Messy Kitchen Gratitude

 

We “ran out” of groceries yesterday. I put it in quotes because in the grand scheme of running out – we really didn’t. But in the grand scheme of trying to stay focused on balanced nutrition every day, we ran out of some (most?) of the necessities. Dinner the last couple of nights has been heavily cobbled together because we just didn’t have the right things to make anything purposeful.

            So last night, we headed to the grocery store. Ryan would have preferred to delay until tonight, but we already had Boot Camp taking us out for a while, so it made sense to me to do all the errand-running at once and then enjoy at full night at home tonight. (Plus, I wanted a non-cobbled meal.)

            Of course I would pick the night with tornado warnings to grocery shop. Ever been in a Walmart when every single phone in the place blares a storm warning?

            It’s fun.

            Ever tried to carry a week’s worth of groceries in a barely-two-seater truck that is also carrying two people?

            It’s fun.

            We had taken our insulated bags along to neatly pack everything in, but then the sirens went off and we just needed to get OUT. So as we drove (as though in labor) toward home, I was busy trying to repack everything into the aforementioned insulated bags from the confines of being buried beneath said groceries.

            It was fun. Actually, it felt like my greatest accomplishment all day.

            We bolted into the house, put away all the groceries, had dinner, rested for a bit, and then it was time to do all the kitchen work.

            I cleaned the produce: tomatoes and apples, strawberries and blueberries. I made the main dish of our lunch for tomorrow. I put together a new-to-me breakfast recipe that I’ll eat over the next couple of days.

            Together, Ryan and I made a batch of sandwich bread.

            And then Ryan washed all the dishes, because he’s amazing that way.

            We enjoy being in the kitchen together, telling stories while we work. I appreciate the opportunity to have healthy food in the house, even if it requires a little extra work to prepare it. And I certainly appreciate a husband who washes dishes.

            When I was first out of college, I lived on baked potatoes and boxed pasta salads. It wasn’t healthy, but neither was my paycheck, so I had to exist on what I could afford to buy. Every time I’m able to purchase food that I know is better for me (for us), I find my heart full of gratitude.

            Every time I get to cook with and for my husband, I am grateful, because I cooked for one for many years and prayed for someone to join me in the kitchen and at the table.

            And every time we have a kitchen counter full of drying dishes, I’m grateful for a nice kitchen in which to prepare the meals.

            It really IS fun.

            My heart and fridge are full today.

Braeya's 18th Birthday!

 

Last week held a big milestone day in our household…our Braeya Jo turned eighteen!

            In honor of her big day, I thought I would reminisce a bit about how she came to be mine – eighteen years ago. It’s a story I’ve told before on the blog, but it’s been a while, so we’ll revisit it again.

            But let’s back up even before Braeya to talk about how I came to love cats in the first place. I think I was a second grader when my parents gifted me a pair of calico kitten siblings that came from my aunt and uncle’s house. I named them Amber and Krissy (after friends of mine), and I adored them. Amber didn’t live with us very long before she met with an unfortunate demise after a run-in with a car. It’s a peril of living on a busy highway out in the country – a hard life lesson to learn at such a young age. Krissy, though, was far less adventurous and lived for many, many years.

            And though I always dreamed of life with a dog, cat ownership suited our family better. And when I got out on my own, I still secretly (and sometimes not-so-secretly) wanted a dog, but I wasn’t home much, so I knew it wasn’t a great idea.

            For the first year after I graduated from college, I didn’t have a pet at all. I had a roommate, and she ended up moving out about three months ahead of our yearlong lease. When she left, I was truly on my own, and being alone scared me to no end. I heard every noise and wondered if someone might be breaking in. Days and nights were long and lonely, and although I had a new roommate coming, I still had a few months fully on my own.

            One of my sweet friends decided to surprise me with a little orange kitten – and I named him Kaegan. Actually, she named him. I asked her to pick his name and that’s what she gave me. Kaegan was such a laid back guy. Not much bothered him – or excited him. Naps were his favorite.

            My new roommate moved in, and she decided she wanted a cat, so she got one of her own. His name was Igor, and he and Kaegan had a blast together. They kept each other company, and when Angela moved out and took Igor with her, I feared Kaegan was going to be lonely.

            Happily, my friend Kari had a new litter of kittens at her house, and I told her I’d love to have one when they were old enough to leave their mama. I chose the one that looked different from the rest of the litter – a little Siamese-looking kitten with bright blue eyes.

            She was born on May 4^th and came home to live with Kaegan and me on Father’s Day. I was so excited to introduce them – and only then did I find out that while Kaegan liked Igor, he wasn’t wild about a little sister. She was energetic and lively, and he was an old man living inside a 5 year old’s body. He was not interested.

            For five years, he tolerated her. He would swat at her when she got too close or pushed too hard. But for the most part, he tried to avoid her. Kaegan died when he was ten, and Braeya and I formed a team to carry on in our lives.

            A couple of years later, Ryan and I started dating, and Braeya was a big fan of Ryan in our lives. Can’t blame her there.

