This morning's Sermon....

This morning our sermon was profound....it hit me so hard, that I honestly wish I had stayed home and not heard the word.  I know that sounds terrible and it IS terrible, but I feel so burdened.  Surely others felt the same way, but I find myself with a real dilemma.  It seems that I always have a real spiritual dilemma anymore.  You see, several months ago, I started praying for true spiritual discernment...I ask GOD to break my heart for the things that break his; to show me areas in which I need to grow; to show me my gifts and where I can be of use.  While I wanted clarity, sometimes it is really overwhelming.  I feel he has shown me more than I can really even deal with at times.  For months, I felt led to leave my dream job.  Finally, I found the courage to do so....and the end result was misery for me.  My days were very unsatisfactory and I just didn't understand.  In the last month, GOD has powerfully shown me why I left my previous job.  With this resolution, I found peace, and I am thankful.  Suddenly, I feel thrown into another spiritual puzzle...does anyone else ever feel this way?  This morning's message was titled "Excuse Me".  I am going to share my pastor's outline...

Luke 9:49-62
I. What or Who does your life revolve around? - Lk. 14:16-24
A. It's my world, you're just living in it (Life is about me).
B. Family First?
1. The importance of being equally yoked - II Cor. 6:14
2. Kids (Grandkids) rule, right?
**We are sacrificing our kids on the altar of ________**
C. Stuff (possessions, hobbies, events, etc.)
II. What's your motto?
A. I don't let Jesus get in the way of living life.
B. I don't let life get in the way of following Jesus.

I encourage you to really think about what your life revolves around.  Most of us, would quickly say our families, right?  Normally positive intentions push us to make a great life for our family and especially children.  We work hard to provide entertainment, allow for sporting activities, birthday parties, etc.  I mean heaven forbid, we have a child who hasn't been given the opportunity to be an athlete worthy of a scholarship or a child who is lacking in social skills.  We want our kids to have great clothing, be popular or at least accepted, and a host of other things.  You know, on most nights, I rush from one event to another...very few of which are church-related.  Often, I'm conflicted about this, but do little to stop it. 

Even worse, for 15 years, I've allowed myself to attend a church that I do not like just to please my husband.  I've allowed Satan to convince me that attending church as a family is more important than my spiritual growth.  God has been showing me show much and I am ready to set the world on fire.  The tough part is, my husband isn't willing to go with me.  This message today confirms what I've been feeling for months and it scares the crap outta me.  Time to move on...time to branch out.  Time to take ahold of GOD's commandments and obey my number 1.  Live with passion, everyone.  That's where the fulfillment lies. 

Menu Plan Monday

So, it appears that Fall has kicked in very nicely.  This morning was a cool 53 degrees and trees are beginning to turn slightly.  The air is crisp and fresh.  While this SHOULD be motivating to me, I have felt so lazy the last couple of days.  Because of this, I have no desire to cook.....I can promise you, however, my family has not lost their desire to take nourishment.  This week's menu is feeling quite tentative, we'll see.  This week we will have our usual soccer practices, games and church activities...one change will be Saturday evening.  My sweetie and I will be celebrating our anniversary a few days early as the actual date falls mid-week.  I have no idea WHAT we are doing (or what I am buying my husband either...eep!).

This is what I'm thinking:

Monday:  Potato soup, cheese and crackers, Nutella brownies

Tuesday: Pork chop and hashbrown potato casserole, greens, biscuits with pumpkin butter

Wednesday:  Broccoli chicken, rice, pre-packaged eggrolls

Thursday: Subway (out)

Friday: Leftovers or restaurant.  On Fridays, I travel a good distance to get babygirls allergy injections and try to pick up groceries for the week while we are in the city.  Often, I pick up a pizza as it is 7ish when we get out of the grocery.

Saturday: Anniversary dinner

Sunday: Pork Roast with cooked carrots and mushrooms, mashed potatoes and cornbread.

