Happy mothers day

Today I'm celebrating with my girls and hubby at the Brewers/Cubs game.  It's now in the bottom of the 4th, no score.  The best gift.... Spending time with my family. 

Happy Mothers Day all.

What is more important?

I've known Jesus a long time, loved Jesus a long time--- and yet every day is a "struggle" to read my Bible, not because I don't  love the Word, I love the Word, but that time has taken on such a "job", "task", "checklist" mentality... read through the Bible in a Year, don't miss a day and if you do, catch up...

Yes, I need the structure, but is that really what Pappa wants?  Me to do it, just because I'm supposed to.  The hardest section for me to read is Judges, Kings, Chronicles (major history stuff) and that's where my reading is at now and yes, it's a struggle-- I could read forever in the Gospels or in Genesis-- love that, but the history is important as well, maybe because the names are so long and how many of some names are there... is this John the same John as... or David, how many David's and which Mary is this referring too---

But I have been thinking, He is the Bridegroom and I am the Bride and bringing this down to a human level to understand a better about the relationship--- the one thing I know, RELATIONSHIP is the most important thing to God, not the Law and the Rules.. the shoulds and shouldn'ts .......... Some days I really don't feel like cooking dinner or driving someone somewhere, but I do that because I love my family, and my attitude reveals so much more than I ever could imagine, and lately seeing how this transfers to my relationship with Jesus.  Some days my attitude stinks and I was really convicted of that this week...  So this week, I spent time repenting, seeking Him and restoring our relationship.

So, I 'm taking a different approach--- I'm sticking with the "through the year", I've committed to that as a leader in my fellowship, but instead, going to see what Pappa wants to speak to me that day, what's on His heart, what if we are just hanging together and nothing is being said by either of us.... isn't that okay too?

Bringing it to a human level, with hubby somedays he was something he wants/needs to talk about, some days I have my "list" and other times, we just want to be together and not say anything, just enjoying being together.  Why do I have to make it so "difficult" and so "must figure out".

Can I be content to just be with Pappa, no agenda, just put some music on and let myself just rest with Him, enjoy His company, so same with I enjoy my earthly husband's company, enjoying heavenly Husband's company!  What is on His heart?  What does He want to communicate to me?

I tried this last night, and it was so enjoyable, Bible out, journal out, pen available and just wait.  To be honest, not much was said, no "life altering RHEMA word... but I waited and didn't freak out, just enjoyed the time. 

Thinking and sensing... that means more to Him than ANYTHING, just spending the time, not needing to "check off" the list that I did my quick read of the Old Testament, New Testament verses, a Psalm and a Proverb or two.  My bad attitude was grieving Pappa's heart, I was breaking His heart, He delights in me and I wasn't delighting in Him, I wasn't making that relationship a priority throughout the day.  My husband would be very hurt if I treated Him like I've been treating Jesus lately, sloppy seconds and "when I get to eat" instead of just communing through the day, while driving, walking, shopping, cleaning, reading---- whatever the thing is, including Pappa, Jesus and Holy Spirit.

So that's what's on my heart this week, resting in being a Human being and not a Human doing!!  Just being, dwelling, waiting, communing, loving, waiting, fellowshipping, waiting, did I mention waiting?

This is hard to share, to bear open my heart--- but I think this is a common issue for many and just wanted to share the insight, hoping you would have some freedom.

Seven layer greek dip

In the process of getting this new eating habit underway, our biggest challenge is potlucks--- taking something that works for us, but also something that others would want to eat.  We had a "going away" potluck party the other night and so I found this goodie in one of my favorite new "babies" and decided to give it a try.

SEVEN LAYER GREEK DIP

NOTE:  I didn't use all of the ingredients that I picked up, just layered them together, so you may have leftover ingredients, which also work well for other ingredients.

1 container of your favorite hummus ( I made guacamole hummus)
Greek yogurt (used about 1 cup) or sour cream
Red onions, chopped to bite size pieces
1 Roma tomato (diced and "liquid" and seeds removed)
1 seedless cucumber (I used about 1/4- 1/2 of the cuke)
Kalamata olives (chopped into 1/4's)
Feta Cheese Crumbles (used about 1/4 cup)

Layer the hummus on the bottom.  Add a thin layer of greek yogurt and then top with remaining ingredients.  This is really a recipe of adjusting the amount of ingredients, (we aren't a big onion fan, so I cut back the amount I use).

