Monday, March 30, 2020

Be Still

Life  can sometimes be overwhelming, and we simply forget to breathe.  Maybe life’s  not going how you planned, or you’re just having a bad day. Stop –  take a breath – think of just one thing you’re grateful for today.  Breathe in God’s peace, and start over – refresh your mind.

 It’s my wish that you will find even a  moment to “be still” and just breathe.

 
"Be still and know that I am God..."
Psalm 46:10



Sunday, March 29, 2020

Reflections


In This Together


As we were driving this morning, we saw so many families out walking together...riding bikes together.  I'm sure many are sitting at home...together.  I know our family has been spending time watching movies together, hanging out together...just talking...together.  It makes you wonder...is that what this "storm" is all about?  Being together.

Maybe God's trying to talk to us...trying to get through to us.  We get so busy in this world that we don't have time for each other anymore.  Maybe God's allowing this storm to bring families back together.  Maybe He just wants us to appreciate who we have in our lives.  Maybe He just wants us to appreciate what we have period.  Not all storms come to disrupt or upset your life, maybe some come to clear your path.

Whatever it is that the Lord is trying to tell us, maybe it's time to thank Him for the lessons this storm is teaching us.  Just remember that during the storm, God is our shelter, and storms don't last forever.  Sometimes you just have to bow your head and pray.  We are not alone...we are all in this storm "together" with God.

"...and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me."
John 16:32



Thursday, March 26, 2020

Stir Fry Chicken


Years back when I was still working outside the home, a friend of mine made this for me. I loved it so much that I started making it myself.

Over the years, I've changed the recipe up a bit. She used frozen veggies, while I love using fresh ones. And with a few more changes here and there, I've revised this recipe to my own personal liking.

It's one of my personal favorites, and I never get tired of it! And...it's pretty healthy for you, too!
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!


Ingredients:

1 Lg. box of Zatarain’s Yellow Rice
2 T. of Olive Oil
2-3 Chicken Breasts (Cut into bite-size pieces)
1 Bunch of fresh broccoli
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Yellow Bell Pepper
1 pkg. of fresh sliced mushrooms
2 T. Minced Garlic
Teriyaki Sauce
Worcestershire Sauce


Directions:

1) Cut raw chicken into bite size pieces – about the size of your thumb, then set aside;
2) Cut vegetables into bite size pieces. (You can leave the broccoli stems, if you like, or just use the    crowns.) Set veggies aside;
3) Cook rice as directed on the box for the serving size you wish;
4) Pour oil into skillet or wok, and mix in your garlic;
5) When oil is hot, add chicken, and a bit of Soy and Worcestershire Sauce (Use to your liking);
6) When chicken is no longer pink and lightly browned, remove from pan;
7) Add veggies, mushrooms, and enough Teriyaki and Worcestershire Sauce to stir fry in. Add a little water, if necessary;
8) Add the chicken back to the pan, cover and simmer until veggies are tender. (Unless you prefer them crispier.) Serve over rice.
Enjoy!

(Note: I have also tried this recipe with a little brown sugar added; both are yummy!)


Let Them Be Kids



Fun, fun, fun!  My little grand-daughters found out just how fun it is to play in the dirt one Sunday afternoon years ago.

My daughters, of course, were near heart-failure, but I told them to relax and let them be kids. 

Of course it was all fun and games 'til it came time to take a bath.  It took three baths to get these two little monsters clean!  But they had lotsa' fun, and we had lotsa' laughs!


God's Glory


Isn't this just a beautiful flower? 

It's my yellow "Sundance" Hibiscus that Janna, bought me for Mother's Day a few years back!

 I've often said what a great artist God is, but this lovely flower shows you just what I mean. 

It's just amazing, and I love it!


Once Upon A Time...Amen


Ever notice how little ones can bring an instant smile to your face or even make you burst out laughing?  Well, that's what my grand-daughter, Carlie did when she was two years old.