Top Ten Tuesday

On any given day, many things are buzzing through my mind (I am a wife and mother, after all).  I am a major planner and list maker, so I feel it only natural that I do lists on my blog.  I make lists for groceries, meal plans, education, clothing needed to properly outfit my prep, etc.  Oddly enough, I don't make honey-do lists for my husband.  That is another post...lol.  My great love of reading prompts me to keep book lists as well.  If time allows, I will read a book per day!!  My Vera must be big enough to carry a print book as well as my e-reader.  Today, I will provide you will a top 10 of my favorite books as of late.  Probably won't be hard to spot this librarian's favorite genre :)

1) Lisa Scottoline's, Don't Go
2) Lisa Scottoline's, Daddy's Girl
3) Lisa Scottoline's, Think Twice
4) Wanda E Brunstetter's, The Hope Chest
5) William Davis', Wheat Belly
6)Danielle Steel, Until the End of Time
7) Danielle Steel, A Gift of Hope
8)Jentezen Franklin, The Spirit of the Python
9) Jentezen Franklin, Fear Fighters
10) Julie Andrews', Home: A Memoir of My Early Years

Happy Reading!!!

Souper Burger, my way...

Every so often, I include souper burgers in my menu and I decided I needed to post a recipe/explanation.  While it is true that I often make typos and don't bother to take time to catch them with spellcheck (sorry), I haven't misspelled the name of this recipe...it is indeed S-O-U-P-E-R.  The above picture is an good ole sloppy joe.  We are all familiar, right?  My recipe is nothing like a sloppy joe, other than the sloppiness (which my family totally enjoys) and the texture.  While perusing the internet, I found that souper burgers do exist outside of my little "Mayberry" world and that my mother isn't the creator of this recipe.  This breaks my heart in a way because I thought this was a recipe my mother came up with just for her darling children.  Darn her for misleading me :(  Anyway, my recipe has evolved from my mother's a bit and I truly DID NOT see any like mine online, so I will share.  This recipe is great for a busy night and is a messy, kid-pleaser.  It must be eaten with your hands, and will someway somehow manage to end up on your lap, shirt and table area every time.  This recipe is not terribly unhealthy, but the sodium content is quite high.  Please keep that in mind.

1 lb of hamburger meat, crumbled, browned and drained.
1 can Campbell's French Onion soup
salt and pepper to taste (easy on the salt and the soup is loaded for bare)
cornstarch and water for thickening.
sliced swiss or provolone cheese
mayo
butter
King's Hawaiian rolls

This is so easy, you will feel as though I've left a step out...promise I haven't.  Brown hamburger, pour in can of soup and allow to simmer until slightly reduced.  I add a bit of salt and pepper, then add my slurry for thickening.  This mixture should be quite thick.  You want the consistency of sloppy joe's.  Now, this is where I differ from my mom.  She would plop this mixture on top of a piece of bread and we were blissfully ignorant that things could be better.  I use King's Hawaiian rolls that have been split in half.  I smear them with a bit of butter and toast them before adding the meat.  Add meat and cover with a slice of provolone or swiss cheese.  Usually, I add a bit of mayo as well.  In my family, each person gets two sliders, but I have also served this when I needed smaller portions such a church small groups, parties, etc.  Should easily serve 10-12. 

Meal Plan Monday

I have exactly 8 minutes to make this post happen as I have supper in the oven as we speak :)  This week, babygirl is on Fall Break and while we were afraid to make vaca plans due to family health issues, we have lots planned at home.  I allowed babygirl to choose the meal plan this week...I think she did a pretty good job!

Monday:  Spaghetti, mixed salad and garlic cheese muffins
Tuesday:  White beans with ham, corn muffins
Wednesday: Souper burgers, baked fries, and carrots and dip
Thursday: Chicken stir-fry, beans and mushrooms with oyster sauce, and rice
Friday: Eat out
Saturday: Mom's choice, undecided
Sunday:  Mexican night:  Chicken quesadillas, refried beans, chips and homemade salsa and guacamole.

Even though we are on Fall Break, we still have soccer practice and youth, so we will still have busy nights.  Tonight, is a free night, so I will be making both pumpkin and apple butters.  Yummy! 

Lunch is usually leftovers from the previous night and salad. 

Simple Woman's Daybook

From my window:  Glorious sunshine!  At 68 degrees and sunny, the day is perfect.  Should be in the low 80's this evening for babygirl's soccer game.

I am hearing:  The light breathing of Miss L beside me as well as the sound of Fox News.

