Ho Hum.....

Work, eat, sleep. That's what goes on after the holidays, right? There is always something more to tend to. But the gray skies and coooold air seem to slow me down. It didn't even reach 40 today. And it just started raining. Should be icy roads tomorrow.

We enjoyed a day at the beach on Thanksgiving. The weather was just perfect. All the kids had other family places to be, so we waited until Saturday to cook the turkey. It was different, but nice.

Well I did pick up some apples from the local produce shop on my way home from work. It's time to make applesauce. Then my stock will be complete for winter. Baked one of the pumpkins yesterday and will make soup with it tomorrow and maybe a small pie with a spelt, walnut and butter crust. Now that I can have. The challenge of cooking minus wheat, dairy and sugar, not to mention fats (besides butter) keeps me thinking. Maybe that is why I am so tired. Send me your food ideas. I will be printing some new recipes later this week. And I promise to update you all on Bennie's Mexico trip. I'm just waiting for the pictures. Until then.....keep doing what's imperative so you can enjoy the benefits later. I think that's how it works?!

New items to watch for

I've added two new areas to the blog; Video Picks and Food Picks. Please feel free to send in good ideas for recent movies you've viewed that you would recommend or great food finds. Recently I have had to restrict my diet because of food sensitivities so I'm always on the lookout for good substitutes to dairy, sugar and wheat.

And as the winter months are approaching, I find myself looking for good videos to watch. I'm a Netflix member so I get them through the mail. It's a great convenience since I dislike shopping anyway. Even in a video store! New ones come in the mail within 3 days after I return the old ones. It's a great deal. So look for my video picks on the side columns and send me in some of your favorties.

Remembering refreshing times

Part of my family of friends and co-prayers....what would I do without your encouragement.

After feeling somewhat overwhelmed, well, downright flattened, I know where to look for strength and so there I go. Not always seeing immediate results, I am reminded that He keeps no clock. And especially not mine. My burdens are the friends and family around me that can't carry their own. As I woke up this morning an hour before the alarm went off, and prayed for those I care about, I realized how many of those people on my list are out of work. They comprise almost 50% of my prayer requests! I thought, WOW.....I want to encourage as many of them as are able to pray....pray with me...and believe. I read the book of James last night and was reminded again, my faith does count for something, and my prayers do move mountains. Imagine the prayers of the many.....He is just waiting to hear from us. So I encourage you.....put on your armor today.....and believe God. His promises are promises! He does hear his children!!

Now I'm off to the kitchen to bake the rest of the cookie dough I made last night for the students. Yeah, my students are adults but they never tire of home made cookies. And I've found since I can't work in the garden, making cookies and giving them away makes me feel better. And since I am a woman and can multitask......Praying while baking works great!

Be still.......

I was given a book a couple of weeks ago on the 23rd Psalm. An interesting observation by the writer was that sheep don't drink out of rushing streams....they need the water to be still or it frightens them. They understand that if their wool gets wet, they could drown from the weight of the wet wool. They seem stupid in a lot of ways, but their fears are real and they know to guard their life in that way. In part of the story, the Shepherd also realizes their fears and finds a way for them to drink out of still waters. He would even dam up water for them in one part of the stream so that the water was still.

And doesn't the Shepherd of our lives find ways to keep us calm, and lead us away from the rushing streams of our lives? More often than not we ignore His leading and keep going our own way......the outcomes not always so refreshing! This is not a 'be still' society. But.......we miss so much when we aren't. So much!

Another Week.....

It's been an amazing week. I finished a 4 credit college course in 5 days! And I have 6 4" thick notebooks to go through. My goal is February 1st. But if sooner then that's good too. I'm looking forward to trying new techniques on the upcoming class this Monday.

This morning I've been be-bopping to the Beatles Sargeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club, and I Get By With A Little Help From My friends, (that would be Roxy and Chewy). We danced and dusted, vacummed to the vibes, and drummed the dishes to the dishwasher! Now I can focus on other things.

Bennie and I were at the airport yesterday at 5:30 am to catch his flight to Hermisillo. So I imagine this morning he is enjoying huevos rancheros. Muy bien! He was so excited. I dont' know how much I'll hear from him until he is able to purchase a phone card. Thank all of you who are praying:~)

I'm off in an hour or so to play with my grandsons. I'll catch up with you later. Have a wonderful weekend!