DAY IN THE CITY...

A great tradition of service in our congregation is Day In The City.  It was started by The Hub's brother many, many years ago, and it's been a great tradition for us to work it as well!  We loved it when we could work side by side with our kids to help spruce up a school building or a home for someone in need.  This time we were able to help with home improvement for a newly widowed woman in our Bible class.  It's always amazing to see how quickly a group of people can accomplish something!  God's plan for the church was good in so many ways!

GETTING LOST AT HOME...

We recently went and hiked on the trails at nearby Lake Arcadia.  Believe it or not, we got lost on a trail and since it was overcast, really had no idea which way was North!  All we could rely on was the sound of the highway nearby for some direction.  We did eventually come out to a road inside the campground so we knew we could walk on the road and find our way back, if need be.  It was a weird feeling.  Just a few miles from my own home and I felt lost!

It just reminds me that even people who are in their home place can feel lost at times.  And the saying:

 We eventually found our way back!

RECREATING RESTAURANT SALADS...

For years, salad at home had always been a boring side item ...but no more!  There are a couple of restaurants that I always choose salad as a main entree and I want to make more of them at home.  I think one of the secrets is being satisfied with whatever salad dressing you put on it.  I've tried to cut back on the dressing but at least I don't drown the salad in it anymore.  Here's my version of a new salad we had at Modern Market in Dallas recently, that I loved.  

Farmer's salad:

Spring salad greens

Herb baked chicken breast

Grapes and blueberries

Toasted pecans or almonds

Charred corn

Feta cheese

Champagne Vinaigrette dressing

So there is the link for home-made dressing, but you can probably buy some kind of champagne vinaigrette if you wish.  Here's my to go-to recipe for home-made Caesar dressing when we make Grilled Chicken Caesar salads:

Healthier Caesar salad dressing:

1/4 c. plain yogurt

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1 T. olive oil

1 t. lemon juice

1 t. dijon mustard

1/2 t. balsamic vinegar

1/2 t. worcestershire sauce

1/4 t. mashed garlic

 dash salt and pepper

Do you have a favorite restaurant salad you've recreated at home?  

SPRING LUNCHEON TABLES...

 We just had our last luncheon for the school year for our Ladies Bible Study at church, known as CWBS.  The last couple of years the emphasis on fancy tables ($$$) has been downplayed and centerpieces have actually become a display for donations to various causes.

It's a great idea and takes the emphasis off outer beauty and more about giving.  It's always fun to see what different groups do...

 Africa table with donations of baby clothes for Neema House

Dental hygiene items for patients at Lighthouse Medical Clinic

 Spring table with pictures of kids they are helping at Village of Hope

Safari table with snack donations for our zoo playground volunteer builders

 Easter table with books and toys for a local group benefitting children

 Springy table with items for newborns in need

Cheerful table having a diaper and reading glasses drive

I missed a few tables but you get the idea!  So thankful for Bible study and the new friends I make each year in these groups!

BIKE RIDING THE HUBS HOMETOWN...

 If you ever wondered what there is to see in Tipton, Oklahoma, here you go!  We had a busy last week with a lot of different activities but nothing traditionally Easter!  I went with The Hubs on a business trip to Dallas then we headed to his hometown of Tipton, Oklahoma for the weekend.  It was time for the High School Reunion which we try to attend every 5 years.  Since we drove, we took our bikes and unfortunately didn't get to bike in Dallas due to weather, but we did get to bike around Tipton.

Tipton is primarily a farming community so you see a lot of this...

and a lot of this!  This is a module of cotton waiting to be picked up and taken for processing.  I only tell you because I wouldn't have known until I joined the family, since I am mostly a city girl!  

Tipton Tiger water tower Downtown

Almost 100 years old, the Tipton Children's Home has served children faithfully through the years.  The Hubs actually lived there for 12 years while his parents were Houseparents.  He has a lot of fond memories and some specific food dislikes from his experiences.  

 The stately looking Administration building at Tipton Children's Home.

 Old farm implements in a park

 Sad vacant old buildings downtown

 The Crazy Cactus, one of our relative's snow cone business

The train by his Mom's house came right as we got home -   I like to see it up close when we're there and get a wave from the conductor!

Maybe I should've highlighted the school and their famous astro-turf football field!  After winning the state championship in football several times, they have a really great football field due to their patrons and town support.  It's a sweet little town that I wish could have a downtown renewal.  Lots of good people and a solid church there, though.  :)

REFRESHER PERFECTION...

Well, I suppose that title is a bit exaggerated...but I really loved the recent women's event we had at church!  It's hard to believe that something we tried as an alternative to having yearly women's retreats ten years ago is still going!  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but here's my take on it.

The women's RefresHER last week was themed "Inspiring a Child-like Faith," and I thought it sounded interesting and definitely unique!  I wasn't quite sure how it would all come together but this group did a beautiful job with little input from me.  What I loved most about it was it was a great blend of comedy with Christianity!  We reminisced over our childhood with old toys on the tables for decoration, had a game on powerpoint (Name that Toy), followed the lesson with an unusual way to take notes on a "Scrabble" page, and laughed a lot.

Our speakers were two women who are known for their sense of humor, so of course that helps! Their self deprecating humor and their comedy came through with a song about "RefresHER."  Of course, when someone spends the time writing a song for something you care about, you feel loved! They also showed ability to think deeply about having a childlike faith and shared a great message with us.  Some take aways from the evening:

• Be childLIKE, not childISH
• Do hard things - we encourage children to do hard things, so why do we shy away from them?
• What if we trusted God like the children in our lives trust us?
• Trust without skepticism.
• Be transparent - think about Jesus with his friends

So blessed and thankful for the many years RefresHER has been in place in our congregation and giving God the glory!

MY WINTER READS...

Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner

Loved this read!  I thought I was getting a book to help me learn more about slower paced living, enjoying the moments, etc.  And it was that.  But it was also a trip with Erin through her times of plenty and leaner times.  Learning what matters most and how being insecure is a part of your life and to accept it for what it is.  I totally related to her journey and was the perfect thing to think about while on a break from our everyday life. 

True Worshipers by Bob Kauflin

Something  that my husband has been studying for a while, and searching the scriptures about…so I found him this book at Mardel.  We read it and discussed it while we were on vacation in January.  It’s about seeking what matters to God.  Although it didn’t address all the things we’ve been talking about, it brought up some good points about worship.  One was that we don’t have to repress our emotions.  Emotionalism as an end in itself is not good, but if your emotions are stirred while worshipping God, that’s okay. 

Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey

Curious to read this because the author went to college in my home state.  She grew up in Canada and has an interesting faith story to tell.  Basically, her view after feeling stifled as an adult Christian woman in a conservative church is that if you are gifted to do something, do it.  She raises some interesting points which I still have yet to reconcile in my mind but worth pondering. 

The Big Tiny by Dee Williams

I picked this one up off the New Book shelf at the library.  Since my son is building a tiny house in our driveway, I’m finding it entertaining and interesting.  After experiencing a health event in mid-life, the author decided to drastically simplify her life by building a tiny house.  I love her style and am not finished with the book yet, but would recommend.