In the Kitchen: Breakfasts dishes are cleaned up, sink empty (gasp) and everything is tidy.  Will run the dishwasher when little bit wakes up.

I am smelling:  Two of my favorite scents...decaf hazelnut coffee and my apple harvest Scentsy.  Smells cozy and fall-like.

I am thinking:  How life can change in the blink of an eye; hoping for clarity on a matter from the Lord.  His timing and will instead of mine :)

I am reading: The Invisible War by Chip Ingram.  Other than the bible, I am out of reading material as the bookmobile was unable to stop here last week :(  Our local library has changed hours and I am unable to make it in as I used to.  Such a pain!

Around the house:  Babygirl and I were able to get our Fall scene done in the front yard.  We have hay, corn shocks, pumpkins, gourds and mums.  It looks lovely.  My house is pretty tidy at the moment and doesn't require any immediate care....that makes my heart happy!

For the week:  Soccer tonight, Thursday and Saturday morn, Youth Wednesday and Youth get-together at our house this Friday.  We have done allergy shots for the week and all my shopping is done.  Hopefully this will be a week of rest! 

Meal Plan Monday

Hello, all!  Here we are starting a new week and forging our way into October :)  This is my favorite "cooking" time of year.  Foods are hearty and slow-cooked and pumpkin and apple are always on the menu.  I often have apple cider mulling on my stove as it is one of my families favorite treats.  Happy fall, y'all.

Monday: Taco Soup and Mexican corn bread
Tuesday: Chef salad and baked potato (game night)
Wednesday:  Spaghetti with steamed broccoli and garlic bread
Thursday:  Tomato Bisque and grilled cheese sandwiches (game night)
Friday: We are having the youth over for a little get together, so we are having finger-type foods....
Philly Cheese steak, chips, chocolate fondue with fruit and pound cake.  This is my responsibility.  Everyone will bring a little something.
Saturday: Chicken Chili, Pimento cheese, Pumpkin Cheesecake and sweet tea.  This meal will be shared with a gentleman from church who is getting ready to have a double knee replacement. 
Sunday: Eat out :)

Hope everyone has a yummy week! 

Life, continued...

Eep.  I know I promised another post with a picture, but I just haven't gotten it done yet.  We've had some family sickness issues to take care of.  Be patient with me, please :)

So, I was promising to outline my new skin routine, so I will try to do that now.

1.  Drink more water.  If I take into account my prescription meds and weight, I need to drink 100 ozs of water per day.  Rarely do I even get close.  That is ridiculous as I really love drinking water. Instead of tap of water filtered lightly by my fridge, I will be buying purified water.  Our skin needs to be hydrated and it's such a simple step to good health.

2.  Sweat more!  Recently, we bought a treadmill.  I have been working my way up to a reasonable level of fitness before hitting it hard.  I'm at the point where I can run a mile straight.  It's time to up the ante and really break a sweat.  Out body needs helps riding itself of toxins.

3.  Sleep more.  This is tough for me.  I average 4-5 hours of sleep per night.  I am going to aim for 7.  8 is ideal, but unrealistic for me and an unrealistic goal creates stress.  Stress=yucky skin.

4.  Replace harsh beauty products with natural products. 
I went to Target and bought BB toothpaste and facial cleanser.  I will be using organic coconut oil for lotion and conditioner and I recently ordered Tarte cosmetics.  If I am not leaving the home, I will not be wearing make-up.  For this month, I am going to forgo any extra hair products and all nail polish, scrubs etc.  Luckily, fall is here and my toes don't need to be perfect.  I think I will manage (I hope). 

This is my plan in a nutshell.  It is my hope that at the end of the month, my skin will be much improved.  I'll let you all know.

Life

"I would like to live as a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding." John O'Donohue

I think the above quote is lovely and so true.  Life is quite the journey and often times, a wild, wild ride.  As I get older, I realize life is a bit like climbing a mountain...sometime our journey upward is easy and without pain and barriers, and sometimes, we fall back a little and lose our footing.  Our physical, metal and emotional conditioning is up to us.....we can neglect our health and suffer the consequences or we can protect God's temple. Once I realized that GOD is my safety net, it's easier for me to progress slowly and steadily.  God's "harness" is a simple formula of studying his word, spending time in prayer, and having faith.  This formula costs very little monetarily and is sure and true.  How glorious is that?  Doesn't mean it's easy, but it IS always available. 

