Yummy Chinese Take-In?

Living far away from The Big City, and all major restaurant chains, I have done a lot of experimental cooking the last few months. Since there really isn't any to be had, I've had to find ways to create our favorite "take-out" dishes. Some have been huge successes, others have not. (Seth, I'm sorry for that soggy, putrid glop that was supposed to be mushroom ravioli!)

Whether you live in a small town, or just maybe want to save a little money, I hope you enjoy this yummy Chinese "Take-In" meal.

Cashew Chicken

1 lb chicken breasts or thighs
2 teas minced fresh ginger
1 tbs oil
1 med. red bell pepper
1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
1/3 cup roasted cashews
Cilantro

Cut chicken into small chunks and mix with ginger. Heat oil and stir-fry chicken a few minutes. Add bell pepper and cook until chicken is finished. Add teriyaki sauce and stir-fry 1 minute. Stir in cashews. Garnish with cilantro.

Fried Brown Rice

¼ cup olive oil
4 cups cooked brown rice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 envelope onion soup mix
½ cup water
1 tbs soy sauce or teriyaki sauce
1 cup frozen peas and carrots, partially thawed
2 eggs lightly beaten

Heat olive oil and add rice stirring constantly, about 2 minutes or until rice is hot. Add garlic. Stir in soup mix blended with water and soy sauce and cook 1 minute. Stir in peas and carrots and cook 2 minutes. In a separate pan, fry eggs and chop into very small pieces. Add to rice and stir well. Serve hot.

Not-Me-Monday - Sleep Deprivation and More

Whew - what a week it has been. I can hardly believe that it is Monday already. Between our anniversary, Seth's golf tournament, a trip to The Big City, a wedding, visiting with my aunt, visiting my grandparents, visiting my parents, shopping, etc. I am not tired one bit. My eyelids aren't heavy, I'm not pinching myself to stay awake, and I definitely didn't indulge myself in a nap when Juliette was taking hers this morning. Nope not me!

Last night, I also did not fall asleep on the couch 15 minutes after Seth and I started watching an episode of "Planet Earth". No, I would never sleep through a television program or a movie. And I certainly would not have slept through the fact that Seth then quickly switched the movie out for a DVD of his favorite show"Wings", when he noticed his lovely snoring wife fast asleep. . . er, I mean not-snoring wife completely riveted to the documentary on fresh water.

Seth and I did not indulge in some fast-food while we were in the Big City. Not even a frosty with french-fries. That would totally off-set all of the training I've been doing for the October Marathon, and I would never sabotage my training. Nope, not me!

Speaking of running, I would never take my daughter out in her jogger while still in her pajamas, or slather so much sunscreen on her, that it looks like I haven't washed her hair in a week. No, not me!

While we got to see a lot of family this weekend, we definitely did not run out of time and have to ask some of my sisters and my brother to meet us in the Qdoba parking lot so we could at least spend some time with them before we headed back to here to the High Arid Plains.

Nor would I have trouble getting my sisters to pose for a picture with Juliette.

The camera is this way everyone.

Look at me this time.

Okay, I think this is the best we're going to get.

I also didn't make Seth and his three buddies take Juliette with them golfing, so I could have the luxury of attending my meeting un-distracted. Making her suffer in the mid-day heat, trapped in her stroller, surrounded by golf-crazed guys is just cruel. I would never do that. Not me!

And while I was at that meeting, I did not feel old when I saw a couple of the preteens that used to be in the youth group that I worked with in college, and I realized that they have now all just finished their first year of college. How can they be so grown-up already. Yikes!

