Time off

Some friends and blogging friends have asked what happened? Well, I'll tell you.

I found myself daily "lost" in the world of blogging. Reading others, posting, changing mine because I like what someone else did (which took a lot of time as I have no clue about changing things.) then as I connected my shoulder and back muscle cramps to being on the computer I started to reasses why?

Why DO I blog? Well, I'm in a program that promotes honesty, so, Pride. I wanted to have a blog that was as nice as so and so, or up date daily like so and so, or have a purpose like her.

Then it dawned on me. I am not doing anything in my free time, what little there is, besides sitting here in front of a computer. Joy!

So, I stopped. I went through withdrawls almost. "oh, I wonder what she has posted today about?" "Ooo, I bet she has some inspirational insights about the Simple Life today, she is such a wise woman." The temptations lasted about a week or two. Then I got lost in gardening. I LOVE GARDENING much more then sitting in front of a computer.

I also love reading books that bring me closer to God. I love watching Chrisian based movies. And more recently, I am realizing the importance of actually studying the Steps of Al-Anon, rather then just reading about them. (My Dad is my qualifier ya'll!)

I get sucked into everyone else's life...except mine. Don't get me wrong, I found great consolation in other's writings. And miss them very much. I got my home in shape with pretty things, I have looked at the world I live in with a different perception..all because of friends in the blogging world.

So, why post now? I miss writing for a purpose. And am thinking about posting again. I always get sidetracked though. I'm a sinner, like us all, and I tend to listen to the lies of the devil and think Oh..I can just read this ONE today. Ha, 30 minutes later.

I'm contemplating just writing on my blog those things that are important to me and my family and emailing those who choose to communicate that way. Not getting into everyone else's blogs. That is tough.

We are pilgrims on a journey. A journey back to Our Father. Chunks of time on the computer will not get me closer to my Father. So I'm still contemplating.

God's peace be with you~
Dee

Road trip

Last Wednesday we took a road trip to see a doctor for me. It was a fruitful trip. God is good and provided an answer to a plea of prayer for continued healing for my health. I have had no symptoms of Fibro for a couple years, but the digestion problems just wouldn't let go. This doctor has made a remarkable change in my body by using Applied Kinesology. I have studied herbs and nutrition, but this takes the cake. All I can say is God is good.

While we were up there we drove on into Cleveland to a Dillard's outlet store (to much chaos for me though) and we saw the Great Lake FROZEN! So I grabbed my faithful camera and snapped a few shots to share.

This last one was the skyline into Cleveland. Neat to visit but sure glad I don't live here!

God's peace be with you~
Dee

Kitchen Blessings

I have always been the kind of cook that can have 1 or 2 things going at the same time, but not 3. And that is within the same meal, like making dinner. Something gets put in the oven or covered to keep warm while I tend to the rest. I have learned and respect my limits.

I was in the midst of several baking projects and stood back in awe as I watched how the Lord was blessing me in my efforts. I had already made my Coconut macaroons, which were baking, and had homemade whole wheat bread rising for the second half, and was making dinner when I realized what was happening. Words can't even begin to discribe the feelings I had. It just confirmed for me that all things are possible with God, and that were there is true effort the Lord blesses. I am so grateful for His help.

If you look closely, the bread is rising under the green towel on the stove, the cookies are in the oven and I'm cutting the sweet potato for dinner. In front of me is my trusty homemade cookbook of all my favorite or collected recipes...held together with blue duct tape! No graceful way to hide that!

The first completed baked good: (No sugar) Coconut Macaroons! Made with a touch of honey, sliced almonds and lots of unsweetened coconut.

Homemade bread from scratch for C! He loves bread. This one was new for me. I used a recipe from the back of the King Arthur flour bag and it called for honey or molasses and powdered milk. C says it's very moist and tastey!
This was our supper. Seasoned roasted chicken breasts with cubed sweet potato's, steamed green beans with slivered almonds. Very tastey! I make all my seasonings, this one has cayanne, curry, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

All praise to Him, for all the food provided and the creation put it all together.

God's peace,

Dee

Sunday Brunch

We had a wonderful couple over for breakfast. Mark & Krista w/ baby Kate. Chris enjoys making pancakes on Sunday's (or waffles) and makes all the fixin's to go with it. I was so excited to have them over to catch up and fill our tummies with warm homemade pancakes. We enjoyed a wonderful "catch up" chat time with them before off to church!

