My Word this year

You will love the stories of this Pastor.  Humor is one of his gifts!
http://myoneword.org

A couple years ago I had heard of having a "word" for the year.  Being the curious type, I asked about it and the ladies group I was with explained: It's a word you choose, after prayer and discerning, that will be your guide this year.  The belief is that God will use your word to change you or teach you in the ways that will help you grow closer to Him.

The "word" I have had the past few years were: Balance, Trust and this year is Serenity.

Choosing Serenity, I had my plans of how I hoped God would build Serenity in my life.  Well, He has had other plans.

I have been keeping my eyes open for all the different ways God speaks to me about peace or serenity. It can happen while on the internet, while reading Scripture, the radio, even the local newspaper.

Here is how Serenity is showing up for me so far this year:

*Keeping serenity in my heart while doing my housework, rather than trying to race or beat the clock.
*Letting my grown adult kids make choices I don't agree with, trusting God will guide their life as He has done mine.
*Looking at my heart and my desires that I believe God guides me, and letting others opinions roll off my back.
*Leaving a few minutes earlier and arriving with time to spare.
*Looking around my home and my life at that things that weigh me down or cause guilt. Outa here!

I am a weak woman who gets distracted.  I always want what I want, NOW.  This year is about keeping my Serenity and asking God to handle that which is not mine.

Along with trusting Him, He has a much better outcome than I can even imagine. I see Him building on my "word" from last year.  Trusting Him.  It's hard. I want things done, I have a plan. He has His.

Lord, keeping me centered and filled with Serenity.

Sounds like my "word" next year might be Humility.

Peace be with you and may you have a lovely day,
Mrs. Peterson

Homemaking standards

Good afternoon Ladies~

This past week I've been working on "files". Cleaning out files. Creating files. Filing cabinet, computer files. My inbox still needs attention but Progress Not Perfection, right?

I found this audio clip in my saved files that is from YEARS ago. I think 2013 or 2011.  I am coming to see in the internet world, that IS years ago.

It is Daryl Hoole and speaking of Making Our Home Sanctuaries of Peace and Joy. I hope you enjoy it.

https://www.mindperk.com/media4/LittleThings/LittleThingsBigDifference.mp3

May God bless you in your journey today.

Peace be with you,
Mrs. Peterson

Created

Hello Ladies~

I have just finished the book Created to Be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl.  While her writing is harsh, but there are some highlights that are wise.  Here are a few lessons I have learned or have been reminded of.

First, my husband is Mr. Steady. In the four types of men she has defined, my husband is Mr Steady.  This was an amazing insight for me in my relationship.  Mr. Steady is a man who is created steady to bring peace and safety to a woman's soul.

I used to tend to push or react to wanting him to decide sooner than he is taking the time, and I react to what I want done.  It always ends up that I try to "fix" the consequences of my behavior.  Debi states - we need to learn how to sit still and listen and to let God move my husband in His good time. Pray for your husband to have wisdom.  Let him be the one God made him to be: Still, Quiet, Thoughtful...for you!

So to keep my eyes off him and how long it takes him to decide - she states a Steady man likes a woman to walk beside him, yet grow in her own right before God.

Grow in my own right! For me, that's develop skills, have an opinion about events and such, give my opinion - WHEN ASKED- about situations regarding him. (Not nagging.)

Mr. Steady is usually liked by everyone and "belongs to the people".  I see this as how he gets "filled".  Such as, my husband is in training and discernment to become a Deacon in our church.  My job is to support him and walk with him, not pull him away to be mine only.  When the time comes for us to get away, Debi states to ask him to leave the cell phone behind so it's just us.

Second, "A Proverbs 31 woman is not mousy or a voiceless prude".  I have had to learn to speak up.  My natural voice is very quiet (except when I get mad).  He can't read my mind, nor should I expect him to.  I must find that balance between being aggressively opinionated and speaking with respect my wants/needs and my opinion (again when he asks for my opinion) regarding the situation at hand.

Third, Admire him, Respect him. And TELL him so.
Watch my words! for it is so easy to tear him down and for him to misinterpret what I said.  Some examples she gives are:
    *Do you feel comfortable spending that much money on that? (This causes him to begin to doubt his ability to make wise decisions.)
     *Honey, I need to ask you something very important that really tears me up inside.  Doesn't this activity you are engaging in grieve your spirit? (The Spirit of God had been prompting him concerning this, but he was trying not to hear; he almost brought up the subject himself last evening but now she is disappointed in him. He suspects he is not spiritual, but somehow the whole thing makes him angry.  He feels pushed. Now he resists her just to maintain control.

