Week

Monday, NIA – Bollywood routine, fast and sweaty. James, Grace, Jack and I went up north for a walk and to get ice cream from The Churn.

Tuesday I got my tubes back from a friend and Jack and I went to float in the pond. We bumped into a neighbor paddleboarding with her daughter, that was fun.

Wednesday, NIA again, just as good as Monday. We went to Fly’n B for a picnic and frog spotting, then Grace and I went to the library. I applied for Hannah’s state ID (since she doesn’t have a permit yet) and we made spinach alfredo lasagna for dinner.

Thursday I took a library book to Phil’s and Rachel did a great job. 2 down, 78 to go.

Friday was the first homeschool skate since March, Grace was happy. Jack got to eat and ice cream for lunch, so he was happy too.

Fun Friday and the weekend

This art exhibition was a birthday party for the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, women’s rights, identity and women in society.

Saturday James and I took a walk down Tennyson and watched the cruising cars that were part of the Elitch Garden Theater’s 130th anniversary celebration.

In the evening the girls Jack-sat while James and I went to Golden Moon Speakeasy, we only had one drink there and then moved to Buffalo Rose (the music at Golden Moon was horrible.) That was a shame because GM has really good drinks.

But, Buffalo Rose has a fireplace.

Sunday, From church, we threw a new intern onto stage and he rose to the challenge. Great job Charles Postell!

Philippians – What is your ending, what are you remembered for?

Paul wrote to the church with three prayers in mind.

-That they would abound in love, loving others greatly and well.

-That they would grow in discernment and lean into the fruits of righteousness.

-That they would live in a way that would make others want to love Jesus.

This means choosing to love those with a different mind, different life walk, different political views. Growing in discernment means to learn as you grow and grow as you learn. Living a blameless, pure life (not a perfect one) so people can trust you and be receptive to your message which is – the absolute pursuit of God. Living so close to Jesus that everyone can see who you follow. When people meet you, what is their first impression? When you leave, what do they remember? When Paul wrote to the church, they remembered him as one who God saved, one that was in jail, suffering, but always worshipped God. Paul remembers the church as a group of people who walked alongside him, fed him, prayed with him, and praised God with him. Paul’s goal was to get everyone involved in the glory and praise of God – to love greatly, grow wisely and let others see Jesus – to be the church to those that need it the most.

Philippians 1:1-2 Paul and Timothy, both of us committed servants of Christ Jesus, write this letter to all the followers of Jesus in Philippi, pastors and ministers included. We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ. 3-6 Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

7-8 It’s not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!

9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

James and I went on a walk around Johnson lake and then had lunch on the patio at The Tavern, it was nice.

In the evening we sat on the porch and Jack brought his rope ball.

Dinners this week – pizza, Thai orange pork with rice and broccoli, cashew apricot chicken with asparagus and salad, spinach alfredo lasagna, tamale pie, Keema aloo with naan, out.

Cashew crusted apricot chicken

1 (12 ounce) jar apricot preserves

¼ cup prepared Dijon-style mustard

1 teaspoon curry powder

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 cup coarsely chopped cashews

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

Combine the preserves, mustard and curry powder in a large skillet and heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until preserves are completely melted and smooth.

Place cashews in a shallow dish or bowl. Dip chicken breasts in skillet sauce, then roll in nuts to coat and place in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes. Boil any remaining sauce and serve on the side with the baked chicken.

Snow is coming

Sunday – From church – A vibrant spiritual life is full of faith filled anticipation and expectations. God is a God of forgiveness, no one is perfect; we all have our mountain highs and valley lows, that’s why God sent Jesus to come alongside us. Don’t run ahead of God – thinking you know what He wants, but also don’t be afraid to follow Him. Live your life, be awake, pay attention to God’s call, be patient and wait with wisdom on Him, not running ahead or falling behind – but walking where He leads. He comes with the things He wishes we would give to others – love and forgiveness, but even if people can’t give you those things – God can.

Psalm 130

1-2 Help, God—the bottom has fallen out of my life!

Master, hear my cry for help!

Listen hard! Open your ears!

Listen to my cries for mercy.

3-4 If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings,

who would stand a chance?

