Overturned Tables and Second Chances.

Second Chances

Today I served at a food pantry.   Which surprised me,  Since I wasn't sure I ever would again.    You see, I've had good experiences and bad.   You, too?

In the past, some bad experiences included people standing apart from each other so they could each claim their entire family - thus getting twice as much food as the next family.

Or, the person who waits till the end and says,  "Those of us at then end, we get all extras, just ask. We get the rest of what's on the truck.  Go ask.  You look new here."

Then there's the person who says to her friend in line,  "Yeah, I don't really need it but I'm tired of everyone else getting what I paid for.   I figure, this time, I'm getting my share.   Today, I'm getting MINE."

Years ago my friends and I were helping at a soup kitchen.   I was handing out day old bagel pieces.  We were told to reach in the black hefty bag and give whatever we grabbed.  Someone wanted a fruit bagel.  They got onion.  The next person got fruit.   Tables were overturned.  Punches were thrown.  People were tossed out into the cold.   Ironically, the remaining guests tried to comfort the volunteers  who, like me, were taken back and maybe a bit scared. I know I was.    The tables were turned in more than one way that day.   The homeless were trying to comfort me -  the bagel girl. 
  So many emotions.
Theirs.  Mine.
I wasn't sure I'd ever hand out food again.

Years later, I view that scuffle a little differently.   It wasn't so much about a stupid stale bagel.   Likely it had more to do about choice and dignity.   And, perhaps a little mental illness.   Perhaps a lack of sleep.

Today, I tried again.
And, the words I heard were so different.     It was a heart-warming day.  Awe-inspiring, really.
"Please don't give me so much bread this time.
I couldn't use it all.
Save it for someone else."

"I'm not sure how much time I have left.
I just want my kids to know The Father.
To have hope."   "I heard you were collecting kid clothes, right?   She's growing out of hers fast... So, I have something to give. Where can I drop them off?"

"You know, I'm doing okay.
Can we just pray for the others here today?"

Seconds chances.
We all need them.

Today, I needed a second chance at opening my heart.  The risk was rewarded.   I learned that if you were to take a survey of those unemployed, under employed, or experiencing a life crisis - both volunteers and guests would be raising hands.     We all needed hope today.  There were many tears.   And many smiles.  And, a few precious hugs.

I'll pray for the faces, names and stories. I'll pray for the guests as well as the volunteers.

I'm blessed to have been offered so many second chances.
I'm glad to know a God of second chances... And, of thirds...and fourths...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding^:
 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
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From Our Home to Yours

Thanks. 

Thank you for reading.  

For commenting.  

For your sharing your heart.

From our home to yours.

May your day be filled with warmth and love.

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Presence, Not Presents.

Ignore the Black Friday Ads

... on your TV

...in your inbox

...throughout the newspaper.

This year I'm really trying to remember that it's...

"It's not about the Presents - 

It's about the Presence!"

This holidays season, I wish quality time for you and yours.

Let it begin TODAY!

 What distracts you and keeps you from being fully present?

Share with us.

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It's ALL Inside

So, today is Thursday.

Which means that one week from now...it's Thanksgiving.

What kind of emotions does that bring?

Are you stressed about the house?

Worried about who's coming...or not coming?

Are you busy trying new side dish recipes?

(*cough* follow us on Pinterest *cough*)

Are you fretting about sleeping arrangements?

Anxious about travel?

Wondering if you have enough...towels, trivets, chairs, candles, pillows....

Patience?

You aren't alone.
Today I was reading Lysa TerKeurst's post From Overpowered to Empowered. She's so helpful.  Somehow when I read her words...things become more clear.  She wrote about how a change in location, for example packing up her family and moving out West, wouldn't help.

"Because the chaos isn’t from my circumstances.

It’s inside me."

Gosh, that's so true.  About her.  Not me.  I would NEVER allow chaos to be part of my life.  ;)
How I wish that were the case.

For me, I need to remember...

"Because my JOY isn’t from my circumstances.

It’s inside me."

I should probably write that in my journal.  (Note to self to get a journal.) I should write about joy on the black board in our living room.  On a post-it at work.  On...my heart.

We have a choice.  To choose joy.

It doesn't matter if two aunts bring the same green bean casserole with mushrooms.  And, you hate green bean casserole.  And, mushrooms.  Somehow it will all work out.  Even if you end up defrosting your turkey in the bathtub.  And, the cable goes out before the game.  Or the power goes out.  Or, due to Hurricane Sandy, you haven't had power...since October. 