Lately, I've been rereading some of my Jentezen Franklin books on Fasting.  I have fasted many, many times, but only for a day or two.  Jentezen starts each year out with a lengthy fast and miracles abound.  Spiritual and physical healings are commonplace.  While I am sure GOD is convicting me of this, I'm not sure what he wants/expects of me.  I have been prayerfully examining ways in which I can take better care of my body.  At the age of 33, my health is worse than most my age.  While a lot of my physical problems are hereditary, some are not.  My thyroid has been failing for years, I have moderately severe endometriosis, hypertension and skin issues.  I feel yucky a lot of days.  I'm not a naturalist by any means, but I have REAL concerns on popping pills on a regular basis....what can I do to help myself?  I have been praying.  So far, I feel like I need to work on the items I put on my skin.

Our skin is the largest organ of our body and can very accurately reflect our overall health.  How is my skin?  HORRIBLE.  In fact, it always has been.  I have the type of skin that looks like an oil slick two hours after bathing.  My hair is the same way.  I have been embarrassed by it all my life.  Because of the extreme oil, I have had constant break outs and have pores so massive I can stick a finger in them (well, almost).  Add in the inherited rosascea and dermatitis and I am a mess.  I have never been a huge product person.  While I've always worn make-up, I've never overindulged.  I sat down last night and listed all the products applied to my skin on a daily basis and it blew me away.  The sad thing is, nothing really seems to be helping.  I encourage each one of you to do the same.

Here's my list:

Prescription:
Finacea (Rosacea cream)
Presctiption hydrocortisone cream (dermatitis)
Curel Intensive formula for Eczema (don't have this condition, but my daughter does and I love this lotion)
Secret deodorant
Frederick Fekkai Apple Cider shampoo
Oil of Olay pore purifying facial cleanser (morning)
Simple sensitive skin wipes (evening)
Oil of Olay sensitive facial lotion (evening)
Ivory bodywash

Make-up:
I won't list all the brands as I have favorites all across the board
Foundation
Powder
Blush
Eye Shadow
eyeliner
Mascara

On Sunday's (church day) I add to this list:

OPI polish
Sally Hansen foot scrub
Sally Hansen intensive cuticle treatment
Mouse and hairspray

As I listed this, I couldn't believe it...seriously.  All of this is leaching into my system on a daily basis.  No matter how good my diet is, I am quite sure I have been reversing any positive effects from whole foods.

So what am I gonna do about it?  This gal has a plan.  Join me tomorrow for my plan and (gasp), if I get up the nerve, I will take a pic of my skin without make-up.  Shew!

Meal Planning

Since Monday was Labor Day, I gave myself a free day and most of my meal were eaten out.  Eating out is welcomed once weekly, but more than that is no good for us.  Frankly, we don't have many meal options locally and all have allergies and sensitive tummies.  We do better when meals are prepared at home.  My meal plan this week will be Tuesday -Friday.  Hope y'all can find a bit of inspiration.  Every single night of my week involves a church or sporting activity, so my meals reflect the need for easy prep and clean-up ;)

Tuesday

Sautéed chicken breasts with Adobo seasoning, fat-free refried beans (made yummy and healthy with coconut oil instead of lard and a bit of melted cheese on top), fresh salsa and chips.

Wednesday

Crusty baked potatoes and chef salad

Thursday

Tomato bisque and grilled cheese sandwiches.  During busy weeks I always try to serve soup one day...so easy and can be reheated for lunches as well.

Friday

Friday's menu will a bit larger than normal.  We are having church leadership over for a meeting/meal.I expect 8-10 extra people.

Lasagna, fresh sourdough bread, large Caesar salad, baked potato casserole and fresh apple cake for dessert.  Thankfully, our leaders are our closest friends and I don't have to worry about being fancy.  To be honest, we will probably eat off paper plates!  Sweet tea will be served in red solo if I have anything to say about it :)

Happy eating foodie friends!

Simple Woman's Daybook

Hard to believe another week has rolled around!  Hope everyone enjoyed Labor Day.  I have a lovely weekend full of productivity and family fun...my two favorite things :)

From my window:  SUNLIGHT!!!  The gray skies have finally been replaced by glorious sunlight.  After a rainy (much needed) weekend, I can literally see my grass growing before my eyes.

