On a Lunch Break

What does one do on a rare break between one errand and another must do?

One with not quite enough time to go home,

but too much time to arrive early for the next thing of the day?

I choose a quiet spot, near a boat dock, on a cold windy day.

Warming in the sun and sheltered by my car.

And a view of a bayou.

But the view I really want to look to?

Oh, I need to look into the Word.

To spend some time hearing and learning from God.

In my bible and a great bible study.

Over a peanut butter and apple jelly sandwich and a Diet Dr Pepper...

A delightful way to spend one's lunch break  :)

I want to be the (wo)man in Jeremiah 17...

"But blessed is the man who

trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in Him.

He will be like a tree planted

by the water

that sends out its roots by

the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of

drought

and never fails to bear fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8



A Snippet of My Day

Studying....studying.....studying.....

 

Cutting power-point into flash cards

 

More studying and reading....



 Memorizing James 3:17-18

With a method that helps me more than any other.

Just by writing the first letter of every word in the verse.

Makes me have to think!

LOVING this book...

Lunch alone.

But never alone....

Crescent Cookies!!!

There is a certain cookie that I just LOVE.

Both me and my hubby.

And you can only find them around the Christmas holidays.

Just when I had almost forgotten about them, there they were.

Just around the aisle of the grocery store.

I got 2 boxes....

But really should have gotten more - we are already on box #2.

And with a cup of coffee..... simply delightful!!

Last Days Of Summer

School starts Monday.  Yes, in 2 days....

This last week of summer has been filled with doctor's visits [shots for Jalyn (3) and for Joshua (4)]  :(   and dentist visits for me and Jacob. Eye doctor for Jalyn (since she failed a test at her dr. check up) - glasses will be coming in in about a week!  Last minute school shopping, and Jacob still hasn't found a book bag - gotta do that today.

We have also played with friends, had my niece over for a few days, a visit from my mom, lunch out with friends.  You know that feeling, of trying to cram in everything, as if all time is gone once school starts.  It does feel like that at first.  But then you settle into the groove, and you realize it's okay.  Life still happens, and we are still a family that can do things together.

One place Jalyn has been wanting to go for sooo long, is Olive Garden.  She's a pasta girl!  So, after Joshua's shots, I got him something special that he wanted, and when I asked Jalyn what she wanted (for being so brave!) - she wanted Olive Garden.  So we had a Mom/Daughter date.

And it was good!  Jalyn walked in with a smile on her face, thought the restaurant was "so fancy".  (Poor child, we really must get out more!)

Here she is with her salad and bread sticks!

We ordered Grilled Chicken Alfredo - to share.  And we still had left overs!

Look at these desserts - too pretty.  I had the one with all the dark chocolate, she had the white chocolate one.  They were soooo good, and the perfect size.

This really is a year of firsts.  I will have 3 children in 3 different schools - all new to them this year.  Joshua is moving into kindergarten :(  Jalyn into Jr. High, and Jacob into High school.  WOW...  That just sounds stressful.  I keep thinking that if I can make it through this year, I will be okay.

Kindergarten doesn't start until after Labor Day, so I have a bit more time with Joshua.  He will be going to Kindergarten at a church where Jalyn went to preschool.  It's also where I went to church for 3 years, and became a Christian there.  Lots of good memories :)  Now we will add to those!  His schedule there will not be as long as if he were going to public school - a bit shorter days :)  The best part is that my very best friend will be his teacher!  So, I am not feeling as nervous as I could be, considering all those facts!

Oh, I just want to savor this weekend...  Before schedules, getting up early, buses, homework, grumbling, and all the sorts, begin......

A Country Visit

We went to the "country" this past weekend - visiting my parents at their "when we retire" place.

No cable, no internet.  12 miles outside the closest town.

When we go for a visit, I always slightly dread coming back to "civilization". 

Coming back to living in a neighborhood -

 having just enjoyed having a more vast expanse between property lines.

At times I think I could stay "up in the country" indefinitely.

And other times I would longing for a visit to Walmart.  Or a mall.  Or "civilization"!

My parents have neighbors there that have a little garden.

They shared some of their bounty.

They never look quite as pretty as whats in the store - but always seem so much better.

They have several blueberry bushes and asked that we "fill up some buckets before you go".

Blueberries are just so pretty.  Or is it just me?  I think they are the "cheeriest" fruit :)

Even pretty going into the pancake batter!

And delicious in the pancakes!

I am sure I am underestimating farm life - but I sometimes dream about that life.

Maybe just a bit of land and a house  - and a little garden -

for when we retire....

Homemade All Day

The other day - I must have had time on my hands....

How did that happen anyway?

Oh well, it did - apparently, and I got to cook 2 delicious meals from scratch.

(Not that I don't normally - but I usually cook things that don't involve kneading or lots of chopping these days)

But I was so in the mood to eat homemade biscuits! 

And who doesn't like cutting out plump little biscuits with a jelly glass?

For clean up - I do wish the flour came off the counter easier though!

Aren't they pretty?

Then for lunch, I decided on a stir-fry.

Chopped up all my veggies.

Got out the soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and bean sprouts

Browned my chicken with lots of garlic

Added the veggies and sauces

Added the bean sprouts and green onions at the last minute

(Serve over rice)

And there you have it!

YuMmy!!

Perfect New Year's Day Meal

First you start of by making a fresh loaf of bread!

While the bread is kneading and rising and baking away,

you take all your left over turkey and cut up lots of vegetables.

Ummmm.....

After 3 hours, take out your fresh baked bread -

and if you are lucky, you can get your loaf unstuck from the paddle.

Slice it up... Add some butter.

Sit down and have a yummy, nutritious meal!

And if you are like me, have like 4 more bowls throughout the day.

It's healthy, so that's okay, right?

Pepper Jelly Anyone?

My mother always loved pepper jelly - and I thought it sounded.... disgusting.

  So, like most children, I refused to eat it.

And there I went, with that attitude, until a couple of years ago.

At a friends house, I finally decided to try it.

And guess what?  It wasn't disgusting.

I actually loved it!

It's a nice little snack (and quick) for when friends come over.

And I promise, it is good!!!

Tea and Cookies

Today was another beautiful, sunny, cool, glad-to-be-alive kind of days!

Me and Clay made some hot tea (his idea).

I am much more of a coffee person,

but an occasional cup of tea is wonderful.

I should do it more often.

Some of the supplies.

I made a cup of the raspberry tea.

I have to add a little cream to mine.

I also made a big batch of chocolate chip cookies.

I got settled in with my hot tea and my psychology book.

Serious reading and studying to do.

(Made better by the open windows and blowing breeze)

And this little guy curled up next to me.

He too enjoying the fresh cool air.