We are diving into house projects for the new year! There is a BIG project coming up, and a less big (but not exactly small) project in the works right now.
In the past, I have done posts about our house goals, as well as summaries of the previous year's goals. If you're interested in so much detail, let me know and I'll put something together.
I'll be the first to admit that a house is a temporal thing. Pineapple House is not my final home! As much as I love it (and I do believe that it is a gift from the Lord!), it pales in comparison to the home that awaits me!
But . . .
- I (we) do love house-y things!
- I believe that this home is a gift that can be given back to the Lord to be used for His purposes: shelter, hospitality, teaching, growing, nurturing, loving.
I was inspired by that grandmother! I realize that everyone's situation is different. You may not have the monetary means or the health or the energy or the desire to host for thirty-two years! But I am inspired to use my home as long as He provides for that to be!
Ryan will be here this evening helping Ron with a step in the "less big" project.
We invited their whole family to come with him and have dinner with us. Originally, I was to be out of town a good part of the day, so I planned an easy meal. Now the "out of town" plans have been changed, but I kept the "easy meal" plan. We will have a choice of soups. I have some chicken noodle soup that I made on Saturday when it was so cold, and I put another favorite soup in the crock pot this morning. My friend Dotsie shared the recipe for chicken tortilla soup with me and my blog readers several years ago when I was doing a blog series of slow cooker recipes. My house is smelling so good as I type, and of course, I think of Dotsie every time I make it! Do recipes remind you of people? That is one thing that I enjoy about sharing recipes with family and friends.
We also have plans to Skype with Kati and family this evening. Andrew may be out, or he may be home due to snow. Ron and Ryan may join the chat, or they may still be working on the project. But we will enjoy checking in and seeing the babies whom we have not seen since they flew home after their Christmas visit. (Skype is not as good as a hug, but we take what we can get!)
While I don't typically make New Year's resolutions, I have a couple of small goals for the coming year.
1) I would like to improve my meal planning. I used to do fairly well with that, but (cue the excuses!) moving into a new kitchen (I know, I know, it's been close to six years), cooking for fewer people, and changes in how I shop for groceries have all affected my planner self. So I am making an effort to ditch the excuses and be more consistent with a weekly plan.
2) I am going to do a simple sketch and watercolor every week. Actually, I know very little about watercolor, and I don't consider myself an artist by any means. But I am inspired by the art of Emily Lex who painted a watercolor every day of 2019! Every day! One per week is my goal. So far, so good. Maybe I'll even share one now and then.
Gentleness is A Christian Virtue
A friend shared this article on her Facebook page this morning and I think is well worth reading! A few quotes:
My greatest concern is not that our culture is angry. My greatest concern is that this sense of meanness has even invaded many corners of the church. Christians on both sides of the political spectrum justify their anger toward others by claiming to be fighting for justice or Christian liberty or the future of our country, or whatever other narrative fits their desire to express their more base emotions.
There is no room among Christ’s followers for meanness. In a dark world the light of Christ must shine through with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Christians must be willing to be wronged, if being wronged enables the gospel of Christ to go forward and the glory of Christ to shine brighter to a lost world.
There's more. Read ~here~ to see what the author has to say about how gentleness should characterize a Christ-follower.
And now I need to go make some dessert! What would you make for a winter's evening following a simple meal?
Alaine is taking a watercolor class starting in February. The two of you will have to share your projects.
ReplyDeleteFun! Can't wait to see what she's learning! Maybe she can help me . . .
DeleteI love baked apples, filled with brown sugar and sultanas...warming and comforting!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like the perfect winter dessert, Barbara!
DeleteHow can one choose one fruit of the spirit over any other? Although I hear and understand the behavior of other who feel justified I choose not to participate. It has been so freeing! there are those who absolutely DONOT understand my lack of TV or newspapers or radio bulletins but I have more peace when I do without. Still in all tries to invade via the words of others and social media but I fight to screen it out emotionally. Gentleness....best story description I ever hear was when Old Owl on Fables of Faith took all the animals on a hike ...barefoot and they had a section of sharp pebbles and prickers to traverse and then they arrived a soft green grass.
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for the author (I have never heard of him before this), but I don't think that focusing on one of the fruits of the Spirit negates the others. I think that the author is bothered by the lack of gentleness that he sees in the modern church and is pointing out that we need to respond to things we don't like with gentleness rather than with anger and meanness. Somehow, it has become acceptable, even "righteous," and it should not be.
DeleteOh my, yes! It is easier to be gentle by not engaging in the world's banter and arguments, although, as you point out, it seems to find us wherever we are!
Bread pudding would be good with a yummy sauce. I like your goals for the year. Our country bungalow could benefit from a little meal planning for sure. So much in the life of a Christian in the sanctification process begins with humility. We have had so many opportunities for becoming more mature in Christ over these last couple of years. It will be fun to see what's going on with the projects. Enjoy your meal and time together this evening!
ReplyDeleteThat is another good winter dessert! (I should have asked this question yesterday!) Very well said: "We have had so many opportunities for becoming more mature in Christ over these last couple of years." Yes, we have! I hope that I have responded to it all with gentleness and humility.
DeleteI will share about some of the projects that we have coming up!
Cheryl, I always enjoy what you share--your house projects, recipes, decorating, your faith. I really miss Dotsie's posts and think of her often.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind encouragement, Martha Ellen! I, too, miss Dotsie's blog posts!