Visiting with everyone this weekend, I wasn't surprised to hear that some people are actually reading my crazy posts from time-to-time. Nor did I feel really dumb when I was telling them a story and they said, "Oh yeah, we read about that on your blog". I mean who would constantly repeat themselves? I mean who would constantly repeat themselves? Not me!

~~~

For more Not-Me-Monday fun click here:

The Boy Scout Motto

It's raining.

It's not supposed to rain here on the high arid plains, but it is.

Our grass is loving it.

Our garden is loving it.

I'm loving it.

I'm also loving the fact that Juliette and I went for a run early this morning, before the rain. She did great - I on the other hand - well, let's just say I'm glad I'm alive . . . barely alive.

Along the way we saw the cutest little baby skunk, but luckily it didn't see us. Too bad I didn't have my camera again. You'd think I'd learn to take that thing with me everywhere - because you just never know when you might need it.

It's good to be prepared. You never know when it is going to rain, or when you are going to spot a teensy-weensy black-and-white stink ball, or when you're going to die (and I mean the real thing, not just the way I felt after trying to conquer the big hill while pushing the jogging stroller).

That's right. Die.

Everyone has been talking about the deaths of certain celebrities today. I just hope they were prepared.

There are certain things in life that are certain. Like it or not death will come to all of us. Somber, I know, but not thinking about it doesn't change the fact. Rainy days come, exciting adventures come, and death comes. Am I prepared? Are you?

Great Expectations

Last week we started eating spinach and lettuce out of our garden. Yummy!



Because we are just renting our house here on the high arid plains, and because our house is a particular target for deer and other wonderfully pesky . . . I mean wonderfully wild creatures, one of our friends was nice enough to give us and another friend use of part of her garden plot outside of town (and far away from the pests . . . I mean deer).






So we've all planted a ton, and are taking turns watering our "community garden". We're hoping that we'll be able to enjoy some tasty organic produce grown in this high, arid, sage-brush country. We're hoping.




These pictures were taken a few weeks ago, and you can't really tell it here, but we actually have a lot that is up and growing - tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, lettuce, peas, potatoes, cabbage, collard greens, onions, collard greens, corn, strawberries, and more.

Like I said, it may be hard to tell at this point - but we do have great expectations for the harvest. We'll see!

Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.

- Psalms 85:11-12

Isn't It Romantic?

Seth and I celebrated our Almost-Anniversary last night. And boy was it romantic. See?


Especially with the trash can in the picture.


Doesn't it just reek of romance?

Actually, in case you were starting to get worried, we didn't just hang out in the parking lot last night, staring at our canoe and inhaling our rotten garbage. Seth took me on a river adventure - just the two of us - exploring the sights and sounds of the beautiful river that runs through our town. And boy was it romantic.

We saw lots of wildlife - deer eating the lush river grasses, ducks nesting atop their precious unhatched eggs, Canadian Geese cozying up with their life-time mates among the wild irises. Each and every bend in the river brought us to new sights and sounds. Along one turn we came across a new-born fawn standing on the bank. It still sported its spots, and its big ears and eyes turned towards us inquisitively. It was the smallest fawn Seth and I have ever seen - standing no more than about twenty inches high. How I wished then that I had a waterproof camera!

The weather was luxuriously warm, the sunset was vibrant, and to top it all off, Seth and I were serenaded.

That's right.

Serenaded.

Along the way, we kept hearing music, but we couldn't figure out where it was coming from. At first we thought it must be some fisherman camped along the river. But as we continued on, it started to sound more and more like a live band. Sure enough, we finally rounded a corner and came upon a band that was playing for a private river party. And guess what . . . they were playing the EXACT song that Seth and I had our first dance to. Is that romantic or what?

We never could have planned it out to happen so perfectly. As Seth and I floated on past the party, I had tears in my eyes. What a special Almost-Anniversary gift from the Author of Romance Himself!

What fabulous memories we will cherish of our sunset-river adventure. Even after the mosquito bites fade. Now isn't that romantic?

An Almost Anniversary

Seth and I are celebrating our anniversary tonight, even though our actual anniversary is tomorrow. Seth is scheduled to play in the second-half of a two-week golf tournament tomorrow night, so I told him that it would be okay if we celebrated tonight. I'm nice like that.

Actually, seeing that I have told several people that our anniversary is today, the 23rd, when in fact it is the 24th, I'm in no position to complain. I even told the lady who publishes the church directory that it was the 23rd. Oops!

I keep using the lame excuse that I get confused because we were almost married on the 23rd. We couldn't find a large enough facility that had availability on the 23rd, so we switched the date to the 24th. So the 23rd is our Almost Anniversary. But seriously, it is a pretty lame excuse. One should remember the day on which they were married!!

So if I can't keep the date straight, I am not going to insist that we celebrate on the actual day. Shoot, let's just forget dates altogether and celebrate the entire week! Like I said, I'm nice like that.

~~~

Happy Almost Anniversary Seth!

Not-Me-Monday - Golfing Adventures and More

This week I definitely didn't let our precious Juliette unpack her diaper bag, and strew items about our entire dining area. And when she found the Star Puffs, I didn't just dump some out on our kitchen floor, so she could help herself. I mean letting your child eat off the floor is really disgusting. I would never do that. Not me!

