Vitality!

Vitality!

This is not a word I normally hear when talking about being a Christian. 

But it is a word that God gave me during my devotional time this week. 

Vitality - exactly what is it? 

The dictionary describes it as "the state of being strong and active; energy." 

Another definition is, "the power of giving continuance of life, present in all living things." 

The power of giving continuance of life. 

Wow, that really struck me. I have to ask myself, do I reflect that power? 

 Do I have a vitality about me that when people see me they say, 

"Hey, there's something there that I want."

 Do I have a zest for life, an energy, a strength, a joyfulness about me that people see?

I believe God wants each one of us to have vitality,
 but in order to have it we need strong, deep roots.
Daily time spent with God, reading, studying, memorizing, praying

 and so importantly, listening, help us grow those strong, deep roots.

 Vitality - just the word makes my heart beat a little faster
 and puts a smile on my face.

I am excited to see what God has planned for me.

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Tulips for Two Tablescape

I have to admit that with just the two of us home,

and often getting home late

I have fallen out of the habit of setting a pretty table.

But hubby had been working all day

and I had the day off

and had enjoyed myself puttering around the house.

I decided that I should do a pretty little tablescape

just for the two of us.

So I dug out my favorite spring plates.

With the matching glasses.

And created a simple little table for the two of us to enjoy.

When hubby came home his face lit up when he saw the table,

and we sat down & shared a delicious dinner

and good conversation as we talked about our day.

It also made me pause and realize

that it is important to take the few extra minutes

to set a pretty table for the two of us -

not just for special occasions

but to celebrate us in the day to day.

~*~

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Menu Planning Monday

It is time once again to sit down

and plan out my meals for the week.

Monday

Out for Dinner with friends

Tuesday

Chicken & Pepper Stir-Fry

Noodles

Asian Salad

Wednesday

Pork Chop & Potato Bake

Garlic Green Beans

Mashed Turnip

Thursday

Parmesan Herb Salmon

Rice Pilaf 

Peas & Carrots

Friday - Family Spring BBQ Party

BBQ Hot Dogs

Homestyle Hot Dog Buns

Asian Broccoli Slaw

Spinach Salad

Corn Salad

Banana Cream Pie Squares

Strawberry Lemonade

Saturday

Crockpot Cheesy Spaghetti

Zucchini Bake

Cesar Salad

Garlic Bread

Sunday

Chicken & Chili White Bean Soup

What's on your menu this week?

~*~

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Looking Back

Hubby wasn't feeling well today so we stayed home from church.

While he rested I spent some time looking back.

I went back to the beginning of my blog

and read through my first year's worth of posts.

It was a great trip down memory lane

but surprising how much life has changed since then.

I also spent some time looking back over my prayer journals.

It made me think of the story in Joshua 4,

where Joshua had the Israelites build an altar

after God had parted the river Jordan.

It was an Altar of Remembrance.

"Joshua said to the Israelites, "In the future when your 

descendants ask their parents, 'What do these stones mean?' 

tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.'

For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you

until you had crossed over.... He did this so that all

peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord

is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God."

I remember reading this years ago and it struck me

how important it is remember and talk about what God has done in our lives.

We too often forget or take for granted what God has done for us.

Looking through my prayer journal I saw

many, many answers to prayers,

both small and large,

and it made me so grateful.

I hope to pass down my prayer journals to my children one day

so they too can look back and remember,

"and know that the hand of the Lord is powerful

and so that they might always fear the Lord their God."

~*~

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...

Saturday, March 23, 2019

Looking out my window...

I am thinking...

Of the things I need to get done this weekend

vs. the things I want to get done this weekend.

I am thankful for...

Date nights with hubby.

One of my favorite things...

Coffee!

It's not about the coffee,

it's about the senses,

the feel of the cup & warmth,

the scent & steam,

and of course, the taste :)

I am creating...

~Some cards I made last month.

 I am currently working on some Easter cards.~

I am wearing... 

Red jeans & a black t-shirt.

I am hearing...

My Saturday playlist playing,

the air purifier running.

I am reading...

The Paradise of Glass by Petra Durst-Benning

and

The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan

I am learning...

That getting up at 5:00am is not as hard as I thought it would be.

Around the house...

Getting ready for a family Spring BBQ this next weekend.

In my kitchen...

In my garden...

The snow is finally beginning to melt.

Pondering these words... 

"The one who is most free is the one who turns

 the work of his hands into sacrament, into offering. 

All he makes and all he does

 are gifts from God, through God, and to God.

~From "The Rest of God" by Mark Buchanan

This past week...

~Went to see the Green Book - Such a good movie. One of the best I've seen in awhile.

~Re-started my walking program - I was surprised how sore I was!

~I got a start on some Easter cards.

~Had a lovely visit with my parents - it was good to see they are recovering from their colds.

~Hubby & I weren't able to attend the Home & Garden Show as I ended up working late,
but we did go out to a nice restaurant and enjoyed such delicious & relaxing dinner out.

A few plans for the upcoming week...

~Working~

~Keep up with my walking program this week~

~X-stitching~

~Family Spring BBQ~

~DD is coming home for the weekend~
~Shopping with DD - we are looking for a dress for me
for her wedding & we will be going for a dress fitting for her~

A moment from my day...

~Hubby & I  are getting ready for July 1st

with these new Canada Day t-shirts we found!~

~~~*~~~

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Alana

I am joining...

Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

In the Kitchen this Week

I have found that now that I am back to work full time

and there are no kids at home,

it has been easy to get lackadaisical with cooking.

Menu planning definitely helps combat with that

and even if I am tired after a crazy day at work

hubby is more than happy to chip in & help,

as long as he knows what's on the menu!

So here's the plan for this week...

Monday

Oven Fried Chicken

Garlic Knots

Tossed Salad

Tuesday

Lemon Pepper Cod

Rice Pilaf

Broccoli w/cheese sacue

Corn

Wednesday

Salisbury Steak

Perogies

Peas & Carrots

Thursday

Roast Chicken

w/Baked Veggies

Gravy

Tossed Salad

Friday

Chili Chicken Stir-Fry

Rice

Asian Salad

Saturday

Mushroom Meatballs

Mashed Potatoes

Garlic Green Beans

Turnip

Sunday

Chicken  Noodle Soup

What's on your menu this week?

~~~*~~~

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Alana

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...

Sunday, March 17, 2019

Looking out my window...

I am thinking...

Of how it has been a productive day.

I am thankful for...

Quiet days at home.

One of my favorite things...

Shamrock shakes!

I am creating...

I have a few projects on the go...
scrapbooking, x-stitching & card making.

I am wearing...

Black jeans & boots, Pink & white top

I am hearing...

The humidifier running.

I am reading...

The Paradise of Glass by Petra Durst-Benning

and

When the Game is Over It All Goes Back in the Box by John Ortberg

I am learning...

That I need to get back into more planning.

Around the house...

Time to put out some spring décor.

In my kitchen...

Hubby made tacos - one of my favorites.

In my garden...

Still snow.

Pondering these words... 

"The best things in life are nearest: 
Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes,
 flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, 
the path of right just before you. 
Then do not grasp at the stars, 
but do life's plain, common work as it comes, 
certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life."

~Robert Louise Stevenson~

A few plans for the rest of the week...

~Going to see the Green Book~
~Re-starting my walking program as I got off track while being sick~
~Time in the craft room~
~Working~
~Visiting my parents~
~Attending the Home & Garden show with hubby~
~Hopefully some spring cleaning~

A moment from my day...

~Enjoying a lazy day~

~~~*~~~

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Alana

I am joining...

Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook