Maya's bright bedroom

Last week we painted Maya's room. It was still the baby pink/purple color that looked great with her Disney Princess theme, but she's almost NINE years old now, you know. She chose a zebra comforter and wanted blue walls. Tell me, is it too much? I think the blue and pink concentrations complement each other...what do you think?

Inspiration from a packet of ketchup

This week I volunteered as the lunch lady for vacation bible school at our church.  Not glamorous.  Not exciting.  I just stuffed brown paper bags with hot dogs, chips, fruit, etc...To be honest, I wasn't too excited about it. I really didn't know the other ladies that were volunteering along with me.  When I told Maya what I was doing, she kind of gave me a weird look, then said she would let me borrow her shower cap for a hair net.  And she added an emphatic, "Don't embarrass me"!

The first day was chaotic, but as the week progressed we all fell into routine.  We visited, we got to know each other.  One lady has a daughter that has baffled the medical field with terribly diseased lungs, but the girl looks and acts normal.  Another lady lost her son three years ago.  We talked about life and how precious every moment is.  We forged relationships and prayed together as we packed lunches.  We became friends and I enjoyed the time spent with each of them.  They were truly a blessing to me.

Today while we were stuffing bags, one lady suggested that we pray for the ministry and anything that was on our hearts.  I was the last one to pray and out of my mouth popped these words, "Lord, even though putting ketchup packets in these bags seems so insignificant, we do it for You and we ask that you bless this food and our time here.  We also ask that these kids can leave as changed people and more in love with You".

I don't remember thinking about that before praying, but somewhere down deep, that was my heart's cry.  And I started thinking about what I just said.

Ketchup.
Ketchup?    
 
What is it's purpose?  It doesn't take the lead, but rather the supporting role. It's used to enhance the flavor of a burger or hot dog.  To make the dry food taste better.

So many times, I've wondered if what I'm doing as a wife and home-school mom matters.  So many times I've felt like my work is so insignificant and mundane.  But now?  But now I know that God used a simple packet of ketchup to show me that even though it seems like my work is small, I add flavor, I enhance my family's life, I make it better.

Every toilet that I scrub.  Makes my house better...
Every meal I cook.  Makes hungry tummies better...
Every errand I run. Makes things better...
Every load of laundry. Makes our clothes better...
Every band-aid I apply.  Makes the "owie" better...
Every lesson I teach.  Makes Maya better...
Every time I submit to my husband. Makes my marriage better...
Every time I pray.  Makes my life better...

I learned today that no matter how small and mundane the task is that is set before me, if I do it for the glory of God, it's no longer ordinary, but extra-ordinary and the natural turns into supernatural.  God makes everything "extra" and "super".  I was so blessed by this quote in a blog I read today:

"You do not go home to hide from the world, you go home to change it." 

To read the whole blog post (and I highly recommend that you do) go HERE

So, it doesn't matter if you're a man, woman, child, mother, father, grandparent, the next time you think you don't matter, think of the ketchup!  When we're getting through our daily chores or to-do lists, submit our work to the Lord and he'll turn it into something extra-ordinary.

Do you think preparing a brown paper sack lunch can show the love of Jesus?  To the kid that came to VBS hungry, YES!

Do you think the ladies knew how they were affecting me while we prepared food this week?  They made me want to come home and squeeze my girl a little tighter for a little longer.

Do you think doing the simple, mundane things and just being present for our kids can shape and form the next generation for the glory of God and His kingdom?

Do you think the mom that gave the little boy 5 small barley loaves and 2 fishes in John 6 knew what a blessing and miracle would be coming later that day?

We really never know how our day to day activities can affect the others around us.  But God does!

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Colossians 3:23

AZ Trip Part 2: Oasis in the desert and an impromptu tea party

Dictionary.com defines

o·a·sis

[oh-ey-sis]

noun, plural o·a·ses  [-seez] 

1. a small fertile or green area in a desert region, usually having a spring or well.

2. something serving as a refuge, relief, or pleasant change from what is usual, annoying, difficult, etc

That's exactly what mom has created at her home.   If you've never been to or through Southern Arizona, let me fill you in.  


It's brown.


A dull shade of brown with sagebrush, mesquite trees and rocks.  Lots of rocks.  I should know, that's my step-dad's business.  He sells rocks. Seems a bit like selling ice to an Eskimo, but hey, business is good.  


Now, just so you know, I'm not saying all this to be ugly or rude, I'm just stating the facts.  Here's a picture:

Anyway, mom and her green thumb have certainly worked hard in her little part of the world and I think it's beautiful.  She's always been so good at stuff like that.  She could always look in (what I thought was an empty) cupboard and prepare a feast.  Looks like she did that again.  She looked at a dry, barren desert and turned it into a thing of beauty.  And as you can see above, Maya was able to get in on the fun, too!


Now on to the TEA PARTY!


A couple days ago, I decided to throw together a tea party for a late lunch.  And thrown together it was, not even a cute tablecloth, but it was fun just the same.  I think making something special out of the ordinary is a great way to make memories.

I cut up some fruit and veggies, melted down some cheesy fondue and boiled water while Maya got out the teacups and saucers.  We had a guest at our tea party, Maya's Liv doll, and she even had her own doll sized teacup and saucer.  I added Chubby's birthday cake (go here for recipe) from Sunday and Voila'! An impromptu Tea Party...

Arizona trip and a summer salad recipe Part 1

Maya and I spent four weeks at my mom's in Arizona and we had a ball.  Mom lives in Sierra Vista, about 20 miles from Tombstone, so we went to Big Nose Kate's for dinner and then to a friend's shop for Karoake afterwards.

We spent one afternoon in a cute artsy fartsy town, Bisbee, it's the picture with the big "B" on the mountain.  So cute.

Then we headed north to Sedona.  The red rocks are amazing!  My brother's nurse suggested we visit Slide Rock and I'm so glad she did, Maya loved it!  It's a natural rock slide, cold and slippery, and tons of fun.  Except I had road rash on my bum when we left AND I ripped the seat out of my pants, but oh well, I probably won't be seeing anybody there again. (at least I hope not!)

Finally we made our way to the Grand Canyon.  All I can say is AHHHHmazing!  First time for all of us and I'm so glad that Maya was able to make that memory with her Nana.

I have lots of pictures to share from our trip, but I'll have to split then up into separate posts.

Now for the recipe:
Since we've been back to sweaty, humid, muggy Louisiana, I've been making light dishes that are quick simple and healthy.  Perfect for a hot summer day.

Blue-Bleu Salad

Couple handfuls Organic Spring Mix

Palm full Blueberries

2-3 T Bleu Cheese

2-3 strips proscuitto 

2 T toasted pecans

Dressing:

1 T Aged Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar (not SCD legal but could sub red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar)

1 t  Dijon Mustard

2 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or until a nice emulsion is achieved)

Pinch celtic sea salt

2 turns freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

Place proscuitto in skillet over medium heat and cook until crisp. Drain on paper towel.  Wipe out skillet and add pecans over medium-low heat until fragrant.  Meanwhile, wash spring mix and berries.

Add vinegar and mustard to bowl, mix well, while mixing stream in olive oil until you've got a nice emulsion.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Yum! Enjoy...

(Not sure why the picture is so blurry.  If you can't tell already, I'm not much of a photographer, but hopefully I'll get better!)