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Sunday, September 23, 2018

Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day!

Look at me posting twice in one day! Y'all, it's a gorgeous one here in Northeast Ohio. The sun is shining,  it's about 65 degrees, there's a breeze, and there is no humidity. The mosquitos have up and left, and I'm sitting on my deck planning out the week! Wish you could join me.

Any suggestions for supper this week? It's gonna be a fun one for us. It's Homecoming week! Carleigh and her boyfriend are the junior class representatives on the Homecoming Court. She gets to ride in a convertible in the parade, participate in the pep rally, and Kelvin and I get to escort her onto the field during half-time at the football game. She's also performing with the Bomberettes, so she's a little bit bummed that she won't get to dress up, but I think it's so cool that she gets to be part of the court! So much fun!

We're also hosting a pasta dinner for Luke's XC team Friday evening so we will be busy little bees. It's all good. Before we know it, they will all be grown and gone, and we will be sad the house is so quiet. I'm not trying to do it alone either! Other parents are bringing drinks, fruit, garlic bread, and salad, and this mama ordered the pasta and sauce from the handy-dandy cafe right past her office! Thank you, Chef Mark!

So, I have dinner taken care of for Friday night, and tonight we're having a little fried fish from our stash we've caught the past couple of weeks. YUM-O!!




I think we're having some Rice Cooker Sausage Jambalaya tomorrow night.

Rice Cooker Sausage Jambalaya - An easy one pot rice dish filled with sausage and black-eyed peas. It only has 5 ingredients!
photo credit

Doesn't that look delicious!? I follow a ton of amazing food blogs. Diary of a Recipe Collector is a good one!

Of course, Tuesday is for TACOS! I think I'll throw a pork butt in the crock pot Tuesday morning, and we'll have pulled pork tacos on Tuesday and Pulled Pork Chili Wednesday. We might do WonTon Burrito Cups on Thursday. Of course, Friday is pasta. Not sure what Saturday will hold. Luke has a XC run Saturday morning, and we have Homecoming! So, there will be running the roads and pictures and more pictures. Both Carleigh and Luke are going. It will be so fun!

Do share what you are cooking and doing this week. I love hearing from you.

XO,
Christy

A few of my not-so-favorite-things

There are a lot of things I like...my favorites. But, there are some things in life I could do without.

Honking, for instance. Unless there is a serious reason to honk, then I don't believe one should. To the person who honked at me for letting the person go who got to the stop sign first, shame on you! Get over yourself. Your flashers weren't on, so there obviously wasn't an emergency. Next time, I will shift my car into park, and you will have to maneuver your impatient butt around me!

Another thing that isn't one of my favorites is when the opposing team sits on the home side and speaks loudly about your players and coaches in a not-so-favorable way. Go sit on your own side, for crying out loud! But if you must sit on our side, then keep your mouth shut!

Going to the grocery store and scrubbing tubs and toilets...not my favorite either. I wish grocery delivery was always free, and our toilets and tubs were self-cleaning. Ahhhh yeah!

Hmm, I feel a little lighter getting those things off my chest. Have a great week!





Sunday, August 26, 2018

Rest 

All of us were super tired this morning, so we kept it slow, and didn’t rush to get ready for church. I missed being there, but I loved the time we spent talking to each other more...the five of us. We got to remind the kids the importance of praying and being in the Word. We reminded them no matter what, even if they made a really bad choice, they can always share with us. We might be sad or disappointed, but we will always love them and help them through anything. We talked and laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. It was good. 

I stayed in my pjs until late in the afternoon and piddled a little. I’m good at piddling. I miss it. There’s not much time for that nowadays. 

This week is packed just like the rest, but it’s ok. It’s just a season, and as Carleigh reminded me by saying her senior summer is the summer after next, this season will be gone before we know it. 

Friday night was our first football game of the season. It was a gorgeous night, and Carleigh danced beautifully. Fridays are my favorite. 


Luke ran in his first cross country race Saturday morning and contributed a varsity point to his team. His coach said he was impressed. I have been too!