Always ask: "so what did you hear me say?" and ask him to repeat it.  When he is done you can clarify, but again, do so with respect. Not jumping in to correct him or tell him he is wrong.   You will be surprised as to what he actually hear.

In an argument and in anger~ your first concern is to discern your part of the problem.
     ~How did I contribute
     ~What were my motives
     ~if they were ill, then I owe amends. If they were pure, did I speak disrespectfully.

Men are more sensitive than we think.  Speaking with respect is from Ephesians.

Remember to learn to think  speak well of all people. Guard your mind and heart and get your hands busy! It keeps the devil and his lies at bay.   Memorize Phil 4:8.

I hope some of the things I have learned may help you.  I have been married over 27 years, and I am still learning.  It's a journey, and I am just a pilgrim.  Learning to stay close to God and willing to admit my weaknesses and faults. Men are so different.  Mrs. Pearl has given some lovely tidbits to discern for me.

May God's peace be with you,
Dee
   

Spring is here!

Oh how I enjoy so many people writing about the joys of Spring finally here. Especially after a winter with a LOT of snow!  I will share pictures of here in Colorado.

Max and I made a goofy snowman on our morning walk.

Snow in front of our little country cottage.

Max is grateful to run on the paths made by my husband with the snowblower.

Red Mountain Pass was closed for a couple weeks due to all the snow, but thanks to such hard working fella's  the pass is finally open and Ouray and Silverton can get their much needed supplies. Ever so slowly!

A female Junco!  She was so soft looking and lovely.

Here, I am enjoying the birds. In the winter we had many Junco's that come with the snow and leave with the snow. Funny little guys & gals.

I know Spring is finally here too when the sun suddenly shifts from low in the sky to high.  It goes from the far South to directly East. My heart gets excited each time the sun rises and I suddenly see the shift.

Now with the melt off, the Red Winged black birds are back.  I have such mixed feelings about them, they are noisy and aggressive.  But our little Flicka has no fear.  The black birds do when I run out of the house swinging a towel hooting and hollering! Yes it is quite the sight.

Funny though, the sparrows and finches stay put. It's like they know I'm trying to chase off the obnoxious ones.

My husband finished up the outside prep work last weekend. Spreading seed, taking down them manger that was buried in snow, taking down the white picket fences we had up to keep the deer from eating the bird food.  Oh what a journey that was before the snow got deep.

Today, the Meadow Larks are out singing. That is a sure sign of Spring, along with our Aspens blooming.  So exciting!

I look forward to seeing the grass finally come up and the temperature just a bit more.  We are still in the 30's in the morning, still cold enough I need my long winter coat to take Max for a walk.



Happy Spring!

D

Birthday gift

It was so exciting! I have always wanted to go for a sleigh ride.  This year for my birthday that was my one wish.

It was beautiful.  The driver was more chatty than I expected, but I took that as the Lord giving me an opportunity to enjoy conversation too.  

IT WAS SOO COLD! I had a blanket under the wool one pictured and snow boots on.  C went back to the car to get my pink knit hat from my emergency car kit, that made a huge difference.

The best part, the clydesdales had jingle bells on them!

We drove all around the lake and then some. The lake was frozen solid, almost like me.

But quite, and amazing.  

We had cloudy days leading up to the day choose.  I prayed all night and morning, please God, let the sun come out when we are there.

Guess what!? The sun was out, just over the ranch area we were at.  Thank you God!

It was a lovely birthday gift.

Spreading Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

It is such fun to create for Valentine's Day.  

Last week I found those cute little Valentine cards you get,at Walmart, for kids to exchange at school.  I found some with inspirations like "God loves you" and "God thinks you are special".  After adding a few fun stickers to each, I mailed them to our grandkids. 

I had such fun to create them, though I thought it was a bit corny, but they are young.  And truth be told, I would love to get a corny Valentines in the mail.  Just because it brings a smile. So I do what I would like.

I then prepared to send a few other hand written notes and decorated the envelopes with stickers, I love stickers! 

Later, decorating!  It's not elaborate. But it brightens our home and shows a bit of change for this season.  Since it is just my husband and I, and he loves what ever I do to decorate, I find it fun to pull together random things and create.  Each year is different, for the most part.

