Tuesday Grace Notes – Small Things that Bring a Splash of Joy + A Give Away

They don’t say, “it’s the little things” for nothing. Sometimes a cliché is just a cliché, but sometimes a cliché rings loud with a little bit of truth.

When the daily grind presses too hard; when the road less travelled becomes dark and foreboding; when life throws you a case of the mean reds and nothing feels right, it’s sometimes those little things that lift your spirit and remind you that joy lurks in unexpected places.

This is likely the explanation why I own such an extensive collection of little things – pens, notebooks (you’ve all heard about those, right?), scarves, books, more lotion than I have body to cover, long necklaces galore, and more pens.

Sometimes when I’m in a place of discontent, having a play date with the pretty things can bring a smile to my face. I realize it probably sounds a bit shallow to say that smiles come from things. I should probably mention my favorite Bible verse or the women I turn to when I ask for prayer. I should mention my favorite devotional or a piece of uplifting music.

I should. Sometimes these are my 1000 Gifts.

Psalm 27:13-14, Tracy-Amy-Heidi-Karrilee-Tonya-Kim-Jen-Jenn-Kaitlyn-Sarah Jo (and so many more), Our Daily Bread, Bach’s Suite for the Cello No. 1 in G Major (preferably by Yo-Yo Ma).

But I’m not going to lie. There are days when wrapping a filmy, colorful scarf around my neck perks my mood right up. And getting a whiff of a favorite scent can transport me and bring up memories (that again, make me smile). And books. Goodness. There aren’t enough – there can never be enough – and the written word will always transport me. Sometimes, these are my 1000 Gifts.

I’m looking forward to sharing some of these favorite small things with you this week. They won’t fix the ills of the world. They won’t change your circumstances. But I hope they will make you smile and bring you a splash of joy.

One winner will receive a lovely navy scarf with polka-dots (it’s a wonderfully long size that you can drape and wrap to your heart’s content), a copy of 365 Pocket Prayers for Mothers (in lovely shade of lavender with a bird on the cover – you know I had to get this one!), and finally, a travel size bottle of Maui Mango Surf lotion from Bath and Body Works (one of my favorites in their new line).

Contest will be open until midnight (PST) on Friday, April 3.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday Grace Notes are an opportunity for me to share a small bit of harmony amidst the other things I write about. Truly, they are meant to be shorter than my usual pieces (laugh with me here), and just a little something to add a touch of beauty to my life and yours. One week it might be a wonderful book I’ve read and can’t put down. Maybe it will be one of the movies I love (or its soundtrack). You might find a favourite recipe here. Or the new soap I’ve just discovered. You’ll find that many of them are inspired by my mother and the things she taught me about living a gentle, elegant life. I hope you’ll join me as more things are shared.

I'd love to connect with you some more - stop on by the Three Bees Facebook Page or connect with me on Twitter @3BeesBlueBonnet. Let's continue the conversation!

Ideas for Organizing – Managing Meal Planning (and a recipe!)

We are slowly but surely working on being better time managers and corralers of clutter; breaking down large jobs into manageable tasks, and focusing on the things we can do something about.  For example, last weekend, instead of being completely overwhelmed by the state of our home, we focused on the kitchen: pulled everything off the counters and cleaned them; cleared out a whole cupboard; to make room for a new three tiered spice rack; and reorganized items so that things we actually use on a daily basis are within arm’s reach. Hello tea station!

Another thing that I’ve been working on in an effort to be organized (and to not face the daunting question – “so what’s for dinner?”) is meal planning and targeted shopping. I won’t be the first person to write about this, but here’s what’s been working for me.

Tweet: Organization happens one thing at a time. Don’t be daunted. You can do one thing.

Meal Planning and Grocery Lists
New for me in 2015 is a binder of all the organizational tools that I like and am actually using. This includes everything from a daily planner to chore charts to budget worksheets to grocery lists. I’ve look at many cute printables and forms on blogs, Pinterest, and sharing recommendations with friends. But this one, from Crystal Paine at Money Saving Mom has been my favorite. She has several options on her menu page, but since I manage best one week at a time, this is the one that works for me. My husband and I can sit down, talk meals, and plan out shopping based on the actual contents of the ‘fridge and pantry.