God's peace~

Dee

Home cooked Breakfast

Many friends always gasp when they hear I don't eat dairy, wheat (flour) or sugar. The first question is always "what do you eat"? I have posted some other meal ideas, but here's another:

Breakfast this morning:

Scrambled eggs

Steamed Kale w/ olive oil and a sprinkle of salt (kale is good for calcium)

Hot butternut squash cereal w/ almond milk and toasted walnuts (very yummy!)

Bon Appetite!

Part of being a homemaker is studying nutrition for your family. Since my dietary needs are also part of my studying I have learned how to "Eat to Live" rather than "Live to Eat".

God's Peace be with you~

Dee

My Valentine

He is my protector. He is my best friend. He holds me when I want to world to disappear. He loves me with all my developing wrinkles. He loves me inspite of my past. He is my love.

I baked him a homemade batch of chocolate chip cookies this morning (his favorite) and took some to his class at the college. (We are taking 1 class together so I see him.). You should have seen the look on his face. My husband was so moved by my loving gester. It was worth all the time I took to do it. That warm feeling I get in my tummy that says "I did it" I gave him something to show him how much I love him. In return while I was out grocery shopping My Valentine left me love notes all over the house:

C took an erasable marker and wrote on the glass and mirrors all around the house. To bad you can't see what this one says! {wink}


My Love note on my kitchen window.
Isn't he sweet!

And the best part was outside. He shuffled his feet around to make them. How cute!! I'm so in love.

Thank you Lord for my husband.

Happy Valentine's Day to you and God's peace.

Mrs. Dee Peterson

Snow Day

It snowed all day yesterday and the college closed for the afternoon due to the of snow and ice. That meant I got a little snuggle time with C. :-) He has such a big heart. The back steps get slick and the dogs have a hard time, so after it snowed he was out sweeping off the snow to keep it from icing for the dogs. Isn't he sweet.

You can see our littlest dog was trying to attack a snow covered ball. It was funny to watch her growl and jump at it, then spit it out and stick out her tongue due to the ice on it.

She's the little princess here.

A stitch in time

My sewing buddy (he's talking to C as he takes the pic!)


Carefully stitching while thinking of the patches in the quilt.

This past weekend I was able to get to some much needed repairs on a quilt that I have. My grandmother made this many years ago (before I was around) and used bits and pieces of fabric from her clothing and my dad's clothing. What a treasure. Ever since I inherited a box that had her linens in it I have had this on my bed to use on those cold nights. Needless to say, here in Ohio those nights are often. This morning it was all of 7 degrees here!! Thanks be to God for my quilt.

I also find it comforting when I'm sick, or just want to rest with a cup of tea. The stitching required was much needed as some of the fabric is starting to wear thin. Some patches aren't the most professional, but it is holding it together nicely and I can get many more years of use out of it again.


As I sit and repair this quilt, I can't help but look at how wasteful I've been with some clothing for the kids and us. If we don't like it or it's worn out, how many have I just donated to tossed when the fabric could be used to make a memory such as this wonderful quilt my grandmother sewed with love. It has allowed me some time to ponder those items we dearly love and don't want to toss. What better use for them than to cut pieces of fabric and start collecting them for a quilt!



~God's peace be with you today,

Dee

Just a waitin'

My beloved husband loves when I make homemade rolls. So I tried something different and used the recipe for a bread loaf. He was so excited that he came down and sat in the kitchen watching it bake. He is so cute. It made me feel good that he was so excited for some homemade baked goods. It really doesn't take very long, and it is so much more nutritous than the store bought stuff. There is room for improvement though. I'm trying to get it more fluffy. I only use whole wheat, so I'm doing some research to see what I can do to make it more bread like.

Old Blue

Last night the truck I had inherited just closed for auction on ebay. I've got mixed emotions about selling it, but sometimes we have to make a decision that will preserve our serenity. Selling this will do that for me.

I got what my reserve was, and get this, the bid came in with 4 SECONDS left. God is so amazing. If He wants it done it will happen, but I always am reminded that it is in HIS time not Dee's time. I had given up on selling it even as Chris kept hitting the refresh button as the bid was closing. It wasn't until the last 4 seconds that this guy's bid came in. I am so glad for him too, he really wants this truck and is so excited about getting it.

The new owner lives in NY and I'm sure it will be well taken care of. He is so excited.

It's a long story as to why I needed to sell it. I won't go into the nitty gritty here except that most of the memories I have with that truck are not uplifting. God has wanted me to let that truck go since I inherited it last year when dad died. I didn't listen, and once we moved to OH we had it hauled out here. What an eye opener. Sitting in this truck as an adult when all the memories are when I was a kid. God knows what's best. I am being obedient and trusting He is the guide for my life.