Lovely pillows add a bit of color for the season.

The seasonal table I use is actually my great-grandparents desk. I have a picture of them in front of it. I think it was their anniversary present.

A seasonal table is something you can decorate with each season, or birthdays, or just have a basket for prayer requests and prayer books.  I originally got the idea from Mrs. Sharp's Traditions book.  The book I have is older than this version, but I imagine this one has the same lovely traditions.  

This is also the day I usually make a valentine for Mr. P.  He sometimes participates in making a card.  He is so patient when I get these ideas to do something fun and different.  Sometimes, I get an eye-roll, but he usually enjoys what ever the plan was. 

Anything that I think would bring a smile to me, that's what I love to do for others.  A way to share the love in my heart. The love that is given to me from my Father in heaven.

"The Greatest Love story ever told."

We will be having roasted chicken with sweet potatoes and broccoli tonight for dinner.  I am planning on using a small table in my foyer for our dinner table and setting up in front of the fire.  Cozy and lovely. 

I am not great at picture taking, but you can get the idea of what I've done this year.  The shelf below Jesus and the string with tiny close pins is there all year long.  At Christmas our manger scene is on my seasonal table and our cards we get in the mail are filled all along the string with clips.  I like to use real leaves in the fall to help decorate as well, and in the summer...it's what ever has come up. Lent everything is bare.  Then Easter I have little things the kids have made through the years that I clip up.  

My placemats on the table are made from last year.  I have 4 Christmas placemats, but only use 2, so the extra 2 got a fun heart stuck to them and they became Valentine placemats.  They need new hearts though.

The centerpiece is a serving tray from the thrift shop, and a little red  glass votive holder. We light a candle each night for dinner to remind us the Christ is the Light of our life.

Lydia over at HomeLiving has wonderful ways to arrange flowers, Though my flowers never turn out like hers,  I still enjoy going to the store and finding something that can be created to a centerpiece.

Happy Valentine's day!  

A New Year a new calendar

A warm welcome this morning to you.  I have been finishing setting up my new calendar for the year.  Each year I try to find a calendar with larger squares because I like to write in my supper meal plan on it.  This helps me to plan for the week, and to prepare things earlier if Mr P will be gone that evening.

The past few years my favorite calendar is Heart to Home from Current Catalog.  While shipping is a bit much for a calendar, it is worth it for the spaces I need each day. Makes planning for family and household activities much easier. Though this year there was a bit of mix up with them, but they expressed mailed the correct calendar, hence the reason I am just finishing setting it up.  God's timing not mine.

So here is my new calendar that stays on the front of my refrigerator.

I do the same for my planner.  While I call it a planner, it's more of a glorified calendar and to do list for each day.  I have a Home Management Binder that has seasonal to-do's and Church related traditions we celebrate.

Here is a close up of the squares. I write in the meals for 2 weeks and rotate them so I only pick 14 meals for each season.  These periodically change to a new recipe or depending on what we tried and I hear "hmmmm"  after a new recipe, I mark a note on the calendar and don't make that again :-) 

So my calendar set up has been this way since my early years of marriage, back when the girls were very little and had activities.  Anything more than my appts after I got married, and I needed a new system. So this is mine.

I always get out colored markers, because we all have a little kid in us that LOVES markers, and I start with January. I draw a line down the left and right side, separating Sunday and Saturday from the week. The colors usually have something to do with the monthly season or theme:

January = blue for cold and snow

February= red for Valentine's

March = green for St Patrick's day

April = a different blue then Jan, for April showers bring....

May= pink! for May flowers  :-)  I know goofy, but fun.

please tell me you have heard of "April showers, bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring....Pilgrims!" I learned it when I was very young.

June= green for grass and harvest growth

July= one side usually is red and the other blue, or I do dots down both sides of red & blue

August= a dark yellow (so you can see it) for a sunny hot month

September= red for an apple for the teacher ( I was a substitute teacher for elementary school for many years while we were stationed in Okinawa)

October = orange for PUMPKINS!!!

November= brown for the amazing fall leaves that we see

December = red and green for Christmas!

Then I do the same for the little calendar I take with me.  There is one other quirky tradition I have, I learned it from my Grandma. She had one of those little 5 year diaries and she would write in a few events of the day in it, but she ALWAYS wrote in the morning temperature. (I have recently learned she did this because her and grandpa were farmers and needed to know the daily temp.)