I also didn't agree to take let my husband take Juliette and I golfing, when she really should have been at home and asleep in her bed. And this did not happen just once but twice this week. I mean a good mother insists that her child have regular and consistent bedtimes.


When Juliette got antsy, I definitely didn't just let her crawl around on the putting green.

I mean there are all sorts of chemicals on that grass, and who knows how many mosquitoes might be lurking about.

And I definitely didn't just take a ton of snapshots, when it was supposed to be my turn to putt. I mean who gets distracted when they should be focusing on trying to put that little ball in the even seemingly smaller whole. Not me!

Nor did I try to distract her by letting her investigate my putter. Not me!

I definitely didn't let her have her pacifier outside of her crib nearly the entire week - because I believe, I hope, I pray that her top two teeth are coming through. I mean letting your child have a pacifier in the first place is questionable, but letting them munch down on it all week is definitely out of the question. I wouldn't encourage such behavior. Nope, not me!

And I definitely didn't lay my daughter down for her nap without her pants on. Nor was I completely surprised to learn that she now knows how to unhook the Velcro and un-diaper herself - making a complete mess out of herself, her clothing, and her bedding. But if something like that would have happened last week, I definitely would not have already written a post about it. Nope, NOT ME!

~~~

Check out more Not-Me-Monday fun here:

Happy Father's Day

"As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust." - Psalms 103:13-14

Seth is a very compassionate father. We like to joke that I'm the "heavy" in the house, and he is the fun "go-to guy".

All kidding aside, it's the truth.

Total truth.

For example, a few nights ago when Juliette was up for the third time, and I was determined to just let her cry it out, I heard Seth sneak into her room and whisper over her crib, "It's okay Juliette. You're daddy is a big softie. He'll hold you. It's okay." He then tenderly 'rescued' her from her lonesome crib to snuggle with him for awhile.

As frustrated as I sometimes get with Seth over not always being "firm and consistent" with Jewel as I would be, the sort of tenderness he showed her that night melts my heart.

God uses all sorts of images to describe Himself and His attributes,but I am particularly fond of the picture God paints of Himself showing compassion to His children just like a father does. I might be the "heavy" in our family, but when I'm the one crying, I want a God who is willing to pick me up and say, "It's okay darling - Daddy will hold you." Don't you?

Compassionate Father thank you for compassionate fathers. Happy Father's Day!

~~~

Happy Father's Day Gramps!

The End

I'm contemplative today. In part because I watched this yesterday - which was well worth the hour-and-a-half that it took our snail-like internet to download.

It certainly got me thinking: if the Lord chooses to call me home tomorrow, or in six weeks, or even in sixty years, what would I want my daughter to know about God, about me, about life? What am I doing today to leave a legacy of faith for her and others? How will I be remembered? What will be the lingering essence of my life, once this mortal body no longer remains?

Those are things that I don't like to think about - at least not very often. But they are important questions to ask because the answers should influence and even dictate the very way I live each and every day. If I want to be remembered as a good wife and mother, I need to be a good wife and mother. If I want to be known as a woman who was hospitable and generous, I need to invite others into my home and be willing to share my life, my time, and my possessions with them. If I want to leave a legacy of faith, I have to allow room for faith to thrive in my everyday exsistence.

The end. I want to keep the end in mind. I want to keep the end in mind so that I can not only leave a legacy, but live a legacy.

Sit-ups & Temptations

Sit-ups.

Sit-ups would be good.

Yes, there is no doubt about it, some sit-ups would probably do me a lot of good.

But it is probably too late for that.

~~~

We have our health evaluation for our life insurance today. I'd do some last minute sit-ups, but I don't think it is going to fool them.

~~~

Juliette started sitting up today. I mean, she has been sitting upright for months now, but I'm talking about the motion of actually laying on the ground and then sitting up.

The way she goes about it is so cute. Lying on her stomach, she gets her knees underneath her like she is going to crawl. Then she sticks her behind waaaaayyyy out, tips it to the side, and sits down on it. Ta-da!

