Tortellini in Brodo

It has been a good week here in Lake Wobbegone...

Our metal has been tested, in more ways than one. But the thing with metal testing is that it often shows the strength of the metal. Personally I am not strong, but my God is.

-It is still crazy cold here. And is supposed remain unseasonably cold throughout March. Our first race of the year is in 2 weeks. I am thinking that it may end up being the coldest 5K we have ever raced.

-I made our favorite stuffed chicken this week. Which was delicious. And was also the opportunity to haul out the new camera and take a bazillion pictures of said chicken.

-Elsie lost her two front teeth this week. I am not sure what the grossest part of being a parent is, but dangling teeth is one of them. That's for sure.

-Meres continue to be cheeky. She was calling me "Bernette" this week. She makes me simultaneously grimace and grin...

-I have a super easy recipe to share with you today. Easy and delicious. (Easy and delicious is my claim to fame...)

The key to this recipe is the fresh basil. It makes the flavor rich and full. I like to stack the basil leaves, cut into ribbons, and then chop the crosswise to get the small pieces of basil.

Tortellini in Brodo
16 ounces of cheese or meat tortellini
8 cups water
8 chicken bullion cubes
2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

-Put the water and bullion cubes on to boil. Meanwhile, peel and chop the carrots.
-Add the carrots to the boiling broth and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the tortellini and cook until done.  (when they rise to the top)
-Take the soup off the heat and add the basil.
-Sprinkle the parmesan cheese on each serving. Easy-peasy!

Enjoy some soup this weekend!

Creature More than Creator

Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. (Romans 1:25)

Have you ever worshipped the creature more than the Creator?

We worship the creature more than the Creator...

...when we emphasize other things more than God.

...when we are more concerned with offending a person than offending the holy God.

...when we discount what the Bible says because it doesn't agree with our paradigms.

...when we put our desires before God's desires.

...when we agree with the world's viewpoint because we are ignorant of what the Bible actually says.

...when love is of the utmost importance, negating the idea of truth in love.

...when we emphasize the environment and forget about souls and eternity.

Got Paradox?

Life is full of paradoxes...situations, persons, or things that combine contradictory features or qualities. At least, my life is characterized by a few notable paradoxes.

-I am the Barefoot Hippie Girl. Emphasis on barefoot. I love being barefoot.
Paradox: I don't run barefoot. And second barefoot paradox: I revel in wool socks and polka dot tights. So, basically, it's all or nothing.

-My love language is quality time. (I took the test, but the results certainly did not surprise me.) I need quality time with my quality people.
Paradox: I am an introvert, and really, I could survive on a desert island all by myself. I love quiet and being all by myself. One of my favorite times ever was when I was up cooking at the wilderness camp and everyone was gone but me and one other person. There was like 2 people in a 10-15 mile radius. We went our separate ways and didn't even glimpse each other all day. That was A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

-My dream date would be sitting by a fire with a big cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Just talking and relaxing and reading books. Forever.
Paradox: the older I have gotten, the more active I have become. I get twitchy if I skip too many work out sessions. I need to move. Swim, bike, run, walk. Which means more of our dates are active than passive.

this is not a paradox...I just love flowers. And this flower reminds me that spring is inevitable. 

-I enjoy seeing new cities. Traveling. Exploring.
Paradox: I really don't like the journey, just the destination. Though I do enjoy road trips with Mr. Hippie for the sake of quality time and conversation. (see #2)

-My personal decorating philosophy is less stuff, less stuff to clean. Spartan is pretty good. I feel like it is a waste of my time to decorate more than 5.5 minutes.
Paradox: I love looking at magazine pictures of beautiful homes. I love visiting beautiful homes. So, basically, I don't consider it a waste of other's time to decorate. Just mine.

-My blog name is Barefoot Hippie Girl. 'Cause I am a bit unconventional and anti-bandwagon.
Paradox: I am not a hippie. At all. I'm more of a June Cleaver type. But, Barefoot June Cleaver doesn't have the same ring to it. I'm very conservative, but very not do what everyone else is doing.

What paradoxes are true of you?

Pie Socializing

Away back in January, I urged each of my readers to plan a party. Because I was planning a party, and misery loves company? Or company breaks up the misery of an interminable winter?

Regardless, my party was this past weekend.

before another several pies showed up...

I hosted a pie social at my house. And it was crazy. Crazy good!

