Encourage My Heart

Three of my six grandchildren

I am so sad. This move has been hard. My new community is beautiful and the people are friendly, but  I miss my friends. I miss my children and grandchildren. When I wake up in the morning I measure my value by what I have not accomplished. I haven't hung family pictures upstairs. I haven't thrown away containers which arrived with no lids. I haven't given the dogs their medicine. I haven't....  Instead of creating a productive "To Do" list, I rehearse my failings.

I'm overwhelmed. I don't want to get up. I pray, "Lord encourage my heart.  I've done everything I know how to do. I've slept, taken my medicine and exercised, but I don't feel better."

The dogs force me to get up and take care of their physical needs. I pad to the kitchen and turn on the coffee pot. A hummingbird flies outside the kitchen window to sip nectar from a purple flower.

I can't help but smile at the unexpected gift. Thank you, Lord.

Coffee in hand I let the dogs in and settle myself in my chair for some quiet time. My old dog, Bella contemplates me. She can no longer jump into my lap, so I pick her up and settle her beside me. Molly, my young chihuahua, jumps up to settle in on the other side. Abby, the cocker spaniel usually lays down beside my chair, instead she jumped into my lap and sniffed my face as if to ask,  "Are you okay?' I can't help but laugh. Yes. Yes, I'm going to be okay. The Lord has encouraged my heart in unexpected ways. He has sent fur angels to sit with me and love me unconditionally.He hears my prayer.

Bella, age 14

Molly, age 2

Abby claims my lap.

These are the verses in my devotional.

• Psalms 55:17 "I complain and groan morning, noon, and night, and He hears my voice."
• Psalms 32: 7 "You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble."
• Psalms 62: 8 "Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge."

for He is the God Who Sees me. (Genesis 16:13).

If you battle depression as I do call to Him. He sees you too.

Low-Fat Tomato Basil Soup

I love Tomato Basil Soup from a French Bistro. I love it, but it is not conducive to my never-ending efforts to minimize my middle-aged figure.  It is loaded with cream and butter. I have a created a soup that mirrors the flavor without added fat. I clean out the vegetable drawer and use up everything that needs to be recycled into my tummy. It's a great way to sneak in extra veggies and fiber to an unsuspecting husband or child. Get out your stew pot and I'll show you how it's done.

Tomato Basil Soup

In a tablespoon of olive oil saute:

1 cup chopped onions
1 cup of shredded carrots
Add:

2/3 cup minced fresh basil

1 head of chopped cauliflower

2 cans (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 Tablespoons of Better Than Bouillon (in the soup aisle)
1 cup of water
Simmer for 20 minutes until veggies are tender.

Add:

8 oz. pkg low-fat or fat-free
cream cheese

Puree with stick
blender until smooth.

Add:
2 cups 1% low-fat milk or fat-free Half-n-Half
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Ladle into bowls. Garnish with basil and serve with bread.
*I like to toast slices of french bread, place one in the bottom of the bowl. Pour the soup over. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and enjoy!

It tastes better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to blend.  I save my canning jars, put the soup in while warm and store in the refrigerator.  It also freezes well.

This week I took soup to a friend who had surgery and another friend with a newborn. The addition of a pre-packaged salad, fresh fruit, and a loaf of homemade bread made a pretty good spread.
Easy, peasy!

Season with Salt!

I love to entertain and like to think of myself as gracious and pleasant. I love salt!  So this verse impacted me with its wording.

• ⁵ Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. ⁶ Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you]. Colossians 4:5-6 AMP. (emphasis added)

I confess my speech is sometimes seasoned with more than salt. I might even use spicy Cajun seasoning with a side of chili peppers.

 For instance, when I came out of Tuesday Morning to find the Fed-Ex  truck parked behind my car, two other cars, and an empty space, my eyebrows rose. I calmly looked around for the driver. No one in sight. I got in my car, cranked up the air and ate a protein bar. Being hangry doesn't help the situation.

Time passed. Still no driver. The driver hadn't returned to take in another load of product, so I assume there was some flirting going on with a cute store clerk. I have no idea what really delayed him, but once upon a long, long time ago I was a cute receptionist who flirted with the Fed Ex guy and kept him from his rounds.

My blood pressure rose. Irritated I got out of the car and took pictures of the empty truck and it's tag number.

 

 I looked  in the windows of the shops lining the parking lot. The door of the Herb Shop opened and the Fed-Ex driver wheeled his dolly past me.

"Really?" I asked indignantly, motioning to the blocked cars. 

"I'm sorry. There were no empty spaces when I parked," he responded 

"What?" I said pointing to the empty space blocked in by his truck. 

"That wasn't there when I parked," he denied.

"Then how were they able to drive away? I asked barely able to contain the chili and spice rising up in my throat.

"Which car are you in?" he asked.

"The red Camry," I pointed.