We're just so proud that someone in the family is practicing sit-ups.

~~~

Sooo Tempting

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." - 1 Cor 10:13

Nine Months Old Today

Celebrating Firsts

We've had a lot of firsts around here lately. Last night I made my very first turkey (I've helped with my fair share of birds, but this was the first time I whipped one up all on my own):

We saw our first baby antelope a few days ago. I would have taken a picture of them, but they were so far away you wouldn't have been able to tell what they were for all the sage brush. It is amazing how well they blend in to the high arid plain scenery - it's like they were made to survive in this rugged country or something.

Juliette also, for the first time, took her diaper off on her very own - during nap time, when it was very, very dirty. What a site to behold! Don't be fearful of scrolling down though, I didn't take any pictures of that mess!

It does seem as if she is getting more and more ornery with each day. There is a mischievous look in her eye that must come from her dad. Okay, maybe from me. But mostly from her dad.

All these firsts are exciting (well, except for the un-diapering episode), but I must admit that sometimes I wish there was a bit less change in my life. Sometimes I catch myself reminiscing about "the way things used to be" and I get stuck longing for what has been.

This weekend when we visited The Big City, I was particularly indulgent. Probably because we spent the weekend with college friends, visited our old house, checked out our old haunts. It is a good thing I wasn't a contemporary of Lot - I'd be a pillar of salt for sure!

But you know what, I am realizing more and more how much it must sadden God when I dwell on the past - in part because it cultivates discontentment, and in part because it takes my eyes off what God is doing today!

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." - Isaiah 43:18-19

What an awesome passage. God is in the business of doing new things - things beyond our former experiences. He goes about making ways in the deserts of life, pouring out life-giving streams in the darkest, deadest wastelands of our existence. And in spending time dwelling on what has been, we are missing out on what He's doing here and now.

So here's to celebrating the firsts in life - first turkeys, first baby antelope, and first un-diapering . . . well, maybe I'll stop there. But you get my point.

Not-Me-Monday: Soggy Socks

This week I certainly didn’t let my daughter play with her cloth diapers while I was folding the rest of the laundry. And I definitely didn’t look the other way and keep on folding when she stuck the diaper insert in her mouth. Even though they had been pre-washed, washed, and double-rinsed, who knows what sort of nasty germies could have still been hiding in there. I didn’t do that. Nope, not me!

I definitely didn’t rush my friend’s children off to VBS ten minutes early, so I could make it to my book discussion group on time. And then when I hurriedly proceeded to drop off her youngest child at her house, I definitely didn’t call my friend “Jen” – when her name is NOT “Jen, definitely NOT even close to “Jen”, and in fact "Jen" is the name of one of our mutual friends. Confusing people's names is tacky. Confusing your friends' name is completely tacky. I would never do that. Not me!

In my rush to make it to the book discussion I didn’t fly past the empty parking lot, baby-in-tow, completely ignoring the fact that there were no other cars there. Nor did I have to read the flier on the door TWICE to realize that I had mistaken the time for the book discussion altogether, and that I was actually an hour early. All that rushing around, forgetting people’s names business for nothing.

This morning, in my Monday-Morning-Do-I-Have-To-Get-Up-Stupor, I definitely did not accidentally drop my socks into the toilet. That would be gross. Especially if the toilet had been used the night before, and somebody hadn’t flushed it. But I would never do that – that is just disgusting! Definitely, not me!

On our three hour trip to The Big City this weekend, I did not take loads of snapshots of Juliette, in a vain attempt to keep her happy and content – but mostly because I was board. That doesn’t sound anything like me. And I didn’t then make my husband look at all the cute shots I took, while he was trying to steer our car through the steep and windy mountainous pass. Nope, not me!

I didn’t forget to get a vital element of my husband’s Father’s Day gift from The Big City either, even though we went to a specific store just for that purpose. How could I leave the store (and The Big City) without even realizing that I had forgotten the very thing that I went there for. I’d never to that.

~~~

When I started this little ritual, I might have thought that I might run out of things to blog about for Not-Me-Monday. But as you can see, I'm clearly full of less-than-remarkable moments. Check out confessions of others who practice Not-Me-Mondays here:

Yummy In My Tummy!

Making your own baby food has so many benefits. It is really easy, and you can actually save quite a bit of money doing it. That's the real reason I make my own baby food - not because it is healthier, or better quality, but because I'm cheap! (Here I am confessing, and it's not even Not-Me-Monday!) Here is a simple way to make squash:

Choose a ripe winter squash such as an acorn or butternut variety. Wash the outside, cut it open, and spoon out the seeds.





Next place the squash face down in a glass baking pan.







Then fill the pan with about an inch of water.

And place in an oven that is preheated to 350 degrees.