The wonderful thing about hosting a party towards the end of February or beginning of March is that it is a ray of sunshine and it breaks up the winter monotony. Everyone is so sick and tired of winter. There are no holidays or anything to look forward to. Everyone has been hibernating. A party brings people out of their caves for some good food and conversation and laughter.

I invited a ton of people. At least, a ton of people for my 1500 square foot house. I just invited and invited and didn't really tally up the numbers until Friday morning. That's when I figured out that I had approximately 24 adults and 30 kids (11 and under, plus one 13 year old) descending on my house Saturday evening.

I did not panic. 

Or freak out.

I did wonder how in the world everyone was going to fit.

But, we decided to designate the upstairs kids' bedrooms and the basement as kid's areas. My bedroom as the nursing mom/baby area. And the main floor as the adult area. It was full and loud, but it was good.

As I was sitting at my dining room table on Saturday, mentally thinking through plates and pies and decorations, I realized that I could move my table from the center of the room to the corner, which would free up a whole lot of floor space, and provide another hanging out area.

I pretty sure that was a "God" idea. Because it worked brilliantly. And I'd never thought to do it before.

Anyway, we ended up with 18 adults and 22 kids, 9 pies, and a great time. It was a blessing to be surrounded by our people. The people who love us, and have been friends with us for years. The people who pray for us, and stick with us through the good and bad, the pretty and the ugly.

My belly was definitely fed, as was my soul. 

blueberry pie

grapes...healthy, plus the kids love them. And they add color.

Peanut Butter Pie. My contribution. I've been niched. My reputation is indelibly tied to my peanut butter pie.
Oh well, I could have a reputation for a whole lot worse things.

Quite the variety. And color scheme.

So there was a blackberry pie, blueberry pie, meat pies, key lime pie, thoroughbred pie, peanut butter pie, berry custard pie, strawberry icebox pie, cream puff pie, and a salted caramel pie (not shown).

Strawberry Icebox Pie

The moral of this story is that I would once again urge you to throw a party. It doesn't have to be huge. (I like facilitating crowds. It's weird, because I am kind of an introvert. I don't mind washing the dishes and feeding everyone. Though this time my sister in law washed all the plates and forks...bless her heart. Plus she brought 2 pies. She's a jewel-on many levels.)

Invite over a few of your friends. Make it fancy or simple. Share the food load. Drink lots of coffee and share lots of laughs. Remember your shared history. Share your dreams for the future. Be encouraged and challenged and fed. Have fun.

Party-on!

Whiter than Snow

"Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole; I want Thee forever to live in my soul;
Break down every idol, cast down every foe; Oh, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

I remember singing this at a very young age, when we had a church meeting in our living room. Interesting how those lyrics and truths come back to my mind after years and years have passed.

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

An idea that has been much on my heart lately is purity. I've written on purity. Purity is a topic that becomes more and more relevant each day we walk this earth.

Purity starts in the heart. Not in dress. Not in actions. Not in words.

But how does one have a pure heart?

Through the blood of Jesus Christ cleansing us from all sin and impurity. That is the original purifying. The blood of Jesus Christ His Son, cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

Purity of heart and deed directly correlates with regular time spent in God's Word. How can a young man (woman) cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word. With my whole heart have I sought Thee, oh let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I my not sin against Thee. (Psalm 119:9-11)

Keep thyself pure. (1 Timothy 5:22)

Purity of heart and mind comes from thinking on pure things. We are what we think.

Purity of heart and mind comes when we fellowship with God, walking in His light, and allow that light to shine in the dark places of our hearts and minds. When we don't allow impure thoughts to gain a foothold, but we bring them to God's purifying light. When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgives us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

So often we coddle our sins. We hide our sins. We feel that we can muscle through to victory somehow.

We end up defeated. Wallowing. Disgusted. Impure.

Seeds grow in the dark. They do. They don't grow on top of the ground where they are exposed. Only buried seeds are the ones that grow. Same with impurities and sins that we allow to fester.

All of our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked. My heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9)

He that covers his sin shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoso walks wisely shall be delivered. (Proverbs 28: 13, 26)

Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy!

That's Depressing

Life has been hard the past week or so. Hard but good. I feel God is working-in my life and in my loved one's lives. Refining is not a fun process. Knowledge may be power and powerful, but it isn't necessarily pleasant.

