Monday, November 12, 2007
Menu Plan Monday
Thankfully, this week is shaping up to be much less busy than last week. Man, there was something every night last week! I hate weeks like that.
This week is more of our normal routine - church on Wednesday and our small group meets on Friday. Every other evening we can just chill at home. And chilling is SOOO what I need right now!
Oh, and I'm happy to report that the slumber party went FABULOUSLY!! I used several of the ideas people posted during last week's WFMW Backwards Edition. I honestly feel like it was the most successful slumber party my daughter has ever had. They all got along, no drama, and they actually spent a good deal of the evening outside so it was fairly quiet for me. Thanks for all the tips! And now, on to the point of this post - the menus!
Monday - Chicken Stir Fry
Tuesday - Zesty Macaroni and Cheese, salad
Wednesday - Lentils & Rice with a nice lemony salad
Thursday - Chili and cornbread
Friday - Blackened Chicken Salad (to share with our Small Group)
Saturday - Beef Shish Kebabs, rice and grilled veggies
Yummy!!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
How to Make a Billion Dollars
I have an idea. If only I could make it work I'd be a rich, rich woman. What is this grand plan, you ask?
If I could find a way to bottle discipline, I'd be set for life.
If only.
If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that this is an issue I struggle with. Oh, I'm great with making all the plans. My family takes great joy in mocking my list-making tendencies. It seems to be following the plans that gives me the trouble.
Imagine that.
Yes, I can make all the lists I like. I can plan to be an organized homemaker, a devoted exerciser, a healthy eater, a more structured homeschooler, etc. But I actually have to WORK to make it happen. And therein lies the problem.
I was thinking about this today and a thought occurred to me. There have been times when I have counseled friends with regards to their marriages that even if they don't feel loving towards their husbands, that they should ACT loving towards them. That often feelings follow actions. That if we "fake it" for awhile, eventually it becomes real.
Maybe that's what I need to do. I need to "fake" being a disciplined woman of God. I just need to buckle down and do the thing I know I need to do. Because let me tell you, I'm a pretty selfish creature at heart. I want things my way. I don't want to go to bed early and get up early. I want to be able to enjoy all the food I want. I want to spend all the time I like browsing through all the blogs I enjoy, regardless of the condition of my house. I want my kids to just do their schoolwork without bothering me so I can do what I want to do without interruption.
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
When I opt to satisfy my selfishness, I am sinning. I am depriving myself of the opportunity to develop discipline. You know that old saying, "Give me patience, Lord, and I want it now!"? That's what it's like - I want discipline, but I don't want to put any of the necessary work into it. It doesn't work that way.
So what if I don't feel like it. There's another old saying that applies here.
Fake it 'till you make it.
(Unless someone comes up with that bottled version.)
If I could find a way to bottle discipline, I'd be set for life.
If only.
If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that this is an issue I struggle with. Oh, I'm great with making all the plans. My family takes great joy in mocking my list-making tendencies. It seems to be following the plans that gives me the trouble.
Imagine that.
Yes, I can make all the lists I like. I can plan to be an organized homemaker, a devoted exerciser, a healthy eater, a more structured homeschooler, etc. But I actually have to WORK to make it happen. And therein lies the problem.
I was thinking about this today and a thought occurred to me. There have been times when I have counseled friends with regards to their marriages that even if they don't feel loving towards their husbands, that they should ACT loving towards them. That often feelings follow actions. That if we "fake it" for awhile, eventually it becomes real.
Maybe that's what I need to do. I need to "fake" being a disciplined woman of God. I just need to buckle down and do the thing I know I need to do. Because let me tell you, I'm a pretty selfish creature at heart. I want things my way. I don't want to go to bed early and get up early. I want to be able to enjoy all the food I want. I want to spend all the time I like browsing through all the blogs I enjoy, regardless of the condition of my house. I want my kids to just do their schoolwork without bothering me so I can do what I want to do without interruption.
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
Phillipians 2: 3-7 (ESV)
When I opt to satisfy my selfishness, I am sinning. I am depriving myself of the opportunity to develop discipline. You know that old saying, "Give me patience, Lord, and I want it now!"? That's what it's like - I want discipline, but I don't want to put any of the necessary work into it. It doesn't work that way.
So what if I don't feel like it. There's another old saying that applies here.
Fake it 'till you make it.
(Unless someone comes up with that bottled version.)
