Updates on Dreams and Goals for September 2024

 

Well, friends, we’ve made it to the last day of September. How different everything seems today from Labor Day weekend that ushered us into this month!

            I wanted to take this day to share some updates on how things went in the land of my dreams and goals from this month!

ONE. Take new headshots for my website. If anything ever squeaked in under the wire, it was this one. Ryan snapped a few photos of me yesterday morning as we hurried out the door for church. In the rain. With my hair already going flat. They aren’t perfect. We’ll need to make more attempts, for sure. But we have something usable in the meantime, and I am grateful.

TWO. Do some end-of-season hosting. I so wish we could have just taken the month of September off work and done nonstop hosting. Alas, time and budget didn’t allow for all that we wanted to do, but we were able to host small group here a couple of times this month – and some of the Swiss Village residents. We also had our godson and his mom and another former WillowBridge tenant over for dinner. I felt good about those things and hope we can squeeze in a few more before the weather turns for good.  

THREE. Finalize plans for our anniversary trip. I think we’ve accomplished this – minus the lodging. That remains a question. But I think the itinerary is set. I’m excited!

FOUR. Work on wardrobe tweaks for fall. I’ve enjoyed the return to wearing a little bit of everything from the whole year throughout this month. The weather has certainly allowed for a little bit of everything – from flannels to sleeveless!!  

FIVE. Do four video workouts at home each week. Fail. Some of the failure came from my weird foot injury earlier in the month. Some came from not feeling grate in fighting colds. And some came from plain laziness. It wasn’t the wild success I hoped for. We did some. We did not do four every week.

SIX. Decorate for fall. Done! Inside and out, fall has come to Shafferland, and I love how it looks.

            And then, of course, there were the unnamed dreams and goals that came to pass even though I didn’t set out to identify them at the start of September.

I learned how to crush tomatoes and ended up getting to preserve a big part of our tomato harvest.

I made a big batch of seasoned salt that will probably last us a couple of years.

I started co-leading another round of Bible study through church. Learning so much and loving it!

I also started working through a Bible study on the book of James (on my own).

Ryan and I served at a church one Sunday this month and enjoyed seeing that congregation again.

We put our kitchen island up on riser blocks, and it has been one of the BEST decisions we made recently!

We went to the WillowBridge birthday party, as I wrote about yesterday!

Stay tuned for some new goals coming tomorrow – with the welcome of another new month!

Sunday Sentiments: Full Circle

 

It’s true what they say: the words and pictures on any given form of social media (blogs included) are but a snapshot of the entire story.

            While I offer a pretty broad picture of our lives in the stories I share here each day, there are things I choose not to share at all, others I choose not to share in their entirety, and some that I share in all fullness. The things that are not shared are held back for a variety of reasons. Sometimes we need privacy, sometimes the stories aren’t all ours to share, and sometimes I haven’t worked my way fully through something enough to share it fairly or properly.

            Today’s story stems from that last reason.

            If you’ve been reading here for a few years, you remember when Ryan and I spent almost two years working with young adults at WillowBridge. We remain fully confident that God called us to that place for a season. We’ve never doubted it. While we were there, I shared as candidly as I could the good and the hard of that type of ministry work. But there were many, many things about that period of our lives that I couldn’t/wouldn’t share in a blog format. Sometimes I couldn’t share because I had to respect the privacy of our tenants in their stories. Sometimes I couldn’t share because you probably wouldn’t have believed me anyway. Truth is absolutely stranger than fiction. Sometimes I couldn’t share because the stories hurt – and talking about them made them hurt worse.

            When Ryan and I left, we felt God’s full blessing and release to close that chapter of our lives. We never would have left otherwise. But we left very wounded. I didn’t talk about it specifically because some of those stories were not mine to share. Others were the sorts of tales you probably wouldn’t believe. And others hurt so much that I couldn’t bring myself to say them aloud.