So way back in high school I started writing in the daily temperature in the left corner of my calendar. I do it to track the weather and see how we are slowly going into winter, then see how we are slowly warming up to Spring.  This is also a neat way for me to see 'what was it like last year', yep I keep a few years worth of calendars tucked away just for that and a sort of diary of when appts were last year.

No one in my family has ever noticed the temperature thing, they just know I always look to see what it is when I get up.  If I get up late, I still write what it was but I ask Mr P since he is always up long before the sun.

That's it!  That is my  fun way to start my year.  Then there are the colors for the dates: like blue for church related feasts and celebrations, pink for me for any appts etc, Mr P is green and any family events are pencil. They change too much.  Anniversaries & Bdays are in red - so I don't forget :-)

May God bless you this year.  Do you have any traditions for January you do that you would like to share?

~Dee

An ancient proverb says, “If you desire to know what your thoughts were yesterday, look at your body today. If you want to know what your body will be tomorrow, look at your thoughts today."

I love this.  Our thoughts are so powerful.  Scripture says to think on things that are lovely, true & pure.  Thinking on that and having those thoughts show my body how to be calm, true and pure, would bring me peace.

I struggle with worry, but I know worry is not in today. 

Speaking

from Graphics Fairy

Recently I read about guarding our speech and found I have been thinking about it a lot lately.  The article used an acronym to help remember it: TKN.

True, Kind and Necessary.

Before speaking am I using this mini-inventory, if you will, of what I am about to say.

Is it true: or gossip, hearsay, exaggeration, opinion or supposing?
In conversation with my oldest daughter about family situations, do I participate in the "assumptions" and hearsay of what is being told, or do I just listen and say "it could be but since I don't know the what's true and real, I can't really comment on that."

Usually I jump in and feed into the conversation, until I find my emotions are running high and my words are also.  This always leads to a short temper and I bring that to my home environment. Even my prayers turn to what I want, so my feelings will be calmed.  When the truth is - I haven't spoken to or know for sure, so I have to say a prayer right there and give it over to God.  He knows what is happening and I don't need to expound on all my opinions.

My loving husband listens to my "dumping" on him when I get caught up, and by grace, just listening he allows me to see my actions being led by my assumptions.


Is it kind: it may be true, and still do not need to say it. Is it hurtful, critical or a putdown?

My husband and I had an amazing conversation about this recently.  Just because I know what someone at church said about a friend, doesn't mean I need to repeat it, to anyone.  If I feel I will burst unless I tell someone, I need to look at my motives and ask Jesus to help me. Usually I am looking for acceptance to say something that doesn't NEED to be said. Or being critical I am putting me "higher" than the person I am speaking of/to.


And finally is it necessary: am I repeating my explanation? is it more important than silence?

Oh my greatest weakness.  Repeating, repeating, and saying it again...even if the other person has heard me, I just need to tell it AGAIN.  Why!?  When I look at my motives I am usually looking for acceptance, a discount, a deal, or plain ol' I want something! So hear me!

For instance. I was just on the phone with the woman that owns this amazing little frilly woman's shop north of me in a tiny town up in the mountain.  I had seen a pink scarf with little sparkles 2 weeks ago when I was there and I really want to get it.  I have a green one, but the pink adds color to my black coat in the winter.  (And matches my flower on my coat!)  I explained I was there, and what I saw and where it was.  She asked me to send a picture of the one I have...but I had to tell her again when I was there and where it is.  Why!?  Because I have my hopes set on this cute scarf. I want.

A scarf!  My priorities just entertain me sometimes.  I am human, and oh so grateful for Grace.

I have since detached and am working on adopting the attitude of "if it's there it was meant to be, if not, may God bless the woman who wears my scarf...I mean that scarf."

I do this so frequently, I know I do it and still do it.  So I have prayed and asked for God to help me with this.  It's working. His Grace is allowing me to see my words before I speak to allow me to pause and re-asses.


This is one area I am working on. I find as I see a weakness, God is trying to bless me with ways to work on it. So He showed me Ephesians 4:29-32.

"Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion that may impart grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor (shouting vehemently) and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

This came in a book I was reading about 2 days after learning TKN.  I sat with this and broke it down, I encourage you to as well.