It was so cute; I was just sitting there talking to my two daughters while Carlie was sitting in the floor playing.  That's when I heard her say, "Once upon a time...Amen!"  We all just stopped talking and looked at her.  A smile instantly spread across my face.  I looked over at Jessica, Carlie's mother, and asked, "Where did she come up with that?"

Jessie laughed and said, "Well, I think it came from our nightly routine."  She continued with, "Every night I help her say her prayers, then we read a story.  And from that, she's put the beginning of her story with the end of her prayers."

I thought that was just so cute!  But to hear Carlie say it was...well, it was just priceless!  Unless you're a grandmother, too, you're probably thinking, "Okay, you've just lost it!"  But we grandmothers know that no matter what comes out of these precious babies' mouths, it's beautiful to us!

"ONCE UPON A TIME...there was a baby named Jesus.  He grew in wisdom and grace, and He died for our sins.  AMEN!" 

I think Carlie's got the right idea, don't you?

Have a blessed day!




What's God Saying


When Bree was only four, she and I would often sit outside on the front porch swing. We loved to listen to the birds sing, watch the squirrels play, and feel the wind on our faces. I've kinda' started our own little thing where I told her that when the wind blows that's God talking to us.

So one day we're just sitting there swinging and talking, and the wind starts to blow. She turns to me and asks, "What's God saying"?

I told her that He was telling her how much He loves her.

You know I wonder just how many times that God's talking to us, and we don't hear Him. Is it because we're just not listening? Have we blocked Him out? Or are we just too busy to listen to what He has to say?

I know, myself, that I get too caught up in worry. Yes, I know. You're not suppose to worry, but for some of us that's easier said than done. I'm pretty hard-headed when it comes to worry. I try to give it to God, but I'm so bad about picking it back up. So I have to give it to Him over and over again. *smile*

But the next time you feel the wind blowing, remember - maybe, just maybe - that's God talking to you. So be sure to listen!

Only the Green Stuff


When Bree was five, she lost her first two teeth, and she was so proud!

She smiled big at everyone she saw, and she had to call several family members to let them know. 

I asked her if she thought the tooth fairy would bring her a penny for each tooth. 

And she replied very nonchalantly, "No, she's bringing only the green stuff". 

Janna and I burst out laughing.  "Out of the mouth of babes..." 

These grandbabies of mine are just so funny; they just brighten every day of my life!  And boy do they learn young!  *smile*



Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Crusted Parmesan Chicken


I originally found this recipe on All Recipes.com.  Oh!  It was so moist and yummy!  Of course, I put my own little spin on it and changed it up just a bit.  I try to always make things a little healthier if I can.

I hope you enjoy it as much as my family and I did!


Ingredients:

3-4 Chicken Breasts (Cut into cutlets or filets)
2-3 Eggs
2 T. Minced Garlic
1-2 cups of Bread Crumbs
Grated Parmesan Cheese (I use the kind in the canister)


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees;
2. Cut chicken into cutlets or filets;
3. In a medium size bowl, mix your eggs and garlic together;
4. In another bowl, mix your bread crumbs, cheese, and pepper together;
5. Dip your chicken into the egg mixture, and allow any excess to drip into bowl;
6. Now dip the chicken into the bread crumb mixture and coat well;
7. Place chicken on a sprayed, foil-covered cookie sheet;
8. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on your oven.

Enjoy!




Nana's Little Helper


Bree has always loved to help her Nana anytime I'm cooking!  Whether we're rolling meatballs, making a dessert, or whatever the case might be.  Here she is from a few years ago helping me in the kitchen.

One of her favorite things was to batter the chicken when we made one of Mommy's favorite dishes, Crusted Parmesan Chicken.  (Oh!  And it's Aunt Jessie's, too!)