This is also something you could make in small "drinking cups" like the kind you use in the bathroom and layer individually for summer parties.

Serve with veggies, pita chips or crackers.

Being "schooled"

Life is definitely a wild adventure sometimes.  For the past year or so we've been focusing on getting the family healthy and we've had some challenges.  Dealing with family members have type 2 diabetes and chronic constipation, I am on an over-all assault for divine health, learning what works best for the body.  I've been studying, learning, reading...

This has always been an area of passion, but in the past two months it has taken on an even great drive.

About a month ago we met with an integrative doctor, to try and meld modern medicine with natural health to see how to get our family back on track... it was very difficult after the holidays and vacation to step back into health.  The physican was amazing, the first medical person that we've met with who has given us any hope of being able to live without taking metformin for the rest of his life.

We as a family are incorporating a mediterranean style diet and a Biblical based diet into our lives.  This has become a bigger challenge then we ever thought possible.  We are also learning moderation and staying on track, trying new foods.  I'm now hitting the point, where I can say, "I'm getting this" (I hesitate to say that, because tomorrow I will probably confused even more).  New grains are a blast, faro was gross at first, but cooking it 2 extra minutes, we love it.... quinoa,  avocados, barley, and the list goes on and on.

The pressure cooker has been a huge blessing, loving hummus, peanut butter, cauliflower and tonight I'm making guac hummus for a "greek dip".

Tofu Tomato Soup

Daughter G, is having 3 baby teeth pulled today.  She requested her favorite soup, "tomato" and grilled cheese sandwiches for supper.

We (I)  have been trying to get the family to eat healthier and try newer foods (to us).  In the searching for a creamy soup, I found one from Kashi that sounded, ummm interesting.  We joke every Thanksgiving that I will be making tofurkey, to which hubby declines.  So, when I found tomato soup with tofu, I thought, let's give it a try.  I put it together, took out the tofu package and wow, it was amazing.  The real test came at supper time.  The whole family inhaled the soup, even after I let them in on the "secret" ingredient.  Daughter S, tried to say she didn't like it once she found out, but she continued to eat it.

Tofu-Tomato Soup
3 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced or grated
1 Tbsp. agave nectar
2- 28 oz. cans of whole tomatoes (do not drain)
1 cup water
14 oz. package of soft tofu (trained)


Basil or croutons to garnish on top

Cook onion in olive oil til soft, about 5 min.  Add garlic and cook 2-3 minutes longer.
Add the remaining ingredients, except for "toppings".  Simmer about 15 min. and smooth with immersion blender or food processor.  It took about 3 minutes to get a nice creamy texture without little white flecks of tofu. 

The other benefit is it is dairy-free.  One of the kids has had some health issues, so we are trying to limit her dairy to see if that helps.  Give this a try and let me know what you think.

Little things mean so much

 

This has become one of my favorite thoughts.  Little things mean so much more to me than big gestures, especially in our marriage.  This May we will celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary.  Richard is an amazing, sensitive man---  I could go on and on and not nearly cover the wonderful things this man does for me and others and who he is.  Let me introduce you to him...

Sharyl and Richard, Feb 2010

This is my second marriage.  My first husband passed away in Dec. 2004-- for me, I'm blessed to have married two Godly loving men.  Since the first of the year I've seen so many lists of top 10 things and so I decided to do my own "top 10" things-- a top 10 list of things I love and appreciate about my husband.  Ok, I guess it turns out to be top 11--

11.  I've lost 2 big part time jobs in the last year.  Last March the company I was working for closed their doors.  I took the summer off and decided to look for something in the fall.  I landed what I thought was my dream job, but that recently ended as well.  I'm not sure what to do next, but he says, "not to worry", and he's fine with me taking time off and doing other things.  He knows I'm a hard-worker and any business would be blessed to have me working for them.