Master Shopping Lists
Another organizational tool that’s been a huge asset is the master shopping list. This idea comes from Tsh Oxendreider’s book, Organized Simplicity, and is a personalized list of your most commonly purchased items from your favorite stores.  I’ve dropped the items by category into a simple Excel sheet and keep them on the refrigerator. As we run out of items, we can mark it off on the list and when we’re ready to shop, we have an accurate, active list ready to go to the store.

Multiple Meal Prep
The latest thing I’ve been experimenting with in the pursuit of an organized life is making multiple meals ahead of time for the week. It’s nice to have a later start to the day and be able to get our daughter to school at 9am, but getting off at 6pm is no picnic. One errand to run and you’re not home until 7pm and not eating until 8pm. This is not what you want on a school night.

Tweet: Sometimes, organization is about prioritizing what’s important for you and your family and making the choose to do those things.

I’ve been spending a few hours on the weekend cooking up a storm and prepping meals for the week ahead. A caveat here – I love cooking and it relaxes me to no end. I throw a little jazz on the stereo and break out the cutting boards and knives. This is another time that the meal planning sheets come in handy. I store them in my new binder and have a clear record of what we eat on a weekly basis. It’s so nice to flip back over the weeks and make sure that we’re not eating the same thing every week.

One of our favorite meals is my sister’s Garlic Chicken Spaghetti. It cooks up quickly and still manages to taste as if it were simmering all day long. We’re big garlic lovers in our family, so if the amount of that spicy bulb seems like too much – feel free to dial it back a bit!

Garlic Chicken Spaghetti

• 2 – 2.5 lbs. chicken thighs (personal choice here – we prefer chicken thighs and have been buying the boneless skinless variety. A little more, but it saves so much time in prep and I’ve found we actually get more chicken)
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 1 cup sun dried tomatoes (I buy a jar from Costco and just scoop out what I need)
• 1 large can mushrooms (stems and pieces)
• 5-6 cloves garlic (or several scoops from the jar if you use that)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 large bunch Italian flat leaf parsley – chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• Parmesan cheese for grating
• Olive oil, salt & pepper

Fun optional ingredients

• 2 – 3 tablespoons capers
• 1 – 2 cups artichoke hearts
• White wine to your liking – about a cup

1. Cut chicken in to small pieces – about a 2 inch dice
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper and brown in a large Dutch Oven or stock pot over medium high heat – about 5 to 7 minutes
3. Push chicken to the edges of the pan and brown the garlic in the center space
4. Begin adding other ingredients: basil, diced tomatoes, sun  dried tomatoes, mushrooms (other options ingredients as you like) – warm and brown – about 5 – 7 minutes
5. Add chicken broth (and white wine if using – if no wine, use 1 1/2 cups broth) and allow the mixture to simmer for about 10 minutes
6. Prepare spaghetti noodles in salted water; cook just under al dente; then drain – reserving about a cup of the liquid
7. Add a little of the spaghetti water to the chicken mixture and allow to blend down and reduce – there should be quite of bit of liquid at this point – plenty for the spaghetti to absorb 
8. Stir in the chopped parsley
9. Add the cooked spaghetti noodles to the chicken mixture and simmer on low for about 10 minutes to allow most of the sauce to be absorbed by the pasta
10. Use a grater or micro-grater to shave fresh parmesan over the top and enjoy

What are some of your best organization tips or favorite recipes? I'd love to hear and share!



I'd love to connect with you some more - stop on by the Three Bees Facebook Page or connect with me on Twitter @3BeesBlueBonnet. Let's continue the conversation!

Prayer Matters - an invitation to 192 Hours of Prayer for Kaitlyn

As I get older, I appreciate the power or prayer more and more. Not just as a conversational vehicle to communicate with God, but as a way to interact with him; place requests at his feet; and watch miracles unfurl because of those conversations and petitions.

Asking the Lord for help – seeking his face – is a blessing, not only for ourselves, but in some ways, even more so when we’re praying for someone else.