From the kitchen:  Clean and tidy.  Nothing cooking away at this time; the only scent is my Scentsy warmer. Lunch will be chicken salad and watermelon. 

I am reading: Lisa Wingate's "A Thousand Voices" and Martha Stewart's Cooking School (scored at Goodwill yesterday for 50 cents!!).  Both books are very engaging.

I am listening to:  Music is always going on in my house in some form.  Right now CMT is on for random noise.  Lady Antebellum is playing.

I am thinking: Wondering how I will get babygirl's allergy shots this week.  We have soccer practice tonight and Thursday and a game Saturday.  Because of her asthma, she cannot get a shot on a day of practice or game playing.  Makes it so hard.  The life of a mama!

I am wishing:  For a bigger vehicle.  I always made fun of people who, after having their first child, immediately bought a big SUV...how wasteful.  Yet, I would love to have something big enough to haul 7.  I constantly need to haul more than 5 ppl now....we looked at a Buick SUV yesterday and loved it.  We'll see. 

Around the home:  Just finished painting my hallway and all interior doors.  Will hang pics and quilt rack back up this week.  Next chore:  Painting the living room....Saturday we will be heading to the Louisville Zoo.

I am sharing:  A simple, healthful recipe.  A follower ask for this some time ago and thought I would share today...

Cabbage and Smoked Sausage

1 lb of smoked sausage (beef or turkey both work well), cut into 2 inch links
One large head of cabbage, roughly chopped
1/2 stick butter
salt and pepper
2 TBSP Chipotle Tabasco sauce

This is so simple.  I start with a dutch oven and throw the first three ingredients in the pot.  Add enough water to fill pot halfway.  NO need to cover the cabbage as it will cook down a great deal.  Add pepper and tabasco sauce.  Cook on low to medium heat until cabbage is VERY tender (that's the Southern way).  Add salt to taste at the end off cooking.  I have found that adding salt in the beginning will keep cabbage from getting as tender.  Plan on at least 30 minutes cooking time.  I suggest serving with fried potatoes and cornbread. 

Healthy version:  Use Turkey sausage and light margarine.  I do this often and it turns out well.  A few red potatoes can be added as well.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Good morning!  It is a lazy (rainy and humid) kind of day.  A day in which I seem to lack any real motivation and I'm afraid that will show through in my post today.  Must get up and get a little something done today.

From my window:  I see my hanging ferns swaying in the humid breeze.  I see my front bushes desperately need a trim and I am thankful the rain quit long enough for my dear husband to get the yard mowed last night.  Looks so much better.

I am hearing:  Kip Moore singing "Hey Pretty Girl" and the sound of my clothes dryer (I did do something this morning, ha!)

I am feeling:  A bit lonely.  My baby is sleeping soundly and my big girl is at school.  I miss her terribly after being with her all Summer. My desire was to homeschool her, but she was placed in the classroom of an amazing teacher and I felt best sending her.  So far it's been an amazing year and while I am happy for her, I miss her cute self.

In the kitchen:  The scent from last nights supper still lingers....cabbage with smoked sausage, baked potatoes and hoecakes.  As usual, I have a few dishes in the sink and dishwasher is currently running.  Lunch will be a salad and bacon and tomato sammies.  Supper will be chicken and dumplings. 

In the garden: My garden has passed its prime.  Still currently getting tomatoes, green peppers and harvesting potatoes one hill at a time.  Need to plant some fall crops ASAP.

On the farm:  Livestock are looking good, have two a few chickens setting as we speak and last cutting of hay will be ready soon.  Busy, busy, busy.

Thought for the day:  Children learn from and follow example much better than just getting parental advice.

Plans for the week:  Hubby and I both have dentists appointments, baby girl begins soccer with a meet and greet later in the week.  Actually for us, a very calm week.

For GOD hath not given us a spirit of fear....



