Life is Like Jellybeans.........Most Days are Beautiful.........

I had a rough day recently.  I recounted the rough parts to my special friend Jean, and the quintessential teacher (15 years retired) she got back with me to share an idea that she wanted me to use with my daughter (who calls her Aunt Jean) to illustrate a healthy perspective on the bad stuff that happens.  We discussed pretty marbles vs. black marbles, red checkers vs. black checkers but when the idea of jellybeans came, I knew THAT was the option I would go with.  

Aunt Jean's life lesson plan was that I start with an empty jar, and recall the events or observations for the day with my daughter, careful to cover the wonderful and good points, and each time a positive remark is made, drop a pretty color in the jar.  I had told her black was my least favorite color, so when I recalled or reviewed a negative from our day, I was to drop a black in the jar.  Lastly I should summarize to my daughter that life is like that....filled with good and bad, but usually more good than bad, if we look carefully, and what are we going to choose to focus on? ...the beautiful colors, or the black??

I now have a new affection for jellybeans.  And yes, I am aware that black can be beautiful, and as a matter of fact, I wore a black shirt proudly, all day today.

 Also I am aware that some people like the black jellybeans.  My mom does.  Fine.  I love the pretty colors.  I love to remember that most days are beautiful.  Most days are filled with good stuff.  All the more for Christians, who are just passing through in this world.  We are Heaven bound. Looking at events of my day, or jellybeans in a jar, I choose to look at the pretty ones.  May your days be colorful and beautiful.  

Gratitude with my Coffee

The bible says that every GOOD and PERFECT gift comes from ABOVE.  I take the Bible for what it says.  God gets glory and honor and THANKS for everything good about my life, and everything good that I see.

I am grateful for more than I can document.  His presence, His WORD, His present HELP, His strength, His creation, His plan of salvation and provision of JESUS as my loving and gracious savior, the perfect, and holy sacrifice that purchases my soul unto eternity, and ANSWERED PRAYERS.  

Let me pause there, to recall a few answered prayers:
My son was born 6 weeks early, low birth weight, and couldn't "suck."  Something was wrong with his blood count.  He stayed in the hospital for 9 days (or was is 11?) and I heard the nurses discuss that were only letting him come home with me at that point, because they knew I could handle it and would be attentive and on top of it.  You see, the whole time that my baby was in the neo-natal intensive care unit, I spent ALL DAY at the hospital with him, and came home only to sleep and shower.  The nurses convinced me that was the right thing to do, because after all, I was trying to "make milk."  You might be wondering why, if he couldn't suck?
Well, I was self pumping to get what I could, for a special, "preemie-bottle," which had a special hole in the nipple from which milk would drip or stream out at the perfect rate.  Also, my baby was comforted by the skin to skin close contact as I held him for hours and let him "try to suck."  He surely got a few drips of Mama's milk that way.

My baby boy was vulnerable and at high risk for something to go terribly wrong.  I prayed, "God preserve his brain.  Let him grow to be big and strong and wise.  May he use his life for YOU."

When my son was growing up, (I don't know if he remembers this.) I used to tell him, "It is more important to me that you serve God.... than the profession you choose.  I don't care what profession you choose, as long as you serve God with your life."

He graduated with honors, and scholarships in his future, and biggest in his class.  I know genetics helped here, but I will always give God glory and honor and gratitude for answered prayers.
In the truck on the way to his freshman college orientation, I began my focused prayer for God to send (spiritual) ENCOURAGEMENT in to my son's life.  His spiritual gas tank running pretty low.

His sister and I prayed for him everyday, for God to send people into his life to speak, "Love and truth and wisdom," and for God to move in his heart to grow his faith and draw him closer in fellowship.  Guess what God did?

He sent Sara.  An old friend and acquaintance from his summer job a few years ago, may I say that he was smitten early on by her friendly demeanor, crystal blue eyes, and sweet girl charm, but when they started seeing each other summer 2015, there were fiery sparks.  She let him know that she was looking for a man that would join her in passion and dedication of serving her Lord.

The Holy Spirit and the WORD went to work, through Sara, in my son's life.  She got him in church three times a week, and in a regular Bible study.  My son fell in love with Sara and grew leaps in bounds in his faith walk and wisdom.  More prayers answered for this Mama !!  December 2016 they married 💞  

Now, they live everyday, grateful for each other and their life together.  They work hard, and strive to serve God.

Gratitude tastes delicious, with my coffee.  I would enjoy reading in comments, what you are grateful for. 