Bake for 45 minutes. Then carefully drain water from pan, turn the squash right-side up and bake an additional 30-60 minutes, or until the skin starts to peel away from the sides, and you can easily fork the softened insides.

Allow to cool. Cut off and discard the stem and peel and dice up the tender meat of the squash into large chunks that will fit in your blender. Isn't it pretty?

Then puree until smooth. I usually have to add about 1/2 cup of water to make it the right consistency.

Once smooth, spoon it into clean ice-cube trays.

Place in your freezer. And allow to freeze (approx. 3-4 hours).

Once solid, pop the cubes out of the tray and put in a labeled, dated ziplock bag. And you're done!

The cubes will last up to three months in your freezer. Thaw a few cubes at a time, for fabulous, wonderful, CHEAP, yummy squash. Watch out though, your baby might like squash so much that he/she will plump up! See what "yummy in my tummy" did to my Jewel? (And she doesn't look that happy about it!)

Things I Wish I Would Have Practiced

I believe in the adage, "Practice makes perfect".

Well, actually I believe in something close to that:"Practice makes better" or "Practice should make better".

Now that I'm a mom, there are a few things I wished I would have practiced before having Juliette.

~~~

1o Things I Wish I Would Have Practiced

1. Eating with my right AND left hand.

2. Breathing through my mouth.

3. Taking a shower, drying off, getting dressed, drying and styling my hair, and applying makeup in two minutes or less.

4. Fixing dinner with a squirming, twenty-pound weight on my hip.

5. Functioning with only 2-3 hours of straight sleep at a time.

6. Sucking in my stomach really tight, so I can button my favorite pair of pants.

7. Cleaning really tiny ears, and clipping really tiny nails.

8. Packing a diaper bag so nothing essential is left behind.

9. Tuning out the "I'm-so-tired-that-I'm-fighting-sleep" cry.

10. Installing and buckling a complicated . . . a very complicated . . . a pull-your-hair-out, want-to-cry, call-your-husband, give-up-and-stay-home carseat.

~~~

Of course, if I would have practiced those things before having Juliette, I probably would have decided that I wasn't mother material.

I guess I don't wish I would have practiced those things after all.

Joyful Jewel

Juliette surprised me today.

She hardly slept last night (I think she is cutting teeth. But I've been thinking that for weeks now, with no teeth to show for it, so I'm starting to think that maybe I'm just using that as an excuse to let her snuggle with me at 2:00 am). Her first morning nap was interrupted when some dear friends came over for tea. Her second nap was interrupted when those dear friends left. And then her next nap was cut short by the fact that we had planned on attending a book discussion group. So nearly 18 hours with less-than-sufficient sleep, led me to believe that Jewel would be quite the handful during the hour-long discussion.

Such was not the case. She was happy, smilely, and well-behaved. She was a joyful Jewel.

Did I mention that I love surprises?

~~~

1 Thess. 5:16 - "Be joyful always."

~~~

***Thanks Dad for this awesome picture of Juliette. You're a great photographer and a grand 'gramps'! ***

Awwhhh . . . Brownies

We've had a lot of company over the past week or so. My dad and sister came for a short-but-sweet visit. Here is a fun little trio of pics of Juliette with her auntie:

And then Seth's best man and his family came for the weekend. Seth lived in a Christian dorm with them in college, so there was plenty of reminiscing about prior antics! Who knew you could hurt yourself repelling off the roof, or that water-balloon launchers break windows?

Their youngest son is the cutest, chubbiest little guy. Don't you think so?

At six-months old, he is a future line-backer for sure!

Now back to the topic at hand - company (You thought I was going to say brownies, didn't you!). Last night we had our usual crowd - some young people who are working here for the summer. Young people who could use some good food, friendly fellowship, and of course some time on the Wii!

I do have something important to say before we talk chocolate. But it's coming.

Seth and I love having people over, in part because we both grew up in very hospitable families, and also because we have personally been blessed by the hospitality of countless friends and family. We want to pay it forward, in whatever small way that we can.

Scripture makes it clear that hospitality is a must: "Practice hospitality." - Romans 12:13. And it also makes it clear that we are to do it with a good attitude: "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." - 1 Peter 4:9. I'm not saying it is always easy, but it is a command.

Of course, there are a lot of blessings for those that practice hospitality too. We were joking last night with our company, that the only reason we invite people over is so we don't feel guilty about making (and eating!) an entire desert. Maybe that is why hospitality is so important to God, He wants us to have a sweet life!

