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Monday, April 23, 2012

As Long As You Have Cottage Cheese



I love the back sample counter at Trader Joe's. They concoct something yummy, explain how to make it and have all the ingredients laid out so you know exactly what to buy; visual learners like myself appreciate that. I snapped a picture of the recipe with my "un-smart" phone and decided to give the recipe a try. 

The reason this was a bold move was my hubby doesn't like Thai or curry but I figured it was a side dish, so he wouldn't complain. When he looked at me making it the only question he asked was, "We have cottage cheese, right?" He knew if he had a scoop of his favorite dairy side dish, he'd be fine.

Cottage cheese is a staple at our house so "Carver corner" tries not to run out. My hubby believes it goes with everything. His favorite brand is the big tub of Dairigold sold at Costco. It seems like summer camps and college cafeterias have the same philosophy about peanut butter. They usually always have a jar and bread so that if the day's menu isn't a "hit" the kid can always make a  P & J sandwich.

God is my cottage cheese and peanut butter. No matter what my day looks like, and even if I'm offered something I really don't want, I know I'll be fine because I have the security of knowing Jesus is right there. The bonus is He'll never run out!

"For  He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Psalm 107:9  

I thought I'd share this tasty recipe.(I cut the recipe in 1/2 for 3 of us.)

Trader Joe's Thai Harvest Grains
1 bag cooked Harvest Grains (follow package instructions)
1 bottle red curry
1/2 bottle mango ginger chutney
1 cup chopped peanuts & diced green onions
(Mix all ingredients in a skillet over medium heat until warm.)

In His Grip, Jane

Monday, April 16, 2012

Lost, Found and Learned




Blame it on moving. I am an organized girl who loves the idea of "a place for everything and everything in it's place." That works well unless you've had five addresses in two years. Then things start to get lost... After much stress and gnashing of teeth we located the missing file folder of ALL our 2011 tax information. (It was kind of a BIG deal.) I learned all kinds of lessons this weekend at Carver Corner.
 
I looked at my hubby as he was dashing to meet some friends in town and wondered why he was wearing the sweatshirt that had a huge stain covered with Shout stain stick. He'd grabbed it off the washing machine machine and assumed it was clean. Perhaps my laundry system isn't refined yet. Anyway, he didn't notice the spot-I had to bring it to his attention. Sometimes we're unaware of our own "stains" until they're pointed out to us..

Much to her dismay, my youngest daughter noticed Iced Caramel Macchiato stains all down the front of her ivory sundress. She had stopped for some road trip energy as she prepared to make the five hour drive to see her big brother on the other side of the state. As she went to pay she realized she'd left her wallet at home. I got to see the wardrobe malfunction when she needed me to meet her in town to deliver the wallet...She blamed the barista for the spillage and I know It will be a miracle if the stains can be removed when she gets back from her trip. Shout and Oxy can only do so much. God takes the stains He finds and makes them disappear.


"Jesus paid it all 
All to Him I owe 
Sin had left a crimson stain 
He washed it white as snow"
(source-lyrics to Jesus Paid it All) 

After searching everywhere and almost canceling our dinner reservation to Stanley & Seafort's, I tracked down the missing restaurant gift card our children gave us for Christmas. (We had a great date that included "The Tower, a view, Lavender martinis and a slice of Key Lime Pie.) Sometimes we're just looking in the wrong place.

We spent Saturday afternoon at the Swedish furniture store, Ikea. Due to it's size it takes a while to get from entrance to exit even if your list is short. As we maneuvered around couples and families speaking a variety of languages I managed to lose our list. I had written down items that I specifically hoped to find at a fabulous price, including kitchen chairs. Somewhere my post-it note detached from my Ikea map (yes, the map that helps you navigate departments and where you write the aisle and bin number of the items you desire.) There I was, retracing my steps, as if I'd spot my tiny piece of paper in that huge store. I finally gave up looking. God never gives up on us when we're lost.

In the end although the list remained lost, we managed to find what we needed and even ended up with a few surprise items.The chairs we brought home have not turned out to be the right choice. Anyone want to join me later this week for a trip to Ikea?

I will be spending my spring break finding things, working on stain removal taking a mini-road trip to Portland  and continuing my quest to find kitchen chairs. What have you lost, found or learned lately?