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A Secret from my Beloved Grannie, and More Great Simple Food

Pure nutrition served here !!  (and maybe a little butter and sugar😄)

Thought this was worth sharing:  Folks, you need to know, something that I learned from my grannie.  You can make your own breakfast sausage and have more control of the content (restrict fats, and meat cuts).  I do this with lean ground turkey, or beef.  Just add olive oil if the cooked meat is too dry because it is low fat......... Add salt and pepper as you usually would, and secret ingredient, SAGE, and walaa you have yummy sausage.  Here is one of my daughter's favorite healthy breakfasts and it is not expensive.  (Convenience foods are expensive.  Cooking from basic whole foods- not processed foods, is affordable and better for you !)

steel cut oats, cooked with butter and sugar added

The way we like it !!  Way better for us than some of the processed or more sugary alternatives!

Another healthy simple, non-processed dish here = economical.  I can still eat it when I have a part-time income !!

 The crockpot is the perfect way to cook squash, and many other foods.  I honestly don't recall anyone in my family cooking hard skinned squash, growing up.  Somewhere along the line, I discovered that the uncooked veggies and their skins that are so so tough........ just cook it/them washed and whole in the crockpot and then they are tender and SUPER EASY.  I actually find that cooking hard veggies this way, reduces need to butter or oil.  Butternut squash, acorn squash, spaghetti squash and sweet potatoes cooked like this, are moist and tender.

 I add just a little butter, drizzle of honey, and often walnuts and in this case cranberries, and it is a Mama and me please-er.  (My mom is a squash and sweet potato fan, like I am.)

No, I don't only eat brown stuff.  I am definitely gettin' some green in this blog soon!  Also, I am gonna go listen more this             savvy mama.

Thanks for stopping by, and I wish YOU some healthy, simple cookin'.

Some of my Grown-up Favorite Movies

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"Last of the Mohicans," was one of the first movies that my husband and I saw together when we were dating.  

I admit, that to this day, I purposely "hide my eyes," during some intense violent scenes, but I can tell you that I have always been in love with the music, and the realistic costuming, filming, and storyline, and the tragic end is ironically a big reason that I found victory in this story.  You want danger, suspense, more danger and suspense, and beauty and a wee bit of raw romance, through out mountains, forests, creeks and camps of early America, to the back drop of amazing music?  Don't miss this movie💙💙💙💙
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You love country scenery?  Interested in American history at all?  (Pardon me for asking...)  Do you like good looking men?  This movie is magnificent.  See it, and swoon:

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Now, this movie is so special to me.  We rented it in old video form probably in the 1990s.  It ministered to my spirit and soul.  Richard Gere was fabulous............. and helped me learn of God's amazing grace, through His beloved David.  It is another movie that landed me on my knees, this time, in worshipful tears and prayer.  So see it, and share it:   💙💙💙💙

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Some All Time Favorite Kids' Movies

You won't regret, if get a hold of one of these.

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Let's start with the original Disney movie, "Jungle Book."

If you have not seen this jewel, YOU NEED TO.  The characters, animation, MUSIC and song are cheerful, FUN, catchy, endearing.  Want a feel good movie for a rainy day? First produced in the 1960's, as far as I am concerned, this belongs at the top of all time animation accomplishment for kids.  Put this one on and BE HAPPY 💙💙💙💙

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Then there is the AMAZING Disney classic, "Swiss Family Robinson."  There have been some remakes, but I don't know why.  This one is pristine.

The scenery is breathtaking.  The story-line  and photography is captivating, and of course the classic story comes to life.  I promise, the treehouse will speak to you and you will likely have sweet dreams the night you see this movie with your family.💙💙💙💙

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Then there is the wonderful classic, "Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang."  How do I tell what I liked best about this movie?

It is hard for me to fathom, but I realize it is true, there are younger generations who have not heard or seen this movie. It is another one from my childhood (child of 60s and 70s).  The music, songs, settings, interesting and quirky characters, as well as the adventure,  are simply a feast for the imagination, eyes and ears.  I have watched it over and over and over, with my kids and consider it a PARTY.💙💙💙💙.....................................................................

A fairly recent movie that captured my heart is this crude tale.

The dynamic functional and dysfunctional members of this funny family, represent some timeless themes of family dynamics, survival, and love.  I laughed and was thoroughly entertained the first time I saw this movie, as was my then 9 year old daughter, and 80 year old father, the first time we saw it.  In the end something happens that touched me deeply.  I cried happy, "That's the stuff of LIFE," tears.  It's a winner!💙💙💙💙

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Now this one is one the best movies, ever, about real life content.  I recommend it be viewed with parents, and savored with children who have some maturity.  It's an awesome movie for teens:

See this movie, and be inspired  by the character of Rachel Joy, to persevere, and live with love and faith, to finish the race.  When our little group finished this movie, (daughter's early 13th birthday present at her request) we held hands and prayed............. May you and yours, as well.💙💙💙💙

Books; some of my not new treasures:

Oh how I love books !!  My husband never had to worry about me spending too much money on clothes.  He had to remind me or encourage me to buy clothes....... but BOOKS...... that's a different story.  He was wise to keep me out of bookstores.