And with that in mind, here it is . . . the best-ever . . . quick . . . company-approved . . . brownie recipie. I found this on the internet somewhere, when we were "ovenless" for a short time. I wish I could find it again and give credit where credit is due, but its too easy/good for me not to go ahead and share it. Enjoy!

~~~

7 -Minute Microwave Brownies

In a 9-inch glass (microwave safe!) pan melt 1/2 c. butter. Add 6 Tbsps cocoa and 3/4 cup sugar and stir until smooth. Add 2 eggs, 2 Tbsps milk, 1 tsp. vanilla, 2/3 cup flour, 1/2 teas. baking powder, and 1/4 teas. salt. Microwave for 5-6 minutes or until top is no longer wet. Cool brownies on a flat, heat-proof surface for 10-15 minutes. The trapped heat will cook the bottom of the brownies - but if you are like me, you won't be opposed to eating them straight out of the microwave for total ooey-gooey goodness!

Not-Me-Monday: Semi-Trucks, Punk Rockers, and Keys

It’s Not-Me-Monday again, and this week I most certainly did not find myself stuck in construction traffic with a screaming, starving baby. I mean any sensible mother would have known her baby was going to be hungry, and would have planned accordingly. And I certainly didn’t decide to just pull over to the shoulder of the road to nurse her – especially since I was surrounded by semi-trucks, with drivers that had front row tickets to the show. Not me!

And after the baby was happily fed, and returned to the car seat, I definitely didn’t continued to patiently wait for the sea of semi-trucks to start moving, without even questioning why the construction delay was taking so long. Nor did I pull out my knitting and try and squeeze in a few rows while we waited. Now that would be silly!

And after a significant amount of time passed, I most certainly didn’t try to act unruffled and serene, when I finally asked one of the stopped truck drivers what was taking so long. And I definitely did not try to seem unflappable when he explained to me that there wasn’t a construction delay AT ALL but rather all of the semi-trucks were waiting for a gate to open at the refinery, so they could dump their loads. I mean, why would there be construction in the middle of the high, arid plains anyhow?

And when I wrote the above paragraph. I most certainly didn’t initially spell “unflappable” as “unflabbable”. I mean, "unflabbable" is not only not a word, but if it were it would be a meaningless word I’d know nothing about – like the phrases “flat-abs” or “cellulite-free”. Nope, not me!

And I would never style my daughter’s hair to look like a punk-rocker chic. Nope, not me!

I definitely did not let my baby play with my keys while we were shopping. And I definitely wasn’t surprised to find that she had dropped them somewhere in the store, without me noticing. No, that would just be downright silly! And I didn’t frantically walk up and down the aisles looking for them, or ask the checker upfront if she’d seen any keys. And when I found them at the bottom of the basket, I definitely didn’t try to act nonchalant, and say "Here they are," in a calm, even voice, even though I was secretly shouting “Hallelujah!!!!!” inside. No, definitely not me!

Okay, I might have done those things this week. It’s probable. Highly probable.

~~~

Check out more Not-Me-Mondays below:

Upside Down

Seth has been teaching a class on Revelation for our little church. Have I mentioned how proud I am of him? Not many men would be willing to tackle such a difficult and controversial subject - nor could they do it with such insight, enthusiasm, and fairness. He is doing a great job!

Last night we were studying chapter nine, and got side-tracked (which isn't unusual for our group). We started talking about the deceptiveness of sin. We talked about how easy it is to think something is beautiful, powerful, lovely, and good - when in fact it is dangerous, distracting, and harmful. It is easy to get upside-down, thinking that what is evil is good and what is good is evil. At times it almost seems too easy, doesn't it?

Hebrews 5 offers us hope, however, saying that putting the Word into practice can help us discern between good and evil. It's God's special Word that can help discern right from wrong, evil from good, truth from life-killing lies. May God give us all the grace and balance that we need to stay upright in this very off-kilter world.

~~~

On a lighter note:

Isn't this a sweet picture - my flirty, little cuddly girl who just started giving kisses. Wow, I love her! (By the way, whose ugly feet are those? I'll give you one guess.)

Time Flies - No Matter What You're Doing

My sweet cousin-in-law put a bunch of her wedding photos online the other day, including this precious one of Jewel-Bug back in January (No, that isn't me holding her - she was social even back then!!):

She looks so itty-bitty in that picture. She has really grown in the six months since then (How can it already be six months ago?!?)

Time flies - period. I better enjoy this sweet pea, because before I know it she'll be off to college, or getting married herself!

