How About You?

It's only January, but on my walk the other day I discovered a Forsythia in bloom! For all of you who live in the Midwest or on the East coast, I'm so sorry for the awful Winter weather you've been enduring. I'm flying back to Indiana next week and my fingers are crossed that the roads won't be too treacherous since I'm out of practice driving in anything but rain. Around here it's been in the 40's and we've had quite a bit of rain and some sun-breaks. Typical PNW weather.

Here's what I've been up to the last few weeks:

I attended the "Gathered" women's retreat at our church Friday night and Saturday. The teaching was on Isaiah 43,44 and 55, and everything about the talks, food, worship, fellowship fed my soul. I love learning more about God's love story for us! We also were inspired by Kelly Welk from Cider Press Lane to do what we love and allow God will use it to bless others. Check out her website here and see how their joy of hospitality has grown into a way to fight against human trafficking.

Around my town: It was like a ghost town at Safeway the other day. Where have all the shoppers gone? EVERYONE in my town has decided to check out the new Fred Meyer. As someone who doesn't deal super-well with change, I'm not in love with them closing MY Freddie's and closing Main and Vine (miss my Wednesday $5 salads!) and then opening a mega store. No more zip-in and zip-out. Now you have to pray for a parking spot and weave your cart around a billion people. Who are you? Where did you come from? 

Around my home:
How come I've gained weight since my husband has been unemployed?! Well...we now eat lunch together and it's probably more calorie-laden than I used to eat, plus at night our dinner portions are about the same size. He goes to the YMCA every day and burns lots of calories through lifting and cardio.  I take walks. Shoot. This can't go on! There are only 166 days until my daughter's wedding!

We finished season two of "The Crown" on Netflix. I won't spoil it for you, but it has definitely caused us to discuss healthy and unhealthy parenting and marriage relationships, and the Monarchy.

I grabbed what I thought was a matchbook out of my husband's bathroom drawer so I could light a candle for my bubble bath. Upon opening, I discovered not matches, but toothpicks. Is this a new thing? Now that smoking is no longer allowed in most places (thankfully!) are restaurants giving out cute toothpick packs? When trying to research, I did find an article on the history of matchbooks.

Did anyone else ever read the former online magazine called "Matchbook?" I loved their tagline; "Field Guide to a Charmed Life." I miss it! Bring it back!!!

I'm knitting again! Yay for yarn and little projects! I sent the girls of my family this blog that talked about the value of creativity and The Creator of all.

I'm back into menu planning and trying to use what we have in our freezer and pantry. Last night's Chicken Marsala was yummy, and I made One-Pot Kielbasa Pasta for a family who just had a baby. 

We've moved my husband's office upstairs to what used to be the guest room, and that is now on the lower level. We have some more projects to complete and then we're possibly going to make a stab at having an Air B and B. 

How about you? What have you been up to this month? 

In His Grip, 
xo Jane

5 Favorites For Friday

Hi! Before I begin sharing my list of this week's favorite things, I want to share a surprise I found on my computer a couple weeks ago. My #3 son had helped me add a program. (Yay! I love WORD so much better than Apple PAGES!) When I turned on my laptop the next morning I found this:

Can you read it? It says, "TJ is the best. He is my favorite son and I will always favor him! Mwhahahaha "
LOVE it! LOVE him! I have FOUR favorite children (and two favorite daughter-in-laws). I am a proud Mama because TJ will be graduating with his Masters in Family and Marriage Therapy in three weeks and he was just offered a great job!

Here are my 5 Favorites for this week:

1.Quote:
 "God views every mess as a masterpiece in the making." Read Alicia Bruxvoort's devotion in today's Proverbs 31 Ministries and you'll find out the context. God is definitely not finished with me yet!

2. Current Nail polish
This week I took OPI's Cajun Shrimp to my nail salon for my pedicure. It's described as a spicy shade of coral. (I like to take my own bottles in case the color chips and also so I know it's fresh.)

Some other classic OPI shades I like for my toes are:
Charged up cherry (a hot pink-red) and Strawberry Margarita (sip into this bright pink and enjoy!) Nail polish names are so clever and always make me smile.

For my short fingernails which I have nibbled on since I was a CHILD, I like OPI:
Mod about you (totally modern light pink) or OPI red. In the Winter I love shades of blue and gray.

My other favorite brand is Sally Hansen. Super easy to apply and lasts! My go-to color for Spring is Grape Gatsby. I get lots of compliments on it. Reminds me of Lilacs...

3 Inexpensive lip care:
The only time I've had my lips look at all like Angelina Jolie's, was when I had an allergic reaction to something I ate. Needless to say, I don't like to spend a lot on lip products.  I DO like these two items I picked up at Target, made by e.l.f. (eyes/lips/face)

e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator 
This helps if you have chapped lips. Use it before you brush your teeth, then apply balm.
It's only $3 and online it comes in different flavors. (Mine is Sweet cherry)
"Gently exfoliate lips to remove dry, chapped skin with our Lip Exfoliator! A sweet sugar and smoothing sensation, infused with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Avocado, Grape and Jojoba Oils to nourish and protect. This Lip Exfoliator treats and smooths lips for a conditioned and revitalized feel." 

Tinted Lip Balm
This balm goes on sheer and smells great! It comes in several shades. I have "Bare Kiss" and "Berry Sweet." It's about $2. Score!
"This beautifully tinted lip balm helps create baby soft lips so you can always be kissable! Each color provides a sheer tint of coverage for a lovely and luscious lip effect. Infused with Vitamin A & E, Grape Seed Oil, and Jojoba Oil to help nourish, protect, and moisturize lips. The silky smooth formula glides on lips for lasting comfort while the minty flavor keeps lips feeling fresh."

4. Biscuit Recipe
I'm craving bread right now since I'm trying to cut back. As I was looking for a recipe for a MOPS brunch I'm attending next weekend I saw this recipe on my "breakfast page." It is for 2 ingredient biscuits. That's it! Two things; self-rising flour that Walmart sells for $2.38 and Heavy cream. Not nutritious but great, fluffy and easy! When you click on the link, music starts to play...

5. New to me children's book: 
I was unpacking a shipment of books at work the other day and I discovered a book I'd never read. I had to read it (research for customers, right?) It's called Dragons Love Tacos  
and the story and illustrations are adorable! I might have to get it for my friend who ALWAYS has me over for Taco Tuesdays or for my TJ who LOVES tacos and dragons! Maybe a graduation gift?!...

I am off to our women's retreat tonight and tomorrow. Spending time with my sisters in Christ is always a favorite!

What are your weekend plans?

Grateful for Grace and In His Grip,
xo Jane