The art of deep seeing makes gratitude possible.  And it is the Art of gratitude that makes joy possible.  Isn’t joy the art of GOD?
~Ann Voskamp
One Thousand Gifts

The times when busyness over takes, schedule busting sickness settles in for a few days or weeks, it is then I find comfort in the still voice that tells me to look deeper and see the good that HE is doing.  How wonderous it is, to stop and ponder this, “what am I Lord that You are mindful of me?  That You still speak, and call, and draw me close?”

Counting is like following the long rivers, rushing wide and rapids foaming in places, slowing down to a trickle in others, while even at times it seems the river bed is dry.  But no, look closer, life is flourishing even there.

gifts to #810
Fruit smoothie in the morning
Philippians 4:4-7
The free cards that arrived from dayspring, making acknowledging birthdays a little easier
The community unites to prayer and provide meals
Inexpensive pet food, gives boost to our budget
Movie get away with Beloved
Sunday afternoon nap
Bird song at the ranch
Summer plans beginning
Last summer’s squash still moving from storage to table
Found an author hubby enjoys reading

About once every two weeks or so, I log on to Recycle Bank to earn points by learning about companies that are implemently greener practices and also to learn about ways I can continue to be a better steward of the environment.

In exchange for the points one can print coupons, get magazine subscriptions or gift cards.

Just another way to stretch our dollars and increase a little in knowledge.

note:the links above are my referral links.

{this moment} – Tucked in here most Fridays, photos from an ordinary, or not so ordinary, moment from the week. A moment I want to linger on, press into, and offer thanks for..

This week was a quieter, slower week as 2 of our sweet ladies were hit again with the fever and cough producing virus.  For the first time in two years we broke out the nebulizer and albuteral for a breathing treatment.  Ick.  But I am thankful, so thankful, for all that we need; peaceful home, medical care, motrin, warm tea and plenty of soft cheek strokes.

Quiet activity continued, with plenty of stories and a few dvds mixed in.

linking with Soulemama
Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Joy is God
and God is joy.

Joy doesn’t negate all other emotions;
joy transcends all other emotions.

to #798
Healthy children
Gracious Kyoshi
Cloud striped moon in the early morning
Blue light through the pinion branches
A time call to a friend
And a verse from friend for me to meditate on
Artisan bread
My medical alert bracelet has been returned!
Warm tea
Motrin
Gift found behind a door ~ a warm hat for our windy walk
  Chocolate kisses and sweet daughters
Ballet Magnificat ~ Roaring Lambs, preserving salt in the world of dance, offering it back to the Creator of Dance.

“>

Valentine making by the light of the cross, for that is where LOVE is found.

Expecting perfection

Desiring a  culture of love in our home

Something I want, and want to give to my children.

Recently Mary Oysten from Owlhaven posted a recipe to make bread from leftover oatmeal.  One morning this past week we had leftover Blueberry Orange Oatmeal and I decided to give her recipe a try.  I did have to make some adjustments.  My recipe is at the bottom of this post… but there is a link above to access the original recipe at Owlhaven.

My family is thrilled with this bread, it is moist, but slices beautifully. We enjoyed one loaf the day I made it, some with butter, some without.  It was great either way.  And it will be perfect for peanut butter sandwiches later in the week.

Berry Orange Oatmeal Bread

Makes 2 loaves

 1 cup cooked oatmeal, cooled to lukewarm
 2 tsp yeast
 1 T coconut sugar
 2  cups hot tap water (about 110-115 degrees)(used 3/4c orange juice and added water to get 2 cups)
 2 teaspoons salt
 6-7 cups fresh ground red wheat (or unbleached all-purpose flour)

Turn out on a floured board. Knead until the dough feels smooth, pliable and elastic. You may need to add up to one cup more flour if necessary to get the right feel. Shape the dough into a ball, put into a well-buttered bowl, and turn to coat on all sides. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

To see the slideshow of all this week’s great sketches, go here. And if you want to join us next week, for  sketching, go here to learn the details.

There are those weeks where life sweeps like a swift river, and although it is mostly good, the time to think & write just gets swept into cleaning the broken glass, enjoying the extra hours of fellowship gifted by traveling husbands, kneading the daily bread and wiping tears over lessons in schooling that might not really matter, or do they?  That’s a question often in my head.  But still we count, because God is good and has gifted so generous and abundantly.

counting to 764
A goal reached!  15 push ups daily!
A promise made, and the faith to trust and believe
Strong hymns floating up the stairs
 A sweet sempi
Pretty paper waiting to become valentines

Soup in mugs
Artisan bread that is good!
  A quiet productive day
 Laughter over conversation hearts
A surprise today…someone else’s handwriting in my gratitude journal
 Laughter heard today…much more laughter over those conversation hearts
Another surprise…finding out that my sister was blessed by words I spoke, and has shared them with others, who were also blessed.
 The hug when I feel like I’ve failed our children