            As she grew up, she also grew out of her rambunctiousness and seemed to find the joy for simply sitting that Kaegan had always preferred.

            She’s been a well-traveled cat, moving with us from Marion to Kokomo to Grabill to Bluffton to the lake.

            She has been a big sister to Lexi for the last couple of years – though the time that she was actually bigger than Lexi was pretty short lived. (She still runs the house, though. Braeya can put Lexi in her place pretty quickly.)

            After losing Kaegan when he was ten, I had no idea what to imagine for Braeya’s life expectancy, but 18 surpassed anything I could envision.

            These days she’s slowing down, sleeping all day and hanging out with us all night. She takes laps around the house at her convenience, gets in spats with Lexi, and sleeps next to her water bowl so she can take drinks without bothering to get up.

            We have no idea how many more years we have with her, but we love the life we have had and still have with our girl!

            Ryan told her she’s 18…time to get a job! 😊 Happy birthday, Braeya Jo!

Celebrating 137 Months of Love

 

Good morning and happy Monday, friends! I thought I’d kick off this week by telling you about our monthiversary last week.

            We choose to celebrate our monthiversary every single month, and we don’t have a particular tradition other than choosing to celebrate in some way. But we’ve never had a celebration quite like this one!

            A few weeks ago, I was invited to share at an event for the National Day of Prayer, which happened to be the same day as our monthiversary! It was a little over an hour away from home, but both Ryan and I felt like that would be a good way to spend this day, so we said yes. I picked Ryan up from work and we started our drive to Wabash.

            I love God’s story-weaving, and this was an example of that. I’ve never lived in this town, but I knew eight people participating in the service that night, plus I made new friends in those who invited me to take part. Isn’t that amazing? What are the chances I would know that many people in a town that far away from home? Well, when God’s involved, they’re high chances.

            The prayer event took place in a city park, and though thunder rumbled and clouds rolled, it never rained, and the weather was fairly perfect for an outdoor event! Everything was so beautifully organized (yay!!) and Ryan and I found seats at a picnic table to listen and pray as the speakers began to share.

            Right before the service began, a lady came up to me and said, “Rebekah?” I did a double take and realized she had been the administrative assistant in the Financial Aid Office when I first hired on almost thirty years ago. (WHAT?!?!!) She recognized me and we had the best talk! Her son, who was probably a junior high student back when I knew her, is now a police officer in town, and he was there too. What an unexpected surprise!

            They started with music, and the wife of the couple who led it is someone I’ve known since she was just a baby! Believe it or not, we went to the same church (in a whole separate town entirely) and now she’s all grown up, married, a mama, and singing beautifully.

            They had speakers to represent different areas of life, and I knew the speakers representing the government and business owners. Both of them, along with their spouses, have known us for years, and it was so good to see them all again.

            I shared on behalf of the media and when I wasn’t speaking, I joined Ryan in praying over these many areas of life and this sweet town.

            It was a convicting, encouraging evening, and both of us were so glad we said yes and took part in it.

            When we were done, we went out for dinner – at Bob Evans. I got a salad that was so good! And on the way home, we went through Wendy’s for a Frosty treat. Don’t even know the last time we had a Frosty! (Ryan tried the new Creamsicle one and LOVED IT.)

            It was late when we got home, but it was a good night, and we were thankful for a chance to be part of something so impactful.

Sunday Sentiments: Big Days!

 

            Many of you know that May 4 is a big day around here. The day has snowballed over the years, representing more and more of the big stuff that has shaped us.

            Yesterday was my sister’s birthday, and it was Braeya’s too – and Ryan’s aunt – and our friend Holly. I’ve decided I need to just stop scheduling things on this day because the whole calendar square is taken up with reminders of all these great people (and cats are people too, right?) who make us smile and make our lives better just by being part of our days. So happy birthday to all our May 4^th friends and family. We love you all!

            And then it was the anniversary of the tornado out in Kansas that has shaped my outlook on so many things.

            And then it was the anniversary of closing on our Marion house a few years back – a sale that represented quite a journey of faith and trust.

            Yesterday added another layer to the many layers of this day, because it brought us another step closer to making my parents’ home ready for new owners. It was a long day with a lot of work involved, but we had wonderful helpers who sacrificed a Saturday to make our load easier. That was a gift.

            May 4^th swirls with celebration, relief, and gratitude – but most of all, it swirls with the remembrance of God’s goodness in the best and hardest days alike.

            I am not sure any other single day on the calendar holds as much for us as this one, but if you have a pivotal day on the calendar, I urge you to spend it in thankfulness for the good things God has done for you!

Saturday Suggestions: Inspirations for Your Weekend

 

            Happy Saturday! It has been warm here this week, and I’ve gotten to enjoy some shorts in the capsule wardrobe mix! I’m not hit with a wall of frigid when I open the door to go outside. It’s amazing. I’d truly forgotten what that was like! So while I’m enjoying the warm here, I hope you are enjoying things you love right where you are! And I hope you love a thing or two from this week’s Saturday Suggestions!