While it's easy for me to get caught in the negative, I work to follow the Peace of God and say what is  the blessing, what can I work on that is good? Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

I am mostly focused on using TKN with in my conversations with my husband.  Am I lifting him up, or tearing him down.  Am I pointing out what he has done, again! or am I choosing to let it go and ask How Important Is It?  Is it worth his self-esteem? Not usually.  The many blessings I have gotten and seeing a happy husband more frequently is a blessing itself for my hard work.

Christ's peace be with you,
Dee

Update: I just got a phone call from the shop owner.  She has the scarf and is giving it to me for $5, including shipping!  What a blessing of trying to change my weakness. God is awesome!

Inspired to be myself

Bluebird of Happiness

"Make everyday special by your just being you"

                       ~Mister Rogers

To not make planning my idol

When I list out all the things I want to do in a day, or heck, even in the week or season, I just can't make it work.

I am the Queen of a new schedule, or searching the 'net' for new routines.  I enjoy seeing others ideas. But the bottom line is - I always come back to what works for me.  What's at hand right now.  And that doesn't include counting every 30 min in my day.

God happens to put things in my path and my whole "perfect" schedule - every 30 min increment I had planned - gets thrown off.  "Toss that schedule." "Need to write a new one." "Where's that one schedule that I was on top of my morning. That one will work. I just know it."

Only to try that one for a few days and then that one goes out too.

By God's Grace, I have come to see it's not the schedule. It's not having a way to squeeze in my day all the Household To-Do's, Rest, Crafts, Prayers, Cooking, Reading...not to mention personal - shower, exercise or a lovely bath.  I've tried.  On Paper (and computer). Hundreds of times.  Even tried to fit blogging in from 9:30 - 10.

Guess what? It doesn't work.

I've tried not living with a "schedule" too. I have many friends that don't even have a list.  I've done the "pray for the next right thing", that lands me on the internet for 2 hours! Only to feel like a failure because I got lost in the 'net'.

By grace I see guidelines - not absolutes. Forgiving myself and being grateful for the interruptions.  Not focusing so much on a schedule which is all I think about.  Leave flexibility. Believe me, I have been an absolute girl most of my life.  But being a seasoned homemaker - I have learned what's absolute and what's nice to get done.

I read recently about not making planning my idol.  I don't remember the blog I read it on, but I was again searching for a new way.  "Maybe someone has come up with something that will work for me."   Don't get me wrong, I love to search for ideas.

But the whole point is that my planning, and all the details that go into it, becomes my focus.  My idol.  Scarey.

There is my trap.  Someone's plan to work for me.  What about listening to my needs and my families needs. What about stepping back, finding the peace and looking at my pattern. Don't get me wrong, reading & seeing others plans inspires me to see what works for me.

When I sat down and wrote out  my basic absolutes: prayer time & journaling, exercising, rest, reading, cooking & prepping 3 meals, and having a short prayer time with my husband in the evening - there really isn't 12 hours that I can squish in all my wants for the day or the month. No matter how good it looks on paper.

Hence, I looked at this idea of making my planning my idol.  I had become so focused on planning to "get it all done" that I forget to Breath.  Have you ever heard that Christian song - Breathe?

I am now looking at planning as a whole and as a general blueprint, or guidelines.

It feels like I get so caught up in all the blogs and all the ideas, all the possibilities --- I get overloaded and forget to live. To listen. To Breath.  And to stop letting fear drive me.  Fear of failure if I don't get all my Household in's and out's on paper so I can manage it all.

To love God is to Trust. (My word this year). There is rhythm to the day: an active morning, a calming as the afternoon slides into evening.

There are seasons that God made. He created. We can get back to following those natural rhythms and "Listening".  That is my hope.  I still have a To Do List, always will.  But I don't sit for hours planning, decorating and making every thought about the next plan, or next month.  There is a season to do crafts and a season to garden. A season to sew or learn my autoharp.  There is a season to be active and one to rest.  Scripture speaks of this.

This change in perspective has helped me to weed out all the wants, all the absolutes and "my Plan".  Trying to plan out everything only leaves me feeling chaotic and in desperation trying to find God.

Breathe. Look for your rhythms, and plan, but be watchful it doesn't become your idol.

A Not To Do List

Near Silverton, Co

How many days do I wake up and think of all that needs done, all that I want to do and also try to ask what do You want me to do?

I find many days I have a "15 item to do list" and I know I can only do 3.

I recently heard some great wisdom on K-Love radio- instead of making a to do list today, make a NOT to do list.

Each day make a list of what not to do, and give some space to be able to listen to the Lord.

