A Week In Review – 5/17/14

Funny how sometimes the first time we see something, someone or try a new thing, it doesn’t make much of an impression.  In fact we may feel beauty can’t be found.  But I received flowers for Mother’s Day which are a lovely lesson that we should not easily toss something that hasn’t reached it’s full potential.   

Let me set the stage – it’s about 3:00 p.m. the Saturday before Mother’s Day and my doorbell rings.  By the time I get to the door I can hear a truck’s engine moving down the road and see that someone (my son and girlfriend) has sent me flowers.  I open the overheated  long, rectangular box on my kitchen table and am not surprised to see a wilted looking bundle of stalks that are tightly tied.   My first thought is “What a shame – the heat has done a number on these.” but then I see a note tucked next to the gift – “Give your flowers several hours in water and watch them bloom.”  Truly I wasn’t at all sure water and a few hours could do anything but there was something about that message – It’s a 4-letter word – H O P E.  You see on that day I could relate to how these flowers looked because I was in a bit of a “wilt” myself.  So I cut 2 inches off the stems as instructed and into the vase of water they went.  I wish I had taken a picture of them at this stage – maybe you can just trust me that they were pretty sad.

The picture above was taken about 4 hours later and they are looking about 75% better than they did.  Water is amazing in the way it can take something tired and start breathing life back in.  I think this is why Jesus says he is the living water.

But day after day a miracle took place – the leaves became greens and the weathered looking blooms began to open into glorious beauty.  After a week the blooms began to droop and I began to think my enjoyment was coming to a close.   Then my genius husband placed fresh water in the vase and they were as good as new. 

Picture taken in Monterey, California

I’ve been doing some reading this week – The first book is, Calm my Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow   I’ve read this book many times  and continue to glean nuggets I want to practice in my life.  The other book is one that was recommended after I attended a course at work The Resilience Factor by Karen Reivich and Andrew Shatte and I’m learning a lot from that also.  Resilience is a word we don’t hear that often – we hear strength, courage, buck up buttercup (well maybe most of you don’t hear that one) but you get the picture but resilience is “reaching out” in both hard times and new adventures.  

If you missed the posted recipe this week, here it is one more time.  Chocolate Coconut Protein Smoothie  In this link I’ve listed my favorite blender and protein powder choices. 

This idea was inspired by ice cream and yogurt stores and even salad bars that allow you to “have it your way.”  When you want an assortment of cookies but don’t want to be in the kitchen all day – try this Cookie Tip.  Start with a chocolate chip cookie batter  but don’t add the chocolate chips in yet. Divide batter into thirds and mix in different combinations of chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, dark, white, mint and butterscotch), shredded coconuts, chopped nuts,  cut up candy bars (snickers, milky way, etc)  Bake and soon you’ll have a nice variety of cookies with just one batch of dough.  I use my scraper/chopper for so many tasks in the kitchen.

I hope you had a good week. We are excitedly waiting the arrival of our sweet princess granddaughter.  It’s my hope that next week I’ll be able to share what I have packed in my Grandma Hospital Bag – hey mamas of mamas need to be prepared when that happy call comes (especially if I’m at work and in a dress). I’d love you to share something from your week in the comment area.