a new recipe.



credit.

I may have mentioned that I am working on making a few changes in the way I cook...more protein and vegetables, fewer carbs. My boys made the request a while back (they're conditioning for sports) and I figured it could only benefit all of us.

However, I'm finding this is easier said than done. I never realized how much I relied on a starch when planning our meals...rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, tortillas...they were staples at every meal. And I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing...I believe in balance. I am not an "all or nothing" kind of gal when it comes to diet. But there was definitely room to cut back on the serving sizes.

Anyway...a few days ago I found a Martha Stewart recipe on Pinterest that looked tasty. And it just so happened I had a few sausages that I needed to use up. As a matter of fact, I had all of the ingredients I needed for this dish...canned beans, onion, garlic, carrots, sausage, broth...it was super easy. And very tasty. Everyone liked it and agreed that it should become a new addition to our menus.

Admittedly, these beans could be eaten as a main dish. Add a tossed salad and some warm, crusty bread and you'd be good to go. But this time I decided to make it an even more protein rich meal and served them alongside some broiled tilapia.  Then I added a big bowl of stir-fried vegetables cabbage and asparagus. It was all delicious. And all gone! Not to mention...hearty and healthy.

(See? Pinterest isn't all bad. It can be a wonderful way to waste time very helpful.)

slow and quiet.

After a whirlwind week of life and wrestling tournaments and then a pinched nerve in my left shoulder blade...I realized it was time for me to take things nice and slow.

So today...will be slow and quiet and easy.

The house is a wreck. But it will have to wait.

Instead I will eat my "heart-healthy" serving of oatmeal, take a nice HOT shower and sit quietly and read my textbooks. Because of my shoulder I was unable to sit at the computer to do my schoolwork so I am a bit behind. But that's OK...I'll get caught up. I always do.

the weeks are flying by...

The girls.

It's Friday...and it's raining. Looks like a good day for some bullet-points!

• Yes...it's raining. Finally. You know I'm glad. I love it. So does the garden.
• The girls...oh, the girls. They haven't laid an egg in...at least a month. Maybe longer.Their new pet name? Free-loaders.
• I've started my new classes for the semester. I am considering dropping the art class. Sad...yes. It just seems like a lot more trouble than it's worth at this time. So...it's on the back burner. For now.
• We've got the wrestling extravaganza this weekend. Ian had a dual meet yesterday afternoon, then he has a tournament tonight hosted by his school, then tomorrow we drive almost two hours away (leaving at 6am!) to another tournament in Grass Valley. Whew. I'm tired just thinking about it. I see a pajama day in my future...Sunday, you're all mine.
• The new job is going well. The teacher I am there to assist has been out sick since we got back from vacation and will probably be out for a while more. We've had a different sub every day since I've been there. There was talk of getting a long-term sub...that will be nice.

So that's it really...not a whole lot to report. Life is moving right along...everyone is healthy, the heater works, the water is hot and there's food in the cupboard. Life's good.

Wednesday in the Word.

Because you are my help,
 I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
 your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:7-8



the winter garden.

chard...collards...broccoli

I realize that calling 10 little plants in my backyard a "winter garden" might be a bit of a stretch. But for me...it's kind of a big deal. This is the first time we've ever planted winter vegetables. And I'm pleased to say they're not doing too bad.

They're a bit small, I think. I would think with all this warmth and sunshine they'd be a bit farther along. But...we did plant them late. And there hasn't been any rain. So maybe this is to be expected.

I'm not worried about it. Any time I do something like this for the first time I consider it a learning experience. So if things don't work out ideally I don't get discouraged. I just take note, see what happens, and do it differently the next time.

The good news is that we have actual broccoli florets growing! Chris came in the other morning and told me...so you know I had to run out with my camera!

See it? It makes me happy. I can't wait to eat it!

The other thing we have growing right now is the Meyer Lemon and it's producing beautiful lemons. I picked some the other day and they smelled so good. That has got to be one of my favorite scents ever...

So it's supposed to rain this week...maybe tomorrow. Or the next day. I'm ready. And so is the garden.

A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness;

it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.

- Gertrude Jekyll

MLK

"I just want to do God's will. And he's allowed me to go to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land."

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Sunday.

It's beautiful out today...finally a chill in the air. We spent all of yesterday in a gymnasium watching Ian's wrestling tournament. It was dark when we finally got home...

Today we are all taking it very easy...a nice slow morning of sipping coffee, watching football and thinking... about dinner (pork stew I think...) and homework (I am late with some of it...) and work (it's been interesting...) and Ian's birthday on Tuesday (still have some shopping to do...) and my art class that starts Wednesday (I need a TON of art supplies...)...it's no wonder my anxiety is rearing it's ugly head, eh?

In my dream last night I was in class and one of the students stood up and said, "Psalm 118:6-9." Just like that. That was it. I woke up right after, went to the bathroom then wrote it down so I wouldn't forget. When I got up this morning I read it...

⁵ When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD;
   he brought me into a spacious place.
⁶ The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
   What can human beings do to me?
⁷ The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
   I look in triumph on my enemies.

 ⁸ It is better to take refuge in the LORD
   than to trust in human beings.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the LORD
   than to trust in princes.

I included verse 5 just now, too...because it spoke to me. Probably because I am feeling hard-pressed lately. So this is a word from the Lord...a promise...to me. That He will bring me into a spacious place...a place that's easy to breathe. It's a promise that He is my helper...He is my refuge...therefore I will not be afraid.

Sometimes I am just so blown away by God...and His ability to speak to us...through the bible, through people, through songs, through dreams. He's always there. All we have to do is listen.

On a lighter note...we are letting Seth drive Ian to the mall this afternoon. What!? I know! My babies...in a car...together...on a freeway! I'm taking deep breaths...

I suppose I've procrastinated the ol' homework situation long enough. Time to "hit the books" as they say...