Food- Lights Out!

Wow! A power outage can make you be really creative with your dinner plans.  I had fun today planning on beating the dark after learning the my power would be out for the next 24 hours.  Chicken breasts defrosted and marinating.  Leftover spaghetti and broccoli warmed up on the stove, that I had to use my "clicker" since it has an electronic igniter.  The BBQ did it's magic on the chicken breasts.  Thank God we added the natural gas BBQ to the back yard.  I cooked down the marinate for topping the chicken after grilling.  Yeah! everything was done before dark, about 5:30pm.  The power was supposed to be back on by 5:00pm, NOT!  Just as I suspected it was extended until 7:00am the next morning.  Thank God also for "smart phones" technology to check with Edison.  Happy this morning that at 5:45am we have power and only the ice cream melted.  That's okay, we are cutting back and trying to eat more healthy anyways. 

Family- When the children start taking care of the parents.

Wow!  Time does fly.  It's my time to start thinking about the care of my parents.  My dad is especially having some health issues that just recently have become a problem.  I have become very protective of him and only want the best care for him.  That means my entire family pitching in to love and care for him when he needs it.  Outside care is not an option until we can absolutely not do it ourselves.  I grew up with a loving caring family that has always cared for each other instead of an institutional option.  I know that this means personal sacrifice, the kind that my parents gave when I was a child.  It's my turn to care for them.  My faith that God will provide the strength and timing for everything is what I am clinging to today.  Tomorrow I will visit my dad in the hospital, where he has been for testing for the past few days.  I am comitted to making him feel loved and cared for in his own home for as long as possible, then at my home for the long haul. 

Fun- Continuing Education

I like to continue to learn new things to keep it fun.  My pastor at Church encourages us to improve on the talents that God gave us and to continue to learn new things.  Even if it is just trying a new cooking skill or a crochet pattern.  Last year I finished a Catering/Gourmet cooking career diploma program through Penn Foster College/Career School.  This year I think that I will try to take either the Dressmaking and Design or Floral Design career diploma program.  What will you do to improve on the talents that God gave you?

Faith- No Plateaus

It's a New Year.  I found a memento from a past Church conference.  Its a smooth rock with my name carved into it.  The following words are also carved into it- "No Plateaus" and Ephesians 4:13- "We must become like a mature person, growing until we become like Christ."  The New Year is the best time to commit to grow more in your relationships, especially the one with Christ.  Be a good example in your daily walk with the Lord.  You never know who is watching you.  You may be the only "Christ" that they see.

Food- New Years Resolutions on Dieting

Really?  Have you ever made a New Years Resolution to loose weight?  I have many times.  This time I am following Weight Watchers plan by paying attention to what I eat and limiting my meals to normal sized portions.  I am changing my relationship with food.