Friday, November 9, 2007
Favorite Ingredient Friday - Blackened Chicken Salad
Today I'm going to share with you one of my favorite recipes of all time. I love salad! I love vegetables in general (I will make up a big pot of my special recipe Brussels sprouts for lunch sometimes - sick, huh?), but salads are one of my favorite all time meals.
The recipe I'm posting today is from Applebee's. They no longer have it on the menu, which is a travesty, because it is so delicious. It is a little bit of work, but well worth the effort!
Blackened Chicken Salad
Marinade:
1 cup water
3 T. lime juice
2 T. soy sauce
1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce
Marinate 2 chicken breast overnight or all day.
Spice Mix:
1/2 T. salt
1 t. sugar
1 t. paprika
1 t. onion powder
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. cayenne pepper
1 t. black pepper
1/2 t. white pepper
Sprinkle on both sides of marinated chicken. In a preheated pan, melt a couple tablespoons of butter and sear chicken breasts 2-3 minutes on each side. Finish of on grill or under broiler, until chicken is no longer pink inside.
Salad:
Lettuce
1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 large diced tomatoes
1 sliced boiled egg
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Mix salad ingredients and set aside.
Dressing:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1 T. yellow mustard
1 T. white vinegar
1/8 t. paprika
Toss dressing into salad mixture. Top with chicken and serve. Enjoy!!
For more delicious recipes, be sure to visit Overwhelmed With Joy, the host of Favorite Ingredient Fridays. You'll find lots of great things to put on your table for your family!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
It's Official!
Ok, it's a done deal. We are officially going to be moving to Doha, Qatar. Here's a lovely picture of the Doha skyline.
Hubby sent his letter of acceptance last night, so now we are just waiting to hear when they want him to actually be there. We are thinking it will be sometime in December, but aren't sure exactly when.
It's kind of throwing a kink in things. If he's here for Christmas, we of course want to be with him. But if not, then the kids and I will be travelling to visit my family over Christmas. But we wouldn't want to leave until he's already left so we don't know what to do. We'll just have to wait (again!) until we get a definite time frame from them.
So I have begun the process of weeding through our belongings. The other day I cleaned out a linen closet and got it to bare minimum. Right now, half of the contents of my under sink cabinet are scattered on the floor. I have 6, count 'em SIX, cans of bug spray. Think I've got a problem with bugs? Well, it is Miami, after all.
I know these are such minor little areas to be focusing on - a closet, a cabinet. But it's helping me have a little control, knowing that these things are done. There is so much more to do that it's overwhelming. I kind of feel paralyzed by it. So I compensate by doing small things that I can do in half an hour. The bigger things kind of make it too...real.
There have been lots of tears - mostly from the female side of the family. Emily is really struggling at the thought of leaving. All I can do is hold her and tell her that I know it's hard but that we'll do everything we can to make it easier for her. Daniel is stressing about it, but excited that he'll be getting a new game system - the one we have won't work there. Boys are so much simpler, don't you think? LOL! Hubby, ever practical, refuses to be swayed by any thoughts of looking back. It is a good decision for our family, so why cry about it.
I can't be so stoic.
I find myself at times in tears thinking of all the good friends we are leaving here in Miami. It bothers me that I will have to figure out a new grocery store, when the one I go to I know like the back of my hand. The employees there know my kids so well and always ask about them, about their schooling, etc. I'm nervous about learning to drive in a place where the only rule is that there are no rules. The thought of trying to find a new church is very distressing to me. Of course, there are only 3 to choose from, so that's not really going to be so difficult! But what if we don't fit at any of them?
There are a million little details that. Lots of "what if's." But the overwhelming thing holding me together is that I know that above it all is God. He is always with me. And not just in a "yeah, that's a nice sentiment" kind of way. I've been here before, people. The times when I have moved to a new place - far away from every other support system - are the times that I've grown deeply in the Lord. It's utter dependence on God.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make
straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5, 6
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Another Works for Me Wednesday Question!
Ok, I forgot that I had another really important thing I can use help with, so here is my second post for today's WFMW Backward's Edition.
I'm hosting a slumber party for 8-10 middle school/high school girls this Friday and need some fun ideas of things to do with them. I've got a few ideas, but I want to make it really fun. The purpose of the party is to get our girls from our homeschool group to bond a little bit and get to know each other better, so things oriented towards that would be especially appreciated.
Thanks for dropping by! If you have any tips on keeping make-up on, please visit my previous WFMW post below!
