Deep amidst the thick

The stars must be aligned just right.  I generally enjoy light comedy in a movie, but I have recently been moved by three movies.

Eat Pray Love--not at all what I had imagined.  I carried away a sense of my needing to be me, even when I don't like me.

Beyond Borders--A movie I had never heard of starring Angelina Jolie.  I grasped the concept that we are all tortured in our own ways.

Autumn in New York--Richard Gere and Winona Ryder find love against all odds.  This reminds me that there is a reason we love who we love, and that a greater hand leads us along every step of the way.

I am so thankful for every one God has placed beside me in this journey of mine.  He has shown me love when I don't deserve it, loyalty when I don't return it, and blessings in the ordinary.

Dinner = Done

 I have a somewhat (alright, really) hot-and-cold personality.  I get on a healthfood kick for a couple months, then it's all hot dogs and cake...or it could be scrapbooking, yard work, etc.  

So, a while back I came up with the idea to cook when I was in the mood and prepare ahead for when I wasn't. It also helps to save energy.  I only turn the oven on once and cook several things at a time.

I think this idea has been my best yet, and I'd like to share it with you:

First off, dinner for tonight was Chicken & Rice Soup-

While I'm chopping veggies, I go ahead and make extra to freeze--I don't know about you, but carrots, celery and onions are my go-to veggies for everything.

Muffins for tomorrow's breakfast go in the oven:

Then tea for the kids' lunches

Beans for tomorrow's tacos and some to freeze:

 And finally, bread starter for the BEST Sourdough in the world:

I broiled some rolls slathered in butter to go with the soup--didn't get a pic, though.

So every time I cook, I do it big-time:)  It makes for a whirlwind of activity-timing is key-but in the end, it's so worth it to me because I don't have to cook much tomorrow!!

What do you do to save time or energy or money?

Whose strength?

A friend sent this to me, and I needed to hear it.  Enjoy:

The greatest energy drainer may be serving God in our own strength.

The greatest energy drainer may be serving God in our own strength.
This is one of Satan’s most effective schemes. He wants to occupy us in good activity void of eternal energy. Serving God and others in our own strength means we are driven by what we can do for God, rather than what He can do through us. It’s the difference in being energized in our service or being drained by our service. Christ’s strength comes from being still.
He strengthens your soul in daily quietness before Him. His whisper of affirmation motivates you to walk with Him. It is learning to trust in Him and not strive for Him. This total trust replenishes your soul like an ice-cold sports drink to a cyclist ascending the tallest mountain in the blazing hot Tour de France. His spirit gives life and endurance.
When you received Christ you received His strength. Strength already resides within you. He is available to you. Your Savior has no fuel crisis to reckon with, as His supernatural resources are infinite. You cannot go for encouragement too many times. Walk in His name and be energized by Him. His Holy Spirit infuses strength, so be strong in the Lord!

I'd never thought of it that way before, have you?

Wanted: less stress

I have nothing good to say today, but here goes...

I normally love the rain, but today it's just not what I need.  After a rough day yesterday, all I really want to do is get out in my tiny veggie patch and get my hands in the dirt.  No can do:(  I guess I'll run errands...in the rain...my favorite...yeah, right.

I'm so fed up with the details life demands.  I know we all do so much, and a lot of other people deal with A LOT more than I do.  I'm thinking I may have an issue with anxiety.  Great. 

Can I consider my time at Old Navy therapy?

Closets to be proud of:)

Let me begin by saying...organizing is one of my favorite activities.  Unfortunately, it takes a good combination of creativity, time, and need.  Those don't always meet in the middle. 
Sometimes, I have to reorganize an entire cabinet just because I went a little crazy at the grocery store.

So, I actually got started last night while my hubby was out and my son was sleeping (Nadia was at her grandmother's).  I had been looking at this one closet of mine that used to house the vacuum, but when we got a new one, I realized this one can't be manipulated to fit. :(  That left me with the entire bottom "shelf" unused.  Plus, I figured out that all my smaller appliances can fit on one shelf.  That left me with another entire shelf unused...**sigh**--insert warm-fuzzies here.

This morning, I feared that I wouldn't feel like getting more done, but after the rush I got last night, I couldn't wait to get started.  I have learned over the years, that the more you stay on top of the organization, the easier it is to reorganize.  It also means that it takes WAY less time to actually clean because everything already has a place to belong, instead of stuffing things in a drawer and never being able to find them.

In hindsight, I realize I should have taken pics of before and after--I'll try to remember next time.

I have helped several people in the past to get areas organized (once, a whole house).  That is the best feeling ever!!  Knowing you're giving someone peace of mind, that is.  I actually got an offer to come help someone else from a post I put on FB, and I'm pumped:)

All that to say, I have always been grateful for the ability and love of organizing.  What should I organize next?

Waste of time?

My computer decided to be bratty today.  I have needed to download the software for my home printer and, being a new computer, some other loose ends needed tying up.  OH MY WORD--I forgot how long it takes to do all that!!  It took 30 minutes to get the printer printing.  I had to register my Microsoft Office package--it kept telling me weird things.  So I call the number it gives me to register via phone and, of course, get someone with the Indian accent.  Not that that's bad, but just one more thing to frustrate me :)

The good new is:  I got it all done.  The bad news:  It's now 2:30 and I haven't really gotten much else done today.  Oh, well.  I'll do stuff this weekend :)

I will rest well upon my pillow tonight knowing I won't have to deal with the computer stuff tomorrow. 

Prepare yourself for a subject change:

So I go for a walk yesterday through the woods with camera in tow so I could capture anything interesting.  This is all I came up with :)


In the midst of all dead things, there was a splash of color-

 Not sure why this caught my attention.

Afterwards, I got the laundry out of the dryer, put it on the couch.  Come back after a minute and look what I found:

If I could fit, I'd probably do that too!!


So much for my fabulous photography work ;)  I'll try to come up with another hobby. 

Will Spring inspire better pics?

Let sleeping dogs lie?

After a day at work, I can still only wish to sleep this soundly.  Of course, you can't hear the extremely loud snoring through the picture, but I'm sure you can imagine :)  Right now, I'll just be happy to not burn dinner.

Is it okay if I wake him up because the snoring is going to make me lose my mind?