Stretch

I'm stretching in new and different ways this week.
Yesterday I sent a letter that's been a long time coming.
It's taken me nearly 12 years to realize I have the right to be treated with respect and dignity.
Now that I've done it -- stretched myself to the breaking point -- I feel lighter, more capable, clearer.
I'm wondering what other stretching I may need to do to allow me to live a free life -- free from worry and fear.
But for right now I'm enjoying the feeling of release this stretch is providing. Like the way I savor the sensations at the end of a good yoga class. Everything feels right and relaxed.
Stretch. It's good for you.

linking up with Lisa-Jo

Living Room Surgery

This is Dahlia (daylia). 
Santa brought her to my second Christmas. 
She has always been part of my life, so my earliest memory is about her. 
No I don't actually remember that Christmas morning, but I do remember an afternoon maybe a year and a half later. 
I carried Dahlia everywhere I went -- usually by her hair, creating a lovely cave woman style 'do for her. But I digress.
It must have been either late afternoon or it was raining, because in my memory the room is muted.
My mother sits on the big chair with her sewing supplies on the table next to her. I am standing at her knee, while Dahlia lies naked in her lap. My mother explains that Dahlia needs a little plumping up and we are going to do surgery on her to help her out. My mother is the doctor and I will be the nurse.
She assures me Dahlia is fine and will wake-up feeling much better.
My mother carefully pulls stitches from Dahlia's back and begins to insert cotton balls. When we have agreed that Dahlia looks much better, mother stitches her up with tiny stitches. She turns Dahlia over softly patting her on the belly, so I can see her face. Her eyes are closed and her mouth is still pursed in the sweet smile she has. All is well.
That's all I remember. I assume we dressed her back in her pink gingham romper, and she and I went on our merry way.
She still hangs out with me everyday. Sitting at the end of my bed. She had a make-over courtesy of professionals a few years back, and new hair and clothes.
She is all that was good in my childhood.

linking up to Writer's Workshop

Thankful Thursday #31

Good morning, all!

It's another Thankful Thursday, which means we've made it through another week. Yay!

I'm still in list mode, so here goes. I am thankful for:
:: my reboot of Bible study. I kind of fell of the wagon for a few days. It is amazing what a difference just a little time in the Word and prayer makes in my attitude!
:: my bff's from high school. LBB, CCD, and KFH for your help and kind comments over the past couple of days. I am counting on you to get me through the fallout!
:: my minister for a really uplifting lesson on Sunday, and thanks for omitting the full-size casket!
:: for the ability to express myself in words. I wrote a really difficult letter this week. I was able to express things in the letter I have never been able to express verbally. I pray that it will be received as it is intended.
:: cooler weather! We are having unseasonably pleasant weather for August around here. It was 55 degrees when my alarm went off this morning at 7am. The cooler temps make everything more palatable. 

So there's my list. How about yours?

linking up with Grace Alone

Wordless Wednesday -- Feeding the Birds

for more images go to Wordless Wednesday

Rice Jardin

I love rice! There I said it.
I found this recipe years and years ago. I pull it out every summer as it's perfect for gardeners and non-gardeners alike. You can substitute any of the canned ingredients with fresh with no changes to the recipe. I'm sure you could use other veggies as, but I love these flavors so I use these. I usually substitute garlic for the coriander, but that's because I have an unnatural affinity for garlic

3/4 cup or one medium onion, chopped
1 lb. zucchini, thinly sliced
3 Tablespoons butter
1 cup canned whole kernel corn, drained OR fresh OR frozen
1 cup canned, diced tomatoes (I like the ones with basil, garlic and oregano) OR fresh tomatoes, diced
3 cups cooked rice
Salt and pepper to taste

Saute onions and zucchini in butter until tender. Add remaining ingredients (except for rice), cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir vegetables and rice together. Serve as a side dish for 6 or a main dish for 4.

Easy, breezy, and yummy to boot!

Happy eating : )

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . August 14, 2012

Outside my window . . . it's cloudy and cooler. We've had a wet August so far.

I am thinking . . . how quickly time flies. This summer is nearly over. Ds leaves for college in 10 days. Dh and I will celebrate 27 years of marriage on the same day. 

I am thankful . . . for lifelong friends. Last Friday a friend called me up asking for help -- real help, not painting or cleaning, but "I'm in a bad place and need some help" help. It was such a blessing to be an encourager to her!

In the kitchen . . . Last night was grilled chicken and apple sausages and Rice Jardin (one of my absolute fave recipes!) Tonight I'll be trying a new recipe called Chicken Bruschetta

I am wearing . . . my white cotton gown from Vermont Country Store. It is piped in red gingham, and soooooo comfy.

I am creating . . . still working on those afghans for the twins. I'm thinking about starting on the 2nd one so I can alternate between them to break up the monotony.

I am going . . . shopping with dd this afternoon at Old Navy. I may just buy something for myself.

I am wondering . . . about illusions. Sometimes I feel that I am surrounded by them. Television, movies, books -- but people too. Pretending to be something they are not.

I am reading . . . Red Hook Road by Ayelet Waldman. A really good read, full of interesting, flawed characters.

I am looking forward to . . . the change of season. We're a long way from autumn here, but we've had some cooler temperatures that have made me think about long-sleeves, sweaters, and scarves.

I am hearing . . . just the quiet of the early morning house. It's really so lovely.

Around the house . . . I need to make curtains for both bathrooms. I have the fabric. I know the pattern. I just need to get them done.

I am pondering . . . the difference in the way dh and I approach things. We are reading through Hebrews together. I keep noticing reminders of the Trinity. He is fixated on the who, what, and when of the book.

One of my favorite things . . . is yarn. I told myself I had to work through my stash before I bought more, and I've done pretty well, but I did get some new cotton yarn last week. Oooh, luscious colors!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . yoga, Bible study, finishing a difficult letter I am writing, swimming, decluttering.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . . 

I just got this t-shirt!

Sherlock, Dr. Who, Harry Potter

Love them all!

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

Monday Menus

The other day my bestie, LBB, called to say she had an idea for my blog. She said I should post my menus for the week on Made by You Monday, because then she wouldn't have to make a menu list herself.

I make a menu list most weeks. It's the only way I know to make a grocery list. So for today I'm sharing this past week's menu list with links to a couple of the recipes.

Day 1 -- Roasted (or rotisserie) Chicken

Garlic Okra

Cooked Apples

Black Eye Peas

Day 2 -- Enchilasagna

(a Leanne Ely recipe posted at the bottom)

Tossed Salad

Day 3 -- End of Summer Soup

(I added the zucchini and used my leftover chicken)

Wheat bread with garlic and cheese

Day 4 -- Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

Rice Jardin

Day 5 -- Hamburgers

Baked Beans

Ruffles

Day 6 -- Taco Salad

Enchilasagna
Serves 8

2 10-oz cans mild enchilada sauce
1 15-oz can tomato sauce
1 lb. Ground round, cooked and drained
1 T. ground cumin
1 T. garlic powder
12 corn tortillas, coarsely chopped
1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 lb. Low-fat cheddar cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9 pan. Combine sauces and set aside. Brown and drain beef. Add seasonings, beans and sauces minus 3/4 cup of sauce mixture. Pour reserved sauce on bottom of pan. Add 1/3 of beef/bean mixture. Add 1/3 of tortillas; another 1/3 of beef/bean mixture and 1/2 cheese. Repeat layers ending with cheese. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes. Wait 10 minutes before serving.

Let me know what you think and if you need any additional recipes.

Happy Eating!

linking up at Skip to My Lou