Monday, April 16, 2012

Comfort Food

Tonight was one of those nights when I needed comfort food.  At our house, this usually takes the form of breakfast for dinner.  Rarely have I happened to plan out a crock-pot roast and had the coincidence of it being "one of those days" that leaves me reaching for comfort food.

It was a double comfort food night this time. Most of my "go-to" food items for days like this originated in my youth; some are family traditions and some are widely recognizable.  Tonight it was egg and potato scramble along with buttermilk bran muffins and homemade pomegranate jelly.

How simple - hash browns (any type) with eggs scrambled around it when it's done.  Such delight, such comfort.

The buttermilk bran muffins are a recipe that produces enough batter to bake muffins for your neighborhood for a month!  This keeps in your fridge until the buttermilk expiration date so it's a delight that will be ongoing.  They are so yummy and soothing - the perfect blend between a crispy muffin top and tender breadiness. Top that with the homemade jelly and you can't go wrong.

Yes, things are better now and the worries of my day are squelched and forgotten.


YOUR TURN:
What is your comfort food?

Is it something you discovered as an adult or something from your childhood?

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Dusty Lemons

You are likely familiar with the phrase "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." I have always chuckled at that phrase and found it to be a positive way of looking at things.  It's cliché, it's cute, it's an all-American phrase we can relate to that makes us feel better about things.

However, it doesn't always bring me optimistic thoughts due to one thing - procrastination. I had this fancy (discount store) fruit bowl and thought it would look gorgeous on the counter with some bright, cheery yellow lemons. It did look lovely until the day I noticed they were still there, and...dusty. Sometimes I find that I run out of time to make the lemonade and so my lemons gather dust. I had great intentions but lacked the follow-through.  It's so easy for me to say "I'll do this one more thing, and then..."

Optimism is one of the best things in life and it can sustain us through difficult times.  So, how sad is it that lemons can get dusty?  Did you know that they can? Do you dust yours from time to time and put them back in the bowl or do you make lemonade promptly?

Do you realize that procrastination dates back to the Bible?  When Pharoah was asked about setting a time for Moses to pray to have the frogs removed, he replied "tomorrow." (Exodus 8:8-10).  We see Elisha and Esther each use the phrase "and then I will" (1 Kings 19:20-21 and Esther 5:8).  We are adept at making excuses, at procrastinating, at delaying what we should do.
 

One More Thing...

Do you dust off your lemons with the intention of making the lemonade later?

Would you consider yourself an optimistic person?

Take care, and I'm always here to pray for you or simply to connect with.

Lois Lynn

Monday, April 2, 2012

21%

I have 21% battery power left on my laptop and 3 blogs to write to meet my goal.  No pressure, right?

I have joined a writing group, and it is truly a wonderful component of my life.  However, I have yet to turn in any items to be reviewed, discussed and critiqued by them.  They are why I'm sitting here with 21% remaining battery life.  I started my day with 100%, so I have indeed been busy, but I have the "pressure" of submitting something before our next deadline.

I would say it's really more of accountability than true pressure.  It doesn't impact their lives if I don't write, it impacts mine.  I respect them for checking on me to see if I am progressing and I value each one of them and my life is better for knowing them.

12% left - yikes!

Powered down at 11%, but I'm back now.

Goals, accountability, deadlines, pressure - do those words scare you or excite and empower you?  I believe we each need a balance of these to help us live a full life, along with the fun things.  I know I need that accountability and the dwindling 21% power to push me to meet my goals. Actually, it looks like I needed electricity to help meet that deadline.  Oh, how I can take power for granted. 

One More Thing...

What pressure do you feel right now? Do you have friends that push you to be your best?

Take care, and I'm always here to pray for you or simply to connect with.

Lois Lynn