A much better day :-)

Good morning Friends ~ Thank you again for all of your love, prayers, comments, encouragement and support. It all helped when I was so despondent.

Yesterday was a much better day and I am thankful.  I’m thankful for the rough day before too, as I am stronger because of it.  One thing I’ve thought about since, is that I have been carrying a ‘load’.  It started when my dear husband became ill and we kept it to ourselves. I was trying to be strong for the both of us, and then when he left this planet for his heavenly home, I carried on as best I could, working and caring for our little haven and critters.  I never really stopped to just be, and let the tears flow and flow, I’ve just kept going and going.  I’m human and all of those ‘little’ things the other day just did me in ‘momentarily’.

I did get a good sleep that night and woke up feeling better, lighter and more positive.  When I went out to the barn to feed and visit the girls, there didn’t seem to be as many fleas, so maybe the diatomaceous earth is working.  I gave each of them a dose of their flea medicine on the back of their necks, cleaned the litter and felt happy again.

I then got ready to head to SAM’s for my tire replacement.  Took my tire warranty and prayed that the spare tire would get me there.  Well, it did, but what a bumpy ride.  It was not balanced or something and I hoped I didn’t get sick before I got to SAM’s.  While the tire was being changed, I shopped, canned goods, chicken, beef hot dogs (I’ve had a hankering for them, and bought Bush’s baked beans too), paper goods, feta cheese. I resisted the temptation to buy two things.  One was a rose bush, Angel Face which I’ve had before and she has a beautiful pale lavender color and a wonderful scent, very fragrant. The other was a set of three books by Sarah Young.  I already have Jesus Calling and thought I could give it away and keep the other two, but I decided I did not want to spend the $ so passed them by.  Maybe I’ll find them at a thrift store now.  Things like that do happen.

After I got home, I fixed a sandwich, then felt like a nap.  Shopping always does that to me, wears me out. Then I decided I wanted to try a new recipe I had found recently on ‘It is Well With My Soul’ a sweet blog about God’s blessings by Maryann.

I have to say this recipe was really delicious! I loved all of the different spices and I will be fixing this again as it is going to be a favorite.

Moroccan Chickpea Chili
2 teaspoons olive oil
1  cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1 clove minced garlic
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1-1/2 cup water (I used 2 cans chicken broth)
2 cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans) rinsed and drained (I used 1 can)
1 (14.5-ounce) diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. And onion, celery and garlic to pan; saute 5 minutes. Stir in cumin and next 7 ingredients (through red pepper); cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add chicken broth, tomato paste, chickpeas and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Stir in cilantro and lemon juice.

I had it with Triscuit crackers and a glass of Merlot. This was so yummy!!!

Today is a new day, and I already made the crocheted body of a butterfly. I will show the finished piece later.  It is chilly here 54 and with the wind chill factor it feels like it is 47. It feels comfy here in my sweet little cottage. The thermometer in the living room says 78.  DH did a great job insulating the attic a few years back, and the house is insulated too, plus most of the windows are double paned.

As to the water leak. It sounds to be under the refrigerator, so that section of flooring may have to come up, it is an alcove that is over the pipes to the scullery sink. For now, I turn the water to the house off when I’m not here and at night. I also turn the hot water heater off. My dear brother-in-law won’t be able to get back down here until the end of the month.  Bless his heart!

Here are a couple of flower photos for you.

This is Shooting Star clerodendrum.  I love it.  Will take more photos as the buds open.

This is an unknown rose that is wonderful to look at and has a lovely old rose scent, very fragrant.

That’s it for now.

When things get you down,

try to look for the positive,

learn from what you are going through

and be thankful for your many blessings.

***

We do not know what is best for us.
We would make pitiful work of our life if,
for even a single day,
our affairs and experiences were left in our own hands!

But in God's hands,
no mistake will ever be made.
Whatever may come,
therefore,
we may say always,
"It is well!"

J.R. Miller (1907)

***

Love and hugs and God’s blessings on all,

FlowerLady