Day 1

Wichita Mtns. Wildlife Refuge

In the beginning ......

Today is the first day of a 40 Day fast for some of us.  Forty days of eating only one meal a day and completely fasting from desserts. 

It is really going better than I had expected it to.  Praise God!  I know that it is because of prayer!  And I am really thankful for those of you who are praying!  May you be richly blessed in return!

Dealing with the flesh is kind of like dealing with a two year old.  Sometimes, you just have to distract it!  So here is a list of 60 things to do in place of eating!

Remember ~

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  ~  Romans 8:37

(now)  Sixty (positive) things to do…….

                             Instead of eating!

1. pray
2. read a devotion
3. call a friend
4. write a note
5. pull the weeds out of the flower bed
6. sit in the garden and sketch a picture
7. take a nice long spa bath (*)
8. start your novel
9. watch something that makes you laugh! (*)
10. go for a walk…
11. go visit a neighbor
12. get online and *talk* to somebody
13. memorize a Bible verse
14. go checkout the sunset….take your camera
15. shape your eyebrows *ouch*
16. write out your plans for the next day
17. take time to dream
18. begin a gratitude list
19. write down the day of the month, now list all the people who have birthdays on that day (regardless of their birth month)….soon you will have a calendar list of who to pray for each day of the month.  On the 25^th of each month, I pray for granddaughter, Gabby (Jan.) and grandson, Jailen (Aug.).  Now I pray for all my grandchildren daily, but on the 25^th of each month, I REALY pray for these two!
20. work on your scrap book
21. take time to journal
22. give yourself a manicure….hey, or go get one!
23. give yourself a pedicure…..hey, or go get one!
24. pick a topic that has always interested you and start learning more about it.
25. write out a weeks worth of menus
26. make your grocery list
27. go do your hair
28. crochet
29. knit
30. fold a load of clothes
31. pick one room and throw away ten things!...or recycle ten items!
32. write a thank  you card
33. plan a party or a lunch for you and two of your best friends
34. write a note to one of your children or grandchildren, telling them how special they are
35. take the vinegar and soda and clean the bathroom drains…it’s fun making volcanoes!
36. go through and organize old pictures…be sure and write names and dates on back
37. clean the patio door
38. go outside and just breathe!
39. clean out a drawer
40. read a book!
41. arrange flowers (limbs, leaves…whatever) for your table or mantel
42. take time to just listen
43. make a list of ten places you would like to visit and why
44. write out ten goals
45. write out your life’s mission statement
46. go online and visit a missionary’s website
47. go to the library
48. plant some seeds or re-pot a plant
49. learn to weave (do potholders count?)
50. pass out ten hugs!
51. shave your legs
52. make a cup of tea….apple cinnamon…yum!
53. clean off a shelf
54. exercise
55. go through your magazines and set aside the ones you are finished with to donate to a nursing home or retirement center
56.  take a child for ice cream (ice cream eaten with a child does not count as eating), better yet play catch!
57. clean your ears or clean out your purse
58. give your hair a hot oil treatment
59. look at seed catalogs
60. embroidery or cross stitch (when you finish, feel free to send them to me) ;) 

Day 14 of Our 65 Day Journey

 Happy Veterans' Day!

 The words "thank you" are in no way enough, still ~ thank you and may you be blessed!

I've sat here for at least 2 hours, trying to figure out what to blog about!  I still have nothing.  I am rarely at a total loss for words.  This is so not me (the talker)!

Day #14 

 of Our 65 Day Journey!

~ I promised some recipes ~

Two years ago, I taught a cooking class at our local university.  We had such fun!!!

One of the recipes I shared with the class, was also one of the first recipes I taught the boys to make.  It is a family tradition, first made by my aunt (Aunt Billie) probably 50 years ago!  We've made it every Thanksgiving and Christmas since  (and several other times during the year).  So if you have kids or grandkids just itching to help.....they can do this!

Holiday Cheese Ball

2 cups of mild cheddar cheese grated

1 8oz. pkg. of cream cheese, room temperature

chili powder

garlic powder

2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

Mix all ingredients except for the chili powder.  If the kids are doing it, make them wash their hands and then turn them loose!!!  If you are doing it, you may use the food processor.

Once everything is well blended, roll into desired shape.  I like to make two cheese logs, so when it is served, you can slice it and it just fits on Town House Crackers.  My daughters like to make one large cheese ball....whatever.  Once you have it shaped, liberally sprinkle chili powder onto a large plate or freezer paper and roll your cheese logs/ball in the chili powder.  Coat well.

Wrap and chill in refrigerator for at least 4 hours (to let the flavors blend) (that usually does not happen here).   

Enjoy!

Simple Fruit Salad

This is an easy (and lite) fruit  salad and everyone loves it.....even the picky people.

3 oranges, peeled, sections pulled apart and cut into chunks....you need to try and remove that thin membrane (?) that covers the orange sections (as much as possible)

3 bananas sliced

1 large can of Pineapple chunks 

or tidbits

1/2 cup sugar

a few maraschino cherries cut in half for garnish (if you want)

Drain the pineapple (save juice!), place in bowl.  Slice the bananas into the pineapple juice (it will keep them from turning brown).  Add oranges, sugar and cherries if you want!  This is so good and refreshing....not heavy like some fruit salads. 

(Looks yummy!)

I also have a new recipe for a Pumpkin Pie Latte....actually I have two.  One came from our local rural electric company and the other was  sent to me by Taste of Home magazine.  I haven't tried either, but I'm planning to!  After I taste taste the two, I'll post my favorite!

Don't be surprised if my favorite is plain old pumpkin pie with a good cup of coffee!  Just sayin'!

Thursday - thankful for our country.  With all its faults, it is still the best in so many ways.

Friday - thankful for our Veterans!

Praying for each of you today!  

Blessings,

Cheryl