As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit,

and that’s why you’re worshiped.

5-6 I pray to God—my life a prayer—

and wait for what he’ll say and do.

My life’s on the line before God, my Lord,

waiting and watching till morning,

waiting and watching till morning.

7-8 O Israel, wait and watch for God—

with God’s arrival comes love,

with God’s arrival comes generous redemption…

Dinners this week – Olive Garden, grillin’ stuff, beef stew with zucchini tomato bread, black bean and sweet potato burritos with salad, sausage and fried cabbage with beet salad, lemon garlic tilapia with cream corn and brussel sprouts, grilled cheese and tomato soup

Zucchini bread with sun dried tomatoes

1/3 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes

4 small/medium zucchini

1 1/2 tablespoon salt

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour

2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/3 cup coconut palm sugar (I am going to use less than that)

2 teaspoons dried rosemary

Rind of 1/2 lemon

2 eggs

1/4 cup water

Soak the sun dried tomatoes overnight in a bowl of water. Rinse. Grate the zucchini and mix with 1/2 tablespoon salt in a bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes, and then put in a cheese cloth and press to drain all the water. You should end up with about 1 cup of very well pressed and compacted grated zucchini. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Mix the flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl.

Mix the butter, sugar, rosemary, lemon rind, eggs and water in another bowl. Add the zucchini and the chopped and rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes (you can chop up the tomatoes into even smaller pieces before doing this). Mix well. Incorporate the dried ingredients and mix well until it becomes a uniform dough.

Transfer the dough to a non stick 9×5-inch baking pan. Bake the bread for 40 minutes, and then start checking every five minutes until it’s ready. You’ll know it’s ready when you pinch it with a knife and it comes out clean. Let the bread cool for 15 minutes. Run a knife along the edges and unmold.

Labor day was hot. There was a lot of smoke from a fire up in Ft. Collins, still, James, Jack and I went to the pond for a dip. We grilled hamburgers and steak, I made watermelon agua fresca, we watched some Perry Mason, took a drive and had a holiday drink at Phil’s.

Tuesday it rained, then started to snow, then stopped for a bit. Jack and I went for a walk, we haven’t picked plums yet and now we may not get to. If it snows too much they will just drop on the ground and I’m not sure how the ones left hanging will taste, so I may have missed my plum butter opportunity. James and Joel went to the range while the girls and I did some school and made zucchini tomato bread. After dinner we watched another Perry Mason while the snow fell.

Wednesday I went to NIA and Jack was not happy about the amount of snow we got. He did meet a little wren friend though (don’t worry it flew off after a few of Jack’s sniffs.)

We had a cosplay tea in the afternoon.

Thursday urban walk with Jack.

The all day date drive

But first, coffee at Ground up, Jack looks like he needs a cup.

Drive, drive, drive, then a stop at Kenosha pass to stretch the legs.

Then drive, drive, drive, get out at River Runners and find out they are closed (who closes an outdoor restaurant on Labor day weekend?) Played in the river for a bit, then drove into town for lunch because we were hungry.

Then, drive, drive to St. Elmo the ghost town. The chipmunks fet fed so much that they come right up to you. Jack just stood still, he thought he was dreaming – so many chipmunks!

We wandered around town.

Then we drove home, stopping at Kenosha pass again to let Jack out. Since Phil’s was on the way home we stopped there and had dinner from Zomo’s. A wonderful day!

 

Thursday, Fri-yay!

Thursday after school the girls and I went to the park for a picnic. A Mom friend joined us (without her kids, she needed a break from them.) We chatted and then played ping-pong. The wind made it interesting. It was a good break for the day.

After dinner James and I took Jack for a walk to the dog park. It was the first time we took his chuck-it to the park and he had fun.

Then to EG for some libations.

Friday Hannah had her Pizza Hut orientation/first day of work to go to, Grace worked on a summary of a book for English class, Joel was working on accounting and journalism and James had a half day of work before the holiday weekend. Jack and I took a walk to work up an appetite for lunch at Breakfast Queen, this place is going to ruin me.

I didn’t get enough steps in, so we took an evening walk at a new park that had a nice sunset view.