I have a small, intimate group of friends that I shared the recent IF: Gathering with. We connected over Voxer and watched the event together; shared responses; laughed and cried together; and committed to encourage and pray for each other beyond the event. I connect with these women on a weekly basis and am so grateful for the friendships that are growing and deepening, and how we hold each other up in prayer and with our messages through all the things that life hands us.

One of these women is my friend Kaitlyn. She’s a senior at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama; organizer of the #fmfpartysnailmail project, and is leaving this Thursday for a mission trip to Haiti. She made this trip for the first time last year (you can read about it here), and before she left, I felt the Lord lay on my heart the need for Kaitlyn and her team to be covered in prayer during the time they were gone. This turned into a venture I called 192 Hours of Prayer (complete with hashtag) and it made such a tremendous difference – ones we may not even know about – while Kaitlyn was away.

This year, I feel that same call again, and invite friends, family, the Five Minute Friday community, participants of the #fmfsnailmailparty, and others, to join with me in praying for Kaitlyn and her team as they travel to Haiti and actively become the hands and feet of Christ to the villages and people they'll encounter.

You can sign up for a single hour during the 192 hours, or choose the same hour across the days she’s gone. Or you can even not sign up, but still join with us in praying for this sweet girl. Whatever you feel called to do – I invite you to visit the spreadsheet below to sign up for times, or mark your calendar with her travel dates (March 12 through March 20).

Click here to access the link for the Google Docs Sign Up Sheet for 192 Hours of Prayer 

 

I'd love to connect with you some more - stop on by the Three Bees Facebook Page or connect with me on Twitter @3BeesBlueBonnet. Let's continue the conversation!

Five Minute Friday - Lord, Let Me Be Open

On Fridays a bunch of brave writers gather here to all spend 5 collective minutes writing on a single prompt. It’s a great way to catch your breath at the end of a long week. This blessed, beautiful place where we open our hearts and let words and tears and the inner workings of our lives bleed and flow and dance across the virtual pages. Yes, this community opens wide and invites you in to share. Come and visit and read. You will be blessed.

This week: Open 

Go 

Despite the challenges of the day, part of me is still sitting quietly in last night’s Ash Wednesday service. The candles flicker their soft glow against the stained glass windows darkened with dusk. Our names are read one by one. With reverence – as they and the transgressions we confess are laid before the throne of grace and consumed in the intensity of the fire. Flames dance off the hammered copper bowl. Burnt paper and a slight hint of incense perfumes the air.

I love the purity of the fire.

I am astonished at how much this moves me.

It always moves me, but tonight is different.

Is this, Lord, what it feels like to bend low and allow my heart to break with the things that break yours? 

I wonder if I am seeing anew. Hearing anew. Taking that brave risk into vulnerability to believe and choose and step into sacrifice. Lord, let me be open to all those things.

Let my eyes be opened to see you fully. May I see the needs in the world around me and respond with the compassion that flows from your heart. Let me see even the little things – the ones that seem slight, trivial, not worth a mention. Sometimes it is the little things.

Let my ears be open to hear your Word. Your Word and the words of others who seek you. As I come with deliberate intention into this time of meditation. Let me hear.

Most of all, let my heart be open. Let the hard walls I keep wrapped around me soften in the warmth of your love. Allow me to let the floodgates open. Allow me to blow open the windows of my heart to receive the fresh air of your spirit.

Lord, let me be open.

Stop





How to Join 
Want to know about Kate Motaung, how Five Minute Friday got started, and how to participate? All the details are here. No editing or second guessing. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community. I'd love to connect with you some more - stop on by the Three Bees Facebook Page or connect with me on Twitter @3BeesBlueBonnet. Let's continue the conversation!

The Consecration of Fire and Ash (Ash Wednesday 2015)

It is the holy time of year again – though in truth, it is all holy and hallowed. But this time of remembrance is even more set apart. Quiet. Meditative. This time of surrender and sacrifice. Bending low beneath the shadow of his wings.

Fire and ash consecrate. 

As we contemplate. 

As we commemorate and consider all that has been done for us.

Grace upon grace – how much has come down – flowing in tears, and blood. How much has been given so that I can be forgiven?

Fire and ash consecrate. 

