Nation under God

Psalm 33: 12
" Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. "


Don't worry, I won't get all political on you today (I could, but I won't).  This verse reminds me of times when I went to church on Independence Day and sang "God Bless America" or another patriotic tune. It always brings a lump to my throat to think about how blessed I am to live in this country.  Thank you, God, that I live in this great country, and that I live in Your abundance.  Help me to share and serve with all that I have to those that are suffering and lost. Amen.

I like to change things up in my home depending on the season. As you would decorate for Christmas, I try to add a few things here and there to celebrate the seasons. I don't go overboard, though. This time of year a beautiful hurricane or bell jar with seashells in it or switching out a few throw pillows and some kitchen towels, seem to freshen things up. Here are some things I found on Pinterest that I really want to try in my own home.

I love this website!  Here is a wonderful example of  summer decor. So simple and so elegant.
(pic found on Pinterest via Stone Gable)

I love the simplicity of the burlap table runner. It's great for any time of the year.
Just by putting out some red, white and blue dinnerware and napkins. You've got a table set for the 4th of July!
(pic found on Pinterest via Stone Gable) 

Another beautiful room setting from Stone Gable. I really like the croquet set on the fireplace and the nautical knots on the coffee table. They are simple ways to add a little bit of summertime to a room. 

I hope you've been as inspired by these beautiful pictures as I have. Go try a few of these wonderful ideas, I know I am. Have a blessed and beautiful Tuesday!

See food?

Leviticus 11: 9 (and a little bit of 10)
" ' Of all the creatures living in the waters of the seas and streams you may eat any that have fins and scales. But...' "


Uh oh!  We are about to see in verse 10 if you read on, we are not to eat anything without fins and scales.  Thank you, Lord, that I'm a New Testament kind of girl! I live in Maryland and we eat CRABS!  We'll pretty much eat them anyway they come, too. We eat crab pretzels, crab cakes, steamed crabs, crab salad, crab balls, crab dip, softshelled crabs, crab soup, crabs, crabs, crabs.  This weekend we went to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels. They have an annual Antique and Classic Boat Show.  It's our family tradition to go each year to celebrate Father's Day.  The museum is located right next to one of the best crab houses in Maryland, "The Crab Claw".  The wonderful smells that came out of that building....mmmmm. We, however, had the 4 youngest with us, so sitting down in a restaurant and spending a lot of money on crab was out of the question.  We usually do our crab thing at home.  It's messy, and time consuming to eat steamed crabs (and expensive), so in this season of our lives it just makes more sense. I also make my own crab cakes and soups from time to time.  That's the best part of eating at home, you get to use some of the crab to make other delicious things.

I have a great recipe for crab and corn chowder, that I got years ago from an older woman at church. At the time we lived near the water  (on the western shore) where corn and crab are abundant.

This is the iconic Hooper Strait Lighthouse in St. Michaels, Maryland
(image found on Google Images)

Crab and Corn Chowder

Ingredients:

4 Tbls Butter
2  Onions
1 small sweet Green Pepper
3 cups to a quart of Milk (whole or 2%)
2 large Potatoes (russets are fine)
3 cups of Corn (about 6 ears)
Salt and Pepper- to taste
Old Bay Seasoning to taste
1 Tbl Parsley flakes
1 lb of Crab (backfin is preferable)

Directions:

Saute first 3 ingredients until onions are translucent.  Add milk, potatoes and corn salt and pepper. Cook until potatoes are tender, then add crab spice to taste (I personally like a lot!). Add crab meat before serving.

Delicious. Serve with a  nice crusty bread and a fresh salad. Dinner is served!

I pray you have a blessed Monday!

Last Day!

John 6: 40
" For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. "


Well, here it is (finally!), the last day of school.  Due to the amount of snow we had over the winter, the children had their school calendar extended an entire week. I know the children are overjoyed. I'm looking forward to sleeping in a little bit later, too.  Jesus isn't talking about the last day of school, though. He's talking about the end days of man on earth. It's pretty simple really, " everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him will have eternal life ". BELIEVE.

Here are some cute pics of my children and the neighbors at the bus stop. The first and last day of school this 2014-2015 year.

First day of 3rd grade.

Last day of 3rd grade!!

Enjoy your summer. Live every day like it's your last!

Goodnight

Matthew 11:28
" Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. "


Rest, sleep. I am all for it. I love a good nights rest. And, I'm planning on doing that one night really soon. God wants us to rest, too. We are no good to Him if we are up all night with worry and sleeplessness. We are His hands and we need to be able to function for Him.  Lord, thank you for rest (no matter how elusive it seems at times), refresh me so I can walk in Your ways and serve Your children. Amen.

Here are just a few tips for a restful bedroom.

• Keep work out of your bedroom. No uniforms, no reports, no (work) computers or cellphones. Make your bedroom a sanctuary for rest and relaxation.



These are Jennifer Lopez 600- thread count sheets from Kohl's.
They are currently on sale.

• Buy the highest thread count sheets you can afford ( an absolute minimum of 200). Nothing is more comfortable than nice soft, clean, fresh cotton sheets.
• Add some white noise. My husband and I have an air purifier in our room. It serves 2 purposes: it keeps the air clean of dust and allergens and, it makes a just the right amount of white noise. I have actually woken up when my room was too quiet after one of the children turned it off to hear the television better.  A fan also works well.     



Here are some great oils to try from doTerra.

• Get a diffuser with a great scent. Lavender oil is a great one to start with, but you can also find some great restful oil blends as well.  



These are Supreme Blackout Grommet Top curtains from Country Curtains. 