I’m liking this

I’m getting into this one kid homeschooling thing. Hannah is pretty independent, Grace is getting settled into her college classes, I have time to go to NIA and do other things, it’s nice. Monday I went to NIA and it was the last day of the GirlTrek bootcamp challenge (and my shirt came in over the weeked.)

I took a barefoot walk with Jack.

Grace and I went to get water samples.

James and I went to EG for some drinks, just because.

Tuesday I took Jack to the dog park for a walk, then we took Hannah to the orthodontist.

We went to the coffee shop to read/do art, dropped off my phone to get a new battery and dropped books at the library. When we got home I redecorated the front porch and mantle.

Grace chalked, it’s a crawfish but people thought it was a lobster (next time she’ll do it in brown/gray/blue.)

Wednesday after NIA and school, Grace and I went kayaking. I was hoping that there would be fewer people at the pond and I was right.

Weekend

I found a HUGE tomato horn-worm, Grace took it in and is hoping to get it to grow into a moth.

James, Grace and I went to Breakfast Queen to try it out – it was GOOD! I need to go back because I saw they serve Monte Cristo sandwiches!

Grace made some art.

The hummingbirds flitted around.

James spent the afternoon wiping 3 computers, moving 3 desks and 3 chairs upstairs to get rid of.

Sunday I went to church and then we went to Stanley to hear LAPOMPE.

From church -A little help for my friends

Shame, how does the gospel address shame?

Godly sorrow based on truth is guilt that leads to change. Shame is based on lies that lead to hurt, isolation, self-loathing, destruction, feeling like you are unlovable or not important. Shame diminishes us and makes us feel like a failure. Shame speaks to our identity, how we see ourselves and how we think others see us. Only the gospel can remove shame and restore our true identity – children of God, created in His image, part of His plan to redeem us and restore us. Shame is not part of God’s creation, it is a barrier. What are you using to cover your shame? Will it ever be enough? The more you cover shame, the more you pile on, the more isolated you become and the farther you get from a loving God because you feel unworthy. Jesus invites us as sons and daughters to come into His presence, remove shame and cover ourselves with peace. What can separate us from the love of God – nothing.

Genesis 2:25 The two of them, the Man and his Wife, were naked, but they felt no shame.

Luke 8: 43-45 In the crowd that day there was a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with hemorrhages. She had spent every penny she had on doctors but not one had been able to help her. She slipped in from behind and touched the edge of Jesus’ robe. At that very moment her hemorrhaging stopped. Jesus said, “Who touched me?”…..46 Jesus insisted, “Someone touched me. I felt power discharging from me.” 47 When the woman realized that she couldn’t remain hidden, she knelt trembling before him. In front of all the people, she blurted out her story—why she touched him and how at that same moment she was healed. 48 Jesus said, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!”

Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

I John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

I was wearing my Popsicle earrings and Popsicle socks.

Grace made a mermaid costumed angler fish.

Dinners this week (starting today) – Shrimp and grits with cornbread and salad, chicken parmesan skillet with fruit salad, turkey veggie meatloaf cups with mashed potatoes and tex-mex salad, mojito lime pork tacos with jicama salad, corn chowder with pretzel rolls and salad, chicken apple walnut salad with veggie soup, out. Notice – a lot of frickin’ salad.

Corn Chowder Recipe

1 tablespoon butter

1 strip bacon, or 1 teaspoon bacon fat

1/2 large yellow onion, chopped (about 3/4 cup)

1/3 cup diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup small diced carrot

4-5 ears of sweet corn, kernels removed from the cobs (about 3 cups), cobs reserved (see steps for taking corn off the cob)

1 bay leaf

4 1/2 cups milk, whole or low fat

2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and large (1-inch) diced (about 3 cups)

3 teaspoons of Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Cook the bacon: Place butter and bacon into a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot. Heat on medium heat until the bacon renders its fat, 3-4 minutes.

Cook the vegetables (except the corn and potatoes): Add the chopped onions, red bell pepper, carrot, lower the heat to medium low and cook until vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.