            For the last two years, we have wrestled with (more than wallowed in) the healing from that chapter of our lives. I went to counseling. Ryan and I had a lot of deep and hard conversations. We decompressed with friends. We put boundaries into place based on what we had learned about ourselves – and sometimes those boundaries have cost us dearly. This summer, I combed through all my journals and did a writing project about that season of our lives.

            Seeing all the stories condensed into 300 pages (yes, I know, that’s a lot!) helped me make sense of things that still seemed scattered and brought much healing to my soul.

            But this week, God took that a step further. WillowBridge opened almost 5 years ago, and this week, they had their annual birthday party. I have to say that I love that they still do this. It was a nerdy idea I had on WillowBridge’s first birthday. Who throws a birthday party for a building? I do. 😊 And they’re still doing it! We’ve been invited to the parties that have taken place since we left, but we weren’t quite ready to go back. This year we felt ready.

            So we went. I was so nervous walking in. What if there was no trace of us ever being there? What if the only confirmation was that it was good we were gone?

            But the moment we stepped inside, God rained down blessing after blessing for my hurting heart. Though our coworkers (who are still there!) have done beautiful updates to the Community Room, I still found things we did throughout the room. Traditions we started, decorations we left – they’re still there. A slide show played on the big screen, and pictures went back to the early days, helping me see all the great fun we had along the way.

            And conversations we had with our coworkers showed that the vision we had when we were there has, in some cases, come to fruition. We planted seeds that have grown and flourished. We made recommendations that have been implemented and are working.

            We left grateful. Grateful we went and grateful for the healing and completion that God brought to us through the experiences of the evening.

Saturday Suggestions: Inspirations for Your Weekend

 

            I don’t know where all of you are reading from today, but I know the weather has been so brutal for so many. We saw last night that our beloved wedding sanctuary beach was hit hard and will be closed indefinitely. My goodness. I can’t wrap my mind around the devastation.

            It seems frivolous to offer art and games and other such things in the wake of huge and pressing news, so if this isn’t the right time for you to read them, that’s okay. But if you do need something to read on this rainy Saturday, I hope you find something in the list!

ONE. 

I have always loved printing out free art for our house. Pinterest has been a true gold mine for me over the years. But I feel like the quality of freebies is really going up quickly! Here is a link to lots of fall freebies if you need to add a little fall look to your house without breaking the bank. BONUS: Here is a great post with ideas for how to add fall touches (including printables) without adding a ton of things to store in the off-season!

TWO. 

I had posted to Instagram about going to buy mums, and one of my friends asked how to care for them. (Bless her for thinking I have a super green thumb!) Thankfully another friend swept in with some advice, but this week I stumbled upon this entire post about caring for mums! If you’re not sure how to get the most life and color out of them, check out Yvonne’s tips! She has ideas for indoor AND outdoor plants.

THREE. 

I enjoyed reading thisarticle about Keyton Romero, who is quite gifted musically. Keyton’s mom, Aimee, was a year ahead of me in school and in Swing Choir with Ryan, but she (as the article mentions) tragically lost her life in 2021. Keyton has many of Aimee’s musical gifts and it wouldn’t surprise me one single bit if she ended up becoming a name you know by heart one day.

FOUR. 

Many of my friends are in the season of life where they are watching their kids graduate from high school and head off to college. They are in full-fledged care package mode! I found thispost that recommends a cookbook filled with recipes that ship well. If you are in a care-package-making season or just have friends who live far away that you’d like to bless, check out this post (which includes a sneak peek recipe) and the book it recommends!

FIVE. 

This isn’t financially practical (in our home, anyway) but goodness, it is cute! A set of tried-and-true board games packaged like hardcover books. Wouldn’t this be SO PRETTY sitting in your home?? But the cost is, well, astronomical.

SIX. 

Some really encouraging, profound, convicting words in thispost written by Gretchen Saffles. I think there’s a little something for all of us in here.

BONUS: 

Here are this week’s capsule wardrobe outfits!