I am thankful for each one of you who has prayed for me and mine this week. I am thankful for each one who left a comment or made a phone call. I feel very loved and cared for.

Please continue to pray.

When life is rough it's time to haul out the comfort food. Food like meatloaf.

I just want to go on record saying that I am NOT a meatloaf lover. I am a meatloaf avoider. I can never understand the people who order meat loaf at a restaurant. What a waste of eating out!

Never a fan until...

I came across this recipe about a month ago as I was doing research for She Plans Dinner. This meatloaf recipe revolutionized my ideas of meat loaf. It is simple and amazing! Amazing! It is so easy that even my 6 year old has made it. All that I did was chop the onion for her.

My family oohs and aahs over it. They are totally excited when I mention it is on the menu for dinner.  I don't know why it is named Depression Meatloaf. There is nothing depressing about it!

Maybe because it is good food for when you are suffering a bout of depression...=)

Depression Meatloaf
Prep time: 20 minutes, Cook time: 1 hour, Total time: 1-1/4 hours
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
5 slices bread
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1-1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 pounds lean ground beef
3 slices bacon

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-In a large bowl, pour milk over bread. Let stand until milk in absorbed.
-Peel and chop onion.
-Add onion, salt and pepper to the bread and stir with a fork until the bread softens and is light and fluffy. Mix in ground beef.
-Place meat mixture into a lightly greased loaf pan. Top with bacon strips-halved length-wise and criss-crossed over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

This pairs very nicely with Cornbread Pudding. Get your meatloaf in the oven, and then make the pudding. It is light and fluffy and slightly sweet. A perfect compliment to the meatloaf.

Cornbread Pudding

Prep time: 10 minutes, Cook time: 45 minutes, Total time: 55 minutes

2 eggs
1 cup (8 oz) sour cream
1 (15-1/4 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained 
1 (14-3/4 oz) can cream-style corn
1 stick butter, melted
1 (8-1/2 oz) pkg. corn bread/muffin mix
1/4 tsp paprika

-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
-In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. Stir in cornbread mix just until blended. Pour into a greased 3 quart baking dish. Sprinkle with paprika.
-Bake uncovered at 350 degrees 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Happy eating and have a wonderful weekend! 

10 Tips for Smooth Sunday Mornings With Young Children

Imagine this...

It's Sunday morning. Maybe you've overslept, maybe you haven't. Maybe you are rejoicing in the Lord, maybe you aren't. 

Without a doubt, there is never enough time to get to church with everyone fully dressed and in their right minds.

Kids are cranky. Kids are hungry. Kids can't find their shoes, belts or Bibles. 

Parents are cranky. Parents are caffeine deprived. Parents can't find their outfit, keys or wallet.

Breakfast needs preparation and consumption. Hairs need combed and teeth need brushed. Shoes need tied. Jackets need put on. Kids need buckled in carseats.

Kids yelling at kids. Parents yelling at kids. Parents yelling at parents. 

Disaster.

No one has any sense of urgency except for maybe you-the mother.

The closer those clock hands move towards church time, the closer you come to insanity. Once everyone is in the car and the car is moving towards church, there is no sigh of relief. Your attitude is so unholy and un-sanctified, you may as well turn the car around and go home. 'Cause there is no worship gonna happen in your heart this morning. 

Sound familiar? Sound like a little bit of hell every week?

No wonder the 18-35 year old bracket isn't in church. They have the young kids.

I am here to give you hope. This is what our Sunday mornings looked like every week, until we made some definite changes. Those changes have helped preserve our sanity and our sanctification. If you know what I mean...

-Plan backwards. The time you need to be at church is pretty constant from week to week, as is your travel time. So, work backwards from church time. If you need to be at church at 9:30, and it takes 20 minutes to drive there, you must leave by 9:10-at the latest. Keep working backwards, figuring in time to eat, get dressed, shower...whatever needs to happen on your Sunday mornings.

-Take showers and baths night before. I am a morning shower person, so I still shower on Sunday mornings, but we never give the kids baths on Sunday morning. It takes too much time. That time is easier on the Saturday schedule than on the Sunday morning schedule.

-Set clothes out the night before. Kids clothes. Your clothes. This saves last minute "what should I wear?" issues, as well as puts the finding of lost articles of clothing in a different time frame. Everything is set out-shoes, pants, shirts, ties, belts, socks, tights, dresses. Much easier. And easier for kids to dress themselves.