Add corn cobs and bring to a simmer: Break the corn cobs in half (after you’ve stripped off the corn) and add the cobs to the pot. Add the milk and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a bare simmer. Cover the pot and cook for 20 minutes. Make sure the heat is as low as can be and still maintain a gentle simmer to prevent scalding the milk on the bottom of the pan.

Add potatoes: After 20 minutes, add the potatoes, salt, and thyme to the pot. Increase the heat to return the soup to a simmer, then lower the heat to maintain the simmer and cook for another 10 minutes. Finish the soup: Discard the cobs, the bacon strip, and the bay leaf. Add the corn kernels and black pepper. Again raise the heat to bring the soup to a simmer, then lower the heat and cook for another 5 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender. Add more salt and pepper to taste.

Fun Friday

We went to the MCA for the We The People exhibit, It was very good, lots of thought provoking art.

We had lunch at Zoe Ma Ma’s.

And ice cream at LM’s.

Back at home Grace finished up some math and Hannah did her Biology lab and we saw some brine shrimp eggs and hatchlings.

The week

Antique store shopping.

Tuesday morning GirlTrek walk.

Wednesday NIA, next week the routine changes.

Made this raw beet root cake (not a cake, there is no flour in it, maybe a tart is a better word.) It was pretty icy (too much liquid?) So I put it back in the blender and redid it, it’s okay.

Thursday took Jack to Gross reservoir to kayak, it was a long haul to the shore with the boat, but a nice time once we were in the water.

The girls got through week one of school mostly without my help. I didn’t feel guilty about going to NIA or kayaking (the girls went to Michael’s, Sbux, Spirit store, Party city and the mall that day.) Next week will be a bit harder (the first week is always easy), but I’ve planned a few breaks into the week that will help.

I wrote this poem because of something said by a ‘friend’ at church to my girls.

Hurt

Who hurt you once
seemingly beyond repair,
with forked tongue
putting on airs?

Who beat you without
lifting a hand,
made you disappear
Into a fortress with walls
so thick
that fiery arrows of hate
can’t touch you?

Walls keep out the hate
but they also keep out –
Love,
Kindness,
Happiness,
Light.

Open your eyes
and heart
To see that hate
can’t hold you down,
that words can’t break you.
Put on your armor and march
into the great unknown.
It’s full of both love and hate.
Untwist from bitterness,
and rise from the ashes

For no one is hurt
beyond repair.

-L

First day of school

First day of school.

Hannah – 10th grade – English, Geometry, US History, Biology, Sociology, Spanish I, Police Explorers, volunteering. 

Likes – crocheting and spending a lot of money on yarn, watching British soap operas and Psych, bike riding, pizza, dinosaurs, rats, swimming, smiling, making coffee.

Dislikes – anyone who has an opposite opinion, beets, meat, roller skating, cleaning her room, reading. 

Grace – Freshman ACC – English, Algebra, Mythology, Digital art, Riverwatch, volunteering.

Likes – making art with a computer or chalk or anything, roller skating, swimming, kayaking, leopard geckos, watching baking shows, cosplay. 

Dislikes – speaking in public, math, people who litter, driving, having Clear creek closed to swimming for the whole Summer, finding masks in the river. 

Jack – Pirate puppy school year 2.5,

Likes – Chuck it glow in the dark BALL, golf balls, tennis balls, soccer balls, basically any round object that looks like a ball, frisbees, chasing squirrels, diving for rocks, puppuccinos, Littleman pup cones, kayaking, hiking, napping, driving, eating things off the floor. 

Dislikes – getting in water when it’s not his idea, walking when it’s hot, squirrels that throw food at him, birds (including ducks and geese), the peas and carrots that Lazy Dog slips into his hamburger dinner, not playing ball all day. 

Liese – more of an overseer than a teacher this year, checking in when needed and making sure deadlines are met. Creating and hosting TNO, TDO, park days and field trips for our homeschool group. 

Likes – NIA, hiking kayaking, singing in the car, outdoor church (it will be a shame to go inside when cold weather hits), reading, taking MOOC classes, making art, eating food that is not American, listening to music.

Dislikes – waking up early, coffee (unless it has ice cream in it), when cupcakes get stuck to the wrapper, doctor appointments, vacuuming, sitting in traffic, people who are flakes, not having a full calendar.