Scattered Thoughts From A Maryland Cottage

Scattered Thoughts From A Maryland Cottage
The Yin and Yang of Thankfulness
Showing posts with label God's fingerprints. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's fingerprints. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

The Yin and Yang of Thankfulness

“One of the main reasons that we lose our enthusiasm in life is because we become ungrateful..we let what was once a miracle become common to us. We get so accustomed to his goodness it becomes a routine..” 
                                                                                                 Joel Osteen


it's windy, wet and I see a few flurries
outside my bedroom window while I
write this post and I've been thinking about so
many things on this early release day. I work in a 
high school health room which means
everyone left early for the holiday. as always, 
it was a crazy pre-holiday week because not
everyone is happy about Thanksgiving. some families 
are broken, homeless, hungry and all of the above.
I didn't realize to what degree until I began this career
11 years ago. I've always had a meal. 
in fact, I've usually trying to lose a few pounds.
so as I sit here, I began to think about this past year
 and the title of this post 
"The Yin and the Yang of Thankfulness". 

I don't believe I take the time every day 
to be thankful enough. 
for every moment with my kids
instead of saying "I wish I saw 
you more often" - I want to just 
enjoy them!
and there's a little one on  
the way in a few weeks
....
enjoying the stillness of winter,
school snow days, comforters,
Christmas... instead of moaning about 
slush and short dark days.
....
bringing more flowers inside the house
and taking road trips to gardens
I've always wanted to see.
....
I had both knees replaced in March,
I'm pain free and this is 
going to be my summer!
and thanking others... I want to bitch less -
and thank more.
Well, I'm going to try.  
Because I have so many, many things
to be thankful for.  Jenn

Give this a try... I want to!

Grapefruit Cranberry Marmalade
adapted from myrecipes
  • 4 large grapefruit (about 4 pounds)
  • 1.5 cups water
  • 2.5 cups cranberries
  • 3 cups sugar
  1. Carefully remove the rind of each grapefruit with a vegetable peeler or pairing knife, being careful to avoid the white pith. Slice the rind into thin strips. Place in a large saucepan.
  2. Peel and section the grapefruit: Slice off a piece of both the top and bottom of each grapefruit until the fruit is visible. Place on a cutting board. Starting at the top and following the curve of the fruit, cut away the remaining pith until only the flesh and membrane are left. Holding the fruit on it”s side, slide a pairing knife between one section of fruit and the membrane that is holding it there, loosening it”s hold. Cut alongside the opposite side of the fruit to loosen it from the membrane on the opposite side. Continue all the way along the grapefruit. Place the grapefruit sections into the saucepan and discard the empty membrane.
  3. Add 1.5 cups water to the saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium. Lower the heat and simmer for 15 min, stirring occasionally.
  4. Stir in cranberries and simmer for another 10 min.
  5. Add sugar and simmer for 30 min until slightly thickened. Continuing to stir occasionally.
  6. Remove from heat and allow to cool 10 min. Poor into jars or plastic containers and allow to cool for another 20 min before putting on lids. Let sit on counter until room temperature. Store in the fridge or freezer.
Makes approx: 5 cups
*This will keep for 3 weeks in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer.
*Cranberries have enough natural pectin to set this jam by itself. It is important to note that fresh cranberries have more pectin then frozen ones and therefore will set firmer. I did use frozen cranberries for mine and it turned out fine.
*To remove excess pith from the peeled rind: hold the rind firmly, pith side up, with one hand and drag your pairing knife in the opposite direction, shaving away the pith.
                                              thank you to...      Kitchen Simplicity.com                    

Friday, September 2, 2011

Picking Up The Pieces............

Threads Of Life... Sometimes Life Unravels And You Tie It With A Bow!

You know me and my stories, sagas, whatever you want to call them...but I always hope it will inspire someone, I vent, I get this surge of relief, spirit, joy. And I am so very grateful to God and the loving people in my life. The Bloggers "Chatty Crone" & "Pondside" take a moment in their blogging business to make sweet comments when I write something new and I thank you!
Last September I left a very bad situation, a dangerous marriage that was not healthy. It's been a year of growth in so many ways.
I walked away from shattered and right
into to the arms of new hope.
I think about my dogs "Autumn" and "Spice" and my 3 Cats
"Jasmine", "Thomas" and "Elaine" and
I'm more at peace after having to leave them behind.

I visited my my parents in Florida,
visited family everywhere
counted my blessings
swam
swam some more
counted my blessing again
worked as a job coach
made my greeting cards
went to Savannah and my beloved
Jersey shore
saw places and places
reflected
and I can say it's truly been better than I ever expected.