He speaks in the quietness, not in my "15 things to do" in a "3 thing day" craziness.

I love to walk in peace and be able to Listen.  Today my Not To Do is not fill my afternoon tea time and reading time with "chores". I will take time to refresh before I start dinner, even if that's a 15 minute quiet break listening to the wind blow.

Peace be with you,
D

Thanksgiving outing

Hoping you had a pleasant Thanksgiving!

I haven't been online much for the past 3 weeks.  My mom passed 3 weeks ago and all the confusion of my step-dad and his overwhelm, my fears of "all the stuff to go through" and knowing family would be coming I hadn't seen in 20 yrs, well...let's just say I decided to back off from being very social.  

Until Thursday!  My girls and sister-in-law

wanted to host this year and all I had to do was make my popular Pecan Pie made with maple syrup.  I can do that!!  So after mass Thursday we decided to start a new tradition and went on a short walk (some folks say a hike, but I'm not physically to that point - yet).

We took Max and he had so much fun.  On our way back my husband spotted purple catcus'.  I didn't know Colorado HAD cactus'.  He got some amazing pictures.  

Tiny purple cactus all over the hillside. Isn't my husband an amazing photographer!

Max wanting to know why we stopped.  We didn't get much past those shrubs ahead.  Bears are still out and about and it was early enough I didn't want to see any.

This cliff side was made of a bazillion rocks.  So fascinating.  

Daughter and grandchildren with her ducks.  I hear they are supposed to be Christmas dinner but not sure that's going to happen.  

Making the paper chain with nephew and grandkids.

I wanted to do a craft with the grandkids and thought of an Advent chain.  I was looking for traditional things to make that would be easy for a 3 and 6yo.  What was fun was both my daughters joined in, my nephew and my sister-in-law.  Everyone wanted to do a craft!  How fun ! So next year I may plan something for everyone - optional of course.  I don't see the guys in on this :-) 

Have a lovely week!  

PS - We went to a gathering of couples from Church and one couple bought a 30 lb turkey at the school auction, but the person that showed up for Thanksgiving was vegetarian!  So she thought of me and brought a whole bag of turkey. Yeah! I love leftovers and getting creative to use them. I hear Turkey enchiladas are very tasty.

Wordless Wednesday

I don't even have to hunt for happy faces anymore...they just pop out at me.  Maybe you too will start noticing the simple things and remember - don't take life too seriously and always know you are Loved!

This little one was in zucchini I cooked up.

Last Sunday in church, I was telling a joke I heard to a fellow who is a natural joke teller (I am not).  He didn't laugh at my joke and I was bummed.  Only to look down at my feet and there on the floor was a smiley sticker. I love stickers! So a smiley sticker was a double blessing.  I think God liked my joke :-) Want to hear it:
"Need an ark?"......"I Noah guy."

This happy one fell into place when I was eating my crackers for snack. 

And this one, I will leave it to you. Do you see it?  It was in last month's Victoria magazine.  I just had to smile.

Have a blessed week!

Embracing Rhythm

ChristArt.com

"You have set all the borders on the earth. You have made summer and winter." Psalm 74:17

Recently with the changing of seasons I have been thinking a lot about rhythm. God created a rhythm to the seasons.  And within each season there are herbs, plants, veggies that are available.  From my past years of studying herbs, there is a reason for each where and when you find them.

Such as root veggies.  These are typically more abundant in fall and winter.  This is to help our bodies store the nutrients needed for cold weather.  While we still need greens, they aren't as readily available.  Also root veggies give a comfort when roasted or mashed.

Here is another example: dandelions. These little gems are EVERYWHERE in spring.  Why? Because they are good for the liver and help "clean out" the stored stuff from winter.  Those foods that can create heaviness in our bodies in the spring and summer season. (And we thought they were weeds!)

I love to sit and ponder God's creation.  This brings me to the Rhythm of the Home.  I know many friends through the years that just "wing it". They don't bother with lists or they have a list but choose to not have a weekly rhythm that gives the home a feeling of "all is taken care of".

I have tried their way and found it's not for me.  There is nothing wrong if you are they type of person that can "wing it" and keep your homemangement...manageble.  I need rhythm.  There is a part of me that loves nature, loves to be in nature, loves to pick up a fall leaf and know - the earth is settling in for a long winters nap.

Through the years I have found my Temperament   and that I need lists and to be organized.  It's part of my makeup.  Now that I've learned this, I've stopped trying to embrace "others ideas" and learn to embrace my own.  It's part of my self-acceptance.