I am so excited to see someone get it that really wants it. It's a God thing that's for sure.

God's peace,

Dee

The blessing of herbs

I have read in the Bible several times, the Lord gives us herbs for our needs. Today, I am Praising the Father for the herbs He has provided for me. I have come down with the "Steubenville crud" as many folks around here so lovingly state. Actually I think it's just a mild flu, no fever - again thanks be to God. So what happen's when the wife is down and out....

My loving husband steps up to help and plays nurse, all while exercising lots of patience as I tend to get short tempered when I'm sick. I love you C! Thank you for all your hard work today and nursing me back to health.

Part of this process is keeping all other family members from getting sick. That means my loving C has gotten his daily dose of Emergen-C, Echincea 2x/day and his multi vitamin. For me,oh the list.

Thursday I started with: extra Vit. C, GSE 2x, and my special "Kill a cold" drink (see below)

Friday: The same above, but I added Oscillo... yes it really does work. By the evening my headache and body aches where almost gone. I did add probiotics right before bed.

Today: GSE, Oscillo.., and my special drink. The headache and body aches are gone now, but the cough and runny nose just won't take a hike, so I am keeping up the the "special" drink.

Many of you have seen this on my blog before. Every winter I give this recipe out, and as a friends husband said "well this oughta' kill somethin', hopefully not me!" Ha! But he drank it and was better by the next day.

Here's my recipe:

A warm mug of water

1 FRESH garlic (don't use the powder stuff that won't do diddly) - known to kill viruses

A little less that an 1/8 tsp. Cayanne - known to increase blood flow and can help expell mucus

If desired honey to taste (roughly 1/2 - 1 tsp.).

Crush the garlic into the mug, add the sprinkle of Cayanne and a touch of honey then sip, DON'T CHEW the garlic! That's important, that will keep you from having strong garlic breath.

One of these a day, no more then 3 days in a row. Usually only one is needed, unless you have the flu.

And Voila:

A potent drink that has chased away many a cold in our house. Aside from a cough, I am doing much better, in only 2 days. God is amazing. Now if I'll just park it and enjoy the rest, rather then trying to jump in and help so much. Hmm..I hear the pillow on the couch calling me.

God's peace be with you~

Weekend events

We had several events that I am grateful for and wanted to write about them. My husband is part of a men's group that meets every Saturday morning. This past Saturday the Spirit moved many men, and my husband was one of them. He came home with this awe about him, telling me how he has realized his role as husband and protector. I don't mean physical protector, I mean spritual protector. As we sat at the table over coffee & tea ;-) , he explained to me how his choices that allow "seeds" to be planted in his spiritual garden actually leaves gaping holes where evil can attack us, and me. While he explained this and how it is his job, the job that the Father gave him, to weed out all the seeds and to guard his garden, and in essence encourage me to guard mine. This spiritual act of protection, also protects me as his wife from evil coming into my life. I have learned that the enemy uses me as a woman because I am weak. I sometimes listen to the lies until it's already a weed in my garden. Then it takes the Spirit to reveal this to me, then me to own up to what I've done, and begin the work of weeding it out with the Father's help. Thanks be to God for His mercy and love.

Hence, if we lift each other up while keeping in mind our goal as husband and wife is to live and encourage the other so their soul gets to heaven, we can be watchful of our garden.

Our second event was attending a murder-mystery play. It was small, only 40-50 people, but how fun. Our group was discussing together all the possible conclusions. The audience was allowed to interview the "suspects", that was fun too. All in all, it ended up being the obvious, the deceased's fiance did it out of jealousy! Ha! It was good entertainment for $5.

Our Lord's Day was fabulous. We had made a decision several weeks ago that we would not get on the computer for the day. It seems to take away from the focus of a day of rest while focusing on the Father. So, though C had homework, we stayed with our commitement AND got to enjoy some time with Danielle. She came home for a couple hours to do laundry. The Lord is working in her as well, praise God. She is growing and changing, with out my "help". That's another post for another day. I will end with the slogan "Live and Let Live" as this keeps the focus on me and allows God to work in others' lives as He see's fit.

God's peace~

Dee

Birthday celebration

Wow, look at that glow! C said he needed to get the extinguisher just in case, goofy guy!
The joy of "magic" candles that continuously re-light. Danielle and I had fun trying to catch them unlight to put them in water.

