Thursday, January 16, 2014

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.

01-15-moroccan-chickpea-chili2

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

01-15-moroccan-chickpea-chili

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.

01-15-shootingstar-clero

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

01-15-unkn

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

20 comments:

Ruth Hiebert said...

I think that as widows we often feel that we need to be strong all the time,but God also created us with the ability to cry and gave us tears to wash away some of the pain,so cry when you need to and then praise God for who He is and carry on.This is the route I am trying to take.God bless you real good today and every day.

Jane said...

Glad to read that your feeling more optimistic, Rainey. That chili is almost the same as the Chickpea lentil stew I make. It is good! All your plumbing problems make me glad that we had our little house replumbed when we moved in! Hope you have some good happenstances soon!

Nancy J said...

Plumbing problem almost found, tyre fixed, beautiful rose, and your faith, lovely words that reach to us all, either single or double or more, sadness, and joy, shared is easier to carry. Strength can come from within, from faith, and from us all out here with love and care sent over the miles and oceans. Fond greetings from Jean

Deb J. in Utah said...

So glad that things are going better today. Have a good weekend.

lil red hen said...

Thinking of you today in prayer.

Southern Lady said...

So glad that you are feeling better. Praying for you. -Carla

Annie said...

Thinking of you...love your flowers, especially that rose. My mum has Angel Face and it IS a beautiful one. That recipe looks good too. You are an inspiration for life and living...thank you

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Take time to grieve, dear Lorraine. It's part of life and there's no time limit on when, nor is there a "perfect" way to grieve. Do it you own way, in your own time.

The good news is God has promised us His strength, when our strength is gone.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Nice to hear your smile in your post today!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

So glad you are feeling better. We all go through bad days... BUT--it's about our attitude that helps us get through times like this. You my friend have an incredibly wonderful attitude. You will be FINE.... God Bless You..

Your Chickpea Chili looks tremendous... Made my mouth water!!!!! ha.... YUM.

Beautiful flowers.

Hugs,
Betsy

sweetbay said...

I am glad you are feeling better today!

Julie said...

You are not going to believe this!!! i found this moroccan soup recipe ( slightly different from yours) in the Accent section of the PB Post and actually made it yesterday evening!!! i was so enthralled that I went to the library and got myself a beautiful Moroccan cookbook!!! The soup in the paper did not have carrots, but had lentils and chick peas, and thin spaghetti. i would have preferred the carrots! Next time i will use them! i just loved the seasoning in this, and had some leftover for lunch today!!!!!

sharon said...

been there...Lorraine.. God has really given you the support though other people...on here, in your town and family too. and they come and lift you up...you are soo blessed...and its karma too because what goes around comes around...I know some people that DONT ever lean on anyone....i dont know if its privacy,fear,lost of independence ...personally I think these people are not trusting...and they are missing the connection the blessing can
need give sometimes..

shirley said...

glad to read you are feeling better. You have done wonderfully well. Hope your plumbing problems are not too bad.

Gary said...

Really glad to hear that you are a little more upbeat Lorraine. The food looks delicious!

Sandy said...

So often you are in my thoughts and prayers, Lorraine. glad you are doing better. It can sound trite at times to say that the joy of The Lord is our strength, but I have found it to be true time and again. You know the trying circumstances of my family's life. If it were not for The Lord and His strength and love we would not have survived. He is also there for you.
Love,
Sandy

Sunray Gardens said...

Glad you are feeling better. Your blooms look lovely on this winter day.
Cher Sunray Gardens

RockWhisperer said...

I'm catching up on my reading today, so sorry to hear about your troubles but you sound like you have a handle on it now. You are so blessed to have that BIL. If I no longer had Hubs, I'd have to pay a plumber.

Did you know you can call the water dept and tell them you're dealing with a water leak and they will adjust your bill? At least they do here and they did where we used to live. Doesn't hurt to ask, maybe they will do that in your area too.

Sorry to hear about the Advantage giving kitties the tummy ache. I wouldn't dust them with DE because it's not good to get in the lungs or eyes.

Your flowers look wonderful. I thought about you when I heard it was below freezing in Florida and hoped you wouldn't have much damage.

Bless your heart, you have gotten through the first year, this was a test, you passed. Hugs XOXOXOXO

Mrs. E said...

Audition week meant no blog reading. Catching up, I saw your post on fleas and flat tires and broken clotheslines and tears. Can't say I blame you. I am so glad things are looking up! (And that soup looks amazing!)

Terra said...

It sounds like you are making progress in solving your problems (new tire, etc.) and eventually the water leak, at the end of the month.
Let those tears flow, they can be healing. I like the name of the rose you didn't buy, maybe you will go back to buy it.