"Well you get in your car and I'll be gone by the time you buckle your seatbelt," he said pushing past me.

I stood there stunned by his arrogance. Lying to my face! My head throbbed with anger. I wanted to deck him. What was that verse again?

⁵ Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. ⁶ Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you]. Colossians 4:5-6 AMP. (emphasis added)

I have no idea if he was a believer or not. It really doesn't matter,  What I wanted to do had nothing to do with wisdom. So I got in my car, called my husband and vented to him.

I'm pretty sure the driver did not find our  conversation  to be gracious and pleasant, but by walking away I didn't make it any worse. I don't think Jesus would have been glorified by my having a stroke in front of the Herb Store.

Hidden Treasures!

Our trip to Slovenia last August

"Mom, I just want to spend the day with you. Mani/pedi's, shopping or just chilling, I don't care what we do as long as we are together," said Megan.

"Let's go!" I responded.  We quickly made arrangements for her two boys and took off.

"May I read from my devotional while you are driving," I asked?

"Of course" she said.

"Approach each new day with desire to find Me. Before you get out of bed, I have already been working to prepare the path that will get you through this day. There are hidden treasures strategically placed along the way. Some of the treasures are trials, designed to shake you free from earth-shackles. Others are blessings that reveal My Presence: sunshine, flowers, birds, friendships, answered prayer. I have not abandoned this sin-wrecked world; I am still richly present in it.

Search for deep treasures as you go through this day. You will find Me all along the way." Jesus Calling", by Sarah Young

"I've found my treasure today. It's spending time with you," I said.

"Absolutely, but Mom, we can't overlook that some of the treasures are trials," she said as she parked the car.

"I know, but I don't generally have to look for those treasures, they slap me in the face. I've learned to go straight to Him to deal with trials, although I forget to consider trials treasures. It's small blessings and favor I neglect to recognize amid drama and pain."

We paused our discussion as a hostess seated us. After perusing the menus we decided to share a couple of items.

"Hi! My name is Kelsey. What can I get for you today," the server said.

"I'd like to try the Turkey Reuben, please. Is the Jalapeño remoulade really spicy?" I asked

"I can put it on the side for you if you like," Kelsey replied.

"That would be great." I said. 

"She likes spicy, but she knows I don't. I plan to snark part of her sandwich," Megan said with a grin.

"Ha, my parents wouldn't care," Kelsey snorted. "They would tell me to get my own sandwich."

"Yes, but she hasn't seen me in almost a year." Megan said.

"Oh, no!" Kelsey explained. "I couldn't live without my mom."

"Well she lives in Budapest, Hungary as a missionary," I said pointing to Megan. "And I just moved from Dallas to Georgia, so we met here in Austin where her in-laws live. They are keeping her two little boys while we steal a few hours to catch up."

"Oh my gosh," Kelsey said,  "That is amazing. Let me get your order in and you guys enjoy your visit."

Megan and I talked as fast as we could cramming in a year's worth of conversation and stories, pausing only long enough to eat our food. Once we finished I asked Kelsey for a to-go box and the check explaining that we had an appointment for mani/pedi's.

"I'll get the box for you, but we have something called "Customer Appreciation". I told my manager your story and your meals are on us."

"What? Thank you so much!" I said. "In my devotional today it said to look for hidden treasures during the day. This certainly qualifies!"

"And I was part of the plan?!!!" she smiled. "Thank you so much for sharing that with me."

"Thank you for being a treasure!" I said as we left the restaurant.

I love the idea of being a treasure in someone's life. Don't you? I'm going to make a point of trying to be a treasure to someone everyday. I may not be passing out free meals. It may be only a smile in an otherwise difficult day, but I'm going to try.

Dream Laundry Room!

Pinterest supplied me with my dream laundry room. A sink, plenty of space, cabinets for storage and counter tops for sewing and crafts. When we moved this is what I had in mind for my laundry room.

This is what I got. Three cabinets above the washer and dryer enclosed behind folding doors. No sink, no counter top, no place for sewing or crafts. A laundry closet!

I was not a happy camper. As I was studying Jonah I realized I needed to change my perspective. I decided to focus on what I have instead of what I don't have. I have hot water, detergent, the ability to pay my electric bill, and so many clothes. I chose to see it as an invitation to create a more efficient space.

Once I changed my perspective, my attitude improved. I determined the cabinets were sufficient to hold the necessary laundry supplies. The tops of the washer and dryer could serve as my counter to fold clothes. The only thing I really needed was a rod to hang the clothes on to dry. There wasn't enough room for a rod between the cabinets and the door. The hall was too small to accommodate a standing clothes dryer. For the first few weeks I made do by putting hangers on the door knobs. It forced me to put the clothes in the closet as soon as they were dry instead of using the laundry room as a second closet. 

And then it occurred to me as I was looking at the clearance shelves in Kirkland's....