Now it will be my delight, to share some of my favorites here.  I think I will go in somewhat of a chronological order.

First let me recommend anything by Joni Eareckson Tada.  I read this after my mother gave it to me.  I think I was in junior high, and this autobiography captivated me, and spoke to my heart about deep and important truths.  

I HIGHLY recommend this book for young adults, teens, or anyone who has a heart. I can honestly say that Joni's story here, planted seeds of hope in my heart that I have carried with me since.  Thank you Mrs. Tada.  She married, later, and wrote more...... Search her, and find her books !!💙💙💙💙
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I was out of college and working, when an "older lady" recommended this book to me.  This is another author that blew my socks off, but this is my favorite of the books I read by him.  The simple message, simple love, simple life, that Mr. Girzone's character of Joshua lives out where ever he settles, was sweet like honey on homemade bread with real butter.  I wanted to share it with all my precious friends.  I lent my original copy out until it was not returned, and bought copies as gifts to give.  You will NOT be sorry if you chase down a copy, sink in to your favorite spot and join him.💙💙💙💙

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Now let me tell you about this little gem.  It is called Betty Zane , and it is written by Zane Grey, 1933 copyright.  It surely is not my usual genre, but a special friend gave it to me.  A dear sweet man, my old poet friend, Itasca Cody Cox,  gave it to me in 1999 when he was filtering through his possessions, preparing to move into a house that his youngest daughter had built for him on a lake.  He told me that daughter came to he and his wife late in life and unexpected, but that she told him when she was 13 that someday she was going to live on a lake, and build him a house by hers.... AND SHE DID.  Mr. Cox and I had connected on poetry.  A grand poet he was.

2009, I finally read the book.  I wrote it in the cover.  WOW, was it a treat !!  I went back in time and experienced life on the early American  frontier.  I wore long full skirts and had tough sharp shooter men in leather fringed coats visit my cabin and defend us against flaming arrows shot  at our thatched roofs, by Indians who felt betrayed, threatened, angry and distrustful.  For me, this was an escape, pure fantasy entertainment.  I had an interesting, dangerous adventure in wild country, from my bed.  I remember where I was when I read it.💙💙💙💙

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This is an amazing piece of literature.  True documentations of modern and ancient martyrs for Christ.  Talk about heavy content!  Cool thing about this book is that each case is only a few pages long.  Believe it or not, I shared much of this book with my five year old son. (He's 21 now, and brilliant of course.)  I just paraphrased the stories if the language seemed too deep.  It makes you think, and makes you be grateful.  Since Fox's Book of Martyrs (I always considered it too difficult to read), this book Jesus Freaks, produced by dc talk and nonprofit group, " Voice of the Martyrs," belongs in every Christian library in the free world.

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I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris, is a good read for parents and teens, or single Christians.  It is another one that I bought and gave as gifts years ago.  It communicates logic on the subject of interpersonal relationships among singles.  If more people followed Joshua's advice, there WOULD be less heart ache. It is easy and fun to read, and sensible, I thought!

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💙💙💙💙Everything by Gary Chapman must rock !  (teen talk for be very good)  The Four Season's of Marriage, is a good book. My sister lent it to me, but The Five Love Languages, practically changed my life

as it gave me understanding and insight on so many of my important relationships......................... Actually, it makes a great marriage gift, especially for young people.  It is easy to read, and could change your life too!💙💙💙💙

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Oh Elizabeth George!!!  What a great mentor of young women you are in your books!!💙💙💙💙  I can't even remember all of her books that I have read.  Loved every one!  Want advice from a Godly, wise, loving woman?  Elizabeth George does it in her books!

Just want some entertainment?  💙💙💙💙Good, clean, uplifting entertainment?  Be transported to another time, another place, and experience the trials and blessings of one of Janette Oke's characters, who learns and grows as she walks with her Lord.  I recall some of her men characters as well, are Godly and role model worthy.  I thank God for YOU,  Mrs. Oke, for your contributions to literature !  These are in a special collection box for my daughter and she has already enjoyed a few!  How cool is that?!

Stormie Omartian has encouraged and guided many women with her practical application, and examples to help you apply God's word for the edification of your family.  If you have never read anything by Stormie Omartian, you need to put it on your bucket list  for sure !💙💙💙💙

By accident, I discovered Tracie Peterson through this book.  If you enjoy vulnerable but strong women characters, this book will give you a big helping of satisfaction and intrigue, along with adventure, suspense, on a table cloth of HOPE.💙💙💙💙

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share my favorite books with you.  More is on the way.  Have a blessed day💙

Sparkles of Wisdom for Getting Along

I'm gonna go out on a limb, here, and share some sparkles of wisdom for getting along with family members (and people in general) that in my maturity have been very helpful in allowing me to avoid some social snares or blunders of my youth.