• Hang some room darkening curtains or shades. There's nothing more restful than a dark room. 
• Clean your room! Clutter stresses me out. I can't stand to walk in my room and see a stack of laundry or the childrens toys.  Sometimes it's even my books or magazines. Clean it up.
• Add flowers. Sounds crazy, but some fresh flowers by my bed make me happy. And, (bonus!) they are beautiful.

This beautiful arrangement is from Blush Floral Design Studio, a local floral designer.

I hope these tips help you get a good nights rest. Have a blessed and restful Thursday!

Chicken

Luke 13: 34b

" ..., how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings , and you were not willing. "


I know Jesus is not talking about KFC here.  I get it.  Forgive me. He's talking about Jerusalem. Often he is foretelling his purpose of being here on earth and he is grieved that the people just don't get it.  I would hope I would be one of the people back then, that would get it.  But, I probably wouldn't.  So count me in with the masses. Unless Jesus came to me, sat me down, and with pie charts and graphs explained it to me clearly, concisely and  very ssslllooowwwlllyyy,  I wouldn't have gotten it.  Sorry, Lord. I am so blessed to have gotten it now.  Thank you Lord, for your faithfulness in my life, even when I'm not. And thank you Lord, too, for helping me "get it".

So of course, I started this yesterday when I was thinking "food", so chicken... that's what I'm writing about (just get over it).  Two of the main men in my life (my dad and my husband) are not fans of Mexican food.  Which is tragic to me and my children.  We tend to sneak it in on nights when they are not home.  A very simple recipe that I prepare even when my guys are home and I just can't stand another day without a taco, is so easy and good for you, you'll use it. I swear.

(Taco image found on Google Images)

Michelle's Simple Chicken Tacos

Serves: Makes 6 (2 taco) servings.

• 1 tablespoon  EVOO
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper.
• 1 small onion, cut into strips
• 1 large sweet green pepper (or red or yellow), seeded and cut into strips 
• 12 flour tortillas
• Toppings: Whatever you use on a taco- tomato, lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, onion, jalapeno peppers, avocado, guacamole, salsa, etc.

Directions.

• Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until no longer pink.
• Add onion and sweet peppers and cook until vegetables are a bit tender (5-7 minutes).
• Serve with your favorite toppings and nacho chips. And, I always heat up a side of refried beans.

Try this recipe tonight and have a great Taco Tuesday!

The eyes have it

Proverbs 20: 12
" Ears that hear and eyes that see- the Lord has made them both. "


When I was in 5th grade my eyesight failed quickly and it failed hard. Coke-bottle lenses all the way baby!  Fortunately for me a few years later, I was able to wear contact lenses for my myopia and have been ever since. Also,  my nearsightedness hasn't changed much. So as bad as it is, it's just consistently bad.  My SIL, Cindy, warned me several years ago that when I turned 40 to be prepared for my farsightedness to decline. I didn't think much of it at the time, but boy was she right on that one!  I think my hyperopia came on as quickly and as hard as my myopia. I have now strategically placed reading glasses all over my house and person. Luckily when I can't find a pair of them (which happens more often than not), I usually have a kid nearby that can read and I use one of them.  Thank you God for my big brown eyes. Give me vision to see what is good and right. Though my eyesight is failing, keep me always focused on You. Amen.

We went to a local Greek festival last Sunday. There were several vendors there selling popular Greek items.  I happen to be a little bit Greek, but sadly do not know anything about Greek culture.  A couple of vendors were selling jewelry and trinkets with a blue, white and black circular pattern.  These were called "Mati" jewelry. The "Mati" bead or bauble is to resemble an eye. The woman selling them called it the "envious"eye, but some people refer to it as the "evil" eye.  You are to wear or display this jewelry or charm to protect your loved-ones or home from people who would want to take them or who wouldn't want you to have the nice things or family you have. Often these charms are pinned to children's diapers or clothing to protect them. What a fun thing to learn. Now, of course, I have a new bracelet and so do 2 of my little girls (more fun!).

 A greek "Mati" or eye bead.
This image was found on Google Images .

Here's a pic of my cute bracelet.

My "Mati" bracelet is the one on top with the tassel.
If you don't own something with a tassel on it this season, go out and get something! Tassels are definitely in.

Find out something fun and new about your heritage this weekend. Make a traditional meal or just talk to a family member about what they know about your family's past. I'd love to hear from you if you've found out or tried something new. Please comment below.

I pray you have a blessed weekend!

Well, it's Thursday

2 Peter 3: 8
" But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. "


 I get it, Lord, completely! Where do my days go? You blink and your baby's going to be 25. You're having a rough day and it never seems to end.  I get it.  But I also understand that God has His own timing. It's not mine (darn it!).  A lesson for me in patience? A lesson in perseverance?  What, Lord, are you showing me today? Lord, give me the wisdom to know. Lead me in Your ways. Thank You for my day.

Yesterday, was story time at our local library.  Our library happens to be right next to a great local park.  So, I took the children about an hour early and we walked around the park, threw pennies in the fountain, and played on the "new to them" playground.  You would think they had never been to a playground before, when in fact, there is one literally right across the street from our court.  I'm so glad we went in the morning, the weather was perfect, it got rather warm in the afternoon. I think next week we'll do the same thing but bring a picnic lunch (or snack) and go right back to the park after story time. It was fun and it was free. I encourage you to look for these treasures in your local community.

My baby and her best bud at the fountain.

One of the fun "new" things to play on in the playground.

Enjoy the day that God gives you, and remember, you get to do it all over again tomorrow!