DeleteAh, I want some house projects going on here! I can’t wait to see what you’re up too!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I’ve been out of my old groove with food and cooking since my nest got emptier and my back pain. Sigh.
I love something with apple too, for desserts.
House projects are fun, aren't they? I promise to share ours soon, even though it will be a while before they are finished.
DeleteI feel like I've never totally gotten back into my groove since we moved. The farmhouse kitchen was such a hub and it was easy to cook while keeping touch with the homeschooling or visitors or anything else going on in the kitchen/sitting area. And, you're right, it is different when you're cooking for a smaller group. Old habits die hard! But, I actually think it will be easier if I am more consistent in making a plan, even if it's a simple plan.
Like I said to Ellen, I should have asked earlier for dessert ideas! Another vote for apples . . .
Apple Crisp or a crumble—they're so warming on a winter's day. Your soup menu sounds yummy. Do you keep in touch with Dotsie? I miss seeing her in Blogdom.
ReplyDeleteYour projects sound intriguing. I'd love to hear more about them if you want to share.
Hope you have a nice visit with Kati and family.
Lots of you suggested a warm apple dessert! And now I am going to have to make something apple soon, guests or no guests! Mmmmm . . .
DeleteI do keep in touch with Dotsie through social media. She is a dear! I will be happy to share our project plans for those who enjoy such things. We all had a nice visit with Kati and family! Even the workers were able to pop in and say "hi" and peek at the babies. Little Baby K (Ryan and Sarah's foster baby who was here this evening) was fascinated by talking with those people on the screen and seeing herself in the corner frame! Adorable!
a couple days ago i made chicken soup and french bread. so good if i say so myself and i just did. wink. chicken tortilla soup sounds yUm and will go on my menu list for the next couple weeks. thank you for the link.
ReplyDeletelooking forward to hearing more about your projects.. our current project is repairing the gutters and home siding after snowmageddon's latest deluge and damage. ice doesn't hold a ladder stable.
That sounds delicious, Sherry. Soup and bread is the perfect winter comfort food combo! I hope you enjoy the chicken tortilla soup too!
DeleteRepairs after weather damage are necessary, but maybe not as much "fun" as the projects we're planning? Sigh . . .
I don't know how my daughter does it, but she plans her meals for a month. Then shops accordingly.
ReplyDeleteShew! I don't know how she does it either! She is a master planner!
DeleteI'm always interested in house projects and love reading about others' homes. Sticky Date Pudding (a cake) is good with a toffee sauce for a wintry dessert. I'm planning to make one this week.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like there are plenty of people who like reading about house projects! I will be sharing our plans soon.
DeleteYou have me at "toffee"! Mmmmm . . .
Love reading about your projects and especially pictures. You posted a chicken and potato soup with cream cheese years ago and I made it. It is one of our favorite meals now snd we have it often. It also called for carrots which I don’t usually have but I do keep packaged English peas and carrot mix in freezer. We like that little change. Looking forward to your projects and menus. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteAh, Sharon, you have given me an idea with the frozen peas and carrots mix! I usually have carrots in my fridge, but the frozen mix would be a time saver on busy days. I'm glad you have enjoyed it; it's one of our favorites too!
DeleteThank you for your encouraging words about our projects. I am working on a post . . . soon!
May blessings return to you!
Oh, I do hope you'll share some watercolor paintings you do. I'm no artist, but I'd love to be inspired to get out my paints and give it a shot. I look forward to seeing and reading about your new house projects, too!
ReplyDeleteI am no artist either, and my paintings will be very simple, but I plan to share a few along the way. It's been a busy week, but I'll be sharing a house project post soon. Thank you for your encouragement!
DeleteI have so enjoyed your 'this and that' post, Cheryl. I look forward to the unveiling (and hopefully pics) of your big and not as big home projects--I do love before and after pics of such ventures. Plus, I do hope you will share glimpses of your watercolour painting journey with us now and then.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I aim to be better this year at meal planning and prep. To search out new recipes and ways to tweak old favourites. During Covid, the two of us have kept it so simple so often, but this year we both hanker for a change up again.
There is one book that has inspired me in the past (or should I say two books) about food and its value not only for our bodies but our souls as well. Neither are cookbooks but food definitely plays a key role in both: The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister (novel) and Keeping the Feast: One Couple's Story of Love, Food, and Healing in Italy by Paula Butturini (memoir). I think I need to read them again for renewed inspiration in the kitchen department.
I am in awe of that 92-year-old grandmother who still hosts large family gatherings. She had a dream and I'm so happy for her that she could live it into into being. What joy she must have to see her loved ones around the dinner table.
I'm sure you already know this, but did you know the aim you have for your home to give "shelter, hospitality, teaching, growing, nurturing, loving" also flows beautifully into your blog here as well? Whenever I visit, I feel sheltered, welcome, instructed, nurtured and loved. Thank you, dear Cheryl. xo
Yes, Brenda, I hope to share a watercolor or two along the way. Again, these will be very simple, but I am enjoying the challenge of learning something new. The books about food sound fascinating. Inspiration is often the name of the game, isn't it? I, too, was in awe of the 92-year-old grandmother who is still hosting Thanksgiving dinner! I am guessing that she has plenty of help these days (??), but even so, she set the stage for hospitality and family connection by the choices that she made those many years ago.
DeleteFinally, I must thank you with a full heart for the last paragraph in your comment! I cannot imagine a nicer thing(s) to be said about a blog and I am both humbled and grateful! With love . . .