When I Stray - Lynn Cowell

I've been reading, but not sharing...and maybe that's what's been keeping me agitated and not plugged in. (No matter how few people actually read this thing, it's good to still get it out there right?)

Today's Daily Dose comes from Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement For Today email. (as most of mine do :) )

The verse is, "I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them." Hosea 11:4 (NIV)


Lynn Cowell goes on to talk about her continual struggles. As we all have. Though one particular thing she said sticks in my heart, her comment about how God pursues us...no matter how many times we may turn away.

When working through the Bible in a year (ok, it was longer for us) and working through Multiply, one of the things that always caught me was how faithful God was. No matter how often the Israelites or even the Christians in the New Testament might have gone the wrong way, He was right there to correct them and to catch them when they turned back to Him.

She says, "God has a lot of experience when it comes to drawing back runaways." That is so true. How often have I not really run away in the way a small child does, but in the rebelious "I don't need you, I've got this" kind of way? 

I know that a big part of the issues and failure I've been feeling is the fact that I haven't made the space in my days that I really need to with God. I know everyone has this issue sometimes...but I feel like I've been doing it and trying to juggle all my priorities instead of being quiet and knowing that He is God. That is plan is perfect and SO much better than my own. No matter how many times I hear it, I have that stubbornness. 

I may read, but do I make the time I need to to fellowship, worship...make that sacrifice that I need to? Nope. I trying to be better about this. Maybe I just need a little more prayer. :) 

I think I may have to start posting more, at least the once a day that I need to keep myself "sharing" so I'm intentionally making the time I need to...not just reading and letting it just go in one ear and out the other. 

Abba, I'm so thankful that you pursue me. The loving way you will always lead me back to you. In all situations. When I've done what I shouldn't, or when I'm just not spending the time I need to. Thank you for that unconditional heart breaking love.

8 Weeks and Counting

So, quite a few months ago, I found out that I was carrying our first little one.

Now, he's coming so fast and I can't really even put in to words how unprepared I feel. I know that I've had to slow down (which I DO NOT LIKE) and I know I've had a lot going on. This week is 32 weeks (8 months) My doctor says that they can say that he'll make it to 36 weeks, but the will not guarantee up to 40 weeks. Ok, duh, but that is 4 weeks shorter than I've been planning for!

We are as ready as we will ever be to have him here. There are time and money concerns now. I know B is trying to figure out juggling all that. His room is not ready. How did this all come up so quickly?

Anyone else have this issue? I've been told that it drags by...but I'm really not feeling that!

On to different stuff ;)

In the next 8 weeks I will be a little quiet (not like that's a surprise or unexpected with the lack of posts lately) I do have plans to at least get up the Christmas presents that I made this past year and the plans for this coming Christmas (yes, I'm already planning that, c'mon, CONTROL freak! ;) )

Am I ready for a change? I think so. Do I know how to make that change? Nope! lol

I need a little...quiet time I think. And maybe time that the little guy isn't pushing all my organs around ;)

Coming up? The first Daily Dose in...A LONG TIME. Also, a post about 7, the book my ladies group is reading. I really wish Blogger had a better mobile app for Blackberry -_-

In a minute guys! 

First post of the New Year

I'm getting a slow start to this new year. So much going on, so much busy time.

I see people making lists of things they want to get done this year. For me, it's a little different. With Little G on his way in as little as 6 weeks (time FLIES) I feel like I can't really plan to do stuff...other than try to get his room ready.

So, I guess, my list is really more nesting than anything. I know things that I want to start doing again that I just lost track of. I'm currently trying to update my Cozi so I can have my working recipe tracker, menu and shopping list with my to do lists. We'll see.

Today may not make too much sense. I'm trying to power through a really weird headache that I've had since about 1am. Tension is more of it than anything else, but when you can only sleep on your side, there aren't many options to help you. I did give in and lay on my back for a bit, Little G let me know how much he hates that. LOL

So, here you go. My first post of the New Year. More to come, I swear...maybe after a nap. :)

Gearing up...

I feel it coming. Thanksgiving is in two days. This means time with family and some really great food. It also means that the day after becomes a free for all on shopping and any retailer brave enough to endure it.

I'm not one to shop on Black Friday. I did for a while, but I have my list and went later in the day just before the end of the sales. I didn't want any of the BRAND NEW BESTEST things EVAR! Now, I make a lot of the things that we give. It's gotten me out of my creative plateau in many ways most years. Adding things I can challenge myself with.

This year, there's a little bit of a different plan. We'll still be making a lot, but there will be a few things bought as well, not on Friday though.

Little G is moving around more and I'm starting to realize that he makes me a little slower at things that I'm used to doing pretty quickly. I sit a lot more than I'd like. LOL I'm not as quick about things anymore...and that's o.k.

With so many things coming up in the next 5 weeks, I feel like I'll be holding a baby before I know it without really having taken the time to do what I needed to for him. I think that's a normal mom thing though...I think.

The kids ministry is...hopefully going to explode here shortly. Planning for the next 6 months is kind of weird. I mean, we always plan out, but with a big change happening sometime around mid March, it feels like even more in depth planning has to take place. To be honest, I think I'm a little backed up.

I feel more at peace but still behind the ball, which normally REALLY agitates me. Maybe I'm getting better at that control thing? One can only hope :)

B and I are making plans for December and it's getting a little overwhelming honestly. Understanding that we can't just speed down there, because we have to stop to walk around and take a restroom break. Realizing that late nights to prepare other things just don't happen anymore.