I am enjoying the sunshine this afternoon. Looking forward to grilling some chicken for fettuccine Alfredo tonight. Here’s the recipe I’m using so I can eat too. Hope it’s good and no one realizes it’s dairy free!

Have a great week!


Sunday, April 15, 2018

Easter

April 15, 2018: I start so many posts and never make the time to complete them. I found this one today. Easter wasn't that long ago, so I think I shall hit publish...

I’m so glad there was sunshine yesterday. I needed there to be sun instead of snow or rain on this Easter.

We closed on a house last week. We’re not sure about our decision to buy now that it’s done. The house has good bones, but it’s been ridden hard. Smoke for 31 years has permeated the walls. The carpet has been ripped out and wallpaper stripped. Hopefully, paint, clean air ducts, and smoke fogger bombs will do the trick to remove the foul smell. Fingers crossed!

The Easter bunny found the new house before we even moved in and left eggs full of candy and money! That bunny is pretty clever!








Saturday, March 10, 2018

My new favorite thing 

Snowshoeing to just the right spot and making a small fire in the woods eating chowder warmed on a little jet burner with the only man I have ever loved. The wine spritzer was pretty good too. 





Saturday, February 17, 2018

A cold, Saturday evening

I'm sitting by the fireplace on this lazy Saturday evening in February, and there is frozen precipitation falling to the ground... it's like powdered sugar falling from the sky dusting everything in white.


"We're not in Kansas (Texas) any more Toto." The weather here is just as unpredictable, and the forecast changes by the hour. The only difference is that the temperatures drop so much colder here. The move has been an adjustment. Some good and some not so much. I miss my family and friends like crazy. I miss my church and familiarness of my grocery store and the security of knowing I could always find someone to help in a pinch. But, I've enjoyed meeting our neighbors and the newness of a season. I've enjoyed wearing a coat in the winter time and seeing snow, making a snowman, and having a fire crackling in the fireplace. I loved fall and the gorgeous colors displayed on the trees. I adore the rivers and the falls nearby. The water speaks to my soul.

February is hard. It's such a reminder of the loss we have suffered. The February in Ohio is a sure reflection of how my heart feels...bitter cold to the core, empty, barren of life. Then there are days of sunshine and warmth, reminders that spring is on its way. They seem like sort of a tease when we are hit with the cold and snow again.

I know God gave us seasons because He put such a desire in us for change. I look forward to each season. This is a season of Lent. A time of reflection of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. A time to be so thankful for His sacrifice in order to provide us eternal life. I hope Easter is beautiful here. I hope the sun is shining, the grass is green, and the flowers are blooming. It's such a beautiful reflection of what the resurrection is...hope.

I guess today I'm a little tired and gloomy. The sin of the world is overwhelming at times. The weight of the hate and destruction is too much to bear. Sickness, death, devastation, and darkness seem to cover the light. I look forward to Jesus' return...to the day there are no more tears, there's no more sadness, and no more hate. Until that day, shine Lord Jesus, please shine Your light into the darkness.

Sunday, December 3, 2017

First Sunday of Advent

Today was a beautiful day in Northeast Ohio. I should have been outside soaking up the sun, but after church and warming up some leftovers for lunch, I changed into something comfy and plopped down on the couch with my laptop to continue the search for a house. I’m trying to stay positive and believe God will lead us to the right one, but sometimes I get discouraged. There’s just not anything available right now in our price range. Bummer. 

I enjoyed the rest today. No hustle and bustle. I have done most of my shopping online. I ordered something for the youngest in our family today while I was online. I love that someone brings stuff to my door and saves me the madness of going out in the shopping jungle! 

I did make dinner and clean the kitchen  this evening, so I’m not feeling completely unproductive. 

I enjoyed the church service so much this morning. Today we celebrate Jesus being the light of the world. A family from the church read scripture and lit the first advent candle. It felt so peaceful. We also took communion because it was the first Sunday of the month. It was such a time of reflection and awareness of my need of the Savior of the world...Emmanuel, God with us. 


I’m praying for peace and healing in the coming year. For now though, I’m focusing on the one who provides the peace and healing, Jesus. 


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