of Jesus’ birth in the book the Luke, praying, and keeping the truth of Christmas in front of me. I desire to celebrate my Saviour’s birth with joy, peace and gratitude.

What do you base “ready” on?

Blessings

mhmm monday

With Christmas only 10 short days away, I knew I needed to get cracking on making the snacking...

Here are two of our favourites snacks that we enjoy this time of year.

Nuts & Bolts

Ingredients:
Large box of Cheerios,
Box of crispix,
Bag of pretzels,
Half a container of mixed nuts,
Half container of cashews,
Box of cheese nips
3 Tbls of celery salt
3 Tbls of onion powder
3 Tbls of soya sauce
3 Tbls of worchestershire sauce
1 lb of butter {not margarine}
Directions:
Melt butter with spices and pour over dry mix and bake at 250 for 2 hrs. Stirring every 15 min.
Enjoy!
 
and

Christmas Crack

Ingredients:
 1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
9 cups Crispix cereal (any flavor)
3 cups powdered sugar

Directions:
Combine peanut butter, butter and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.
Microwave for one minute then stir to blend all ingredients thoroughly. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir well.
Place the 9 cups of Crispix cereal in a very large bowl.
Pour the peanut butter-chocolate mixture over the cereal and toss evenly, making sure all the cereal gets a good covering.
Place the powdered sugar in a large zip-lock type plastic bag.
Add the peanut butter-chocolate cereal mixture to the bag, leaving enough room for the puppy chow to be shaken (you may have to divide the mixture into smaller batches, coating one batch at a time).
Shake the bag vigorously to evenly coat each piece of the puppy chow with powdered sugar.
Once the mixture is fully coated, place in a large serving bowl.
Coat any additional pieces by shaking the mixture in the powdered sugar.
Enjoy!

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 50

For years my sister and I have referred to each other affectionately as “bliss”. Why, you ask? I really cannot remember how it started.

Over the years we have had a lot of opportunities to spend time together. Whether we’re making cards, baking Christmas cookies, creating meals for the freezer, celebrating our birthdays, camping together, and sharing many dinners with our husbands along side us.

Since she works full-time we’ve started making it a priority to meet just once a month, grab a cup of tea and sit together to catch up on the busyness that our lives well hers anyway, have become.

We met this past Monday, and spent several hours chatting, sipping, laughing, listening, and I thoroughly enjoyed our time. I greatly appreciate these opportunities to get together. Having someone that you know you can trust with your inner most secrets without fear of condemnation is such a blessing. Not only is she my sister but she is also a very dear friend and one that I am honoured to have in my life.

What was your beautiful thing week?

Blessings

Straight No Chaser

The Twelve Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser

 

 

Enjoy!

 

Blessings

Happy Holidays?!?

It’s only two weeks until Christmas! and I confess the panic is beginning to set in.

Yes, the Christmas music is playing in the background. Sure the tree is up. And the halls? Well the halls are decked as best as one can with old decorations. The Christmas baking has been started, I’ve even watched my share of the Christmas classics and yet…

“It seems like I’ve lost my holiday spirit.”

Christmas can bring so many thoughts of expectations ~ decorations, family and friends, presents, food, energy… Why is it that we put ourselves under such a great deal of pressure through unrealistic expectations, comparisons with others and a need to prove ourselves?  

I know it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. And while I’m not quite up to Grinch status yet, I’m definitely not feeling holly or jolly about the upcoming festivities.

Confession: sometimes I have a bad attitude at the holidays {please tell me I’m not the only one}.

I want peace on earth but then I wind up feeling tempted to run over people with my shopping cart when they’re rude.

I want to spread cheer but then I get PMS and just want to spread chocolate on every surface I can find.

I want to shine brightly like the lights on a Christmas tree but then I get too busy and just want to say “lights out” so I can get some sleep.

I used to feel guilty about this quite a bit. What kind of person was I if I got all grumpy at the most wonderful time of year?

Each year the commercial side of Christmas seems to push the birth of Christ aside and yet, none of these things are what the Christmas season is really about. The truth is that Christmas isn’t about the holiday hoopla anyway.  The music and the gifts and the decorations are nice, sure. But the reason for the season? It’s Jesus. Just Jesus. And Just Jesus? IS ENOUGH.

Surely our focus should be on the birth of this baby who would change the world, the greatest gift God could give us ~ something to really be grateful for.  We need to reset our focus right where it is meant to be: on Jesus. The Messiah. The One who started it all, the One who gave it all.

Blessings

mhmm monday

Nothing says Christmas quite like red & green.  So when Krystle gave her dad his most favourite Christmas time dessert, I knew I needed to get my baking pants on and make him some more ~ because I knew those squares would simply not last until Christmas.  So with Christmas music playing on the radio, I knew I could get started with this recipe from this website.