This $12 thingie hung on the opposite wall was perfect for my needs! When not in use as a laundry tool, it was decorative and unobtrusive! i was so excited. An efficient, attractive solution. I have everything I need and the clothes are always put away! 

I changed my perspective and I am more than satisfied with what I have!

Jonah Navigating a Life Interrupted, written by Priscilla Shirer, Navigated by Me!

"How do you see your life being interrupted in the next seven weeks as we study Jonah?" the bible study facilitator asked.

"Bahaha! Are you serious right now? I am Jonah. We thought we would retire in our lovely, comfortable home of thirteen years in a Dallas suburb. Atlanta wasn't even on our radar.

For two years we prayed the Prayer-that-Never-Fails-"Thy Will be Done" and for favor as my husband's company pursued a merger with another company. The failed merger led to reorganization of the company and elimination of his job. At age 62 he fully expected to be given a retirement package. Instead he was given a promotion which required a move to Atlanta.

My family is in Texas. I have four granddaughters in Oklahoma. (Yes, I have a daughter and son-in-law there too, but we all know who really counts). I didn't want to leave Texas. However you don't pray for favor and then tell God, "Oh, but not Atlanta!"

I moved AND downsized kicking and screaming. I didn't want to leave my family or my friends. I didn't want to leave my church and support group. I didn't want to leave a long list of medical providers. Starting over is rarely fun, but certainly not when you've reached the age where they no longer ask for your I.D. to give you the Senior Discount. Once upon a time all I needed was a general physician and occasionally an OBGYN. Now I require a list of specialists to hold me together.

 He has already granted me favor in the smallest of things. Someone who cuts my hair right! The first time! That, my friend, is what I call a miracle!! 

The house I was certain was much too small is perfect. Yes, I'm using three closets to hold my abundant collection of clothes and accessories, but I'm cleaning it myself and using my runs up and down the stairs as cheap gym membership.

I "happened" upon this women's bible study when all the others I look into were finished until fall. Could the subject matter be more appropriate for me? No.

So I thank Him for the interruption in my life and look forward with anticipation to what He has in store for me. I'll let you know how it's going, but so far obedience has paid off. I'm not in the belly of a whale!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

WINTER ONEDERLAND!!!

WINTER ONEDERLAND!!!

To celebrate my granddaughter's first birthday in early January, my daughter gave me her ideas (via Pinterest) for a Winterland Onederland theme. All I need is a theme and my little brain is smokin'! I put on my shopping shoes and scoured after-Christmas sale bins to decorate on a budget. 

My niece Ashley made the beautiful banner. Find her on Facebook at Looks Like A Party. She is reasonably priced and does beautiful work. She took everything my daughter and I had accumulated and turned it into a spectacular display.The milk glasses dishes were gathered from various family members. The other grandmother made the smash cake for the birthday girl and cupcakes for her guests. So what I'm trying to say is that it was a team effort!

This beauty was marked waaay down to $9 because
a wood flower was missing. I slapped a bow on
it and called it good! 

The sleigh, also in the bargain bin, held pine cones and potpourri. I re-purposed it to hold plates. I found the tablecloth, runner, plates, and napkins 50% off in the wedding section of Hobby Lobby.

The glitter-coated pine cones from the sleigh, silver candles, and battery-operated tea lights turned a wooden box into a sparkly centerpiece.

Our Hot Chocolate Bar was big hit! The kids loved adding crushed peppermints, all sizes of marshmallows, and gobs of whipped cream to their to their cups. I saw more than one adult snag a handful of marshmallows just for the pure joy of eating them.

My proudest accomplishment was making the whipped cream can blend with the rest of the decor. We couldn't have a red and white can in the middle of our winter wonderland.  ;)

Can you believe I came across the snowflake-shaped white chocolate covered pretzels at Braums?!! We stopped to get the girls a cone and there were the pretzels at the check-out counter.

Penguin punch and thawed ice were available for those so inclined.

Chocolate chip cookies and  glazed spritz cookies accompanied hot chocolate cheesecake dip. Recipe below.  

The birthday girl and one of her older sisters, T-Bug, helped me make several batches of spritz cookies. We used the recipe on the back of the box. the cookies lacked sparkle. I made a little glaze to hold on edible glitter. A white Sixlet from the wedding department adorned the top. Now these cookies were worthy of the Winter Onederland theme. We kept the food simple and recruited plenty of help to make the day a huge success.

HOT CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE DIP
Ingredients

Baking & Spices

• 4 oz Cool Whip
• 2 tbsp Vanilla mini-mallow bits

Dairy

• 1 (8 oz.) package Cream cheese

Desserts

• 4 (.73 oz) envelopes Cocoa mix without marshmallows.

The perfect dip for your cookies! It's filled with tiny marshmallows and hot cocoa flavor. Next time I would add more Cool Whip and mini marshmallows.

Hope you enjoy!