We dipped us some chicken, had a little chit-chat, and  made a bit of a mess, but we had a good time doing it!  *smile*  She's always been Nana's good little helper!  I love my time with her!
💓


Play Time


Bree the Pirate! 
Another throwback when Bree attended her very first play!  Janna treated us to "Peter Pan" put on by a nearby college.











Bree and "Peter Pan"
  The young lady who played Peter Pan was awesome!  And we were lucky enough to catch up with her afterwards so that Bree could get a picture with her!  Bree had a blast, and we had a very fun night!









"Peter Pan"

The young actors did a great job!  My favorite was, of course, Peter Pan.  And...like the original Peter Pan, the part was played by a woman.


Beach Baby Bree


This was when Bree celebrated her 6th birthday at the beach, our fave place, in case you didn't know that by now!


 Carlie had a blast feeding the birds then chasing them!


Of course, we enjoyed our fave beach picnic - sandwiches, Funyuns, and sodas!  Why is it that those sandwiches taste so much better at the beach?



Janna rented us a Charger to drive down to the beach for the day!  What a ride!



And we shopped, of course!  Here's Bree at the Rainforest Cafe Gift Shop!




We ended a great day with a trip to Galveston Island's new Pleasure Pier!  What an awesome day!


Graduating From Kindergarten


Here's another little throwback when my Bree Bree graduated from Kindergarten!  I can't believe just how fast time flies!  Seems like just yesterday that she walked through the door to her Kindergarten class!   And now she's in 7th grade!
 
Here she is with her principal receiving her little diploma!  She makes this Nana so proud!  
Just wish I could take my babies to Neverland so they'd never grow up!
Life goes by way too fast!


Fashion Show


Can anyone say, "Fashion Show"?  Yep!  This was a few years back when Disney's "Teen Beach Movie" came out!   The grand-girls love, love, love that movie!  And why not?  It's Disney, of course!

If you haven't seen it yet, you really should watch it!  It's a take from the old Frankie and Annette beach movies! 


Here they are in their "beach" attire!  Posin' and "surfin"!


And here they are in their pj's for their "Pajama Party"!  Nana loves her girls!


All-in-all, we had a great time!  And...yep!  We watched Disney's Teen Beach Movie again - for probably the 50th time!  *smile*


She's the Queen of the Waves



Here's a little throwback from 2014!  

Bree was in her school's talent show at the end of the year, and I was one proud Nana!  She did an awesome job!  She did a little number to Barbie's "Queen of the Waves". 

She really surprised all of us!  I had no idea she'd be brave enough to get up there on that stage and dance her little heart out! 

And see that surfboard, I know it's not a great picture of it, but my hubby made it for her.  He did a great job!

Now if I can just figure out how to upload the video...hmmm...



Just Breathe

So Beautiful Color.....

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Praise Our Lord


According to the Bible, the definition of praise is giving thanks and honor to one who is worthy of praise.  Throughout the Bible, we are told to praise or exalt the name of the Lord.  We are to bless God at all times...not just when things are going smoothly.  In I Thessalonians 5:16-18, Jesus tells us to have an attitude of joy and thanksgiving no matter what our circumstances.

But sometimes, when we're going through a crisis, as we are now...it's hard to want to praise God.   This is called a "sacrifice of praise".  (Hebrews 13:15)  If we wait until we "feel like" praising God, we may never do it.  This doesn't mean that we have to thank God for the bad things, but we are meant to be joyful no matter what's going on because we have the Lord on our side, and we can overcome whatever the devil is trying to send our way.  James 4:7 tells us "...to resist the devil and he will flee from us".  And what better way to "resist the devil" than to praise our Lord.

Sooner or later, a moment will come that turns our world upside down; no one is exempt. And while God doesn't send us this crisis, He may allow it to bring about change in our lives.  That change can either be positive or negative - that's entirely up to us and how we choose to react to it.  You can choose to use this change to grow closer to Jesus, or you can become angry with God and blame Him for it.  A crisis has a way of helping us to focus and see what really matters in our lives.