-Bibles stacked the night before. It is just easier. One less thing to do/find on Sunday morning.

-Plan and make a simple breakfast. Maybe Sundays will be your cold cereal morning. Maybe you will make a pot of oatmeal for everyone. Maybe you will have muffins or toast. Simple is the goal. Full bellies allow for concentration and relieve crankiness.

-Get up early enough. It is so easy to hit the snooze. Sunday mornings-especially in the summer-are our only days to sleep in. Every other day we are up early to exercise and work and do school. I think our Sunday morning tiredness is an attack from the enemy of our souls. He does not want us in church fellowshipping with other believers and worshipping God.

-Go to bed early enough. This is intrinsically tied in with the ability to get up early enough. It is hard to be eager to get up at 7:00, when you didn't get to bed until 11, or 12, or 1. Make a decent bedtime hour on Saturday night a priority for your family.

-Do what you can before Sunday morning. Do the least you possibly can on Sunday morning. Don't spend pre-church time cooking or cleaning up. Ironing or whatever. Do it before Sunday, or make it wait until another time.

-Delegate. You don't have to do everything. Give responsibilities that are age appropriate. Sometimes I have my 11 year old make the oatmeal for the breakfast while I am in the shower. I have Mr. Hippie give the kids a visual once over, so they are at least relatively presentable.

-Get dressed then eat. I had someone tell me to feed my kids and then get them dressed so they didn't mess up their clothes. But what was happening was that the kids fooled around so much with their breakfast (and still didn't get done) and we were hollering for them to finish so we could get them dressed and leave in 5 minutes. It made it so.very.stressful. Instead, we now get the kids up and dressed including shoes, but not jackets, and then feed them. The ones who need to, wear a bib. And, when it is time to leave, at least they are dressed and have had the opportunity to eat something.

What are your best tips for smooth Sunday mornings? 

These Are a Few Of My Favorite Things

Maria's favorite things may have included snowflakes and doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles....

Mine don't...

(Currently)
(and in no particular order of importance)

-Chipotle mayo. Seriously-every sandwich is better with chipotle mayo. Well, except for pbj's...

-Winter Olympics-how about that figure skating pair...Meryl Davis and Charlie White? Wow! And wow again! I also have enjoyed watching the alpine skiing, and the slope style. One of my friends commented that she tears up watching the Olympics. Me too. I think, being a very limited athlete, I can somewhat recognize the time and effort and discipline that each athlete put in to get to the Olympics. Hmmm...

-Tall Lanterns and White Pillar Candles...they are gorgeous and romantic and make for cozy lighting.

-Party sized bags of M&M's. What can I say, except that I didn't buy them for myself. And my kids think the moniker "party size" is hilarious.

-Freckles. Aka polka dots in Meres' vernacular....

-Ice on the Great Lakes for as far as the eye can see. Thick ice. Walkable ice...

-Huge bouquet of red roses in my line of vision the moment I wake up every morning.

-Warm wool socks. Enough said.

-Good books like Elizabeth of York by Alison Weir.

-Hot cups of herbal tea.

-Sunshiny days.

-My new Nikon 3100.

-Fan pulls...from JoAnn's Gems on Etsy. This is the second set I've purchased. Each set is unique and adds an awesome element to any fan pull.

-Good friends who pray for me in the good times and in the difficult.

What are some of your favorite things currently?

When Life Knocks You To Your Knees

Sometimes life is rough. What hits you is so sudden it takes your breath away. You are left reeling and broken.

Utterly taken by surprised. 

This week I have been through some of the deepest waters in my life. I don't say that lightly. And, at this point in time, I am not going to go into any more detail than that.

The details are important, but they aren't.

Even though I would not have guessed this situation was coming my way, God knew. And He has been preparing my heart the past few weeks. 

-Last Monday, I shared the lyrics to the Getty hymn, When Trials Come. I had written that post several weeks ago, but God knew I needed it this week....

When trial come, no longer fear, for in the pain our God draws near. To fire a faith worth more than gold, and there His faithfulness is told.

These words rang through my heart over and over again this week. God spoke words of comfort to me before I even knew I needed comfort.

-Last Thursday I shared about the sovereignty of God in keeping us home from our vacation. That there is, in fact, a reason for everything.

I still absolutely believe that and I clung to that truth with my whole heart and both hands this week. I don't know the reasons for this trial, but God is working. God spoke words of truth to me before I really understood how much I needed the truth to shine in the lies.

