Create

Our life is changing. 

I have been a full time mom for golly, over 34 years. 

The years have been fulfilling, challenging, blessed, and life changing. 

I am thankful for the privilege I have been given. 

I LOVE my kids with my whole heart, every part of my being is energized by the relationships I have with them. 

Our kids love us. 

I do not take that for granted. 

Love from adult children is optional. 

They grow up, look around and then decide what they want to do with their lives. 

In reality, it may or may not involve mom and dad. 

Adult children do not have any problem putting up boundaries. 

 ** If we stopped right here and pondered, we could enter into some significant self pity. Thoughts like: 

"Hey! I gave you all those years of my life and 

you are going to just ... put personal boundaries 

that define our relationship?"

"I was there for you all those years, 

are you telling me you may or may not be here for me?" 

"It's unfair!" 

Yeah, I know all those thoughts.

As a mom with adult children, I awaken in the morning, I have a new day. The Lord has given me breath to breathe and a life to live. 

If we are smart, and that happens on a good days, we will count our blessings. 

I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, 

then there is no hurt, but only more love.                                                                       Mother Teresa

Something to consider is that my life as a mom has not been spent in vain. 

For me, there are 4 people I mothered that are now emotionally strong enough to live apart from mom and dad. 

We have 4 children that have the courage to dare to live a new life. To venture out and see what they can accomplish. To see where the Lord will lead them.

That's saying something. 

If our kids are brave enough to dare to live a new life, what about Don and I? 

{It's mostly me that has to adjust. He has not been mothering 4 children. }

Do I dare to believe that I can live a new life? That I can enter into this season and create a vibrant, exciting life worth getting up for in the morning? 

I go to God's Word for inspiration and instruction. What do I do now? 

For me, several years ago I asked God what He would have me do. 

At that time I was a wife and a mom and maybe even a grandma, but I remember what I consider was a distinct instruction from God: 

Love the church - specifically, the women of the church. 

I was surprised. Really? That's all? I was expecting some big, cool next step but nope. My instructions are to love the women of the church. 

That's wonderful, I like that plan. 

He enables us to do what 

He calls us to do. 

My heart is full of love for the women of the church. 

Further Bible study and prayer time have given me specific direction. 

The glory of God is life giving, through the strength of God I am able to go into this next season with purpose. 

A book I read told me to pick a word to define my hopes for the next year and I picked the word CREATE. 

I will CREATE a new life. My job as a full time mom is done now, so I will dare to believe I can have a new life, to venture forth as the Lord leads, to take His hand and see what He would have me see. EXCITING!! 

Being married to Don means we will be going on these adventures together. 

It's a new season for both of us. I have to chuckle because Don says "Good, maybe I can get some attention now!" Poor, patient fellow! 

The Lord is busy in both of our lives and we are trying to hear HIM instruct us on the way 

we should go. 

Here is a picture of our chalkboard. 

Elisa wrote ABIDE as her word 

Benjamin wrote EXPLORE 

Don wrote RELY and OBEY 

and I wrote CREATE. 

If you are in a new season then you too can be like our young folks! You can be brave and dare to believe you can live a new life. This new season can be a call to let go of the past and take hold of the Lord's hand and let Him lead you into a blessed adventure.  

As a women we can go through a lot of ups and downs. If you are in your 50's and feeling depressed and hopeless you might consider some menopausal supplements. Our bodies are going through so many changes and sometimes we just need a little help. So if that is the case. Do it. Dare to believe you can live a happy, well adjusted life. Go to a dr or a holistic health care provider. 

We should go out to dinner. 

Tell me all the things you want to do  :) 

Dogs

Love Wins

He's back.

 Rick Warren and his wife experienced a nightmare from hell. 

Their son committed suicide. 

This is what he learned from his experience. 

http://saddleback.com/mc/Archives/

Their son suffered for years, the family suffered as a result of mental illness along with their son for years. 

But Rick's response? Hope. 