Strength grows in the moments when you think you can't go on but you keep going anyway.  And faith is keeping your eyes on God when the world around you is falling apart.  We are not in control, but remember...we are deeply loved by the One who is!

"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you."
Isaiah 43:2



Sunday, March 15, 2020

This Too Shall Pass


"This Too Shall Pass" by Greg Olsen
At first, it was really pretty silly to me how people were responding to this new "scare", but now it's gotten pretty serious.  I couldn't even get the basic things that I need to feed or take care of my own family this week from the grocery store; the shelves were empty.  Then to make things worse, travel to other countries has been shut down, which I do feel is probably a good call since that's where this first originated anyway.  My local town has shut down a festival here, as well as our farmers market.  Now the hysteria has moved on to major events, such as sporting events, amusement parks, and even some churches.

I'm sure we're all scared to a certain extent.  Maybe you're afraid of getting sick, or you're afraid of your kiddos getting sick.  Or maybe you're afraid of being stuck inside, not being able to work, or maybe you don't even know why you're afraid or feeling anxious.  For me, I've been okay.  But now I'm getting a little anxious because of everyone else's paranoia and the way they're reacting.

Regardless of how you're feeling, we have all got to "Be still..." (Psalm 46:10) and just breathe!  In times like this, we need to just turn to God and say, "I trust you, Lord."  He is in control, and He knows what He's doing.  He tells us in Phillipians 4:6, "Be anxious for nothing..."  And in Isaiah 41:40, He says, "Fear not, for I am with you..."

We have to focus on Jesus and not on the storm.  He will not leave us; He will take care of us.  And as the saying goes, "This too shall pass..."

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise, 
in God I trust and am not afraid."
Psalm 56:3-4



Sunday, March 8, 2020

Because He Lives


"He Lives" by Simon Dewey
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

This song has always been one of my favorites.  It speaks to my heart each time I listen to it.  When I'm afraid, when I'm going through rough times...no matter the situation, these words can comfort me.  It was also a favorite song of a dear, sweet friend of mine who has gone on to be with Jesus.  Evelyn loved this song, and I know it gave her peace during some really hard times in her life, as well.

In this fallen world, we are going to face some tough times; we are going to be afraid.  We are uncertain about tomorrow and what it may hold for us.  But one thing we can be certain of is that Jesus loves us, and He will always be with us.  We may have to face some trials, but because He lives, we don't have to face them alone.

So whatever you may be going through today, have hope because Jesus loves you, and He is right there by your side.  He is closer than the very air that you breathe.  You are not alone.  You can face tomorrow because He lives...

"...I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
Matthew 28:20


Sunday, March 1, 2020

Pray Continually


What is prayer?  That's simple...prayer is a conversation you have with God.  And I don't know about you, but for me, God is my best friend.  I talk to Him about everything.  I talk to Him when I'm scared, when I feel lonely; I talk to Him when I'm excited or thankful.  I want to share everything with Him.  Isn't that what you do with your best friend?

We seem to think that we have to talk to God with formality, but the truth is, I believe God wants us to just be ourselves with Him.  He wants us to be real and not put on a show.  He wants us to be honest with Him.   And even though He already knows what's in our heart, I believe He wants us to share it with Him.

So how do we find time to pray continually?  It's easy when you think about it.  We can pray through every day moments...whether we're driving, waiting in line to get coffee, folding clothes, or standing at the kitchen sink.  Pray for your family, your friends, your worries, your fears...just talk to Him.  But be sure to thank Him, too, for your family, your health, your job...that list goes on and on.

Praying keeps us close to God.  It strengthens our relationship with Him, and it helps us fight temptations and evil.  It allows us to confess our sins.  And it allows us to just "be still" and rest in God's presence.  And be sure to listen.  Remember the best conversations are two-sided, but you won't hear anything if you never stop to listen.

"Pray without ceasing."
1 Thessalonians 5:17