-Since before I wrote about prayer for my 31 Days series, I have been burdened to pray. To pray specifically for people and situations. I have seen answers to my prayers. I think this situation is an answer to my prayers. Which doesn't make it much easier to bear, btw.

God placed me in a position of dependence on Him before I realized how much I needed Him. 

Prayer is my anchor to God. My desperate, "help me, God!" 

"In my distress I called upon The Lord, and cried unto my God. He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even unto His ears....He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters." (Psalms 18: 6,16)

I have prayed for mercy in several situations the past few weeks. I have prayed for mercy this week.

-I have looked at last year as my watershed trial moment. It was an intense year of intense trial after intense trial. Since last spring I have been catching my breath, and thanking God that that season was over with.

Yet, just like glass needs to be continually brought to the fire to be malleable, so God keeps bringing us back to the fire. To purify us. To make us more beautifully like Him. We need the time in the glory bowl. (if you don't click on any of the links in this post-click on this glory bowl link) Or we start cooling down. We shatter instead of grow.

-I am back where I need to be. Back imbibing the Scriptures for truth and direction and comfort and sustenance for my soul. I am on my knees. My hands are open ready to receive. My eyes are upon God, waiting for Him to work.

Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. Great is Thy faithfulness!

5 P's in a Marriage Pod

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and walking into any store you are inundated with displays of chocolate, greeting cards, red roses, jewelry, wine and lingerie.

Valentine's Day is a good reminder of all things love and romance, steamy and passion. It is great to remember these things in our marriages. It is great to remember them more than once a year. But, these things are only one facet in the marriage union.

Marriage is much more than roses and chocolate, romance and sex. Marriage is a God established institution. God created the world, the star and galaxies, and man in Genesis 1. It didn't take long for the need of a woman to be apparent. In Genesis 2 God created Eve from Adam's rib. 

God had several reasons for creating marriage. Here are 5 reasons I have found in the Bible, and they all begin with a P...

1. Pairing-Genesis 2:18-And the Lord God said, "it is not good that man should be alone; I will make a help meet for him. Meet is the idea of fitting. The perfect match. It brought to mind the role of a sommelier-a person who matches food and wine. A sommelier has an extensive knowledge of both food and wine so they can make matches that work in harmony.

God created each person in His image, and created each person unique. And knowing best our strengths and weaknesses, He pairs us with the one who makes us whole. One flesh. The Divine Sommelier.

2. Partnership-also from Genesis 2:18, the help part of help meet. The term "partner " has fallen on rough times in our permissive culture. It usually either implies a couple not married, but cohabitating, or equality of the genders. A partnership doesn't automatically assume equality. I feel there are definite roles in a marriage, man being the head, and woman submitting. By definition, a partnership is associates in an activity, endeavor or sphere of common interest. Marriage is a partnership. Our endeavor is to glorify God together. Our endeavor is to raise a family together if given children. Our endeavor is to serve the Lord together, best using the gifts He has given us individually and as then a couple. Together...

3. Picture-Ephesians 5:22-33, highlighting verses 32-33-This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife, see that she reverence her husband. 

Marriage is a picture of Jesus Christ and His relationship with the church. Jesus Christ loved the church so much, that He died for it. The church sees that sacrifice, and desires to submit to Him. Our marriages are to picture this mystery-the wives in submitting to their husbands, and husbands in loving their wives. Observers should be able to look at our marriages, and think, "aha, I get it." 

But, just like with normal pictures, sometimes we are more photogenic than others. Sometimes we have a bad hair day. Sometimes we really look like so and so. How can our marriages look most photogenic? 

Follow Ephesians 4:25-32. Speak truth with each other. Be angry-sin not. Don't let the sun go down on your anger. Don't steal. Don't give place to the devil. No corrupt communication, but what is good to the use of edifying (building up). Put away all bitterness, anger, wrath, clamor, evil speaking. Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving. Just like God, for Christ's sake, forgave you. (that picture again.) This is a high calling. Maybe even the highest calling.

4. Passion-the passage for this is Song of Solomon. Passion is something that is desired intensely. Our "passions" are things we put time, effort, and resources into. We are passionate about food, fitness, fishing, scrapbooking....We need to be passionate about our marriage, and about our partner. 

