All posts by pcc

Baby Running Steps

'Project 365, Day 16: Tools of the trade' photo (c) 2008, Melinda - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

As part of my attempt to be DELIBERATE , I’ve decided to move my body while the kids are at swim practice.  I’ve decided  (notice the “have decided” = an on-purpose, deliberate decision) to try Couch to 5K.  Again.  I tried once about 2 years ago.  That attempt ended after 4 weeks with a sprained ligament or something that was horribly painful. I tried again about 1 year ago. That ended after 3 weeks with pneumonia. So, here we go…Attempt 3. I finished week 1 yesterday. We’ll see…

Running in silence is tough. Right now, I stocked my playlist with Toby Mac and Mandesa. I need some more great moving music. What do you recommend?

My 2012 Word of the Year: Deliberate

my 2012 word for the yearDeliberate.

An adverb.

As in “be deliberate” or advised, calculated, considered, knowing, measured, reasoned, studied, thoughtful, thought-out, weighed, intentional.

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines deliberate (the adverb) as “characterized by or resulting from careful and thorough consideration” or “characterized by awareness of the conseqences”.

In 2012, I hope to be deliberate:

  • in seeking God through active study and prayer.
  • in loving others by actively searching for ways to show love, not just stumbling upon it.
  • in my marriage by setting aside time for my husband, not just giving him what’s left at the end of an exhausting day.
  • as a parent by being consistent.
  • in friendships by picking up the phone or dropping a note in the mail more than every once in a while.
  • in making choices that are better for my body, my mind and our budget.
  • in homemaking by creating a comfortable place for my family and a welcoming place for friends.
  • in business by setting goals that line up with my dreams and not chasing tangents.

So, that’s it.  I plan to spend 2012 being deliberate, making choices that focus my attention, my time, my money and my health where they need to be.  Like the writer of Hebrew’s encourages:

1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses a surrounding us, let us lay aside everyweight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:1-2 HCSB)

That’s my word.

Southern Traditions: Black-eyed Peas on New Years

What’s the plan for your house this New Year’s Day?  Are you serving black-eyed peas, greens, and pork?

I think we’ll be doing a little of this:

101_0671

Since I’ll be in the city with some of the greatest food in the world, I know I’ll be able to find my New Year’s bowl of black-eyed peas, some greens, and some type of pork!

While these foods are stables in the South year ‘round, they hold a little extra significance on New Year’s Day.  Some say that black-eyed peas are eaten for luck, others for good fortune as the peas could symbolize coins.  The greens are a bringer of money (not wealth, just enough to do).  And pork, well who doesn’t want pork anytime of year!

101_1110

I’ve got a few heads of cabbage out in the garden and some black-eyed peas in the freezer (but originally from the farmer’s market).  I may have to make my own batch of New Year’s Day Goodness when I get home Sunday night.  If you’re looking for a fun way to prepare your black-eyed peas and cabbage, try this recipe from The Homesick Texan or this recipe from Southern Living?

As you prepare for the New Year, don’t forget our Mardi Gras season is almost here!  I’m can’t wait to make a King Cake!  Wonder how that’ll fit with my healthy eating goals for the New Year!

Monogrammed Mardi Gras Mask JumperThrow me something Mister tee shirt

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!  Forgive the delay in a Christmas post.  We’ve been busy enjoying the company of our families and friends and I’ve almost forgotten about the computer.

Christmas Morning 2011

What fun to watch my kids on Christmas morning!  They were so excited to open their eyes to find surprises and wishes.  We kept it small (only 1 gift from us and 2 from Santa).  It was also so exciting to see the excitement on their faces as they gave family members gifts that they had chosen or made especially for them!

As we celebrate one more day of Christmas with our family, please let me share with you the reason I celebrate on December 25th (and 364.25 other days of the year too): God made us humans in His own image, to commune with Him. He gave us free will as a part of that amazing plan. Satan tempted Eve, she tasted the fruit and now she/we understand good and evil. Sadly, over the centuries, our world has chosen the easy, worldly way. God gave Moses a set of rules. People couldn’t handle these, so we turned them into a jumbo mess. So God made it easier. He sent Jesus. Just like that, a part of God became a baby, something simple that people could/should’ve been able to understand. Then, the ultimate in sacrifices, this perfect sinless man died. When He did, He took the punishment for my sins. Pretty amazing if you ask me.  Here’s the best part of the story! He didn’t stay dead. He returned 3 days later from that stone-sealed tomb and today He reigns, both in Heaven and in the hearts of His believers. Thank you God for sending that Baby so I could “get it”!

Merry Christmas my friends!