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Sunday, September 22, 2024

Monday, September 23, 2024

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Friday, September 27, 2024

Foodie Friday: Ranch Dip

 

I’ve probably told this story on here before, but I’m sure it’s new for someone, so I’ll tell it again. When I was little, my mom used to clean house and do laundry for an older lady in our town. Sometimes I went along with her when she cleaned, and I loved those visits. While she worked, I had the privilege of watching The Price is Right – and sometimes the lady would even invite us to stay for lunch. She caught on that I didn’t love eating vegetables, so she started serving mine with proper buttermilk ranch dressing. I had a few beans with my dressing.

            Then she started sending us home with a glass jar full of my very own dressing. I poured it over my veggies like milk over cereal. It was amazing and probably the only reason I ever ate vegetables in my childhood.

            Unfortunately I cannot continue to drink buttermilk ranch by the gallon and simultaneously pursue my health goals, so I have to look for alternative options. I look for the flavor without all the calories and fat grams.

            This week I had some snacks of fresh veggies, but I struggle (still!) to eat them without some sort of extra flavor. I had a bottle of SkinnyGirl ranch dressing, and while I find the taste and texture the be okay, neither are my absolute favorite. So I hunted on Dashing Dish and found a recipe for a homemade ranch dip that is high in protein and low in the bad-for-you stuff!

            The exact recipe on her site is a member recipe, so I won’t share it here, but it uses cottage cheese and the traditional ranch spices. It couldn’t possibly be easier to make – everything gets tossed in a blender cup and mixed until it’s a thick dip consistency. (You could probably add some almond milk to make it a little thinner if you want more of a dressing consistency.)

            Ryan was super skeptical about this one and when he took his first bite, he said he didn’t think it was very flavorful. But he kept eating it and said after a few bites he really liked it.

            For me, this is worth it because it’s healthier, it’s loaded with protein, and I almost always have all the ingredients on hand, so I can easily make it!

Bekah's Bookshelf: My 2024 Reads So Far...

 

            This month wasn’t the biggest reading month I’ve ever had, but I will share with you the books I did complete!

            I started this month’s reading with a borrowed memoir. You all know how much I love the Little House television series, and my sister loves it too. Dean Butler, who played Almanzo, is one of her favorites on the show, and he released a memoir this year. I gave it to her for her birthday, and when she finished reading it, she sent it to me so I could read it! The book is called Prairie Man: My Little House Life and Beyond. Dean is the first male cast member to write a book about his Little House life, and it’s actually the first book by any cast member that I’ve read. (Yet.)

            I have mixed feelings on this book, so I’ll tell you both sides of my thoughts and you can decide what wins for you.

            Let’s start with the hard so we can end with the good. I didn’t fall in love with the writing like I hoped to. (Dean has gone on to write and produce in the industry, but for some reason, I just didn’t wholeheartedly love the writing.) He’s a good storyteller, and the book was written conversationally, but it didn’t grab my soul like I hoped. He also was a little too open with some details for my tastes. There was some language I could have done without, and a few love life stories that I didn’t find necessary. Though I will say, on the flip side, that he did purposefully protect some details for the sake of others involved, and I did appreciate that. I don’t think memoirs need to be nasty tell-alls. The book also started slow for me, but once I got into it, I felt like it picked up appropriately. Also, to be fair, he wrote about other pieces of his acting life (as the title said he would) but I have never watched him in any other role, so I didn’t connect to those stories as deeply.

            With those things aside, let me tell you what I loved. I really appreciated seeing the behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of the acting industry and Little House as a whole. I like that sort of thing – whether as footage on film or written.

            I’ve always known that Dean is a Little House advocate, btu this book helped explain more of why he has chosen to be one. I appreciate that he recognizes how profoundly that role shaped his life and he honors it rather than being frustrated by how it may have defined him in the eyes of TV viewers.