Song of Solomon isn't a laid back book. Solomon and his beloved are passionate about each other. The girls ask her, "what is your guy more than any other guy?" (Barefoot Hippie Girl translation) And she gives quite the answer. And it isn't, "oh, he's a godly guy."  No, I don't want to know your details, but you should be able to fill in the blank. 

Song of Solomon mentions coming away. Marriage takes time-just the two of you, by yourselves. No kids, no technology, no distractions. I love the verses in chapter 8:6,7-Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is as strong as death; jealousy is as cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man were to give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. That is passion!

5. Purity. Purity is preached before marriage, but it is just as pertinent after marriage. Our marriages are constantly under a barrage of temptation from outside sources. From magazines in the checkout lane, to readily accessible porn online, to VS displays in the mall, to scantily dressed figures everywhere you look. Talk about inundation! It is a fight to keep our minds pure-both men and women. But, it is a necessary fight. Fight to keep your marriage bed holy. Fight to keep it pure and undefiled.

The fight starts, and is often won, in the mind-in our thoughts...

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true
                            whatsoever things are honest
                            whatsoever things are just
                            whatsoever things are pure
                            whatsoever things are lovely
                            whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Can you think of any other P's for marriage?

A Propensity to Find Things...Including 14 Romantic Dates

I've always been good at finding things.

Like the time my dad lost his winter stocking hat. It was lost for weeks. And I found it, stuck to the bottom of a blanket on their bed. And he bought me a package of those sugar coated gummy orange slices as a reward for finding it. Which candy I have loved ever since, fyi.

As a mom, (and wife) I spend hours of my life finding things. Hours. Every year. Hours and hours looking for things. Things that don't belong to me.

Things like lost pacifiers, and special blankets. Pooh bears and wishbone bears. Keys and wallets. Phone chargers. Gloves. Hats. Shoes. Library books. Papers....

The list does go on and on. Sigh...

I rarely have to look for something that belongs to me. Because I am pretty good at putting things in the same place every time. My keys are always on the rack. My wallet in always on the microwave. My phone is always on the microwave. If they aren't in those places, they are in my back pack for swimming. Or someone else moved them. Always.

I do occasionally stump myself with paperwork and watermarked pictures. What did I name it? Where did I put it? I try to put it in a logical place so that I will remember where I put it. But then my logic eludes me as does the place where I put the paperwork or picture. So I end up looking and looking for some elusive bank statement or invoice or picture.

But other than that...

God is a better Finder than even I am. Well, obviously. Because He knows everything. But also because it is His heart and purpose. Luke 19:10 says that the Son of Man (Jesus) came to seek and to save that which was lost. What a blessing! I love reading the stories about lost things in Luke 15. The sheep, the coin and the son. All lost. All found. And what a party is thrown for each!

I vacillate between throwing in the towel and throwing a party after I've found a lost thing...

How about you? Do you find yourself spending way too much time finding stuff-for yourself or someone else?

Well, today, I have a post at Womanhood with Purpose that will eliminate one thing that you may be looking for this week...a romantic date idea for Valentine's Day. I've listed 14 ideas, any of which  would be great for Friday. Or the remainder of the winter. So check it out!

And, I'll probably head over there too. To remind myself of all the great ideas I had-but have since forgotten...At least they are in a logical place...

Do's and Doesn't's

phraseology borrowed from my LC girl

Raise your hand if you have ever gotten burned in an online interaction...

I think we all have.

Rudeness is intolerable in real life. It is no less intolerable in online interactions.

Here are 15 guidelines to measure your online manners by...

1. Don't say in writing what you'd never say to someone's face. Do stick to the same behavior standards you would follow in real life. If you wouldn't say it to their face, don't say it online.

2. Don't steal content-whether pictures or words. Do give credit where credit is due, and do ask permission when in doubt.

3. Don't start a message off with the words, "I often read your blog and love it, but never comment..." And then proceed to lambaste the person. Do temper criticism with praise. If you don't ever comment positively, then don't comment negatively.

4. Do share your opinion, in a respectful manner. Realize there may be differences of viewpoint and opinion. Respect other's opinions. Do start a discussion. Don't pick an argument.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:6)

5. Do feel free to not read a blog or unsubscribe from a feed if you are continually riled up about the content. There is variety and freedom in the www, and there is no need to keep reading content that doesn't bless, challenge or edify you.