Lesson Learned:
Humility
1. (noun) humility
the state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth; a sense of one's own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness; self-abasement; humbleness
2. (noun) humility
an act of submission or courtesy
hu·mil·i·ty
modesty or respectfulness: the quality of being modest or respectful
[ 13th century. Via French < Latin humilitas < humilis (see humble) ]
Thesaurus
NOUN


Synonyms: self-effacement, unpretentiousness, humbleness, modesty, meekness, shyness

How did I learn this you might ask? I worked with a young lady that has Cerebral Palsy as a Job Coach. She has volunteered at a local hospital making visitor passes for over 13 years, five days a week from 9 am until 2 pm. Everything she does takes effort. She goes through her day having a difficult time walking, talking, swallowing. She sings in a chorus, swims, takes Pilates, exercise class, craft classes and more. She has strength, courage, humor, patience.

I learned from Linda that I have been given such gifts in my life, Linda was a gift God gave me to enable me to see just how very blessed I am.  Jennifer

Colossians 3:12-13

New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Sing It Loud - Sing It Proud!

oh happy day!
today and even yesterday were just super,
duper days! i laughed a lot. had fun with friends. the students were testing so the health room was very slow. i caught up on paperwork. worked on a new greeting card line i just designed and have sold quite a few.
i just feel filled with happiness.
i was riding in my car after work yesterday and having my
conversation with God.
the sun had just come out and i was saying
"thank you":
  • for the beautiful weather
  • for the huge smiles i kept having
  • students that had come into my life
  • new friends
  • summer trying to peek in
  • flowers popping everywhere
  • health
  • blogging buddies
  • art
  • music
I know I talk about happiness a lot. But I praise God in doing it. It's this burst I get - this pleasurable feel of gifts of feelings. I know it's His grace. So I turned the tunes up in my car and danced as much as was legal in my car... and kept the conversation going. I don't ever want to stop being grateful. I also hope it doesn't bore you. Just me being me.
to the tips of my toes happy

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Tiny Fingers, Tiny Toes - Our Children Are Our Gifts



On Children

Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
Blessings to you this week.
Doesn't God make beautiful babies?

Friday, October 8, 2010

What Can You Do In A Day?

Good Morning, Good Morning!
I'm trying to think of new ways to make a difference. Little ways, big ways, asking for ideas, finding ideas. I am having soooo much fun doing it! It can be free or cost very little. Earlier this week I bought several bags of candy corn, divided them into smaller bags, tied and tagged them with notes that said " maybe a little corny but thanks for your support". The staff I work with are the very BEST! One day I put bottles of bubbles in my friend's mail cubbies with a note that said "you're never too old to be young!".


soooo,  saying "thank you" is really pretty darn easy!

Balinese (Bali) Matu suksama       Cherokee (United States) Wa'-do
  Farsi (Iran) Mamnoon          Gascon (France) Merci
Yesterday I stopped at The French Confection bakery and picked up fresh baked crossiants for a few of my co-workers ... just 'cause.
                           almond



chocolate

strawberry                 apple
   I had so much funny handing them out and seeing the surprise on my co-workers faces.......
I did it again today for the 5 Security Guards, the Principal and 2 Guidance Counselors.
man was it fun!
Gong (Thailand) Ang kêun      Hawaiian (Hawaii) Mahalo
Italian (Central Europe, E Africa) Grazie          Japanese (Japan) Arigato
It's 9:10 am and I can't stop smiling!



Valencian (Spain)          Gracies              Welsh (Wales)  Diolch yn fawr
Yiddish (Europe) Dank  Zulu (South Africa, Lesotho) Ngiyabonga

P.S. I had my usual java and a strawberry and cream croissant (not my usual or I'd be HUGE) = no calories on Fridays.
(lunch = salad dinner = salad breakfast tomorrow = salad)
Life is just a chair of bowlies! Jenn

God's fingerprints on my life... the ability to smile and try to do good. I don't always win but I always try.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Between the Bubbles My Way! God's Fingerprints and Fabulous Friends!

MY CUP IS HALF FULL!
I am soooo excited about it being Friday, after working a full-time job, getting ready to close the Health Room for the summer, fighting with our union to keep our hours and not get them cut (WE WON!), working part-time helping my friend de-clutter and reorganize and pack up her home for a final move to Texas, planting my gardens, training Autumn, reclaiming my house from HUGE dust bunnies and well... you understand.  So - I was thinking about bubble baths and taking one!
but then my mind wandered
ooops
so then I though about all the gardening things I have to do
and began to let my my wander to books ...


   gardening
    
    weeding


      planting

    more weeding

   margarita  

brie and crackers
spending time with my honey bunny
so no posts for the weekend ... I just plan to be me -
in Woodbine Maryland - with my pets, my yard,
 a new born calf in the neighborhood,
buying a neighbor's fresh eggs, JUST ME ...THANKS TO YOU!
THE END
God's Fingerprints - that I have a hubby, furry companions,
friends, bubble baths, blogging buddies, a home, a job, can be myself and create,
and HE loves me for who I am and always will.
Through HIS grace. Amen  Jennifer