BOOKS I'VE READ WHEN I HAVEN'T FELT GOOD ABOUT MYSELF

Throughout my life, there's been plenty-a-moment when I haven't felt good about myself. As I've gone to God (who is the only Doctor who can fix that) I've occasionally heard Him answer through the gift of readings. Here are some of them...

1. The Psalms by God
   
2. Lord, I Want to Be Whole by Stormie Omartian
   
3. Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss
4. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
5. The Search for Significance by Robert McGee
   
6. The Shack by Wm. Paul Young
   
7. Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers
   
8. The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
   
9. Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them by John Ortberg
10. Looking Up When Life is Looking Down by Beth Moore

(to purchase any of these, just click on its title)

THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE

Recently, I went to The Original Pancake House. It wasn't until the waitress brought the check that I noticed the button on our table (pic, left). Being one who's lured by buttons, I took a closer look. It read, "Service at the Touch of a Button." Our waitress said if I press the button, she'd immediately come to our table. WHAT?! I further inquired, "Like, any server will come? Or you, literally?" She said SHE would come. Wow. That's sweet service! Props to this restaurant. I shall continue my patronage there. Oh, & bonus! They have PUMPKIN PANCAKES! AAHH!! YUM!!

FIRST TIME SEEING THIS ONE

In all of your troubles, you may finally decide

that you want to worship only the LORD.
And if you turn back to him
and obey him completely,
he will again be your God.
The LORD your God will have mercy--
he won't destroy you or desert you.
Deut. 4:29-30a

This was the first time (that I can remember) reading this particular passage. It practically jumped off the page & jumped into my heart. That is why this book is called the LIVING Word. I've perused its pages all my life, but I've never reached the 'end' of it. Love that!

LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN IDOL?

I've always been a "kinda" Idol fan. I kinda watch, kinda follow, kinda care. There isn't a lot I take from Idol (as I have the musicality of a brick wall), but I do appreciate the diverse leadership styles among the judges. It's interesting to see how they manage the contestants & how they communicate to them. I got to wondering...which judge would I take after more--Randy, Ellen, Kara or Simon? And why? I'll reply in a comment; you can too, if you want.

TWO RECENT FAM PIX

We gotta laugh. Yes, I believe this a lot. On top of a mountain or face down in a pit, there's gotta be a way to release the inner-hormone that makes us laugh. (I also feel the same about crying, but that's another post). Anywho, here's 2 pix for your hopeful LOL:
"Oh, You Got One of Them Tongue-Things, Too?"








"Andys in the Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear"

HERO DEDICATIONS

My mentor had a good idea. She suggested I identify heroes in my lil world & blog about them. I'm an Earth-Girl. Not in the global-warming-groupie way--but in God's way. God's impeccable creativity on this canvas we call, Earth, takes my breath away. So I have huge respect for folk who tend to God's Earth: landscapers, mowerers, farmers, gardeners, garbage collectors, etc. These folk are heroic. They don't save lives, per se, but they do preserve the life of God's living Earth. So props & standing ovations to them!

NEW DAY, NEW JOURNAL, NEW POST

Yesterday, I started a new journal. In our storage closet, I have journals dating back to 1985! With journaling, I've adhered to strict journaling techniques; but I've also journally let-loose, penning whatever's on my heart. The cool thing about it, is it allows me to "clean the tank" before starting the day. The cool thing--for you--is if you've never journaled, it's never too late to start!

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE SON?

YELLOW STICKY FROM GOD

When I saw this passage in The Message bible, I imagined it being a love note from God. Maybe something for a yellow sticky, to be stuck to a dashboard or mirror:
Dear Child,
"I can see your pain and poverty...Fear nothing in the things you're about to suffer...Don't quit, even if it costs you your life. Stay there believing. I have a Life-Crown sized and ready for you."
Love ya, God

NEW ADDITION THAT RHYMES WITH LOG...

After begging, shutting up, praying, pleading, not nagging, praying some more & waiting, Raul finally came to me with a list of criteria that a dog would have to meet before he'd even consider it. I was all over that. And finally, today, as if the clouds parted & a piece of heaven shined down on Earth, there he was. THEE dog that would meet ALL of Raul's criteria. So we brought him home. He's great. Effortlessly becoming a part of our family. Today, alone, giving me shots of joy that I've recently been praying for. Without further ado, please let me to introduce you to: Otis...

CRAZY PRAYERS

Boy, in my lifetime, has God heard some crazy prayers. I wonder if He sometimes laughs (in a good way) at my perpetual, preposterous prayers. Here's a sample:
1. God, please send one of your angels to Earth to guard so-n-so.
2. God, please take me home (sometimes, Heaven just sounds too good & I'll shoot straight with God about that).
3. God, please send a mate who is a Christian, hasn't lived a wild life, is OK with my craziness & wants to settle down & marry.
4. God, please help every single child on the entire planet who is being threatened right at this moment & please tend to every single one of them & let them know you see their tears.
Don't be afraid to give God your crazy prayers. He's ok with it. Really. "You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

THE ULTIMATE CONCERT TRIO?

I love concerts! I still recall my p.'s taking me when I was a wee-one, so I've been hitting them for 30+ years. My first concert (without my p.'s) was Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. I'm still licking my wounds from missing Coldplay's concert last year...wah wah :( But I got to thinking, what would be the ultimate concert trio? It's hard to narrow it down, but I'd probably pick: U2, Phish & Black Eyed Peas or Jack Johnson, John Mayer & Lincoln Brewster or maybe Alicia Keys, Natalie Merchant & Brooke Fraser. Like I said, nearly impossible.
What 3 would you pick?

[pic: my lil man, Andy, at his first concert.]

A Day in the Life of DJs Verse Memorization

Weekly, DJ memorizes a bible verse. It pains me to say this, but he doesn't like it. Tonight, for whatever reason, he was a real bear about it. But one thing that's cool is as DJ learns it, so does the rest of the family. Tonight, I had to laugh, when DJ started crying out of frustration & Andy spoke up & finished the verse for him. Here it is, in case you wanna learn it too: "Don't let anyone make fun of you, just because you are young. Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

Baked

I thought I'd try this Martha Stewart recipe. Which meant actually turning the oven on & putting something in it. But it was actually good & the boys & I pleasantly pigged out. If you try it, let me know what you think. If you don't pleasantly pig out, don't shoot the messenger!

Spinach & Mushroom Quesadillas
Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 medium red onions, thinly sliced *optional*
  
• 8 ounces (2 1/4 cups) mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 6 ounces (about 8 cups) prewashed spinach, chopped
  
• Coarse salt & ground pepper
• 8 flour tortillas (8-in) *I used whole-wheat tortillas*
  
• 8 ounces (2 cups) pepper Jack cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400. In a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon oil. Cook onions, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden, about 5 mins. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until they're tender, 6 to 8 mins.
2. Add spinach in two batches, letting first batch wilt slightly before adding the next; cook until spinach is completely wilted, 2 to 3 mins total. Season with S & P.
3. Brush one side of tortillas with oil. Place 4 tortillas, oiled sides down, on 2 baking sheets. Layer each tortilla with cheese, spinach mixture & more cheese, dividing evenly. Top with remaining 4 tortillas, oiled sides up & lightly press to seal.
4. Bake until cheese has melted & tortillas are golden brown, turning once, about 10 mins. Cut quesadillas into quarters. Serve w/ salsa or sour cream

Wow, Wow & Wow

Wow. I think our kid needed a haircut:

Wow. OK. Not playin.' He really needed a haircut:











Wow! Whew. That's more like it: