Home Again

Well, I made it home from Michigan safe and sound. The week was so wonderful and leaving was so hard. These goodbyes kill me. We kept our goodbye at the airport brief so that helped and I had to go to the bathroom really bad so that helped :) but after I got on the plane the tears began. The man next to me asked if someone had died!! HHMM is there a way to cry without tears so no one knows? A tear ablation of some sort. Well, I hope to see Jen, Ryan and Isaac (also known as Watermelon Bug or handsome) this summer or fall. It's up to Jamie :).

I missed Violet and was anxious to see her. She came for breakfast on Saturday and then she came Sunday morning and we skipped church together due to the stomach flu epidemic our church has experienced. (we are not sick, just avoiding getting sick.)

But, the main reason for today's post is to show Violet's early hunger for God's word. Notice which books she chose to "read" from Mimi's basket!!

Isaac Elliot

I am here in the land of perpetual snow and cold. The temp. this morning was 1 when I got up, that is not a typo! But, the cold has not bothered me because I am having such a great time with my dear friend Jen, who is as much a part of our family as one could be who does not share our blood. We have poked around town, gone to a gluten-free bakery, grabbed Starbucks, done Target, ran in Barnes and Noble and just plain hung out. Tomorrow we will go meet Jamie for the day. It is so nice to be here, but the best part is my little Isaac Elliot. He is absolutely precious. He is always happy and smiling and Jen is always laughing at him. It is so great to be here!!!! Take a look at this little guy....irresistible!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

I woke this morning and was able to have my coffee in this mug. My boyfriend was very attentive to me one day in Starbucks when I declared "I love that mug!" We have no shortages of mugs around here, but my morning beverage is always a treat and a favorite mug to drink it from makes it even more special. I usually get hooked on one mug and use only that one for a long time. This past year I have only used 2 mugs, one my sister Barb sent me and one Meg gave me. For now I will switch to my "I love you" mug. Oh, the simple pleasures in life. I could not imagine my morning coffee or tea tasting nearly as wonderful in some plain mug. Happy Valentine's day to all of you!! And thanks Fred for my mug! You done good!

Quinoa (KEEN-WA)

Yummy! Tonight I made Quinoa for the first time. Prior to going gluten-free, I had never heard of this grain. Now, I love it! It is one of the many new things we are experimenting with. It is originally from Peru and Bolivia, but since 1982 it has been grown in the US. It is packed with nutrition and flavor. Quinoa has as much protein as milk and loads of calcioum too. It is also filled with iron, B vitamins, zinc and potassium. I was anxious to make it and see if we could tolerate it since brown rice can get boring sometimes. I made like a pilaf out of it. It was so good! A must try. Here is the recipe:

Quinoa Pilaf Recipe

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped finely
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup finely-diced carrots
• 1 medium red pepper, chopped
• 2 cups quinoa, rinsed thoroughly through a fine sieve
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• kosher salt or Maldon sea salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until soft, 3 minutes. Add garlic, carrots and red pepper, cooking until soft, about 5 minutes. Add quinoa and broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, covered, 20 minutes or until water is absorbed. Stir in frozen peas and salt and pepper.

Serves 6.

I hope you try it and enjoy it as much as we did.

Romans 8

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Rom. 8:5-6

I have been reflecting on this verse for a few days now. I am seeing how often I set my mind on things of the flesh. At first glance, I thought "things of the flesh' would pertain to lust, gluttony etc. but after further thought, I have concluded that any thoughts I have that do not bring God and His super natural power into the equation are fleshly thoughts. They are thoughts that only consider what I see and know (or think I know) right now. These thoughts do bring death for then all hope is left to myself or possibly another person who is fallible.

As I hash this out more, I see that when I look at a situation that I desire to see change in, I must look at it with eyes that also envision the mighty hand of God directing and working in that situation. I must recount how strong my God is, how I have seen Him work and then remind myself of the promises He has given. I need to apply these layers over the current situation I am facing and then look again. Think of it as a room with large windows. The room changes in how it looks and feels if you add some sheers to the window. But, then layer some beautiful drapes with some detailed rods and unique trim and the view is totally different, as is the atmosphere of the room. Setting my heart on the Spirit will bring a whole different look and feel to my thoughts. As I chose to set my mind on the Spirit life and peace become the fruits. Not fear, worry, anger and striving.

For me, this is helpful in many areas of my life. It is especially helpful when I feel myself beginning to despair about something that seems to drag on. Do I believe, that regardless of length of time and seemingly lack of change, that God is at work and He will complete that work? Of course, I believe that in doctrine, but is that a functioning doctrine in my life. Do I speak to my soul and remind it of all that my head knows to be true of God (setting my heart on the Spirit) or do I look with human eyes at what is before me (setting my heart on the flesh)and worry? I know what I want to do and by the grace of God I will chose to set my heart on the Spirit and have life and peace.

"She Looks to the Future and Laughs"

I am starting a little tradition that at the beginning of each month I will blog about what I am looking forward to in that month. The women is Proverbs found delight in looking ahead. I tend to fear, so this is one way to combat that.

The thing I am most looking forward to in February is going to see Jennifer (Zeerip) Pazdur. Well, even more than that, I am looking forward to meeting Isaac Eliot, her precious lil' peg. I will get to spent 5 days with them and just hang out and get to see Jen's home and what her life is like.

I am also looking forward to the weather breaking. Mid February should bring a 10 degree rise in our daily average temp. I have been cold this winter and I am ready for the warmth to come. Spring begins early here in Texas. (Of course, I will be in Michigan in mid February, so I doubt I will be too warm). Very soon the flowers will begin to bloom.

I am looking forward to Valentine's Day. I always love a chance to express my love to my boyfriend. Any creative ideas out there? After so may years it is sometimes hard to come up with something new, plus I am married to a man who never wants anything.

Well, those are my thoughts. We will see what the Lord has planned. What are you looking forward to this month???