St. Patrick's Day Traditions

 Growing up my mother always made corned beef and cabbage every year for St. Patrick's Day.  It was a tradition that I enjoyed.  Unfortunately for me, my husband does not like corned beef and cabbage and I'm sure my kids wouldn't eat it so that's a dish I haven't had in many years.  My husband introduced me to an Irish dish called 'bangers and mash' which is sausage and mashed potatoes.  Instead of mashed potatoes I will just use diced up potatoes and mix it in with the sausage.  This year I found a recipe for cheesy kielbasa and potatoes on Pinterest.  Not quite Irish, but a similar concept.  Did you know in Ireland they do not eat corned beef and cabbage?  That is an American meal.  In Ireland they eat stew for St. Patrick's Day.  Others here in America will opt out of corned beef and cabbage and make a Sheppard's pie (which I also love but my kids do not).  I do not have pictures of the meal because, well, I'm not a good blogger in that way.  

When the kids were little the leprechaun would sneak into the house early in the morning and mess everything up but he would leave behind a bowl of Lucky Charms, some Skittles and gold chocolate coins.  This year, even though the kids have outgrown all of those silly traditions I still set out some gold chocolate coins and Skittles.  They know it's me but I still blame it on the leprechaun.  

I do decorate the house for the occasion.  Why not?

Yesterday was a busy day.  I had my usual school van run in the morning and then picked my daughter up for school to take her to the orthodontist.  After a few years of braces she finally got them removed and has now moved onto retainers.  She insisted on stopping at McDonalds for a Shamrock Shake so I did oblige and got her one before returning back to school.  I was home just in time to leave for my afternoon van run.  Then to the grocery store and then home to make dinner.  The recipe lied when it said it would be done in a half hour.  Potatoes take much longer to cook.  My husband had to leave for the school board meeting and I spent the rest of the evening with the kids.  Oh, it was only fair that I took my son out to McD's so he could get a Shamrock Shake too.  We are not McDonald's people but they asked to get this celebratory shake.  I didn't get one.  I regret some of my more recent choices of junk food and grew mad at myself last time I stepped on the scale.  So, I'm trying to do better.  

This will be my last post in winter.  Hurray!  We are two days away from spring.  This weather has been back and forth crazy.  Last week we were enjoying sunshine and 80 degrees.  Today it's cloudy and 30's.  My daffodils are trying to wake up but I know they are probably now regretting that decision.  

It's time to put away the St. Patrick's Day decor and bring out all of the Easter stuff.  I cannot wait for you spring!!  

Trusting in God

 This beautiful piece of wall art hangs above the entrance to our kitchen.  

Someone had gifted our church with a bunch of handmade wooden pieces and the church had a sale for anyone to purchase.  We browsed the display and my husband pointed to this one and said he really liked it.  I wish I knew who to give credit to but they were kept anonymous.  So, we have a new piece of art for the dining room and a good reminder to trust in God, even in situations I do not understand.   

I've really felt a conviction lately to focus on my faith and the best way to do that is spending time in God's Word.  My pastor gave everyone in Sunday school this book called God's Got This by Paul Chappel that works with our current lesson in the book of Esther.  Each day there is a devotional and a page of questions for us to answer.  I really like how this helps me to stay intentional.  

Yesterday's page was about the importance of forgiveness and today was about the importance of not getting even with the people who hurt us.  Such a wonderful message and reminder for someone like me; a person who was once taught it's okay to be angry and retaliate against the one who did me wrong.  Instead, the Lord has taught us it's better to turn the other cheek, show kindness back and allow God to be the one to do the judgement on them.  

I also felt a conviction to get back into journaling in my notebook.  Starting with a Bible verse and explaining what the Holy Spirit is teaching me through that.  A friend once read this blog of mine and said she was given a feeling that I should write a devotional of my own.  At first I thought I'm not one capable of doing such a thing but the more I write in this journal and feel God speaking to me the more I feel the urge to do so.  I've been working on a fictional book for quite some time and have even gone back and forth with other story ideas that pop in my head, but to be able to use my own experiences and lessons to help others is all I've ever wanted to do.  