            One of the most fascinating parts, for me, was Dean’s explanation of how every single cast member on Little House had a very different relationship with Michael Landon. He encouraged his readers to also read the books the other cast members have written to learn more about how each of them related to Michael. He was careful to honor Michael’s life while being honest about their relationship, which was a bit more distant and strained than some other cast members experienced. I don’t know that I have ever seen an author champion fellow writers so completely (inside a book) and it really did make me want to read more books by cast members.

            I’m glad I read this. It won’t go down as my favorite book of all time, but I do not regret the time I spent in its pages. It was good for me to remember that though Dean gave his all to portraying Almanzo, he is not Almanzo, and I can’t expect him to be. It was a good experience to meet the man behind the character.

**

            The second book I read this month was a children’s book, so it was a quick read! When Ryan and I saw Brent Vernon in concert last month, I purchased one of the few books of his that I didn’t yet own. (I think I’m only short one now.) I chose Audrey and the Nutcracker and loved it just as much as I knew I would!

            Brent has written a trio of books about Audrey Amaka, the neckless giraffe. I own those books, love them, and even have featured one in a retreat talk I’ve done! This book is, as you might imagine, a Christmas book, and you know how much I love Christmas!

            In this book, written and illustrated by Brent, Audrey receives two special early Christmas gifts – a Nutcracker Prince and a pair of fuzzy blue sparkly slippers to match her sparkly blue heels. Audrey falls asleep wearing her slippers and has an amazing dream in which she travels on a magical journey with the Nutcracker Prince. When she wakes up, she has an opportunity to share the Christmas spirit with friends in need, and she makes brave choices that show the depth of Christmas joy and sacrifice.

            The story is cute, the illustrations are amazing, and the lesson tucked into the story is good for kids – and honestly, a good reminder for adults too!

            I am excited to have this book in my library! Great job, Brent!

           

**

            I really thought I would be done with Beth Moore’s memoir I’m reading right now, but I haven’t quite completed it yet. I’m loving it, though. And every single word enters my brain in her voice!

Fun Finds for September 2024

 

We have less than a week left in September, and I’ve encountered a handful of fun things to share with you!

            Our tomato plants were so generous this year, which I loved. But two people cannot possibly eat that many tomatoes in a short time – especially when one of them (me!) doesn’t like eating plain tomatoes. So I found this post teaching me how to crush and freeze tomatoes. I have prepared several bags for making marinara and other sauces this winter. Excited to have this provision!

            We had a great dinner out with Jonathan and Julie at Don Hall’s Tavern in Fort Wayne. I ate there years ago with my WBCL buddies while we were setting up for a Daddy Daughter Date Night, but I had not remembered how good it was! If you’re local and haven’t tried that one, you should go! (I had chicken and a veggie skewer. SO GOOD.)

            We also went out for ice cream with our friends Art and Casey! Someone told me (and I sure wish I remembered who it was!) about Lake City Creamery in Celina, Ohio, and they promised it would be so delicious. Not wrong. I got a coffee flavor – and I kind of wanted to eat the whole pan of it.

            I’ve been doing some work for Run Hard. Rest Well. and I wanted to tell you that there are some events coming up in October right here in Indiana! If you (or anyone at your workplace or nonprofit or church) want to take part, there are still spots open! Here is the link to the registration page. We would love to see you there!

            When Ryan and I lived in Kokomo, our Sunday School class did several video series by Ray Vander Laan. He is a remarkable Bible teacher, and we both learned so much from him. Focus on the Family just released a curriculum series from Ray. It looks amazing. If you homeschool or even just want to learn, it would be a remarkable resource.

I watched a Homeworthy video tour this month, and the people who lived in the apartment rented it. They sang the praises of these Tulip Light Shades. Have you heard of them? They are so cool! They are shades you can put around an unsightly ceiling light fixtures – with removable adhesive – and they’re totally renter friendly!

And in the final food recommendation of the month, I took my friend Julie to the Parker Grace Tea Room in Roanoke to celebrate her birthday. I loved the atmosphere. (Kind of wanted to move next door and eat there every day.) If you like cute places to eat, this is a winner. (Take me with you!)

