Sooner is Almost Always Better Than Later

I can put gas in the car on the way home from work, or on the way into work.  There really is not much difference with a little planning.

• The gas station is open 24 hours so it shouldn't matter
• The price (except for spring... and fall...and summer...and thursdays before traveling weekends... and when there's a full moon) will most likely stay the same
• It will take the same amount of time 

However I remember a speaker at a Creative Memories convention saying, "Our family life has improved by leaps and bounds just by following one simple rule, 'do it sooner rather than later!'  It takes out the element of surprise and leaves us feeling more relaxed."

I think this is a dandy idea, and believe it with my whole heart.  (I also believe not eating sweets and regular, even strenuous, exercise is a good thing!) As we all know, believing something and incorporating it into your lifestyle are two different things.  Mainly because of laziness.  By the time I drive home, I'm tired and I think tomorrow morning I will be fresh and feel more like filling the gas tank.  Well you know what...that never happens!  I never feel like filling the gas tank.  "Later" whether it's the next morning or next week is full of the unknown.  My alarm could not go off.  I could spill something and have to change clothes.  It could (hello Minnesota) be 20 degrees colder or snowing.  But I find when I force myself to "just do it" as the famous footwear brand tells us, it builds in a buffer of peace.

  I can't be scrambling on Saturday or Sunday to find rest.The number one thing I need to do, is make a weekly menu and shopping list.  I have done this off and on through the years and when I follow a weekly menu, we:

• eat better tasting food
• eat healthier food
• have less stress when it comes to preparing meals
• gain time throughout the week

I have come to realize that if I want Sabbath to be blessed and restful, I have to get the rest of my week in order. So why don't I always do this?   Laziness.  It requires time and creativity.  It is easier to come into the house and say, "let's order a pizza" than it is to sit down and plan something out for a week. (And that's the sitting part, don't get me started on the shopping part)

So I have decided to grab the bull by the horns, and go back to the simple menu schedule I have used in the past.  I love this form (click on it to see it enlarged) because as I write down my meal idea I immediately write down what I need to shop for to prepare it. (Please don't judge my eating habits lol! I can send you a blank copy if you like) It works no matter which day of the week you like to shop, I have however planned my week with shopping on Saturday in mind. (Which is only important when it comes to how I use left overs) 

I am convinced that some pre-planning will make life easier....check back to see how it's working.

A link to the ultimate grocery list

Today the menu...tomorrow perhaps a cleaning chart ugh!

The Trouble With Making Art Part of your Sabbath

So I have decided that I want to incorporate a craft or some type of art work into my Sabbath experience every week.  The problem is...You have to be careful or you end up with a bunch of crafts and artwork. I can remember my grandma made cute owls out of a spongy foam like material. You would put magnets on the back of them (in orange, harvest gold and avocado green preferably to match all the kitchens in the 70s) They were super fun to make...but eventually one has enough owls, as do all of your friends (neighbors and enemies)

Creativity is such a blessing and wonderful gift that we have been given, but as my mother always says, "Too much of anything is good for nothing!"  Fortunately my daughter is getting married next summer and we are making the centerpieces and some other fun treats for the guests, so my crafting itch is being scratched and the "creations" will disappear. (In 7 months from now...but still!)

If I'm not doing wedding crafts, I try to create something consumable (or giveable, beware!)  I thought I would share this idea of snow candles with you.  We have been gifted with record breaking snowfalls this year so it is a blessing to be outside and taking advantage of all God's beauty.  Here is a fun craft

Snow Candles:
Supplies:

• Paraffin wax
• Crayons (you are willing to part with)
• Candles Wicks
• Large can or kettle that you are okay with melting wax in (3# coffee can is perfect...do they still make 
• those?)
• Oven mitt
• Small stick or chopstick
• Spoon and butterknife
• Deep snow

Preparation:

• Tie candle-wicking to the center of your small sticks (3-10 inches depending on how deep you are going to dig your candle mold)
• Using your spoon and butter knife dig holes in the snow deep enough to let one end of the wick touch the bottom, and narrow enough so you can rest the stick across the top to hold the wick in the center of the hole.  You can use the butter knife to smooth the edges of the hole for a more formed look or poke some holes in the edges with your finger for a more funky free-style look
• If using a can, squeeze one side to form a pouring lip

Steps:

1. place paraffin and color crayon/s in the melting can
2. boil water in a larger pan then place the melting can in it to melt the wax
3. as the wax melts put your coat and boots and mittens on!
4. using the oven mitt bring the wax outside and pour into the prepared hole, holding the stick with the wick still
5. let the candle set up until firm (time will depend on temperature)
6. scoop the candle out with the surrounding snow on it
7. bring it inside and rinse it off in the sink

Or make tiny snowmen and give them a tea light lol!