Let's face it.  There are lots of different personalities in the world, and the variety makes life interesting and colorful, but we are not going to delight in every one all the time!  Sometimes we are going to have a hard time dealing with certain personalities or certain comments.  I am not offering the following as blanket advice that would be the sum total of what you need to know.  I am sharing that these sparkles of wisdom have been MOST USEFUL to ME as I try to navigate the waters of family dynamics to the peaceful shores, and it is also invaluable as applied to other relationships.

1) Be polite and Kind. 

 Let that mantra guide you!  It's simple.  "Thank you to my friend Jean O'Malley, beautiful old school, for teaching me this," and, "I know Mom.  No one did more to teach me the value of good manners, than YOU, and being polite and kind is supposed to be the purpose of good manners."  Thank you to Mom also, for teaching me this.  It's really from the Bible:

Luke 6:31  Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Just measure your words and actions against that simple standard, before you speak or act.  Ask yourself, "Is it polite?  Is it kind?"  If yes, then fine.  You're good.

Now, problem is, even living by this, problems will come up.  You will face temptation to say something or do something that will not serve a KIND or polite purpose.  In such cases, it has been helpful to me, to learn how to "put it in a box."

My second sparkle of wisdom for promoting (and preserving) good relationships is to learn how to "put it in a box."

2) Put it in a box, on a shelf, and leave it there.

James 3, and Proverbs of the Holy Bible speak a lot about the tongue, and Isaiah 30:15 admonishes:

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.

Always consider the option to just "be quiet about it!"

I have literally had an incident come up, that made me fume, seething mad.  I considered all that I could say, and had 0% faith or expectation that any communication on this matter would HELP, and 100% confidence that this was going to be a blow-up with hurt feelings resulting if I addressed this topic openly and honestly from my perspective, so I said, "We are going to put this in a box, on a shelf, and never speak of it again..... because all I want to do is love you and honor you."

It ended fine and well, and we haven't spoken of it since.  When the issue comes up even from someone else opening the backdoor, I do not comment unless I can make a positive, encouraging statement or response (turn their negative into a positive.)

I know, this is (let's be frank) "women talk."  Men live on a different plane than we do, and wouldn't care, don't care about half the stuff we women care about and vice versa, but as sweet as we try to be, it's not always easy for all the cats to get along.

(✰Ephesians 4: 29 Let no corrupt word come out of your mouth, but that which is good for edifying, and ministering of grace to the hearers)

Those are my two main sparkles of relationship wisdom.  What are yours??  I would enjoy reading about YOURS in comments, and would love if you added scripture💙 

copy right Tammy Dunlap 2017 <Tammy Dunlap's Permissions Policy>

Empty Nest

A cool cat, I am not.  A mother or grannie who wants her coffee, I AM.

At such quiet coffee breaks, I may contemplate: Empty nest is approaching, whether I like it or not.  On days that my daughter is away with friends or involved in a school function, and I am alone..............................I miss her.  I am lonely.  What AM I GOING TO DO??

Well, after the eternal list of living maintenance chores (cooking, shopping, cleaning etc.), I am looking forward to:

1) adding to my garden each year.  This year, I will add roses, and "more potatoes."  I am reasonable.

2) Eventually getting the clutter cleared out, and re-purposing my son's bedroom, but at the same time providing for comfy  accommodations for him and his family (whose visits are my delight.)

3) I want to paint or treat my front porch deck.  I am so happy in June, July, and August to have time off to catch up on home projects.

4) Work on my blogging, and add pages about one of my long time loves:  BOOKS.

5) In general, I am on a journey to increase my understanding, and skills in regards to this exciting media called internet.

Got any advice to share, or sources to recommend, or your own to-do list?  I would enjoy reading your comments.
Enjoy your coffee time, and thanks for the visiting.💙☕

Spring is in the Air

Spring is in the air!  There is no artist that is as awesome as the creator!

It is spring in the air, in plants, and my mind and heart as well, as I savor beauty around me, dream of ideas to discover, skills to hone, crafts to accomplish, celebrations to relish, (mmm recipes to share), and best of all, I nurture and hope for love to GROW in my family, as God is growing these beautiful flowers......................

This blog is a place where I will document and share some of my journey savoring, successes, sagacity, and sensibilities, as I alone venture and share, or my daughter with me.  I am growing in to my retirement years (could be two years away), and embracing being a new mother-in-law- and love, at the same time I am grandmother to a precious preschooler, and mother to an amazing teen ( come June), my Cherish, and also I am daughter to two treasures that are my Mom and Dad.  These relationships and times, bring rich blessings, trying challenges, and always I have HOPE because of my Lord.  Bible and faith are my foundation.