            Any of you find anything fun this month? Tell me!  

What's Up...Tuesday!

 

            I need a little fun in my life today, so I thought I’d do a happy little blog post! I’m borrowing a “What’s Up Wednesday” prompt and reassigning it to a Tuesday!

What I’m wearing/shopping for…Well, you see full recaps of what I’m wearing every single week, so let me move along to what I’m shopping for! I’ve been adding so many books to my wish list lately. I have received a ton of recommendations – from friends and from a study I’m doing. I haven’t actually started buying any of them yet, but the wish list is solid!

What we are eating…This week I used a pre-made meal plan from Confessions of a Fit Foodie. Yesterday I had baked oatmeal, a chicken/apple salad, and sausage and sweet potato chili. We had a busy schedule this past weekend, so using a premade plan (and grocery list) saved me so much time!

What I’m working on…Lots of little things right now! Catching up my scrapbook, reading Beth Moore’s memoir, finishing the details on our anniversary, a couple of fun writing projects. Creativity everywhere!

What I’m loving…We’ve had some rain lately, which we sorely needed, but before that, I loved the endless sunsets we have had. They are so pretty. Also loving Lexi’s new haircut. I can see her eyes again!

What we’ve been up to…Well, I had lunch with my friend Julie at the Parker Grace Tea Room last week. I had the best time – with her and enjoying the food. We saw our godson and his mom and another of our WillowBridge friends over the weekend. And we did a service project with our church on Sunday!

What I’m reminiscing about…my periodontal event from ten years ago now. I went to the dentist yesterday and got another good report. I can’t believe it’s been that man years now! I still remember stumbling to the car after it was over, numb and groggy, telling Ryan I wanted “all the caffeines.”

What I’m watching…Ryan and I watched the first episode of the new Matlock. Have you heard about it? It stars Kathy Bates. I haven’t decided yet how I feel about it, but I’m intrigued enough to keep watching.

What are my recent Amazon purchases? Well, technically nothing, because Ryan is our family’s Amazon shopper, but my most recent Amazon purchase through him was a new bottle of conditioner! I use Biolage for color treated hair. It does seem to help protect the color between salon visits, so I like it!

            And that’s what’s up on this Tuesday!

Snapshots in September

 

Yes, I know we still have another week left in this month, but I had a random collection of things to share from the month as a whole that I thought I’d pack into this little day!

            I mentioned a while ago that I hurt my foot early in the month, but I don’t think I ever said what I did. I wore cute shoes. That is the sum total of that story. I wore these really cute chunky heels to church, and when I came home, one of the toes on my right foot was swollen, and my foot was messed up for about a week. Is this what everyone means when they say you cross over 45 and suddenly have weird injuries? I’m there!

            I shared a link on Saturday about the work of Run Hard. Rest Well. This is an organization I’ve been doing some contract work with – and I wanted to share this photo of the lovely ladies I have the privilege of serving with!

            I found this picture scrolling through social media one day. Told Ryan if he wanted to propose again, he could feel free to borrow this idea. 😉

            When you live in Amish country, these sorts of flower stands abound. It really is one of my favorite things about living in this area.

            Last week I got together with the ladies from my Sunday School class to enjoy an evening of fellowship. One of the ladies brought puppies. They were so cute! I sent these pictures to Ryan, and he said not to bring one home. SO HARD to walk away!

            This past week marked 36 years since my nephew’s birth and death. I often try to imagine him in his present age. What would he be like at 36? I spent the day remembering him and being thankful for his life!

            We have had several foggy mornings lately. No fun for driving, but so pretty over the lake!

            Ryan and I have been helping out with midweek church services in the kids’ area. This week we started a new theme, and we dressed the part!

            The month has been a mix of really fun, really memorable, and really hard. It’s easier to be grateful for the fun and memorable over the hard, but I try to be equally thankful for it all!