Eating healthy away from home - my mini kitchen

Hello! 

 Is spring getting your allergies stirred up? They sure are here. 

I wanted to share some ideas of how I cook, or keep, our meals as close to what we eat at home when we travel. Not so much for allergies, but for budget and the comfort of home cooked food. 

Don't get me wrong, we eat out. We have date night twice a month that one is at a nice restaurant and one is what we all "low on fundage" restaurant. 

This past week we made a trip out of town for 4 days and stayed in a hotel. The hotel room had what they called a 'wet bar' that had a long counter with a small sink, a micro and a mini refrigerator. This was ideal for meals.  I don't have a microwave at home, so it was a bit of a learning curve.

When we go out of town, whether for camping or a mini trip like this one for 4 days, I always get a plain notebook paper and write out the days with B, L, D and S for snacks. Like this:

Then I write in what we usually eat on a normal weekly menu and decide if I want to prepare that, pre-cook, or change to a simpler version of it. Such as I make my own turkey breakfast sausage and have done so for 20 yrs. Sometimes we pre-cook them and freeze them to take, sometimes I buy cooked chicken sausage. This is the point when I choose to plan that.

Each meal we eat a meat, starch and vegi or 2. I often eat two because I feel better with that. 

When I plan out what we usually eat and make changes for simplifying it helps to keep my peacefulness while away from home. Then I take a separate paper and write out what needs prepped or cooked then plug that into my weekly planning. 

I prep for a trip at least 2 weeks ahead, with 1 week before being the week to make sure I have everything and the last few days are the cooking etc. I pace out everything as I don't have the energy I used to when I was younger, this way I can still keep up with household tasks that need done through the week.

After I have everything and the day arrives, I keep out lunch and put it on the top of the cooler. 

I also have my 'kitchen box' that has the following items (usually) unless I am in the camper. The camper has a kitchen that has the same items at home, easy peasy for me.  

My kitchen box: small bottle of dish soap, plastic scrapper, dishcloth, hand towel, drying towel, paper towels, salt & pepper, toothpicks, lighter, spatula, cooking fork, spoon or 2, a small pairing knife that can be used for all sorts of things, a mini candle (I light them at each dinner to remind us that Christ is the light of our life), a sauce pan, and a skillet - usually my cast iron. Oh, oil. A couple extra baggies or plastic containers for leftovers, and sleeve stays. I don't like my sleeves sliding down when I am cooking and focused.

Often the hotels don't have a kitchen so I set up one. Like this:

This is an electric low volt 2 burner that travels with us when we are in a hotel. I also have a little basket of teas I bring, since we use herbal teas for a variety of things, and the kettle.

This trip, my husband giggled when he saw I packed my apron. :-)  My apron is a signal to my brain "I'm working, need to focus".  Really, it's because I'm so good at getting things on my clothes and my trusty apron cuts down on my laundry. 

I am careful to not but things down the drain, that would not be a good steward of the hotels resources.

I have also learned that anything which may smoke and cause the hotel room to get smokey, sending both of us to open windows and doors and fan the detectors with towels is a no go for planning meals.  

Once. Only once did that happen. I never bring things now that will heat and get smokey. Whew!

I hope this sharing gives ideas of how you can travel and still eat well, and much cheaper than eating out all the time. 

We did eat at Cracker Barrel one day for lunch with friends. eh. I like my cooking, but the company was worth it.

Blessings,

Dee

Lent and signs of Spring

 

photo from Graphics Fairy

We are currently in the Lenten season and my fasting has not gone as I want. Though I hear that's good! Can you believe that?  It's good, because I am learning about myself in this. My will. God's will. My wants and my will are very hard for me to put aside. I often think I am good at this, but I'm going to share - it's not as easy when I say I'm going to give up things that I have used to distract me.

This year I'm trying to limit being online for just random whatever. What I am learning, 2 weeks into Lent, that those random whatever's are distractions from the overwhelm I feel on which project to start on, or just life and aging (you know, all those little things we have to tend to now that fill our time).

To accept the distractions BEFORE I get online is my goal. Then ask "ok, so I want to go look up xyz" Do I need xyz? Is this going to help me grow closer to God? If not, what's the first step in a task I want to get done today? Set the time and do that for 5 min. Go!!!

That's my goal. I'm not perfect, but I am trying to grow closer to the Lord and find the internet as a distraction. It can be a wonderful tool, when I keep it in its place. A tool. 

                                         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spring is here in southern Colorado. I saw Ms Robin show up yesterday. She and I have a tussle every year! She tells me she is nesting in my porch lights and I tell her no you are not!  

She even gets lippy with me with a mouth full of mud and sticks. It's very amusing.

Today I heard the Meadowlark out in the pasture. It was so beautiful. Definitely Spring when I hear that. 