This week is VBS week at church and the hubs and I are both teaching.  For those of you just stopping by, let me tell you a bit about the area in which we live.  We live in a town with a population of less than three hundred.  The nearest gas station is seven miles away, the nearest grocery store is 15 miles away and the nearest town with a population above 10,000 is 30 miles away.  We have no geographical draws, no industry, just fields, creeks and churches.  Ironically, within a 10 miles radius we have at least 20 churches.  This setting may or may not seems ideal to you, but it is a piece of heaven here Earth for me!  This week, FIVE local churches are having VBS as well.  We believed our numbers would be down this year.  In fact, we were sure of it.  Many of our "typical helpers" were on vaca or sick, and we weren't worried about it....thought we had it covered.  Guess what?  We were wrong!  Lol.  Last night we had close to 150 kids.  Seriously over half the population of our town! We were floored.  And, thanks to GOD we handled it.  We ran out of food, we exhausted supplies, etc., but nothing that can't be quickly replenished. Many of the children are bused in--they don't belong to any particular church and some have never stepped foot in church.  By all accounts they should be rowdy and somewhat clueless, but these kids are amazing.  They listen, are thankful, participate.  It has been such an amazing experience.  Even more amazing has been seeing our close-knit group of workers step into different roles and excel.  I see confidence and love in people who have NEVER shown such traits before. 

Our theme this year is COLOSSAL COASTER RIDE.  Our verse for the week is 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)  For GOD hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of love, power and of sound mind.  The kids are soaking this up like little sponges.  As parents and adults, we like to hope we can protect our children from the unknowns, the up and downs of life.....the scary roller coaster rides, but unfortunately none of us are exempt.  Only GOD can give us solid footing and provide us with peace and the strength to serve him with boldness...even through adversity.  

Even though I am teaching, I can't help but marvel at what GOD has been teaching me this week.  My best friend has been fighting for her life since Sunday and we still don't know whether she will live or what her quality of life will be life.  I have had to pray REALLY hard to keep from being overwhelmed and fearful.  This week's VBS lesson has helped me so much.  Praise be to GOD! So thankful GOD is working even in areas that seem too futile to demand his attention.  He cares for us all!

Now that June is Almost Over....

I think I will write a post on why this is one of my favorite-ist (babygirl speak) months.  Aside from the month of December, June may very well be our busiest month.  I think I will take y'all on a chronological journey of our typical month.  The first week of June is our first full week of Summer break.  We no longer have to leave the house at 7 every morning and finally get to breath a but....can I say no nightly homework.  Ahhhh, that alone is worth celebrating! On June the 6th, my wonderful brother-in-law celebrates his birthday and my husband celebrates his on the 7th.  Normally we combine a birthday celebration for these two and a good time is had by all.  This celebration is always followed by Father's Day.  Father's Day weekend kicks off our local church camp that lasts a full week.

Our calendar can be a bit hectic, but honestly, it feels like a good kind of busy.  Kentuckians are blessed with wonderful weather in June.  Our temps generally stay in the 70's and 80's and oppressive humidity doesn't kick in until July.  The temperate climate warms local creeks and ponds, fishing gets better and fireflies begin to appear.  In June, I generally harvest beets, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes and the first tomatoes from my garden.  It is pure bliss....Also, I find myself making more sweet tea.  I may have posted this before, but I am going to leave y'all with my fav sweet tea recipe.  The recipe is my beloved mother-in-law's and believe me y'all, she knew her sweet tea!

Easy Microwave Tea (EASY, EASY, EASY!)

I cannot emphasize easy enough here...lol.  My Seven year old has been making this herself for about a year now ;)

2-Luzzianne tea bags (Lipton will work, but I much prefer Luzianne)
6 cups of water (cold)
2/3 to 3/4 cup of superfine sugar ( I like it sweet, so I do 3/4 cup, sugahs)

I use my large 8 cup glass Pyrex measuring bowl and add in my water and sugar, being sure to give it a good stir.  Then, I float my tea bags on the top and microwave for 6-8 minutes.  Allow to set for 5 minutes and give a good stir.  Remove tea bags and enjoy!

Tisk, Tisk

Do you ever feel the need to write and just cannot put anything into words?  I would love to discuss the fact that school is out in 14 days and I still have no child care arrangements for my child; that my back is still hurting after Five months; that I am so upset the morning after pill is available to ages 15 and up now (prescription free); that I no longer believe "once saved, always saved" and so on, yet, as I sit here, nothing is flowing and my mind is a jumble of thoughts.  Perhaps I need caffeine, perhaps I need a nap....who knows?