In his Grip, Jane

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Do You See The Fragile Sticker?


We lost count how many times we headed to Home Depot last month to buy more packing supplies; boxes, paper, bubble wrap, and fragile stickers. We carefully wrapped all our dishes and breakables, then made sure we put at least two fragile stickers on each box that needed tender care.

Well…our moving van un-loaders were Hispanic and apparently didn’t read English. We cringed as we watched them jostling our boxes, then thumping them down. It wasn't their fault, but we envisioned lots of broken items. We pointed out the bright red fragile stickers but that didn’t seem to make a difference.

 As we unwrapped our “goods” we were surprised to find everything made it and was unbroken (except the hutch door that the professionals wrapped.) The time we spent wrapping carefully with bubble wrap and paper was worth it! Adding the fragile stickers was not…

I’m feeling a bit “fragile” lately due all the changes our family has been through in the last several months. I wish I could smack a fragile sticker on my forehead so people would understand I need to be handled gently.

Thankfully, I will cling to the idea that I’m "bubble wrapped" by the love of God and my friends and family. I need to wrap myself up in God’s promises.If circumstances shake me up, I’ll still be OK and I choose joy!

Cast all your anxiety on Him for he cares for you.  1Peter 5:7

In His Grip, Jane

Friday, April 6, 2012

Good To Better

Source: christianbackgrounds.info
A lot can happen in three days. I'm counting on that. My hubby was struck this week by three unfortunate events; a business trip cut short due to an onset of vertigo, his hand swelling up with a case of Gout, and getting a speeding ticket as he headed from the airport to our local urgent care. Not good.

We spent this Good Friday in the E.R. getting tests run and trusting the doctors to end his pain and misery. After several hours, the conclusion was severe vertigo. He has to be still, wait, and trust that in a few days things will get better.

As we wait for Easter Sunday, those of us who believe in Jesus know that in three days, something that started out in unimaginable pain gets better. WAY better.


In three days a lot can happen... God conquered death and He brings us new life and an eternity with Him. I pray that if you haven't already asked Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, you will.
Easter Sunday is coming!

"He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen."  Matthew 28:8

Wishing you a wonderful Resurrection weekend with your loved ones! Happy Easter!

In His Grip, Jane



Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Snippets From Glen Ellyn

 It's a fact. I am a hoarder! Please don't contact the show...  Last night I got around to sorting the paperwork I'd stored at the Gig Harbor studio apartment I lived in this fall, and what I'd had in our Illinois white house. I threw away the following snippets of the time I spent in Glen Ellyn: the Glenbard West High school handbook (phew, glad that's over) library card, grocery cards, Binny's liquor store membership (remember I like Cosmos & Margaritas?) and flyers of B & B's I had hoped we'd explore in the Midwest. I also found a LOT of address labels; we don't live on Ray Nash  or Sawyer Ave anymore, so they got tossed too.

I'll keep what matters from the Glen Ellyn months of my life; lessons learned, fun memories, contact numbers of the new friends I made in our neighborhood and church, and pounds gained eating at the plethora of restaurants we had near our home (well, hopefully I can lose those-ha!)

Letting go...moving on. It's hard for me to believe a month ago I was in Illinois packing and cleaning and walking to town. Now I'm unpacking, I should be cleaning, and I'm getting used to the drive from our corner on the island into town.
 
Why, oh why do I have so many boxes of "stuff"? Why have I been carting boxes across the country filled with toys for future grandchildren, decor I don't love, board games we don't play? Why don't I just toss it, decide to donate it all to Goodwill or attempt to earn some money  selling  on Craig's List? I want to be a minimalist, yet I hang on to things I might need someday...
In two days it will be Good Friday. Jesus willingly gave up everything for me (and you). I think it's time for me to give up more of the stuff I've been hoarding  for my earthly future and focus on the here and now as I prepare for eternity.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

My cell phone rang twice this morning and it was a (630) number. My former doctor's office says it's time for my physical. I guess that reminder means I need to choose a new local doctor since Dupage Medical group in Wheaton is a bit too far to commute-and I think Fox Island is a long drive! Addresses, area codes, zip codes...my world and numbers keep changing. One thing remains the same and constant~God.

In His Grip, Jane
 
If you know anyone looking for a cute studio apartment in Gig Harbor, contact me-it's available.