I have long been interested in the Waldorf system, mostly because the system uses rhythm and routines, nature and a less "structured" approach to educating children.  I also love several others, but that's not my topic today. I need reminders to not get too ridged - that too is from learning my temperament.

Learning and embracing rhythm, it's easy to follow a pattern in my homemaking day.  When I have a weekly rhythm my home feels more balanced (my Word for the Year) and my husband and I can find most anything because things are caught up and we know when something will get done, God willing.  We know when and where, just like the things God sets in the seasons.

I used to fight against rhythm, I wanted things exact.  People say rhythm feels stifling.  I say it creates self-discipline.  A virtue that I have let go in recent years...trying to follow others ideals.

My home is coming back to order and beauty and I am loving having a weekly rhythm.  I pray that we each listen to our heart and follow what method works for each of us and not what someone has posted is "THE" way to manage your home.

Have a blessed week.  Enjoy the next season...November brings much to embrace. What will your rhythm be as we enter into the last of the Fall season?

Wordless Wednesday - Smiles

While I haven't been posting regularly, I do think of many things I want to post.   This is one of them. Wordless Wednesday!

I have read about this on several blogs I have followed through the years. Since I love to capture creative Happy faces I would love to share.  I see them everywhere.  It's like God reminds me...don't take life so seriously, just smile.  :-)

Here are a few recent ones:

Most of the time the picture is just as I saw it...this is one of those times.

Love it! This was on the road.  Someone doing patch work did the smiley face then someone came by later and added the teeth.  I had to laugh out loud at this one. This is by far my favorite.

I hope you enjoy the pictures and that they inspire you to keep an eye out for ways God sends a smile.  

Have a blessed day!

PS Please don't copy my photos without asking first.  It is most appreciated.

Being Creative in the kitchen

I have always enjoyed making do with what I have. It brings me such great joy.  

Today was no exception.  

My husband likes apple cinnamon muffins for breakfast and since Fridays are usually my baking/kitchen prep days, this was on my To Do List.  As I prepared the gluten free batter and already had the butter melted...I realized I had tossed my muffin pan a few weeks ago because it rusted.  I was so frazzled.  

We don't live close enough to town to just make a run, so I got on the internet to do some searching.  There are so many creative women and blogs out there that I just knew someone has run into the same situation.  

LifeHacker.com had the answer.

They suggested using the rings from your mason jars!  I got so excited because I just knew I had plenty.

I was so excited my husband came out of his office to ask what the commotion was.  Being that I had the butter melted and batter ready and no pan, I was upset.  But now!  Now I discovered a way to make do with what I have and it worked!!!

Check it out...

I like to use the brown parchment cups, as they don't stick with gluten free baking.

They came out beautifully. I am so grateful.  

There are days I just curse the internet because the ways things are set up to get you to "click", I get lost.  Way to easy.  

I am learning and trying to practice one of the Fruits of the Spirit, Self control.  I will save that for another post, but I will say, it's tough.  

Anyways. I hope you enjoy this little tip for being creative in the kitchen.  It was so much fun to try.

Wishing you Peace,

Dee

Tea Cup Exchange

Hello!  I am so excited to share of a wonderful Tea Cup exchange I got to participate in.  Below is the amazing gift I got from Denise.  She was so thoughtful and I love all the wonderful things.

Tea Cup Exchange hosted by The Enchanting Rose

This is the 10th annual Tea Cup exchange and though I had just heard about it, it was so much fun.  I shopped for the woman to receive my gift at the local antique shop.  The ladies there were so excited I had 3 of them hunting for a small silver spoon and doilies.  They even let me in before they were open, to help me hunt!

I must say, my favorite is the book Tea Time with God.  It is all about an afternoon break, with God, and resting and rejuvenating before the evening hours.  The amazing teacup and tea have been a wonderful treat to use while reading it.

And you see those cute note cards...she made them! WOW!

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I love the idea of a teacup exchange, even if it's with someone at church or a couple neighbors.  I'm learning that women don't give themselves "permission" to enjoy the little things in life, like a beautiful tea cup and a quiet moment with God.

Cutivating Happiness

In recent days I am reading "The Joy of Living" by Orison Marden and the chapter that has caught my attention is called Happiness can be Cultivated.

I am so moved by this that I have pondered a lot about what he writes and am starting to put this into practice.  I have already seen a difference.  Let me share a bit with you.