So, I will leave it short and sweet.  Welcome to the month of May.  May it bring us all many blessings ;)

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it within us or we will find it not." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Derby Time is Quickly Approaching....

I am not really a Derby lover.  The hubs and I don't party it up, but I realize the importance of accepting/promoting the culture of our State.  Sooo....I have been teaching a Derby unit at work.  Being a Children's Librarian is so much more than helping a child choose an appropriate book.  We are constantly looking for ways to educate while promoting culture and literacy enrichment.  Again, the Derby is not my thing, but.....I will admit that I am enjoying this unit very much.  Yesterday, my homeschool group, did stipple art with an impressionism vibe.  We stippled lovely thoroughbred horses adorned with red rose garlands.  We listened to the University of Ky. chorale sing "My Old Ky. Home" and we created virgin mint juleps.  On Friday, my Toddler group will make jockeys our of leftover Easter eggs and we will continue our horse theme.  Next week, I have a local presenter coming who has miniature horses....:)

Below are a couple ideas for educating children on the Ky. Derby:

~ Read "Gaston Goes to the Kentucky Derby" by James Rice
~Make Jockey Eggs (appropriate for ages 3-8)

~Make virgin mint juleps.  I didn't use any particular recipe.  I used a combo of unsweet tea, mint, ice and powdered sugar.  The kids had fun shaking their own concoction.
~Derby Hat Making Contest!  This can be so fun.  Gather materials such as glitter, ribbon, rhinestones, etc. and use old hats to come up with a unique creation.

My crazy, wonderful, amazing hubby ;)

Don't you just love a husband who is amazing, yet humble.  My hubby is one of those who loves to laugh, is intensely macho, yet has a serious sensitive side.  He isn't really the jealous type but can be fiercely possessive at the same time.  We have such interesting text sessions...lol.  Here is our most recent....

Hubby: The back of my neck is sweating....I hate that crap. 
Me:  What?  Do you feel sick?
Hubby: NO, I think my hormones are changing.....Love you, baby!  (He is making fun of me because at 32, I am entering into perimenapause, and he has been hearing this from me lately).
Me: I love you more, and let it be said that I dig your sarcastic bullcrap.
Hubby: Never forget who rocks your boat! 

Haha!  I love this man.  15 years and going on strong :)

Just Another Manic Monday

Oh. Emmm.  Geeee.  I am finally posting after a ridiculous sabbatical. As I've said in the past, blogging is somewhat therapeutic for me and I need some therapy!  Lol.  On a serious note, depression and anxiety runs in my family on both sides, so I feel like I get a double dose of this illness.  I've really never medicated myself, but I have learned how vital it is to recognize the symptoms of my downward spiral and to take action.  For me, exercise, prayer, music and writing really, really help.  As of late, my typical grumpiness and negativity have returned with a vengeance, so here I sit, forcing myself to make time for something I enjoy.  As busy moms, wives and daughters, we often (always) neglect ourselves, and while are intentions are good, we SUFFER.  This week will be very busy with soccer FOUR nights this week.....ugh.  I work late two nights, have to work in allergy shots and the countless other normal activities.  So, this post will be short and simple ;)

From my window: I see our lovely green grass that my hubby has worked so hard on this Spring. I also see that my windows could use a quick cleaning :)

From my kitchen: Despite two loads of dishes yesterday, my sink runneth over (this is typical for me), otherwise, clean and organized!

I am cooking: Made a big Mexican feast last night and still have some leftovers, but I will stick a huge roast in the oven shortly, and am hoping for at least two meals from this roast.  Will barbeque a portion of it.  Mashed potatoes and green beans will round out tonights meal along with peach cobbler for dessert.

I am reading: Psalm 91 by Peggy Joyce Ruth and the book of Ezekial.

I am listening to:  The sound of a John Deere tractor in the field across from our home. A boom sprayer is attached to the back...not sure what they are spraying, but am thankful the wind isn't up and blowing the spray our way.

I am watching: Just finished up Tyler Perry's "Good Deeds". Very good movie!

I am thinking: How much I miss my family on Monday's and how much I dread going to work tomorrow.

Be blessed! Our weather is going to be fantastic this week and I pray for the same for all my readers :)