January 7th was my birthday and I chose to celebrate it quietly and humble, giving thanks to The Father for giving me life. Days past I wasn't grateful, yet as time has gone on and I've learned who God is and that I'm here for Him and His greater plan, I've come to a humbly appreciate my place in it all. He is so loving and is always holding us in His palm. He knows EVERYTHING we do. He even knows I have a neighbor that has experienced a youthful life somewhat similiar to mine and neither of us knew until we decided to get together over dinner. My Father is so awesome, He knows what I need and just when to give it. He loves you too, and is just waiting for you to come to Him in prayer and share with Him your hurts and ask Him for the things your heart desires. Now, that doesn't mean we will get it...if it is His will we will get what we desire, but in His time. I've learned to tailor my desires to "if this will bring Him glory." If it doesn't, I don't want it either.

Hmm, started on my birthday and the Holy Spirit took over. I'm grateful to be a servant of the King.

So, for birthday supper we ate grilled Turkey burgers, sliced sweet potatoes - grilled (yum), and steamed broccoli, seasoned. And for desert - since I don't eat dairy, wheat or sugar..in anything, I made this wonderful Brownie mix using ground pecans and carob powder. My family enjoyed it as well with me, and even seconds (that tell's me it wasn't that terrible ;-) And of course what's always in my hand, a warm cup of tea.

I wasn't so fond of all the glow on the "cake", but it was heartwarming looking at all the years that I have celebrated and being grateful for the Father loving me through them all and all the choices I've made.

God's peace be with you today~

Dee

The woodoworker

Being inspired to have a room or small corner of our house devoted to prayer and our time with God has fostered the creative woodworker in my husband. He has such a gift for woodworking that each time I see him work I can't help but imagine the carpentry work of Saint Joseph. The creativity and the way God has given my husband the gift to understand all the math involved in creating something from scratch...with no plans. Check out his current project. He started it and finished it all in the same night. And now when I kneel to pray to the Father, I give thanks for something soft, yet sturdy.

~God's peace be with you

Dee

Static cling or dry air?

We have been busy, no, I have been busy taking advantage of Chris' free time before classes started this past week. So I haven't been posting our events and how God is working in our lives.

The weather here in eastern Ohio is the coldest I've been in, and our dogs. So you be the judge: Is is static cling or dry air? or both?

She is so innocent it's precious. I was laughing hysterically when I walked around from the kitchen and saw Sasha just standing there. What a hoot! God had a great sense of humor when he created the dry air.

Hence, I bought a Vornado humidifier for our house. I know, a tad on the expensive side but from all the comments and reviews, this one is the most cost effective in the long run. Now, I thank God for helping us create humidifier's.

~God's peace be with you

Dee

Merry Christmas

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you today and through the coming year!

~Dee

What a hoot! Yes I was having a lot of fun.
Our first snowman together!

Ember Days

Last year I learned about an old Christian tradition called Ember days. Here is a description of it from Farmers Alamanac:

"Ember Days
Definition: The Almanac traditionally marks the four periods formerly observed by the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches for prayer, fasting, and the ordination of clergy. These Ember Days are the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays that follow in succession after (1) the First Sunday in Lent; (2) Whitsunday–Pentecost; (3) the Feast of the Holy Cross, September 14; and (4) the Feast of St. Lucia, December 13. The word ember is perhaps a corruption of the Latin quatuor tempora, "four times." Folklore has it that the weather on each of the three days foretells the weather for three successive months; that is, for September’s Ember Days, Wednesday forecasts weather for October, Friday for November, and Saturday for December."

And this explanation:

"These times are spent fasting and in penance and with the intentions of thanking God for the gifts He gives us in nature and beseeching Him for the discipline to use them in moderation.

The fasts, known as "Jejunia quatuor temporum," or "the fast of the four seasons," are rooted in Old Testament practices of fasting four times a year:

Zacharias 8:19: Thus saith the Lord of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Juda, joy, and gladness, and great solemnities: only love ye truth and peace.

Our Israelite ancestors once fasted weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but Christians changed the fast days to Wednesdays (the day on which Christ was betrayed) and Fridays (the day on which He was crucified). The weekly two day fasts were later amended in the Roman Church to keeping only Fridays as penitential days, but during Embertides, the older, two-day fasts are restored. Saturdays (the day He was entombed) were added to these Ember times of fasting and are seen as a sort of culmination of the Ember Days. Interestingly, the story of Sidrach, Misach, and Abdenago's escape from King Nabuchodonosor's fiery furnace with the help of an angel is commemorated on each Saturday of Embertides except that of Whit Embertide, and part of their beautiful hymn of praise follows (Daniel 3:52-56. )




I've tested the folklore and last year and this year has rang true for where I live. Interesting huh?!





