I had never been a big fan of black-eyed peas. When I was trying to come up with a semi-traditional New Year’s meal a few years ago I decided that they should be included as we need all the good luck we can get. Right?
Well, I can’t guarantee that these will bring you good luck but they will fill your tummy. This recipe was a big hit at our house and so easy to make. We actually eat it a few times a year just because we like it. Continue reading “Black Eyed Peas”
Today we’ve opened a new door and started a new page.
We’ve also closed a door and finished another chapter in our life.
So set your goals and take your place in center stage.
It doesn’t matter if you are old or young, single or a wife.
The color of your skin is as unimportant as your age.
Don’t let the worries and doubts get to you or the anger and strife.
Don’t worry about the gossip, tales, or the latest rage.
This is your year, your chapter, so live your life!
God Bless and Happy New Years!
I know most of us set goals and make resolutions at the beginning of the year. I know we have the best of intentions when make them but often times we start out strong and then just kinda let our goals fade out of sight. Sometimes we just keep procrastinating on getting started and before we know it the year is gone.
This year I am setting my intentions on becoming a better mother, a better friend, a better steward of my blessings, and a better keeper of the home. I also have other goals like losing weight, being more faithful in my prayers and devotions, and getting our homeschool stuff more organized. Some of these goals are being carried over from last year. I did make progress on them but I know that I still have a long way to go. Many of them are written down in my prayer journal and I try to pray about them on a daily basis.
Here is a quick list intentional goals that I have made, as I know that I must set my mind to wanting to do something and praying that God will lead me and give me the desire and willpower to accomplish things according to His plans for my life.
I know that I must work at each and everyone of these in order for them to be achieved successfully. Some of them will require research and work on my part while others just require me to get motivated.
I have already started on many of them. I have read that it takes 21 days to form a new habit so I wanted to get a little head start on it. I am also reading some books to give m inspiration and ideas to motivate me towards my end goals. I will list these at the end of the post.
When you set your goals try to be as specific as possible and find ways to hold yourself accountable. It is also helpful to break the goals down into short term goals so you can evaluate your progress and make changes as needed to reach your end goal. Be sure to ask your friends and family to help you stay motivated.
Remember that it’s OK if your goals and resolutions change through the year. Sometimes we set unrealistic goals for ourselves and then just quit or throw them out the window because we feel like a failure. Don’t give up, just sit down and revise or rewrite your goals. Life happens, circumstances change, and so many things are beyond our control. Just focus on what you can control and make the best of it.
Books I am currently reading.
Starting Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Morning of the Year
First Light – Women’s Daily Devotional & Journal First Light – Women’s Daily Devotional & Journal
The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming
The Lifegiving Home Experience: A 12-Month Guided Journey
The Organized Homeschool Life: A Week-By-Week Guide to Homeschool Sanity
Becoming a Woman Who Pleases God: A Guide to Developing Your Biblical Potential
I’m sitting at the kitchen island trying to go over a few things in my head. Trying not to dwell on some of the many things that have been bothering me lately. This week has been a little crazy with Christmas and just being out of routine. It’s been about all I could do to stay sane.
We’ve had meltdowns upon meltdowns. Some not so bad and some pretty monstrous ones. I’ve have several things on my To Do list that haven’t been finished. Not that I haven’t tried it just seems that everyone around me has been having a crazy week as well.
Then there have been unexpected surprises, like a donkey in my yard, that have happened. The donkey is an old friend and she has been returned safely. The kids enjoyed seeing her again too.
I did manage to finally get my grocery list finished only to have a deposit not come through on time. So the major shopping will have to wait. We have all we need so I’m not worried.
Then I have been able to work on a few ideas for my blog. I managed to sketch out a rough schedule for my posts also so I can try to be more organized with that.
I made and printed out my new worksheet for my bills. This had been on my list for a while. I had one saved on my old computer but haven’t had the chance to check the old hard drive to see if it was saved when the computer died.
And then there are matters of the heart that have been pestering me. I try my best not to dwell on them as I know that God will provide me with what I need in His time.
Sometimes though I have to wonder if there is someone out there crazy enough to actually want to be a part of this insanity that I call life. I smile as I say that because I’m sure there is one out there but I don’t know where he is right now. I know I can’t rush it but that doesn’t make me stop wishing he’d get his butt over here because I need some adult conversation every now and then.
Every time it seems that I’m being led in one direction the rug kinda gets pulled out from under me and I’m left wondering what happened all over again. That’s really hard to take.
It reminds me of cat I used to have. I would work on puzzles, those 1000+ piece puzzles, and leave them out on a table to come back to. It would never fail that my cat would wait until the puzzle was almost completed and then he’d get on the table and destroy it.
That’s kinda how I feel right now. I thought I saw a picture coming together but something happened and the pieces are scattered all over again.
I will keep trying to put it together as maybe I had some of the pieces in the wrong place. If not, I know it is just part of God’s plan for me and my life.
That doesn’t make it hurt any less but it does give me a little comfort knowing that He has the pieces in His hand and that He will help me put it all together in the end.
For now though I’m gonna go sit with the kiddos and finish up the episode of Big Cat Diary before they head to bed. Then I’ll tuck them in and kiss them goodnight before I head to my closet for a little bit of quiet time before I go to bed myself.
Good night my friends!
A lot of times when I make greens I will ‘cheat’ and buy them canned. Every now and then I see them on sale or someone will stop by and bless me with a mess of fresh greens. They are so much better than the canned. Continue reading “Easy Collard Greens”
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