As we contemplate. 

As we commemorate and consider all that has been done for us.

And so I come to this time between times – to this time of anticipation – and decide what it is I will be surrendering; what I will be sacrificing; what it is I will lay down of my own accord; so I can take up the things that matter more: humility, compassion, kindness, and hope.

Fire and ash consecrate. 

As we contemplate. 

As we commemorate and consider all that has been done for us.

I do not always choose sacrifice. There are seasons where I am all too consumed with the immediacy and tyranny of the urgent. Caught up with the day to day.  Distracted by the details of marking the passage of time. Overwhelmed by the busyness of doing – not dwelling enough in the practice of being. I choose this year – and it terrifies me. Choosing a small thing; the root of a larger thing; this thing that can effect actual heart change. I am afraid. I am afraid to believe.

Fire and ash consecrate. 

As we contemplate. 

As we commemorate and consider all that has been done for us.

Words. Voice. Mouth. They are not always an instrument for good. Or change. Or encouragement. So often my words drip with sarcasm. They pierce with criticism. They curse with fierce nihilism. There is emptiness in the cursing – a momentary release – and then regret. I want to lift this up. I want to hand this over. I need the strength of the rock that is higher. This hard thing. I want to find the brave strength bigger than the hard thing.

Fire and ash consecrate. 

As we contemplate. 

As we commemorate and consider all that has been done for us.

Turning eyes heavenward with my intention – praying already for grace and forgiveness for the falling down – I keep these words close as my prayer for forty days and beyond those days:

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 ESV

Lord I believe. Help my unbelief.

This is my Ash Wednesday story. And I'm joining up with Jennifer Dukes Lee and the #TellHisStory crowd to share. Because every story matters.

I'd love to connect with you some more - stop on by the Three Bees Facebook Page or connect with me on Twitter @3BeesBlueBonnet. Let's continue the conversation!

Five Minute Friday - When He Says He Loves You

On Fridays a bunch of brave writers gather here to all spend 5 collective minutes writing on a single prompt. It’s a great way to catch your breath at the end of a long week. This blessed, beautiful place where we open our hearts and let words and tears and the inner workings of our lives bleed and flow and dance across the virtual pages. Yes, this community opens wide and invites you in to share. Come and visit and read. You will be blessed.

This week: When

Go

This conversation happened this morning in our house …

My husband: You’re so beautiful.
Me: (with heavy disbelief and sarcasm): Whhhaaattt?

My husband: I’m so glad you’re mine.
Me: (disbelief still firmly in place) Dude, shut up.

My husband: I love you.
Me: (with a big sigh, hiding under the covers) I’m not sure I believe you.

As I look at this conversation in print, I’m embarrassed and appalled. I might try to blame first-thing-in-the-morning-itis, but the truth is, this is an honest struggle for me. Despite the fact that my husband is truly and completely my best friend who I’ve been with for over twenty years and despite the fact that I know he does love me – he shows me every day with tangible actions; I struggle on a deep, hidden level to truly believe in that love, and that he does desire me, and is happy that I’m his.

This has nothing to do with him, but everything to do with me. And my struggle to feel attractive, adequate, desirable, worthy, and enough. Let’s call that bad wiring. Because this is the man who literally binds up my broken places on a daily basis, cooks and cleans more than most husbands I know, is infinitely patient beyond anyone I know, and who keeps the romance alive in our relationship enough to make our tween daughter make faces and flee the room. I am a truly blessed woman.

In the split second after I challenged the three loving sentences my husband spoke to me this morning, I realized I very often have the same reaction when God speaks to me.

God: Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves. (Song of Solomon 1:15 ESV)
Me: (with heavy disbelief and sarcasm): Whhhaaattt?

God: I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. (Isaiah 43: 2 & 4 MSG)
Me: (disbelief still firmly in place) Dude, shut up.

God: I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you. (Jeremiah 31:3 AMP)
Me: (with a big sigh, hiding under the covers) I’m not sure I believe you.

Again, this has nothing to do with the amazing, infinite God of the universe who loved me (loved us) enough to send his son to redeem his chosen ones, but everything to do with my struggle to feel worthy – and as if I must do something to earn and deserve this love. Head knowledge vs. heart knowledge. I believe. Lord, help my unbelief.

