W is for...

Wednesday. Also known as the downhill slide to the weekend or hump day.

Working on school work.

Washing machine.  A servant to make homemaking easier.

Wiping out the refrigerator.  Preparing for the monthly grocery haul.

Windows wide open.  We were blessed with two mild, wonderful days.  Heavenly!

Watering flowers.

Wendy's frosty for an afternoon treat.

May you find joy in the journey as you chase your life!

Noodle Makin'

 I supervised Megan making noddles one morning. 

 If you haven't tried your hand at this it is fairly easy. 

You'll need:

2 cups of all purpose flour
3 eggs
1/4 tsp of salt

That's it.  See I told you, easy!

Make a "well" in your flour/salt mixture and add the eggs.

 Using a fork start beating your eggs and gradually adding flour into the well with the eggs.

Once it is fairly combined then you use your hands to mix and kneed the dough. 

 
 On a lightly floured surface you need to roll, turn, roll, turn, roll. 

This step take quite a while to thin out the dough.  If you don't have a noodle maker then you keep doing the roll and turn step until you get the dough to your desired thickness.  

I'm not a huge fan of pictures of myself.  Megan has found her "selfie" love so I suck it up and smile with my girl.  I figure at least people will know I really did exist. Ha!

One Christmas I was gifted a noodle attachment for my Kitchen Aid.  I ran strips of the dough through twice to thin it and then ran it through the noodle cutting portion.  

Again this is not necessary.  Until I had this attachment I would roll and roll, then use a pizza cutter to cut the noodles.  

Place your cut noodles on a floured towel, cover and let dry until you are ready to use.  If you don't need them all you can also freeze them after you had let them dry a few hours.  

 

This batch of noodles was used to complete our chicken and noodles dinner.  Yum! 

May you find joy in the journey as you chase your life!

Joy in the Ordinary

Look around, really look around and you will find joy... joy in the everyday... joy in the ordinary things.

I haven't picked up my camera much in the last month.  These are random shots from that time.  

I found a cute picnic hamper on the clearance shelf at Tractor Supply.  I can't wait for the weather to cool down so we can lunch in the park. 

 It's hard to see Megan's new friend, Stanley.  He is a praying mantis.  

 I was reluctant to say yes, but am glad that I did.  He is actually fun!  He likes to watch TV and when a tablet is placed on top of his enclosure he will bat at the bugs on the screen.  Funny!

I received a call from someone saying they were stopping by and would I like a tea.  Yes, please.  I expected a cup not a gallon!

 Megan saved her money a purchased a pocket knife.  The first thing she made was a set of knitting needles.  I'll be the first to admit that I was less then excited when my tom boy daughter bought a knife.  The knitting needles took the sting out it quite a bit.  I love them! 

 Celebrating my mother-in-law for her 68th birthday. 

 I'm slowing getting back into the kitchen.  

 I splurged at the grocery and bought this mix.  I love Cracker Barrel pancakes.  I hope that Chuck comes off of his overtime soon so I can make them. Working six days a week, leaving the house at six-thirty and returning at seven in the evening, means few meals are shared. 

 The petunia planters on the back porch are still going strong.  Most of the other plants have given it up due to the heat.  We've had a hot, hot summer.  

I never know what random shot I will find when uploading pictures.  

We did have a couple days of cool temperatures.  Sadly we are back under a heat advisory.  The sight of the turning leaves reminds me that it won't be long before it cools down and the season changes.  

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for the change.  Summer hasn't been my best season and I'm looking forward to fall.  It generally means things slow down and I'm ready for cooler days, slower days, and comfort foods simmering the day away. 

May your day be filled with joy in the journey!

Back to School!

Ready or not it was time to hit the books.  I admit that in my current season I might have been leaning a little more to the not ready side. Although I might not have felt as organized and ready as normal I pushed through and I'm glad that I did.  It feels good to be getting back into a routine.  

I set the stage by doing the fun things like supply shopping and creating our bulletin board. 

The night before we began I set the breakfast table.  

I also set up our breakfast bar.  This our second year of having crock pot oatmeal and fruit.  We decided to do something different next year as oatmeal isn't enjoyed quite as much when it's super hot and humid.  I'll have to think of a new breakfast tradition.  

It wouldn't be the first day of school without the picture by the front door. 

Taking it here each year has allowed me to see how she has grown.  It's crazy how fast it has gone since it feel like yesterday I was taking a picture to send her off to kindergarten.  Sniff. 

We hit the floor running and are now into our second week.  Things are going well.  Megan has impressed me with her willingness to get it done. This morning we ran errands.  When we returned home  I was clearing off the table and she asked a couple of times if it was time to start school. 

It's wonderful to be able to sneak out in the afternoon to enjoy a treat together now and then.
 

Schooling Megan at home is a privilege I don't take lightly.  It's a joy to be able to have this time with my girl.  Ready or not seventh grade here we come!

May your day be filled with joy in the journey!

A Different Kind of Perfect

My heart continues to sing praise to the Lord,

as today marks about three weeks since I wrote this post. I know that I am doing as well as I am because of your continued prayers. Friends, I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received.  The comments, text, emails, and even a sweet card in the mail.  God is certainly hearing and answering. How I appreciate each one of you!

I've had time to think, reflect, and be in deep, deep prayer.  Oh, how I've prayed!  Not only for my situation, but for those who have reached out saying they are weathering the same storm.  Also those who have shown me love by their prayers and kind words to me.  

 I can't express what a great, compassionate man I married.  He is a constant of support, love, and at times truth.  Sometimes the truth hurts, but spoken in love it's meant to help us grow. 

This walk is just that, a walk in faith.  There is no quick fix, just a process to heal and realize that life will forever be changed.  I am taking care of me.  Not in selfish way.  In a way that will allow me to be better at taking care of those I love the most.  I am getting better day by day. 

I am recognizing my limits.  Realizing the things I need to do to be healthy.  In this process I am finding a different kind of perfect.  A perfect that isn't based on comparison or my high, sometimes unreasonable standards.  A kind of perfect that is based on grace.  

I'm grateful that God's mercies are new each day.  No matter the day before we all get a fresh start each day.  As I wake up each morning I remind myself to rejoice and be glad.  

I do plan to return to blogging, please be patient as work through this season.  Again, thank you all for your support and continued prayers. 

Warmly,

Wendi