Early on in the chapter Mr. Marden writes: One of the most difficult lessons of life is to learn that we are largely the product of our thought.  This got me to thinking of the phrase I've heard "Change your thoughts and you change your life" and "Changed attitudes can aid recovery".  Mr. Marden goes on to talk about how the brain CAN change.  Even if we were brought up with "stinkin thinkin" as I like to call it, we can practice and choose to look for the positive or happiness in daily events.

It's hard, no doubt.  But possible.

I love this thought that Mr Marden writes:

 "It is a curious fact that most people think that while they are obliged to spend many years preparing for and developing a specialty in there careers, happiness, which means more to them than almost anything else, should be a haphazard development that it should come with practically no training, no special study, while everything else in life is worth while requires such infinite pains.

It is a great thing so to cultivate the art of happiness that we can get pleasure of the common experiences of every today.  The happiness habit is just as necessary to our best welfare as the work habit or the honesty habit."

The habit of complaining, criticizing, grumbling, or wallowing is unfortunate.  And while most naturally tend to lean on the negative, it is of great virtue to practice looking for the blessings and happiness in things.

Our hearts get lifted and before we know it, happiness is the product of our work.

Today, as I said, I am practicing this.  We lost our beloved little dog Koda 2 weeks ago, and the same day my husband injured his back.  Now, with my physical healing still and limits, this was a lot to take in. I found myself over tired, overwhelmed and sadness kept trying to take over.  I found myself in sweats and wanting to give in to the sadness.

Then I read this chapter.  Um, finding happiness?? In the loss of my dog, and my husband injuring his back (and I had to drive all the time for about a week).  I struggled, so I turned to my husband and asked.  How? How do you do this?

My husbands says "Well, Koda is not in pain anymore.  He was very ready to go.  And my back, well, I get the chance to live a much slower pace of life and give praise to God for the days when my back is great.  There are many people who live with this."

I was stumped. Why couldn't I see that?  So I have made it my work.  To cultivate happiness.

Today I found I was in a lot of pain and wanted to stay in sweats all day. I did too much yesterday and my body is letting me know it. (Also learning to cultivate a slower pace of life)  But as I lay there resting, all I could think of was a pact I made with myself.  No sweats or lounge clothes from lunch on.  No matter what.  I am to get dressed and do something that makes me feel pretty.

Wow! What a shift in my thinking and attitude!  I immediately got up, showered, dressed, did my hair, and even a spritz of my new favorite perfume. And with it I have been able to look for the happiness in my pain and discomfort.

Making lunch for my husband and me.

You see, in my change of clothes, my thinking started changing and rather than focus on what I can't do or how much pain I'm in, I have been practicing looking for what I can do.  Like practice my new hobby of silk ribbon embroidery, or read the rest of this chapter, or sketch out some ideas of craft projects I am wanting to make, or even get the little crochet Easter baskets done for my grandkids.

I see happy faces in the oddest places, but they always make me smile.

You see, I could cultivate happiness.  But it starts with making the choice.  For me, today, that choice was to stick to my pact of no sweats by lunch.  (I usually change after my walking in the morning) And always make sure the laundry is hung to dry by lunch.  If I do those 2 things, it shifts my attitude.

We almost have a duty to ourselves, to our spouse, to our kids, but most of all to God to cultivate happiness.  To find ways to chase off the negative and give Him praise for all His gifts.

I will close by this quote from Abraham Lincoln (who I have learned in recent years is a relative!)

                "Most people are only as happy as they make up their minds to be" 

Whatever is pure, lovely and true

Seeking shelter from the rain. 

"What danger is there if you don't think of any?" Thoreau

I have been pondering this for days.  I am working my way, slowly, through Walden and I came upon this.  He was speaking of those who worry.  Worry about sickness, worry about others...what ever we may think of that is not right now.

If we don't think on those things, we can change our thinking to "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure and whatever is lovely." Phil. 4:8

Think about that for a moment. I have.  What ever my mind is on, what ever future worry or future conversation, or whatever is not right now...is a worry.  And I am missing what is happening right now.

Thoreau's writings on being present to what is going on right now, the sun rays through the trees, the visitor that happens to drop by.  He is present in that moment.

As my journey to listening to Him and "balance" continues, I am learning to be in this moment.  To be mindful of my thoughts and to practice or choose to think on those things that are pure, lovely and true.