Messy because...

Last week I began the ordeal that is prepping for tax filing. I say prepping because I have my own business. And, as many of you are aware, that entails mileage, receipts, education, membership fees & dues, etc., etc.

Now, many of you in this situation are on top of things, I'm sure. I, however, am not. I should be. I know how to take care of things. But I don't.

As I tackled the box of papers, I had to first start with filing the everyday stuff — the stuff that has nothing to do with tax prep, per se — the mortgage statement, bank statements, utility bills, etc. Instead of filing these neatly away (yes, there IS a place for everything...I am ORGANIZED after all!) after paying bills or balancing the checkbook, I put them aside in a pile that soon becomes a boxful. Silly, right? Am I just in a hurry? Lazy? Or...what? Why do I do this to myself?

Then it occurred to me...I enjoy the process that is 'cleaning up a big mess'. Strange, but there you have it. It's much more enjoyable for me to vacuum a carpet that has a visible mess on it, (think potting soil from a plant that your cat played in) or cereal off the kitchen floor where your 3 year old tried to get her own breakfast. I always prefer tackling a garden full of weeds to a couple of stray weeds in the yard. It's much more satisfying to wash a filthy dirty car than it is to wash a car where you can barely see any dirt. You get the picture, I'm sure.

So, is my lack of timely filing just another way for me to have satisfaction for a job well done? Hmm...

As my daughter would say, "Don't judge!".

I Miss You Dad! (And you Uncle Vern!)

As I sat in church this morning, the guitarist began to play and I recognized the song - with the words coming to mind - even before the lines appeared on the screen. Trust and Obey*.

This song ALWAYS reminds me of my dad. It takes me back to a time in my childhood when dad often 'filled the pulpit' at churches in the Sacramento valley. There were more than a couple where dad filled in for weeks or months at a time. One in particular was Wilson District. Week after week, for what seemed like 6 months or so, our family traveled the distance each Sunday morning so dad could preach. During our time at this church we sang Trust and Obey nearly every Sunday, I think. Dad must have been wrestling with something in his life about that time or...well, who knows. But I could see the passion for God and the belief on his face as we sang. He knew that the only way to serve God was to trust and obey.

My dad passed away nearly 4 years ago. The sadness has returned, along with a new sadness, since my Uncle Vern - dad's only brother - passed away a few days ago. My Uncle Vern, younger than dad by 4 years, was wonderful! He was fun and funny, always ready with a smile and something to make us laugh. In my younger years we didn't see much of Uncle Vern, but by the time I was a teenager we saw him more often.

I remember just after Dan and I were married. We had been in Carmel for a day or two and decided to drive home via highway 1. Passing through Half Moon Bay I suddenly recognized the area (though I had been there only once, about 4-5 years before). We slowed down and I found the house where Uncle Vern and his family lived (no, I didn't have his address with me). We stopped and knocked, being welcomed in by my surprised uncle. What an impromptu visit we had!

In recent years Uncle Vern moved out of state but we kept in touch. And somewhere in there he came to faith in God, realizing that he needed to trust and obey. I know that today, my dad and my uncle are rejoicing with God, along with my grandparents.

I truly thank God for the legacy left by my parents and grandparents. In my life I have walked closely with God and I have strayed away, but I know where I belong...and I know where I am happiest & where I am loved. Thank you Dad. I miss you!


*Trust and Obey
 John H. Simmis, 1887
 Public Domain

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
   What a glory He sheds on our way!
   While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
   And with all who will trust and obey.
   • Refrain:
     Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
     To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
   But His smile quickly drives it away;
   Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
   Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
   But our toil He doth richly repay;
   Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
   But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
   Until all on the altar we lay;
   For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
   Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
   Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
   What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
   Never fear, only trust and obey.

Fish & Chips!

I'm not a fish eater. I was not raised in a home where fish was eaten (canned tuna was the exception). But, in recent years my husband has encouraged me to try a little fish. I haven just a few times so far.

So, why did I find myself making fish & chips last night? Well, not sure. Maybe the challenge? But, I have to say I loved the outcome. Don't get me wrong...the batter needs some tweaking and the mess, ugh! But, the cod was light, flaky and delicious!

At the very last minute I stopped at Wally World and bought a deep fryer. After I fried my fish, I fried frozen, season fries. They came out really great, too. The seasoning was lessened by the oil, I'm sure, but a dash of salt and they were yummy!

I also made cole slaw but we were having so much fun playing the oil that we forgot to get it out! Lol

Tonight's dinner? Chicken Parm Pizzas

So...I'm trying another new recipe, this one also from Rachael Ray, from her latest magazine. The idea here, I think, is to cut the carbs and the bake time. It starts with ground chicken instead of chicken breasts (although I used ground turkey since the store I went to didn't have ground chicken). You mix herbs and seasonings into the chicken then spread the mixture into two 8 inch round cake pans and put them in the freezer for 4 hours ( I have less than 2...we'll see if that's enough time). When you pull them out, you coat them with flour, then eggs, then a breadcrumb mixture (with Parmesan and Pecorino cheeses) before pan frying them for about 4 minutes each. Then bake the pizzas for about 15 minutes. Top with marinara sauce and cheese mixture before serving.

It's quite interesting today because my daughter is also creating something new in the kitchen. We are getting creative about working around each other and using different dishes and appliances. Funny how we are both deciding to eat new and more healthful foods at the same time.   :-)

So, back to our dinner. My husband came home while I was pan frying the pizzas so he had to wait about 20 minutes for dinner. Was it worth the wait????

The unanimous vote is... Yes! My husband and I, plus my daughter and a friend all said, "yumm"!

What's for dinner?

I have a friend that is always asking me, What's for dinner?" or "How was lunch?" and often, "What did you eat?". Foodies are all around us and I have to say that sometimes I feel like a foodie, too. My problem (well, one of my MANY) is that I have not often taken the time to plan and prepare great meals. I often fall back on the easy and handy meals that work well with my family. Hmmm. Time to attempt a change. We'll see how it goes.

So...what WAS for dinner tonight?  I recently purchased a couple of food magazines (yes, I know, there are tons of great recipes on the internet for FREE. I like the feel of books and magazines in my hands.) and found an easy recipe called Chicken Cutlets with Citrus Tarragon Sauce. The recipe happens to be one of Rachael Ray's, btw.

I should have thought to take a picture of the finished dish but I wasn't thinking ahead to this blog (I JUST decided to write about it). The preparation was easy and fast, and with cook time was about 30 minutes. I was pleased with that. The recipe was a little vague on the amount for a few ingredients (salt, pepper, grapefruit juice, tarragon) and although I will try the recipe again - with alterations - my husband and I have learned that we probably don't like to cook with grapefruit juice. Maybe lemon and/or lime next time. Overall, though? I am pleased with the results. And, my husband has lunch for tomorrow. That always spells success.