ONE. 

I swooned a little over this sweet cottage tour. I think my favorite part is whatever that gorgeous arch detail is called – the one built into the doorway. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, and I think it’s stunning. But I was also drawn in by the story of how the owner moved the house to an island. I mean…why not? Who doesn’t move a house to an island, right? It looks so peaceful, and it might be a good thing that it’s all the way over in Australia. 😉 BONUS: And speaking of sweet little cottages, check out this coastal one. I love the colors and, well, everything about it!

TWO. 

It’s a known and documented fact that I am not a graceful air-traveler. Some of you might remember the stories of panicking in security lines at the airport, of freaking out during turbulent flights, and of how Ryan falls asleep the minute he steps on a plane, leaving me to breathe through the panic on my own. (He’s so fortunate. He doesn’t know what a gift that instant-sleep thing is!) Anyway, because of my panic when flying, this post rang especially true, but the bigger truth is that I wrestle with major anxiety quite often, and the words of this post hold true whether it has to do with flying or simply walking through the grocery store. If you wrestle with anxiety – give it a read! (If you’re not riddled with anxiety, but you know people who are, give it a read so you can know how to support them!)

THREE.

One of my goals for May is to work on my little at-home coffee bar idea. I am cobbling together ideas from several sources, as my space for this is a unique one. But here is one of the articles I found helpful – and the pictures at the end are just cute! (Note: I’m trying to use things we already own, rather than buying new things, so mine is more about putting said items in one space.)

FOUR.

I love all the lights people around the lake keep in their yards, and I especially love it that most of them keep the lights up year round! As summer begins, people are adding more little lights here and there, and I think this idea is super cute! Easy, cute, beachy, and fun!

FIVE. 

I’ve always thought mosaic art is so fascinating. All artists inspire me with their ability to see things I can’t envision, but mosaics are extra beautiful to me. All the brokenness turned beautiful…and these window art pieces are just stunning. I love them!

SIX. 

And Oh. My. Goodness. If you want to best list ever of reader recommendations, check out this post from Thistlewood Farm. If you need gift ideas, fun ideas, and hours of reading, you can find it all here! She is continuing to update it throughout the weekend, so check back often! (The phone umbrella may be the cutest.)

            Here are this week’s capsules creations!

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Sunday, April 28, 2024

Monday, April 29, 2024

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Wednesday, May 01, 2024

Thursday, May 02, 2024

Friday, May 03, 2024

Flashback Friday: Writing Your Story One Week at a Time

 

Isn’t it always fun to hear kids say what they want to be when they grow up? I love it when parents make a point to ask that same question every year at the same time of year: a child’s birthday, the start of the school year, etc. It’s fun to hear how the answers change – or don’t!

            I think I’ve shared on here before that when I was very little, I wanted to be a zookeeper when I grew up. I have no idea where I came up with that idea. We didn’t frequent the zoo in my preschool years, but somewhere out there in this great wide world, there is a former zookeeper who must have made quite an impression on me. (After seeing how it went when I was bitten by a rat terrier, I’m guessing zookeeper would have been a poor choice.)

            But the fun question drives today’s post.

            When you were little (or a teenager), what career did you want to pursue? Why did you choose it? Did you end up following that dream? Why or why not?

            Once I let go of the zookeeper dream, I had three pretty consistent rotating career dreams for the rest of my childhood and adolescence. They were:

1.       Teacher

2.       Nurse

3.       Secretary

I wanted to be a teacher because my parents were educators, so it was the occupation I knew the most about firsthand. I loved teaching imaginary classrooms when I was little. I used our tall kitchen trash can as the podium for my notes and passed out papers to my dolls in our living room. I even made my own grade book to record their test scores.

If that didn’t work out, I reasoned, I’d be a nurse. Never mind my tendency to freeze up in an emergency and my lack of love for fluids and blood. I could do this! Oh! And never mind my failing grade in Chemistry! (How this ever even made the list, considering my limitations, I’ll never know.)

And if none of that worked, I would be a secretary, which isn’t the term now, but it’s what we used then. I could do that well, I reasoned. I was so organized!

In the end, I chose not to become a teacher because I saw that teachers were entering the portion of history when teaching became less about teaching and more about testing. I didn’t want to be a tester. I wanted to be a teacher! God has been gracious to allow me opportunities to teach in other capacities, and I’ve loved it.

I chose not to become a nurse because I wasn’t smart enough to handle the science, and the whole blood/fluid thing got the best of me. I did get to attend four childbirths, so that’s probably as close to a nursing career as I’ll get.

I did become a secretary for a while and loved it. I was every bit as good at it as I thought I might be!

I still might not know exactly what I might want to be when I grow up, but I am grateful for the jobs I’ve had that weren’t even on my teenage radar. Each one has taught me valuable life skills!

It’s fun to dream – for kids and adults alike. How about you? What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you do it?