 10.  Richard is so encouraging.  Even on those days where I'm not feeling so "pretty", he "lights up" and smiles when I enter the room and he makes me feel like cinderella coming to the ball.  Even in sweats or pajamas-  to him I'm beautiful.

 9.  Richard walks with purity.  He is often making comments about needing to gouge his eyes on, like when were on vacation at the beach with all the women in bikinis.  When we are at the mall, approaching a certain store with no secrets, he looks across the hall, admiring what is in the  Pottery Barn window.  I love that his eyes are for me and has no desire for any other woman.

8.  Richard is a wonderful father.  When we married, my girls were 5 and 7 and had just lost their dad a few years before.  He loves the girls as his own and in Dec. 2010, he adopted the girls.  He isn't threatened by their "first dad".  He is great at showing them how a man should treat a woman, so they know now what to expect when the man comes courting for them, in many years.

7.  Richard cherishes me.  I can't remember the last time that I put gas in my vehicle.  He proudly does it every time.  (The cap doesn't always make it on tight, but so what if the check engine light comes on).  Some around me think this is ridiculous, but I love it.

6.  Richard makes sure the bed is made before he leaves for work.  He works third shift, so this is about 7pm at night, knowing "I'm going to get in and mess it up anyway", but he wants me to have a nice, warm bed made for me.  I rarely make the bed for him, I get doing other things and forget-- I have yet to hear, "make the bed" from him, towards me.  I'm working on it-- but not there yet.

5.  Richard loves me just as I am.  I am not the skinniest woman out there.  My weight is something I have struggled with for years.  I have never once, heard him say to myself- or anyone, to loose weight, but encourages me in working out and taking care of myself.  This ties in to #10-- making me feel beautiful.

4.  I love how he brings me fresh cups of coffee, just because he thought I'd like one.  Richard loves strong coffee, "mud".  I love chocolate "coffee flavored" water, rather weak.  Up until we got our Keurig, he would make the coffee weaker for me.  Now he gets the extra bold and so we are both happy.

3.  Sunday mornings, Richard wakes up early, usually around 5 am, gets himself ready, gets the kids up and makes me breakfast, and brings it to me in the bedroom and gets the kids moving to head out to church.  He doesn't want me to have to focus on anything but getting myself ready to go.  Yes, he's had his share of  "girl issues", but he handles it beautifully and I rarely know that there are problems.

2.  Richard loves my cooking.  He encourages me to feed him well and loves the creations.  I think he thinks every meal is like Christmas morning.  He never says a word about the endless supply of cookbooks and even asks about the new "children" that make it into the house.  He asks to make dinner almost weekly, but knows that I love cooking and don't want him in the space.

1.  Richard loves having me spend time with my friends and with people I'm in ministry with.  He knows it's an important for me and loves when I get to go to lunch or pedi's with the girls.  He never complains about the cost or the time away.

So, I'm an extremely blessed woman.  I love my husband so much.  No, we don't live in a perfect world.  I have bad days, he has bad days-- but any day, I want to be with him and there is no one I'd rather spend my days with.

Friday Food Finds

Once again I'm on the lurk for easy to make substitutes for convenient foods in the grocery store.  Yes, I love the convenience, but all the extra additives and fillers and binders drive me crazy.  This week I made my own beer bread  and cornbread kits, some bbq sauce and I've been looking for other items I can make from household ingredients for less money.

Here are my finds for the week:
French Vanilla Coffee Creamer by Mrs. Happy Homemaker
French Dressing on All Recipes
Chocolate Syrup by Glorious Treats
Peanut butter ice cream, with 3 ingredients by Use real butter
"Hamburger Helper" Kit  by Tip Garden
Ketchup by Chinese Grandma

This one isn't a "kit", but I've been drooling since finding it so had to include it:
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Hummus by Half-Baked  (couldn't wait so I already made it and it's posted on my blog--- it's amazing, like eating raw cookie dough!!!)

I need to figure out how to move stuff from pinterest to here, that's my goal for the next week, so for now--- this is it.  I'm again linking up with Finding Joy in My Kitchen. So, go see what other goodies bloggers have found.