Obtaining Mercy

A Link or Two or Three

I think everyone at our house may - possibly - be recovering from this latest malady - finally!

Isaac actually woke at a normal time yesterday, was happy and noisy most of the day, then slept all night.  He had gotten into the habit of waking up around 3:30 a.m. each morning for the past week or so.  Of course, that played havoc with everyone's sleep patterns.  Last night was much better.

I surprised myself last night and stayed awake until after 1 a.m. reading a book.  I thought since going off all caffeine, I would conk out every night; and so far I have done that, around 11:30 p.m.  But last night I finished one book and started another around 11:00 p.m.  I knew better than to start a new book at that late hour, but...I don't always do what I should do. (heh heh!)

So, yeah, I am blurry-eyed and dragging a bit this morning (but am enjoying the new book!).

Let's see...Oh, I have a few links to share with you:

I watched this movie over the weekend, and enjoyed it very much!

I have set up this page as my home page on the computer, having abandoned this page when it - astonishingly - had not one article about the Chick-fil-A situation that took place a while back. 

I loved the format of the old page, but really - You claims to post all trending articles, but conveniently filter out a hugely controversial national story???  I think somebody is not being very honest!  (I know, why am I surprised?)  At least The Christian Post tells you exactly what you are going to get - Christian news - even in its title.  I can live with that.

Doug baked these cookies over the weekend.  They were so yummy and just the "taste" of fall that we had been craving. 

Of course, now Doug is determined to bake his mom's fabulous pumpkin bread next.  It is honestly the best pumpkin bread we have ever had.  I just love the balance of spices in her bread.  So, I suggested we do the pumpkin bread, but also make the caramel icing from the other recipe!!!  Pumpkin Bread with Caramel Frosting - now doesn't that have a nice autumn "ring" to it??? ;)

So, how about a verse for today?  Here's one I read this morning:

 

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

 

Now, there's a good bit of comfort in those words, when you dwell on them a while.  Are you meditating on a specific verse of Scripture today, or maybe this week? If so, I'd love to hear about it. :)

Wishing you a Happy Wednesday,

Alesha

 

 

What a Lovely Day!

 

Doug and I had such a nice day together on Friday.

It was one of those days when not one thing went according to plan!  It was, however, a day full of fun surprises:

• avoiding the traffic jam on I-4 by doing a u-turn on the ramp, driving through the median and hopping a curb to get back on the road.
• wandering around Kissimmee looking for a place to eat, but finding all the nice restaurants closed.
• seeing a road that Doug recognized, taking it and ending up on the road on which we meant to end our day.
• eating Turkish cuisine for the first time.
• looking for a used bookstore, with written directions from a barista, and never finding the store.
• deciding to not return the way we came, and looking for a bead store.
• finding the mall that the bead store was supposed to be in, and learning that the entire mall was empty except for a few store on the end near Outdoor World.
• walking through Bass Pro Shop (now, I can say that I've been...nothing spectacular, in my opinion)
• finding a new way to get to the road we were on before, so that we could go to Whole Foods before we headed home.
• going home with freshly ground cashew butter (yum!)

Now a few pictures from our lovely lunch. (I do apologize for the poor quality - my cell phone is notoriously difficult to hold still while pressing the shutter button.)

Hot Lemon Green Tea

 

Fabulous Turkish Bread.  We were amazed and asked for instructions!

 

"Just use your knife and poke it!"  Steam billowed out as it collapsed.

It was served with amazing authentic hummus (very similar to mine, I am proud to say), pickled cabbage and Kalamata olives.  The taste combinations were extraordinarily delicious!

 

Soup of the Day - Lentil, with a squeeze of lemon on top

 

Falafel Wrap with Tahini dipping sauce

 

Lamb Kabob with grilled Veggies and Rice (that Doug said was amazing!)

 

Turkish Pistachio Baklava

 

Anatolia - our Lovely Surprise of the Day

 

And of course, one of the best things about being out in Florida is the always breathtaking Sky!

Our day was full of twists and turns (literally and figuratively); but we enjoyed our time together and made some wonderful memories.

Changes to our plans are not necessarily bad!

Embrace the unexpected with an air of expectancy.

God will surprise you in ways you would never imagine.

:)

Blessings,

Alesha

Beat the Winter Blahs Salad

 

I easily tire of eating salad, especially in the winter.  My brain tells me that if it's *cold* outside, I should be eating something *warm*!  So I find it quite a challenge to make a salad that appeals to me.

Over the weekend, I came up with a salad that is tasty and pretty.  I thought I'd share it with you.  It's nothing fancy, but has a nice balance of flavors. 

 

 

Beat the Winter Blahs Salad

• Romaine lettuce
• Radishes
• Yellow peppers
• Dried cranberries (I used the pomegranate flavored)
• Sunflower seeds
• Poppy Seed salad dressing
• Salt and Pepper to taste

 

Let me know if you try it.  I'd love to know what you think.

Blessings,

Alesha

The "Good for What Ails You" Smoothie

 

I am feeling pretty yuck today.  I'm home alone, and nothing in the kitchen looks or smells appealing.  So when all else fails, go for fruit.

 

 

"Good for What Ails You" Smoothie

• 1/2 honeydew melon, seeded and peeled
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 to 1 cup frozen strawberries

Place all ingredient in blender and pulse until smooth.

 

 

It's guaranteed to make you feel all better!!!

:)

Tuesday's Tasty Treat

 

 

Fresh cucumber and tomato, sliced.

Two cloves of fresh garlic, pressed.

Olive oil, drizzled.

Sea salt, sprinkled.

Guaranteed to make your taste buds sing!!! 

(Though, perhaps, you should not "sing" directly into your companion's face, unless they partook of  the same dish!)

Enjoy!