We started our day by going to the Paris street market, they had the booths spread out so it looked like there were more tents. Lots of cool junk to look at.
Then we dropped by Connections church to play a round of putt-putt. (We had Malia with us.) Jack went nuts when he saw the golf balls and twice he got close enough to grab at the ball and move it and once he had my golf ball in his mouth and I had to pry it out. We ended up with a 4 way tie (21) and James had 28.
James grilled a late lunch, we ate, I read, Grace chalked.
Then we put in an appearance at the neighborhood block party, I went and met my neighbor 2 doors down and then said I needed to leave because I’m having surgery and there were too many people there. The HR fireworks were canceled since we had 2 fires in the past week, but that didn’t stop the block party from popping off fireworks until 11pm. I told people to just look at pics of past fireworks – but it seems no one did.
Sunday I had a surprise at church, they made some permanent shade instead of having to put up and take down the tents each week. I think it’s a good improvement and gives some much needed shade for the back area.
From church – Reboot: trust
Where do we place our trust in difficult times is the wrong question – Who do we place our trust in and who are we relying on to get through difficult times?
Our natural tendency is to trust in what we can see. God will never ask you to pretend like everything is okay when it’s not. When things are not okay we need to be reminded of who we put our trust in and we need to exercise the spiritual habit of trusting God. Control what you can and let God handle the rest. Remember that things are stronger when they are broken – growth often happens under pressure.
Fear can make us less loving, it steals the ability to make good choices. Fear and anxiety spread from person to person faster than any virus, the antidote to fear is trust.
Are you weary and burdened? We see problems as an absence of God, but God is drawn to weary, broken, burdened people. Remember that a yoke seems heavy, but it doesn’t mean you’re on your own. Jesus is paired with you and with Him the yoke is easy, the load is shared.
Psalm 20 1-4 God answer you on the day you crash, The name God-of-Jacob put you out of harm’s reach, Send reinforcements from Holy Hill, Dispatch from Zion fresh supplies, Exclaim over your offerings, Celebrate your sacrifices, Give you what your heart desires, Accomplish your plans. 5 When you win, we plan to raise the roof and lead the parade with our banners. May all your wishes come true! 6 That clinches it—help’s coming, an answer’s on the way, everything’s going to work out. 7-8 See those people polishing their chariots, and those others grooming their horses? But we’re making garlands for God our God. The chariots will rust, those horses pull up lame—and we’ll be on our feet, standing tall.
2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
I went grocery shopping after church and had just enough time to sit for a bit before we headed out to the pet store and Stanley. Marley is staying with us for a week, he’s a good dog.
Jack is not used to sharing his bed though.
We had a nice shady spot to eat lunch and listen to David play with his other band (David Lawrence and the Spoonful.)
Then it was back home so James and Joel could go to the gun range. I read and gathered up my stuff I’m giving away at the park (school stuff, games, books, toys) and listened to my Nina Simone station. We had leftovers for dinner, sat on the porch for a bit and watched an episode of Godless.
Tips – make a grocery list (I love lists!) I make mine according to the layout of my King Soopers – Heaven help them if they ever remodel again. Clean out your fridge/pantry BEFORE you shop for the week (throw out leftovers, move things around, get rid of trash) this way when you get home you can quickly put away groceries. SHOP WITHOUT CHILDREN (if you can, call it Mommy time and have your husband watch the kids, it’s cheaper that way.)
Dinners this week – leftovers, tacos and elote corn, butternut squash lentil curry with brown rice, fettuccine alfredo with ham and peas on the side, BBQ pork sliders with coleslaw, pizza, out/grill
Butternut squash lentil curry
2 cups brown lentils
8 cups water
½ teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 large onion, diced
2 tomatoes cored and chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ tablespoons curry powder, or to taste
2 teaspoons ground cumin
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups peeled, cubed (1-inch), seeded butternut squash
2 each potatoes, unpeeled and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 cups packed fresh spinach, chopped
1 Granny Smith apple, unpeeled, cored and diced
(follow below for stove directions, otherwise soak lentils overnight and throw everything into a crockpot for 4-6 hours on low.)
Place the brown lentils in a pan with the water and turmeric. Cook over medium-low heat until tender, about 45 minutes. Drain, reserving 2 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid.
Meanwhile, heat the canola oil in a large, deep pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and cook until tender and transparent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and garlic; cook 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Mix in the curry powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and cloves. Add the cooked lentils, reserved cooking liquid, squash, potatoes, and carrots. Cover, and cook over medium-low heat until the vegetables are tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Stir in the spinach and apple. Cook until the squash can be easily pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes more. Adjust seasonings to taste. Serve over rice.