Superbowl Sabbath

One of the challenges of declaring one day a week as Sabbath, is you fill the rest of the days with NOT so Sabbath like activities.  If something happens to your Sabbath day then you miss out.

Since I have claimed (re-claimed?) Sunday as Sabbath I have LOVED, LOVED, LOVED having the kids come over for a meal and some crafting, slow days, reading etc.  This last Sunday, as most of the world is well aware, was Superbowl Sunday. Now there is a tiny part of me that wants to apologize for even mentioning the Superbowl in a Sabbath blog, but we are a football family.  My husband has had a Superbowl party for 40 years with his friends and it is a truly lovely and fun tradition.  However anyone who has ever hosted anything knows that as a host, no matter how well prepared, it is seldom a relaxing, restful experience.

What I can say about the day, or any hectic day is this.  Find Sabbath where you can.  Revel in what is good.  Enjoy the people God puts in your path and try to draw energy from energy.  It makes the next Sabbath experience all the sweeter!

Why I Attend A Weekend Of Sabbath; The WOTE Dog Sled Trip

Dear Carrin,

I have lost count of the number of times I have joined this wonderful group of women on this January weekend. I attend to wittiness and connect to Gods amazing creation and restore my soul.

The anticipation and preparation begins after Christmas as communications and plans for this years trip are underway. This trip is one way to create a break in the patterned routine of my days.  When I see the bus and the many smiling faces climbing into it I see faces I've known for years and new faces of women I will soon meet.  I enjoy this sacred time set aside for renewing friendships and making new friends.  When my girls were little children this was a way to rest and rejuvenate myself. Now that these "girls" are women it is a way to enjoy and celebrate the wonderful women they have become. 

Arriving at the edge of the lake is always a joyful moment for me. We are welcomed to this amazing place and begin the walk across the lake. I enjoy hearing the crunch of the snow under boots, the smell of fresh cool air, the stars sparkling in the vast sky, the snowflakes reflecting this starlight like millions of diamonds, the peace and quiet that surrounds me like a warm blanket.

Then there is the warm glowing light of the beautiful lodge that appears in front of my eyes. I snuggle into my bed, smile, give thanks for this wonderful opportunity and close my eyes with anticipation of the experiences awaiting me. I awake to smells of brewed coffee, teas and hot coco, freshly baked bread, fruit and so many other treats I did not have to shop for, think about or prepare, what a treat!  

The lodge is filled with lively conversation and planning as we decide what we will experience in this day. I enjoy the change from the routine activities of my life.  The beauty of the snow covered woods strikes my mind and soul so deeply I pause and reflect often on Gods amazing creation in process. I witness and participate in this marvelous creation, I am awakened more fully.

This time allows me to see, feel, hear, smell, touch and engage in life more deeply.  I see and reflect on Gods creation in processes all around me. The person creating a piece of jewelry, hat, scarf or mittens. I look at the knitting and see one continuous thread running through the piece, the individual stitches, textures and colors. I am reminded how God runs through our community, how the integrity of the "community/scarf" can be quickly unraveled if one stitch is damaged.  The lesson of the lost lamb comes to my mind, I smile. We need each other and God is in all of us. I am reminded to embrace and strengthen the weak, each one has an important gift to share in the creation of the whole. I remember that sometimes I am weak and other times I am strong.  I look around and see God. In the one that plans and organizes, pieces the puzzle together, creates amazing food to nurture, the one that smiles, laughs, reads, quietly reflects, creates safe passage thru the wilderness, wags the tail, stokes the fire... All around I see God. In the trees, the sky, the moss, the lakes and ice, snow flakes "each one totally unique" just like people.

I could go on but basically I come on these trips to remember and experience God, get out of my blinding daily routine, rest and rejuvenate in a wonderfully supporting community of women. My soul as been restored, my cup runneth over. I have been reawakened to the majesty of creation and community once again.

Thank-you for creating this wonderful group and allowing me to be a part of this amazing community.

Peace and joy,

Teri