For more great ideas and problem-solving skills, visit Rocks In My Dryer to see other participants in today's Backwards Edition of Works for Me Wednesday!
Works for me Wednesday - Backwards Edition!!
Oh, this has been tough this week. I have so many things I could ask. What one thing is most pressing to me that I could seek help from the wonderful world of bloggers about?
I've decided on this - how do you keep your face looking pretty once you've left the house? I spend time slaving away on my make-up, only to have it vanish as soon as I step out into the humidity of South Florida.
Foundation, blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner - all of it slips and slides around and I end up looking like a never bothered, or worse, like a raccoon with mascara (yes, even waterproof!), eyeliner and various shades of eyeshadow down settling nicely in my already dark under eye circles.
Can any of you help me? Any tips on how to keep things in place?
To see more ideas of how everyday women are helping each other solve similarly life-altering problems, visit Rocks In My Dryer for more Works for me Wednesday!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Marriage Monday - Submission
Want this button?
Wow! Three posts in one day. Y'all might get sick of me!
But when I saw the topic for this month's Marriage Monday, I just couldn't stay quiet. It's that word that stirs up lots of emotion for most women - SUBMISSION.
For some it conjures up images of women being repressed, being oppressed and being depressed. For others, it brings to mind a simplicity and a beauty that comes from trust and love. I'm one of the latter women.
Though I struggle with submission I know, to the very core of me, that it is a beautiful thing. It can be freeing - which almost seems like an oxymoron. But hear me out...Submission to your husband, regardless of who or what he is, is a blessing, not a curse.
I know that many women are convinced that if they left things to their husbands, it would always be a disaster - that their husband isn't trustworthy, that he is a drunk, that he's not a Christian, that he's foolish. That may well all be true in your life. But submission isn't really about him - it's about you and God. It's about you, as a woman of God, placing your trust in God. It's about allowing Him to be in complete control.
Precious sister, God knows who you are married to. It's no surprise to Him. And yet he calls us to submit. Think of Sarah, Abraham's wife. Now, she had it rough! Her husband, not once, but twice, asked her to portray herself as his sister, allowing her to almost be taken into the bed of another man. And when God told Abraham to leave Ur, she went along for the ride, not knowing what lay in their future. Perhaps she thought he was crazy for leaving home to listen to some foreign god. I doubt there are many of us who can claim to have been married to a man such as Abraham.
But by allowing ourselves to truly submit (and I'm talking with a right spirit here) we can allow God to work - not only in our lives, but in our very spirits. Submission brings about true change in your heart. It increases your faith in God. It builds your trust in Him. It allows you to have peace, knowing that God, who works all things together for good for those who love Him, is in charge and holding your future in His hands.
Perhaps you believe your husband, for whatever reason, is not worthy of your submission. Trust me when I say that if you will submit anyway, you will see changes in him. Often, we women just jump in and usurp the leadership role. But if we sit back and allow him to struggle and adapt, they will often step up to the challenge. Yes, it may be painful for a while. He may make mistakes - mistakes that may hurt you and your family. But in the end, it will be worth the temporary pain. That is, if you can still support and encourage your husband in the midst of any failures. That is key. If you criticize and complain, you'll only push him away, but if you are supportive, he'll be willing to try again and possibly succeed this time.
I know it's hard. In fact, I struggle with this all the time. For some strange reason, it seems as if I have a harder time submitting to my husband in the little things. Move to the Middle East? Sure, honey!! Keep the desk cleaned off? Um, well that's a little harder for me to do.
I think it's because I've learned that I can trust him. I know that he's never made a decision that has proved bad for us, though I haven't always agreed with him. But the small requests? Well, they impact me more on a day to day basis. His opinion on something in the house (which I may feel territorial about - it's "my domain" after all!), or on the children's schooling are areas where I really struggle. The requests he makes aren't troublesome at all. It's just my rebelliousness rising up inside of me that makes me want to have my own way. I'm working on it.
The bottom line? Submission is God's plan. Not because your husband is any better than you. It's just like a corporate flow chart - someone has to be on the top, right? The buck has to stop somewhere. The way I see it, Hubby is the President and I'm the Vice-President of our own little organization. It doesn't make me less valuable - it's just a different role.
For a wonderful book that outlines the many blessings your marriage will see from submission, pick up a copy of Fascinating Womanhood, by Helen Andelin. It will revolutionize your marriage if you embrace its teachings.
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