So today is the Friday Ember day which, as we know is a day for prayer, fasting and thanksgiving for The Father's gifts to us from nature, and folklore says today may determine February weather. We'll see....





I am grateful for the sun, the food that grows even in the winter, and for lettuce (I'm part bunny... ask any family member!).





God's peace to you ~

Baby it's cold outside!

God is amazing. Yesterday we had a little snow, and this morning (after sunrise) a lot. We can see how white and beautiful it is outside, for as far as you can see.

It is so amazing that all those tiny individual flakes form one big snow pile. It reminds me of us, each of us. God created each of us, individually knitted in our mother's womb. And individually we would melt if we stood on our own, but together...WOW! Together we can move mountains and provide strength for each other. How much stronger are we when we band together with friends or family, whether in crisis or good times. The crisis seems to be eased and the good times seem to be better than if we stood alone, just like a single snow flake. God made us to band together and to bring Him glory. How I am grateful to be His daughter.

This was on the deck, yesterday morning. Goofy dogs! They like to play in this cold weather.
This morning...where did the walkway and driveway go?
Our truck covered in snow...it's still coming down and should be all day.

God's peace to you today~

The gift of a snow dusting

Our porch at 6:30 this morning.

Chris captured this "kodak moment". Now you know what I look like when I'm outside every morning for my prayer time (minus my glasses, I took them off). I put my prayer blanket in the dryer to heat it up, light a candle (so my prayers go all the way to heaven) and inside my blanket is a warm cup of tea that rests on my chest/tummy, my journal and my Bible..and usually a flashlight b/c it's still dark out. My soul just rejoices when I'm outside to give God my first morning time. I love to be outside to start my day with Him.

This morning I went to the kitchen door to feel it and see if it was too cold to do my prayer time with the Lord outside. As I struggled to focus I saw white. Everywhere. In my excitement I went outside with my tea and started praising the Lord for such beauty. Yes it was cold, but the crisp white all on our porch, grill, roof tops and such was so white that it made me feel excited inside.

I grew so thankful and started telling the Lord about all that I was thankful for about the snow. It made me feel like the white and newness of a new season, how fitting for the day after Thanksgiving.

I decided to throw my "prayer blanket" in the dryer and sit outside anyways. Talk about distracting!!! I was telling God, how can I possibly pray or read my Bible with such beautiful snowflakes that were falling. Some landed on my prayer blanket, and some on my Bible pages or journal pages - which ever I had opened - and I was in awe at their beauty.

Each flake is so individual...like us. Some fell in two's, some single, some were so tiny that I could barely make out the middle of them. It was so exciting to see God's majesty working right in front of me. As I looked on the patio table I could see how they were piling up to make the snow. How awesome our Lord is!

And I'm thankful for a warm home to come inside to.

God's peace~

Being Thankful

I hope you all found something to be thankful for yesterday. The Lord is good and even in the rough spots, I have many things to be thankful for.

Yesterday we had a FEAST!! And the best part was I decided to make it more about family and friends, rather than the "fancy" stuff I've grown up with. Every year my mom would set out her best china and linens, for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I had started that because that is all I have known. The Lord is teaching me other things are more important. The love shared between family and friends, or just some hungry college students looking for a warm meal LOL!

I started to just do plastic & paper thanksgiving stuff, and decided at the last minute, not acceptable to me. I don't do the whole china thing, we used our everyday dishes. But I did bring out the good silver (I don't have service for that many in my everyday one's) and combined it with some Thanksgiving paper cups. It was an ecletic grouping, but it was me. We had food EVERYWHERE! I had to clear off the top to my desk in the corner of the dinning room to fit everything. It worked well. The big hit seemed to be the spiced apple cider in the crock.

Our menu:
Organic Turkey (yep, I pd the bucks for it but for our health it's worth it.)
Mashed potatoes
Sweet potato cassarole with peaches and a brown sugar/pecan mixture
Dee's sweet potato cassarole (no sugar no peaches)
Cranberry sauce (brought by two of the young men that came)
Dee's cranberry sauce (sweetened with -not enough- honey LOL)
Green been cassarole
Green beans
Corn w/ butter
Rolls
Stuffing

and when it was all said and done:
Pecan pie
Pumpkin pie
Apple pie
and ice cream

I had some tea and a pumpkin pie version I tried. After 2 bites it was a goner, yuck. So out came my trusty and tastey Baked Spiced Walnut cookies.

All 5 left with a plate of leftovers and a pie. Except the turkey. I can use that for soups and stews.

I wish you all God's peace during this season.