Christmas Magic Cookie Bars 

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 {14 oz} Can Of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup Holiday or regular chocolate chips (divided into 1/2 cup portions)
1 cup chopped nuts (I prefer walnuts)
1 cup Holiday or regular M&M's (divided into 1/2 cup portions)
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut

Directions:
Place 13" x 9" pan, with butter, in the oven and turn the oven on to 350° F. Butter can melt in pan while preheating. {Keep an eye on it, checking every few minutes and pulling out of the oven when butter is melted.}
When butter is melted, remove pan from oven and carefully sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs over the melted butter. Press in lightly with fork or back of spoon.
Pour sweetened condensed milk over the crumb layer.
Sprinkle 1/2 of the chocolate chips, 1/2 of the M&M's & the nuts over the sweetened condensed milk layer. Sprinkle coconut on top, followed by remaining chocolate chips & M&M's.
Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven. Allow bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.
Enjoy!

Blessings

Beautiful Thing ~ week # 49

Good friendship begins when you least expect it. I’ve written about my struggles with finding friends here, here, here and here.

True friends are a gift from God. They love us, laugh with us, comfort us and encourage us and in September of 2013, the value of friendship came to fruition when I gathered up the courage to walk over, say hello to Heather and invite her to tea. 

Most of us aren’t looking for just any friend. We are looking that special person with whom we can pour out our hearts. A safe place where confidences are held carefully. Friendship is unconditional loyalty and love. A bond of steadfastness and acceptance that allows us to be who we are, fully, without fear that love will be withdrawn.

And we shared that. Totally. 100%. Instantly.

However, by the following June, I found myself struggling again when God called them elsewhere.  I knew there would be a purpose in it, and looking back I can totally see God’s hand involved in all that has happened since they moved away and have since returned to the area.

We met for tea this week and we instantly re-connected as if she never left. I am so excited to renew our friendship.

What was your beautiful thing this week?

Blessings

Still being intentional...

It’s almost the end of my year of being intentional. This is an area that the Lord has been teaching me and refining me and I am definitely still “in progress”.  A very practical way to achieve this was through my use of words. Why, when, and how I used my words ... and how my tone is just as important as my choice of words.

I'm a words girl. I place great value in not only the spoken, but also in the written word as well. I love how words can be beautifully strung together in a way that move us to think deeper.

But I’m a slow writer. Painfully slow. The words don't come easily for me. I think a lot. I mean ALOT.

I want my voice to be true, my words sincere. So I try not to rush the process. I take my time, often only discovering what I truly think or feel as I'm writing it out. This “free therapy” is neither quick nor painless, but it’s {usually} oh-so-worth-it.

Backspace is my closest friend, since I seldom get it right the first time. I edit, chop, change, add, remove, abandon, start over... I rarely end up where I thought I would when I started.

Write.
Delete.
Repeat.

But using my words to talk? Now, that’s a whole other story. I gotta be honest here: I hate that talking lacks the luxury of time and backspace.

When I feel uncomfortable, or want to say something important or meaningful, or attempt to share something vulnerable, I can never find words ~ the right words ~ quickly enough. I pause at great length. I hesitate. I sit silently. I get awkward. I mean like really awkward. My mind trips over itself, trying and failing to find the best words to say what I mean.

I want my words to be fitting to the situation and to the person I am talking with. So what should I do? How can I speak words of life, joy, peace, and love in my day-to-day life? How can I be better prepared for the times when I am unaware that the temptation to speak otherwise is just one slip of the tongue away? How might my family & friends be recipients of grace through my words?

I want to get better at using my words ~ written or spoken. I want to be more aware of my thoughts, and less afraid of my own voice. I want to speak and write with honesty, live an authentic life, and to be intentional.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 {New Living Translation {NLT}}

Blessings

Letter "B"

Yesterday was busy

Banana Bread Baking,

Bookwork Balancing and

Beatles music Blaring...

despite the fact it was Monday, it was a beautiful day!

Blessings

mhmm monday

How do you make homemade banana bread even better? Kraft Canada tells you to add in some chocolate and make a Chocolate-Marbled Banana Bread. Try it - you'll love it!

Chocolate Marbled Banana Bread

Ingredients:
1 egg
1/2 cup Miracle Whip Original Spread
1-1/3 cups mashed fully ripe bananas (about 3)
1-1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
4 oz.Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

Directions:
Heat oven to 350ºF.
Beat egg, Miracle Whip and bananas in large bowl with whisk until
blended. Mix all remaining ingredients except chocolate in medium bowl. Add to banana mixture; stir just until moistened.
Pour half the batter into medium bowl; stir in chocolate. Spoon batters alternately into 8x4-inch loaf pan sprayed with cooking spray; swirl gently with knife.
Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 5 min. or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool bread in pan 10 min.; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely.
Enjoy!

Blessings