I'm hoping and praying that I can be more of a blessing than a Grinch this year. I do not want the season that I adore so much to be tainted by me acting ugly. I want to be a blessing to people I can be, to be a light where there is darkness. I always want it, sometimes this time of year just brings out the worst in people.

I know I haven't really posted the craft things and some of the recipes I want to. Hopefully I'll get that done before the end of the year. Thanks for your patience. :) I'll be pinning all the recipes so you can keep them all in one place if you like. Find me on Pinterest and follow my "My Cookbook" board if you want to keep track of the recipes as they come out.

So, I'll say it today because I may not get to in two days. Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all the people that read this blog and even the ones that only follow for food :) Thank you for reading, I know I don't have a huge following, but I do know that I have a few people that check in. For you, I'll try to make it more often. You'll get more about Little G as we get closer to him.

Love. Always Love.

M :)

Growing in the Winter

Well, hello dear reader(s),

It's been a while since an actual entry and a lot has happened. :)

The thing highest on my mind today is our ultrasound appointment yesterday :) I'm sitting at just 20 weeks, and the tech is going through all the measurements (baby is big! Not in a bad way, just above average. Measuring up to a week bigger in the legs and head) (Gets the watermelon head from Auntie Sam) As she's doing the scan, she asks if we would like to know the sex :) We say yes and she finds the cutest little bum and legs...and right there for all to see...Itty Bitty is definitely a BOY!

Either way we were happy :) The theme will still be jungle. Just not pink or purple bows on the animals ;) We still have all the kid toys and all the things that Brian and I saved from our collections from childhood. I just hope I get all the fun things done before he comes :)

I have a great group of people to talk to for boy advice ;) Not to mention an amazing husband that wants to be involved in everything his child(ren) do. :)

We're also almost to our annual church Halloween event. It's two hours of trunk or treat, games, bounce houses and snacks. I can not even express how much this event makes me smile. I enjoy doing everything that we do for the community and this year, we have more banners, more Quest Bucks...more everything :)

I am so ready for it!

I've also taken on some hours at the game store and am so excited to be able to help this wonderful business go even farther with some new marketing and ideas :) 

We've got my cousins' wedding in early November and then Thanksgiving with my Uncle and Aunt. Christmas in LA with the rest of the family :) Busy time busy time. I'm ready to go :)

So, saying all that, there will be more updates coming with patterns for animals and blankets as well as recipes from my family favorites :)

What are you doing with the rest of your year?

Cookbook: Comfort Mac and Cheese

This is a favorite of mine. I'm fairly lactose intolerant, so I REALLY have to want it. There are ways to change it up to make it with fewer calories. This is a take off of the recipe my grandmother makes, which happens to be from my great grandmother. If there's one thing these ladies know, it's comfort :)

Ingredients:

3 tbsp fat (I like to use butter here, you can use margarine, or olive oil if you like)
3 tbsp flour
3 cups milk (I've used soy milk and almond milk, they do just fine)
3-4 cups shredded cheese (many people cube their cheese, I shred. I also use Colby/Jack like grandma, feel free to use straight cheddar)
2 cups uncooked macaroni
6 cups water
1 tsp chili powder (don't be scared, it's not hot)
Pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a boil, add uncooked noodles, cook 8 to 10 minutes. (this is a good time to shred your cheese if you didn't buy it shredded :) )
2. Drain pasta, return pot to stove over medium heat. Add butter (or your fat option), melt/heat.
3. Once the butter is melted, start whisking in flour one tablespoon at a time. It will get crumbly, make sure you cook it a little while whisking to cook out the "flour taste"
4.Once you have the flour totally absorbed into the butter, start adding milk, slowly. Your butter and flour mixture will absorb the milk fairly quickly to begin with. Add slowly, this will help keep lumps down. You want to add milk to a point that gives you a liquid consistency for the cheese.
5. Add pepper and chili powder.
6. Start adding the cheese one small handful at a time. Still using the whisk mix the cheese into the pot. You want to make sure it has melted all the way before adding more. You may need to add more milk or some olive oil if you see that the cheese is not mixing is evenly.
7. Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce. You can bake the mixture at this point if you like. I don't. I usually need to add more pepper at this point. I'm not quite sure why, but it's just part of what makes it taste like Grandma's .
8. Remove from heat and let stand to thicken slightly. You can add more shredded cheese to garnish or for that stringy texture some people like.

Enjoy! :)

Crafts: Crochet - Bag

I know, I've lagged on this!

Without any further ado, I give you ONE of the projects I listed back in June. Did end up with a bag done for a my Dad and something for my Bonus Mom - though I'm not sure what hers is supposed to be.

The blanket was set aside when people started popping out BABIES! LOL I have pictures of those coming soon as well (like, probably tomorrow)

So, here are pictures, I'll add a good pattern for it later to this blog and then Pin it so you all can find it whenever you want ;) I like this particular product and will probably be making more in the future.

 

These were the yarn colors I used in the first bag. Blue, White, Yellow, Red and Black

 

I prefer to make all the squares first, then sew them all together. Some people sew them as they go. It's all up to what works for you. These squares didn't take long to make at all. 

 

I sewed panels together two at a time.

  

Then sewed those together.

 

And here's the resulting panel. I need to get a final picture, I can't find it at the moment though. I'll write you a pattern and then you'll be SET! :) You may be able to figure it out from the pictures ;)