Roll of Film

Thinking about photography

 I remember having to choose which type of film to put into my camera. Black and white so I could capture the shapes or color so I could have it more natural (additionally, as time went by I could choose my film speed as well) 

Sweet Kimberly 

Me, when I was about 8 years old. 

Whichever I would choose, after I took the pics I had to take the film out of the camera and down to the grocery store, wait a week and then go back to the store to pick up my prints. It would cost about $3.00 for the roll of film and then about $3.00 to develop the pics. 

It was a highlight to pick up the 
envelope that was filled with memories. 
There were much fewer images back in that day so each image was special. 

Now I use my cell phone camera and take many shots, 
I see them right away,
 it's fun and I really like it. 

 Looking back, when I used film
 there was a certain magic. There was a greater cost 
and a higher anticipation. 

Ahh, happy memories about photography. 
I'm glad I lived it.  

Listen ... Kodachrome by Paul Simon

Kodachrome

They give us those nice bright colors
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, Oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama don't take my Kodachrome away

For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
my confidence since my youth. Psalm 71:5

Raw Berry Chia Jam

Organic blackberries and blueberries,

 raw honey and chia seeds for thickening.

We went berry picking on a rainy, southern morning.  

My berry pickers 

Wow! These blackberries were huge! 

I decided to make sugar free, pectin free, 

raw fruit freezer jam. 

{Kinda sounds like something Dr. Seuss would make}

I found several recipes online. 

I tried one and then another. 

I will list my adjusted recipe at the end.

I mashed the berries rather than the recommended processing. 

I did not soak my chia seeds because the berries were bursting with juice. 

The recipes called for lemon and maple syrup. 

I used lemon and instead of maple syrup, I used raw, unpasteurized honey. 

It took me no more than 20 minutes to process 6 cups of fresh berries. 

The chia seeds jellied in the jar. 

The jam isn't just a condiment, it's a real food available for peanut butter and jam sandwiches  oatmeal or smoothies. 

Ready for the freezer. 

Raw berry chia seed jam. 

Mix together:

6 cups of mashed berries {3 pints of mashed berries}

3 tablespoons of lemon juice {1 tablespoon per pint}

Honey to taste. 

{Could be as much as a 1/4 cup per pint, more or less per jar. Depends on the sweetness of your berries.} 

Then I mixed in:

9 tablespoons of chia seeds {3 tablespoons per pint}

Add more if your jam is not as thick as you would like. 

And I was done. I put them in the mason jars and froze them. 

MMM... good! 

“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

– Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

Value of chia seeds

http://www.livestrong.com/article/283610-nutritional-value-of-chia-seeds/

UPDATE:
I thawed a jar and it is not thick enough for jam anymore. I imagine I could add more chia seeds to thicken it. I am using it on oatmeal and adding it to my smoothies instead. 

Still Working on Stock

I have struggled with my meat stock but I am happy to report that lately I have had lots of success. 

I roasted a pastured raised chicken.

 I deboned it for our meals. (2 meals)

Using all the bones and extras, including the juices from the bottom of the roasting pan, I refrigerated and soaked the bones over night in water with a bit of vinegar till the next day when I cooked it for a few hours. 

After the cooking I strained out all the chicken parts, refrigerated the stock overnight and the next day ... look what I found .. all this beautiful gelatin! Wahoo!! 

{From Web MD}

Gelatin is a protein made from animal products.

Gelatin is used for weight loss and for treating osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and brittle bones (osteoporosis). Some people also use it for strengthening bones, joints, and fingernails. 

Gelatin is also used for improving hair quality and to shorten recovery after exercise and sports-related injury.

In manufacturing, gelatin is used for preparation of foods, cosmetics, and medicines.

How does it work?

Gelatin contains collagen, which is one of the materials that make up cartilage and bone. This is why some people think gelatin might help for arthritis and other joint conditions.

{http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1051-GELATIN.aspx?activeIngredientId=1051&activeIngredientName=GELATIN}

Capstone 2013