We didn't get much snow this winter. Weekly water hauling to keep the trees watered will be a routine for the next several months. My husband gets the water, since the tank is too large for my car to haul, then he hooks up the hose and I move it tree to tree  for 30 min each. 

Seasonal chores here. Along with discussions with Ms Robin. We shall see who wins this battle this year.

Garden planning is under way too. Planting season is usually not until May, we ALWAYS have a hail storm in May. I learned my lesson once, 

Wishing you a blessed Lent. Are you learning anything about you during this time? So grateful for the Lord's patience and Love.

~Dee

Reflections and lessons during Fall prep work

Harvested Sage, last of the season

 As the fall leaves are turning yellow and falling off the trees, I'm turning to my garden to close it down for the season. It reminds me of a time I contemplated the changes in seasons. Fall is the prep time to finish outside chores and necessities before winter.

This prep work, before hunkering down for a few months, is the time God gives me to prepare my heart, to cleanse anything that is not helpful for me or my journey to Him. 

Sage, oregano, and parsley are being harvested as the last of what's growing. With the temperatures in the 20's in the morning, making sure all the wood is stacked and easy to get to is another chore. The fall mum's in pots on my porch will be left as long as they will stand up to the cold.

Morning fires are the norm now though not until after my morning routine of prayers and dressing. Tending to it and keeping an eye on it aren't priority, yet. 

When I am cleaning the garden I feel a sense of gratitude. Remembering all the days I spent watering, hoping, looking to the sky at His vastness in prayer wondering what will grow this year, and what will be 'experience' or learning for next year. 

Colorado has many summers with 'experience' in gardening. Like the year all the plants were stunted to 4 inches until late July. I learned the cold wind that summer kept everything from growing. No harvest was that year. So we put up a fence to block the north wind. 

What keeps me from growing? Lately I am finding I am thinking often about this. Is it the way I speak about others? Is it the way I think, that "I can solve their problems" rather than listening and turning them to the One Who can? Am I finding myself more in a state of frustration and not able to be present to the Lord and listen as I go through my day?

Why is that? What is causing it? 

Often for me, overwhelm and thinking I can do more than is truly possible. This prevents me from staying in a state of peacefulness so I can stay in contact with Him. He is the reason I have my duties and responsibilities, so it is vital for me to learn to listen and follow His lead. 

I'm grateful to be away from the internet for a time. Even these days, my use is limited. I have learned I need to use the internet with intention: make a list of what I need, and always set the timer on the stove (that way I can't just turn it off).

One amazing young lady called the time on the internet mind-numbing time. I don't want that for myself. I want more than that. I want to grow closer to hearing His guidance and I can't do that when my eyes and ears are taking in things that have nothing to do with me or my journey. 

The past few weeks I have also notice the return of clearer thinking, of able to decide things with less stress. There isn't the congestion in my head of all the things I've seen or heard from being online. It's clearer, calmer. 

As I harvested the sage, the refreshing smell of the herb as I cut and hung it lifted my spirits and I couldn't help but get giddy inside. The stickiness of the sage oil to the string, which helps my simple little bow stay in place as it dries. 

Afternoons are sitting in the sun with a jacket and tea, contemplating my day. "From the rising of the sun to the setting, may the name of the Lord be Praised" Ps 113, is my thoughts as I watch the end of the day happenings with wildlife outside. Soon it will be to cold to sit outside, so I am soaking in as much as I can.

What did I do today that would bear fruit for You? What did I say or think that got me on my own wants and will path? What did I learn?  I think that one is the one I am enjoying reflecting on now. Even if what I learned came from a hard lesson. 

What are you preparing your home and heart for as we enter into the late fall/winter season?

Hanging to dry, with a wonderful fragrance.

Nature

 

from braingardening.com

Since the season of Christmas is now officially over, and the new year has come to us, I have been thinking a lot about Nature. 

Nature are many aspects, but the what I've been contemplating on is our nature and also living in the natural rhythms of nature. Today I want to talk about our nature.

I am often found saying "it's just my nature", to be silly or trying to be cute for my husband or even just trying to be organized to stay on top of all the moving pieces of our home. 

"It's just my nature" can also be referred to how we interact with others. 

What if. What if in our journey back to Home (heaven), we are seeking Him and find our nature is not what will actually help us to grow closer to Jesus and ultimately, to live in eternity with Him.

Through the past years, my nature has changed. The health condition I am recovering from has taught me a lot about what my nature has been and how I push myself, or how I 'react' to others rather than 'respond'.

The achiever in me comes from a wound in my childhood that my A was not good enough. This has carried over into my adult life and my home management style, as well as day to day activities. 

Such as, carrying groceries in and needing a drink of water because I have been out in the cold dry wind. "No, I need to get these groceries in first". That has been what my nature has been like. Pushing past what I needed, to meet a goal that is not necessary but rather self-created. Ignoring my own needs for a goal of "first get all the trash, dusting, floor dusted, plants watered and declutter some papers...THEN I can take care of myself (water, snack whatever). Now I see what I need, and taking a break after one or 2 of those. My thinking stays clearer and I have more energy to get through my day. At this stage of life, that is a wonderful benefit!