~~~

"Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. . . My hope is in you." - Psalms 39:4-7

"Them Are Fightin' Words"

Many years ago I was working as a "roving" bank teller, and I was assigned to fill in for a lady who had the following verse posted at her work station, "The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still" - Exodus 14:14. I never met the lady, and I have no idea why she had that particular verse pasted up, but I can't tell you how many times those words have come to my mind - usually when I am right in the middle of, or at least seriously contemplating, a knock-down, drag-out, total word-thrashing fight.

Today, I came across a similar passage in Chronicles 20: "This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. . . . You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you . . . Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' " (vs. 15-17)

There is nothing wimpy here. Those people were called to take a position and stand firm - they couldn't just run away from the battle itself, and yet they were told to let the Lord do the fighting. Finally, an option beyond fight or flight. And yet it goes completely against my natural impulses.

In my own life, I want to have confidence in the truth that I serve a God who is a "fighting God" - a God who is willing to go into battle for me. I can't just hide when times get tough, I have to face the realities of difficult situations, but I also don't have to be afraid or discouraged, because the "Lord will be with [me]". So, it's time to face life's battles, sit on my hands, close my ever-blabbing mouth, and watch the deliverance of the Lord at work. Now aren't those nice fighting words?

Indian Marinade

Dad and my sister Sierra came to visit yesterday. It was so fun to have them, even if they could only stay for one night. One thing about living a ways away from family - you sure appreciate every opportunity that you get to spend with them! Of course, Jewel had a fabulous time with her 'Gramps' and 'Auntie'.

Dad was kind enough to grill for us - not only us, but the interns from Seth's work too. So we had a delicious meal of grilled chicken, couscous, and broccoli. Here is the yummy marinade we put on the chicken:

Indian-Style Chicken Marinade

1/2 cup plum or peach preserves

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/2 teas. ground red pepper

1/4 teas. cumin

Curry to taste (I used about a teaspoon - I think!)

2 canned whole tomatoes

3 garlic cloves

2 teas. fresh ginger

Combine in a blender and puree until smooth. Reserve 1/2 cup for basting. Marinate 4 chicken breasts in the remaining amount of sauce for 1 1/2 hours or more. Grill and serve. Caution: It's Scrumptious!

Not Me Mondays

So for awhile now I have been telling all sorts of people about this blog that another friend (Thank you Jenny!) turned me on to:

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

If you haven’t checked it out, you should. The author is an amazing photographer/artist, with a zany sense of humor, and a very realistic take on motherhood and life in general.

She also started this wonderfully fun phenomenon called “Not Me Mondays” – an opportunity to be “brutally honest” – or real with a capital “R”! So after you read my “Not Me Monday” post, be sure to check out her blog. You won’t be sorry you did.

~~~

NOT ME MONDAY

This week I never would have desperately tried to avoid grocery shopping by forcing my husband to eat tuna sandwiches multiple days in row. Nor would I try to sneak whole-wheat noodles into his lasagna without warning him. I mean who would deliberately deceive their husband like that – not me!

Nor was I surprised to find that after hastily trying to dry my poorly rinsed flip-flops, the entire inside of my drier was lined with gummy mud. I mean, who would expect the drier to its job and the job of the washer? Not me!

During our first-ever golfing date, I most certainly did not drive my normally patient husband to a point of pure aggravation. Not me! And I didn’t even smirk, when he missed a shot, tossed his club, and got it stuck 25-30 feet in the air, among the thick branches of the pine trees that lined the course. I mean laughing at that ironic misfortune would be totally cruel. Who would do such a thing – not me!

And I definitely didn’t go nearly a whole day eating nothing but oatmeal cookies, justifying my actions by telling myself that they might go bad if I didn’t eat them up quickly. Nope – I’d never! And then when I shared a cookie with a friend, I wasn’t relieved that I would now be able to say that I hadn’t eaten all the cookies myself. Now, that would just be silly.

And of course, who would write up a “Not Me Monday” post on Sunday, just because they had company coming, and they knew that the next day was going to be crazy busy? That would be ridiculous. Certainly not me!

Okay, I did all of those things, but being brutally honest is pretty refreshing. I’m definitely going to have to do this more often. Let’s face it, no one is perfect, right? Well, certainly not me! Now check out MckMama's website below for more "Not Me Monday" fun.

~~~