I love my time with God and it's even sweeter when He reveals something that increases my wisdom and faith.  

Oh, but then I take a moment for a bathroom break and my seat gets stolen.

It's okay.  She's upset about the rainy day outside.  Also, she's cute and gets away with anything.  

You know, it feels as though this world is going crazier and crazier by the day but the Bible does warn us of that.  The uglier life gets the more I feel compelled to consume myself into the Word and I believe that is one of the reasons why God does allow bad things to happen - to draw us closer to Him.  I trust in that.  

And now that I look at the time, I have to get ready for work.  I spent the entire morning studying and wanted to take some time to write this up on the good ol' blog.  Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you on here. 

A Sunny March Monday

 What is this I see?

Sunny skies and warm weather!  After many days of rain last week I am so happy to see the sun shining.  

The weather will be warm in the next few days before dropping again.  I'll take what I can get.  The back door is open and the dog is sunbathing.  Time to let those winter germs out of the house.

The weekend was busy.  On Saturday we went to my parents' house where my sister and her family visited from Long Island.  We met my nephew's girlfriend from Bangladesh.  She's really sweet and seems to fit right in with us.  I do hope this lasts.  My nephew looked really happy.  

On Sunday we went to church for Sunday school, service, lunch together in the church cafeteria, and then another service.  My son had to stay for orchestra practice and then he took his sister to the movies to see I Can Only Imagine 2.  They really liked it.  While they were out I vacuumed the school van and then relaxed.  

Today we are back to Monday.  I picked up the three teenage boys to take to their school and then received a text that my elementary school girl didn't need picked up because she's staying home with the flu.  I took my son to his chiropractor appointment and then went home for some morning housework while listening to the Bible app.  I'm putting my feet up for a moment while writing this and waiting for laundry to finish.  It's going to be a busy week of work, more homemaking, and waiting for my kids to get home from track practices after school.  What is so great about having a child that drives is not having to rush around to pick them up.  He's got it now.  

And look at my basil plants.  They are growing nicely.  So is my mint.  The oregano has failed and I'll have to start that over.  

Enjoy the second week of March, friends!  Time is flying by fast.  

March Goes In Like A Lion ...

 "March goes in like a lion and out like a lamb"

Happy March everyone!  Yes, we are experiencing both the lion and the lamb of March and it's only the second day.  We've had days this weekend of pure sunshine and warmth and it was wonderful.  This girl loves sunbathing on the back deck.  

I even cooked dinner on the Blackstone griddle.  Smashed burgers, anyone?

But today it's cloudy, dark skies and chilly air.  Rain, freezing rain, snow is forecasted for the rest of the week and then sunshine and 70+ degrees for Saturday.  It's a long month ahead of us but we will put one foot in front of the other and get through it.  

My daughter participated in the high school's musical this year Annie.  I loved the movie Annie when I was a child, so much that I drove my family crazy with how much I watched it.  I was excited to see the school was doing this musical this year.  Brianna was in the ensemble so she had a small role here and there of being a homeless person, NYC dancer, and a chef for Mr. Warbucks.  The play was great.  Even my son enjoyed it and he does not like musicals.  Bri isn't sure if she'll be participating in anymore school plays but I hope she does.  It's a lot of work.  4 shows - one Friday, two Saturday and one Sunday.  Daily practices beforehand.  Her feet are sore and she's tired but she made it to school today.  

Today starts track season and both kids are participating in that.  It will be bittersweet watching as Matthew enjoys his last season at the high school level.  Bri is giving it a try.  I'm proud of them both.  

We're winding down on the colder days that are keeping me indoors and there's so much on my list of indoor projects still to do.  I guess a rainy week makes a good excuse for getting it done.  Today is dishes, laundry, grocery shopping and vacuuming the school van but now is a good time for a quick lunch break and a blogger hello.  

Enjoy the week, friends!

I saw a reel online today with a guy that said for this week let's challenge ourselves not to complain about anything this week.  I'll give it a try ... let's go! I'll let you know on Friday how I did.