The idea of looking at my nature and what I chalked up to being my 'normal' has been changed. My nature is changing.

As I've allowed God in my heart in a deeper way and His desire to give Him my heart in a deeper way, I've noticed these types of things about my nature. They keep slowly creeping into my awareness. 

He is like that. Slow, quiet. Allows us to make our own choices or to listen to Him and change. If we plow the field, He WILL show up. He always does when He sees our Trust and our willingness.

I love that about Him.

I want to close with this quote, and contemplating on the idea of what is in our life right now that is burning away the things we don't need anymore. Is it greed, is it a critical tongue, is it the need to always be right, or is it the 'nature' to always put yourself last - even in your needs?

"It is like the way we throw dry wood, green wood, brambles and brushwood on the fire, these materials feed the fire and their nature is changed on account of the action of the fiery furnace!  Jesus acts like that in our souls, if we surrender our being entirely to Him.   ~St Madeleine Sophie Barat"

Wishing you His Peace,

Dee

Finally summer here

I change the flowers in my 'bike' each fall and spring too. So much fun.

 Hello Ladies,

We are finally having warmer days here. I may be able to get my little starts in the ground without fear of them freezing. 

My neighbor lost half of hers last week due to a freeze. 28 degrees that morning, whew!

As I am changing the house to match the season, I wondered what others do.  

I love Lydia's changes. I think she changes hers monthly. You will have to pop over to her blog at HomeLiving and see what see has been up to.  I love the season when she decorates with this vibrant turquoise
blue. So pretty.

I change my couch cushions, door wreath, veranda decorating finally, and my table decorations each week have more spring summer things. Like now I have a little birdhouse my grandson painted and a little bird next to it that I found at a local boutique.

Bed quilt is changed and blankets on the couch are changed to lighter ones. 

The menu change, as well as our closets. 

Love the signs of summer!

What do you do for your home to show signs of the change in season.

Blessings to you,

Dee

Your own teacup and saucer

 

from the graphic fairy

A quote I heard this week that I just love. It reminds me to take care of myself in the midst of daily living.

"Keep your own cup filled, then you can give from your saucer" - the unexpected gypsy

She goes on to share how the heart pumps blood for itself first, before it gives blood to the rest of the body. 

Just fascinating.

Have a blessed day.

Dee

Autum Blessings and what we have been up to

 

This Blue, trying to help with the table linen change I do on Mondays.

Hello Ladies,

It has been a bit, but I am often thinking of things to write about. I lead such an ordinary life, I thought, until I share with folks what I do and they tell me I'm too old fashioned or that I am a modern Laura Ingalls. Ha, no. I'm not. I'm just me. 

It has been a very busy last few months here with various medical necessities for family, and just getting older. 

Recently I wondered if my little blog has a place with all the activity people do on YT, but I realized YES! Because not everyone wants to sit and get caught in the YT algorithm. 

This past year, my one New Year's goal was to not purchase anything from Amazon. It lasted until September when I needed a braided rug to match the others and the company is now only selling that one on Amazon. Goofy!

Just last week I broke it again and ordered an air fryer. Since my husband and I are now trying to watch our diet I thought I'd try this.  I hear it's the next best thing to sliced bread. Since we have very few stores within an hour's drive I turn to stores online. I just wish they offered the air fryer I wanted.

We managed to get new flooring this summer. I thought taking out 20 year old carpet and putting in laminate flooring would be wonderful. It's beautiful no doubt, but as you can see by the picture above, I have a kitten. Actually 2 kittens. They are both Ragdolls and the fluff that rolls on the floor, whew! I've invested in the Wooly Mop. Love it!

Tomorrow we are getting a water softener for the first time. Since we live out in the country our well water is so very hard. The water office says it's Extreme. After 10 yrs and so many clothes and towels just rotting I finally just had to do it. We are choosing the potassium type though so I can still water my little garden.

Speaking of gardening, I had a good garden this summer. My husband put up a wind break between our house and the shop building where my garden beds are. It worked! After all these years gardening in Colorado I finally was able to grow some things. Now my next quest is what to do to prevent aphids on my kale. 

Due to the high winds we get, the high elevation and the dry air gardening is a challenge here. I've learned from a few seasoned gardeners here that each year can be different, so don't depend on what you learned last year. This summer was true for that tip. We had 30 degree nights all through June, and a chilly rainfall in late September gave us a dusting of snow on the mountain tops. A very short summer I'd say.

I hope you are all well. I am trying to learn how to upload photos from my camera so I can share a bit more of what I'm doing to manage our home in this season. 

Blessings to you,

Dee