I know I’m not the only one who struggles with this, so on this day before Valentine’s Day – the day when the commercial big wigs have decided that we will celebrate being loved and being I love, I would like to speak this truth over my life and yours:

God loves you.

He cares for you. Is interested in you. Is invested in having a real, organic, active relationship with you. He loves you beyond measure and he knows your name.  This has nothing to do with what you can earn or what you will do. It just is. Doubt, fear, and questions about self-worth may creep in – I know. But keep coming back to and never let go of the written declarations and the written promises that he has given us.

He loves us.
He loves me.
He loves you.

Let’s believe together in the truth of that.

Stop

And for the love ... don't forget to visit this post for a chance to win a package of Shabby Chic Treasures - the give-away closes tomorrow night!

How to Join
Want to know about Kate Motaung, how Five Minute Friday got started, and how to participate? All the details are here. No editing or second guessing. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community.

I'd love to connect with you some more - stop on by the Three Bees Facebook Page or connect with me on Twitter @3BeesBlueBonnet. Let's continue the conversation!

Tuesday Grace Notes – Shabby Chic + A Give Away

If you watch my style – how I dress, how I decorate, how I love to deck my world – the term casual elegance might come to mind. That is, after you moved past the term “epic disaster” and “colossal mess.” I’m only half kidding here. Let’s re-phrase and say I aspire to casual elegance and achieve it some of the time. The rest of the time, my life tends to be a well lived-in mess in progress. But I love clean simple lines, muted colors, and (at least in outfitting myself) a lot of black.

But deep in my heart of hearts, I have a soft spot for gently distressed furniture, denim and white, vintage everything, and lots of faded florals. I can’t live with it in large quantities, but I can’t completely let it go.

Rachel Ashwell launched her carefully curated line of vintage floral items in 1989 and named it Shabby Chic, she made it okay – trendy even – to fall in love with our faded jeans, ruffles, and soft, pink cabbage roses splashed over a field pale green. Shabby Chic has run up and down the trends over the years, but the style remains distinct, appealing, and utterly feminine.

To me, the Shabby Chic concept evokes relaxation, pampering, a necessary indulgence in beautiful things, and a connection to wonderful memories past. It’s the soft wash of watercolor, the glow of candlelight, and the feel of linens worn to perfect, comfortable sheerness. Shabby Chic has grace.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, it seems the perfect time to share a little of the romance in this line with my readers – I hope you’ll love it as much as I do.

My own curated collection of Shabby Chic themed treasures includes a 5” x 7” journal with pen, a small notepad with pen, 12 pencils, and half a dozen decorative clothespins (those aforementioned soft, pink cabbage roses splashed over a field pale green). In addition, I’m including a set of four magnets by my friend Susan (made when she had her own wonderful line, Vintage Susie) and a pale pink pen by Studio G because. Well. You know me and pens.

The giveaway will close at midnight on Saturday, February 14 and will be mailed out the following week. Since I’m mentioning Susan’s former line, I should also mention that she currently reps for Origami Owl (another thing you’ll see a lot of if you follow me on Instagram or Twitter). I’m a huge fan of their long chains and charms and lockets you can customize for any occasion. If you enjoy beautiful, sparkly items – necklaces, earrings, and the like, I hope you’ll visit her online to see if you find anything you’ll fall in love with.



a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tuesday Grace Notes are an opportunity for me to share a small bit of harmony amidst the other things I write about. Truly, they are meant to be shorter than my usual pieces (laugh with me here), and just a little something to add a touch of beauty to my life and yours. One week it might be a wonderful book I’ve read and can’t put down. Maybe it will be one of the movies I love (or its soundtrack). You might find a favourite recipe here. Or the new soap I’ve just discovered. You’ll find that many of them are inspired by my mother and the things she taught me about living a gentle, elegant life. I hope you’ll join me as more things are shared.

I'd love to connect with you some more - stop on by the Three Bees Facebook Page or connect with me on Twitter @3BeesBlueBonnet. Let's continue the conversation!