6. Do remember that each person will give an account for every idle word. This includes written words.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:36, 37)

7. Do think before you hit the send button. Reread your words. Review, review and then send. Consider how the words might come across. Leave it sit for a while if you aren't sure.

8. Don't use profanity. Profanity comes off as immature and ignorant and not generally the heartfelt tone you were aiming for.

9. Do be careful with the use of humor. It is often misunderstood. Qualifying statements with just saying does not negate their hurtfulness.

10. Do put yourself in the other person's shoes. How would you feel if someone commented this on your wall, in your feed, or in an email to you?

11. Don't spam.

12. Don't type in all caps.

13. Do remember there is a human being with whom you are interacting. A human with feelings and opinions and good & bad days.

14. Do be forgiving. Water off a duck's back...

15. Do be discreet. Some things should never be shared online.

How polite are you online?

When Trials Come

I wanted to share this modern hymn's lyrics with you today. It was written by Keith and Kristyn Getty. It has been stuck in my mind and heart since the kids and I practiced it a few weeks ago.

When trials come no longer fear
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold
And there His faithfulness is told
And there His faithfulness is told

Within the night I know Your peace
The breath of God brings strength to me
And new each morning mercy flows
As treasures of the darkness grow
As treasures of the darkness grow

I turn to Wisdom not my own
For every battle You have known
My confidence will rest in You
Your love endures Your ways are good
Your love endures Your ways are good

When I am weary with the cost
I see the triumph of the cross
So in it's shadow I shall run
Till You complete the work begun
Till You complete the work begun

One day all things will be made new
I'll see the hope You called me to
And in your kingdom paved with gold
I'll praise your faithfulness of old
I'll praise your faithfulness of old

That first line of the 3rd verse resonates. When I am weary with the cost. Have you ever been weary with the cost of following Christ? When the pain and burdens seem too heavy to bear? When all is dark and you are clinging-clinging, but not seeing?

Run in the shadow of the cross. Remember the depths of Christ's crucifixion. Remember the triumph. He has conquered sin, death, and hell. And remember, we are only in the middle of our story. God has promised to complete the work He has begun. He will be faithful.

Be encouraged today, friends! His love endures, His ways ARE good!

Holy Mole'

What I have found in cooking is that generally you can either save money or you can save time. The perfect recipe saves you both. Or has options to save you both.

For this amazing Chicken Mole recipe, the time saving option uses a rotisserie chicken. The money saving option allows you to feed more people at the same price or lower, with fresh chicken thighs.

So, it really is your choice. What is tighter today...money or time? Either option in this recipe gives you a fantastic dinner.

Chicken Mole is a Mexican-esque dish that melds the flavors of  raisins, cinnamon, chocolate and chili powder in a rich brown sauce. I am not a fan of raisins in anything but granola and oatmeal, yet I really enjoyed this dish. I almost left the raisins out, but I decided to give the recipe a whirl the way it was written. I am so glad I did!

The cherry on top of this dish is serving it with fresh cilantro and lime wedges. Both flavors make the other flavors pop. It's great!

so, I am not stealing photos...both She Plans Dinner and Barefoot Hippie Girl belong to me...=)

Chicken Mole
Money Saving...8-10 Chicken Thighs, washed, skinned and lightly salted and peppered
OR
Time Savings...1 Rotisserie Chicken, cut into 8 pieces
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 tsp chili powder
4 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2-1/2 cup chicken broth
2 T creamy peanut butter
2 T tomato paste
1/2 cup dark raisins
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
rice
lime wedges

For Money Savings Option:
-First, heat olive oil on high in a large skillet. Brown all sides of chicken. (about 10 minutes total) Place chicken in the bottom of a slow cooker lightly cooked with cooking spray. Discard all but 1 T of the pan drippings.

For both Options:
-Heat pan drippings or oil on medium high in a large skillet. Add onion and cook, stirring until softened (5 minutes). Add garlic, chili powder, cocoa and cinnamon to skillet and cook, stirring 1 minute. Stir in broth, tomato paste and peanut butter. Heat to boiling.

At this point:
-For money saving option, pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, and cook on high for 4 hours, or low for 8-9 hours. Add raisins in the last 15 minutes of cooking.

-For time saving option, add raisins and chicken to the sauce. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through to coat all sides with sauce.

-Serve both options over rice topped with cilantro and fresh squeezed lime juice.

Both ways are amazing! I have tried both. Which will you try this week?