I'm going to choose joy.

And, apparently, buy a journal :)

BTW, here's some help with that side dish delimma.

Kentucky Corn Pudding. 

 (You're welcome.)

How about you?

What is filling you with stress right now?

What can you let go of?

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Devouring a Good Food Book

Devouring a Good Food Book

A while back on our Facebook page I asked what you were reading.

I mentioned that I had already read many of Michael Ruhlman's books, including The Making of a Chef, The Soul of a Chef and The Reach of a Chef. (Highly recommend them, btw.)

Then, Michael Ruhlman saw our Facebook status (um, how did THAT happen?) 
And, he responded to my question.

Okay, seriously, can we just take a moment.

Let's forget for a moment that while reading his books I felt as thought we were actually going to C.I.A. together - enduring the snowstorm - meeting Chef Pardus, etc.  That fact that I was drawn so deeply into the narrative, well, let's just chalk it up to great writing.

(I think I need to add The Making of a Chef to my Christmas list. I really enjoy that book - specifically, I'm drawn into the audio book. I love listening. Somehow, I still don't own it.)

So, this is a busy guy. 

Husband, author....

and apparently, answer of Facebook questions.  

Who knew?

Responding to my question, well, that was very nice.

(Wouldn't a dinner with Ruhlman and Symon - and Donna and Lizzie, and my husband....and lots of bacon and wine... be a world-class night of dining and conversation?)

So...anyhow, Mr. Ruhlman suggested 2 books.
First, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - by Barbara Kingsolver, and An Everlasting Meal by Tamar Adler. Well, I took his advice. I hung on every word in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. LOVED IT. (The author did her own audio work, if audio is your thing.)

I also paged through An Everlasting Meal, and liked it.  And, now...I'm ready to sit down and really devour it. By way of disclaimer, Mr. Ruhlman did the introduction of Tamar's book, if I remember correctly.

So, that's what I'm up to. 

What are YOU reading? 

 What books have you really enjoyed?

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Kulinary Kuriosity...as Kids

Culinary Curiosity.

Do you like to try new things?  Are you adventurous?  
Or, do you have a handful of trusted recipes you love and you stick with those?

How about your kids?  If Kevin Costner made a film about your dinner table, would your offspring be named Trier of New Things?  Maybe...Stands with Fork?  How about... Boy Who Says No?

I was reading Sandy's Acorn Squash Shepherd's Pie recipe over at Reluctant Entertainer.  (You read her, too, right?)

It got me thinking.  

I didn't grow up with squash.  

No butternut, no acorn.  No spaghetti squash! (Which, come on, is SO FUN!)  I certainly didn't know that pumpkins were edible.  Carve-able? Yes.  Edible?  No.  (Pumpkin pie was made with stuff in a can.  I had no concept of where that came from.)

I also didn't grow up with turnips, parsnips, or rutabaga.

(Ah, yes... there was the day the ladies schooled me in the market)

Lastly, sweet potatoes only came once a year.
With crusty marshmallows.

In one way, I'm sad that I missed out on so many types of veggies for so long.  One the other hand, it's kinda of exciting to try things for the first time.  Or, trying new combinations of flavors. I'm a pinning fool - over on Pinterest.

What foods have you tried for the first time as an adult?

What are your new-found favs?

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FOTO FRIDAY: Give Me Some More!

Giggle and Nod.

Check out more... 

Foto Fridays and Wordless Wednesdays.

 Have a warm and wonderful weekend.

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Get While The Getting's Good!

Thank goodness we are past the election! 

 Is anyone with me? 

 It's time to talk turkey. 

 Literally, and figuratively.

Let's get our focus on the family. 
Let's continue (or begin!) to clean and organize for the holidays. 

Let's get some healthy meals in the freezer so we don't have to bother with dinner when we are putting up decorations.  (Or, when the autumn cold catches us - heaven forbid.)

Here's a special tip for today.  

And, move fast - time's a wasting.

If you think your going to have a garage sale next spring or summer...

Head outside and take a gander at those leftover election signs.

See the really nice ones with the plastic corrugation?

(Look right past those cheap-o cardboard ones.)

Keep an eye out for the campaign folks who will be diligently picking up those signs today and tomorrow.  (Let's just go with that.)  And, when they hop off the truck to grab em ask if you can have them.

They make EXCELLENT garage sale signs!

What's YOUR tip for today?

Tell us.

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